I'm back! So I'm pretty keen on the idea of Anderberry siblings, and I saw a fic a while ago where Blaine was a few years older than Rachel, so I thought I'd give it a go. Umm, and because it amuses me, their surname actually is Anderberry in this fic. I only really have a general idea of where I'm going with this, so I was going to wait till I'd written a whole lot more before I posted. But I got impatient, so hopefully I won't mess the plot up for myself too much. But on the bright side, this way you can have some imput. So let me know if there are any characters you want included (eg who you want Sam's gf to be (someone from ND, an OC or . . .)) or whatever else, and it may get included.

Blaine dropped his head in his hands as a headache began to pound behind his right eye. This assignment was never going to get itself finished. It was bad enough that it was impossibly difficult, but now he couldn't even concentrate. Why the apartment building needed maintenance work done during the busiest part of the semester Blaine didn't know, but the racket coming from down the hall had been going on for the past three hours now.

There was a tap at his open door. He turned in his chair to see his roommate, Sam, standing there looking concerned. 'Dude, are you okay? You look like you're about to pull a muscle in your brain.'

Blaine gave a weak smile in return. 'It's just this assignment. And the builders. And classes. And people. And this town in general. So, you know, not too much.'

'Shit, you really are struggling, aren't you? How's the group assignment with James going?'

Blaine groaned in response. James was his ex who he'd dated for six months the previous year. It had been Blaine's longest relationship, and he'd loved James but James obviously hadn't felt the same way. If his callous dumping was anything to go by. Blaine was still heart-broken from the experience, and now he was forced to see James almost daily to work on a project with him. Added to everything else going on, Blaine really wasn't coping at all well.

'You know what you need?' By this stage, Sam had plopped down on Blaine's bed. 'You need to get away from it all for a few days. Your Fridays are free aren't they? Why don't you go home for the weekend?'

Blaine thought for a moment. Today was Thursday, and he was already done classes for the day. If he was lucky, he would be able to get a flight home tonight. That way he could spend the weekend with his dads and Rachel. He had to admit, he really had missed his family. 'That's a great idea,' he told Sam eventually. 'Thanks man. But, um, was there an actual reason you came in here?'

'Oh yea,' Sam's eyes lit up as he remembered. 'I'm gonna go get some lunch with the gf. I was just wondering if you wanted to come with?'

'No, it's ok,' Blaine told him, turning back to his computer and opening a new tab. 'I have flights to book.'

Xxx

As the taxi pulled up to the curb, Blaine noticed that there weren't any lights on in the house. Maybe arriving unannounced wasn't such a good idea. Because turning up to an empty house was never very fun.

He threw a handful of bills to the driver as he checked his watch. 9.30. He really wasn't sure why the whole family would be out that late on a Thursday night. As he walked up the front path, he dug a key out of his pocket, unlocking the door quietly and slipping into the house.

Once inside, Blaine noticed a soft light coming from the lounge. He walked towards the back of the house, the light gradually growing brighter as sounds from the tv began to reach his ears. He stopped in the doorway, taking in the scene before him. Rachel was curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over her, snuggled up against a fresh-faced boy. Blaine glanced to the screen where – he had to look twice – Wicked was playing. He leant against the doorframe, looking back towards his sister.

'Hey Rach,' he called gently, watching in amusement as she whipped around to look at him.

'Blainey,' she squealed, excitement evident. She jumped up from the couch, rushing over to Blaine and engulfing him in a tight hug. She pulled away before asking, 'What are you doing here?'

'Just had to get away,' he explained, 'so I'm here for the weekend. Where are our dads?'

'Oh,' Rachel almost seemed surprised by the question. 'Rosie O'Donnell was doing a seminar in Columbus. So they decided they may as well stay the night there. Hence the reason Kurt's staying.' Blaine glanced back to the boy on the couch, who was watching them with amusement.

'Kurt, did you say?' Blaine asked Rachel, as he followed her back towards the couch.

Rachel stopped abruptly, with Blaine nearly walking into her. 'Of course, you two haven't met,' she chastised herself. 'Blaine, this is my best friend, Kurt Hummel. Kurt, this is my older brother, Blaine Anderberry.'

Blaine held out his hand to Kurt, who took it in his own soft hand. For the life of him, he couldn't place the look that Kurt was giving him. 'Nice to meet you,' he told him kindly, before turning back to Rachel. 'Do our dads know that you have a boy staying over?'

He heard a short, sharp laugh from beside Rachel. 'I'm as gay as the fourth of July,' Kurt explained. 'So it's not like they have anything to worry about.'

Blaine grinned at Rachel. 'Makes sense that your bestie would be gay as well. Since you had to grow up with all three of us filling the house with fabulousness. But I have to say, I am kinda surprised you didn't try to sneak Finn in here instead.'

Rachel looked aghast. 'I would never do something like that. How dare you say such a thing.'

Blaine heard Kurt snort at this. 'Please. The only reason I'm here tonight is because Finn's grounded.' Blaine was confused. He knew Rachel was tactless, but he didn't think she'd actually say that outright. Kurt obviously sensed his confusion. 'Finn's my step-brother,' he explained.

'Yes, well, anyway,' Rachel said in a tone that suggested she wanted to change the subject. 'It's nice to see you Blaine. Did you want to watch the rest of Wicked with us?'

Blaine thought about it for a moment, unsure what to do. He didn't want to impose on them. But he really liked this musical, not that he'd ever admit as much to Rachel. And he really just wanted to chill out for a bit. Eventually, he just collapsed into the armchair, answering Rachel's question in that way.

Rachel pushed play, and they continued to watch the movie, which Kurt had had the forethought to pause. Blaine watched carefully, but he found it difficult to focus. He felt his eyes beginning to droop, and he could no longer understand the words. The last thing that Blaine remembered was two voices beside him singing along with the ones onscreen.

Xxx

Blaine awoke to the sound of something solid connecting with glass. He cracked his eyes open, momentarily confused as to where he was. He remembered the night before, watching Wicked. He must have fallen asleep, because he was still sitting in the armchair, a blanket now tucked up to his chin.

'I made you coffee.' Blaine turned his head slowly, eyes finding Kurt sitting on the couch, hands wrapped around his own mug. He turned back to the glass coffee table, a steaming mug resting there. He reached out eagerly, needing the liquid it contained to be able to function. He took a large mouthful, relishing the way that it scalded his throat.

'Thanks Kurt,' Blaine slurred, his voice still thick with sleep. Kurt hummed in response. 'Where's Rach? Has she just abandoned you?'

'Not really,' Kurt replied. 'I'm just trying to keep out of the way of her morning routine. Besides, she's far too chipper first thing in the morning.' Blaine knew exactly what Kurt meant, Rachel really was unbearable at this hour. After several moments, Kurt continued. 'So what do you actually do when you're not in Lima?'

'I'm studying in New York,' Blaine explained. 'I'm in my final year of a teaching degree.'

'A teaching degree in New York? Surely you could have just gone to Ohio State for that?'

'Yea, but that would have meant staying in Ohio. And, as I'm sure you know, being gay and Ohio don't mix.' Kurt smiled wryly at this. 'Besides, it's New York!'

'You're so lucky,' Kurt told him, 'getting to live in New York. I've always wanted to live there.'

'Yea?' Blaine asked him, amused. 'No wonder you're best friends with Rachel. She's been planning her future there since she was three.'

'Oh, I know,' Kurt responded, rolling his eyes. 'I have to listen to her go on about it all on a daily basis. Not to mention her various attempts to strong-arm me into NYADA. No matter how many times I tell her I'm gonna study fashion design.'

'Fashion design?' Blaine asked, curious to know more. He found himself looking carefully over Kurt's outfit, paying the boy far more attention than he had previously. Kurt clearly had a good fashion sense, and Blaine was sure he had a lot to say on the matter, but before the conversation could continue Rachel bustled into the room.

'C'mon Kurt, it's time to leave,' she told him, without looking. Instead she approached Blaine, ruffling his hair and kissing him on the cheek. 'Your hair's a mess.'

Blaine laughed at this, before calling after them. 'Have a good day.' The only response was the front door slamming shut.

Xxx

Blaine enjoyed having a day to himself. It was peaceful there, at home, away from the hustle and bustle of New York. He took a long shower, before spending a couple of hours working on his assignment. It was easier here, without the noise, without the stress, without the distractions. He was finally able to make progress on it.

When his family came home, Blaine was stretched out on the couch, reality tv playing in the background while he napped. His fathers were the first to arrive home, having carpooled together, arguing light-heartedly as they entered the house. Blaine stirred as they entered the lounge.

'Blaine, my boy,' LeRoy called, crossing the room to sit on the arm of the couch, clapping his hand on Blaine's shoulder.

'Dad!' Blaine responded, sitting up quickly to give him a hug. As Hiram approached, Blaine stuck an arm out towards him, pulling him into the hug.

'It's good to see you, son,' Hiram told him as they pulled away from each other. 'Your dad and I were just talking about how long it's been. We were thinking of organising something, but I guess we don't have to now.'

'Yea, it has been a while,' Blaine agreed, thinking back to when he last saw them. It must have been about three months ago, some stage during the summer. 'I've missed you guys so much.'

Hiram thought for a moment before speaking up. 'Tell you what, let's all go out for dinner tonight. And afterwards we can have an impromptu concert. We need to celebrate the fact that we're all together for the weekend. Wait, it is just the weekend, right? You haven't gone and dropped out of college or anything, have you?'

Blaine was quick to pacify his father, keen to reassure him that everything was still alright. As Hiram continued to panic, Blaine almost wished that Rachel was here instead. Sure she might be dramatic, but he was pretty sure she was nowhere near as bad as their dad.

Of course, five minutes later, when Rachel arrived home from glee club, Blaine immediately regretted thinking that. There was no way in hell that anyone was more dramatic than Rachel, the queen diva herself.

Xxx

Blaine woke gradually that Sunday morning. As he continued to doze, he snuggled deeper into the warmth of his blankets, burrowing his face into his pillow. He always forgot how comfortable this bed was, how familiar the pillow felt.

Full of regret, Blaine eventually accepted that he was now fully awake. Lying there, he began to think over the past couple of days, the time he'd spent with his family. The dinner they'd shared on the Friday night at Breadstix, followed by the craziness of them all bursting into song in their basement. Yesterday had been a more peaceful day. They'd watched a couple of musicals, played a long and involved game of charades, and ended up talking late into the night. Okay, Blaine had to admit, it didn't seem that peaceful, but by Anderberry standards it definitely was.

Hearing noises from the kitchen, Blaine rolled out of bed, hopeful that someone would be making breakfast. As he walked down the hallway, he ran a hand through his hair, pausing in the doorway to take in the scene. LeRoy was sitting at the breakfast bar, eating a bowl of cereal. Rachel and (Blaine wasn't sure what he was doing here at this hour) Kurt were standing opposite him, the three of them lost in conversation, Rachel holding forth as usual.

Blaine entered the room, slipping into a seat beside his father who turned to greet him. 'Morning Sleeping Beauty. You were obviously tired.' Blaine looked at his father in confusion, unsure what he meant until he caught sight of the clock. 11.05. Maybe it wasn't so weird that Kurt was here.

Blaine eventually realised that everyone was watching him. 'So what's happening today?' He finally asked.

'Kurt and I are about to go shopping,' Rachel explained. 'You're more than welcome to come along.'

'It ought to be good,' Kurt added. 'Rachel's finally agreed to getting a new wardrobe.'

'She said she might,' LeRoy warned him. 'Actually Blaine, it might be good if you go along. Someone needs to make sure Kurt doesn't spend all my money.'

Blaine thought about it for a moment. But before he could reach a decision, Rachel was pulling him out of the chair. 'Hurry up, we're leaving in five minutes. Go and get dressed. And don't you dare spend five hours on your hair.' As Blaine stumbled back towards his room, he figured that his decision had been made for him. Not that he really minded. He enjoyed shopping and he hadn't been for some time. Besides, he was pretty keen to get some fashion advice from Kurt.

Xxx

Kurt and Blaine stood outside the dressing room of the third shop. While they waited for Rachel, they made conversation, pausing regularly as Rachel came out of the dressing room, Kurt casting a critical eye over her each time.

'So how long have you and Rachel been friends?' Blaine asked Kurt. 'I don't remember her mentioning you before.'

'We've been friends for quite a while,' Kurt explained, 'because of glee club. But we only really became close this year. Mainly because my last bestie ditched me for her new boyfriend. So I found myself having to get passed all her craziness, and I realised she's not actually all that bad.' Kurt must have clicked that he'd insulted Blaine's sister, because he clapped a hand over his mouth.

Blaine just laughed. 'Yea, she can be a bit much, can't she?'

Rachel appeared in the doorway at that moment, a red shirt on over her skirt. 'I can hear you two, you know,' she told them. Kurt just waved this away, as he started to jabber about how amazing the shirt was. Blaine couldn't quite see it; surely it was just a shirt?

As Rachel returned to the dressing room, Kurt turned back to Blaine. 'So I've been thinking. When I was a freshman, you must have been a senior at McKinley. But I don't remember you at all. Surely I'd have seen you around?'

'I tried to lay low during high school,' Blaine explained. 'The less people noticed me, the less they could bully me. I like to think it worked, for the most part.'

'You had a rough time at high school?' Kurt asked. 'I know what that's like. At least now it's getting a bit better. Even still, I can't wait till I get out of this town.'

Blaine could see the sadness in Kurt's eyes. He could see how much pain this brought to him. Kurt really was going through a hard time. He reached out, placing a hand on Kurt's shoulder. 'If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here for you, okay? Even when I'm in New York, you can call or Facebook or whatever. I know what you're going through, I understand what it's like.'

Kurt gave a watery smile in response. Blaine thought he was about to say something as well, but at that moment Rachel returned, a pile of clothes over her arm. 'I think it's about time we got lunch,' she told them. Kurt and Blaine turned to obediently follow behind.

Xxx

After lunch at the food court (Blaine really couldn't understand how Kurt managed to find healthy food) where Rachel and Kurt spent the whole time discussing glee club, they continued shopping. As they passed Brooks Brothers, Blaine grabbed at Rachel's arm.

'Rach, please, can we go in here real quick?' He used his puppy dog eyes; surely they would work on her?

Rachel glanced over to Kurt who huffed a sigh. 'Well, there's no denying, your brother definitely needs my help.' Blaine looked down at his outfit. He was sure it wasn't that bad. Okay, so maybe it had been a bit rushed, but he did still look good. Didn't he?

They entered the store, and Blaine started browsing. He'd barely made any progress when Kurt arrived at his side, arms loaded with clothing. 'Go try these on,' he ordered, handing them over and propelling Blaine towards the dressing room.

Safely shut away, Blaine looked over the clothes he'd been given. Three polos (a size too big), a sweater, a cardigan, and a pair of (Blaine had to check the tag) full-length trousers. He began to change into the first outfit, emerging several minutes later in a polo, cardigan, and (full-length) trousers.

He stood before Kurt and Rachel, feeling uncomfortable as the former looked him over carefully. 'I was right,' Kurt eventually announced, stepping towards Blaine. 'This outfit looks great. You just need to do the buttons up on the cardi.' Stopping in front of Blaine, he reached out for the cardigan, fingers trailing down his front as he did the buttons up one by one. Blaine could feel Kurt's nimble fingers through his layers, and found himself subconsciously leaning into the touch. He noticed the way they grazed against his stomach, occasionally lingering a moment too long; hyperaware of every little movement.

'So are you going to get them?' Rachel asked suddenly, pulling Blaine out of his daze. He looked around in confusion, mumbling a quick 'probably' before hastening back to the dressing room.

What was wrong with him? The slightest physical contact from another guy, and suddenly he couldn't concentrate. Was he really that deprived? Blaine thought about it for a moment. It had been a while since he'd gotten any action he supposed; he'd been that preoccupied lately. As he changed into the next outfit, Blaine promised himself he'd try to rectify the situation when he got back to New York.

Xxx

Blaine was sat in the backseat of the car, on the way to the airport. For the past ten minutes, LeRoy and Hiram had been lecturing both him and Rachel about their spending habits. They had been horrified when Rachel had arrived home carrying three bags, all relatively full. It hadn't helped that Blaine had had a bag of his own, he was meant to have been the responsible one. And yet he'd turned up with two polos, a cardigan, and a sweater in his possession. As Hiram threatened for a third time to take their credit cards off them, Blaine spotted the airport in the distance.

'We're nearly there,' he announced to the car, his dads immediately quieting at the prospect of saying goodbye to their son.

'Make sure you come home again soon,' Hiram eventually said, as they entered the car park.