So I figured that Rachel and Karofsky would make a good friendship. They both struggle with adversity from being themselves, Rachel due to her love of Broadway and Dave due to his sexuality. I also noticed how the majority of the populous seems to think all she listens to is show tunes – no one remember Gives You Hell? Anyway, Rachel is rather perceptive and I like to think Rachel would have reached out to him. Additionally, I have only watched about the first 15 episodes of season 1 of glee, the rest of my knowledge is from youtube and wetpaint, so bear with me if anything's way out 'kay?

-This is in season two, just pretend Kurt's bullying was earlier

-Obviously Dave didn't transfer

-Rachel and Finn didn't get back together after the Jessie fiasco

-Rachel's own bullying has worsened to full out exclusion and physical attacks now

TRIGGER WARNING: This fic will deal with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, homophobia and bullying

On with the show…

DISCLAIMER : I don't own glee, or much of anything really… I bought a hat once so I suppose I own that… hmm…

David Karofsky was seventeen years old when he decided to kill himself. One week of homophobic slurs and constant bullying was all it took. He felt sick to his stomach when he realised what he had put Kurt through months of this, however, there was also a strong sense of resentment at the fact that the flamboyant teen barely encountered any backlash from anyone else, whereas all the jocks were on his case. Azimo was supposed to be his friend and was the one who led the campaign against him, tagging his locker.

Then there was his parents. His mother thought he was diseased whilst his father was purely disgusted by him. At least Kurt had a family who loved him –even if one was an absolute dick half the time- and he had friends who supported him. Dave had no one. He had nowhere. He had no choice.

He planned to do it with a scalpel he swiped from the Biology lab, he knew one of the girls' toilets was hardly ever used due to its close proximity to the teacher's lounge and decided that would be where he would do it, all that was left was when. Lunch time appeared to be the best bet. It should be ample time to get the deed done.

Dave ran from his class as the bell rang, signalling the beginning of lunch. He faintly heard muttered of 'fag' and 'queer' as he left, alongside various other slurs that had become compulsory at this point. He didn't notice the brown eyes tracking his path with knowing eyes. Or the light footsteps that followed him.

Dave quickly darted into the bathroom undetected. He left the door unlocked but ducked into the disabled stall and locked it. He sat himself down on the seat and took a few calming breaths, steeling himself for the task ahead. He didn't register the squeak of the door. He slowly unzipped his bag and pulled out the knife. The blade gleamed in the dim light from the yellow bulb. David was not stupid, he knew it was going to hurt, he knew it wouldn't be instantaneous. But he didn't care.

He froze at the gentle knock on the stall door though. He held his breath, praying the person would leave, he should have known he wasn't that lucky.

"David, open the door. Please." His jaw clenched at the familiar voice of the resident diva. Of all people it would have to be that fagspawn.

"Go away!" He growled. He needed to get this done. He had to before he lost his nerve.

"No. It's ok David. I know what you're going through-" Fury flooded his veins. Who did she think she was? It wasn't easy, it was fucking impossible! She had no idea what it was like to be so alone, to be so unaccepted…

"Shut your mouth. You have no idea what it's like."

"I know exactly what it's like. Everyone whispering behind your back, people attacking you for no reason other than being yourself, those you call your friends turning their backs on you when you need them most. The main thing is, I know what it's like to have all these feelings for someone you feel you shouldn't, how you throw yourself into a relationship that you believe you should want, I know the feeling of utter despair when you realise these feeling don't go away. I understand David." Came the soft yet passionate response.

The jock's eyes widened, was Berry talking about what he thought she was? He unlatched the door and it opened to reveal a serious looking Berry.

"What do you mean?" He needed to know, maybe he wasn't alone…

"I'm gay too, David."

The scalpel dropped to the ground.