Blaine and Santana don't need to be dragged away from each other at lunchtime on Monday. They're more than happy to sit with their friendship groups; they are even becoming comfortable around other people without constantly glancing over at each other. They're too busy glancing at different people.

Things go smoothly at basketball practice: lots of points scored, some pretty severe bruising on Blaine's shoulders from all the slaps and thumps from the other guys, and the occasional excited 'great shot, buddy!'

But then one thing changes.

Kurt scores a three-pointer, which even here is a pleasant achievement. Without thinking, he hugs Blaine, and thinking even less, Blaine hugs back. They freeze and pull apart to see the rest of the team staring at them.

'Come on, fellas, we talked about this,' Finn says. 'You're both boys, remember?'

Kurt starts to stammer some sort of excuse or apology, but Blaine has had enough.

'Guys, it doesn't matter. It's only a hug. Hugging is great. Look.'

It takes some reaching, and some stooping from Finn, but Blaine gives him a hug. Complete with a light pat on the back so it doesn't feel too alien.

'Oh,' Finn says, closing his eyes and hugging harder, 'that feels so nice!' When he pulls back, he's beaming. 'Blaine, that was great! Thanks!'

Mike stares in confusion, before attempting a shot at the basket. The thud of the ball crashing on the floor when he misses completely makes everyone jump. He looks devastated, but Finn jogs over to him. 'Hey, man, come here!' He pulls Mike into a hug, squeezing the air out of him, until Mike is grinning too.

Practice dissolves into a series of missed shots and hugs, and they don't even seem to care that they're playing so terribly this close to the Big Game. A thought pops into Blaine's head, and he's surprised it's taken him this long to consider it.

'Hey guys… who are we playing against next week?' They all look at him, heads tilted. 'You know, the Big Game. We're one team, and there must be another team to play against. Who are they? Where do they come from?'

Puck's mouth hangs open. Finn frowns and looks around himself like he's never even seen the court before. Mike bounces a ball on the ground a few times. Kurt is the only one looking at Blaine, really looking at him, remembering the word 'Westerville' in his notebook and that 'New York' place in Catcher in the Rye.

'It doesn't matter! I was, uh, kidding! Don't worry about it, guys!'

So far he's been able to shrug off little slips like that, but they're obviously not convinced. Mike looks down at the ball in his hands, and immediately drops it. He looks at the other balls scattered around the room.

'Uh, are you all seeing those too?'

Just at that moment, the coach comes into the gym with the school principal.

'Oh, they're in great shape, Bob! We're gonna win the Big Game for sure!'

The principal, a tall, slim man with horn-rimmed glasses and a perfectly pressed grey suit, laughs until he sees the team. And when he sees the bright orange balls on the ground, his face turns to stone.

'What are those?'

Blaine silently weighs up his options, but quickly gives up. 'Basketballs,' he blurts out. 'They're just ordinary basketballs. They've always looked like that.'

'You know anything about this, Steve?' the principal asks the coach, but he's as dumbstruck as the team. He whispers to him, still loudly enough for the boys to hear, 'You're going to buy new balls. Grey ones. And you're gonna get some life into these boys so they don't turn up next Friday and spend the whole game just staring at the crowd. Is that clear?'

The coach nods. 'Uh-huh. Come on, boys, let's show some hustle!'

The boys all look a little wounded, but do as they're told. At the end of a rough practice, they sheepishly ask each other for more hugs, and that makes them happier than any points they've scored since Blaine got here. Kurt's hand lingers close to Blaine's as they watch the other guys, just close enough to touch, and the whole scene makes him smile, but that contact makes his insides glow.

On Tuesday, Santana is working at the diner after school when she spots Brittany and Kurt walk in and sit together. Her heart sticks in her throat when she has to go and take their order. Brittany's even made cookies for her boyfriend, a whole plateful she places on the seat next to her.

'Hi, Santana!' They say in unison when she comes over. Their smiles are so wide that Santana loses all hope.

'Hi. What would you like?'

'Just milkshakes, please. Strawberry for me, vanilla for Kurt, right?'

Kurt nods. 'Yes, please.'

Does he know about them? Does he know about the kiss, albeit on the hand? Even though she knows Kurt isn't exactly in love with Brittany, she still feels awful about potentially hurting someone so innocent. After she brings them the shakes, she can't help but watch as they talk. They giggle and smile at each other, touching hands over the table. Not holding, a fact she clings to, but poking and prodding teasingly. It's a hard dynamic to pin down, second perhaps to hers and Blaine's.

Kurt finishes his shake first, and the tone shifts. They're both still smiling, but as Santana delivers burgers to the next table, she catches a glimpse of him giving a sigh of relief. They stand up, hug for a long time considering how uncomfortable Blaine said it makes him, and he leaves. They are both still smiling. Brittany sits down again, placing the plate of cookies on the table and sipping her milkshake. Santana can't resist.

'Can I get you anything else?'

Brittany's smile grows and she shakes her head. 'Nope. I'm fine, thanks.'

'What's up with the cookies?'

'Oh, I baked them.'

'For Kurt? Did you forget to give them to him? He can't have gotten far-'

Brittany shakes her head again. 'I didn't bake them for him. I brought them here because I knew you were working today.'

Santana can feel her cheeks heating up, and for once she really hopes she stays grey.

'For me? But… why not for Kurt?'

'We had a talk. Kurt and I are just going to be friends. I was really worried, but he seemed happy about it. That's the first time he's ever not frozen when I've hugged him.'

Santana knows there's so much she should say, so much she's wanted to get off her chest for days, but she's frozen. Brittany stands up.

'Do you know what means?' Santana opens her mouth to speak, but still nothing will come out. Brittany keeps smiling. 'It means I can do whatever I want. With whoever I want. And do you know who I want to do stuff with?'

Santana clears her throat just enough to ask 'Who?'

She doesn't hesitate. She doesn't look around to see if anyone else is watching, maybe because she doesn't care what they think, maybe because it doesn't occur to her that anyone would have a problem with it – definitely because she just really wants to hurry up and do it – she leans in and kisses Santana gently on the cheek.

Santana is less brave. She can't help looking around to see what the other people in the diner think, because she has experienced the negative reactions enough times to expect them, but here there aren't any. Some people look up and whisper excitedly, but nobody shouts or throws anything or storms out. It's nothing compared to the reaction Elvis got here at the weekend. She's almost disappointed that nobody is getting up and dancing in celebration. Close to passing out, the only thing keeping her standing is Brittany's hand holding hers, her fingertips freshly pink.

By Wednesday night, something has shifted at home, especially with Dad. Mom still does everything she's supposed to do, but she barely looks at him. She serves him dinner, asks how his day was, nods politely, but it's like she's just going through the motions. When she talks to Blaine and Santana, she's full of life: she laughs at their stories and gets excited for every tiny event of their day. She's even asking about Brittany and Kurt with a coy glint in her eye, as if she knows what's going on with them, and not only does she not seem upset – she seems excited. But that's not what they're focusing on right now.

Dad is staring at Mom, a smile tugging at his lips as she excitedly chatters away with the kids. Blaine tries to throw him a bone.

'Anything interesting happen at work today, Dad?'

A rabbit in headlights, he clears his throat as he tries to come up with a contribution to the merriment. 'No, nothing really.'

After dinner, they clean up as they're used to doing by now. Dad stands in the middle of the room for a moment while Mom makes herself a tea. He looks around at the rest of the family, perfectly in sync, the kids splashing at each other and giggling, Mom sighing calmly as she stirs, and he simply mutters something about paperwork and disappears to his office. Mom barely notices. Blaine and Santana definitely notice. They wait for Mom to take her tea into the living room before they start a whispered argument.

'Have we broken them?'

'No!' she hisses. 'She is more free than she's ever been. She's not desperate for his approval, scared she'll do the wrong thing in front of him-'

'Yeah, she's happier, I get that, but- what about him?'

'What about him? If he wants things to be better, maybe he should try, I don't know, doing something about it?'

Blaine sighs. 'I know that. But everything with Mom, that didn't just happen out of nowhere. We started helping and treating her nicely and it made her more confident, right? It's not fair to expect him to just magically know the right things to do and say. Why shouldn't we help him?'

'He's an adult.'

'Things have only been changing here for a week. Everybody here thinks that these two streets are the entire world.' She's looking at the floor. 'Listen… I don't know when we're getting out of here. I don't even know what here is. But when we get back home, they might still be stuck back here, just the two of them, and I don't want to leave them both miserable together.'

She frowns.

'He should be able to figure out how to be nicer to his wife.'

She feels Blaine looking right through her. 'Don't take it out on him. This isn't the same as home.'

Santana stares straight ahead for a moment. Blaine puts a hand on her wrist. 'It's okay, I can go up.' She shakes her head.

'No. I'll go.'

'Are you sure? I don't think just yelling at him is going to work.'

'Hey. I'm nice here, remember?'

Blaine knows he should probably argue, but hanging out with Mom just sounds like a nicer evening than another awkward talk with Dad.

He jumps when she clears her throat in the doorway to his office, flapping with his newspaper as he unsuccessfully tries to fold it up. 'Santana, what are you doing up here?'

She shrugs. 'I could ask you the same thing. You're obviously not working. What, are you hiding from your own family?'

He stammers for a moment. 'Well, I just- I don't know, I mean, I really-'

He defensively reaches for the paper like it'll shield him from her interrogation, but she grabs it first.

'What?'

All he can do is stare at her. She takes a deep breath.

'I think Mom would really like it if you spent some time with all of us. Or at least with her sometimes.'

His face loses a layer of hardness.

'Do you really think so? Lately, I've just felt… in the way.'

This dynamic is all too familiar. She has to bite back a snappy comment.

'You're not in the way, Dad. You live here too. Just join in.'

'I feel like I'm intruding. I don't- I don't know how.'

She feels something twist in her chest. Yeah, maybe he should be able to do this without her help, but he looks so utterly lost. She perches on the edge of his desk.

'Well, maybe you could do something nice for Mom.'

'Like what?'

'A treat. Have a special evening together.'

'I could cook dinner!'

'Do you know how to cook?'

'No.'

'Okay, so maybe something else, but that's a good start!'

They must keep talking for an hour. Eventually, he's coming up with his own ideas for how to show his appreciation, how to try and make Mom happy, and Santana finds that once the ice is broken she almost enjoys his company. At one point she mentions Brittany and feels the room heat up, scared he'll react badly, but he smiles.

'You've been talking about Brittany a lot recently. Are you two dating?'

She looks into his eyes for signs of an impending explosion, but his smile seems honest.

'Maybe. Almost. Would- would that be a problem?'

'Why would that be a problem?'

'Well, because-' she shakes her head. 'You know what? You're right. No reason. Anyway, back to work - so I'll talk to my boss tomorrow after school and we'll put the plan into action, okay? You know what you need to do?'

'I think so. Yes.'

'What are you going to wear?'

'I only have suits. And my gardening clothes.'

'Suit it is.'

His face lights up. 'Oh, I know! I could wear the cufflinks I wore on our wedding day!'

Santana never thought she would associate the word 'cute' with him, but right now, with his face lit up, it fits. He really does want to make Mom happy.

On Thursday, Dad is somehow even more hopeless. He can barely look at anyone out of fear he'll give everything away. Santana realises he's probably never had to keep a secret before.

Blaine is in no position to make fun of Dad's awkwardness. He's known since Santana got home on Tuesday that Kurt is single, and he's done nothing about it except clam up around him while his pulse thuds in his ears. He knows it's understandable that he's scared to do anything about it. The past is notoriously bad for the gays. But Santana said that Mom and Dad seem to know there's something between her and Brittany and don't mind. And since Monday's practice, the other guys can barely go five minutes without embracing each other.

In all honesty, he's just nervous for the reason as any other high-schooler with a crush: he is a high-schooler with a crush. He can feel Kurt smiling at him in class but he finds something else to look at. He sees Kurt wave at him at lunch, but he just gives a polite nod and clears his throat a couple of times and feigns interest in the guys' conversation.

It takes a few tries and a hard nudge in the ribs for Finn to get his attention.

'Blaine!'

He flinches and blinks a couple of times. 'Sorry, what?'

'I want to talk to you.'

'Go for it.'

'No, not here. In private.'

Blaine shrugs and follows him out of the cafeteria and into a quiet corner of the hallway. 'What's up, Finn?'

Finn is frowning like he's been trying to piece his thoughts together for a while.

'I think I might have noticed something.'

This place really is changing.

'Okay. What is it?' He feels like he's trying to decipher Lassie's bark to find out where little Timmy has gotten lost this time. 'Is everything okay?'

Finn pauses.

'It's about you.' He knows Finn is a decent, friendly guy, but his heart still speeds up. 'You and Kurt.' It goes even faster.

'Oh, um… what about me and Kurt?' The wobble in his voice is inevitable, but still deeply humiliating.

'Do you like him?'

Blaine hesitates. 'Sure. We're friends.'

Finn shakes his head. 'Well, me and Puck are friends, but not the way you and Kurt are friends. Do you like him, like him? You stare at him like I stare at burgers. Your eyes go all glassy and everything. You should ask him on a date.'

Blaine swallows.

'Seriously? That wouldn't be a problem?'

'No, I don't think so. He's not with Brittany anymore, and she definitely wouldn't mind him dating somebody else.'

Blaine is reminded of the times in school when teachers have said something along the lines of 'pretend you're explaining this to an alien who doesn't understand the first thing about it'. He knows he's been doing this a lot recently, but it really hits home when it's Finn.

'I know, but- two boys dating. Would people mind?'

Finn shrugs. 'Why would they? I mean, I've never seen a guy with a boyfriend before, but I've never seen tonnes of stuff. Honestly, I never notice much of anything, so there's probably a lot of things I've seen without realising, but even I notice you two looking at each other. Go for it.'

There's no denying it any more. He's not scared of what people will think if he asks Kurt out. He's scared that he will have to be vulnerable in front of the guy he likes. It's not much better.

'Thanks, Finn.'

'No problem, buddy!' Finn hugs him, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Still better than a punch on the arm. He hugs back.

He can feel Finn's eyes on him when they sit down with the others again. Blaine sits next to Kurt, who smiles at him – not as shy and awkward as Blaine expects, just open and warm. It sends sparks up Blaine's spine. He knows if he doesn't do it now, he'll kick himself later. He checks that the others are distracted – Finn politely and pointedly gives a serious nod and looks away – but just as he gears himself up and opens his mouth to say something, Kurt takes his hand under the table.

'Blaine, can we go on a date?' Blaine freezes, not unlike Dad at the breakfast table this morning. He must look shocked, because Kurt starts to backtrack and tries to pull his hand away. 'Sorry, do you not want- I didn't mean-'

Blaine doesn't let go of Kurt's hand. 'No, no – I was just going to ask you the same thing. Yes, please, Kurt. I would love that. Is tomorrow okay?'

Kurt nods and grin is the biggest Blaine's ever seen it.

'I don't get why the hell we have Geography twice a week when there's only two places in the world. Do they think we'll forget our way home somehow?'

The classroom is noisier than usual when they walk in on Friday morning. There are some splashes of colour around them. One boy is wearing tan slacks (Santana still can't get her head round the idea that beige is radical here). A girl is sucking a bright red lollipop. Another has pale blue shoes. Blaine and Santana assume that's the cause of the buzz in the air, until the lesson starts.

'So, this morning, we're going to look at-'

She pauses. They look up from where they're doodling in their exercise books to see the teacher staring at the map at the front of the room.

'Where's Main Street?'

'What are all those things?'

The map is wordless, just a series of lines and shapes, that the rest of the class doesn't know is America.

'I-' the teacher stutters, 'I don't understand. What's this? Where's Lima? Where are we?'

'We're in Ohio.' Everyone looks at Kurt when he pipes up. 'It's in America, and Lima's just a part of it. And so is New York. Blaine told me.'

The heads turn to Blaine this time. Oh, shit. Kurt definitely didn't brush off his previous slip. 'Well, I don't know… I'm not an expert.'

They all stay silent. The teacher looks at him desperately for answers. He looks to Santana, who shrugs.

'Screw it. Tell them.'

They keep staring, as if to say, 'Tell us what?' Blaine takes a deep breath and walks to the front of the class.

'Right. This whole thing is America,' he points to one of the tiny patches on the map, 'and this part is Ohio. That's where Lima is. And all these other pieces of the puzzle, they're all different states which make up the whole country. Like this part here, this is New York, like in that book.' He looks at Kurt, who is staring at the map, utterly enthralled.

'How do you know all of this?' the teacher asks. Blaine shrugs.

'I used to go to a different school. We learned it there.'

They all turn to Santana. It's like watching the crowd of a wonky tennis match.

'Yeah. It's all true.'

Mercedes is the first to gasp as the map at the front, the diagrams on the walls, the whole classroom fills with colour. Each state on the map is labelled. The posters which used to explain the differences between Main and Elm now illustrate rivers, the urban and rural areas, the different groups of people in America. It's all real information and it's the most they've ever had access to. The teacher doesn't even try to calm the class down – she's the most excited one there. She runs over to one particular poster on the wall, of a large blue and green oval.

'What – what's this?'

'Oh, that? That, uh, that's…' he glances at Santana for reassurance again, and she nods, smiling, 'that's the world.'

After fielding what feels like endless questions, Blaine and Santana make excuses and manage to escape to the back of the football field.

'We've really fucked it, haven't we?'

He nods. 'Yep.'

They both look a little mischievous.

'Wanna keep going?'

He nods harder. 'Yes please.'

'He remembered what you said.'

Blaine can't wipe the grin off his face. 'Yes, he did.'

When they leave school, the street looks the same at first. The grass out front is still grey. The same stores are selling the same things. It's not until they get to the end of the street that they notice the difference: the space is full of people looking lost and excited, and suddenly nobody knows where to go. The simplicity of two streets is gone – everyone is standing staring around themselves at an intersection. There are new streets. New stores. An Italian restaurant. A fountain in the middle, surrounded by flowerbeds. Blaine overhears a man who can't be less than fifty years old ask 'How do I get home?'

A bunch of kids from school immediately turn to Blaine and Santana to ask what's happening, where to go, but they don't have any answers. All anyone can do is wander aimlessly, figuring out their new surroundings for themselves. This town has never seen so much independent thought. But Santana and Blaine have work to do.

'Are you sure you don't mind helping me set up? If you want more time to get ready, I can handle it on my own.'

'Hey, I made you talk to Dad, that's what got you stuck with this job in the first place. I'm not picking him up until five-thirty.'

'Where are you taking him?'

'God, I have no idea. Obviously, the diner's not an option.'

'Not just because of our thing. It's also where he broke up with Brittany, not to mention boring as hell for someone as interesting as Kurt.'

'I know. I want it to be some big surprise, something special, but I think we've raised the bar for special today. And God, he is interesting, isn't he?'

'His taste in boys definitely is.'

Just as he's rolling his eyes, Santana grabs his wrist.

'What?' He looks around himself. 'Oh.'

'I think you have your date spot.'

'I think this is the first time I've ever been grateful for a Geography lesson.'

They end up spending over two hours getting the diner ready. If she still had the ability to be surprised here, Santana would've been shocked that her boss didn't mind closing for the evening, but when he nodded and said 'absolutely!' she didn't even blink.

'B, I'm telling you, just go. It'll be fine.'

'Are you sure?'

She marches him to the door. 'I'm sure that you're a big baby who's scared to take the boy he likes out on a date even though he knows that the boy in question likes him back.' He stares at her, the façade dropping.

'You really think so?'

Her instinct is to tease him, having never seen him this nervous before, but it just seems too mean. Meanness is getting less fun every day.

'I think he'd be crazy not to.'

He takes a deep breath and nods. 'Thanks. Hope tonight goes okay.'

'Good luck, loverboy.'

She checks her watch and realises it's time to go.

Mom is wary when they first leave the house. She normally only goes out to meet friends for coffee or to shop for groceries, and never later than 5.

'Where are we going?'

'Don't worry, Mom, I promise you'll like it.'

Mom doesn't look convinced, but she does as she's asked. She found it weird enough that she didn't have to cook dinner this evening, so she's resigned herself to the strangeness.

'Santana, do things seem… different to you?'

Santana looks around at the entirely new street they are walking down. Mom's frowning, having barely noticed.

'What do you mean?'

Mom stops walking. 'Well, at home. The last week it's like everything's changed.'

'In a good way?'

'Sometimes. Spending more time with you and your brother has been wonderful. And I feel like you and I – we seem to understand each other better than we ever used to. I know I thought that you having your job was- I didn't know why you wanted to work. But I think I do now.' Santana wants to hug her, but she can sense there's more coming, so she holds back. 'And then there's your father.'

'What about him?'

'When I was a little girl, my mother did everything I do now. She cooked and cleaned and never had a life of her own, and I thought that was good, I thought it was what women had to do, but now it just seems… empty. And your father – I can't imagine him ever changing anything. Or letting me change.'

Santana takes Mom's hand and gives it a squeeze. 'I think you'd be surprised what he would do for you.'

Mom squeezes back. 'It doesn't matter. Let's get to wherever you're taking me.' She tries to keep walking, but Santana is firmly planted on the spot.

'It does matter, Mom. What you want is important, okay? Promise me you'll remember that when- well, in the future.'

Mom frowns at her, alarmed at the sudden serious tone. She considers Santana's plea for a moment, as if she needs to show that she's really taken it in. 'Yes, darling. I promise.'

Santana wraps her arms around Mom's shoulders.

'Love you, Mom.'

'I love you too, sweetheart.'

Santana takes a moment to breathe in her scent, not unlike her own mother's, the sweet, familiar smell she's tried so hard not to miss, until she remembers Dad will be waiting.

'Right, come on. We're almost there.'

The diner is in sight. 'The diner?' Santana nods, smiling. 'Why?'

'Wait and see.'

They walk in, and the usual Friday night bustle has been replaced by gentle music and one man sitting at a candle-lit table. He gets up, not knowing what to do with himself until Santana puts Mom's hand into his.

'Hello, dear.'

Mom looks around at the decorations Blaine and Santana put up earlier, streamers, balloons, flowers everywhere but the biggest bunch waiting for her.

'My goodness, what's all this for?'

Dad looks to Santana, but she nods for him to answer.

'Oh, um… for you.'

Santana's boss cooked and left so the diner could be as quiet as possible. As he's been desperate to make something more exciting than burgers recently thanks to the availability of fancier recipe books, she serves them a veritable feast and leaves them to talk properly. However, that doesn't mean she can't eavesdrop a little.

'Oh, these potatoes are delicious, so creamy – have you tried them?' She nods at the dauphinois on his plate.

He nods. 'Very good. And the steak is perfect. How's your fish?'

'Lovely.' She takes another bite of salmon and watches her husband for a moment. Eventually, he notices and stops eating to meet her eyes.

'Everything okay?'

She smiles softly. 'Yes. All of this is so sweet of you.'

'The kids helped. Santana helped me think of it all.'

'Did she tell you to wear your wedding cufflinks?'

His skin darkens for a moment and he looks down at his plate. 'No. They were my idea. And I see you're wearing the green earrings.' Her faces goes still for a moment, until he adds, 'They're perfect. You're perfect. I'm sorry I told you not to wear them.'

'Thank you.'

'I'm serious. I've noticed something changing in you recently, and there's something so amazing about it, as if you have this new-found confidence. I know it's a good thing, but deep down, I- I'm worried you're going to outgrow me. I don't know how to change the way you're changing, and pretty soon you're going to see that you're too good for me, and I got scared.'

'Oh, darling-'

'But I- I don't think I'm scared any more. I don't want to stop you. I want to grow with you. Well, I want to try.'

Mom sniffs a little. 'That's what I want, too.'

'I know I've forgotten to show it lately. But I love you as much now as I did on our wedding day. And I don't know the best way to show you or to help you do whatever you want to do, but you name it and I'm there.'

Mom holds his hand over the table.

'I love you, too. I don't know what we're going to do, but I'm excited.'

'So am I.'

'Oh!' she looks at his chest. 'Darling, your tie!'

It's the same deep emerald as her earrings. He jumps when he sees it, but laughs as well. 'Well, maybe I'm not an old stick in the mud, after all!' He rises and steps away from the table, extending his hand to his wife.

'Shall we?'

She makes an excited little noise, and Santana subtly turns the music up. She watches from behind the counter as they sway slowly together, eyes closed. Their dessert can wait for a while. Part of her had been worried about this; as much as she wanted this evening to go well for both of their sakes, the thought of seeing her pretend parents happy together hurt. She can't imagine seeing this back home, but now that she sees it here, she knows that's not what she wants. Of course, she misses her mother, she's only human, but even if she came back now and begged for forgiveness, Santana wouldn't give it to her. She realises that there's no point looking for meaning in this that she can apply to home; this isn't a movie. She simply sighs and smiles as Mom and Dad dance, with their matching accessories, Dad beaming with pride that he's done something right for once.

Santana tells them to go home ahead of her so she can lock up, but it's really so they can keep their evening going just the two of them. Dad hesitates for a moment. The journey from his office to the diner hadn't changed earlier, but now their route home has. He's reluctant to keep walking.

'You know, maybe we should wait for Santana.'

Mom holds her hand out. 'We can figure it out. It'll be an adventure.'

He smiles in wonder. 'You're my favourite person.'

'I know. Come on.'

Kurt's father answers the door when Blaine rings the bell.

'Hey, Blaine,' he says and they shake hands, 'so you and Kurt are going on a date, huh?' Blaine is a little dumbfounded. Kurt's only just found out that being gay is possible and he's already come out to his parents. Blaine's known his whole life and he still hasn't managed it.

'Yes, sir.'

Burt chuckles. 'I don't know if sir is necessary. He's very excited, though, so you better have something special planned.'

He can't help smiling. 'I- I think so. I'll make sure we're not out too late.'

'Well, there's no school tomorrow, so don't worry too much about that. Just make sure you don't get lost with all this new stuff everywhere.'

Just as Blaine is nodding at Mr Hummel, sensing how much this man's approval means, Kurt skips past him, wearing the yellow cardigan from last week. He immediately slips his hand into Blaine's, and Blaine has to remind himself that he doesn't have to pull away.

They walk together, Kurt chatting away about the new places he saw on his way home from school, the colour televisions he saw in a store window, the other colours he wishes he could see, how much more fun his clothes would be if they had more colour. Blaine chips in when he can, but most of the time he's just too nervous. He's experienced in a lot of ways, but this is the first time he's been on a real date. He tries to steady his breathing, focusing on the feeling of Kurt's hand squeezing his, and it seems a little less scary.

When they arrive at the spot he and Santana found earlier, Kurt gasps.

Grass stretches out way in front of them, and there's a lake in the centre, with silvery blossom trees dotted around them, petals drifting down the ground. Even in black and white, it's beautiful, and all Blaine wants to look at is the boy next to him.

'Oh, Blaine. It's so pretty.' Blaine walks them over to the lake and out onto the narrow deck, laying down a blanket and setting down the basket of food he brought, and he removes his shoes and socks. 'What are you doing?'

'Just putting my feet in the water. It'll feel good.'

'Are you sure?'

'I don't think there are sharks in here. Or if there are, they're probably very friendly vegetarian sharks.'

Kurt bites his lip for a moment before copying Blaine, sitting next to him so they can take their first dip into the water at the same time. When he feels the first cool splash against his skin, he grabs Blaine's arm and grins at him like they're mischievous little kids.

'It feels… good.' He looks down at his toes and wiggles them, spreading ripples across the water. He leans into Blaine's side, letting out a long sigh, and Blaine settles a hand on the small of his back. Taking care not to disturb Kurt, he reaches for the basket and produces a little box of cherries, placing it between the two of them. Kurt picks one up by the stalk, slowly twirling it between his fingers so he can admire the deep red shine. 'Gosh,' he breathes.

'I thought you might like them.'

Kurt pops the fruit into his mouth, closing his eyes to savour the sweet juices bursting over his tongue. He hums to himself in satisfaction, and Blaine feels his stomach flutter at the sound.

'Blaine?'

'Mm-hmm?' he passes Kurt a paper bag for the stone and stalk and Kurt pops both in.

'What's it like where you're from?'

Blaine has been expecting this question for a few days. Kurt is more curious than anyone else about what's outside of this place.

'Well, in a lot of ways, it's similar. We go to school, and have families and friends. And people go on dates.'

'And it doesn't have to be boys and girls on dates?'

'Nope. And that's how it is here now, I guess. But it's different in other ways.'

'Good different?'

Blaine has to think for a moment. He knows there are lots of good things about his reality – the technology is incredible, everyone can work and vote and marry who they want, but there's a lot that he doesn't want to go back to. He knows that this version of the past isn't real, that this isn't how it really went, and that back home he gets to benefit from the hard work done by generations before him, but he doesn't miss Grindr, or the version of 'liberation' he always convinced himself he liked. He doesn't miss how lonely he felt before they came here. Even though Blaine is aware that the bigger picture there is better than living in the real 50s, he can't ignore the fact that he's never felt peace quite like this before.

'Good sometimes. There are lots of gay people – people like us – and they get to be themselves, but it makes some people mad. We- well, people have had to fight to be accepted. So it's different, and for a lot of people it's great, but for some people it's sad, and it's meant a lot of struggle and pain.'

Kurt thinks about this for a moment. 'Gay.' He says it a couple more times, letting the word roll around his mouth. 'I like that.'

Blaine smiles. 'Good.'

'People really had to fight for things to be fair? Just because of who they wanted to hold hands with?' Blaine nods. They both look out over the water. 'Wow. Those people must have been really strong.'

'They were. They are. But we're kind of part of that now. I mean, it's been easier, but you were brave enough to be different to other people. That takes strength too.'

'I couldn't have done it if it hadn't been for you.'

They look at each other. Blaine brushes a strand of hair back from Kurt's face.

'I think you'd be surprised at what you're capable of.' Kurt suddenly hops up, takes off his cardigan and starts unbuttoning his shirt. 'Wait, what are you doing?'

'Doesn't it seem like a waste of a brand-new lake if we don't get in?'

Taken aback by this new-found forwardness, Blaine follows Kurt's lead, and they both strip down to their underwear; Kurt dives in, and this time Blaine is the one to ease himself in tentatively. Every other time he's been this close to naked with a guy it hasn't ended well. He just doesn't know how to do this when it's Kurt. Any of his usual moves, mostly copied from bad pornography, would just seem so stupid now. And if he's honest with himself, he's perfectly happy just talking and eating cherries and being close to him. They swim up and down the length of the lake together, stopping to splash each other every now and then, then simply lie on their backs, letting the water hold them up. Looking up at the sky, their hands still find each other, fingertips gently grazing in the water.

After a while, they drift back to the deck, each leaning on the wood with one elbow so they can face each other.

'So, what else do boys do where you come from?'

Blaine almost says 'the same as boys and girls do', but then he remembers that they don't do much here either. 'Well,' he starts, 'they hold hands, just like this,' he links his fingers tightly with Kurt's. He moves away from the edge so that Kurt is standing between him and the deck. 'And they get close, like this.'

Kurt's breathing falters a little, and Blaine's close enough to hear it, to feel the heat on his skin as Kurt's eyes stare deeply into his.

'There's a lot boys can do. Touching. Kissing. Other things.'

'Have you done other things?' Considering how this is making him feel, with no more contact than their fingers locked together, he feels like he could in total honesty say no, that's he's never truly been touched by anyone else in his whole life, but he nods. 'Does it feel good?'

Blaine's mind flashes with various encounters he's had over the last year. There aren't many honest answers that wouldn't make Kurt anxious.

'It's supposed to.'

Kurt's expression creases with new concern. 'Are you okay?'

Blaine steps a little closer, so that their bodies are touching, so intimate it makes him ache, and he nods again. 'I am now.'

Kurt leans forward to rest his forehead against Blaine's and hold him close. The connection and safety is like nothing Blaine's ever felt before.

For a few moments they stay still like that, nobody around to disturb them but the occasional sound of water lapping at their limbs, no more questions, no thinking about anyone else: just skin, just breathing, just peace.

But after a while, Kurt runs his hands up and down Blaine's arms. 'Blaine, you're freezing. We should get you dry.'

Blaine wouldn't mind freezing into a block of ice forever if it was like this, but the sensible part of his brain agrees that he should probably get out.

They use the blanket as a makeshift towel to dry off, drag their clothes back on, and go to sit on the grass, still warm in the evening sun. Kurt drapes his cardigan over Blaine's shoulders.

'Something strange is happening with you isn't it?'

'What?'

Kurt pauses before continuing. 'I know nobody else has realised, but you're not the same Blaine that lived here before. Same goes for Santana. Something happened to you last week, didn't it?'

Blaine stays quiet.

'I'm not mad or anything. You don't have to explain it to me.'

'I wish I knew how.'

'It doesn't matter. All I know is I'm a lot happier now than I was last week. And it's because of you.'

Blaine smiles, but can't hide the chattering of his teeth.

'I'm happier too. You have no idea.'

'Gosh, you're like an icicle. Here,' he pulls Blaine close, stroking through his hair and Blaine snuggles in, clenching his hands close together. The calm of the evening and the warm breeze enveloping them are soporific, and they end up lying on the grass, Blaine's head resting on Kurt's chest. He can't remember the last time he felt so looked after.

Blaine wakes up to hear Kurt's voice, trying not to shout but still determined to wake him.

'Blaine, Blaine! Look!'

Blaine rubs at his eyes and blinks a few times. When he finally sees, he has to blink again to make sure he's not imagining things. It's unmistakable. The two boys are dusted with pink petals. He looks up and all around them the trees are full of the pink – some dark and vibrant, some pale and delicate, all stunning in the last dregs of sunlight.

'Did we do this?' Blaine asks.

'I think so. Isn't it incredible?'

Blaine picks up a petal, placing it in his palm and stroking it with his thumb. 'Yeah. Incredible.'

He leans into Kurt again, and they make their way through the rest of Blaine's supplies – strawberries, grapes, blueberry muffins, and they both marvel at each burst of colour. Blaine feeds a grape to Kurt and feels a thrill when Kurt's lips brush against his fingers for half a second. He wants more than anything to kiss him, but for all his worldliness compared to everyone else here, he's just a terrified boy who doesn't want to risk screwing up this perfect moment. Besides, he's happy with this.

Kurt insists on walking Blaine home so he can get warmed up as soon as possible, even though he's not feeling cold anymore. Blaine invites Kurt in, discovering that it doesn't matter how much sexual knowledge a person has; 'my parents aren't home' will always be code for something exciting. Kurt is only too happy to accept the offer. They go up to Blaine's room, and he changes into dry clothes, enjoying that despite having been pressed so close together earlier, Kurt is still obviously a little flustered to catch a few glimpses of Blaine undressing, even though he's mostly facing the opposite direction. He puts on a grey sweater, as none of his clothes are in colour yet, and sits with Kurt on the bed. All evening and the whole way home they've been so relaxed around each other, but now every movement is full of tension. Kurt reaches out to put his hand over Blaine's, and Blaine feels his breath hitching at the touch, and it makes him laugh. Kurt lets out a giggle, too. Blaine shuffles a little closer to him.

Just as they're leaning in closer, almost close enough for their lips to touch, they hear clattering downstairs and jump apart.

'Blaine, are you home? I think Mom and Dad might have gotten lost on the way home, or they're sucking face on some park bench. Or both. How was the big date? I want to see how many hickeys you've got.'

Kurt's cheeks flush bright red for a moment before returning to grey. 'I think I should get home.'

'You don't have to-'

'No, I know, but… I think that might've been good timing.'

Santana calls up again. 'Blaine? Come on, dummy, I need to talk to someone normal.'

Kurt scrambles off the bed to go downstairs and Blaine follows him. Santana's mouth falls open when she sees them both looking wet and rumpled and Blaine in different clothes from earlier.

'Oh God, I'm so sorry, Kurt, you don't have to go because of me-' she rambles, but he's heading straight for the door. 'Blaine, I didn't mean to-'

'Please shut up, Santana,' Blaine says, following Kurt. 'Kurt, you really don't have to leave.'

She covers her face, hoping if she hides hard enough, she'll disappear from this moment altogether.

Kurt stops out on the porch, his face burning. Blaine comes out to meet him and closes the door behind him so they can't be disturbed again. He pauses in hesitation before taking Kurt's hand, and he's relieved when it isn't pulled away. Kurt turns to face him.

'I'm so sorry about her. I bet she wasn't like that last week, huh?'

Kurt laughs a little, bringing his gaze up from his feet to meet Blaine's eyes.

'It's okay. Honestly, I don't know why I- I guess I'm not used to feeling all of this, and I got caught up and it just got so intense, and… look, Blaine, I know you've done all this before, and maybe I'm being silly, but is it okay if we wait? I know we almost- and I really want to, but-'

Kurt can hardly even say the word 'kiss'; he's probably right to think he might not be ready for it. Blaine suddenly feels very cold again, his stomach dropping into his feet. 'Of course. Listen, Kurt, if I pushed too far at all I'm so sorry-'

'No, you didn't do anything wrong. You've been a perfect gentleman all evening, and I've had the most amazing time. I just don't want to rush anything.'

'We don't have to do a single thing that you're not comfortable with. Are you alright? We can just sit and talk for a minute if you want. I'm sure my sister won't mind chaperoning.'

'No, I think I need some air. I'll just walk home and get some sleep.'

'Sure, no problem. Well, if you want to talk or do anything over the weekend, you know where to find me.'

Kurt's smile is almost back to normal. He nods. 'I think so. Might get lost on the way, but I'm pretty sure I can get here again.'

Blaine takes Kurt's other hand, and they lean their heads together again. 'Kurt, I know you think I've done all of this before, but I promise – what's happening here is completely new to me too.'

Kurt smirks a little, and it's strangely hot.

'Nobody's ever turned you down before, huh? Bruised ego?'

Blaine laughs. 'Exactly.'

Kurt wraps his arms around Blaine and holds him close for a moment. When he pulls back, he stops and looks at Blaine's face for a moment. Blaine is surprised that it doesn't make him feel self-conscious.

'Blaine?'

'Yes?'

Kurt looks a little nervous but still somehow determined. 'Would it be okay if I maybe… can you be my boyfriend?'

Blaine swallows and nods quickly. 'Yes, yes please, I'd like that a lot.' How is this guy getting so brave so quickly?

They both heave a sigh of relief. 'Okay then. I'm gonna… yeah. Home.'

'You're sure I can't walk you?'

'Then I'd have to walk you back, and we'd just keep walking back and forth forever.'

'I can think of worse ways to spend eternity.'

'That's cheesy even for this town.' Before Blaine can garble out another awkward apology, Kurt leans forward and presses a single, deliberate kiss to his cheek, making Blaine suddenly light-headed. 'Thanks again for tonight, Blaine. I promise, you didn't push me or anything. We're good. I'll maybe see you tomorrow?'

'I hope so. Boyfriend.'

Kurt giggles and blushes again, the pink dissolving quickly back into grey.

'Goodnight. Boyfriend.'

Their hands squeeze one last time before they let go, and Kurt turns to walk home. Blaine stays on the porch until he's out of sight, a smile plastered over his face.

When he gets back inside, Santana is waiting with a cup of tea looking incredibly sorry.

'I am incredibly sorry. I hope I didn't screw anything up. Are you okay? I made you this.' She hands him the cup, and he silently walks to the living room and sits on the couch. 'Blaine, it was an accident; I thought you would be alone. Well, I actually thought you would still be out. I was kind of looking forward to some quiet time. If anything you owe me an apology for getting in my way.'

He calmly sips his tea.

'It's okay, Santana.'

'Is that the kind of "okay" that actually means "I'm really pissed at you Santana" or is it the world's first ever genuinely good "okay"?'

He stares into the cup in his hands, a grin appearing on his face.

'Good. Like, really good.'

She gasps. 'Oh, don't scare me like that! Okay, I want details, what did you do, where did you go, did you kiss your gay little faces off?' He shakes his head. 'Seriously? Because that's a post-orgasm face if I've ever seen one.'

'Tana, he asked me to be his boyfriend.'

She squeals. 'Are you serious? My baby brother has got his first ever boyfriend!' She puts on a mock-tearful voice. 'I have never been so proud of you. Oh my god, we should throw the world's tiniest pride parade. Just you and me and Kurt and Brittany. Although rainbow flags might be hard to find here.' He laughs. 'Really, though, B, that's so great. I'm so happy for you. But how come no smooching?'

He shrugs. 'Kurt told me he didn't feel ready, and I didn't want to push him.'

'You've never been ready for sexual contact your whole life. Doesn't usually stop you.'

'Yeah, and it makes me feel like garbage. I'd rather have endless nights like tonight with nothing sexual than make the guy I love feel that way.'

Any lingering hint of teasing disappears from her face. 'The guy you what?'

'Oh. I said… I said love, didn't I?' She nods. 'Huh.'

Santana notices that he isn't in a rush to take it back, but that he also clearly needs some time to process this new information. Poor thing's had a long day.

'Anyway, enough about you. I can't believe you haven't asked me how my evening was.'

Blaine's still in a bit of a stupor, but he manages to stammer out, 'Oh, of course – how'd it go?'

'Nauseatingly well. It was so cute. They danced and laughed and talked everything through, and Dad's tie even turned green to match Mom's earrings. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a double bed one of these days. Good thing we should be getting out of here in a week, if you know what I mean.'

That's enough to snap Blaine out of his trance.

'What?'

'Well, if our theories are correct, the Big Game should be it, right? That's what we want, remember, Blaine? To go home to our families? Our real people?'

Blaine's heart sinks. 'Right. That's what we want.' It stings for to even imply that this Kurt isn't real. Tonight felt real. 'Home.'

Santana has never wanted to kick herself so much. She can't do anything right tonight. But then she spots something in Blaine's hair and reaches up to pick it out.

'What's this?'

Blaine takes the small, pink petal from her hand, examining it closely between his own fingertips.

'Oh, that. It's nothing. Look, I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow.'

'I'm sorry, Blaine.'

'Yeah. It's fine. Goodnight.'

I know this chapter has taken so long. What with the whole world being on fire, I've really struggled to focus. I promise this story will be finished so please don't give up on me.

A teeny little review takes two seconds but will make me so so happy x