Kurt woke up in the morning, a little stiff in his joints and wondered if he was coming down with something. It wasnt until he started to turn over and felt the sharp sting in his wrist that he remembered why he was feeling like hed been beaten up. Oh, now he remembered. He had.

“Good morning, Beau,” Blaine said, smiling across the bed at Kurt.

“Good morning,” Kurt returned, smiling back. He suddenly remembered what he and Blaine had been doing last night and blushed. Blaine giggled.

“Hey, stop it. Im new at this,” Kurt said, trying to sound annoyed but making Blaine giggle all the more.

“Could you stop laughing at me long enough to help me to the bathroom, lover boy,” Kurt snarked.

“Sure,” Blaine agreed.

There was still a lot of blood in Kurts urine and a backache to go with it. Blaine helped him keep his balance until he was done and got him back into his bed. In spite of the growing closeness between the boys, Kurt was still embarrassed to have to take care of body functions in front of his boyfriend. Blaine could see that and looked away, talking about the weather and the robin hed seen in the tree next to the window that morning until Kurt leaned forward to flush the toilet.

“I need to get Trents car back to him by Monday, and I have classes, but I can stay for the weekend,” Blaine said, hanging up his cell. Hed been on the phone with his best friend for quite a while explaining what had happened to Kurt. The boys were in the kitchen, Kurt in his wheelchair and Blaine standing beside him.

“I can call the Headmaster and tell him that I need to stay here to take care of you,” Blaine said to Kurt, cupping his cheek with a caress. Kurt smiled up at his boyfriend, wondering what had happened that he deserved such an amazing boyfriend.

“Nope, Blaine, you need to be in school,” Burt said. “They are sending over a home health nurse to stay with Kurt while Im at work. I cant afford to ignore my business and you cant afford to skip classes,” Burt continued, walking into the kitchen. The look Blaine gave him made him feel like hed whipped a puppy. Blaine set the plates of white egg omelets, sliced cantaloupe, and hashbrowns on the table. They ate breakfast while Kurt thought about what had been said.

“Bee, you really need to be back in school. Im going to be fine. I need the rest,” Kurt said sadly. As much as he loved having Blaine there, he was feeling tired and very sore. All he really wanted was to go back to bed and take some pain medication.

“Okay, Beau. Ill call you every day and be back on Friday evening if thats all right?” he proposed, looking at Burt for permission.

“Sure, kid. I know Kurt will miss you, but he needs to rest,” Burt said. Kurt held up his arms and Blaine hugged him.

“Can I just go back to bed? Maybe you could read to me?” he asked his boyfriend.

“Yeah, Id be glad to,” Blaine said, pushed the wheelchair back into the bedroom. Burt came and they got Kurt settled back in bed, Blaine curled up next to him with a book.

The rest of the weekend was fine, Kurt slept a lot and when he was awake Blaine read to him or watched movies with him. Blaine was sad to leave Sunday afternoon, but when he got back to Dalton he found the weekend had tired him out.

Monday morning came and the home health nurse knocked on the door at seven. Burt let her in, anxious to see if Kurt was going to be okay with having what he might see as essentially a babysitter.

“Hello, Mr. Hummel, Im Carole Hudson,” the petite woman introduced herself.

“Good to meet you. I feel as if I should tell you a bit about my son before you start,” Burt said.

“Dont worry, I have been a home health nurse for over fifteen years, so I hope that helps to assure you. Ill do my best to be the right match for your son. Is he awake?” she asked.

Burt liked her immediately. As they discussed what she would be doing for Kurt and Burt told her the things he knew Kurt would need, Burt could see she was efficient and not a bit shy to tell him about her duties and listen to his concerns.

“Kurt, can we come in?” Burt asked as he knocked on the door.

“Sure, Im up,” Kurt said, trying in vain to scoot up to sit against the pillows.

Carole came in and shook his hand, then helped him sit forward before fluffing up the pillows and helping Kurt to get comfortable. She went over Kurts medications and the doctors orders with Burt and Kurt.

“If youll show me to the kitchen, Id be happy to make breakfast for the two of you,” Carole smiled. She was a nice looking woman, short hair neatly tucked behind her ears, freshly ironed scrubs, and a smile that lit up her beautiful face. Kurt liked her immediately.

Burt spent the morning at home getting everything running smoothly. Carole helped Kurt into the bath and washed his hair for him and they found lots of things in common – a love of certain television shows, an interest in healthy food, and Kurt fell asleep with Carole rubbing his back.

Everything went well until Carole was ready to leave in the evening. Her son was to pick her up at five when his football practice was over. They had only one car, so he had dropped her off that morning. She was in Kurts room replacing the bandage on his upper arm where he had a deep abrasion, so she wasnt outside when her son came. He was used to this and walked up to the door to let her know he was waiting.

Burt answered the door and directed the boy to Kurts room.

He knocked and Kurt called for him to enter, thinking it was his dad.

“Ah....Finn?” Kurt said, wondering why the football jock from Glee club was at his house.

“Kurt?” Finn asked, surprised to see this kid there.

“Oh, you two know each other?” Carole asked.

“Were in Glee together,” Kurt said.

“Finn is my son. He just came to pick me up,” Carole explained. “Finn, honey, Ill be ready in a minute, just wait in the car,” she smiled up at her son.

Kurt was a bit shaken. While Finn Hudson wasnt the worst of the jocks, he had been there countless times when Kurt had been thrown in dumpsters or tripped in the hallway. He wasnt very happy that his nurse was related to him.

Burt came in, smiling at Carole and he walked her to the door, offering to drive her home the rest of the week.

“Its only fair, you didnt have to cook me breakfast. I appreciated it and this is just returning the favor,” he said, grinning.

“Okay, Burt. I will take you up on your offer. Thank you,” she smiled back. Kurt watched this with his eyes wide open. While his dad was very charming, he had never seen him flirt like this before. He wasnt sure if he was jealous or happy for his dad. He did like Carole a lot already. Well, he would have to see how things went.

Blaine had to stay in Westerville the first weekend because of a polo match, so he was more than eager to see Kurt the next week. Friday evening, Carole had helped Kurt get dressed and in the wheelchair. Kurt joined his dad in the den to watch an old Charlie Chan movie. Blaine rang the doorbell and Burt went to let him in. It had been about two weeks since the boys had seen each other, so Burt went out to the kitchen to check on dinner and give them some time alone.

Blaine was pasted to Kurts side in a minute, holding him close and giving him a sweet welcoming kiss.

“I missed you, Bee,” Kurt said softly, caressing his boyfriends neck.

“Not as much as I missed you, Beau. It was the longest two weeks of my life,” Blaine whined. He leaned forward to kiss Kurt once more. “How are you feeling? Still peeing red?”

“Just a little. The pain is better, Im not taking the codeine much anymore – just one at night to help me relax enough to get to sleep. I miss snuggling you in bed at night,” he whispered and Blaine blushed. Burt came back, sitting across the room in his easy chair and snapping the evening paper open to read.

The next morning, Burt was sitting at the breakfast table. Blaine had made French toast with strawberries and strips of soy bacon. He didnt like the meat substitute, but didnt want to hurt Kurts feelings, so he ate it.

“What are your plans for today, Kurt?” Burt asked.

“Are you working all day?” Kurt asked his dad.

“No. Im closing at noon. I have tickets to the game with Hank for Sunday afternoon. Ill be home after six or so, but werent you planning on spending the weekend with Blaine in Westerville?”

“We were. If thats still okay?” Kurt asked.

“Sure, kid. Dont let this thing at school make you change your plans. Oh, Officer Gannon called. They picked up the kid that assaulted you. Karofsky. He admitted to it and hes probably going to do some time in juvie and get some counseling. You should be okay to go back to school on Monday. You all right with that?” Burt asked, watching Kurt closely for his reaction.

“Yeah, Dad. I”ll be fine. Im going to call Mercedes and work out having her and Rachel help with the chair. I cant push it myself with this wrist, but I know theyll have my back,” Kurt smiled.

Blaine took Kurts hand, giving it a squeeze to show his support. He had another idea, but it was going to take Cooper to help with it.

“Have a good day today, fellas,” Burt said, getting up from the table to set his breakfast dishes in the sink.

“You, too, Mr. Hummel,” Blaine said.

“You, too, Dad,” Kurt said, grinning at his father. Burt came over and gave Kurt a big hug before putting on his baseball cap and heading towards the door. He stopped long enough to ruffle Blaines curls and jumped out of the way when Blaine went to sock him in the shoulder.

Driving along the highway towards Westerville, Blaine and Kurt were singing along to the radio. They talked and giggled, having a fun time as they approached the city.

“What do you want to do today?” Kurt asked. “Im kind of limited with the wheelchair and all,” he lamented.

“I think Trent and I have a plan. Its kind of a surprise, and Im kind of hoping that your trust in me is pretty strong,” Blaine said cautiously. He looked over at Kurt for a second, wanting to know what he was thinking but having to keep his eyes on the road.

“Well, trusting you worked pretty well last week, Bee,” Kurt grinned, blushing again.

“Were you really okay with that, Beau?” he asked his boyfriend, feeling a little shy about it now.

Kurt looked over at Blaine, trying to discern if he was upset or not.

“Blaine, Im okay with anything you want to do. I trust you. I like us together. Stop worrying, were fine. Okay?”

“Okay, Beau.”

Blaines smile lasted the rest of the trip.

They found Trent in his dorm room, surprised to see Kurt in the wheelchair.

“Hey, you okay, Kurt?”

“Yeah, Trent. I cant hold my weight on my wrist with the cast on it, so I get the wheelchair for a while. It isnt permanent,” Kurt assured him.

“I was thinking Kurt might like to meet Cindy and Aurora,” Blaine said, smiling at Trent. Trents eyes got wide.

“You think thats a good idea? Especially now?” he asked his best friend. “I mean...with his balance and all?”

“Yeah. Kurts balance is fine, he just cant use crutches and that ass-clown broke his prosthesis. Theyre making him a new one, but it will take a few days. I think its the perfect time to introduce him to the ladies. It might cheer him up,” Blaine said cryptically.

“Who are Cindy and Aurora?” Kurt asked, curious about the funny smiles on his friends faces.

“Our best girls, of course,” Trent laughed.

“Can we borrow Rocky?” Blaine asked.

“Sure, my sister wont mind. He could use a day out in the sunshine. Good call, Anderson,” Trent smiled.

No amount of teasing could get the boys to tell Kurt anything else. They just said Kurt would meet the ladies soon.

“Ill meet you over at my dorm in half an hour? We need to get dressed,” Blaine said as they left Trents dorm. Blaine wheeled Kurt over to his building and into his room.

After searching through his closet, Blaine produced trousers made of a kind of stretchy fabric, a tight turtleneck shirt and a woolly sweater for Kurt to put on. He had similar clothes for himself, including a pair of tight boots. He returned to the closet and came back with one left boot very similar to the pair he was wearing. He had just helped Kurt with last minute touch-ups when Trent knocked at the door.

“Ready?

“As Ill ever be. Lead the way,” Blaine said, pushing Kurts chair.

“Next youll be saying the games afoot, Anderson. What exactly are we playing at?” Kurt asked.

“Oh...Sherlock Holmes! Youll know in a minute,” Trent said, walking along the path in back of the dormitory buildings. They walked for a good ten minutes, ending at a large brick building on the far grounds of Dalton School.

“What building is this? A theater?” Kurt guessed until the walked around to the front of the large building and saw the entrance.

“What is that smell?” Kurt asked, having been brought up in suburbia, he had never smelled a barn before.

“Welcome to the Dalton Stables. We keep our horses here during the school year. Trent and I are both on the polo team, just like our fathers. Come in and well introduce you to our ponies,” Blaine said.

Kurts eyes lit up. Hed always wanted to ride a horse.

“This is Trents pony, Cinderella,” Blaine introduced them as a large gray head came over the stall door to sniff at Kurt. He put up his hand and the pony put out its large tongue to lick his hand, then stamped her foot.

“She thought you had something for her to eat. Here, just let this sit on your palm,” Trent said, pulling a carrot out of his pocket and placing it in Kurts hand. The gray horses head came back over the stall door and big lips gingerly took the carrot from his hand. Kurt was mesmerized. He knew he could easily fall in love with that pony.

“Next door here is Aurora, my own pony. She used to be Coopers, but he gave her to me last year. Cmere, girl,” he called to his horse. He gave Kurt an apple to hold and soon a brilliant white horse hung her head over the stall door, sniffing at Kurt. She took his sweater in her teeth and got a sharp command from Blaine to let go. Kurts hand reached out to touch the velvet-soft nose, and Kurt was amazed at how warm her breath was as she snorted, then sniffed at his hand. Blaine gave Kurt an apple to feed her, and she quickly found the apple being offered. She took it delicately from his palm and shook her head before eating it.

“Hi, Aurora,” Kurt said, touching her soft nose again. He was still staring at the white mare with dark brown eyes.

“One more. This is Rocky – short for Rocking Chair. Hes too old to run in a polo match, but he serves to calm the other horses in the stable. All the Barnes kids get him as their first horse. He belongs to Katie right now. Hold out your hand, Kurt. He wont hurt you. Just feed him an apple like you did Aurora,” Trent directed.

Kurt was thrilled when this pony, too, took an apple from his hand. This one was a boy, but Kurt was still fascinated by the long lashes that swept over the horses cheek as he blinked and looked at Kurt. Rocky was a light brown horse, his mane and tail a rich golden brown that contrasted with the deep cocoa brown of his head and body. He had four white stockings and a white blaze down the center of his face.

“Youre beautiful,” Kurt whispered to the friendly animal.

“How about it, Trent? Do you think he can stay on Rocky?” Blaine asked his friend. Trent nodded his head.

“As long as he doesnt shout, hell do fine. Lets get their gear on and we can go for a ride,” Trent suggested. Blaine and Trent went to the tack room and came back with saddles and bridles. Opening the stall door to go in with Cindy and saddle her, Trent looked over at Kurt and was relieved to see the boy smiling at Rocky.

Blaine asked Kurt if he wanted to come inside the stall, but he declined. He was still a little bit afraid of not being able to get out of the way if necessary.

Blaine saddled his own pony, then brought Rocky out and tied him to the ring beside the center pole of the barn. He brought out the saddle and bridle, getting the old horse ready to be ridden.

“All right, Beau. Trent and I will get you up on Rocky. Its your job to hold on with your thighs.

I should have checked with you first....” Blaines voice faded and he turned to Trent. “Can you take our horses out to the paddock? I need to talk with Kurt for a few minutes,” Blaine asked his friend. Trent nodded and took the reins of the two horses, walking them outside the barn.

Turning back to Kurt, Blaine looked into his eyes, wanting to see if anything he said was upsetting to Kurt.

“I should have checked with you first. Since your residual leg ends just above where your knee was, do you have the strength in the muscles to hold on? It takes a lot of thigh strength to ride a horse properly and now Im a bit worried...” Blaine asked, the worry showing up as wrinkles between his eyebrows. “Your balance is going to be off if you dont have a foot to put in the stirrup....”

“No, Bee...dont worry. I dont have a lot of strength in my thighs right now, but I think Im strong enough to hold on to Rocky. Who knows...if I like riding, I can practice until those muscles are strong. When they did the amputation, the doctors left as much of my leg as they could. The tumor was behind my knee joint, so they had to take my knee – but as youve seen, most of my thigh is still there. I guess well have to just do it and see how it turns out, right?”

“Beau, you are the bravest person Ive ever met. Im not saying that to be flirty or insincere, you just...are brave,” Blaine said, his honesty showing through and bringing a smile to Kurts face.

“Thank you, Bee,” Kurt said. He would like to think he was brave, but the truth was that he was scared silly of falling off the horse. He hoped Rocky didnt detect that, hed heard animals could practically read peoples minds when they were afraid.

“You can use the saddle to hold on to, but try not to. Dont worry, Rocky wont walk away with you, I have him tied. Then well get on our ponies and go for a ride. I called your doctor and asked if this would be okay on Friday and he said yes as long as you dont gallop. Sound good?” Blaine asked and Kurt nodded. He was actually thrilled to be riding a horse for the first time.

The thrill changed to terror as the two boys maneuvered to get Kurt in the saddle. None of the horses had been ridden in a few weeks and Cindy and Aurora were skittish. Rocky was a lot more stable, he stood still and chewed at a piece of hay hed picked up off the ground, but when Kurt was slung over the saddle, he spooked a bit. Prancing in a circle, he swung out of Trents reach and Kurt was stranded -belly down across the saddle. Kurt held on for his life until Blaine was able to calm the horse and it stood still once more.

“Bee, I think this may be too much for me today. I dont want to be the party-pooper, but Im not so sure this is a good idea,” Kurt said quietly. He didnt want Rocky to start circling again.

“Aw, Beau. Dont worry. Hes calm now. I promise youll have a good time. You just need to squeeze with your thighs to hold on,” he said. Kurt sat in the saddle now, his stump riding higher in the saddle than his left leg, which meant he was leaning a lot. He tried to adjust, but it wasnt happening.

“Blaine, why dont you just jump up behind Kurt. You can keep him steady and Ill put Aurora back in her stall,” Trent suggested. “Ol Rocky can carry you both. We used to get on him three or four at a time when we were little, he wont mind,” Trent encouraged.

Blaine looked at Kurt for confirmation of the idea and when Kurt smiled at him, he agreed.

“Ill just get a long rein for Aurora and bring her along. She needs the exercise and shes all ready to go. Look at her,” he said and the other two turned to see Aurora, dancing along the reach of her reins appearing very eager to get out.

“Sounds good. Maybe Kurt will have mastered the way to do it by the time we get to Drucillas Pond* and you can ride Aurora home,” Trent suggested.

“Sounds like a plan!” Blaine grinned and slipped behind Kurt on Rockys back.

Walking the horses along the bridle path, Kurt could feel Blaines thighs holding him tightly. He knew it was second nature for Blaine to squeeze them when he was riding a horse -especially if he was playing polo where there were close quarters and rapid turns. It was essential to hold on so as not to lose your mount, but it felt so intimate. Kurt leaned back just a bit into Blaines embrace; he felt protected and safe here.

It was a beautiful spring day, the breeze hardly blowing and all around them were new buds on the trees and flowers starting to bloom. They rode for about forty-five minutes before coming upon a pond at the end of the path. Lilac bushes, Nanking cherries, and forsythias grew along the banks of the pond and there was a picnic table and benches under an ash tree.

Trent dismounted Cindy and came over to help Kurt down off of Rocky. Blaine followed. Trent and Blaine removed the bridles from the horses, putting ropes around their necks and led them to the stream that fed the pond so they could drink. Afterwards, they tied the ropes to the branches of the ash tree and went to join Kurt at the picnic table.

“Its a beautiful day,” Kurt said, looking around himself at the scenery. “Does Dalton own this?”

“Yes, its still school property all the way to the top of that hill,” Blaine said, pointing to a rise a few hundred feet down the path.

“Wow. I had no idea. Do a lot of people ride horses here?” he asked.

“No. Ive never seen anyone else on a horse. Blaine and I sometimes bring my sisters here to play. They kind of get on my moms nerves in the summer,” Trent said, rolling his eyes.

“Only because you have seven of them. Theyd get on anyones nerves, Blaine laughed.

“Yeah, I know. Its hard being the only boy in a family of girls, but I make it look good,” Trent joked, huffing on his knuckles and buffing them on his sweater, making Kurt laugh. Trent was always so much fun.

They sat and talked for an hour, mostly about what they wanted to do after graduation, how likely it was they might all get into their preferred colleges, who to take to prom. Blaine was sitting on the picnic table, Kurt between his legs on the bench. Kurt was leaning his head against Blaines thigh and Blaines fingers were running through his boyfriends lustrous hair.

“Dalton doesnt exactly have a prom,” Trent explained. “They usually have a dance with our sister school, Crawford Country Day, at the end of the year. They call it “The Blue and Scarlet” because our school color is blue and theirs is scarlet. It isnt restricted to students of the two schools, I can bring anyone.”

Blaine frowned at Trent, but just then Kurt turned to say something to Blaine and saw his face.

“Whats wrong?” Kurt asked.

“I was going to surprise you by asking if you would come to the dance with me this year,” Blaine said, looking like a sad puppy.

“Well, whats stopping you? Unless you wanted to take me,” Kurt said, fluttering his eyelashes at Trent, who blushed and got up.

“Ah – I need to go see to the horses,” he mumbled and walked off to the ash tree to scratch Cindys neck.

“I was going to ask you, Beau. Trent kind of forced my hand – I wanted to make sure you were okay with going to a dance, I didnt want to make you feel awkward.”

“Bee, Id love to go with you. Are you sure it isnt that you would feel awkward dancing with someone on crutches? Its not like I can do the Samba, you know. If its that, please tell me now. Ill understand. I would rather you were truthful than treat me like some sort of charity case,” Kurt snapped.

Blaine jumped back at the shortness of Kurts reply. He stood up, pacing for a moment until Kurt held out his arms to coax Blaine closer to him.

“Hey...no, Beau. I want to be with you anywhere, any time. Id love to show off my boyfriend at the dance. Please dont be upset with me, I honestly didnt mean to hurt your feelings. Im not even sure how it got to that point?” Blaine looked at Kurt with puzzlement.

Kurt turned himself so he was facing Blaine, then put his arms around his waist. Blaines arms went up from habit, embracing Kurt by the shoulders and then he kissed him.

“Im sorry, Blaine. I guess Im still on edge from the incident at school yesterday. Please....Im sorry if I was out of line. I love you,” Kurt said softly, looking up.

“Nothing to be sorry for, Beau. Just a misunderstanding. Now, will you go with me to The Blue and Scarlet?”

“Of course,” Kurt smiled, leaning up to kiss his boyfriend.

“All settled?” Trent asked, walking back to the table and sitting right next to Kurt. He grinned at Blaine and put his arms around Kurt, making a lot of noise as he kissed his cheek. Blaine tried to frown at his best friend, but ended up giggling instead.

“Yes, everything is fine. Kurt has accepted my invitation to go to The Blue and Scarlet. Who are you asking, Trent? Or is it the sister-de-jour?” Blaine teased.

“Not funny, Anderson,” Trent scowled at Blaine.

“What? What is sister of the day?” Kurt asked.

“In middle school Trent went to a few school functions with one or another of his sisters. Katie...no, Janice? Anyway, he took her to the after-school dance,” Blaine laughed.

“Hey, it was Joanie and she was feeling really sad without anyone to bring her, so Mom volun-told me I was taking her,” Trent said, being very defensive.

“Volun-TOLD?” Kurt asked, unfamiliar with the term.

“Yeah, its like you volunteer, but its someone else in authority that volunteers you. Like your mom,” Blaine said.

“Oh, I get it. So, you went to an after-school dance with your sister. I think thats sweet,” Kurt said.

“Yeah, I went with Joannie and your boyfriend here, Mr. Anderson, went with my youngest sister, Katie.”

Kurt looked back at Blaine with his eyebrows raised.

“Katie, huh?” he said, looking down his nose at Blaine.

“She was not my date. Katie was in fourth grade, for heavens sake. I was babysitting. She wanted to go see her brother and I walked her over to the school. She was NOT my date,” Blaine said in no uncertain terms.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you have to tell yourself. Cradle-robber,” Trent said into his hand, looking away as he pretended to cough. Kurt burst into laughter and Blaine tried to punch Trents shoulder but Kurt was holding him around the waist and it didnt work. Trent got up and headed back to the horses.

“Turncoat!” Blaine kidded Kurt, settling back down beside his boyfriend. Kurt held him tighter, then leaned up to kiss him.

“What is this?” he asked and Kurt smiled.

“Unconditional surrender, my worthy adversary,” Kurt whispered, kissing along Blaines jaw and down to the pulse point in his neck. Blaine purred in appreciation and returned the favor.

They sat on the bench kissing and whispering until Trent came back, holding all the horses with their bridles back on and their saddles cinched.

“Time to go home. Im hungry and we didnt bring food,” he complained. “So, Hummel, how do you feel about riding Rocky by yourself?”

Kurt rode Rocky, Blaine on Aurora and Trent on Cinderella riding close beside to keep an eye on the boy. He was still a bit apprehensive, but it seemed easier with every step. He really liked riding – it was so effortless in comparison with the prosthesis where he had to think of every step and drag around crutches. This was wonderful. He could feel the wind as he kicked Rocky into an easy lope, although that only lasted for a furlong or so until Blaine kicked Aurora into catching up and taking Rockys bridle.

“You dont want to fall, Beau. Lets take it easy this time. We can ride again, I promise. You need to get used to it before you start galloping. Okay?” Blaine asked, clearly worried.

“Yes, Mommy,” Kurt rolled his eyes. He wanted to be on the horse galloping, but knew Blaine was right. He couldnt risk a fall right now. So he settled into the lazy walk of the horses and just enjoyed the scenery. He missed Blaines thighs pressed tightly against his own.

Back at the dorms, Kurt sat on the sofa in Blaines room. He was still excited about riding the horse and in spite of his tiredness, he was still talking about it.

“Thank you so much. If I had known how riding would make me feel, Id have done it a long time ago. When can we go again?” he asked.

“Maybe tomorrow. Wait until you wake up to see if you still feel like it,” Blaine warned.

“Why?”

“Well, holding on to a horse with your thigh muscles for the first time can be kind of...well, different than your muscles are used to. You might wake up sore,” Blaine explained. “I volunteer to rub your thighs to make you feel better, Beau. You know, in the interest of all horsemen everywhere. Okay?”

Kurt grinned.

“How about some preventive medicine now?” he teased, scooting closer on the sofa.

“How about a nap instead. You look beat. After all you went through at school with that Karofsky kid, then riding for the first time. Maybe I should have waited a few weeks before we went riding. Some days I just dont think...” Blaine said ruefully.

“Im sure everything will be fine, Blaine. I had a wonderful time, I did. You and Trent are so good to me. I feel like Im living in Disneyland,” Kurt smiled, taking Blaines hand and kissing the back of it.

“Kurt...that is so nice of you to say. I try hard. I must have been born under a lucky star to be able to have you in my life,” he countered, kissing Kurt again. “Lets go take a nap, Im pretty tired.

Laying in Blaines big four-poster bed, Kurt couldnt help but snuggle close to him. In spite of the warm days of spring, the dorm was still chilly without the fire burning in the fireplace and even under the wool blanket and fluffy down comforter he was much warmer cuddled in Blaines arms.

Blaine, true to his word, had massaged Kurts leg muscles with gentle firmness until Kurt was relaxed and sleepy. He loved Blaines touch and the massage session turned into a sexy give and take quickly as Kurt decided to reciprocate the massage.

“Bee, Im kind of...ah, worried I guess you might say,” Kurt said at random.

“Worried, Beau? About what?”

“Ah, well, I think if we continue on like this...ah...one day were going to want to do more,” Kurt said, hiding his red face in Blaines shoulder, his arms holding on around his boyfriends waist.

“Kurt, we wont do anything youre not ready for. I promised you that on the first day I kissed you. Remember?”

“Yes, I know. Im not worried about that. Its just...Im not like other boys,” he said, wondering how he was going to say what was on his mind.

“And thank the Lord for that. What is it that has you worried, Beau? You know you can talk to me about anything,” Blaine assured him. Kurt was silent and Blaine turned him in his arms, pulling the younger boys back close to his chest so they could be as close as possible, but Kurt didnt have to look in his eyes. He found that Kurt was more comfortable talking over issues like this. He kissed the nape of Kurts neck, loving the shiver that resulted.

“I know that one day well want to...do everything. You know?”

“Yes. Im thinking youre talking about having intercourse?” Blaine asked. Being in a family of doctors made him use the correct term for everything whenever possible.

“Yeah, that. Well, I wondered how it would be between us?” Kurt ventured, still hesitant to say exactly what he meant.

“Yes, well - -do you mean which one of us will be topping?” Blaine asked. He stopped for a moment. Hed daydreamed of that day, and in each of the dreams it was different. He really didnt have a preference, especially since hed never done anything like that before.

“Mmmm hmmm,” Kurt answered in the affirmative.

“Which do you want to try do you think?” Blaine asked, knowing that going down this path of conversation was going to make him hard, so he slowly moved his hips back a little so as not to be against Kurt. He didnt want to appear to have no restraint – even if he didnt.

“Oh, I hadnt thought of that. I dont have a preference I guess. No, that isnt my question,” Kurt said, his voice getting a little higher.

“Tell me, Beau, what has you so worried?”

“Dad got me pamphlets about gay sex. I just couldnt watch those kind of videos...you know, on the internet? I just cant. A few weeks ago Dad came home from work late. Hed been to the clinic and got me some pamphlets. I think he was both worried that I was doing more than I should at this age, maybe? And that he wanted me to be safe,” Kurt related. Blaine kissed his neck again and hummed that he was listening.

“It wasnt just the pamphlets – he talked to me about my life, about how I shouldnt throw myself around, that I mattered. I mean, hes always made me feel like I mattered to him, but he wanted me to matter to myself, too. I guess he thought I didnt.” Kurt stopped for a moment, wiping a few emotional tears from his eyes.

“Do you think its about me, then? Does he think Im not treating you right?” Blaine asked, becoming a little worried about what Burt was thinking. Hed thought all was well in that aspect, now he wasnt so sure.

“No, Dad loves you. He wouldnt let me spend so much time with you if he thought you were bad for me,” Kurt assured him.

“I hope so, Kurt. I love you, and part of that is that I want your dad to be okay with me, too. I dont want to be the cause of any bad feelings between you and your father. Oh...do you think your dad knows how, ah...close we are? Does he know how intimate we are?” Blaine was trying to be calm, he did not want Kurt to see him panic, but he was getting closer to that edge.

“No. Well, he probably suspects or he wouldnt have gotten me those pamphlets, but he is okay with us together. Believe me, if Burt Hummel doesnt like you, you know it,” Kurt smirked. Blaine could imagine that all too clearly.

“Okay, back to the subject at hand, mister. We were talking about something youre worried about. Does it have to do with the pamphlets? Something you read in them?” he asked, now stroking Kurts hair, running it between his fingers. Kurt relaxed just a bit more at the comforting attention.

“It has to do with the physical aspects of having...in-in-intercourse,” Kurt finally got out. He was having a terrible time trying to say this, and he was frustrated and angry with himself because he was now stuttering over something that he knew Blaine could probably talk about in front of anyone.

“Okay, baby, you can tell me. You know I wont judge you,” Blaine said, using a nickname he had only called Kurt during sex. He usually called him Beau, but Baby seemed more intimate, more appropriate for this discussion.

“Either position I am in...top or bottom...Well, my leg, my stump. I cant rest my weight on the end of it. There is no padding on the bone there. When you get an amputation, they make sort of a pad of muscle to cover the end of the bone and eventually the bone grows a sort of a protective cap on the end. I was pretty little when I had it done and there is just no way to predict how that muscle is going to react. So, Ive had several operations to fix the end of my residual leg.”

“I understand, I think, but tell me more,” Blaine said.

“Well, I have the stump socks and everything, but I still cant rest my whole weight on it and Im worried about when the time comes – if Ill be able to, ah...I dont know...perform?” Kurt said, not sure of the correct terms.

“Oh, Beau, dont worry. I think we can work around that. Here, I have a book that Cooper gave me for my birthday last year.” Blaine got up and looked through his bookcase for a moment, located the book and handed it to Kurt.

“Its a beautiful book about gay sex that has illustrations and helpful advice,” Blaine explained. “Im sure we can find a position that will work. You dont have to do it missionary or doggy. There are a lot more. Would you be comfortable with looking at the book with me?” Blaine asked, trying to give comforting advice. “Its not porn, nothing dirty, just men in love. And its drawings, not photographs. What do you think?” Blaine asked, still combing his fingers through Kurts hair to calm him.

Kurt lay still, his eyes closed thinking.

“I think that might help,” he whispered, so embarrassed that hed had to bring up the subject at all.

“Cmere, Beau. Snuggle with me and we can take a nice long nap, okay?” Blaine asked, pulling Kurt a little closer and closing his eyes. They were asleep in minutes.

*Ten points to anyone who knew that the “real” Drucillas Pond is in the fictitious community of Waltons Mountain, Virginia.