They didn't chase after him for the truth. They hadn't been sure that he would give them more information than he already had, so they had gone to a higher power – Burt – who, rather reluctantly informed them that yes, Kurt had been truthful. His therapist thought that a year or so focussed entirely on his rehabilitation would potentially shave off years of his long-term recovery time. It was something his son had been sitting on for over a month, but so far he had deliberately not stated his stance on the matter in fear of it influencing Kurt. It was something that only his son should have the right to decide. They, rather reluctantly, agreed with him.

"Except," Finn said as they wandered into the kitchen for a snack, "Kurt wouldn't have brought it up if he didn't want us to know…and maybe offer an opinion. Wouldn't he?"

"He was annoyed with us," Blaine reasoned, dipping a celery stick into some humus. "He doesn't like when we don't tell him things, so he might have just brought it up out of spite. That was a nice save by the way."

"Would have been nicer if it had worked completely," Finn correctly. "He's bound to press for more information eventually."

"I know."

"What do you think he should do?" Finn inquired, before taking a large bite out of his sandwich.

"I want him in New York with me," he bluntly replied, "and yeah, I know that probably sounds really selfish of me."

"I want him out of Ohio too," Finn said. "Dalton is kind of like an oasis. Once he's out of it, reality here is going to return to being pretty stark."

"He'll love New York."

"I don't doubt that. But if his recovery could be sped up…"

Blaine sighed, settling for eating a bit more instead of responding. It was a complicated issue all around. He had just about finished putting on dressing on a sandwich for Kurt when they heard light, airy footsteps approaching. They both turned to watch as Kurt entered the room, his hair damp and in different clothes.

"I've decided to forgive you," he informed them.

"How kind of you," Finn deadpanned, but Blaine didn't answer.

It wasn't that Kurt wasn't still mad that they had held something back from him; he had probably panicked after realising exactly what he had told them and he was now trying to pretend that nothing had happened, and was hoping that they would play along. Deciding that it would be best to play along, Blaine slid the sandwich on a plate over to him.

"Thanks," Kurt said. "I need you two to help me with something."

"What?" Blaine inquired, moving to the fridge to get some juice.

"Dad needs to not ground me until tomorrow."

"Why?"

"I turned our phones back on. David's put together a party and we're going. All of us," he added, pinning Finn with a stern look. "If the nonsense on your Facebook is anything to go by, you need some fun."

"You were on my laptop?"

"You left it open," Kurt responded pertly. "Now I've already confirmed we're going, and Jeff said that he and Nick are coming as well."

"Together?" Blaine asked, surprised.

"I'm as shocked as you are," Kurt said. "It must have been quite the conversation between them. So you two need to help me get un-grounded and then we're going to find you," he stated, pointing at Blaine, "something to wear or else we're going to have to stop over at your house first. Your outfit's already set out Frankenteen, so go start convincing dad while I eat this."

"Now I see where these rumours are coming from," Wes said loudly, leaning closer to Blaine so that he could hear him.

"What rumours?" Blaine asked, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a pair of juniors hanging around the punchbowl David had set up a little too long. There were freshmen at the party, just a handful, but Blaine decided to tell the alumni present to keep an eye on them. No-one should have to deal with a hangover at fifteen.

"About Kurt and Jeff," he clarified, "well...and at times you."

Blaine followed his friend's gaze and he cocked an eyebrow as he caught sight of Kurt and Jeff together out on the dancefloor. They looked good together, he thought, his eyes lingering on the way Jeff led them easily, gyrating close to Kurt with Kurt's hand wrapped low on his waist. He and his boyfriend had spent a while on the floor together, but eventually he had surrendered him over to Andrew, and he supposed now Jeff was having a go. His lips curled ever so slightly when Kurt's back came into view; his ass looked really good in those tight jeans.

"Oh keep your thoughts clean," Wes groaned, swatting his arm.

Blaine gave him a sheepish grin. No one could ever deny that he found his boyfriend a beauty to look at, especially with how he was slowly but surely filling out. His adorable boyfriend was quickly becoming a handsome (but still cute) adult and he enjoyed the changes he was seeing in him. He pulled Wes with him as he caught sight of a free double seater, dropping down onto it. They were a bit further away from the music now, making conversation a lot easier.

"Which rumours?" he asked again. "The one where Kurt and Jeff are a thing, or the one where all three of us are together?"

"Both?" Wes offered. "Although, you don't seem at all bothered."

"I know where Kurt's heart lies," he answered easily, "and unfortunately, Jeff's." His eyes briefly sought out and lingered on Nick, who was engaged in conversation with a couple of juniors on the lacrosse team he had mentored. "They love each other, but I know it is just platonic. If Kurt and I had broken up last year, I'm pretty certain that they would have gotten together. It wouldn't have lasted I think…but it would have comforted both of them for the while.

"That's why I'm okay with them now, and their closeness. Jeff's hurting, and Kurt is all he's got to cling onto right now outside of his family. Jeff will never cross the line though, and I know that Kurt won't let him, so I have nothing to worry about. Jeff could dance with Kurt every day for a year, hell, make out with him for that time span, but I know that I'm the one Kurt's going to come home to in the end. I have nothing to fear."

"That's a level of trust very few have," Wes told him.

"I guess it is," Blaine said with a soft smile, "but I have nothing but faith in him."

"Are you really okay?" Kurt asked, allowing Jeff to pull him close as the music slowed.

The party environment didn't allow for detailed conversation, but Kurt had let his eyes do his investigation for him. Jeff and Nick had indeed arrived together, and while it was impossible to know if everything had been sorted out, their bodies had seemed relaxed, as if the tension between them was largely gone. He had even spotted them dancing together for a bit earlier before Jeff had stolen him away from Blaine. Kurt moved so that he could look into Jeff's eyes, noting that he still saw sadness lurking there, but that, thankfully the intensity of it had lessened a bit. It was better than nothing, he wagered.

Jeff spun him around once before responding. "I will be okay?"

Kurt huffed at that, but didn't comment, instead resting his cheek on Jeff's shoulder, allowing his eyes to drop close. Jeff pulled him in a bit tighter, and Kurt relaxed fully, letting his friend lead him through the song. Jeff was a tactile person. This – their closeness – was more than enough to convey what words would not be able to. Kurt hummed slightly when one of Jeff's hands drifted up to cradle his head, and heading the request, he rose up enough to look at him again.

"Your boyfriend is staring at us," he said, and Kurt chuckled at the mischievous edge to his tone. "I think he's jealous."

"Well you have been monopolising me," he murmured, laughing outright when Jeff twisted them enough so that he could stick a tongue out at Blaine. Even from this distance he could see the way Blaine rolled his eyes before he casually flipped Jeff off before refocusing on Wes.

"He's not going to have you again this night," Jeff chirruped, and Kurt's amusement doubled as Jeff started spinning them wildly for a moment, not caring about the pace of the song that was now drifting to a close. He pulled him back to him. "Let's go to Narnia Kurtsie," he said seriously. "They've got talking lions."

"And a distinct lack of people and technology," Kurt pointed out.

"That is not necessarily a bad thing," he rebutted. "We could be kings Kurtsie. Kings!"

"Kings without princes," he answered. As they shifted, Kurt saw Phillip across the room. He had a cup in his hand, and seemed to be half-listening to what George was telling him, and half-watching them with a look of longing on his face. Kurt couldn't shake his expression from his mind, and as they moved, his mind ran quickly over the possibilities. Nick being here would perhaps complicate things a bit, but if they really had sorted out their issues…

"Come with me," he said after the song ended. "I have a new partner for you."

"Blaine's not jealous enough," Jeff complained with a pout, but still followed. "Awww, did I make your crush jealous too?" he asked as he saw that they were heading towards Phillip.

"In a way," Kurt agreed, unwilling to get drawn back into that recurring debate. He felt a bit bad as they stopped in front of them. George had fallen silent and was now just observing and Phillip – Phillip's eyes were wide as if he was shocked by their sudden presence in front of him. "Hi Phillip.

"H-hey Kurt," he responded, "Jeff."

"Are you up for a dance? If you don't mind George? I know we're interrupting your conversation."

George smirked as he caught the edge to Kurt's voice. He was quite the perceptive one and Kurt knew that he had already figured out where this was leading. "Not at all," he stated, and he reached out to take away Phillip's cup.

Jeff huffed although Kurt felt him release his hand anyway. "Fine. I'll surrender you for one song Kurt, just one."

"Actually," Kurt said pertly, stepping to the side, "I'm surrendering you to him…for three songs minimum. This is your chance Phillip. This one," he stated, gesturing to Jeff with his thumb, "thinks that you're crushing on me. Set him straight okay?"

George none too subtly pushed Phillip forward so that he was standing in front of Jeff, his cheeks flaming at Kurt's declarative words.

"Kurtsie, how many times do I have to tell you-"

"The universe itself knows that Phillip isn't interested in me Jeff," Kurt said, cutting him off. "And if you were really paying attention, you would have figured that out long ago. He hangs around me because he's too shy to tell you how he feels. Now go. Three songs minimum. I will be watching."

And, before either of them could say anything, Kurt walked away in search of a drink, hoping that he had done the right thing.

Kurt was on Blaine's lap – straddling it – as he stole a next kiss from him. Perhaps it was the punch or just the euphoria from the environment getting to him, but right now his shyness was entirely on the back burner, and he relished the feel of Blaine's chest underneath his hand. He vaguely noted that this perhaps was why so many people hooked up at parties, although he knew without doubt that there was only one naturally curly haired guy that he would ever consider doing that with. Pulling back only for a quick breath, Kurt dived right back in, letting his tongue tease its way between Blaine's lips.

"Eww guys."

Kurt pulled back, annoyed, as he turned to glare at Finn. "Really?" he hissed, "That still? After all this time?"

"Always."

"You finally read the final Harry Potter books then," Blaine said, looking at him. Kurt thumped his chest once. Here he was breathless with voice slightly shaky, and Blaine seemed entirely too composed.

"You did gift them to me," Finn answered, and to Kurt's displeasure, he dropped down into the space beside them, deliberately grinning into Kurt's annoyed face. "Never took you for an exhibitionist kiddo. It seems like only yesterday when you were still just a blushing virgin. They grow up so fast."

"I'm still a – oh you!" Kurt spat out, his annoyance giving way to embarrassment. "Get him Blaine!"

"Don't tease your brother Finn," Blaine dutifully said, before maneuvering Kurt so that he was now sitting much more chastely across his lap.

Finn mock groaned when Kurt let his legs thump down hard against his thighs before he automatically started rubbing them with a hand.

"Weren't you chatting up some blonde Crawford chick?" Kurt asked crossly.

"Her name is Amanda, and she just left," Finn answered happily.

"Got a number?" Blaine inquired.

"Yup."

"Nice dude!" Blaine crowed, and Kurt rolled his eyes as they high-fived. "This is way too fratty sounding a conversation," he pointed out. "I do not approve of Blaine the wingman."

"Sorry sweetheart," he apologised, pecking Kurt's cheek.

"Anyway," Finn said, interrupting them when Blaine made to kiss Kurt again - how much of that punch did they have? "I really came over to tell you guys that I'm heading out."

"It's still early," Kurt pointed out. "Besides, aren't you going to stay the night at Blaine's with us?"

"I was," he answered, "but I'm pretty much all danced and talked out now. I had a good time, but I can make it back to Lima before one if I leave now."

"You sure?" Blaine asked.

"I'm sure," he confirmed, dislodging Kurt's legs so he could rise. "Just text me when you guys get home okay? I'll probably still be up."

"We will."

Finn bent to kiss Kurt's forehead, and patted Blaine's shoulder once before he walked off with a last, "Later dudes."

The pair watched as he disappeared into the crowd. "He seemed to be in a hurry," Kurt pointed out.

"Probably got the blonde on his mind," Blaine deduced. "Nick's done the same before. Once you get a number it seems that all you want to do is get home to talk to them."

"That makes sense," Kurt allowed, before snuggling close into Blaine, deciding not to worry about his brother anymore. He would be fine.

"Are you okay?" Blaine inquired as he felt Kurt's growing relaxation. "If you're tired we can head out as well you know. No one will mind."

Kurt shook his head. "I still wanna dance some more," he stated. "My muscles will kill me for it in the morning, but this is the first party I've been to in so long and I want to savour it."

"I'll give you that massage I promised in the morning," Blaine murmured into his ear.

"I'm going to hold you to that," Kurt returned with equal softness.

They cuddled for a while, Kurt choosing to remain silent, leaving any passing conversations to Blaine. Eventually he straightened when in his periphery a camera flashed and he heard Jeff coo, "Aren't they adorable?"

"Are we interrupting something?" Nick asked.

"Didn't I palm you off on Phillip?" Kurt groused as he caught the twinkle in the blonde's eyes.

"He's dancing with his friends now," Jeff told him and Kurt was a bit gratified to see him shift uncomfortably. He would press him for more information later. He wasn't foolish enough to believe that one night of dancing would change anything, but he really hoped that at least now Jeff would realise that he had options outside of the dark haired college student standing beside him.

"How may we help you gentlemen?" Blaine inquired, ignoring Kurt's protesting mewl as he nudged him off his lap.

"David's dug out his karaoke set," Nick explained. "He's set it up in the game room for anyone who wants a different form of fun. We thought we'd ask if you guys were interested."

"We haven't sung a duet in over twelve hours Kurtsie," Jeff added dramatically.

"How have we survived," Kurt gasped out, throwing his hand against his forehead with equal flourish. "I'm sorry honey," he said, looking at Blaine, "but this is an emergency situation we must rectify immediately!"

"Save a duet for me," Blaine requested wryly as Kurt hopped up and interlaced his arm with Jeff before letting him lead him away. Turning back to Nick, whose gaze still lingered on Jeff's receding back, he said, "Let's go dance for a bit first."

"Drinks first," Nick requested, and nodded, they walked to the drink's station. "What do you want to talk about?" he added after he had passed him a cup. "I know you don't really want to dance with me."

"You know me too well," Blaine said, taking a sip. "Are you doing okay? I really haven't had the time to check in on you today."

"I'm fine," he answered. "I feel a lot better now, and I think I've finally started smoothing things out with him."

"I'm glad," Blaine told him. "I'm really proud of you for coming you know."

"Thanks Blainers. That means a lot. It wasn't easy to do, and I don't think I've even started fully making it up to him."

"It'll take time," he acknowledged, "but I'm putting my faith into the two of you. I'm sure you can do it."

"I hope you're right," Nick said softly, "I really do want the best for him."