Two weeks later, Kurt and Unique lounged on the couch like slobs, both of them dressed almost identically in two pairs of sweats, and fuzzy socks that made sliding across the kitchen floor quite the feat. The only difference between them was Kurts sweater, which was oversized and a deep, masculine color, as hed stolen it from under Blaines nose. The two of them were giggling as they read over the most recent, printed newspaper, in which another of Kurts articles was featured on the cover, as well as one of Blaines. "Thad always makes me laugh with his articles. He has such a good sense of humor."

Unique clicked his tongue, "Oh, I know. And Wes is so serious about everything that he writes. If we partnered them up to write an article together, it would be an emotional rollercoaster. I still have to congratulate Blaine on making the front page. Both of you are starting to have really similar writing styles. Maybe its because you sit on his lap when you write, and you look at each others laptops." Kurt laughed at that, starting to move the newspaper aside, when Unique mentioned, "Where is Blaine, anyway?"

Kurt tried not to look uncomfortable. Pasting a smile back onto his face, Kurt said uneasily, "Unique, Ive told you before... Blaine is busy. Hell be here soon." Ever since Kurt had found out about Blaines secret, things had been much easier between them. Blaine usually slept over at his apartment, and some nights Kurt would wake up to Blaines buzzing phone, and others Blaine would get to stay with him. In the mornings, Kurt made breakfast for two, and sometimes only served himself. There were days when Kurt was more frustrated with his boyfriends fluctuating schedule, but Kurt always bit his tongue. Who was he to complain when his boyfriend was only leaving to go help people? He couldnt be everyones super man.

There had been multiple times when Kurt had almost slipped up and said something to Unique, who he wanted to tell more than anyone else. He knew that Unique would feel for him, as he waited up for his boyfriend, wanting him to return in one piece. Unique would pick up every time that Kurt called him, needing someone to talk him through the minutes or hours that Blaine was gone. But, whether he meant to be or not, Unique was a gossip, and even one word could be the ruin of Blaine.

Even though Unique had questioned Kurt in the beginning, he simply shrugged off the comment about Blaines reason for being absent most of the time. "We still need to double date, you know."

"I know." Kurt sighed. "And we will. Ill talk to Blaine about it as soon as he gets here." Turning his head when someone tapped their knuckles on his door, Kurt stood up and padded over to the door, assuming that one of his neighbors wanted to borrow a kitchen utensil or something of the sort.

"Why dont you just talk to him now?" Unique suggested, still splayed out on the couch.

"This isnt Blaine." Kurt shook his head. "Blaine just barges in. Ive had to start changing in the bathroom after he almost walked in on me when I was undressing." Returning his attention to the people on the other side of the door, Kurt opened it and instantly widened his eyes at the sight of his parents and stepbrother. "Dad?" Kurt choked, his lips turning up as he threw himself into his dads chest. "What are you doing here? Your plane wasnt supposed to land until this evening. I dont have anything prepared."

His dad, Burt, was a fifty year old man, with a balding head that he kept tucked under a worn out baseball hat, and a pair of blue eyes that were creased at the corners, as if he always thought that something was funny. Carole, on the other hand, was about three years younger than him, with a brown bob that had gray streaks weaved through it. She was typically wearing two expressions, one a large, warm smile, and the other the disapproving frown that she only shot toward Finn, her gangly, dark haired son.

When he let go of his dads burly body, Carole hugged him close, "Oh, Kurt, your apartment looks great. And youre absolutely glowing."

From the spot where his butt seemed to be permanently glued, Unique called, "Hi, Kurts family."

Burt smiled fondly at Kurts best friend, whom he had never quite gotten used to, but was glad for Kurt to have around. "Hi, Unique. Hows the newspaper?" He lightly pinched Kurts elbow. "Congratulations on getting the two articles on the cover, bud."

"My boss is getting on my nerves." Unique said bluntly.

At the startled look that Burt made, Kurt explained, "Unique wants a promotion, but our boss wont give it to him until he has at least five articles on the front page." Gesturing for his family to come inside, he took one of Caroles bags from her and brought it with him. "What a convenient time for you to fly out, huh, Dad? Just weeks before New York City gets busy around Christmastime. It couldnt have anything to do with my new boyfriend, could it?"

Burts simmering glare was enough to clamp his mouth shut, "We needed to get out here and see you, anyway. This new boyfriend of yours was just one of the reasons we had to get this trip scheduled. What I want to know is why some thirty four year old guy, who isnt settled down yet, wants to date my twenty two year old son."

Carole, smelling the smoke that was fuming out of Burts ears, calmed him down with a few pats on his shoulders. "Dear, why dont we get our suitcases into our room? Kurt, youll have to show us around your apartment later. The place is impeccably put together."

As soon as they dawdled from the living room and shut themselves in the guest room, Kurt turned back to his older brother, who was awkwardly standing off to the side, twiddling his long thumbs. "Hi, Finn." Kurt tried to make conversation with the brother that he had never been close to. Finn seemed to be his opposite in everything he did. "I havent seen you in a few months. Hows my dads car shop?"

After he graduated from a technical school with a degree in engineering, Finn had practically taken over the car shop. His dad had to slow down after his heart attack, and despite how much he resented working half of his former hours, and only being able to do so much work on each car before Carole admonished him, his dad obviously appreciated having Finns help. The two of them spent their hours talking about football, for the most part, as well as Finns current girlfriend. "Its going steady." Finn slid his hands into his pockets, "So... you got a boyfriend, huh?"

"For now." Kurt said laughingly, returning to his spot next to Unique, who was idly picking at his nail polish. "I might not have one after my dad gets his hands on him."

Finn grunted, and Unique raised his brows. "I love being at family reunions. Theyre more awkward than when I heard my boyfriend in the bathroom after he ate a burrito the day before." Kurt grimaced at his best friend, who shrugged nonchalantly. "If Blaine leaves the sink running for more than five minutes, just know that he isnt shaving."

"You must be Kurts friend, Unique." Finn sat down on one of the chairs that were placed a few feet away from them.

Unique slapped his hands onto his thighs, "Oh, no, no. You are mistaken. I am this boys whole world. I am his galaxy. Im the reason that he has this boyfriend, who will inevitably use his toilet for evil one day." When Kurt swatted his arm, he made a broad gesture, "Kurt, the mans thirty four years old. Digestion is harder on them when theyre older."

"Thats so gross." Kurt whined, scooting away from his outspoken friend, when someone shoved his door aside. Kurt smiled as his boyfriend entered the room, a bag of food in one hand, and his nose buried in his own copy of the newspaper. For having just fought crime, Blaine seemed surprisingly groomed, not a hair out of place, and his shirt tucked into his pants. "Blaine, my family got here early. This is my brother, Finn. Finn, this is my boyfriend."

Blaine flicked his eyes up from the newspaper, and he quickly set what he was holding aside. He offered his best smile as he strode across the room, stopping just in front of Finn. Extending his hand, Blaine said, "Its nice to meet you. Kurts told me about you."

Finn grasped Blaines hand, giving the older man an appraising look. With the two of them side by side, the masculinity-between their colognes, their button up shirts, and their hair gel-stunk up the room. "Same." Finn muttered, always a man of few words. He slumped back in his chair as his eyes slowly swayed to the side, catching the forms of their parents as they returned to the room, beckoned by the sound of another voice.

Kurt rose to his feet and wandered to Blaines side, not sure if he was trying to make the introductions smoother by being present, or readying himself to block Blaine from his dads fists. He forced a smile onto his lips as his dad searched Blaine up and down, an unimpressed look on his face. "Dad, Carole, this is my boyfriend, Blaine. Blaine... my dad, Burt, and my stepmom, Carole."

Before Burt could make any disagreeable noises, Blaine leaned forward and offered them his hand, "Its a pleasure to meet both of you. Kurts said nothing but good things."

Flattered, Carole squished her plump hands around Blaines, "What a gentleman... and very handsome. Kurt, he is just as you said hed be. Well, why dont we get out of this apartment for a little while and eat dinner? I am starved after that plane ride. Unique, will you be coming with us, dear?"

"I dont think so." Unique made a point of wiggling his brows at Kurt. "Ill let Kurt enjoy his family time. I will steal this bag of pretzels, though." After he dug the bag out of the pile of groceries that Blaine had just bought, he slunk past them and waved. "Mr. Hummel... Mrs. Hummel, always great to see you. Finn, youre just as tall as ever."

Backing out of the room, Unique hurried off, leaving Burt to only shake his head. "That boy is out of this world. Are we ready to go?"

"Let me take Pavarottis food back to him." Blaine split away from the group and grabbed the bag of seed from the groceries. "Babe, they didnt have the kind with the dried cranberries. Will this be okay for now?"

"Yes, thats fine." Kurt watched his boyfriend, who had taken very quickly to Pavarotti and seemed to enjoy giving him his scoops of food, walk down the hallway, and then twisted back to his dad when he made a rumbling noise.

"You let him buy your groceries? Isnt that a little... intimate, for a couple that just started dating?" His dad kept his head down, as if embarrassed to have to ask about his sons private life.

Kurt shook his head, "It isnt like that, Dad. Blaine will eat over here sometimes. Hell pick up things that he likes, or things like bread and butter, if he notices that we dont have any left. Its just less expensive for both of us to have him eat over here, and to buy food for only one of our apartments."

Burts eyes nearly bulged out of his head, "He has an apartment? Hes thirty four years old! When I was his age, I was settled down into a house with your mom-"

As Blaine shuffled back out of the hallway, Kurt quickly squeezed his dads hand, even though he knew that Blaine could have overheard, anyway. "Dad, lets... lets talk at dinner, okay? I dont feel comfortable discussing Blaines living situation without him present." Giving Blaine a bright smile when he approached, Kurt placed his hands on his chest and smoothed away a few wrinkles. From the disconcerted look on his face, Kurt could tell that Blaine had heard every word.

Blaine, having already mapped out the directions to a Greek restaurant, drove them a few miles across town. The drive, without traffic, would have taken about twenty minutes, but with people coming in waves for the holidays, the streets were packed, and the traffic added an extra fifteen minutes. The ride was spent in stiff silence, his dad stewing behind them, as Kurt sat up front with Blaine, hand on his shoulder and gently massaging. Kurt could tell that Blaine wasnt sure what to think of his dad, and, for once, neither was Kurt. He had never seen his dad this way before, and wasnt sure if he would have acted this way had Kurt started dating in high school, or if it was simply Blaines age that threw him off.

When they got there, Carole made over what a charming building it was, and exclaimed to her husband, "Burt, you love Greek food! Blaine and Kurt went to the trouble of finding a restaurant like this. And isnt it so quaint?" Neither Kurt nor Blaine had been there before, but Kurt stopped to admire one of the only one-story buildings in New York City. The restaurant was lavishly decorated with springy flowers, and had wheelbarrows placed around it, each one filled with fresh greens and ripe apples. Blaine held the glass door open for him and his family members. The restaurant, which was one of the less expensive in New York City, but still required a reservation, had a man waiting at the entrance. He led them back to a round table, where Blaine pulled out Kurts chair for him and helped him peel off his jacket.

The two of them sat beside of each other, their hands clasped under the table. The waiter offered them a bottle of red wine with a tart black cherry flavor. Except for Burt, each of them had their wine glasses filled, and then waiter laid down the menus, promising to return when they were all ready to order. As Blaine opened the menu that he and Kurt shared, he pointed out a few delicious dishes that he wanted Kurt to consider. Before Kurt could come to a final decision, his dad scoffed from across the table. "Is nothing in New York under ten dollars?"

Kurt looked up from the menu, "Dad, it isnt often that I go to restaurants like this. This was a special occasion. I usually just buy groceries, or order takeout."

Burt curled his lip in obvious disgruntlement, "I just dont see how any recently graduated person can afford to live out here. I talked to you about that before you moved."

Knowing that Blaine was looking at him, Kurt stared down at the table. He hated to have his salary brought up in the middle of a family meal, with his new boyfriend watching him. "I make enough money to be comfortable. Sometimes, I can even splurge. And Im close to getting a raise. My boss said that if I get one more article on the front page, hell increase my salary by ten percent."

Burt shook his head, "Kurt..." And there it was-the sigh of his name that meant he was going to get a lecture. "You know that I support you, kiddo. I always have. But this journalism thing... Its not really a career, Kurt. You can be a journalist right now, and support yourself. But what about when you have a family?"

Kurt felt his stomach roll. "When I have a family, Ill also have a husband. With our salaries combined, well have enough to care for ourselves and any children we have."

At the mention of a husband, Burt glanced over at Blaine. "And what about you? Youre thirty four years old. What work experience do you have?"

Kurts eyes became huge. "Dad, you cant just ask someone that-"

"Its alright, Kurt. Hes just concerned about your wellbeing." Blaine kept his face solemn as he spoke to Burt, "I work in Kurts office as a crime journalist. But, if I had to, I have the capability of doing just about anything in criminal justice. I got my first degree in criminal law, with a specialization in journalism. After about a year, I went back to school and received a degree in forensic science. I took on two internships in the field, and while they helped to pay back the debt of getting two degrees, they made me see that I work much better on my own. I understand that my preferences wont be a concern if Im trying to provide for a family, but if I could just stay as a journalist, I would rather do that."

"And why didnt you pick a job thats much more family-oriented? A job with set hours? A lawyer, for example. You would still be dealing with crime, but you would know when you got to go home every day. As a dad, I wouldnt want a husband that isnt secure for my son. Not to assume that you two are going to get married."

Blaine raised one of his brows, "With all respect, Mr. Hummel, Ive never wanted a job where I sit in a building for a few hours and rattle off the rules of the law. Id rather be at the crime scene, when the action is happening. Thats the most rewarding thing about being a part of criminal justice. To see a mom whose child was trapped in a burning building... the relief in her eyes as hes carried out. Theres nothing more important than that, not even putting the blame on the man who lit the fire."

Before the two of them could carry on, the waiter returned for their meal orders. Blaine and Kurt got the same dish, while everyone else put their different requests in. The waiter retreated again, and Burt tensed his jaw, "And will you tell me why you havent settled down with a family yet? Why you dont have a husband?"

"Mr. Hummel, I havent dated anyone in seven years." Blaine said without hesitation. "I travel too much to have any commitment in my life. I just recently moved to New York. And I have a busy schedule. Of course... Ive thought about starting a family. I dont want to be adopting my first child when Im forty. But I still have a lot to figure out before I think about proposing to someone."

Suddenly, Finn, who had been swirling his wine around, spoke up, "My brother?"

Kurt furrowed his brows at Finn, "What, Finn?"

Finn flicked his brown eyes between Kurt and Blaine, "Youd be proposing to my brother?"

Shifting uncomfortably, Kurt said gently, "Finn... Blaine and I just started dating. Were not going to break up, but... wed need more than a few weeks to decide if we want to get married."

"And they both need to be with someone their own ages." Burt pointed out, his comment getting a scolding look from Carole. "Its nothing but the truth. Kurts barely out of his teenage years. He doesnt need to be with a man whos ready to start a family-"

"Burt, stop that." Carole censured, "Let Kurt date who he wants. Theres no harm in it. If hes comfortable and happy with a man in his thirties, isnt that better than him getting into a relationship with someone in his twenties and being completely miserable? Kurt has always been responsible, and wise beyond his years. He knows what hes doing."

Each of them leaned away from the table when the waiter came back, using the hot plates as his shirtsleeves. Kurt scowled at his meal when it was placed in front of him, knowing that his dad was staring at him from across the table. When the waiter left, the air remained charged with the tense energy that radiated off of him. Finn tangled himself into an awkward situation when he asked for the salt, a container that no one reached for, until Carole finally stretched her arm in front of her husband and dragged it over to her son. Finally, Kurt couldnt take it anymore, and he said exasperatedly, "Dad, you know that I respect your opinion. You were always the man I went to for advice when I was younger... remember? But, about this... about Blaine, Im not going to listen to what you have to say. Im twenty two years old. I dont need to ask you if a man can take me on a few dates. You taught me how to judge what makes a good man, and I think that Blaine can be that for me."

Sullenly, Burt shook his head at his plate. He pushed the noodles around, as he shrugged off the hand of his wife, who hoped to be the median that would bring some compromise to the stubborn man and his son. Kurt narrowed his eyes accusingly, wondering what had gotten into his dad, who was usually very disinterested in the people that Kurt spent time with, after meeting Unique and apprehending that he was harmless. As the family dug themselves deeper into a hole, Blaines phone buzzed under the table. Kurt winced without meaning to, because this might have been the worst time for Blaine to have to be someone elses superman. Much to Burts, and even Caroles, displeasure, Blaine checked his phone, which he had set to alert him whenever some piece of important news popped up. Instantly sliding away from the table, Blaine carelessly tossed his napkin onto his half empty plate, and bowed to kiss the corner of Kurts mouth. Although he was quiet, his eyes became apologetic, and Kurt simply nodded, knowing that he couldnt express his disappointment with Blaine having to leave, when he could have been going to save someones life.

Moving away from Kurt, Blaine said brusquely, "Mr. and Mrs. Hummel, I have something that I need to do. Please, forgive my absence." He stuffed his hand into his pocket and pulled out of his wallet, giving it to Kurt, "Sweetheart, Ill pay for the meals. Ill see you later, okay?" Without another word, Blaine whipped around and maneuvered by the waiter, who was zipping their way to inquire about their meals. As soon as he shouldered through the main doors, Burts offended eyes swerved to the back of Kurts head.

"If this isnt the most important business that hes had to-" Burt started, but Carole shook her head, her thumb rubbing his white knuckles. "Does he do that often, Kurt?"

Gazing emptily at his dads perplexed face, Kurt figured that it was best if he didnt answer. When the waiter appeared at his side, he held up his wine glass. "Could I have this refilled, please? And... a box, for my boyfriends meal?" As if he himself had dealt with a boyfriend who was absent more than he was there, and sympathized with Kurt, the waiter readily filled the glass even higher than he had the first time. Kurt downed the drink immediately, squeezing his eyes shut as the hint of spices rolled down his throat, leaving it raspy and sore.

"Well have the story of how the little boy, who had been trapped by his seatbelt after the car flipped over, was pulled free by a mysterious man in a black mask. This is coming up at eleven." Kurt stared idly at his TV screen, a much smaller one than he had in his living room, but that he had to use so that he didnt wake his parents. He folded one of his shirts and placed it in the drawer, and when he turned back to the freshly cleaned basket of laundry, he found one of Blaines shirts within it. He pulled it out and started on it, as his eyes returned to the TV, where a woman had started speaking about the rescue of the toddler.

Suddenly, a light breeze moved his hair, and Kurt blinked out of his trance. He checked the window to make sure that he had closed it for the night, only to have his eyes covered by a pair of large hands. Despite how uneasy things had been with his parents earlier, Kurt couldnt help but smile as Blaine slid his hands lower, cupping them over the points of his hips. "Blaine, my dad will freak out if he hears you in here."

Blaine moved around to his front, his smile wavering uncertainly, "Were both adults. Are we really going to sneak around like a couple of teenagers?" At the long face that Kurt gave him, Blaine heaved a sigh and sat down on the end of the bed. "I have the inclination that your dad doesnt like me. He doesnt even know me."

"Hes just protective, Blaine." Kurt admitted, his voice soft. When Blaine slumped his shoulders, Kurt lowered beside of him, his body sinking towards Blaine because he pressed the bed lower. "My dad has always been strict with me. And Ive never dated before... Give him time to adjust. Youre my first boyfriend. Hes going to be tough on you because hes never done this before."

Blaine frowned into Kurts hair, "Why is he protective, Kurt?" When Kurt lifted his eyes, he saw Blaine looking at him like he never had before. "Is it because of what happened when you were bullied? Youve never talked to me about that, Kurt."

Pushing away from Blaine, Kurt stroked his hand over the collar of his shirt, uncomfortably fiddling with his hands, as he did when he was in flustering situations. "Nobody likes to talk about how they were bullied, Blaine. I think that you should get back to your apartment. Itll be easier on my dad if you dont stay here over the weekend."

Blaine held him tighter, even as Kurt tried to squirm away, "Are you ever going to tell me?"

Pursing his lips into a white line, Kurt resolutely ignored the question, and kissed Blaines mouth, "Goodnight, Blaine."

He lowered his shoulders, his dismal eyes draining of their emotion as he rubbed his lips over Kurts, "Sleep wall, baby. Can I come back tomorrow morning?" Nodding, Kurt hugged his boyfriend, his arms winding snugly around his neck. Blaine rubbed his hand over Kurts back, "Ill be back, okay?"

Kurt let go of his boyfriend, slinking back on his bed as Blaine walked over to his window. With one look back at Kurt, and a wink, Blaine swung the window upward. He threw his leg through it, and a few seconds later, he vanished into the blackened night, his silhouette outlined by the streetlights. Kurt tried to follow his flying form with his eyes, and then fell back onto his pillows. Burying his face into one of the bubbles of cotton, he shut himself out of the world. He briefly imagined himself in Uniques shoes, with a boyfriend who worked as a bartender. His set hours, from afternoon until evening, gave Unique a sense of security, of safety in his boyfriends arms. He knew that his boyfriend wouldnt have to leave him, and risk his neck for people who didnt have the strength to save themselves.

Wiping at his moist eyes, Kurt wondered if things would be simpler were he with a man ten years younger than Blaine, and without the indefinite schedule that he had held on his shoulders for the past fifteen years, and would keep for another fifteen, or longer. Kurt had been bullied because he wasnt like the rest. It was no surprise that he ended up with a man who was even stranger than he was.

The following morning, Kurt roused to the sound of his family members scraping about the hallway. Feeling more refreshed than he was last night, he decided, through his bleary mind, that he was going to try to restart today, and get his dad and boyfriend on the same page. He slowly sat up, pushing the blankets down, and stretched his arms above his head. As he scooted off of the bed, he pondered when Blaine would return. He padded over to Pavarottis cage and poured seed into his bowl, and then turned to his closet and sifted through it for one of his nicer outfits. If he couldnt keep his family together, he could at least keep himself neat.

Peeling off the shirt that he had taken from Blaine, he redressed himself in a pair of gray slacks, and a black, sleeveless shirt with ruffles down the middle, and a gray, cotton jacket. As he buttoned his jacket, he opened the door to his bedroom and almost ran straight into Carole, who was fluffing her bob with her fingertips. She drew back at the sight of him. "Oh, Kurt! Good morning, dear. I was just coming back to knock on your door."

Kurt nodded at his stepmom, "Did you and my dad sleep well? Finn isnt up, is he?"

"We slept just fine. And, no, Finn isnt up." Carole assured him, glimpsing over her shoulder before she squeezed his hands. She lowered her voice, tilting her head forehead, "Kurt... you wouldnt have a few minutes to talk to me, would you? Blaine is in the living room with your dad. I wanted... to ask you about him. Could we sit in your bedroom?"

Even though there was no reason for them to isolate themselves, Kurt waved her in, anyway. "Yes, of course. Is everything alright, Carole?"

"Everythings fine." She said again, as she shut the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, as if she had to prepare herself for what she was going to ask, she squared her shoulders and cocked her head at the door. "Kurt, sweetheart... is Blaine... well, honey, what Im asking is... Kurt, is there something off about Blaine?"

"Off?"

Her mouth became firm, "Maybe I dont know what Im saying, but, honey, theres something... I dont want to say that unsettling is what I would call it... but something thats... unusual... about Blaine. Although Ill support you, I do agree with your dad that its rather... well, unheard of... that someone in his thirties would date someone just out of college. And... I suppose its the way that he looks. His eyes are so perceptive. Hes perceptive. Just this morning, I was feeling a little dismayed by how Burt was acting. I didnt even hear him walk up behind me, but Blaine gave me quite a fright when he showed up out of nowhere. He was just staring at me, and he asked me if I was okay. I dont know what to think about him, Kurt."

Kurt had no feasible answer to give her, so he simply opened and closed his mouth, when Carole touched his arm, her eyes widening as she came up with more concerns. "Another thing that I wanted to bring up to you was the crime in this city! I think that you should stop walking to work, Kurt. When I turned on the TV, all I could hear were announcements about all of the robberies and shootings. There was a shooting on the other side of New York City, just an hour ago! The reporter talked about some man in a mask who had grabbed the gunman and restrained him. But why did he have to have a mask on? What if he was part of a cult? Kurt, you dont know who youre walking beside of in this city. Blaine was out and about when that shooting was going on. You need to look out more for your own wellbeing."

"I know, Carole." Kurt had heard this lecture a thousand times before, just before hed moved to New York. He repeated what he used to say to his dad, "But the side of New York City that I live on couldnt be safer. Nothing happens over here. You know that I was hit more at McKinley than I ever have been here."

Carole made a face at him, "I didnt need to hear the statement about McKinley. I know what happened at your high school. Im talking about now, Kurt, in New York. Just... be careful, okay? Your dad and I worry about you. Finn... we have him in our backyard. But youre a whole plane ride away. Call more often, alright? It isnt good for your dads heart if hes so stressed out about you. Your dad had a heart murmur when he found out what was happening at McKinley. Any more scares wouldnt have..." she cleared her throat, and Kurt patted the back of her hand. "Well, Kurt, it wouldnt be good news."

"I understand, Carole." Kurt said solemnly, briefly flitting his eyes to the side as he remembered when the bullying had escalated to its peak, and Kurt, having had enough of it, squealed at the main provoker to stop, and had picked himself up from the floor, blood spilling from between his lips. So panicked that all he could do was scream, Kurt had made a run for it, only to smack right into a wall of them. Kurt recalled the exact octave of their cackles as the largest one-the one who seemed set on killing Kurt-hunted his wounded prey down, how loud they became as they bent and swung him off of his feet. He remembered being held with his face mere centimeters from those cold, unfeeling eyes, pupils expanded with his eagerness to inflict harm onto the much smaller boy.

Kurt blinked those memories away, letting them become black, and then returning to a few hours later, when he rested in his brothers strong arms, his entire body trembling as he wept with abandon. Although Kurt didnt want to, his oblivious principal had sat him down in the same room as his bully, who showed no regret at the pain that he had caused Kurt. Kurt remembered seeing his parents storm into the room, Caroles face was unusually furious, and his dads almost white with complete hatred. Upon seeing his crying son, Burt had lunged at the bully, hands clasping around his neck. While they tried to pull him off, and Kurt cried harder into his brothers pounding chest, Burts face had suddenly wiped clean of all emotion, his lips draining of color as he staggered backward, grabbing at his chest. Although his bully received a week of suspension, when he came back-even after seeing the distress that he had caused Kurts entire family-it seemed as if he was out for blood, after being caught once and wanting to take his frustration out on Kurt. The bullying didnt stop.

Kurt returned his attention to the present when he heard a knock at the door, and Blaine entered without being told to. Standing, Carole clasped his hand once more, and then breezed out of the room. Blaine closed the door behind her, his face unreadable. Kurt raised his brows at him, "You were in a gun fight this morning?"

Blaine shook his head, "Im too fast. I can hear the bullets coming. I dodge all of them." Crossing his arms over his chest, he said sternly, "Were you ever going to tell me that people hit you in high school? Is that what you meant by bullying?"

Kurts eyes became round at the harsh tone of Blaines voice. "What? You listened to that conversation? I figured you would eavesdrop on us when we were talking about you, but Carole got off the subject. Why were you still listening?"

"Why wouldnt you tell me that people harassed you in high school?"

"Are you angry that I kept that secret from you?" Kurt asked incredulously, rising from the bed and digging his oval nails into his palms. "I cant believe you! My bullying was none of your concern. Im sure that I would have told you eventually, but we had just started dating, Blaine. Im not going to blather about my life to a... a stranger!" Blaine looked like he had been slapped by that word, and Kurt raised his voice. "Thats what you are, Blaine! Youre never here! A-And I understand that Im supposed to be okay with that, because youre helping people, but when you are here... its like our relationship is at a standstill! We dont talk about anything. You havent taken me on another date. I feel like I dont know anything about you. Maybe Unique was right. I shouldnt have hurried into anything."

Blaine cocked his head to the side, "So, you want the relationship to end? You know, I thought you were different from my ex-boyfriends. I thought that you really could put up with me. But you didnt even make it to four weeks-"

Kurt threw his hands into the air, "And I thought that you werent so insecure that you would listen to every conversation that I have! And that you would assume that I want our relationship to end. I care about you, Blaine-" Covering his mouth, Kurt shook his head as his eyes welled up, and then slowly narrowed again. He whirled back around to Blaine, "Wait... four weeks? Is that what you said? Blaine... weve been dating for three weeks."

Turning away with an annoyed look, Blaine shrugged his shoulders haphazardly, "It was a slip of my tongue."

Kurt disregarded that statement, "Blaine... what did you do?" Blaines jaw twitched, so Kurt inhaled sharply, doing a quick inventory of everything that had happened during the last few weeks. All at once, Kurts eyes overflowed with tears, and he flopped onto his bed. "I didnt hit my head, did I? When we first met, something else happened... You cleared my memory. Blaine, what did you take?" Blaine shook his head, so Kurt stood upright again. "Blaine... tell me. What was it that you didnt want me to remember?"

Blaine lowered his head, "You came into the office. We talked... and you noticed that I was hurt from an attack. You touched the wound... expressed concern for me. I wrapped my arms around you, and you told me to kiss you." Although Kurts eyes enlarged, Blaine went on. Kurt wondered how much more there was. "I asked you on a date. The date, to put it simply, went terribly. I showed up late because of a robbery that was happening a few miles away. The conversation was okay, but we werent connecting. I was keeping too much from you, and I think that you could sense that. I took you to a restaurant. We started fighting. I didnt want to accept how much I needed you. That was what the fight was about. I... had to leave. There was an emergency. I gave you my car and left. A few days after that, you went back to the office. I didnt. These men broke into Dalton because they wanted the unpublished writing, and you saw me in my mask. I flew with you... I took you out of the building. That was when I cleared your memory."

When Blaine stepped closer to him, Kurt recoiled, wrapping his arms around his middle. "Dont touch me. Dont even come near me." His voice shook with his high emotions, "I cant believe that you thought it would be okay to take our first kiss from me. And our first date. Blaine, I dont remember any of that now! Ill never have those memories again."

Blaine swallowed so thickly that even Kurt heard it, "Kurt, Im sorry. I was only going to take the memory of when you first saw me in my mask. And then I realized that you might not be interested in me anymore, if you remembered our first date. While I was on that date with you, it occurred to me that I want you in my life. I couldnt stand the thought of losing you because of my own stupidity. I was awful to you on that date." He took one step forward, and Kurt inched back. "Kurt, please... look at me."

Kurt tightened his arms around himself, "You manipulated me to feel exactly the way that you wanted me to. You could have just apologized, Blaine, like any decent person. I would have forgiven you. But, for this... I dont think that I can. You took my first kiss from me, and used your powers against me, for your own good. You were selfish, Blaine, and because of that Ill never remember how good it must have felt to kiss you for the first time!" He finally looked at Blaine, whose face shone with the tears that trickled from his eyes. "Blaine, you thought it would be your stupidity in not realizing earlier how much I meant to you that would end this relationship. But it was really your naivety in not seeing how much that you mean to me that ended it."

To Kurts surprise, Blaine lifted his hand to his face, hiding it from Kurt as he twisted it up. Tears poured from his squinted, golden eyes. Kurt, who had never seen a man cry in front of him before, jerked with alarm, but then he turned away, knowing that this was good for him. Blaine had never been the right partner for him. Finally, when Blaine gathered himself enough, he walked by Kurt and pushed through his bedroom door. Glancing over his shoulder, Kurt watched Blaine pace through his family members, who quickly made a path for him. In his anguish, Blaine seemed to have forgotten that he had the ability to fly out of the window. Kurt looked at his dad, who stared after Blaine, and then turned back to his son, clueless about what had just happened. Kurt only shook his head, sitting down on his bed, and then smothering his face with his hands as he burst into tears.