'Ryder!' He whips around from his locker when he hears his name, searching the hallways. He recognised Jake's voice instantly, and now he's panicking. Why would Jake be so desperate to find him that he'd be yelling for him?

Jake has nearly reached him by the time Ryder spots him. He's smiling, walking with a slight bounce to his step. Ryder is relieved. He doesn't think he's seen Jake look even vaguely happy since the scene with his mom.

'What's up?' he asks when Jake stops in front of him, leaning in for a quick peck. He can almost see the excitement vibrating off of him.

'Mercedes just asked me to be in her music video.' He's gripping at Ryder's wrist, the pressure a bit too much.

Ryder finds himself grinning in response. 'That's awesome, babe. I'm so proud of you.'

'Thanks! Also, Mike thinks I could become a leader in New Directions.' Ryder notices the way his enthusiasm drops down several notches. Although it's still higher than it has been all week.

'He's right. You totally could.'

Jake doesn't seem convinced. He's worrying his lip between his teeth. 'You really think so?'

'Yes.' Ryder grips at the hand that's still holding his wrist. 'You're insanely talented, babe. And I can definitely see you in a leadership role.'

Jake just smiles dopily in response, closing Ryder's locker for him before leading him down the hall.

Ryder watches him out of the corner of his eye. 'Who knows? Next year I could be dating the captain of the glee club.' Jake just laughs in response, but Ryder is determined that he will realise his potential eventually.

Xxx

Glee club is finished for the day, Kurt's performance having put an end to it. Jake is off talking music videos with Mercedes, and Ryder is feeling a little lost.

'Hey, buddy.' He looks over as Mike sits down next to him. 'Long time, no talk.'

Ryder nods in reply. 'Yea, it's been a while.'

'So the rumour mill tells me that you and Jake are together?' He continues on when Ryder just nods. 'Well, now I feel bad about all those things I said about him before sectionals.'

'Don't, man. It's not like it was enough to scare me off. Obviously.'

Mike just watches him for a few moments, taking that in. 'So, how're things going for you two?'

'Not so well.' He takes a deep breath. Explaining this isn't getting any easier. 'We got outed to our parents last week. Jake's mom hasn't talked to him since.'

'What, so they're just living in silence?'

'No, she threw him out. He's staying with Puck's mom at the moment.' Ryder's mom hadn't liked the idea of the two of them living under one roof for more than the one night. Jake had immediately gotten in contact with Puck, whose mom had been more than happy to help out.

Mike nods sympathetically. 'That's rough, dude.'

'Hey, kiddo, sorry to interrupt.' Mr Hummel is peering up at them from his seat in front. 'But no kid should have to go through that. Would you be ok with me having a talk to your boy's mom?'

'Umm, I dunno. I mean, if you want. Not sure how much good it'll do though.'

'It's worth a shot though, right?' He's smiling kindly at Ryder. 'And I do kinda know what she's going through.'

'Thanks Mr Hummel.' It means a lot to him, the fact that someone's finally willing to try to fix this for them.

'None of that. Call me Burt; everyone else does. Now, where can I find her?'

Xxx

'I don't know if I can do this,' Jake tells him, hands gripping Ryder's. They're parked outside Jake's house; his mother has agreed to see them.

'Yes, you can. We can,' he amends. 'Everything's gonna be fine Jake.'

'What if she never wants to see me again?'

Ryder's been worrying about that too, but he pushes the thought from his mind. 'She agreed to this, Jake. I think that's a pretty good sign.'

Jake nods slowly in agreement. Ryder can hear him fighting to get his breathing under control. It's getting there, and Ryder figures that it's the best he can hope for. He detangles their hands before getting out of the car. Jake meets him on the sidewalk and immediately reattaches himself to Ryder.

Jake lets them in the front door, and they quickly find his mom waiting for them in the lounge.

'Hey, boys.' Her smile is forced, and Ryder can hear the effort involved in making her tone friendly.

Jake doesn't reply, just sits himself down opposite her. Ryder supposes he can't answer, so he greets her for the both of them. He can hear his own discomfort in his voice. 'Hi, Mrs Puckerman. Thanks for having us.'

Her mouth quirks slightly, as if that last sentence sounds odd to her too. 'I should have had you here sooner. It shouldn't have taken Burt talking some sense into me.' Jake is staring fixedly at his knee, where Ryder's hand is resting lightly. 'I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't mean to ignore you for so long. I just didn't know how to fix this.'

Jake looks up sharply at this. 'I don't need fixing.'

'That's not what I meant.' Her eyes are wide and her voice is panicky. 'No, Jake, you're fine the way you are. I meant this situation. I meant that fact that I turned my back on you.'

'Oh.' Jake returns his attention to his knees. Ryder can see that he regrets his outburst.

'Jake, I still love you. I'll always love you. And I wouldn't change anything about you. I don't care what your sexuality is.'

This time, when Jake speaks, he doesn't look up. His voice sounds hollow. 'Why did you react like that then?'

'I didn't know any better,' she admits. 'I was ignorant. I've been fed so many lies about being gay. I thought being gay meant all these bad things, and it scared me that you'd suddenly become this monster.' Ryder's starting to see why she reacted the way she did. 'But I realise now that it doesn't make you any different. It just means that you love Ryder.'

'I really do,' Jake tells her, sounding a little choked. It's the only thing he can respond to; the only thing Ryder would be able to respond to too.

'I know, I can see it. And I want you to know that I'm happy for you, both of you.'

Ryder smiles at that, warmer now and forming more easily. 'Thank you. That means a lot.'

She smiles in reply before turning back to Jake. 'And Jake, I'm just so, so sorry that I betrayed you like that. I should be there for you, no matter what. And I wasn't. But I really hope you'll let me earn your trust back.'

There's a small smile on Jake's face now. 'I'll try. We'll get there. Eventually.'

'I hope so. But um,' she looks hesitant now, 'would it be alright if I gave you a hug?'

'Of course.' He's moving forwards slowly, still apprehensive. But when his mom wraps her arms tightly around him, Ryder can see that most of the tension leaves his shoulders.

Suddenly, he hears Jake's mom calling his name. 'Come join us.' He puts an arm around each of them, hugging them tightly. He can feel the love radiating from them both. He's glad they still have that.

Jake's mom is talking to him again, voice loud in his ear. 'So, Ryder, would you like to come round for dinner this weekend? Y'know, officially, as my son's boyfriend.'

Xxx

The next day, Ryder is unbelievably happy, pleased to have Jake pretty much back to normal. Jake doesn't stop talking all morning, telling him about how comfortable his bed was, the breakfast his mom made, the text she sent him this morning.

Even the bullying can't bring him down. He just ignores all the locker shoves and name calling. Although he's pretty sure he's gonna have a bruise on his shoulder.

The day is almost over when Coach Beiste calls them into her office. 'I'm sorry nothing happened about Surette and Lipoff,' she tells them when they're both sitting. 'Although I have suspicions you'd have been getting in trouble too, Jake.'

'Yea, probably,' he mumbles.

'I've noticed that you're both having a pretty rough time.' They nod their agreement. 'So I've talked to the other teachers, and we're gonna be cracking down on it. On all bullying. So there'll be detentions. And any sportsplayers or cheerleaders will be suspended from practises and games for a week.'

'Do you think it'll actually make a difference?' Ryder has to ask; he has his doubts.

'Well, I mean, realistically, it won't disappear completely. But it'll have to get better. More so than if we just left it to Figgins.'

Ryder knows that is definitely true. So he tries to convince himself that it's good news. Because the less injuries he winds up with, the better. In fact, if he's lucky, this might be the last time he'll have to ice his shoulder.