A/N: This really is a bit of a filler chapter, but I hope this clears some things up.

Rain drizzled across the Lima sky. Kurt sighed to himself as he lay back against the leather car seat, inhaling in the familiar scent. His dad was grinning beside him as he drove him home, but his own smile was forced.

His hand tightened around the ink stained paper in his jean pocket. He had read Blaine's letter three times over before his dad picked him up that evening and he had memorised the entire thing, playing it over in his mind the entire trip.

"Dear Kurt," the letter began:

"I feel like this is an explanation of some sorts because God knows you deserve one. I'm so fucking sorry, Kurt. I know I completely stuffed up, but I wasn't lying to you when I said that I really have no clue what I'm doing.

I'm going to have to start at the beginning I guess…"

An old Mellancamp song hummed lightly through the speakers. Burt kept the volume on low, almost as if he was hoping Kurt would fill the gap with conversation.

But he couldn't. Not yet.

"When I was fourteen I realised I was gay. I came out and it was hard – I lost the respect of a lot of my friends and peers…

It was even harder for my parents.

As a child they had idolised me. I was a piano protégée, I got fantastic grades, I was sporty, handsome, charming…

The night I came out to them it was late and I had gone to bed… their arguing woke me up. I didn't hear much of it… only my mother crying, 'what did we do wrong, Arthur?'

Things only got worse from that point.

The bullying was bad. I won't go into details but it was both physical and verbal. Most of it directed at me but my parents copped some backlash.

It took it's strain on my parent's relationship and one day it proved too much for my father…

He left without saying goodbye."

Kurt bit back the lump in his throat as he mentally recalled that point of the letter. The first time he read it he had had to pause at that point, unable to see through the tears that he refused to shed.

As somebody who had a rather strong relationship with his father, it always pained him to see those who didn't. He didn't know what he would do without Burt and his love and his acceptance. He was his rock, the one person who would always be there.

"About a month later I found his old motorbike still in the shed. Seeking some escape, any escape from all the shit that was going on I decided I was going to fix it up myself.

It took a few weeks before I found the enscription on the engine.

'Take care of yourself – D' it read.

And so I tried. I started sticking up for myself and mom both at school and home. It made things infinitely worse; mom didn't like me fighting and I was getting into lots of trouble at school.

But I was taking care of myself. Just like my dad wanted.

And that's how I landed at Dalton."

As the car pulled into the familiar drive of their street, Kurt felt an odd feeling surge in his chest that felt something like homesickness.

"Welcome home, kid," Burt said gruffly, pulling the ignition.

"The worst thing about people is that they are so caught up in their own assumptions that they can't be bothered to look past them. They think they're smart and have you all figured out when really they have no fucking clue.

When I came to Dalton they asked what I was in for and I told them I'd been fighting. That's it. They didn't need to know why and they didn't want to. They didn't care.

When Wes heard I could sing he invited me to join the Warblers.

I loved singing but was never able to pursue it at my other school (I was unpopular enough…) so I jumped at the chance to join. I liked being a Warbler. For the first time in a long time it looked like I had found my footing.

And then Jeff came along."

Burt moved to unbuckle his seat belt, still smiling to himself. Kurt reached across to embrace him in a gentle hug. Burt looked up, a little surprised.

"Thank you, dad," Kurt breathed, eyes shining with sincerity. "For everything."

Burt's expression softened. "It's good to have you home, kid. We really missed you… I really missed you."

Kurt nodded. "I know, dad… I missed you too."

"We became friends pretty quickly (this was before Nick came along) and that developed into something more. I don't want to go too far into it because we were both stupid and reckless and moved far too fast. When we broke up it was messy and horrible and we were both pretty heartbroken.

I think I might have loved him."

He was welcomed at the door by Carole who smothered him in motherly hugs. He clenched his eyes shut and for a moment he could pretend that he was seven again and coming home from school camp to his mother's waiting arms.

Finn was right next to her, surprising him with an enthusiastic hug.

"We all really missed you, man," he told him earnestly.

"Jeff was bitter and when people asked about it he twisted the story. Said I had pressured him into sex. I don't know what he told you, but I assume it was something along those lines…

No one said anything to my face but I heard plenty of things. Of course, with the black leather and the motorcycle people just assume you're a badass. People were too scared to confront me about anything.

So as long as they were leaving me alone, I was fine.

But then you came along."

Later that night after the first family dinner he had had in months, a visit from Mercedes and a call from Rachel, he settled into bed. He snuggled warmly in his comforter, feeling a relief and secureness that he had missed when he was at Dalton.

"You… god, Kurt, I don't even know how to describe you. For the first time in my life, when I was with you I liked the way I felt. I liked being able to make you blush or laugh (back before Jeff told you what a jerk I was). I liked the sound of your voice, the way you sang with your whole heart and the way your eyes sparkled under the light of the common rooms.

I love you, Kurt Hummel.

There I said it. It felt rather understated on paper so I said the words out-loud too.

And I'm sorry. I'm sorry it took me too long to realise it.

I'm sorry I was such a jerk to you this morning. I just…

Kurt, everybody in my whole life I've hurt. My mom… my dad… Jeff…

And I don't know how to not hurt you. And you're so perfect and beautiful that I couldn't fucking bear to be the one to break you.

The letter ends there. Kurt doesn't know if he ran out of time or didn't know how to end it… but he can't help but wonder if this is all the resolution he's going to get.

No, Kurt told himself as he shuts his eyes for the last time that night, the letter isn't over… and neither were they.