Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or anything related to CP Coulter's wonderful fic, Dalton

Chapter 5: Of Brothers and Best Friends

"You ready for Shane to join Windsor?" Kurt asked his boyfriend, as they walked through the Dalton grounds.

The rest of the year had passed quickly after Sectionals. Even though the Warblers lost, they didn't stop performing, choosing to perform at hospitals, nursing homes, and various school events. Now, it was the first week of school, and the freshmen were arriving. Robert and Ellie had chosen to send Shane to Dalton as well, since they didn't want the same thing to happen to their other son.

"I am." Blaine told Kurt. "Though I am a little scared. You know how my brother is, and he will fit in scarily well at Windsor."

"Kurt! Blaine!"

The couple turned around to see Reed running towards them, clutching his wrist.

"Hey Reed!" Kurt said, waving to his best friend. "Happy birthday! What's up?"

"I got my soulmark, and I know them."

Kurt lit up. "You do? Who is it? Do we know them?"

Reed just nodded and held out his wrist for the two boys to see. There, etched into Reed's skin, were the words, Shane Anderson.

Kurt looked at Reed in shock. "I didn't know you were gay."

Reed sighed. "Neither did I. I mean, I never liked a girl, but I just thought I hadn't found someone I liked. And everyone has assumed I'm gay because of my mom but, I don't know. But then I get my soulmark, and it's Blaine's brother."

"Speak of the devil." Blaine said, pointing in the other direction, where Shane was running over to them.

"Hey Reed!" He said to the other boy, who just nodded. "Kurt, Blaine, I was told to come find you so you can take me to my room."

"Actually Shane." Reed said, causing Shane to turn around. "I need to talk to you."

"Sure, what's up?"

"Alone." Reed said, giving a pointed look to Kurt and Blaine, who nodded and walked away.

"Of all the people who Reed could have as his soulmate, it's Shane." Kurt said, as he and Blaine walked in the opposite direction. "I never would have guessed."

"Me neither." Blaine said, shaking his head. "But, if Reed ever did something to hurt Shane, even though he's my friend, I would come for him."

Kurt laughed. "Becoming the protective big brother are you?"

"Maybe."

"What do you want to talk about Reed?" Shane asked, curious.

"Well, my sixteenth birthday was this morning..." Reed started.

"Oh, happy birthday!" Shane said excitedly. "Sorry, I interrupted, continue on."

"And as everyone knows, you get your soulmark at sixteen, and I got mine. You're my soulmate." Reed said, holding out his wrist for Shane to see.

Shane gasped. "Can I touch it?' He hesitantly asked Reed, who nodded.

Shane traced his fingers lightly over the words, Shane Anderson, causing Reed to shiver.

"You know," he said to Reed. "I've always had a crush on you, but I never did anything because I knew you were going to turn sixteen soon, and then you would get your soulmate, and I never thought it would be me."

"I've never done this." Reed admitted. "I've never had a girlfriend or boyfriend. I don't know what I'm dong."

"I haven't either." Shane whispered to him, both boys getting closer together. "We'll learn together."

As if by some magnetic force, the two were pulled together. They got closer and closer, until finally, their lips touched. Reed gasped as he kissed Shane for the first time. He had never kissed anyone or been kissed before, but with Shane, it felt right. Like every single decision he had ever made had led him to this point in time. As he deepened the kiss, he finally knew what Kurt and Blaine were talking about, when they talked about soulmates. Finally, they pulled apart due to lack of air, and rested their foreheads together.

Shane gasped and looked down as his wrist. There, where the skin was blank before, were the words Reed Van Kamp. The name was framed with intricate vines that wrapped around his wrist. Reed looked down at his own wrist, and discovered that Shane Anderson had the same type of vines.

"They're just like the ones on Kurt and Blaine's wrist." He said, eyes wide.

Shane squeezed his hand. "Then I think we are going to work out."

Thirty minutes later, Kurt was in his room, alone, doing the last of his summer homework, Blaine having gone to get food from the cafeteria for both of them, when Reed burst in.

"I take it your talk with Shane went well?" Kurt asked, looking up from his homework, to watch his best friend collapse on the other bed, a smile on his face.

Reed nodded before holding out his wrist for Kurt to see. Kurt smiled, looking at the vines that were so similar to the ones on his own wrist. "I take it that happened when you two first kissed?"

Reed looked at him in suprise. "How did you know that?"

"Don't worry, Blaine and I didn't spy on you two." Kurt assured him. "We decided we wanted to give you two time to talk it out together. But that's how the vines on my wrist first appeared."

Reed nodded. "It was amazing Kurt. I finally understand what you and Blaine are talking about when you two talk about soulmates."

"I'm happy for you two, I really am." Kurt assured him. "But, I have to say this to you. Shane is like a brother to me, I've known him the majority of his life. And while you may be my best friend, besides Blaine that is, if you do anything to hurt Shane, I will come after you."

"Don't worry, I would never intentionally hurt Shane. Let me guess, Blaine is looking for Shane to tell him the same thing in regards to me?"

"Actually, Blaine's getting food from the cafeteria." Kurt corrected him. "But, I'm sure he will do that. How are you feeling?"

Reed grinned. "I'm so happy Kurt. I didn't think I would find my soulmate, but I did and Shane's amazing."

"The Anderson brothers are, aren't they?" Kurt said, smirking. Suddenly, his eyes went wide. "Reed, do you know what this means?"

"What Kurt?" Reed asked, confused.

"It means, sometime in the future, you and I will be brothers-in-law."

"You can't ever get rid of me." Reed said, grinning and bumping Kurt's hip.

The door opened, and Blaine walked in, carrying lunch for him and Kurt. He looked at Reed in surprise. "Oh hey Reed. The talk with my brother went well?"

Reed nodded and held out his wrist for Blaine to see. "Don't worry, Kurt already threatened me."

"Good, I guess I don't have to threaten you then." Blaine said, grinning.

The door banged open, and Wes, David, Ethan, and Evan stood there. "Happy birthday Reed!" The Tweedles called excitedly, skipping around the room. "Who's your soulmate?"

"It's me." a voice sounded from behind them.

The entire group turned around to see Shane, leaning against the doorway. He walked into the room and wrapped his arm around Reed's waist, who leaned into the touch.

David smiled gently. "I'm happy for you two."

Blaine and Kurt smiled as they watched Shane and Reed. Shane was a brother to the both of them, and they knew their best friend would be good for him.

A loud crash was heard from downstairs, and the whole group ran to the top of the balcony. A tall, lanky freshman with dark, shaggy hair and pale skin was standing in front of the doors, his belongings pilled up behind him in front of the door. He was pointing a water sprayer at Charlie, Isaiah, and Sam who were trying to approach him.

"Back off." The freshman growled, swinging his sprayer around. "You have no idea what sort of malignant forces are in an ancient prep school like this one."

The twins looked at one another, their eyes sparkling with mischief and smirks on their faces, and dashed down the stairs, towards the new freshman.

Kurt face palmed. "This is not going to end well."

"Well, looks like we have another unique one." Blaine said, sighing. "What else is new?"

"At least he'll fit in." Reed said, shrugging.

Another banging was heard from downstairs, and the group turned around. The freshman was running around the first floor, spraying water, and flinging what looked like rock salt at the Windsors, who were ducking and running for cover. Kurt shook his head and ducked into his room, Blaine, Shane, Reed, Wes, and David following. It was another normal day at Windsor.

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