A/N: Okay, so this one was a little dodgy - I'm not quite sure about the political system in America so please excuse me if any of this chapter is inaccurate. Normally I would go do the research but I don't even understand the political system in my own country...so...this is basically just a hypothetical something-or-other. I also want to throw a giant thank-you out to all of you reading, and a bigger thank you to those reviewing. It really makes our day and helps us to write more.

G

There were perks, to being a Senator's son.

One of them being the fact that fancy dinners were becoming a regular thing, which meant suits, dresses, ties and matching cutlery.

Kurt was delighted.

Finn wasn't.

"Mom, I wore a suit last weekend!" he complained.

"And you're wearing the exact same suit again tonight." Carole told him, fixing his tie.

"But mom!" he whined.

"Finn. This is important to Burt, so it's important to me."

"What's so bad about dressing up anyway?" Kurt asked, making his way down the stairs as he adjusted his cuffs.

"It itches, and it's uncomfortable." Finn said with a pout.

"If you'd actual get a tailored suit, it would fit properly!" Kurt scolded gently, waiting halfway down the stairs for Blaine.

Rachel emerged from the bathroom wearing a baby blue dress, beaming at them all. "We look stunning."

Kurt and Blaine nodded, looking around the room.

"Tonight we're going to be doing interviews, so make sure you guys don't talk during dinner – it'll pick up on the mic's." Burt grinned, stepping into the room.

Kurt froze. "Wait…what?"

Rachel's eyes lit up. "We'll be on camera?"

Burt nodded. "It'll be on the news, so make sure you smile."

Kurt was still frozen still, and Blaine raised an eyebrow. "You okay, babe?"

Kurt shook his head, sitting down on the sofa gingerly – trying not to ruin his suit.

"We can't go." He whispered, and Blaine's eyebrows drew together in a frown.

"Why not? What's going on?"

"We're going to be on television, Blaine. On the news. As a gay couple, sitting together at a formal dinner. Dad has Carole, and Finn has Rachel…and I have you. And we'll be a couple. In public…" he breathing was hitching – he was close to hyperventilating with the panic he was going through.

"Babe, Kurt…calm down, it's not that bad." Blaine whispered, pulling Kurt into a close hug.

"It is. The world is going to see us together…"

"So?" Blaine asked gently. "So what if they see us?"

Kurt's wide eyes searched Blaine's, trying to understand where he was coming from. "What if…"

"What if what? What if the sky falls on us tomorrow? What if you fail history?" Blaine shrugged. "Whatever happens, we can get through it together. Even if everyone hates us, nothing – nothing – could ever stop me from loving you. And in the end-"

"And in the end...that's all I need." Kurt finished, letting out a deep breath and nodding, resting his forehead against Blaine's.

Burt watched his boys from the doorway – he had heard Kurt's panic, but hadn't heard what Blaine had said. Regardless, Kurt looked calmer, and Burt was insanely proud. He really couldn't have asked for a better choice to be Kurt's first – and hopefully only – boyfriend.

When Kurt's colour had returned, Burt cleared his throat.

"You boys ready?"

Kurt glanced up at his father, before nodding and taking Blaine's hand confidently. "Ready."

^.^

Kurt was nervous again, by the time they got to the restaurant. His leg twitched constantly, his fingers never stilling as they raced around Blaine's hand.

"Calm down." Blaine whispered, squeezing his hand tightly.

Kurt nodded, biting his lip. There were cameras already there – set up and waiting. Burt rising to Senator was such a big step from a guy in Lima that the media was right on top of it all. It was an important dinner, and Burt wanted to make a good impression.

"Alright, smiles guys." Burt grinned back at them, before opening the car door.

Blaine took Kurt's hand, squeezing it tightly before unbuckling his seatbelt and sliding out his side of the car. Kurt couldn't move. He just sat, unblinking, trembling in his chair. How could he face the cameras? He had never been ashamed of being gay – not ever – but now that the entire world could view this – could have an opinion on him…

He didn't want to do it.

Suddenly the door on his side opened, and Blaine stood there with an easy smile and an outstretched hand.

"Come on Kurt." he whispered.

"Blaine... I don't think I can do this..." Kurt whispered, staring at his hands, conscious of the fact that the cameras were waiting for him to emerge from the car.

"Yes you can." Blaine told him honestly, still holding his hand out. "You're the strongest person I know. You've done amazing things – things I couldn't dream of doing. You performed on TV as a Cheerio…you dressed up in a GaGa outfit and paraded around the school."

Kurt still wasn't looking at him. "You performed at theme parks, Blaine. You openly sang to someone – a boy - at the Gap. I may have done some crazy things but…this…this is different, Blaine. This is about who I am as a person...not someone I can pretend to be..."

"Maybe." Blaine shrugged. "Maybe it is different, but because we both have different experiences in different aspects…we can do this tiny, tiny thing – this thing that doesn't come close to some of the stuff we've had to deal with...and we can do it together."

Kurt finally met his gaze, trying to ignore the flashing of the cameras behind Blaine.

"Courage, remember? We found that together, and we can do this together too."

Kurt took a deep breath. "Okay." he whispered, undoing his seatbelt with shaking hands. "Don't leave me." he told Blaine nervously, taking his hand.

"I'd never leave you." Blaine whispered, squeezing his hand tightly and helping him down from the car.

Immediately, the flashing of the cameras became blinding – they had spotted the two of them holding hands, quite obviously.

Kurt waited for the comments – for the harassment – for something.

But nothing.

Blaine was grinning at the cameras, waving slightly as they met up with Burt, Carole, Rachel and Finn. They were all escorted to their seats, meeting up with official looking guys that Burt seemed to exchange formalities with.

Kurt was smiling – very slightly – but smiling just the same. His hand was clenching Blaine's tightly – scared to let go. The lack of comment surprised him, and when they were all seated, Blaine leaned close enough to whisper in his ear.

"We're adults now, Kurt." He grinned. "People don't care who we are, or what we choose as a lifestyle. We're in the real world."

Kurt grinned over at Blaine, finally giving a proper smile to the cameras that were still flashing away.

With Blaine at his side, Kurt could definitely count the perks.