It was the little things.
It was the way Kurt was greeted one morning with a bashful grin and an arm slung roughly over his shoulder. The daily dumpster escapades had ceased some time ago, and rather than a revival of the old routine, Kurt was offered a sincere apology for the routine's previous existance.
It was the way Kurt was reassured after he blew the high F. Kurt had expected the sympathetic winces he saw as it happened, but he hadn't expected the genuine and sincere statement of empathy his teammate gave him at the end of practice.
It was the way Kurt gradually became safe from harrassment. Jocks, bullies, and ass holes of every kind started coming to school covered in bruises the day after they were seen bothering Kurt. Pretty soon they left him alone entirely.
It was the quickly-averted gazes and the sidelong glances that Kurt had started to receive. At first he assumed that the looks weren't directed at him. Then he started to notice them when he was the only other person in the room.
It was the way Kurt was chosen to be someone's partner for the Glee duets assignment. Mister Schuster was about to start pulling names out of a hat again, but a voice halted his actions, insisting that they should be allowed to choose their partners this time. And before Kurt could pair up with Mercedes, he had been claimed.
It was the way that Kurt was invited over to someone's house for the first time in five years (other than Mercedes and not counting that time he gave Rachel a makeover from hell). Kurt had expected to be invited under the pretense of working on the duet, but instead he was offered an invitation to blow off the work for a little while and just hang out together.
It was the way Kurt got his first kiss. He hadn't been expecting it, but that only increased the thrill. It was a soft touch, light and uncertain. But it was wonderful, and Kurt was positively giddy for the rest of the week.
It was the way Kurt never felt pressured to be any more than he was or to do any more than he wanted. He had been nervous starting a relationship with someone so experienced, but within the first week that worry had ceased to exist.
It was the way they walked hand-in-hand and stole kisses in the hall. Kurt had known from experience that their high school wasn't particularly accepting of gays. He had never expected to find someone who was willing to endure the torture solely for his sake.
It was the way they stayed up texting all night. Many mornings Kurt would awake to find his phone still in his hand, the battery dead from the excessive use.
It was the way Kurt had someone to be with on the anniversary of his mother's death. After all these years, he still couldn't face it alone. So as He sat silently on the floor of his parents' room, he was eternally grateful for the warm arms that encased him and held him tight.
It was the notes that would appear in his locker every Monday morning. Their contents were often simple and pointless - sometimes no more than a quickly scribbled "hi" - but they never failed to bring a smile to Kurt's face.
It was the little things that let Kurt know how much he was loved.
