Kurt was literally sat beside the door as he waited. Hugging his knees as he leant against the wall on the floor, he sprang up and checked out of the window every few seconds. Every time there was nothing (though the guest wasn't due for another half hour), he disappointedly slumped back down-then jumped up again about thirty seconds later.

"You're keen," Burt, his father, commented as he passed, a mug of coffee and a car magazine in his hand.

"Oh no, I don't seem too keen, do I?" he asked, his tone panicked. "Should I wait in the living room? I tried that, but I couldn't sit still! In my bedroom? What if I went out-then you could tell him I wasn't in! Or I could just hide under-"

"Woah," Burt held up a hand. He was a bit taken aback. "Woah,"

Stopping, Kurt took a deep breath, trying to calm down. But his lungs didn't seem to be working.

"Okay, way too many questions. But I've a few for you," To Kurt's surprise, Burt put the coffee and magazine down on the hall table next to the phone, and sank down to the floor opposite him. He folded his arms, his Dad-head on. "Right. Question One-what's with the high-strungness all day? Blaine's come here a billion times, I've already given him the once-over-"

"I know," Kurt licked his lips nervously. His stomach was full of butterflies-no, snakes.

"So what's so different about today, hmm?" Burt's tone was friendly-but firm.

"You-you wouldn't understand, Dad,"

"Oh yeah?" Burt raised an eyebrow. "Try me,"

When Kurt just looked fixatedly at the floor, Burt tried the next question.

"Number Two- you're wearing that perfume, aren't you? The one Carole bought and didn't like?"

Kurt shifted a little-the answer was yes, but he wasn't sure he wanted to outright tell his father he was wearing women's perfume. However, Burt knew. He studied his son's outfit, which had been pieced together painstakingly, after much changing-of-mind, like a work of finest art. "Number Three-those jeans-they were too small last week-you said they practically cut off your blood supply…"

Kurt nodded. "Fashion comes with a price," Actually, they practically cut him in half. But it was worth it, right?

"Right…" Burt just nodded. "Still, not sure it's particularly healthy…hey, is that eyeliner?"

"No!" Kurt turned away a little, holding a hand up to his face.

Burt had long since given up when it came to stuff like this. He just tutted under his breath, shaking his head. At least he was very liberal-minded nowadays… "So why are you dressing up so much-I mean, more than you normally do?"

Biting his lip, Kurt didn't want to say. How could he tell his father about his boyfriend problems? Impossible.

"Okay," Burt nodded, seeing he wasn't going to talk-but wasn't done. "Number Four-why this waiting by the door like a puppy dog? You're going to open the door, and Blaine's going to walk into the house just the same, wherever you sit-wait,"

Suddenly, Burt's tone shot in a nano-second from easy-going to total protective father. His whole face had changed dramatically.

"Kurt Hummel, that shirt is far too see-through,"

Instantly, Kurt gasped, and his cheeks blushed cerise. "Dad!" He was mortified.

"I mean it," Burt looked deadly serious. "Go and change it right now,"

"What's wrong with it?" he challenged. Okay, so the lace was pretty thin-alright very thin. But it was creamy white and long-sleeved and looked fabulous. He was positive Blaine could not possibly think of Sebastian while he wore this. There wasn't a chance he was changing this shirt.

Burt looked angry-but very awkward too, like he'd rather do anything than have this discussion. "It's far too…revealing,"

"No it's not!" Kurt insisted-though it was. "I've got a vest on underneath!"

Burt was looking even more awkward and uncomfortable-but more determined by the second. "Two practically transparent layers do not make something opaque,"

"Translucent!" Kurt's blush was deepening-and he swore there was one developing in his father too. But he stood firm.

"There is no way you are wearing that. I want you to go and change right now,"

"You can't make me. What I wear is not-"

"I don't-I don't want-" Burt pressed his lips together, trying to find the words. "I do not like the idea of my son being-looked at-in that way,"

Cheeks now absolutely scarlet, Kurt's mouth fell open. "Dad!"

"Change the shirt," Burt was not budging. "Now. It is totally inappropriate,"

"Blaine's not like that-"

"Kurt, you always forget I was a teenage guy once too," Burt had his annoying knowing face on. "I do not want you being thought of in that way. You are above that-I thought you knew that,"

"For God's sake, Dad! You can't tell me what to do!" Now practically shouting, Kurt leapt to his feet. "You cannot tell me what to wear!"

"Kurt-"

"There is nothing wrong with this shirt at all!"

Burt just raised an eyebrow-which made Kurt madder. "What is your problem? Do you not want me to have a boyfriend?"

Now confused, Burt frowned. "Why would you not have a boyfriend-?"

"Oh-just go away, Dad!" He hated being rude to him, but was so frustrated. "You don't have a clue!"

"Do you want to be grounded?" Burt challenged him, more surprised at this outburst than anything.

"Oh my God!" Kurt sank back to the floor, head rested on his arms. "Will you just leave me alone? Please?"

After a few moments, Kurt heard footsteps leaving. He let out a frustrated sigh, so loud it must have echoed. There was no way his father would understand. Kurt was trying everything to keep Blaine-there wasn't a length he would not go to. And if that meant dressing like a ho-so be it.

Suddenly, the footsteps were back-and something fell onto Kurt's arms. Something light and smelling of washing powder. Opening his eyes, he looked. His black waistcoat had landed there-the one with the black ribbon bow. A shadow was cast over it-but Kurt did not look up. He stared at the garment.

"Compromise?"

Suddenly, Burt's voice was much softer, closer to normal. Almost sympathetic. "Put it on,"

Kurt fingered the bow. He hated to admit it-but it would look good.

"Now, I'm no fashion expert. But I would think the outfit would look nicer with the waistcoat thing, hmm?"

Weirdly-it was like Burt understood the situation.

"I think you should put it on. It sort of completes the look…would look nice with that trilby hat too?"

All of a sudden-Kurt felt like crying. He couldn't believe how nice his father was being. "Dad-?"

"Look, son, I know you don't want to tell me about whatever's going on-maybe that's for the best. I might be better off not knowing," He coughed awkwardly. "But I'm on your side here, alright?" Carefully, he sat down beside him on the floor, very close. "You okay?"

Kurt just shrugged.

"Alright," Burt seemed to have got the message. "But all this-" He gently touched the lace of the offending shirt. "This is not you, Kurt, and I know it isn't," Suddenly, he got very protective again. "Blaine isn't telling you to dress like this, is he?"

"No, no," Kurt shook his head sadly.

"Hmm…well, I didn't have him down as that sort of guy…but whatever's made you so uptight and worried today-I'm sure there's a better way to deal with it than this shirt,"

"I know," Kurt's voice was thin. He leaned into his father, head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for shouting at you,"

"Well…so long as you don't make a habit of it," Burt coughed a little again. Half-weakly-smiling, Kurt pulled on the waistcoat and tied up the front.

"Much better," With some difficulty, Burt stood up. "Here you go," He handed the coffee from the table to Kurt. "Now, why not do something useful while you're waiting, huh?"

As he watched his father head off to the living room, Kurt felt a mixture of guilt and having-learned-something-exactly what his father had intended. Curse Burt's wiseness. He had a really annoying habit of always being right.

Getting up, Kurt straightened the waistcoat and grabbed the trilby hat from where it hung on a peg above his head. Wow. Maybe Burt had learned something about fashion all these years. He flounced down to the basement, the nerves about Blaine coming now a little better, and picked up his copy of Vogue. Not something especially useful-but it would calm him down. Ah, Anna Wintour, you always know what to do…

A while later-the doorbell finally rang. A pang shot through him, and he dropped the magazine and sprinted toward the door-then stopped abruptly just before the hall. Taking a deep breath, he walked slowly, but cooly, to the front door, then counted to five before opening it, fixing a confident smile on.

Then, the smile became utterly genuine as he saw Blaine stood on the porch, smiling back at him like he was royalty. "Hey, Kurt,"

"Hi, Blaine," Kurt stepped back to let him in, feeling better. "How are you?"

But before he answered, Blaine had pulled him into a hug, kissing him. Kurt just melted.

"I'm great, thanks, and yourself?"

"Good," Kurt breathed-then gasped at Blaine produced flowers from behind his back. "Oh my Gaga!"

"Happy-well-Saturday!" Blaine grinned, giving them to him with a flourish, before bowing, which made Kurt giggle. They were gorgeous.

"What's the occasion?"

"Oh, nothing," Blaine shrugged. "Does there need to be one?"

Feeling a hell of a lot better, Kurt kissed him. "Thank you,"

"No problem. You look amazing, by the way,"

From the living room, Kurt heard a sound which may have been Burt saying "Told you"

"Really you do," Blaine smiled at him, like he was an angel. "You're perfect,"

Kurt could feel his cheeks going pink. He was about to protest- then just took his hand and lead him through to the kitchen. Finn was sat on the sideboard, eating a sandwich-well, two pieces of bread with most of the contents of the fridge jammed in between. Kurt recoiled. "Finn! Is that fish fingers and custard?"

"Mmmffhh mufff muggle," Finn tried to say, mustard and chocolate sauce falling onto him lap.

"Okay, whatever you say, but that is disgusting," Kurt turned away to find some scissors in order to cut the flowers. "You'd better not have used my yoghurt. It's very good for the skin and nails," he said aside to Blaine, who nodded.

"Mmmfff mfff-" Finn swallowed hard. "Why the hell would I eat something that's still alive?"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "I almost preferred your ice-cream and gravy phase,"

"Mdddfff," Finn had taken another bite, this time mostly Jaffa cakes and baked beans. "Mile mieve men," With a glare at Kurt which was supposed to be menacing, but was ruined by swelled cheeks making him look like a hamster, Finn grabbed what was left of the concoction and left the room. "Mood-my!" He slammed the door.

"Drama queen…" Kurt sighed, clipping stalks. "I bet he's eaten all the cookies,"

"No problem. Accio confectionary!" Suddenly, Kurt felt Blaine's arms around him-and a tin of freshly-baked chocolate-chip cookies appeared on the table in front of him. "Et voila!"

"Oh my Gaga!" Kurt was surprised-and touched. "Awwwh you baked cookies!"

"Indeed I did," Blaine kissed him on the side of his neck. "This," he said, kissing him again. "was my third attempt,"

"Awwh!" Kurt couldn't believe it. "I thought you were allergic to cooking!"

"Well…I know how much you love cookies,"

Suddenly-Kurt felt an acute pang of suspicion.

"Blaine…what's going on?"

Behind him, Blaine laughed-but it was too high-pitched. Too forced. "Do I need a reason to spoil my gorgeous, amazing boyfriend?"

Much as being called gorgeous and amazing sweetened him up-it didn't last long. "Seriously. I'm not kidding. Why the flowers and cookies, and extra-sweetness?"

There was a pause.

"Look, Kurt," Gently, Blaine spun him around so they were facing each other. Suddenly, his voice was very different. "What if…I was to go away for a few days?"

Instantly, Kurt let go of him. "What?"

"You know…just for the weekend?"

"Where?" The countertenor was dreading the answer-but looked him steadily in the eyes.

"Italy,"

"What-?"

"I'm really sorry, Kurt, this has all happened so fast-"

"With who, Blaine," Fear was mounting in his gut.

"I'm so sorry, but the flight's already booked. I can't believe how fast he-"

"Who?" He hadn't realised it, but his voice had raised a fifth.

"Of course I asked if you could go too, but he'd already-"

"Blaine!" Kurt's hands had started to shake. "Who is this?"

"Sebas-"

"I knew it!"

"Come on, Kurt!" Blaine looked beseechingly at him. "This is one thing he wants to do. Have a heart, the guy's dying-"

"Dying to steal my boyfriend!"

There was a silence. You could hear Finn chomping in the next room.

Blaine looked amazed-and hurt. "Kurt, how could you think I could possibly-"

"I don't know!" Tears were brewing behind his eyes. "Why would you be going off to Europe with another guy, who you know has this massive thing for you?"

"Kurt-"

"Anything could happen out there!" Kurt was at the other side of the kitchen now. "Anything-he'd get you drunk-and I know what happens when you get drunk!" He was crying by now, tears spilling down his cheeks, of frustration, fear and anger. "How could you do this to me?"

"Kurt, please-"

"How could you? Do you have any idea how seeing you with Sebastian makes me feel? Blaine, I know being alone with him on the other side of the world-you'd get tempted! Even if you didn't mean to-you would! And then what-?"

"Kurt, he is dying! He is dying. And all he wants to do is see a bit of the world before he leaves, okay?" Blaine's voice had raised too. "What if the situation was reversed?"

Kurt looked down. He knew. Of course he knew, he felt awful for the guy. But he couldn't loose Blaine. He just couldn't.

"Look," Blaine's voice was calmer now. "What you're worried about-that's nonsense," Carefully, he crossed the kitchen toward him. When he got close enough, he took Kurt's hands. Kurt tried to pull away-but he held on. "I would never cheat on you-stop," he said, as Kurt tried to speak. "There is absolutely nothing that could make me ever risk loosing you. Ever,"

"But what about-"

"I will not drink all the time I'm there,"

Kurt looked up. "You would go to Italy and not drink?"

"If it means you feel better, then of course," Blaine said certainly. "I'm only going so Sebastian has someone to go with. No other reason, whatever you may believe.

"Sebastian is my friend-nothing more. But Kurt, you are everything to me," He stroked his face, sighing. "And I love you more than I can possibly say,"

"I love you too," Kurt said, after a moment. Gently, Blaine dried his tears.

"I wish you could come, I really do. But Sebastian just phoned as I was coming here, and he's already booked everything. We're going next Friday,"

"Next Friday?"

"I know it's quick, I'm sorry. But we'll be back on Tuesday-and I'm going to run off that plane right into your arms. No one else's. and I'll phone you every day-twice a day. And I'll text all the time. And Kurt," Carefully, he put a hand on Kurt's shirt, just above his heart. He looked him right in the eyes.

"I swear, on your heart, I will stay true to you. Always,"

Dun dun dun! But what will happen while he's away?

Thank you so much! Please review! :D

SPOILER: Puck makes a move

Thank you! PhantomVoldyGleek24601xxx