Kurt busied himself while waiting for Blaine to finish his shower by putting his new clothes away and changing into a soft blue sweater and grey slacks – stylish slacks, thank you very much - trying not to think about how Blaine looked right now, all wet and soaped in and… no, Kurt, stop it. Just as he placed a new absolutely gorgeous burgundy tie carefully in a drawer, he heard two loud knocks from the living room, followed by the sound of the front door bursting open and two voices shouting, "Uncle Kurt!" and "Hello?" Rushing to the living room, Kurt immediately found himself with an armful of mustard yellow and brown.

"Rose," Kurt laughed, hugging his niece tightly to his chest. There was nothing on earth he loved dearer than Finn and Rachel's three year old daughter, Rose, with her huge brown eyes and too-big yellow sweater that reached down to her knees. As soon as he had put her down she instantly darted into the hallway to explore his apartment. Finn pulled him into a big hug.

"You forgot one of your bags from your shopping and Rachel told me to go give it to you," he said, handing over a black paper bag, and grinning widely.

"Oh, the boots! Thanks, Finn!"

"Hey, are you alright? You look a bit pale," Finn studied him for a bit, and Kurt had to give him credit for being so attentive. He could usually be a bit oblivious, but he had one of the biggest hearts and was the best man of all the people Kurt knew.

"Yeah, I'm fine. There was this guy who was… bothering me, but Blaine, you know, fixed it an-"

"Blaine? Who's B-,"

"I found a man in the bathroom. His hair is curly." Finn was interrupted by Rose's reappearance, skipping happily into the room, towing a confused looking, freshly showered Blaine, clad in Kurt's red sweater that was a bit tight on him and black slacks that were a tad too long, by his hand. "He didn't say hi to me. I said hi to him and he didn't say hi back," she sounded a bit affronted but carried on, "But I still like him. He is pretty. Is he your boyfriend Kurt? Are you Kurt's boyfriend?" Kurt and Blaine both blushed as the little girl looked expectantly up at Blaine.

"No, sweetie, he is not my boyfriend," Kurt said, turning his back to Finn who had raised one eyebrow. A wet, incredibly attractive stranger hidden in Kurt's bathroom probably did not sound as innocent as it really was, and Kurt hurried to talk, "Blaine can't speak. He is mute. You know what that is, right, Rose?"

Rose's eyes widened. "He can't speak?" She turned to Kurt. "Kurt, maybe you have to kiss him! Like in the Little Mermaid! Kiss him, Kurt! Kiss him, kiss him, kiss hi-,"

"I don't think Blaine here is a mermaid, honey. Someone's just born that way. I'm sorry, man," Finn said, giving Blaine an apologetic smile and mouthed the word, "Sorry."

Rose pouted and hugged Blaine's leg. "I'm sad you can't talk, Blaine." Blaine just smiled and crouched down. Rose immediately put her arms around his neck in a hug, clinging to him while he patted her hair and kissed her cheek, before standing up again, taking her hand in his. Kurt felt his heart swell at the sight. Blaine was even good with kids – what the hell couldn't this man do?

A slightly uncomfortable silence spread through the room, and Kurt looked between the two men.

"This is my brother, Finn," he said finally, gesturing, "and this is Blaine, my… friend." Finn stepped forward and Blaine took his offered hand with the hand that wasn't being held prisoner by Rose. "And this little princess is my niece, Rose." Rose stretched her neck to smile brilliantly up at Blaine, who waved and chuckled, stroking her hair back from her face.

"Blaine and I were just making dinner if you guys want so-,"

"Oh no, no, we wouldn't want to interrupt your dat- dinner," Finn said, "Rachel's cooking tonight, anyway." He pulled Kurt into another hug and patted Blaine on the shoulder. "You two have fun. Come on, honey, say bye."

Rose let go of Blaine's hand and reached her arms out to the both of them. Kurt and Blaine allowed her to pull them both into a three-man hug, and both smiled bashfully as their faces were brought close together behind her back.

"Bye Kurt, bye Blaine!" she said, before skipping back to her father who picked her up in one arm.

"Bye, sweetheart," Kurt said. Blaine blew her a kiss, and she giggled fiercely.

"Bye, guys." Finn didn't leave without sending Kurt a final, knowing grin.

And as the door slammed shut behind them Kurt and Blaine found themselves, for the first time, completely alone.

I hope you all like it! Thank you so much for the reviews - next chapter coming soon!