AN- Here it is: The chapter everyone has been waiting for. My favorite season one episode. Laryngitis!

Mr. Schue is very disappointed in them.

Everyone is annoyed that Rachel narked on them about not singing during practices.

Blaine backs her up; he's sick of glee clubbers all ganging up on Rachel and he is her friend above all else.

"You guys should sing; it's for your benefits more than anyone else's."

Rachel beams at him.

Mr. Schue's lesson is solos for everyone; find a song that expresses your voice.

Kurt is all about this lesson. As he, Mercedes and Blaine leave glee together, he's all smiles and giddiness.

"I am going to kill this assignment. If there is one thing I know, it's my voice. I have exactly the same vocal range as sixteenth century castrato Orlando Delasso. But you know what he didn't have?"

Blaine knows; he wonders if Kurt knows.

"A song by Miss Whitney Houston in his back pocket."

"Yeah," Blaine agrees, desperately trying not to look at what else Kurt has that Orlando didn't. "That's exactly it."

And, suddenly, Burt Hummel is in the hallway. Blaine is surprised that he's allowed to just walk inside the school like that. But, he likes Burt, so he has no problems with this.

"Dad," And Kurt's eyes widen a little, panic creeping into his tone, "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

Burt is quick to assure him everything is okay.

"I'm just here to pick up Finn for a Red's game. Hello, Blaine."

Blaine grins. "Pleasure to see you again Mr. Hummel. Where's the game?"

"Cincinnati. Doesn't really quality for a major league but Finn's never been and I figured it would be fun."

"Why wasn't I invited?" Kurt asks.

"Are you kidding?" Burt chuckles. "Every time I watch a baseball game, you start in on the fact that all the players are wearing stirrup pants."

"Because, there's never an excuse for stirrup pants!"

Finn appears and Burt leaves all excitedly. Blaine can't help but notice the disappointment on Kurt's face.

"You okay?"

Kurt blinks and forces a smile at him. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."

When Rachel loses her voice, she panics.

As soon as Mr. Schue breaks the news, she falls into Blaine's arms and begins sobbing uncontrollably. Blaine shoots Finn a 'no-I-swear-I'm-not-into-her' look over her head.

"I'll need to go to the doctor's. Immediately. Oh, but what if they tell me bad news, Blaine. Like, that I'll never sing again?"

"You'll sing again, Rach," Blaine soothes.

"W-will you go with me? I don't want to go alone and my dads might not be able to take me on such short notice."

Blaine glances at Finn and sees the look on his face and makes his decision.

"No, I'm on call all week to pick my brother up from school. Finn, why don't you take her?"

Rachel looks slightly uncomfortable with this but nods. Finn grins, obviously pleased, and mouths a 'thank you' to Blaine.

Blaine hopes they just hook up and be done with this already.

Because Jesse hasn't spoken to Rachel since Run Joey Run and Blaine hates the disappointment on her face every time she checks her phone.

The next day, Kurt blows everyone's minds.

He shows up to school. In a trucker hat. And a vest.

Yes. A vest. Not the fashionable kind he usually wears. The sporty kind that Blaine didn't even think he owned.

Then he walks up to the piano and sings 'Pink Houses' for his assignment. And this is not Kurt's voice and everyone is whispering among themselves because they are so confused.

And even Mr. Schue calls him out on it.

Blaine tries to catch up to Kurt as he leaves and overhears Brittany, offering to let Kurt 'tap that'

"Kurt, what the hell are you doing?"

"What are you talking about, Blaine," Kurt drawls.

"This," Blaine gestures to all of Kurt, "This outfit and that song. None of this is you."

"This is the new me. The me that loves flannel and girls and Mellencamp."

And, suddenly, a light bulb flashes in Blaine's mind.

"Didn't you tell me once, that your dad loves Mellencamp?"

Kurt doesn't look Blaine in the eye. "It's easier this way. We'll have stuff in common and he'll take me to those stupid baseball games with Finn."

"Kurt," Blaine says softly, "Don't do this to yourself. You're not happy-"

"I can be," Kurt says fiercely. "If it makes my dad happy, then I'm happy."

"Kurt-"

"And why do I have to be gay? I mean, why are high school kids so obsessed with labels? Why can't we just be? Whatever or whoever we want to be."

"Are you being who you want to be, Kurt? Because, I know your dad. He loves you and accepts you no matter what. And he would want you to be you. No one else."

"Are you done?" Kurt asks coolly. "Because I'm late for gym."

"You hate gym."

Kurt rolls his eyes. "See you later, Blaine."

Blaine thinks Kurt needs help. Someone to talk to and help him through this rough patch he's having.

He finds himself in Miss. Pillsbury's office.

"Blaine, right? Blaine Anderson," the Bambi-eyed woman glances at the file on her desk. "We've never had to talk before. Is everything alright?"

She turns those eyes on him and Blaine shifts in his seat.

"I have this friend."

"Oh. Oh, yes. A friend."

"And, he's having these issues. See, my friend is gay. And he feels he needs to start denying that and acting like he likes girls and wear flannel because he needs his father's approval."

"Well, this is a problem," Miss Pillsbury turns around and grabs a few pamphlets, laying them on the table. Blaine glances down. One says Boys: Liking Them and Liking Yourself. Another reads: I Think I'm Gay; The Guide to Being a Happy Homosexual.

"You see, Blaine, your 'friend' is going through the same crisis many high school males go through. The desire to be accepted amongst your peers and family members sometimes overrules your own happiness. But, Blaine, there's nothing wrong with you."

He blinks. "I know."

"And there are many people who are accepting and loving."

"Miss Pillsbury, I'm not gay. My friend is."

"Blaine," she smiles a little, "People use that friend line all the time."

"No, really, my friend is gay. Kurt Hummel. He came to school in a kilt once."

"Oh," And it's her turn to blink. "Oh. Well. Uh, hmm. Well, I would say that, that you should just be there. For Kurt. And let him know that you are."

She smiles at him and then makes up an excuse about going to clean her grapes for lunch just so she can bolt out of the room.

(or she's telling the truth, he knows that she's got some OCD problem)

Blaine hesitates for a split second.

He takes the pamphlets with him.

That night, with his door firmly locked, Blaine looks over the pamphlets in his room.

He's never considered himself gay before. He was raised in a home where he should like girls and grow up and marry one like a good boy so his mother can have grandchildren and he can pass down the Anderson name.

But he never liked a girl. Not like that. All through elementary school, he told himself it was okay; none of the boys liked girls. And then in middle school, he just assured himself he was a late bloomer.

Then he attended a party before his freshmen year at McKinley and every thought got shot to hell when he spotted Kurt Hummel.

Kurt, his best friend and the object of his affections. The boy with the most amazing singing voice and those eyes that pierce the soul, and the color of which varies depending on his mood.

He rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. His parents flash before his eyes; what would they say if he came out? Would they be sweet and loving and supporting like Burt? Or would they throw him out in disgust.

Michael told him he didn't care. Michael teased him about having a boyfriend. Michael found those magazines in his room…

Blaine colors at the thought of those hidden under his mattress. It had been eighth grade and he just needed to know; slipped a couple under his shirt at the drugstore and ran home.

He recalls the teasing that started the next day, when he glanced a little too long at someone else in the locker room. It had all blown over, a couple jokes and a roll of the eyes from Blaine shut everyone up.

But he saw; however little it was, he saw what would happen. And he'd been denying it since.

He reaches over and grabs one pamphlet by random.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are: Breaking the News.

After denying it for so long…was it possible that it could be true?

The next day, Kurt is wearing baggy jeans and a red hoody in glee. He sits next to Brittany and keeps an arm around her chair because he's her boyfriend and that's what they do.

(right? He only really has movies and TV to go from here).

He watches as Blaine raises his hand and Mr. Schue stops his drabble about next week's warm ups and calls on him.

"Yes, Blaine?"

"I have my song ready. For this week's assignment."

"Oh," Mr. Schue perks up. "Great. Why don't you come on up here and let us hear it."

Blaine walks up to the piano and faces his glee club.

"I've been struggling with some things lately. We all have," Here, he glances at Rachel, then Kurt. "And I picked a song that stands for my voice. And my voice says that we should be whoever we are and embrace it. No matter what anyone says."

He whispers the title to Brad. Kurt's eyebrow furrows as the song begins. He knows this; he's definitely heard it before.

Then Blaine starts on the lyrics and it hits him: 'I'm Still Here' by the lead singer of the Goo-Goo Dolls, from that Treasure Planet movie Blaine forced him to watch a couple weeks ago.

And Blaine is really into it, singing with his heart and the emotions flicker easily across his face. When he gets to the part, 'And I wanna tell you who I am' he looks right at Kurt, who's heart stops momentarily because of the soulful look in his eyes.

"They can't break me," Blaine sings and Kurt glances over at Brittany, "As long as I know who I am."

Does he know who he is right now? Is he a straight boy dating a super-hot, popular cheerleader or is a gay boy, scared and pretending in order to gain his father's love and approval.

When Blaine finishes, everyone applauds, especially Kurt who even throws in a little standing ovation. Because, honestly, that was one of the best performances of the club.

Mr. Schue congratulates him and Rachel gives him a big hug. Kurt hangs back. Blaine's eyes meet his for a split second, until they wander down and he's frowning. Kurt follows his gaze and sees that his hand is holding Brittany's.

And he kind of wants to laugh; because this scene is almost identical to the one between him, Blaine and Santana months ago.

Except Blaine's the one with disapproval radiating off his face.

After Kurt sings his heart out with 'Rose's Turn', he and his father finally talk.

And his dad tells him that he loves him. No matter what. And that he doesn't have to try to be what he thinks his dad wants. His job is just to be himself.

They hug after. Tears running down Kurt's face and tears threatening to escape from Burt's eyes.

And Burt offers to take Kurt out to dinner.

"Somewhere they sell those salads you like so much. And you can tell me more about that lily song."

"Rose's Turn, dad."

"Right. That one."

Kurt smiles. "Sure. I just need to get something out of my locker. Give me five minutes?"

"Sure thing, kiddo."

It's way after school, Kurt notices, as he walks down the hall towards his locker. There's not a soul in sight and he rather likes it that way.

Then he turns the corner and sees Blaine leaning against his locker.

"You're back," Blaine says as he takes in the outfit; combat boots and scarf that are just so Kurt.

"I'm back," Kurt's smile is sheepish. "You were right, those clothes from before. So not me."

"I saw your dad heading to his car. Everything okay?"

Kurt nods. "We talked. And, he doesn't want a son like Finn. Well, he might have pictured it when I was born but…he loves me. For me."

Blaine smiles softly. "You're so lucky Kurt. I would kill for a dad like yours."

"Blaine?"

The shorter boy takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

"I went to talk to Miss Pillsbury about your identity crisis. I couldn't comprehend why it was bugging me so much. Why the thought of you, renouncing your sexual identity and pretending everything was fine hurt me. And then it hit me."

Blaine opens his eyes and Kurt sees the tears swimming in them.

"I look up to you, Kurt. I admire you. The fact that you can walk down these hallways and hold your head up high no matter how many times you're shoved into the locker or how many slushies are thrown in your face. I couldn't do that, you know. I was in the eighth grade, the first time I even humored the idea that I could be different. And when I saw the response, I hid it away. Denied it until I was so sure of it myself. And then you showed up."

Blaine heaves himself off the locker and runs a hand through his hair. He chuckles a little, whether self-deprecating or just in disbelief, Kurt can't tell.

"I wasn't drunk, Kurt. At that party. I saw you come in and I really, really wanted to talk to you. I got a little buzzed, some liquid courage but I was never drunk. I only blamed the alcohol because I needed a reason why I thought you were cute. Or why I wanted to kiss you."

"Blaine-"

"Because I couldn't be different Kurt. Not with my father. I've heard the things he's said and all my mother ever wanted was for me to find a nice girl and settle down and I can't," His voice breaks here, and the tears make their way down his face.

Kurt wants to reach for him, to hold him close and comfort him like Blaine did before; the whole Finn's mom/his dad debacle still fresh in his mind.

"I can't, Kurt. I wanted to kiss you at that party. And I always thought that Justin Timberlake was cuter than Brittany Spears. And the other day, I was at the store and a guy walked by and I couldn't help but think 'wow, he's cute'."

He's crying in earnest now, and Kurt knows that he must be tearing up too because this is so heart wrenching and he's so happy the halls are empty.

Blaine collects himself so he can continue. "And, I meant what I said with my song today. I'm done lying. I want to tell you who I am. I'm Blaine Anderson and," he takes a deep breath and the next words comes out in a whisper, "I'm gay."

And there it is. What Kurt has known ever since Blaine pressed their lips together in Noah Puckerman's backyard. What Blaine has been denying from day one, dating Santana and avoiding Kurt like the plague. What's become more and more evident the closer they had become.

And when he opens his arms, Blaine falls into them. And Kurt just holds him close and rubs circles on his back and tells him everything will be okay.

"I'm here. And I'll stand beside you no matter what," he promises. "Always."

Blaine just clutches him and cries harder.

AN- When the idea for this fic first popped into my head, I knew from day one, that Blaine would come out in Laryngitis. In fact, the first thing I wrote was his coming out scene (which had to be adjusted as I changed some plot points and what not). Just something about Kurt's struggle with his own sexuality (mainly because he wanted acceptance, not because he actually doubted himself) just totally screamed 'Blaine' to me. I was beyond excited to write this chapter and even more so to post. I hope everyone loved it.