Blaine looked down at the monstrosity his mother had prepared for them. It was some sort of sausage that was in the most odd shape and thick wheat cakes that tasted too much like floury bread to be enjoyable. Blaine took another bite out of the (dog-shaped maybe?) sausage. He had decided he would take at least five bites out of every meal his mother made for him. She was trying her best to learn to cook for them both and he was determined to at least try to ingest it. After finishing what could be called breakfast, he grabbed his slouch hat he had bought from the general store. He didn't don his normal waist coat and jacket this morning since he was working on the farm with Sam. He instead went for a plain white shirt with work trousers and suspenders.

"You do look roguish in that getup," his mother commented as she walked by and swept up the dishes from breakfast.

"I like to think I look rather dashing." Blaine admired himself in the mirror. Since he was working and had a hat on, he didn't slick his hair down with pomade. Instead he left the short curls to bounce under his hat. He slid his feet into his work boots and left the house saying goodbye to his mother on the way out.

Kurt switched the sign on the door to say open. He rubbed the morning from his eyes and opened the till. He heard the door open and knew who it was before even looking up.

"Good morning, Blaine."

"How did you know it was me?" Blaine smiled up at the chestnut-haired boy.

"Maybe it's because you've been the first person to come by every morning for weeks now." Kurt tried to look annoyed, but his smile broke through. He couldn't seem to get annoyed with Blaine. He had realised weeks ago that he was falling in love with him. With a boy. He shook his head to clear it and glanced up at the shorter boy. He noticed his hair wasn't slicked down by the little curls peeping from under the edge of his hat. He looked good like that. His hair looked soft and Kurt wanted to touch it. He glanced away before he blushed.

"I can't come see my best friend in the morning? That's just cruel," Blaine playfully pouted.

"I am just joking. You know I look forward to your visits."

"Very well then, I shall keep them up."

They smiled at each other, basking in the familiarity until Kurt broke the silence.

"You are working with Sam again today?" Kurt was secretly jealous of Sam getting to spend all day with Blaine.

"Yes. Another day, another cow to be wrangled."

"You wrangle cows?" Kurt asked slightly shocked.

"Heavens no! I just watch while Sam does it." They both laughed at that. "Well, I must be getting to it. I'll come by and see you later."

Kurt waved goodbye as Blaine went on his way to work. He waited until Blaine was out of sight before running to where Blaine's hand was resting on the counter. Sure enough there was a note. He and Blaine had been passing notes back and forth secretly. He had started it as a way of getting to know Blaine better without being awkward. He wanted to know everything about him and this way he could really overthink all of his questions before he asked them. Blaine's likes and dislikes, his favourite memories and his worst. Kurt wanted him to tell him everything he could remember. He knew this was a selfish thing to ask someone he had just met, so he decided to send Blaine a note with his favourite dances. Blaine had in turn sent him a note with his favourite dances. And so, the secret note exchange began. This week they were on their favourite books. He unwrapped Blaine's note and wasn't surprised to see that they were a bunch of medical texts, all but one. A Tale of Two Cities of course Blaine would like the famous Dicken's novel about a doctor. Still, he smiled at the note and quickly found some scrap paper to write his reply.

Blaine wiped his hand over his forehead to wick away the sweat. The hot sun had gone down to a low, roaring blaze.

"Let's take a minute and rest," Sam called to him.

Blaine jumped off the fence he had been working on. He almost lost his footing on the landing, but saved it by holding on to the fence post.

"This sun is taking the fight out of me," Blaine exclaimed.

Sam laughed at him. "We are almost done for the day. The sun takes the piss right out of you." He took a long sip out of the third jug he brought that day. He offered the jug to Blaine who accepted it and took an appreciative swig. He set it down between them on the creaky floor of the wagon Sam had brought them in. Blaine laid back in the wagon and stared up at the sky. The puffy white clouds set against the bright blue brought a peace he hadn't know in New York. New York always moved faster. You didn't stop to look up at the sky there. But this was one of the things Blaine had learned to appreciate in Lewistown.

"Pretty clear skies today," Sam offered.

"Yeah. Never knew the sky could be so blue. Or the clouds so white."

"That one kinda looks like a rabbit." He pointed to a glob of fluffy white sky dust that wasn't remotely shaped like a rabbit. Blaine smiled and shook his head.

"My dad always said the that thoughts can be like rabbits. You have a hundred of them and can't catch one."

His heart strained in his chest at the thought of hearing his father's voice. Blaine was scared of the day he would forget the sound of it. He could remember sitting in the chair next to his father's desk when he was seven, his father pouring over records, trying to find a diagnosis. Every once in awhile, he would reach over to ruffle his son's hair and tell him his thoughts. Blaine had always felt important when his father asked his opinion or told him his troubles. It made Blaine feel like he was an important fixture in his father's life. His heart ached thinking of his father. He felt the tears well up in his eyes when Sam spoke up.

"We're friends right?"

Blaine shook the sad thoughts out of his head. "Yes! Of course! The best of friends." Blaine was excited to have made such fast friends and maybe over sold it.

"So I can tell you something and it stays between us, right?"

Blaine sat up on his elbows and looked Sam in the eyes. "Whatever you say to me stays in confidence."

"Well, of course I would say it confidently."

"No, I meant whatever you say stays between us."

Sam nodded his understanding and Blaine laid back down on the wagon. There was several moments of silence before Sam's low voice came in a quiet, almost-whisper.

"I'm in love with Mercedes."

There was another silence.

"I think I knew that."

Sam looked over, shocked. "Really? I thought I was being so subtle. Does anyone else know?"

Blaine didn't have the heart to tell him that everyone knew. "I don't know, Sam. Have you told Mercedes?"

He sighed and looked back at the sky. "No. I can't."

Blaine knew the reason why without him having to say it. His father had never owned slaves and employed African-Americans fairly just as he had white employees. Blaine grew up with the ideals that everyone was equal and amidst the war that freed the slaves. The thought of owning another human being made him sick. His father would have died before owning a slave. He instilled that strong moral character in both of his sons.

"It's not right."

Sam nodded. "It's not. But it's the way things are. I pray everyday for things to change. I love her, Blaine. I've never looked at anyone the way I look at her."

Blaine smiled sadly. He knew all too well how it felt to love someone you couldn't be with legally. The pure frustration and desperation you felt. The complete hopelessness that came with that love. A love without a home. A secret you had to carry in your heart forever.

"I understand."

Sam jumped up and glared at Blaine.

"You're in love with Mercedes? I will fight you, Blaine! I know we are friends and all, but I can't have you trying to steal her attention!"

Blaine laughed slightly. "Sam, calm down. I don't hold affection for Mercedes in that manner. I told you she's just not my type of... person. She is lovely and I like her a lot as a friend, but that's where it ends."

Sam lowered himself back on the wagon slowly. "If you say so."

"But I do understand what it's like to love someone everyone tells you you can't." Blaine was taking a risk revealing too much of himself to someone who he hadn't know but a few months. Sam seemed to take what he said and think on it.

"Yeah, it's pretty horrible way to be." Blaine nodded, still unsure of where they stood. "So, you got a girl back in New York you can't be with?"

Blaine was partly relieved that Sam wasn't the best at catching on and partly upset that he hadn't. Part of of Blaine wanted to yell out that he was in love with a boy with chestnut hair and eyes like the sea. But he also knew that was a part of him that probably would stay hidden for the rest of his life.

"You could say that."

Sam put his hand on Blaine's shoulder in a brotherly gesture. Blaine smiled over at him.

"The fact that I can't even say anything, just because some people decided that I can't eats me up. You know?"

Blaine nodded. He did know.

"Maybe one day we'll live to see it all change." He had to have that hope. Without hope, nothing ever changes.

Sam nodded, obviously deep in thought. He suddenly sat up and clapped Blaine on the head. "Well, this fence isn't going to finish itself!"

Blaine groaned and sat up. Sam stopped short and turned around. "Thanks. For listening and being a good friend."

Blaine smiled. "You're welcome, Sam."

Blaine was heading straight for the blacksmith's when he was caught by his older brother.

"Coop. Why did you forcibly pull me into your office?" Blaine sat in one of the wobbly chairs by Cooper's desk. Cooper stood in the doorway so Blaine couldn't make a break for it.

"Well, you wouldn't come willingly." He was panting slightly as Blaine had put up a fight.

"Maybe because I was going somewhere when you attacked me!" Blaine knew he was being dramatic, but he really wanted to see Kurt.

"I didn't attack you. Can't I just want to see my only little brother?"

"Fine," Blaine sighed. "What did you want?"

Cooper looked suddenly serious. "Look Blaine, this is serious."

Blaine leaned in, immediately taken in to the look on his brothers face. Had his brother figured out he liked boys? Was he about to tell the whole town and have him thrown out? Was he disgusted?

"You won't get any girls with your hair like that."

Blaine rolled his eyes away and his racing heart nearly stopped. He breathed an inner sigh of relief. He was still safe from the truth.

"Cooper! Really? That's what you wanted to say?" Cooper laughed and ruffled Blaine's already askew hair. Blaine couldn't help but laugh at his older brother's antics. The elder Anderson's laughter died down slightly.

"I'm sorry, squirt."

The conviction in his voice stopped Blaine's laughter. He looked into his brother's eyes and saw hints of tears in them.

"Coop, what's wrong?"

"I wasn't there, Blaine. Dad was sick and you and mom were struggling and I wasn't there."

Blaine put his hand on his brother's. "There wasn't anything you could have done. You got there as soon as you could."

"But I was too late. Too late to help, too late to make arrangements... Too late to say goodbye."

The last one he whispered so low that Blaine almost thought he wasn't meant to hear it. Cooper had started on his way to New York when he got news of his father's sickness, but it would take him three weeks to travel all the way back and their father passed before Cooper could reach them. Blaine never felt resentment for his brother moving away until his father was on his death bed, asking for his eldest son and Blaine had to keep telling him he way on his way. He got over the resentment quickly enough because he had to cling to the family he had left. Cooper apparently hadn't forgiven himself for it.

"Father knew you were coming. He knew you loved him."

"But he called for me and I wasn't there, Blaine! I wasn't there for any of you! I should have been!" Cooper grabbed his head in frustration. Blaine didn't know what to say to his distraught brother. His father would know what to say. That made him think of a memory.

"Hey, you know what he said to me when he was sick?" Cooper looked up, tears welling in his eyes. "I told him you were on your way, all the way from Montana to see him. He looked at me and said, 'The sheriff leaving his duty to come watch over a sick man makes no sense, but I'm glad I'll get to have him by my side at the end.'"

The tears in his eyes finally freed themselves, dripping down his handsome face. "But I wasn't by his side, Blaine. I was too late."

"But he knew you were there. Even if he couldn't hold on till you got there, he knew you would make it. And he was so proud of you, Coop."

Cooper crumpled to the floor. Blaine got down in the floor with him, letting Cooper lean on him as he cried for awhile before.

"I'm sorry for weeping like a child in front of you," Cooper sniffed, wiping his tears away.

Blaine laughed. "I am glad to see the human side of you." Cooper scoffed. Blaine placed his hand over Cooper's. "We only have each other, Coop. We've got to have each other's back, right?"

Cooper smiled at his little brother who had, with out his knowledge, grown up into this amazing young man.

"Yes, little brother, we do."

Blaine stayed with his brother for another hour, reminiscing on the old times when he checked his pocket watch and realised it was time for Kurt to be closing up the shop. He hopped up and made for the door.

"Well, I must be off."

Cooper got up as well and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Go on then. And don't do something I would do." He winked at his brother and pushed him toward the door.

Blaine shook his head and exited the building. He made for the blacksmith shop, but was disheartened to find it already closed. The sign said it would be closing early. Kurt hadn't mentioned it closing early that morning. He paced in front of the closed door and tossed around the idea of going to Kurt's house. That, for some reason, felt very intimate and personal. Blaine wanted to be that close with Kurt, but wasn't sure if they were yet. Disappointed, he shook his thoughts out of his head and turned on his heels to go back into town. He would head home and see Kurt the next morning. As he was passing the general store, he heard the door to the barber shop opening. He immediately hid in case it was Rachel trying to sing to him again. She was... intense to say the least. He looked over the pile of boxes he was behind and saw Kurt coming out of the shop with Rachel in tow, laughing.

Blaine felt the familiar twist in his gut. He had seen them exiting her house several times in the past couple weeks. Any time he had mentioned Rachel, Kurt seemed to get awkward. Maybe this was why. Maybe they were courting. Blaine was overcome by jealousy. He watched as they talked and noticed how she tucked her hair behind her ear and stared into his eyes. Those weren't her eyes to stare into. Those ocean blue eyes weren't meant for her. He stopped himself from storming over there. Rachel waved goodbye to Kurt as he left the shop. Blaine thought about following him, but quickly chastised himself. His head fought with his heart. In the end, his heart won out and he was following Kurt. Kurt was walking through town and weaved into the forest. Blaine was determined to stay hidden. They walked for several minutes before Kurt swayed out of the way and disappeared from view. By the time he got over to where Kurt had gone, he couldn't find him. Blaine scanned the forest to try and see him.

"Why are you following me?"

Blaine jumped at the sudden voice behind him. He whirled around and Kurt was standing there with his hands on his hips and a playful smile on his face.

"Why are you walking through the woods?" It sounded like an accusation, as if Kurt was doing something shady. That was the first thing Blaine could think to say.

"Umm, I'm taking a walk." Kurt laughed. Blaine felt his blood heat up when he thought of Kurt and Rachel together.

"Why were you with Rachel?" He couldn't stop it from coming out. Kurt's smile dropped and he furrowed his brow.

"What?"

"Why were you with Rachel? Hm? You've been going to her house many times in the last couple weeks."

Kurt frowned. "What? Are you keeping up with every move I make?" He had venom in his voice, but Blaine didn't care, he wanted to know.

"No! Of course not! I have just noticed you have been going to a young ladies house at all times of the day and I find it... improper."

It was the only word that came to mind in the heat of the moment.

Kurt's anger began to simmer, his eyes flashed.

"You aren't my keeper. You don't get to say what I do is improper."

Blaine was fuming at this point thinking of Kurt and Rachel sharing intimate secrets together, whispering and... kissing.

"Well, it certainly doesn't look innocent!" He was starting to raise his voice now.

"I don't care if it looks innocent to you or not, Blaine!" Kurt shouted and started to walk away when Blaine caught at his arm to stop him.

"You shouldn't be with her!"

That stopped Kurt. His eyes were still hard and his jaw was set.

"What do you mean be with her?"

Blaine still had a hold of his arm. "She isn't who you should court."

Kurt smiled, slightly confused and Blaine would have smiled back if he wasn't so furious. Confused Kurt was adorable.

"I'm not courting her. Could you imagine? Me courting Rachel Berry?"

He laughed and Blaine's stomach dropped. If they weren't courting that meant they were doing improper things with out being in love. This made Blaine even angrier.

"That is appalling! Kurt you need to end these horrendous acts at once!"

Kurt was definitely confused.

"What are you talking about? She's just tutoring me!"

Blaine's horrible thoughts about what they were doing came to a rapid halt when he heard those words.

"Tutoring?"

Kurt tugged his arm back and grimaced at Blaine. "Yes, she's been teaching me what she learned in that fancy boarding school she was eventually kicked out of."

Blaine felt relief flood his senses right before embarrassment took over. "Kurt I'm sorry. I thought... well it doesn't matter what I thought. I shouldn't have yelled and- oh god! I shouldn't have assumed."

Kurt crossed his arms and frowned at him. "No, you shouldn't have. What made you think that?"

Blaine felt the heat of his blush.

"I just kept seeing you together and I couldn't help but feel... jealous."

Kurt's expression softened. "Why were you jealous?" he prodded.

Blaine knew he was fishing for something, but he didn't think Kurt was prepared for the real reason he was jealous. He looked at the ground. "Blaine, why were you jealous?" Blaine's eyes shot up and Kurt was standing in front of him with the last rays of sunlight tangling through his hair. He felt so overcome with love for this boy in front of him.

"I like you Kurt, but not in the way I'm supposed to. I like the the way you bite your lip while concentrating and the way you look at your work like it's a child your proud of. I like the way you pick at the threads of your clothes when someone compliments you and the way you talk about your father. I love how soft your hair is and how you always smell like smoke. I love your eyes and your smile... God, Kurt l like the way you breathe!"

Kurt's mouth was open in shock and he looked taken aback. Blaine suddenly felt dread bubble up inside. What if Kurt hated him now? What if he turned him in? What if he was disgusted by him? Blaine's heart was beating a million beats a minute. Kurt took all of it in and looked at Blaine in the eyes before grabbing Blaine's shirt and crashed their lips together. It was Blaine's turn to be shocked. Suddenly his lips were moving against Kurt's and it felt so right. Kurt's eyes were closed and he was pulling Blaine into him. Blaine closed his eyes as well and took in everything he felt in that moment.

Kurt didn't know what he was doing, but he wanted to keep doing it. He felt Blaine's hands go around his waist and he nearly melted. He slid his tongue against Blaine's lips and Blaine opened his mouth. Kurt took the invitation and shoved his tongue past his lips. Blaine moaned into his mouth slightly. That just made Kurt go further. He looped his arms around Blaine's neck and deepened the kiss. Everything about this moment felt right and beautiful and on fire. After a moment of pure bliss Blaine pulled back slightly. Kurt broke away immediately.

"What's wrong?"

Blaine was breathing a little heavier. "Had to breathe," he smiled. Kurt smiled back.

"Blaine, I like you too. I've liked you since the day you got off that coach. I just didn't want to see it."

Blaine smiled and grabbed Kurt into a hug. Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine.

"Kurt, I can't believe you actually return my feelings. I was convinced you'd hate me."

"I could never hate you, Blaine."

Kurt hugged Blaine again, letting his fingers scratch at the back of Blaine's neck. Blaine pressed into him, squeezing him gently. They stayed like that for several minutes until they broke apart.

"Does anyone know? About you I mean?" Blaine asked as Kurt sat down on a fallen log. Blaine took the spot beside him, immediately grabbing up his hand.

"No. No one."

"Not even your dad?"

Kurt shook his head. "Especially not dad."

Blaine looked down at his hands. How would his dad had reacted? Would he have accepted him?

"You don't want him to know?"

Kurt sighed. "No. He wouldn't understand. I can't take that chance. The chance he might not love me anymore." Kurt's voice shook slightly.

Blaine raised Kurt's wrist to his lips and kissed it.

"I'll be right by your side, Kurt. No matter what." Kurt smiled and kissed Blaine's cheek.

"And I'll be by your side, Blaine."

They sat there for a long time, cuddled up talking and laughing together. They didn't know what life had in store for them, but they knew they had each other.