A/N: Hey readers! Here's chapter 9! Wow, sorry it took so long! I've been revising for exams and stuff - it's been bad times! One song in this chapter, and I think a lot of you will know it to be honest: Not Alone (take a guess at who it will sing it) by Darren Criss - /watch?v=5OJCCl5vOqg (add to YouTube URL if you don't know it). Oh yeah, by the way, this chapter is gratuitously fluffy but I just couldn't help myself; I hope you guys like fluff. So yeah, hope you enjoy this chapter and, once again, sorry for the wait! PLEASE REVIEW! ENJOY! :)

Kurt and Blaine walked hand in hand down the road, wheeling their suitcases behind them, with Finn and Rachel following close behind. They were all heading to the Hummel-Hudson's household to settle in and to have a celebratory dinner for their win at Sectionals.

Rachel was whining on about how Lyrical Explosion deserved to win and that the Warblers had only won because of the emotional back story to one of their songs. All three boys repeatedly rolled their eyes as she ranted on and on.

Eventually, Kurt decided to leave Rachel be as she began to say, "I know that it helped to rekindle your relationship but that doesn't mean the judges should have..."

Kurt asked Blaine, "You nervous about meeting my parents outside of work?"

Blaine's grip on Kurt's hand tightened as he gulped, "If I'm going to be honest then yes. Very. What do I need to avoid saying or doing?"

Kurt chuckled at Blaine's anxiety, "Well, to start with you need to be yourself and at the moment you aren't. Where's the confident Blaine I know and love?"

Blaine let out a guffaw, "If I was confident, I would have told you I loved you from the moment I knew."

Kurt shook his head in disbelief, "You're more confident than you realise, honey."

"Let's agree to disagree. What else do I need to do whilst staying at yours?"

Kurt hummed as he thought about it, speaking slowly as his train of thought flickered between several rules his father had set, "Okay, don't break up with me whilst we're here; my dad will shoot you. Make sure you keep everything tidy; if you don't, Carole and I will shoot you. Keep heavy petting to a minimum whilst we're around other people; I'm certain that my parents don't want to see us making out and will shoot us. And just stick to any rules that my dad mentions during your stay or he will shoot you."

Blaine replied to each statement, "I'm never going to break up with you. I keep everything tidy at school because of your tidiness rule, so this is no different anyway. So that means we'll spend a lot of time in your room. And I will make sure to obey your father's rules."

Kurt stopped outside his house, simpering at Blaine, "Does that mean you're ready?"

Blaine nodded as they both started up the driveway and onto the garden path, "As ready as I'm ever going to be."

Kurt fumbled with his keys in the door and chuckled slightly, "You'll be fine. You know Carole loves you and if my dad doesn't, well, that's his problem, not yours. It won't change my mind about anything."

Blaine grinned as the door opened, "You always know the right thing to say."

Kurt stepped inside without a word, but a small smile did curve onto his lips. Blaine followed close behind, closing the door over but leaving it ajar so when Finn and Rachel caught up they could just walk straight into the house. Kurt called down the hallway, "Dad, Carole, I'm home."

Carole ran down the hallway a couple of seconds later, flour all over her apron as she attempted to hug Kurt, but she got stopped by him taking a step back, "Carole, school uniform, flour, no."

Carole's eyes filled with warmth as she heard her stepson fussing over his clothes for the millionth time since she had moved in with him and Burt, "Sorry, honey. Making the batter for the chicken from scratch for our special congratulations dinner."

Kurt protested, "Stop that! There's no need for homemade batter!"

Blaine butted in with a comment, "I think what Kurt is trying to say is that you didn't have to go through all that trouble for us."

Kurt glanced over at Blaine before nodding. Carole smiled at Blaine, "I could tell you were a lovely boy during your hospital visits and you've just proved me right."

Blaine smiled bashfully, "Oh stop you."

Kurt chuckled at the pair of them as they began to bond over the smallest of things. He began to wheel his bag down the corridor and opened his bedroom door, "I'm going to go sort out my things. Blaine, you coming or staying up here with Carole?"

Blaine took a moment to think, but as soon as he heard the front door creak behind him and Rachel's voice echoing into the house as she listed how the Warblers could have improved their performance, he decided to go with Kurt, nodding at Carole as he passed.

Kurt lead the way down the stairs and into his room, flicking the light switch on at the bottom of the staircase. Blaine slowly walked down behind him, taking a minute to allow himself to adjust to the light change. Whilst the ground floor was all autumnal colours, Kurt's basement room was pale and white, with purples, reds and pinks covering the bed and his sofa, the carpet rug a deep shade of maroon. Blaine grinned at the pristine surroundings Kurt had created for himself. Everything was placed perfectly, with no sign of the usual mess that accompanied a teenaged boy's room.

Blaine set his bag down next to Kurt's, who was now flicking through his large, trendily curved, white wardrobe, trying to decide on an outfit for the evening. Blaine didn't say anything as he knew that Kurt was deep in thought now. He decided to scope the room out a little more, see what other features Kurt's room had that would reflect his personality. Blaine walked over to the bedside table, scanning through each picture frame set down there. One photo in particular caught his eye. He recognised the face so well because he saw it in the mirror every day. Kurt had a picture of him by his bed, and it wasn't just from any old day either.

In the background of the photo was their Dalton room, a little messier in comparison to the room he was in now and certainly a lot less fashionable. Blaine ran his eyes down the photo, taking in the familiar outfit he was frozen in in the picture with a goofy smile on his face. Black polo shirt; orange capri pants; yellow belt; a matching yellow bowtie; pink raybans tucked into his shirt pocket; his black Sperry boat shoes; this was from the party at the beginning of the semester. It was the day they began to call each other 'boyfriend'.

Blaine broke the silence, perching on the edge of Kurt's bed as he continued to stare at the photograph, "Kurt?" Kurt replied with a hum to show he was paying attention. Blaine continued, "How long have you had a picture of me by your bed?"

Kurt replied nonchalantly, still flicking through his wardrobe, "Since the Friday after the party."

Blaine grinned widely at the sentiment. The thought that the photo had been put there as soon as Kurt could spoke volumes to Blaine. It told him that he really did mean something to Kurt even long before the situation they were in now. Kurt cared about him a lot. He had had his doubts as to how much he cared until the evening before when Kurt admitted his love, but now he took the scepticism back. Kurt had always cared at this level since the beginning, and Blaine wondered why it took until that moment to realise that he had cared this much all this time.

Blaine spoke up again, "I know you're a bit preoccupied choosing an outfit from your endless range of attractive clothes but can you just come here a minute?"

That caused Kurt to turn on his heel and walk over to Blaine, sitting down next to his boyfriend without so much as a break from his usual graceful motions. Kurt asked anxiously, "What's wrong?"

Blaine smiled back, "Nothing's wrong. I just need a moment with you right now, okay? I mean it's not everyday that you find out your boyfriend misses you enough to have a photo by his bed."

Kurt responded earnestly, "You became a huge part of my life very quickly, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But the emptiness that I sometimes feel when I'm here for the weekends without you is just too much to handle. That photo is a reminder of how I will be going back to you for the coming week. That photo helps me to get through the weekend when you're having fun with your friends and not texting back. That photo helps me when you're studying or sleeping or something and can't answer the phone. That photo reminds me that even though you're busy sometimes, you are my boyfriend and as soon as I return to you, I can continue to make memories with you."

Blaine slid his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it, immediately navigating to his photo application. He searched for the photo he had taken of Kurt a couple of weeks back when he was fast asleep and hugging his journal. Kurt's eyes widened at the photo, "When did you take that?"

Blaine smirked slightly, "The evening after your Warblers audition. Over the weekends, I sometimes open this photo and lay it on the pillow next to me because I miss you so much and I miss looking over at you whilst you sleep, looking peaceful and dreamy. You have no idea how much this week means to me. This week is saving me from a week of moping around because you wouldn't be there with me. This means so much."

Kurt leant towards his boyfriend, a grin plastered on his face. He touched his forehead against Blaine's, taking a deep breath in to catch his musky scent; a scent which he couldn't quite place and so had decided it was unique to Blaine. He closed his eyes and memorised this moment, desperate for it to last forever. He whispered gently, his breath ghosting against Blaine's lips, "I love you more than you'll ever understand."

Blaine smiled, "Well, I'll love you forever and a day." He tilted his head slightly, preparing to kiss his boyfriend, "If kisses were snowflakes, I'd give you a blizzard."

Kurt responded softly, giggling slightly as he did, "Just kiss me, you dork!"

Blaine smiled into the kiss, deciding it was impossible not to be happy no matter what life were to throw at him right now. Kurt raised his hand to his boyfriend's cheek, gently caressing it as their lips moved together. Everything felt so right in that moment, the perfect synchronisation of their lips made everything seem perfect. It was like they were soul-mates who took 17 years to find each other. It was like their lips were made to kiss the other boy. It was like they were brought to the Earth to love each other, no matter what would happen. It was the most magical moment of their lives; the moment they realised that they could be kissing their soul-mate.

Heavy clunks of work boots echoed down the staircase, causing Kurt to pull away, giving Blaine an apologetic glance before dropping his hand to around Blaine's waist and pulling him into a hug. Kurt knew that his father wouldn't be as mad as if he had caught them kissing. He placed a light kiss against his boyfriend's neck before taking a deep breath in to capture Blaine's scent once more. He was going to need the calming effect it had in order to keep his nerves in check. Kurt was nervous about his father and boyfriend finally meeting. What if they didn't get along? What if Burt forbid them from dating? What if they didn't make an effort to get to know each other? Blaine and Burt were the two most important people to Kurt, and he couldn't stand for anything going wrong this week.

Burt reached the bottom of the stairs and cleared his throat, "I heard you guys won Sectionals. Good job, bud."

Kurt rolled his eyes. He knew that his father was trying to ignore the fact that his son was alone in his bedroom, his arms around the boy he loved even if his father had no idea that was the case. Kurt replied, releasing Blaine from his embrace, "Hello to you too, Dad."

Burt hesitated as his eyes darted between Kurt and Blaine. He slowly advanced over to the two teenagers, extending his hand out in front of Blaine, "Nice to meet you, Blaine. I'm Burt. Kurt's told me nothing but great things about you."

Blaine stood up and shook Burt's hand, "Thank you, Mr. Hummel, for letting me spend the week in your lovely home."

Burt smirked a little, "Call me Burt, kiddo. And trust me, it's nothing." He turned to Kurt, who was now standing too, and pulled his son into a hug, "I've missed you, Kurt."

Kurt chuckled as he patted his father on the back, "Dad, it's only been 5 days. We go through this every week."

Burt replied, "I know, but it's not easy having your son and stepson leave when you've spent the whole summer putting up with them."

Kurt grinned as he struggled out of his father's grip, "You'll be sick of us by the end of this week. Trust me."

Burt gave his son a light pat on the shoulder before walking towards the stairs. As he took a step up and turned back to the two boys, "Oh, and one more thing. I'm not completely stupid. I know what you two were doing before I came down. Don't think I don't know how a teenage relationship works."

As Burt walked up the stairs, Kurt began to blush furiously. Blaine chuckled as he fell back onto the bed behind him, "Kurt, you're blushing."

Kurt turned and raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend, "How are you so calm about the fact my dad knows we were borderline making out?"

Blaine shrugged. "Think I'm too high on your kisses to care."

Kurt knelt on the bed beside Blaine and swooped down to steal a quick peck on the lips, "I think we should lay off the kissing for a while then. Drugs aren't good for you."

Blaine sat up. quick enough to give himself whiplash, so his eyes were level with Kurt's. He furrowed his brow, "Never even joke about that again."

Kurt laughed loudly and placed another kiss onto Blaine's lips, quick but caring. He sighed against his boyfriend's lips, "What a perfect way to begin a perfect week."

Blaine smiled coyly, rubbing his nose against Kurt's, "No matter what happens this week, it won't matter to me, because I get to share every moment with my perfect boyfriend."

Kurt replied teasingly, "So there's someone else? I knew this was too good to be true."

Blaine slowed down rubbing noses, the movement barely noticeable but still felt as electricity sparked between him and his boyfriend, "There will never be anyone else."

Kurt pressed his lips against Blaine's once more, this time letting the kiss linger as he savoured the moment. His mind was consumed with one thought: there will never be anyone else. Kurt didn't know the extent of that statement, but he just hoped that Blaine meant forever, even if neither boy was ready to promise forever. But they were working on it.

"Kurt, we're out of potatoes and carrots! Can you run to the store and get some? Finn and Burt are busy!"

Kurt shook his head at the shopping list Carole had just verbally created for him. He yelled back up the stairs, "Can I wait til Blaine's dressed so he can come with?"

Carole replied loudly, "Sure, honey. Just make sure he doesn't take too long."

Kurt sighed as he walked over to his bathroom door. He rapped his knuckles against it, waiting for some kind of acknowledgement from Blaine. A second later, he heard through the door, "I'm not dressed yet, Kurt. I'll bring the hairspray out with me when I'm ready."

Kurt chuckled softly as he responded, "Actually, we need to go to the 7/11. Carole needs some ingredients for dinner tonight."

Blaine retorted, "Do we have to go?"

Kurt rested his forehead against the door, slowly losing his patience with his boyfriend, "Dad's busy with the paperwork he brought home and I'm assuming that Finn and Rachel are making out or something."

Kurt could tell that Blaine was smiling cheekily as he responded slyly, "But if we stay, we could make out too. That sounds much more fun."

Kurt let out a loud giggle, trying desperately to stand his ground, "Baby, we just spent the last 20 minutes making out. And as fun as that is, everyone's dinner depends on us. You know how Finn is when he doesn't get to eat."

Blaine sighed in defeat, "Okay fine. But I want to cuddle after dinner."

Kurt smiled, "Not really a compromise. I was hoping we'd do that anyway."

Kurt almost fell forward as the door was opened. His boyfriend caught him and chuckled softly, "You could have told me you were leaning against the door."

Kurt replied in the same tone, "You could have told me you were coming out."

Blaine raised an eyebrow, "I already came out, before I even laid eyes on you." Kurt also raised his eyebrow, causing his boyfriend to elaborate, "That was a closet joke."

Kurt shook his head as he fully regained balance on his feet, "It's not a joke if you have to explain it."

Blaine shrugged as he walked over to one of his bags, unzipping it and rummaging through its contents. Kurt bit his lip as he took in the dark denim jeans, the white polo shirt, the red bow tie, the sleek hair, the muscles, his boyfriend's face. Everything about the boy made Kurt's stomach fill with butterflies, and it didn't help that Blaine had just pulled a leather jacket out from his suitcase and shimmied it on. Kurt stood there, gaping at the sight before him. Leather. Blaine looked good in leather. Was there anything he didn't look good in?

Blaine asked, confused, "What's wrong? Is there something on my shirt?"

Kurt shook his head, snapping out of his trance, "Huh? Oh, no. No. You just... Can you please stop looking gorgeous? You're driving me crazy."

Blaine smirked, closing his bag, "And you don't think that I'm trying not to jump on you right now, what with your skin-tight jeans?"

Kurt laughed as he began to lead the way up the stairs, swaying his hips gently as he knew Blaine's hormonal state would send him over the edge. They walked in silence up the stairs, leaving each other to calm down for a minute before they got carried away and forgot all about the store.

Kurt walked over to his dad, who was working on his paperwork on the desk in the corner of the living room. He tapped his dad on the shoulder, waiting for the man to turn around before murmuring, "Blaine and I are going to the store. Anything you need?"

Burt nodded, "Could you pick up some band-aids? Ran out in the tire shops's first aid kit."

"Sure thing, Dad."

The car journey to the store was silent at first, but the silence was far from awkward. Kurt sat in the driver's seat, concentrating on the road with Blaine's hand gently resting on his knee, occasionally giving his leg a soft, loving squeeze. Eventually, Kurt broke the silence, muttering softly to still keep the peaceful atmosphere, "I love you."

Kurt could see Blaine smile out of the corner of his eye, "I love you too." Blaine thought for a few seconds before asking, "What did I do to deserve that?"

Kurt smiled, his eyes still on the road, "I was just reminding you."

Blaine's smile widened as he felt nothing else was needed to be said. The hum of the engine was the only sound to be heard, until Kurt's phone beeped in his pocket. He sighed, "Honey, could you get that out of my pocket and check it's not Finn asking for donuts or something?"

Blaine raised an eyebrow, "You really think I'm gonna be able to fit my hand in there?"

Kurt chuckled lightly, "I know it might be a tight fit but just do it, Blaine."

Blaine slid his hand up Kurt's leg and slowly slid his fingers into his boyfriend's pocket, pinching the corner of the phone. He tried to slip the phone out but couldn't do it, especially when Kurt wouldn't stop giggling in his ear, "What's so funny?"

"It tickles."

"Do you want me to stop or-"

Kurt shook his head and bit his lip. Blaine slid it out of Kurt's pocket and read the text aloud to Kurt:

From: Mercedes Jones :)

Hey, my boy. Party at Puckerman's tomorrow evening. You and the boyfriend in or what? - Mercedes x

Blaine raised an eyebrow, "My boy?"

Kurt smirked in response as they stopped at their third red light of the journey, "Someone's jealous."

Blaine replied, a little annoyed, "You know what? I am. You should belong to me and only me."

Kurt chuckled loudly, turning to look at his boyfriend, "Have you heard yourself?" Blaine grimaced and shook his head, causing Kurt to continue talking, "Mercedes is a girl," He reached across and took Blaine's hand, "and even if she was a guy, I still would be with you because I fell in love from the moment I lay eyes on you." His eyes widened at the realisation of what he just said, "I mean... I fell in love with the idea of you and I-I-I- Who am I kidding?" He turned back to the wheel and began to drive as the light turned green. Blaine stared at him but said nothing, his jaw dropped into a gape. Kurt sighed in defeat, "Please say something, sweetie."

Blaine shook his head to regain composure, "Kurt, I had no idea." There was a moment of silence, the first awkward silence on the car journey. Blaine broke through the silence with a murmur, "If you weren't driving right now, I would be kissing you."

Kurt smiled a little, still uneasy about what he had admitted, "Really? Because I wouldn't kiss me after that."

Blaine chuckled, changing the subject for now, but knowing he would return to this topic later, "Do you want me to text her back saying we're gonna go?"

Kurt nodded, "Only if you want to go, honey." Blaine nodded slightly in response causing Kurt to continue speaking, "Type this out for me:"

To: Mercedes Jones :)

Hey fabulous. I'm actually out right now so I can't check with my dad and Carole, but if Finn is going then I'm sure we'll be allowed too. I'll let you know. And yes, my beautiful boyfriend will be coming along too - K x

P.S Blaine is the awesomest person in the world and I love him to pieces

Blaine read it out to Kurt after he sent it. Kurt rolled his eyes, "I can't believe you put that last part."

Blaine grinned, "I can't believe you told me to write 'my beautiful boyfriend'."

Kurt shrugged as they pulled into the supermarket car park, "Can't deny the truth."

Blaine got out of the car without another word, walking around the car to meet Kurt, immediately taking his hand. Kurt blushed slightly, speaking in a soft tone as they began to advance across the parking lot, "Honey, I'm not sure it's wise to hold hands. I know a few of the Neanderthals who work here and they will not hesitate in bullying you to no end. I'd rather you didn't get involved with them."

Blaine tightened his grip instead of releasing Kurt and began to swing their arms playfully, "If they bully us, they will wish they didn't. Alright?" Kurt nodded and grinned at the way in which his boyfriend was swinging their arms between them as they walked. Blaine continued, "Besides, I don't want to get lost in there, and I know you don't want to lose me in there."

Kurt stopped their arms from swinging and kissed Blaine across the knuckles, "I don't want to ever lose you, Blaine. I want to be yours forever."

Blaine stopped walking as they reached the building, happy they were a few metres from the door. Kurt looked back as he felt his arm being tugged, and within seconds had his chest pressed against his boyfriend's. He sighed at the contact, forgetting where they were and relaxed completely. Kurt asked quietly, "Sweetie, what are you doing?"

Blaine grinned, "You know how I sang 'Can I Have A Kiss' without realising you were listening?" Kurt nodded, signalling for Blaine to continue, "And you know it says 'I can't promise forever, but I'm working on it.'?" Kurt frowned slightly, causing Blaine to cup his face with his free hand, "It's not that we won't have forever, okay? I just have a few things to sort out before I can promise it. It's nothing to do with you. I do want forever with you, and I reckon by the time Christmas rolls around, I will be able to promise it, okay?"

Kurt's lips twitched into a small smile, "I get it. You have your dad to deal with and we're young. I-"

He was interrupted by Blaine's lips on his own. Blaine released the kiss and whispered, "I love you. There will never be anyone else. I mean that. It's only you. You're the one for me. I just need to... My dad... He doesn't understand yet that this isn't a phase, and it doesn't help that he grew up in a homophobic family. Nan and Pa would roll over in their graves if they knew I was gay. I just need you to underst-"

Kurt interrupted him with another quick kiss before smiling and placing a finger to Blaine's lips, "I understand. I know it will take time, but we'll get through it all." There was a brief pause as they both stared into each other's eyes for a moment, Kurt dropping his hand to lace his fingers between Blaine's once more, "You're the only one for me too."

Blaine grinned, as he turned and tugged at Kurt's hand, heading for the door of the store, "Come on. Finn's probably complaining about dinner as we speak." The automatic doors opened, and Blaine couldn't help but kiss his boyfriend on the cheek before they walked in, "I love you."

Kurt breathed out as they took a step inside, "I love you too."

Kurt and Blaine stood in line at one of the two only open cash registers; it was a nightmare considering that everyone was trying to get in their weekend grocery shop after work. Blaine stood behind Kurt, arms folded around Kurt's waist, his nose nuzzling at the nape of Kurt's neck. Kurt rested his hand on top of Blaine's interlocked ones around his waist, not even trying to hold back his smile as he enjoyed the feeling of closeness between him and Blaine in that moment. They were getting disapproving looks from many of the people in the store as they stood that close together, but Kurt couldn't find the capacity to care as he leant back further into Blaine's embrace.

They moved forward in the line and Kurt unhooked Blaine's arms from around him because they were next to pay. Blaine muttered under his breath, "Spoil sport."

That caused Kurt to chuckle slightly as he received a disapproving look from his boyfriend. He shook his head, "Sorry honey."

Blaine slipped his wallet out of his pocket, "It's not like I could pay if I was hugging you anyway."

Kurt snatched Blaine's wallet out of his hand and retrieved his own, "Blaine Devon Anderson! You are not paying for anything this week. I'm treating you this week, no matter what."

Blaine rolled his eyes, "Baby, it's $12. And anyway, I want to contribute to this week as a thank you for letting me stay with you."

Kurt pocketed Blaine's wallet into his boyfriend's jacket and smiled, "Agreeing to stay with me with Finn constantly raiding the fridge, my dad constantly hogging the TV and Carole constantly doing chores is thanks enough."

They moved forward in the line as the elderly couple ahead of them thanked the member of staff behind the register. Kurt froze when he saw who was behind the register. His muscles tensed as Santana smirked at them, her ponytail swishing as she gently shook her head, "Oh don't worry, Hummel. I can't bitch-slap you with my honesty here." She began to scan the items on the conveyor belt: band aids, potatoes, carrots and some cupcakes that Blaine insisted on buying to share for when they had some alone time together later that evening. Santana spoke as she scanned the items, Blaine placing everything into a paper bag as Kurt just stared at Santana, confused, "If you're wondering how long I've been working here for, since the start of the semester. I have to fill the car with gas more often because West Lima High is on the other side of town from Lima Heights, and my parents only pay for half now. That's why I'm here."

Kurt's lip twitched into a smile, "Honestly Santana, I think it's a good thing that you are starting to take some responsibility financially."

Santana gave him a slightly dirty look, but Kurt could notice the glint of appreciation in her eyes, "That will be $11.83 please." As Kurt handed her the money and waited for the change, she continued, "Are you and the hobbit coming to Puck's party tomorrow?"

Blaine spoke up, "That's the plan, assuming Mr Hummel hasn't locked me up in the dungeon for breaking a house rule."

Kurt chuckled at his boyfriend, shaking his head at the fact that he thinks his dad will genuinely punish him if he steps out of line. He knows his father; he's just playing the scary father to make sure that Blaine won't try to bend the rules at all and respect what happens under the Hummel-Hudson roof. Santana's lips twitched into her signature smirk, "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you there, Hummel." She turned on her stool to Blaine as he picked up the paper bag, "You too, dwarf, assuming I can find you in amongst the party of normal sized human beings."

Kurt nodded his goodbye to Santana and hurried off behind Blaine, catching up to link his arm with Blaine's free one. Kurt flinched when he heard Santana call, "By the way, Hummel, you two are a ridiculously adorable couple. I'm happy for you. Now, go home and tap that ass."

Kurt blushed bright red as they continued walking arm in arm, laughing the entire way out the store until the gentle fall breeze hit him, when he began to calm down from his hysteria due to the air's soothing effects. He took a deep breath in and glanced down at Blaine, who was smiling up at him, "Sorry about Santana. She's a bit brutal and over-the-top."

Blaine leant his head into Kurt's shoulder, distracted by his own thoughts, "We are an adorable couple, aren't we?"

Kurt smiled and rested his head on top of Blaine's as they kept walking across the parking lot, "Everyone seems to think so."

"Kurt."

"Yeah?"

"Always be my adorable boyfriend?"

Kurt kissed the top of Blaine's head to reassure him, "As long as you will always be mine."

Dinner was not what Kurt was used to. Normally, he would sit down with his dad, Carole and Finn to discuss their week at school and how things have been here in Lima. This Friday dinner was silent.

Kurt's eyes darted around between everyone around the table: Blaine, Carole, Finn, Rachel and his dad, wondering why there was none of the usual chitchat. Tensions were running high between Rachel and the boys considering she was sulking at losing and then having to sit at the same table as her winning rivals. Kurt could also feel the tension between his dad and Blaine but was unsure of how to fix that.

Carole broke the eerie silence, much to Kurt's relief, "So Blaine, tell me a bit about yourself. What do you enjoy doing?"

Blaine's shoulders visibly relaxed, Kurt's mouth twitching a little as the tension dispersed a little. He was even more comforted when Blaine replied animatedly, as if he wanted to talk but just didn't know how to start a conversation, "Well, quite honestly, I have similar interests to Kurt, although maybe I don't take fashion anywhere near as seriously as he does. I like singing, and I really like being in Glee club." He hesitated a little before he continued to speak, "I also like football... Not playing it, I wouldn't survive." That caused Burt to smile a little and Kurt's eyes to flicker over at his dad in hope that they can connect through their love of football, or any sport for that matter. Blaine didn't notice the silent father-son interaction as he continued, "I like watching it. Basketball and ice hockey too. And when it's basketball season, I used to play in middle school. I might consider trying out later in the semester actually."

Kurt turned his head to smile at Blaine, "I'll be at every game cheering you on."

Finn cleared his throat, "What about me? Won't you be cheering me on?"

Kurt rolled his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, "Sure, Finn. Why not?"

Both Blaine and Kurt jumped a little in their seats as Burt coughed before speaking, "What about cars?"

"Well, my dad and I rebuilt my brother's current car the summer before he left for Japan, but it didn't really appeal to me." Blaine looked down at his plate nervously, prodding his food as he realised that Mr. Hummel's career consisted of fixing cars. He just lost brownie points there.

Burt nodded, "Okay. That's fair enough. At least you gave it a go."

Kurt gave Blaine an encouraging smile, "Okay, I have something to break the ice. We'll go around the table and say the best thing that's ever happened to us. Carole, why don't you start?"

Carole stuttered, a little flustered by how the conversation had turned to her, "I guess having Finn was the best thing that's ever happened to me." She beamed at her son, "What about you, honey?"

Finn smiled his half-smirk as he replied, "Landing quarterback in freshman year. It's near impossible and yet I achieved it." He turned to his girlfriend, "Rachel?"

She smiled as she looked around the table, "Winning my first ballet competition aged 5, where I was told by the judges that I had potential to become one of the greatest stars Broadway will see in our generation. Burt?"

Burt wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin onto his empty plate, "Meeting Kurt's mum. Without meeting her, I would never have had an incredible son, or have any of you sitting with me." He turned his head a little to glance at Blaine, "How about you, kiddo?"

Blaine grinned. The answer was easy for him. He didn't even need to think about the answer as he replied, "Kurt. Kurt is the best thing that has ever happened to me." He turned to Kurt who was looking at him wide-eyed, mouth hanging open, "What about you, babe?"

Kurt shook his head to regain composure and took Blaine's hand under the table, stroking his thumb across his boyfriend's knuckles, a weak smile playing on his lips as he softly responded, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too."

Blaine leant in to kiss Kurt, but before their lips could meet, Burt cleared his throat, evil eyes boring into the sides of their heads, "Not at the dinner table."

Carole spoke up, tears of joy welling up in her eyes, "Burt, let them. I think I understand what's going on here. Just let them."

Burt huffed and stood up, "Well, I'm going to go watch some basketball. Anyone else?"

Finn and Rachel stood up, his stepson responding, "Actually, I need to get Rachel home, but maybe when I get back."

Carole began to stack plates and pile up cutlery, "The dishwasher won't fill itself so I'll deal with that."

Within a few seconds, everyone else had left the room, leaving Kurt and Blaine in the silence of the dining room, only cheering from the TV and clattering of the dishes filling the air. Before Kurt could even worry about his dad's reaction, Blaine's lips were on his, smoothly and slowly creating a rhythm as they breathed in each other's scent, Blaine's murkiness and Kurt's sweetness calming them. Blaine pulled away, having taken control of the kiss in the first place, "Kurt, I-"

Kurt interrupted with a smile, "I'm sorry about my dad. He's just not used to this yet."

Blaine nodded, resting his forehead against Kurt's, "He'll adjust." He let out a sigh, and then grinned cheekily, "Cupcakes?"

Kurt chuckled and stood up, extending his hand out for Blaine to take, "You're worse than Finn." Blaine pouted, causing Kurt to chuckle a little more, "Come on. I took them downstairs."

Kurt picked up the cupcake wrappers from the bedside table, desperately trying to keep his bedroom tidy. Blaine watched him with a huff of amusement, his guitar resting on his lap as he strummed aimlessly at the strings. Kurt picked up his trash bin and shook it, "Blaine, this is a bin. Can you use it please?"

Blaine smiled innocently, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He paused to strum his guitar a little more before looking back up at Kurt who was fixing his hair in the mirror, "Kurt, come here." Kurt turned around and raised an eyebrow, as Blaine repeated, "Come here."

Kurt walked over gracefully and sat on the bed next to Blaine, his eyes filled with curiosity. Blaine flashed him a sincere smile, before strumming the strings and began to sing:

I've been alone, surrounded by darkness.
I've seen how heartless, the world can be.
I've seen you crying, you felt like it's hopeless.
I'll always do my best, to make you see.

Baby, you're not alone, cause you're here with me.
And nothing's ever gonna bring us down,
Cause nothing can keep me from loving you, and you know it's true.
It don't matter what'll come to be.
Our love is all we need to make it through.

Blaine looked up from his guitar to clock onto Kurt's reaction. He watched as his boyfriend's eyes lit up with glee, his mouth hanging open as he listens, mesmerised. Blaine fumbled on the chord change as he stared into Kurt's eyes for a split second too long. He managed to tear his gaze away from Kurt to regain composure and focus on the song, swallowing a little as he continued to sing:

Now I know it ain't easy, but it ain't hard trying.
Every time I see you smiling, and I feel you so close to me,
And you tell me:

Blaine looked up as he heard his boyfriend join in singing. Tears of joy now trickled down Kurt's face and Blaine wanted more than anything to stop playing to kiss the tears away, because even though they were happy tears, he did not enjoy seeing Kurt cry, regardless of the situation. Blaine, meanwhile, was trying to keep his emotions in check, letting the song speak for him in hope that Kurt understood what he was trying to say. Because during dinner, Blaine had made a decision that would change everything completely. It made one of their conversations earlier in the evening redundant. But Blaine didn't know how to start expressing his thoughts so had decided to sing instead, with his boyfriend now joining in:

Baby, you're not alone, cause you're here with me.
And nothing's ever gonna bring us down,
Cause nothing can keep me from loving you, and you know it's true.
It don't matter what'll come to be.
Our love is all we need to make it through.

The absence of Kurt's voice singing with his left a hole in his heart. He knew that Kurt probably wanted to listen to him now, because Blaine knew that his boyfriend loved it when he sings to him, because after all, they seem to be good at articulating their feelings through song. That doesn't mean to say that Blaine didn't enjoy talking about feelings too, because he did. He loved sitting down with Kurt and just talking about anything and everything that was on their minds; sometimes, discussion topics would be trivial things, whilst others were deeper, more emotional, delving into territories that could test their relationship. In a way, singing was their way of starting a deeper conversation sometimes. Other times they just sang for the hell of it, but this wasn't one of those times:

I still have trouble, I trip and stumble,
Trying to make sense of things sometimes.
I look for reasons, but I don't need them,
All I need is to look in your eyes, and I realise.

He felt Kurt inching closer, their knees now touching, his hand reaching around his waist but still leaving Blaine in a position where he could strum. Kurt tilted his head onto Blaine's shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of his neck in an attempt to feel close to his boyfriend. Blaine felt off-guard, surprised, not expecting this from Kurt at all. He had underestimated the gesture he was doing:

Baby, I'm not alone, cause you're here with me.
And nothing's ever gonna take us down,
Cause nothing can keep me from loving you, and you know it's true.
It don't matter what'll come to be,
Our love is all we need to make it through.

Oh, cause you're here with me.
And nothing's ever gonna bring us down,
Cause nothing, nothing, nothing,
Can keep me from loving you, and you know it's true.
It don't matter what'll come to be,
You know our love is all we need.

Our love is all we need, to make it through.

Blaine squeezed his eyes closed for a second, trying to fight between happy tears of his own and an outburst of thoughts spilling from his mouth. The room was silent for a moment, until they both heard applause coming from the stairs. They hadn't even heard the sound of high-heels clicking down the stairs, but there was Carole Hudson-Hummel standing at the bottom of her stepson's bedroom's stairs, watery-eyed with a closed-mouth smile playing on her lips. Her voice was shaky as she held back her tears, "I'm so sorry to intrude. I was just coming to check if you boys wanted anything, but clearly this is a bad time. I can come back later if you want."

Kurt murmured as he nestled his hair further into Blaine's shoulder, "A hot chocolate would be nice, Carole."

Blaine shifted slightly to gently rest his guitar against the nightstand as he replied courteously, "May I please have a hot chocolate too?"

Carole nodded and barely let out a whisper as she turned on her heel to walk back upstairs, "Sure, boys. I'll be right back."

Blaine waited until he thought Carole was gone before placing his hand on his boyfriend's knee, his thumb lightly stroking down the side of it and declared confidently, "I love you, Kurt." They heard a small squeal come from the top of the stairs but they ignored it.

Blaine waited a few more seconds before he shifted himself a little more so that Kurt would sit up. They both stared into each other's eyes for a second before their lips quickly met in the middle for a brief, chaste kiss. Blaine began to rub his nose against Kurt's, slowly and gently, as he moved his arm so that he was holding Kurt like Kurt was holding him. He whispered softly, "Forget about what I said outside the store earlier. Nothing will bring us down, Kurt. I don't care what life will throw at us because of what we have; it will all be worth it if I get to spend it with you."

Kurt whispered back, his voice slightly higher due to his emotional state, "I am never saying goodbye to you."

The force of Kurt's hug knocked Blaine back onto the bed, his neck being peppered with kisses as he replied softly, raising a hand from his boyfriend's waist to gently stroke the back of his head, "I can't ever say goodbye to you. Not now. Not ever."

"Burt, did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Blaine singing to your son."

"Oh, was that him singing? That kid has quite a voice."

Carole grabbed the television remote from the arm of Burt's chair and turned the TV off. Burt protested, "Hey, I was watching that."

Carole sat on the chair's arm, Burt putting an arm around her waist to bring her closer, "Well, this is more important. Do you know what I just heard?" Burt shrugged with a small grimace on his face. His wife gripped his bicep, "Blaine just said that he loves Kurt, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual." Burt grunted as Carole rolled her eyes, "Your son is in love, Burt."

Burt tried to fight a smile but failed, "I'm happy for him. I didn't think that this day would come for many years in the future. But I'm worried about them. They are falling too quickly." Finn walked in from having dropped Rachel home. Burt's eyes locked with his, "How long has this been going on for?"

Finn looked like a deer caught in the headlights, "What do you mean?"

"This Kurt in love thing?"

Finn smirked in adoration for the couple, because there was no reason not to. Finn knew all they had been through; he had experienced it first-hand and knew that every moment for them was precious. Finn shipped it almost as much as Puck did. He replied to his stepfather, "Well, he admitted to it yesterday, but I know just by the way he's been looking at Blaine that it's been so much longer."

Burt bobbed his head as he fell deep into thought. Carole rubbed his arm before standing up and walked towards the kitchen, "I need to go make the boys some hot chocolate. Anyone else want anything?"

"Could you get me a beer? I need one to clear my head." Burt asked as he scowled at the wall opposite him.

Finn shrugged, "I'll come help, Mom."

Carole raised an eyebrow, "Going to make a sandwich?"

Finn walked out the room with his mother following suit, "After I've helped."

Carole smiled at her son's generous offer to help. This didn't happen very often. But she knew that it was because Finn understood how rare Kurt and Blaine's love was. She knew that her son cared about his stepbrother, and understood that sometimes even the smallest of gestures could make a big difference. Carole felt proud of her son, noting in her mind to mention to the boys downstairs that Finn helped out, as they would express some form of gratitude to him.

She turned to Finn as she opened the fridge to retrieve the milk, "Hey, Finn?" He hummed in response before she continued, "How in love are they? I don't want to see Kurt getting hurt."

Finn's lips twitched into his signature smirk, "I don't want to jinx anything, but they seem to be headed for the long run."

"How long?"

"Mom, I think they might be soul-mates."

Dear Journal,

Well, it's been a hell of a day. I mean, we won regionals and Kurt & I are in the very early stages of love. You know the stage I mean, journal. The ridiculously fluffy stage of the relationship right after the first 'I Love You'. Not sure if that's actually a thing but our relationship hasn't exactly been normal to begin with.

I love him, and I won't be able to cope without him. I know it's silly. I know it's been a month but it's true. The future may be unknown, but I want to face it all with him. Wow, that's cheesy.

Carole likes me. That's a plus. But I don't think Mr Hummel is warming up to me to be honest. I mean, I come into his son's life out of nowhere and suddenly his son is head over heels for a guy he met a month ago. I'm not surprised if he doesn't like me. I'm surprised he's even letting me stay under his roof for the entire week.

I haven't really seen much of Finn this evening. Haven't had the chance to thank him properly for helping me organise our Little Things number. I owe him one for that, because without him, I would have ended up staying at Nick's this spring break, and now that doesn't sound anywhere near as fun (no offense to Nick - I love that guy). Plus, he helped to make some kickass hot chocolate with little marshmallows and everything.

Anyway, I'm going to go. I need to sleep well so that I'm not grumpy for the first day of spring break. Who knows? If I'm cheerful enough, Mr Hummel might actually start liking me. Plus, I need energy for Puck's party. Wish me luck there.

- Blaine

Dear Journal,

Emotions. So many emotions.

I'm scared my dad won't accept him.

He promised me forever.

He sung me a love song.

He just takes my breath away.

My heart. My emotions.

I LOVE HIM SO, SO MUCH!

I don't think I can live without him anymore!

- Kurt

P.S I need to remember to thank Carole and Finn for the best hot chocolate I've ever had! I wonder what their secret is.

A/N: So there we have it. Chapter 9 – hope you enjoyed it :) I'll update as soon as I can, but with exams and revision, it might be later that I'd like (much like this chapter) :/ Need more time in a day/days in a year etc. PLEASE REVIEW! :) - foreveragleek44