Define 'Courage': Blaine's life before, during, and after Dalton and Kurt.

This is written in Blaine's point of view. Glee belongs to Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk.

*Warning* This fic contains violence, intolerance, swearing, and sexuality, just in case these really bother anyone. Rated T For Safety.

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Let's Run Away And Don't Ever Look Back

It was an exciting day. The Warblers were going to have an impromptu performance in the senior commons. It was Thad's idea. He said that a lot of boys in his classes were talking about the Warblers and how awesome they thought they were. Hearing something like that motivated us to share our music with the rest of the school, especially me because I was the lead singer. Performing made me feel such a rush.

I hurried down the spiral staircase, hoping that I would get there in time and that I would remember the lyrics. "Excuse me," said a soft, unsure voice. I turned around and looked up at a boy taller than me, my age or maybe older. He had coifed brown hair, a slender frame, fair skin, and blue eyes that shimmered with innocence. "Um, hi. Can I ask you a question?" he asked. "I'm new here."

I was reminded of myself, when I first came to Dalton. "My name's Blaine," I said, smiling and extending my hand.

He shook it and said shyly, "Kurt." He looked around at the hurried boys and asked, "So, what exactly is going on?"

"The Warblers," I replied enthusiastically. "Every now and then they throw an impromptu performance in the senior commons. It tends to shut the school down for a while."

He looked surprised. "So, wait. The Glee Club here is kind of cool?"

The frightened-looking boy observed the stampede of boys surrounding us, and the only thing I could think of was myself when I was new here. He looked like a deer in the headlights. Perhaps he was gay? I couldn't really imagine him being straight. His body language and high, breathy voice made him more obvious than me. I wanted to help him.

"The Warblers are like rock stars," I told him. He raised an eyebrow in response. "Come on. I know a shortcut."

I took his hand and we ran together through an empty hall. I spoke to him, and he just listened. He seemed moved by my friendliness, and I was glad that I had been able to reach out and make him feel welcome. "After a few months here, you know which routes to take when others are too crowded," I explained, allowing my legs to carry me - carry us - as fast as they could. It felt like we were flying; me running and holding his hand. The run only lasted a few minutes, but it felt like a millennia. Like time had stopped, and the only thing that existed was us. Finally we reached the doors.

The commons were filled with excitement. The new boy tightened his hold on his bag. "Ooh, I stick out like a sore thumb," he exhaled.

"Well, next time don't forget your jacket, new kid." I touched his shoulder. "You'll fit right in." I gave the small, charming wink I used to give Tyler Smith, and Kurt smiled and blushed. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

I joined my backup singers. Yep, I'd surprised him. He probably didn't know I was in the Glee Club, or that I was the lead singer. We began, "You think I'm pretty without any makeup on. You think I'm funny when I tell the punch line wrong. I know you get me, so I let my walls come down. Down. Before you met me, I was alright, but things were kind of heavy. You brought me to life. Now every February, you'll be my valentine."

I looked over at Kurt. His cheeks were a rosy shade of pink. I grinned. It was great to have a specific person to sing to. "Valentine. Let's go all the way tonight. No regrets, just love. We can dance until we die. You and I, we'll be young forever! You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream, the way you turn me on."

Kurt was surrounded by so many boys, but I didn't see any of them. I only saw him. He and I were the only ones in the world. "I can't sleep. Let's run away and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. My heart stops when you look at me. Just one touch, now baby, I believe this is real. So take a chance and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach. Got a motel and built a fort out of sheets. I've finally found you, my missing puzzle piece. I'm complete. Let's go all the way tonight. No regrets, just love. We can dance until we die. You and I, we'll be young forever! You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream, the way you turn me on. I can't sleep. Let's run away and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. My heart stops when you look at me. Just one touch, now baby, I believe this is real. So take a chance and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. I'm-a get your heart racing in my skintight jeans. Be your teenage dream tonight."

Kurt laughed and turned away bashfully. I looked right at him. "Let you put your hands on me in my skintight jeans. Be your teenage dream tonight. Ooh, ahh. Yeah! You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream, the way you turn me on. I can't sleep. Let's run away and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. My heart stops when you look at me. Just one touch, now baby, I believe this is real. So take a chance and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. I'm-a get your heart racing in my skintight jeans. Be your teenage dream tonight." He had an adorable little smile on his face. You could barely see his teeth and his eyes were all scrunched up. It was the happiest I'd seen him look since I met him. He clapped enthusiastically; he almost seemed out of breath.

As my buddies congratulated me on the performance, I watched David approach Kurt and whisper something to him. At the same time Wes approached me and said, "He's a spy."

"Ah," I chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?" It was obvious why the boy was here. He came the same reason I came.

"David's inviting him to join us for coffee," Wes said to me with a smile.

"Good," I said, staring at the embarrassed singer of New Directions, McKinley High's Glee Club - our competition for Sectionals. "'Cause I've got a lot to say to him."

Wes pat me on the back. He knew what I was talking about. "I know you do."

Wes, David, and I walked ahead of Kurt over to the café. He followed timidly, like a little kid in trouble. But he wasn't in trouble. We wanted to help. When we reached our table, David gestured for him to sit down. "Make yourself comfortable."

The three of them sat down, and I went over to get us all lattes. I returned and handed Wes and David theirs, kept mine, and slid Kurt's across the table. "Latte?"

"Thank you," he said quietly, cautiously.

"This is Wes and David," I introduced them.

"It's very civilized for you to invite me for coffee before you beat me up for spying."

"We are not going to beat you up," Wes promised him.

"You were such a terrible spy, we thought it was sort of… endearing," David laughed.

"Which made me think that spying on us wasn't really the reason you came," I explained.

Kurt chuckled nervously and said, "Can I ask you guys a question?" We waited. He lowered his voice and asked, "Are you guys all gay?"

We all laughed and he looked embarrassed. He felt he shouldn't have asked.

"Uh, uh, no," I replied. "I mean, I am, but these two have girlfriends."

"This is not a gay school," David explained. "We just have a zero-tolerance harassment policy."

"Everybody gets treated the same," Wes said. "No matter what they are. It's pretty simple."

Kurt looked overwhelmed. I stared at him, trying to read him, trying to figure him out. I wanted to hear what he needed to say, but I needed to speak alone with him. It seemed I'd been in his place, been him, before, and Wes and David wouldn't be able to give him the advice that I could give. "Would you guys excuse us?" I asked.

"Yeah. Take it easy, Kurt," Wes said. He and David nodded and left.

Kurt turned away, and I watched his chest rise and fall. "I take it you're having trouble at school," I supposed.

"I'm the only person out of the closet at my school," he said faintly. I could tell that he was broken. He'd had a fiery spirit, but others had taken him apart out of spite. A tear managed to slide down his cheek. "And I-I-I tried to stay strong about it… but there's this Neanderthal who's made it his mission to make my life a living hell." His voice cracked. He shook his head. "And nobody seems to notice."

I figured as much. "I know how you feel." I'd been waiting to say this to him. I could see how hurt he was, but I wanted to help him so badly. "I got taunted at my old school, and it really - it pissed me off." I huffed bitterly. I didn't like using nasty words, but it was the only one that really expressed how I felt. "I even complained about it to the faculty, and they were sympathetic and all." He stopped shaking. "But you could just tell that nobody really cared. It was like… 'Hey, if you're gay, your life's just gonna be miserable. Sorry. Nothing we can do about it.'"

Kurt turned away, like he agreed. He knew exactly what I was talking about. "So I left," I went on. "I came here. Simple as that. So you have two options. I mean, I'd love to tell you just to come enroll here, but tuition at Dalton's sort of steep, and I know that's not an option for everybody… or you can refuse to be the victim. Prejudice is just ignorance, Kurt. And you have a chance right now to teach him." I wanted to see if Kurt could do what I couldn't.

"How?" he asked curiously.

"Confront him," I said, and I wondered if I was trying to live through Kurt. Trying to see if I could send my message through him, tell my story through him. I was his mentor. "Call him out." I leveled with him. "I ran, Kurt. I didn't stand up. I let bullies chase me away, and it is something that I really, really regret. You don't have to wind up like me. Is… this helping you?" I chuckled.

"Yes, actually," he smiled. "You're like the… gay Yoda."

I laughed. "Well, I try. But I really mean it, Kurt. I mean every word of it. Don't let this Neanderthal guy scare you away. What's his name? Who is this guy anyway?"

"Dave Karofsky," Kurt replied. From the look on his face I gathered that saying the name left a bad taste in his mouth.

I scoffed. "Sounds like a real winner, this Dave Karofsky. No. He sounds like a coward. Like the cowardly lion. You're not a coward, Kurt. You have courage. You're brave. You have courage."

Kurt sniffed and gave a small laugh. "A gay Yoda who puts life into Wizard of Oz perspective. Where have you been all my life?"

I laughed and stood up. "Come here," I told him, and he watched curiously as I opened my arms to him. I was offering a hug. His entire face lit up, and he stood up to return the hug. He seemed to melt in my embrace. I tried not to feel smug about that.

"Thank you, Blaine," he said breathlessly after he finally let me go. He fixed his hair, adjusted his bag strap, and stepped away. He nearly fell over a chair, but quickly caught himself. He squeaked and blushed furiously. "I really enjoyed meeting you today. Tell your friends Wes and David I said bye."

"I'll be sure to do just that, Kurt," I chuckled. "But wait, before you go, give me your number. I want you to text me, and let me know how it goes with that freak Karofsky if you decide to confront him."

"Alright," he said. "555-431-8920."

"Thanks," I said after adding him to my Contacts List. "I'll send you a text, and you'll know it's me. Also, I want to send you a picture of me. Because I'm so handsome." He blushed and I said, "No, just kidding. I'll send you a picture of myself so you can look at it and remember to have courage, like I told you. Okay, Kurt?"

His face was still bright red. He looked so touched by my kindness. "Okay."

"One more hug," I told him, and he melted into my embrace once again. "Bye, Kurt."

"Bye, Blaine!" He skipped away and waved his fingers daintily at me.

"Remember, if things don't work out as planned, you're always welcome here at Dalton," I reminded him. "But please try to show this idiot who's the boss."

"I will, Blaine - I promise." His voice became quieter when he said 'I promise.' Perhaps he was still too afraid to confront Karofsky, but he would find courage. I knew he would. I would see him again, and I would be sure to give him the courage he needed. He mattered a lot to me.

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Author's Note: This chapter was obviously based on the season two episode "Never Been Kissed." Blaine taking Kurt's hand and running through the empty room in Dalton is one of my favorite scenes out of all the Glee episodes. It's so sweet! Being in the Drama Club keeps me so unfortunately busy that for the next few weeks I won't be able to have as much time to write, but I will still attempt to update as often as I possibly can. The next chapter will also be based on "Never Been Kissed." I loved "The First Time," and was particularly happy with the ending.