This is much shorter than my average chapters. I wanted to get this part of the story told. I have been listening to the song Dave chooses on repeat track for the last couple of days. If you don't know it, I really recommend it. Thanks for reading. I honestly ADORE each and every single review. This chapter is dedicated to Chris. I don't know if he still reads my work but if you do, Chris- thanks for being a great friend when I needed one.

The room was silent as Dave took the microphone.

He'd rightfully gained a reputation for his heartfelt performances and everyone, from the self absorbed Ms. Berry, to chatty Brittany, perched closer to the edge of their seats to hear what he would say.

Kurt was a confused tangle of emotions- giddy excitement in that he always loved to hear Dave sing but also apprehension, as he knew that Dave's first day had been horrible. It would break Kurt's heart if Dave chose a super sad song.

Dave's shy smile set his heart at ease.

"Umm… today I've been slushied, got into two fist fights, and someone who can't spell wrote "homeo" on my locker"

Dave's announcement drew hisses and jeers from the assembled club members and Kurt's heart, so recently pacified, constricted. Dave; smiling at the vehemence of his friends, called for quiet and continued

"You know what? It's been the best day of my life. I have never, not since before I can remember, had a day where I was completely myself, completely honest, and was so completely supported and loved by true friends. You all mean the world to me. "

The room, so recently ringing with the jeers and hisses of his fellow glee club members was silent. Everyone could relate to Dave. Everyone understood what it felt like to be misunderstood, singled out, picked on, and hated. In a way, he was the voice of the group in that moment.

Turning to Kurt, he continued.

"I've never told you this, but this is my second first day of school Glee practice. I was here last year, hiding out there" He pointed to the hallway between the set of doors leading out of the Glee room.

"I heard this boy singing. I didn't know it was Kurt but it stopped me in my tracks. I can't even remember the song, but I remember this feeling of warmth that came over me. I hadn't really been able to feel anything for a long time. I was numb. Even though I'd just spent a day supposedly on top of the world- a million popular friends, a girlfriend, a letterman jacket- I felt alone. And lost. Until that voice- Kurt's voice- found me."

You could have heard a pin drop as Dave's story drew to a close.

His glistening hazel eyes directed at his boyfriend, he nodded just once.

"This one is for the first day of school and; like all my songs, it's for you, babe"

The song was instantly recognizable. There was only one song that sounded quite like this. It was the Fugee's "Killing me Softly". The beat instantly set everyone's feet tapping. Dave's husky baritone intoned the lyrics.

I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style,

And so I came to see him and listen for a while.

And there he was this young boy, stranger to my eyes,

Strumming my pain with his fingers,

Singing my life with his words,

Killing me softly with his song,

Killing me softly with his song,

Telling my whole life with his words,

Killing me softly with his song.

Even though it was the first day of school, Dave still came over to "study". Kurt was proud of how they held out until his dad and Carol left for the movies. It took them all of 30 seconds from the time the door closed behind his parents to move from the respectable location of the kitchen table to the less respectable location of Kurt's bed.

Kurt dived into Dave's arms as if he'd been away for weeks or years, rather than hours. Dave didn't protest. He was holding onto Kurt as if he were the most precious thing in the entire world.

Taking a deep breath, Kurt let the feeling of peace and contentment that came with being in Dave's arms slowly wrap around his weary body and soul.

"I love this"

Dave chuckled over Kurt's drowsily content pronouncement.

"Oh really? I guess it's alright. I mean, it's not a night at motel 6 with Santana or anything..."

He continued to laugh when Kurt began jabbing him in the ribs, hissing threats and making dire predictions about his survival should he make more comments like that.

"Ok...ok...sorry. I never spent the night at a Motel 6 with Santana! Gosh!"

Kurt; hesitantly appeased by Dave's hasty retraction, settled back into his boyfriend's arms.

"It was a Best Western, not a motel 6"

The ensuing ruckus was so tumultuous that they ended up crashing to the floor, rolling across Kurt's bedroom, laughing and struggling for dominance. Kurt finally gained the upper hand and pinned Dave to the floor, stretching the bigger boy's arms out above his head, shackling his wrists with his own hands. His body was firmly planted on Dave's chest, his eyes sparkling in triumph.

Which is how Finn found them when he came in looking for his missing iPod.