"You didn't kiss? What do you mean you didn't kiss?"

Kurt sighed, trying hard not to roll his eyes at the Inquisitorial Squad sitting in a half circle around him on his bed. As soon as he got the car to the shop and back home, he was bombarded by texts from the girls asking how the dance had gone and why he hadn't texted them about it yet. This lead to him admitting he had just gotten home and the girls demanded a girls night to be caught up on the situation.

That's how it came to be having Tina, Mercedes, and Rachel sitting in front of him with disbelieving faces after he had gone through every detail of the night with them, including the fluttery feelings and the cuddling and the confessions.

"We just...didn't. I mean, I think we almost did, but then Nick texted, and the moment was...over?" Kurt made a face. "It doesn't matter. I mean, the night already turned out more than I could have hoped, and just because I was stranded and needed a place to sleep doesn't mean we were going to make out."

"Yes it does. That's story telling 101!" Rachel said.

"This isn't a fairy tale, Rachel. This is my life." Kurt did roll his eyes this time. "We've been over this."

"Kurt, you're on the path of soul mates, I can tell." Rachel said.

"Even if we were, and I'm not saying we are, but even if, it's not like all soul mate stories are wind swept romances and grand kisses. So what if it takes a while? We didn't kiss, but at least I know I mean a lot to him, and he knows the same. That's something isn't it?" Kurt said, picking at invisible lint on his comforter.

"Of course it is, boo." Mercedes spoke up, trying to smooth over the situation. "We're really happy you had a great night. You deserve it."

"And you look really cute in his clothes." Tina smirked, making the girls giggle.

"Does he expect them back?" Rachel asked.

"I don't know." Kurt shrugged, "They are really comfortable."

"I say tell him if he wants them back, he can come get them himself." Mercedes said, all four of them laughing.

Kurt grinned, sometimes his friends were crazy. Other times he didn't know what he'd do without them. Sometimes those moments were one in the same. They divulged into different gossip, everything back as it should be.

…...

Dear Blaine,

Seeing as I'm able to write this to you, you can safely assume that I did in fact make it home in one piece. My car has since been fixed. My dad was right, the car battery died. One new battery later, my Pamela is back to her old ways, which I'm thankful for. The last thing I want to do is go back to waiting on Finn for rides home. That's a long story.

The girls say hello (after they interrogated me of course). Mercedes thinks I should hold your clothes hostage under the condition you retrieve them yourself. I think they're feeling a little uneven. I've spent quality time with Jeff and Nick, but they haven't had the same with you. Though I think I got the merciful end of it. Nick and Jeff don't spend hours asking a million questions. (They mean well, I promise.)

How are your classes going? Mine are fairly regular, nothing terribly exciting. Not that I'm complaining wholly. It means I won't have as much stress class wise when getting ready for Nationals. Not that we seem close to be doing. Ah, drama, my old friend. Remind me why I do this again?

Oh, and just because I know Nick mentioned something about your thing about friend's parents, my dad does like you. He said you seemed really nice, and sincerely polite. I won't direct quote him because it includes some side story about people he deals with on a daily basis at work. But he knows everything I've told him, and that Finn and the girls seem to like you, and you were kind enough to help me out when my car wouldn't start. So breathe! You've won over yet another person with your sweetness and dapper charms. Congrats.

This might seem like a weird question, but is Wes always like that? I mean, I don't want to say it felt like he was trying really hard to make me feel welcome, but...maybe? It's probably silly. I'm just not used to people trying to make me feel at home. Not that it was a bad thing. It was very nice of him. But really, he doesn't have to try that hard. I promise.

Tell Nick and Jeff I said hi.

Safely yours,

Kurt

…...

Blaine grinned at the letter, chuckling as he folded it back up and set it down on his desk, picking up the book he'd been reading for class before Nick had dropped by with the envelope on his way to a study group. He had one last chapter he had to make sure he got done with before he would work on a reply to Kurt.

Just as he was finishing the last lines of the chapter and moving to set the book down, there was a knock at the door. Most of the guys didn't knock, and he was sure Nick hadn't forgotten his key. Confused, he set the book down and walked over, pulling it open.

Pam Anderson was not the kind of woman who showed up anywhere unannounced. She had her Blackberry constantly charged and always called or texted before arriving to a place. So the fact that she was standing outside his dorm room through her youngest son for a bit of a loop.

"Mom?" he looked at her.

"Blaine." Pam smiled politely.

"Uh, um, come in. Sorry." Blaine shifted, stepping back to allow her to come into his room and close the door behind her.

"Thank you." she said.

There was a silence, definitely a little awkward.

"Not that I don't like seeing you, mom, but what brings you here?" Blaine asked.

"Oh. Right. I know I should have probably called. I wasn't sure if you'd be busy or not." Pam admitted, looking around the room.

"Just finishing up some homework. It's fine." Blaine said, refraining from commenting on the fact she still hadn't quite answered his question.

"I stopped in to see how you were doing." Pam said, turning to him.

"I'm fine." Blaine said politely. "Busy with school, and the Warblers."

"Yes, of course. How are the boys?" she asked.

"They're good." Blaine said.

"Good." Pam smiled.

"Yeah." Blaine said, since when was talking to her so weird?

"Your father and I are getting a divorce."

That made him stop. A divorce? He shouldn't be surprised, things hadn't been going well. But his parents didn't exactly seem the type to be okay with splitting up. It was a bit too public than he thought they'd want.

"Really?" he asked, unsure what else to say.

"Yes. He's leaving me the house in Westerville, and he's going up to the apartment in Columbus. I've given him until the end of the school year to be out." she said. "I've missed you, Blaine. I know the Duval's have been exceedingly kind by offering you a space, and I intend to thank them, but you are my son and I want you back home for the summer. It's our last summer before you graduate."

Blaine stood where he was, taking it all in. The way she spoke, she was the one asking for the divorce and pushing his father to go up to Columbus where he'd be closer to work and further from him. Then a small wave of anger followed. Where was this mother months ago? Years ago? Where was this during all the fighting and chaos and tense silence spells?

"I don't know, mom." came the words before he could catch himself.

"You don't know?" Pam blinked, looking surprised and confused.

"Summer is usually busy for you...it's not like we'd have much time together. At least with Nick I have the guys, and the Warblers." Blaine said softly.

She stepped closer, opening her mouth when he cut her off.

"Please don't say you'll make time. You've never made time. Not even before I boarded at Dalton." he said. "I know you've missed me, but in honesty mom...I haven't missed being home. Because it hasn't been home in a long time, and I love you, but I think I'm going to need some time to think this over."

They were both quiet for a long moment, Blaine looking down as he felt her stare.

"Of course, Blaine. I know none of this has been easy on you. We really did try our best to keep you out of the middle. I wanted you to know now instead of springing it on you closer to the end of the year." she explained.

Blaine tried to stay reasonable about this. She made a fair point, but it still stung him that she wanted to make things seem okay again, when both knew it hadn't been okay for years. Even with his dad leaving the picture, he didn't know where to stand. He'd been so close to his mother as a child, but now...it was like standing in front of a familiar stranger. Someone you could easily convince yourself you knew from somewhere, but could easily admit there was a lot you didn't know.

"I just need a little time." he said.

"That's okay." she said softly.

The door clicked and swung open, Nick stepping in, grinning at something Jeff had said as the blond trailed behind him. He froze when he saw more than just Blaine, looking surprised when he realized who it was.

"Mrs. Anderson." Nick said. "Hi."

"Hello Nick. Jeff." Pam smiled politely.

"Hi, Mrs. Anderson." Jeff said, looking between her and Blaine. "Are we interrupting something?"

"No, dear. I was just on my way out. I have a few meetings before dinner." she said, turning to Blaine and stepping closer, kissing his forehead. "I'll call soon."

Blaine nodded mutely, watching as his mother smiled to the other boys and took her leave, disappearing out from the open doorway. Nick let the door close behind her. No one said anything right away.

"Blainey?" Jeff asked, voice soft. "Everything okay?"

Blaine leaned against the edge of his bed, giving a small shrug. Nick and Jeff tossed their backpacks onto Nick's bed and moved to either side of him, leaning into him. It was a gesture of comfort that he appreciated.

"My parents are divorcing. My dads taking the apartment in Columbus. She's giving him until the end the semester to be out." he finally admitted.

"Wow." Jeff murmured.

"What does that mean for you?" Nick asked.

"I don't know." Blaine said honestly.

"Well, we've got you until you do." Nick said, both he and Jeff wrapping an arm around Blaine's waist.

"Thanks, guys." Blaine swallowed, his anger disappearing into just a feeling of being thrown.

"It's okay to be upset. Even if things weren't great. They're your parents. Divorce is a hard thing for a family." Jeff said.

"Maybe you should call Cooper." Nick suggested.

"Maybe later. I think right now I need to just finish up my homework and stuff before dinner." Blaine said.

"We're here if you need us." Nick said.

"I know." Blaine gave a small smile.

…...

Kurt,

You know those moments where life shifts in a way that you didn't think would happen? Not because it's absolutely impossible, or that it is too big a thing to comprehend. But because even when things weren't a certain way, it endured. And when it doesn't, you're left sitting there wondering how you feel about it.

My mother finally contacted me. She came by Dalton, surprisingly enough. She didn't stay long, just long enough to tell me that she's filed a divorce with my father, and has the agreement that he'll be in Columbus where his work primarily is, and she'll keep the house in Westerville. She also says she wants me to come back home over the summer.

It might sound silly but I honestly don't know how I feel about it. Everything's changing, but not in the way I had been bracing myself for. What happens if I do go home? It won't be very exciting. My mother is a beauty product saleswoman. She throws parties and sells lotions to make women feel like they look young. Summer time is her busiest time, and with Cooper in California, the idea of that house is so empty.

I've been having a hard time talking about it to anyone because it seems like I'm complaining. That even though my house is technically going to be safe to inhabit again, the cost is that it might be boring. I don't mean to complain. I just don't see the point in going back. Does that make it horrible?

This probably wasn't the lighthearted reply you were expecting, and I'm sorry. I just thought that maybe if I put it down to words, it'll start to make a bit more sense. That and talking to you always helps. In reply to your question about Wes, I would say he's not always completely like that. I think he was just trying hard to make a good impression and make you feel welcome. He might not know all the details, but I think Nick mentioned that you and I don't have all too dissimilar pasts.

If it makes you feel better, I can have a word and let him know it's okay to ease up. He, like all of us, really were happy to have you. Jeff made a good point, you mesh really well with us. Almost like you were meant to be. Too cheesy? Ah, well, this letter needed some cheese after all of that bumming news. How is everything in your neck of the woods?

Comfortably yours,

Blaine