I believe some of you may have been waiting for this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, just a teasing mind.


It's weird being home, when home is in an unfamiliar house. Most of the furniture is the same, but there are some new additions now that they have more space. The rooms are strangers; different shapes, different sizes, different positions. Absentmindedly, Kurt had walked the usual path from the entrance door to the living room, but instead found himself in front of a cupboard. The kitchen is on the opposite side, and the fridge stands where the stove used to be. It's odd having to be conscious about where he's moving in what's supposed to be his home.

Their belongings are the same, and there's a relief in the familiarity of seeing the old TV, the pictures on the wall, the china for dinner, the same brand of soap in the bathroom. A substantial part of the weekend is spent being reacquainted with his new room. He's inspected the walk in-closet his dad built for him, and it's perfect, even better than imagined and drawn.

Kurt would have preferred redecorating himself, to be certain everything would meet his standards. But Burt and Carole had decided to paint his walls themselves, to get the job done, and thus ensure some quality time as a family during the short amount of time Kurt is home. In between family dinners, board game tournaments and a heart to heart with his dad, Kurt has unpacked his worldly possessions, trying to make the room more personal, more warm, more welcoming, more him.

He told them he'd stay the entire weekend, and rather leave early Monday morning. He'd explained he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his family, while the truth was that he'd like to avoid spending any kind of time with Jeff, last seen when he flew the room.

Saturday, most of the New Directions-guys come over for a video game-tournament with Finn. Mike invites Kurt to join as well, but he declines while rolling his eyes, although smiling. Halfway through sorting his scarves by fabric, and then colours, Sam knocks on the door, and they end up talking for a fairly long time.

"How did you come out at Dalton?"

"I knew I was bi, but didn't quite know how to approach a guy. I had this idea that flirting and dating had to be different with a guy than a girl. But I tried to seem cool and collected, you know."

Kurt smiles at Sam, and can easily imagine him swaggering down the posh hallways of Dalton, faking it transparently.

"A couple of months in the semester, some of us were chatting over lunch about this and that, and broached the topic of dating, and lack of girls. One of the boys commented it would be so much easier to be gay while at Dalton. At which Nick and Jeff snorted, saying something along the lines of quite limited dating options, with only two out gay students in their year."

"Were they dating then?"

"No, they weren't, and I don't even think they liked each other much. They shared a lot of classes, and tolerated each other, but the first months they coexisted in this school. Until it changed, and they were permanently attached by the hip. Really weird," Sam shakes his head. "Anyway, I told them there were at least two and a half gay guys, and that's how I came out."

"Easy like that?"

"Easy like that."

"But how did they react?" Kurt asks, seriously curious about the consequences and reactions Sam went through.

"Well, less than 48 hours later I knew at least one more of the guys in school were gay, and I had been asked out on a date. And the rest is sweet, sweet history."

"Wow…"

"Have you given coming out any more thought?"

"Lately, it feels as if it's been the only thing on my mind," Kurt sighs.


Blaine is relaxing with a book and his iPod in the upperclassmen's common room. It's a calm and relaxed Saturday afternoon. Most of the boys have left the school grounds for the weekend, but Blaine enjoys the tranquillity. It gives him a valuable possibility to catch up on school work, take advantage of the empty gym, sleep in, and do some no-Dalton related reading.

"My, my, my," an all too familiar voice smirks from next to him.

"You're a Sophomore. How did you even get in here, Sebastian?" Blaine sighs, and places the bookmark in position before closing his book.

"You shouldn't worry your pretty face about silly things like that," the boy murmurs.

Blaine remembers the conversation with Sam, about how Sebastian had been different before he went to France, when he attended Dalton with him. Blaine has to admit to himself that he's curious about how Sebastian was, what changed, and why it changed. The present version of Sebastian makes him uncomfortable, however.

Sebastian shifts so he sits closer to Blaine in the plush couch, and leans in to whisper.

"Do you know what day today is?"

Unwillingly, Blaine shivers at the sensation of Sebastian's breath against his skin and the good looking boy leaning so close he's touching Blaine from shoulder to thigh with his torso.

"No," he croaks, swallowing heavily, and clearing his voice. Sebastian hums pleased next to him.

"Steak and blowjob-day," he drawls. "And I'm no stickler for traditions; we could forego the steak," he purrs into his ear.

Blaine jumps up so fast from the couch, he drops his book on the floor, and he knocks his head on the table when he bends down to pick it up. Sebastian is still, watching him with amusement clear on his face.

"No, thank you," he stutters and rubs his forehead.

"Want me to blow it better?" Sebastian asks silently, raising an eyebrow and looking pointedly at Blaine, and not at his face.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," Blaine excuses himself, unable to be as direct and to the point as he should with the boy. He hurries out of what was a nice and safe space, and locks the door behind him to his room.


"Sam! What a nice surprise, it's been too long!"

"It has," Sam murmurs into the phone.

"I've missed you. We promised to stay friends, no matter what."

"I know; I've missed you too. It's taken some time to adjust to public school… I actually came to Dalton for Regionals, to compete against the Warblers. I didn't see you, though."

"You know singing and music isn't my thing. I have a donkey's voice. I also have a donkey's di…" he smirks, firmly interrupted by Sam.

"I know, I remember, no need to get crude," Sam laughs.

"You should text me the next time you're around, I'd love to see you again, Evans."

"I promise, O'Neill. I'm not quite done with Dalton yet."

"Any particular reason you called," he asks, as usual straight to the point.

"I wouldn't normally do this," Sam hesitates, listening to the familiar encouraging hum from his ex. "I have a friend. Who transferred to Dalton after Christmas. I was hoping you knew him. His name is Kurt."

"I know of him. We have some classes together, and stuff."

"I trust you, and I'm worried about him," Sam pleads.

"You want me to keep an eye on him?"

"Yes!"

"Anything particular I'm looking for?"

"Fuck, if only you knew… I don't want to overstep, but let's just say he had really, really good reasons to transfer from my new school. But he's struggling with settling down, trusting Dalton is as safe as it is."

"So how is your new school?" he asks calmly.

"I'm not out here," Sam says matter-of-factly. "It's a horrible place with ignorant teachers and homophobic assholes among the students. I've seen what they do to those who are out."

"And is there anyone out at your school these days?"

"Not anymore," Sam says, choosing to exclude Santana and Brittany. They aren't out-out, and especially not beyond New Directions.

"I see."

"I'm glad."

"I'll look out for Kurt."

"Good," Sam says relieved.


If he's being honest with himself, Blaine was surprised when Kurt texted him, asking if they could meet after Blaine's last class, as he needed his help for something important. He hasn't seen him since Friday morning, knowing the boy spent the weekend with his family. Whenever he goes through a rough time, Blaine too tends to seek out people that can comfort him. To Blaine, that means his closest friends at Dalton. But opposed to him, Kurt finds love and support from his family. And yet, he reaches out for Blaine as well. It warms something in Blaine's chest, and he's been smiling at his phone during his walk to the dormitories. This week is starting out great. The screen is still lit with Kurt's last text, as a reminder and reassurance of this being true.

Thank you! You're the best. I can't do this without you. Kurt

Kurt is already waiting by his room, leaning against the wall in the more or less deserted hallway. Wes headed for Warblers rehearsal after their last class.

"Hi," Kurt smiles at him, but he seems restrained and tense. The fingers on his left hand are tapping a random pattern against the wall, the other arm is wrapped protectively across his stomach, and the flat of his right foot is resting against the wall. He uses it to push off of the wall when Blaine approaches him.

Blaine greets him in a similar fashion as he unlocks the door, and gestures for Kurt to enter before him.

"Do you mind if I change before we talk?" Blaine asks, already yanking at his tie. Kurt is already out of his uniform, but Blaine also knows that he didn't have classes for the last two periods. Kurt doesn't seem that frantic or upset, so Blaine decides the topic at hand isn't so urgent he can't take five minutes to get into clothes that are more comfortable. Quickly, he picks out a somewhat more laidback outfit and heads for the bathroom, trying to calm down and push aside his own worries and mind-churning issues. Kurt needs a friend, so Blaine will just have to step up and be at his best. His own problems can wait.

Before soon, he exits the bathroom, wearing a pair of comfortable red jeans, a black button up, bowtie and a vest. It may not be his usual lounging clothes, but sitting in sweats next to Kurt in his impeccable outfit would be outrageous. So he might dress to impress, or at least not depress. He knows fashion and clothes are important to Kurt, and Blaine is proud of his own style he's developed and cherishes. He just wants to show he's worthy of Kurt.

He sits down on his bed, not as close as he'd like to sit, but not so far he can't be within immediate reach if Kurt needs him. Or if Blaine needs to reach out. With Kurt, being tactile comes easily, and sometimes a gentle hand helps more than a thousand words.

Not so subtly, he takes in how Kurt looks, and would be amazed by the change from the last time he saw him, if he didn't know how well Kurt is at putting up a façade. They're probably equally talented at that particular trick. With clothes more stylish and fitted than what he wore at Bellefontaine, and his hair immaculately coiffed, he looks put together and settled.

It's a nice change from Friday. Blaine had spent most of the night holding Kurt through his panic. He'd held him until his silent sobs and trembling subsided, he'd held him until he went lax in his arms and fell asleep, and he'd held him close, dozing on and off, not resting completely worried Kurt might have nightmares or for other reasons wake up. In the morning, Kurt looked as worn as Blaine felt.

Despite of the weekend with his family, Blaine can see how tense he is, and how he's almost shrinking in on himself. Blaine wants to hug him so badly, and tell him everything's going to be all right in the end. It's such a line, but Blaine needs to believe it.

"What can I do for you?" he asks instead, deciding Kurt isn't going to talk even though he was the one who expressed the need for a conversation.

Kurt turns around so he's facing Blaine, and curls his legs under himself. Blaine turns more towards him as well.

"First, I need to thank you for the other night," Kurt says softly, looking Blaine square in the eyes. "You're a wonderful friend, and I don't know what I'd have done without you. You're a genuinely kind hearted young man, and unfortunately that's pretty rare these days," he smiles lopsided.

Blaine smiles shyly, and shakes his head.

"It's the decent thing to do, helping a friend. I wish I could've done more for you, though."

"You have done and are still doing a lot for me, actually," Kurt insists, and takes one of Blaine's hands in his, cupping it like a baby bird, running a soothing thumb over his pulse point.

Blaine doesn't know how to react to a statement like that, so he keeps silent, willing his blush to fade.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking, about you," Kurt says, and Blaine can't help feel a flood of excited hope rush through his body. Is this the moment he's been longing for? Will Kurt beat him to it, and ask him out before Blaine can orchestrate the perfect moment to do the same? If so, Blaine doesn't mind. At all.

"I've been so scared," Kurt says, and Blaine lays his other hand on top of their connected hands. He feels as if he's vibrating from anticipation. Kurt smiles shyly, lowering his gaze to their linked hands for a moment, before meeting Blaine's eyes again.

"I'm taking a big leap of faith here," he murmurs, "hoping I'll land safely on my feet despite of not being of the feline conviction," he chuckles.

Blaine wants to shower him in reassurances and declarations, but his tongue is paralyzed, his brain gobsmacked. He'll let Kurt steam through his speech, and hopefully be able to vocalize something, anything in a few minutes.

"You make me feel safe, you make me want to be braver and stronger, and you make me want to challenge myself, push myself out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I detest you a little bit for that," Kurt grins impishly, and Blaine grins back at him. He's so okay with this. "I've finally taken to heart some of the things you've mentioned once or twice… Or repeatedly for several weeks, but who's counting? And after some very recent event I guess it's fitting and about time."

Blaine is a tad confused, but brushes it off, waiting for Kurt's punch line.

"So… I want to explain to Jeff and Nick about the pills. Maybe not everything, but at least something. I… I think I want to come out to them," Kurt says, his voice not much more than a whisper by now, and the heavy lump in his throat audible to Blaine. His eyes, never wavering from Blaine's, are shining with unshed tears.

Blaine rips his hands out of Kurt's grip, and throws them around the boy, hugging him and pulling him close, awkward and uncomfortable from how they are sitting, but needing to hold him and express himself like this.

"You are so strong, so brave," he murmurs against Kurt's soft skin. A tiny part of him is tugging for his attention, whining about the disappointing anti climax and expectations shattered like rock against delicate crystal. But he ignores it. Because Kurt is coming out. Kurt is trusting Blaine's words that it'll be okay. Kurt is taking Blaine's advice. And this takes them a gigantic leap forward.

"It'll be fine, they'll accept you and embrace you like they've me," he murmurs, vibrating with excitement and happiness on Kurt's behalf. He just knows this will end wonderfully.

Kurt has snaked his arms around Blaine's waist, and is leaning against him, resting his weight on him, as if he's deflated, drained from just telling about his plans.

Blaine leans back slightly to better see how Kurt is doing, read his face. The boy is blinking rapidly, forcing the tears back, but his bottom lip is trembling.

"I was hoping…" he quivers. "Would you be there? For me? When I tell them?"

"Of course, Kurt. Always!" Blaine promises, cupping the boy's cheek with a warm hand.

"Thank you," Kurt whooshes out, resting his forehead against Blaine's.

"When do you want to do this?"

"As soon as possible. After dinner."

"Kurt!" he exhales breathlessly, full of admiration for the boy. When he's decided to do something, he really does it instantly; headstrong and boldly.

"Courage, remember?" Kurt says playfully, reminding Blaine of the Scrabble pieces he left him when he was discharged from Bellefontaine.

Blaine has no other excuse than a jumble of emotions overwhelming him for his next action.

Without deciding to, he closes the distance between them and gently kisses him. Kurt inhales sharply for a quarter of a second, before answering, eagerly, deepening the kiss.

Blaine is dizzy from lack of oxygen when he finally rips them apart, panting and staring wildly at Kurt.

"We," he swallows heavily, licking his lips and tasting Kurt. "We should go to dinner."

"Yeah," Kurt exhales soundlessly, chest rising noticeably from his deep breathing. He leans in and kisses Blaine again instead, nibbling at his swollen and sensitive bottom lip, and runs a hand through his now messy hair.

Come to think about it, Blaine still has more of the cookies from his mother's care package. Dinner can take a hike.


Blaine texted Jeff, asking for a movie night with Nick and Kurt. It was of course a lie, but it was also a necessity to make sure both boys were present for Kurt's revelations, without revealing it prematurely. He walks together with Kurt to meet the two boys at the appointed time. Most of the kids are back from dinner, crowding the hallways and common room, so he can't take Kurt's hand as he wants to.

"Courage," he whispers to him, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Kurt smiles timidly at him, but he walks steadily, and his eyes are determined. God, Blaine is crazy about him!

Within soon, the four boys are gathered in the same room. Jeff is shuffling through some of his DVDs, muttering to himself about which one he'd like to see. Nick, however, is looking quizzically at the two of them. He seems to be searching for words, but none comes to him.

As agreed, Blaine doesn't say anything. He's there for moral support, and will take Kurt back to his room if it goes badly, although he feels confident there will be no need for an escape.

Kurt is sitting primly against his wall, legs crossed by the ankles. His hands are resting in his lap, fingers intertwined. He seems fairly relaxed, as if he's accepted his unknown faith. Blaine is sitting not far from him. Jeff and Nick are in Jeff's bed. Jeff has his lap full of DVDs, while Nick is sitting crisscrossed with his elbows planted on his knees, and chin resting on his knuckles. He looks curiously and expectantly at Kurt.

"I haven't seen Dirty Dancing in a while, and it's such a cute movie. But I'm also in the mood for something with more action, and Nick says it isn't quality without at least one explosion. I just can't make up my mind. What do you think?" Jeff asks, finally looking up at them.

"Jeff, sweetie, I don't think we're going to watch any movie tonight," Nick says softly, removing the DVDs from his hands and kissing him briefly on the cheek.

"We're not?"

"Not yet, at least. Let's hear why Blaine and Kurt wanted to see us. The real reason," he says pointedly, glancing over at the two of them.

Jeff shapes his lips into a soundless oh. He tilts his head and looks in Kurt's direction.

"Did you have a nice weekend with your family?" he asks softly.

Kurt nods.

"I did a lot of thinking," he begins. "I owe you an apology. I wasn't very polite towards either of you on Thursday."

"No, Kurt, it's fine," Jeff says eagerly, almost pleadingly.

"We didn't intend to disrespect your privacy," Nick says solemnly.

Kurt shakes his head, brushing them off, not unkindly.

"I have things I want to tell you. Umm, personal things. Could I please just say it, without interruptions? It's difficult enough as it is."

The boys nod their agreements, eagerly, but looking serious. Blaine reaches out a hand to squeeze Kurt's knee comfortingly. The boy looks over to him, and smiles strained, but his eyes are soft and clear.

"The bottles you found on Thursday are, as you probably assumed, mine. I have trouble sleeping, so my doctor prescribed them to help me get some much needed rest at night. The other pills… They are supposed to help me through a rough time, as I'm not feeling all too well these days," he says calmly, no doubt having practiced and prepared this speech.

He takes a deep breath before he continues. Jeff and Nick sit silently side by side, and they don't seem surprised by Kurt's revelations.

"I don't want your pity or for you to walk on eggshells around me. But I was bullied badly in my last school, and that's why I transferred to Dalton. Before I transferred, though, I spent some time in a place which I believe you are familiar with. Blaine and I became friends when we met at Bellefontaine," he says, looking briefly at the boys, before turning his head towards Blaine and smiling softly at him. Blaine instantly smiles back; it's a reflex, and not a decision.

Kurt looks back at the other boys before he continues talking.

"I didn't know he was a student here at Dalton, though, so finding him here was quite a surprise," Kurt chuckles, and the two boys in the other bed laughs with him. "But having a friendly face I already knew has been a blessing. Umm… Dalton is different. Very different, from my old school. I'm still not used to all of it," he says, gesturing around the room and out of the window. "I'm trying to believe this different can be good, but it's taken me time to trust Blaine's reassurances." Kurt smiles at Blaine again, and Blaine almost has to sit on his hands to prevent himself from wrapping Kurt up in a hug.

Nick is leaning even more forward, listening intently to Kurt. Jeff is resting his head on Nick's shoulder, and looks sadly at Kurt.

"In my old school I got used to hiding to protect myself. But I want to stop hiding, I want to try to enjoy high school again, and I want to be honest about myself. I want to be open and out, free and safe." Kurt takes a moment to sort out his last words. "I… I have some trust issues. So I'd appreciate it if what I tell you stays in this room. I'm not ready to climb the roof of the main building and shout for everyone to hear that I'm a gay mental patient. But I'm telling you. Obviously."

The room is airily silent, and Kurt folds his knees up in front of him, tugging them closer with his arms. Blaine fights with himself, but the part that wants to reach out and comfort Kurt wins. So he shuffles closer, and wraps an arm around Kurt's shoulders. He'd like to do more, but he can't. Not if he wants to avoid Nick asking him any questions. The boy can be dangerously perceptive sometimes.

He looks at the other bed to plead silently with the boys to be okay with Kurt and not exclude him from their circle of friends. He doesn't get that far, though, because Jeff is already halfway across the room, and soon climbs on his knees onto Kurt's bed. He doesn't stop until he's in front of the boy, and gives him a warm hug that must be all kinds of uncomfortable with Kurt's legs bent between them. Nick is there soon after, sitting down next to Kurt, and slings his arms around whatever he can reach; Blaine, Jeff or Kurt.

"Guys, I need some air," Kurt eventually whooshes, and they all loosen their hold of him somewhat, sitting up, but still being close.

"Don't you know most of the guys here are already a little crazy? You'll fit in perfectly," Nick grins.

"I'm so glad I finally have a roommate that can appreciate Christian Bale for more than the special effects!" Jeff beams.

"So, you're actually going to be okay with this, with me?" Kurt asks, unable to hide his confusion.

"Why on earth wouldn't we?" Jeff shrieks, raising his hands palms up.

"What Jeff is trying to say, is that there's nothing we have to make an effort to when it comes to you. We like you. No buts, no qualifiers. We're honoured you trust us with this, and I'm sure it wasn't easy. But, as I said, we already like you, so you have to try harder than that to get rid of us," Nick winks.

"What he said. I'm better at hugs than talking anyway," Jeff says and throws himself at an unsuspecting Kurt. Kurt laughs from somewhere in the jumble of a group hug.

Eventually they all have to separate for some air, and Blaine notices a few tears are trickling down Kurt's face. But he smiles, a full out smile with teeth and all, so Blaine stops worrying. Instead, he brushes the tears off of Kurt's beautiful face.

"Told you so," he allows himself to gloat.

Kurt huffs, but there's no real force behind it, and it ends up more of laughter.

"What, you want me to kneel and worship your wisdom?"

"I could live with that," Blaine shrugs.

"So, anybody else up for watching The Dark Knight?" Nick asks, and somehow they all end up in a messy heap of limbs in Kurt's bed.