Earlier today I was listening to "Get it Right" and started thinking about the expression on Blaine's face during Rachel's performance, when Kurt turns to him and says, "Oh my God, they're doing original songs."

It was so intense, and I always wondered at that look of his.

And now we know. There were hints to it, but it was only confirmed in the Prom Queen episode that Blaine had it really bad at his old school. So bad he was physically beaten just for asking his friend to a Sadie Hawkins dance. So bad that he had to transfer to Dalton, a magical haven where his sexuality didn’t matter. Where he was popular.

But it still eats Blaine up inside that he ran away from his bullies. As terrible a plan that would have been, he secretly wishes that he could have stood up to his tormentors like Kurt does. And, as a result, Blaine has developed a complex because of it. He gives advice to a complete stranger (Kurt) and then offers help to that stranger’s bully (Dave) because he has this insane need to save everyone. Everyone, that is, except himself.

Which isn’t to say that his advice or help does much good. In fact, we know how the situation with Kurt and Dave turned out (although it’s kind of gotten better recently). But Blaine has the best intentions. He tries so hard. He’d bend over backwards if he could, because that’s just the kind of person he is.

It’s only when he’s with Kurt that he doesn’t have to try so hard. All he has to be is himself. All he has to do is hold out his hand and say, “I’m here. I won’t let you face this alone.” And that’s what he did when poor Kurt was abandoned on the dance floor by a prom king terrified of other people’s opinions, surrounded by a hostile crowd. He held out his hand and asked his boyfriend to dance.

And my immediate thought was: “Blaine Anderson, you’re doing it right.”