The next chapter! I hope you like it, please let me know what you think! The song at the beginning is 'I Am Changing' by Dreamgirls. You might know this from the episode 'New Directions' of season five. I think it's really beautiful. In this chapter, we'll get a look at Blaine's story.

I don't own the characters or places!

Look at me

I am changing

Trying every way I can

I am changing

I'll be better than I am

I'm trying to find a way to understand

But I need you, I need you

I need a hand

While he was singing, Kurt looked right into Blaine's eyes. The idea to sing this song had come to him the previous afternoon when they were in Blaine's car and driving home. He couldn't quite explain it, but this seemed to fit their current situation. From the look on Blaine's face, he'd been right.

First, Blaine had just stared at him wide-eyed when Kurt began to sing. However, his expression had softened soon and a mixture of emotions could be seen on his face. Kurt couldn't interpret all of them, but it was obvious that Blaine was moved by this. And Kurt realized something else. Blaine knew the song. Maybe he really liked music more than he wanted to admit, just like Kurt already suspected.

Kurt put as much emotion in his voice as possible. The song wasn't easy to sing, but because of his range he thought that he managed it quite well. When he finished and the music stopped, they looked at each other silently for a few moments.

Then Blaine stood up slowly and started to applaud. While doing that, a small smile appeared on his lips. Kurt was overwhelmed by the emotions he could see in Blaine's eyes. He'd never seen him like this, without the cool expression he normally showed. Of course there had been short moments, but Blaine's mask had always returned. Now it didn't.

Kurt smiled widely and bowed before he left the stage to sit down next to Blaine in the audience. He hoped that no one would disturb them in the auditorium, but it wasn't very likely. The other glee club members were already on their way home and Mr. Schue was busy correcting tests.

"Wow, this was amazing." Blaine really sounded impressed. "I mean, I've heard you sing before. But this was really good. Countertenor?"

Kurt nodded, surprised that Blaine could guess his singing range. Didn't he say that he wasn't interested in music? "Yes, that's right. I didn't think that you know about that."

"Not hard to miss. One just has to hear you sing, then it's obvious." Blaine ran a hand through his hair and he actually looked embarrassed.

"Not for everyone." Kurt argued softly. However, he didn't ask again. If Blaine didn't want to talk about this, then they wouldn't. "You wanted to tell me something." He changed the subject.

Blaine nodded slowly. "Yes, but first I want to say thank you. For the song." He smiled shyly and Kurt grinned.

"It just came to my mind..." He shrugged. "I'm glad you liked it."

"That can't describe it at all." Blaine muttered and then he breathed in deeply. "Yes, I want to talk to you." He said slowly. "Our conversation yesterday has shown me two things. You're not afraid of me, but I knew that before. And you can just see through me that easily. This never happened to me before."

Kurt frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

"That someone realized I'm wearing a mask. Or partly, at least. I have to admit that it was partly my fault, after all, I mentioned it yesterday. I was just so lost in thoughts... I didn't feel this free around someone in a long, long time. Maybe even never, if I think about it again." He looked at Kurt with a slight smile on his lips. "There's something about you, Kurt, that makes everything so easy."

"If you call our relationship easy, I don't want to know what you understand under difficult." Kurt muttered, remembering most of their previous conversations. And how often Blaine had become angry and left.

Blaine chuckled softly. "Yeah, about that..." He hesitated and really seemed to consider what to say next. Somehow, Kurt thought that the look on his face was cute. Even if he would never admit that. "I've said before that I'm not really good with people."

"You said that you don't like to talk about yourself." Kurt corrected him.

"There's no difference between that." Blaine muttered.

"Oh but there is." Kurt emphasized. "I didn't have the impression that you felt uncomfortable while talking to me yesterday." Or before, except when Kurt started to ask personal questions.

"I didn't." Blaine said hastily. After a few seconds, he sighed. "Alright, you win. I don't like talking about myself. And that always causes problems."

"I can imagine." Kurt muttered thoughtfully. "Not everyone's as patient as I am." He wanted to say it as a joke, but Blaine nodded seriously.

"You can't imagine how often that scared people away." Did he sound unhappy?

"More often than your appearance?" Kurt raised his eyebrows.

"Well, not that, no." Blaine admitted and his lips twitched again. "Normally, the clothes are enough."

"No makeup?" Kurt tried to sound horrified. "The clothes are enough?"

This really made Blaine laugh and Kurt already loved the sound of it. "You can't imagine how your appearance alone influences what people think of you."

"Oh I can, believe me." Kurt whispered, even if he didn't want to talk about this. At least not now. Blaine looked curious, but luckily, he didn't ask any questions.

"So why are you doing all this?" Kurt changed the subject. "Trying to act like you're all bad? Because you aren't, don't try to deny it." He hesitated. "And why do you want to talk to me about all this?"

"As I said, it's easy with you. And I like you." This simple statement made Kurt's heart race. To his surprise, Blaine sighed and suddenly, he looked unhappy. "And just maybe I'm tired of acting in front of everyone."

"Why are you doing it?" Kurt asked again and leaned forward.

"There's a reason why I hate bullies." Blaine sighed. "You told me you were fine when I discovered that those idiots hurt you. I knew you were not. Because I know exactly how this feels." He swallowed. "That's also why I kept an eye on this Karofsky guy."

Kurt raised his eyebrows. He would have never imagined that Blaine had been bullied too. "Is that why you changed the school so often?"

Blaine nodded. "Every time it started again, I left. The appearance alone can't always prevent it. Most of the time, it starts after a few months. Once someone realizes that I'm gay and all alone. Even if I look like I would beat up anyone without hesitation."

"No one tried to hurt you here by now." Kurt threw in. However, Blaine had angered Karofsky with his actions of the previous day. So who knew how long the peace would last?

Apparently, Blaine thought the same since he laughed dryly. "By now. I think I've made me a nice enemy yesterday."

"He would never try to bully you too." Kurt said immediately, though he wasn't quite sure about it. "It's more like he's afraid of you."

"He can't judge me, that's what made him hesitate." Blaine argued. "I know how this works, Kurt. I bet it'll change soon."

"And then you'll run away again?" Kurt asked slowly. The look on Blaine's face told him the answer to his question. Yes, Blaine would leave McKinley again once Karofsky and his friends would see him as a target. "You asked me why I stay." He remembered now. "So you'll leave again once something happens." Kurt noticed that his voice sounded hollow now. Only now he realized how much he liked Blaine. And that he'd gotten used to his presence.

"I won't let them do this to me again." Blaine said angrily. "I just can't stand it."

"So you think running away is the better option." Kurt remarked.

"There's no other way."

"We've always got a choice, Blaine." Kurt reminded him softly.

Blaine still looked angry. "And how do you think it would work? Should I let myself get slushied like you do? Or shoved against dumpsters?"

"When you leave, you let them know that they've won. Do you want that?"

"It's none of your business, Kurt." Blaine muttered and breathed in deeply. Kurt noticed that he'd clenched his fists. "Let's not talk about this. Nothing's happened yet. And with luck, I'll get through the year without being bothered again. And then it's finally over."

"So this is your mask." Kurt said quietly. "You were hurt and now you try to act all cold so that no one will bother you again." He began to feel sad. He didn't want to imagine what made Blaine do all this. But then Kurt remembered that he always had his friends. Blaine was all alone. What would he have done in that position?

"I shouldn't have told you all this." Blaine whispered.

"I'm glad you did." Kurt interrupted him quickly. "Now I understand you better. And I also know why you do all this."

"There's more to it, though." He ran a hand through his hair again. "You're very lucky, Kurt. You've got your friends who defend you and a family. I never had many friends and my parents don't even accept that I'm gay."

Kurt stared at him. "Your family doesn't?"

Blaine shook his head. "They never did. I don't hear from them very often. They pay me a small flat here in Lima and sometimes, my mother calls me. But that's it."

Kurt didn't know what to say, so he just kept looking at Blaine wide-eyed.

He laughed dryly. "You see? My life's not as easy as yours, pretty boy." There it was again. Blaine's defensive wall.

"I'm sorry, Blaine." Kurt whispered and hoped that he didn't look too shocked anymore.

"I don't want your pity." Blaine spat and stood up abruptly. Kurt just had enough time to grab his arm to prevent Blaine from leaving.

"Don't go." He pleaded. "I don't pity you. Your words just shocked me, that's all. Because I simply don't understand how your family can reject someone who's as friendly, funny and just as sweet as you are, Blaine." He didn't mean to say sweet, but Kurt just couldn't stop himself. Not when Blaine was going to leave and he didn't know if he would see him again.

After a few moments of hesitation, Blaine sat down again. Luckily, he didn't say anything to Kurt's outburst. Instead, he closed his eyes and Kurt could tell that there was sadness on his face now.

"You see? I'm not good at talking about myself." Blaine muttered and now there was a tired smile on his lips.

"I know that this isn't easy for you." Kurt said simply. "But you're not alone, Blaine."

"This is the first time someone said this to me." Blaine noted.

"And I mean it." Kurt said sternly. "No one should be alone with all this."

"Yet many people are."

"Just because they didn't find their true friends yet." Kurt argued.

"And you think I did?" Blaine looked curious now.

Kurt smiled slightly. "Depends."

"On what?"

"If you want to try all this." Whatever it was between them. Sometimes, it felt like more than friendship to Kurt. But he wasn't sure if he just imagined things.

"Trying this with you?" Blaine asked and raised his eyebrows. "Kurt, I'm not sure if I can tell this anyone else yet."

"It's fine. I won't say a word, I promise."

Blaine relaxed after his words. "It was difficult enough to tell you all this. I've been lying awake all night, considering if this was a good idea."

"And was it?" Now Kurt was curious.

Blaine grinned. "The best."

Kurt still wasn't sure if Blaine wouldn't just leave once something bad happened. Somehow, there was an uneasy feeling in his stomach when he thought of this.

Suddenly, Blaine jumped to his feet. "I want to show you something." He held out his hand to Kurt. "Come on, I won't kill you." He was smiling now and this time, he looked excited. After a few seconds of hesitation, Kurt took his hand and Blaine pulled him to his feet. Then he walked towards the stage. It took him a few moments to realize that Blaine was heading for the piano.

"I thought you didn't want to talk about music." He remarked.

"Normally, I don't." Blaine agreed. "With you, I'll make an exception." He sat down and pulled Kurt on the small stool next to him. "But don't say a single word to anyone."

"I promise." Kurt didn't know what to expect.

Then Blaine started to play. And he sang to the music.