"Almost done." Blaine sighed, glancing to Kurt with a grateful smile on his lips. "Thank you for staying. I know how ridiculous this is. Most guys wouldn't sit through this for anyone."

Kurt quirked an eyebrow and a smirk curled his lips. "Well, I'm not most guys."

"No. No you're not." Blaine's eyes softened into a look Kurt was certain he would never see directed at him. It was a look of pure adoration that made Kurt's heart stutter a little. He wanted to take a picture of that look and tattoo it to his heart.

The walk finished and Blaine's glance slid to the side where 'Vette was clinging to her beau's arm but her next was twisted into an odd angle so she could look back at him. Her eyes were narrowed but instead of her focusing on him her eyes were trained solely on Kurt. Blaine didn't have much time to fret over what was going through his cousin's mind before the line stopped and music began to play.

Blaine turned to Kurt and settled his hand on Kurt's shoulder, lacing his fingers with Kurt's. A smile lingered on his lips as he took the first step and Kurt followed him. They waltzed together, eyes never leaving one another. To them, this moment was more than they could have ever asked for. They were dancing in public, hand in hand, keeping in time with the soft strings playing behind them. Right then the crowd didn't matter, his mother and father didn't matter; no one did.

They barely even noticed when the debutante waltz finished and another waltz started. Together they danced through at least three more songs until a foxtrot came on. Kurt's eyes widened and leaned close to Blaine's ear. "I have no idea how to dance to this."

Blaine chuckled and whispered back. "It's okay, this is meant for the adults. If you haven't noticed, all the other debs have gone back to the punch bowl. Want me to teach you?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Kurt who chuckled and nodded. Immediately Blaine grasped Kurt's hands and started to lead him around the dance floor. They messed up continually, stepping on one another and tripping until they were a giggly mess.

Blaine tugged Kurt off the floor, laughing and leaning against shoulders. Kurt had been terrified this would be a horrible disaster but so far he was having fun (aside from the humiliation on his and Blaine's part). But being able to dance with Blaine like this was so very worth it.

Kurt's boyfriend pressed a kiss against the edge of his jaw, his eyes bright and excited. Slowly Kurt pulled away and asked, "Want some punch?"

Blaine's eyes darted over to the table, "Probably a good idea. In an hour Shawn will most likely have spiked it. I'm sure that's the only reason that 'Vette keeps bringing him."

"'Vette?" Kurt asked, the name sounding vaguely familiar.

"My cousin. She's a pill and her beaus are usually just around so she has someone to have sex with after the balls."

"Wow." Kurt's eyebrows shot up. "You have a high opinion of your cousin, don't you?" Blaine snickered and pressed another kiss to Kurt's cheek. Kurt blushed a little and nodded to the table across the room. "I'll be right back." Blaine nodded and moved towards the windows to get some fresh air.

He leaned against the wall to look out at the crowd, which had degraded to people hob-nobbing and rubbing elbows to get ahead in their section of the business world. Blaine caught sight of his dad talking with an older gentleman that Blaine vaguely remembered meeting at a father-son 'bonding event'. It had inevitable turned out into a massive bickering business match while the sons had gotten sloshed in the boat house.

Blaine vaguely remembered kissing one of those boys at that little impromptu party.

A moment later a wash of lavender perfume surrounded Blaine and he coughed sharply. Glancing around he spotted 'Vette sidling up to him with a suspicious look on her face. His shoulders sagged and he waited for the inevitable sarcastic comment that he was certain was about to be flung at him. Instead, Vette surprised him by leaning against the wall, her elbow touching his, her gaze latching onto Kurt who was trying to push through a wall of beaus to get to the punch bowl.

"So, that's your boyfriend, Kirk?"

"Kurt." Blaine replied simply, trying to keep his voice level.

"Kurt." She mimicked, her lips twisting into a frown, as if she didn't like the taste of the word on her tongue. "He's… attractive."

Blaine shot a glance her way. "And very gay. Off limits to you."

'Vette sent him a rather bored look. "And why would I want your boyfriend? I know he's gay and at least with Shawn I can get lucky." She reached up to twirl a curl around her finger. "Now… what was it that you said his dad does?"

"He's a philanthropist."

"Yeah, I got that, but what does his dad do?"

Blaine sighed, getting irritated. "He owns and managed an automobile restoration facility."

'Vette pursed her lips together and hummed. Finally she pushed off the wall and moved away from Blaine. "Ah, okay. Well, I think he's adorable. And I'm sure Auntie Angela will just adore him. Like a puppy. I'm sure that he's a very good boy."

Blaine stared hard at the girl. "'Vette, what do you have up your sleeve. You never compliment people."

Her eyes widened, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I was just commenting on the authenticity of your boyfriend. He seems so sweet and innocent." The sap was dripping from her teeth as she grinned at him wolfishly. She flounced away after that, leaving Blaine a little unsure and incredibly worried. He started to panic after that, did she know something? What had she meant by authenticity?

Blaine had been about ready to push off the wall and sprint after her but stopped as he saw Kurt arrive with two cups in his hand. He glanced over his shoulder to see what Blaine was staring at, but 'Vette had already disappeared by then. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine." Blaine sighed, taking the cup from Kurt. "It's just, my cousin was over here saying some stuff that worried me."

Kurt's eyes widened, "Like what?

"Nothing really, she was being very passive aggressive about her attack, commenting on your authenticity. There's no way she could know, right?"

Kurt would have put his hand on Blaine's shoulder to ground him but the cups in his hands stopped him. "Blaine, calm down. We have nothing to worry about, she can't know. She's probably just stirring up trouble because she's jealous that you have such a lovely guy on your arm tonight."

Blaine sighed, his shoulders visibly loosening. "That does seem like something she would do." He couldn't think of anything else to say so he settled for leaning forward to press a covert kiss on Kurt's cheek.

Kurt beamed at him, and nodded. "So, I think these are the last unspiked cups of punch. I saw some guy in a horrible frock coat pulling a flask out of his inner pocket as I was leaving. Got, it was an atrocious sight."

"The guy spiking the only drink the DDAR supplied us?" Blaine asked, taking a dainty sip.

"No, the frock coat." Kurt replied with a grin, coming to cozy up to Blaine's side.

Blaine side-eyed Kurt, a smile on his lips. "Don't knock the frock coat. I could have made you wear that. It's normal beau issue wear."

Kurt stared at Blaine, aghast. "Even the tails?"

"Tails and gloves."

Kurt pouted at Blaine, his eyes narrowed, "I refuse to wear tails Blaine. Even you aren't worth that."

Blaine leaned his head against Kurt's shoulder. "Well, hopefully you won't have to. I'm going to talk to my parents about this. As much as I love all the effort and consideration you've given all this, I don't want to have to put you, or me, through it again. I hated these enough when I was used as a beau, I hate it even more now that I'm playing as a deb."

Kurt curled his free hand around Blaine's elbow hugging it tightly. "Well, if it matters. I wouldn't mind doing more of these as long as I got to do them with you."

"Oh my God, that has to be the most romantically sappy thing anyone has ever said to me." Blaine said, his smile growing soft.

"Too much?" Kurt asked, suddenly a little unsure.

"Never." Blaine replied swiftly, swooping in to kiss Kurt's cheek, loving the feel as the skin warmed under his lips.

Their moment was ruined a split second later as Blaine father appeared before them. "Blaine, there you are. Your mother is looking for you. She wishes to meet your boyfriend." Kurt and Blaine shot furtive glances at one another before twining fingers and following Mr. Anderson through the crowds to where Angela Anderson was waiting. She wasn't alone though. 'Vette was standing next to her with an ugly smirk on her lips.

Kurt froze at the sight of the girl and the movement caused Blaine to stop and look back at him. "What's wrong?"

"I saw that girl at the shop." Kurt hissed. "She was absolutely horrible."

"That's my cousin, 'Vette." Blaine hissed back. Almost immediately he felt his heart fall through his stomach. Having 'Vette around could only mean horrible trouble. "Be on guard." Kurt nodded and they approached with smiles on their faces. "Mother," Blaine said, raising his voice to catch her attention. "This is Kurt."

Angela's eyes turned to zero in on her son and the boy next to him. Immediately her face broke into a smile and she reached out for Kurt's hands. "Kurt, darling, it is a pleasure to meet the boy who has spent so much time making Blaine so happy." Kurt took her hands, smiling bashfully.

Out of the corner of his eye Blaine could see 'Vette roll her eyes but tried to ignore her. His attention turned to his boyfriend and mother and stepped closer towards Kurt, placing his hand safely on Kurt's lower back. Immediately he felt Kurt press back against his palm. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Anderson."

She waved her hand back and forth in front of her face. "Call me Angela darling."

"Angela." Kurt said with a smile. "The cotillion you held for Blaine was very lovely. Very tasteful. I noticed that you were wearing Vera Wang."

The woman's eyes lit up. "You know your fashion."

Kurt's lips tilted into a smirk. "I live for fashion!" Blaine breathed a sigh of relief as he could see his mother slowly falling in love with his boyfriend. This would make everything so much easier when he needed to tell them the truth. "Honestly, I track all the latest styles but Marc Jacobs will always be my one true love."

Angela twittered at him, already smitten. "It is so refreshing to meet a young man who is so culturally rounded. Most of these boys here would only scratch their heads if I handed a Vogue to them."

"Ah, I live for Vogue. I absolutely adored Marion Cotillard's cover. Just brilliant." Kurt replied, obviously slipping into his element.

Blaine took his eyes off of Kurt as his dad's hand descended on his shoulder. "You made a very good choice son. Your mom is already in love with Kurt."

"He's an amazing guy, really."

His dad smiled down at him softly. "I am proud of you son, really. Most gay men probably would have had the balls to come out like this. And Kurt obviously is very strong and likes you very much in order to be willing to stay through all this." Blaine's eyes widened and he had to force himself not to tear up. That was the last thing he needed to do. "He's very well poised, well mannered, has wonderful social graces and when you look at him you can't stop smiling. Obviously he's a man of substance."

"Thank you dad." Blaine whispered.

Kurt's voice filtered over to them and they both turned back to look at the two gabbing across from them. "I actually helped plan my father's wedding last year. It was an amazing even, very tasteful, white lights. I attempted to bring out doves and have them eat glitter but my step brother vetoed that."

"How inconsiderate," Angela gasped. "I've always wanted to release a flock of doves at one of these events by my DDAR sisters never fail to say no."

"They just don't understand." Kurt sighed, clicking his tongue.

Angela smiled sweetly at Kurt. "I would love to have your assistance setting up one of these events. We always need a younger eye to keep the debs and beaus entertained."

"I would just love that." Kurt all but squealed, glancing over to Blaine with a brilliant smile on his lips.

'Vette hovered to the side, her eyes narrowed, and Blaine knew there was something brewing under her curly hair. But she didn't say anything. She only waited while Blaine's mom and Kurt talked happily about fashion and the dresses they'd seen so far. His father's attention had trailed off and his eyes were darting around to the surrounding businessmen, obviously thinking of connections he could have been making at that point in time.

Finally, 'Vette decided she was bored with being sweet and letting Kurt and Angela talk, and she spoke up. "Now, Kurt," Her voice was sugary sweet and Kurt felt Blaine's hand stiffed against his back. "Where did you say your dad worked?"

"He has a, um, automobile restoration facility." Kurt said, stuttering a little. He had been lulled into such a feeling of comfort through his chat with Angela that he couldn't really bring up his fake identity on the spot.

"So… he owns a mechanic shop?" Kurt's heart ran cold. "The one in Lima right?" The way she said 'Lima' made it seem like a dirty word.

"What do you think you're going to accomplish here?" Kurt hissed, eyes narrowing. He could feel Blaine drawing closer to him.

"Well, a few days ago my lovely little car met with some problems and I took it to the nearest shop and a boy who looked just like you told me he was the proprietor's son. And if I think back really hard I think the name of the shop was 'Hummel Tires and Lube'."

Blaine growled at her, "You must be remembering wrong."

Angela looked between the three of them, her eyebrow raised. "What's going on?" She asked sweetly, but Blaine could see her forehead wrinkling. "Are you sure you're not mixing Kurt up with someone else?"

"No, no, I'm quite certain I met him. Especially because that great lug of a boy that took over for him when he disappeared said that he was his brother and his name was Kurt. There can't be that many Kurt Hummels around here."

Angela turned towards Kurt, "Kurt sweetie?" Kurt could feel the magic of the moment slipping away.

Blaine's hand suddenly fisted in the back of Kurt's jacket. "Actually mother, there is something that I do need to say to you." His voice had raised a little and Angela's lips tightened into a tight line.

"Let's take this discussion out to the hall-" Blaine shook his head, cutting her off.

"No, since 'Vette brought this up, this is the perfect time. You see, mother, Kurt's dad is working class. But Mr. Hummel is a hard-working, strong, understanding man who lost his wife and married a wonderful woman who adores Kurt and doesn't care about his father's financial standing."

"Blaine-" His father started but Blaine shook his head. Kurt turned to Blaine, placing his hand on Blaine's arm, trying to stop the explosion that was already going.

Before Blaine could say anything his mother jumped in. "You lied to us, both of you?" Kurt recoiled but that movement only seemed to make Blaine feel stronger.

"Yes, it was my idea. I knew how you would react if you realized that Kurt was not rich. I know you mother, and I know how you see people who you think are less than you. I knew that if you found out that Kurt wasn't rich, you would have told me to stop seeing him."

His mother spluttered at him. "Never- I would never!"

"Oh yes you would. You assumed that Kurt's family had money because of the way that I swung around some words to make the fact that he owns a mechanics shop more enticing, mother." Blaine felt years of aggravation and annoyance at his mother bubbling to the surface.

His mother narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't address me in that tone."

"Why?" Blaine challenged.

"Because I feel like it should have an undesirable word after it." Blaine blistered at her and she cast a glance around the room. Everyone in the vicinity was staring at them and she turned with a huff and stormed as gracefully as she could away from the room. Blaine followed hot on her heels. Kurt wasn't far behind, calling out Blaine's name while 'Vette followed. Behind them Blaine's father followed quickly after attempting to brush everything off with a smile to the spectators, trying to keep things from getting around the room that there were problems in the Anderson family.

"Name one person mother, in my life, that you approved of that wasn't as rich, or richer than us." Blaine said, stalking after her down the hall.

His mother didn't back down from the challenge. "That girl, Minna. Who lived next door."

"You didn't like her because she was a trust fund girl. You called her a charlatan."

"I did not!"

'Vette piped up, "Actually you did. I was there for that conversation."

Kurt side-eyed her. "Whose side are you on?"

'Vette leered at him. "I just love watching things blow up."

He stared at her for a moment before he realized that Blaine and his mother were still arguing. "-e had dirty feet!"

"You have got to be joking me!" Blaine all but yelled. "You're just making excuses now. Just admit it mom. You are money snob."

Angela twirled on her heel and took a menacing step towards her son. "You don't understand Blaine. People with less money don't understand how we operate. They try to scam our money off us." Kurt's face colored at her comment but before he could say anything Blaine was going at it again.

"Are you serious! You're acting like anyone who isn't 'rich like us' is an evil sheister. Do you realize that you had a perfectly suitable conversation with Kurt until you found out that he wasn't what you expected?"

"I'm upset that you two lied to me! I will not deny that I am disappointed that you felt you overlooked all those other wonderful suitors I tried to introduce you to at your cotillion. They were all of proper breeding and status. That's all I want for you Blaine, is to have a relationship with a boy who understands you."

Kurt's hands clenched and suddenly his voice was coming out of his mouth before he even knew what he was exactly saying. "I do understand him. More than you probably do. I may even love him but a load of shit that you care. You can't see past the fact that I didn't grow up in a mansion or go to a lavish school."

"Wait, love?" Blaine asked, his voice suddenly breathy.

"Yes, but we'll get back to that later." Kurt took Blaine's hand and stared hard at Mrs. Anderson. "I know that you care deeply for Blaine, you want what you think is best, but do you not realize how embarrassing this whole thing is for him? He's a boy - a man - not some girl who you dress up and parade around for your society friends."

Angela turned to Blaine, "Is this how you feel?" Blaine swallowed and nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it made you happy." His voice was small but his words made an impact on his mother. "I don't like doing this. I don't like being mocked and laughed at and I don't like putting Kurt through this either. He didn't have to go through all this, but he did because he didn't want me going it alone."

His mother only continued to stare at him until finally his father spoke up. He'd been hovering to the side for a while now, watching through narrowed eyes with his scotch glass held firmly in his hand. The only thing that showed his anger was the white color to his knuckles. "Blaine, I appreciate what you're saying but right now we're creating a stir and this is not appropriate for the present situation. I suggest that you and your boyfriend leave and we will see you later at home and discuss your actions."

Blaine's face was a look of pure heart break. He sniffed, turned and stormed from the hallway with Kurt following after him. He didn't run but Kurt had to hustle to keep up with him. "Blaine!" He called, his voice breaking slightly. "Blaine, wait."

Blaine finally stopped moving one he was outside the lodge and whirled around to face Kurt. "I can't stand them. My mom drives me insane and my father just tells me to leave because I'm creating a scene. I hate this. I hate them."

Kurt took Blaine's arms and squeezed them. "Let's get out of here. You're too upset to go back and deal with your parents. We can just drive for a while, go and get a milkshake. I'll ask my dad if you can stay the night at the house. You shouldn't have to deal with them tonight. Give them the evening to calm down and think and we can face them both tomorrow."

Blaine's eyes searched Kurt's face before he smiled softly at his boyfriend. He nodded a few times before leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Kurt's lips. As he pulled away the smile was still on his lips. "So, let's talk about this love thing you mentioned earlier." Kurt blushed bright red and ducked his head but Blaine was there to capture his lips with another kiss and a laugh.