Warnings: this chapter has spoilers for 2x20 - Prom Queen.

Enjoy!

"I have done everything right. Now, Blaine I understand that after what you're been through, you're worried but prom is about joy, not about fear so I am wearing this suit. I worked hard on it and I think that it's fantastic and if you don't want to join me I completely understand," Kurt walked out leaving Blaine staring at the spot he was previously standing.

The room fell into a sudden and growingly awkward silence, everyone was used to Kurt standing up for himself – yes – but it always managed to leave behind a trace of speechlessness in the others of the room. Blaine sighed and rubbed at him temples while Burt looked at his hands before picking up the newspaper and shaking it into shape. Finn felt Blaine shift beside him, making to stand to his feet.

"I'll go talk to him, dude," said Finn, quietly and patting Blaine on the shoulder as he nodded in thanks.

"Thank you," Blaine spoke almost too low for Finn or Burt to hear over the sounds and cheers booming from the game.

Finn bounced up the stairs almost too happily trying so very carefully as not to spill his warm milk on the stairs. Kurt had already told him off for spilling it all the way through the house that one time when Kurt slipped and gained an awkward bruise on his elbow that never seemed to fade. He was held accountable for Kurt's lack in short sleeved tops. Finn took a quick slurp of his milk before hesitantly knocking on Kurt's bedroom door. He'd learnt to knock when he walked in on him doing something from one of those pamphlets that Burt insisted on bringing back every month from the free clinic and Finn could happily and easily say that that was one thing he'd rather not walk in on again.

"Go away."

"Kurt?" Finn prompted.

"I said: go away."

"Dude, come on it's only me," Finn spoke softly and hoped it would reach Kurt through the thick wooden door.

"Please, Finn. I said go away." There was a sniffle and a ruffle of something on the other side of the door however, being Finn, he decided to ignore it all and push the door open.

He stood under the doorframe and glanced at Kurt before seeing his jacket and vest thrown on the floor, along with his boots strewn randomly at the end of his bed. He was lying on his back, his shirt undone and hanging out of the kilt. Kurt's left arm was draped over his eyes, his nose buried in the crook of his elbow and his right arm was lying across his stomach rising with every sob and hitch of breath. Finn sighed sadly and shuffled forward, shutting the door behind him and slipping off his shoes. As he strode over to the bed quietly he pulled his blue striped tee off and threw it next to Kurt's jacket then proceeded to unbuckle his belt and slipped off his jeans. Kurt looked up at the sound of metal clanking and smiled, sitting up he shrugged his white shirt off and unbuckled the two clasps of his kilt. Finn's mouth broke out into a sweet smile whenever he saw Kurt's face light up like that and settled on the bed next to him. It didn't take long until Kurt snuggled up to him and rested his head on Finn's soft chest after removing his kilt.

They had done this a lot and the more they did the harder it became to explain it – explain it to themselves and to each other. Nevertheless they'd somehow always find their way into one another's beds, clad in only boxers and snuggling and cuddling the pain away. Finn tried convincing himself that this is what step-brothers do but he knew, in his heart – in his god damn fast beating heart – that this wasn't what step-brothers did. Or brothers or two friends who were guys did. Kurt knew this too, he knew it more than Finn and as much as he tried to stop it, it always fell into place and they'd end up in the same position – in the same warmth, in the same safe and trusting arms. The half naked segment came from the first time it ever happened: Kurt had been slushied on the way home and burst through the front door soaking wet. Finn was the only one home but that wasn't the reason why Finn helped him shower, helped him warm up and scrub the devilish red dye from his skin and eyebrows; helped him change into a new clean pair of underwear; helped him brush the sticky syrup out of his hair – nay, it was something more than that, something both boys chose to ignore. Something both boys had to ignore.

It was after Finn's help that Kurt just curled up into a ball on his bed, in just his boxers, and let out a soft cry. Finn immediately crawled over to him and scooped him up, spreading his body heat and letting his hot breath dance across Kurt's pale and cold skin. Ever since then, whenever even a hint of tears or sadness flashed across Kurt's eyes Finn would join him and stay with him in this way until everything seemed clear again. Kurt repaid the favour whenever it was needed but Finn tried to be the stronger one in the relationship – relationship, yeah, sure and a pitiful roll of the eyes. Either way, Finn took it as his job – no, his destiny – to keep the light in Kurt's eyes and the brightness in his smile.

So there they were, pressed against each other in the centre of Kurt's bed while Kurt's boyfriend sat downstairs. The smaller boy started drawing circles and – even if asked, he'd deny it – small love hearts on Finn's chest as Finn's long and slender soft fingers traced over the bones in his spine and stroking the skin of the small of his back, knowingly and innocently dipping under the waistband of his boxers a few times. Kurt let out a soft but heavy sigh and the warmth and force of it caused Finn's skin to burst into goosebumps and his heart was going just that little bit faster and they both knew the other could feel it.

"I think you looked –"

"It doesn't matter," Kurt stopped him and tightened his grip on Finn's torso.

"Of course it does, Kurt. You should wear whatever you want, since when have you ever done any different?" Kurt could imagine the smirk Finn had and when he raised his gaze he wasn't disappointed.

Kurt rested his chin on Finn's not-quite-man-boob-and-not-quite-peck and looked up at his step-brother, smiling shyly and letting out a breathy laugh. He heard Finn whisper something like 'there's that smile I love' both blushing at the exchange of 'love' and ignoring it, internally persuading themselves it was a slip up of words. Kurt shut his eyes and Finn watched his smile fade before he buried his face back in Finn's bare chest.

"He didn't support me, I can't believe it."

"But Kurt, just because he's your boyfriend it doesn't mean he has to support you in everything. It sucks but that's what happens," Finn shrugged, remembering every time that Quinn told him off for supporting Rachel and not her.

"Yeah, I know. Please save me the 'when Quinn said this' and 'when I was with Rachel' lecture," Kurt mumbled, his mouth pressed against the centre of Finn's chest.

"Okay but remember all the times he has supported you," Finn urged.

"What telling me to face my bully and then being kissed without any indication from said bully?" Kurt snapped then sighed. "No, sorry, I didn't mean that – God I'm such a bitch! I shouldn't be sulking about this, he's scared about prom and I haven't even showed that much interest in his problems. God, why am I so selfish!"

"Hey, no, come on. Look you don't need to apologise to me, don't ever apologise to me," Finn said quietly, his grip tightening on Kurt only slightly. "Blaine means a lot to you and you don't want to hurt him, I get that just stop getting worked up and relax a little. He can't solve his problems with you if you're belittling yourself and I know he's not supporting you but maybe you should think about helping him. That's how relationships work."

Kurt was quiet for a while before a small giggle filled the room.

"What?" Finn asked, amused with an adoring smile bracing his face.

"I don't understand you sometimes," Kurt smiled up at Finn.

"What do you mean?"

"How you're just so incredibly dumb the majority of the time but you somehow seem to make so much sense, it completely baffles me," Kurt giggled and sat up on his elbows, facing Finn properly.

"Should I be offended or...?"

"Now you're doing it on purpose," Kurt laughed and hit Finn playfully on the chest as he laughed along and smile smugly.

Kurt stopped suddenly and discreetly leaned away from Finn, ignoring the sudden confused and worried face Finn pulled. It happened every time – sometimes Kurt ignored the feeling and carried on as normal – but every now and then it was like a huge block of bricks being dropped on his head: when he'd get the sudden urge to pull Finn into a kiss and kiss him until his lips hurt and carry on kissing him. He couldn't do it though, that would be over stepping a line. God knows what that line consisted of since not many step-brothers cuddled almost nakedly on each other's beds but whatever.

"You should – hey, look at me," Finn interrupted himself, bringing Kurt's gaze back to his own. "You should wear the kilt, I think you look awesome."

"I told you; I worked hard on it and nothing will stop me from wearing it, simple as. I just wish my boyfriend was more supportive on the matter than my... step-brother," Kurt's voice wavered on the last two words, both boys being unsure as to what they were 'classed' as.

"Oh, so my opinion doesn't matter?" Finn smiled and poked Kurt in the ribs.

Kurt giggled and squirmed, Finn's fingers tickling him unknowingly, "of course it matters, dear. I take all my fashion ideas from you," Kurt smiled.

Yes, it was definitely Finn's destiny to make Kurt smile like that – no matter what.

"You'll be seeing me in that kilt soon then," Finn smiled and sat up, brushing some of the hair from Kurt's face. Kurt's head followed the warmth and pressed against the jocks hand, Finn smiled and kissed Kurt's forehead.

He felt Kurt gasp underneath him and heard the little squeak that followed, leaning back he could swear he saw something like sadness or heartbreak flash across his eyes but after a quick blink Kurt's eyes were back to their usual bright green-y blue with yellow bursts of light from his pupils. His eyelashes were wet and clumped together along with his now rosy cheeks and gosh if that flutter in Finn's chest got any more powerful it'd kill him. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours; just the two of them in the whole entire world like the population had been wiped out by some freakish apocalypse. Kurt was the first to move, as always (because everything became too much for him and that returning yearning of wanting Finn Hudson took over his body) and headed over to his dresser pulling out a pair of old sweatpants. Finn folded Kurt's jacket and vest, placing them next to the white shirt and tartan kilt lying on the bed.

Slipping his jeans over his waist and fastening them Finn stared longingly at Kurt, managing to look away quickly before he was caught and pulled his t-shirt over his head. Kurt wondered over to him and fell into his body, Finn's arms engulfing him in one final hug (one final goodbye) and took in the unforgettable smell of Kurt's hair and skin. When they pulled away Finn smiled and backed out of the room, leaving Kurt with a wanting and desperate and heartbroken smile only to be mirrored with the same one.

Blaine had gone home, it was late and his father didn't want him out too late with his boyfriend. Ever since Blaine had met Kurt's family it was something he envied – the freedom and love and support that three people offered without even a second of doubt compared to his father who still asked him to build cars or fix fuses or build brick barbeques in an attempt to make him 'straight'. Although Blaine put up a protest he didn't win and had to leave his boyfriend (recently crowned 'Prom Queen' of McKinley) and head home.

Kurt wasn't ungrateful for Blaine, heck no, but he was a little relieved to be able to chill out with his family after the after party. With Finn and Kurt not being drinkers of alcohol, they left early and frankly Kurt still hadn't got over the pure hatred that had gone into making him Prom Queen. Finn glanced over to where Kurt was sitting in the living room, catching his eye and seeing that sad smile and sharing the desperate and needing look that they always shared and before they knew it they were in Finn's room 'ironing his suit and hanging it up'.

When in reality they were sat on the floor of Finn's room; Finn in his boxers and Kurt in his kilt but still shirtless. Finn sat cross legged as Kurt sat in the pit his legs created, Kurt's legs propped around Finn's body – facing him. They smiled at each other every one in a while but mostly fell into the position of Kurt resting his chin on Finn's shoulder as Finn rested the side of his head against the side of Kurt's. When Kurt spoke, Finn felt his jaw move about on his shoulder and felt the soft rumbling vibration of Kurt's angelic voice and couldn't help but let out a smile and happy sigh. Finn looked around the floor in front of him, ignoring the want to kiss Kurt and make love to him slowly because right now he deserved to be loved. Really loved, not just with unspoken words and meaningful looks and wanting sighs, he needed to be shown it – to become what love was. Something Finn couldn't give him, no matter how much his heart ached for it.

Kurt shuffled after a while and stood up out of Finn's arms, whispering a 'stay there' or a 'hang on' – Finn couldn't remember since his head was full of clouds and fog and the smell and warmth of Kurt. When the warm weight returned to his legs he smiled and looked up at the smiling boy. In his hand he was toying with the crown that had dressed his head for half the night, in an attempt to prove he didn't care and that nothing could touch him; he'd achieved that but his heart still hurt and his brain still begged to let the hot, salty and shame filled tears fall out of his eyes. Kurt ran his fingers over the spikes and the jewels of the crown, the fake diamonds that twinkled in fraud delight – Kurt felt almost mocked. It was funny, being there with Finn and looking at the crown that he'd eventually been happy to accept but now all he wanted to do was snap it and throw it and break every single atom that it was made from. Then scream and wail and howl and bawl and beg for justice and the never ending hate to just... stop.

Finn reached forward and steadied Kurt's shaking hands. A small smile met his eyes and watched Kurt place the crown atop Finn's head with an approving nod. Kurt let his hands stroke across Finn's cheeks as his hands lowered and looked into the deep brown eyes that shone in the darkness of the room.

"You should've won Prom King," Kurt whispered, his face inching closer.

"I shouldn't have got kicked out, I don't even know why I fought Jesse," Finn mumbled and refused to look Kurt in the eyes.

"You still love Rachel, it's human nature to protect her," Kurt smiled and ran his fingers along Finn's jaw.

"I don't – I don't love Rachel, I just don't trust Jesse and I care about her. The same way I care about Sam and Brittany," Finn shook his head.

"How do you care about me?" Kurt gasped out so quietly Finn was sure he missed it.

"More than Rachel," Finn answered with his head down. Then even quieter, "more than Quinn."

Kurt smiled, he didn't even hide it and lifted Finn's gaze by his chin looking at him with nothing but love. That urge hit him again, that block of bricks came down heavier than before.

"What are we doing, Finn?"

"I. I don't know."

"Neither do I," Kurt laughed, almost nervously – why was he so nervous? He shouldn't be nervous, he should be feeling guilty and so should Finn. They had other halves, they had commitments to other people – Finn claimed he was in love.

"I don't want to stop, Kurt. The favourite part of my day is doing this with you," Finn whispered, so quietly so terrified.

"It shouldn't be," Kurt smiled sadly.

"Even though it's yours too?"

"Even though it's mine too," Kurt nodded and rested his head back on Finn's shoulder and wrapped his arms around Finn's body.

Finn held him tighter, squeezing him and digging his fingers into Kurt's skin trying to hold back his tears. He heard Kurt sniffle and felt the wetness of warm tears hit the skin of his bare shoulders. Finn didn't care anymore, tilting his head down and planting soft kisses on Kurt's shoulder and pulling him in closer. The crown on his head tipped a little but one of Kurt's hands held it in place as their bodies shuffled closer so every inch of their bodies where touching.

"What are we going to do?" Finn asked after a while.

"We're not going to do anything. You're my backbone and that's not going to change."

"Even though we know how we feel?"

"Yes, I love you too much to risk losing you," Kurt whispered, not at all wavering or hesitating over the word 'love' – it felt right.

"I love you too," Finn meant it, in that way, although he wasn't sure that's what Kurt meant – Finn didn't care anymore.

"We'll be alright, you know?" Kurt pulled back and took the crown from Finn's head, placing it on his own head. "Besides I'm sure your plan for the night was to spend it with a Prom Queen, isn't that what you're doing?" Kurt smiled; a hint of happiness in his eyes was breaking through. "You should've seen me own that crowd."

"Don't worry Kurt, I know you made an awesome Prom Queen," Finn leaned forward and kissed Kurt's forehead, stroking his cheeks and pulling him back into their previous embrace.