Broken

XL

POV: Blaine

I've given Kurt some space since I found out why he always ran- which is why I was surprised when he plopped down next to me on the couch out of nowhere.

"I'm going to tell you," he said determinedly. "Right now."

I set my book off to the side. "If you're ready. I don't want you to push yourself to do something you aren't comfortable with."

He shook his head. "No. I can do this, and I'm going to. So, it all started at my old school. You know, it's the reason I transferred. I was the only out gay kid, so, naturally, I was harassed by all the jocks. One in particular was the worst. I, um, felt rather sick of it one day and followed him after he shoved me into the lockers. It, uh, I yelled at him to stop. I told him to hit me since he couldn't punch the gay out of me. He didn't. He-" Kurt took in a wavering breath, his voice shaking. "He kissed me, instead."

I gasp softly, not wanting to interrupt for fear of having him stop. The sooner he gets this all out, the better.

"That was the first time, and, um, certainly not the last. He'd catch me alone whenever he could. It was... some time after that... when he..." He breathed in shakily. "Um, went a bit farther. He- he a-assaulted me. He never stopped. Eventually my dad found out about the bullying- just the bullying- and had me transfer. He- the jock- was called into the office. He thought I had told, started saying it was ridiculous, that he wasn't gay. He gave himself away. It-" Kurt broke down crying, absolutely sobbing.

I carefully wrapped an arm around him, prepared to pull away if it triggered something. It didn't seem to, luckily. "I'm so, so sorry, Kurt. You're so brave. Thank you for telling me."

He shook his head. "I'm not brave."

"Kurt, did you just hear yourself? You went through all of that and here you are, still standing tall. You're the bravest person I know."

He started crying harder at this, and I'm pretty sure I heard a faint 'I love you' beneath the sobs.

"I love you too," I said softly, the emotion clouding my voice. He's gone through so much, and he still wants to be with me. Me, of all people! I could hear it in his tone, he was afraid of what I'd think- but he told me anyway.

"I really, truly love you."