"Stop it, stop it, stop it! It's not ready to eat yet!" Kurt exclaimed, gently hitting Blaine with a wash cloth several weeks later. It was the end of November, two days before Thanksgiving, and Kurt was trying to get all of his baking done early. Trying because Blaine was making it quite impossible to finish, and he had only been home for less than two minutes. "Stop it, Blaine Anderson! Go! Go now!"
"But I've waited since Christmas!" Blaine whined, dropping his backpack onto the floor. "Not to mention the fact that I will be subjected to awkwardness in a few days. The least you could do is let me have some potato candy."
"It's not ready." Kurt repeated slowly.
"I'm not picky." Blaine said, grabbing a piece. He then frowned, whining, "Oh, it's all crumbly."
Kurt took it back, placing it onto a plate. "It has to harden, my child. Alright? It has to sit in the fridge for a few—."
"Minutes?" Blaine asked eagerly.
"Hours." Kurt finished.
"My life is so hard." Blaine moaned, sliding into a seat at the table.
"I knew better than to make this when you were home or awake." Kurt sighed teasingly, shaking his head. "You just can't handle it, Blaine."
"I can't." Blaine said very seriously, eyeing the candy. "Can I put it in the fridge? Please? Please, now?"
"I still need this to set the rest on! Go watch football. There's a game on." Kurt waved towards the living room.
"But Kurt, I really would rather stay in here and watch you make potato candy."
"That won't do. If you know how to make it, then you may leave me one day. This is really for the good of our relationship." Kurt waved his hand again. "Shoo, fly, shoo!"
Blaine stuck out his lower lip. "Really?"
Kurt leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "As adorable as you are, yes. The sooner you go, the sooner I can put it in the fridge, and the sooner you can have some. I knew I'd regret making it an entire day before we left."
"We want a lazy day tomorrow, free from school and stress." Blaine said slowly. "Say it with me, Kurt. We want a lazy day tomorrow, free from school and stress."
"Go to the living room." Kurt laughed. "Go find Oreo to play with. Or go tease Kreacher. Or call Carole! You haven't talked to her yet today and she had big news at work."
"Did you talk to her? Did she get that promotion?" Blaine asked eagerly.
"Yes, I talked to her two hours ago when I first got home and yes, she got the promotion." Kurt grinned happily. "She's very excited."
"That's so good!" Blaine said, looking positively thrilled.
"You'd think that you got a promotion." Kurt laughed, reaching over and wiping powdered sugar on Blaine's nose.
"I dread working Black Friday at the bookstore." Blaine frowned. "I've only been working there less than a month. I don't think I'm ready."
"I'm dreading it too." Kurt, who had been working at Express on the weekends since school started, frowned also. "But we both have later shifts so we can drive to the mall together."
"It's so nice to work less than fifteen minutes away from my house for a change. We can have lunch together!"
"I don't know how much time there will be for lunches, sweetie." Kurt laughed. "It will be really crazy busy. We should probably take our lunches if you want to do that."
"Of course I want to have lunch with you."
"Good." Kurt let out a relieved sigh. "They're doing a pot luck thing and I really don't want to sit in the back room with them making small talk."
Blaine wiped the powdered sugar off of his nose and licked hid hand, ignoring Kurt's horrified facial expression. "I shall protect you from the tall gay guy who has a crush on you if you come in and buy that book for me. It's going to be half off and we don't get to do sale prices."
"I can manage that." Kurt smiled, ruffling his hair. "Now go so I can finish your candy."
"My candy?"
"Yes. I'm making two batches and one is for you alone… and I'm sure you'll eat most of the second one too."
"I will!" Blaine said, grabbing Kurt's face and then kissing him quickly. "I love you."
"You love my holiday treats. I think it's why you stick around." Kurt teased. "But I love you too."
"Get treat-making!" Blaine said as he went into the living room.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Did you just start dancing, Blaine?"
"No!" Blaine lied.
"Uh huh. I know you too well." Kurt said, taking the now full plate to the fridge and putting it up. He smirked when he saw another plate already ready to be eaten, pulling it out and calling, "Hey, what was that you said about loving me?"
"I was talking about my other boyfriend, sorry!" Blaine called.
"I'm starting to think I should worry since your other boyfriend is coming up more and more often." Kurt laughed, going into the living room with the plate. "Here. I lied. I got home more than two hours ago. This is ready for you."
"You complete me." Blaine said dramatically, grabbing the plate and shoving two pieces into his mouth. He then spoke, mouth full. "It's better than I remember."
"No, no, sweetie. We don't talk with our mouth full of food, okay?" Kurt cringed, patting his head. "Were you raised by animals?"
"Vicious ones." Blaine said cheerfully. "In the woods."
Kurt plopped on his lap and snuggled up when Blaine's arms wrapped around him. "You turned out fairly well, considering."
"I like to think that too." Blaine teased, jumping a bit when there was a knock on the door.
"Blaine, I told you that I was going to cook tonight. You're always ordering food." Kurt whined. "It's so expensive, Blaine."
"I didn't do it!"
"You cannot blame it on Wes again." Kurt sighed and moved off of his lap. "You get it."
"Every time the doorbell rings you say I order food, but I don't. I hope you have money for a tip if you ordered something." Blaine mumbled, getting up and walking to the door.
"I never order food. And, in my defense, the door has only rung twice and it hasn't been some food delivery person. Wes, David, and Finn just come in."
"I didn't, Kurt! Honest!" Blaine said, opening the door. His hazel eyes widened in shock when he saw Kurt's aunt standing there, looking anxious. "Er… oh… uhm…"
"Hello. Is Kurt here?" she asked nervously, hands buried in her coat pockets.
Blaine moved out of the way quickly, holding the door open wider so she could walk in and pointing wordlessly at the couch.
"Aunt Paige." Kurt said, eyes widening also. "Why are you here?"
"I just wanted to talk to you. To you too, Blaine, if that's okay. Although I don't expect you to even say yes after how I treated you the summer before last." Paige said, first looking at Kurt and then at Blaine.
"Uhm, sure…" Blaine shrugged a bit, thinking, I knew I should have gone out with Wes for Buffalo Wild Wings before coming home.
"You really are as nice as Mom and Dad say you are." she said, looking surprised but pleased. "Can we sit down?"
Kurt scooted over so Blaine could sit by him and Paige sat across from them, on their coffee table. Oreo padded up, rubbing against Paige's leg and purring.
"I guess I'll start with you first because it's going to be a lot easier that way." Paige said, leaning down to pet Oreo and then looking at Blaine. She took a deep breath and began to speak in a very seriously. "I should have apologized the summer before last for what I did to you because you didn't deserve any of it. You've never been anything but kind and courteous towards me and I was… an absolute bitch to you. It's even worse because you were just trying to get Kurt out of a bad situation… you were doing what any good boyfriend would do. I was drunk, angry, and bitchy. There's no point in even trying to come up with an excuse because there is no excuse. I hope that one day you'll forgive me because… that's not me, at least not normally. I'm very sorry for how I treated you, Blaine."
"It's… okay." Blaine said slowly, shocked that this woman was even in his house… let alone apologizing. He had known he would be seeing her in two days for Thanksgiving dinner and had been trying to mentally prepare himself for that. And now she was here. In his living room. Apologizing for something that had happened almost ago. Of course he was glad she was actually apologizing, but the entire thing had still caught him off guard and it was hard to process.
"No. It's not okay." She shook her head. "The way I treated you was completely unacceptable."
"Well I accept the apology." Blaine said, voice soft. "Thank you."
Paige nodded and gave him a small smile before turning her attention to Kurt. "Kurt… Kurt, I'm so sorry."
Kurt bit his lip, looking away from her. Clearly he wasn't as easily forgiving as Blaine, but then again the situations were completely different.
"I know I disappointed you, Kurtsie." She said quietly.
"Don't call me that. I'm not five anymore." Kurt mumbled, unable to think of anything else to say.
"But you'll always be Kurtsie to me." She sighed a bit. "I don't know what to say to you to make it better, Kurt…"
Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand and kissed his cheek before silently excusing himself.
"I guess there really isn't anything you can say to make it better because apparently it's all been a lie." Kurt said in a composed voice. "There's nothing to make better."
"That's not true, Kurt." she said, sounding upset.
"Then where have you been?"
She moved onto the couch where Blaine had been but did not look at him. "I was afraid of how you would react."
"So you just didn't talk to me for two years?" Kurt challenged. "Just completely pretended I didn't exist when we were so 'close'?"
"I'm trying to apologize for not being here." Paige said, looking at him with pleading green eyes. "I'm sorry, Kurt."
"Taylor was there and she isn't even my biological aunt." Kurt said accusingly. "If anyone should have ignored me for two years, it's her."
"She is always going to be your favorite aunt!"
Kurt rolled his eyes and then glared at her, jaw locked.
"She always has been since you were little and she always will be. I can never compete with her." Paige said. "How do you think that was for me? To know that we would break up and that she'd still be the one you were close to? When you're my family?"
"I didn't have a favorite." Kurt snapped. "Not until you barged in drunk, yelling at my boyfriend, and trying to make me hate Dad. Not only that, but it took you two years to apologize. Who would you rather call your favorite?"
Paige didn't say anything.
"I still don't have a favorite." Kurt snapped. "You just cut yourself out of my life but it's not like I hate you. I'm just angry. I don't think you treated me well."
"I'm not perfect, Kurt, but I'm trying to apologize now."
"I never asked you to be perfect. I just wanted you to be there." Kurt said, looking away.
"I am so sorry, baby. I am." she said, grabbing his hand. "I'm trying to apologize for it. I know what I did was wrong… but do you have any idea how hard this entire thing has been on me? Ever since she and I broke up, everybody has been so angry at me. I'm not even the one that ended it! She is!"
"Of course everyone is upset. Taylor's family." Kurt said, still not looking at her. "But that's not even why I'm upset with you."
"Then why are you upset?" she asked. "Look at me and talk to me, Kurt."
"What she said is true, isn't it? You don't like me because you're jealous of me." Kurt said, voice quiet. He looked up at her, pleading with his eyes for her to tell him that it wasn't true.
"I love you very much, Kurt. I certainly don't hate you." She said, making eye contact with him. "I admit that I was jealous, but it's not at all like you are thinking. It's not like I've resented you or anything like that."
Kurt didn't say anything and she scooted closer, touching his face.
"I love you, okay? You're my only nephew. It's not like all of those trips to zoos and stores and festivals were fake, honey. I loved all the time we spent together… Maybe I wasn't there for you like I should have been because of my jealousy in certain situations and I'm very sorry for that. I really am. But don't sit here and write off our entire relationship and anything we've ever done together as fake."
"I don't have to do it. You did these past two years when you didn't talk to me. What was that if it wasn't you writing it off like it never happened?" Kurt questioned. He wanted to still be angry, but he could feel the anger ebbing. It was still there alright, but he was growing less angry and knew soon it would probably be all the way gone.
"That was me letting you down." Paige said, frowning. "I'm sorry. I miss you, Kurt. I've missed you this whole time but I've made such a huge mess of things. I know how much I hurt you, how much I pissed you off. I was so scared that you would completely reject me that I didn't realize I was already rejecting you. I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you or make you think that I don't love you."
Kurt bit his lip, not knowing what to say.
"Because I love you very much." she said, her voice hitching as tears filled her eyes. "I really do. I-I'm so sorry, Kurt."
"Don't cry." Kurt said quietly, trying to decide whether it would be okay to hug her or something. He didn't want her to cry, and especially not over him.
"I love you very much. I've always loved you very much. You're my only nephew. I'm sorry that I let my jealousy get in the way at times because it got in the way of a stronger relationship between us… but maybe it's not too late, Kurt. I'd love to have with you what you have with your aunt Taylor. To be honest, I've always wanted to be that close to you but I didn't know how." Paige said, sniffling and wiping her eyes. She continued, voice shaky. "I would really like it if we could talk again, Kurt… If you can forgive me… I miss you."
"I miss you too." Kurt said quietly, letting her hand fall and wrapping his arms around her. "I've missed you since it happened."
"I am so glad to hear you say that." she said, letting out a relieved sigh.
"And I love you too, Aunt Paige." Kurt said, pulling back. "I know Taylor and I talked a lot more but she was never my favorite… I just thought we had a different kind of relationship."
Paige nodded, wiping her eyes. "Are we okay?"
"Yeah." Kurt leaned forward, resting his head on her shoulder. "We're okay."
She smiled, looking much less anxious. "We've got a lot of catching up to do. Tell me all about school and living on your own."
"School is great but it can be really time consuming. Last year I had a lot of trouble balancing my time and taking care of myself and things, but this semester has been a lot better… Blaine's helped a lot though. Sometimes he has to remind me to eat or sleep right before a big project is due, but it's a lot better." Kurt said, shrugging a bit.
"You've got to make sure you do take care of yourself." Paige said very seriously.
"Believe me, I've heard that a lot." Kurt laughed a bit and looked down at his nails. "But Blaine helps. He always helps… Living with him has been amazing. Sometimes it's hard because we don't see each other as often as we'd like and I guess I thought we would since we lived together… but it's still amazing all the same. It's just really nice to come home to him every night."
"You're so grown up now. It's almost scary." Paige said, watching him.
"I don't feel grown up, though. Dad still helps us out and Blaine's older brother does too. Blaine and I cover a lot of it. He works at the library on campus and in one of the mall bookstores. I work at the Express near it a few days a week when my course load is a little lighter."
"You're still in school so you'll need a little help with money to get by. There's nothing wrong with that." Paige reassured him. "Mom and Dad helped both Burt and me for a long time after we moved out."
"They did?"
"Of course. Burt was busy buying you too many baby toys and I was busy buying too many clothes." Paige laughed a bit. "It's what dads are for."
"I guess." Kurt shrugged a bit and bit his lip, wishing that the conversation was more comfortable and less awkward. "How are you doing?"
"I've been better but I've also been worse." She answered and sighed. "I feel better now that I apologized to you. I feel like I should apologize to Blaine again though. He's too sweet."
"He is very sweet." Kurt nodded and smiled a bit. "But when he's angry, you'd probably be surprised. He's tiny but he can get pretty… loud and not so sweet."
"I heard your dad got a taste of that." Paige laughed a bit. "If he's given Burt attitude, I think I like him for the sheer fact that he must have guts."
"Dad thinks he'd gotten a taste of it." Kurt snorted. "I don't even want to know what all Blaine's capable of. His legs are super strong. I try to stay five feet away when he's in a bad mood."
Paige laughed.
"I mean, he wouldn't kick me. But he likes to assault walls and refrigerators when he's mad. I don't want a refrigerator to fall on me." Kurt laughed too.
"I don't think I believe you."
"Looks can be misleading." Kurt shrugged, still smiling a bit and glancing in the direction of the kitchen where he knew Blaine was probably eating potato candy and texting David and Wes about how they couldn't have any. "I don't think he'll want another apology. He's like a little puppy. Give him five minutes and he'll warm back up to you."
"After how I treated him?"
"I'm telling you. He's a puppy." Kurt laughed again.
"Regardless, I still have a lot of apologizing to do." Paige sighed a bit. "And some serious reevaluating about my life."
"Maybe it's your mid life crisis?' Kurt suggested.
"You did not just say that to me!" She gasped and nudged him. "You never say that to a girl!"
"Oops." Kurt shrugged, clearly not that bothered about having offended her.
She rolled her eyes and then got serious again. "I'm going to try to apologize to your dad tomorrow. I don't know how he'll take it. You know how his temper is."
"I don't know how he'll take that either." Kurt said honestly. "Hopefully he'll take it well."
"Let's hope." She nodded in agreement and, after several seconds of silence, began to speak again. "I need to apologize to your aunt too."
Kurt glanced up.
"I heard she was moving to Florida soon or something." She looked down. "So I guess I'd better do that soon. She's probably changed her phone number."
"She's got the same number." Kurt said quietly, deciding not to tell her that Taylor had decided to stay in New York. It wasn't his business to tell.
"Oh." Paige looked surprised. "Well, that's good I guess… maybe I'll call her later and see if she wants to meet."
"I think she'd appreciate an apology." Kurt nodded.
Paige squeezed his hand. "I better get to Mom and Dad's before they worry. I came to see you first because I didn't want to back out."
"Thank you for apologizing, Aunt Paige." Kurt stood up and, after she stood, hugged her tightly.
"I would say bye to Blaine but he might be a little scared of me… or hate me." She said, pulling back.
"There are only three people in the world he hates and you aren't one of them." Kurt reassured her as Blaine walked into the room, cooing to his kitten. "Look at him. If he hated you, he wouldn't look like such a goober."
Blaine looked up. "Huh?"
"Nothing, dear." Kurt laughed as Blaine came to a stop by them.
"Blaine, I'm really sorry… again. You seem like a good guy." Paige said, offering him a weak smile.
"I have no recollection of what you're even apologizing for." Blaine said smoothly as Oreo, who he was holding up, nuzzled his face.
"See? I told you." Kurt smiled and ruffled Blaine's hair. "He forgives easily. His body is too tiny to hold anger."
Blaine glared in his direction and made a, "Hmph!" noise as Oreo began to meow loudly in his defense… At least, he would have liked to believe that was why his kitten was meowing. He would just ignore the fact that Oreo meowed loudly like that any time Kurt was near, because the kitten clearly loved him.
"I guess I'll see you two on Thursday then." Paige gave Kurt one last hug before leaving.
"That was sufficiently awkward." Kurt said, closing and locking the door behind her as Blaine sat down on the couch.
"At least she came to you and apologized." Blaine said, tickling Oreo's tummy and moving his fingers back quickly before she could trap them with her little paws. "That was nice of her to do and maybe it'll make things on Thursday less awkward… are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Kurt sat on the couch by Blaine and reached over, taking the kitten. "Oreo, I don't know if Kreacher's given you the lowdown yet but both of our families are crazy. You'll see on Thursday. Just remember that we two are sane at least and it should help you through Thanksgiving and all other holiday dinners which we will be forced to attend. Okay?"
Oreo blinked at him and stretched out her tiny body.
"Aw, she's not as fun. Kreacher at least responds." Kurt pouted as he gave Oreo back to Blaine, earning him several loud meows.
"That was very thoughtful, warning the kitten about how crazy our families are." Blaine teased. "I'm sure she will appreciate it more when she sees it firsthand. Even if I think you've sent her into a depression giving her up like that. My poor cat."
"Shut up." Kurt giggled and elbowed him. "I have to get started on dinner before you start telling Kreacher that he is dinner again."
"They eat dogs in some countries." Blaine shrugged and smiled sweetly.
"You are the most horrible person on the face of the planet, Blaine Anderson." Kurt stood and shook his head.
"What can I say?" Blaine's smile grew and he shrugged one shoulder. "Those vicious animals that raised me must be to blame."
Kurt leaned down and kissed the top of his head. Oreo climbed off of Blaine's lap as Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist, nuzzling him. They stayed that way for several long moments before they heard growling and hissing coming from the kitchen.
"Kreacher, no!" Kurt yelped as they both ran to rescue their pets.
***WBUCT***
"Hi there, pretty girl." Kurt cooed, looking down as he reached the front door to his grandparent's house two days later. "Hi!"
Melody, who had her hands and face pressed to the screen, grinned. "Kurt! Kurt, Kurt, Kurt!"
"Hi, Mellie!" Kurt waved with the one hand that wasn't holding a plate of food.
"Melody, you need to move so the boys can come in." Carole laughed, gently taking one of Melody's hands off the door.
Melody looked up and her lip started to wobble as tears filled her eyes.
"Don't you want to give them a hug?" Carole cooed, moving her out of the way so Kurt could make his way in. Kurt did so, holding the door open with his free hand for Blaine. "Look! Is that Kurt and Blaine? Yeah?"
Melody giggled and bounced up and down.
"Let me take that." Carole said, taking the plate from Kurt so he could scoop Melody up.
"KURT!" Melody shrieked as he hugged her.
"You still remember how to say my naaame!" Kurt said excitedly, noisily kissing her cheek several times.
"We might have practiced it for a few hours." Carole laughed. "We still can't get Blaine. We can get Buh-yaine and Blay."
"Blaine wasn't as determined to have his name learned." Blaine laughed, setting their bag down and waving at Melody.
"BAY BAY!"
"Hello, pumpkin!" Blaine cooed, taking her from Kurt.
"Good, we were getting worried about you boys!" Kurt's grandfather said, coming out. "Luckily Melody is here to warn everybody of your presence."
"She loves us." Kurt said, hugging his grandpa. "Is Finn here?"
"Yes!" Carole said, beaming. "He rode with us."
"Uh oh. Between Blaine and Finn, there won't be food for anyone else." Kurt said to Melody, looking at her very seriously.
"Uh oh!" she waved at him.
"Uh oh is right." Kurt giggled, tickling her tummy. "Your dress is pretty!"
"Fankoo?" Melody said, and hid her face in Blaine's shoulder as everyone else started to clap.
"She's such a cutie." Blaine laughed, bouncing her a bit. "Aren't you? You're going to be a big talker just like Kurt."
"Sorry it took us so long to get here." Kurt laughed. "We slept in. By, like, three hours."
"Don't apologize!" Kurt's grandfather said, waving his hand. "I just got out of bed twenty minutes ago."
"It's the truth." Kurt's grandmother said, coming into the room and hugging Kurt.
"The house looks amazing, Grammy." Kurt said, hugging her back.
"It really does." Blaine added as Melody pet his loose curls.
"Look at those curls!" she exclaimed, pointing. "You have curly hair?"
"You caught me." Blaine laughed as Melody giggled. "I went two years without you knowing."
"I saw them last Thanksgiving." Kurt's grandfather shrugged. "If you woke up earlier, you would have too."
"Andrew, go in the kitchen and set the table. Someone should make sure Burt and Paige haven't killed each other anyway." Annie said, rolling her eyes impatiently. "He can sleep all day but if I sleep until ten in the morning, it's a crime."
"But it is." Andy protested, heading back into the kitchen.
"They're in the same room alone? They must have talked earlier." Kurt said, glancing towards the kitchen.
"Yes, they did." Carole nodded. "It went well."
"I do think Blaine's gotten taller." Annie said, going over and squeezing his arm.
"No. It's all an allusion because of his curls." Kurt said, making Blaine's face fall. He came closer, putting his hands on Blaine's cheeks. "I'm sorry, sweetie! You're just not going to get any taller!"
"It could happen!" Blaine argued as Melody giggled. "I could still get taller."
"But then you wouldn't be nearly as cute as you are now." Annie said.
"That's right. Then our level of cuteness won't be even, Blaine. I'll be cuter. I just can't be with someone who isn't at my level of cuteness." Kurt said, smiling sweetly.
"Oh, fine." Blaine huffed, passing Melody back to Kurt.
"There is nothing wrong with your height, hon." Carole said, hugging him. "Nothing at all. How does your leg feel?"
Blaine shrugged at sat on the couch by Kurt's grandmother. "It's fine. It doesn't bother me too much anymore."
"I bet you're glad to be driving again." Annie said, smiling at him.
"He was able to get a really nice new car." Carole said, sitting on his other side while Kurt sang and danced with Melody-or rather, sang to her while she shrieked in laughter.
"New cars are always nice." Annie said eagerly.
Blaine laughed a bit. "It's smaller than my old one so parking is so much easier... then again, after I had to drive Kurt's huge car that one day, anything feels small."
"I don't know how he drives that thing." Annie shook her head. "We tried to talk him into a sensible one but that was the one he wanted. Burt liked to spoil him."
"Burt's still getting in quite a bit of spoiling." Carole laughed. "I think he gave Kurt shopping money a few weeks ago."
"Did not! I've been doing much better about shopping now that I live with Blaine... because he won't let me shop." Kurt interrupted. "But if he feels like sending clothes money my way, I'll gladly accept it."
Blaine rolled his eyes and then looked around. "Where are Kreacher and Oreo?"
"I don't know. They came in when I did." Kurt shrugged. "They're probably-oh, Oreo's under the Christmas tree."
"I got a kitten." Blaine said excitedly, smiling. "After my car accident."
"We heard." Annie smiled at him. "Our neighbor is the one that sold Kurt the kitten. She's gotten bigger."
"It's because we feed her." Kurt cooed, coming over and giving Melody to Carole. "When do we get to eat, Grammy?"
"No turkey." Burt said gruffly, coming in. "I messed the oven up. Sorry, kid."
Blaine's jaw dropped and he hit his knees, looking at Melody. "This is bad!"
"Bad!" Melody said, touching her knees. "Bad, Daddy!"
"Bad Daddy!" Blaine repeated. "Bad!"
"Bad Daddy!" Melody repeated. "Bad!"
"We get no food, pumpkin!" Blaine leaned over, tickling her belly. "We get no food so we'll have to just eat you!"
"Pumpkin is a food." Kurt said, nodding very seriously.
Melody shook her head and batted her balled fist in Blaine's direction.
"You don't want us to eat you?" Blaine asked.
Carole laughed. "Tell him 'No, Blaine!'"
"Bay Bay!" Melody cooed. "Bad Bay Bay!"
"Bad?" Blaine gasped. "I'm not bad. Kurt's the bad one."
"No. Bay is bad!" Melody argued. "Bay and Finn!"
Kurt laughed loudly. "Tell him, Mellie. Tell him who is bad."
"Bay is bad." Melody nodded, looking solemn. "Bay is bad."
Blaine stuck his lower lip out. "Whatever can I do to win your love back?"
Melody looked at Carole who shrugged, and then she attempted to imitate her mother.
"There has to be something." Blaine pleaded.
"I bet they keep each other entertained." Annie laughed.
"Usually she teams up against Kurt." Burt chuckled. "Sounds like Kurt's been giving Melody lessons."
"I haven't. She just likes me extra today I guess." Kurt said, looking extremely pleased. "Blaine is bad!"
"Bay is bad." Melody repeated, nodding her little head and watching Blaine with big eyes.
"I might cry." Blaine said, frowning.
"Oh no." Carole laughed. "Blaine's got her now."
"No cry!" Melody said. "Bad Bay!"
"I'm going to crrrry!" Blaine said, making his voice higher and covering his face.
"No!" Melody squealed. "No!"
"Melody thinks I'm baaaad!" Blaine said behind his hands.
"Cheater!" Kurt exclaimed. "You are cheating, Blaine Anderson!"
"Good, good, good!" Melody chanted, eyes big. " Otay! No cry!"
"He's evil." Kurt scoffed. "With all the harassing he does to Kreacher. You should be teaching him a lesson, Melody! You're too soft."
Blaine lowered his hands and kissed her cheek. "I won't eat you this time. But on Christmas, you're mine."
Melody shook her head and buried her face in Carole's chest.
"My sweet baby." Carole laughed, snuggling Melody. "You just play right into their teasing, sweetie. You have to ignore them and then they get bored."
"You were joking about the turkey, right?" Kurt asked, looking up and eyeing Burt warily.
"Yes, Kurt." Burt nodded. "Mel, you want some mashed potatoes? You can be the taste tester."
"Oh, what a big girl job!" Annie gasped. "I don't know if she can handle it."
Melody reached her arms up. "Up, Daddy!"
"Okay." Burt said, scooping her up. "Better get 'em now before Finn and Blaine eat 'em all."
"Where's Finn?" Blaine asked curiously.
"Already tearing into the ham." Burt said.
Blaine's eyes widened. "It's done?"
"Most everything is." Annie nodded. "We're waiting on the turkey."
"C'mon." Burt chuckled, waving for Blaine to follow him. "You can get some."
Blaine eagerly got up, following Burt into the kitchen.
"He won't turn down food." Kurt laughed, watching him go and smiling.
Annie scooted closer to Kurt, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, my baby. How is school going? Are we less stressed out?"
"Yes." Kurt nodded, snuggling up to her because you were never too old to snuggle up to your grandmother. "Everything is going really well, Grammy."
"They just grow up so fast." Annie said, hugging him tighter.
"Speaking of growing up, we're talking about what we want to do after CCAD and UK tomorrow or the day after." Kurt said, laughing a bit.
"My goodness, Kurt. Soon you're going to have an undergraduate degree." She said, her eyes widening. "What are you going to do after that, sweetie?"
"Parsons, right?" Carole asked. "That's the plan still?"
"I… don't know." Kurt admitted, shrugging. "I know I'm going to go to graduate school but I'm not sure where yet. I've been looking stuff up a lot when I'm not at work or school and I actually met with an admissions person at Kent the other day. It's really the only option I have for here in Ohio, but Blaine has got more options than me."
"Kent?" Carole asked, looking surprised. "Why don't you want to go to Parsons anymore?"
"I haven't completely ruled it out but Kent is so much closer to home." Kurt said. "The people at Kent were really nice. It's a slightly different type of program than the one at Parsons but it didn't sound bad…."
"Does Blaine know where he wants to go yet?" Carole asked.
"I was actually going to ask you that." Kurt admitted. "I know that he's got a long list of schools he can apply to and it's broken down into categories. The thing is, he has a lot more options than I do. Most of the schools I can go to are in New York and California."
"Well, is that bad?" Annie asked.
"I think Blaine has had enough of big cities. His parents used to force him to travel a lot when he was younger... He likes smaller and quieter areas." Kurt said.
"Well do you know of any programs in an area like that, hon?" Carole asked.
"Just Kent. I'm still looking in hopes I missed something close to a law school. He graduates a whole year before me anyway, so I still have a lot of time to look and decide… If it comes down to it, I guess he can go to law school and I can go to grad school after he graduates or something."
"No, no, no. That is a very bad idea." Carole shook her head quickly. "If you take a break, you will not go back."
"Blaine took a break and he went back." Kurt shrugged and then sighed. "I know. Completely different situations."
"I think you've got quite a while to worry before you need to start thinking about it." Annie said, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "But I'm sure you all will be able to work whatever it is out. You two have done excellently so far on compromising and finding a middle ground."
"That's very true." Carole smiled. "But getting through school is very important, Kurt. Especially with a major like yours, you'll want to go to graduate school."
"I know, I know." Kurt nodded. "I'm definitely going to go. Besides, I think if I even mentioned taking a break that Dad would kill me. Too much money went into CCAD for me to make any decisions that include a break."
"Not to worry, though." His grandmother smiled. "Everything will work itself out. You boys will be okay."
Kurt looked up as Blaine came in, carrying a small plate with a few pieces of ham on it. "Did you get some food, babe?"
"Only ham. It's excellent by the way." Blaine said, sitting on the floor by the couch and kissing Kurt's cheek.
"Thank you!" Annie said, smiling again. "I really like this boy, Kurt. You picked a good one!"
"I like him a bit too." Kurt laughed, reaching down and running his fingers through Blaine's curls.
"Well I don't like you." Blaine said, tone very serious. "You said I wouldn't get taller."
Kurt leaned over, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "It's not going to happen, babe. I'm sorry."
Blaine stuck his tongue out before putting a piece of ham into his mouth. "Will. So."
***WBUCT***
"No. We have to do it. We have to talk about the future."
"It's so far away." Blaine moaned, curling up on the couch. "And scary. Scary, scary future."
"I know, I know." Kurt grabbed his laptop and sat on the couch. "Sit up. We have to plan. Planning will lead to success."
"Quit reading the pamphlets they're giving you about looking for grad schools. They lie." Blaine pushed himself into a sitting position. "We'll just walk into a grad school one day, sit down, and it'll all fall into place."
"Yes. With us ending in jail or something." Kurt rolled his eyes. "Have you not looked into anything?"
"I mean, I've got lists of law schools and I've broken it down into ones I know I'll get into and the ones that I probably won't… but I'm only a junior. I don't have to start applying until April or May." Blaine shrugged. "I don't know why you want to talk about it right this minute. You've still got two years left after this."
"Because you don't and we need a plan." Kurt said, leaving no room for arguments. "It's going to take time and organization to get this right, Blaine, because, let's be honest… it's going to be difficult to find places for both of us near each other. Our career paths are complete opposites."
"I don't understand why we have to talk about it five or six months before I need to begin applying." Blaine said again.
"Because I know you, Blaine Anderson, and you're just avoiding it because you think you won't get into law school. You're trying to not get your hopes up or something." Kurt said simply. "Which is why I took the liberty of looking into things for you."
Blaine blinked at him.
"I remember you talking about Capital but how you didn't think you'd get in. I have to say I disagree." Kurt said, pulling up their website. "The law program is really good, Blaine, but so are you. And I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it even reserves seats for UK pre law students. Your grades exceed their qualifications. I think if you were a political sciences minor you'd get in without a doubt, but I feel like you'll get in anyway."
"Okay… but… I realize that works great for one year because they're both in Columbus… But, Kurt… CCAD doesn't offer a graduate program." Blaine said slowly. "You need to be somewhere like New York."
"Or Kent." Kurt said.
"Kent? That is a law school, Kurt." Blaine arched his eyebrow.
"No. The university. For me." Kurt rolled his eyes. "It's in Kent, Ohio. The one I considered going to for musical theater before I chose fashion."
Blaine's eyes widened in recognition and then he shook his head. "No. You don't want to go to Kent."
"Why not?" Kurt said, looking at him. He didn't understand why Blaine was being so close-minded to all of his ideas. At least he was trying to come up with options for them. What was Blaine doing? Putting it off. That wouldn't get them anywhere. "Besides, I already went and talked to someone."
"You what?"
"I talked to someone about going for my graduate degree there." Kurt said. "We only talked for maybe twenty minutes or something. It wasn't a big deal. I think it's the easiest and best solution."
"But you don't want to go there." Blaine argued, staring at him as if he'd grown three extra heads.
"The next two nearest schools are in Illinois and New York." Kurt said. "You've voiced your opinion on big cities several times and I don't feel comfortable asking you to go with me."
Blaine leaned back against the couch and bit his lip. This exact issue had popped into his mind the very second that Kurt announced he wanted to go to graduate school, but he had pushed it aside because it had been… well, before Kurt had even started at CCAD. Now, though, it was looking like it had come back to haunt him.
Kurt frowned. "Maybe I just shouldn't go for a graduate degree. What difference can it make anyway?" He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "This sucks."
"Hey, don't say that. We'll figure something out." Blaine said gently, leaning towards Kurt and kissing his shoulder before sitting up straight. "We'll figure something out, my love."
"You don't want to live in a big city, Blaine." Kurt said shortly. "And I don't want to make you."
"We can compromise…"
"Compromise? You dropped out for a semester to take care of me and now live in Ohio and travel to UK. Haven't you compromised enough?"
"And you went to CCAD instead of Parsons." Blaine said, trying to make Kurt see what was right in front of him. They had both made sacrifices and, in Blaine's opinion, their sacrifices were equal. There was no need for Kurt to be doing this. "See? Compromise wasn't all that bad, was it? I think you're jumping the gun by going and talking to Kent. You don't want to go there. You don't belong there, Kurt. You belong in New York—the best school there is. Because you're the best, you're going to be the best, and you deserve the best."
"I don't want you to be unhappy. I don't want to make you live somewhere that I know you won't like. That's not fair to you and you've already done so much for the relationship. It's my turn."
"You've had your turn too, Kurt. You gave up Parsons." Blaine repeated, staring at Kurt. "I know how hard that was for you, okay? It isn't hard for me to pick up and just drive a few extra hours each day. Your compromise was much bigger but I thought it was an unspoken deal that if you did your undergrad here, you'd do your grad there."
Kurt shook his head. "My compromise wasn't any bigger than yours. I wanted to be with you. We both made the compromises for the same reason. They hold equal weight."
"Yes, Kurt. It was." Blaine spoke in a firm voice. "Go to Parsons. I'll follow you. I'm not letting you throw your dream away."
Kurt stood up and stared at him. "Stop."
"What?" Blaine asked, looking confused.
"Stop this. Stop always backing down for me, Blaine. What you want matters just as much as what I want." Kurt said, his own voice firm too now. "Do you not understand that? I want you to be happy and I'm not going to make you go to New York because then you won't be happy. I can't be happy if I know you're stuck there and not happy, alright?"
"I want to be happy too but… Kurt, I want both of us to be happy. You want to go to the school in Illinois instead? There are law schools there. New York? Great because NYU has a great law school too. California? As much as I hate that state, UCLA has a great program too and two or three years in a place I don't particularly enjoy would be better than making you go to a school where you won't meet your full potential which will have an impact on you for the rest of your life." Blaine responded, watching him.
Kurt was silent for a few seconds as he stared ahead, not even blinking. Finally he took a deep breath. "No. I should just… I should go to Kent. I know it's not the exact degree program I was looking for but it still has to do with Fashion Design and if we're being realistic, how far will I really get?"
"Kurt, please stop saying stuff like that." Blaine pleaded. "Look, if we… if we have to go away from each other to go to school… it would be fine."
"No." Kurt said instantly, shaking his head. "No, Blaine. Don't say that."
"Look, I really appreciate the fact that you went to Kent and got all of this stuff figured out but, Kurt… No. I can't let you do something like this. I would never forgive myself if you didn't go to New York or—or another one of the big ones you've mentioned before. Kent isn't the place for you to go."
"Stop it, Blaine. I want to do this."
"No. No you don't. You're not thinking rationally. Just listen to me. Law school and fashion design… it's going to be really difficult for us to find schools close to each other anyway, and I don't like the idea of you going to Kent." Blaine said gently.
"I'm not changing my mind. No." Kurt snapped. "No, Blaine."
Blaine sighed and tapped his feet anxiously on the ground. What was he supposed to say? If he'd felt badly when Kurt first started CCAD, how would he feel if Kurt did this?
"Where do you want to go, Blaine?" Kurt asked after several seconds of silence, watching Blaine carefully.
"NYU sounds really good."
"No. That is not what I asked. Where do you want to go?"
"I mean… my first choice would be Harvard obviously. I've been trying to talk myself into applying for a month now, but… I don't think I'd ever get in. I took that semester off… Even if I caught up, I don't think they'll pay attention to that. They're just going to see a big gap." Blaine said, sighing a bit. Like he'd ever get into Harvard though. Sure, Wes had been trying to talk him into going with him for the better part of five weeks, but Blaine probably wasn't even going to apply. There was no need to tell Kurt that, though, because it just wasn't going to happen.
"Really?" Kurt asked, blinking at him in surprise.
"I'm not going to get into Harvard." Blaine said, laughing a bit. "I don't… I don't want to tell you where I want to go, Kurt, because it shouldn't affect where you choose to go."
"Where do you want to go?" Kurt asked again, sounding a bit impatient.
"Well there are tons of law schools that I could get into here in Ohio and one or two of them reserve spots for students from UK." Blaine admitted. "I planned to stay in Ohio. I haven't really looked into anything outside of the state yet. I don't know if I even will look out of state… But I don't want you to stay in Ohio because I want to, Kurt."
"Then I'm going to Kent." Kurt said, completely ignoring anything past I planned to say in Ohio.
"You told me to stop saying I'll follow you? You're doing the same thing." Blaine said, raising his voice in an attempt to catch Kurt's attention.
"I'm sorry." Kurt sighed. "I'm sorry I picked such a useless degree that pretty much ties me to four schools in the entire country."
"You're sorry for picking a useless degree?" Blaine echoed, laughing a bit. "Kurt, if I don't get into a law school I have an English degree. And I absolutely refuse to teach. My degree is useless. We know for a fact that you will get into any graduate program that you apply to. Your grades are amazing, your designs are even more amazing, and people have already started to offer you internships for when you're ready to start taking them." Blaine laughed again. "Your degree will only be useless if you don't utilize it and, in my opinion, Kent isn't the best option for you if you want to completely utilize it."
"You're right. Maybe I should just not go to graduate school."
Blaine's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What?"
"Maybe I should just not go to graduate school." Kurt repeated slowly.
"I won't let you do that." Blaine said, staring at him in shock. "Never. I will never let you do that. You can't go to Kent and I won't let you not go to grad school. I'm sorry. I won't do it."
Kurt sighed. "Then I don't know what you expect us to do, Blaine. This is coming from you, the person who went on and on for weeks about how long distance relationships never work. You don't want me to go to Kent and you say you'll follow me wherever I go but that isn't fair to you."
"And you dropping out or going to a school that you don't want to is fair to you?" Blaine challenged. "I'll answer that for you. No."
"I can't believe this!" Kurt said, glaring at the fish aquarium simply because it was in the direction he was looking in. "I really can't!"
"Why are you so upset?" Blaine asked.
"Because we want different things and I was up all last night trying to come up with ways to merge those two things in a way that one person isn't basically giving up everything they want." Kurt moaned. "And I couldn't find one!"
"Kurt, is this because you're afraid I'll break up with you if I stay here and you go to Parsons for two years for grad school?" Blaine asked, his voice soft. "Because when I said that about long distance relationships… I didn't mean about us. We were fine when I went to UK, remember?"
"You were gone for a little over two months, Blaine." Kurt let out a hollow laugh. "Do you really think we would have stayed together if the attack hadn't happened and you hadn't moved up here to take care of me?"
"I'd like to think so." Blaine sighed. "But that point is moot anyway, Kurt. We're much closer than we were when I went off to college— both of us individually and as a couple. We've been through a lot and that speaks loads in my opinion."
"So are you saying you don't want to live with me for graduate and law school?" Kurt asked slowly.
"In an ideal world I would love that." Blaine said quickly. "But I would much rather live apart from you than have you attend Kent just so I can go to Capital when there are tons of colleges that I can go to law school at."
"Well, would you rather I go to Kent so you can go to Capital or I go to Parsons and have you go to a city that you've stated you don't want to live at on more than one occasion?" Kurt questioned.
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Blaine asked, watching him carefully.
"I would love your honest opinion." Kurt nodded.
"Look, I can't make you go somewhere other than Kent." Blaine held his hands up. "But I'm asking you to think about what I say carefully and let me finish, alright?"
Kurt eyed him warily. "Alright…"
"I don't want you to give up Parsons just to stay in Ohio when I go to law school. You don't want me to follow you to New York or California… It seems like the alternative is that we both go where we want to go. That way, nobody has to give up any part of their dream. We've both worked hard to get to this point, Kurt, and neither of us should have to compromise for something we've worked this hard for."
Kurt opened his mouth but then shut it quickly, watching him. He was supposed to wait until the end to speak.
"You have not worked yourself ragged to go to Kent for a degree that isn't exactly what you want to do—ah, let me finish." Blaine said, holding his hand up again when Kurt opened his mouth. "You agreed to let me finish. And I'm older, so listen."
"I'm taller." Kurt grumbled.
"I'll ignore that." Blaine said, continuing. "You want to make stuff and sell it, Kurt. You have said yourself that it isn't even the program you wanted to be in. If you want to design stuff and make it, you don't need to go to a college in Ohio. I'm sorry. You need to be in New York or California. We both know that you probably won't make it if you go to Kent. Name a well-known fashion designer who graduated from Kent."
"I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are many. It's in the top schools in America..." Kurt said.
"There aren't even that many schools in America for it… But that answers my question just fine." Blaine said. "You can't think of any and you're obsessed with fashion and designers. If you go to Kent, you are throwing away any shot of making it big. You swore you were going to get out of Ohio, Kurt. You swore. You are bigger than this place. I don't know how I would be able to sleep at night if you went to Kent because of me. That seals your fate right there."
"How was it any different from me going to CCAD?" Kurt asked.
"Because at CCAD you're still getting a degree in fashion design. You're learning to do what you want to do as a career and what you need to get into a good graduate school. If you go to Kent, you'll be settling. CCAD was the first step. Grad school is it." Blaine said, voice rising a bit. "You'll be giving up your dream."
"Law school is your dream."
"And fashion design isn't yours?" Blaine challenged.
"No. I mean, yes… But I don't want to give up us."
"Your dream is more important than me. But even if we aren't living together, there can still be an us." Blaine lowered his voice. "You asked what I thought. I think you should plan to go to Parsons and I should plan to stay here or find another school. That is the only way for both of us to really have a chance at what we want, Kurt."
"I don't know who I am without you anymore. I… I want to be with you more than I want to be a fashion designer." Kurt admitted, looking at Blaine sadly.
"No. Don't say that." Blaine stood up.
"Why not?" Kurt demanded, looking annoyed. That was not the reaction he had expected.
"Because that is—that is—." Blaine sputtered.
"What? Do you not feel the same way about me?" Kurt asked quietly.
"No! I mean, yes. I mean, Kurt, I do. But—But this is your dream and I don't want you to give up your dream when it is so close. You're going to do this thing, Kurt. I can feel it. I don't want to be the one that holds you back. Don't put that kind of pressure on me—on us. Don't make us be the one thing that holds you back." Blaine said, struggling to get his words out properly and struggling even more to think properly. What was going on? What had Kurt—Just—What?
"What if my dream has changed?"
"I can't believe I'm hearing this. Your father is going to kill me." Blaine said, beginning to pace. "Burt is going to pull out his flame thrower and just incinerate me the next time he sees my face. Oh my God."
"Why are you acting like I just told you I'm pregnant or something?" Kurt asked, sounding upset. "I'm just trying to say that I don't want to be apart. Do you want to go away? Do you want us to be over? Did we move too fast?"
"Where is this even coming from?" Blaine yelped.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that I'm trying to find a way for us to physically be together and you're telling me the best option is for me to move eleven hours away! I'm trying to take this relationship to the next level for you and it sounds a lot like you don't want there to be an us!" Kurt exclaimed, looking crushed.
"Of course I want there to be an us!" Blaine exclaimed. How had they even gotten onto a 'level' discussion? What was wrong with their level now? Blaine liked their level. It was a very comfortable level.
"So you just don't want to take us to the next level?" Kurt asked.
"Yes! I mean, no!" Blaine took several deep breaths and muttered, "Oh my God, oh my God. What in the world is happening?"
"Blaine, when you had your accident and I thought you were dead—when they—There is no doubt in my mind that it's you. You are, without a doubt, the person I want to marry and the person I want to have children with. I know we've… talked about it, but haven't talked about it… but I guess this is me saying that… that this is what I want. I want us to get married one day, to buy our house with the red door, porch swing, whatever we want—I just want it to be me and you. I would much rather marry you than have a fashion design job. If I had to choose, I would choose you."
Blaine just gaped at him, unsure if he was even capable of breathing at this point.
"Clearly this has come as a big shock to you and I don't even expect you to say you want that too, and if you don't it's fine… But I…" Kurt took a deep breath and stood, wiping the palms of his hands on his pants. "I need you to know that you are more important to me than school. I'm all in this, Blaine, and I met that woman at Kent for a reason. Because I am all in this. When you grow up and you're with someone, sometimes you have to overlook things and prioritize. You… We are my first priority. I'm going to go to Kent and when you get into Capital, we'll find a house in the middle and we'll… we'll do this thing. If you want it. I hope you want it."
Blaine opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He just stared at Kurt, not even blinking. He didn't know what or how to feel. Not only had Kurt just admitted he wanted to have children and get married to Blaine, but he had also single handedly decided to give up the one dream that made him Kurt. Was Blaine happy that Kurt cared for him so much? Of course. But more than anything, he just felt an overwhelming amount of guilt.
How had this even happened?
How had Blaine let this happen?
And what was he going to do to change Kurt's mind?
***WBUCT***
"Wait, wait, wait. He said what exactly?" David asked, taking a bite of his pizza the next night. "Wes, stop throwing your straw wrapper pieces at me."
"He basically said that he was willing to give up going to grad school to follow me because I'm more important to him. And because one day he wants to marry me and get a house and have kids." Blaine moaned and then straightened up. "Wesley, stop!"
"Geeze, Blaine, why so testy?" Wes grinned and winked at a waitress.
"You are so repulsive." Blaine frowned down at his untouched slice of pizza. "Didn't you spend the last three days with some floozy at her house?"
"No." David said shortly. "She spent three days at our house."
"C'mon, she was hot." Wes argued, tossing what was left of his straw wrapper onto the table.
"Can we get back to the issue at hand?" David asked.
"Which would be what?" Wes asked. "Blaine's fear of commitment?"
"I do not have a fear of commitment." Blaine said, letting out a loud laugh.
Both Wes and David stared at him, expressions serious.
"What? I don't." Blaine chuckled. "Fear of commitment? I live with my boyfriend of almost three years and we've got a dog, fish, a cat, and a fishie cup."
"Yes, Blaine. I live with Wes and we have a gerbil. Does that make us in a committed relationship?"
"How often do you sleep in the same bed?" Blaine asked, giggling.
"Only once or twice." Wes chirped.
"I told you not to mention that." David hissed. "He just wouldn't leave."
"Ow! That was my bad leg!" Blaine yelped.
"I was aiming for the idiot next to you. Sorry." David said, offering Blaine an apologetic smile.
"I'm sure glad I let you all kidnap me." Blaine sighed, looking down at his drink as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.
"Fine." David sighed. "But I really don't understand where you're coming from at all."
"I wish you could have heard it. It completely threw me off." Blaine said, rubbing his sore shin. "He just kept saying that he would rather go to Kent because it was close to Capital. He kept saying I was more important than his dream, that maybe his dream had changed, and that he didn't know who he was without me. It was just… unsettling. Because New York is his dream, guys."
David cringed. "I hate when people pull that kind of crap."
"It wasn't even just that." Blaine glanced down at his phone to make sure he didn't have any missed calls or texts before continuing. "I don't even know where I want to go yet. I mean, yes, I'm looking in Ohio but I didn't think anything was set in stone, you know? So how is he going to make up this life plan for us based on a decision I haven't even made yet?"
David nodded as Wes watched him intently.
"He just took it upon himself to do this and… and I'll probably go to Capital or something, but I don't… he didn't even really ask. Okay, maybe he sort of did. But the reason I haven't been really looking yet is that I assumed…"
"What?"
"I assumed he was going to Parsons and that we wouldn't live together for those two years anyway." Blaine admitted. "When he brought it up, I felt like all I could do was just stare and nod, but what could I say? And I told him that he should go to New York and if it was that important to him, that I'd follow him—."
"You. Do. Not. Like. New. York." David said slowly. "Don't you dare follow Kurt out there, Anderson. Not until there is a ring on one of your fingers."
"He refused to even let me! Evidently it's Kurt Drops Out or Kurt Goes To A School He Hates. No middle, no compromise, no nothing!" Blaine exclaimed and tugged at his hair. "I feel trapped inside this tiny box without breathing holes. I'm only twenty and I feel like I don't even—like—I love him, I really do. And I don't want for him to give stuff up for me but I'm having a hard time stomaching the fact that he went and did all of this planning without even knowing where I want to go! What if I want to go somewhere else?"
"I think you two need to have a serious talk about all of this." David answered. "You can't just let him make all of these decisions. If he really wants to be with you long term, it has to be a group effort. He's trying to put you under a lot of pressure and he doesn't seem like the type of person who would be okay with… just having a husband who does everything. Whether he's simply freaking out or he really thinks what he's doing is okay, you need to talk to him about it."
"This entire discussion is useless." Wes said simply, shrugging. "Blaine is going to end up at Harvard with me anyway, so I don't know why we're doing this. You want to go to a kick ass law school, Blaine? It's important? You can't get any better than Harvard—yes, I know Yale is rated number one this year but that's just a technicality. I mean, hell, if you do go to Harvard—which you will, Blaine— then Kurt can just go to New York and everyone win—hey, what's that look for?"
"You're right." Blaine said slowly, eyes wide. "You're right. I mean, I haven't applied anywhere yet but… but I really want to go to Harvard. I can at least try, right? I'll still apply to safety schools like Capital… but… but if I go to Harvard, it's in Massachusetts… And Parsons is a four hour drive away! Same as UK was from Lima! There would be no reason for him to stay in Ohio if I'm not staying in Ohio. So I go to Harvard, he can go to Parsons, and we can still see each other! He won't have to give up his dream and I won't have to give up mine!"
"Okay, I think you need to distance Kurt and career for a few minutes, Blaine, because you're only twenty and have no intention of marrying Kurt within the next few years." David said gently.
"Okay." Blaine took a deep breath.
"If Kurt were not factored into this at all, would you still want to go to Harvard?" David asked.
"Of course. I'll be there." Wes interjected, earning himself a glare from David.
"Yes. If I could get in, yes. Can you imagine what a slap in my Dad's face that would be? He always said I would never get into law school." Blaine said. "If I got into Harvard, it would probably be the happiest day of my life."
"Then that's where you need to be." David said seriously. "I know you think they won't accept you, but I think they will. Harvard needs to be your top choice."
"Yes!" Wes cried, throwing his fist into the air. "Yes! This is going to be so awesome, Blaine. I don't want to go to that small one horse town alone."
"It's Boston. It's not a one horse town. It's bigger than Westerville." David rolled his eyes.
Blaine took a bite of his pizza, sitting up a little straighter and feeling much happier. "So you think I could really get into Harvard?"
"Have you ever made a B in your life?" David laughed. "You're going to get in, dude. And I'd like a photocopy of the admissions letter. Mom can give it to your dad at church."
Blaine grinned. "Deal."
"I would still like to know who the best man is going to be." Wes chirped. "Because I'm 100% sure a wedding will happen eventually and, as such, I have a few reminders. First, I was the one who lobbied for your first solo."
"You are such a liar. You were the one I was up against." Blaine scoffed.
"Hmph… well, that one time last year I gave you the last chocolate chip cookie? Remember that?"
"I remember you holding it out and then shoving the whole thing in your mouth when I reached for it…"
"That was funny." David snorted. "Really funny."
"I let you snuggle me for like two weeks straight!" Wes exclaimed. "That has to be worth something, Blaine!"
Blaine slid down in his chair as nearby people glanced in their direction. "Oh my God, Wes, we are in public."
"I also—."
"I'm not getting married!" Blaine sputtered. "Stop it!"
David and Wes looked at each other before snickering.
"Neither of you are even going to be invited." Blaine snapped, standing up and then adding, "Not that I'm getting married anytime soon."
"I am so glad it's you and not us."
"Now I'm not saying I'm for any shotgun weddings or anything." David said. "But I do wonder how we will take it when it comes up, Wes. If the sensitive gay one is freaking out about the prospect of marriage in the future, what will we do?"
"You say that like I'll ever get married." Wes snorted loudly. "Blaine is the only one that's even marriage material."
Blaine rolled his eyes. "You're going to get married eventually, Wes."
"Am not." Wes said stubbornly.
"Whatever." Blaine shrugged and took a bite of his pizza. "Hey, guys, remind me to get Kurt some cheesecake before we leave."
"What'd you do this time?" David asked curiously.
"Accidentally put his yellow sweater in the dryer." Blaine cringed, glancing down at his phone again. "I'm just waiting for the call when he finds out."
"He might not want to marry you when he finds out." Wes giggled immaturely.
"He wouldn't break up with Blaine over a sweater." David said.
"It was Alexander McQueen." Blaine cringed again.
"We'll set up the couch for you, Blaine."