I really, really like this chapter. It was giving me a few problems but after talking to my friend Sharon about it, I was able to come up with exactly what I wanted and I think it ended up really good!

I hope you like it - it is after all, the long awaited Valentine's chapter!

GLEE

It was a week before Valentine's day and Kurt had to admit, he was hoping that Blaine might ask him out for the special day. He never really liked the holiday that much. He would usually wake up and go down stairs and get a small box of chocolates from his mother, plus a kiss on the cheek. Then he would quickly get out the house, because his mom and dad were always way too disgusting.

Last year had gone without much thought. In the last year, a lot of holidays had passed, and Kurt would usually spare a thought of "oh, this is my first Christmas, or Easter, or whichever, without my family."

It had been easy to forget about this, especially this year, because honestly, Kurt was happy. He had a family and best friends. He occasionally mourned his parents, who hadn't seen in months, or in his father's case, over a year. He was sad that his sister hadn't tried to contact him at all.

Then, Quinn would pull him out of his room with a smile on her face, as if knowing what was happening. She would make him do something silly and forget about all that time before, and just focus on now.

And Blaine. Blaine. He was probably the cause for most of Kurt's smiles lately.

Every other Valentine's day in his life, Kurt had never had a potential love interest. He'd never bothered sending a girl a Valentine's card or candy, even if his father tried to persuade him. A girl getting candy on the most "romantic" day of the year, from a guy that wouldn't ever return those feelings was just wrong to him. He'd never known another gay boy before, either, so he'd never had the real option.

Now, he knew Blaine, who wasn't just some gay guy he'd met. It wasn't like Kurt expected to suddenly be together, just because they were both gay and in Ohio, which meant their options were slim. Kurt wanted Blaine to say something about Valentine's day because…Blaine made Kurt happy. And he was pretty sure he made Blaine happy. Blaine was fantastic and sweet and they got along so well - that's why he wanted to be something more.

It was 7 days before Valentine's day when Kurt got a call from Blaine, and he was sure that it would be something about spending the day together.

He was so, so wrong.

"Hello?" he said, kicking himself for being so breathless.

"Hi Kurt!" said Blaine, in an excited tone that Kurt had become so accustomed to. "I have something I need to ask you. Well, maybe like, run it by you?"

"Yes?" asked Kurt, his heart jumping in his chest. Maybe this was it…

"Do you think it's too much to sing to someone you like on Valentine's day?" asked Blaine.

Kurt's heart beat even faster. He suddenly envisioned Blaine showing up at his school, maybe with a few of the Warblers in tow, and singing a romantic song before giving him a rose or even a swift kiss on the cheek. Saying "Happy Valentine's day" and actually meaning it in a romantic sense. "Not at all," he finally said.

"Really?" said Blaine, sounding even more excited. He laughed nervously. "Kurt, I'm really just…wow. I can't even stand still." He laughed again. "I'm going to ask the Warblers to help me with this."

"With what exactly?"

"Ok, promise you won't like, laugh at me? Or tease me?"

"Of course not."

There was silence on the other end of the phone, then a nervous breath being let out. "I really like this guy. I want to ask him out for Valentine's day, but I'm horrible at words. I'm better with singing - so that's what I'm going to do!"

Kurt's world suddenly fell apart around him.

"Oh," he said, his voice hollow. "You like someone?" he asked, trying to make his voice normal. Trying to make it sound like a friend, being excited as another friend told him about his crush.

Friend.

Oh god.

Kurt was an idiot.

"Yeah. We've talked a few times and he's really, really cute," said Blaine in a dreamy sigh. "His name is Jeremiah."

Kurt really, really hated the name Jeremiah.

He was positive that this boy had horrible hair.

"I'm going to ask the Warblers if we can go to the Gap and sing to him - that's where he works," said Blaine brightly.

"That sounds…awesome, Blaine," said Kurt, trying to keep his voice light. "Look, I, uh, have to go. Good luck with that, Blaine."

"Thanks, Kurt! I'll talk to you later, ok? I'm going to go pick out a song now."

"Bye, Blaine."

Kurt hung up his phone and stared at it for a good minute before dropping it and falling back onto his bed with a heavy sigh. He grabbed his pillow and held it tightly to his chest. Looks like Kurt Fabray would, for another year, be going to the store to buy half price chocolate the day after Valentine's day.

Quinn frowned at the horrible amount of Valentine's day decorations going up in McKinley hallways on Monday morning. Valentine's day was that Friday, and already it looked like Cupid had thrown up in every hallway she walked down.

It wasn't that Quinn hated the holiday. It was just like most single people, she didn't really like the couples acting all…couple-y as she walked past.

Sure, Quinn had given up boys for the time being. She needed to focus on her, and who she was, before bringing a boy into the picture. Her only real relationship had ended with her cheating on him, getting pregnant and having a baby.

Then that boy she cheated on becoming her step brother.

Which really, was all the punishment she could stand.

She couldn't help feeling a pang in her chest as she watched all the couples walk hand and hand down the hallway, or kissing by their lockers. She sort of wanted that, in a way. To be loved.

And some damn chocolate.

Quinn sighed. Well, she and Kurt had promised to exchange Valentine's on Friday morning. Cheap stuff, maybe a handmade card, then go and buy each other half price candy on Saturday morning. Quinn might even convince Kurt to get her a stuffed animal, though she would avoid hearts.

Speaking of Kurt, he caught her eye in the hallway. He looked like he was in just a sour mood as Quinn. He had been since Saturday and he wouldn't tell her why.

Quinn dragged a grumbling Kurt to Glee club. "You're going to tell me sooner or later," said Quinn with a pout.

"Later," he sniffed, not looking at her. Quinn rolled her eyes.

The rest of the club was just as drama filled and miserable as Quinn and Kurt. Rachel was looking over at Finn with those horrible, sad puppy eyes. They were still broken up and Finn was starting to play the field. Quinn had seen a lot of girls come up to him, twisting their hair and smiling. Most Cheerios. He had just lead the Titans to a football victory, so many girls had their eye on him for Valentine's day.

Santana was in a particularly bad mood for some reason, glaring at everyone in the room. Puck looked relaxed in his chair, texting. Quinn had heard that Puck wasn't really hooking up with Santana anymore. Mike and Tina looked like they were completely in love - stealing kisses whenever they could. They were the only happy looking ones of the bunch, save for Brittany, who was sitting on Artie's lap.

"Just more proof that Valentine's day sucks," said Kurt, sitting down ungracefully next to Mercedes.

"Whatever boy, I actually like this holiday now," said Mercedes with a wide smile. She was holding a rose that Sam must have given her earlier. His arm was around her shoulders and the looked, admittedly, cute together. They had finally come out with their relationship shortly after winter break.

"Of course you do, you have a boyfriend," scoffed Kurt.

"What's up?" asked Mercedes, noticing that Kurt was much more cynical than usually.

Kurt pouted, staring straight ahead and away from Quinn and Mercedes. His shoulders started to droop. Finally, he looked at them for a moment. "Blaine likes a guy and is going to ask him out on Valentine's day." He sighed and looked away. "I thought he was going to ask me," said Kurt quietly.

"Oh baby," said Mercedes, reaching over to put her hand on his. Quinn was surprised - she could have sworn that Blaine would have made a move by now. It was obvious how cute Blaine and Kurt were together…she wondered how long this other guy had been in the picture.

Then, Kurt had a disadvantage with Blaine. He was here, at McKinley, and Blaine was over an hour away at another school. They saw each other often, but not in day to day life.

"You don't need a man to make Friday special," Mercedes said in a soft voice. "You've got all of us."

"I guess," said Kurt with a frown.

Mr. Shuester walked in then, bringing their conversation to a halt. Their assignment this week was to sing songs about love, and what it means to us, which Kurt scoffed at.

"I really am sorry about Blaine," said Quinn as they walked out to the car, Finn trailing behind him with a Cheerio who had walked up to him after exiting the choir room.

"I guess I'm just meant to be the friend," sighed Kurt.

"Maybe," said Quinn. "Maybe something will change one day. We're only 17."

Kurt sighed, but nodded.

"What are you going to sing this week?"

Quinn looked up at Kurt, who was standing in her doorway. Quinn sat down her pen and pushed her history book away. She shrugged. "I have a few ideas. I'm not taking it very seriously. Mostly because…I don't think I take romantic love very seriously anymore."

"Oh."

"I know, I sound heartless," laughed Quinn, leaning back in her chair.

"Not heartless," said Kurt. "Cynical, maybe."

"It's not that I don't love," said Quinn. "I love you, and my dad - and Carole and Finn, in their own ways. But I know Mr. Shuester means this to be about love between a boyfriend and a girlfriend, or a boyfriend and a boyfriend," she said, eye on Kurt's expression. "But that…I've never gotten right."

Kurt nodded, seeming to understand. "I don't even know how I would begin to get love right. I'm gay, in a town with closeted jocks and a best friend who is gay, but doesn't see me that way at all."

"I'm sorry," said Quinn. She looked down at her notebook. "I just wish…I always wanted to love someone as much as my mom loved my dad," she said, her voice thick. "And be loved by someone as much as my dad loved mom, you know?"

"They were really good together?" asked Kurt, a sad smile on his lips. He had heard a lot about Mollie Hummel since he been living with them. She seemed like a lovely woman, and was absolutely beautiful; Quinn kept her photo near her dresser.

"Amazing," sighed Quinn. "Even when I was little, I could see they were…in love."

"I'm sure you'll get there one day, Quinn," said Kurt. "I mean, you're fantastic. If I was straight, I would date you in a second." He laughed at the idea.

Quinn smiled up at Kurt. "Thanks," she laughed. "What about you - what song do you want to do?"

Kurt stayed silent for a long moment. "I can safely say I have no idea." He turned and walked out of Quinn's room.

The next day, Kurt sat and watched Sam and Mercedes perform an adorable duet version of "Can't Help Falling in Love". Kurt knew that she did amazingly, and being her friend, applauded loudly after the performance.

"That was fantastic, guys," said Mr. Shuester, smiling at the pair. "Anyone else going today?"

Kurt raised his hand. "Mr. Shuester, if I may?" The glee teacher motioned for him to stand. Kurt stood, on shaky legs. Quinn gave him a confused look. When he had spoken to her last night, he had said he didn't have a song.

And he still didn't.

"I thought about a song all last night," said Kurt, looking out at his friends. "I thought about what I really felt about love. I know how it is to love a family, but I know that wasn't probably the aim of the assignment, given what week it is." Kurt sighed. "Which is why I decided I won't be singing a song this week."

Confused expressions worked their way onto all the faces in front of him.

"I don't know what love is," Kurt continued. "Or how I feel about it. I never…had some sort of good example of love in my life. My parents acted like they loved each other, but them splitting up proves other wise. And until I figure out what love is, I can't possibly sing a song about it, not for this assignment." Kurt nodded and walked back to his seat.

Mr. Shuester was silent for a moment before standing and putting a hand on Kurt's shoulder. "That's very mature of you, Kurt. I respect your decision for this week. Whenever you do figure it out, I would be happy for you to pick this back up - even if that's months from now." Kurt tried to smile back at Mr. Shuester.

Would he ever figure it out?

Kurt wished Blaine luck that night after school. He was going to the Gap to serenade Jeremiah now. He sighed and tried to busy himself with other things, fully expecting his best friend to have a boyfriend by the end of the week.

That might mean the end of their friendship.

A few hours later, he had received no response from Blaine on how "the Gap Attack" went, as Blaine had called it.

He's probably off kissing his new boyfriend, thought Kurt viciously.

He stuffed his phone, turning it off, into his bag and went to bed.

The next day, Valentine's day week was in full swing. People were exchanging kisses and presents in the hallways.

Finn was the next to sing. It was obvious he was singing about Rachel. It was "Love Don't Live Here" by Lady Antebellum. Not only were the lyrics cutting as he looked at Rachel, but it might have been a dig at the fact that Puck and Rachel had done a Lady Antebellum duet a few weeks ago.

"Cause I've been doin' fine without you

Forgettin' all the love we once knew

And girl I ain't the one who slammed that door

But now you say you've changed your thinkin'

But I ain't got a heart for breakin'

So go and pick your bags up off my floor

Oh cause love don't live here anymore"

Rachel sat in her chair, back straight and looking close to tears. Finn kept singing, looking more confident than he had looked in a while. Quinn probably put that off to having so many girls flirting with him.

Finn finished off the song and sat back down. Mr. Shuester, sensing the tension, asked for someone else to sing.

Quinn hadn't been planning on singing that day, but really, they needed a song like hers to break this awkward tension, so she raised her hand.

"My song is more silly," said Quinn, turning to face the group as Brad and the band go ready to play her music. "I can't take my love life too seriously anymore. I'm just going to go with whatever happens and - hopefully find love. One day." Quinn grinned and nodded for the band to start up.

Quinn had decided on "Love Drunk" by Boys Like Girls. She really couldn't find anything else lighthearted enough on such short noticed, but it seemed to fit just fine, and went over well after Finn's more angst filled song. She danced around, pulling a few of the girls up to dance and sing with her halfway through. Overall, Quinn liked the song she picked. It made the week a little bit more enjoyable.

Kurt got home and fell back into his bed with a heavy sigh. This week was being as draining as he thought it would be.

A few minutes later, his phone rang. He had only just turned it back on after turning it off last night. It was Blaine, texting him.

Kurt, can you meet me at the Lima Bean?

Kurt stared at the message for a few moments. He couldn't decide of Blaine would be telling him if he had a date for Valentine's day or not…did he really want to suffer through that?

Kurt sighed. He was Blaine's friend. That's what friends did - were happy when they got dates.

Of course. Be there soon.

When Kurt got to the Lima Bean, Blaine was sitting in a table in the back with two coffees in front of him. Kurt sat down, taking in his sad expression.

"Are you ok, Blaine?" Kurt asked, right off the bat.

Blaine attempted a smile, but it was forced. Kurt sent him a look. Blaine sighed. "No," said Blaine, in a broken tone. He looked down at the cup in his hands. "Jeremiah didn't even like me," he whispered. "I sang in front of the entire Gap and he got fired, Kurt. He said that us talking didn't mean anything. He said that I was too young. I made a complete idiot of myself."

Kurt tried very hard not to be happy to hear this. Blaine was obviously upset.

"I'm sorry, Blaine," said Kurt, and he did mean it. He didn't like to see Blaine hurt like this.

"It's like I made it all up in my head," said Blaine sadly. "I just…I wanted to have a relationship that meant something. To kiss someone that wasn't a girl and have it really mean something, you know?"

"I do," sighed Kurt. "Was it horrible?"

"Truly," said Blaine. "I waited outside the Gap, alone, because all the Warblers left as soon as we were kicked out. He dumped me - and we weren't even going out."

"I'm so sorry," Kurt said. "I should have been there, or something."

"It's not your fault," said Blaine.

They sat there and sipped at their coffees in a comfortable silence.

"Blaine," said Kurt, suddenly getting a really stupid idea in his mind. "Can I be completely honest with you? Because we are honest with each other and I feel like I need to put this on the table."

"Yes, Kurt?" asked Blaine, looking up with eyes that shot his heart.

"When you called to ask about singing to someone on Valentine's day," began Kurt, his throat thick. "I thought you were talking about me…you know, asking me out for Valentine's day."

Blaine looked at him, eyes wide. "Oh."

"I just…I know I feel something more than friendship for you, Blaine," said Kurt after a long moment, trying not to look away from Blaine in his embarrassment. "I have for a while and I just…we get along, right? We get coffee together and are best friends. Do you…I mean…"

Kurt stopped talking. He had to, or he was going to embarrass himself further.

"Kurt I…" Blaine looked at him, looking almost confused. "I didn't know that you felt like that. I just…look, Kurt, I care about you. I do. You are my best friend." Blaine smiled at Kurt softly. "But if you could have seen me yesterday…I don't know how to do romance. The only person I have ever been with, in an romantic form, is a girl. You know that. And I really, really hurt you when that happened. I don't want to mess our friendship up. I wouldn't know the first thing of what to do, Kurt. I just…I want to stay like this." Blaine motioned to them. "Sitting here, drinking coffee and talking about our days. Laughing over fashion and musicals. It's really simple. It's what I know how to do. I hope…I hope you don't hate me for that."

Kurt smiled, slightly watery, but he held back the tears. "I could never hate you, Blaine. I understand. I do."

"Thank you Kurt," Blaine looked relieved and Kurt really, really tried hard not to think about the fact that he, too, was just dumped without even going out.

When Kurt was home, later that night, after telling Quinn what had happened, he was thinking about everything that had happened while laying alone in his room.

Kurt knew that he loved Blaine. He didn't know what love was, but he loved Blaine. And even though Blaine didn't love him like that, at least he liked him enough to be his friend. Kurt could take that. Because being with Blaine as a friend was better than no Blaine at all.

Maybe love was staying with a person in any way that you could, even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted.

Kurt raised his hand the next day in Glee club, asking Mr. Shuester if he could sing a song for the week. He looked surprised.

"You've found out what love was already, Kurt?" asked Mr. Shuester.

Kurt stood and walked to the front. "I think I did, surprisingly," said Kurt with a bitter smile. He told Brad which song he would be singing, since he only needed the piano. "I've decided that love is simply loving someone, and caring for someone, so much that you'll do anything to be with them. You'll do whatever you can to be in their life, even if it's not in the way you want. Because you love them." Kurt let out a breath. Quinn smiled at him.

The piano started up, a slow, melancholy melody.

As Kurt began to sing, everyone looked at Kurt with questioning eyes. No one, save for Quinn and maybe Mercedes, would probably understand this song. Its significance and meaning. It was probably better that way.

It was a bitter sweet way to learn about love, but in a way, Kurt was glad. He knew that his parents had never had this love. They wanted out of each others' lives, just like they didn't love Kurt enough to want him in their lives.

If they had loved him, they would have kept him in their life no matter what. They would have stayed in each others' lives, no matter what. But Kurt loved Blaine, because he always would want Blaine in his life, in any way he could have him.

"Goodbye, my almost lover

Goodbye, my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Can't you just let me be?

So long, my luckless romance

My back is turned on you

I should've known you'd bring me heartache

Almost lovers always do."

Kurt finished his song, the haunting melody echoing in the air. Kurt should be sad. He sort of was. He still wanted to be loved, like how Quinn described a few days ago, but he could settle for this love, too. Friends and family.

"Hi, Kurt!"

"Blaine! You should come over."

"Why?"

Kurt balanced his phone between his shoulder and ear, throwing the lasagna he was making into the oven. "Quinn, Rachel and I are having a Valentine's day get together, and by Valentine's day, I mean Single Awareness. We're going to stuff our faces, watch everything but romantic comedies, and then wake up in the morning and go buy half price chocolate."

Blaine laughed on the other side of the phone. "A sleepover? Is Burt ok with having me over?"

Kurt snorted. "Well it's not like we're going to do anything with the girls - and Finn has been like, exiled to his room for the night, so Rachel won't have to deal with him. And Burt and Carole are spending a romantic night down in Columbus. They trust us, well, we had to sign a contract saying we wouldn't have any alcohol, but still."

"There is no way I'm touching alcohol ever again. It either makes me a whore or straight - and I don't like being either." Blaine laughed and Kurt giggled along with him. "I'll ask my mom and be over in an hour."

"Thanks, Blaine," said Kurt with a grin, hanging up the phone.

It had taken Kurt a little bit of thought, if he wanted to invite Blaine over. He was probably going to be still be weird about confessing that he liked him. Although, so far they just hadn't brought it up…and they still acted the same way as before. Kurt shook his head. In the end, Blaine was his best friend, as were Quinn and, well, sort of Rachel, so he wanted them over. They were all single and should be together on Valentine's day night.

An hour and a half later, Kurt, Quinn, Rachel and Blaine were piled into the dark family room in their PJ's with plates of lasagna (without meat for Rachel), popcorn and drinks, a glowing screen with the DVD menu of Sweeny Todd.

"So we're watching this movie because…" asked Blaine, taking a bite of his lasagna. Kurt then blushed when he complimented him on it.

"It doesn't have a happy, cute ending," answered Quinn. "We're all suppose to be single and bitter. Although, I'm not overly bitter, I guess."

"It is also a classic," said Rachel. "The music is absolutely fantastic."

"Johnny Depp," said Kurt, seriously. "That's all the reason we need to watch it." Blaine laughed and quickly agreed.

Two and a half movies later, they all passed out one by one on the couch, chair or floor of the living room. Rachel was curled in the recliner chair, since she was tiny and slept much like a cat, Blaine was sprawled out on his stomach on the ground, and Kurt and Quinn were on the couch, their feet meeting in the middle.

The credits of Independence Day began ("What the hell!" Quinn had said. "It's a different holiday and Will Smith is attractive!") but none of the teens were conscious to turn off the TV. The next morning they all woke up, ate breakfast and went to the grocery store for the deals on candy.

Kurt grudgingly bought Quinn a medium sized stuffed animal - a red lamb - which meant buying Rachel a stuffed heart with a smiley face (and gave him an excuse to buy a stuffed puppy doll with hearts for eyes for Blaine). Blaine insisted on getting the girls and Kurt a stuffed animal, too. Kurt got a long pink cat. He joked about it, but really he loved it (and would deny that he kept it on his bed at all times after that).

Blaine came back to their house with Rachel and they sat around in Quinn's room, eating chocolate and listening to music.

"I think this is the best Valentine's day I've ever had," said Kurt, smiling at his stuffed cat. He hugged it tighter.

Blaine smiled. "Same here - surprisingly. I mean, the week started off as a disaster."

"You need to stick with us, obviously," said Quinn with a wide grin (and conspiratorial wink toward Kurt). Kurt threw a Hersey's hug at her, thankfully Blaine hadn't seen her.

Tbc

There we are! I hope you enjoyed it! The next chapter won't be up for a while, since I haven't started it yet - but I have a pretty good idea with what it will be!