Kurt sat at his vanity, looking in the mirror. He sprayed some hydrating spray on his face before picking up his beauty blender to rub it into his eyelids. I'm pretty proud of myself, he thought as he swiped over his face. I successfully pulled off a football game and gave me and my dad something to talk about, something to connect over. It still doesn't feel right, though, being out at school and hiding who I am from my dad. I should just talk to him. He's been trustworthy and accepting of me before. I mean, he's my dad.

Just then, he could hear footsteps on the stairs, and he glanced up into the mirror, catching his father's gaze. The older Hummel just nodded, letting out a breath as if he'd come down to say something and hadn't expected to find his son with a beauty blender in his hand.

"Nighttime skincare is a big part of my post-game ritual," Kurt said, hoping to ease his dad into whatever he wanted to say.

"I don't know what to say about that, but, uh, I was really prouda ya tonight, Kurt."

For a moment, they just blinked at each other through the mirror. He's proud of me? Of course, he is. This is football we're talking about.

"I wish your mom woulda been there. You know, I mean…alive."

Kurt barely nodded, saying softly, "Thanks." Look at him, that honest look in his eyes. He looks so vulnerable, so open. He's just… He's just my dad. I think that right now is my chance. I think that's what it means. Should I tell him?

Burt turned to walk away, seeming as though the moment was ending, and Kurt knew this was it. It's now or never, and I think it has to be now. "Dad?"

Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, Burt turned back to look at him without a word.

Kurt rose to his feet, turning to look at the man this time instead of simply meeting his gaze in the mirror. "I…have something I wanna say."

He took a few steps back toward his son, his gaze fixated on the floor.

Maybe this isn't a good idea, Kurt thought as he watched. Maybe he's upset about something. Maybe he's tired. Maybe he was just ready to go back upstairs and find something to watch on Animal Planet and have some quiet time after the game. Yet, why shouldn't I tell him? We're being honest with each other right now, and I'm tired of having to be dishonest with him. I've got to get this off my chest.

When his dad glanced up at him again, Kurt swallowed hard and began. "I'm glad that you're proud of me." He paused, trying to find the right words. Do I just spit it all out or do I take this slow? I don't want to shock him. I've got to tell him the truth, though. "But I don't want to lie anymore." He tried to read his dad's face; the expression hadn't seemed to change since he'd started speaking, though, so he pressed on. "Being a part of the Glee Club and football has really showed me that I can be anything." Now comes the hard part. I can do this. I can say the words. "And…" A small sigh escaped his lips. Trust that he's not going to get mad. He's always loved me before. He's still going to love me, even after he finds out. "What I am…is… I'm gay." The words came out so softly, yet they floated out of his mouth nonetheless, hitting his dad's ears and vibrating there, waiting for a response from him.

Burt had been listening and nodding as Kurt spoke, and his expression remained just as it always had as he looked at Kurt for a few moments. Finally, with a few more small nods, he said, "I know."

Now it was Kurt who was surprised. He could feel his eyes growing bigger as he stared at his dad, dumbfounded. "Really?" How? I've never told him. I didn't come out at school until just recently, even though I've known forever who I am. How could he…?

"I've known since you were three."

That long? His thoughts swirled, filling the silence in his head, even though it remained in the air between the two of them. Why has he never said anything? Was he just waiting for me to admit it? What does this mean? What does it change for us?

"All you wanted for your birthday was a pair of sensible heels," Burt pointed out with a shrug as if what he was saying was no big deal.

This is a huge deal. And I suppose that makes sense. I haven't exactly been the best at hiding those parts of my personality, have I? Kurt dropped his gaze from his dad's, looking off to the side. Then, he took a deep breath and looked back at him, about to say something when Burt continued speaking.

"I guess I'm not totally in love with the idea, but…" He continued to nod as if he wanted to reassure his son that what he was saying was true. "If that's who you are, there's nothing I can do about it. And I love you just as much."

Kurt felt a fresh warmth start to radiate through him at those words. He and his dad didn't speak in I love yous very often, not as much as they had prior to his mom's death, and hearing those words now filled him with peace and warmth he loved and craved from his father. He still loves me. He still loves me!

After a few beats of silence, Burt inclined his head toward his son as if asking, "Did you hear what I said?" Then, he took a step forward, gently clapping a hand down on Kurt's shoulder as he asked, "Okay?"

All Kurt could do at that moment was rush the small space remaining between them to fall into his dad's warm, strong hug, holding on to him for a few eternal seconds. He could feel his dad's heartbeat through his brown shirt. He still loves me. He still loves me and wants me to be his son. Nothing has changed. Nothing at all. He still loves me. Relief flooded his body as it whisked away all the anxiety that had built in his heart throughout their conversation.

"Thanks for telling me, Kurt," Burt said as they pulled back. Then, he turned to go, and all Kurt could do was stare at his back, watching him, surprise and relief and love for his dad coursing through his veins.

He still loves me, and everything's going to be fine. He's accepting me. He doesn't love it, yet he's not asking me to change. He's not telling me I can't be the person I am. He's not asking for an identity flip. He still loves me, and we're going to be okay.

When he felt like he could, Kurt returned to his seat at the mirror, ready to work on his skin routine once more. He just caught his dad pausing at the bottom of the stairs, turning to look at him again, as Kurt prepared to pick up his beauty blender again.

"You're sure, right?" Burt asked.

"Yeah, Dad. I'm sure," Kurt replied confidently, meeting his gaze, unwavering, in the mirror once more.

"Just checkin'," Burt confirmed, turning to climb up the steps again.

Kurt watched him go, and just before he disappeared from sight, he said, "Hey, Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Burt gave him a beaming smile before disappearing up the steps to find a seat in his comfy chair once more.

Kurt returned to his skincare routine as one mantra beat like a drum through his soul. He still loves me, and everything's going to be okay.