Crowded House

by kellyb321

All of your favorite Warblers and a few new faces, too. Follow our boys as they start their lives in NYC, each couple facing their own challenges, heartbreak, self-discovery and redemption. Stick around as they realize support, acceptance and most importantly, true love can all be found in one big Crowded House. Heavy on the Klaine and Niff.

106. Chapter 106

Good Lord, it's been forever. My apologies, but what a couple of months it's been! Sheeesh... read on and I'll explain myself later...

Ch 105

It was a crazy kind of insanity that drove Kurt through Christmas with their family and friends coming and going, in and out of their apartment for days on end, a week and two days in total, if he was counting…which he was. He felt exposed, dissected and absolutely scrutinized. He also felt as if he wasn't getting nearly enough Blaine time, and that was slowly choking him, removing his ability to cope and see things rationally. Something needed to give…soon.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hadn't been bad at all. Burt and Carole opted to stay at Rachel and Finn's for the evening and then the plan was they'd all trek to the apartment to hang out with everyone on Christmas Day. It was absolute chaos, but the kind that Kurt thrived on. He caught Blaine watching him and smiling widely several times and Kurt found himself wishing they'd spent their alone time the night before doing things other than simply snuggling under a blanket in front of the fire. However, it had been…so nice. It was nice not to do a damn thing, to bask in the day's events and just talk. It had been way too long since they'd had time to do that and not find themselves hurriedly, greedily removing clothes and falling into bed, always rushing and glancing at the clock to see how much time they had before…well…before one of them had to go somewhere else.

He couldn't help it, though. Blaine was the end-all-be-all for him and his body was to die for…not to mention his tantalizing mouth. Somewhere between wrapping those last two presents (minutes before everyone arrived) and passing out gifts to the kids, then the adults, Kurt found himself mentally cursing the clock, daring it to give him just a few more minutes to spend with Blaine…alone. It was absolutely mouthwatering every time Blaine bent over to 'play Santa' and choose a gift from under the tree to distribute. Blaine was distracting for sure.

Kurt contained himself well, though, only giving Blaine a wink or sneaking in a mouthed 'I love you' when nobody else was looking. Or so he thought.

"You two…you're so adorable," Rachel grinned. "Don't think I haven't caught you ogling him all day, Kurt Hummel," she teased.

"He's so delicious, I just wanna take a big ol' bite out of his-"

"Annnnnnddd, that's totally enough of that, please!" Finn hissed, walking up behind them. Kurt rolled his eyes and blushed pink from his ears to his collarbone, but didn't take it back. He was right. Blaine was yummy. Rachel giggled and hugged him, grabbing his hand to examine his ring for the umpteenth time since Blaine had placed it on his finger and it made Kurt preen. Blaine had excellent taste, and although Blaine would say it wasn't so, Kurt knew it to be true.

"I want you to know, Kurt, how very happy I am for you. I know when you came here you weren't in a good place, and I'm so thrilled that you found Blaine and the two of you are so happy together. Nobody deserves happiness more than you…except maybe me…" she grinned, "and I'm just so glad you've found one another. I love you and I couldn't ask for more for my best friend." Kurt hugged her tightly, watching over her shoulder as his family and Blaine's all talked and laughed in the living room. It was just what he'd always wanted…what he'd always thought of for the holidays when he finally found his one and only…and he couldn't be happier.

When presents had been opened and a gazillion wads of torn paper had been cleaned up and thrown away, everyone sat down to dinner. Cris surprised everyone, especially Kurt, by asking if it was ok to say a short "grace…of sorts", she'd called it, before they ate. Not a big believer in that sort of thing, Kurt didn't usually bother with it, but he wasn't one to say no to someone's request if that's what they wanted.

"I just want to say how very happy I am to be here today, in this place, with all of you. Blaine and Kurt have made a beautiful home for themselves, and now they'll make a beautiful married couple shortly, I'm sure. Thank you both for inviting us into your home and making each and every one of us feel at home and welcome," she smiled at her son.

"I feel as though Blaine has single handedly brought so much joy and light into our lives…and I say 'our lives' because it's a completely different life than we were living a year ago," she said, dropping her eyes to the table quickly, but bouncing right back. "Cooper was…unsettled." She said, grinning at her oldest son, who had the good grace to grimace and blush. "Blaine was…running away," she continued, giving Blaine a soft look, knowing exactly what he'd been running from, now. "And I…was still blissfully ignorant of everything that had gone on right under my nose for years. But…" she went on, "Blaine moved here to be with his brother, and found the most amazing people…people he's brought into the fold of our lives and made us all better for it. I now have a daughter-in-law and two precious grandchildren, whom I adore, with one on the way, I might add," she grinned lovingly at Maggie, "and very soon I hope, a son-in-law as well. But more than that, I have new friends…family members, if you will, in Burt, Carole, Finn and Rachel, too. I have a new life with all of you. For this, for this day, these gifts and this meal, I am so very grateful and entirely thankful. You're all so very loved, and I hope you know it. Merry Christmas, and I thank you for being here and sharing your day with us."

The table was silent, the women teary eyed and the men trying not to be, but some of them failing, as Cris sat back down and looked around at them. Maggie grasped Cooper's hand on the table at the same time Bill reached for Cris. Everyone shared a fond look for the family and friends around the table.

"That's your cue to slice this bad boy, Blaine!" Cris cleared her throat and then said, matter-of-factly, gesturing to the turkey, gaining a laugh from everyone, some covertly wiping eyes and others snickering.

It was later that day when Finn complained about his stomach and begged off, heading home early to find some Pepto Bismol and his bed. Rachel went with him, saying she'd be awake for Carole and Burt when they got home that evening. Unfortunately, Finn ended up with a stomach virus, spending that night and the next three days with his face in the porcelain god, wretching up "everything he'd eaten since third grade" if Rachel was to be believed. And so it was that Carole and Burt ended up at their house for six and a half days instead of three.

The day after Christmas, when everyone was done with their family gatherings, Kurt and Blaine hosted "Friends-mas", inviting all of their friends over for an evening of games, food, adult beverages and fun. When they'd planned it, Kurt's parents were supposed to still be at Rachel and Finn's, and he hoped fervently that things didn't get so out of hand that he'd be embarrassed in front of them. He knew, of course, how insane some of their friends were.

It came as no surprise, then, that during Cards Against Humanity, Sebastian came up with "Next time on Dr. Phil, how to talk to your kids about"….and ended it with "the primal ball-slapping sex your parents are having right now". Kurt was sufficiently mortified, as was Blaine, when Burt yelled through the closed bedroom door "that's not really happening!" and Carole immediately followed that up with "YET!" and a hysterical cackle as Kurt rolled into a ball and rocked himself on the floor. Everyone laughed so hard they were gasping for air and Blaine snapped a few pictures just for the hell of it.

A few more colorful and fun things happened throughout the night, but Kurt shook them off, knowing that his father was aware that he was now a grown man…and that he couldn't control the likes of Sebastian if he tried…which he didn't. Blaine just rolled with it, as was his way, and tried to console Kurt as best he could.

They played the white elephant game, most everyone going home with a silly gag gift, something they didn't want or need, but would laugh at anyway and probably recycle for someone else's party at another time. Some of the highlights were the giant, neon green "plug" that Thad ended up with and the bag of penis shaped pasta that Jeff took home. All in all, a good night was had by all.

Before everyone left, they all piled onto the sofa and the floor and set the timer on Kurt's phone to take a group shot. Kurt would treasure it for a long, long time and make several prints, hanging one on the wall in the living room and setting one on his desk, at work, in a frame. These were his people, his friends, and some of the very best individuals he knew.

New Year's Eve came and went in a flurry of activity, Blaine having to work at the bar and Kurt tagging along. He and Jeff made idiots of themselves on the dance floor, wearing crazy masks, hats and colored beads and generally partying like there was no tomorrow. Blaine laughed at them and kept his eye on Kurt, but unlike the last time Kurt and Jeff danced together, he knew for certain that there was nobody else Kurt wanted to be with but him.

Kurt waited for a slower song, of which they played very few that evening, and stepped up to the back of the stage to bring Blaine a big glass of ice water. It was clear to Kurt that he needed hydration of some sort, but Blaine made a point to tell everyone he wouldn't be over-imbibing that night, as he didn't want it to impair his playing. Blaine wasn't needed on the current song, and he downed the water like he hadn't had a drink in days.

"Thank you…god, so parched!" he said, feigning misery.

"You looked a little warm and dry up there," Kurt grinned, leaning in for a kiss. Blaine set the cup down and dragged Kurt's body toward his own, wrapping Kurt up in his arms and swaying to the music the other guys were playing on stage. Kurt went with it, wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck and staring into those honeyed eyes that made him crazy.

"Kinda bummed I don't get to dance with you tonight and Jeff gets to have all the fun," Blaine teased.

"Yeah, well, he'd rather be with Nick and I'd rather be with you…but he'll do in a pinch when I can't have you."

"You can have me anytime you want," Blaine said lowly in Kurt's ear.

"No. No I can't…you see, my Dad and Carole have taken up residence in our home and after being almost caught numerous times, I'm not willing to take that chance. They leave Sunday night and you better be prepared, then, because you're all mine, baby," Kurt teased back.

"I don't know if I can wait that long, Kurt. It's been days since I've been able to touch you and it's killing me!"

"So dramatic…" Kurt sighed, acting as if it didn't bother him at all, when in reality he was slowly dying inside.

"So in love with you."

"And sappy, too. Man, I love you," Kurt laughed.

The song ended and Kurt went back to dancing with Jeff while Blaine finished playing the set. By midnight everyone was drunk, wound up and crazy. When the countdown to twelve o'clock started, Blaine pulled Kurt on stage with him, as Nick did with Jeff, and they counted down together, toasts of champagne in hand, and at the New Year, they shared a sweet but passionate kiss that left both of them shaken and hungry for more.

They waited what seemed like a year for a cab before Nick and Jeff stepped out of the bar to head home and offered them a ride. It was gratefully accepted and minutes later they were slowly, quietly, sleepily climbing the stairs to their apartment door.

"We could be really quiet, Kurt?" Blaine said, his eyes pleading.

"Blaine, do you have any idea how UNsexy it is to even consider having sex with my dad down the hall? Maybe in high school I'd have thrown caution to the wind and just done it, but now that I know they're here, they know what we're doing and holy shit, they might even hear us….god forbid…I just can't make myself. I'm sorry, baby," Kurt pouted. "Especially since I know they heard us in the shower last time they were here…oh my god…."

Blaine unlocked their door and they quietly crept in, noting that Carole had left the lamp switched on low in the living room for them. The room was dim, but it cast enough light for them to see where they were going without turning on the overhead fixtures. Kurt stopped in the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and a couple of Tylenol, fearing that his morning would be unpleasant without them, when he spied the note on the counter. He flipped on the light over the stove to shed as little light as possible while still allowing him to see around the kitchen.

Boys,

Cris called at the last minute and invited us out to dinner and dancing with her and Bill. Don't wait up!

Mom and Dad

"Blaine…" Kurt breathed out, eyes searching for his fiancé in the dim room.

"What's wrong?" Blaine asked, eyebrows drawn, and unsure of what Kurt's expression meant.

"Absolutely nothing," Kurt said as Blaine rounded the peninsula in the kitchen to see what had Kurt's attention. Kurt zipped over to the guest room and checked to see that it was empty, then nearly sprinted back to Blaine's side in the kitchen, eyes bright. Blaine read the note, then read it again before immediately dropping to his knees in the kitchen on the hardwood and pawing at Kurt's zipper and button on his pants.

"God, how much time do you think we have?" Blaine growled, nearly tearing Kurt's jeans down his legs.

"Blaine!" Kurt hissed, giggling, still a bit buzzed, but not enough to feel the least bit impaired. "We could at least make it into our rooooo ooo oooom….sheeeezus, you are so good at that…" Kurt murmured, his knees suddenly weak. He was nearly light-headed with how quickly the blood left his head and shot to his cock. He'd started out soft and was now fully hard in a matter of a minute, Blaine's mouth making his body shake and scream with need. "Oh God, Blaine….please…..yeah, just like that, baby.…"

Blaine pulled off just long enough to say "can't wait…need you…Kurt, you taste like heaven…" before enveloping Kurt's cock once again and taking it halfway down his throat.

Kurt's back was against the quartz counter, fingers wrapped over the edge and knuckles white as he let his head drop back and pleaded with Blaine to never stop. Blaine raised a hand and wrapped it around the base of Kurt's length, pumping everything he couldn't fit in his mouth while he jerked on and mentally cursed at his own pants when he had trouble getting his own fly open. Finally Blaine gripped his own cock and tried as hard as possible to go slow, to make it last for Kurt, but soon enough he felt Kurt's fingers in his hair, pulling as Kurt began to babble softly, praising Blaine and thanking the gods for Blaine's perfect, perfect mouth.

"M'gonna come, Blaine…oh please…don't stop…so good, baby, please…" Kurt whined quietly – so quietly that Blaine had absolutely no problem hearing the keys in the door jingle. He refused to stop and when Kurt's wide eyes caught his, he shook his head no and gripped Kurt's hips tightly, tugging Kurt to the floor with him. Managing to get Kurt flat on his back on the kitchen floor, Blaine was a man possessed, determined to let Kurt come, as they'd been so close and stopping now would only be mortifying for everyone involved. Burt and Carole would see them, Kurt would be hard as steel and there would be no way to cover that up in his current state. It would be so obvious what they'd been up to. Blaine was stiff as a rod and jutting out of his own fly and…no. He was going to finish this now. Quietly.

They heard Carole shush Burt and, the two of them giggling and a little tipsy, head straight to the guest bedroom, thankfully away from the kitchen, and breathed a sigh of almost relief. Both Kurt and Blaine knew that their guests could walk out of the room at any moment and discover them, half undressed, on the kitchen floor.

Kurt's face was pained, worried and absolutely terrified. He was sure they'd be heard or that Burt or Carole would come around the peninsula and see them on the floor, Blaine's face buried in Kurt's crotch and Kurt laying there, sprawled out in absolute ecstasy. Kurt had a moment's flicker of wondering why the hell he hadn't gone soft, knowing that they were no longer alone in the apartment but as long as Blaine kept doing what he was doing, Kurt couldn't make himself care. Blaine's mouth was a thing of absolute warm, wet, slick wonder and Kurt couldn't make himself pull away to save his life.

Blaine, for his part, figured they'd either get caught or they wouldn't, but he wasn't going to give Kurt a hurried and rushed blowjob either way. He slowed his tempo, licking Kurt around the ridge and purpled head making the poor man bite his fist and arch his back in pleasure. When their eyes met, Blaine pulled off long enough to whisper "fuck my mouth" before leaning back in. Kurt's hips jolted up at that and Blaine fought not to cough and give their location away. Kurt's hips pistoned up over and over as Blaine's grin widened. He found his own length again, stroking himself in time with Kurt's hips and when Kurt finally huffed out a huge, silent breath of air and came with the softest, sweetest whimper, Blaine all but collapsed on top of him.

Kurt wasn't finished, though. He quickly and quietly scrambled to get to Blaine's lap, taking Blaine in his mouth and working him over for barely a minute before Blaine came hard, eyes squeezed shut as his chest heaved, then collapsing next to Kurt on the floor, his whole body limp as a wet noodle. They snickered silently and grinned at each other like two little kids who'd stolen the last of the cookies without permission, hands intertwined between them, laying side by side, breath huffing and Kurt's head resting on Blaine's chest.

"My God, Kurt, you're so…so perfect for me," Blaine whispered, grinning like a crazy man.

"I think it helps a lot that you're perfect for me, though, don't you think?" Kurt whispered back, his eyes so full of love that it shook Blaine to his core. He leaned over and kissed Kurt thoroughly, tasting himself and feeling everything below his waist stir again.

It wasn't even a minute after Kurt finished with Blaine that they heard the door crack open again and Carole's bare feet pad across the floor. Both of them turned to look at one another with wide, terrified eyes.

Oh please let her go into the bathroom, Kurt silently begged anyone listening. He held his breath, afraid to so much as move when he heard her approach, then open the refrigerator with her back to them and rummage through for a bottle of water. She closed the fridge, paused briefly, side stepped to the cabinet and grabbed a sleeve of crackers, then quickly headed back toward the bedroom. When the door clicked shut a second time, the boys scrambled as quietly as possible toward their bedroom and once the door was closed they collapsed on the bed in a fit of giggles.

January…

"Don't be a stranger, ya hear?" Burt said that Sunday evening as he and Carole climbed into the car already occupied by Ms. Caroline and Gram.

"I won't, Dad, I promise," Kurt told him, hugging his dad tightly.

"You remember where Ohio is, right kid?"

"I do, and we'll visit. Let me go over the calendar with David and see where we stand on some of the projects he has scheduled. I'll have a better understanding of where I need to be and what I need to have completed first before I can travel. I'll look, though, I promise, Dad."

"It's been a year since you came home for a visit…a real, honest to goodness visit. You know, one where you weren't angry and upset over this guy…" Burt said, nodding at Blaine with a grin, "and things that didn't really happen. Let's see both of ya back in Ohio soon, yeah?"

"I'll try my best, Dad," Kurt said with a resigned sigh as Blaine nodded like a deranged bobble head doll.

They hugged tightly and said their goodbyes, then Kurt watched as the car carried Burt and Carole away to the airport. It always made him immeasurably sad when his dad left and he fought the tears in his eyes, barring them from flowing over.

"We really should make the time to go visit," Blaine said quietly, his arms slipped around Kurt's waist. He urged Kurt back inside where it was warm and pecked him on the cheek.

"Yeah…we…we can do that if you want."

"You don't want to go home?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. Your tone said a whole lot."

"It's just that…home is where everything happened. And home is where I ran when I was so unbelievably devastated when I thought…well, when I misjudged the situation when you went to Sebastian's that night. That was a cold feeling of dread I never want to feel again, and I think I took it home with me. Thinking of going back always makes me think of Jackson, and that, in and of itself, gives me nightmares. But how do I tell my dad I can't come home?"

"You can. You're strong and we'll do this together. You and I haven't had any time to make any memories there, Kurt. If we make good memories in your home town, in your dad's house, it'll be easier for you to be there…maybe?"

"You're right, it probably will. And even just having you there with me will make it so much better. I always loved our home in Lima, really. It's not huge, but it's not tiny, either. It's homey and cluttered and full of love and memories…even good ones…and I miss it sometimes. But…being here with you, Blaine, is like the dreams I always wished for before bed. I can't imagine anything better, so I want you to know that," Kurt smiled, pulling Blaine up for a kiss.

"You're so good to me," Blaine grinned into the kiss. "I love our place…I love what we've made here together," he grinned and Kurt leaned in to rest his forehead on Blaine's. They stayed that way until Kurt's stomach growled causing both of them to snicker. "Lunch? I can whip up some sandwiches if you want?" Blaine asked.

"That sounds good. I really need to organize some things for work tomorrow, but I thought maybe we could catch up on some of the stuff on the DVR and just veg out? Maybe catch up on some much needed us time in a bit?"

"That sounds fantastic, actually," Blaine said as he went into the kitchen to make lunch. "We have white and rye bread, and let me look in the….." Blaine began, but his words faded off.

"Sounds delightful, then. I'll have a rye on white, please," Kurt joked, folding the throw on the sofa. When Blaine didn't reply, Kurt looked up to see what he was doing. "Blaine?"

"Oh my God, Kurt. OH. MY. God….." Blaine said, his face red and his eyes bugged out. He immediately walked over to the fridge and stood there in front of it for a minute, then his hands came up over his face and he moaned as if in pain.

"Blaine, what is it?" Kurt asked, concerned now. He walked over to Blaine and Blaine merely pointed to the note on the counter:

Boys,

We can't thank you enough for letting us stay. I know we were there longer than you'd imagined at first but you handled it gracefully, as always. Thankfully Finn is feeling better now.

We had so much fun visiting, and you never fail to make us feel welcome. We love you both so much and it's such a joy to see you two so happy!

Kurt, we're so happy you have Blaine and vice versa. I know your father was scared to let you go off to the big city on your own, but you've made your way here and we're so very proud of you…both of you. We can't wait to start with the wedding plans. I know it'll be nothing less than epic, knowing you!

Love each other and have fun while you're young, boys! Don't let the petty things bother you. Work together and love one another. That's the most important thing, right?

And mostly, Kurt….hold on to him and never let go. Use both hands. You'll need them, if I'm not mistaken….both hands, Kurt. Well done.

BTW, I need to know what it is that you use to clean your stainless steel appliances. Your fridge positively gleams….like a mirror almost….even in the lowest light….ya know? As you stand at the fridge I bet you can see everything behind you, can't you? Both hands, Kurt. Wow…..

Love,

Carole (and Burt…)

"I want to die, Kurt. Die," Blaine rasped out, his eyes so wide it was almost comical. "Just find that big knife we used for the turkey and get it over with. Oh my God….."

Kurt had no reply. He simply stared, agog, then stepped over to the appliance to check the shiny surface before him. Sure enough, it gleamed as it always did and he could see everything behind him reflected in the stainless steel…everything…especially where he and Blaine had been silently laying, clothes askew, pants around their thighs and thoroughly sated, when Carole came in for water. He might never be able to look her in the eye again.

---

They made a concerted effort to spend more quality time together after the New Year. Kurt cut back on the hours he spent at the loft, opting to "sleep in" a couple days a week with Blaine and picking up those hours later in the evening when Blaine went to work. He didn't mind working at night at all, and in fact he kind of loved his new schedule.

Waking up with Blaine next to him, sleep rumpled and mumbling was…adorable. Blaine was adorable. Kurt couldn't get enough of him.

"I don't want to wait," Kurt said one morning over breakfast, apropos of nothing at all.

"For….?" Blaine prompted, eyes shifting around, uncertain of their conversation and if he'd missed something. He eyed the toaster warily, wondering if Kurt wasn't going to wait for his own toast to pop up and therefore steal Blaine's.

"To set a date. I don't want a long engagement. Is that ok? What did you have in mind? I mean, were you planning to do things like…two years from now or…? Because I just…Blaine, I want to be yours in every way. I don't want to hang on and just keep telling people ' Oh, we haven't set a date yet…' because it's important to me, Blaine. You're important to me and I-"

"Oh my Good Lord, Kurt!" Blaine huffed out a laugh, reaching for Kurt's slightly trembling hands. "What in the world, baby? Of course we don't have to wait if you don't want to. We can shuffle on down to the J.P. this afternoon if you want to. We can be there when they open if it's that important, but I thought for sure you, of all people, would want plenty of time to plan the absolute most perfect event in the history of weddings…which, I need to tell you right now, I plan to stay far away from unless specifically spoken to or summoned. Just so we're clear. I don't want any part of that stress that I know very well you're going to put on yourself, Kurt. But that being said, please know that anything you want or need help with…anything at all…I'm here to do that, be there, carry that, order that or veto that. Just say the word. But I'll stay out of the way until you do because I don't want you to kill me before I get to say 'I do' to my stunning husband," Blaine chuckled.

"And you thought I was rambling. Wow. Ok, then. Um…no. No Justice of the Peace, Blaine. It's like you don't even know me," Kurt scoffed. "And yes, I have had the most perfect of all ceremonies planned from 'yes, I'll marry you' to 'I do, take me to bed', since I was sixteen. Mark my words, this shindig's gonna knock your socks off!"

"I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. So…care to tell me where this shindig is going to take place? And do you have a date in mind?" Blaine asked, all smiles.

I have some spots in mind….Erminia, Gansevoort Hotel, Inside Park at St. Bart's…but getting a date booked anytime soon is…I don't know…you probably have to call years in advance, I'm sure. If we could plan something for the fall, I think that'd be ideal…maybe. But with school and a honeymoon and taking time off…" Kurt thought outloud… "I think our best bet is to sit down and talk about it, discuss what we want…what we both want, Blaine, because this is as much about you as it is about me…it's about us, so we should both have a say. Did you have a location in mind?"

"No, not really…" Blaine grinned, staring into Kurt's eyes, "Because I was very sure you had this all up there in your stunning mind and I was right. We can absolutely discuss it, though, Kurt, if you want to. We have all day…we have all the time in the world, actually. I just…I want you to be happy with it, ok?"

"You know, the thing is, what I'd really like isn't an option," Kurt said as he raised his toast to take a bite. "My first choice kinda came to me when I was younger…much younger, actually. My mom used to be on all these committees…garden club, rotary club, you get the picture. She was forever busy doing something and she was so smart…so good with people, you know? So everyone invited her to chair this and organize that. So one summer we attended this wedding of one of the most wealthy and influential families in town. My mom knew the bride's mother from the garden club and they were friends, so we were invited. It was top notch…I mean, there was hired security there for some of the guests who were probably in politics or something. I don't recall exactly, just that I was a little terrified because it was clear that you didn't smile at those people and they weren't there to socialize."

"So where was the wedding?"

"Oh…well, it was at their family home, just outside of Lima. It was this huge sprawling estate with extensive grounds that were immaculately kept. I just remember thinking that it was so nice to have it somewhere that hadn't seen a thousand other weddings and hundreds of thousands of guests. Nobody else would have wedding pictures taken like theirs, with the same old backgrounds and the same tired props. It was someone's beautiful, massive, elegant home. It felt…special. Private. Cozy, despite the huge home…but mostly because the staff they were used to was there and there weren't a ton of "hired staff" milling around making it less…private. Does that make sense?" Blaine nodded, taking another bite.

"It was just more memorable than someone else's wedding venue that you'd been to six times already because, of course, that's where everyone goes…it's just what's done…right? In Lima that place was called 'Receptions'. Amazingly creative, right?" Kurt smiled widely and rolled his eyes. Lima's not a huge place and there are very few big venues for weddings… a lot of people just use the hall at the VFW or the Eagle's Lodge or something."

"So you want to get married in Lima? Because we can do that if you want to, Kurt," Blaine told him with an indulgent grin.

"Oh God no. No no no, not even remotely. But it's not an option. That place isn't open to the public for weddings or parties. Like I said, it was someone's private home and they had the wedding there because they could. Because it was large enough for them to accommodate all of the guests they'd invited. And I'm not saying I want a huge wedding with hundreds of guests, either, therefore requiring a huge venue. Unless that's what you want…?"

"No…not really. I don't have a whole lot of close family and there aren't a whole hell of a lot of people I'd want to share the day with, especially if you want to keep it an intimate affair," Blaine grinned lovingly, rubbing his thumb over Kurt's hand. "You…me…your family and mine…everyone who was here for 'Friendsmas', maybe co-workers. It doesn't have to be huge but I want you to be happy with it, Kurt. I don't plan on doing this twice, so let's do what we want the first time, shall we?"

"I don't plan to do this twice, either. Which means, Blaine Anderson, that once he or she says 'I now pronounce you…' that you're stuck with me."

Kurt's affectionate smile was enough to warm Blaine from the inside out and he felt settled, content. The holidays had taken a lot out of him, but what he found was that finally just asking Kurt to marry him, getting the question out and getting it over with, had been a massive weight off his shoulders. He hadn't realized how much anxiety he was holding onto as the ring sat in its little velvet box in their room.

"I couldn't be happier with my choice of brilliant, handsome fiancé. I'm happy to be stuck with you."

"If you start singing Huey Lewis and the News I'm leaving, Blaine," Kurt deadpanned.

"You're leaving anyway," Blaine said, sticking his lip out.

"I am….I haven't actually been in the office for three days. It's time I showed my face and I have some sketches I want to run by David. I got a weird email from Naomi, too, so I want to see what that's about. She was very…mmm…'secretive' is the wrong word, but…not forthcoming with information…as if I should already know or something? It was odd. But I plan to find out what's going on," Kurt said, raising his eyebrows.

"Ok, well, I'll be with Jeff today. He has someone coming to replace the huge mirrored wall in the ballet studio. All those years it was fine and then last week someone smacked it with a ladder while moving it to paint and wham! Jeff was almost hyperventilating, babbling on about seven years of bad luck. He's a nut…."

"That he is. I was wondering, though…has he said anything to you about his visit to see Nick's dad? I mean, I wonder what they talked about and why he's suddenly so unconcerned with his own safety. I mean, not that he's not concerned, but he's not nearly the basket case he was a few months back, right?" Kurt was curious but he didn't want to push. If Jeff had told Blaine something in confidence, he didn't want to pry.

"When I asked him he said only that they'd had a good airing of grievances, that they'd come to some mutual agreements and that supposedly he was off the chopping block as long as he 'held up his end of the bargain', which he refused to clue me in on. I have to take his word for it and assume he's comfortable with what they've talked about, although I've gotta say, when it comes to Nick's dad, I'm not sure I'd trust him as far as I can toss a Buick. I guess we'll see."

---

"I think that works, Kurt. Let's go ahead with the first eight sketches. Get what you need and use the staff as necessary. I'll work with you on the placket of that blouse…you're right, something's not gelling on it. I have to run," David said, glancing down at his watch. "A smart man doesn't leave his wife waiting when he asks her to meet him for lunch," he smiled.

"Too true. Off with you, then. We don't want you injured when you return. Please tell her I said hello," Kurt grinned as David waved and exited Kurt's office. Kurt went back to his sketches, glancing through a catalog halfheartedly until he heard a knock on his doorframe.

"Kurt, do you have a minute?" Naomi asked, her eyes bright and mischievous.

"For you, always. Come on in. What's on your mind?"

"I think you're well aware of what's on my mind, Kurt, and as much as I appreciate it, I can't accept it. We'll have to make some sort of…I don't know…repayment schedule or—"

"Ok, wait…you lost me back at 'can't accept it'. What's going on and what can't you accept?" Kurt face was scrunched in confusion and for the first time, Naomi thought she may have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Kurt….I got my statement from the student loans I took when…you know…when everything went to hell." She studied Kurt's clueless face and knew then and there that he had no idea what she was talking about. "Kurt, someone paid off my loans. Every single cent…paid in full…nothing owed. I'm…truly and absolutely grateful, but…that's a helluva lotta money and I can't just…" she trailed off, watching Kurt's eye grow large with the information she was sharing. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" she asked with a half-smile.

"I honestly don't, but wow. Holy cow…I mean, from what you told me, you had quite the debt racked up there, and as much as I would have loved to be the one to help you out like that, I don't have that kind of money. Given the chance, I'd have been all over it, but you're barking up the wrong tree, honey. It wasn't me. You honestly don't have any clue who paid it all off?" Kurt asked, astounded.

"None at all. I called and they said the person was adamant about remaining anonymous. I suppose I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, though, should I? I mean…Kurt, I sat down and I cried for almost an hour. I just…the stress that flowed out of me…the anxiety of having to pay all that money every month, you know? I can't even explain to you how this feels, and someone needs to know how completely and utterly thankful I am. I just don't have any idea who to thank. You're the only person I've spoken with about the whole thing, besides my mom, about having had to take out the loans to begin with. I'm kind of a private person, so obviously I assumed…." she trailed off, still watching him to be sure he wasn't just hiding what he'd done.

"Well, I will tell you with all honesty that it wasn't me, as much as I'd love to be able to take the credit. You're worth every cent of it, though," Kurt smiled widely at her, reaching for her hand across the desk. "Someone recognizes what a truly special person you are and helped you out. You know what they say, right? Pay it forward. Just do something nice for someone since someone's done something so phenomenal for you. I can't think of a better way to repay the deed, can you?"

"You're right. What's done is done and as I said, I'm insanely grateful, but if I can't thank someone in person, I'll do my very best to pay it forward. I'm sorry I came in here all crazy about it. I just really thought, since we've recently discussed it, you know…?"

"I get it. I'd have probably thought the same. I'm so happy for you, though, even if it wasn't me!" Kurt laughed. "This has to be extremely liberating."

"More than I can even begin to say. One day I hope to be able to tell whoever helped me out how much they've changed my life. I'm so very grateful…" she said, tears in her eyes, "and obviously overwhelmed a little."

"I can just imagine!"

"Ok, back to work for me. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Kurt."

"Oh, you're never a bother, Naomi, and you know it! In fact, if you're not too busy, would you mind running out with me? I need to get my hands on some fabric this morning."

"I'd love to!"

"Great! I have to be back by three, though, because I have a fitting with the lovely and sweet Ms. Aria to finish up details on a couple of gowns."

---

"I wonder what they do with all that broken glass? Can you cut the larger pieces into smaller mirrors? Would that even be profitable?"

"I dunno, B. I just don't want anyone getting cut on all that shattered mirror and bleeding on my floors. We've just had 'em refinished!" Jeff huffed. At Blaine's raised eyebrows he continued. "Well I don't want anyone hurt, either, for crying out loud, but I'm just sayin'!" Jeff laughed.

"You're crazy."

"Sky is blue, grass is green, dinosaurs are extinct. This is not new information, Blaine."

"No. No it's not." Blaine rolled his eyes. "Listen, I'm gonna head out, ok? It's after three and I want to get home and get some dinner going. Kurt's at the loft today and chances are he skipped lunch in favor of playing with fabric and zippers or some such thing," Blaine grinned.

"You're probably right. He rarely stopped to eat when we were working together. He'd just—" Jeff broke off when his phone rang in his pocket. Looking down he glance at Blaine and grinned. "Speak of the devil!" he said when he answered. "What's up, Kurtie?"

"Jeffrey, we've discussed the nickname…"

"We have, oh favorite designer of all things fashionable. But I like it, and it fits, so you're my Kurtie. What's up?"

"You tell me, Jeff. What IS up?" Kurt asked, something in his tone letting Jeff know that he was hinting at something.

"Umm….what?"

"I had a very enthusiastic Naomi in my office this morning. Would you happen to know anything about—"

"I know not what you speak of. You can't prove anything. Let's move on to something else, shall we? Your man is here with me, discussing the merits of recycling mirrors. Would you like to speak with him?"

"Jeff, you're deflecting."

"Actually, I'm not deflecting, I'm RE-flecting. You should really see these new mirrors, Kurt. They're stunning…."

"Jeff—"

"Kurt, please. I don't…can we not? I'm not good at…that."

"But it was you?"

With a long, drawn out sigh, Jeff hung his head for a minute and then cracked his neck left, then right, watching Blaine grimace as he did so. "It was me. Do NOT tell her, Kurt. Please just don't. I have the means and she…she's a nice girl…very talented. Look at her stuff sometime, Kurt. She knows what she's doing and needs to be more than a paper pusher. She deserves a break. That's all. Can we just not talk about it?"

"She told me she cried for an hour. She said the weight that left her shoulders, Jeff…." Kurt paused, sighed, "she said it was if the stress and anxiety just flowed away. She's incredibly grateful. I thought you should know. She'd want you to know…to be able to properly thank you."

"Absolutely not. What you just said…it's thanks enough, ok. Please can we just…" Jeff's breath hitched. "I'm gonna um…." He began, then handed his phone to Blaine and walked away, slightly choked up.

"Hi, Baby," Blaine said, confused. "I don't know what you did or what that was about, but he's all verklempt now. Do I wanna know?"

"I…what? He's what? Did you seriously just use the word verklempt? Isn't that Yiddish?"

"Now who's deflecting?" Blaine asked, eyebrows raised.

"We'll chat about it later over dinner. How's your day?"

"Spectacular. Found out our light fixtures that were back ordered for three months come in an 18 inch which will work just as well as the sixteen inch fixtures that we can't get…and they can ship the bigger ones right away!" Blaine said excitedly.

"Um…ok. You sound…oddly ecstatic over light fixtures, but alright," Kurt said, nearly rolling his eyes.

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. You got an email today and that silk you wanted from Bergamo is in—"

"Oh my GOD, are you serious!" Kurt exclaimed, nearly knocking his chair over as he stood, excitedly, and yelled into the phone. "I thought I wouldn't get that until May!" He sat back down, dejected, when he heard Blaine snicker on the other end of the line. "You lying little shit! You're making fun, aren't you?!"

"Yes, well, don't make light of my fixtures...no pun intended...just because you don't get excited over that stuff. I do! It makes my life much easier," Blaine grinned into the phone.

"You're an evil man, Blaine Anderson. I was so excited about my Bergamo!"

"I'll make it up to you later."

"Promise?"

"Oh, absolutely. Can you be home for dinner? I have something I want to celebrate with you."

"Celebrate? What are we celebrating?" Kurt asked, clueless. "Valentine's Day is still a couple weeks out, isn't it? Did they change the date on me?" he teased.

"Nope…same old February 14th...but I was looking for something in my calendar on my phone this morning and I realized what today is. Exactly one year ago today I stepped off the plane in NYC ready to start a new life…and a short while later, I met the love of my life. I'd say that's worth celebrating, wouldn't you?"

"Oh, without a doubt," Kurt grinned.

February….

Valentine's Day was spent having brunch with Finn and Rachel. It was a nice change, as Blaine saw Finn often at work, but Kurt wasn't so lucky. He missed his brother and welcomed time with Rachel as well.

"And I'll have the Eggs Benedict, please and could you sprinkle some onion and cheese in the potatoes?" Kurt asked as he ordered his food. The server smiled warmly and assured him it was no problem, collecting their menus before she walked away. "Soooooo…." Kurt began with a smile. "I have news!" he said excitedly.

"News?" Blaine asked, because this was news to him as well, although he'd noticed Kurt seemed a little distracted that morning.

"David and I talked yesterday and we're going to Paris for Fashion Week!" Kurt nearly squealed, excited beyond belief. Blaine smiled, equally as excited for him, but instantly feeling Kurt's loss in the apartment already.

"Oh, Kurt, that'll be so much fun!" Rachel bubbled over. "When is it?"

"March…the first week in March. We weren't sure we could get tickets for the things we wanted to see, but David pulled some strings and we have tickets and the best part is I don't have to pay for anything so…I can't wait!"

"Huh…I'll be gone that week, too," Finn added. "Mom's got a conference in California and Burt can't go…he has some seminar or other on fuel injectors he's been signed up for and he doesn't want to miss it. I said I'd go so she's not out there alone," he grinned.

"That'll be good for you guys. How long has it been since you went somewhere, just the two of you?" Kurt asked.

"Oh man…years. A lot of years," Finn replied, lost in thought. "I might have been in grade school. Money got pretty tight when I started at McKinley and all the sports fees and glee trips and all that. Then it was the four of us. Remember when Burt dragged us all out camping in Kentucky?" Finn recalled, laughing. Kurt joined in with the reminiscing about the camping trip and that was the end of the conversation about Fashion Week, leaving Blaine happy for Kurt, but less than enthused for himself, knowing he'd be home alone for a while and not liking that at all.

Later, when they'd returned home and he'd given Kurt a beautiful bouquet of yellow and red roses, Blaine sat on the sofa watching Kurt piddle around in his office. Lost in thought, he didn't notice Kurt until he flopped on the sofa beside him.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Kurt asked, but he already suspected where Blaine's thoughts were…and he felt guilty for it. After all the times he'd whined to Blaine about him being gone, going to Westindale, not being with Kurt and how much he hated them being apart, Kurt was well aware of what Blaine was probably thinking. Well, at least that's what Kurt was feeling, anyway. He was doing the same thing…he was leaving Blaine alone, and he already felt badly about it.

"Oh…I…nothing. It's nothing, really," Blaine told him, hiding behind a smile that was both fake and sad.

"Try again, Blaine, and this time please be honest with me."

"I…" Blaine began, but paused, wanting to word things correctly. "I'm just remembering how hard it was to be away from you when I was at Westindale, and you were only two hours away then. I could get home if I wanted or needed to. You'll be on another continent, Kurt. And I'll be here…" Blaine trailed off, his smile still sad.

"I don't know what to say. Do you want me to stay home?"

"No, I'd never…I wouldn't ask that. I don't mean that, Kurt, not at all. You need to go and you'd only resent me if I said yes, which I wouldn't. But I can't help thinking how quiet and lonely it'll be with you gone. I can be excited for your opportunity, Kurt, and still not like you being gone."

It was worse than Kurt thought. He felt insanely guilty leaving Blaine home alone and going off to Paris, of all places, to do something amazing and fun. But instead of saying so, he got defensive. Guilt, guilt, guilt…..

"So you can go away for six weeks without a word to me about it but I can't go away, for work, for ten days, without you getting upset?" Kurt asked.

"But I went away for work as well, and considering at the time I made that decision, Kurt, you'd walked away from me, from our relationship, assuming I'd done something horrible without ever stopping to actually speak to me about it—" Blaine started to respond further, but then he thought better of continuing the conversation like that. "You know what…Stop this right here, Kurt. Don't," Blaine warned, although there was no heat behind it, he just didn't want to argue. "I'm not asking you not to go and I'm not telling you that you can't or shouldn't-"

"Well, that's good because it's not your place—" Kurt said flippantly. Blaine gritted his teeth and took a deep, cleansing breath.

"Kurt. PLEASE DON'T. I know what you're doing, and I'm asking you to stop. You're projecting and I don't appreciate it. I'm simply saying that I'll miss you being here and I don't know why you're getting all defensive about it, but I don't want this to turn into an argument, ok? We said we'd talk these things out, right?"

"What's there to talk about? I've been offered an amazing opportunity to do something which will be beneficial to my work…my job…and you don't want me to do it!" Kurt replied, still defensive.

"Ok, I'm not doing this. I'm not being sucked into it, Kurt. I won't…so you can just sit here and stew over whatever it is…your guilt or whatever, but I'm going out. I'm not going to be dragged into an argument over something that's not arguable. Call me when you're ready to talk calmly without getting snippy with me, ok? I love you," Blaine said, and with that, Kurt heard the door close at the bottom of the stairs. He fumed for a few minutes, angry with Blaine for walking out on him, and then got up to go through is closet and start picking outfits fit for Paris.

Blaine came home hours later looking worse for wear only to find Kurt curled up asleep on the sofa, the T.V. on but turned down low. He opted not to wake Kurt and instead started making dinner.

"Thank you…"

Blaine nearly jumped out of his skin when Kurt slipped his arms around him from behind a few minutes later.

"Jeez, Kurt, warn a guy, would ya?" Blaine grinned. "Thank you for what?"

"For…not letting me get nutty. For nipping it in the bud before things got out of hand. I…you're right. I feel insanely guilty leaving you here alone when I'll be in Paris having the time of my life. I don't want to leave you and I want to ask David if you can just come with us, ok?"

"Oh, Kurt…as much as I appreciate it, I don't think…I mean, you'll be busy and it's just not my thing and this is for work. You don't need me tagging along. I'll be fine. That wasn't the point. The point is that I'll miss you when you're gone, that's all." Blaine turned fully, then, wrapping his arms around Kurt and kissing his nose. "I'll be fine, and I want you to go and have a great time and come back with so many insanely spectacular ideas that you'll just knock everyone's socks off…but I'll miss you. That's what I'm telling you, Kurt. Because I love you."

"God…Blaine…" Kurt squeezed him tighter, holding on and knowing his eyes were wet and about to spill over. "I love you, too. As much for being my voice of reason as for just being you, being here, being mine. Don't let me get nutty, ok? I'm sorry I did. I was just feeling guilty and anxious and I—"

"Let's not…let's move on from that. It happened, it's over. We avoided an argument, we worked it out, which is good. I know how you feel and you know how I feel…let's just…eat, watch whatever it is you have on the DVR and relax, ok?"

"Ok. Alright…thank you…for cooking. I'll do better. I promise."

"You don't need to do better, Kurt. You do just fine, just the way you are."

---

About a week later Kurt awoke bright and early, but found that Blaine had already left, much to his chagrin. He laid on his back, eyes closed with the sun shining in the windows, despite the blinds being closed, and relished the sunlight and its meager warmth. What did he expect for February, anyway?

With a deep sigh he ran his hands through his hair and rubbed his fingers in his eyes to clear away the fuzziness, then let his arms flop over to the side, star-fishing out on the bed with a huff. No Blaine. Ugh…these were the worst mornings. He vaguely recalled Blaine saying something about a company coming to refinish some of the floors and that he needed to be there to let them in as Jeff was in Chicago with Nick. He must have been up and out early, then.

Figuring he'd head in to the loft, Kurt pushed up to a sitting position and it was only then that he found the single lavender rose next to him with a note:

One year ago today I sat in a coffee shop, early on a Sunday morning, and the most stunning, beautiful man I've ever seen walked by and knocked my socks off. It was love at first sight, make no mistake, Kurt. I adore you.

All my love,

B

A single, beautiful lavender rose with no thorns…love at first sight, early attachment. God, he loved that man.

---

March…

"It's only a week, Hunter. I've been gone longer than that before. You'll be fine," Sebastian grinned over the kitchen table, laptop open.

"Yes, well, you haven't been out of town since we've been married…not for any length of time, anyway, and I want to be sure you're all healed and…I worry."

"You always worry. There's no reason. I'm up to snuff. I've been checked out by my own doctor, by the bureau's doctor, and they all say I'm good to go. It's London, not a war zone. I'll be ok," Sebastian tried to reassure his husband. "You'll be working the whole time anyway, I'm sure."

"I will NOW! There's no point in coming home to an empty apartment. It's only home when you're here, Seb."

"Hunter Clarington-Smythe, are you pouting?" Sebastian teased.

"I'll pout if I want to, thank you very much. I dislike sleeping alone now that…now that I'm used to you next to me every night…even if it's just for a few hours or so." Hunter whined, bottom lip out as he walked into their bedroom and flopped on the bed, his husband following behind.

"Oh my God, you are pouting. This is precious!" Sebastian crowed, eyes bright with mirth. Hunter wasn't as merry. "As soon as I can be home, I'll be right back here by your side, baby. There's nowhere I'd rather be, ok? I love you more than anything."

"As I love you, you crazy man. Just come back to me whole and healthy. That's all I ask."

"I have every intention of doing so…just be whole and healthy here waiting for me, ok? That means sleeping when it's time to sleep, eating when it's time to eat and not pushing too hard, Hunter. I'm counting on you to make good choices. Just because I'm not here in the bed doesn't mean you can just not sleep."

"I might stay at mom and dad's. They're closer to the hospital anyway. Smelling you on the sheets is only partially comforting, but wholly a reminder that you're not there with me," Hunter grinned. Sebastian just shook his head at Hunter, grinning back.

"I'll bring you back something nice, how 'bout it?"

"Well that's a given. You know better than to come back empty handed, Sebastian Smythe," Hunter deadpanned.

"Clarington-Smythe!" Sebastian attacked him with a pillow and then went in for the kill, tickling Hunter until he screamed 'uncle'. "Ok, ok, I give up!" Hunter panted, arms pinned next to his head as Seb held him down and dug his fingers into Hunter ticklish sides. "Stop…I'm gonna piss the bed, STOP!"

Sebastian finally did stop, but only because it dawned on him how unbelievably stunning his husband was, all disheveled and mussed beneath him. "You are so incredibly handsome," Sebastian smiled lovingly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…"

"That all I am, just a pretty face?" Hunter teased. Sebastian looked upon him with such love such undying devotion that it shook Hunter and his smile faltered as he stared into his husband's eyes.

"You are, without a doubt, the most intelligent, witty, down to earth and loving man I've ever known. I know that no matter what happens in our lives, that I'll always be able to depend on you, because you give all of you, Hunter, without question. You praise me, you allow me to grow and flourish and you encourage me to better myself every day…and I want to. I want to be the best person I can be…for you. Because you deserve the very best…so why you settled for a goofy, self-centered ego maniac like me, I'll never know. But know this…you are so much more than a pretty face, Hunter. You're an amazingly talented and kind hearted man who has dedicated his life to helping others…and in the process, you've helped me find…me. And me is the guy who loves you with an unquestioning devotion that'll never die…even when you're old and grey and not nearly as fucking hot as you are now— OWWWW!" Sebastian yelled as Hunter slugged him hard in the head with a bolster pillow.

"Well, that was absolutely life changing until you fell back into your everyday persona, Sebastian…" Hunter laughed, eyes bright with mirth and still smooshed under his husband on the bed.

"I meant every word…except that last part."

"You won't love me when I'm not 'as fucking hot as I am now'?"

"Nope...because there will never be a time when I won't look at you and think "damn, that man is so fine…and he's all mine. Never. When we're old and grey, living in a nursing home and pissing our drawers, I'll still look at you and think you're the most stunning man I've ever laid eyes on, and I'll thank my lucky stars I was smart enough to grab you and you were dumb enough to let me."

Hunter's heart melted even more and his eyes went a little glassy. He was more than a little relieved Sebastian didn't call him on it or make fun.

"I adore you, Sebastian, and I'd say all of those things about you if it wasn't redundant. You've changed my life in so many positive ways, and I'm forever grateful. I love you…now and always."

"As I love you…you hot piece of ass," Sebastian snickered as Hunter rolled his eyes gleefully and tried to shove him away without success.

"Soooo…what are the odds of a 'hot piece of ass' getting a little lovin' from his hubby before said hubby leaves the country for a week?"

"Oh…well, I'd say pretty darn good, love…."

"Who's home? Will they hear us?"

"I don't care who hears us," Sebastian smiled. "I just care that I can make you moan and I'll hear you."

"And the gauntlet has been thrown down…."

"Just let me…." Sebastian leaned in to kiss Hunter's lips softly, slowly, without any rush at all. They had all day and he planned to spend it right where he was. Pulling back, he settled on his knees between Hunter's legs and played for a minute, trailing his fingertips down Hunter's chest, admiring the taught muscle and defined abs that never failed to make his heart race. Playing in the soft hair on his husband's chest. Hunter watched him intently, never taking his eyes from Sebastian's face. "Just let me love you, Hunter…."

---

"Jesus! What the hell's going on down there?" Blaine asked, eyes wide as he steadied a framed photo as it swung on its nail on the wall of their bedroom.

"Sebastian's leaving for a week…London I think. I'm sure they're going to be at it all day long, so best to get used to it."

"And you know this…why?"

"Ran into Seb in the hallway yesterday. He asked us to keep an eye on Hunter…make sure he's eating, etc. He said when he's gone Hunter kinda loses himself…tries to keep busy by studying for hours and days on end. He figures now that he's out of school he'll try to work as much as possible and he's afraid Hunter will go until he collapses."

"How long do you think Seb will keep this job, knowing what happens when he leaves and how uptight Hunter is about it? Because let's face it, that display at Thad and Trent's wedding was impressive, but it won't work with a shooter 50 yards out, ya know?"

"I can't say…I mean, I know it's probably still on his mind, and I think eventually it'll become painfully obvious if he looks close enough. We'll just have to wait and see…and be there if things unravel."

Oh, Christ Jesus, Yes….Sebastian….oh Gooodddddddddd…MORE….harder….harder baby…please….ohgodplease…!

Kurt looked down at the floor as if he could see what was happening through it. Another crash broke the silence and he snickered, shaking his head as he raised his eyebrows at Blaine.

"Hunter likes it…rough," Kurt grinned, blushing as if he was speaking about himself, then bit his lip and couldn't help the smile that broke out over his face.

"Again…and you know this…why?" Blaine smiled widely, looking up from under his lashes.

"I dunno…I mean…we talk. I…it came up?" Kurt looked like he wanted to swallow his own tongue.

"It's ok that you guys talk, Kurt. I mean…" Blaine began, following Kurt into the kitchen, "everyone talks about their sex life to someone, I guess, right?" He grabbed the tomato that Kurt tossed his way and rolled in onto the counter, grabbing a knife. "Small dice?"

"Mmhmmm, please."

"Did you…um…did you talk to Hunter about…about um…us?" Blaine asked, eyes bright and wicked under his lashes as he chopped the tomato.

"Umm…maybe?" Kurt mumbled, turning out a hunk of ground beef into a pan on the stove. The sizzle muffled his reply, but Blaine smiled, knowing what he'd said. "Is that…ok?"

"It doesn't bother me, if that's what you're asking. Unless you think it should?"

"Shred, please…" Kurt asked, handing Blaine a head of iceburg lettuce before he went back to stirring the ground beef. "I hope it doesn't bother you, but if it does, please tell me?"

"Kurt," Blaine said, setting the knife down and turning toward his fiancé, "I know there were…issues…things you weren't comfortable with when we first got together. I'm certain you didn't want to discuss some of those things with me, and I know you asked Jeff about certain stuff, and that's…alright. I don't mind. I just hope that if something important came up, you'd talk to me about it before you'd go to someone else?"

"Always," Kurt turned to him and smiled, his eyes warm and his shoulders not as rigid as they'd been 30 seconds earlier. "There was never anything I thought I couldn't speak with you about, but sometimes it's easier to talk to someone else when I need…advice? Guidance? I don't know. It was easier to ask Jeff to tell me about…about bottoming…I guess…instead of embarrassing myself in front of you in the moment – even though he completely misunderstood and thought I wanted to have sex with him instead."

"He WHAT?" Blaine yelled, spinning from the island and his half chopped lettuce, eyes wide and mouth gaping open. Kurt turned to face him as well, a confused look on his face.

"I told you that…didn't I? I mean, the weekend that Jeff told Nick and me about you two at Dalton…when you were together…a couple days before, when I asked Jeff to lunch, I wanted to ask him about bottoming, and if he had any pointers, really, so that I could do that…for you…with you…and he totally misunderstood and thought I wanted him to 'show me' how, as in sleeping with him, and he hemmed and hawed over it, saying he didn't think Nick would be ok with that and surely you wouldn't…" Kurt went on, and he got a huge kick out of Blaine's facial expressions as he talked.

"Oh my GOD, that is hilarious! No, you never told me. I think, maybe, you started to, but then we got on the subject of 'back in the day' and Jeff and me and all that… oh my God, I'm giving him so much shit about this!" Blaine crowed.

"Don't you embarrass him, Blaine!" Kurt laughed. "He wanted to help me, he really did. You should have seen his face in the diner when I brought it up. He went white, I swear it. As if, if I'd wanted that, I'd have just blurted it out and asked him over lunch at a greasy spoon!" Kurt laughed.

"Yeah, that'd be…odd. Me having to beat the crap out of my best friend and all…" Blaine replied, eyes squinted as he looked down his nose at Kurt, teasing.

"Not to mention your boyfriend…"

"Fiance…"

"Not then, you weren't."

"Even then I knew you would be, some day. It was only a matter of time. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were meant to be in my life, Kurt Hummel…and here we are."

"Here we are…making tacos on a Sunday afternoon in our beautiful apartment after a lazy, sexy morning in bed—"

"And in the shower…mmmmm," Blaine grinned, eyebrows wiggling.

"…with your brother and his family and our friends downstairs…me doing what I love and you and Jeff working toward what you love. You'll be such a good teacher, Blaine. I want to sit in on every class you have just to watch," Kurt said, leaning over to kiss Blaine on the cheek. "They'll fall in love with you on the first day, I just know it!"

"We're getting close, Kurt. Seriously, you should come down and see the building. Jeff's had crews in there working every day. It's coming along and it looks pretty great. We had to have someone come in and mess around with the pulleys for the stage curtain and we finally got it to work. Things are moving right along…" Blaine broke off watching Kurt randomly open cabinets, check the pantry for the second time, then the baker's rack off to the side of the counter.

"What the heck, I know I bought taco shells!" Kurt groaned, unable to find them. Blaine walked over to the pantry and looked as well, hoping a second set of eyes would help, but he didn't see them anywhere either.
"No worries, Kurt, I'll just run down to the store and grab some…hard or soft shells?" Blaine asked.

"Hard shells, please. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"I'll be right back," Blaine told him, heading down the stairs at a trot. "Anything else?" he called from the bottom of their steps.

"Some of that gelato you love, maybe?" Kurt yelled back.

"Will do…back in a flash!" The door thudded shut and Blaine was gone. Kurt scampered over to the window, being stealthy even though there was nobody else in the apartment to see him doing so. He watched Blaine round the corner, then hurried back to his iPod and found the song he was looking for, a guilty pleasure indeed, and not one he was willing to admit to under any circumstances. Shaking his ass around the kitchen, Kurt sang at the top of his lungs knowing Blaine would be at least 10 minutes.

Blaine got as far as rounding the corner before he realized he didn't have his wallet and turned back. He took the stairs in the building two at a time up to the second floor, then reached for the handle of their apartment before he paused, listening intently, a huge grin taking over his face. Quietly he turned the doorknob and crept up the stairs. What met him at the landing was the best thing he'd seen in ages.

Kurt was at the stove, hips wiggling and singing at the top of his lungs, arms flailing like a mad man and Blaine was absolutely head over heels in love with him all over again.

"And if youuuuuu, you want me toooooooo, let's make a mooooove…" Kurt sang, butt wiggling and arms up as he did a little shimmy here and there before bringing the spoon in his hand up to sing the next lines. "…every time we tou-ou-ouch, you get this kinda ru-u-ush, baby say yeeaaaahhhhhh….yeeeaaaahhhhhh…..if you don't wanna take it slow and you just wanna take me home, baby say yeeeeaaaahhhhhh…..yeaaaaahhhh and let me kiss you!" he sang, eyes closed, head thrown back before dropping the spoon in the pan and jumping around the kitchen in his sock feet like a kangaroo on speed…"nananananananaaanaaaaaaa….."

Blaine would later wish he'd had the presence of mind to grab his phone and record this absolute gem of a moment, but it was then that he giggled and Kurt jerked around, shocked and blushing to see Blaine leaning on the railing with his hand over his mouth to cover up his snickering.

"Oh, Kurt, that was fabulous, baby!" Blaine grinned.

"Blaine! Oh my God, what the hell!" Kurt screeched, blushing all the way to his toes. Without thinking, Kurt made a flabbergasted and disgruntled face, picked up an orange from the fruit bowl and whizzed it at his fiancé, absolutely embarrassed to death. What he didn't expect was for the orange to bean Blaine dead center on his forehead and knock him backwards all the way down the stairs with a thud when he reached the bottom.

---

"Kurt, seriously, you need to sit down, he's fiiiiine…" Hunter said for the third time in ten minutes.

Kurt paced the floor in Seb and Hunter's living room, face pale and hands shaking, eyes wet.

"Kurt, I'm ok, really. Please sit with me?" Blaine pleaded, still with his trademark 'Blaine smile' on his face despite Kurt beaning him and causing him to tumble down 15 steps. "Hunter says it's just a sprain and I believe him. It's not a big deal, really, ok?"

"Oh my God, Blaine, I could have killed you!" Kurt hissed, still panicky.

"But you didn't, alright? Please, for God's sake, sit down here with me," Blaine asked again, patting the space next to him on their neighbor's sofa. "We need to discuss talking to the Yankees…or even the Red Sox…about your pitching arm, because damn, Kurt—"

"Oh my GOD, Blaine…" Kurt whined, face in his hands. "Don't even joke about it! Besides, you know baseball's not my thing. I played football…" Reluctantly Kurt sat on the edge of the cushion twisting his fingers together nervously. "You're sure it's just a sprain?" Kurt asked Hunter quietly, feeling horrible for his impulsive actions, no matter how embarrassed he was at being caught singing and dancing by Blaine.

"Looks that way. Keep an eye on his pupils. That lump on the back of his head is bound to give him a headache for a few days, so watch him, but I think he's ok other than that and a few places that'll surely bruise." Hunter handed Blaine a bag of frozen peas for his lumpy head, but his assurances did little to make Kurt feel better. He felt like an ass and just wanted to take Blaine back upstairs and let him rest so Kurt could baby him and try to make it up to Blaine in any way he could.

"But I'm going out of the country in two days—" Kurt began, but a loud sound caught their attention and they all gave each other "what the hell is that?" looks.

"Kurt, did you—" Blaine began, but Kurt cut him off.

"OH MY GOD!" Kurt screamed when it dawned on him what the wailing noise was. "I left the stove on!" He screeched, then bolted for the door and sprinted up the steps to find his kitchen and much of the apartment filled with smoke coming from the stove. He nearly threw the pan and charred meat in the sink, running water on it right away which only made more smoke. Then he turned the vent fan on, the smoke detector off and rushed around opening windows despite the cold outside.

"Kurt, seriously, there's plenty. Please sit down and eat…I made tacos," Hunter said and then tugged Kurt into a chair and gave him a questioning glance when Kurt snorted and banged his head on the table. Blaine snickered as well and explained to Hunter why it was funny.

"…and then I left to run to the store, because we thought we had taco shells, but apparently we didn't…what?" Blaine explained, but then questioned Hunter as the man turned swiftly and stiffly from the counter in the kitchen and placed a hand on his hip, tilting his head and staring pointedly at Sebastian, who suddenly seemed to want to look anywhere but at his husband.

"Sebastian…so help me…you said—"

"Well! It was clear that they were busy, so instead of interrupting, I just borrowed the damn shells with every intention of replacing them when I went to the grocery store this week!" Sebastian defended himself. Kurt and Blaine gave each other confused looks, then turned back to Sebastian waiting for an explanation.

"We were busy…when?" Kurt asked, irritation already there in his voice.

"Uh…earlier…today…this morning after breakfast…." Sebastian said, trying hard not to bite through his cheeks as he attempted not to burst out laughing at Kurt's red face. "And let me tell you, Hummel, between the way Blaine had you singing high notes in the shower, then the absolutely fantastic One Direction performance shortly before the tumble down the stairs, I've gotta say, I'm truly impressed by your range—"

"OH my GOD…" Kurt mumbled, his face hidden in Blaine's shoulder. Blaine could feel how warm Kurt's face was from his blush all the way through his shirt.

"You came into our apartment this morning and stole our taco shells while we were…?"

"While you were fucking like rabbits in the shower, yes. I'm sorry. I'll buy you new taco shells! I didn't want to interrupt that fun little fuck fest you had going on…and on…and on…." Sebastian grinned, raising his eyebrows playfully as Hunter whacked him in the head with the bag of shredded cheese he was pouring into a bowl on the table.

"I can't believe you, Seb…seriously! We talked about the visiting apartments without permission thing, didn't we!? You gave back the keys!"

"The door was unlocked! It's not like I went up there to steal them! I went to ask nicely, to borrow the shells, then replace them! But they were…clearly…otherwise engaged…and you'd be even more angry if I'd banged on the bathroom door and asked you, now wouldn't you?" Sebastian asked Kurt and Blaine. Clearly, Sebastian was unflustered by the whole conversation as he went about assembling a few tacos and spooned some rice onto his plate as if they were discussing the weather for the weekend.

"My husband…" Hunter gritted out through clenched teeth, "is obviously very sorry for his trespasses…." He continued on with his eyes closed, shaking his head as he seated himself at the table as well. "And he'll be happy to replace the shells tomorrow, with interest in the form of cheesecake—"

"From Two Little Red Hens or Eileen's…either one, but it has to be from there," Kurt added quickly, with a smirk.

"What?! Geez…fine! I'll freaking run all over the city for Hummel's cheesecake when I should be getting ready to head out of the country for God's sake!" Sebastian sighed. "Thanks so much for volunteering me, honey!"

"You're welcome, love…now eat up! These tacos aren't gonna eat themselves," Hunter said, rubbing his hands together before digging in.

Sebastian raised a taco to his own mouth, then paused to give Kurt a raised eyebrow. "Wait…you played football, Hummel? This I've gotta hear…"

---

Blaine barely let Kurt recover from their previous romp before he was all over Kurt again. The couple of days before he left for Paris were a blur of sex, food and more sex…and painkillers for Blaine's sprained wrist, bruised arm and lumpy head. Blaine insisted he was just saving up for the days when Kurt was gone and Kurt surely didn't argue. He knew he'd miss Blaine just as much as Blaine would miss him. But he also knew he'd be sufficiently distracted and super busy running from venue to venue for the shows.

Blaine was patient, however, when Kurt was a wreck while trying to pack. He had his suitcases ready to go until the morning he was supposed to leave, then over-thought things, as usual, and ripped his suitcase apart, adding shirts and removing others, changing out scarves, pins and hats before zipping it up and kissing Blaine a dozen times, then flying down the stairs to the waiting taxi. Blaine was on his heels, helping to get his bags in the trunk and then he kissed Kurt again…and then again…before waving him off and heading back inside. The apartment was absolutely dreadful without his Kurt.

At the knock on the door Blaine nearly ran down the stairs thinking it might be Kurt and he'd forgotten something. Whipping the door open he found Cooper standing there with a stupid, knowing look on his face.

"You already miss him?"

"Of course I do! He's been gone ten minutes and I'm already miserable. Don't make fun of me, Cooper, or I'll slug you, I swear it."

"I came to ask you if you wanted to grab some lunch with me! Don't threaten me when I come in peace!" Cooper laughed.

"Oh. Well, yeah, Ok. That sounds good. I need to eat I guess."

"Yes, you do, so let's get some grub and hang out…just you and me. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Cooper slung his arm over Blaine's shoulders and they headed down the steps and out the door.

"I've never been here before…" Blaine almost yelled. "Passed this place a hundred times, but never been inside!" There were basketball games on every giant T.V. in the place and everyone was cheering for one team or another. He had to laugh, knowing this wasn't somewhere Kurt would enjoy at all, then thinking that Kurt would endure it for him, he was sure of it. "Why's it so crowded?"

"Playoff games…these games determine who goes to the tournament…March Madness and all that, duh."

"You know I don't follow basketball much, Coop…."

"You didn't fill out any brackets this year?" Coop asked.

"Nah, been too busy to even mess with it."

They found the last available table, a high top with four chairs, and claimed it quickly, noting that there were other people coming into the bar and seating was at a premium. They chatted about the games before their server came to take their orders, then they talked more about work, Maggie, the kids, the baby on the way, Kurt…and it was nice…very nice, Blaine thought, to just sit and talk with his brother for a while.

"Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but…I know this is really odd…do you mind if I grab a chair here? There's not an empty seat in the place and I had to get the hell away from my…roommate. I won't be in the way—"

"Naw, man, go ahead. Grab a chair!" Cooper offered, shoving the barstool out with his foot. He stuck out his hand in greeting. "Cooper Anderson, and this is my brother Blaine."

"Robert…It's nice to meet you both. You live close by? Neighborhood hang out?" the guy smiled.

"Yeah, not too far, few blocks," Cooper offered. "We actually live in the same building. Blaine lives on the third floor with his fiancé and I live on the second with my wife and kids. You?"

"Oh, no, I'm actually visiting from out of town, staying with my old college roommate. But he's married now…has a couple o' kids and they make me insane…loud and obnoxious little devils, I'm tellin' ya," Robert smiled, then winced. "I don't know how people with kids do it, ya know? I had to get out of there for a while."

"Oh, I dunno, it's not so bad," Coop smiled. "Although, I wasn't around for the first years with mine…they're my wife's kids, but they're…God, they're fantastic...smart, funny, loving. Maggie really did well with those two," Coop said proudly.

"They are pretty awesome," Blaine grinned, then thanked their server as she set their food on the table.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were expecting another person. Can I get you anything?" She asked with a big smile, eyeing Robert up. He wasn't a bad looking guy, Blaine noted, but he was put off by the fact that the guy was tan in March. Tanning bed, he thought, and inwardly rolled his eyes.

"How long you been married?" Robert asked a bit later, gnawing on a chicken wing and keeping one eye on the T.V. where two teams were battling it out in double overtime.

"Oh, uh…about six months," Cooper answered proudly.

"She hot?" Robert asked offhandedly, still keeping his eyes on the T.V. Cooper was taken aback for a second by the question and he noticed Blaine stilled for a moment, too.

"I…Yes, my wife is insanely hot," Cooper replied, his smile not as genuine as it was a minute ago. "She's the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, actually – mentally, physically – she just has a beautiful soul, really."

"And your fiancé?" Robert asked Blaine, who bubbled up inside, knowing this could go one of two ways…so he just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"He's hot as hell, thanks…Stunning, talented, smart and has a great ass. He's out of town or he'd probably be here with us." Blaine grabbed a potato skin and grinned, seeing Coop do the same, but Robert's face never faltered. He just nodded and continued to watch the game.

"So what is it you do, Robert?" Blaine asked a few minutes later between games.

"Oh…I uh….I'm a…technician for an aerospace facility."

"Sounds…fun?" Blaine replied. Actually it sounded boring as hell but what did he know. He figured the guy must be smart to have a job like that, though. Clearly they paid him well enough to afford tanning bed visits. He resisted the urge to chuckle.

"What about you guys? What do you do?" Robert asked.

"I'm an attorney…Blaine's a teacher at a performing arts school," Coop answered.

"Well, I will be. The school opens this fall, actually," Blaine added.

"That's cool…that's cool. What do you teach?"

"Oh, uh…music, music appreciation, piano, guitar, cello, violin—"

"You can play all those instruments?" Robert asked, impressed.

"I…yeah. Started early, had a lot of time to practice, I guess."

"You gonna teach your niece and nephew how to play as well?"

"I'd love to, if they want to learn," Blaine replied with a big smile. "I'm sure they'd be excellent musicians, although I don't know how Coop and Maggie would feel about the noise."

"What? Oh…no worries, B. If they want to learn, then I'm all for it! Anything they want to learn, I'm all for it! Their little minds would soak it right up, wouldn't they?" Cooper grinned. "Ya know, I think I'll ask 'em. That would be amazing, if you're willing to teach them?"

"I would absolutely love to, Coop."

"Can we use your piano or is that only for things you and Kurt deem appropriate?" Coop teased.

"Enough, now…don't traumatize our guest," Blaine replied, grinning at his plate. Robert either didn't hear or didn't think to comment.

"You wouldn't mind the noise?" Robert asked Cooper.

"Nah…I probably make more noise than the two of them put together," Coop smiled. "Seriously, they're awesome. If they want to learn, I'll buy them a piano and they can learn. Blaine's an excellent teacher and they'll probably pick it up quickly. They're both so smart…"

"Sounds like you fell right into the perfect family," Robert said, eating and watching the TV intently.

"Pretty much. I couldn't love them more if I tried. B…little boys room. I'll be right back." Cooper commented, then got up and disappeared.

"You married?" Blaine asked, concentrating on his food and anything else but Robert, really, but he didn't want dead air.

"Oh, no. God no…I…I'd be no good at that nonsense. Nope."

"Nonsense?" Blaine questioned, smiling. Easy banter was what he was shooting for. Robert seemed a good enough guy, friendly, inquisitive.

"Some guys are cut out for that. I'm not. I know my limits. Your brother, though, he seems like he's happy with his lot?" Robert stated, paying attention to Blaine now. Blaine nodded and smiled, glancing down at the table.

"He wasn't always. Coop was…wow. He was a real ladies man for a long, long time. I was worried I'd never get nieces or nephews," Blaine laughed. "But, then he met Maggie and he fell head over heels in love with her at very first sight. He's a changed man, and a fantastic dad to those kids. He loves them as if they're his own and they adore him as well. I couldn't be happier for him."

"Their 'real' dad around?"

"Uh…no. I don't know so much about him. Maggie doesn't talk about him a lot. I know he hasn't been around for some time, though." Blaine didn't elaborate further and Robert made a "huh…ok" huff.

"Seems the ex wife always bad mouths the dad if he's absent…I just thought—"

"Absolutely not. I've known Maggie longer than Coop has, actually, and she said only that he moved back home and that having kids…a family…'wasn't for him'. She's never said a bad word to me about the guy. I don't think she has it in her. She's kind of an angel, really," Blaine smiled.

"Sounds it…"

"Better!" Coop blurted as he sat back down, grinning. "What the hell, I…who won?" Cooper bellowed. "I thought I had plenty of time to go and get back before the game was over!" Blaine laughed out loud having no idea who won the game.

"Sorry, man, I wasn't paying attention. You about ready to get going, though? I have some stuff to do before work tonight."

"Yeah…I'm all finished here. Robert, it was good to meet you. We're gonna head out," Coop announced. Robert reached over and shook hands with both men, thanking them for their hospitality and nodding as they left. Cooper searched out their waitress and handed her cash for the bill before leaving.

"That was different…" Blaine said as they walked outside.

"Yeah, but he seemed alright, right? Inquisitive, but nice enough. Who knows…"

As they left, Blaine nearly tripped over an elderly homeless man sitting outside the sports bar and quickly apologized. The man half cowered, obviously afraid Blaine would yell at him. He was wearing a threadbare t-shirt with an old, plaid flannel shirt over it, yet obviously not enough to keep him warm in the chilly March air.

"You alright there, buddy?" Cooper asked. The man nodded, not meeting Coop's eyes. "You eat lately?" He asked. The man just looked up quickly, unsure what Coop's angle was. "Are you hungry?" Coop asked again. The man nodded soberly but didn't say a word. "Wait here."

"I'm sorry…" Blaine said again. "I wasn't looking where I was going. I apologize for nearly running over you."

" 's o.k. young man…" the elderly man mumbled, but remained silent after that, curled up against the brick of the building. Blaine took his cues and didn't press it. Minutes later Coop came out with a carry out box filled with food and a gift card and handed it to the man on the sidewalk.

"You take care of yourself, ok?" Coop told him.

"Thank you, young man…" the old man nodded, clearly grateful.

"There's enough on there for food when you need it, ok? Don't go hungry."

"God bless you," the man replied.

They started to walk away and got halfway down the block before Blaine paused, then turned around and walked back, slipping his jacket off and handing it to the man who was now frantically eating as if someone would yank the food out from under him. "Stay warm, ok?" Blaine said quietly, then nodded to him and walked away, hands shoved in his pockets.

Blaine and Cooper went on their way, heading home, Blaine knowing Kurt would have his hide over giving away last season's Michael Kors jacket, but he felt it was the right thing to do. The jacket was insanely warm and Blaine had others.

"How much did you put on that card, Coop?" Blaine asked, knowing how his brother was.

"Enough…."

"What's enough?" Blaine pressed.

"Couple hundred. Can't have the man starve, B…" Blaine just grinned and shook his head.

---

The heart of the storm blew through around 3 a.m. It started off earlier and had swept its way up from the Southwest, apparently. They'd lost power at the bar and Mickey had sent everyone home early after waiting over an hour for the power to come back on. Blaine was glad for the reprieve. He wasn't playing up to par and his elbow and wrist hurt like hell from the fall, and in fact was beginning to swell worse than it had previously. He couldn't stop wondering if Kurt had arrived yet and if he was settling in.

It took him forever to hail a cab and he'd finally given up just as one pulled up to pick him up, splashing him and soaking him through to the bone. He couldn't wait to get home, get into a hot shower, change into something warm and dry and crawl into bed.

The strong wind and rain rattled the windows in the old building and kept Blaine from a good, sound sleep. As soon as he drifted off, the thunder would pick up again and the lightning would put on a hell of a show. This went on all evening and into the wee hours of the morning until Blaine though he'd either lose his mind or the windows would cave in and he'd be flooded out of his own apartment.

When his phone rang at 4:34 a.m. he grabbed for it frantically, knowing it would be Kurt not thinking of the time difference.

"Kurt?" he mumbled.

"Mr. Anderson? Blaine Anderson?" The voice asked.

"Yeah…yes, that's me, who's this?"

"Mr. Anderson, my name is Anita Hollander and I'm a nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lima, Ohio. Your name is listed as an emergency contact, albeit down the line a ways, for Burt Hummel. I can't seem to reach his wife, Carole or his son, Kurt Hummel. There's been an accident, Mr. Anderson…."

A/N So I started to write this chapter and then in January, about a week after posting the previous chapter, I got sick...like really sick, coughing so hard I broke blood vessels and pulled muscles kinda sick...ugh. The cough is holding on, unfortunately, and despite two visits to the doctor, two runs of steroids and antibiotics, majorly strong cough syrup, an inhaler, Mucinex DM, Flonase, and Tessalon Pearls, a chest xray and a breathing treatment, I'm STILL COUGHING! So, tomorrow I see another doc. WTH, man? Anyway...

On top of that, I've been having MAJOR computer issues. I've had three different IT guys look at my laptop and (knock on wood) it's BETTER, but it's not all fixed. Still having some issues. I wrote and lost so much...such a pain in the ass. It doesn't help that I started a new story, either, I suppose...

BUT...here we are...and here in Ohio it's still 3/20 for a couple of hours, and 3/20, in MY notes, is the official day that Blaine stumbled upon Kurt in the attic while he was playing the piano...and 3/21 is tomorrow, (MY BIRTHDAY, people) and the official face to face meeting of Niff at The Dive!

So that being said, I'm totally not above saying that you can absolutely leave me a review or a comment if you wanna in honor of my b-day! :D :D :D :D :D

Big love to Robyn and Laura for keeping me on track and writing. Hugs to Kristine for Season 6 in the mail today, and as always, to Suzanne for making this legible and not insane...I hope.

Oh...and Kristine, a little shout out to you and Sue in there...I'm sure you figured out where. ;) Love you guys!