A/N: Hullo. I've been writing but I haven't been uploading, mostly because my internet has been craptastic lately and doesn't want to stay around for more than 3 seconds at a time :) Anyway, it's better now. Ish.

Blaine felt awkward the next morning.

Kurt woke up first, spending about three and a half seconds contemplating the ceiling before he decided he couldn't deal with the feeling of his face. He didn't even bother to check on Blaine as he stumbled into the bathroom, intent on ridding the feeling of sleep from his body.

He wiped his eyes with his fists before looking into the mirror, giving an involuntary shudder. Wiping a cloth over his face, he breathed in the cool fabric. It was just another day. Another day of feeling like shit. Except this time, he was home.

He glanced in the mirror again, disapproving eyes raking his own body. His mouth was too wide. His cheeks too pudgy. His ears stuck out weirdly and his hair looked atrocious. His stomach stuck out unattractively and he poked it, squinting at the obtrusive bulge.

A sleepy Blaine came up behind him, his hair an adorable mess of curls. Kurt barely glanced at him as he stared at his stomach, hoping that willpower was enough to get rid of it.

Blaine remained behind Kurt, staring at him. "Morning."

"Mm." Kurt muttered, his eyes still focused on his stomach.

"What are you looking at?" Blaine asked.

"My fat."

Blaine frowned, stepping closer. "What fat?"

Kurt just gave a little sigh, not willing to argue. Blaine gave a determined frown.

"What fat?" he asked again, and Kurt looked into his eyes through the mirror.

"My fat." He repeated, and then grabbed a section of his stomach to emphasise his point.

It didn't work – he ended up only grabbing a sliver of skin. He wasn't fat. He was barely even a healthy weight, and the only real protrusion from his stomach was the outline of his abdominal muscles through his shirt – strong and rigid.

Blaine swallowed hard, his hand creeping slowly around Kurt's stomach and lifting his shirt. Kurt watched him through the mirror with wide eyes, but he wasn't protesting. Blaine gently used his other hand to press against Kurt's stomach.

"You're thinner than me." Blaine whispered, his breath ghosting over Kurt's neck. "You have better abs than I do. You're…" Blaine closed his eyes. "You're beautiful."

Kurt's mouth fell open, and he turned around in Blaine's arms, his glassy eyes meeting Blaine's warm hazel ones. Blaine's hands fell on the small of Kurt's back, his shirt still rucked up awkwardly. Kurt rested his arms over Blaine's searching his face.

"I'm not." Kurt whispered. "I'm not beautiful. You don't need to try and convince me that I am."

Blaine frowned in concern, not understanding how Kurt couldn't see it himself.

"Kurt…"

"Blaine? Kurt? You awake yet?"

Burt's voice pierced down the stairs, and the two boys jumped apart, blushes high on their cheeks.

"We're coming dad!" Kurt called back, grabbing a hair brush and running it hurriedly through his hair, trying to fix the mess it was in before he went upstairs.

Blaine yawned, watching him curiously.

"Why are you even bothering?" He asked curiously. "No one will see you."

Kurt sniffed, setting the hair brush down and hurrying out of the room.

"Just because I care what I look like." he said teasingly, pulling at one of Blaine's curls when the other boy caught up to him, half way up the stairs.

"You looked fine." Blaine grinned, and Kurt blushed slightly,

They headed to the dining room together, where Burt had a stack of pancakes waiting.

"Morning Dad…" Kurt yawned sleepily,

"Morning…sir…" Blaine said awkwardly.

Burt shook his head. "Burt. Call me Burt. You're living under this roof now – you're a part of this family."

Blaine grinned, blushing. "Thanks Burt…"

"You boys hungry this morning?"

Blaine nodded, already seated as he reached for a plate.

Kurt was slower, but soon he'd filled his plate as well, both boys quickly eating through the pancakes Burt had made.

Burt watched them fondly, happy that Kurt was eating... happy that Kurt was eating and not complaining about it. He supposed that from now on it would be like that – he'd always be monitoring what Kurt was eating. It scared him – he wondered if Kurt would appreciate it – but he couldn't bring himself to ask.

For now, he could just hope that Blaine was keeping an eye on him.

"So…when do we get to meet Carole and Finn?" Kurt asked, swallowing a mouthful of pancake.

Burt was surprised. "Well…anytime you want, really…. I don't want to rush you into meeting them or anything."

Kurt shrugged. "I want to meet them – they make you happy."

Blaine eyed Kurt suspiciously, wondering if that was the real reason. Kurt was a people-pleaser, and even if it wasn't what he wanted, he would probably just put up with it.

"We could meet them today, if you wanted?" Burt offered casually, but Blaine could see he was getting excited.

Kurt simply nodded, shovelling another pancake in his mouth.

Burt looked apprehensive, but he ignored it. If Kurt wasn't going to tell him, then he could let it go.

But then again – communication was the problem in the first place.

"Kurt, you don't have to meet them yet." Blaine stepped in before Burt could. "It's only your first day back home…give it some time, okay? Get back into the routine of things…"

Kurt paused his chewing, looking thoughtful before nodding. He swallowed his food before turning to Burt.

"I do want to meet them…but maybe not yet."

Burt nodded with a small grin, mentally thanking Blaine. Burt had known him for such a short time and already he loved him. Hell, he probably trusted him with Kurt's life.

"What are you boys up to today?" Burt asked nonchalantly.

Kurt glanced over at Blaine. "Not sure yet…maybe take Blaine out…or something."

Burt nodded with a small smile, pulling out his wallet and depositing some cash on the table. "Take that, for lunch."

Kurt smiled gratefully. "Thanks Dad. We'll look into getting jobs as soon as we're settled…I promise."

Blaine nodded.

Burt grinned. "There's no rush. Just…take your time to settle. I want you both to be comfortable here."

Kurt looked thoughtful.

"Hey, dad?" he asked, swallowing a mouthful of pancake.

"Yeah?"

"Could you drop us off at the shopping centre?"