Chapter 1:

By now, Kurt was used to being the resident gay of McKinley High. That's not to say he liked the situation, he was just used to it. He grew to expect a slushie in the face everyday, or a violent push into the lockers. That's what it was like to be an out-and-proud individual in this cow-town they call Lima. Kurt was no longer surprised by the daily acts of violence, nor the lack of punishment to said bullies. He never expected any of that to change. His plan was to simply make it through high school in this one horse town, then move to New York to pursue his dreams. Kurt was destined to be a Broadway star.

Although his life was still a living hell at school, Kurt had to admit things were getting better for him since joining Glee Club last year. Glee gave him an opportunity to be himself and show everyone what a star he will be. It was also a chance to make friends with people he never would have without Glee Club. Everyone in the club had become a family over the past year. There were the jocks, the cheerleaders, and the outcasts. Glee Club had a way of bringing everyone together. At least, those who were open-minded enough to join. Despite making it to Nationals last year, the club was still the bottom of the barrel at McKinley. This year would most likely be no different.

Last year Kurt did the impossible, he found the man of his dreams. He found Blaine. He and Blaine met at Dalton Academy last year during Kurt's short time as a student there. Kurt thought the school would be a good fit for him. It was a bully free school with a great Glee Club of its own, as well as some out of the closet students. Dalton was great, and the people were great, but Kurt missed his friends too much to stay. The separation had been hard on the two of them, so Blaine decided to come to

McKinley for his senior year. Kurt finally had everything he ever wanted. Or so he thought.

The doubts about their relationship all started with a normal afternoon at their local hangout, The Lima Bean. That afternoon while Kurt was getting their drinks a reasonably handsome and obviously gay Dalton student decided to sit at their table. Even from his spot at the counter, Kurt could clearly see that this guy was flirting with his boyfriend. His boyfriend. Kurt was getting very territorial. All he could think of at that moment was 'who is this guy and what is he doing flirting with my boyfriend right in front of me?' When their drinks were ready, Kurt immediately headed back to their table to make it clear to this stranger that Blaine already had a man in his life. As Kurt suspected, the mystery man was flirting with Blaine. Just as Blaine was about to tell him he was already spoken for, Kurt had reached the table and draped his arm around Blaine.

Mystery Man did not seem phased by this in the slightest. It was clear he was the type of guy who ran with a "I won't tell, if you don't" policy. Strike two.

They spent a few more minutes in uncomfortable silence before Mystery Man spoke again. He spoke directly to Blaine, as if Kurt wasn't sitting at the table as well. He asked if Blaine wanted to come with him to a gay bar tonight. After a few seconds of silence passed, the guy invited Kurt to tag along. It didn't take Blaine long to agree. Which left Kurt with no real choice in the matter. He wasn't about to let his boyfriend go to a gay bar with this offending man without Kurt himself by his side. So it was settled. tonight they were going to a gay bar. This was not going to end well.

It didn't take long for Blaine and Sebastian. formerly known as Mystery Man, to hit the dance floor. Kurt decided now would be the perfect time to get a drink at the bar and try to take his mind off of the man hitting on his boyfriend. He trusted Blaine.

Kurt hadn't been sitting at the bar long when someone sat down next to him. At first he couldn't tell who it was because the guy was wearing a baseball cap and had focused his attention on the bartender who was standing off to the right. When he finally turned around to say hi, Kurt almost fell off of the stool he was sitting on. Dave Karofsky. He was about the last guy Kurt would expect to see at the local gay bar. Karofsky was the resident homophobe, who was actually in the closet himself. What was he doing in a gay bar? It was then that Kurt realized he had been staring, which would explain why Karofsky was yet to speak.

Kurt decided to break the ice, "Fancy meeting you here."

"Hey, Kurt", Karofsky said rather hesitantly.

"How have you been?"

"I've been doing pretty well actually. I'm still not ready to come jumping out of the closet in a feather boa, but I'm getting closer to the closet door at least. And I have you to thank for that."

Kurt blushes at Karofsky's words, "Me? How so?"

"For reasons I still don't understand, you didn't out me. Despite all of the shitty things I did to you, you kept my secret. You're a good man Kurt."

"I would never out you. Dave. It's not my place. It is something you need to come to terms with and tell people when you are ready."

"Thanks man, it means a lot. Hey, if I ever need to talk to someone about this,

would it be alright if I give you a call? You can say no. I'll understand."

"Of course you can call me. Despite our past, I think there's a potential for friendship here. If you're not afraid of the reputation you could get by hanging out with a feather boa kind of guy like me," Kurt says with a wink.

Dave chuckles at this, "Believe it or not, I've changed a lot in the past few months. I would like the chance to show you that Kurt. I want us to be friends. I want you to see the real me. And maybe you could even help me out of the closet. I think you are a push in the right direction."

Karofsky is being so open and vulnerable. It's a nice change. The two of them continue talking for a half hour or so before Blaine and Sebastian make their way over to the bar. Kurt spends the rest of the evening talking idly with Karofsky and watching Sebastian grind up against his boyfriend. Kurt no longer finds himself as jealous about the situation. If Kurt can be friends with Karofsky, then Blaine can be friends with Sebastian. Despite this logic, Kurt can't help but wonder, 'is that really why he's not jealous?'