“Aramis!” Kurt shouted. He and Blaine were in the back yard, playing with the collie puppy. Suddenly a ball of gold and snow came running, launching itself into Kurt's arms, wagging its whole body in ecstasy at being lifted into his lap.

“Okay, Blaine,” Kurt admitted, “You're right. It is the perfect name. And not because it's my cologne, no...it's because that's my favorite Musketeer,” Kurt giggled, pushing the pup away from his face, “That's quite enough kisses, Aramis, I don't need a bath!”

Aramis jumped down, only to try to jump on Blaine's lap. Kurt gently moved him to a sitting position, giving the command to sit as he did so.

“He sure learned that fast,” Blaine said as the pup sat, eyes on Kurt and ears alert.

“He's a good dog. Very intelligent – knows who his master is,” Kurt smirked.

“Oh, I'm not even going there.....too many pitfalls and mines for me to step on.” Blaine laughed.

“Let's go in for a bit of lunch?” Kurt asked. At Blaine's nod, he pushed the wheelchair into the kitchen.

“Can I help with anything?” Blaine asked.

“Sure...I was just going to make a brown rice stir-fry. Want to peel the shrimp while I chop the peppers?”

They were about half way through making lunch when Cooper walked into the kitchen, leaning on the breakfast bar. “Oh....making enough for three?” he asked.

“I can, no problem.” Kurt took another handful of shrimp out of the refrigerator for Blaine to peel. He smiled at his boyfriend's brother. “What's on your mind?”

“Well......I just wanted you to know we're getting another warm body to live in the house.”

Both boys looked at each other, then up at Cooper.

“Blaine, you remember Mrs. Shaw?” Coop asked.

“Sure, she was the housekeeper when we were little.”

“I spoke to her last week,” Cooper continued, "she was living with her sister, but her sister is in a nursing home now. I was thinking we might help her out.”

“As in...?” Blaine asked.

“She could be our housekeeper again.”

Kurt shot a look at Cooper of betrayal. “What's wrong with the way I've been taking care of things?”

“Kurt, don't worry. She is just going to do the regular housework and cook. But that doesn't mean you can't still cook whenever you want.”

Kurt had moved over to sit at a kitchen chair behind Blaine, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend from the back. Blaine's hands came up, almost in reflex, holding Kurt's forearms in a tight grip. Their heads came close, Blaine nuzzling into Kurt's neck to get closer to him. The scent of Kurt was soothing and he relaxed a tiny bit. Kurt felt it and began to rub his hand in small circles on Blaine's side in comforting gentle strokes.

Cooper could see that none of the close touching between his brother and Kurt was thought out, it was reflex born of that mysterious connection between the two. Maybe bringing Mrs. Shaw into the house was a mistake? Cooper didn't live there full time, just on the weekends. But he had spoken with both Burt and Carole about how all the responsibility and worry was slowly tiring Kurt. Even Finn was aware of the strain on Kurt. Coop could see quite plainly that Kurt had lost weight, he didn't spend any time with his friends....well, there was Mercedes, but other than that? And school would be starting in another month.

“Kurt?” Blaine pulled back slightly, fixing his hazel eyes on the bright blue-green eyes. “Ah, I think we should talk this over. Mrs. Shaw was so good to us. Mom and Dad were always gone, so Coop and I were virtually left alone - except for Mrs. Shaw. I really think it would be nice to help her out here.” He hit Kurt with his big, sad, liquid hazel eyes, and Kurt's heart melted -like it always did.

“Okay,” he said in a quiet voice to Blaine, patting his arm and kissing his temple. He turned to Cooper. “But I am the one taking care of Blaine.” Kurt looked like he was gearing up to battle over this, and that's not what Coop intended.

Cooper just wanted the tasks like laundry, cooking, cleaning, to be taken care of to let Kurt rest. He knew nobody would talk him into giving up Blaine's care. He needed to diffuse the tension building in the room.

“Yes, Mama Tiger. Nobody's going to take away your cub,” Coop kidded, earning a scowl from both boys.

“We're good here then? I already spoke to Burt and Carole, they're on board. She will be here next week and I thought she could have her old room in the east hall,” Coop finished.

Kurt returned to the stove, first dropping a few kisses on Blaine's curls. He wasn't best pleased, but if she was open to his ideas for nutrition and kept her hands off of Blaine, he was okay with it.

“I was thinking...” Blaine started. They were lounging on their bed, lunch done and getting ready for a nap. Blaine was better, improving all the time, but he still got tired quickly and they were used to sleeping for a while every afternoon.

“I thought I smelled something burning...” Kurt kidded, earning a smack on his arm. He grinned and tousled Blaine's curls, to which Blaine pulled his head away and pushed Kurt. It ended up in a wrestling match, and both boys were winded in just a few minutes. Aramis was on the bed with them, trying to get in between the boys because he didn't understand what they were doing. He wagged his tail and tried to lick their faces, finally barking in short yips and sitting back to wait for them to stop and pet him.

“Okay, what were you thinking?” Kurt panted, lying back on the pillows, Blaine cuddled close to Kurt's side and Aramis laid down with his head on Blaine's stomach.

“We should have a pool party! I haven't had a party since I was sick, and I miss having a bunch of people here, having fun.” Blaine grinned, thinking of all the great times he's had.

“Oh, I know the perfect occasion. Mercedes' birthday is the last part of August. We can have a 'last party of the summer' along with a pool birthday party for her! I love it.” Kurt was smiling from ear to ear. Blaine was just as happy. Mostly because it was making Kurt so happy, but he was now looking forward to having all his friends there.

“I'll have Coop call the pool guy to get it all ready and we can get the invitation list together. You can plan the food and we can do the decorations, it'll be like it used to be,” Blaine enthused, then looked down at his thin legs. He did his physical therapy several times a week still, but without the exercise of running and walking, his once muscular legs were now thin and he hated them. He reached and pulled his afghan over them to hide them, a sad look on his face. “”Well, kind of like it used to be, anyway,” he said in a quieter voice, and turned away from Kurt, pushing Aramis off the bed.

Kurt knew Blaine would just get angry if he reminded him of how much progress he was making. He'd been down that road, more than once, only to have it end in tears and silence. There was just nothing he could do to make it any different. Blaine was getting better, but in such small increments, he couldn't see it any more and anything Kurt said made it worse. But Kurt understood. They had spoken about it in therapy. The frustration and anger would build up, and Blaine refused to vent until it was a huge bomb ready to explode. Then he would either cry hysterically, or his anger exploded – hitting everyone in the proximity with the shards of his cutting words. Blaine was sorry afterwards, but he still hadn't been able to stop the cycle – any more than he could stop the nightmares.

He was actually amazed that Kurt put up with it at all. The guilt he felt when he'd unleashed the anger at Kurt only served to force them apart even more in the wake of the blow-up. But Kurt learned quickly how to diffuse Blaine's anger in most cases. Aramis had been a big help with that lately, when Kurt felt an episode coming on, he found something he needed to do away from Blaine and whistled the collie into the bedroom, patting the bed beside Blaine and giving the command to stay. Blaine could be with the little dog, who would keep him company and not judge and it helped to have a place to vent. Aramis may have been a present to Kurt, but he was an even bigger help to Blaine.

Very quietly Kurt got up and padded over to the French doors. He let the puppy out into the yard and closed the door, drawing the thick drapes to make the room dark. He closed and locked the bedroom door, then went to the table on the far side of the bed, lighting the oil warmer and dribbling some sage and jasmine oil in to heat. Next he moved to the ipod dock and selected a playlist of quiet music. He hummed along as he removed his clothes down to his boxer-briefs and climbed on the bed next to Blaine.

Blaine had rolled over, following Kurt's every movement with his eyes. He still felt angry, but not at Kurt. It might be easy to snap in anger for a split second, overcome with the feeling of defeat in the face of his lack of progress, but it never lasted long. He knew in his mind that Kurt wasn't the thing he was angry at, and he was trying to learn not to focus his frustration on someone that was helping him.

Kurt moved closer, looking at Blaine's eyes, asking silent permission to touch him. Blaine granted it by moving his chin in a little dip, a nod. It was enough. They didn't need words when the questions were this simple. Kurt reached out and started unbuttoning Blaine's shirt, slowly moving to pull the shirt off of Blaine's muscular shoulders. His legs might have gotten thinner, but his shoulders were still wide and beautiful. Kurt followed the removal of the shirt with the stroking of his hands, very gentle and soft, caressing his shoulders, down his arms. He put both hands on Blaine's chest, pushing him back on the bed, kissing his cheeks and forehead, humming in a calm way under his breath. He caught Blaine's eye and looked at his jeans, questioning if this was okay. Blaine nodded, letting loose a sigh as he tried to relax. Kurt undid the button and zipper, sliding the jeans down his legs. He took a long time to caress the skin on his boyfriend's thighs, very gently stroking his knees. Blaine shuddered a bit and Kurt understood they were painful today. He massaged the calves of his legs, one at a time, ending up with a soft circling of his ankles and feet.

“Scoot,” Kurt whispered, and Blaine rolled away, allowing Kurt to pull back the bedcovers. Blaine lay down on the cool sheet and Kurt pulled just the top sheet over him, up to his neck. He placed his hand on Blaine's chest, the warmth permeating the cotton to soak into Blaine's skin. But this was respite, not seduction. Kurt pulled back the sheet and got under it with a minimum of disturbance to Blaine. He rolled onto his back, his arm under Blaine and Blaine moved so he was lying partially on Kurt, his head on Kurt's chest. His fingers splayed out, following imaginary paths, circling and rubbing lightly. Kurt kissed the top of his head, smelling the shampoo and smoothing his cheek on the fluffy curls. He breathed a sigh of contentment.

“Feeling a little better, baby?” Kurt asked, pulling Blaine a bit closer.

“Yeah. I don't know what gets in to me, Kurt. I was so happy, thinking of the party. Then I thought about my legs and how I still can't walk and this feeling of helplessness comes over me. I don't want to hurt you, Kurt. But I just felt so angry. And I don't know what to do with my anger, so sometimes it spills over and it gets out of my control.”

Kurt could feel Blaine's muscles grip and the tension spread through his body. He began to massage Blaine, moving slowly and not saying anything yet, just trying to get him to relax a little.

“I think I need to get out more, and with the wheelchair maybe we can go places? Are you okay with lifting it in and out of the Navigator? I could ask Coop or Finn to go with us.”

“That's a good idea, and no, I don't need help. I can get it in and out and lift you into the chair. Hey, thanks to you I'm getting pretty buff,” Kurt smiled, showing off his developed biceps by making a fist and moving his arm for a better view. Blaine gave him a loud wold whistle, and Kurt laughed.

“Hey, with you in a wheelchair, we can get your guitar and sit outside the bus station and busk for money.” Kurt looked at Blaine to make sure his joke was okay. But he needn't worry, Blaine was laughing.

“Leave it to you to make me smile again. You are just the best.”

They talked quietly for a while, planning who to invite to the party, what to eat, etc. Then the talk turned to just the quiet things they often spoke about, how they thought about the future, what dreams they had, together and separate. How life had so suddenly changed a few months ago with the illness.

Eventually, they were quiet. Blaine turned more toward Kurt and kissed him, closing his eyes and making a soft humming sound. The vibration went from Kurt's mouth down to his stomach, churning up emotions. His hand was close to Blaine's mouth, soft on his cheek, moving slowly down his neck to slide across his chest to rub on his collar bone. The kisses got deeper, their tongues dancing together, asking and answering the same questions they always asked these days...setting a rhythm in each boy's blood that gathered strength with the passing moments.

The blood seemed to thrum in an ebb and flow in Blaine's body, washing him along to a darker, warmer place and he let the moan escape his lips, moving his mouth down Kurt's neck, kissing and licking as he went. The heat was reaching a new level and both boys slowed down. There were only a limited number of ways the human body can fit together, and they still had some uncharted territory, in spite of the time spent exploring each other. They had never actually discussed when they might move to that final level. It was there, both of them knew they would go there one day, but it had just never seemed the right time. And they were very happy doing the intimate things they were comfortable with for now.

“Blaine?” Kurt asked, they had stopped for a breather, neither wanting to get too serious in the wake of Blaine's upset. While they still touched each other, it was more comforting strokes, loving gentle kissing instead of heated drive.

Blaine fixed Kurt with his eyes, silently asking, “What?”

“Have you ever done anything like this before? With anyone?”

“What brought that up?” Blaine stopped moving his hand over Kurt's hip. He leaned back a little, thinking.

“I don't know. I have basically learned everything about this from a pamphlet. I worry that I'm not doing it all the way it's supposed to go. I mean....we didn't exactly follow the usual path. I was touching you in intimate places before we got to second base, for goodness sake.”

“Second base, Kurt? Really? Who talks like that anymore?” Blaine grinned.

“You know what I mean,“ Kurt laughed.

“I guess it was kind of unconventional. But it just seemed natural. Did it bother you in some way?”

'No, baby, it always felt right with you,” Kurt leaned in to place another kiss on Blaine's lips.

“In answer to your question, no, I have never done this with anyone else. I did kiss a few people – like Rachel. But you were there for that.” Blaine blushed. It was a sore subject between them, not the kissing, but the fight about Blaine briefly questioning his sexual orientation. He still wondered from time to time about Kurt's volatile reaction to the very mention of bisexuality. “It was all just innocent kissing, some in grade school, a few times in high school. But I never felt the same way about anyone as I feel about you, Kurt. You know, I do mean it when I tell you that you are my soulmate.”

“I know. I do. I was just....sort of unsure of myself for a minute,” Kurt ducked his head.

“I could ask you the same thing, you know,” Blaine looked at Kurt. He saw the rosy blush climb up Kurt's face. Wow, there was more here than he had thought. He's just assumed....but, no. Kurt would have told him if there had been more.

“Ah.....” Kurt stammered. Blaine's eyes were out on stalks now. He raised his eyebrows. If Kurt had been standing, he would have scuffed a toe on the floor. “Ah, there was this one time.....”

“Go on,” Blaine was starting to hold his breath. Did he really want to know this?

“It was before I knew you. Before we even met, so you can't hold it against me, okay?” Kurt turned away for a minute to compose his face.

“Well?”

“I was just trying to figure out what being gay was all about. It was when my dad was dating Carole and he was taking Finn out to a bunch of ball games and stuff. I was jealous. I thought he liked Finn better because he was straight. I'd just come out to him a short time before, and although he was very supportive, I was unsure.”

Blaine reached out and took Kurt's hands, twining his fingers in between Kurt's. He was a little worried, Kurt seemed less composed than he was used to.

“I...I...invited Brittney over to make out. She was willing, too willing – she kept rubbing my leg, getting closer and closer to my groin, I had to keep moving her hand away. I left a note on the door about me having a girl in my room and not to disturb us.”

Blaine's eyes widened. He could just imagine Burt's face.

“He came down to my room right away, of course, like I knew he would. I made a big show of kissing Brit. But in the end, he wasn't fooled. He figured it out and explained to me that he was paying attention to Finn because he didn't have a dad, and my relationship with dad was so solid, he didn't think it would affect me.”

“Wow. I mean, sheesh, Kurt, I can't imagine that. What about Mercedes?”

Kurt jerked back, snatching his hands behind him, his eyes getting huge. “What? Why would you say that???” he practically whispered.

“She was your best friend, Kurt. Did she get mad you hadn't taken your problem too her, hadn't told her about Brittany? She'd probably have had some insight on the whole thing. Wait, are you okay? Uh oh...don't tell me you never talked this over with Mercedes? Oh..” Blaine was confused by Kurt's reaction. Maybe Mercedes had gotten jealous because Kurt didn't confide in her?

Kurt coughed a long time, like something had gone down the wrong pipe. He was flushed and seemed nervous. “Yeah, that was it. She was surprised I hadn't told her about Brit.” Kurt stammered. Then he bolted out of bed and flew to the bathroom, closing the door and Blaine heard him turn the lock. He never locked the door. What was going on? But Blaine was tired and put the mystery down to just a social interaction with Brit and Kurt. He turned over, yawned, and closed his eyes to wait for Kurt.

Kurt returned a few minutes later, crawled back under the covers and lay on his side, facing away from Blaine. Blaine turned over, snaking his arms around Kurt and holding him close. He kissed the back of his neck, murmuring little love things to him. Kurt relaxed and finally turned toward Blaine. They kissed for a while, then Blaine snuggled under Kurt's jaw, with a few more kisses to his neck and hummed in relaxed comfort. Kurt smelled a little like vanilla, but that scent that was unique to him, the masculine scent like a wild animal that got stronger when he was aroused, that was the most comforting thing Blaine could think of. Thinking about cuddling close to Kurt, wrapped in his scent, his warm arms and smelling the sage-jasmine in the background, the soft music – it all made Blaine sleepy. Kurt kissed the curls on his head and closed his eyes. “Our past doesn't matter, does it, Blaine? I only need you. For the rest of my life, it's just you.”

Blaine moved his arms to bring himself closer to Kurt. He was practically pasted to him now, barely a space for air to circulate between them, and still Blaine wanted to be closer. Kurt was moving closer, too. In spite of the July heat, this room was cool and so it felt just right to be under a light sheet, but so close to his Blaine, their hearts beating together as they fell asleep.

Cooper knocked on the door, not wanting to disturb the boys, but it was late in the afternoon and he had to be on his way soon. He had a meeting. He'd called and arranged it for this afternoon, and it was making him a bit nervous.

“Blaine? You guys awake in there?” he called. He was pretty sure they were just taking a nap, but not sure why they had locked the door. He'd been out by the swimming pool, talking to the pool guy when he noticed the doors to the boy's room were locked from that side and the drapes were drawn. Blaine was still sick, and Coop hadn't thought he was able to do a whole lot, but he was a teenager....maybe they were doing more than the rest of the family realized? He was pretty sure Burt was unaware of it, or he'd have heard about it. He might have a quiet talk with Carole or Finn later. He sighed, this wasn't something he wanted to get into right now.

He knocked again. He heard stumbling around, then Kurt opened the door, wearing a light blue robe, blinking in the light.

“Sorry to wake you, Kurt. I just needed somebody to keep an eye on the pool guy. He's cleaning the pool and doing the regular maintenance, but my mother always had somebody around to check on him. He seems nice enough, but she was wary of him. Strange. Anyway, can you do that?” Coop realized he was babbling. This meeting was more nerve wracking than he thought.

“Ah, sure, Coop. No problem.”

“Is everything okay? I mean, you and Blaine usually don't sleep this late,” Coop said, looking past Kurt to the lump under the sheet in the bed.

“Yeah, I guess we were just tired.”

“I just want to talk to Blaine a sec...” Cooper moved toward the bedroom and Kurt stepped back.

“I'll get his medications, he's okay, just maybe wake him up slowly, he's a little touchy today. His knees and hips are hurting," Kurt said, walking to the locked cupboard in the pantry. They kept Blaine's medication there.

Coop sat on the side of the bed, draping his hand over his brother's side. He sniffed, wondering if he could smell if they had been intimate....but stopped. It wasn't any of his business if they were having sex. Kurt wouldn't do anything to endanger Blaine's health, and Blaine seemed very happy, so there was no need to worry. There was no evidence of anything going on, so Coop dragged his mind back out of the gutter, chastising himself for even thinking it.

“Coop?” Blaine was turning over, trying to focus in the gloom. “What's up? I was just resting.”

“Nothing, Squirt. I was just checking on you. I have a meeting, so I have to leave in a few minutes.”

“A meeting? But...here in Lima?” Blaine looked confused.

“Not exactly a business meeting.” he returned, looking unsure.

“Want to tell me what's going on, Coop? With this non-business meeting that has you all nervous?” Blaine nailed him with his hazel eyes.

“Well, it's with Mercedes parents. She doesn't think they'll approve of me dating her. So, I called Mrs Jones and set up this …..ah, I think she called it “tea”. Cooper looked around the room. He could smell the sage-jasmine oil, could hear the quiet music. “Hey, how are you and Kurt liking this place? Is everything okay between you?”

“Yeah, sure. It's nice here, I can roll around the whole place in the wheelchair, not have to negotiate the stairs. We can go out to the hot tub, which Kurt thinks will help with my legs. Plus, Aramis can just come in whenever the door is open,” Blaine said, wondering what point Cooper was trying to make.

“Ah, are you feeling right about all of this? I mean, you see the therapists and the doctor, but for everyday – are you comfortable with Kurt taking care of you?”

“Haven't we had this discussion before, Coop? You know I am very happy with things. Nobody could take better care of me than Kurt. Besides, you know I love him and he loves me. Is there something you need to tell me?” Blaine was beginning to get nervous. Was there some secret Coop was hiding? Something to do with Blaine's health?

“Yeah, I just thought I'd ask,” Coop said.

“Oh, no. Spill it. I know you, and there's something more. I am not a child anymore, you know. I'm not senile, or in need of a babysitter. I don't need to be handled with kid gloves...what the HELL is up??” Blaine's voice got louder. Coop moved his hand in a shushing motion. “Shhhh.”

“And don't shush me!”

Cooper lowered his voice. “Okay, Blaine, I was just concerned. Are you.....are you and Kurt.....ah...” he stopped and just looked at Blaine. What he failed to see was Kurt, standing in the hallway outside the room. The hall was dark, and neither of the Andersons were looking at the door anyway. Kurt had heard the squeak in Blaine's voice, then Cooper shushing him. He didn't hide, but he also didn't enter the room or announce himself.

“Oh. My. God. Cooper Anderson! Are you asking me if I'm having sex with Kurt?” Blaine sat there with his mouth open. Cooper had the decency to blush.

“Ah, yeah, kinda....I mean, you don't have to tell me intimate details, but I was worried that you are being...safe? I see how you two kiss, and hold each other. It makes me so glad that you have found each other. Anyone can see it, you just seem to belong together. But I need to be sure you are thinking things through, you aren't going too far too fast. You may be getting better, Blaine, but you still have health issues, and I am not only your legal guardian, but I am your brother and I love you. I need to know things are right with you.”

Cooper had gone from hesitant to protective older brother in an instant. Blaine was just sitting up, his hand over his mouth in shock. What brought this on? He and Kurt had just been taking a nap!

“Cooper, first, I understand that you have a right to keep me from ...harming myself. I do. But I will be eighteen in just over a year from now. The age of sexual consent in Ohio is 16, I don't need your approval or permission. I have read all the information and I do understand safe sex practices for gay men. You have done your duty, far and beyond what most fathers do. I know the fact that I am gay has never bothered you – and you would probably enjoy hearing salacious details of the 'gay sex experience'. But I am not telling you one single detail, whether I am engaging in sex or not,” Blaine stopped to draw a huge breath before he continued.

“However, I will assure you that if we were either engaging - or contemplating engaging - in sexual practices, I can guarantee you that Kurt is a gentleman and would be careful, gentle, and loving in every aspect of our ...ah....relationship. There, does that ease your mind?”

Cooper leaned forward, drawing his little brother into a hug. He blinked back tears before Blaine could see them. “Yeah, Squirt. It does.”

Kurt chose that moment to enter the room, first setting a tray down on the dresser, then moving to the drapes to let in the afternoon sun before turning toward Blaine.

“Here's your afternoon medications, baby, and a glass of orange juice to wash it all down with. Let's get you dressed and we can go out to walk Aramis?” Kurt said in a cheerful voice. He smiled at Blaine, then gave Cooper a small smile, too. “Can I get you anything, Coop? A glass of orange juice? It's fresh squeezed.”

“No, Kurt, just on my way out. But thanks.” And Kurt thought he meant more than thanks for the offer of orange juice.