AN: Thank you so much to everyone for hanging in there with me! I apologize for the extremely long delay :/ Just RL taking over. I am posting this chapter and the next one tonight. Chapter 19 is a bit shorter, but Chapter 20 will be a bit longer and things will get serious. Hope you enjoy! Also- Thank you for all of the reviews and favorites and notifications! You're all wonderful.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

Ch. 19. Friday Night Dinner

Well, well, look who it is. I foresee this becoming a common theme."

"Oh Burt, man, you know you missed me," Wes said as he swaggered past the man into the house.

He grinned and turned around to throw his arms around the taller man.

"Long time no see, kid," Burt agreed as he smacked the boy on the back. "I was waiting for you to show up. I missed having all of my boys around."

Blaine was grinning ear to ear from beside Kurt in the doorway, and reached out to grab his hand.

Kurt froze. Oh god. His gaze snapped to their linked hands as Blaine gave them a squeeze. His heart was starting to do that somersaulting thing again. He was still dazed as Burt gave his friend a one armed hug and ushered them into the living room.

He grabbed Kurt's elbow to stop him before they followed.

"Feeling better buddy?"

He looked back at his father sharply.

"Carole told you, didn't she?"

"No," he said, rolling his eyes. "You don't think I know when my own kid is upset? And Finn told me that you had a fight with your friends from Dalton. Which brings me to another point. Why didn't you tell me that you got beat up?"

Kurt's jaw tightened. Stupid stupid Finn.

"I didn't get beat up. I got shoved into a locker, and I rolled my ankle. But as you can tell I'm getting around just fine."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be telling me when something like this happens. We can go to the principal…"

"We don't need to do that. Coach Bieste was there and she was furious. She suspended them from the next three games and is making them do some tutoring. She also went to Figgins. I'm very okay with it. In fact, I'm touched. To be honest dad, this is the first time a teacher has really stood up for me."

"Where was Finn?" Burt asked edgily, sounding slightly angry.

"Oh, he was there," Kurt assured quickly. "He showed up late, but they had to hold him back from Karofsky and the others. We're lucky he didn't get suspended from the team too."

His father nodded, "Okay, well I don't want to ruin tonight, but just keep in mind that I'm your Dad and I need to know these things. We're a family, and we figure out stuff together."

Kurt gave him a tight-lipped smile, and then sighed.

"I love you, Dad."

"Love you too, kid. I'm glad that you brought the boys around."

He grinned and turned to go join his friends in the living room. He found them situated on the couch across from Finn, watching a Buckeyes game. He rolled his eyes.

"So Kurt, what was David doing here yesterday anyway? Not that I'm not grateful someone was here to have your back, but I thought he kind of hated your guts."

"Nah dude, they're totally cool now," Finn said without looking up from the game. "He totally saved Kurt's ass yesterday when he came to Lima. I bet you already know, but a bunch of jocks were ganging up on Kurt and beating him up and your pal just totally went all ninja on them and socked Bradley Cohen. Which, good on him. I hate that asshole. If I'd been there I would have done more than that. But seriously guys, he was like Chuck Norris or something. Without the boots."

"Finn!" Carole shrieked from the next room where she and Burt were finishing dinner. "Language!"

"Finn," Kurt growled. "Quit telling everyone I got beat up. I twisted my ankle and banged my head a bit- I'm fine."

"The rambling must be a family trait," Wes Joked to Blaine.

"Wait a minute," Blaine said, ignoring him. "I think we should talk about this. Regardless of what you're calling it, you got beat up! That's not okay. And why did we find out from David- what was he doing in Lima anyway?"

Kurt sighed.

I hate you," he said, throwing a pillow at his brother.

Finn flipped him off.

"Finn!" Carole shouted.

"How the hell does he always know?"

"I swear to God, Finn Hudson, don't make me come in there!"

Kurt clapped a hand over his mouth and giggled. He looked over at his friends and saw that their expressions were still serious.

"Okay, come on guys. I didn't really get beat up. I was just shoved into some lockers. I rolled my ankle a bit, and felt kind of nauseous. Seriously though, I feel much better today. And David… was there to see me and tell me to hurry up and make things better. Apparently your moping was driving him nuts," Kurt paused to stick out his tongue at them. "Anyway, he just happened to show up at the perfect time. I'm not at all convinced I wouldn't have ended up in the dumpster…"

"Well that sounds like David: abrupt and getting into fights," Wes said with a sigh.

"No, no," Blaine said, hands jerking out to grab Kurt's and clenching tightly. "What do you mean you would have 'ended up in the dumpster'?"

Kurt sighed and squeezed gently trying to dislodge the boy's hand (not something he thought he'd actually want) was cutting off his circulation.

"Let's just say that being thrown into the dumpster is a pretty common occurrence for me. Recently they've actually started padlocking it, which I haven't got a clue how they got that idea."

"I don't know how, either," Finn said grumpily. "There's someone with you like every second of the day. How they manage to catch you the one minute you're alone is maddening. I just want to go pound their effin faces in."

"Wait, you get thrown into the dumpster- as in plural? Like this has happened more than once?" Wes asked with a scowl.

Blaine was giving him a horrified look.

"Well, to be fair, not a whole lot anymore, just when I happen to catch them in a bad mood. Puck was the general antagonist with that."

"That's…messed up," Wes said.

"Seriously, though, I'm good. Let's not talk about it."

Blaine and Wes exchanged a look that did not go unnoticed. He rolled his eyes.

"Kurt- I don't think this conversation is over. I really think we need to talk about this again. This sounds more serious than I thought, and I'm reallyworried."

"Later," he interrupted. "Please."

Wes scowled again, but nodded and shifted a bit closer to Kurt so that their legs were touching slightly. Kurt smiled at the small comfort willingly offered just to make him feel better.

Blaine finally released his death grip on Kurt's hand, but didn't let go. He too moved in closer and lay his head on Kurt's shoulder. His heart rate sped up slightly, and he refused to look at either of them. It was beginning to feel like a Kurt sandwhich and he just didn't know what to do with that.

Instead he looked over at Finn, and for the first time since they'd gotten home he noticed that Finn was looking a bit upset.

He chucked another pillow.

"What's wrong with you?"

Finn sighed and looked away from the game.

"Okay, first- sorry if this is TMI for you two," he said apologetically to Wes and Blaine. "I need to have a quick brother moment."

"Hey, man, your house. Plus Kurt's our friend so that automatically includes you in the group. One big family," Wes offered with a shrug.

Kurt almost grinned maniacally when he heard that, but kept it hidden.

"What's up my brother from another mother?"

Finn heaved another sigh.

"Okay, so you know how I actually did sleep with Santana?"

Kurt wrinkled his nose.

"Yes, I am aware of this."

"Well Rachel found out today… Santana got pissed at something she said and she told her."

Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, how did she not know? I thought everybody knew?"

"Yeah, well she didn't, and now she's not talking to me. Also, Santana said I had fudge filled man boobs."

Wes whistled. "Harsh dude."

"And kind of gross," Blaine said wrinkling his nose.

"Well I would give her time. She'll come around. I mean you guys weren't even dating when you slept with Santana. Plus she went around telling everyone that she slept with Jesse. She can't actually be too mad at you."

"Yeah," he said with a sad pout. "I just want her to let it go. She's being ridiculous."

"Finn, this is Rachel we're talking about."

"Yeah," he said. "I guess you're right."

"For a group that sings so well together, you guys sure are dramatic," Wes said. "I'm glad our boys aren't like that."

"Be glad none of them are dating. I think everyone has just about dated everyone or at least made out with them in our group," Finn said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hey we have a couple or two in our group. But I have instated a policy that basically says leave it outside the choir room and pick it back up when you leave. We need to be a well oiled acapella singing machine if we're going to win this year."

"Are you like the lead singer?"

"No, I'm just one of the council members. Instead of having our sponsor run the meetings and choose songs we run things in a democratic fashion where everyone has a chance to say what they think and audition for solos."

"Sounds a lot more productive than just letting Rachel have all of the solos because no one wants to hear her voice anymore…"

"Dude, that's my girlfriend."

"I mean, she is a bit of a drama queen," Kurt retorted.

Their discussions on Rachel Berry and Finn's sexual escapades was cut short as Carole called them in for dinner.

Dinner was a relaxed and happy filled affair as they all traded barbs and laughed wildly. Wes had introduced himself to Carole and made the seemingly customary remark on Burt's cooking, and how the only reason he'd returned was because he'd heard she was much better at it than him.

Burt had sneered and thrown a carrot at the boy.

It had the potential to develop into a fully-fledged food fight, despite Carole's warnings, until the doorbell rang.

Every member in the family automatically threw a finger up onto their nose.

"Nose goes," Kurt shouted loudly, grinning at Wes and Blaine's bemused expressions.

Blaine caught on last, and Burt gave him a sly look.

"I've always considered you like a son. Go get the door."

Blaine pouted; as Carole was laughing so hard she began to cough.

Kurt grinned, but took mercy on him.

"I'll get it."

He was surprised to open the door and find one very morose Rachel Berry standing on the other side.

"Hi Kurt, I'm here to see Finn."

He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.

"Well, come in. FINN. Your girlfriend is here to see you."

There was a sound of clattering and stumbling that Kurt was sure meant that Finn was scrambling to get out of the kitchen faster than his limbs were meant to move.

"Hi, Rachel," the boy in question gasped out as he joined them in the hall.

"Hi," she stuttered. "Umm, Kurt can you give us a moment alone?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. I'll just be… in the kitchen."

He turned and fled through the archway to rejoin his family.

"That Rachel I hear?" his Dad asked as he re-entered.

"Yep. I have a feeling tonight's going to be one of those nights."

"Oh great," he groaned. "Can't I enjoy my low-sodium, low taste meal in peace just once?"

Carole snorted.

"Rachel like, the Rachel he was talking about? The one who sang with you guys today?" Blaine asked.

"Yes. I should probably have warned you that this could happen. You think I'm dramatic- well, she's five bazillion times worse."

"Oh boy," Wes said.

"YOU MADE OUT WITH PUCK?"

Kurt's fork clattered to his plate and he clapped a hand to his mouth.

"Oh shit."

"Language," Carole managed to get out around her worry for Finn.

Kurt was torn between emotions. Anger, surprise, a small moment of humor and sympathy for Finn. It wasn't funny though, he reminded himself. Being cheated on was not a good thing, and Finn deserved much better than that. Rachel making out with Puck wasn't exactly unexpected, but it was terrible. Then there was the little fact that all of Finn's serious girlfriends had made out with Puck at some point or another. Finn just had bad luck with girls. Or he just had a bad best friend. Kurt wasn't sure which one made more sense. Of course, what most people didn't realize was that everyone made out with Puck eventually.

He tried to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping- but the looks on everyone's faces told him that the whole table was eavesdropping.

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"I… no. But please get out. I need some time to think, Rachel. Okay? You know that this is why Quinn and I broke up. Why is it that every girl I date makes out with my best friend? I love you, Rachel. I love you, I love you, I love you. But right now I hate you. I don't want to break up. I need some time to figure this out for myself. I can't even look at you."

"Yikes," Wes whispered.

Rachel's sobs faded out as she presumably left and then Finn's stomping feet could be heard and then the slam of a door.

"I'll go talk to him," Carole said, getting up.

Kurt made a mental note to check in with Finn later after the boys had left. He wanted to make sure his step-brother was okay.

As she left, Wes turned to him wide eyed.

"Is it always so dramatic around here?"

He and his dad exchanged a look and both smiled.

"Yeah, pretty much," Burt said. "Alright, boys, go watch a movie or something. I'll clear up here."

"Oh no, let us help," Blaine protested, standing up to help gather dishes.

Burt thwapped him on the back of the head, "Get ouuut."

The three of them grinned and took off. Kurt led them down the hall to his room.

"Well it certainly looks like Kurt Hummel's room," Wes said with a grin.

Kurt smirked back. He knew that Wes was zoning in on the tasteful décor and the beige walls.

"What should we watch?" he asked as he flopped down onto the bed..

Blaine looked through his movie collection and grinned, holding up a colorful case, practically bouncing on his toes. His grin was so wide that Kurt could practically see his molars.

"Hercules," he said with a laugh. "You cheeseball."