Blaine got back to Dalton just as the sun was rising in the east. He was tired, not having slept much, and sat down on a bench in the garden as he walked toward the dormitory. While he was happy to have been with Kurt, it wasnt a completely calm and loving atmosphere – it was more anxiety than he had anticipated. Once he caught his breath, Blaine got up to walk to his door. Key in hand he let himself into the dorm building only to find the Resident Assistant, Jeff Sterling, waiting for him.

“Where were you, Anderson?” he demanded.

“I had to go meet Kurt. Headmaster Ethridge was pretty adamant that I couldnt leave campus during the school week – but Kurt needed me. You know...” Blaine tried to explain.

Jeff crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“I cant be seen favoring one student above another. Lucky for you I saw you leave and was able to make excuses for you to Dean Abercrombie. I told him you were studying for the American Military History test, and he believed me. You better get your butt to bed for the next two hours and dont be late for class. Okay?

“Okay, Jeff. Thank you,” Blaine said, hanging his head.

Blaine had gotten in bed for a few hours sleep before he had to get up to go to class. He had another nightmare.

Unlike the others, this dream was about his Uncle Andy. He was having trouble remembering what was said, but he saw Andy with tears running down his face...then he held out his arms. Blaine was going to go to him, but someone approached and Blaine couldnt do anything but stand still and watch. Andy looked at him and smiled and nodded, then turned with his arms open once again and embraced whomever it was that was waiting. He saw the smile grow on Andys face, his arms wrapped tightly around the man he was hugging. The man was squeezing back for a moment before he, too, turned to look at Blaine.

It only took a glance and Blaine knew it was his Uncle Buddy. He was so happy to have these two men back in his life, he was all smiles and blushes. He looked back up at Andy, then at Buddy, but this time when he looked at Buddy, he had changed. It wasnt Buddy anymore, it was Kurt. Blaine tried to rush forward to hug Kurt, ask why he was there...and the alarm went off, waking Blaine.

Blaine was so exhausted, he kept hitting the snooze button, wanting just ten more minutes of sleep, but he finally got up – just barely enough time to get his uniform on but not enough to eat breakfast in the dining hall.

In the classroom building, he found himself running down the corridor, hoping to get to his seat before the bell rang. His shoes skidded on the linoleum floor as he came around the last set of desks and was just sitting down as the late bell rang. He looked up to see Jeff wink at him from a few rows away and he grinned.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

Blaine was sitting at lunch – he had barely made it through his morning classes, so thankful for the cup of dark, rich coffee that Jeff had given him after Calculus. It was just enough to help him keep his eyes open during the class time. He was practically staggering as he went to the dining hall, walking through the line and picking the comfort food he craved right now. Fettucine Alfredo with homemade noodles and thick, rich cheese sauce. He was about to get a forkful of the wonderful smelling food when he looked up and saw the sun break from the clouds in the form of his boyfriend. Kurt walked into the dining hall, searching for Blaine and rushing over at top speed when he spotted him.

Blaine forgot where he was, standing up to catch Kurt as he came leaping into Blaines open arms. He planted a big kiss on Blaines lips and then held him tighter, kissing back with all the passion he could muster, moving his hand to the back of Kurts head to hold him steady. They were halfway through their third kiss when reality finally broke through and they heard the other students calling, whistling, laughing, and otherwise cheering them on.

They broke the kiss, Kurt blushing in embarrassment and Blaine with a shy grin on his face. Kurt buried himself in Blaines shoulder, too mortified to show his face. His ears turned red when he heard clapping.

“Welcome back, Hummel!” several of his friends from the Warblers called and Blaine put his arms tenderly around Kurts shoulders.

“Its okay, baby, theyre just kidding with you. Nothing is going to happen to us, were safe here,” Blaine whispered. Kurt held still for a moment, realizing his boyfriend was right. He raised his face, looking around at the other students, mostly his friends. He gave them a shy smile, blinking back a few tears because he was suddenly so grateful to be going to such an amazing school where he could be safe.

“Thanks,” he said softly, stepping back away from Blaine. He was still flustered, but the blush was fading and he was able to smile at Jeff and Trent, who were standing near to them. Trent patted his back.

“Were really glad youre back, Kurt. How is your father doing?” he asked. Wes, Nick, and Jeff were all crowded around Kurt, listening.

“Hes much better, thank you,” Kurt said, a grin showing through as Kurt realized how close to his heart these boys were. He bet nobody at McKinley would have even thought to ask about his dad.

“Thanks, guys...were headed back to...ah...were going to take a walk in the quad and do some homework. See you later,” Blaine said, taking Kurts hand in his. He walked to the doors, Kurt waving at the group as they left.

Blaine led the way to a bench behind the willow trees at the far edge of the rose garden. It was mostly private, forsythia bushes blocking any casual observers. He sat down and pulled Kurt into his lap – arms automatically surrounding his waist and Kurt leaning forward to touch his forehead against Blaines.

“I missed you, baby. So, so much....” Blaine said with all seriousness.

“You did? Prove it...let me see your hand,” Kurt said as he took Blaines right hand and studied the skin on it. “Nope, I dont see a single blister. I guess you didnt miss me that much,” Kurt giggled. Blaine poked his shoulder.

“Hey, that wasnt nice,” Blaine said, catching on that Kurt was saying he hadnt masturbated enough to cause blisters. “Good boys dont do that,” he quipped.

“Then I guess youre a bad boy? Hmmm?” Kurt said with an evil grin on his face. Blaine burst out with laughter.

“Oh, my stars in heaven, Kurt...I missed you!” Blaine said once again, this time hugging Kurt close to his chest.

They sat together for a while, just soaking each other in. Talking wasnt necessary, they each knew what the other one felt. Finally, Blaine asked Kurt a question: “youre back early – I wasnt expecting to see you again until the weekend. How long are you staying?”

Im officially back to classes now. Dad told me he was sick of seeing my moon-eyed calf- face and ordered me to come back to school. He also said I obviously needed to be back with you, because he was pretty sure you were responsible for the sad look I couldnt hide from him,” Kurt said, his head down and the blush creeping up his neck.

“How is your dad? Is Carole staying with him?”

“Yes. Actually, I have to go back on Saturday because she is moving in with Dad and I volunteered to help move her furniture,” Kurt said, a bit afraid Blaine would be upset because he had to cancel another weekend.

“Ill be there, if you want me. Maybe we can get a few of the Warblers to join us? I think Trents brother has a truck we can borrow,” Blaine suggested. If he could be alone with Kurt, hed join him for the weekend anyway and help someone out in the bargain.

“Thats a great idea! We can get it done in half the time,” Kurt said, smiling at his boyfriend.

“We better get back to class. Want to race?” Blaine asked and Kurt was up and running, beating Blaine to the classroom door by mere inches.

~ ~ ~KB~ ~ ~

After classes had ended, the boys walked through the mostly empty corridors, looking at the murals painted on the walls. Kurt was holding Blaines hand, squeezing it gently when he caught Blaine winking at him. He hadnt seen Blaine this happy in a while.

“So, your dad is going to be okay with Carole there?” Blaine asked. “What about when shes at work?”

“She took a leave of absence. She told me she hadnt had a vacation in three years and she has seniority in her department. She said this was better than a vacation because she gets to spend it with dad,” Kurt blushed. He was still embarrassed to speak about sex – especially when it concerned his father.

“Well, thats good. So, youre back to Dalton for good?”

“Yeah, Ill go home on the weekends, but Im feeling okay with getting back to classes. Carole is a good nurse and I know she has Dads best interest in her heart. I think he likes having her there,” Kurt said.

“What makes you so sure?”

“Its just the way he looks at her when she walks in the room. Like he used to look at mom kind of...” Kurt said, his voice fading at the end, as if he was just realizing it.

“You okay with this then?” Blaine asked him, moving closer to place his arm around Kurts waist.

“Yeah. I mean...I know he remembers Mom, but shes been gone a long time and he deserves to have someone love him. Its not as if Murphy can carry on a conversation, you know?” Kurt looked sad. He missed his mom, and seeing his dad with Carole reminded him of his mother. He didnt resent Carole, he was glad his dad could find someone so kind and sweet. He just missed his mom.

“Sorry, Kurt.” Blaine had no way to tell Kurt how much he cared, that he missed his folks, too, but it seemed petty to speak about his own loss in the face of Kurts. Especially since his were just in Europe and Kurts mom had died.

They walked into the Warblers choir room and sat on one of the leather chesterfield sofas. All the boys were milling around, chatting or tuning up by the piano. It was several minutes before Wes banged his gavel to restore some order. The boys all found seats and gave their attention to Wes.

“Warblers will now come to order. I have an announcement. We have been invited to compete in the International Show Choir Counsel Invitational that is being held in Chicago this year. We were invited because we won the regional title this year, and all the winning show choirs are invited,” Wes told the Warblers.

“But...how are we getting there?” one of the newer singers asked.

“The Headmaster has informed me that the school has funds to cover our rooms, meals, and transportation for the competition. We will go on Friday after classes let out and stay at the Hilton, then compete on Saturday and come home on Sunday afternoon.”

“How many choirs will be there?” Jeff asked.

“I dont know. This is a regional competition, but the regions are different than the ones were used to. Plus there are choirs from all over the world. We need to get a set list and practice, work out the choreography, and a few things like that. I told Headmaster that we are up to the challenge,” Wes added, a wide grin on his face.

“What will we sing?” Eddie asked, his eyes on Wes.

“If everyone would write down the three songs you would like to hear, and the committee will let us know who tallies up. We should know before we leave on Sunday,” David said, finally able to say something and not interrupt Wes.

“The show is three weekends from here, so submit your choices, Ill collect them and we will chose the list next time I see you. In the mean time, Warblers dismissed,” Wes said and banged his gavel in dismissal.

“The best part is that if we win, well be going to Melbourne for the competition,” Wes said. Blaine was grinning ear to ear.

“Oh...my stars in heaven, Kurt. Im going home!” Blaine said, the smile on his lips reaching his eyes.

“Yes, yes you are- if we win,” Kurt said, holding his hand a little tighter. “Are any of your family still living in Melbourne?”

“Yeah, my grandparents on my mothers side. They live outside the city, but close. I can hardly wait to go visit them,” Blaine told Kurt.

“So, am I going to get to meet all of your old boyfriends?” Kurt asked, kidding.

Blaine blushed red.

“Ah...I dont have any old boyfriends, Kurt,” he said, but Kurt caught a look on his face that puzzled him. He decided to let it go. It wasnt any of his business who Blaine might have dated before they met, and Blaine was so good looking and had such a sweet disposition that it wasnt possible that hed had no one interested in him. Kurt knew he was just being jealous, so he curbed his thoughts and pulled Blaine closer to him – planting a big kiss on his mouth. He had meant to just give him a brief kiss, but it ended up with the two of them forgetting where they were and clutching each other tighter, Kurts tongue exploring Blaines mouth in that amazing way he had.

The other Warblers were used to the two of them showing some affection during meetings, but this was a bit over the line and Wes had to clear his throat several times before they heard him and pulled back.

“Kurt, Blaine. I know the two of you are close, and most times it is okay to show that – but this is getting to be a habit and you are taking it too far. Please show some decorum in the choir room,” Wes admonished.

“Sorry, it wont happen again,” Blaine said.

Kurt nodded.

“Thank you. I expect you to act as gentlemen even after I dismiss the choir. Ill see you all on Thursday,” and with that, the Warblers left the room.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

Later that evening the boys had gotten ready for bed and were just sharing time in their dorm room.

“How excited are you?” Kurt asked. He was lying on his belly on his bed, feet swinging lazily in the air and reading his chemistry book. Blaine was sitting in the desk chair a few feet away and not doing his homework.

“I just – I dont know. It seems like a lifetime ago that we moved to Italy and I had to say goodbye to everyone I knew. It just about broke my heart,” Blaine said, a frown appearing on his face at the memory.

“Dont you keep in contact with any of them?” Kurt asked.

“Sometimes, but once I started school in Italy, it was hard to keep in touch. The schoolwork was more advanced and I had to work harder to catch up. I was trying to make new friends, and I missed my family. Mom and Dad were in another city and it was my first time at boarding school, and I was really depressed for a while,” Blaine admitted.

Kurt reached out to take Blaines hand and tugged his arm until he got up and came to the bed. He lay down beside Kurt with a sigh.

“I had taken Italian in school, but learning it in a classroom and speaking it every day are definitely two different things,” he laughed. “I did okay, I learned a lot – it was a good experience – but it took a long time before I was comfortable speaking to everyone. When Dad asked me if I wanted to come here and attend Dalton and be near Cooper, it seemed like a godsend to me.”

“I wish I had a brother. Cooper seems so nice – were you close as kids?”

“We werent kids at the same time, actually. Cooper is fourteen years older than me. I remember he was always there for me, though. I came out to him before I ever told my parents. When did you come out to your dad? Did your mom know?” Blaine asked. He picked up Kurts hand where it was lying on the bed. He laced their fingers together and Kurt smiled at him, ducking his head, feeling suddenly shy.

“That is a story in itself. I was feeling kind of lost, like my dad wasnt paying me much attention, and now I look back and see that he missed my mom and my grandmother, plus he was trying to buy a house for us. He owned the garage, but we were renting the house,” Kurt said, a sad look on his face and Blaine squeezed his hand.

“I thought if I had a girlfriend and showed interest in football or fishing or something that he would be happier. So I dated Brittney. We were in my room and I had left a note on the door that I wanted to be left alone. Of course, my dad came down as soon as he saw it. I was making out with Brit when he got there. He just stared at me and turned around to go back up. Then Brit had to leave – which was good because she kept trying to slide her hand down my jeans!”

Blaine coughed at that, trying not to and his eyes watered as he tried to cover up his shock.

“You what? Britt? The one I met?” Blaine asked, his eyes wide.

“Yeah...Brittney Pierce. She really is a sweet girl, just not my....ah....not my type shall we say?” Kurt smirked.

“Anyway, Dad waited until supper and asked me about her. I couldnt lie to him any more and told him it was just staged and that I am gay. He just smiled and said he knew. I looked at him to see if he was serious, and he was. He told me he knew since I was three and asked for a sensible pair of heels for my birthday. I think the day he found my tiara collection sort of cemented it for him,” Kurt laughed, “I dont know how I ever thought he didnt know.”

“You are so lucky, Kurt. Burt is the best father I can imagine. He is so supportive. My dad is okay with me being gay, but I dont think hes happy about it. He never said much – Cooper told me to be honest about it, and I told them the next night at supper, but neither of them said much. They both looked surprised – I dont think they had guessed beforehand. It was right after that we moved to Italy and I started boarding school.”

“Do you think they sent you because youre gay?” Kurt asked. Blaine was still frowning a bit, so Kurt rolled over on his side, curling up next to Blaine and pressed a kiss onto his neck.

Blaine hummed his appreciation, but didnt say anything else for a while..

“Since your fathers brother was gay, I imagine he wasnt too bothered by it,” Kurt ventured.

“Yeah, he and Uncle Andy were pretty close. I think he had a hard time understanding how difficult it was for Uncle Andy, and he was worried about me because of it. Now, how sending me to an all boys school is perhaps a strange way to protect me...” Blaine grinned.

“Yeah, I cant see where he came up with that!” Kurt laughed a little.

“It was good for me. I was such a clingy kid, just ask Cooper. I would wait until I heard my folks go to bed, then Id sneak down the hall and climb in bed with Coop...under the covers to keep warm and snuggle up to him. I was lucky, though. Most big brothers would shoo the pesky little brother back to his room – but Coop never blinked an eye. He just moved over and let me sleep there,” Blaine explained, a far away look in his eye.

“Well, Im jealous! You got to sleep with him and all I had was the dog. And Murphy is a terrible blanket thief!” Kurt laughed.

“Dont be jealous -you are so much better than sleeping with Cooper. You cuddle back,” Blaine smiled, leaning up to give Kurt a kiss. “Plus you kiss me. Cooper never did,” Blaine said with fake puppy eyes.

“Ah....I think Id start to worry if he did,” Kurt said, giving Blaine a look.

Blaine laughed.

“No, I just slept in his bed because I was lonely – and cold. He turned his back and fell asleep right away and then Id just lay next to his back. I knew he would keep me safe.”

They stayed on the bed, Kurt rolling back onto his belly, feet in the air while Blaine closed his eyes and cuddled close into his boyfriends side while Kurt finished his reading.

“Done!” Kurt said, closing his chemistry book and setting it on the blanket chest at the foot of the bed.

Blaine smiled over at him. He was getting sleepy and just wanted to snuggle with his boyfriend. He opened his arms and Kurt hugged him before they both got up to change into pajamas.

Kurt excused himself to get ready for bed: brushing his teeth, and so on. Blaine had finished up doing that before he got his pajamas on, so he climbed into Kurts bed and got under the warm blankets. The weather was getting cooler by the day and it was never really warm in the old building that housed the dormitory. Blaine moved over next to the wall and closed his eyes to rest them and wait for Kurt. It had been a long day.

Beginning to doze, Blaine was day-dreaming about Kurt. He wanted to do so many things with his boyfriend, but Kurt seemed very reluctant this past week. Maybe it was worry over his fathers health, or extreme pressure about keeping his grades up when he was home with Burt, but Blaine didnt think that was it. Who was he kidding? Kurt made it perfectly clear that he was not going to allow any sort of intercourse until he had a wedding ring on his finger. Blaine sighed. He understood, but at the same time, he wondered if the reason was that Kurt didnt trust him. If he did, then making love in that way wouldnt be an issue. Blaine tried not to dwell on that – he would just get upset and allow the anger to seep into the relationship, and that was not what Blaine wanted.

Kurt finally emerged from the steamy bathroom where he had showered and done his nightly skin routine. He found himself taking less time to do it lately, mostly because he wanted to spend time with Blaine and not sitting alone in front of a mirror smearing avocados and ground apricots all over his face.

Kurt walked over to his bed, smiling when he saw Blaine under the covers. He slid in next to him, reaching to shut off the lamp and plunge them into darkness. He was ready for some cuddles and maybe a wee bit more, but Blaine had turned over, away from Kurt, in his sleep. Well, no sex tonight. Kurt lifted himself on his elbow and kissed Blaines soft cheek and whispered that he loved him, then lay back and closed his own eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Blaine lay facing the wall, a few tears running down his face as he tried to fall asleep. He wrestled with the thought that Kurt would leave him because he had been so persistent in trying to get Kurt to explore more sex. He needed to stop being so forward, stop trying to push Kurt, because he didnt want to scare him away – he could not even imagine living life without this amazing boy.

Kurt snuffled in his sleep, turning toward Blaines back and throwing his arm over Blaines waist. Blaine wiped the tears from his cheeks and snuggled back into Kurt, hoping he could find the right path to Kurts heart.

Blaine was so tired he wasnt sure he could make it to class in the morning. He was still lying in bed, Kurts arm wrapped around his waist, as his eyes followed the moon as it moved across his window. It wasnt a full moon – but close to it. Blaine closed his eyes once more, but sleep was not in the cards for him tonight.

“Blaine?” Kurts quiet voice came, and Blaine could tell he was only half awake.

“Shhh...its the middle of the night, sweetheart. Go back to sleep,” Blaine whispered back. There was no sense in having them both lose sleep, and Kurt had been sleeping peacefully.

“Whats wrong, youre not asleep....did you sleep at all?” Kurt asked, his concern growing.

“Ah...no. Dont worry, Ill be fine,” Blaine said, not wanting to disturb his boyfriend. “I think I might go and sleep in my bed, though. Goodnight,” he whispered, shifting to kiss Kurt, and then to get out of bed. He padded across the room, the bare wooden floor making his feet cold. He started to lie down but a coughing fit stopped him and he decided to use the restroom before trying once more to try to fall asleep.

Once in there, Blaine thought he might take a warm shower to loosen his muscles. He hoped the running water wasnt too loud as he soaped the wash cloth and began scrubbing his arms. The hot water felt good on his sore muscles. He must have slept wrong the night before when he was with Kurt in the sleeping bag at Indian Lake. Blaine ended the shower with a cough so bad he had to lean over and hold his stomach – it felt like he was going to lose a lung or something. He sat down on the small chair at the vanity and tried to catch his breath, his head down by his knees.

Finally sitting up, he dried off and put on a clean pair of pajamas. He sat for a few more minutes, his hands over his belly as the sharp stabbing pain settled into an ache again. When the sharp pain was less, he got up to put his old pajamas and towels in the laundry hamper before opening the door.

Kurt was sitting on his bed, a tray on the bedside table.

“Hey,” Blaine said, looking over the tray and then his eyes locked on Kurt.

“Hey, yourself. How long have you had that cough?” Kurt asked.

“A few days I think. Dont worry, its nothing, just an allergy or something,” Blaine said, sitting next to Kurt on the bed.

“I made you some tea with lemon and lots of honey, just like my dad used to make,” Kurt said, still looking at Blaine.

Blaine took the cup and sipped a mouthful of the hot tea. His eyes opened wide and he had to hold his breath so he wouldnt cough. He looked at Kurt to see a smile on the boys lips.

“Oh, and the Irish whiskey is from my grandmothers recipe,” Kurt grinned. He tipped the cup up for Blaine to take another sip.

“Wowsers, I think I would have loved to meet your grandmother,” Blaine giggled. He took another sip. “Where did you find Irish whiskey on campus?”

“Oh, I have friends in low places,” he laughed. Kurt was not going to reveal his sources to anyone. “Drink your tea.”

Blaine gave him a smile and sipped the sweet drink, his head getting a pleasant buzz as he neared the bottom of the cup. He finished the tea and set the cup back on the tray, then leaned back on the stack of pillows. Kurt put a hand to his forehead.

“My goodness, you are hot!” he said, “How are you feeling?”

Blaine turned to look at Kurt, his eyes burning as he blinked them.

“Im okay, just cant seem to shake this cough,” Blaine said.

“You are staying in bed tomorrow, Ill take care of you. Now, wait here and Ill get you something to take,” Kurt said, going to the bathroom to get some aspirin. He came back and sat on the side of the bed, handing Blaine the little pills and a glass of water.

“Thank you, Kurt,” Blaine said, looking drowsy.

“Would you like me to rub your back?”

“Oh, would you? I dont think anyone has rubbed my back since Cooper lived at home. He always took good care of me,” Blaine said, “And now I have you. Ive been really rich in my life, havent I?”

“Id say you have. Take off your pajama shirt and lie down on your tummy,” Kurt directed, looking in his bedside drawer and finding some jasmine massage oil.

He was back, towel in hand, and squeezed some of the lotion on his hands, rubbing them together.

“Okay, now try to relax,” Kurt said, “Ill start at your neck and work my way down.”

“Mmmmm, that sounds sexy,” Blaine said, a dreamy smile gracing his lips.

Kurt started massaging his neck, rubbing the tense muscles and stroking between his shoulder blades as he worked his way down Blaines back. He rubbed hard, then eased up as he moved and listened intensely to know when it edged towards pain. He leaned forward, his weight on Blaine as he went down either side of his spine and heard a growl from his boyfriend.

“Does that mean it hurts or does that mean it feels good?” Kurt asked.

“Feels good, baby,” Blaine said, stretching his arms up towards the head of the bed as Kurt returned to his shoulders to massage. He continued for a while, ignoring Blaines naughty suggestions of where to touch him.

“Hey, this is a massage, not a seduction, mister. It is supposed to relax you, not stir up your hormones,” Kurt scoffed. Touching Blaine in all kinds of places had been flitting through his mind since starting, but he knew Blaine was sick and that activity was probably not a good idea.

“Just one little kiss?” Blaine asked, turning a little so he could be sure Kurt saw his puppy-dog eyes pleading.

“NO.”

“Oh...well, then carry on, this is feeling so good,” Blaine said in his sexiest voice.

Kurt had to adjust himself – Blaine was sexy even when he was sick with the flu, and that was entirely unfair. He redoubled his efforts and ignored what Blaine was saying to him. When he was just about done, he happened to glance over at Blaine and saw he was fast asleep.

Kurt washed his hands and came back to kiss his boyfriend on his hot forehead. Blaine opened his eyes for a moment, then took Kurts arm and pulled him down on the bed.

“Come hold me, baby, please?” Blaine asked, then closed his eyes once again.

Kurt got into the bed, snuggled up to Blaines back and they both fell asleep.