A/N: Hi guys. So... this chapter is kind of long. Not sure if that's good or not. Either way, I do like it. Though I apologize because I noticed that for some reason my writing style seems to be different in this chapter. Ah well. So because this chapter is so long, the next chapter probably won't be up 'till next week. In the mean time I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope you take the time out to review. It would mean a lot to me!

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight 'Brave Enough'

Of course when I called my step-mom, Carol, to get the okay for Rachel and Blaine I told her what was going on. And my dad. And Finn. I mean, I had to! They all reacted differently.

Finn: "So you're straight now?"
"No."
"Have you slept with her?"
"No!"
"Is she cute?"
"Very."
"Yeah, you're still gay."

Dad: "Son, you don't have to pretend to be something you're not for a boy."
"Dad, I'm not.. it's a bit more complicated than that."
"Nothing is complicated in being who you are!"
"Dad, just please go with it while we are there. I promise by Christmas everything will be normal."

Carol: "Are you sure he plays for your team?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"So you're doing this whole jealous thing off of a maybe?"
"Carol, I really like him, and I think he likes me... Maybe."\
"There's that maybe again."
"Look, Carol, just for-"
"Don't worry, Kurt. I'm with you. Some great relationships have started with a maybe. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt."
"Neither do I, Carol. Neither do I."

The days leading up to our trip to Ohio were nice and safe. Rachel and I hardly talked about Blaine, Blaine and I rarely talked about Rachel, and when we were with April we barely talked at all. We didn't get to hang out much anyway, because we had exams in almost every class the week before and the week of our trip. So by the time we left everyone was very ready for this Holiday Weekend.

When the three of us reached Ohio it was late and we were exhausted. However, we all pushed through it for the sake of introductions, a round of hugs, and a cup of hot chocolate.

"Dad, Carol, Finn-this is Rachel and Blaine. Rachel, Blaine-Burt, Carol, Finn."

It was a flurry of nice to meet yous mixed with scarves and hats.

Once we were sitting around the kitchen table the questions began. My dad asked the generic ones: "How's school?" "Got a job?" Carol asked the more personal ones: "How have you been feeling?" "What are your families doing this Holiday?" But of course it was Finn who got straight to the point.

"So, Rachel, I heard you're dating my brother?"

I instantly regretted ever telling Finn anything. If he said a word about Blaine I was probably going to die on the spot. Finn wasn't the most tactful person. I stole a glance at him, Blaine; he was just barely stirring his hot chocolate and was staring at the pictures on the wall, looking totally dazed.

I quickly brought my attention back to the statement at hand. Rachel was blushing and giggling prettily-playing up the 'new girlfriend' act mixed with slightly slap happiness, which happened when she was tired.

"You heard right." She replied, glancing my way with a smile. I smiled back-she really was a great actress. She told them the story that the two of us had concocted on how I had asked her out. To my families credit they did a pretty good job of pretending to believe her, though I think by the end she really had convinced Finn.

He's always been a bit gullible and naive, but he was sweet. That was why I had had a huge crush on him when we were Freshmen. We went out when we were Fifteen. I knew who I was-even back then, but Finn was a confused fifteen year old. He didn't know who he was or what he wanted.

When our parents got married we broke up and Finn realized he wasn't gay. He started dating a friend of ours-Quinn- and he's been with her ever since. In fact that was who he was speaking about right as I tuned in to the conversation around me.

"My girlfriend, Quinn, is coming tomorrow; she's going to be celebrating Thanksgiving with us too!"

I think he said something else too, but just then a wave of exhaustion ran through me, and it must not have been just me, for Carol interrupted Finn.

"Finn, sweetie, I think they are done for the night. Poor Blaine might already be asleep." We all looked at him. He made an incoherent noise in response; Rachel giggled at him.

"Follow me, Rachel, you'll be in the guest room. Kurt, Blaine, you get the boys room tonight. Finn, you've got the couch." Carol led Rachel away and I stood.

I looked at Blaine and smiled softly. His head was resting on his folded arms on the table. The gel was completely out of his hair and I had to resist the urge to run my fingers through his adorably curly hair.

I walked over to him and gently shook his shoulder. "Blaine.." I said his name quietly.

"I'm awake." He mumbled, lifting his head.

"Come on, Finn's bed is more comfortable than this table." He got up drowsily and followed me to Finn's room-which was now both of our room. When I left for New York they turned my room into a guest room and threw my stuff in with Finn's.

Now Blaine and I stumbled in the room and didn't even bother changing. We just went to our respected beds and went to sleep.

Except I couldn't fall asleep. One reason was because I really felt the need to shower. I normally took a shower ever night before I went to sleep-to wash off the grime and dirt that I had accumulated throughout the day. Following that I finished with a twenty minute face scrub. What can I say-I'm kind of a clean freak.

However, the main reason I couldn't fall asleep was because I was too distracted by Blaine's even breathing and the rise and fall of his chest. And the way his hair framed his face. And the way his lips were just laying there...

How long could I keep up the Rachel thing? I could feel myself cracking, but then I would just be broken. There was no way I had the courage to say anything to Blaine. I wish I was brave enough to just tell how I felt-and whether he likes me like that or not, at least I had said it. I wish I was brave enough to just get out of bed and kiss him. I wish I was brave enough-had the courage-but I wasn't, and I didn't, and I don't think I ever will.

The next day was Thanksgiving. Quinn arrived early so everyone gathered in the living room to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Carol and I would get up and leave every once and a while to get the turkey ready.

After one said trip to the kitchen and back I lingered behind and just surveyed the room. It felt nice to have more people in the house. People I loved and cared about.

Rachel turned and looked back then and with a smile waved me over. I smiled back and sat down beside her on the floor. She leaned against me and grabbed my hand-I let her-mirroring Quinn and Finn's position almost exactly. I glanced at Blaine, but he didn't seem to notice. His eyes were fixed on the television screen.

That's how it seemed to go all day. Rachel and I would do something couple-ish and he wouldn't even

notice. I was very tempted to just tell Rachel to call it off-our little game obviously wasn't working. So right before the big meal I pulled Rachel aside; she gave me a hug.

"Thank you so much for inviting me, Kurt. I'm having a wonderful time!"

"I'm glad. Listen..." I looked around and then took her arms and pulled her close so that I could whisper into her ear. "I think we should 'break up'."

Rachel took a step back with a small frown on her face, but I still held onto her wrist.

"...tonight?" I couldn't help but hear the disappointment in her voice and I winced.

"Rachel, it's for you just as much as it is for me. You need to find someone who-"

"Shh." Rachel stepped closer and put a finger on my lips. I shut up-surprised. "Someone's coming."

Without moving me head I glanced over her shoulder. I instantly recognized the red skinny jeans coming toward the room we occupied.

"Blaine." I breathed to her.

She nodded slowly. "Follow my lead."

So I did. I let her arm go and she slipped both of them around my neck. She stood on her tip toes and I realized where she was going with this. I know I had told her we had to 'break up', and I had also told her we would never kiss again... but Blaine was paying attention this time-I just knew it.

So I slipped one arm around her waist and then leaned my face down to hers and...

"Dinner's ready!" Blaine's voice rang out louder than it should have been.

We pulled apart and Rachel gave me a smirk and a wink before turning around. "We hear you, no need to shout."

Together the three of us joined everyone else in the dinning room. I couldn't help the smile on my face as I thought of what just took place. You had to be jealous, even just a little bit, to break up a kiss between two of your friends.

"Hey, Mr. Smiley, you want to start us off with saying what you're most thankful for this holiday season?" My dad said bringing my wandering mind back to the table.

Blaine, I thought to instantly to myself. Or, I though it had been to myself. Luckily I realized I had said it out loud in time to squeak out, "and Rachel. I'm thankful for making such great friends. It's

helped being on my own not to feel so lonely."

All the females in the room awed.

Finn was next and his answer was Quinn.

Quinn's was Finn and her collage.

My dad was thankful for his family and his business.

Carol's was the same.

Then it was Blaine's turn. All eyes were on him, though honestly mine had been there the whole time.

"Well, truthfully, things have been a bit crazy lately... so I'm thankful for a nice relaxing weekend."

A couple people chuckled and Blaine smiled with ease. "And, of course, I'm thankful for these two." He looked at the two of us and I could have sworn that even though he was smiling-his eyes weren't buying it. They seemed sad.

Was it terrible that my heart skipped a beat?

"Well, I guess I'm last. And I'm just going to mirror my boy's answers." Rachel finished.

My family smiled-touched at our sweetness. It was a good thing they couldn't see the slight tension, immense awkwardness, and the impending fall out weighing on the three of us.

The rest of the meal was really nice. Childhood stories were passed around just as much as the mashed potatoes. Mainly they were about Finn and I, courtesy of our parents, but our guests shared one or two as well.

After dinner we played monopoly and by the time we had a winner (Rachel) everyone was ready for bed. Quinn had left a while ago, opting to watch and cheer Finn on rather than play.

This night I wasn't so tired as to not clean up, so as Rachel headed to the guest room and Blaine and Finn put the game away I took a quick shower and then applied my nightly moisturizer. After roughly thirty to forty-five minutes I went to my room clean and ready for bed.

I was surprised to see Blaine still up, sitting on Finn's bed, earbud in his ear and notebook on his lap. The bedroom light was off; he was using the light from his Ipod.

I just stood there-staring at him until he looked up. I blushed at having been caught staring and quickly spoke to cover it up.

"What are you writing?"

He pulled out his earbud and glanced down at his notebook. "A song. It's for an assignment for my Writing and Composing class. I have to write a song about someone."

"Oh? Who are you writing about?" I asked, trying to be nonchalant.

He shrugged and closed the notebook. "Haven't decided yet."

I nodded and turned to get into my bed when Blaine spoke again.

"Hey, Kurt."

I turned back around to see him now sitting with his legs over the side of the bed.

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Inviting me. I really like it here, and your family. My family is not really into..."

"The Holiday's?"

"Spending time together."

I fell silent as I thought about that. Not spending time with my family? Back in highschool we had

family night every Friday night. Well-we had dinner together every night, but Friday's were mandatory. Being away from them was kind of like being able to finally breathe, but that didn't mean I didn't want to be with them when I could.

"Well then you're just going to have to spend time with my family. I know they're crazy, but-"

"They'll do." Blaine said with a hint of humor, but things quickly sobered up and I realized that Blaine was being the most serious I think I've ever seen him.

"Also, Kurt, I want to apologize."

"Apologize for what?"

"My cockblock in the study."

"Your what?"

"Interrupting you and Rachel before-"

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, well... it... it was uncalled for." Blaine stood now and his proximity and the over powering smell of peppermint made my heart race.

"It was?" I breathed.

"I was being childish. I... have to... admit something..."

My voice caught in my throat so I just waited for him to continue. Just what could he be admitting? I could only hope...

"I know I said I was okay with you and Rachel... but the truth it... I'm not. Every time I think of the two of you texting... or touching I..." He stopped abruptly.

We stood there-neither of us saying a thing. My thoughts of the night before raced through my mind. Oh how I wish I was brave enough to tell him how I felt-right now. To just spit it out. I wish I was brave enough to tell him there was no me and Rachel other than friendship. Brave enough too...

"Never mind." He began to turn to go back to bed when something came over me. This was my chance! I couldn't let him walk away. I grabbed his elbow to stop him. He looked up at me and from the light from the hall I could see surprise on his face.

"Kurt..."

"Blaine, I have been hoping for some sort of courage to say what I need to say..." I took a step closer to him, surprising even myself; slightly exhilarated by my sudden adrenalin rush. I had the courage-I was brave enough to do this.

"But screw talking." And with that, I kissed him. I didn't even fully register he was kissing me back until I felt his arms around my waist. I then wasted no time in bringing my hands up to his hair and finally ran my fingers through that beautifully curly hair of his.

After another moment everything just seemed to become real to me and I was no longer tired. A happy sense of warmth rushed through me and I smiled into the kiss. He broke off the kiss then, but didn't pull away. I rested my forehead against his and slipped my arms down to his waist in an embrace.

I couldn't believe it-I had done it-I kissed Blaine! And he kissed me back! Now I had something new to be thankful for.

"Best Thanksgiving ever."

A/N: Okay, so I had to say one more thing: Did anyone think that Kurt was going to be the one to kiss Blaine? I didn't. I had planned it to be Blaine all the way up till I wrote the scene and Kurt just seemed right. Ha. Yeah.. okay.. ttyl