"Kurt, you're going to be late," Carole reminded, smiling as she listened to the footsteps of her stepson come from his room and down the small hall to the kitchen.
"I was looking for my extra spray on lotion, have you seen it?" Kurt asked.
"I watched you put it in your overnight bag," Carole said, watching the look of relief as Kurt went to the table and checked his bag, finding it in the little front pocket. "Do you need any help loading the food?"
"No, I've got it all," Kurt said, taking a deep breath as he relaxed and closed up his bag. "Thank you, Carole."
"Of course," Carole said. "Just remember to have fun. They already know and love you."
"Yeah," Kurt said, a small bashful smile at her words.
He didn't know why today made him so nervous. He has spent the better part of his summer with a decent amount of the Warblers, meeting a few for smaller things. But the way Blaine had described the fourth of July party had put a little worm of worry in his stomach. This was probably the last big thing they would do together as the Warblers before most of them graduated. Some part of him felt like he would be intruding on such a moment, but then Blaine would talk about him being there with so much optimism he couldn't say no when Wes texted him the information.
"You look great," Carole added as if she could sense the war inside of his head.
He glanced down at his outfit, which had taken him nearly forty minutes but he felt pleased with. He had his olive knee length shorts that hugged him well, a baggy tank with a geometric design of a swan on the front and lace sides. His father had been a little confused by it at first, but nodded his hesitant approval at how happy Kurt had been when he bought it. It was the first thing he had bought since the move and it felt appropriate to use it today. He had on a new pair of sandals, wanting to do at least a step better than flip flops.
"You should go before Blaine worries you've disappeared," Carole teased, bringing over the tin foil wrapped trays of food they had prepped the day before.
"Right," Kurt surrendered, accepting the trays. "Thank you, again."
"Mhm," Carole said, steering him towards the front door, grabbing his backpack for him. "Have fun, sweetie. Text us if you need anything. We'll be at the Duval's for a little cocktail mixer."
"Have fun. Tell Janice I said hi," Kurt said, accepting the backpack.
"I will," Carole said, shooing him to his car and watching from the doorway until he packed everything in the backseat and left with a wave.
She allowed herself to laugh after that, shaking her head as she went to find her husband and pry him away from whatever project he'd gotten sucked into in the garage.
…...
"Do you think he's in trouble?"
Nick and Jeff shared a look of amusement and exasperation completely at the expense of their mutual friend who was standing by the window and glancing at his phone at least twice a minute. They played a silent game of rock paper scissors and Nick tried not to sigh as Jeff fist pumped behind Blaine's back with a victorious grin.
"I highly doubt he is in any kind of trouble," Nick said, setting a hand on Blaine's shoulder. "He probably just couldn't pick an outfit out."
"Plus you know he drives like ten under the speed limit," Jeff added.
"Some of us could learn from him a little bit," Nick said, glancing at Jeff who stuck his tongue out at his boyfriend.
"You're right," Blaine sighed. "I just thought he'd be here by now."
"A watch pot never boils," Nick said, coaxing him away from the window. "Come one, Romeo. Open a soda and mingle for a little bit. He'll be here."
Blaine reluctantly followed his friends into David's backyard. His house was at the top cul-de-sac in a gated community, probably one of the nicer in the group. His father had approved of them using the backyard to celebrate given it was their senior year and if they were going to get into shenanigans he would rather have it in a safe place. Most of the Warblers were already present, sitting in loose groups around the pool. Thad had taken it upon himself to start the grill, manning it to keep some of the less culinary inclined to try and make them resort to last minute pizza delivery.
"Finally broke you from window duty," David teased, passing Blaine a can.
"I guess so," Blaine said sheepishly.
"Mike texted me and said they were waiting on security to let them through. They should be here any minute," David assured.
"See?" Nick said, half smiling.
Blaine nodded, sipping on his drink as he willed himself to relax and try not to seem too eager about Kurt arriving. He knew Nick and Jeff would most likely be able to read through his self imposed cover, but maybe it would save him from some ribbing from the others. True to David's word about seven minutes later the door opened and Mike stepped out first, holding the door for Kurt who came out with the tin foil trays.
"Mike, Kurt, we're glad you made it," Wes said, coming over first. "Hope you didn't have any troubles with the directions I sent."
"No, the security guard was just super thorough," Mike said. "Kind of crazy."
"Yeah, we told them some unregistered visitors would be coming through for the holiday, but they still have to go through protocol," Wes said. "Can I take those from you, Kurt?"
"Oh, sure," Kurt said, passing off the tins. "My mom and I made some cucumber salad and toasted tapas with olive oil. You can heat them up on the grill."
"Excellent, thank you," Wes said, smiling. "Please thank your mom for us."
"Kurt brought food," Nick half yelled across the yard, cheers from the other boys in response.
Kurt flushed at the positive reaction, smiling as he waved softly to the group as a whole and descended down the few steps to the patio area. He brightened when Blaine came forward, hands now free to hug him warmly.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," Blaine echoed, pulling back after a moment. "You look great."
"Thanks," Kurt preened, following Blaine over to Nick and Jeff who also claimed hugs.
"Ooh, showing a little skin there, Hummel," Jeff teased, poking the lace panel on Kurt's side, making him laugh.
"It's my homage to summer," Kurt said dramatically, posing his his hand on his hip.
Blaine's eyes glanced down his form and Nick had to hold in a laugh.
"Just don't give my girlfriend any ideas for updating my wardrobe," David teased, passing him a sparkling water.
"How is Marcy?" Kurt asked.
"She's good," David smiled. "They're going to be stopping by later today."
"I haven't seen her in so long," Kurt said.
"I'm sure she'll be happy to see you," David said. "Is Finn coming?"
"No, he went with Sam to spend the fourth with Rachel and her family. He'll be back Monday," Kurt said.
"Must feel odd, going back to Lima after everything," Nick said.
"Yeah, I think he just wanted one last chance to kind of say bye to it before school started," Kurt admitted. "I don't really blame him."
"Well, we'll just have to have enough fun in his place," Blaine said, touching Kurt's back. "Only happy thoughts today."
Kurt smiled at that, nodding in agreement.
They mingled for a little while, Blaine encouraging Kurt to make rounds and greet some of the faces he remembered from last semester, reintroducing himself to the ones he didn't get to know very well before. Most of them recognized him or at least remembered the name, welcoming him. Despite the times they had together, especially Nationals, it had been a worry of Kurt's that they would not be as accepting as they had seemed when they sent the baskets and invited them to Valentine's day and anti-prom, but everyone seemed genuine about congratulating him about getting into Dalton.
"I told you, you won all of our hearts," Blaine teased when Kurt confided in him, making the other chuckle.
"That was when I was your mascot, and something of a damsel in distress," Kurt said dryly.
"You were incredibly strong and brave," Blaine said, leaning closer. "You were inspiring."
"Like those puppies from the ASPCA commercials," Kurt said, making Blaine laugh and tip his head, nudging Kurt's shoulder with his forehead.
"You know what I mean," Blaine said.
"Yes, and if I let you get weepy and nostalgic we'll break your rule," Kurt said, swallowing at how close Blaine was to him, the summer had made their personal boundaries pretty loose and Kurt was still deciding how he felt about it. "Only happy thoughts."
Blaine grinned and sighed but nodded. "You're right, you're absolutely right."
"Are you sure you're only drinking soda?" Kurt teased.
Blaine laughed, nodding as he offered his drink for Kurt to check. "I promise I am a hundred percent sober. I think I'm just excited because you're here."
"You see me almost every day," Kurt pointed out.
"Yeah, but this is Warbler stuff, and now you're a part of it too, not just visiting," Blaine said. "It's nice to enjoy these things with you and not have to worry about sending you back there."
"My dad will expect me to go home at some point," Kurt teased, but his heart melted a little at Blaine's words.
"I suppose so," Blaine sighed, "I'll have to share you at least a little bit."
"How generous," Kurt said, laughing at Blaine's happy smile.
"Kurt!" a voice broke them from the moment, and Kurt found him enveloped in hugs once more as Marcy and Tabitha came with some of the other Crawford girls and girlfriends of different Warblers.
"It's been months," Marcy whined.
"I'm sorry," Kurt said, smiling as he returned the hug. "Things were hectic for a bit."
"David said you moved and everything," Marcy said. "Are you okay?"
Kurt smiled and nodded, not wanting to hash out any of the details right now. "Super okay," he assured.
"Good, we've missed you on group dates," Marcy beamed. "We'll have to add you to the group chat so it's easier to keep in touch."
Kurt flushed at the idea of group dates, eyes jumping to Blaine who was talking to Tabitha.
"Oh, sure," he said, finally looking back at Marcy who already had her phone out to swap numbers.
"Mind if I steal her back?" David asked, grinning as he came up, wrapping an arm around Marcy.
"I suppose so," Kurt said, smiling at how happy his friend looked, hugging her close.
"I'll text you," Marcy promised, wandering off with David to sit and talk with some of the others.
"Alright, Kurt?" Nick asked, stopping by his side.
"Yeah," Kurt assured, blinking from his thoughts.
"You sure?" Nick asked.
"Yeah," Kurt said again, nodding. "Where's Jeff?"
"Changing into swim trunks," Nick said, making Kurt snort.
"I'm surprised he didn't wear them here," Kurt said.
"Oh I'm sure he wanted to, but I told him not to forget normal clothes or else," Nick said.
Kurt smiled at that, nodding. He glanced back at Blaine who was still wrapped in conversations with others so he walked with Nick over to the grill area, keeping Thad company and passing different plates as they talked. It was nice, he saw Trent in one of the groups, looking to Thad curiously.
"Any news on Ryan?" he asked.
"They've passed the initial checks. There's one more appointment before the state decides if they can take him," Thad admitted.
"That's good though, isn't it? It means they're most likely going to get told yes," Kurt said.
"I think Trent is trying not to get his hopes too high, but it's looking good," Thad said.
"I can understand that," Kurt said, looking to Trent sympathetically.
"We can let you know the next time we're planning a visit if you want to tag along," Thad said.
"I'd like that," Kurt smiled, brightening. "Need any more help?"
"Nope, it's all done, just have to get their attention so we can start eating," Thad said.
"Say no more," Kurt said, straightening up as he curled his pointer finger and thumb to his lips and whistled loud enough to garner the attention of the backyard.
"Food time," Thad said, the boys breaking from their conversations to converge on the food.
"Impressive whistle," Jeff said. "Usually Wes has to break out the gavel."
Kurt snorted, accepting a plate that Thad passed him so he could grab first dibs. "Garages are noisy, I learned quick how to be louder than a car engine."
"Oh trust me, we believe you," Nick teased, passing him by.
Kurt rolled his eyes but smiled, snagging food before quickly moving out of the way, stealing one of the chaise loungers while everyone was lining up. Jeff and Nick claimed the one near him, pressed close to both fit. Blaine came with his own plate a few minutes later, sitting on the foot of the chaise with Kurt's legs across his lap, using them as a balancing point for his plate. They managed to keep the spot when the sun went down, angled to watch the fireworks the community would be setting off from the middle of their small man made lake not far away.
The sound caught Kurt off guard when the first round went off and he jumped hard, ignoring Jeff's laughter at his expense. He blinked when he felt a hand take his against his hip, looking to see Blaine shoot him a reassuring smile, fingers lacing comfortably together on his lap. Kurt was glad for the low light of the yard to hide the warmth on his face.
Blaine looked back at the sky as more fireworks burst, but Kurt couldn't look away, seeing the lights of each colorful explosion echo across Blaine's face like some sort of moving abstract painting, cutting the lines of his face and illuminating him in a beautiful display. And in that simple moment Kurt felt himself take a sharp breath, because he realized Blaine Anderson could never just be a friend. Not even a best friend. Because Kurt Hummel was completely and terrifyingly in love with him.
…...
[A/N: I'm not a huge fan of author notes so I'll keep it brief. To anyone who stuck with this project for this long, thank you so much. It truly means more than I can say. When I originally mapped out this idea, it was with a trilogy in mind, the summer story being a kind of filler to connect the two years without a huge unspoken gap of time. I still intend to make the third part. Thank you for your support and patience. I hope you all have a good year.]