"Now it's going to be okay. There's nothin' to stress about. You just go in, you talk to the girl or guy, and that's it. It's no big deal."
Except it is a big deal, Kurt thought to himself as he nodded at his father. It had finally arrived—the day of his first counseling session. He'd been dreading this day for weeks and now that it was finally here…
At least it would be over soon.
"And you even have both Blaine and I here with ya. Obviously we can't go back but it's still something, right?"
"Yeah, Dad." Kurt nodded. And, really, it was more than something. A lot more than something. Having both of them there was, well, everything to Kurt in that moment. Even despite the fact that his father was only slightly adding to his stress level. But only slightly.
"And after we'll go and get some dinner. Then I'm going to stop and see your Aunt Taylor but I figured you two might wanna have some alone time."
"Blaine probably wants to see Taylor's book store." Kurt said in an offhand way. He knew Blaine wanted to; he'd always been so excited about the prospect of his aunt having her own bookstore. Then again, when was Blaine not excited by something concerning books?
"You're being awful quiet, kid."
"I'm nervous." Kurt admitted.
"Of course you are." This time Blaine was the one to talk. He had been remarkably quiet since meeting up with them half an hour before and if he hadn't been walking so close to Kurt that they'd frequently brushed arms or hands, Kurt would have forgotten he was there. "But it will be okay."
"I'll just be glad to get it over with. I know it will be fine but it's…"
"A big deal." Blaine finished for him. "But you're right. It will be fine. And it'll get easier as you go more… If you choose to go more."
"At this point I'd almost rather have medicine. It would be easier than having to talk about it."
"That wouldn't help you, kid." Burt sighed. "Medicine isn't meant to help with stuff like that. Not alone, anyways. You gotta work this stuff out mentally."
Kurt frowned, feeling his chest tighten. He didn't want to do this. He really, really didn't. Both he and Blaine and he and his father had talked about it a lot, though. While Blaine had suggested talking to David's father, Kurt would have felt too awkward given the current stance between he and David.
While it was one of his father's specialties, Kurt felt more comfortable talking to Eric. They had become closer over the past month. While Eric mainly did Trauma Medicine and Pediatrics, but he still had some knowledge of depression and PTSD from when in school and, to add to it, he also worked in one of the best hospitals in the United States. That meant he would have names for Kurt—names of professionals who could help him move past this.
And that was why he was there. Because he trusted Eric and his judgment. Even if he didn't want to talk about what was going on with a stranger… then he'd do it. While it wasn't' something he really wanted to have to do… Well, Blaine had regularly scheduled appointments for over a year when he was younger than Kurt. Surely Kurt could handle it, right?
"This is the place." Blaine's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I'm real proud of you, Kurt. Getting help for something like this… I know it's not easy, but you'll be glad you did." Burt put his hand on Kurt's shoulder.
"I'm proud too." Blaine gave him a smile.
"Thanks." Kurt smiled back, although it was mostly forced. "And thank you both for coming with me… It means a lot to me. Hopefully I'll be more talkative after."
Burt squeezed his shoulder. "We'll be out here or in the waiting room when you're done, kiddo."
"Alright." Kurt nodded, hugged both of them quickly, took a deep breath, and walked into the office.
…
"Wonder how long something like this takes." Burt sighed, sitting down on a metal bench.
"Exactly an hour from when he sits down. They're very careful about that… Can't go a minute over and not get paid." Blaine joked, sitting next to him.
Burt looked at him. "Are you two back together or what? You're here today and you're coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. Level with me here, kid."
Blaine laughed a bit. "No, not yet."
"Well what's the hold up?" Burt asked. "Kurt doesn't have to know we had this discussion."
"Because he'd yell at you?" Blaine questioned, smiling.
"Well yeah."
"Personally, I need a little more… time. I'm not ready yet."
"Can I ask why not?" Burt asked patiently.
"It's a lot." Blaine admitted. "The break up has been really hard and I want to be ready but I'm just not there yet. There is no doubt in my mind that we will get back together. I'm just not ready."
"Is Kurt ready?"
"He would kill you." Blaine shook his head, laughing. "Kurt hasn't asked for us to make anything official but he's asked if we will be official. Right now I think he needs to focus on himself and figure this stuff out."
Burt looked behind him, seeing Blaine was pointing to the office. "He'll be okay."
"He will. It's not easy, though." Blaine chewed on his lip. "I need more time to be ready to get back together and Kurt needs time for… himself."
"I shouldn't have asked." Burt looked down guiltily.
"You're not the only one asking questions if that makes you feel better." Blaine pulled his knees to his chest, watching people walk by. "But you're probably the only one who has gotten such a long answer."
"I appreciate that." Burt chuckled. "How's your job going?"
"It's going well. I got pretty sick last month so I'm a little behind, but they're being really nice about it. I've been working with the head lawyer a lot… He's kind of an ass but I kind of don't mind him. Most people can't stand him." Blaine responded, looking much more at ease to talk about something that didn't involve his and Kurt's relationship or lack thereof.
"Sick? I'm sorry to hear that."
"I feel perfectly fine now." Blaine promised.
"Classes okay?"
"Top in my year even after missing a week of classes." Blaine tried not to grin but it was hard.
"That's awesome, Blaine!"
"I… yeah." Blaine admitted. "it is."
Burt chuckled. "You're gonna be just fine, kid. You've come a long way. You and Kurt both have. Carole and I are mighty proud of both of you."
"I'm proud of you too, Burt. For putting up with Melody. If she's Kurt's sister, I know she's a handful." Blaine grinned.
Burt laughed loudly as Kurt walked up.
"Hey." Blaine laughed, standing. "How'd it go?"
"It was alright."
"Just alright?" Burt questioned.
"I don't know. It was fine. I'm going to go back in a week." Kurt sighed a bit and then shrugged one shoulder. "Are we going to get food or something? I'm starving."
"I figured we'd go and show Blaine your aunt's bookshop… and then you two can go and get lunch."
"Dad…" Kurt began.
"Father's orders." Burt said gruffly. "After all, you two haven't seen each other since October, right?"
Kurt shot Blaine a look this time and then shook his head. "You two can't be trusted alone together."
"Hey, now. At least you bring someone home I don't have to threaten with the blow torch." Burt grinned.
"This is the first time you've mentioned it." Blaine said as they began to walk towards Taylor's bookshop. "I always thought Finn was joking about it until we stumbled on it one day."
Burt grinned again. "So, you two writing your wedding vows yet?"
"Dad!" Kurt groaned.
…
"Is anyone… here?" Blaine asked, glancing around the seemingly empty bookstore. He looked up to the second floor, seeing all sorts of mobiles hanging from the ceiling. Clearly, upstairs was the children's section. (Blaine tried really hard to not want to go up there first but, come on, dinosaur mobiles!)
Kurt looked around and shrugged. "Taylor has to be here. The door's unlocked. Dad only left us an hour ago, so there's no way they would have left… At least, I don't think."
"This place is amazing. It's like a two level version of The Shop Around the Corner!" Blaine turned again, looking around as though he were a child that had gotten Christmas early. "You know, from You've Got Mail? And that dinosaur is freaking epic."
Kurt watched him, amused.
"Oh, hey! I've wanted to read this!" Blaine picked up a book off of the nearest shelf.
"Well you should! It's amazing!" Taylor chirped, coming up behind him.
Blaine jumped, dropping the book. "Shit!"
"Burt, you didn't tell me he cursed!" Taylor gasped. "I like him even more than I did before."
Burt chuckled. "It's okay, Blaine. It's just a book."
"Where were you two?" Kurt asked as Taylor hugged him.
"In my office deciding on the best way to torture your aunt on Thursday. You know it's my favorite past time. Or maybe that's just the punishment." Taylor winked. "How do you like the place, Blaine?"
"Like it? I love it." Blaine answered, not even having heard anything before her question. "I can't believe you contemplated giving this place up."
"Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the place too but running a store has its days. It also reminds me of why I don't want children. And I'm not talking about the customer's kids." Taylor sighed a bit, nodding her head towards a teenager who was behind the register texting. She then added pointedly, "I keep trying to get Kurt to help me out part time."
"If I lived here I'd help for free." Blaine said.
"You'd be loads better than some of the help I have here." Taylor sighed again. "Teenagers have absolutely no work ethic but any time I try to fire them, they cry and then I go home and cry… That was a slight exaggeration… Actually, it kind of wasn't."
"I'm looking forward to being able to fire people." Blaine confessed.
"I can't see it, kid." Burt chuckled.
"Oh, I can. I bet he's a real firecracker, isn't he, Kurt?" Taylor grinned and nudged Blaine with her elbow.
"He's got a mean side. I can see him firing someone and enjoying it." Kurt laughed.
"I didn't say I would enjoy it." Blaine argued.
"You said you looked forward to being able to do it." Kurt said.
"Being able to. Power is kind of awesome."
"Three years from now he's gonna be in charge of some office for a week and he'll be freaking out." Burt chuckled. "It's not as nice as it sounds, kid. It's a whole lotta responsibility and it takes a long while to get used to."
"I can handle it. I do half of the paperwork in the office anyway. I even sign off on stuff… I didn't admit that." Blaine's eyes widened.
"Is that… illegal?" Burt asked.
"I didn't ask. I figure the less I know the better." Blaine admitted.
Taylor laughed. "That's great."
"Can I go and look upstairs?" Blaine asked.
"Changing the subject?" Burt chuckled.
"Of course you can. Look away to your heart's content or, better yet, buy away to your heart's content. I still have a doctorate degree to pay for." Taylor smiled sweetly and pointed to the stairs.
"You are not buying the dinosaur replica that walks." Kurt called after Blaine as he moved towards the stairs.
"It walks?" Blaine echoed before walking up the stairs.
"He's such a kid." Kurt shook his head.
"How did it go today, sweetie?" Taylor asked, wrapping an arm around Kurt's shoulder as Burt went upstairs too.
"It's over." Kurt said, letting himself lean against her.
"I'm proud of you. So is Paige." Taylor smiled. "She's that jerk teacher making their kids have a test on the last day before the break."
Kurt groaned. "I told her to not be that person."
"She's a cruel, cruel woman." Taylor shook her head and then said, "Stephanie, I don't pay you to look pretty behind the counter as you text your boyfriend. Do what I pay you to do."
The girl slumped towards an aisle nearest the back of the store, looking annoyed.
"You're going to marry him one day, you know?" Taylor said, looking back to Kurt who was now watching Blaine and Burt talk animatedly.
"I hope so." Kurt responded, smiling.
"I bet you do hope so. If I was gay and about twenty years younger, I'd want to tap that ass too." Taylor grinned.
"Oh my God." Kurt covered his face.
"Let me guess. Although you're not-dating, I bet you're not having sex until you're back together?"
Kurt didn't respond, but instead stared straight ahead.
"Thought so. You two are so cute it hurts." Taylor cooed, pinching Kurt's cheek. "It's driving you crazy, isn't it?"
"Being cute?" Kurt asked.
"Not being able to tap that." Taylor's grin turned into a smirk.
Kurt walked up the stairs, refusing to answer.
After all, of course it was driving him crazy. And it most definitely wasn't her business.
***LTC***
After nearly two hours are Taylor's bookstore, Kurt and Blaine were finally alone. It wasn't that they didn't like to be around Burt and Taylor, of course. It was just that they barely got to spend real time with each other and they're time alone was special.
Blaine followed Kurt into his apartment, torn between being excited for being alone with Kurt and worried about how Kurt was handling things. He seemed fine but sometimes it was hard to know when it came to Kurt. He shuffled on his feet a bit, eyes on Kurt. "I could have taken you to lunch, you know? After all, I owe you an arm and a leg after all of the doctor bills you paid."
Kurt rolled his eyes and closed the door behind Blaine. "You don't owe me any money. I only told you that you could pay me back so you'd actually go."
This time it was Blaine rolled his eyes. "Well I'm going to pay you back anyway."
"Okay." Kurt stepped closer to him.
"Okay." Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt in a hug.
This. This is why being alone was so special.
They could hug and touch, without having people make comments about their status or their feelings, like they had some timestamp to abide by. They could take their time when it came to titles and statuses as long as they had moments like this that reminded them of why they were taking the time at all.
Kurt relaxed in Blaine's arms, his own arms winding around Blaine's waist.
"How do you feel?" Blaine whispered in his ear. "How'd it really go?"
"We talked about overall goals. He seemed confident that we should only need to see each other for three to six months, maybe closer to three." Kurt responded, arms tightening around Blaine's waist. "He discussed how he'd try to help me understand and change how I think about the attack and what it has caused; that way I can stop the symptoms and hopefully be able to get a hold of… myself and get back to normal. He also said it will help with how I feel about the attack and everything… because it's not my fault. And I need to understand that."
Blaine nodded, hugging him even tighter.
"Thank you for coming. Thank you. I was just quiet because I was so nervous. I'm so, so, so glad you came. It means everything to me." Kurt mumbled into his chest.
You mean everything to me, Kurt silently added. In that moment, in a lot of moments lately really, Blaine has been everything to him.
"You're welcome. I know how tough this is. I've done it before." Blaine kissed the top of his head. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."
"I really appreciate that." Kurt pulled away, looking into his hazel eyes. "Maybe in a little bit but I spent an hour talking about goals to someone I've never met, I had to listen to not only Dad but also Taylor picking at how we need to get married, and I'd like to not think about stressful things. Not that—."
"I know what you mean." Blaine interrupted, smiling.
"They mean well. They might like you too much." Kurt smiled a bit. "Which is not a bad thing. Are you hungry?"
"Yes." Blaine admitted.
When wasn't he?
"I don't have anything made for lunch but I do have something you can snack on while I make something."
Blaine eagerly followed him into the kitchen. He knew Kurt well enough to know that whenever he was secretive, it always led to nice surprises. When the kitchen was involved, it usually lead to nice, yummy surprises.
"Close your eyes." Kurt said, heading to the kitchen.
"Are you going to spray me with the sink hose?" Blaine asked warily.
"You think this shitty apartment actually has one of those?" Kurt laughed.
"You probably pay more for this apartment than I pay for my portion of our house." Blaine closed his eyes and held his hand out. He opened them when Kurt dropped a plastic bowl into his hands. "Potato candy!"
"I thought you might appreciate that." Kurt put another plastic bowl on top of it, beaming.
Blaine rushed to the counter, set them both down, and pulled two pieces out of the top bowl. "It has been so long."
Kurt laughed again, watching Blaine.
"Fankoo." Blaine said through a mouthful of candy.
"You're very welcome." Kurt smiled. "Do you want a sandwich?"
"Sure. Do you have—"
"Yes, I have turkey. I know you hate ham." Kurt opened a cabinet and pulled out a loaf of bread. "Oh, I forgot! How was your mock trial?"
"Yesterday's was good. Adrian and I lost our first one last week, though." Blaine shook his head, grabbing another piece of candy.
"Oh no. Are you upset?"
"We were pissed but now we're fine. Even with the extension we got—thank you, snow storm— we just didn't even have enough prep time. We both have a way of doing things and it got thrown off. We'll get it next time." Blaine shrugged. "We didn't do badly. They just did better."
"I'm glad you're not upset about it." Kurt began making their sandwiches as Blaine popped another piece of potato candy into his mouth. "Don't eat it all at once. I don't have time to make you anymore… Not to mention you need to eat your sandwich."
Blaine closed the plastic lid and went to pour some chips onto their paper plates. "How are Alec and Eric doing?"
"I haven't seen Alec in five days but I know Eric has been feeling like crap." Kurt admitted. "They were going to actually go home for Thanksgiving this year but Eric didn't feel good enough to spend so much time traveling."
"That sucks. Is it still the TB?" Blaine asked, carrying the plates to the small table as Kurt poured them drinks.
"He's pretty much having every adverse reaction he can possibly have to the medicine. But when he doesn't feel bad, he's completely like normal. He's been checking on me a lot since we talked. He's really nice." Kurt sat at the table across from Blaine. "I'm going over later tonight to visit."
"Oh?"
Kurt nodded. "I'm going to take them some cookies and maybe dinner if I have time. Alec isn't the cook in the relationship so when Eric's down, they eat junk."
"That's sweet of you."
"Well they've been there for me with a lot of stuff too. It's nice to return the favor."
"I'm glad that you have someone close to you who can take care of you." Blaine made eye contact.
"I'm glad you've got the same... Although it sounds like your new roommate and Adrian take pretty good care of you too." Kurt smiled a bit. "That on top of Wes and David is a lot."
"AJ tried." Blaine laughed. "I'm too stubborn. I think Adrian was waiting for me to be too sick to protest."
"Oh, it wouldn't have been much longer." Kurt said knowingly.
"This sandwich is really good."
"Thanks. I opened the packages and put the stuff on the bread myself." Kurt smiled impishly.
Blaine laughed and took a sip of his drink, eyes rolling.
"I love you." Kurt took a deep breath. "I really and truly love you."
"I love you too, Kurt." Blaine's voice was soft. "I couldn't not love you which is more than a little terrifying... especially given the situation we're in now. But I think the time is helping us, don't you?"
"Yes." Kurt nodded. "Although I hate taking the time, we're closer than we've been in... maybe in two years."
"Close to that, at least." Blaine nodded in agreement. "And I think you need some time to kind of... take care of yourself. I was actually talking to your dad about that."
"He was pestering you, wasn't he?" Kurt groaned, looking up at the ceiling.
"I don't care to answer his questions." Blaine responded. "And he's got a right to be... uhm... confused."
"He's not the only one." Kurt muttered.
"I told him that too." Blaine took another sip of his drink. "I think we're doing a really good job of working stuff out, though... And we've seen each other more than we did last year. We're talking regularly... I wish we could see each other even more."
"The time between midterms and finals is the hardest. At least it is at Pratt, I'm finding out." Kurt said.
"How is your portfolio going? I nearly forgot that was coming up."
"It needs some tweaking. I already have a few pieces completely done." Kurt answered, looking pleased with himself.
"Do you have to actually make outfits?" Blaine asked. "Or is it too soon for that?"
"In most of the classes, yes. Two I don't have to, though." Kurt finished off his sandwich. "Is your school work going to slow down or just get crazier until finals?"
"Puh." Blaine laughed. "I don't know that it can get crazier than it is after missing over a week of classes around midterms. I'm still playing catch up in two classes."
Kurt frowned.
"I'm going to be fine. I'm still the top student. It's mostly reading I'm behind on and I'm getting the main idea. I'll just do better in essays if I get all the way through it." Blaine yawned a bit.
"Going to use the break for that?"
"Definitely. Wes and I made it into the city last night and I spent three hours reading." Blaine nodded. "It's Tuesday. By time Monday comes along, I'll definitely be caught up."
Kurt smiled. "Good."
Blaine stood, throwing his paper plate away. "Is Burt staying here tonight?"
"No. There's not really enough room. He's going to stay with Taylor and Paige. We have a flight out in the morning so I'll actually probably stay with them too." Kurt explained, throwing his own plate away and then going to wash their cups.
"If you want, I can go. I don't want to hold you up."
"I don't want you to go." Kurt looked at him. "I like having you around."
Blaine smiled and stepped up to him once more. "Okay. Well, what should we do?"
"Do you want to help me make dinner for Alec and Eric?" Kurt asked.
"Sure. I'm always up for a cooking lesson. AJ will be very pleased. She says I'm an abomination of a gay man. Every gay man should know how to cook."
Kurt laughed at that. "Every man should know how to cook."
"I think she likes to use the word gay because I kind of didn't tell her I was gay at first. I'm pretty sure she's going to do it for years."
"How could she not tell?"
"Beats me. I thought anyone would be able to tell after having a full conversation with me. I mean, Katy Perry is one of my favorite artists and I've seen Rent at least fifteen times... which I told her." Blaine laughed this time. "She's really nice, though. If she hadn't been embarrassed for walking in on us asleep, she probably would have talked to you more."
"Oh, I talked to her and was around her enough to see that she and Wes are perfect for each other."
Blaine raised his eyebrow. "They hate each other."
"Oh, I know. But I also know that they don't really hate each other. Twice she had to keep herself from laughing when he told jokes. His eyes linger a little longer than necessary when she smiles." Kurt shrugged. "They won't hate each other forever."
"They have some pretty intense arguments. I don't know about that. You're starting to sound like Adrian." Blaine laughed. "He wants them to be soul mates."
"If Wes would tone down his over sexual asshole tendencies, it'd probably happen." Kurt snorted, pulling out a big pan. "I think I'll make spaghetti that way they'll have leftovers."
"Well I know how to make that." Blaine snorted.
"Then help." Kurt smiled, passing over a measuring cup. "I'm assuming you know how to get the water?"
"I don't know." Blaine feigned innocence. "Is the water coming out of your sink brown?"
"Blaine! That was rude!" Kurt laughed.
"You didn't answer the question." Blaine laughed too.
"Our water isn't brown." Kurt shook his head, smiling. "The pot is under the stove."
Blaine walked across the small kitchen and pulled out a large pot.
"Have you been keeping in touch with Alex?" Kurt asked, grabbing a box of pasta.
"Yeah. We try to talk every two weeks." Blaine nodded.
"That's a lot more than you two used to talk! That's good!" Kurt looked at him.
"Yeah. It's actually really nice talking to him." Blaine admitted.
Kurt smiled at him. "That's good. I'm really happy for you, Blaine."
"Me too." Blaine smiled back. "And Danny cracks me up. He's hilarious."
Kurt's smile grew.
"This summer I'm actually going to Italy for two weeks to stay with them. I'm kind of excited." Blaine laughed a bit. "Nobody is as excited as Danny, though. You'd think Christmas was coming early the way he talks about eating ice cream, staying up past bed time, watching movies until we drop."
"That is so cute." Kurt laughed. "You've got a new best friend."
"What else has been new with you? Anything exciting?" Blaine asked.
"Not really. After the semester is out I'm going to start looking for a new internship. I don't have to have one but it looks a lot better if I do, so I want to get started on that." Kurt shrugged. "I kind of skimmed the website listing opportunities but none of them really… screamed my name, I guess."
"You'll find the perfect one when the time is right." Blaine reassured him, grabbing an additional pot and the spaghetti sauce.
"I don't feel like cooking right now." Kurt said, turning the stove off.
"Oh?" Blaine raised his eyebrow. "What do you want to do? Should we—."
Kurt interrupted him, crashing his lips against Blaine's.
"Yeah, I think I'd much rather be doing this." Blaine panted, putting his hands on Kurt's waist and pulling him close. These moments were so far and few between that he couldn't /not/ pull Kurt closer. He needed to savor every moment of this, being so close, because he didn't know how long it would be before they were this close again. He also didn't know how long they would remain this way now.
"I thought you might." Kurt panted, pressing their noses together and staring at Blaine, unblinking.
"You take my breath away." Blaine whispered, staring right back.
Kurt smiled, running his fingers through Blaine's hair. "Do you need for me to call an ambulance?"
"No but I might require some mouth to mouth." Blaine kissed down Kurt's neck.
"You smell so good." Kurt said breathily.
"You smell better."
"Such a charmer." Kurt tilted his head. "Blaine?"
Blaine pulled back, tilting his own head. "Yeah, Kurt?"
"I'm glad we're this close again." Kurt whispered. "I miss being like this... I miss feeling connected to you the way we're connected now. My life is better when we're together. When we weren't talking... I just... I'm so thankful to have you back in my life."
"You didn't even have to sit through Teenage Dream this time." Blaine's lips quirked a smile.
"And you didn't have to listen to Black Bird." Kurt smiled back.
Blaine leaned forward again. "I'm thankful to have you back in my life too. I need you."
"I need you too."
"Oh my God, Kurt. You will not believe what I saw-oh."
Kurt resisted the urge to groan, turning his head to see none other than Rachel Berry standing in his living room.
"Is that Blaine?"
"Hey, Rachel." Blaine said, rather proud of himself for not sighing or rolling his eyes.
"You've gotten taller! And so has your hair."
Blaine's hands flew to his head and he tried to push his hair down. He knew he should have gotten a hair cut but, really, who wanted to take the time to do that when you were on break from school? Not Blaine, that's who.
"It's cute." Both Rachel and Kurt said together.
Blaine grunted. His hair should not have been seen as 'cute' when he was almost midway through law school. He'd had hopes growing taller would have made the 'cute' and 'adorable'ness go away but... well, apparently that hadn't happened.
"What did you need, Rach?" Kurt asked, reluctantly moving away from Blaine. "We were just cooking dinner."
"If that's what you're calling it these days, okay." Rachel chirped. "Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you about what I should bring for dinner Thursday."
"Can you actually cook?" Blaine asked.
Kurt elbowed him and then said, "I'm sure Grammy and Carole will appreciate anything you bring."
"Do you think they would care if I stayed the night before so I can help you all cook in the morning?" Rachel asked hesitantly.
"Of course not. You can sleep with me." Kurt smiled.
"Great!" Rachel beamed, rushing to hug him. "Okay. I'll talk to you tonight! It was good to see you, Blaine Warbler!"
"Ander-you too." Blaine waved once as she rushed out the door. "She's pregnant."
"Yes, yes. We all think so." Kurt nodded. "We're just waiting for them to come clean. I've already bought a box full of baby stuff for them."
"That's sweet." Blaine smiled at Kurt.
"Yes, well, baby stuff is cute." Kurt smiled back, shrugging. "We probably should actually make the spaghetti now. I'm afraid if we don't we'll lose track of time... or that Eric will be asleep by time we make it over there."
"Okay." Blaine nodded, wishing their moment wasn't over so quickly but thankful it had happened at all.
…
"It's just one more flight up." Kurt told Blaine, walking up the stairs behind Blaine. They had spent about forty minutes making spaghetti and another hour at Kurt's kitchen table, talking about anything and everything they could think of.
They had been reluctant to leave the warmth of Kurt's apartment but it was getting late and Kurt still had to make it to his aunt's house, so they'd figured it was time to go ahead and leave.
"Do I need to wash my hands or anything?" Blaine asked, looking hesitant. "Does he have to wear a mask?"
"No. He's not contagious anymore as long as he's taking his medicine." Kurt reassured Blaine.
"Do you think he'll care that I'm coming too?" Blaine questioned.
"He is one of the most laid back people ever. He won't care at all." Kurt smiled, coming to a halt and knocking on a door. "He'll probably be glad to see you. He doesn't get a lot of visitors."
The door opened and Alec appeared, smiling brightly. "Blaine! Hey! Wait. Oh my God. Are you two back together?"
Kurt and Blaine saw Eric's head poke up from behind the couch, which they could see from the doorway. Eric rolled his eyes and then he coughed, "Mind your own damn business."
Blaine laughed. "Hello, Alec and Eric."
"Is that a no?" Alec asked, looking between Blaine and Kurt. "Shut up, Eric."
Eric said something that was most definitely not English before moving back into a laying position.
"He thinks he's so clever speaking Greek." Alec rolled his eyes and then smiled. "Come on in, guys. Eric, why don't you sit up and say something apart from 'Mind your own business' and whatever you just said in Greek?"
Eric pushed himself back into a sitting position and turned around. "Buenas nachos."
"Don't you mean noches?" Kurt laughed, holding the pot of spaghetti over to Alec.
"Nope. I meant nachos." Eric waved.
"Your hair is so long." Blaine said.
"Tell him to cut it." Alec said and then gave Kurt a huge smile. "You didn't have to make us dinner."
"No. You really did. He was about to pull out microwavable taquitos. What is a taquito?" Eric asked.
Blaine laughed.
"We've been through this. It's a fried soft shell rolled taco with—."
"Uh, no. That's what it would be if it wasn't microwavable crap. And a fried shell is no longer a soft shell." Eric shook his head. "Not only do I have TB but you're trying to give me cancer too."
"It's a taco not forty hot dogs. You should be grateful I haven't called your mother back."
Eric clamped his mouth shut before slowly lowering himself back into a laying position.
Alec snickered. "Do you two want any?"
"Yes, please." Blaine said. "This apartment is nice."
"Pros of being engaged to a doctor." Alec teased. "Eric, are you coming into the kitchen to eat?"
"As soon as I finish reading this obnoxiously long article about Geographic Tongue. It's got some really cool pictures attached." Eric called.
"I'm marrying a nerd." Alec grabbed four plates and sat them at the table. "Blaine, how's Harvard going?"
"Great. How about Pratt for you?"
"I had to step down in hours to take care of Sir Geographic Tongue over there." Alec nodded as Eric walked in. "But I shouldn't be too far behind."
"I had to drop a semester and still graduated on time. I'm sure you'll be fine." Blaine smiled when Eric sat next to him. "I heard you're a resident?"
Eric grinned. "Yeah. Although my interns are being bossed around by other residents, so I'll have to find new victims whenever they clear me for work."
"Oh, they all love him. They just can't pronounce his name." Alec rolled his eyes.
"And I tell them it's okay because even my fiancé can't pronounce it." Eric laughed.
"It's not like I haven't tried." Alec pouted.
"I guess you're keeping your name?" Blaine asked.
"It's still up for discussion." Eric answered for Alec.
"Yeah. I think we're waiting to see if I can pronounce it by the time we have to get our marriage certificate." Alec laughed.
Kurt laughed loudly, covering his mouth.
"Wouldn't it just be easier if you took his last name? Davis is easy. Your patients would probably thank you." Blaine joked.
"I intended to but-."
"But his mother." Alec finished. "That woman... That kind, kind woman."
Eric rolled his eyes. "My mom and Alec don't get along very well. They try."
"There is only so much trying. After this many years, I just try to not strangle her." Alec sighed. "Can we talk about something else?"
"How are you feeling?" Kurt asked Eric.
"Tired. I don't have any energy. But I would rather be tired than in pain or spending my days hunched over the toilet, so I can't complain too much. I'm already to the point of getting bored, though. I won't be able to work for months and I don't know how I'm going to survive. I've never had this much free time. Even during summers I would take extra classes or do internships or work." Eric shrugged.
"You could read? Or-Oh man, do you have Netflix?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah but they don't have any good movies I want to see on it."
"That, my friend, is why you binge watch shows. Have you ever seen the Walking Dead?" Blaine asked eagerly.
"No." Alec said quickly. "Shut up, Blaine!"
"Continue, Blaine. Tell me more. All I've done is look at the movie lists online. But yes, I have seen the Walking Dead."
"Well if you like medical shows, Grey's Anatomy is-Oh, I see it in your face. Not that one. Maybe try Breaking Bad. My friend Adrian and I watched the entire series in three days. Lost is on there. I haven't seen it yet, but I really want to. I love the reality TV. Hoarders, Extreme Cheapskates. They've got so much on there. It's amazing." Blaine said. "I can even give you my log in info if you won't judge me for some of the shows I've watched. Trust me, I already judge myself enough."
"I love Breaking Bad and Lost!" Eric exclaimed.
"24?"
"Is that on there? Okay, can I have your login info?"
"Blaine, what did you do?" Alec groaned. "I thought you were past hating me."
"I don't hate you. He helped me out with my sinus infection from hell so I'm helping his sanity." Blaine turned to Eric. "Adrian and I are planning on starting Lost or Orange is the New Black on Christmas Break. You can join in on the fun too if you want?"
"Blaine!" Kurt laughed. "Maybe you're still behind in school because you're obsessed with Netflix."
"You don't have it and therefore, you don't understand. There are so many great shows and movies at your fingertips. They even have tons of educational documentaries!" Blaine exclaimed.
"I love documentaries. Oh man. This is amazing. Too bad I'll probably have every series watched in two months since I have absolutely nothing to do." Eric sighed.
"That's when you get Hulu Plus and watch current shows that aren't on Netflix yet." Blaine grinned.
"Oh God. I am so sorry, Alec." Kurt shook his head before going to rinse his plate off.
"No. He was going to find out about it eventually. I held off several years. He doesn't watch live TV so I always made sure he didn't watch commercials." Alec rinsed his own plate.
"Did you take your medicine yet, Eric?"
Eric didn't say a word, just hopped up and left the room.
"I'll take that as a no." Alec snorted. "We can go into the living room if you want. Eric will probably take the couch but you two can take the—ahem—love seat."
Kurt shot Alec a look and Alec beamed at him, looking rather proud of himself.
"Okay." Blaine chirped, sitting down.
This time Alec shot Kurt a look, smile turning a bit sly.
Kurt rolled his eyes, going and sitting on the loveseat next to Blaine.
"Alec, where did you move them to?" Eric called down the stairs.
"Where they belong!" Alec called back, rolling his eyes as he sat on the far end of the couch.
"And where would that be?"
"The medicine cabinet, babe!"
They heard Eric let out a loud snort and mutter something.
"I promise he's smarter than he sounds." Alec laughed. "His brain is addled from all the TV he's watching."
"Why doesn't he read?" Blaine tilted his head curiously.
"He's 'disappointed in the novelists of today' or something like that." Alec looked behind him as Eric came downstairs. "Did you find them?"
"I guess I'm just in shellshock that something in that bathroom is actually where it belongs." Eric retorted. "Don't tease me."
"I would never." Alec smiled as Eric plopped on the couch, head on Alec's lap. Alec immediately began to play with Eric's hair as though—and it probably was—it were habit.
"Puh." Eric grabbed his blanket off of the side of the couch.
"Why are you disappointed in the novelists of today?" Blaine asked Eric.
"Why isn't everybody? It's all vampires and dueling and super heroes. Can't JK Rowling just put out an eighth Harry Potter book already?" Eric whined.
"While I very much agree that she should put out another one, there are tons of great books out there." Blaine protested. "I wish I had the time to read them. I have three shelves stacked with books I can't even think about reading until this summer."
"The next time you're in New York can you drop them off?" Eric yawned.
"As long as you aren't one of those readers who break the spines of the books, yes." Blaine nodded.
"What, do you think I'm a monster?" Eric gasped.
"God bless you and your cow." Alec sighed dramatically. "If he has TV and books, maybe he'll not complain about being bored all of the time. That makes it hard to get stuff done."
"Nah. Blaine watches TV all the time and reads, but when we lived together he'd do them while talking and complaining at the same time. It won't make that much of a difference." Kurt pulled out his phone, checking his email. "Shit. Alec, can I use your laptop? My paper isn't opening for Evans and I need to resubmit it."
"Yep. It's in my room. The password is 'what password?'" Alec nodded. "Do you have it with you?"
"Thanks." Kurt held up his keychain which has a USB drive attached. "I'll be right back, Blaine."
"So, Blaine…" Alec said after glancing at the stairs to make sure Kurt was out of earshot.
Eric, who had closed his eyes, cracked one open. He then pointedly coughed.
"Yes?"
"Kurt doesn't need to know about this conversation." Alec began, ignoring his fiancé.
"Alec, no." Eric pushed himself into a sitting position and shook his head. "Mind. Your. Business."
Blaine sat up a little straighter, bracing himself. He hadn't expected this. Definitely not from Alec who had never been anything but sweet.
"I get that people in relationships do stupid things. This guy cheated on me with his exboyfriend three months into his freshman year of college." Alec continued, pointed back at Eric.
"Wow. Thanks for just throwing that out there." Eric said sarcastically, more than a little annoyed.
"But, the thing is, you get over it and you move on and you get back together and you be happy again. Especially when you love each other and I know you two love each other." Alec continued. "Where do you think Eric and I would be if I hadn't forgiven him?"
Blaine didn't speak. He understood what Alec was saying. But, really, was it Alec's place? Not exactly. Then again, he knew Wes and Kurt had had more than one discussion so maybe he'd had this coming for months. And at least Alec wasn't acting like David, right?
"I probably wouldn't have moved to Ohio. He'd probably be checked into some nutty house because, I mean, look at him. That mind shouldn't be left to its own devices." Alec teased.
"I can't decide if you're trying to talk or if you're about to threaten me?" Blaine asked, looking confused.
"No! No, no, no. I'm not trying to threaten you at all!" Alec said, looking surprised.
"He's a military brat and doesn't talk to people a whole lot." Eric interrupted. "Plus, the only confrontations he's ever had is with his father who is a high up there sergeant who is really terrifying. Alec is harmless but he comes off sounding much worse than he intends to sometimes. Alec, please, just mind your own business. It isn't your place."
"Kurt's my best friend. It is my place." Alec said.
"Oh lord. Sorry, Blaine. I tried." Eric lay back down, pulling the couch pillow over his head.
"The point is that I've not had many close friends, Blaine. And I care deeply for Kurt. He has been amazing through this whole thing with Eric. He's taken Eric to appointments I had tests during, he's brought us food at least four days a week, and he's been there to offer emotional support. He's done this even though he's going through stuff of his own." Alec moved to sit on the coffee table, directly across from Blaine. "And he's hurting. He misses you and he needs you."
Blaine frowned.
"I know you miss him and you're hurting too. But think of Kurt as Eric and you as me." Alec continued. "If I hadn't forgiven him, we wouldn't be engaged today. Eric is the most important person in my life. He made a really big, really stupid mistake. And it would have been easier to just walk away from that relationship when there were so many things against us already like an age difference, his family hating me, long distance. But I did forgive him. I forgave him and we're happy. Because it was all just a stupid, dumb mistake. People make much worse ones than breaking it off."
"I need time." Blaine said slowly, stomach knotted up. This wasn't what he wanted to be thinking about, much less discussing, on his Thanksgiving Break. He just wanted to enjoy his time with Kurt and not overthink, not stress.
"Why? Hasn't this been drawn out long enough?" Alec asked. "I understand you're upset by how the break up went down. I would be too, believe me. But you're not going to wake up one day and just not be upset. I was still upset with Eric for ages but you move past it together. There won't be any 'aha' moment. You've got to man up and forgive him."
"I have forgiven him."
"If you had forgiven him completely, you two would be back together by now." Alec sighed. "I'm not trying to be mean. I'm really not. I'm worried about Kurt and I don't want to see him hurting anymore."
"I don't want to see him hurting anymore either. That is the last thing I want but I need time. He needs time too, to focus on himself." Blaine took a deep breath.
Eric, who still had his head covered by the pillow, gave thumbs up. The pillow moved up and down as he nodded.
Alec didn't say anything.
"I appreciate your concern for Kurt and for our relationship. I know you have his best interest at heart. But I do too. I care enough to make sure we are ready to make it work, 100%, for the long haul before we get back together officially. Kurt feels the same way." Blaine spoke. "We've got it covered."
"In other words," Eric sat up and removed the pillow from his head. "Butt. Out. Alec."
Alec opened his mouth but closed it again as Kurt came down the stairs.
"Thanks. I didn't want to wait too long." He explained, sitting back by Blaine and smiling. "Your background picture is adorable."
"We are pretty cute." Alec grinned at Eric.
Eric laid back down, pulling the pillow over his face and muttering in Greek.
"You ready to go, Blaine?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, sure." Blaine nodded and stood up, grabbing Kurt's coat before grabbing his own. "It was nice to see you two."
"You too, Blaine." Alec and Eric said together.
"I'll see you guys later." Kurt waved and pulled Blaine from the apartment.
"Well, that was fun." Blaine commented as Kurt laced their fingers together. "Alec is kind of scary."
Kurt turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Blaine shrugged and then smiled at him. "Should we get some desert before I head back to David's?"
"What did you have in mind?" Kurt asked excitedly.
"Cheesecake?" Blaine grinned.
"I like the way you think, Blaine Anderson." Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand. "And, as much as this will come as a shock to you, I know exactly where we can get some."
Blaine laughed loudly. "Then lead the way."
***LTC***
"Who is this?" Carole asked, opening the front door and beaming two days later.
"I hope it's okay. I didn't want to leave her alone with a bunch of strangers." Blaine waved and smiled, looking down at his dog. "Happy Thanksgiving!"
"Happy Thanksgiving, hon!" Carole stepped out of the house, wrapping her arms around him. "It is so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too." Blaine's smile grew. "Thank you for still having me over for dinner."
"Don't be silly, sweetheart!" Carole touched his face. "Look at those curls!"
Blaine laughed. "I've been getting that a lot lately."
Carole looked down again when Winnie began licking her hand. "Oh, you are so cute! You're even cuter than the pictures!"
Winnie barked and sat down, looking up at Blaine with her tail wagging.
"It's cold outside. Come on in." Carole motioned for Blaine to come in. "Melody, sweetie, come see the puppy!"
Melody ran into the room. "BLAAAAINE!" She then noticed the dog and dropped down, not another word spoken to Blaine.
"Oh, thanks!" Blaine laughed, ruffling her hair.
"When did you get the puppy?" Melody chirped, scratching behind Winnie's ear. "What's her name? Can I keep her too?"
"I got her over the summer. Her name is Winnie." Blaine bent down, petting her. "But you can't keep her. You already have Oreo."
"You pick cute animals! If she has puppies, can I have one?" Melody asked.
"She's fixed. She can't have puppies." Blaine lied. It wasn't as though Melody would remember the conversation if Winnie ended up pregnant down the road anyway.
Melody pouted and then hugged Winnie. "Where's Kurt?"
"I think he's in the kitchen helping Grammy with the potatoes." Carole responded.
"KURT, YOUR LOVER IS HERE!" Melody shouted before giggling loudly. "He says I can't call you his lover but I do it anyway, Blaine."
Blaine laughed. "It's okay. My friend Wes calls him my lover."
Kurt's grandfather, Andy, walked in. "If it isn't the not-boyfriend."
Carole rolled her eyes but smiled. "I tried to tell everyone to not hassle you boys."
"But we're not going to listen." Andy winked, going to hug Blaine. "You've gotten taller."
"It's glorious." Blaine nodded.
"Annie won't be pleased." Andy warned. "Can I pet your dog?"
"She's kind of timid around men." Blaine sat on the floor, petting Winnie to settle her nerves. "But sure."
Kurt's grandfather bent down, very gently petting Winnie and talking to her in a soothing voice. Within seconds her tail started to wag. "How old is she?"
"I'm not sure the exact month she was born but in the spring she'll be a year old. She wasn't a newborn puppy when we found her."
"They didn't tell you at the shop?"
"We found her in a box in the rain. She hadn't been treated very well." Blaine scowled a bit and kissed the top of Winnie's head. "And now she has to put up with me."
"Is she your shadow?" Carole asked.
"Yes if there aren't visitors in the house. She'll even sit outside the bathroom door and wait for me if I use the bathroom or take a shower." Blaine smiled.
"How precious!"
"Hey!" Kurt came up, smiling brightly. He then bent. "Hey, Winnie!"
Winnie jumped up, licking his hand.
"She loves you." Blaine laughed.
"How was lunch with Wes and David's family?" Kurt asked.
"It was good. I've never had three Thanksgiving meals in one day but I'm up for the challenge." Blaine smiled. "I brought something I did not make. David's mom made a pie. She says hello, by the way. She thinks you're adorable."
"Well he is adorable." Carole smiled. "I'm going to help get the kitchen set up. You boys come sit down whenever you're ready. Finn and Rachel have a big announcement."
"Pregnant?" Blaine whispered.
"Dad's taking bets if you want in." Kurt joked.
"Really? Every time I bet him money I lose, so I think I'll steer clear." Blaine laughed.
"Well that's because you don't have as much experience as me, kid." Burt came up, grinning. "Oh, I wondered why you called Blaine a puppy. You've got a real puppy."
"Oh, thanks. Have you started to grow any hair again?" Blaine grinned back.
"Too far, Blaine. Too far." Burt rebutted although he was smiling. "So, want to take a wager? My guess is they're 4 months along. Carole thinks 5."
"Rachel's always been really skinny, after all. And the wedding ended up being so rushed." Carole explained.
"Rushed? Maybe because you didn't have to hear about the plans every day." Kurt scoffed. The wedding was over and he still had to hear about it. Not that he shouldn't have expected that, of course. It was, after all, Rachel Berry. Or, Rachel Hudson. That was weird.
Andy, who had excused himself to go to the kitchen, poked his head in. "Dinner is almost ready, everybody."
"Oh, let me go help finish up!" Carole bustled off.
"Kuuuuurt, are you and Blaine going to go to your room and kiss? Finn says you guys kiss even though you're taking a break. What does that mean? Taking a break from kissing? Because if you kiss all the time, you'll die because you won't be able to breathe. And then I guess I can turn your room into a Barbie playroom. The guest room is already a toy room." Melody giggled.
"There is a difference in it being a toy room and it being the room you leave your toys in." Burt said gruffly.
"Daddy, I need all of the rooms. I have too many toys." Melody whined.
"Then maybe we'll have to stop buying you so many toys."
Melody clamped her mouth shut, going towards the kitchen.
"Girl is something else." Burt shook his head. "You were the same way, Kurt."
Blaine snorted.
"So, betting?" Burt asked him again.
"Dad..."
"Fine. I say 16 weeks. $10." Blaine sighed.
Burt pulled a small notebook out of his pocket and wrote it down.
"You have a notebook?" Blaine asked, amused.
"This is very important business, Anderson."
"Even Jeff voted? Seriously?" Kurt asked glancing at it. "Who the hell is Anthony?"
"You met him a few weeks ago, kid. The new mechanic."
"The attractive one?"
Burt just grunted and left the room.
"Must have been the attractive one." Kurt said to himself.
"So..." Blaine said, noticing they were alone for the first time.
"So?"
"Hi." Blaine smiled, almost shyly.
"Hey." Kurt stepped up to hug him. "How was your morning?"
"Good. Yours?"
"Cooking and chasing Melody around. Nothing unlike what it normally is when I'm home." Kurt joked, pulling back slightly.
Blaine leaned in and pressed his lips against Kurt's as Melody let out a shriek.
"THEY DID IT! THEY KISSED! DADDY WAS RIGHT!"
"Damn! Within a minute of being alone?" Finn exclaimed and then went up the stairs, muttering about getting his wallet.
"I know my boys." Burt grinned. "Pay up too, Dad."
"Oh my God." Kurt groaned, covering his face.
"It's funny." Blaine laughed.
"No. Not when it's your father, it isn't." Kurt shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"It might be a tad bit sad. We're not even together and were about to kiss without having been alone even one minute." Blaine joked.
"I think the sad part is that you're not togetherrr." Taylor sang, walking into the room. "But we had this discussion two days ago. I'm sure you recall."
"You know, I don't think I know what you're talking about." Blaine said sweetly, looking puzzled. "What was the conversation about again?"
"The fact that once you're in the family, you're stuck there. There's no way out. I've tried. You just have to let it happen. It's for the best." Taylor said, slinging an arm around Blaine's shoulder. "Trust me. Been there, done that like five times. And make up sex is amaaaaazing."
"Oh. My. God!" Kurt exclaimed. "Taylor! Please! Stop it!"
Taylor grinned. "Why would I ever give up the opportunity to embarrass you, Kurt? It's too easy."
"This is torture. I should have stayed in New York. Alec and Eric were ordering Chinese." Kurt sighed, massaging his forehead.
"I know you didn't say you'd rather have take out over Thanksgiving dinner!" Kurt's grandmother, Annie, called from the kitchen.
"I believe he did!" Blaine called right back. "Maybe I should get his plate since he's ungrateful!"
There was loud laughter from the room and then Carole said, "Sweetheart, there's plenty for you to have more than two plate fulls if you want."
"I love Thanksgiving." Blaine sighed contently.
"Don't forget that time you were laid up for two days after eating so much food." Kurt warned as they went into the kitchen.
"Shh. Those were dark days. Those leftovers were so close, but my stomach was so full." Blaine shook his head.
…
"I'm really glad that you had dinner with us tonight, Blaine." Kurt said four hours later, standing outside of the car Blaine had driven to his grandparents' house.
"I am too." Blaine glanced at Winnie, who was fast asleep in the passenger seat of the car. "It takes her less than a minute to fall asleep."
"I'm pretty sure Kreacher wore her out, jumping all over her." Kurt laughed a bit.
"I think you're right." Blaine laughed, smiling when Kurt took his hand. "What are the chances people are peeking out windows to see if we kiss?"
"As high as the chances they're also betting money on how long it takes." Kurt smiled right back. "They know us too well, don't they?"
"We could surprise them and not kiss." Blaine teasingly suggested.
"I don't think so." Kurt stepped up, lips almost touching Blaine's.
"What if I don't want you to kiss me?" Blaine asked.
"Tough." Kurt grinned and kissed him.
Blaine giggled a bit into Kurt's lips and kissed back.
"When will I see you again?" Kurt asked, pulling away from the kiss but wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck.
"Well school is out in three weeks but we can try to meet before then? Maybe a Friday night or a Saturday?" Blaine suggested. "We can take a look at our schedules and come up with something."
"Good… I know we're seeing each other more than we were but it's still hard not seeing you more." Kurt kissed his cheek.
"I know." Blaine pulled him closer, squeezing him around the middle.
"It's cold. We can't stay out here all night. Plus, you've got to get back to Wes' house." Kurt sighed.
"Why did you all end up having Thanksgiving in Ohio anyway?" Blaine tilted his head.
"I'm pretty sure Taylor and Paige were too lazy to put the meal together." Kurt laughed, pulling back to look at Blaine. "I'm glad they did because I got to spend part of the day with you."
Blaine laughed and then shivered. "I'm glad too. Thanksgiving would have felt weird without seeing you… everyone, actually. Seeing your family is always really nice. I love them."
"They love you too." Kurt rubbed his arm.
"Thanks for having me over. It's been really nice seeing you twice in the span of a few days."
Kurt's smile grew. "Really, really nice."
"We'll definitely spend a lot of the break together, right? We should both come up with places we want to see. We'll spend so much time together that we'll get sick of each other." Blaine joked.
"That's perfectly alright with me." Kurt responded, tilting his head when Blaine kissed his cheek. "You're cold. You should go."
"I know but I hate saying goodbye to you." Blaine frowned, hugging Kurt.
"It's not really goodbye, you know. It's more of a 'See you later.'" Kurt forced a smile. "And unfortunately it's the end of November and standing outside as long as we usually do could lead to both of us getting sick and you've already been sick enough this year."
"You'd think you wanted me to leave." Blaine scoffed, but winked to show that he was joking.
Kurt laughed and hugged him. "Kiss me and tell me you love me."
"Bossy." Blaine sighed, halfheartedly pressing his lips to Kurt and then whining, "I love you."
"Oh God. Just go." Kurt joked, pulling back.
"No!" Blaine yelped and pulled Kurt to him. "Come here."
"You're such a goober." Kurt laughed, touching his face.
Blaine turned his head, kissing Kurt's hand. "Your fingers are cold."
"It's winter. That happens." Kurt laughed once again.
"Smart ass." Blaine leaned forward, pressing their lips together in a quick kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too." Kurt breathed, kissing Blaine back slowly.
They stayed there, refusing to let go of one another, for five minutes before Kurt finally pulled back.
"You've got to go. It's freezing and late."
Blaine frowned, nodding. "I know. You're right."
"Be careful, okay? And text me when you make it back to Wes'." Kurt pulled back, knowing if he didn't begin walking away that the process would start all over again.
They couldn't help it, though. They spent so little time together. It was torture to say goodbye. It was made even worse by the fact that they didn't have a specified time to see each other again. Then, at least, they'd have that much to hold on to.
"I'll text you but don't stay up if you get tired."
"I won't." Kurt lied. "I love you, Blaine."
"I love you too." Blaine opened the car door, feeling warmth radiating from inside it. "Bye."
"Bye." Kurt waved and then stepped up, closing the door before Blaine. He took a few steps back and then waited for Blaine to back out of the driveway before going into his grandparent's house.
"Not together my ass." Taylor scoffed before the front door was shut.
"Taylor!" Paige hissed.
"We're just friends." Kurt said, feeling stupid even as he said it.
Just friends. Right.
"Hon, you and Blaine couldn't be platonic if your lives depended on it." Carole, who was sitting on the couch next to Paige, laughed.
Kurt groaned, plopping onto the loveseat and covering his face.
Not even a full minute passed before Melody came into the room, belting out a new song.
"Kuuuuuuuurt and Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaine standing outside-y, K-I-S-S-I-N-G because they're looooooooovers and they like pieeeee!"
"Please stop." Kurt groaned once more.
"Never!" Melody giggled before running off yelling, "DADDY, DO YOU WANT TO HEAR MY NEW SONG? IT'S ABOUT KURT AND BLAAAAINE!"
Blaine crept into Wes' house two hours later that same night, finding it relatively quiet. He snuck into the guest room he'd be staying in, a silly little smile on his face as he remembered hearing Finn and Rachel's announcement (Carole was right—they were five months pregnant with what they were pretty sure was a girl), watching a Christmas movie with Melody (The Santa Clause, "of course") and hearing all about how amazing it was to work in and own a bookstore in New York City.
During the break up he'd thought of Burt, Carole, Melody and Finn often. However, the rest of Kurt's family hadn't popped into his head as much and he'd forgotten how much he loved spending time around them. How comfortable he felt, like he was liked and wanted just for being himself, and maybe even as more than just Kurt's boyfriend.
Not that they were dating, obviously.
But they were working on it.
"So, how was it?" Wes burst through the door as Blaine tugged his jeans off.
"It was fine." Blaine pulled on pajama pants and tied the drawstring. He wasn't shy—he really could have cared less if Wes saw him naked, really. It wouldn't have been the first time. It just happened when you shared a bathroom together. And when you got drunk together but that was only once and Blaine was still convinced David had made up most of that story.
At least, he hoped.
"How many times did you kiss?"
Blaine shot Wes a look before pulling his shirt off and pulling on a t-shirt.
"Oh my God. That is a CCAD shirt."
"Shut up." Blaine took it off, putting on another one.
Wes fell to the side and buried his face in his pillow, laughing loudly.
"I didn't know that was in there. I thought it was my UK one."
"Right. I'm s-sure you did." Wes gasped, wiping his eyes.
"I really dislike you sometimes." Blaine huffed as David walked in.
"Why do you dislike him?" David laughed, plopping on the bed next to Wes and smacking him in the back a few times because he began coughing. "Are you choking? I'm not giving you mouth to mouth, Wes. But Blainers over here might."
"Psht. Let him die. He's a jerk." Blaine scoffed. "Did Jesse let you in?"
"Yeah. Any idea why she thinks I have a pregnant girlfriend named Veronica?" David asked.
"Oh God. She actually believed me? Why does she believe everything I say?" Wes asked after coughing a few more times.
"Are you sleeping over?" Blaine asked eagerly.
"As long as Veronica and my unborn child don't care." David snorted.
"I was beginning to think even Blaine wouldn't be here tonight and now both of you are. I guess I should have bought alcohol."
"Why wouldn't Blaine have spent the night?" David asked, raising his eyebrow. "It's not like he'd stay with his… family."
"You didn't tell him?" Wes asked. "Oh boy."
"Were you with… Kurt?" David asked, looking confused. "Or… No. Were you with Thad?"
"What?" Blaine exclaimed. "Why would I be with Thad?"
"Why would you be with Kurt? You two are broken up. I don't think you two are clear on what a break up means." David kept his voice composed although Blaine—just because he knew David so well—knew he was annoyed.
"Because we're working on things." Blaine sighed. May as well get it out in the open now.
"You're joking, right?" David asked, laughing a bit.
"No. We've been seeing each other more in the last few months than we have since I came to Harvard last fall."
David looked at him, floored.
Wes watched them, looking tense.
Finally, David spoke.
"He broke up with you. You lost twenty pounds because you weren't eating. You weren't sleeping. You weren't even acting alive." David said, no longer trying to compose his voice. He wasn't yelling. Instead, he was talking down at Blaine, something that annoyed Blaine even more than yelling would have. "How are you going to let someone do that to you and then 'work on things?' Really, Blaine?"
"Kurt did what he thought was best." Blaine said. "And I shouldn't have reacted the way I did because the break up was both of our fault's. I didn't know it at the time but I did things to contribute too."
"Kurt acted like a baby who couldn't handle his boyfriend being a few hours away." David retorted. "I'm sorry but all you did was to go school to better yourself. It's the first goddamn thing you've done for yourself since you were a kid, Blaine. And he acted like a baby."
"Just because I was doing something for myself didn't mean I had to shut him out, even if it was unintentionally. That wasn't right. We both handled many things poorly and we've both admitted that. What do you care? It's not your relationship."
"It's a relationship?"
"It will be."
"Will be?" David laughed. "What if he's just saying that because wants in your pants and then he finds someone else and drops you again?"
Blaine looked at him, unspeaking.
"I mean if Wes was worried you weren't coming home, is that what's going on? Are you and Kurt fuck buddies now? You think you would have learned better—."
Blaine moved forward but Wes pulled him back quickly. "Don't be stupid, guys."
"Fuck you, David." Blaine snapped. "It's none of your damn business who I do what with."
"So does that mean you are?"
"No! I have not slept with Kurt since last April—the night before we broke up. Are you happy?" Blaine hissed. "Not that it's any of your damn business."
"Right. It's not my business until you need the pieces picked up." David scoffed. "Don't come to me when he breaks your heart again."
"Don't worry. I'd probably get more sympathy from my mom." Blaine actually laughed.
"Guys, stop. All of this over an ex?" Wes said. He held his hand up when Blaine opened his mouth to speak. "No, shut up, Blaine."
"I don't want Blaine to do something he regrets."
"Shut up, David." Wes said. "And Blaine, shut up."
Blaine, who had opened his mouth again, snapped it shut.
"Walk away." Wes instructed.
"Excuse me?" Blaine asked.
"I said walk away. Don't come back for at least three minutes." Wes pointed to the doorway. "Go."
"Fine." Blaine stalked out of the room.
"I know you are trying to look out for him." Wes said calmly. "But you're going about this the wrong way. You're mad at Kurt and taking it out on Blaine."
"I don't understand how you aren't mad at him either."
"Because Blaine's not some angel who did nothing wrong." Wes retorted. "They are both in hard spots and trying to work their shit out. You know how good Kurt was—is—for Blaine. You don't live with him, alright? He's not the same unless he's been around Kurt. He smiles bigger and laughs louder. As much as you may hate to admit it, he needs Kurt in his life."
"He doesn't need Kurt. He wants Kurt. There is a big difference."
"Right. When does Blaine ever get what he wants?" Wes asked. "Did he get the family he wanted? Because he's sure not getting the friend he wanted out of you right now, either. I get being upset but you've taken this thing with Kurt onto a personal level when you've got no reason to be acting this way."
"If being protective makes me a bad friend, yes. I am a bad friend. Sorry if I don't want to see him pushed over the edge so he freaking drives off a bridge or takes a whole bottle of Aspirin." David shouted. "Then yes. I am a bad, horrible friend."
"Don't be ridiculous." Blaine snapped, coming back into the room. "You're not a bad friend and I'm not going to be pushed over the edge to do something like that. I'm not a teenager anymore, okay? I have better ways of coping with my feelings."
"If you had better ways of coping with your feelings, Blaine, you wouldn't be in this position right now!"
"I don't want to stay here." Blaine shook his head. "I don't want to stay here."
"Guys, please." Wes pleaded. "Look, everybody needs to calm down. We need to sit at a table and have some… some bonding moment or something. Because something isn't connecting somewhere and this is not how this friendship works. Because, damnit, we're always there for each other and we don't take cheap shots because we're upset or worried. So just stop it and let's talk this shit out. This is over a fucking guy. Seriously?"
Blaine took a deep breath, sitting on the floor.
"I'm sorry, Blaine." David sighed.
"Whatever." Blaine retorted.
"Blaine…" Wes groaned.
"Kurt's not a bad person. Don't make me feel like a bad friend for seeing Kurt. We love each other and I never stopped loving him, okay? I may have tried to but it… it can't happen. And I don't want it to happen because he is everything I've wanted for my future since the first day I met him and those feelings have intensified day after day, big event after big event." Blaine looked David right in the eyes, his eyes watery—or was that just the light? "I know you're worried and I am too but I want him. I want to be with him because he makes me feel like myself in a way that I didn't… know was possible. He gets me, okay? In ways you and Wes don't and never could. And I need that in my life. I love you two both to the death and I wouldn't give up our friendship for the world. You're like my brothers. But do not make me choose, do not make me feel guilty for what I want. Let me have this."
David took a deep breath. "I want you to be happy."
"Kurt makes me happy." Blaine swallowed. "Really happy, David. But I'd be happier if I had your support."
"It's your life, Blaine." David shook his head.
"Well I'm glad we both agree there." Blaine stood back up. "I'm going to bed now, alright?"
"Blaine…" David began.
"What?" Blaine turned back to look at him.
"Good night." David stood, moving past Blaine and leaving the room.
"Why is it that whenever there is a fight between any of us three, you two get into it the worst?" Wes asked, rubbing his face.
"Ask him…. Night, Wes."
"Night, Blainers." Wes patted Blaine's shoulder. "See you in the morning."
"Yeah."
***LTC***
"Oh. My. Fucking. God."
Blaine glanced up when AJ plopped down at the kitchen table. "What?"
"Have you seen Adrian's boyfriend yet?"
"No?" Blaine asked. "Why?"
"Because I got a flat tire and called Adrian. They were out so he came with his police car and he changed my tire and he's got a really nice face, nice arms, and the best ass I have ever seen on a man. That's why." AJ grabbed her phone. "I got a picture. Do you want to see?"
Wes, who was also seated at the table and doing homework, looked up. "I objectify women? At least I wouldn't take pictures of them bending over."
"Does Adrian know you took the picture?"
"Adrian was too busy appreciating the view." AJ responded, holing her phone out to Blaine.
"Oh my God." Blaine said. "He's really hot."
"I told you. I didn't think asses like that existed." AJ sighed. "And he has a nice voice too. They're perfect for each other. I hate attractive couples. They should spread the love to us normal people too. Then at least our children have half a chance to look better than average."
Wes rolled his eyes and then leaned over to see the picture. "Yeah. He's pretty."
AJ looked at Wes, shocked.
"I know, right?" Blaine said, unfazed. He was used to Wes agreeing or disagreeing over the attractiveness of men. "I bet he works out. I mean, he's a police officer. He has to."
"I mean if Adrian's dating that, I'm sure they're both working out if you catch my drift." Wes said.
"And again, I'm the only one not getting lucky." Blaine sighed and handed AJ her phone back.
"Nobody's fault but your owwwwn." Wes sang. "Just call Kurt up, say you can't stand not fucking him anymore and you're ready to get back with him. Can you imagine how many times you'll have sex once you two finally get together?"
"Why does getting back together mean they'll automatically have sex?" AJ asked.
Wes looked amused. "Allow me to introduce you to Blaine, sex addict."
"I am not a sex addict." Blaine scoffed.
"Sure. But you know you and Kurt go at it like rabbits when you're alone together and actually, you know, dating." Wes rebutted and then looked to AJ. "I even know their favorite position."
"Why would you want to know that?" AJ looked at him as though he were insane.
"You wish you knew our favorite position." Blaine grunted as his own phone began to ring.
"Is it Kurt? As him how his ass is doing without your—OW!" Wes yelped.
"Hey, Kurt." Blaine said, rubbing his own hand which hurt from punching Wes' shoulder as he'd answered the phone. He tried not to look too amused as AJ giggled behind her hand, excusing herself.
"Hey, Blaine! How are you?" He heard Kurt ask cheerfully.
"I'm doing well. Tired of reading case studies, but I'll survive. How are you?"
"Good. I was just calling because well… I have a reason, but I mainly wanted to hear your voice." Kurt responded.
Wes snickered as Blaine got a goofy smile on his face. "You two are so gay."
"Shh!" Blaine waved his hand and then stood, going to stand by the counter so Wes at least couldn't hear Kurt's part of the conversation. "I'm glad you called. How is everything with Alec and Eric? Are classes going okay?"
"They're doing good. Eric is hooked on 24. Alec can barely get his attention." Kurt laughed. "And I've only been back at school for one day, obviously, but it went as well as it can given that we've got less than three weeks until finals."
"I know. Any type of life I have outside of school is going out the drain effective yesterday… Not that there's much of one to lose." Blaine joked.
"If you're busy, I don't want to keep you." Kurt said quickly, sounding anxious.
"No, no." Blaine spoke just as fast. "I'm really glad you called. I missed your voice too."
Wes gagged, earning a certain hand gesture from Blaine.
"Oh. Well, good. Just don't let me get in the way." Kurt sounded pleased. "I actually called because of Carole's birthday. You know it's two weekends from now, so Finn and I are going home for the weekend and well Dad and Carole would really like if you stayed the weekend with us."
Blaine didn't speak.
"And myself, obviously. But if you don't want to, or can't, we understand. I just… wanted to invite you. Because you're special to all of us and you should… you should be at all the family things. Because you're family…" Kurt took a deep breath. "I don't know why I'm so flustered all of a sudden."
"Kurt Hummel, are you asking me to spend the night with you?" Blaine finally asked, teasingly.
"Well, I guess I am." Kurt laughed a bit. "I don't want you to feel pressured or anything."
"I'd love to come and I don't feel pressured." Blaine promised. How could he come? All of the studying… But he really did want to spend Carole's birthday with her.
And he wanted to see Kurt again before the break.
He really, really wanted to see Kurt again before the break. They hadn't made any holiday plans…It very well could be the last time he'd see Kurt until after the break. He couldn't miss that opportunity.
"Really?" Kurt asked excitedly. "You will?"
"Yes." Blaine bit his lip to keep from grinning. "I will."
"Great. Dad will cover your ticket. He said you can fly out from there or here in New York if you want to fly out with Finn and I." Kurt rambled. "He'll transfer money to wherever you need him too so you can get the ticket or, if you go with us, he'll just do it when we order ours."
"Okay. He doesn't have to pay for my ticket, though."
"If you don't have money for a doctor visit, you don't have money for a plane ticket. You need what little of your loan money is left for groceries." Kurt responded.
"Hey, how do you know I'm almost out of loan money?"
"It's the end of the semester. Everyone is almost out of loan money." Kurt laughed a bit. "And I also know you're not really getting into your inheritance interest unless you have to."
"Alex said I shouldn't right now. It's been drastically losing and gaining money with the economy how it is, so he doesn't want me relying on it. Which makes complete sense." Blaine said. "And I don't know why I told you that."
Kurt laughed again.
"What are you doing?" Blaine grabbed a bottle of water, opening it and taking a sip.
"Watching Kreacher try to hide a bone in my pillow case." Kurt answered. "He's been trying for at least ten minutes… He's trying from the wrong end but I'm not about to show him how to do it. Last night I found half eaten pizza crust in my bed."
"You give him pizza crust now?" Blaine asked.
"Ha. No. Quinn's boyfriend does." Kurt sounded a bit annoyed, but didn't pursue the topic. "What are you doing?"
"Watching Wes mouth the words to Kurt and Blaine Sitting in a Tree." Blaine snorted. "I'm waiting on Adrian to get here. We've got to study but I think he's still out with his boyfriend."
"Did you all have a set time?"
"Not really. We just pick a place and whoever shows up when they want. There's so much work we've got to get done for all of our classes that it's kind of hard to know a set time." Blaine shrugged. "Studying is kind of extra for us anyway. Well, together. All we do is study now."
"Ah. I see." Kurt said. "Well, listen. I'm going to let you go so you can get back to studying."
"You don't have to." Blaine promised him.
"I know, I know. But I don't want to keep you. Finals are important." Kurt responded. "Text me?"
"Alright. I'll talk to you soon." Blaine frowned, feeling more than a little disappointed.
"You better." Kurt smiled. "Bye, Blaine."
"Bye, Kurt." Blaine hung up the cell phone, biting his lip.
"Blaine, Blaine, Blaine…" Wes grinned. "Come. Sit, my friend."
"What?" Blaine groaned, moving to sit next to Wes.
"You look like someone killed your kitten." Wes said. "All because you hung up with Kurt. And you missed his voice. And you flirted about spending the night."
"So?"
"So… you don't want to… talk about how you're, maybe, feeling? Regarding Kurt Hummel?"
Blaine let his head fall against the table as he groaned.
"I'm not going to laugh at you, Blaine." Wes said. "Have you at least talked to Adrian? Anybody?"
"No." Blaine mumbled. "Why would I talk to Adrian about it? He doesn't know much of what's going on."
"Because sometimes people like parties with no opinions." Wes shrugged.
Blaine pushed himself so he was sitting up straight. "Wes, I still love him."
"I know." Wes said, face serious.
"He's going to counseling." Blaine whispered. "For PTSD and depression."
Wes frowned.
"And it is kind of killing me that I'm not there but he needs to work through that and I'm afraid of getting back together too soon. Before he figures that out, before I'm ready." Blaine bit his lip and then made eye contact. "But I'm sick of waiting."
"Is he okay?" Wes asked, looking concerned.
"He's fine, yes. They've got a plan and he's going to go once a week for a few months, learn ways to rethink about the attack, that kind of stuff." Blaine wasn't sure why he was whispering. Maybe he couldn't bear to really say the stuff out loud.
"You want to wait a few months to get back together?"
"No." Blaine rubbed his face and groaned again. "I want to be with him now."
"Then call him and tell him that." Wes grabbed Blaine's phone, pushing it back towards him.
Blaine took a deep breath, shaking his head.
"What is holding you back?"
"I don't want to do it the wrong way. I don't want to mess us up." Blaine shook his head.
"If you hold back forever, there won't be anything to mess up." Wes pointed out. "You've already been slowly moving back into… Dating without the title or sex. I'm surprised you didn't say you loved him when you got off the phone."
Blaine scratched at his neck, looking stressed.
"You're about to spend the night with him in a house full of people. I'm sure you'll be staying in his room." Wes continued.
Blaine covered his face.
"You two are doing everything like before except you're not arguing—which is what you two wanted—and you're not having sex—which is what you both want. So why not just… go for it?" Wes asked.
"He means so much to me and I hurt him so bad. And he did the same to me. It feels like we need more time."
"It's almost December. You split up in late March or early April."
"Okay." Blaine took a deep breath.
"Wait, what?" Wes' eyes widened.
"Okay." Blaine repeated. "I'll… I'll, uh, talk to him about it soon. Not before I see him again but uhm… but I'll do it really soon."
Wes stood triumphantly, chair falling over. "Are you shitting me, Blaine?"
"If I'm shitting you, I'm shitting me too." Blaine stood up as well, suddenly so excited and anxious that he could no longer sit. "Oh my God. I'm going to do it. Kurt and I are going to get back together. Soon."
"This is amazing!" Wes exclaimed.
"Yeah. It is." Blaine grabbed his textbooks. "I'm going to go to my room, okay? Yell for me when Adrian gets here."
Wes nodded eagerly. "Alright. Bye, Blainer-Boo."
"Bye." Blaine went upstairs and closed his door before dropping on the floor by his desk. He crawled up under it, scratching behind Winnie's ear. He then whispered excitedly, "Winnie, Kurt and I are going to get back together!"
Winnie raised her head a fraction of an inch, licked his nose, and then groaned as she fell back asleep.
Blaine sat up straight, taking several deep breaths.
He and Kurt were going to get back together.