Dave's face was in his hands while he tried to fight back tears. It was a full hour after the ambush in his home, and he was still coping in the chair in the middle of the room. He hadn't looked up once when people started to leave, meaning he didn't know if anyone was still there or not, but he was unwilling to peek just in case.
---
"Dr. Karofsky," Burt Hummel stood in the kitchen talking with Dave's father, "I know that things might be awkward at first about this. I mean, I've always known about Kurt, mostly because of his mother..." His voice trailed off, and Burt chuckled, "She always knew, too, and would openly take him to the park in tutus and anything he wanted to wear."
"Burt..." Dr. Karofsky had his hand on his chin, and started to scratch through his graying beard, "I guess I've known all along about David." He closed his eyes, reminiscing. "I remember that he was picked on in elementary school for being smaller, then in middle school for growing so fast, and, well, his sudden size made him want to try out for football. His theory was that he would stop being teased if he did."
Burt thought for a moment, then asked, "Are you sure he wasn't teased at all for liking boys or anything?"
David's father snapped out of it, "Oh, yes. There was a smaller boy in elementary school he was best friends with. They did everything together, homework, reading, playing. Everything. They would even walk together holding hands during school. David was truly happy then..."
---
(FYI, y'all. This is a flashback :) )
"Andy?" David and Andrew were 11 at the time, walking back to the Karofsky household one day after school, arm in arm.
"Yeah, Davey?" Andrew did a sweet smile, knowing that something was wrong with his best friend.
"I think I'm going to try out for football next year."
Andrew Higgins was small, even for an 11-year-old, built like a girl, and had curly sandy-golden locks to counter his brilliant green eyes.
"Why would you want to do that?" He looked up at David, his face worried, "I mean, then we wouldn't be able to hang out that much anymore..."
David smiled, stopped their walk, and looked down at his best friend. "Don't even start that. Once I'm popular because of that, we'll both stop being teased. I promise."
---
Kurt stood in the foyer next to the living room, whispering to Blaine. "I think we should go in there and see if he's okay."
"Maybe you're right." Blaine held Kurt's hand as the duo walked in.
"David?" Kurt spoke once he and Blaine reached his chair. Blaine placed a comforting hand on Karofsky's shoulder.
"Kurt," Blaine said, ever dapper Kurt thought, "I think I've got this." He addressed David. "Dave, dude, look around. All of these chairs were filled with people who support you for being you. Not to mention there were people on the floor and standing. You are not alone, because we're all here with you, okay? Just look up and see for yourself."
David finally lifted his head from his hands and scanned the room, his eyes landing on a figure in the corner of the room. He blinked for a moment, trying to remember who this guy was... He's wearing a McKinley football letterman...
"Andy?"
The blonde looked up to find David standing, moving towards him. He had nearly fallen asleep, and sleepily spoke in a sweet, girl-like voice. "Hi Davey. Long time, no see, huh?" He smiled sweetly, a single tear running down his cheek. David wasn't sure if it was from seeing each other again, or from Andy being sleepy.
"Kurt," Blaine whispered, "let's go find your dad. I think these two need time alone." They slipped out of the room as quickly as they could, as David lifted his long-gone friend up into an embrace, tears finally falling again.