What? An update so soon? LOVING writing this story. LOVING.

Enjoy!

PS-Dalton, the Hummels, and anything Glee related does not belong to me. But if they did…oh, lordy…

~oOo~

AJ slipped into room 208, letting the door click quietly as it shut. The orange glow from the clock on his desk read 1:38am. AJ moved through the dark carefully, reaching his dresser and pulling out a pair of pajamas.

"Dude, it's way past curfew," a groggy Jacob whispered from his bed. "Where have you been?"

"Well, since school doesn't start for two more days, I doubt anyone is worried about curfew. I was in Gavin's room, talking," AJ whispered.

"That new kid? I already don't like him," Michael chimed in. Since they were awake, all three boys stopped whispering and carried on their conversation in their normal voices. "I mean, who plays tricks on people they don't even know yet?"

"Smart people who are quick on their feet, that's who! Michael, you haven't even talked to him! After getting to know him tonight, I think he'll fit in here just fine. Gavin is actually kind of funny. I invited him to go with us to breakfast in the morning," AJ said.

"It IS morning," Jacob yawned. "I'm going back to sleep. Keep it down, dummies."

"Goodnight, boys," AJ said, grinning to himself. After he changed into his pajamas and brushed his teeth, AJ got into bed. Despite the late hour, he couldn't sleep. He replayed the evening he's spent with Gavin in his mind, trying to make heads or tails of the strange, but comfortable feelings he had running through him.

Initially, AJ had decided to take a brownie to Gavin not only as a thank you for getting AJ back into his room, but also to make Gavin feel welcome. It had to be tough transferring into a place like Dalton, where everyone already knew each other and friendships had long been established. Besides, AJ was so impressed with Gavin's quick planning and ability to pull off tricking Michael and Jacob into letting AJ back into his room. That kind of quickness was enviable and highly admired by AJ.

Half the dorm floor thought AJ was crazy, knocking on doors looking for the new blonde kid from California. More than once AJ had to send the brownie on a napkin to higher ground to avoid having it snatched away by hungry teenage boys. It did take several knocks and inquiries before Gavin himself opened a door. He invited AJ in and AJ handed over the treat. When AJ revealed that he had two dads rather than a mom and a dad, Gavin grinned.

"What?" AJ asked, bracing himself for the myriad of possible response he could get from Gavin.

"It's cool that you have two dads. Gives me hope for my future," Gavin said lightly, turning to place the brownie on his desk. He turned back to AJ, to find a slightly confused look on his face.

"Wait, what? Are you gay?" AJ asked, not feeling the least bit nervous.

"Yeah, I am. I worry sometimes about how my life will turn out. I really want to get married, have kids, the whole nine yards. Hearing that you have two dads is kind of encouraging and makes me think that having those things is possible for me." Gavin stopped talking, hoping he hadn't gone too far. Of all the people he'd met, Gavin had talked the most to AJ and he really didn't want to freak out his new friend. "Sorry. Too much information. I just forget sometimes that…"

"No! Oh heavens no! Look who I grew up with as parents! None of this is uncomfortable in the least bit. Actually, it all feels quite normal, which is nice for a change. I don't always have much in common, family wise, with the guys here," AJ said.

"I get that!" Gavin said, laughing. The confused look on AJ's face prompted him. "Hello? I have six siblings. How many people do you know can say they come from a family of seven kids?" Gavin grinned, and so did AJ.

After that, their conversation took off. They talked about Dalton ("It's weird at first, all of the traditions and rules, but you'll catch on. I really like it here," AJ said), about their families, sports, travel, and the careers each thought he'd have. At one point, Gavin got up and retrieved the brownie, splitting it in half and offering a piece to AJ. And since brownies require milk, AJ took Gavin by the hand and led him to the student lounge on the floor, where there was a kitchen that was always stocked with bread, peanut butter, jam, crackers, and milk because, well, teenage boys are always hungry. Taking two cartons of milk, the boys walked slowly back to Gavin's room, where they talked for another hour. Looking at the clock on the nightstand, AJ said that he should be getting back to his room.

"Thanks for staying and talking," Gavin said, looking AJ in the eyes. "I'm really missing home and my friends right about now, so it was nice, you know?"

"No problem. It's been nice getting to know you," AJ countered. "Since tomorrow is Saturday, breakfast runs a little later. Want to join us? I can usually hold Michael and Jacob off until 9 before they swear they are dying from starvation. Shall we pick you up?"

"That would be wonderful. Thanks!" Gavin said, grinning. Without pausing, Gavin stepped forward and hugged AJ, again worrying that he'd gone a little too far. AJ returned the hug, not seeming to be the least bit bothered.

"Night, Gavin. See you in the morning," AJ said.

"Sleep well!" Gavin said, before he closed his door.

AJ wasn't sure what it was, but Gavin was different than any other boy he'd met at Dalton. It sure as heck felt like they'd known each other for more than a day. With that, AJ turned on to his side, and went to sleep.

~oOo~

Walking back to the dorms after breakfast, Michael said, "OK Cali boy, you've redeemed yourself from your initial shenanigans. The deciding factor in our acceptance of you into our circle of brothers lies in this question."

AJ leaned over to Gavin and whispered, "Don't pay any attention to the idiots before you," which elicited a giggle from Gavin.

"I heard that AJ. Not funny. Here's the question," Michael continued. "Which sport is superior to all others: soccer or lacrosse?"

"Easy," Gavin said, without missing a beat, "soccer."

"Ohhhhhh, and we could have been such good friends!" Jacob said with forced lament. "Wrong, West Coastie. Lacrosse was the answer you were looking for!"

"Sorry, but hitting your opponent with a stick hardly constitutes a worthy sport. Soccer takes brains AND skill. My allegiance lies with soccer," Gavin said.

Jacob stopped in the hallway and turned to face Gavin and AJ. "You two," he said, wagging his index finger between them, "should marry each other. Couple of soccer pansies." Gavin blushed and AJ let out a loud guffaw. They looked at each other and broke into a laugh.

Michael turned around, looking momentarily confused, and then let it go. "Hey, AJ, remember that you promised to take us for a drive in that smokin' hot car you got for your birthday. What time are we leaving?"

"How about in an hour?" AJ replied. "You do know that I have to drive to my Grandma and Grandpa's house and that's over an hour away, right? Are you sure you want to come along?"

"Do they know we're coming with you, because that means your grandma will have those cookies on hand, and that sounds mighty fine about now," Michael said.

"Of course. I'm sure she's been baking since dawn," AJ replied. Michael and Jacob nodded their heads and mumbled something about delicious cookies at they entered their room. Gavin and AJ remained in the hall.

"Look, I don't know if you are interested, but you are welcome to come along. I understand if you have stuff to do, but it might be nice to get out," AJ said.

"No! I mean, yes! I'd love to come along, if only to see this hot car you supposedly have. What is it?" Gavin asked.

"A 2015 Mustang. I just got it."

"Nice. And your grandma bakes for your friends? Really? How kind is that? She must be wonderful," Gavin said.

"Grandma Carol is wonderful, but really, she bakes to keep Michael and Jacob quiet. She married my grandpa when my dad and my Uncle Finn were teenagers, so she knows that boys who are eating are quiet. Same applies to my idiot friends. It's perfect, really," AJ said with a laugh, "Grandma comes off looking like a saint and she preserves her sanity!"

Gavin laughed and said, "I'll see you in an hour."

~oOo~

"Shotgun!" Michael and Jacob yelled at the same time, just after stepping foot out of Dalton's main entrance. AJ and Gavin had signed out at the front desk five minutes ago, so they waited by the car in the parking lot. Realizing they'd laid claim to the front passenger seat at the same time, Michael and Jacob resorted to the tie-breaker in shotgun situations: sprinting to the car to see who got there first to claim the coveted spot. They looked like puppies fighting over a ball, as they ran and wrestled at the same time. AJ and Gavin leaned against the car, amused looks on their faces.

"My god," AJ said. "Would you look at that?"

Gavin laughed, highly amused at AJ's roommates. "They are kind of funny…"

"…in an annoying sort of way!" AJ finished. "Try living with them."

"I win!" Jacob shouted, claiming his hand reached the passenger side door handle first.

"So not true!" Michael insisted.

"Boys, Gavin here claimed shotgun even before you got your sorry little selves signed out at the front desk. Problem solved!"

"Not fair," the roommates whined in tandem.

"Really?" AJ asked, looking at his friends incredulously.

"Gavin gets privileges just because he's the new kid," Michael complained.

"Yeah, and because AJ is going to marry him," Jacob added. The boys got quiet. "What? It's the whole soccer thing in the hall. Don't you remember I said…"

"Let it go, Jacob," AJ said.

"Sheesh, it was just a joke. No need to get all worked up!" Jacob said. The ride to the Hummel's house was quiet for all of three minutes, before Jacob and Michael continued their argument over which episode in the Star Wars movie series was best. AJ explained to Gavin that the disagreement and the discussions that came along with it, had been going on since the third day of freshman year. And somehow, listening to the boys talk round and round, trying to convince each other that the first film was or was not the best made, never failed at providing AJ with free entertainment.

~oOo~

As soon as AJ pulled into the driveway at his grandparent's house, Burt emerged from the garage, wiping his hands on a rag. "Boys!" he called out, grinning. He was even happy to see those two spider monkeys AJ called roommates. He noticed a third guest getting out of the front seat.

"Grandpa!" AJ shouted, sprinting to Burt and wrapping his arms around him.

"AJ, my boy! I know I just saw you a few days ago, but it's good to see you again so soon! Michael, Jacob, Carol has been baking up a storm for you. Better head up before she starts wondering what's taking you so long!" At that, both boys sprinted up the porch steps, again trying to get in front of the other. After the screen door slammed, Burt turned back to AJ. "Who's your new friend?"

"Grandpa, this is Gavin O'Keefe. He's new to Dalton. Gavin, this is my grandpa, Burt Hummel," AJ said.

"It's nice to meet you, sir," Gavin said, sticking out his hand to shake Burt's.

"Son, there are two things you can call me, and 'sir' is not one of them. Burt or Grandpa will do," Burt said, taking this new boy in. He was impressed with his manners right off, but he was more curious about AJ's behavior around Gavin. Something was different, something he'd seen before, in another time. Burt brushed it off and ushered the boys into the house.

Just as Carol had Michael and Jacob corralled and calm at the kitchen table, she heard the front door open and she spied her grandson. "AJ! Come give your grandma a hug! I've missed you!" Carol said, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Gram, it's only been a few days!" AJ said, grinning and hugging her tight.

"I know, but a few days to too many in my book," Carol said, pulling back and looking at her grandson's face. Realizing there was another boy present, she turned and looked at Gavin. "Who do we have here?" she asked.

"Gram, this is Gavin and he lives down the hall from us," AJ said. "Gav, this is the best grandma in the whole wide world, Carol Hummel."

Gavin shook Carol's hand and told her it was nice to meet her. "I'm impressed by how you've tamed the beasts at your kitchen table!" Gavin said. Burt, Carol, AJ, and Gavin all looked through the door from the living room to the kitchen, to see Michael and Jacob inhaling Carol's cookies. Between chewing noises and grunts of satisfaction, Carol shook her head.

"It's like having TWO Finn's at home again," she said, sighing.

"More like four Finn's," Burt countered. AJ laughed, having heard stories of Kurt and Finn's teen years.

"Come on Gavin, I'll show you around," AJ said. As they walked around, Gavin paid attention to the multitude photographs throughout the house, particularly those down the long hallway. His family did the same thing at their house in California, which made Gavin feel a little tinge of homesickness. AJ noticed the Gavin studying the pictures, and asked him if he wanted the run-down. Gavin nodded, always interested in people's photos.

"Well, this is my dad, Kurt, on his first birthday. That lady is his mom, who died when he was eight. This is a picture of my dad after his one and only year playing baseball. The stories around that are legendary. This is Grandpa and Dad at 6th grade graduation. Here's a wedding picture from Grandma and Grandpa's wedding. Here's one of both my dads at Dalton. Recognize the blazers?" Gavin looked closer at that picture, immediately seeing both of the men in AJ's face. He instantly knew where that crazy curly hair came from! "This is a picture of my dad and my Uncle Finn and this one is of my dads when they went to Formal Ball at Dalton. Bored yet?" AJ asked.

"No, no!" Gavin said. "Continue, please!"

"This picture is of my dads' wedding and the one next to it is from their honeymoon in Europe. Next is a picture of my dad, Kurt, on stage," AJ said.

"Is your dad an actor?" Gavin asked.

"Yep. He's on Broadway," AJ said it like it was no big deal, so Gavin let it be. "My other dad is an author."

"Blaine Hummel-Anderson? I just finished his latest book before I left home. He's good," Gavin said, trying not to appear too excited.

"Yeah, I like his work," AJ said. "This picture is of me at the hospital, just after I was born. My birth mom is right here. She's my Auntie Millie, but really she's my dad, Kurt's cousin. I have both my dads' genetics, which is kind of cool. Confused yet?" AJ asked with a laugh.

"I'm with you!" Gavin said. "Who is this?"

"That's my Uncle Finn, Aunt Rachel and my cousin Chloe," Gavin said. "This last frame has two pictures of the same people. My dad went to public high school for a while and he was in a show choir called New Directions…"

"Nude Erec…" Gavin repeated, a little bit of horror on his face.

"Yeah, I know. Not a very well-thought out name. When my dad went to Dalton and met my other dad, Blaine, he joined our show choir, the Warblers. Both groups competed against each other, but also became friends. So, the top picture is all of them in high school and the bottom picture is all of them at my thirteenth birthday. They are my extended family."

Gavin examined the picture closely. "Hey, is that your uncle and aunt in these pictures?" he asked.

"Yep. They were all in it together. From what I hear, they all drove each other crazy in school, but they always stuck together, no matter what. We all get together several times a year."

"And they are…okay with your two dads and everything?"

"Totally," AJ said.

"Cool!" Gavin replied.

Carol's voice echoed down the hall. "Boys! Lunch is ready!"

"Be prepared to be amazed, Gavin. My grandma is the best cook in the world. She beats the chef at Dalton, no questions asked!" AJ said. Once again, he grabbed Gavin's hand and let him to a kitchen. Timidly, Gavin pulled his hand away as they approached the table. This act did not go unnoticed by Carol and Burt Hummel.

~oOo~

"Drive safely!" Carol called, as she and Burt waved. AJ and his friends were on their way back to Dalton, but before they left, Carol pinned AJ down on when he'd visit again. "How about dinner on Friday night?" she asked.

"Sounds great. Maybe I can stay over too?" AJ asked.

"Of course you can!" Carol answered.

After AJ's Mustang was out of sight, Carol turned to Burt. "Buuuuuurt," she started.

"You noticed too, huh?" Burt asked.

"They can't have known each other long, but I got the same vibes I felt when Kurt started bringing Blaine home all those years ago. AJ was acting differently, way differently than he acts around Michael and Jacob," Carol said.

"Are we ready for round two?" Burt asked, looking at Carol.

"Well, maybe they are just going to be good friends," Carol said. "We'll just do what we did with Kurt and Blaine: watch, listen, and make sure good decisions are being made. Gavin really is a cute boy and so polite!"

Burt broke into a laugh. "My dear, you said the exact same thing about Blaine when Kurt brought him home for the first time!"

Carol started to say, "No I did not…" but stopped, because she realized she had. "Should we call Kurt and warn him?"

"Naw. I think we don't know enough and I'd hate to start a big deal over a hunch that's gone wrong. Besides, you know how Kurt will react, and really, this is AJ's deal."

"You are right. Come on, let's get back inside. Movie tonight?" Carol asked.

"Sounds perfect," Burt said.

~oOo~

Is there anything sweeter than these boys? Keep your eyes open for a new story soon!

GirlFromTheWest xxoo