The next six weeks move quickly. Kurt and Blaine both return to college, and Blaine takes up his voluntary placement every Thursday and Friday afternoon at a kindergarten in Brooklyn which leaves him exhausted but undeniably happy, and only reaffirms his career choice. They spend as much time together as possible, made easier by Santana and Rachel's friendship which sees them often spending time together as a foursome, or inviting Sam and Artie to join them. The night time usually finds them tucked up in one or another's bed together, depending on who has the earliest start, and the weekends are dedicated solely to each to other as much as possible once work is done.

Blaine resolves not to dwell on the whole marriage issue, knowing that the weekend at the cabin is looming and noticing the subtle shift in Kurt's behavior as it draws ever closer. He is snappy at times, and leaves the room twice during their movie marathon with the girls, insisting he is fine but returning with a blotchy face even though they were only watching Top Gun. He returns to Blaine's side, offering a weak smile and pulling his legs into his lap- about as comfortable as they've managed to get with PDA in front of their roommates. Resting his head on the back of the couch, Kurt lets his eyes fall closed until the credits roll and he turns to look at Rachel.

"So Blaine said he'd drive to the cabin next weekend, given that it's only near Pittsburgh. It saves us trying to sort out flights and car hire."

"Oh," Rachel says in surprise, sitting up straight with her legs tucked under her. "Yeah, um...about that... I'm not going."

"What?" Kurt's voice turns immediately dark as he shoves Blaine's legs to the ground and turns to fully face her. "What did you just say?"

"So..." Santana says with forced brightness, giving Blaine a furtive glance. "I think it's time for us to..."

"Stay right there," Kurt snaps without even looking at them. "Rachel?"

"I'm not going to the cabin," she repeats with a shrug. "I called Carole yesterday and talked it through with her. She understands. I'm sorry Kurt, but I can't do it. This is your time to be with your family. Santana is coming to stay for the weekend and we've decided we're going to go out for a fancy dinner to remember Finn instead." She finishes with a smile but her eyes are watery and sad, and Blaine finds himself wanting to hug her tight, but clearly Kurt isn't affected in quite the same way.

"You have got to be kidding me," he snaps. "You're staying here, in New York, where Finn visited once, and going out for dinner with someone who never even knew him as opposed to visiting a place that you know was special to him, and reminiscing about him with those who knew him and loved him best."

"Actually, no," Rachel flares. "That's not it at all. Firstly, Sam, Artie and Dani are coming over on the Saturday night..."

"You've got this all planned!" Kurt yells.

"Yes I have! And might I remind you that you're taking Blaine with you, and he never knew Finn either?"

Blaine tries to make himself invisible while Kurt steams. "That's completely different! He's my boyfriend and I...he's part of my family now!"

"Oh it's that serious is it?" Rachel screeches. "After four months?"

"Nearly five and yes, it is, thank you," Kurt sneers while Blaine sits there all wide eyes and raised eyebrows and tries to ignore Santana's frantic hand signals for them to leave. "Not that it's any of your business," Kurt carries on.

"And it's none of your business why I'm not coming to the cabin!"

"Yes it is! It is, because you're turning down an invitation from my family, and Finn would want you there!"

"You don't get it, do you Kurt?" Rachel cries desperately as her tears start to fall. "When Finn died, you were all good with him. He was your brother, Burt and Carole's son...you were a family. Solid, happy and unchanging. But he was my ex-boyfriend," she sobs, pausing to swipe at her eyes as she cries freely now. "He was my ex because of my own stupid fault, because I believed I was so much greater than he was, and because I thought I could ignore my heart. Yes, we were headed toward reconciliation- or I'd like to think we were, anyway. But he'll never be my boyfriend again. I can never call him my husband, or the father of my children. I never got my happy ever after with him, Kurt. And I know none of you did either, but you've got each other, your family unit. That will never change. I feel as if I have no future. I can't let another man into my arms, much less my bed or my heart. How can I marry someone who isn't him? I don't want to go to the cabin because I don't want you all remembering these wonderfully happy times we had with him while I sit there, hating myself for ever having let him go."

Kurt dives across the couch and catches her just as she falls, sobbing uncontrollably while he holds her tightly and soothes as best he can. Blaine and Santana creep quietly toward the door, with Blaine mouthing 'call me' to Kurt who nods before turning his attentions back to Rachel. Once outside, Santana takes Blaine's arm and sighs heavily.

"Well. That was quite gut-wrenching to watch," she says sadly. "I actually almost cried."

"Yeah. I hope they're okay," Blaine says with concern. "It's just a really emotional time for them I guess, but I understand why Rachel isn't going."

"Kurt will too, when he thinks about it," Santana says with a pat to his hand. "I'm glad you're going with him though."

"Hey, you know what?" Blaine asks. "It's still early. Wanna hit a bar somewhere?"

"What?" Santana shrieks with a laugh. "Blaine Anderson is actually suggesting we go to a bar?"

He laughs shyly. "I know."

"Yeah, come on," Santana grins, taking his hand and pulling him across the street. "It's been too long since we did something just the two of us."

"Sorry."

She stops on the sidewalk and turns to face him. "Don't ever be sorry, Blaine," she says kindly. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you with someone at long last. Life moves on, Blaine. You and I can't be in one anothers pockets forever. You will always be my best friend and the one guy I love more than any other...which is why I can't regret not seeing you as much, because your happiness is so important to me. Now let's get you wasted so I can hear all about your new found sex life."

"Oh no, we're not..."

"Don't tell me you're not having sex with that," she barks as she strides down the street and he hurries meekly alongside. "Cause if you're not then I will."

"You're gay."

"And so are you! Christ on a stick, he's in your bed most nights. Get to it, man! What in the world are you waiting for?"

00:19
Kur, Santa thinks we should have sex. Less have sex. Yea?

00:20
Oh glory. I take it you're drunk? Either that or you have a friendship with Santa which I was unaware of.

01:11
Kiss me

01:13
I have no idea where you are, plus you probably reek of alcohol. You're still cute, though.

01:17
Fuck my ass until I beg for mercy.

01:18
Well this conversation escalated. I have to say, Rachel and I cannot stop laughing right now. You will regret this, Blaine. I know you, and I know you will be mortified.

01:20
Let me fuck you. let me bend you over and fuck your tight ass an make you scream.

01:23
Blaine, my darling? Give your phone to Santana and ask her to take you home.

01:27
Let Santana film us having sex. Please.

01:27
Santana, I know that's you.

02:08
I puke Santa wan say hi rachel

02:14
Kur? will you come look after me? Santa gone Danneees.

Blaine wakes with a groan, sitting up and clutching his head gingerly. A glass of water is offered and he takes it, gulping it down desperately and smiling his thanks at the painkillers held in an outstretched hand. He swallows them quickly before looking to his left to find Kurt leaning back against his headboard, wearing a borrowed pair of batman pajamas.

"Kurt?" he chokes out. "How the hell did you get in my bed?"

"I got a text at two in the morning asking me to come and look after you."

"Santana?"

"No," Kurt says, suppressing a smirk. "You."

"Me? Really? Oh my god Kurt, I'm so sorry." He flushes red and draws his knees up to his chest in shame.

"Santana, or Santa, as you seemingly call her when drunk- is at Dani's. Wanna see what else you wrote?"

"No," Blaine groans with his head resting on his knees, "Though I've a feeling you're going to show me."

"Oh yes." Kurt hands the phone to Blaine, who squints as he reads, eyes slowly widening in horror.

"Oh my god Kurt. I am so sorry. And so embarrassed. You must be mad."

"I'm not mad," Kurt laughs. "If I was mad I wouldn't be here. I thought it was funny, and endearing in a weird...sexual...kind of way."

"And Rachel knows."

"She was sitting right next to me! She saw the funny side too, after she was over the initial shock, that is."

"Ugh. I'm so ashamed. Those texts make you sound like...like a piece of meat. And you're not. I really don't think of you like that, you mean so much to me."

"Blaine, relax," Kurt says kindly, putting an arm around his shoulders and pulling him back against the headboard. "I know you don't think like that. I also think there's a lot more that you perhaps want to say- or try- but you don't speak up."

"Oh no," Blaine moans, hiding his face in his hands as he turns flaming red. "I'm too hungover for this conversation."

"No you're not." A laughing Kurt pulls his hands away and climbs into his lap, straddling his thighs and catching hold of his fingers. "Blaine? Do you want to...um..."

"Yes," he admits honestly. "But only when we're ready."

"And you don't think we are?"

Blaine sighs, letting his hands come to rest at Kurt's hips, thumbs fitting perfectly under his hipbones and fingers spreading round to the top of his ass. "Kurt, with all due respect, you can't even say the word."

"Sex," Kurt tries, then looks down as the tell-tale flush of embarrassment spreads over his cheeks and Blaine chuckles softly. "That doesn't mean I'm not ready," Kurt cries indignantly. "It's different when we're...doing stuff. Because we're in the moment and it feels good and I'm happy to let my mouth run away with me... Oh behave," he smiles when Blaine smirks knowingly. "You know what I mean. I can just let go. And I want you, I really do. I always want you. Like, more than I ever thought possible."

"Same," Blaine says evenly. "Sometimes, when we're apart, I find myself thinking of you and suddenly I'm running down the street to get home and deal with my urges, and yet before, when I wasn't doing anything like that with anyone I was...well, I still did that, actually. But the urgent need wasn't there. Because getting off to porn is just a kinda lazy sunday afternoon thing to do, or a late at night on a wednesday after finishing an assignment. Whereas now, you come into my head and I can picture you, oh so clearly, and it's all I can do not to whimper and moan out loud in public."

Kurt turns the most brilliant shade of scarlet, but he looks pleased, excited. "You think of me? You...get yourself off thinking of me?"

"Um...yes?"

"Can I ask," he continues, biting his lip to keep from grinning. "Can I ask how much porn you used to watch?"

"Loads. You?"

"None. I've never seen any."

"Seriously?"

"Well...I watched a few clips on the internet when I was um...kinda...researching. But I was so uncomfortable and it felt so weird, knowing my dad was just down the hall that it didn't enter my head to try and get off to it."

Blaine rubs one hand over Kurt's thigh. "I haven't watched any since we got together," he tells him honestly. "I haven't needed to."

"Do I...ahem...give you enough? Like, are you satisfied?"

"Yes!" Blaine laughs. "Oh my god, yes. Kurt...of course I want to have sex with you. But I'm not ready either. When I touch you my hands shake and my heart races and it feels so good, yet I panic I might be doing it all wrong. I love exploring you. I love exploring what we like, together. There's nothing better. And you know, one day we'll be...exploring, I guess, and we'll just go that much further. But there's so much more I want to do with you before we take that step."

"What?" he asks. "Like, what do you want to do? Tell me."

"Well," Blaine cocks his head to one side and thinks a moment. "I really want to feel you in my mouth again. To me, that was just incredible. But we've only done it once. But this, most of all," he says, squeezing his hands around Kurt's ass. "I really want to touch you there, to finger you, to watch your mouth slip open in pleasure at the feeling of having my fingers inside you."

Kurt stares. And blinks. And stares some more. "Oh."

"Was that too much? It was too much, wasn't it? You can say."

Kurt looks down to where his cock is beginning to harden, the outline clearly showing through the pajama pants. "Uh...no. It wasn't."

"Hmm." Blaine grins, his palm coming to rest at the very top of Kurt's thigh, thumb running over his cock and making him swell even more, but he pulls back when Kurt leans in for a kiss. "I should brush my teeth first."

"I really don't care, Blaine."

"Well I do," he laughs, though he does lean up and peck his lips briefly. "Standards must be maintained," he grins, hoisting Kurt off him. "Come on. Empty house. We might as well make the most of it and shower together."

"Ugh," Kurt groans and falls into a crumpled ball on the bed. "Too tired."

"And you might like to take a look in that top drawer over there," Blaine adds with a mischievous wink that soon has Kurt crossing the room to pull open the drawer, intrigued.

"Blaine!"

"I bought lube," he says proudly.

"How much lube did you think we'd be needing?" Kurt asks, holding five bottles in his hand and looking at the rest in the drawer.

"There were a lot of different types," Blaine explains. "And I don't intend on going back to that drugstore for a very long time."

"I should hope not," Kurt laughs. "They'll think you're some kind of rent boy."

"Just find the water based one and follow me," Blaine grins impishly, and is gone.

He is already under the spray by the time Kurt enters the bathroom and he stops to brush his teeth- not wanting to be outdone- before joining him behind the curtain where Blaine pins him against the wall and kisses him hard. "Minty fresh," he says, smiling against Kurt's lips. "You are so damn hot," he whispers, tilting Kurt's head back for the shower to wash over his hair and allowing him access to his gorgeously pale and perfect neck which he sucks and bites at. "Did you like me telling you what I wanted to do?"

"Yes," Kurt whimpers, helplessly turned on and beyond happy that Blaine is letting his dominant side show at last. "But I want you to do it."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Blaine's breath comes hot and heavy, ghosting over Kurt's collarbone and making him shiver. "Tell me what you want me to do, Kurt."

"Oh god," he groans. "I want you to suck me. I want you to suck me and finger me at the same time."

Blaine grins, leaning down to flick his tongue across Kurt's nipple, making his breath catch. "With pleasure."

He engulfs him quickly, and Kurt's hands slide into his hair with a groan. "Your hair, Blaine. Oh my god, your hair," he cries, tugging the slick dark curls hard and looking down in awe of the way his fingers look tangled in it as Blaine's head bobs up and down. "That feels so good."

Kurt doesn't know how Blaine's managed to improve- confidence maybe plays a part, but he soon finds himself trembling and pushing Blaine's head closer to his crotch, eager to see how much he can take. It turns out, quite a lot.

"Fuck. Look at that," Kurt murmurs, whimpering his pleasure as Blaine deep throats him. "You look so good." He's so entranced that he doesn't notice Blaine's hands moving up to grip his ass, kneading and spreading the cheeks, but suddenly that pressure is gone and Blaine stops sucking his cock for a moment to pour lube into his hand.

"Ready?"

"Totally," he grins, and raises one leg to rest his foot on the side of the bath.

Blaine takes him in his mouth once more, distracting him as he gently rubs one finger over his entrance repeatedly until he feels the muscle start to relax and he carefully pushes just the tip of his finger inside.

"Fuck!" Kurt cries, and Blaine looks up in alarm. "It's okay," he says, breathing deeply. "It's okay. It feels good. Burns a little but it's like...a good burn."

Blaine smiles, and pulls back with a soft kiss to the tip of Kurt's cock. "Just tell me, if it hurts...Or just scream your pleasure," he adds with a wink.

Kurt huffs out a laugh, and guides Blaine's mouth back to where it's needed most. It seems to take an age- mostly through worry on Blaine's part- but eventually he has two fingers working inside a trembling Kurt, who grips Blaine's hair with one hand and his shoulder with the other, fingers digging in as he closes his eyes and moans.

"Blaine...good...so good."

Blaine pushes deeper, crooking his fingers as he stands and finds Kurt's lips with his own. "Go on," he whispers into his mouth. "Go on Kurt, come for me."

It only takes a couple of strokes from Blaine's hand until Kurt clutches him tight and comes, panting into Blaine's mouth who chases each gasp with a kiss. As Kurt relaxes he withdraws his fingers slowly before Kurt sinks to his knees and sucks his orgasm out of him, leaving them both with delirious grins of pleasure on their faces and sleepy once more.

Curled up in bed, Kurt spooned around Blaine and almost asleep, he suddenly becomes aware of Blaine speaking.

"Huh? Sorry. I think I drifted off."

"I said thank you, for coming to look after me," Blaine murmurs, a sleepy grin on his face. "You didn't have to."

"I didn't have to," Kurt agrees, kissing his damp hair. "But I'm sure glad I did."

"Turn left, Blaine! Just turn left."

Blaine huffs in agitation but turns the car anyway, searching in the darkness for any sign of light from a cabin...or any kind of building at all.

"I think we've been down here. It's just a field," he says patiently to Kurt as he turns the car around. "I'm pretty sure we needed to turn right back there, before that big tree."

"I don't know why you had to go get us lost," Kurt snaps, and Blaine grips the steering well that little bit tighter. "You should've followed the GPS."

"I did follow the GPS," he replies through gritted teeth. "It took us to the start of the track."

"We should've arrived in the light," Kurt moans. "Dad and Carole have been here since four. It would've been easy to find in the light."

"Well we couldn't arrive in the light, I'm sorry, but it is what it is. I'm gonna go back to that tree and take a right."

"We could've arrived in the light if you hadn't insisted on going to your placement."

"I didn't want to let them down, Kurt."

"Whatever. You're putting the needs of a bunch of five year olds before your boyfriend."

"Oh for goodness sake!" Blaine yells, taking Kurt by surprise. "Will you just quit? I have taken the weekend off work, and driven you six hours across the country just so you can be with your family this weekend. I think that says quite a lot about my consideration for you, and your needs. I'm sorry we got lost, I didn't know it was so hard to find. Now, tell me, is that the cabin?" he asks, as the car headlamps sweep over a building with lights on in two windows. "It looks like your dad's truck parked out front."

"Yes it is," Kurt says quietly. "Finally."

Blaine is virtually silent while they greet Burt and Carole and eat the dinner she's kept warm for them. He responds with as few words as possible to their inquiries about their trip, while Kurt pushes the remainder of his dinner around his plate and tries to catch Blaine's eye to offer an apologetic smile, but he's having none of it. They turn in soon after eating, and Blaine stays quiet, using the bathroom and not even offering for Kurt to go first as he always does. By the time Kurt is done, Blaine is curled up on his side, covers pulled up to his neck and eyes shut tight.

"I'm sorry, Blaine," Kurt says once he's in bed next to him with the lights out. "I was really snappy and rude and I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to be spoken to in that way."

Sighing, Blaine turns to face him, eyes blinking big and round in the dark. "It's okay," he says quietly. "I know why you're acting like this."

"Still, it doesn't excuse me."

"It kinda does," Blaine offers. "I know this weekend will be tough on you, and I guess this has been building but I just..." He trails off, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter."

"No." Kurt reaches out, grabbing his wrist to stop him from turning away again. "It does. Please."

"It just made me feel so useless. The way I feel when my parents start on at me. It's like...like... Five and a half hours of my driving is perfectly acceptable and then, just because we got a little lost it suddenly becomes this catalogue of my mistakes, and I don't know what I did wrong. I didn't mean for us to get lost, and maybe I should have missed my placement but I want to make a good impression... I feel like I'm in between a rock and a hard place."

"Please don't feel that way," Kurt whispers, close to tears. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way and you were right to go to the kindergarten, really. I am sorry, Blaine."

"It's okay," Blaine says, pulling Kurt into his arms and kissing his cheek. "Really. It's over and done with. Let's just move on from it."

"I don't know if I can do this," Kurt whispers fearfully into Blaine's neck, and then he's crying, winding his arms tight around Blaine's neck who slowly and steadily rubs soothing hands over his back. "I don't know if I can spend all weekend remembering him, dwelling on what happened I just..."

"Hey, shh. C'mon," Blaine whispers. "It's okay, it's okay. You can do this. It's important to Carole and your dad. And I'm here, Kurt. I'm here with you."

Kurt nods, swallowing his sob. "Kiss me," he begs. "Kiss me and make me forget."

"I'll kiss you," Blaine smiles indulgently. "But you don't want to forget. Really, Kurt, you don't." He kisses his lips gently. "Come on, be my little spoon."

"You're always little spoon," Kurt says with a tearful pout.

"I know, but tonight you need to be held."

He is right, and Kurt manages a few hours of dreamless sleep in the sanctity of Blaine's arms before waking in the early dawn to lie on his back blinking tears from his eyes. Blaine wakes, saying nothing but kissing the tracks of Kurt's tears gently, brushing the hair out of his eyes before tugging him into the bathroom and into the tub, where Kurt sinks happily under the warm water, resting against Blaine's chest as he washes him gently.

The mood in the cabin is somber, and Carole refuses breakfast, opting to sit out on the porch instead, wrapped in a huge blanket and hugging a mug of coffee. Kurt sits at the table, offering his dad a weak smile which Burt returns tearfully. "I don't need to ask if you got any sleep," he says wearily.

"Not much," Kurt says quietly. "Is she okay?"

"No," Burt answers honestly. "She's reliving every second, I think. At first I thought coming here was a mistake, but she would only have done this anyway, only now she's sitting out there instead of in Finn's room."

"So what do we do?" Kurt asks.

"I don't know. I kinda wanted to take a walk round the lake," Burt says as he rubs a hand over his face. "But I don't think she's wanting to go anywhere right now. You two go do whatever you want. I'll sit here and wait until she's ready."

Kurt nods but Blaine covers his hand. "Actually, Kurt, you know what? Why don't you go take a walk with your dad, and I'll stay here with Carole. When you get back maybe you and I can do something then. It'll be good for you to spend some time alone."

Burt shrugs. "Kid's got a point."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Kurt asks.

"I'm sure," Blaine says softly. "You need this."

Once they've gone, Blaine steps outside, pulling on a thick hoodie and grabbing fresh coffee before sitting down wordlessly on the bench next to Carole and handing her a cup. Together they look out across the wide open space to the trees and the edge of the lake beyond where they can just about make out the unmistakable plaid of Burt's shirt.

"Funny thing," Carole says suddenly into the silence. "This time a year ago, as far as I knew, he was still alive." She nods, more to herself than anything as she bites back tears. "He wasn't, of course. He'd been gone for...ooh, three hours or so." She looks at her watch before sipping her coffee and when she speaks again her voice cracks. "No one knows, of course. No one knows the exact time, because he was alone. They're guessing. But I was just carrying on as normal. No clue."

Blaine stays silent but shuffles closer as Carole smiles tightly. "I was grocery shopping. Only I got held up in line and ended up running late. I ran home and put the cold stuff away, leaving the rest on the counter. I had work, you see. Two til eleven shift. I pulled open the door to leave again and two cops were walking up the path."

"Oh Carole," Blaine says softly, reaching for her hand. "I'm so sorry."

"He knew I loved him," she says, now crying freely. "At least there's that. I had spoken with him the day before, and I told him, as I always did. God, how I loved him. No...no past tense. I still do. I always will."

"He was so lucky to have you, all of you," Blaine says as he puts an arm around her shoulders.

"But he was alone," she sobs. "My baby. Oh he was an adult, sure. So big, tall. Such a presence. But he was still my baby boy. My little one...and he died all alone."

"Carole..."

"I hate this," she cries. "I think of him always, cry for him, smile for him...always. So why is today so tough? Why is it hurting, Blaine? Why is it hurting so much?"

He holds her while she cries, until her heartbreaking sobs subside slightly and he offers her a tissue. "I don't really know what to say," he says honestly. "Except it was always going to be this way. It will get easier over the years, for sure. But you'll always remember the date. Maybe...maybe it would be a little easier if you focused on how he lived rather than how he died? Like... I don't know...um...okay, so Kurt tells me he was really messy."

"He was," Carole smiles through her tears. "A stereotypical teenage boy. His room smelled of socks, and you could barely see the floor. When Rachel was coming over he'd pick up but she still refused to set foot in that room."

"Well I guess that eased Burt's worries," Blaine says, smiling when she laughs.

"Yes. He's terrible."

"So he bonded with Finn over football?"

"He did," Carole nods, sitting up straight and taking Blaine's hand once more as she dries her eyes. "It was nice, you know? Because neither one had had that before. Finn just had me growing up and obviously Kurt had no interest, as you've no doubt realized. Not that Burt minded, or felt like he was missing out, but it was nice for Finn and Burt to have something in common that was uniquely theirs, just like Kurt and I have our baking."

"So you never played football with him?"

"No," she smiles. "I was lucky, we had wonderful neighbors with twins the same age as Finn, he was always in their yard playing with them, and then at school of course."

"C'mon," Blaine says decisively, taking her hand and leading her down the steps of the cabin. "I'm gonna teach you."

"What?" she cries incredulously. "You have to be kidding."

"Nope. I've got a ball in my trunk," he says, popping the lid and retrieving it. "It'll be fun."

The last thing Burt and Kurt are expecting to find when they return from their walk is Carole running across the field, shrieking and holding a football in the air, with Blaine hot on her heels.

"What in the world are you two doing?" Kurt asks when they draw up, laughing hard and panting for breath.

"Blaine's teaching me football," Carole grins.

"Trying to, and failing miserably," Blaine laughs. "I blame my student."

"Thanks!" Carole says, giving him an affectionate shove before turning to Burt. "Blaine suggested we remember how Finn lived, the things that made him who he was, in an effort to lift the sadness."

"And is it working?"

"It really is," she smiles. "But I think it'd work even better if you two were to join in."

Blaine laughs. "Yeah, I can't see Kurt going for that."

"Oh really, Mr. Anderson?" he replies, cockily raising one eyebrow. "I'll have you know I'm a damn fine kicker."

"No way."

"Stand back," Kurt announces. "Watch the master at work."

Their football game turns into a loud, raucous affair followed by lunch, and when Burt opens champagne and proposes a toast to Finn, everyone can smile and raise their glass. In the afternoon they take a long walk and Blaine listens happily to tales from Kurt's childhood up to and including his few brief years with his step brother. Blaine even manages to open up a little and tell Burt and Carole about when they met Cooper a few weeks back, making them both laugh when he recounts the tale of Kurt calling him his beau. Take out and wine in the evening, followed by tv has Kurt and Blaine struggling to stay awake, heads lolling onto one another until their eyes are closed, and Carole smiles indulgently at her husband before gently waking them and sending them upstairs to bed.

"I had like...the best day," Kurt says sleepily when Blaine spoons in behind him without even being asked.

"Hmm. Good. I'm glad."

"Thanks to you."

"Me? I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did. You made us all look on the bright side and be happy. And yes, I'm still sad because he's gone but I'm so happy that he lived, so happy I could call him my brother and so happy we could spend today remembering him just the way he would want to be remembered."

"Oh well, if that was down to me then thank you. But really, I think you've had that inside of you all along. That, and the capacity to kick a football an incredibly long distance."

Kurt laughs, drawing Blaine's arms tighter around him. "I told you."

"You did."

"Never underestimate Kurt Hummel"

"I wouldn't dare."

Sunday dawns bright and cold, a beautiful fall day. Kurt and Blaine take a long walk together after breakfast, wrapped up warm and snuggled close, and Blaine resolutely refuses to allow his mind to wander, focusing instead on the moment, being with Kurt, hearing his boots crunch over the leaves, watching his breath puff out in little white clouds. He stops him on the edge of the wood, just before they return to the cabin, kissing him slowly, trying to taste every inch of his mouth and memorize the feel of Kurt's lips on his.

"I want you to know something," he whispers, closing his eyes when Kurt's arms wind around his neck, fingers sliding into his hair.

"Yes?"

"I have loved every second of this weekend. Being with you, your family... It makes me hope for things."

"Such as?" Kurt asks, trying to remain calm and not jump up and down on the spot when Blaine makes eye contact.

"Such as a future with you."

Kurt huffs out a soft laugh, his cheeks glowing pink from cold and excitement mixed together. "I think...I think that sounds...uh...perfect," he beams. "And something I would very much like, too."

"Kurt, I..."

"Boys!" Burt booms, and Blaine closes his eyes and lets his head thump back against the tree in defeat. "You need to get going if you wanna be back before dark!"

"Well?" Burt asks as he watches the pair drive away.

"I think he's wonderful."

"I know that," Burt says, putting an arm about Carole's waist. "I meant how are you feeling?"

"Good," she nods. "Great, actually. Yesterday morning I wondered why we had bothered coming here, an hour later and I was tackling an nineteen year old to the ground and stealing his ball."

Burt chuckles as he leads her back into the cabin. "Kicking his shins and sitting on his legs does not constitute a tackle. But I'm glad he came," he nods to himself. "Good kid. Fits right in."

"He does," Carole agrees. "Which is good, given that he's probably going to become a permanent fixture."

"What? Did he say something? Did Kurt say something? Already? They've only been dating five months!"

"Oh relax," she laughs. "No one said anything at all."

"Good."

"But mark my words, those two are together to stay."