AN- So, it's kind of my headcanon that Blaine calls Kurt 'babe' and Kurt doesn't like it much but he puts up with it cuz he loves Blaine. Eventually over time, he totally loves it. Also, Kurt calls Blaine whatever pet name pops into his head at the moment. Except baby, because that one sort of creeps me out. It's like, "hey, you're a small infant and I am attracted to you!" But, I like babe. Whatever, I'm weird.

This came out pretty well, I think. Two more chapters guys!

Mr. Schue introduces New Directions to their new show choir consultant.

Jesse St. James.

He and Finn get into a basic pissing contest over, surprise, surprise, Rachel. And, sure, his comments about Finn's dancing are true but he doesn't have to be an asshole about it.

Mr. Schue decides to hold auditions for a solo (after some fabulous St. James advice). Kurt beams with pleasure at the idea, the dream, the thought of him. Having a solo at Nationals.

"Are you going to audition?" Blaine asks.

"Duh. Rachel's probably going to get it but I need to at least try."

They get up and gather their bags. When they step out in the hallway, everyone's eyes turn to them. Kurt shifts uncomfortably; Blaine's coming out at Prom was still very recent in everyone's minds. His boyfriend ignores the stares and slips his hand into Kurt's.

"So, what song are you going to sing?" he asks all casually.

Kurt squeezes reassuringly. "No idea. I need an amazing performance. Something breathtaking."

"Why not do a musical number? You usually kick ass at those."

Kurt flushes. "Flatterer."

Blaine pulls him closer. "It's what I do."

"Queers," someone mutters walking past them.

Kurt's face falls. He puts some distance between himself and Blaine.

"I thought the bully whips would be more helpful," Blaine says dryly.

Kurt shrugs. "I think Santana only did all that to be prom queen. Obviously, it didn't work out in her favor."

Someone else walks between them, 'accidentally' slamming into both of them with their shoulders. Blaine glares after the unnamed jock and starts to move towards him. Kurt grabs his arm.

"Blaine, honey, it's not worth it."

The short boy takes a deep breath and plasters on a smile. "So, what's a good musical song for you to sing?"

"I'd have to look through my playlists. Maybe converse with Rachel…although she is my competition."

"It can't hurt to ask her."

"True. I should go find her now, before this all goes to her head."

Blaine kisses his cheek quickly and Kurt flushes once more, but wears a pleased smile as he hurries off. As Blaine continues on, Azimio is suddenly in his way.

"Well isn't that cute? Tell me, Anderson, is he the girl in this relationship?"

Blaine's eyes narrow. Before he can do anything, a hand slings around his arms and a loud voice is in his hear.

"Hey Blaine. Everything cool?"

Azimio glares at Puck, who stares back coldly. The jock sneers at them both before stomping away. Puck takes his arm off Blaine and pats his shoulder.

"Thanks, dude," Blaine says quietly.

"He's an asshole. I told you before, anyone says shit against you and I'll pound their face in."

"Then you might as well pound the whole school," Blaine says dryly.

Puck doesn't seem to see a problem with this. They walk down the hallway and Blaine can't help but notice the looks. The stares. The disgust.

"This is ridiculous," Blaine mutters. "I hate Lima."

"Same dude. Gonna try to leave this shit hole as soon as that diploma is in my hands."

Blaine blinks. Puck? Talking about graduating? And the future? Lauren was a good influence…

They turn the corner and walk towards Blaine's locker. They both stop dead. Because right across the center of it, in bold, black lettering, is a word Blaine is just entirely sick of.

Fag.

Kurt stares at his playlist without really seeing anything.

Coach's sister. Dead. Just like that.

He can't even begin to fathom what she's feeling right now. Well, actually, he can. He has all day, having flashbacks to his mom's funeral.

He curls into himself on the bed, ignoring his phone going off. Because, suddenly, he's not seventeen anymore. He's eight and his father is rushing into the school, wide eyes and hurried breath. He's at his old home, his aunt sitting with him on the couch, one arm around him while she tries to explain.

He's running towards his parents' bedroom, bursting in and expecting her to be sitting at her vanity, laughing because she's fooled everyone but him. He's at the funeral, staring down at her in the casket. At the cemetery watching her get lowered into the ground.

A knock on his door sends him five feet in the air. Finn grins sheepishly at him.

"Sorry, dude. Mom wanted me to let you know dinner was ready," he pauses, "You okay?"

"Fine. Tired."

"It sucks about Ms. Sylvester's sister, doesn't it?" Finn asks, walking into the room. "She must be really upset and stuff."

"Yeah."

"Blaine called me earlier. He was worried because you weren't answering your texts."

Kurt glances at his phone and sees six messages, all from Blaine. He winces.

"I told him you were asleep. I-I figured you wanted to be alone. 'Cause of…stuff."

Kurt glances at his stepbrother, recalling the conversation they had oh so long ago, back when Kurt was still trying to get into his pants. He'd lost a parent too.

"I think we should go see her tomorrow. Bring her flowers or something. Show her she's not alone."

Finn nods. "That sounds good."

"Did you find out who wrote it?"

Blaine shakes his head. "No clue. Figgins said they'd try to figure it out but like that's gonna happen."

Mercedes shakes her head. "That is complete bullshit."

Rachel nods. "If you want, Blaine, I can call up my gay dads and the LGBT community. They can start an uproar about this."

He chuckles. "Thank you, Rachel. But my parents already have. It was bizarre; they were so pissed when I told them. Next thing I know, my dad is marching up to the office and mom is ranting about lawsuits and police."

"Have you told Kurt yet?" Tina asks.

Blaine shakes his head once again. "We've been targets since I came out at prom. I can see how upset it's all making him. And everything he's going through now, the solo auditions, I don't want to add to it."

"You should tell him," Mercedes says. "I think he would be more upset if he found out through someone else."

"He's not going to find out. Kurt barely listens to school gossip that you guys don't tell him. And I know you guys aren't going to tell him. Right?"

The girls all exchange looks but agree not to say anything.

Finn and Kurt march into the choir room then, trying to convince the rest of glee club to help them plan Sue's sister's memorial service. Because, yeah, Coach Sylvester hated them and tried to get them fail at every opportunity but her sister? She knew what it was like being an outcast.

Just like them.

Jesse makes snarky comments and turns down their idea but Finn, overcome with something (maybe jealousy. Maybe balls) basically tells him off. And so does the rest of the glee when they agree to help.

Kurt looks up at the knock on his door and smiles as Blaine walks in.

"Hey. You okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm trying to pick out a song for my solo audition. It's between 'Some People' from Gypsy and 'What I Did for Love' from A Chorus Line."

"I meant about the funeral planning. Are you going to be able to handle it?"

"Of course," Kurt says, not looking at him. "It's not that big of a deal."

Blaine sits down next to him. "Really? Because I recall how upset you were last year, when-"

"'Some People' or 'What I Did for Love', Blaine?" Kurt interrupts in a steely tone.

Blaine sighs. "'Some People'. Less dramatic."

"Thank you."

Blaine gently takes Kurt's chin and tilts his head so they're looking at each other. "If you need to talk about anything, you can tell me. We tell each other everything?"

"Do we?" Kurt asks softly. "Because you didn't tell me about the locker incident."

Blaine freezes. "How did you…"

"Please, Blaine, like anyone didn't want me to find out. I heard about it all day, in between classes, during classes. I kept waiting for you to say something."

"I didn't want to bother you with it. I knew you had a lot to deal with; the solo auditions, and now the funeral. I didn't want to add to it."

"You're not a burden, Blaine. If you want us to tell each other everything, then you need to play along."

Blaine presses his forehead against Kurt's.

"And, stuff like this? I need to know about. Because, this isn't your fight, Blaine. This is our fight."

"Kurt," he whispers.

Kurt smiles. "And I will be right next to you, fighting it every step of the way."

They kiss.

The next day is Kurt's solo audition.

Blaine slips into the auditorium unseen by Mr. Schue and Jesse St. James. Santana goes first, singing Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black'. He gives her props, she sounds amazing and Jesse's criticism is just crazy.

When Kurt sashays onto the stage, Blaine sits up straighter. The music starts and Kurt shakes his ass a little before beginning to sing, his voice ringing clear around the auditorium. His choreography is kind of adorable and he's definitely into the performance.

When he finishes (by sliding across the stage floor and leaning back sexily) Blaine forgets himself and stands to cheer loudly.

Kurt flushes proudly and blows him a kiss. Then he turns back to Jesse St. James who makes a comment about Kurt singing a girl's song, then goes on to compare him to Broadway greats and saying how Kurt didn't even measure up.

Blaine almost goes to hit him. He sees Kurt's face fall and his desire to pummel St. James' face takes a backseat to his concern for his boyfriend. He hurries out the auditorium and catches him on his way back to the choir room.

"Jesse St. James totally Jesse St. sucks," Kurt seethes.

Blaine nods. "You sounded fantastic.

"I mean, I make my living singing girl's songs! He had no right to-"

They enter the choir room.

"Want me to go beat him up? 'Cause I'll do it."

"Blaine!" Rachel exclaims. "You can't just-"

"Yes. Go."

Blaine nods and turns on the heel of his foot. He hears Kurt chuckle behind him and grabs his arm, pulling him back.

"You're such a goof."

He kisses him softly.

"So gross."

"Disgusting."

The boys pull apart and realize they were kissing in front of the open door. Kurt's eyes narrow; he's already pissed at St. Sucks, this so isn't the right time. Before Blaine can stop him, he marches out after their insulters.

Blaine hurries after him, surprised to see it was a couple of a girls making the comments (weren't girls more accepting?).

"Excuse me?" Kurt calls after them. "You think me kissing my boyfriend is disgusting?"

They both turn; one looks guilty, like she doesn't have the guts to stay to her opinion now that it's thrown in her face. The other just nods.

"Uh, yeah. You guys are sick."

"And it's not sick when it's you pressed against a locker, a tongue in your mouth and your skirt hiked up?"

Her mouth drops and Blaine coughs to hide a laugh. Her face is turning cherry red and her friend is tugging at her arm, whispering how they should just go.

"You-you."

Kurt gives her his best 'bitch please' stare. "If you're going to insult me, at least do it over something worthy, honey."

Blaine outright laughs when the two girls finally scurry away. He comes up behind Kurt and wraps his arms around him.

"You are amazing, you know that?"

Kurt grins. "I do, actually."

They slip back into the auditorium just in time for Rachel's song, 'My Man' from Funny Girl.

Of course, she sounds fantastic and even Kurt can admit she has talent. But when Jesse tells her she was fantastic, no criticism, Santana calls out the fix.

Mr. Schue can't make a decision; they'll find out by Friday.

"I think you were the best," Blaine whispers to Kurt as they leave.

"Rachel, don't you think it's a little suspicious that Jesse had no comments at all against you? But attacked Kurt, Mercedes, and Santana."

"It obviously means I'm the best, Blaine."

Blaine rolls his eyes, thankful that she can't see him over the phone. "Rach, honey, he's got ulterior motives. Please, please tell me you can see that."

"Jesse is very unbiased. Besides…even if he wasn't, I'm still not sure how I feel about Finn."

He bites back a groan. Please, not Finchel: Round 263.

"I do still have feelings for Jesse, as he did apologize and I never truly had closure to get over him. But, Finn…he is the future I see. Although, he seems to think Quinn is his future."

Blaine runs a hand through his hair. He desperately wants to tell her to get over it.

"So, where is Kurt this evening?"

"He's with Finn helping to clean out Jean's room at the nursing home. I'm a little worried about him to be honest; the whole funeral ordeal has to be reminding him of his mom."

Rachel's quiet for a moment. "I-I didn't even think of that."

Blaine suspects no one really did.

The funeral is harder than they expected.

Coach Sylvester seems touched by their gesture to surround the coffin in mementos from Jean's favorite movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

She can't even finish her speech, and Mr. Schue steps in when she starts to cry. Blaine glances at Kurt and sees tears welling up in his eyes. Blaine takes his hand, squeeze gently.

"You okay?" he whispers.

Kurt nods. He pulls out a packet of tissues and wipes his eyes and nose.

When Mr. Schue stops speaking, the glee club gets up and performs 'Pure Imagination' in honor of Jean, as it was her favorite song. Coach Sylvester thanks them when they finish.

Kurt can't keep it in anymore. He rushes from the room, Finn starts to go after him but Quinn holds him back. Blaine pats his friend's arm before hurrying after his boyfriend.

He finds him sitting outside, sobbing loudly. His heart breaks at the sight and he quickly sits down next to Kurt, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend.

"Shh. It's okay, babe. It's okay, just let it out."

And he does. He just cries; for the frustration from their unaccepting peers, every thought he'd been reliving about his mother's death. And Blaine just holds him close as his body rocks.

Once Kurt has cried himself out, he lifts his head from Blaine's shoulder. His eyes are red-rimmed and glassy and his face is blotchy beyond belief but he is still the most beautiful guy Blaine has ever seen.

"I'm sorry-"

"I think we need a new rule," Blaine says, trying to lighten the mood. "No more apologizing."

Kurt smiles weakly.

"I'm so proud of you. For helping even though it hurt and for holding it together as long as you did. This meant a lot to Coach and you could tell she really appreciated all you did for her."

"Thank you," Kurt whispers. "Can-can you take me home?"

Blaine stands and gently pulls Kurt to his feet.

"I sure can, babe."

"And can you stop calling me 'babe'?" Kurt mumbles, suddenly exhausted and leaning against Blaine.

The shorter boy grins "I'll try but I can't promise anything."

He feels Kurt press a kiss to his cheek and his grin widens to a full blown smile.

Mr. Schue doesn't pick anyone for the solo.

He doesn't like how the competition changed everyone and he wants to go back to what won them Nationals; original songs by the entire club.

No one fights his decision.

After school, Kurt and Blaine walk towards his car, their hands clasped together. They get a few looks but no one says anything.

"Maybe we're becoming old news?" Kurt wonders.

"Or maybe that girl let it be known about your lethal tongue of insults and everyone is too scared," Blaine teases.

When they slide inside, Kurt doesn't start the engine right away. He bites his lip and looks at Blaine.

"Do you mind if we don't go straight back to my house? There's somewhere I want to take you."

"Sure," Blaine shrugs. "Whatever you want."

Kurt doesn't turn the radio on and Blaine doesn't touch it either, sensing that his boyfriend needs the silence. He stares out the window as Kurt takes a few roads he doesn't know. His heart almost stops when they drive though the iron gates.

"Kurt…are you sure?"

Kurt parks his car at the bottom of a hill. He cuts the engine and looks at Blaine. "I'm sure."

"'Cause I can wait in the car. I-"

"I want you to meet her."

Blaine swallows and nods, slipping out of the car and walking around the front to Kurt's side. His boyfriend takes his hand and begins the trek up the hill.

Blaine looks at the gravestone, Elizabeth Hummel written dead center with the words 'loving wife and mother' underneath.

"Hi, mom," Kurt says quietly. "I know, I usually only visit once a year and it's not your birthday yet. I was just thinking about you lately and…"

He tugs on Blaine's hand. "This is Blaine. I told you I was thinking about bringing him here. That was back when he was my best friend. Now? He's…well, he's my everything."

Blaine can't stop a smile from creeping onto his face. "Hi, Mrs. Hummel. I-uh, I'm not very good at this," he directs to Kurt.

"It's fine. You don't have to-"

"No, I want to. Your son is amazing, Mrs. Hummel," Kurt flushes. "I can't believe I can ever consider myself lucky enough to call him my boyfriend."

Kurt leans his head on Blaine's shoulder and Blaine lets go of Kurt's hand to wrap his arm around Kurt's waist.

"I'm pretty lucky too," Kurt whispers. "I wish she could have met you."

"I do too."

They just stand there, the wind rustling through the trees and their own thoughts running through their heads. Blaine's in no hurry to leave, he'll stay as long as Kurt wants.

"Would you like a minute alone with her?" he asks.

Kurt nods. "Sorry, but-"

"Remember the rule?"

The corners of Kurt's mouth lift up. Blaine kisses his cheek, then treks back down to Kurt's car, leaning against the driver's side door and watching his boyfriend. Kurt leans down, probably to talk some more, maybe tell his mom about Carole and Nationals.

Ten minutes later, Kurt is standing up, brushing off his pants and pressing his fingers to his lips, then down to the gravestone. He hugs himself as he walks to the car and, then he reaches Blaine, tries to smile.

"Thank you."

Blaine takes him in his arms. "Of course. Do you want me to drive home?"

Kurt nods. "I think that would be best."

"Okay."

Blaine kisses his forehead and Kurt hands him the keys before walking to the passenger side and climbing in. Blaine gazes back to the gravestone and smiles.

Thank you, Mrs. Hummel. Thank you for him.

He climbs in the car, starts the engine, and slowly drives away.

AN- I knew I wanted to do the final scene since Hell-O, when Kurt told his mom he was gonna bring Blaine to meet her. Also, I apologize if I couldn't capture Kurt-snark earlier. It is really difficult.