“What do I have to do?” Blaine asked, his eyes on the tiny cheesecake bites on the tray beside Kurt.

Kurt laughed.

“I was kidding,” he said, offering Blaine the tray.

“Oh. Because you know theres a lot of things I would do to get a bite of one of those, Beau,” he said, his eyes never leaving the plate.

“Really? Well, that sounds interesting....” Kurts voice got a few notes higher. He moved the tray to the bedside table, taking one kiwi-adorned jewel and held it up in front of Blaines eyes. “Want a bite?”

“Yes, please,” Blaine said, expectation in his voice.

“Then I need a kiss,” Kurt bargained. Blaine leaned forward and gave Kurt a sweet kiss. Kurt placed the little cheesecake in his boyfriends mouth and took one with a raspberry for himself.

“Oh...is that one mango?” Blaine asked, now looking at Kurts lips as he licked crumbs from his fingers.

“MmmHmmmm,” Kurt hummed, taking the tiny cheesecake bite and holding it out of Blaines reach. “Whats it worth to you?”

Blaines eyes got a bit wider, the gears in his brain churning through so many possibilities before deciding on one. He began unbuttoning Kurts shirt, kissing his warm skin as he manipulated each button out of its buttonhole from hem to collar. He took the bit of confection from Kurts fingers and licked the mango off the top, then scooped the cheesecake filling up in his fingers and smeared a bit on each of Kurts nipples.

Kurt just laid back and closed his eyes, waiting for the next thing. Blaine was always inventive and that didnt stop when he got to bed, especially when he was as full of lust as his eyes said he was now. Kurt took a moment to think about how insanely lucky he was....until he felt a warm, moist, muscular tongue licking the cheesecake from his left nipple. The air was suddenly filled with moans from both of them. Kurt opened his eyes to watch as Blaine, eyes screwed tightly shut, licked over the small bit of skin – teasing until it was a tight little bud before moving on to the right one.

“Blaine? We have.....ah.....homework, right?” Kurt asked, trying to keep his mind occupied so this would last longer than the last time. He had gotten way too excited last time and came within a few moments, embarrassing himself. Blaine had just looked at him in that smug Im in charge and I made that happen look and Kurt was not going to let that happen tonight. He forgot how difficult it was, though, when his boyfriend found that spot on his side that made his flesh prickle and tingle with wanton desire. Kurt had to think of something quickly or this was going to end too quickly for his taste.

“Theres more dessert, Blaine.....I think I have a can of whipped cream over there....should we go find it?” he asked and Blaine was off the bed and bounding across the room to get the treat.

And what a treat it was. Kurt took control of the can and had Blaine out of his pajamas and standing in the bathtub, covered with whipped cream while Kurt was removing it ever so slowly.

“Baby...I cant figure out where you are under all this whipped cream. Is this your...” Kurt started to say, but Blaines throat erupted in a yelping howl as Kurts tongue found the tip of his erection under all that cream. He licked it clean, concentrating on a few spots that required extra attention. Taking Blaine into his mouth, he practiced the way hed been doing with bananas when he was alone in the dorm, and Blaine let loose a whine that quickly turned into a deep moan as Kurt took in more and more than he had ever before.

“Oh.....ahhhhhhhh....hngggg...baby, my Beau...just like that...” Blaine continued to get more vocal as his body responded to Kurt. He reached out to hold Kurts shoulders where he sat on the edge of the tub and leaned forward to take more of Blaine into his mouth.

“You are so warm...Mmmmmm...oh...yes, lick there, baby...yessss” Blaine muttered, unaware of the words coming out of his mouth as Kurt kept up the massage he was giving Blaines cock with his tongue. Feeling more stable with Blaine holding him steady, Kurt was able to reach his arms around Blaine and cup his cheeks. He loved to feel the muscles here as they bunched and pulled as Blaine shifted his weight. Kurt stroked down from waist to thigh, marveling at the arc of flesh that was Blaines perfect ass. He squeezed just a little – enough for Blaine to tighten the muscles and send a thrill down Kurts back as he pushed his head forward to take in a little more of Blaines erection. This in turn caused Blaine to tighten his muscles again.

Kurt pulled back, taking in a great lungful of oxygen.

“Do you want to come like this, or should we turn on the shower and see what happens next?” Kurt asked, seeing Blaines brain once again turn as he thought about it. He leaned down to turn the faucet on and feel for the temperature of the water, then pulled Kurt into his arms as the water cascaded down over them. Blaine held Kurt close, arms wrapped around him as he held him steady. The prosthesis was on the bed, they had removed it to take a shower, and Kurt was still somewhat unstable on his one leg.

“Here, let me help get you get lathered up, Beau,” Blaine said, rubbing his hands with the bar of soap. He loved this soap – it was a blend of citrus and black pepper that never failed to arouse both of them as it tingled on their skin. He held on to Kurt tightly with his left arm, taking his weight as Kurt leaned in, kissing Blaines neck and shoulder. Blaine was running his hand down Kurts side, trying not to tickle as he mapped the ribs. He lathered up his hands once again and sat on the shower chair, Kurt in his lap as he tried to calm his excitement at having access to the beautiful ivory pale skin to worship. He slid his hands over the nipples again, then down to his thighs, spreading the soap between them.

“Kurt, can I try something?” he asked, suddenly thinking of something hed only read about.

“Sure, what is it?” Kurt asked, his eyes a little glassy from lust as he tried to reconcile all the hands and slickness and movement that was going on all at once and overwhelming his senses.

“Just....just trust me, Beau. Tell me to stop if you dont like it, okay?” he warned. Kurt kissed him in answer, always eager to follow where Blaine led him.

Blaine sat on the shower chair, making sure he was steady. He adjusted Kurt on his lap so he was facing front, centered over Blaines lap, and pressed him down. His cock moved between Kurts legs, so close to his entrance but not the right angle. Arching his back, he thrust upwards, sliding his cock between Kurts warm thighs. He moaned at the touch, so fulfilling as he pulled back and thrust forward once again. Kurt realized what Blaine was doing and squeezed his thighs together as tightly as he could, pressing down at the same time.

“Oh...Kurt...Beau....oh, that feels so good.....” Blaine murmured, his eyes closed as he felt the slick tightness surrounding him.

“Can you come from just that?” Kurt whispered, watching in fascination as Blaines breath came in panting little puffs.

“I could...but I dont want to. It feels really good, smooth and warm, but it isnt the same as what we could do....” Blaine whispered back, stopping his thrusting and circling Kurts waist with his arms.

“Here, Beau....stand in front of me, Ill help you to keep your balance,” Blaine promised, as the man stood in front of him. He took Kurt in his mouth, running his tongue around the ridge and getting harder as Kurt let his throat open in a deep moan.

Blaine pulled back a little, leaving just the head in his mouth as he sucked lightly, swiping his tongue across the slit before taking him deeper. Kurt was holding on to Blaines head, his arms wrapped around his shoulders to keep his balance, Blaines arms around his waist.

With all the things going on for so long, Kurt was ready now, each time he came close it was harder to keep going, harder to keep from giving in to the feeling....until Blaine made one movement and Kurts cock was down his throat and he swallowed, just enough to make orgasm a certainty as Kurt tried to pull back – not wanting to choke his boyfriend. Blaine held on just as tightly, making sure Kurt was done before he let him pull out. Kurt just wilted into Blaines arms, his knee weak and shaking.

“Hey, Ive got you, Beau...Ill hold you, baby,” Blaine whispered into Kurts ear as he sat him on his lap and held him close.

“I love you, Blaine....” Kurt said in a thin voice, holding on to Blaine with both arms wrapped tightly around him.

“I love you, too,” Blaine said back, his amber eyes twinkling.

“Trade places?” Kurt asked.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

“Blaine, time to rise and shine!” Kurt crowed, shaking his boyfriend.

“Wha...? Oh, yeah...its Saturday. When did Trent say we need to be ready?” Blaine asked, turning over and pulling the blanket snug under his chin.

“Hey, get up, Lazy-Bones. I get to meet ALL of the sisters today. This is a great event, you know,” Kurt grinned. He had met some of Trents sisters, but this picnic was going to bring all of them at once. The Barnes family gathered once a year in April to have a family picnic near Drucillas Pond. Sheila had invited Kurt to come and he was hoping he could ride Rocky. Since the day Trent and Blaine had taken him riding he was in love with horses and riding.

“I need to get over to their parents house, I promised Mrs. Barnes I would help with cooking. You want me to frost that Black Forest cake, dont you?” Kurt teased. Blaine turned back to face Kurt, a smile on his face and a scheme on his mind.

“Of course. Cmere and help me get up,” Blaine said and as soon as Kurt was near enough, he grabbed Kurt by the wrist and pulled him on top of himself in the bed. Blaine wrapped him up in his arms for some kissing.

“Hey, that was so unfair,” Kurt giggled as Blaine tickled him. He finally gave in, kissing Blaine back for quite a while, before extricating himself from the bed once again.

Once they boys were up and dressed, they walked the short distance to the Barnes home.

“Tell me the sisters names again?” Kurt asked.

“Oldest to youngest: Annaliese, Susan, Charlotte, Sheila, Janice, Joanie, Trent, and Katie,” Blaine rattled off.

“So, youve known them since you were a baby?”

“My mom delivered half of them,” Blaine said. “Here we are.”

Kurt had never been there before and was pleasantly surprised as Blaine led the way up the cobblestone path to the front door of the brownstone mansion. He knocked and then opened the door himself, leading Kurt through the front foyer along one hallway and down another until they reached the kitchen.

Kurt had made the layers of the cake at Daltons dining hall kitchen yesterday after classes, but Mrs. Barnes had taken them home for him to finish before they left for the picnic.

“Blaine, so good to have you here, and Kurt! Did you come to finish your cake?” Mrs. Barnes greeted.

“Yes, Maam,” Kurt said, happy to be with the woman and Blaine in the kitchen.

She got the cake out, while Kurt put together the rest of the ingredients: Kirschwasser cherry liquor, whipping cream, and cherries.

After packing all the food into several wicker hampers, they heard a commotion in the front yard and Katie squealed, “Trents here!”

Trent was standing in the yard at the front of the house holding the bridle of a horse. The horse was hitched to a cart and everyone began loading the picnic supplies in the cart along with the little kids. Several of Trents older sisters were married with children of their own. The Barnes house was closer to Drucillas Pond than Dalton and they walked the whole way. Trent and Blaine both tried to get Kurt to ride in the cart, but he refused. When he started to limp a bit Mrs. Barnes came over to walk next to him, shooing Blaine away.

“Kurt, I know you want to walk, but I can see it is getting to be too much. Dont let your pride bite you in your shapely little ass, honey. Go sit in the cart and Ill sit with you. Okay?”

“Yes, Maam. It is starting to wear on me I guess,” he said, sounding defeated. Trent stopped the horse and Kurt climbed up in the cart. Katie showed him how to use the reins and soon Kurt was smiling again.

The picnic was a success, the food wonderful, and they played games with all the little kids. Blaine was sitting at the picnic table, his arms around Kurt who was leaning against him when they looked up to see Cooper walking down the road.

“Hey, Cooper!” both boys yelled.

“Hey, Squirt, Kurt. Any food left for me?” he asked.

Mrs. Barnes smiled at the doctor and put an arm around his waist.

“Of course there is. Lots of fried chicken, potato salad....oh, and we havent cut Kurts Black Forest Chocolate cake yet,” she smiled.

Susan, the second oldest of Trents sisters and Dr. Andersons secretary, walked over. She had been playing with the kids and came to sit for a while when she saw him.

“Hi, Cooper, I see you were able to make it after all,” she said, putting her arms around him. He leaned in and kissed her.

Blaine sat still, wondering if he was seeing things....his brother just...kissed Susan? Hed been after him for a few years to ask her out. They sure looked as if they were very familiar with kissing each other. He stared at Cooper until his brother turned and walked towards them.

“Ah, Coop? Anything you want to tell us?” Blaine asked.

Cooper had the grace to blush. He knew he should have told Blaine months ago when this started, but he just couldnt find the words.

“Well talk when we get home, okay?” was all he said, frowning to himself when Blaine ducked out of Coopers attempt to hug him. Blaine didnt want to air dirty laundry in front of the Barnes family, so he just nodded.

“Kurt, do you want to go take a walk in the woods with me?” Blaine asked, anxious to put distance between himself and his brother for now. “I mean, if your leg is okay?”

“Its fine. It was bothering me because the pace I was walking was a bit too fast, but it feels fine now. Lets go,” Kurt agreed. He walked over to tell Trent where they were going and Blaine led the way to the woods.

“Theres a little path that leads to an old summerhouse back here. I used to come here when I was missing my folks sometimes – my dad and I came here a lot. I miss him some days and coming here to where I remember him best helps.”

“I wish I could help, Blaine. I know about missing a parent, but I cannot imagine missing both of them,” he said, holding Blanes hand tighter. Their pace slowed a bit and Kurt pulled Blaine into a tight hug. Blaine melted into him, running his hands down Kurts back.

“I thank my lucky stars for you, Beau,” Blaine said into Kurts shoulder where he was leaning his forehead. Kurt dug his fingers into Blaines curls and kissed his temple.

“Im here for you, babe. Ill always be here for you,” Kurt whispered and kissed him again.

Blaine wondered what was different in hugging Kurt for a split second before he noticed that Kurt was the same height as he was. He briefly wondered if it was the new prosthesis, but then decided it was probably just a growth spurt. His mind searched for another thing to ponder, not wanting to think about his parents being gone or Cooper not trusting him. But Kurt was here and that was enough.

“And Im here for you, Beau. Always.”

They resumed their walk, strolling almost silently under all the trees. Kurt recognized maples, ash, aspens, birch...so many beautiful trees and he wondered how spectacular this walk was going to be in the fall when the trees changed color. He bet it would rival the East Coast in colors.

“The summerhouse is just up ahead. Its old, but last time I was here, it was still sturdy enough to stand on,” Blaine said, suddenly excited to show his boyfriend the place he loved. They walked around another bend and there was a clearing with the summerhouse in the middle. There was ivy growing all over the structure and maybe wisteria, which someone must have planted because he was pretty sure it was not native to the Ohio forests.

“Oh! A gazebo!” Kurt crowed, his eyes shining. “Its beautiful, Blaine. I can only imagine what it must look like in summer with the wisteria in bloom. That is wisteria, right?”

“Yeah, its several different ones, actually. When it all blooms in the summer there are purple, pink, and white blossoms and the scent...........oh, the scent is like wine. I can hardly wait to bring you here then,” Blaine waxed poetic, making Kurt grin.

“Who does it belong to?” Kurt asked, wondering why anyone who owned such a beautiful place didnt live here.

“Trents grandparents. They live in Europe now, but this is part of their estate. They own everything around Dalton. Actually, Dalton is on land that their family used to own and donated to the school,” Blaine explained.

“Then why is it Dalton instead of Barnes school?” Kurt laughed.

“Its his mothers parents,” Blaine said.

“Why doesnt Trent live in the same fancy dorm as you then? I thought Candelaria Hall was for all you rich kids whose parents donated to the school,” Kurt asked, half kidding.

“He used to, but he likes living closer to the rest of the students. The room Im in used to be his. When I came, I was not doing so well emotionally. Id just lost my parents and the Barnes family took me in. I stayed with them a lot and at first Trent roomed with me. It made all the difference. Cooper was gone so much with work, having to move back here from California and all, he was worried about leaving me on my own too much. So, when Mrs. Barnes asked him if I could stay with them, Cooper jumped at the chance.”

“Lucky you...well, I guess you werent really lucky. I know people always tell me Im lucky they only had to amputate one leg, but I dont feel lucky. Same thing – if you were lucky, your folks would still be here.”

“Like Cooper says, its all water under the bridge. It is the way it is and we can only make the next minute happier, the next day...you cannot change yesterday,” Blaine lamented.

They sat together on the rickety bench, thighs touching and Blaines arm around Kurt. It was very quiet in the woods, not too many birds singing today. Kurts keen eyes scouted the ground. He tended to do this all the time – he did it to avoid things in his path that might be a hazard with his precarious balance – but hed learned to do it years ago when his family went mushroom hunting with his grandmother.

“Blaine!! Look!” Kurt shouted, excitement flowing through his veins as he spotted something in last years leaf clutter under a tree.

“What?” Blaine asked, looking for some sign of danger.

“Come with me, Ill show you,” Kurt grinned, beside himself with joy.

They walked over, Kurt holding Blaine back with a hand as he carefully stepped closer, getting down on his knee. It was awkward, but he managed and touched the mushroom he found there.

“This is the greatest treasure of the entire Ohio forest...do you know what it is?” Kurt said in a hushed voice.

“A...mushroom?” Blaine guessed.

“Not just a mushroom. This, my dear sir, is a morel. Nothing tastes like a fresh morel. I used to go morel hunting with Grandmother. I havent been in a long time, but I have to say that I miss it,” he said, a dreamy look in his eyes.

Blaine leaned forward, almost losing his balance but Kurt caught him and the next moment they were kissing. Blaine wanted to erase the look of loss on Kurts face, but it served to make his melancholy mood lighten a bit, too. They lay in the leaf clutter, Blaine holding Kurt and kissing him tenderly. He loved the feel of Kurts soft lips as he kissed back, he loved it when Kurt made those small noises of need and want and satisfaction, he loved that Kurt nibbled on his bottom lip before he renewed the kiss, and he loved Kurts hands stroking down his sensitive back to nestle in the dimples on either side of his spine. It just did something to Blaine that he never thought he would experience. They kissed for a while longer, their silent conversation played out in soft fingertips and gentle kisses. Afterwards, they sat up to look around at the forest, remembering the morel theyd found.

“This must be a tulip poplar,” Kurt said, sitting up. “Morels live under them. Sometimes under an ash tree, but mostly tulip poplars. I cant tell without the leaves out.”

“Ive never eaten a morel – but Im guessing from your enthusiasm that they must be good?”

“Good? No. Not good...wonderful, marvelous, amazing...yes, but never just good.”

“Well, alrighty then...do we just dust them off and...” Blaine started to say, but Kurt interrupted him.

“No, you never eat any mushroom you find in the wild raw. First, you know not to pick mushrooms if youre not familiar with them, right?” Kurt advised. Blaine nodded. “Some are poisonous and unless you know what youre doing, dont try to eat any of them.”

Blaines eyes got wide, but he knew this and nodded again.

“The mushroom might not hurt you, but they can carry bacteria. Best to at least sauté them. Here, Ill just put this little beauty in my jacket pocket. Lets see if we can find some more. You shouldnt eat too many at once, any wild mushroom can be too much for your system. Ill cook them for you when we get back,” Kurt said, his eyes on the ground.

“How old were you when you started hunting mushrooms?” Blaine asked.

“I dont remember. It seems like something we always did. There are some other mushrooms that grow in the same general area as morels. Chantrelles, shaggy manes, puffballs. There are some I never pick like russulas because some are poisonous and some arent but I cant tell the difference. I only eat the ones Im positive about. My grandma came here as a really young girl. I think she was ten or eleven, and she was used to hunting mushrooms in her native Poland. She said it was hard to learn the mushrooms of this area since she was used to Poland, but she did learn and she taught my mom and me.”

“Wow, I had no idea that so many species lived here. Can you find any more?”

“Lets see,” Kurt smiled, taking Blaines hand and walking towards some trees.

Blaine found the next morel, but Kurt held him back.

“Yes, that is a morel, but see – its growing under a rotted fruit tree. If thats a cherry or an apricot, the morel could have arsenic in it. They used an arsenic-based pesticide in the early 1960s and it stays in the soil,” Kurt said. They skipped picking that one and walked on.

“Oh! Look at this one. I dont like the taste, but its fun to look at. Its called eyelash cup. Very descriptive, huh?” Kurt pointed out and Blaine laughed.

“I didnt even know that was a mushroom,” Blaine admitted, looking closely at the dark pink cup-shaped fungus with tiny black eyelashes around the rim.

They collected a few more morels and some chantrelles, a few shaggy manes when Kurt came across one of his favorites.

“This is early for this kind, but its warm enough, I guess. This is called a chicken mushroom,” he said, pointing it out to Blaine. It was yellow and orange, looking like slices of cauliflower or maybe clouds.

“That does not look edible,” Blaine said, wrinkling his nose. “Ill trust you if you say so, but really, youre sure thats something to eat?”

“Yes. If you like mushrooms, youll love it,” Kurt guaranteed.

Kurt put all the mushrooms he could fit into his handkerchief and tied the ends to carry, then made another of Blaines handkerchief.

“Thats enough to make mushroom soup. We can go visit my dad tomorrow and Ill make you a big pot of it,” Kurt offered. He knew his dad would love some of the soup and Kurt was more comfortable in his own kitchen.

“I guess we better get back to the picnic. Mrs. Barnes is going to be wondering where we ran off to,” Blaine said, taking Kurts hand. They strolled slowly under the trees, stopping to kiss on occasion, talking and just enjoying the beauty of the spring woods.

Just as they got back to the summerhouse, Kurts phone rang.

“Huh...its my doctors office. Thats funny, this is Saturday. His office isnt open on Saturday.” Kurt pressed the button to talk.

“Hello?”

…...

“Yes, this is Kurt. Hello, Gloria.”

…..

“Well, I can probably come in the week after next, I dont want to lose any more....”

…..

“Oh. Okay. I guess Ill see you at eight on Monday morning.”

…..

“Yeah, Dad will be with me.”

…..

“No, Ill call him now.”

…...

“Thank you, goodbye, Gloria”

Kurt sank down to the ground. He pulled up his knee to his chest, then grabbed the prosthesis and brought it up, too. He folded his arms and put his head down. There were a few minutes of silence before Blaine could hear the sounds of Kurt breaking down. His shoulders began to shake and Blaine was down on the ground with him, holding him and trying to let him know everything was going to me okay.

“You dont understand, Blaine. That was Gloria. She said the doctor got my scan results back,” Kurt said.

“Okay, but its probably nothing. Theyre just telling you it was negative, right?” Blaine said, although he had a terrible feeling of dread that went from his spine down to his toes. He held Kurt tighter, not knowing what to say to him.

“Blaine, the office isnt open on Saturday. In all the years Ive been having these scans they have never called me. He just sends a letter saying its negative. If they are calling me...its positive,” he couldnt say anything else. A positive scan reading meant that the cancer was back. It took a moment, but this realization hit Blaine hard. Kurt – his Kurt – was once again battling cancer.

“Oh, Beau, oh babe....well fight this you know. I will never leave your side, never. Well fight this together....” Blaine said, tears stinging his eyes and his breath catching as he tried to find something to say to Kurt, something that might bring meaning or hope with it, but all he could do was sit there on the forest floor, holding Kurt and crying.