Hit Me with Your Best Shot

Rating: PG13 for now, subject to change
Summary: When Rachel's younger brother Blaine transfers to McKinley, she asks Kurt to help him start off on the right foot. She wanted to keep him out of garbage cans and Slushie-free. But what she didn't expect was for her little brother to fall in love with her best friend!
AU!Anderberry, F/R, B/K

Chapter 1: Are You Crazy?

"Seriously, Blaine, have you lost your mind?"

"Rach, I really don't understand why you're screaming."

"I'M NOT SCREAMING."

"Strangely enough, I'm pretty sure you are."

Rachel's dark hair seemed to stand on end as she paced around the room, unable to form words or sentences. Across the bed, sitting placidly on the floor, her brother attempted to, feebly, cover up his laughter. Blaine wouldn't say this was the preferred reaction, but it was not unexpected. It was so like Rachel to overreact to the smallest things.

"I admire your originality, baby brother, but unless you want to announce to the entire school that you are the freshest meat in the cafeteria, you should probably dress casually for a while. You know, to avoid unwanted attention and confrontation." In other words, multi-colored bowties were out of the question.

"This is casual!" Blaine rolled his eyes, swiftly leaving the room before Rachel could say another word. The bowties gave him an edge, a little something special. After wearing the Dalton blazer and striped tie for two years, he felt it was time for him to express himself. The bowties had to stay.

"Sue me for trying to help you!" Rachel said, slamming her door and wanting to explode. She had no problem with the look, actually she quite liked the pink bowtie; she was just looking out for her brother. Rachel had seen what the bullies at McKinley were capable of, and she would absolutely hate for her brother to have to go through what Kurt went through. She just wanted him to transition into McKinley has smoothly as possible.

Rachel jumped as her phone rang and vibrated in her pocket, "Don't Rain on my Parade" blaring and Kurt's picture flashing on the screen. "Speak of the devil." She murmured, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Kurt! I was just thinking about you!"

"…You weren't planning my death were you?"

"Of course not! I was trying to convince Blaine to drop the ties for his first day at McKinley tomorrow."

"He's transferring to McKinley?"

"Do you ever listen to me?

"Honestly Rach, I've learned to block you out sometimes." Kurt said bluntly, a twinge of a smile on his lips.

"Seriously, Kurt. I'm worried. I don't want him to bring any more attention to himself then necessary."

"Isn't Finn coming over in a few?"

"Kurt what does that have to do with –"

"I'll come with! See you in 20."

The phone went dead in Rachel's hand. She stared at it, the last five minutes fully sinking in. "Perfect! Why didn't I think of it before?"

If anyone could help Blaine, it would be Kurt! Rachel looked at herself approvingly in the mirror. She was a genius. "Blaine! Finn and Kurt are coming over." A crash was barely audible over his clamorous footsteps.

"What? Why?" he said, coughing as he caught his breath. Rachel gave him a look, smoothing out her skirt before answering, "Kurt is over every other day, Blaine. It's no big deal." Blaine looked at her as if she was crazy, but stopped.

Ever since Rachel and Kurt became best friends, Blaine was used to seeing Kurt around the house all the time. It was natural! It was as if Kurt had become a brother instead of a friend, but there was something about him. Something about the way he carried himself when he was performing, and the way he lit up the room with his laugh. Blaine looked up to Kurt, held him up on the highest of pedestals! Kurt was comfortable with himself, happy with who he was and probably the only opening gay student at McKinley –Blaine admired that. Blaine was proudly, and openly gay at Dalton – but Dalton had a zero tolerance for bullying.

How could he be himself but have to hide behind a mask? How could his sister expect him to tone it down, "for his own well being?" That was letting the terrorists win! He couldn't pretend that he wasn't gay, or hide that he was gay, or pretend that he hadn't developed a bit of a crush on his sister's best friend.

Jesus! Kurt was Rachel's best friend. If she ever caught word that he may have a crush on him…oh my God she'd make it her goal in life to get them together. Not that he didn't want to go out with Kurt –he did – but he wanted to do it on his own terms, not hers. Plus, Rachel was bound to be her overbearing self and make the whole situation completely awkward. No…no, it would be best to keep this to himself.

"Blaine? Blaine, why are you looking at Barbra like that? Blaine!" Rache looked from her teddy bear to her brother shaking his arm and knocking him out of his pensive state.

He hadn't realized he was staring into space until he felt a hard tug on his arm and heard the doorbell ring. "They're here!" Rachel said, pulling Blaine out of her room and down the stairs.

"Rachel, stop! Wait! Let me go get decent!" She gave him a look, taking in his appearance. Ungelled hair, sweatpants and a t-shirt – the usual Sunday evening look. What was the matter with him? He was just talking about putting on a bowtie and plaid pants and all of a sudden he was conscious of his looks?

"What does it matter, Blaine? It's just Finn and Kurt!" Blaine tried to attach himself to the stairs, grasping the banister for dear life. Rachel spun around, pulling hard on his black cotton t-shirt and asking herself if her brother had suddenly lost it. "Blaine, you're being ridiculous."

Blaine's futile attempts of escaping Rachel's grasp continued as they reached the front door. He ran his fingered through his hair incessantly, trying to control the mop of curls. Great! Wonderful. Great impression I'm giving. He thought to himself, trying to drag himself away from his sister. Rachel ignored Blaine's fruitless attempts and opened the door, letting his arm go in the process.

"Hey Rachel!" Finn stepped into the house, quickly followed by Kurt.

"Finn!" Rachel was immediately in his embrace, his long arms wrapping easily around her waist and pulling her close. Finn leaned over, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "I missed you," he murmured into her hair. He looked over her head to Blaine, offering his fist.

Blaine bumped his fist against Finn's, giving him his best "bro nod" and trying to inconspicuously back his way up the stairs..

"Really, you two act as if you hadn't seen each other every day this summer." Kurt snorted, shutting the door behind him and crossing his arms over his chest. He laughed as Rachel stuck her tongue out at him, lacing her fingers with Finn's and pulling him through the kitchen door.

"Do you guys want anything?"

"No, Rach, I'm fine." He couldn't possibly eat anything right now. What Blaine wanted was to get back upstairs and in something less raggedy. This was so like Rachel! It would have been nice if she had at least warned him ahead of time – like 5 hours ahead of time – that they were going to have company. Blaine glanced at Kurt, and was surprised to see that he was looking right back at him. He was giving him this weird look, and Blaine looked away quickly, praying that there was nothing on his face or in his teeth.

"I've had enough of your cooking to know not to have anything that isn't prepackaged." Kurt joked, finally looking at something other than Blaine's dark locks.

The countless times Kurt had been in the Anderson-Berry household, Blaine always was the polished younger brother. He was either in his Dalton uniform or wearing sweaters that brought out his eyes. What is wrong with you? He thought to himself, mentally kicking himself over and over again. kicking He's Rachel's younger brother. She would actually use you as the sacrifice at her Barbra shrine if she ever found out you ever even mentioned …. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash in the kitchen.

"Really, guys, the kitchen? Couldn't you wait until you got upstairs before you jump each other's bones? " Kurt said, shaking his head. Rachel poked her head out the door, exchanging a significant look with Kurt before smiling brightly.

"You know, Kurt, Blaine was just having a little trouble getting an outfit together for his first day at McKinley tomorrow…" She paused dramatically, looking at her brother sympathetically. "And he could really use some help. You more than anyone know what Karofsky and his band of baboons are capable of…"

Kurt raised his hands to stop her. "It would be my pleasure. You already know I pride myself on three things – my voice, my ability to spot trends in men's fashion and my ability to know when it comes from a bottle." Rachel shook her head, laughing and making her way back into the kitchen.

"Blaine'll bring you up to his room. You'll have a —Finn! You can't eat that!" She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Kurt and Blaine alone in the living room.

There was an awkward silence between the boys, each trying to avoid the others gaze. It wasn't like they had nothing to say – on the contrary, they had enough to say to last them the entire night. But the timing wasn't right. Blaine ran his right hand through his hair one more time, taking a deep breath and finally looking up.

"So…I guess we'll just go up to my room?"

"Lead the way!"