Author's Note:

This chapter is still unbetaed, sorry about that! I've been procrastinating again, and my lovely beta hkvoyage hasn't had a chance to look this over for me yet. This chapter is again from Blaine's point of view. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Sharing Secrets

April to September 2012

"Hey, honey bee," Pam said. "I hope you're calling to tell me you and Trent are coming for a visit after finals."

Blaine burst into tears upon hearing that warm, familiar voice, and the mention of Trent didn't help either.

"Blaine, sweetie, what's wrong?" Pam asked.

"Trent is… moving out…" Blaine sobbed.

"What?! Why?!"

"His… *sniff*… his boyfriend… asked him… to come live with him," Blaine explained.

"What?! Hold up, honey, his BOYFRIEND?!" Pam shrieked. "When did you guys break up, and why is this the first I hear about it?"

Blaine was silent for a beat. "Mom, what are you talking about?"

Pam huffed in exasperation. "Trent! You've been together since high school! You've lived together for… what, ten years? I keep expecting you to pop the question to Trent and get married and have babies. And now you just mention casually that he's dating someone else, as though it doesn't even matter. What happened?!"

Blaine rubbed a hand over his face. "Mom… Not you too! Trent and I have never dated. We're just friends. Best friends. That's all we've ever been."

Pam laughed. "Oh, honey, that's such bull. You've stayed here at my place together, and no, I've never seen you kiss or heard you have sex, but it was clear enough that you were in a relationship. The way he looked at you with hearts in his eyes, and the way you stayed close to him, always touching him in one way or another. The way you cuddled on the sofa and bickered like an old married couple. The way you knew what Trent wanted and needed before it even registered in his brain. You've always been inseparable, and you click so well. Maybe the two of you have never said the words, but it was obvious to me, and to anyone with eyes, really, that you loved each other, and that you were together. So together. Honey, you've asked me for advice on Valentine's gifts for Trent! You wouldn't buy a Valentine's gift for someone who's just a friend."

Blaine sighed, not in the mood to argue.

"So what happened?" Pam wanted to know. "Trent fell in love with someone else?"

"Yes," said Blaine. "His name is Ashton, and he's a colleague of Trent's."

"How long has this been going on?"

Blaine thought hard. "Seven months or so. Since November."

"And now he's moving out, huh," Pam mused. "What are you going to do when you turn into a dog, then?"

"I don't know!" Blaine wailed. "What do I do, Mom? Trent says to hire a dog sitter, but I don't want to explain my situation to a stranger!"

Pam hummed in assent. "Well, for now, you could draft a standard mail to the dog agency requesting a week of walks, asking them to get in touch with me for the payment, and you put me in CC, and you make sure you have your Outlook open at any time, and that draft mail, too. At home, at school, on your mobile. And when you feel you're going to turn into a dog, you send that mail before you do anything else. All right?"

"Right," said Blaine, starting up Outlook to draft the mail his mother had outlined.

"And I'm coming to New York. I know you say you and Trent never dated, but you sound really cut up about his moving out. You shouldn't be all alone right now. The school year's almost over, isn't it?"

Blaine hesitated. "Yes, but… I'm teaching a summer class in June. For three weeks."

Pam hummed again. "I see. All right. I'll stay with you until that summer class has come to an end, and then you're coming home to Ohio with me for the summer holidays."

"Mom!" Blaine protested.

"No grumbling, honey bee. I need to keep an eye on you while I can. And I know there's a lot more to do in New York, but we'll have fun at home too. I'm taking you to the theatre. There's a Rent revival I have tickets for. And you can help me in the garden. And catch up with your Warbler friends."

"Okay, okay…"

Blaine resigned himself to having his mom as a guest for over a month, and to an Ohioan summer after that. It was nice of Pam to rush to his aid, but how he wished it hadn't been necessary.

K&B

Blaine was surprised and pleased when that Tuesday, Kurt came to see him during his consulting hours, and even more so when he asked him if he was okay.

Kurt didn't stay long, but by the time he left, Blaine felt a lot better. A fact that didn't escape Paula's notice when he left his office later that afternoon.

"You're humming," Paula said, locking her own office, too. "Kurt worked his magic, did he?"

"Good Lord, Paula, would you stop?!" Blaine hissed. "Do you even listen to yourself sometimes? For the millionth time, there is nothing going on between Kurt and me. He just came in with a question, and we talked for a bit."

Paula raised an eyebrow. "No need to get so worked up. I was just pointing out that you clearly feel better, after sulking for two days."

"Yeah, I did feel better, until you butted in again," Blaine snapped. "Making it sound like I'm having an affair with a student."

"I did not," Paula disagreed. "Not my fault that you read into everything I say. What's got your panties in a twist?"

Her face grew serious when Blaine told her about his roommate moving out, almost as if she realised the problems this caused for Blaine.

"So will you advertise for a new roommate?" Paula asked.

Blaine shook his head. "I don't really need a roommate. The apartment is mine. I bought it with the money my grandfather left me."

Paula cocked her head to the side. "You may not need the money, but you do need the company. You should think about it."

Again, her eyes were piercing right through him.

Feeling a little unsettled, Blaine nodded, and then made his escape.

K&B

Having his mother living in his apartment took some getting used to. Pam commented on what Blaine wore, what he ate, what he watched on TV, what he read and how he spent his evenings and weekends.

Apparently, the meals Blaine cooked were too fattening, and he needed to use less cheese, less meat, less salt, and a lot more vegetables. After a while, Blaine just gave up on cooking, content to eat whatever his mother prepared.

Pam also thought that Blaine was becoming a coach potato, so she took him to a nearby gym in the evenings, encouraging him to take up boxing again. On weekends, they went jogging in Central Park.

Shortly after finals, Blaine turned into a dog again, and the jogging became a necessity rather than a choice.

Blaine was a bit alarmed about the dog spells coming closer together again, but felt lucky that at least this time, he didn't have work to worry about. The school year was over, and summer school was still a week and a half away.

Having his mom cleaning up his messes was a bit awkward, but she'd done the same when he was a baby, Blaine reasoned.

K&B

On the first day of his summer class, he was delighted to find that Kurt was among his students, working as hard as ever, and producing A+ content. He also seemed to have gotten over his hang-ups about talking to Blaine, and they took to chatting after every lesson.

Among other things, Blaine learnt that Kurt was dog-sitting now instead of walking lots of dogs belonging to various owners. That wasn't good news. It meant that the dog walking agency wouldn't be able to send Kurt to walk Blaine next time. It would be a stranger. Blaine resolved to bring the dog walking agency a spare key to his apartment as soon as possible.

Like Blaine, Kurt was heading to Ohio as soon as this summer class was over, but unlike Blaine, he was counting down the days, claiming that he needed rest. He did look tired, Blaine noticed upon closer scrutiny. He remembered Paula telling him that Kurt would be taking on graphic design as a minor as of next school year, and he hoped it wouldn't be too taxing for him. He'd be keeping an eye on Kurt, and if it looked like he was overwhelmed, Blaine would discuss it with Paula. Maybe there were classes that Kurt could test out of because there was an overlap with his major?

In Ohio, the first thing that happened was that he turned into a dog again. While she was at work, Pam let him roam in the backyard, which was certainly big enough, but Blaine still felt lonely without anyone to play with him and look after him. As soon as he transformed again, Blaine fell into a rhythm that made him feel like a teenager again. In the morning, he helped his mother arrange charity events, worked in the garden and went grocery-shopping, and generally did anything else Pam needed his assistance with. In the afternoon, he swam in their back-yard pool, worked on his tan and met up with a few friends that had come to visit their families.

Wes told him all about his fiancée, and how they were getting married in April. Thad, on the other hand, was already divorced, and talked about not getting to see his son as often as he'd like. David had become a teacher, like Blaine, and they swapped stories about their students.

All of his friends asked after Trent, and were upset to hear that he was dating and living with Ashton now.

"What?!" David yelled. "You and Trent broke up? How is that possible? You've been dating for so long, and I've never once seen you fight. You were that couple that everyone looked up to, you know, in school. You seemed to have it all together when the rest of us were just muddling through. I thought you'd be married with a million kids by now."

Blaine hunched a little, breaking eye contact.

Wes clapped him on the back. "Hey… I'm sure David didn't mean to make you feel any worse about the break-up, DID YOU, DAVID?"

David, succumbing under Wes' glare, shook his head.

"We're just surprised, that's all," Wes continued, "because we all thought you'd be together forever."

Blaine didn't dare tell his friends that he and Trent had never been boyfriends, and chose to change the subject instead.

The last week of Blaine's vacation, Pam took him to the Rent revival she had tickets for, and Blaine loved it. So engrossed was he in all that was happening on the stage that he didn't realise having turned into a dog until after the transformation was complete. He nudged his mother with his nose, and her eyes went wide.

Pam brought his collar and leash everywhere they went, so she snapped them on immediately. Then she picked up Blaine's clothes, stuffed them in her purse, and led Blaine out of the theatre. They were sitting at the end of an aisle, so only the people directly behind them noticed them leave. Blaine shot them a quick look in passing, and at once, his heart started to jack-rabbit in his chest. Just behind him, at the end of the aisle, sat Kurt! He was looking right at Blaine and giggling it up with the girl sitting next to him. Had he recognised Blaine? Probably not. But seriously, what were the odds?

Blaine's heart rate didn't slow down until he was at home again and swimming a few laps in the pool to relax. He told himself there was no need to worry. If Kurt had noticed Blaine before the curtain went up, he was pretty sure Kurt would at least have come and greeted him. Since he didn't, he must only have seen Blaine in his dog form at the theatre. And he saw so many dogs on the regular that he'd probably wouldn't think of Devon, would he?

Still, it was worrying how many close shaves he'd already had with Kurt. Kurt looking after him for a week and then turning up for his class the next week. Kurt winning the competition where Blaine was in the jury, with Blaine transforming just an hour before the award ceremony was to take place. And now Blaine having another dog spell while the both of them were in the same theatre. Was that a sign of the universe to tell him he needed to confide in Kurt?

Just then, Pam screeched, "Blaine! Get out of the pool AT ONCE! This is SO unhygienic!"

Blaine hurried out of the pool and gave his mother his most contrite look.

"Those puppy eyes stopped working on me a long time ago," Pam informed him. "Now come here, I need to dry you off before you trample muddy paw prints all over the kitchen floor."

K&B

Blaine started the new school year a few days late due to his dog spell, and had to endure some teasing from Paula about wanting extra vacation days. "Had a hot lover in your bed and didn't want to leave it, did you?"

Blaine flushed and denied that vehemently, until Paula was laughing her head off.

When she'd made enough fun of him for her liking, she told him Kurt was working at R/GA as an intern now. "I think I'm going to invite Sebastian from R/GA again this year to give a presentation about the agency, and Kurt can chip in with his experience interning there. And maybe this time around, you'll take Seb's VERY BROAD hints and sleep with him. You need to get laid, man. And at least Seb is your age, and not a student."

Blaine glared at her. "For the millionth time, I am not involved with Kurt!"

"I didn't say anything about Kurt," Paula smirked. "But I'm impressed at how fast your mind jumps to him these days. Maybe those very tight pants he wears do have some effect on you. I'll give it a few more months."

Blaine opened and closed his mouth a few times without any sound coming out, and then just walked off in the direction of his classroom without looking back at Paula, who was cackling again.

Kurt was in one of Blaine's classes again, this time Graphic Design History, and wrote very thought-provoking essays, which Blaine discussed with Paula to see if certain ideas and suggestions could be added to the curriculum, and with Kurt himself, because the essays always left him wanting to know more, to dive deeper into the subject. And Kurt never disappointed. He had such a brilliant brain, and seemed to know just how to cut through everything unnecessary to get to the essence. And he was so innovative, his mind teeming with ways to improve and simplify designs. He continued to astound Blaine, and Paula was just as impressed with him. No longer did she chew Blaine out for talking to Kurt for too long, because she did the exact same thing, wanting to know every particular of Kurt's internship at R/GA.

Blaine was in his office, marking the essays assigned that week, when suddenly, he felt his skin prickle and his nose growing wet. Knowing he had very little time until he'd be a dog again, he hit his keyboard and typed in his password, but his hands became paws before he could send the standard mail to the dog walking agency. He tried anyway, and let out an unhappy whine when the computer mouse refused to cooperate.

The noise he made must have carried farther than he thought, because the next thing he knew, Paula was standing beside his desk. She didn't seem a bit surprised to see a dog in his office. Did she… somehow know about his condition already?

"I take it you wanted to send this e-mail?" Paula asked, raising an eyebrow at Blaine.

Blaine nodded.

"Hmm, just dog walks won't be much use if there's nobody around to feed and water you," Paula remarked. "I'm gonna ask for a week of dog-sitting, then you'll be properly looked after."

Paula clicked 'Send' and then fixed him with a stare again.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I take it you're actually Blaine under a curse?"

Another nod.

"No need to look so scared, Blaine, I'm not going to out you!" Paula assured him. "But you're going to need someone to look after you, until the agency sends a dog walker over."

It dawned on Blaine that he had totally forgotten to drop off a spare key at the agency. The dog walker they sent would be unable to get into the apartment. He whined again. What a mess!

"No worries, no worries," said Paula. "I know just the right person. Stay here!"

Blaine, stiff with stress now that she planned on bringing someone else into his office to see him like this, didn't move a muscle until she bustled back in, towing a bewildered Kurt behind her.

Kurt's face lit up beautifully when he saw Blaine, and he called him by his dog name. Blaine was off like a shot. Yes, yes, yes, Kurt could look after him. He would, wouldn't he? Surely, he'd take care of Blaine in spite of his dog-sitting duties?

Blaine nuzzled Kurt's knee and then his cheek, and rumbled deep in his chest when that prompted Kurt to pet Blaine in all the right places.

Paula asked Kurt to take Blaine back home, and Kurt agreed readily. Blaine happily followed him out of the office and off the campus, and then led him towards the park, where they played for a bit.

Blaine's mood dropped drastically on the way home, though. He realised that the apartment, should Kurt leave him there, would become his prison. The dog walker that the agency would be sending had no way of getting in, so Blaine would be left to his own devices for a whole week. He didn't even know if there was any dog food left in the house. He couldn't fill his water bowl by himself. And he had no way of getting out of the apartment to relieve himself somewhere outside.

The more Blaine thought about it, the more he panicked, and when they reached his apartment, he planted his paws firmly on the ground and refused to budge.

Kurt didn't understand, of course, and tried coaxing Blaine, but to no avail. After a while, Kurt went into the apartment himself, and after a moment's hesitation, Blaine followed him.

Room by room, Kurt inspected the apartment, and Blaine knew it didn't look lived in at the moment, because it wasn't. Blaine hated coming home to an empty apartment, so ever since he'd come home from Ohio, he'd spent as little time there as he possibly could. Instead, he chose to stay in his office on campus until late, heading to the gym afterwards, grabbing a bite to eat and only heading home when it was bed time.

Kurt came to the conclusion that Blaine's owner had abandoned him, and decided to take Blaine along to the place where he was dog-sitting, telling Blaine to play nice with the dog living there.

Yes, sure, anything, just take me with you. Please don't leave me here all alone!

The dog Kurt was looking after was a black Labrador called Carla, very exuberant and friendly. She seemed beyond excited to have a playmate sleeping over, and when Kurt took the both of them to the park for their evening walk, she chased Blaine and play-bowed and growled and bounced up and down around him until Blaine indulged her with some playful scuffling.

After a while, Carla caught sight of a squirrel, and chased after it. Blaine took the opportunity to sidle back up to Kurt, who was on the phone. It proved to be the dog walking agency, and they asked Kurt to dog-sit 'Devon' for a week.

Yes! Please say yes, go on. Please!

Kurt took some time to think it over, but ended up agreeing.

He's not going to bring me back to my apartment now, is he?

Blaine was stiff with nerves again, and it took Kurt coaxing him onto his lap and massaging all the stress away for Blaine to relax a little.

Once Kurt spoke, Blaine's worries all evaporated. Of course Kurt wasn't planning on leaving him in that apartment all alone. He got to come with Kurt and Carla for a sleep-over. And once the assignment at Carla's place was over, Kurt would be coming to live at Blaine's for the rest of the week.

Blaine looked up at Kurt, trying to convey his gratitude with his eyes, and then nudged Kurt to get some more caresses.

Living with Kurt proved heavenly. Kurt bathed both Blaine and Carla that night, and after drying them off, he brushed their hair softly, with so much care and tenderness that it soothed Blaine until he dozed off.

When Kurt moved into Blaine's apartment, it smelled like home-cooked food again, for the first time in months, and Blaine loved it, though Kurt was strict and only gave Blaine dog food, no matter how much he whined and begged for scraps from the table.

One day bled into another, and Blaine didn't even notice its passing. He soaked up the companionship he had with Kurt and enjoyed it to the fullest, knowing he'd have to live on those memories until the next dog spell came along.

That Friday afternoon, Kurt came home from school and greeted Blaine with his customary belly rub. Blaine's head lolled left to right and his back arched up of its own accord as Kurt scratched his belly just the right way.

Oh, that feels SO good…

Then, all of a sudden, Kurt's hands were gone, and a shrill scream rent the air.

Blaine opened his eyes lazily. Was there a spider, or a mouse? 'Cause he could totally chase it away for Kurt…

But it proved to be him that Kurt was looking at with horror.

Uh-oh…

The hair on his skin prickled with apprehension, and Blaine looked down at his body, knowing what he would see before he saw it.

Right, I've turned human again. I need to explain.

But Kurt had recovered from his fright by now and let out a torrent of words, his eyes flashing.

"What the hell? What do you think you're playing at?! Elliott, if this is you playing a joke on me, it's not funny! You change back into yourself RIGHT NOW or else I will rip all of your designs to shreds!"

Blaine's eyes went wide. Kurt knew about magic? But why did he think Blaine was one of his friends pranking him?

"I'm giving you until the count of three," Kurt continued. "One… Two…"

"Wait! Stop!" Blaine implored him, holding his hands up. "This is not a prank, I swear. I'm Blaine Anderson, and I'm under a curse."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Of course you'd say that. Tempting me by making it look like my crush is right in front of me, buck-naked, his humongous hard dick almost poking my eye out. And when that doesn't sway me right away, you tell me you're under a curse. Of course. Next you're going to tell me that only true love's kiss can save you, and then when I try and kiss you, you'll transform into something disgusting, won't you? Well, I won't play along. I won't be a good sport or whatever you'd call it. I hate magic. It's cost me my mom, and it broke Rachel's heart. It does nothing but ruin people's lives. I've got no time for your sick mind games. Find someone else to prank. And by the way: our friendship is OVER!"

Kurt turned around and stormed off to put his shoes and coat on.

Blaine followed, frantic now. "Kurt, please! It's really me. Please! You have to believe me!"

Kurt scoffed and turned his face away from Blaine.

Blaine pressed on. "I… I'll prove it to you. There are things you told me... Things I know... Your mother died when you were eight!"

Kurt's expression somehow became even more arctic. "Everybody knows that."

"You wanted to go to NYADA. Become a Broadway star. But you didn't get in."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Rude. And again, common knowledge."

Blaine racked his brains, and then it came to him. "A closeted jock stole your first kiss."

Kurt snapped his head towards Blaine, his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide, and whispered, "How on earth do you know that?"

Blaine shrugged. "You told me."

Kurt gaped at him, speechless now.

Blaine continued, "You said you'd never told anyone. Because that jock threatened your life."

Kurt's shoulders slumped, and his face lost all colour. "He did. You're… You're actually Professor Anderson?"

Blaine snorted. "I'm standing here in my birthday suit and you still call me Professor? No need to be so formal at this point. Just Blaine will do."

Kurt let out a startled little laugh, and for a split second, his eyes flitted down, and his cheeks reddened. "I forgot."

"Lucky you."

That retort seemed to fluster Kurt even more, and Blaine was quick to grab his shoulder and reassure him. "Hey, hey… Don't worry about it. It's just a body. I don't care who sees it."

When that didn't seem to help much, Blaine threw in a wink. "You can admire me all you like."

That unfroze Kurt, who shook his head, giggling. "You're the worst. I blurt out I have a crush on you and instead of filing a restraining order, you tell me to check you out. You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

Blaine was glad that Kurt reacted so well. There was nothing off about his laughter. No bitterness about Blaine not reciprocating his feelings, and no anger either. Kurt seemed genuinely amused. So Blaine nudged Kurt's shoulder, grinned and replied, "Not a chance!"