The summer was slowly coming to an end and soon Kurt would be returning to McKinley for another tortuous school year. Kurt had spent his entire freshman year trying to be invisible but a wardrobe as loud as his made blending in impossible. He'd experienced his fair share of bullying, but was hoping that it was because he was a freshman and not that he was gay. Kurt had known he was gay for a while now but he was having a hard time figuring out how to tell his father, Burt. Kurt remembered the first time he had allowed a crack in his straight charade in front of his father.

"Is that a new shirt?" Burt asked from around one of the cars in his garage, his voice lower than Kurt's could ever reach.

Kurt had felt his heart in his throat. He had been tailoring his clothes to fit more tightly for years, but had just worked up the courage to craft his own outfit. Yes, it was loud and eccentric, but it was also something Kurt had been very proud of.

He took a deep breath, plastered on a fake smile, turned to face his father and lied, "It's for a school art project."

Burt looked his son up and down, then finally shook his head and mumbled, "Weird school," before turning back to the car he was working on.

Kurt just wanted to start fresh this year and maybe actually make some friends that would accept him in a way he wasn't sure that his father could and make high school more bearable.

Kurt glanced over at the clock before turning to look out the living room window. It was 10:40 am on a Saturday and Kurt was looking forward to what was coming in just a few short minutes. Dave Karofsky, his crush since middle school, would run past his house every weekend around 10:45. Kurt was hoping luck would be on his side and Dave would be running shirtless which, Dave did on warmer mornings.

As if on cue, Dave came running down the sidewalk in only gym shorts and a hat. Dave slowed to a stop in front of the window, which was something he had never done in all the times Kurt had watched him. The smaller boy bit his lip as he took in Dave's muscled chest and back. Sweat fell in beads down the boy's chest as he bent over to stretch. They were nearly the same age but Dave had more hair on his chest and back. Kurt was thankful that it wasn't thick enough to obscure his thorough examination of Dave's muscles. The singer noticed the beginning of a six-pack as Dave placed his hands on his head taking several deep breaths. Dave had definitely lost weight over the summer. There was a rumor going around that Karofsky had taken up Rugby to stay in shape for hockey season and obviously the sport had been kind to him. Kurt couldn't help but imagine being underneath or on top of a sweaty and panting Dave.

"Wow I'm so gay" Kurt sighed to himself watching Dave resume his run until he was no longer in Kurt's view.

Kurt had experienced plenty of bullying from David's friends on the football team last year, but David had simply left him alone. In fact, he was pretty sure he had only seen David in their History class. Kurt couldn't help but stare at his strong jaw and muscular arms. He should have felt ashamed of himself for practically eye-fucking his classmate but he couldn't help it. Dave could have joined his friends in harassing him but he never did. They had only talked when David would borrow paper or a pencil from him. This would have annoyed him furiously if it was anyone else, but Dave was always gracious and promptly returned his pencils and left over paper. He often wondered how someone as nice as David could be friends with such Neanderthals. Kurt sighed and slumped back into the couch turning on the TV, recognizing that his dreams might never come true.

Dave looked down at his watch, which coupled as a fitness tracker, and realized he had run close to two miles before turning down his own street to head home. David had never liked running before he had started playing Rugby. It was a big adjustment moving from tackle football to Rugby. He had to learn how to pass, catch, tackle, and move much differently than he had before. The first few practices showed him just how out of shape he had been, so he started running a few days a week to build his endurance. Dave had made the decision to quit football this year in order to focus on hockey, because he realized that hockey was his best chance at earning an athletic scholarship to a decent school. Azimio and his other friends were the only reason Dave had started playing football in the first place, but he knew he couldn't follow after his friends' dreams forever.

Rugby had done wonders for him physically, he was stronger and faster than ever. Once he started eating better and running the weight just melted off, and for the first time in a long time he felt really good about himself. He had found out that Lima had a Men's rugby team when he drove past a practice one afternoon on his way home. He figured it would be a nice change from football while getting him in better shape for hockey, and so far he couldn't argue with the results. His abs were beginning to take shape after years of being hidden under his belly and his back was more defined. Like rugby he knew his body was also a work in progress but he was a quick study and willing to put in the hard work.

David made it home and used the shirt in his pocket to wipe the sweat from him and took off his hat. Once he unlocked the door he noticed his parents were still out before he headed up to his room. Dave sent a text Azimio about their plans for the night while tossing his shirt in his hamper.

David: What are we doing tonight?

Dave tossed his phone on the bed without waiting for a reply and grabbed what he needed for the shower. His best friend let himself in shortly after Dave had finished getting ready and wasted no time making himself at home while David gathered their supplies.

Azimio grabbed some chips and stuffed them in his mouth while Dave put Call of Duty into the X-Box. They had settled on their regular past time, playing video games in Dave's basement.

"Can I have a coke or something?" Azimio asked, looking through the mini fridge.

"Uh, we're out, there's more soda upstairs" Dave replied, still facing the X-Box.

Azimio shrugged, "Oh well, I don't need caffeine to whoop you," he said and munched on some more chips.

"Yeah, right. I have all the upgrades on my gun. Good luck dealing with that."

"Whatever," Azimio said, "I know the maps better. I have the advantage."

"Sure, and how many kills do you have?" Dave asked, taunting his friend.

"Shut up," Azimio replied giving his friend a shove. "Let's just play."

A few minutes into the game, Dave noticed that he wasn't doing as well as he usually did. He had spent most of his time this summer focused on getting in shape for Rugby, and hadn't played the game much, plus tonight he had a lot on his mind.

He had stopped at Kurt's house today during his run. He had never done that before. Usually Dave could ignore the effect that Kurt had on him. During the school year he had been content just asking for paper and pens. It may have just been too long since he had seen Kurt, but Dave wouldn't have to worry about that much longer.

"Dude?" Azimio asked, breaking Dave from his train of thought.

"What?"

"You're checking out on me dude, what's on your mind? Don't pretend to be focused on the game, because you're seriously sucking."

"Oh," Dave said, "I'm thinking about classes, I have to keep my grades up, and I've gotten like five head shots."

"Take that," Azimio yelled after unloading a round into someone from the other team.

"Come on, we have to-" Dave started.

"Hold on. I have to teabag him," Azimio said as he lowered his character over the enemy he just killed, and laughed. "Take that fag."

Dave grimaced as he remembered the times Azimio had said that at school about Kurt. He had never stood up for the more effeminate boy, but had hoped that his silence would be enough to keep from encouraging his friend. How was he supposed to come out to Azimio when he felt that way? They had been friends ever since little league football, and he was glad that their friendship had continued after he had told Azimio about playing Rugby instead, but could it also withstand Dave being gay?

"Dude what the fuck!" Dave shouted, throwing down the controller and going upstairs.

"What the hell is your problem?" Azimio responded, following Dave upstairs, "We always play Call of Duty like this why are you so sensitive all of a sudden?"

"Why does everyone have to be a fag? You can't keep saying things like that," Dave said, still fuming.

"It's just something to say. Why do you even care?" Azimio said, grabbing a soda from the fridge.

"It's not just something to say, Az. We used to call guys fags when they couldn't take a hit or acted like girls but that was until-" Dave said, struggling to get the words out.

"Until what, man? Seriously what's going on with you?" Azimio asked

"Look, I'm gay. Okay? I'm gay," Dave yelled, throwing his hands up.

Azimio looked at Dave in shock and put his coke down on the counter. Dave wasn't sure what was going on in his friend's head at that moment, and he'd be lying if he said that didn't terrify him. They had been friends for years and he didn't want it to end like this.

Azimio remained silent trying to process what his best friend had just told him and he wasn't sure what to say or do.

"Look, Az, I know this might be a little weird but I'm still me. I'm not going to start dressing or acting differently I'm just tired of hiding and pretending," Dave said, refusing to look at Azimio.

Azimio took a swig of coke before taking a deep breath "Did you ever check me or any of the guys out in the showers?"

Dave glanced over at Azimio and saw his questioning look. "Hell no! Dude no offense but jocks aren't my thing."

Azimio sighed and started laughing, "I should have known."

"What the hell that's supposed to mean?" Dave growled.

"Easy man, I'm just saying you were never really into the girls that were practically throwing themselves at you."

"Yeah, turns out they're not my type either," Dave said with a chuckle.

"It might take some getting used to. I don't know any gay guys, but you're still my best friend, Dave," Azimio replied, initiating their handshake. "Thanks for telling me, man."

"So, we good?" Dave asked, looking his friend in the eye for any sign of deceit, but finding none.

"I've still got your back, dude. You've always had mine" Azimio said before finishing his coke. "So is there a guy you have your eye on or something?" he asked teasingly.

Dave blushed furiously and opened his mouth but nothing came out, causing Azimio to laugh harder. Dave was hoping that he hadn't picked up on the fact that he had a thing for Kurt. He would steal glances at Kurt sometimes in the hallway or at lunch because he was too afraid to actually talk to him. Part of it was fear of being shot down because Kurt and his friends didn't really get along, and he had made a mental note to talk to them about it.

"Uhm... well sort of I guess but it's nothing serious." Dave said trying to avoid talking about his feelings.

"Seems pretty serious to me, but I'm no expert" Azimio said with a smirk. He suspected Dave had a thing for Kurt Hummel. He knew Dave had a history class with him last year and noticed how he remained quiet whenever one of the jocks would bully Kurt.

"Since you've gotten that off your chest, let's get back to video games I have another hour to kick your butt before I have to head home."

Dave felt so relieved to finally get that off his chest and he was happy that things with Azimio were still cool. He had wasted so much time hiding and pretending to be something he wasn't and it started to take its toll on him mentally. He turned to Rugby to help with his growing anger and he realized that being away from the football team took away some of the pressure and anxiety.

High school was an awkward time for everyone but being a gay teen in small town Ohio didn't make it easier. Dave was hopeful that most of his friends would be cool like Azimio and maybe the school year wouldn't be so bad. Dave shook off his thoughts and went over to the fridge.

"You're on dude!" Dave said while grabbing two sodas out of the fridge and heading back downstairs with Azimio. He just hoped his parents wouldn't treat him differently when they found out but he'd cross that bridge when he got there.

Kurt let his hands guide the soft cotton of another shirt through his sewing machine, while he tried to let the familiar hum drown out his thoughts. Since Kurt had started sewing years ago he had always been able to zone out while sewing. The sound of the machine, the precision required to make the clothes look right, the satisfaction of wearing something that he had created, could usually distract him from anything going on in his world, but today his thoughts were too loud. He wanted to be able to express himself and his passions without ridicule, but Lima wasn't the most accepting place.

He sighed, and looked down at the now perfectly tailored shirt. This would have to do for now.

"Kurt, could you come up here?" Burt yelled down the stairs.

Frantically, Kurt looked around his room. His Britney, Beyoncé, and Matt Bomer posters were tucked out of view. Kurt quickly checked his drawers and counted all of the tiaras in his collection. When he walked up the stairs his mind was racing. If all of those things were hidden, what could his dad possibly want to talk about?

"Hey, Dad. What's going on?" Kurt asked cautiously, reaching the top of the stairs.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." Burt said before heading out the front door.

Burt stood in front of a large black SUV with his arms spread out, and smiled, "What do you think?"

Kurt raised his eyebrows and hesitated. Burt knew that his son wasn't interested in cars, so they generally avoided the topic.

"It looks nice, and safe," he said finally, unsure of how to compliment whatever work his dad had done on the car.

Burt rolled his eyes, "It's a Lincoln Navigator. It's a really good car. One of my regulars was looking to get rid of it, so I bought it off of him and did some work on it."

"Oh, uh, that was nice of you. Was it a lot of work?" Kurt asked, still unsure about why his dad was sharing this information with him.

Burt let out a low chuckle, noticing that his son was not catching on, "I bought it for you Kurt. I figured it was time you had your own car."

"What?!" Kurt practically yelled, his eyes now wide as he tried to take in every detail of the car.

"Yeah. You're in High School, and you probably wanna drive yourself there or hang out with your friends."

Kurt was too busy looking at every inch of his new car to listen to what his dad was saying. The leather seats and beautiful wood grain complimented his style; he could make minor changes later to truly make it his own. Burt watched his excited son's appraisal with a smile, it was the happiest he'd seen his son in a while. Kurt finished checking out the vehicle and stood awkwardly in front of Burt, his father wasn't a hugger. "Thanks Dad, this was a wonderful surprise" Kurt smiled.

"I've had to put in more hours at the shop lately and I feel better knowing you have a ride home. Besides, if you get on a team this year, you'll need some way to get to and from practices and games."

Kurt's face dropped instantly, he was beginning to think that him keeping the car was based on whether or not he joined a team. He knew his father wanted him to get out more but he also knew that his father wanted him to take up more masculine hobbies. Kurt was about to ask when his dad told him to get in the car and take the two of them on a test drive.

Kurt hopped into the tall car, and revved the engine. It was a nice car, and he found himself wondering how much work his dad had put into it. He hated the thought of disappointing his father, but the idea of joining a team still hung in the air. Kurt didn't think he could be what his dad wanted.

As they drove past the high school, Burt started talking, "Now I don't expect you to be taking it out far often. I'll help pay for gas, and you don't need to worry about insurance, but if you get in any accidents or ding it up that's on you."

Kurt gave a small laugh in response.

By the time Kurt and his dad pulled into their driveway, Kurt no longer saw the car as a gift, but as just another box he had to fit in, and another thing blocking him from coming out. "This is going to be a long year," Kurt thought as he climbed out of the car.

Author's Note: All errors are mine please read and review.