AN: Okay dear readers, this is almost a chaperlet, this is just what takes place before Sue Sylvester Shuffle. I hope you like it and I should update soon, I hope. Thank you for the review, adds, and even just those of you who read. The number of people who have read it so far amazes me. Especially since my other two stories didn't even get 100 readers between them. So thanks again, and let me know what you think.

Blaine sat at the airport sandwiched between his parents anxiously waiting to board the plane back to Ohio. He was texting back and forth with Kurt who wasn't due in his dad's shop for another hour. After laughing for probably the tenth time in the last three minutes his father turned to him gave him a stern look and asked, "What are you doing, Blaine? People are starting to stare."

Blaine looked around and it seemed the only person who was bothered by his antics was his father. "I'm texting Kurt." Blaine hadn't really talked to his parents about Kurt figuring they wouldn't want a reminder of their sons homosexuality, but he wasn't going to outright lie to them.

"Is Kurt one of your friends from Dalton?" His father inquired, surprising Blaine.

"No, he's… I don't know I guess you could say he's my friend." Blaine said with a shrug.

He noticed a dark look pass over his father's face, "What do you mean you don't know, it's not really that hard of a question? Who is this boy?" Mr. Anderson spoke in a harsh whisper as if afraid someone might over hear him.

Blaine took a breath, trying to push any nerves away before responding, "He's not just a friend, we've gone on a date, right before Christmas. We talk a lot, but he's not my boyfriend, yet. I don't know what to call him, he's just Kurt." Blaine turned back to his phone which had buzzed three times in his lap during this exchange.

"You've been going out on dates with… boys" His father nearly spat the last word at him. The venom in his father's voice made Blaine snap his eyes to see the disgust lacing his father's face.

He said in a normal tone of voice, not bothering to lower it, what did Blaine care what other people thought, "Yes, dad I have been on a date with a boy, you know, because I am gay. Remember I told you a few years ago."

"YOU are NOT GAY!" His father said forcefully still not speaking above a whisper, his eyes darting around to see if anyone was listening to them. "You are going to grow out of this phase, find a nice girl and start a family."

Blaine stood up and looked down at his father, "It is not some phase that I am going through. I like boys. I look at girls and… nothing. Do you honestly think I would put myself through all the hatred that I have had to face, if I wasn't truly one hundred percent gay? Do you think I enjoy you looking at me that way? God Dad, I thought you even if you didn't like it that you accepted the fact that I am gay."

"Lower, your voice Blaine Michael Anderson. You are causing a scene. Sit down."

"I think I'll go wait over here." He said as he grabbed his carry one and moved to sit two aisles away from his family.

He looks down and reads the texts from Kurt; the first is just a reply about a date on Friday (dinner at the Hummel's followed by a movie), the next two were asking if Blaine was still there.

I'm here, just had a fight with my dad in the middle of the airport. Apparently he thought my being gay was just a phase. ~B

He waited for a response, and wasn't disappointed when less than a minute a reply came.

I'm sorry : ( I hope he comes around. What brought this around anyway?

Blaine was used to blunt questions from Kurt, they always talked openly with each other. In their talks over the last two weeks they grew closer, because of this openness.

I told him about you, that we went on a date. He wasn't pleased.

Blaine's heart stopped when the only response he receive from Kurt was "I'm sorry."

It's not you, you have nothing to be sorry about. I don't care what he thinks, it is not going to stop me seeing you. He is gone most of the time anyway so I don't know how he thinks he could stop me anyway. I won't let my dad's narrow-mindedness take away the best thing that's happened to me in a long time.

Blaine sent the message and then began to panic as he reread what he just sent. Yes, they had been open with each other, but they had kept the subject of their feelings closed. Blaine knew Kurt wanted to take things slow and he was sure that this bluntness was anything but slow. Blaine cringed when he felt the phone buzz.

Do you really mean it?

Another message quickly followed.

Wait! Don't answer that, we can talk more after dinner tomorrow. I have to go to work in a minute anyway.

Blaine sent a message back saying he would be over at six. And started to put his phone away when his phone went off again.

If it makes you feel better, I think my dad likes you. He has been asking about you. : )

It did ease the hurt a little knowing that at least someone's dad approved of him.

Burt had been asking about Blaine. In fact when Kurt showed up at the shop a short time later Burt did just that.

"So, Is Blaine coming for dinner tomorrow?" Those were the first words out of Burt' mouth when Kurt walked in the office.

"Yes… hey dad, did you ever think my being gay was just a phase?" Kurt asked before he could stop himself. Since his 'conversation' with Blaine, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it.

Burt took his hat off and rubbed the top of his head, as he replaced it he spoke, "You know, not really, I think before you told me you were gay, I thought maybe I was reading too much into it. I think it was wishful thinking, not because I didn't love you, but because I knew it wasn't going to be an easy road for you if you were gay. I mean let's face it buddy, not everyone is as accepting as they should be. But no, I knew that you were who you are. Why do you ask?"

Kurt sighed taking the seat across from his dad, "Blaine got into a fight with his dad, about me I guess. His dad thought it was just a phase but now that we're kind of dating, he didn't like it. At least that is what I am guessing."

"That's rough. You do realize this is not your fault right. This is something that would have happened whether it was you or someone else, right? This is Blaine's father's problem, not yours or Blaine's. There is nothing you can really do to change this. Poor Blaine, that must be rough." Burt looked Kurt right in the eyes with his steady strong gaze.

"Do you like Blaine?" Kurt asked not braking eye contact.

"He seems like a good kid, he's polite, and he seems to like you. So sure, I like him. Of course, if he hurts you I wouldn't hesitate to kick his ass, but until then he's on my good list." Both men smiled. "Do you like him?"

Kurt was surprised that his dad was asking this, but he figures he opened this line of questioning. "You know, I really think I do dad."

Another smile broke out on Burt's face, "Good, now get to work."

Friday found Kurt hurrying home from the garage, running late. He lost track of time while he was installing a new alternator in an old Chevy. He like working on classic cars so much better than the newer computerized ones and his dad always made sure to give them to Kurt when he could. Kurt arrived home with only about fifteen minutes to get ready before Blaine was due to arrive.

Kurt rushed to take a shower and clean off the grime he accumulated throughout the day working in the garage. He quickly fixed his hair and moisturized. He was applying the last serum to his face and hands when a gentle knock came at the door. "Come in" he yelled expecting to see Carole telling him Blaine was downstairs. Instead when he turned around Blaine himself was standing in the doorway to his bathroom.

Kurt leapt up of the chair and brought him into a bone-crushing hug. "Blaine, it's good to see you."

Blaine's previously somber face broke out into a heart-breaking smile. "It's great to see you too, I missed you."

"You get to meet Rachel tonight, she's coming over for dinner with Finn." Kurt said excitedly retaking his seat to finish up. "Let me just finish moisturizing, I just got out of the shower."

Blaine stood next to Kurt as he rubbed some kind of lotion into his hands. He inspected the various bottles lining the vanity in Kurt's bath. Blaine chuckled, "I always wondered how you kept you hands so soft after working on cars all day."

Kurt's smile was brilliant. "Trust me, it took me a while to find a system that works." He finished rubbing in the lotion and led Blaine downstairs to the kitchen. Carole was finishing up dinner and Kurt went to help. Blaine sat on the stool watching as Kurt glided effortlessly around the kitchen, chopping vegetables and chatting with Carole. Blaine told Carole about the ski resort and the reading he got done, not being a big skier himself. She laughed when he told her he wasn't sure why they went there in the first place since no one in his family skied.

Blaine was surprised how at home he felt in the Hummel household, he hadn't felt this comfortable at home, at least while his parents were there in years. As soon as Finn came in Kurt ordered him to set the table while he introduced Rachel to Blaine.

"You have a great voice, of course I knew we were going to beat you even before we performed, but you competed admirably." She said sitting beside him.

Before he could form a response, Kurt retorted. "You'll have to forgive Rachel, she has no filter, and has yet to learn how real people interact. Let me translate. 'You have talent, but it is hard for me to admit that so I am going to make a comment that belittles any amount of confidence you may have garnered from my compliment.' Now Rachel what would you like to drink?"

Blaine stared in amazement at the boy in front of him as he bantered with the brunette. He took a very awkward situation and defused it with just a couple of sentences. By the time Mr. Hummel came down the stairs, the table was set and the conversation was light and friendly. Blaine basked in the warmth of the room, of the people gathered there. Part of him was sad to see the meal come to an end, but reminded himself that it also meant alone time with Kurt.

The two of them said goodbye and headed out the door. "Hey, Kurt? Instead of going to the movies, what do you think about just going get coffee and talk?"

The smile on Kurt's face said it all, "I would like that."

So the evening found them sitting together in the Lima Bean on one of the two couches huddled in the corner of the shop. They talk was light and happy until the subject of school was brought up, then a shadow seemed to pass over Kurt.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Blaine asked in concern.

"Well, when school starts, that means Karofsky's back and I'm just not sure I am ready to face him again. Either it could be no big deal, or he could just be even angrier than he was before. Coach Sylvester says that he will be expelled if he tries anything again, but I still worry a little bit. I've gotten used to school being halfway okay since David left, I just don't want it to go back. I mean Principal Figgins is back in charge, so who knows what will happen." Kurt said, not quite meeting Blaine's eyes.

"I'm sorry, I totally forgot that he was coming back. You know that if you ever need me I will be right there, right?"

Kurt laughed, quickly explaining when a look of hurt shot through Blaine's hazel eyes. "Blaine, you live two hours away, but I understand what you mean. And thank you." Kurt sipped his coffee a moment before turning again to Blaine, "Did you really mean it when you said I was the best thing that happened to you in a long time?"

Blaine took a moment to swallow the coffee he had just brought into his mouth, thankful he hadn't spit it across the room. "Yeah, I did. You are an amazing person Kurt, I like to spend time with you. I really like you."

"I like you too, Blaine. This is nice, being in the same room together, seeing each other, just talking. Thanks."

Their conversation turned again to random subjects as they came up.

When Blaine dropped Kurt off at his house an hour later, they exchanged hugs and promises to text each other later. As Blaine drove away, Kurt felt a little disappointed that Blaine hadn't tried to kiss him. Little did he know Blaine was thinking the same thing.

Returning to school meant it was harder for the boys to get together. The Warblers still held practices and the New Directions were gearing up for Regionals. The two hour drive made it harder to plan dates. Kurt was still helping his dad in the shop, because they were short staffed, the week after Blaine returned from Aspen, one of the guys broke his arm and couldn't work for six weeks. Burt tried to work the schedule so he wouldn't have to use Kurt on weekends, but something always seemed to happen, a kids birthday party, someone calling in sick. So the boys managed to keep in touch, via Facebook, texting, Skype and late night phone calls that lasted entirely too long.

When Kurt saw Karofsky back a McKinley he knew that things were not alright, but they were better than they had been. Instead of physical or verbal abuse from the boy, all Kurt received was hateful glares and almost inaudible mutterings.