HEEEEELLLLLOOOOOO everyone! I got some feedback from the last chapter but maybe not as much as I was hoping to fuel this story. One way of the other please review and let me know. I am not a review whore but I NEED the reviews as a constructive tool, the more feedback and notes, the more I get inspired.

Also I know that this and No Labels are not that quick at updating but I have been back and forth to the hospital recently for health issues of my own...yet again, so I try and update as soon as humanly possible. My health is first and foremost no matter how much I love writing instead :D

As always I own nothing except my own life, my OC's and my belongings, Glee and the characters belong to RIB and Fox.

Bittersweet Symphony

Beautiful

(KPOV)

True to his word Blaine showed up the following day at my apartment, after buzzing up, at 6:45 pm sharp. He was definitely punctual, that much I could say for him. I had a long day with all of the remaining midterms, finalizing my grades, giving them to Sean and then dealing with the lengthy dismissal from work...Sean liked to talk.

Apparently this week I had been a different person, almost tolerable and professional was how Sean put it. He said that I was not only talented but somehow now I had found humility in amongst my numerous personalities. I shrugged and said that maybe I was having an off week and that the full bitchy Kurt Hummel may return once I was back from my break. It was one of the more jovial conversations we had ever had as of late. I couldn't help it, and it all seemed to start when I had met Blaine.

Honestly I could feel my walls retreating in my everyday life and it was a welcome albeit terrifying change. He seemed to be having a positive effect on me in more ways than one, but I wasn't counting my lucky stars that everything was going to be perfect, nothing in my life was ever this good for this long.

No Kurt...don't jinx it, enjoy it and just see where it goes.

Speaking of Blaine, my walls crumbled yet again as I opened my door to see the gentle bundle of carefully messed curls and the smile that went with them on my doorstep.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself, come on in, I'm just gonna get my coat and pack a few more things and then we can leave okay?"

Blaine walked in, curiously eyeing my apartment with a smile on his face that was warm and inviting. He shucked off his coat and looked at me expectantly before he draped it over the back of my couch before continuing to walk around, looking at the pictures and such littered on my walls.

"Your place is lovely Kurt, you decorated this place yourself I assume?"

"You assume correctly Mr. Anderson. Have a seat, say hi to Pav, he loves new people, I'll be back in a sec."

I left the room as Blaine leaned over to Pav's cage and whistled softly and introduced himself.

"Hi Pav, I'm Blaine, so...what's it like living with the infamous Kurt Hummel?"

Such a dork.

I walked back into my bedroom and looked at the carefully packed suitcases I had already laid out the night before. I really didn't need anymore time to pack like I just said to Blaine but I merely needed a minute to collect my thoughts.

This was a huge step in a very new relationship. I had spoken to my dad the night before and apprehensive was putting how he took it mildly. I hadn't intended on revealing everything about Blaine to dad but we had always had an honest relationship, and also honestly, Finn knew which meant Rachel probably knew, which meant the world would know soon enough, so I figured telling my dad would be a lot less rude than him finding out from his daughter-in-law.

My father didn't say too much during our conversation, he let me talk, which was probably a good thing because I don't know if I could have had the courage to finish half of the thoughts that I did, if he had stopped me frequently to ask questions.

The one thing I did leave out was that Blaine was partially, or almost completely deaf. I felt it wasn't something that everyone needed to know right off the bat. I wanted dad to make up his own mind about what I was saying about Blaine without factoring his disability into the equation.

...

"So...you met this guy at a music school where he teaches right? You had a drink and a couple dates, and you're happy Kurt? Like really happy, not the fake happy that I saw on your face too often when you were growing up?"

"Yes dad, somehow in this short a time I am happy and it scares the shit out of me. Sorry...pardon my french."

"Ha okay son, well I'm not thrilled about the idea, I know what its been like for you since you came out kiddo but if what Finn has been telling me about you recently is true...then I guess this Blaine guy might be alright for my son in the long run." Finn and his big mouth. Between him and Rach I swear they can't keep their giant traps shut, even for a second. Should they ever chose to breed their children should come with a surgeon generals warning : Telling these people secrets may be hazardous to your social health.

I loved them still.

"Thanks dad, well I guess we'll just see how it goes."

"Alright kiddo be...uh... safe...and whatever, I'll see you when you get here."

...

My face even blushed at the thought of the ending to my conversation with my father, the reminder to be safe, was never an easy thing to hear out of my dad's mouth. It's not like I haven't thought about sex with Blaine, I've actually thought about it a lot truth be told, but for my father to politely imply it, still made me redden in response.

I blushed even further when I thought about the condoms and lube that I brought with me. I chalked it up to Hummel's always being prepared but it made me feel a little forward, hence why I now stood over my suitcase and wondered if I should unpack them.

A soft knock cam at my half closed door.

"Kurt?" I turned a little quickly to see a mildly confused Blaine standing in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

"Um...we kinda have to leave if we don't want to get stuck on the highway out of town for too long, everything okay?" He looked so small, and quite like he was invading a private place as he stood on the threshold of my bedroom and not looking up at me. I guess he wasn't expecting a response because there was no way he could read my lips looking at my hardwood floors.

I walked over to him, grabbed his face and kissed him so softly but the underlying passion was a give in. His shocked posture melted instantly under my touch and that's when I let myself stop over thinking things.

Fuck it. I'm bring the supplies just in case, I'm not being assumptive, I'm being prepared because god knows, or whomever controls fate these days, that our relationship has been anything but predictable or normal thus far.

I had to very reluctantly pull away from the kiss, looking at Blaine's still closed eyes and watched a smile creep up on his face.

"Hmmm I guess everything's fine." He opened his eyes and it took everything I had to not kiss him again and pull him into the room and ravish him, since he was in my fucking bedroom and god...he always looked so damn delicious.

Another time Hummel, another time.

"Shall we?" I released his face and winked before I turned to grab the largest suitcase. Blaine was at my side in a matter of seconds, taking the larger one from me quickly, scoffing at my mild protests. Apparently I could add chivalrous to his list of attributes.

"We shall."

No matter what we did, I just wanted to spend time with Blaine; that was all that mattered in this moment.

XXXX

Blaine had turned on the radio, obviously for my own entertainment, as we drove out of the city. The traffic, as we both knew it would be, was shitty at best, and I found myself sitting there realizing something that I hadn't thought about before. We really couldn't talk.

Blaine was driving, focusing on the road and it took a lot of rationalizing to keep myself from chatting up a storm like I would normally. Blaine didn't have the ability to turn his head very often to look at me and start up a conversation, reading lips and driving was an almost impossible multitask, as was him signing while driving, not that I could understand much when he did anyway.

Well this was awkward. I sat there looking out the window as the city disappeared into the background, a well lit up world in and of its own. I got lost for a minute as the lights of the city faded away and the lights of the highway were the only ones illuminating our way.

The silence continued, the tension was barely there anymore and I found myself just relaxing in his presence and enjoy not driving for once.

I was brought out of my revere by a beautiful noise. It was soft and sweet, as well as deep ad soulful. Blaine was singing, but I didn't dare move from looking out the window in fear that he would stop if he saw me watching him. His key was almost perfect as he whispered and sung quietly along with the radio, or the MP3' that were playing through the speakers anyway. Blaine had made a compilation for the trip of songs from various musicals of times long ago, the songs that he said made him love music and theatre itself. This song was no different, actually from his and my favourite musical of all time, that we had just recently discovered about one another. He kept singing very quietly, so lowly I wondered if he even heard himself.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss,Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever.

I had turned my head then, marvelling at the soft crispness of his voice, but turned saddened as he stopped singing, clearing his throat and blinking back what were probably tears, but he never let them show. I reached out and grabbed his hand gently on the steering wheel pulling it away with care and settling it between us, holding it firmly with a reassuring squeeze. He glanced at me with a small smile, and held my hand back, seemingly needing the contact. I continued where he left off, picking up Maria's part without a second thought and never moving my eyes from Blaine, even though he was now faced forward again, staring out at the night and the road ahead.

Small and white clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss,Edelweiss

Blaine joined me then and we finished what was what I hoped to not be the only time he would sing with me.

Bless my homeland forever.

He brought my hand up to his mouth, eyes still focused forward, and kissed my knuckles.

"Thank you."

I didn't really need to know what the thank you was for, it was implied. Whether it was because I just did what I thought was natural and never said anything else about it was just what seemed right at the time. My earlier assessment was right, Blaine really was just beautiful and this was another one of the reasons why I thought so. We held hands in silence for what seemed like forever, my mind drifting back in and out of deep thought, because I should have been nervous about the intimacy of the situation, the held hands and vulnerability that it showed, but soon enough I found myself falling in and out of consciousness. All thoughts fading into one blur, a smile never leaving my face as I succumbed to the sound of a voice I never thought I would hear.

XXXX

(BPOV)

He really was so pretty, I hated to wake him though. I really wasn't a creeper I assure you but watching the moonlight and the light auburn glow from the street lights gave him an effervescent sheen that made his already striking features just stand out that much more. He had fallen asleep a few hours ago so I took that as my cue to just keep driving. I hadn't worked really this week and I knew that Kurt had piled everything into the last few days so that he could have a longer weekend and it had taken its toll. He was exhausted. I had hoped that he wouldn't have been completely weirded out when we first got in the car because I normally drove in silence for obvious reasons, but he had made me feel so comfortable with his mere presence, that I had sung along with the music, that I could barely make out. A normally tense situation was made comfortable and I could allow myself the opportunity to just live and be myself. It had been odd and emotional but Kurt never let me feel awkward about it which was so overwhelming; I could do nothing but hold his hand and hold onto that moment.

We arrived, at the ungodly hour that it was, to the hotel that we were going to be staying at overnight. I had made the decision to keep driving and not stop in Harrisburg like I had originally intended, but choosing somewhere that I had stopped at previously in one of my many drives back home for Warbler reunions, where I knew they had late night check in. It was much further away than Harrisburg but I felt like driving and hotels along the highway were always convenient. I wanted to get as far as I could that night and since Kurt was sleeping and I was a night owl, it worked for me.

I had gotten out of the car and walked into the hotel lobby and signed us in, getting our key cards and walking back to the sleeping form of Kurt who hadn't moved despite my absence. This was where I found myself now as I sat back in the car, the light from the opening door only stirring him slightly.

"Kurt...Kurt honey wake up." I rubbed my hand across his cheek , mentally kicking myself for using a pet name so quickly as he stirred and mumbled.

"Wherearewe?" I didn't hear him, nor did I see what he said, but that's what it looked like he said.

"Say that again...come on Kurt time to get up."

Kurt opened his eyes and yawned immediately and quite cutely. Yawns weren't supposed to be cute were they?

"Hmm I said where are we?" He looked at me as I bit my lip, hopefully he wouldn't freak out when I told him how long he had been sleeping.

"Ummm...we are in Pittsburgh, well just outside of it anyway."

"PITTSBURGH!"

"Shh ssh shh Kurt relax okay...its only 2 am I made pretty good time actually."

"2am, wait, how long have I been out? You shouldn't have driven that long without a break or anything, what if you fell asleep? I could have driven Blaine, I mean..."

"Kurt stop mumbling and rambling, I have a hard enough time understanding you when you talk normally. Ha ha ha." Kurt looked at me scorned but with a tiny smile.

"Besides, I got up late this morning, well afternoon anyway so I was wide awake. You were tired so I let you sleep and I figured we could stay here since they have late check out and then we don't have too far to go tomorrow. So yes, we're in Pittsburgh, would you like to actually get out of the car now instead of talking in here. I don't know about you but my ass has molded to this chair and I think you might like to move yours."

I blushed a little for some reason as Kurt sat up, unbuckling finally and opening the door, letting the cool air hit his face.

"Hmm I would love to move but I think my ass is still sleep."

I laughed at Kurt as he groaned moving out of the car. He was so cute sometimes and it made me feel better about this even though my brain was going a mile a minute with images of us together in the hotel room all night, alone, for the first time.

Well this could be interesting.

After much complaining on Kurt's part about the serious lack of blood flow to his legs and rear end we chuckled and stumbled into the room which thankfully opened up onto the parking lot, because I don't think the occupants of the small hotel really wanted to deal with two tired giggling gay men talking about the numbness in their butts.

"Oh."

When I opened the door to the room I hadn't realized at the time that the room I had booked had one queen size bed, not two doubles which I thought was more appropriate. My sudden statement didn't go unnoticed by Kurt.

"Blaine...hey it's fine. I'm okay with s-sharing a bed with you, I mean unless it's a problem with you and I'm sure we can ask the receptionist to change..."

"No, no it's fine Kurt, just...well I just didn't want you to think that I planned..." I trialed off and closed the door to the room and locked it, leaving my thoughts to myself, but he seemed to know, he always seemed to know.

Kurt let go of his bag and wrapped his arms around my neck hugging me tightly, speaking right against my aid so that I could hear his silky voice without much effort.

"Hmm I know Blaine. I know. It's more than fine, I promise."

That was the moment that changed the tone for the remainder of the evening. Kurt unpacked whilst I went in the shower, relaxing my stiff muscles from the drive in the hot water and then he disappeared into the bathroom while I got comfy on the bed. I was used to the silence of the scenario but I turned the radio on a station that I knew which I hoped would make Kurt more comfortable. I was used to silence and I knew that sometimes it made other uncomfortable; and I did not want Kurt uncomfortable in any way.

When the bathroom opened Kurt had a small smile on his face as he took in my appearance. Apparently he liked what he saw, me in my Dalton sweats and t shirt. I usually slept naked but I figured that would be a whole new kind of awkward for a first night together with a new boyfriend, and way more forward than I wanted to be, despite the images that were flooding my mind.

The images didn't stop as I saw the silk pyjama pants, and very tightly fitted sleeveless shirt he was wearing. He just stood there and waited for me to say something, but he looked way too good with his hair more messed up than I had ever seen it before, and in the simplest of clothing, that my voice betrayed me.

"Which side of the bed do you want?", he asked.

It was such a timid question that I know it must have been hard for him to say it whilst keeping eye contact, so I did the only thing that I could to make him comfortable...I shifted over and opened my arms for him to crawl into.

It was a bold move I know, but I wanted him against me and since we were both embarrassed like the teenagers of years passed, I really had nothing to lose. Kurt surprised me and smiled and without hesitation curled into my side, resting his chin on my chest in a move that seemed too natural for us, almost too soon. Kurt wrapped his arm around my torso tentatively but determined. He looked up at me and I stared at his lips, breathing sharply at the feel of him pressed so closely.

"Is this okay?"

"More than okay." I yawned, my own exhaustion apparently creeping up on me or maybe it was the warm embrace I found myself in, that was soothing me to sleep. Kurt hummed against my chest and lazily started playing with the fabric of my t shirt, tracing patterns across and above my heart.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, feeling more relaxed than I had been in years.

Kurt's only response was to move up on my chest so that his face was right next to mine. The intimacy of the position we were in made my breath hitch, and Kurt seemed to sense my apprehension as he brought his hand up to my face, moving his thumb gently over my temple while looking at me like I wasn't real or something.

"I'm thinking that I really want to do this..." He lowered his head slowly, allowing me to see the gesture coming and I met him halfway. Our lips met and it was just like the first time we kissed which seemed so far away now, but yet it was just less than a week ago. It was tender and soft and I could sense Kurt was letting me control how intimate this kiss would get. He was being safe with me, as if I would break and this caring alone seemed to control my own hand, as it moved up to hold his cheek and thread my fingers through his hair.

Feeling my hand running over his scalp elicited a little whimper from Kurt that I could tell was held back. I felt empowered to push the kiss forward as I licked his lower lip and fingered my hands through his hair simultaneously, shocking Kurt and pulling a small moan from him that I could feel reverberate in my own mouth.

The kiss intensified quickly, both of us holding desperately to one another, our tongues duelling now in a kiss that was turning out to be more heat and tension by the minute. I could feel myself hardening, and I was about to worry when I then felt Kurt's cock brush lightly against my thigh, just as hard if not more, and I knew we were both getting carried away really quickly, it wasn't just me.

Kurt broke away suddenly, lips swollen and his cheeks flushed, he looked beautiful like this. His pupils were dilated but there was a little worry in them as he bit his full bottom lip as he looked me in the eyes. I was breathing a little irregularly and I could feel Kurt's chest moving up and down against mine in the same laboured pattern.

"Got carried away...sorry."

"Don't ever...be sorry for that Kurt. Just...god your amazing, but we really should stop...b-before we get too carried away."

I tried to sound logical, to clear away any of the arousal in my voice and just try and think of his feelings and well...mine too. I didn't want to push a relationship into sex too early no matter how irresistible he was to me.

Kurt nodded and ran his hand through my hair as I did the same. We just looked at each other, Kurt as he half lay on top of me, looking down with a small grin and with nothing but affection in his eyes, that they seemed somehow bluer.

"You're right. I may not like it, but you right." He snickered and lowered his mouth to mine again and kissed me sweetly, and somehow that kiss may have turned me on more with its meaning than the ones we had just shared.

He moved so that he was back on my chest after turning out the light and the radio. I held him in my arms and tried to control the hard on that I knew was trying to still make itself known but focus solely on the feel of Kurt on my chest and the sincerity of the position made me refocus on the man and not just the body I was wrapped up in. Yeah I could get used to this.

He was nestled on my hearing side and even through the normal silence I could hear his breathing even before he spoke.

"G'nite Blaine."

I silently caught myself from fan boying when a random thought hit me. Kurt Hummel. I was sleeping beside and making out with Kurt Hummel. I smiled at the thought and the sleep in his voice despite his long nap earlier.

"Night beautiful." Kurt squeezed my abdomen in his half sleep and I smiled because calling him that in person was way better than in text, and so was holding him while he slept. Yeah I could definitely get used to this.

XXXX

(KPOV)

God could he be more adorable? I had gotten up fairly early, being a morning riser myself and dared not wake up Blaine. He was curled into me like a tiny ball and it was endearing and finally silent. Blaine had dreamt last night and if I wasn't mistaken they had been nightmares. Only when I reached out to hold him did he actually calm down. I figured since he had slept so fitfully that I was safe letting him remain like that while I went out, borrowing the car and bringing back breakfast. It was the least I could do after he let me sleep last night while he drove all the way to frickin Pittsburgh without so much as waking me. After only driving around for about ten minutes I found a chain coffee shop where I could get breakfast and be back in record time, I really wanted Blaine to wake up with me there and not alone, especially after his dreams last night.

Last night had been great. I not only slept in the car, which was weird for me, but I also slept through most of the night. I had my own issues sleeping, but finding myself only waking up when Blaine needed comforting...this I could get used to, and I was rested enough to get up early and treat Blaine to breakfast. I just wish I hadn't seen Blaine so distraught in his dreams, the furrowed brow he sported was enough to break my heart at the sight alone.

I set the breakfast down on the side table and shifted so I was standing beside the bed. Blaine's hair was completely free of any product and stood up, seemingly defying gravity. Blaine had taken off his shirt at some point during the night and it was a pleasant surprise when I held him to come in contact with a very well toned olive tanned chest. His pants were rolled up on one leg and he was sprawled across the entire bed now, looking like an adorable starfish; I almost didn't want to disturb him...almost.

I chanted his name a few times softly before I nearly face palmed myself for doing it.

Duh Kurt really? Okay self sue me...waking up someone who was hearing impaired was new to me. Why am I arguing with myself about myself? Okay definitely need more coffee for this to make sense.

I rested my hand on his shoulder, making him shift but instead he burrowed his face into the pillow away from me, flattening himself on his stomach with a mumbled groan.

Okay he was not a morning person obviously, but really cute about it, unlike Finn who had thrown various pillows and objects at me when I tried waking him before. His face was half smushed into the pillow and his forehead was strained in a little frown, giving me an idea.

I stood up on my knees on the bed, resting my weight on my calves and traced both of my hands up and down his back slowly, delicately kneading the soft, thankfully hairless back of my boyfriend. That thought alone made me smile and yeah, I know, it was an excuse to touch Blaine shirtless but I also wanted to wake him with a smile and the other idea I had about waking him would have to wait until we were together longer.

Blaine melted into the touch as I worked my hands just that little bit harder when I heard the audible moan I was waiting for when he turned and lifted his head just a tiny bit, rousing from sleep.

"Mmmgod Kurt, good frickin mornin...god right there." His voice was hoarse, and sexy as hell when he said shit like that too me. It took all I had to not straddle his hips right there and pin him in place, but this was about sweetness, and caring and...dammit Blaine stop making those little noises for the love of all things fashionable!

I slowed my hands, realizing my growing problem I seemed to have around him, and leaned down to kiss the top of his head before letting him turn to the side with a giant grin on his face.

"Okay so I'm adding magical hands to your list of awesome." He leaned up and kissed me quickly as I laughed.

"You're already dressed." It was a somewhat rhetorical statement as he looked down trodden about this fact.

"Well I have been up a while Blaine, aaaaaand..." I got up a little giddy at my own cheerfulness, " I brought breakfast! One medium drip and the breakfast sandwiches are in the bag."

I handed him the coffee as he sat up looking at me quizzically.

"You know my coffee order?"

"Of course I do dummy...drink up and get washed up, it's almost check out time, and I'm driving the rest of the way...no arguments Anderson." I pecked him on the side of the cheek, soothing the same area with my hand before moving away from him.

Blaine merely smiled at me, then looked at his coffee again before down right beaming.

"Yes dear."

XXXX

Me driving was a lot easier and more comfortable. I could turn to look at him and engage in conversation much easier than the other way around. We had checked out in almost record time, caffeinated and with full bellies and we were making excellent time back on the highway towards our little corner of Ohio. The trip had been perfect thus far but there was an uneasiness to Blaine as we neared the end of the trip. Once we were about half an hour from my house and just about entering the outskirts of Lima I decided to ask Blaine what was eating him.

He was fidgeting and had gotten awfully quiet.

"Blaine, what's the matter? You been really out of it for the last little while. I don't even think if Katy Perry was driving you around you would even notice."

"Huh, oh it's nothing Kurt." I knew he wasn't really listening to me as it were because he barely watched my mouth as I spoke. Plus I had just made a Katy Perry reference and I didn't even get an eye roll...something was wrong.

I reached out and grabbed his hand and it was the first time Blaine had even flinched at contact from me, I pulled away and decided that since our exit was next that I would pull off the interstate early and set us on the side of the road because something was obviously bugging my boyfriend.

Blaine tried protesting me getting off the highway but I for once turned a deaf ear to him and ignored his pleas that he was fine and to just keep driving.

Once I put the four ways on and pulled onto the shoulder I looked at Blaine, like really looked at him. The calm and collected person I knew was sweating a little and his forehead was a furrowed crease that had me panicking.

"Blaine...talk to me...please?"

Blaine shifted and sighed, knowing that he was in the presence of a very stubborn Hummel...the one I warned him about and I wasn't backing down without an honest answer.

"I have no family."

"Um what?...Less cryptic please honey..." This was the first time I saw excitable talking Blaine. I had a hard time actually understanding him because his diction apparently was something that he tried to control when he was relaxed and now was not that time.

"I have parents Kurt...I just have no family. The long and short of it is this. I haven't seen my parents really in 2 years. We don't talk, we don't even send each other Christmas cards. They all but disowned me 2 years ago and before that it had been supremely tense at my house and between us for the last 10 years. I was "requested" to come over this weekend and I'm honestly terrified because I don't know why Kurt. I'm sorry for never telling you this, and trust me there's a lot more to this story but I can't get into it right now. It's just I haven't been back in Westerville for anything family related in years so...I'm really nervous about what I'm going to have to deal with when I get there. My folks don't understand me Kurt...and they've never really done anything to help me recently so...I have parents but no real family."

Blaine had been signing the whole time and it was a lot to process, especially since he spoke fast, even for me and was stuttering over his words and his eyes were roaming and never really making contact with mine...but wow.

How could someone's parents instill so much fear in their kid? Blaine seemed really nervous and it had to be more than that. I myself had my own demons and I just chopped this up to being one of Blaine's. I wasn't going to push, that explanation although rushed and nervous was all I needed at the moment.

"Blaine...Blaine it's okay...relax alright? Whatever it is they want I'm here okay? If you need anything, hell even a place to come I'm only a text or a short drive away okay? I'm here for you alright?"

I emphasized my point with a gentle squeeze to his hand, bringing it away from his lap where it was clutching very tightly to his coat hem.

"Okay Blaine...you...me...you've got me now aright?" Blaine seemed to relax a tiny bit and that made me at least feel a little better, just to see the trust in his eyes. He moved his hand away to sign and speak again.

"Thank you for understanding. I'm s-sorry I freaked out, it's just...nerve wrecking ya know?"

"I can imagine...now let's keep going hmm? Or do you need more time?"

"I'm fine...just thanks Kurt."

I had learned another sign when I was researching recently, and I thought soon would be the time to show this to Blaine.

When we pulled down my street I looked over at Blaine.

"This is my street, you remember how to get back to the highway from here?" Blaine looked around at the houses on my street in simple awe of the tiny little community of neatly cared for homes. We weren't a rich or poor family but we were your typical middle class American family, and this neighbourhood was typical middle America down to a tee.

"Yes I remember."

I guess Blaine was going to sign and talk to me from now on, and I had t say that it was probably a good idea since I needed to learn for my boyfriend, it was only right, and I wanted to connect with him that way too.

I pulled up to the drive and killed the engine on the very smooth ride. I had been holding it in so long that Blaine owned a new 2020 BMW Hybrid, one of kind and it lived up it's expectations. My dad would shit if he saw the car, he would give his right elbow just to peek and tinker under the hood. Long dead was the art of mechanics since everything was electric now. His shop had sold for a fair amount still because people still owned some older cars as collector's items, but you can't take the car out of the guy, merely the guy out of the car.

I got out and Blaine followed suit, all but running to the back to pull my suitcases out of the back for me, making me laugh at his chivalry again.

"So...text me when you get in okay?"

I leaned in and kissed him lightly, but quickly pulled away because I forgot for a second where we were. Not in New York where the tolerance factor was supremely higher but in a somewhat closed minded state, only one of 12 still not tolerant of same sex pairings.

Blaine looked over my shoulder and straightened up.

"We have an audience. I think I should go before I get you into trouble." I laughed, knowing that my dad was probably peeking through the windows, and said to hell with it and leaned in and kissed him again, surprising him and myself at the action. When we parted his face was a huge grin.

"I'll text you when I get in."

I raised both of my hands and balled my fists before mimicking the gesture that I had learned.

"Courage."

I smiled as he did, his one hand resting on the side of my face, while he used the other to sign something I recognized as something else my mother used to say to me.

"You're beautiful."

Just then I heard the sound of the front door closing and the clearing of someone's throat which was undoubtedly my father. Thankfully my dad waited on the porch while Blaine got in the car, waving at my dad with a winning smile, surprising me, and started it up. Once he had pulled out and waved once more I turned around to see my dad sauntering down the drive with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey son."

"Don't hey son me dad." I jumped at him and hugged him as if my life depended on it. I hadn't seen him in months and I missed my daddy more than I wanted to admit for a grown man.

"Hey hey easy on the old man big guy...it's good to see you Kurt."

I pulled away from him and looked at the weathered but bright eyes of my father.

"It's good to be seen dad. How are you?"

"Mmhhmm I'm fine. So that was Blaine I assume?" I looked back towards the now empty street where his car had been not moments before and nodded.

"So he's deaf huh?"

So shocked was an expression I would be wearing a lot today.

"Uh...yeah he is, well almost completely but..but how did you..."

"Kurt please this sign...", my dad repeated the sign that Blaine did with surprising fluidity, "was something your mom used to make to you when you were little and something I learned to say back to her when she needed a smile."

I nodded and wrapped my arm around my dad's shoulder as he took one of my bags from me and he returned the gesture. My dad was always full of surprises and I would soon ask him how he knew how to sign.

"So...he thinks you're beautiful huh? I would agree but that's just fatherly instincts talkin."

"Daaaaaaad...can we get in the door before you start being that parent?"

"Ha ha ha okay but wait until I tell Carol, she's gonna flip her lid and probably hug you to death...be warned she's been very huggy today. I think she almost knocked down that behemoth brother of yours and she may have concussed Rachel."

"Bring it on...I could use a good hug." Truth be told it was nice to be back home, but I was still really worried about Blaine.

XXXX

After quite a few hugs, an amazing dinner and thanks to the excitable grins and jeers from everyone, I was forced to regal everyone about Blaine. I made it a passing point that he was mostly deaf, and aside from a little shock and awe I was barely questioned on the matter. Rachel just made it a point to mention that it must be difficult for someone like that to not hear what an exquisite talent I had. Leave it to my best hag to make this somehow about my singing ability and not about me finding someone I could connect to. Good thing I loved that woman.

Once the evening had ended and I helped Carol, albeit reluctantly on her part, prep the remainder for the half vegan and non-vegan dinner tomorrow, I settled back into my old room for the night to unpack, and do some homework.

Blaine and I had messaged a few times since he left me and the conversation went as follows.

Made it in one piece handsome, and I didn't get lost! :D. I've approached the gates of hell, wish me luck. xoxo – B

Glad to hear my boyfriend is in one piece, that's how I prefer him :P. Miss you, and good luck! xoxo – K

an hour later...

I hate it here xo – B

It's okay Blaine, I'm here if you need me remember? xoxoxo ...see extra affection? Ha! - K

You always seem to know how to make me smile Mr. Hummel, I just wish they would tell me what they wanted, I still haven't even seen them yet. xoxo- B

How is that possible...

Um okay? Well I'm sure it will be fine, gonna eat dinner now, text me, and call me if something is wrong xoxo – K

And that was almost 3.5 hours ago now. It was starting to worry me so I fired off another text.

Hope everything's alright sweetie, I miss you you know. xoxo – K

Still nothing...

Don't worry me like this, tell me you are okay, I just, want to make sure you're alright. xoxo – K

It was almost an hour since my last text and fiddling with my homework from Columbia and my impeding teaching degree could wait for now, I was already too worried to finish my essay. I closed my books and sighed noticing it was 1 am and I guess he got busy with his folks or something, and had probably nodded off before he could respond to me.

I did my nighttime skin care regime, this time taking the full half hour to complete it as opposed to last night where I was in too big a hurry to join Blaine and only did the rushed version. Once I was out of the bathroom and in bed I checked my phone again, my heart soared when I saw two missed texts and a call from Blaine.

Wait...a call from Blaine?

Hey, it's me. Um you said you'd be there for me right? I kinda need a favour, can you look out your window? - B

Okay...

Kurt I know you're home, I dropped you off, can you please look outside, I'm out of pebbles to throw at your window. - B

Blaine was outside my window...at one o'clock in the morning? What the actual hell was going on?

I ran to the window, dropping my phone unceremoniously on my bed as I did. When I pulled aside the gossamer curtain I saw the sweetest and saddest thing, Blaine looking red and puffy standing in the side garden under my window. I guess it didn't take a rocket scientist to figured out which one was my room, but he did take a chance at waking my father in the room just below mine. I opened my window and leaned my head out whispering loudly so that I didn't wake everyone up.

"What are you doing here? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" I wondered if he could actually hear me but from the sigh and small smile I guessed not.

"Kurt c-can you come down here...please?" His voice was so different and it scared me. Before I knew what I was doing I grabbed my housecoat and shoes and ran down the stairs as quietly as possible and went out the front door. Blaine was standing there looking scarily neutral, his eyes which were usually so full of expression were devoid of all emotions. I stepped toward him before he threw himself at me and I could tangibly feel his walls crashing around me.

"I-I'm s-sorry Kurt I didn't m-mean to b-bother you here with your f-family but..." I cradled his head in my hand as I hugged him tighter. He was quietly sobbing and if I wasn't trying to be strong for him than I may have crumbled at the sound alone, it was breaking my heart.

"Shh shh it's okay honey, tell me what happened." I spoke against his aid because I wanted to hold him and have him hear me. I wasn't letting go of him so soon.

"M-my parents...they just, well my dad just, well he lost it and well..." I pulled away now, this time needing to see his eyes as he spoke.

"What did they do Blaine?" I was never so instantly angry at people I had never met. How dare they hurt this amazing man...their fucking son!

"I...oh god this sounds even worse now...but I said before I-I had no family...well I guess I-I can say that I have n-no parents, or a home here in Ohio."

"WHAT?"

Okay don't shoot but I like cliffhangers and this one works for the next chapter. Poor Blainers, I'm sorry he has such shitty parents but hey...some people just shouldn't be parents. You'll get more info on them in the next chapter and maybe a tad into what Kurt's demons are as they reveal more about themselves to each other. I love you so much guys, and remember before you hate me for this tiny bit of angst that the title is called Bittersweet Symphony...there has to be some bitter in there for that to make sense.

Love you! xoxox, once again I am nervous about this chapter, let me know what you thought.