2

After practice showers were not exactly Dave's favorite part of the day, especially now that Strando had decided that this was an opportune time to say what he wanted, since Coach Beiste didn't come in during this time.

"Ohhh, Dave, you don't have the baby with Hummel now, it's so sad to see you without your baby- the only one that you're likely to have, you queer!" yelled Strando from the locker room.

Dave closed his eyes, washing out any of the suds from his hair. "Shut it, Strando. I'm sick of all your mouth flapping, do you realize how stupid you sound?"

"So it's true? You're some fag for Hummel?" called Strando.

Dave turned off the shower, and quickly grabbed for a towel to turn to look at Strando's disgusted face. "Yeah, y'know what? I am. And it's the happiest I've been."

"It's sick, dude. You're becoming like all those glee clubbers- losers and filth." Dave was ready to just go beat the crap out of the other football player, screw the bullying policy and all that shit. Raising his fist to punch, he saw Azimio come around the corner.

"Listen Strando, I've heard you give lip to my boy these past two weeks, and I am so pissed off with this baby project, I'mma have to take it out on you," growled Azimio and Dave looked at him in surprise.

"Like I should be scared of a house husband," sneered Strando. "You aren't much better."

"Listen Strando, no one really likes you, and you keep this up? You might find yourself being the new punching bag for the rest of the football team."

"Pft, whatever Adams, like you have the power to back that up."

"Actually, I think he does." Dave wasn't sure which of the other guys had said that, but looking at where Azimio was, there was a crowd of guys in various states of dress behind him, looking ready to back up whatever Azimio said.

"You see, we like Dave here more than you. You're nothing but some sophomore that will do us no good until you're older and you wise up. Now Dave here? He's been here, and he may have had a hard time last year, he's still our friend before yours." There were grunts of agreement, and this shocked Dave. They thought they were his friends? They were going to back him up against Strando?

"He may be gay, whatever, but I figure as long as he's going after Hummel, it doesn't really matter- as long as it's not me. No offense man."

"None taken," muttered Dave, looking down with a wry grin.

"So I think it's about time you quit with all the side comments and get the hell out of here," said Azimio with a smile of false cheer. "Before I try and gut you without the Beiste hearing your screams."

"Whatever man, I'm not gonna deal with this," muttered Strando, and he picked up his bag. The team watched as he kicked the door to the locker room open and then looked over to Dave.

"You okay there, Karofsky? I thought he was gonna try and pull the old soap routine there," joked Azimio. That got a few guffaws from the team, and Dave just smirked.

"I'm alright, man. I'm alright…. Thanks."

"Anything for my boy, man. Just don't get into the details when you get freaky with Hummel, alright? I don't need those images." Azimio clapped him on the back, and Dave felt as if it was some weight off his chest. The team had actually stood up for him. Their comments and slurs were still homophobic, but they were cool with him.

And Dave figured that was a start.

Dave realized dimly that they were already six weeks into their senior year as he held Kurt's hand in the hallway. There were still people that glared at them, still the slurs he had once uttered himself. But with Kurt's hand in his, that didn't seem to matter as much as Kurt's smile and his chatter.

"… And that also leads me to believe that somehow, we are going to double the amount of people that come to PFLAG this week, which means at least eight members, since we coerced a few of the glee members to come last week," said Kurt as he rubbed his thumb over the back of Dave's hand, smiling at him.

Coming out of the fuzz, Dave gazed down at Kurt, grinning. "Good to know that you've been taking blackmail lessons from Santana."

"Best to learn from the devil herself,' said Kurt, and stopped in front of the classroom. He squeezed Dave's hand once before letting go, and Dave felt Kurt's warmth leave his palm. "After I'm done with History, I'll come back to your classroom. Just wait for me here, alright?" Kurt winked and Dave felt a fluttering in his stomach.

"Yeah, I will be," replied Dave. "I'll be right here."