"So." Kurt said, approaching Santana in the back of the club. "I hear that you're blackmailing Karofsky."
"It's just too easy." Santana said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, he basically begged me to be his beard when he realized that I figured it out. He was checking out Sam's ass."
"Really?" Kurt raised an eyebrow. He chuckled but then leaned in towards her seriously. "Santana… It's really difficult, being a man in this town and having a burden like that to carry. He really needs to be taught how to think about himself, how to not hate what he is. It's very difficult for him."
"You've known for… how long? And he told me what he did to you. Well… he didn't really tell me, I just tricked him out of it."
"Santana." Kurt sighed. "Please don't threaten Karofsky. You don't know what he could do."
"Oh, yes I do." Santana smiled. "He's a huge softie. I mean, when we're not talking about how much he hates me for blackmailing him when he has no friends to turn to if I just out him, and how much he would die for at least a little bisexuality, we're talking about his nieces and nephews and how disgustingly cute they are, and how he loves Sinatra and Springsteen. That kid could play guitar hero for years and be okay with his life."
"He's… what is he like?"
"He's mostly quiet. Sorta shy. Y'no, until he goes off on one of his little tangents about killing himself. He could be an okay guy."
"He's dumping everything on you." Kurt said. "Listen to him. He may be able to find himself better."
Santana shrugged. She then looked really shy and small, as Kurt had never seen her.
"I'm a lesbian." She murmured. Kurt sat up in shock.
"So what finally did it?" Kurt said, smiling. "I didn't think you'd really figure that out until college."
"Brittany." She muttered. "I told her that I love her. I thought… that she'd love me back but… she says she's with Artie which is total bullshit because there's nothing that that stupid boy can give her that I can't give her back in 10 fold." She crossed her arms. "That's why I have to win prom queen. So I can make a royal declaration that she has to… be with me."
"You think you can force someone to love you?" Kurt said softly. "Santana, she loves you. Let her figure that out on her own. Being prom queen isn't going to make her love you any more than she already does. It's not going to make her leave Artie. She's only going to be more upset with her because you're telling her what to do."
"It's… It's hard." Santana said, looking away. "I just… I want her to love me, and I threw that away and I'm… I'm so stupid for letting her get away like that—"
"Does Karofsky know?"
"Yeah." She wiped her nose. "Yeah I thought, fair trade. But I have glee to fall on if word gets out. He really has no one. And… I really don't like doing that to him, but I need Brittany, you don't understand. I really… I need her."
"I can't pretend to see the allure that the female form has for you." He rolled his eyes. "but I understand the love. Talk to Karofsky. Let him talk to you. You both need it. You both are in a similar place."
"I guess." Santana wiped her eyes. "But… Kurt I—I made him stop bullying for you."
"Yeah. I'm not much afraid of him anymore." Kurt smiled. "Thanks, though."
"He a bad kisser?" Santana chuckled. Kurt's eyes widened.
"Well, I mean he was a bit rough, but…" He shrugged. "He could be better."