"So, you're Blaine's friend." It was more a disbelieving statement than a question, but Kurt nodded anyways. He tried not to melt under the stare of the older man who looked like an older, much harsher version of Blaine.

"Yes sir. Kurt," he said, holding out his hand. Blaine's eyes widened momentarily at the motion, but Kurt couldn't even think to question it until he saw Mr. Anderson swiftly walk away from him.

Kurt stared before turning to look at Blaine silently. What-? he mouthed, surprised when Blaine just shrugged sadly at him.

"I told you it wouldn't be fun," Blaine muttered, leaning close to Kurt's ear, moving away as soon as Mr. Anderson had turned back to look at them. The older man's gaze went from boy to boy, a look of judgment on his face before he turned to walk in front of them once more.

Kurt's mouth dropped open, not knowing what to do. He followed Blaine and Mr. Anderson, entering what looked to be a large dining hall lavishly decorated for the holidays.

He hadn't expected Mr. Anderson to be quite like this. Blaine had said it was bad, but he didn't even think to imagine what it would be like.

"Mom, this is Kurt," Blaine said suddenly, jutting Kurt out of his thoughts. He gestured to Kurt as a woman with dark hair walked towards them, lips in a tight smile.

"Hello," she said quietly, looking between the two of them.

"Hello, Mrs. Anderson," Kurt replied just as tersely, trying his best to be polite.

"The guests will be here shortly. Make sure everything's in order," she said to Blaine before turning to walk out of the room, Mr. Anderson following her closely.

The two boys stood in silence for a moment, air still as the room emptied and only the two of them remained.

"Holy shit," Kurt breathed, leaning against a table covered with a festive tablecloth before realizing that maybe he shouldn't touch anything and jumping back up.

"It's not even bad yet," Blaine whispered, looking so sad that Kurt just wished he could do something to help.

He reached over, pulling Blaine into a tight hug. "It'll be okay," he murmured into Blaine's hair, one hand rubbing his back.

Blaine sighed into him, forehead dropped onto Kurt's shoulder.

They stood like that for a moment, not wanting to let go, when the two jumped at the sudden bark of "Blaine!"

They stepped apart, Kurt's eyes wide with shock, Blaine's staring at the floor.

"None of that in here," Mr. Anderson said sharply, turning on his heel and walking back out of the room.

Kurt sighed, lifting Blaine's hand up to his mouth and pressing a kiss to it, "You don't deserve this."

"They're behaving," Blaine whispered incredulously as his parents began to welcome the guests in.

"That was behaving?"

"Well, they mostly ignored us. And my dad didn't say anything too bad," he trailed off, watching the people walking inside. Most looked to be couples, all dressed very nicely as they filed into the dining hall.

Kurt shook his head at what Blaine had just said, "Should we go sit down?"

"Yeah, don't want to make an entrance later and draw attention to ourselves," Blaine laughed quietly, sarcasm lacing his words.

The two finally entered the dining hall, seating themselves next to an older gentleman who smiled at them kindly.

A few minutes later, the table was full and Blaine's parents sat down at opposite ends of the table. After a quick count, Kurt confirmed that there were fourteen other people there, totaling to eighteen people at the table. His hand tightened on the chair underneath him, trying to keep him steady. He could do this. He had to do this for Blaine.

After a quick toast and introductions, Kurt dutifully introduced as Blaine's friend with just a hint of disdain, the dinner was in full swing. Everyone was laughing and joking, enjoying all of the delicious food. The faint melody of holiday songs could be heard in the background.

Kurt glanced over at Blaine, happy to see him looking more relaxed. Nothing big had happened, although Kurt was almost afraid to think of what Blaine had been afraid of. Obviously something had happened before, even if his parents seemed to be behaving tonight.

"So, Blaine," began the older woman across the table from the two, "Do you have any lady friends that we should know of?"

Her question was kind, a look of genuine curiosity on her face, but the look that passed over Mr. Anderson's face is what made Kurt grow pale.

"Yes, son, do you have any lady friends we should know of?" he began before motioning to Kurt with just a slight tilt of his head, "You know, besides..."

Kurt heard a quiet gasp, but he didn't even turn to see who it had come from. He merely stared icily at Mr. Anderson, fingers gripping the edge of the table as he tried not to say anything.

He was shocked when Blaine stood up suddenly, hands shaking as he took in a breath. "You can't talk about Kurt like that."

The words were soft, but the table went silent, no one daring to move.

"I can say whatever I want to. This is my house and I don't appreciate you bringing people like... like you into it," Mr. Anderson bit back, staring at his son.

"Like me?" Blaine asked quietly, "I'm not sure I understand your meaning."

Kurt sat silently, desperately wishing he could help, but he felt that no amount of words he said would be able to counteract the next sentence out of Mr. Anderson's mouth.

"I don't appreciate having all of these fags in my house."

There was another gasp and this time Kurt could see that it was from the little old woman that was seated across form them, her hand covering her mouth.

Blaine opened his mouth for a moment before closing it again and pushing his seat out from behind him. He darted out of the room, Kurt staring briefly before taking off after him.

"Blaine!" he called, following the boy down the hallway and out the front door. He slammed the door behind him, watching as Blaine all but crumbled onto the nearest bench.

"Blaine," he whispered, sitting down next to him. Blaine didn't answer, couldn't answer, as the sobs racked him body. He shook almost silently, tears rolling down his face. Elbows on his knees and hands in his hair, he kept his face to the ground, not daring to look up at Kurt.

Kurt placed a hand on Blaine's back, rubbing it up and down as he murmured, "I'm so sorry, Blaine."

"Why are you sorry?" he said softly, sniffing back tears, "It's my fault."

"What?"

"I brought you here and he was so, so rude to you and there was nothing I could do to stop it and... I'm sorry, Kurt," Blaine said, shoulders still shaking.

"It's not your fault, Blaine," Kurt muttered, hand continuing to rub Blaine's back soothingly, "He's an asshole."

At that, Blaine bit his lip, more tears welling up in his eyes.

"What?" Kurt whispered.

"He-" Blaine began quietly, sobs starting to grow again, "He's s-supposed to love me. But he just makes me feel so small. S-so small."

Kurt laced his fingers through Blaine's, using his other hand to pull Blaine's face up gently, "Blaine, look at me."

Blaine looked at him warily, tears still making tracks down his face, eyes sad and full of emotion.

"You," Kurt started, punctuating each word as he wiped his thumb across Blaine's cheek, "Are not small. You're beautiful."

Blaine stared at him for a second, mouth slightly open. Kurt gazed back, leaning towards him slowly before pressing his lips to Blaine's in a soft kiss.

He pulled back, their hands still intertwined. "Beautiful."