"I fucked up." Blaine moans as Coopers arms encircle him. Arms which Kurt wishes desperately were his. But he can't. Not now, with Richard's family standing a few feet away and shooting them death glares.

"No you didn't." Cooper reassures him. "You did really well."

"I fucked up." Blaine repeats. "I'm so sorry Kurt."

"It's okay," Kurt says stiffly. The atmosphere is tense, and Kurt keeps looking over his shoulder distractedly as if expecting a cop to haul him away at any moment.

"Clearly it's not." Blaine says, pulling away from Cooper and looking squarely at Kurt.

"What? I said it's okay and I meant it. I know you're stressed but don't go taking it out on me."

"Well a little bit of reassurance wouldn't go amiss. Jesus."

"What do you want me to say Blaine? You just used my first name repeatedly. 'Oh it's okay, I don't think you gave the game away at all?' Is that it? Cause I'm not going to lie to you. Yes, you fucked up. That attorney knows. The whole fucking court probably know. He said your car is always outside my house, we lied under oath about buying that stuff, and Richard has clearly taken great delight in telling them all about what he thinks has been going on. And the worst bit in all of it, is that he's right."

"Fuck you Kurt." Blaine bites angrily, as Cooper tries to restrain him with a firm hand.

"What did you just say?" Kurt asks, completely incredulous.

"You heard. Fuck off. I said I'm sorry I messed up. I get that you're mad, and you're worrying that they're gonna start investigating you again, but at least I didn't drive away and leave you for dead!" Blaine yells, his whole face twisted in anger and frustration

"Woah! Blaine! That was completely uncalled for." Burt interjects as Carole and Maria look to one another, unsure of what to say or how to act.

Kurt reels backward as if he's been slapped. He stands still for a moment, in shocked silence before his eyes fill with tears. "You said...you'd never..."

"Kurt...I'm sorry..." Blaine starts, but Kurt turns and walks away, picking up pace as he feels peoples eyes on him.

"Kurt! Don't walk away from me!" Blaine calls.

"Save it Blaine!" A seething Kurt yells down the hallway. He turns to Blaine once more and walks backwards as he speaks, long past caring who hears what. "You know what I was going to say? I was going to tell you that none of it matters, that I'll do my time if I have to, I'll take whatever shit they want to throw at me, because I want you and no one else. You are my life Blaine. Yes you messed up with the name thing, but you also made me so goddamn proud of you, the way you stood your ground, the way you talked so eloquently and calmly- you did a much better job than I did- and then you go and throw that at me. Well you know what? Fuck you too."

"Kurt!" Blaine tries once more, but Kurt is pushing the doors open and storming out into the stark sunshine.

"I'll go." Cooper says, and hurries after him, leaving Blaine to sit on a nearby bench and try to compose his breathing.

"Why don't you two go and find us some coffees?" Burt says to Maria and Carole. "I'll sit with Blaine a while."

They depart, Maria dropping a small kiss to her son's hair as she does so, and Burt sits heavily on the bench next to him.

"Well. That was quite the spectacle," he notes.

"Sorry," Blaine mumbles, staring at the floor.

"It's not me you need to apologize to." Burt says as he puts a strong arm around Blaine's shoulders. "But that's quite the temper you've got there."

"Yeah. My dad had a temper."

"Did he? You don't talk about him."

"That's because I don't remember him. Well, I do a little bit- but it's hazy. I was only four when he left. He never contacted us again. He said he would...I remember asking about him and my mom would go quiet and sometimes cry. On my fifth birthday I remember the doorbell rang. I raced to answer it, thinking it would be him- because everyone remembers their kid's birthday, right?" he pauses, taking a deep trembling breath. "But it was Cooper. He'd come home from college to surprise me. I flipped out. I threw all my presents back at mom- presents that she had worked so hard to pay for. I screamed at her and at Cooper that I didn't want them, or my party, or my dumb cake. I just wanted my dad. My mom lost it, she sent me to my room and said that I had inherited the worst part of him, his temper. That hurt. And I remember lying on my bed and thinking that I mustn't ever let her down again. I didn't do too good at that."

"Oh I don't know."

"You know the worst part?" Blaine asks, turning to look at Burt. "He never came. But every year when I blew the candles out I wished for him. This year too."

"You don't need him, Blaine." Burt says, tightening his grip on Blaine's shoulders. "You're a better man than him. I can't see you ever walking out on Kurt like that, abandoning your children, your home."

"I lost my temper though."

"So you find him, you apologize and you tell him what you just told me. He loves you. We all love you. Don't ever feel like you have to keep this stuff inside kid, 'cause you don't. You have the most amazing mom who listens to you and actually does her best by you. A lot of kids your age aren't so lucky. You don't need someone to call dad. It's just a title. What makes a father is someone who loves you no matter what, who can pick you up when you fall and help put you back together again. Your mom has done all of that and more- and I know Cooper is trying to do that too."

"And you." Blaine points out softly.

"I can only try. I don't know if I'm all that great at it- but I'll always be there for both of you."

"Oh you're great at it, trust me. Kurt's a lucky guy."

"Yeah he is. Great dad, great step-mom and brother, amazing in-laws and a perfect boyfriend. Dunno what he's griping about really." Burt says with a wink. "Okay. We've got ten minutes before we have to go back in for the closing statements. Go find your boy."

Cooper scans the front of the building before he spots Kurt sat on a low wall looking downcast and shivering. He wishes he had the sense of mind to bring Kurt's jacket out with him, but this whole giving comfort thing is new to him, he can't be expected to remember everything.

"Hey." he says, sitting next to Kurt and tilting his face up to the weak sunlight.

"Hi. I'm sorry you had to see all that."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I've seen worse. LA strippers can be quite feisty if you don't call."

"Right."

Cooper drums his fingers on his legs as the silence falls. Pursing his lips, he tries to think of something to say. "I got nothing." is all he can come up with, and Kurt looks to him with a small smile.

"He just blew up at me."

"Yeah...he can do that. Not often. But Blaine is a bit like a bear, if he's provoked enough he will attack."

"Great." Kurt mutters. "I didn't provoke him though."

"You didn't mean to. But all this stuff has taken it's toll on him. I just don't think he could handle anything else and he felt as if you were criticizing him."

"I wasn't."

"I know."

"He's not the only one who this is tough on."

"I know, but he's just a kid, Kurt. You have to remember that. I know he doesn't look or act like one, and he's way more mature than I am, but underneath it all he's this frightened little boy who needs every bit of comfort and reassurance we can give him."

"You think I'm too old for him?" Kurt asks quietly

"Not at all. I think you're perfect for him. But like it or not, he doesn't know himself yet. He's always had a temper- but most of the time he's quiet and easy going. He'll learn to keep it in check- the same way I'm having to learn about my mouth."

"I didn't know he was like that."

"You do Kurt, when you stop and think about it. That night, when he made you drive away, something stopped you from arguing back."

"He was like an animal, the way he yelled at me to go."

"Exactly. And I'd imagine he's probably pretty fucking filthy in bed too."

"Oh my God. I'd rather not have this conversation with you, if you wouldn't mind." Kurt says, blushing deeply as he thinks of exactly how filthy Blaine can be.

"Uh-huh. I'll take that as a yes." Cooper says with a grin. "Blaine's a good kid. Don't give up on him."

"I'm not giving up on him! I just walked away before we both said more stupid things that we didn't mean. Is that what you think? That I'm giving up on him?"

"No, not really." Cooper says, then thinks a while. "It just seemed like the type of thing I should say. I'm not very good at this sort of stuff."

"I don't know, I'd say you've done okay. You've made Blaine really happy by being here."

"I hope so. I think it's gone well, anyway. Although he had a bad nightmare last night."

"He did? Why didn't he tell me?"

"Embarrassment? I don't know. But mom said they'd stopped. I guess he doesn't want to admit that they've come back. He's with you tonight, hopefully he'll sleep better."

"Yeah." Kurt mumbles, and lost deep in thought he barely acknowledges Cooper as he pats his shoulder and heads back inside. He sits very still for the longest time, though his mind is racing. It's only when a shadow falls across his line of vision that he looks up.

"I brought your jacket." Blaine says softly, "I didn't want you to get cold."

"C'mere." Kurt says, and Blaine sits, draping the jacket over his shoulders.

Kurt wraps an arm around Blaine and tucks his head under his chin.

"We can't..." Blaine starts.

"Oh Blaine, I'm a long way past caring what anyone thinks." Kurt says into his thick curls. "The only person whose opinion matters to me is you."

"I didn't mean the stuff I said."

"I know you didn't. We're both stressed out with all this, and you've got school, and graduation. It's a lot."

"I shouldn't have said it though."

"We live and learn Blaine. Everyone does. And you'll do many more things as you grow which you'll regret. I'm still doing idiotic things now. And as for Cooper..."

Blaine laughs a small laugh. "He's trying."

"I know, and I'm only joking. He was quite good to talk to actually. But he's not you."

"You like talking to me?"

"You're my favorite person in the entire world Blaine." Kurt gently lifts his chin and kisses those adorable, slightly pouting lips softly. "Why didn't you tell me you had a nightmare again?"

"Because I didn't want you to worry."

"The same one?"

"Yes. Always the same. And I see you, being dragged away from me and I try to scream but no sound comes out."

"Did you wake up?"

"Cooper woke me. He threw water at me. And then I had to share his bed because mine was all wet."

"Well you're sharing my bed tonight. And I promise to hold you all night. Now come on. We'd better get back inside." He stands and offers his hand to Blaine who takes it warily, conscious of various court staff heading back into the building.

"Kurt? I'm sorry...about my temper. I won't do it again."

"You will." Kurt says kindly as they walk through the doors. "Just like I'll make some bitchy comment that will really sting. We all have our flaws Blaine, but I love and accept you not in spite of them but because of them. You'll learn how to deal with your temper better as you get older, but it will always be there, always a part of you. It's how you deal with it, and the consequences that matter. And of course, angry sex is always welcome." he glances sideways and smiles flirtatiously, causing Blaine's heart to pound and making his stomach jump as he smiles back in disbelief.

"We find the defendant guilty as charged." The foreman's words ring out around the courtroom as Burt lets out a holler of delight. Kurt folds Blaine into his arms as they both cry with sheer relief, fingers gripping each other tightly.

"I sentence you to fifteen years imprisonment, and you are to serve at least ten years before you can become eligible for parole. Take the prisoner away." The judge bangs his gavel, and that's it. It is all over. Kurt becomes aware of his family all hugging and congratulating them, but it's the enormous relief that floods Blaine's body that he feels most keenly.

"That's it baby, that's it." he repeats over and over, and taking Blaine's face in his hands, kisses him deeply in front of everyone.

"It won't be if you carry on with that display." Burt says gruffly. "Get out of here, go on. Go home."

Needing no further encouragement, they take each others hands and run.

Kurt and Blaine speed back to the apartment and fall through the door, attached at the lips and feeling giddy with relief.

"Mmmm, so..." Kurt breathes out between hungry kisses, "We have exactly...Mmmm...forty seven minutes before...oh shit..." He gets out as his shirt is thrown to the floor and Blaine mouths over his nipples "...before everyone gets...here...I was...oh fuck Blaine!...I was...ahh!" he throws his head back with a thump against the wall as Blaine tugs down his pants and reaches into his underwear, "I was wondering..." he carries on with a laugh, "if you knew how to fill the time, but I realize you've thought of something already."

"Sure have." Blaine says and grins devilishly as he hoists a now naked Kurt over his shoulder and runs to the bedroom.

"Put me down!" Kurt yells, laughing loudly as he's dumped unceremoniously onto the bed. "You're too much!" he says as Blaine ignores him and starts stroking his hard cock while trying to undress himself at the same time. "Here, let me help you." he pulls Blaine to him and unbuttons his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders and trying to take his time to kiss over his collar bone.

"Lovely as this is, it's now only forty four minutes til they arrive, so can we hurry things along a bit?" Blaine asks, and pushes Kurt back onto the bed without waiting for an answer. Tugging the rest of his clothes off quickly, he leaps on top of Kurt eagerly, laughing at the horrified squeal that escapes his boyfriend. "I want you to fuck me." he growls as Kurt's hands roam over his body.

"I can do that." he answers, and happily flips them over to give his boy just what he needs.

It is quick and hurried, but utterly perfect as Blaine wraps his legs around Kurt's waist and they come together, Blaine arching his back off the bed as Kurt pulses inside him. They fall back onto the bed, a tangled sweaty, heaving mess and look up at the ceiling, grinning.

"Eighteen minutes left." Blaine says happily.

"No."

"What do you mean, no?"

"I mean no, we're not going again. We're going to shower and get dressed. I can't have the whole Glee Club turning up and me and you standing there reeking of sex."

"Damn it." Blaine mutters, sensing he won't get his own way on this no matter how hard he tries.

"So, for the group number I was thinking of 'If I Can Dream' by Elvis Presley." Kurt says as he reaches for more food. "It's strong, soulful, the lyrics are powerful and it gives everyone an opportunity to sing at least a few lines as solo."

"I like it." Sam says, and a few others nod in agreement.

"Rachel?"

"I actually think that's a very good choice Kurt. Well done." she says primly, and Kurt smiles down at Blaine, sat quietly on the floor, leaning against the couch where Kurt sits with Mike and Puck.

"Mr. Hummel, can I please use the bathroom?"

"Of course Brittany, down the hall, second door on the left." he says with a smile before turning his attention back to the group. "So the duet is still up for grabs, if anyone has any ideas I'd be glad to listen. But I do have something in mind for the solo." he says and his heart pangs slightly as he sees Rachel sit up straighter in her chair. "Uh...so you all know we have a composer in our midst." he continues and he feels Blaine stiffen at his feet. "And he's gonna hate me for saying this, but I would like Blaine to take the solo and perform one of his own songs."

"Yeah dude! Awesome!" Puck exclaims, and the rest of the group are quick to follow. Blaine stays silent, staring at the floor, making Kurt wonder why he even mentioned it seeing as he's now upset Blaine and offended Rachel- who is swallowing down her tears.

"Rach-"

"I understand, Kurt. I do." she says with a weak smile. "And I think that's a really good idea."

"Would you maybe think about doing the duet with Santana?"

"Um...well I don't know..." she starts, but is interrupted by Santana herself.

"Oh go on Berry, we'd kill it." she insists, and Rachel smiles broadly.

"We would. Yes, okay. We will."

"Excellent!" Kurt exclaims, pulling her in for a hug. "Thank you," he whispers in her ear, and she squeezes him tightly.

"You're welcome, future brother-in-law." she whispers back with a wink.

"Uh...I don't mean to ruin things here, but Blaine looks like he may cry." Tina says suddenly, and the room focuses on the boy, who hasn't moved and is still staring at the floor.

"Blaine?" Kurt says, and touches his shoulder softly.

"What? Oh right. Sorry." he says with an apologetic smile at the group. "I was just thinking. So uh...I have this song I've written...for someone...and it's called 'Little Things.'" he walks over to Kurt's piano and plays, everyone bursting into applause at the end.

"Oh man, you got me all emotional." Puck declares. "That's like, really beautiful."

"Thanks." Blaine mumbles, face red.

"I love it." Quinn says.

"Hey Blaine, Mr. Hummel uses the same hair gel as you." Brittany says as she re-enters the room, and Kurt's stomach plummets as he realizes she's been missing for quite a while.

"Does he? That's nice." Blaine remarks, voice high as he returns to his seat on the floor and nudges against Kurt's leg briefly.

"Yeah, but he must do something different with it because his hair is always fluffy, not all stuck down."

"Uh-huh. So, does anyone want to watch a movie?" Kurt asks, desperately trying to change the subject.

"He also has the same Iron Man pajama pants that you do," she carries on blithely, "All folded up under his pillow. And there are some boring plaid ones under the other pillow."

"How do you know Blaine has Iron man pajamas?" Kurt asks- leaving Blaine to wonder why he thinks that's the most important question to be asked.

"From sleepovers, silly."

"And you've been in my room?" Kurt asks in disbelief as it all sinks in.

"Yup." Brittany says, as if there's nothing out of the ordinary. "It's nice. Your bed is soft. And I like the pictures you have in there. The one by your bed is really pretty."

Blaine waits with baited breath, knowing full well that the picture on Kurt's nightstand is of them on the Staten Island Ferry. But Brittany doesn't add anything, and Kurt mumbles an embarrassed thank you.

"I found a movie for us to watch too." she pipes up into the silence, and Blaine and Kurt charge as she holds up a disc.

"No!" Blaine yells as he feels all heads in the room swivel in his direction. He snatches the disc from her and throws it to Kurt, who runs to his room and throws it to the back of his closet.

"Britt, it's not cool to go snooping in peoples rooms. We've been through this." Santana admonishes. "I told you at Blaine's party- people like their privacy."

"You went in my room too?" Blaine asks, completely dumbfounded by this turn of events.

"Only a little bit. I like it. You and Kurt have a lot of the same pictures."

A long silence ensues. Blaine sinks onto the floor again and rests his forehead on his knees, waiting for the inevitable questions. But thankfully, Santana comes to his rescue.

"Okay Britt. I'm gonna take you home. Thanks a lot Kurt, it was really nice of you to invite us over."

"Um..you're welcome." Kurt says as he shows the two girls out. Everyone drifts off slowly after that, Rachel hissing "Call me." at Blaine as she leaves, and fixing him with her best death glare.

"Well. That was close." Blaine says as he sinks onto the couch.

"Why did she go looking in my room though?" Kurt moans as he flops down next to him.

"She's Brittany."

"We need to tell them." Kurt states.

"After Nationals."

"After Nationals." Kurt agrees, then straddles Blaine's lap and looks down at him playfully. "So...one question remains. Why was our tape out?"

"Hmmm, I don't know." Blaine answers, but he's already running his hands under Kurt's t-shirt and caressing his soft skin. "Maybe, just maybe, I thought you might like to watch it with me?"

"I think maybe I would." comes the reply.