So Blaine didn't get around to calling Kurt back until it was almost seven thirty. After finishing the dishes, his Dad had taken up another five minutes to remind Blaine that his phone was a privilege and that his mother works hard and don't you think she deserves more appreciation? Blaine nodded, trying to look as chastised as possible- because really, what other choice was there?

It wasn't always like this, usually he did a pretty good job being a model teenager, and his parents were fine. But as his older brother used to say, "Mom's not as strict as Dad, but if you get on her bad side and Dad hears about it, you're never going to hear the end of it." Truer words never spoken, Blaine thought, as he finally was able to retrieve his phone. Maybe he had been kind of short with her when he got home after school, but come on.

Finally heading out of the den, Blaine checked his messages. Kurt had texted him several times.

Hope I'm not bothering you. Just kinda need advice.

If you don't get this until later, just text me back. I'll be up late.

I'm on skype now if you're around.

Something was definitely up. Truth be told, Blaine kind of liked that this kid was turning to him for advice. No one had ever really done that before. At home he was the baby of the family, and at Dalton he was just starting to gain some clout. It made him feel needed, important. Kurt was a nice guy, and he'd always wished he'd had someone his own age to talk to when he'd dealt with the jerks from his old school. He hoped Kurt would be brave and things would get better. He was loving Dalton, but part of him wished he could have just sucked it up and stayed in public school. It had been bad- really bad sometimes, but he had also been more... fragile back then. He didn't know how to stand up for himself then. And while Dad never said anything, Blaine knew that the whole thing had really embarrassed his dad. Blaine was happy now, but he wished it had played out differently. Blaine dialed Kurt's number, and Kurt picked up on the first ring.

"Blaine?"

"Hey. I got your texts. What's up?"

"Yeah, I've been trying to reach you all night."

"Sorry about that. I was- busy." Sorry my dad's being a jerk and held my phone hostage for no good reason. Blaine headed upstairs towards his room where he could speak more freely.

"It's okay. It's just..." Kurt's voice was thin. "I don't... have anyone I can talk to about this and... I..."

Blaine was getting worried. "Kurt. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"I'm fine. I'm... you're going to think I'm being dramatic. I'm really sorry if I'm bothering you."

"You're not bothering me. We're friends now. What's going on?" Blaine closed the door to his room and then settled himself on his bed.

"I did what you said."

"You mean you-"

"Yeah. I confronted Karofsky."

"Kurt! That's amazing, what did he say?"

"He kissed me."

Blaine's jaw dropped.

"He- What?"

"I followed him into the locker room. I told him to hit me. I said hit me because it's not going to change who I am- or something like that. I can't remember."

Blaine's eyes widened. "Wow. That's amazing Kurt." I don't know if I'd have the balls to say something like that.

"Yeah, I guess. I... and he..." Kurt's voice got low. "He grabbed my face and kissed me."

"...Shit."

"Yeah. And- I didn't know what to do, I was just- in shock... and then he went like he was going to do it again and- I pushed him away. And then he stormed out of the room."

"I can't believe he's gay. Wow."

"Yeah. I guess he is."

Both boys were quiet. Blaine didn't know what to say. What would Greg say? This mentor hat was new and this was serious, and the only person he could think he'd ever share something like that with was his brother. Or Dr. Mitchell. Maybe.

"What's his name again?"

"Karofsky. Dave Karofsky."

"Well, I guess... Karofsky's been such a jerk to you because he's just really freaked out that he's gay."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. He either hates himself for being gay and just hates on everybody because of it, or he's so terrified anyone could find out that he has to be so...publicly homophobic just in case anyone might ever guess."

"Or both."

"Yeah. Or both."

"I'm freaking out, Blaine. My lunch wave is right after his. We pass each other every day right then and I've been thinking of bagging a lunch and eating in the bathroom just to avoid him. I don't know what to say him next time I see him." Kurt's voice was rising. Blaine needed to diffuse this.

"Shhh. It's okay. It's- going to be okay." Blaine worked hard to make it sound like he knew what he was talking about. "He's probably going to be embarrassed. He's probably trying to sort out his feelings and he doesn't know what to do with them. A lot of gay kids have a hard time coming out. And he's been working so hard to cover it up."

"I was already miserable avoiding him everywhere, but now-"

"Now he's not just a bully Kurt." Blaine interrupted. "He's- he's one of us. You gotta talk to him."

"Talk to him? What? I can't-"

"You've got to. Kurt, you're the only one who knows he's gay. He could be depressed- a lot of kids commit suicide because they can't deal with being in the closet."

"He's not going to kill himself. Anyway, it's not my responsibility- All the things he's done to me—"

"Kurt, I know. You're right. But... think about what it was like before you came out. Imagine how much harder it would have been if you were a football player, if your family was less supportive, there's intense pressure to act straight... even in the best of circumstances." Blaine thought ruefully about how early on he hadn't wanted to come out to his Dad just because he thought it would let him down. Just another way he wasn't as perfect as his brother.

Kurt thought Blaine had a point, but he wasn't sure he could find it in himself to put aside all that had happened. "What am I even supposed to say to him? God, he's just going to beat me up anyway."

"I don't think he's going to beat you up anymore."

"You think he's going to kiss me again?"

"I think... You broke through him. He's probably desperate for a friend, honestly."

"A friend?" Kurt clucked. The whole idea of Dave Karofsky needing a "friend" seemed absurd. "You don't know this guy..." Kurt actually laughed a bit.

"Hey, I'm serious. No one ever stood up to him before and that's how he responded? You did something incredible. I can't even believe it. You single handedly changed his life. He has to deal with this now. He's probably really lonely and doesn't know what to do."

"If I talk to him about it, he's going to- I don't know what. He already has hurt me before, if he thinks I'm going to out him he'll get angry. "

"Not if..." Blaine trailed off, thoughtful.

Kurt furrowed his brow. "Not if what?"

"Well. If you want... I could talk to him with you. Then it'd be two against one. I think if he just could hear that he wasn't the only one, and that there were places he could go for help with this... he'd want to listen. No one wants to be alone."

"I don't know. You're- you're a lot more optimistic than I am."

"I've been to a lot of PFLAG events, Kurt. They have speakers all the time. They always say that a lot of gay kids act out to cover up their feelings before they come out. Seriously, I think you could make a big difference by doing this."

Kurt sighed. "I've known you a day and you've already got me doing all kinds of things I'd never imagined I'd do."

Blaine laughed. "Well, that just means it's the start of a wonderful friendship, Kurt. Good friends help each other step out of their comfort zones. But... I think if we're going to talk to him, it needs to be soon. And somewhere kind of public, so if he did... want to get physical there would be witnesses."

"...What did you have in mind?"

Blaine bit his lip nervously. He was a little surprised with himself that he was even considering this. But it made sense.

"Well- you said you always run into him around lunch?"

"Yeah."

"Tomorrow I have a study hall before lunch. I could- probably get out of that and drive out to McKinley."

"Are you serious?"

"Totally serious." Blaine smiled at the sigh of relief over the phone.

"That would be- amazing."

"I've got your back. He doesn't know me so we don't have history that will make him defensive. I'll just calmly let him know that I know what he did, and that it's something he has to deal with in a more healthy way."

"You sound like some kind of a therapist."

Blaine didn't know quite what to say to that. But having seen a therapist or two after the Sadie Hawkins mess, maybe he had absorbed some of the lingo.

"Well, I don't know about that, but... if I was there would you feel better?"

"Yes." Kurt didn't hesitate.

"Then it's done. I'll text you tomorrow when I get up."

It wasn't until after Blaine hung up that he tried to figure out the details. This was going to be tricky. He'd never skipped school before. It wasn't worth trying to get Mom or Dad on board with this- he was sure they'd never go for it. School was school. So, he'd have to be careful and most importantly, not get caught.