So I decided not to have Ryder tell New Directions his secret, since there's really no need to. But it will be referenced in the chapter.

Warnings for more bullying and slurs and references to molestation.

The school has been dark for a day and a half so far. And it sucks, because Ryder has no means of lighting his way. His GPA isn't high enough for him to have a torch. And he didn't bring one from home, because he was convinced the lights would be back on today.

It's ok though, because Jake has taken it upon himself to walk Ryder to every one of his classes. Every time, he keeps a guiding hand on the small of Ryder's back, as if he's worried he'll lose him in the darkness. Not that Ryder's complaining. He would never complain about that.

They're taking a short cut to Ryder's class so that Jake will have enough time to make it to his own. The hallway is deserted, until suddenly Ryder spots Phil and Bobby approaching. Ryder tugs at the hem of Jake's shirt to get his attention.

'Hello boys,' Bobby calls, voice overly loud in the empty hall.

'Hey.' Ryder tries to act casual as he attempts to skirt around them, leading Jake.

Bobby stops them with a hand on Ryder's chest. 'Hey now, not so fast. I actually have a proposition for you. I could help you turn straight.' Ryder really doesn't trust his calm tone.

'I don't want your help.'

'Well, ok, not my help exactly. Celeste's actually. She's quite keen on you, y'know?' He's patting Ryder's shoulder now, in what is meant to be a friendly gesture. 'She'd be quite happy to go down on you. Straighten you out.'

'No thanks.' Jake's hand has curled around his waist now, attempting to lead him away. But Ryder can't get free from Bobby's sudden grip.

'Actually, the thing is, she doesn't really need your permission. She'll go right ahead and do it anyway.' Ryder feels his blood run cold. No, he really doesn't want to think about it.

Phil speaks up now, still standing next to Bobby. 'And she'll make you enjoy it, if ya know what I mean.' Jake's fingers are digging into his side now. Ryder's not sure if it's meant to calm him, or if Jake's getting angry.

The jocks are preparing to leave, but Bobby has one last comment. 'We'll get her to pay you a visit in the locker room some time.' Ryder can't handle it anymore, the thoughts are too painful. Apparently Jake's had enough too because he's letting go of Ryder, hands balling up into fists as he marches towards Bobby.

Jake has just started to pull his fist back when Phil lands an uppercut to his jaw. Jake hadn't even seen it coming, too busy focussing on Bobby, and he falls to the floor in an instant. Both jocks begin to attack him and Ryder doesn't even have to think. He charges at Phil, knocking him off Jake, both of them landing hard. Immediately, he and Phil start fighting, both of them landing their own punches. Ryder gets hit in the eye, but he returns it with one to the nose. Suddenly though, he can't breathe, Phil having punched him in the solar plexus. He collapses onto his back, trying to draw breath as Phil plans another assault.

In the background, Ryder can hear Jake yelling loudly at Bobby, as he has been from the start. Suddenly though, another voice joins his. It takes Ryder a moment to make out what is being said. Eventually though, he realises that it's Coach Beiste, come to their rescue.

They're all sent to the nurse. None of them are too badly hurt, but they have to be cleaned up before they go see Principal Figgins. Besides, their parents have to come too, so this is a time killer until they arrive.

Once everyone is gathered, Figgins' office is rather crowded. Ryder's parents, Jake's mom, and Bobby's dad are all there. Nobody bothers to show up for Phil.

'Would somebody please explain what happened here?' Figgins asks, once he manages to get everyone's attention.

Beiste speaks up. 'Best as I can figure, this was a hate crime.'

'What?' Jake's mom seems genuinely shocked. 'I didn't raise my son to be like that.'

Phil sniggers at this. 'No, you raised him to be a fag.'

'I'm sorry, what?' The confusion is evident on her face.

This time, it's Bobby who explains. 'Your sons are butt buddies.'

Next to him, Ryder hears his mom suck in a sharp breath. Beyond her, his dad starts muttering. He glances over to Jake, they share a worried look.

Figgins seems to grasp the situation pretty quickly. 'I take it this is news to you.' There are murmured agreements. 'If you like, we could all give you a moment?' He gives the others a pointed stare and they shuffle out of the office.

Ryder's mother is instantly turning to him, as his father pulls up a chair to sit opposite. 'Is this true?'

'Um, ah, yea. Jake's my boyfriend.' He can't quite make eye contact while he says it.

'Why didn't you tell us, honey?'

Ryder looks quickly between the two of them, trying to gauge their expressions. 'I was afraid you would hate me for it.'

'Ryder, y'know we'll always love you, right?' She's gripping his knee, as if to get her point across.

'But –but what about your religion and stuff?'

His father speaks this time. 'We, well, we don't really know for sure what God thinks of gays. And even if we did, that wouldn't change anything. You being with Jake doesn't make us love you any less.'

'So you're really ok with this?' Ryder can't believe that they're being so accepting.

'It's gonna take some getting used to,' his mother explains. 'But right now, it's not that important. I think Jake needs you.'

Ryder turns to look. Jake's mom is talking forcefully, and he's just sitting there, hanging his head. He looks dejected, and it hurts Ryder to see. He reaches over, grabbing hold of Jake's hand. Jake glances off to the side, towards him, but doesn't actually look at him.

Suddenly, Jake's mom is standing up, heading towards the door. Jake finds his voice, lets out a pitiful 'Mom'. It sounds so lost.

'I just – I need time to think,' she explains, before walking out.

Jake just stares back down at his knees again. He doesn't even notice when Ryder edges closer, or when he wraps his second hand around the hand he's holding. He just sits there, completely still.

Figgins returns then. 'Well, since we only have half the families here, we'll schedule a meeting for later.' Ryder has suspicions that the meeting will never eventuate.

Ryder's parents get up, and he follows suit. He has to tug Jake up, in the end, leading him out the door by the hand. It's as if Jake has gone into shock, and shut off completely. When they make it to the front entrance though, he looks around, confused.

'Where are we going?'

'My house.' Ryder turns to his parents, 'if that's ok?'

'Of course,' his mom responds enthusiastically. 'If you want, Jake can stay for dinner. We can work out what will happen from there.'

Xxx

All afternoon, Jake barely says a word. After a quiet car ride home, Ryder sits them down in front of the tv, finding a movie to put on. He wraps Jake up in his arms, holding him close. He can tell that Jake's hurting, surprised by the way his mom reacted. He figures that Jake will talk to him when he's ready though. So he just runs a reassuring hand over Jake's arm. Jake buries himself further and further into Ryder as time goes on.

Jake barely speaks during dinner, and after a while, Ryder's parents give up trying to ask him questions. They do their best to maintain a conversation though. And Ryder is relieved when Jake actually eats something.

They return to the lounge after dinner, and Ryder thinks Jake dozes off while they watch tv. An hour later, Ryder's mom comes in, beckoning him over.

'I talked to Jake's mom. She wants more time, so Jake's gonna stay over tonight.'

Ryder tries to ignore the anger that's rising in him. 'Ok, well, we might go to bed now then. It's been a tiring day.'

His mother nods in reply. 'Ok, I'll set the couch up for Jake then.'

'Actually, would it be – it's just that Jake needs to know that someone loves him right now. So would it be ok, could he maybe sleep in my bed tonight?'

There's a softness in his mom's eyes. 'You really love him, don't you?'

'So much.' It comes out as a whisper.

'Ok, fine. Just this once. Although I guess it's probably not the first time.' He finds himself hugging her before she starts speaking sternly. 'And no funny business. We'll have to set some ground rules soon.' As he's walking away, he's sure he hears her mumbling, 'Although I bet you've broken them all already.'

Xxx

It takes some work, but eventually Ryder gets Jake tucked up into bed. The moment he's in there as well, Jake is snuggling into his chest, and Ryder holds him as tightly as he possibly can.

'I love you,' he whispers. Jake just hums in response.

A while later, Jake speaks through the darkness. 'I thought she loved me.'

'I'm sure she does. She just has to get her head around it.'

'But the things she said, though. It hurt so much.'

'I know, babe.' He squeezes Jake tighter. 'She might not have meant it though.'

'She probably did.' There's nothing Ryder can say in response, so he just lies silently. 'Your parents didn't seem surprised.'

'They were,' Ryder assures him. 'I think they're just pretending everything's ok. At least until they get used to it.'

There's a beat of silence until Jake speaks. 'This sucks.'

And he's right. He's really, really right. Suddenly, all the emotions from the day well up in Ryder. The tears flow over. It's at that moment that he realises that Jake has been crying for a while. So they just hold each other close, and cry together. When there are no tears left, they eventually drift off. It's a fitful sleep, but at least they have each other for comfort.

So I finally managed to include the storyline that I've been planning. I hope it didn't feel like too much of a plot twist, but I've known I was gonna do that for a long time. Hopefully it will resolve somewhat in the next chapter.

I'll warn you now, my plan for this fic is to write chapters for the last two episodes and then an epilogue (which may be kinda short). So it's nearly over!

I've posted a new one-shot in You're the One That I Want about Jake facing the bullies on his own (since Ryder did last chapter). I've also started another Jyder fic that's set in Artie's dream world from Glee, Actually.

I feel like I had a bunch of other stuff I needed to tell you, but I really can't remember it. Hopefully it wasn't too important.