"Where are you going?"  Kurt asks as he watches Asher sulk away somewhere inside the house.

"To my room," Asher replies over his shoulder, lifting the strap of his bag higher and walking away.

Letting his son be, knowing he wants to be alone at the moment, Kurt hefts up his bags higher and searches out a room for himself.  On the second floor, pushing open a door, he sighs at the master bedroom he finds.  Walking in and dropping his bags on the bed, and falling on top, feeling all troubles and worry melt away and be replaced with relaxation and comfort, Kurt has no problem with not moving from this spot for the next two months.

That, actually, sounds perfect.  He cant remember the last time where he was just lazy.  In sweats and eating junk food, not having to worry about anybody or anything.  Maybe before Asher was born.  He cant really recall.  Ever since Asher came into his life, its been, like, a non-stop jog.  Always going, on the move.  There, really, hasnt been a time for him to stop and appreciate things anymore.  Its been him taking care of his son, working, worrying about everything.  So, its good to just stop and rest.

Deciding its best to just unpack now and get it over with, Kurt drags his suitcase on top of his bed.  Still unpacking his bags an hour later, Asher in his room still moping, Kurt hears the ring of a phone from somewhere in the house.  Running down the stairs and to the kitchen, he grabs the phone on the base and answers it.  "Hello," he says a bit out of breath.

"Hey, Kurt," Cayden, his best friend, greets him in a cheery voice.  "Me and Blaine are here.  Just calling to tell you, and seeing if you and Ash want to stop by."

"That sounds great.  We can all meet," Kurt tells her.  "Uh, just give me twenty minutes and well be right over."

"Okay."

Hanging up, Kurt goes to find his son somewhere in the house.  It takes two wrong doors before he finally finds the room hes in.

"Ash."  Kurt opens his door to find him lying on his bed with headphones on and his phone in hand.

"What?"  Asher grumpily says after he sees him, taking his headphones off.

"Come on.  Cayden and Blaine arrived," Kurt tells him.  "Lets go say hi."

"Do I have to?"  Asher manages to sound like a five year old told to clean their room.

"Yes.  And drop the fucking attitude, Ash!"  Slamming his sons door closed, Kurt drops his head in his hands and bites back from screaming.

Just breathe, he tells himself.  Its only a day.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

God, he hopes so, because hes close to snapping.  And a fight with Asher the first day they are here would not be good at all.

Twenty minutes later, an uninterested Asher standing next to him, Kurt opens the front door of the house Caydens staying at for the summer, and walks in.  "Hello," he calls out.

"In here," Cayden calls back from the back of the house.

"Hey, Cay."  Kurt hugs his best friend after walking in and finding her in the kitchen.

"Hi, Kurt," she replies.  "Cant believe were finally here."

"I know."  Smiling and stepping back from Caydens embrace, Kurt grabs Ashers arm and pulls him forward.  "This is Ash."

"Nice to finally meet you, Ash," Cayden says as she leans in and hugs Asher.  Kurt sees as Ash awkwardly hugs her back.  "Kurt always talks about you."

"Its all lies," Asher jokes with a small laugh.

"Im pretty sure theyre not."  Cayden looks behind them and smiles, waving someone over.  "This is Blaine.  My baby boy."

Kurt turns and feels as if the world stops.

Hes heard of people saying it feels like their world stops when they meet someone special.  Someone important.  That always sounded ridiculous to him.  How could their world stop?  How can meeting someone do that?  It seemed impossible.  Now, he gets it, though.  Now, he understands.  Seeing Blaine for the first time, that arent pictures of him five years old and missing a front tooth, Kurt feels his world stop.  Nothing else seems to matter except this guy in front of him.  Everything else fades away except for Blaine, and how his world seemed to get a thousand times better.  Its in that split second from seeing him and taking his next breath that Kurt knows Blaine is special.  That he is going to be important in his life somehow.

"Im not a baby anymore, Mom," Blaine embarrassedly grumbles as he comes to stand next to Cayden.

"Youll always be my baby."  Cayden grins as she kisses his temple and pushes his hair back in place.  "This is Kurt, and his son Asher."

Kurt stands there as Asher and Blaine shake hands and exchange hellos.  When Blaines eyes look to him, it seems as if everything melts away and all there is is this boy with eyes so captivating Kurt cant look away.  He finds himself unable to speak.  So, he just smiles.

"Hi."  Blaine holds out his hand for Kurt as he lets out a small chuckle. 

Kurts positive he looks like an idiot with his mouth slightly hanging open.  He tries to compose himself.  To not be acting like this around people who will notice.  But he cant.  All his mind can focus on is Blaine.

Kurt finally manages to slip his hand into Blaines.  He shivers at the spark that runs up his arm at Blaines touch.  That seems to shock him out of the state of wonder he is in.  "H-..." he clears his throat after stuttering a bit, voice not fully back just yet.  "Hi."  He shakes Blaines hand, drawing it out so he can hold his hand as long as possible.  When fingers drag across his palm as Blaine slowly draws his hand back, Kurt tries not to be noticeable when another shiver runs through him.

"Its nice to meet you," Blaine tells him with a smile on his lips.  "My mom always talks about you."

Its then that Kurt remembers this is Blaine.  This is Caydens Blaine.  This is his best friends son who is half his age.  He shouldnt be feeling, or acting like this.  Especially after only meeting him two minutes before.  He shouldnt be thinking about Blaine in ways that would anger Cayden if she knew.

"I hope good things," Kurt says, glad hes found his voice again.

"They were."

"How about you guys stay for dinner?"  Cayden suggests in an excited voice.  "I stopped at the store in town and bought stuff for pasta.  Hows that sound?"

"That sounds perfect," Kurt replies.  Of course, hes going to find any reason to be around Blaine longer.

With Cayden in the kitchen helping her prepare dinner, chopping up vegetables for a salad, Kurt looks out into the living room next to the kitchen where Asher and Blaine sit and watch some movie on TV.  "So, now that Ive seen him that wasnt a picture when he was younger, Blaine looks like you."  Grabbing his glass of wine and taking a drink, Kurt stares at Blaine as he laughs at something Asher tells him.  The sound reaches his ears.  Its a lively, wonderful sound that has Kurt smiling.

"Sorry.  I know I only showed you pictures of him when he was young.  But I hate knowing hes growing up," Cayden says as he drops a box of pasta in the boiling water.  "I just want to keep him my little boy forever."

"I know what you mean."  Blushing when Blaine catches his eyes and smiles, Kurt drops his gaze and goes back to chopping the tomato in front of him.

The whole night its like that.  Kurt finds himself unable to stop from looking at Blaine.  He steals glances of the gorgeous boy every few seconds.  He tries not to do it, but finds its very difficult.  Blaine just grabs his attention unlike anybody hes ever met.  A few times, Blaine catches him looking, and he blushes a deep red at being caught.  But that doesnt deter him from gazing at Blaine, again, a few minutes later.

"So, Kurt," Blaine says to get his attention as they sit at the table finishing dinner, reaching for his glass of tea.  "How did you convince my mom to come here?  And I have to commend you on that, by the way.  She hates leaving the city for nature."

Kurt laughs as Cayden playfully shoves at Blaines shoulder.  "I promised her there would be cute, single men here."

"He did not," Cayden speaks up and says, looking slightly embarrassed.  "He barely had to convince me.  I wanted to spend a summer with my boy."  Cayden stands up and gives Blaine a kiss on his temple before walking to the kitchen.

"So, Blaine, youre in college?"  Kurt asks, remembering how Cayden would talk about missing Blaine who was away at college.

"Yup.  Just finished my freshman year."

"Thats good.  Asher is about to start this fall," Kurt says as he stands up.

"Thats cool."  Blaine looks to Asher. "Where you going?"

"Far out of state," Asher replies, sounding happy about that piece of information.

Sighing, and getting up before he says something, Kurt walks to the kitchen to be with Cayden.  Its not that he has anything against Asher leaving the state to go to school, he just hates how excited he is about it.  Shouldnt he be feeling a bit broken up at leaving his dad?  Shouldnt he be second guessing his decision to go to school almost a thousand miles away?  Where Kurt had hoped for that, Asher has expresses none of those feelings.  His son is ready and eager to leave him.

Coming to stand beside Cayden as she cleans the dishes they just used, he takes a glance every now and then to Asher and Blaine talking.  "I think theyre becoming friends," Kurt tells Cayden.

"Thats good."  Cayden hands Kurt a plate to dry.  "They need someone to hang out with during the summer."

"And were too old to hang out with?"  Kurt teases as he sets the dry plate with the stack of others.

"Let me rephrase that," Cayden laughs.  "Im glad theres someone their age that can keep up with them."

"You still called us old."  Kurt laughs as he takes the plate Cayden hands him.

"Were thirty-eight years old, Kurt.  That is not old.  Thats..." Cayden trails off trying to think of how to finish that statement.

"What?"  Kurt asks after a few moments of silence.

"Thats beautifully aged," Cayden answers.

"I am good looking, arent I?"  Kurt jokes as he dries the last plate Cayden hands him.

Cayden laughs along with him.  "Were both good looking.  And, who knows, we could miraculously meet someone this summer.  Have a fun summer fling."

"Yeah, point me to all the single, gay men in this small town."  Kurt snorts as he minutely shakes his head.

"You never know," Cayden assures him in a comforting voice.  "There could be someone you could meet."

Nodding his head, Kurt tries not to think of Blaine, and how if he were to have summer fling, he knows exactly who he would want it to be with.

"Hey, you want another glass of wine?"  Cayden asks as she uncorks a new bottle.

"Sure."  Kurt grabs a glass and holds it out for Cayden to pour.  "Im gonna go sit outside for a few."

"Dessert will be ready in a few," Cayden tells him before he walks away.

Going out to the back patio, looking at the moon reflecting off the water of the lake, Kurt goes up to the railing.  Setting his glass on top, he turns around and grabs it, pushing himself up to sit on it.  Tipping his head back and closing his eyes, listening to the sound of insects and animals around him, the breeze cool on his skin when it blows, Kurt appreciates the beauty of the world for a few seconds.  Its been too long since he stopped and listened to the world around him; listened to life.  This is summer, he plans to do a lot of stopping and listening.  Plans to cherish all the time he has where it can just be him, and the world around him.

Grabbing his glass of wine, and taking a drink, the drink a bit sweet on his tongue, a thrill runs through him when he notices Blaine heading out to where he is.

"Hello, there," he hears Blaine say as he walks up to him, charming smile on his face, and the light of the moon shining in his eyes.

"Hi."  Kurt smiles, glad for the dark that hides the blush starting to stain his cheeks.  He feels like a teenager again with a crush on the cute boy in his Algebra class.  Its wrong, he knows, to find his best friends teenage son cute.  But he cant help it.  He is devastatingly cute, and Kurt is even more terrified because he knows hes attracted to him.

"Mind if I sit?"  Blaine gestures to the railing Kurt is currently sitting on.

"No."  Kurt shakes his head.  "Go ahead."

Blaine easily jumps up onto the railing, sitting close next to him.  Kurt feels the brush of Blaines leg against his, and a spark shoots through him at the touch.  He swears if Blaine continues to touch him, hell internally combust from all the sparks he produces in him.  "So, Kurt," Blaine says in the semi-quiet night.  "Youre a single father?"

"Yeah."  Kurt nods his head.  "Ive raised Ash on my own since he was five."

"And his mom?"  Blaine inquires.

"She, um...She died."

"Im sorry," Blaine quickly apologizes.

"Its okay.  You didnt know."

"Howd she die?  If you dont mind me asking."

"Its fine.  She died in a car accident," Kurt answers.  "Ash wasnt in the car, thank God."

"Does he remember her?"

Kurt thinks about that question for a moment.  He thinks about how Ash has only seen pictures of her; only has that memory of her now.  "I think he has an idea of her.  Yeah, hes got pictures and stories of her.  But, I think he was too young to remember her as she really was."

"Who was she really?"  Blaine asks, sounding interested.

"Amazing," Kurt is quick to reply.  "She was that person you wanted as your best friend because you knew how awesome they were.  She loved to dance.  Always forcing me to go to clubs and dance with her.  She loved to cook even though she was terrible at it.  One time," Kurt laughs as he starts to tell a story.  "She was trying to make brownies and almost burnt down her parents kitchen.  I joked about that with her for years afterwards."  Kurt thinks about that time in Careys parents kitchen and desperately trying to put out the brownies that were on fire.

"Kurt?"  Blaine quietly says in a soft voice, pulling him out of his memory.

"Sorry," he apologizes, wiping away the tear threatening to fall from his eye.  "She was that girl all the guys wanted, and the girls wanted as a friend.  She was my best friend, and I loved her."  Kurt bites back tears as he remembers Carey, lifting his glass and taking a long drink of his wine.

"Im sorry," Blaine apologizes in a soft, soothing voice.

"Its fine.  It just...I miss her.  Its been fourteen years, and I still miss her like crazy."

"How about a subject change?"  Blaine suggests.

"That sounds good," Kurt agrees.

"Okay.  Are you in a relationship?"  Blaine boldly asks.

"Wow."  Kurt chuckles.  "Thats a big subject change."

"Im just curious," Blaine chuckles.  "You dont have to answer."

"Its fine.  Anyways, if I was in a relationship wouldnt he be here with me?"  Kurt rhetorically asks with a small chuckle, seeing Blaines eyes slightly widen with surprise.  But, he also notices a hint of relief.  That confuses and intrigues him.  "Dont look so surprised, Blaine," he teases.  "Im sure Cay told you I was gay."

"Yeah.  But..."

"But what?"  Kurt swirls the wine in his glass, ready for whatever Blaine has to say.

"The way you talk about Ashers mom.  It just didnt seem real."

"Easy assumption to make.  Ashers mom is a long story.  It was a big mistake I dont regret making," Kurt replies.  "But, yeah, Im all about the men."  Kurt laughs.

"Good," Blaine says with relief in his voice, loud enough for Kurt to hear.

Kurt feels heat curl in his belly at hearing that.  Its then that he knows Blaine likes him.  And he knows that will only make things more difficult for him.  To know the guy he likes likes him in return will make it hard for him to stay away.  Itll be like keeping a bee from pollen.  Its in their nature to get what they want.  Blaine is the pollen, and hes the bee.  He just wonders if he can stay away from what he wants.  But, he knows he has to.  Its the right thing to do.

"So," Kurt starts, needing to change the subject.  "Were you unwillingly dragged here this summer, too, like my son?"

Blaine lets out a small laugh as he shakes his head.  "No.  I came of my own accord.  In truth," he adds as he leans forward, lightly knocking his shoulder to Kurts.  "I was avoiding someone.  Coming here was an excuse to be rid of him for a few months."

"Who?"  Kurt lifts his wineglass and takes a drink of the red wine.

"This guy at college.  Keeps asking me out.  Lives close to my mom."

"So, a summer away from it all is what you needed?  Time to relax?"

"Yeah."  Blaine nods his head.

Looking into the house when he hears music, Kurt smiles at seeing Asher and Cayden dancing around.  He thinks about the reason he came here this summer.  "I dragged Ash here," he admits.  Looking to Blaine, he laughs. "He was angry with me for doing that.  He had plans to go to Europe with his friends for the summer."

"Is he still mad at you?"  Blaine asks.

"I dont think as much.  But, yeah, I can tell hes still mad at me."  Kurt watches his son for a few seconds through the open patio doors.  He smiles when Asher takes Caydens hand and dips her backwards, making Cayden laugh.  "Im not ready to let him go," he says as he still watches Asher.  "I look at him, and hes still my baby boy that I was just seeing learning to walk.  Hes so eager to just leave, but I dont want him to.  Thats why I dragged him here this summer.  I wanted to spend some time with him before he moves away for college.  But now he hates me for bringing him.  That I can deal with, because thats nothing new.  Hes been mad at me before."  Kurt laughs.  "Its just...Im not ready to let him go.  Im not ready to send my son off to college half-way across the country.  Hes so excited to go.  To leave me like its nothing.  I wanted this vacation to be out last family time together before he leaves me."  For a few drawn-out heartbeats, feeling the wind gust across him, Kurt realizes that he sort of just spilled his guts on his and his sons relationship to someone he doesnt know.  "Im sorry," he frantically apologizes.  "I shouldnt have dumped that on you."

"Its okay."  Blaine waves off Kurts apology, shrugging his shoulders and smiling.

"Sorry," Kurt apologizes again above a whisper, feeling like he needs to say it.

Blaine and he sit in silence for a few more moments as they watch Asher and Cayden continue to dance inside.

"Hes scared," Blaine speaks up and says.

"What?"  Kurt says confused and surprised.

"Ash, hes scared.  He wont tell you, or show you.  But he is."

"How do you know that?"

"Because, I was the same," Blaine answers, letting out a small laugh.  "I was the same with my mom about a year and a half ago.  I didnt want to show her my fear.  I didnt want her to know I was terrified to go.  I wanted to show her I was strong, and that I could do this."

"So, hes just good at hiding it?"

"Yeah."  Blaine nods his head.  "Trust me, once he gets to college, hell call you and say how much he misses you."

"He better," Kurt jokes with a small chuckle as he lifts his wine glass to take a drink.

In silence for a few moments after that, listening to the soft music playing inside mixing with the sounds outside, Kurt watches as Asher slow dances with Cayden.  Next to him, he can feel Blaine barely sway to the music as he sits on the railing.  Knowing its complete stupid of him to suggest, setting his glass down, and hopping off the railing, Kurt holds out his hand to Blaine.  "How about a dance?"

The bright smile that spreads across Blaines face totally makes up for him knowing this cant be smart.

Kurt smiles when Blaine takes his hand and jumps off the railing.  "Were dancing with you guys," he says as he comes to stand nearby Asher and Cayden.

Cayden just smiles and nods her head.

Pulling Blaine close to his body until theyre basically flush together, wrapping one arm low around his waist, holding his hand, Kurt wraps his free arm around Blaines neck.  Eyes locked on hazel ones filled with a joy that makes Kurt happy, he slowly starts to sway to the song playing.

"So," Blaine says as he moves with Kurt.  "You dance?"

"Yup."  Kurt nods his head.  "Remember, Carey loved to dance.  I did manage to learn a few things when she managed to drag me out with her."

"I can see that."

So close to Blaine he can feel his steady heartbeat in his chest, Kurt is nervous something might happen.  Its been some time since hes danced this close with another guy.  Plus, it seems like forever since hes been this close with a guy he is attracted to.  So, the fear of something happening while pressed this close to Blaine is understandable.  But Kurt is determined to keep this comfortable and easy between Blaine and him.  No need for him to make it awkward by getting turned on like a thirteen year old boy.  Though, he suspects Blaine wouldnt mind too much.

"Ive never danced with another guy before," Blaine admits as they sway.

"Really?"  Kurt says surprised.  "Not even at your prom?"

"They wouldnt let me go with a guy," Blaine replies.  "So, my prom was sitting on the couch watching movies with my mom."

"Dont feel sorry for him, Kurt," Cayden butts in and says with a small laugh to her voice.  "He still had a great time with me."

Kurt catches Blaines playful roll of his eyes to Cayden.  "I did have fun," he admits.  "But I was looking forward to dancing with a guy."

"Im glad youre finally getting your dance, then," Kurt says with a smile.  "Even if its with me."

"Dont worry, Kurt," Blaine says with genuine appreciation to his voice.  "Its perfect."

Kurt leans in and rests his cheek to Blaines.  Eyes falling closed, he breathes in the smell of fresh cotton.  The smell of clothes when they hang out on a clothesline to dry.  Its the smell of the sun and crisp air and earth.  Its a smell he immediately loves.  Thats how Blaine smells.  He smells like a summer day.

The hand at his lower back pushes him closer to Blaine.  What little space was between them vanishes after Blaine does that.  The rhythmic stroking of Blaines thumb over his lower back has Kurt fighting back the soft sigh he wants to release.  Its the first time Kurt can remember a simple touch making him feel so undone.  Never before has a man touched him and made him feel this.  He feels like there is a fire coursing through his body as Blaines touches him.  And Kurt knows this cant be good.  Because Blaine can do cause this in him with a single touch, it makes him curious what he could do to him with more.

Slowly pulling his head back to gaze into Blaines eyes, Kurt feels his heart start to race as he catches Blaine darting his eyes to his lips a few times.  Lips slightly parting under Blaines intense stare, dragging his tongue along his lower lip, getting it wet, Kurt sees as Blaine slowly starts to lean in.  A ding coming from the kitchen pulls Kurt out of the trance like state he was in.  Its like the world rushes back in and reminds him that everything hes thinking of doing he shouldnt.  Hand on Blaines chest, he stops him.  He has to fight the urge to lean in and kiss Blaine right in front of his mother.

"Cake is ready!"  Cayden excitedly announces.

With Blaine momentarily distracted by Cayden, Kurt puts some much needed space between them.  "I...Um," he mumbles after Blaine looks back to him.  "Im going to go get some cake."

In the kitchen walking up to Cayden, watching her set the cake on the stove and close the oven door, seeing Blaine walking towards them, Kurt knows he has to leave.  He cant be here anymore.  Its already too close a call with Blaine almost kissing him just now.  If hes here any longer, hes afraid of what might happen.  He needs to go back to his house and be alone.  "Hey, Cay," he tells her.  "Im tired.  Im going to head home."

"Are you sure?"  Cayden asks.

"Yeah."

"Okay.  Ill talk to you tomorrow."

"All right," Kurt says as he leans in and gives Cayden a hug.  "Just tell Ash I went home.  Bye."

"Bye," Cayden says.

"You leaving, Kurt?"  Blaine asks, sounding and looking upset.

"Yeah."  Kurt nods his head.  "Im tired."

Leaving before he cant, Kurt heads home.  The cool, night air clears his head some on the short walk back to the house.  But it doesnt help with the obvious problem he has.  Being attracted to Caydens son is bad news.