Angst. Angst. Angst. Angst. I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. And because of this angst (read: plot), this story is going to be about twice as long as I originally intended it. Yay!

I want to end it somewhere in the area of 15-20 chapters, though it may end up being 20-25, but it also may end up being 50 kajillion, you never know with me.

Shh. Just read.

I don't own Glee or Kurt or Blaine or Chris or Darren and all that jazz.

Kurt doesn't mention the picture to Blaine. He knows he wasn't meant to see it and he knows how painful it is for Blaine to talk about his parents. Instead of pressing Blaine to talk about it, Kurt does completely the opposite. Not only does he not ask Blaine about his parents, he doesn't ask Blaine anything. It's not that he ignores Blaine, he just sits back in his seat and behaves. Not once does he ask where they're going, or snap at Blaine, or even use sarcasm.

Blaine pretends he doesn't notice, despite the fact that even somebody Kurt speaks to in passing would be able to tell the difference between normal Kurt and this Kurt. He keeps his mouth shut about the sudden change in Kurt's demeanor as they drive, knowing that the alternative is bitchy, I-hate-surprises Kurt.

By the time they reach the next surprise, Kurt has begun to think about possibly getting Blaine to open up about his feelings. Later. Not today, he tells himself as they get out of the car. He's lost in his thoughts and doesn't notice that Blaine is trying to talk to him. "Kurt? Are you okay?" Kurt pulls himself out of his reverie to look at his boyfriend. Blaine has a look of pure concern on his face. "I'm fine, I just…kind of spaced out," Kurt answers, leaning in to kiss Blaine quickly. "What is it you were saying?"

Blaine reaches out and holds Kurt's hand, smiling in relief. "I was just going to ask what you think about carnivals." Kurt smiles like a kid on Christmas. "It's a bit out of character for me, but I actually love them. A lot." Blaine smiles back, pulling Kurt around the corner of a building to see an expanse of colorful metal, ice cream stands, and families having fun. "My dad used to take me here when I was little," Blaine explains. "It was the only time I ever felt like he actually liked me. I never ever forgot this place. They come into town on the exact same dates every summer."

Kurt nods and squeezes Blaine's hand sympathetically as they walk up to the gates. Blaine takes his hand out of Kurt's to grab his wallet, and Kurt shakes his head but lets the shorter boy pay. "What do you want to do first?" Blaine asks when they walk through the gates. "What's the most fun? I've never been here before," Kurt reminds him. Blaine looks at his watch. "It's 1:30 now, and we have to leave by 8 o'clock or else your dad will kill me. I'm thinking we have enough time to do whatever's worth doing, but right now our priority should be the roller coasters. They start to get really crowded in mid-afternoon and then you're stuck in line for an hour."

Kurt nods his head and smiles. "Lead the way, then. Rollercoasters it is." Blaine looks about ready to burst, practically jumping up and down as he runs towards the tallest ride in the whole place.

The afternoon continues this way, Kurt letting Blaine take control and Blaine acting like a child in a candy shop. Blaine keeps the public displays of affection to a minimum for Kurt's sake, not wanting to cause any unnecessary drama. Their day goes like any other visit to a carnival, aside from a few times Kurt catches Blaine staring wistfully at this ride or that vendor when he doesn't think Kurt is looking.

When they're leaving, Kurt sees Blaine looking back at the carnival sadly. He leans in close to Blaine's ear and murmurs, "I'm not going to make you talk about it, but…you can. If you want to." For a second, he's not sure if Blaine heard him, but Blaine nods and says, "Thank you." They get in the car in silence, both of them waiting for the other to say something.

Well, Kurt thinks, it's now or never. He takes a deep breath and prepares himself to say what's been going through his head all day. "Blaine," he begins, grabbing the boy's chin and gently lifting his face so he can look into the hazel eyes. "I…I know how hard it is. For you to…talk about them. I know you don't like to dwell on it and I know you don't want my pity. And that's not what I'm offering you, not at all. What I'm offering you is a chance. I want you to know that if you ever change your mind, if you ever feel like you need to talk about it…I'm here. I'm offering you a shoulder to cry on, and not just about your parents. I'm here for whatever you need, whenever you need it…forever."

Throughout his short speech, he sees tears welling up in Blaine's eyes, he sees Blaine's eyes fill with a mixture of sadness and nostalgia and love and hope. At the last word, Blaine absolutely breaks down. He's sobbing and the tears are spilling freely down his face, and Kurt strokes his hair and coos soothingly. They don't know how long they sit there holding each other. It's not important. When Blaine's tears finally slow down, he swipes at his eyes and sniffs. "I love you, Kurt," he says, his voice breaking here and there. "I think…I may have to take you up on that offer…another time." Blaine laughs shakily and puts the key in the ignition. "Thank you."

"Always," Kurt says, patting Blaine's knee and turning back to look out the window. "It's getting dark," Blaine observes. "We should get you home." Kurt nods but doesn't say anything as Blaine pulls out of the parking lot.

This is an extremely short chapter. I apologize. It just sort of felt right to end it there, if that makes sense. I'll have the next one up soon.

Reviews are super nice, even when they're mean.