Seconds later there was the thumping of the front door and a much louder thud that Kurt assumed was Finn tossing aside his overnight bag. There were several bounding steps (that Blaine would later swear anyone in Australia would have been able to hear) and the door was thrust open. “Kurt!” Finn shouted, about to grab his brother up and hug him.
That was until he noticed Kurt.
Laying on his bed.
Accompanied.
By a guy he was pretty sure had been dead.
Or at least fucking close to it.
“What the hell dude?” Finn exclaimed. Kurt could quickly see where Finn was headed, “Finn, no--” Finn looked furious, “What the hell?! What---How long?!” Kurt tried to defuse some of his brother’s anger, “Finn---no one was keeping this from you.” Finn crossed his arms and Blaine shrank back minutely from his hulking figure, “Really?! Cause it looks like Blaine’s alive---AND NO ONE THOUGHT TO CALL.” Finn was approaching the bed in a threatening manner that felt all too familiar to Blaine. Kurt saw his boyfriend--friend--fiance-what-ever-the-fuck-he-was, shrinking back and Kurt stood up swiftly (with a sharp protest from his ever annoying list of injuries) and moved to push Finn away, “No one knew Finn. Not until a couple of days ago.”

This as one might imagine did not have it’s desired effect.

Finn turned on Blaine, “So what? You just thought you’d sit at home? All cushy and comfy? Huh?! While the rest of us just sat here and worried our asses off about you?!” Finn pushed Kurt out of the way and moved to grab Blaine by the shirt as he scrambled away from Finn, falling off the bed. “Finn!! Finn--” Kurt grabbed him with a surprising strength and slammed him towards the door. He rushed over to where Blaine was slowly rising from the floor, helping him up with a hand. He smoothed the collar of Blaine’s shirt,squeezed his shoulders, and gave them the look that has always been their silent way of answering the most important question, are you okay? With Blaine’s imperceptible nod---and Kurt absently filing the fact that they could still communicate like that for further examination later---Kurt spun on his brother. Finn took one look at the expression on Kurt’s face--reminiscent of the one he had gotten when he’d accidentally triggered one of Blaine’s panic attacks (because really how was he supposed to know that was a trigger)---and was already backing away before Kurt said, “Finn Hudson you have exactly ten seconds to get out of this house before I kick. Your. Ass.”

With a hurried, “Sorry Mom--gotta go,” over his shoulder Finn was bolting out the way he had just come less than five minutes ago. With the memory of what had happened last time causing him to move faster than even the threat of running the bleachers in full pads thirteen times. As Finn backed out of the driveway Carole tossed aside her dish towel and walked into Kurt’s room to see what was going on. “Boys?” she called, leaning against the door jamb. Kurt was standing in front of Blaine, whispering. Blaine looked over Kurt’s shoulder at Carole as she asked, “Anyone know where Finn was off to?” Kurt spun around and looked at her first apologetically, “Sorry,” then he got angry again, “But he scared Blaine. He--” Blaine put a calming hand on his shoulder, “Kurt, chill. I’m a big boy. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.” Kurt looked as though he wanted to argue but Carole cut him off, not even wanting to know, “Well if that’s all then, Blaine come set the table for me. And Kurt,” the look on her face said she was not to be argued with, “Call your brother and make him come back.”

Kurt didn’t exactly relish the idea but he grabbed his phone anyway. As he spun around, dialing the number he saw Blaine staring mutely at the door where Carole has disappeared. Blaine was stunned. Stunned at the ease of which he has been welcomed. Stunned at the fact that he was treated like part of this family. A family that he had truthfully known less than a day. But he reminded himself they’ve known you for longer than that. He looked to Kurt questioningly. Kurt whom he’d only met days ago. Kurt who his heart seemed to know better than himself. Kurt who fit as naturally in his arms as if he was made for it. Kurt who had a gorgeous smile that a thousand suns couldn’t compare to. Even if he had the nagging feeling that it was nothing but a weak echo of what it had once been. Kurt whom he trusted with everything. Kurt who grinned and nodded toward the door encouragingly.

Without another word Blaine made his way to the kitchen. He stood in the doorway hesitantly for a moment before Carole waved him over eagerly, “C’mon dear. Plates are above the microwave, forks and knives to the left of the sink.” She stood at the stove, stirring various pots and pans humming something that vaguely sounded like “For Good.” He didn’t notice when his hips started swaying to the beat but when he spun around to find Kurt with a wooden spoon he laughed. Kurt was twirling about on socked feet, “I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason,” Carole laughed as Kurt swung her around and started dancing with her. Somehow over the course of the song Blaine found himself dancing back and forth between Kurt and Carole, laughing until he couldn’t breathe. As Kurt breathlessly belted out the last line Blaine found himself spinning Kurt around and pressing their lips together.

With a small gasp Kurt took a step back and looked at him in astonishment. This was exactly a second before a low whistle was let out. Kurt turned around, startled, and faced his brother and his father. His father with a small smile on his face, thinking that maybe after all that had happened he might finally be able to get back to this. To family dinners with his three boys, his wife, and their crazy antics. Finn slow clapping, being glad that Blaine was back, even though he didn’t realize that Blaine wasn’t back. Kurt turned beet red as did Blaine. Before they could apologize or anything Finn said, “Look I’m sorry about earlier. I completely overreacted. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s clear to me that Blaine’s been awake for more than just today. Could anyone explain that to me? Specifically you Blaine. Seeing as how you were engaged to my brother I figured you might have had the common decency to fucking  call us when you woke up.”

“Finn,” Burt said in a warning tone, placing a hand on his shoulder. Kurt held an arm out and Blaine moved closer, allowing it to wrap around his waist. “Finn sweetie, it’s not like that,” Carole said gently. Finn’s eyes narrowed, “NO? Well then tell me mom, how is it?” Carole, Burt, and Kurt all shared a look. Kurt chewed his lip, “Go. I’ll explain it.” Carole and Burt nodded, ducking out of the kitchen. Kurt looked at Blaine, “You can go with them if you want.” Blaine shook his head, “No. I’ll stay.” Kurt gestured toward the kitchen table, “Finn you’re gonna want to sit down for this.” Finn looked at his brother inquisitively but took a seat. Blaine and Kurt sat across from him, taking each other’s hand. Kurt bit his lip, “Where to start. Where to start.” Blaine made that decision for him.”

“Finn I don’t know you.” Blaine said it point blank, without and preluding pause.

Finn was silent for a moment.
His jaw dropped.
His eyes widened.
For a moment he seemed to stop breathing.
Then he recovered,
“What?! Of course you do. You’re Blaine. I’m Finn. You’ve been dating my brother for like ever now.” Blaine sighed, rubbing the heels of his hand into his eyes he said, “Finn, I don’t remember any of that.” Finn looked as though someone had struck him, “What?! Of course you do. You have to!” Blaine sighed and squeezed Kurt’s hand, who was growing more and more visibly uneasy, “The---the,” Blaine stumbled for words, “The blunt force trauma, to my head---it--” “He doesn’t remember anything since about two weeks after he started at Dalton. Which was three months before he met me. He didn’t know anything about me, or us, or even his friends from the Warblers,” Kurt said with a blank, hardened look. Finn’s eyebrows knitted themselves together, “What? Didn’t you like see your pictures and stuff? Didn’t your parents tell you?” Blaine shook his head sadly, still trying to fathom what had possessed them to keep such a thing from him, “No...no they hid my pictures. They lied to me about my friends. And they never called you guys to tell you...” Finn floundered for words, “But...why?”

Blaine shook his head, “I...I don’t know.” Finn looked like a kicked puppy, “But...how could you not?” Kurt wanted to tell his brother to shut up but he was at a loss for words. Blaine clutched Kurt’s hand, trying to comfort the two boys in front of him who both seemed to be struggling to come to terms with the facts. Kurt heaved out a sigh, “Finn,” his voice was broken and Finn flinched, remembering how it had sounded back at the hospital all those months ago, “It’s...just...it just is. I don’t know why---or well, I do...I just don’t know what happened, what we did---that brought us into contact with...such despicable human beings. But it did happen. Blaine doesn’t remember. I can’t move without flinching. And dad and Carole are probably never going to stop assuming the worse everytime the phone rings. All because of some truly horrible human beings. And...it...it just is.”

The boys were silent for a moment.
Kurt studied the grain of the table.
Finn had a dumbstruck look etched across his face.
And Blaine was warring within himself, playing Kurt’s words over and over again in his head. Horrible human beings.

After what seemed an eternity, Finn spoke quietly, “Blaine?” Blaine quirked an eyebrow, “Yeah?” Finn whispered, “Who’d you play in our musical last year?” Blaine shrugged, wishing he could take away the heart broken look on Kurt’s face at his answer. Finn however, nodded resignedly.

Finn clapped his hands together and all three of them sat up a little straighter, “You know what? This is enough. Let’s just stop. Right now. We can mope and plot deaths tomorrow. For now, we’re eating.” He jumped up and strode out of the room to fetch Burt and Carole. When they trailed in behind Finn, they all took places around the table, passing pots of pasta, gravy saucers of marinara, and plates of rolls. Carole began to chat Kurt up about some new book. Burt congratulated Finn on scoring the winning touchdown at OSU. And as Blaine finally began to think he might be able to just sit back and fade into the background Finn stole Blaine’s roll, popped it in his mouth, swallowed, and said, “So, Blaine, you still got a thing for football?” Blaine nodded and got roped into a lengthy discussion of Wolverines Vs. Buckeyes.

Blaine got caught up in the love, the comfortability, the home-y quality of it all.
So much so, that for a moment he had to remind himself that this wasn’t his own dinner table.

***
Later on, after everyone had long since gone to bed, Kurt and Blaine found themselves staring off into space from opposite ends of the couch. They sat in a prolonged silence until finally Kurt said, “Blaine?” Blaine didn’t look up from where he had been picking at his socks, “Yeah Kurt?” Kurt bit his lip, “What’re you thinking about?” Blaine shrugged, “Everything.” Kurt smiled tightly at that, “What’s everything?” Blaine shrugged, “Just....what you were saying about human beings...my parents keeping everything from me...whatever musical we did last year...kissing you...just...everything.” Kurt nodded silently, “Which one’s bothering you?” Blaine looked up at Kurt, “That.” When Kurt frowned confusedly Blaine elaborated, “You can tell something’s bothering me without me even saying it. You know me better than I know myself. I can’t sleep without having you curled around me. And---and---your lips taste like home---like...safe. And love. and home. And I trust you more than anyone in the world. But I just met you three days ago!” Blaine is silent for a minute, “And then there’s my parents...who I’ve known my whole life...and to find out that they’ve been lying to me about the past year and a half of my life...it’s...” Blaine trails off but Kurt knows what he meant anyway.

Blaine’s eyes drop back to his lap and Kurt reaches out to pull his chin up, “As delightful as that all is, how does that all tie back into kissing?” Blaine chuckles softly, wanting to reach out and grab the hand that Kurt has just dropped from his chin, yet somehow it doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. Earlier in the kitchen it had felt so natural, so easy, but now in the dim light of the living room Blaine is back to being that scared boy, who truthfully has never done more than kissed a boy on a dare once (not counting of course when he kissed Kurt in the kitchen) considering he didn’t remember all the times he had supposedly kissed Kurt. Blaine felt a blush darken his cheeks as he remembered that he had done so much more than just kiss Kurt. Kurt raised an eyebrow when he saw Blaine’s cheeks go crimson, “What?” Blaine shook his head bashfully. Kurt chuckled lightly, “Come on Blaine, what is it,” nudging his shoulder lightly. Blaine bites his lip, trying to put it all into words.

Kurt reaches over and grabs a notebook and a pen without a single word, handing it over to Blaine. Blaine takes it looking up in confusion. Kurt smiles softly, “You...sometimes you’d try to say things and you could never just quite organize words the way you wanted them to, especially when you tried to tell me something important, so you wrote them down.” Blaine nodded thoughtfully and began scrawling his words out quickly, thinking of all the times he had done this as a kid, written down all the things he had wanted to say to his father or his brother or his aunt when they particularly awful. But he had never actually gotten around to doing it. Blaine’s hand flew across the paper and before long he was hitting the bottom page with a last punctuation mark and he glanced up at Kurt, “What now?” Kurt wants to kiss the puppy dog look off his face but instead he answers, “It depends on what you want to do. Sometimes you read it out loud, others you just let me read it myself.” Blaine nods.

“I...the first thing is to answer your question...the kissing doesn’t really tie back into all the bad stuff it’s just...it’s even more confusing than the rest of it. And it’s...I guess it’s confusing because it just happened. And for the love of God Kurt I’ve never kissed a boy before! I mean---well I have, obviously I have it’s just---” Kurt rolled his lips into a thin line and interrupted, “You don’t remember. I know.” Blaine nodded again and continued, “And then there’s everything else!” Blaine buried his face in his hands, “Kurt we were engaged. We---we--we did intimate things that I barely even remember! And Kurt I’m just...” Blaine worried the inside of his cheek and his voice was whisper soft, “When you held my hand it felt like puzzle pieces...and Friday was the most I’ve slept the whole time I’ve been awake....and...I keep getting caught between knowing you and not.” Blaine’s voice breaks on the last word.

Kurt takes a bit to collect his thoughts before he answers, pushing back his curls, like he’d been wanting to all day, “Blaine...I’m not going to lie to you, I will never lie to you...this isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to be really, insanely, hard. And I get that it’s confusing for you, to feel like you know me and not actually know me, but in time we can fix that. Eventually we’ll get to learn each other again. And I’m sorry that I can’t press a button and just magically make everything better. But I can’t. And we can’t really do anything right now, regardless. So for now, hop up and I’ll show you the guest room. You can get some rest and we’ll decide what to do about your parents in the morning.” Blaine let himself be pulled up but stopped at the foot of the stairs. Kurt and Blaine shared a look, and Kurt automatically started dragging Blaine in the direction of his room.

From his closet, Kurt tossed Blaine a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, dug one out for himself and got ready for bed slowly. Blaine borrowed a toothbrush and before long they were both collapsing into Kurt’s bed. They wound themselves together, Blaine’s head tucked under Kurt’s chin, Kurt’s arms around Blaine’s torso, Blaine with an arm thrown over Kurt’s waist, their legs a tangled mess.

It was the best sleep either had had in weeks.