~*~*~*~

Kurt groaned softly when he woke up the next morning. He shifted a bit, stiff and rather warm. He blinked confused as he realized, A... he wasn't laying down, B... he was definitely not in his bed... and C... He was definitely not alone. He glanced to either side of himself before chuckling a bit, blushing as he realized just how close Blaine was.

They must have fallen asleep watching movies. He couldn't say he hadn't been comfortable though. He'd had a fairly decent sleep. He was a little stiff but a bit of a stretch would fix that quickly enough. He smiled down at Blaine who was still leaning against his side, very much asleep.

He blushed as he watched the other. Blaine looked peaceful and content like that. He looked very sweet and adorable all curled up against him and he almost wanted to reach out and brush a stray strand of still gelled hair out of the others face but he held back, not wanting to wake the other.

He knew Mercedes was on his other side but he was still totally focused on Blaine at the moment. He nibbled at his bottom lip as he stared down at the other, letting out a sigh as he leaned back and got comfortable, relaxing and figuring he'd just wait for the two of them to wake up before he tried moving.

It wasn't much longer that Mercedes started to stir, opening her eyes and pulling herself up off of Kurt's shoulder, "Oh hell... I don't even remember fallin asleep," she let out, rubbing at her eyes before glancing over to the two boys as Kurt opened his eyes and looked over to her.

She glanced around him and smiled brightly as she spotted a still very much passed out Blaine on Kurt's shoulder, "Aww... how sweet. You two are so cute together..." she teased, chuckling at Kurt's eye roll as he nudged her with an elbow.

"We're not together so shush... we just fell asleep like this..." he said and glanced back over as Blaine groaned softly, opening his eyes slowly, looking a little bit confused before he looked over and pulled quickly away from Kurt, blushing as he let out, "I am so sorry..."

Mercedes couldn't help but laugh as Kurt shook his head and chuckled a bit, smiling warmly to Blaine, "It's fine... we all kinda passed out," he murmured as Blaine glanced to Mercedes with a lifted eyebrow before shaking his head and rubbing his face a bit.

"Anyway, you two hungry? I can make pancakes or eggs or something," Kurt let out with a shrug as he slipped off the couch. He was actually a little saddened that Blaine had pulled away from him so quickly but he said nothing. They weren't together and he had no right to expect anything more from Blaine... even if he wanted more.

"Sure, Boo..." Mercedes piped up, "Either one is fine with me... what are you interested in Blaine?" she asked as she stood and stretched. Blaine shrugged a bit as he finally pulled himself up as well, "I haven't had pancakes in a while..." he said and Kurt smiled warmly.

"Pancakes it is!" Kurt said and the three of them headed to the kitchen. They talked while cooking, Blaine and Mercedes helping as well. Not to meantion tossing flour at him in which he quickly retaliated shocked and laughing. They had fun and take before cleaning up the huge mess they'd made.

Over all it was a wonderful morning, after breakfast dishes they did some lounging around before Mercedes and Blaine helped Kurt with some wedding preparations. Most of which involved putting names and addresses on the invitations and envelopes so they could be mailed that day.

They went out after getting as much done for the wedding at home as they could, Blaine and Mercedes joining Kurt for a few appointments. They looked at flowers and china for the dinner and tried some foods from the caterer and met up with Carole to try out dresses. By the time they were done they were exhausted... but there was still one place to go.

"Uhh... I just wanna go home..." Kurt groaned and Carole chuckled softly at him and smiled, "Oh come on now... It's not that bad. And we still have the cake testing so come on you three," she teased and they moved to follow her, "Next time you'll learn not to stay up late before a big day."

The three teens chuckled at her as they headed to their vehicles and headed off to the bakers. They were sat down at a table and several pieces of cake were brought over. They looked beautiful and absolutely delicious.

"Alright... don't eat too much of one cake... each of us needs to try every one so don't fill yourselves up," Carole piped up before turning to one of the two cakes in front of her. She took a piece and took a bite, chewing and swallowing, "Mmm... this Zesty Lemon is very lovely..."

"Uhh... you know this is so going to make me gain like ten pounds... I think I gained five just looking at them," Kurt let out before chuckling softly, Blaine and Mercedes doing the came, Carole joining in after a moment as Kurt finally took a bite of the cake in front of him. He chewed for a few seconds before swallowing, "Roasted Hazelnut's not bad."

Mercedes was next, taking a bite of a cake in front of her, she hummed a bit before nodding, "Pink Champagne. Not bad... but not really my thing," she said as she swallowed. She looked to Kurt at this point, an idea hitting her as she smirked a bit, "you try... here..." she said as she scooped up a piece of cake and held it out for Kurt.

"You're supposed to leave the feeding of the cake to the bride and groom," Kurt teased as he leaned forward to take the bite from the fork, Mercedes chuckling as he chewed and swallowed, "Mmm, I like it," he said with a nod, "I think I like that one more then the Roasted Hazelnut actually."

Mercedes nodded then turned to Blaine who grabbed a piece of the cake he had in front of him. He looked at the notecard and lifted an eyebrow, "Who in the world would want Peanut Butter cake at their wedding," he said before taking a bite. He chewed and swallowed, smiling a bit as he let out, "It's good... I love peanut butter... but it doesn't scream wedding to me..."

"It screams anaphylactic shock to me," Kurt piped up, "Last thing we need is for a wedding guest to blow up like a balloon and end up in the hospital because our wedding cake's made with peanuts..." he said shaking his head, "Noooo peanut butter."

The other three nodded, agreeing with Kurt as Carole moved to try her second piece of cake. They went around until each of them had tried both of the cakes in front of them then returned to Carole who grabbed a piece of the Zesty Lemon and held the fork out for Kurt.

Kurt took the fork and tried it, giving a nod and swallowing before he let out, "I do like that..." she then gave him a piece of her other cake, Coconut and Kurt shook his head as he let out, "My dad hates coconut..." he said as he swallowed before Carole moved to give the other two tastes of her two, Mercedes playfully taking the piece of cake off the fork as she tasted it.

Before long they were all doing it. Just holding out pieces of cake for each other to try and Mercedes watched with a sly little smirk as Kurt held out a piece of the Red Velvet cake for Blaine to try. Blaine took the bite, blushing a bit as their eyes met before he pulled away from the fork, chewing and swallowing before he nodded.

"I like that one... I really like that one," he said and Kurt nodded, "Me too... Red Velvet's my choice so far..." he said and Mercedes chuckled, uttering out a whispered, "I'm sure you do," to Blaine's words and a "I'm sure it is..." to Kurt's who looked at her with a lifted eyebrow.

"What was that 'Cedes?" he asked as Carole and Blaine glanced at her, Mercedes chuckling and shaking her head, "Nothing... try this one... It's Golden Vanilla," she said, moving to feed Kurt and then Blaine before feeding Carole as well, the group of them laughing, enjoying the cake and the company.

Soon enough they were finished there, the group of them having decided on the Red Velvet cake before finally parting ways, Kurt heading off with Carole as Blaine and Mercedes headed home. Carole having already made plans with Burt to have dinner at the Hummel Household that night.

While they headed towards Kurt's place, Carole couldn't help but glance to Kurt who had a contented smile on his face. She chuckled softly as she smiled as well, "you like him..." was all she said and Kurt blushed deep before his eyes looked towards her.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said but he already knew it was too late for that. She just laughed at him, eyes on the road as she let out, "You and Blaine... you look good together. You should tell him how you feel before it's too late. Blaine seems a little more reserved then you when it comes to his showing feelings. I can see it.... He's shy... I know you're not shy."

"I..." Kurt let out quietly, frowning a bit as he sighed, "I'm not sure that's a good idea. I mean... he goes to school two hours away. We'd barely ever see each other. Besides... I've never done anything like that. Not that openly. And don't you go talking about my crush on Finn. I never openly told him I liked him or anything."

Carole chuckled again and sighed, "Kurt... I know it's hard and I know you're afraid of getting hurt but if you don't say anything you could loose him. We both know you may not find someone else like him for a long time. Lima's not exactly known for it's gay population. And you like him... we both know you do. I just don't want to see you let this opportunity slip through your fingers because I know right well that if you do... you will regret it."

"I'll think about it," Kurt said calmly. He frowned a bit at Carole's words but nodded as he let his head rest on the car window, staring out at the houses as they drove. He did like Blaine. He liked him a lot. But... he was afraid. He wasn't sure he could handle it if Blaine didn't want him.

~*~*~*~

Monday soon came and Kurt had been given permission to use the choir room at lunch time to work with his Dad and Finn on their dancing for the wedding. Both of them needed a lot of practice, he knew this, and Kurt wanted to make this day memorable for both of them. It would be the day where they became a family.

The idea scared him... It had been him and his dad for so long... just the two of them. But at the same time. He liked the idea of family. They hadn't been a real family in about nine years. He really did love Carole. She wasn't his mother but she was kind and generous and she loved his father... and his father loved her.

He and Finn didn't completely get along but they were getting better. He was still a bit hurt that Finn had chosen not to help the others when they'd gone after Karofsky. It wasn't that he wanted them to do that... he just... he wanted Finn to care enough to want to... but he didn't and that hurt.

He let out a sigh as he rested on a chair in the choir room, waiting for Finn and his dad to arrive. Finn slipped in first, giving Kurt a bit of a nod before plopping himself down behind the drumset as they waited. Kurt watched him as he fiddled around with the drum sticks before playing a bit.

It wasn't long after that Burt stepped into the room, smiling brightly as he walked over to Kurt and hugged the other, "alright! Show me some of those dance moves of yours so I can wow everyone at the wedding," he beamed and Kurt just chuckled softly and nodded, "right... ok then... thank you both for attending the Kurt Hummel wedding dance seminar..."

"Dad... you are going to be dancing first, you and Carole... You gotta be able to pull this off. And if Uncle Andy's fourtieth birthday party was any indication... We have a lot of work ahead of ourselves..." Kurt piped up, remembering that fiasco like it was yesterday.

"What are you talking about... my moves were fantastic..." he said, mumbling something about it not being his coordination as Kurt rolled his eyes and moved to grab his father by the hand, pulling him up, "ok... come on Dad... We dance to the beat... remember that... we're not dancing to the words..."

Burt followed him, letting Kurt place him and position his arms before he nodded, "So... have you two chosen your wedding song yet?" he asked as he made sure his dad was ready to start.

"Ya... we were thinking 'Stairway' or 'To Be Loved'," Burt said with a nod and Kurt nodded back, "alright, good... so it's basically a one, two, three, four... ok then," he said as he looked over to the pianist, giving the man a nod indicating for him to start playing.

"Alright, gentleman needs on the left... that's the opposite of me..." Kurt said with a nod as he began to guide his father, "one, two, three, four..." he said, nodding to the other as they moved. He smiled warmly at they moved together. He was so proud of his father. Despite everything... Burt had put his heart out there, knowing it might get broken, and had taken the chance... he'd taken what he'd wanted...

Why couldn't Kurt by that brave? He was scared... He wanted Blaine to like him so badly. Most of all he just... he didn't want to be alone. He was so lonely all the time. Everyone was pairing up and he had no one. He really did like Blaine. He knew he did... it wasn't just the desperation talking. They had so much in common.

"Look at me and my dancing feet. Look at that," Burt piped up after a moment, pulling Kurt out of his thoughts as Kurt looked up at him and smiled warmly, "ya, good... good you're doing really well," he said as he pulled away from the other, "Now... you're going to continue right here and dance with yourself. Remember... one, two, three, four... keep the beat."

"Alright, your turn Finn and no chickening out... I did it so you gotta do it too. You don't wanna look like a chicken having a seizure on the dance floor at the wedding," Burt teased playfully and Finn nodded, looking a bit nervous as he stood and moved over towards Kurt, letting out a breath.

"Ok, position," Kurt let out, motioning for Finn to get into position so they could start. In the background he could hear his father talking, saying something along the lines of there was dancing and his feet where moving. He wanted to laugh but Finn's nervous look made him worry.

"C... can we shut the door? I'm not... really comfortable doing this with an audience..." Finn finally said, motioning towards the door and Kurt couldn't help but roll his eyes, "I don't want anyone watching..." he said pleadingly after a moment as Kurt shook his head.

"What are you talking about... you danced in front of at least a thousand people at regionals... now come on," Kurt said, feeling a little bit upset. It was obvious to him that Finn was embarrassed of him... of being seen with him let alone being seen dancing with him. It hurt... it really did.

"A... alright," Finn said as he took Kurt's hand, getting into position as the two of them started. Finn stopped moving, however, when he saw red and white from the corner of his eye. He looked over and spotted Karofsky holding his hand out in a very 'gay' gesture with a smirk on his face.

Finn pulled away from Kurt right away, his face going a little white and Kurt tensed, ignoring Finn pulling away as his eyes watched Karofsky as the other male shook his head and moved to walk away. His stomach churned and he trembled a bit, wanting to turn and just bolt for it... hide in the girl's washroom or something...

"What the hell was that?" Came his father's voice after a moment and Kurt looked over, snapped out of his near panicked state. He knew he couldn't let his dad know what was happening so he just shook his head, letting out in as calm a voice as he could, "It's nothing dad..."

"That's not nothing. That kid was making fun of you... what the hell is his name?" Burt asked as he stepped towards the two boys. He was pissed off. No one teased his son and got away with it... no one. Kurt didn't deserve that. He knew that... Kurt had never done anything to anyone. He was a good kid... always had been.

"Tell him Kurt... tell him now or I will..." Finn piped up finally and Kurt looked at Finn, almost wanting to glare at the other. He didn't seem to care before so why was he wanting to stick up for him now? Why couldn't Finn stay out of it like he had before...

"Tell me what? Kurt... what's going on?" his dad asked, looking to him as Kurt sighed and frowned, "His name is Dave Karofsky... He's been harassing me for a few weeks now..." he mumbled out quietly, wanting to look away from his dad's eyes, afraid his dad would see the fear in his eyes.

"Harassing you how?" Burt asked, tense as he looked into Kurt's eyes. He knew something was wrong. He could see it and all of a sudden the day his son had come home with that black eye made sense. That was the kid... it had to be... that little fucker had touched his boy.

"Just... shoving me and stuff... Giving me a hard time..." Kurt mumbled out, looking away from his dad. He was terrified right now. He knew at least some of the last few weeks was about to get out and it scared him. He didn't want anyone to know. He was afraid of Karofsky and ashamed as well.

Burt looked back out towards the hall then back to his son, "no... There's more. Tell me Kurt," he said, afraid for his son. He'd seen how broken the other had been, "is that the fucker who hit you, Kurt? Is that him?"

"I... Y... Yes..." Kurt whispered out, still not meeting Finn or his dad's eyes. Burt narrowed his eyes as he piped up, "is there anything else?" His dad asked, Finn suddenly feeling like an ass for not helping the other boys go up against Karofsky.

"H... He..." Kurt went quiet at this point, wanting to tell them but frightened. He finally sighed, opting to give only some of the information, "He threatened to kill me..." He whispered, trembling as his father narrowed his eyes and snapped out, "he what?!" He growled out, shocked.

"What?" Finn whispered as it all came crashing down. He was ashamed of himself and couldn't meet Burt's eyes or Kurt's. He'd never realized just how bad the bullying was. Rachel had been right. Kurt had needed him... He wasn't ok. And he'd just ignored it all.

Before either boy realized what was happening, Burt was out the door and heading straight down the hall for Karofsky, "Dad! Dad don't!" Kurt pleaded, Finn calling his dad's name as well as they ran out after him, spotting him grab Karofsky and shove him against the wall, arm over the others chest, pinning him there.

"So you like picking on people and throwing your fist around? Why don't you try that shit with me," Burt snapped out as Finn and Kurt rushed over, trying to pry him off the bulky boy, "dad... Dad please, you're sick... Your heart dad, please," Kurt pleaded, trembling. He was afraid. For his father's health... And his own. An angry Karofsky was not a good thing.

"Burt, stop," Finn let out, helping pull the other off Karofsky, watching as the other boy backed up before rushing down the hall at a fast walk, trying to put as much space between him and Burt as he could. Finn relaxed a bit at this point, letting Burt go but the churning in his stomach didn't go away... he felt so guilty.

"Where the hell have you been while all of this shit has being going on? Huh?" Burt asked, turning to Finn who couldn't meet the others eyes. Burt finally just shook his head and turned to leave, walking down the hall, ignoring Kurt's quiet utterance of his name. He needed to get away from here before he did something he'd regret.

"Dad..." Kurt whispered out a second time, shivering as he looked back to Finn who wouldn't look at him. His heart hammered in his chest before he backed up, pushing through a few students who were still sticking around, wondering what the hell had happened.

Tears stung his eyes as he moved down the hall, weaving around students and keeping his head low. He finally slipped back into the choir room, closing both doors before slipping to the ground against the wall next to one of them and finally just breaking down.

He sobbed softly as he curled up, frightened and just... not really wanting to be alone right now... He just... wanted to be held... he wanted someone to tell him it would all be ok, but his father had left and Finn didn't look like he wanted to talk and he just... didn't want to bother anyone...

Besides... if he looked as bad as he thought he probably did... people might start asking questions. That was the last thing he needed. He couldn't tell anyone the truth. He couldn't tell anyone what Dave had done... What he was afraid Dave might do if things didn't change.

He knew where it was leading to though and part of him couldn't understand why he hadn't said anything to anyone yet... He'd heard the talks... been through the classes talking about it. If someone was 'hurting you' you were supposed to tell someone... if someone was 'touching you' inappropriately you were supposed to tell someone... but he was too afraid.

~*~*~*~