And when you say 'baby, it's gonna get better' I believe you,
And I wish that somehow I could see me the way you do,
with my imperfections, you think I'm perfect,
when it's not easy, you make it worth it.

When everything falls apart,
and it seems like the world is crashing at my feet,
you like me the best when I'm a mess, when I'm my own worst enemy,
you make me feel beautiful, when I have nothing left to prove,
and I can't imagine how I'd make it through,
there's no me without you.

Chapter 15:

"Hey," Blaine said, when Kurt walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower.

He was drying his hair with a towel and wearing just a pair of old, striped, pyjama bottoms. Small pearls of water were still dripping down his pale, smooth skin and he was a little flushed, a light sprinkle of pink on his chest and arms and neck area. It was a sight Blaine had gotten used to, but that didn't mean it didn't continue to take his breath away every time.

"Hi," Kurt muttered, in response. He placed the damp towel down on the back of the chair at his vanity, then looked in the mirror and began tweaking his hair with his fingers. "Get everything cleaned up upstairs?"

"Mm hmm," Blaine told him.

He stood up and walked up behind Kurt, then laced his arms around his waist and pressed a cool kiss to his warm neck, breathing in the scent of his vanilla shower gel. Kurt smiled in the mirror and dropped his arms to place his hands over Blaine's arms.

"Trying to seduce me, Anderson?" Kurt asked, smirking.

"I have to try?" Blaine teased.

"Of course," Kurt told him. "Just because I've let you in my pants before, doesn't mean I'm going to just give in and let you back in again without a little wooing."

"Wooing," Blaine repeated, grinning. "I seem to recall many, many, many times when you allowed me to do this," he slipped his hand down the front of Kurt's pants and palmed his soft cock through his underwear, "without so much as a word."

"Mngh," Kurt choked out, pushing into Blaine's touch. "Blaine.."

Kurt muttered something low in his throat and Blaine continued to stroke him through the thin material of his briefs.

"What was that?" Blaine asked, pressing another kiss to Kurt's neck, his eyes locked on their reflections in the mirror.

"I just showered," Kurt managed.

"I know," Blaine said, smiling. "That's why you smell so good."

"Are you suggesting I don't always smell good?"

"Nuh-uh," Blaine assured him. "Baby, you should open your eyes," he said, watching as Kurt dropped his head backwards, eyes shut, mouth open.

"Why?" Kurt whispered.

"'Cause you look amazing right now."

"Mm," Kurt hummed. "I always look amazing," he smiled, but his eyes stayed closed.

"True," Blaine agreed. "But you know when we're in the throes of passion and I tell you I wish I had a camera to capture just how you look when you're all worked up and hot for me?"

"Mm hmm," Kurt breathed as Blaine continued to touch him. Kurt was almost fully hard now.

"Well," Blaine said, "this time I want you to see for yourself."

"Where are you getting all these new kinks from?" Kurt asked. "I mean, first it was the whole 'sex with clothes on, while I was vulnerable and naked' thing—"

"Which was really hot," Blaine pointed out.

"Right," Kurt agreed. "And then it was fingering me right after you'd come inside me." Kurt shuddered a little bit. Blaine slowed the movements of his hand slightly. "And now you want us to..to watch ourselves getting off. What gives?"

It was true, they hadn't ever been overly adventurous in bed.

"I just want everything with you," Blaine admitted. "I want to try everything and be able to just tell you what I like and to find out what you like and I just want us to experience all these things together. Is that so bad?"

"Not at all," Kurt told him. "Keep doing that," he said, pressing Blaine's hand against his erection.

Kurt's eyes were half open now and he was watching Blaine's hand in the long mirror.

"Sticking to hand jobs?" he asked after a little while.

"Hmm," Blaine said, grazing his lips over Kurt's neck. "Willing to do whatever you want."

"Willing to let you do whatever you want," Kurt apprised him, twisting his head until their lips met.

Blaine was intrigued by the way Kurt's half-lidded eyes seemed to be locked on the mirror in front of them. He couldn't help smiling, as he slipped Kurt's pants downwards. Kurt let out a small squeaking sound.

"You know if you hate something I do, you should just tell me to stop."

"Don't stop," Kurt demanded.

Blaine grinned and tugged his shirt off, then went to work on his own pants. He shrugged them off, then pulled his boxers off and pressed himself against Kurt's back, his own erection up against Kurt's ass, only the thin material of Kurt's underwear in the way.

"Mm, I'm topping," Blaine informed him, kissing him again. "Want you to see yourself while I fu—"

"Don't."

"—make love to you," Blaine corrected himself. "Pfft. As if it's ever just been fucking."

"I remember times when it was referred to as fucking."

"No, we just made love really hard," Blaine informed him, slipping Kurt's briefs down his long, slender legs. "Mm, no, not hard. Really passionately," he added.

"Let's go with that," Kurt said, quietly. "We're doing a lot of talking when your mouth could be doing better things."

Blaine chuckled and went around Kurt, then dropped to his knees in front of him.

"Like this?" he asked, before taking Kurt's cock in his mouth. Kurt groaned. Blaine pulled back a little. "Watch yourself," Blaine said. "I promise it's quite the sight."

"Asshole," Kurt muttered, but his eyes were on the back of Blaine's head between his legs.

"Asshole?" Blaine asked, licking the tip of Kurt's cock. He slipped his hand up onto Kurt's ass and then prodded a finger against his entrance. Kurt whined, as he ran his fingers through Blaine's hair and pulled a little on his curls. "You want me to finger you and blow you at the same time?"

"Blaine.."

"Eyes open, beautiful."

Blaine didn't finger him and blow him at the same time. He rested his hands on Kurt's butt cheeks, making it easier to guide him into his mouth. Kurt panted above him, eyes still on their reflections, while Blaine sucked on him. After a long time, he pulled back and climbed to his feet, his knees aching.

Blaine kissed Kurt, open mouthed and sloppily.

"Blaine," Kurt uttered, quietly, hands on Blaine's hips. He tugged him forward so that they were flush against one another.

"Just gonna go get the lube," Blaine said, kissing the tip of Kurt's nose. "Be right back."

"Hurry."

Blaine swallowed hard at that and couldn't even come up with a clever retort. He went and got the lube from the bedside table, then went back and stood behind Kurt.

"Part your legs a little, baby."

Kurt did so immediately. His blue eyes watched Blaine curiously through the mirror. Blaine opened the lube and warmed it up on his fingers then lowered a hand to open Kurt up. He pressed his lips to Kurt's neck and sucked the skin there into his mouth and Kurt cried out.

"Love you," Blaine told him, rubbing over and over his entrance.

"God, I never saw myself ever doing anything like this," Kurt exhaled after a while, eyes still locked on his own reflection. Blaine had two fingers buried inside of him now.

"And then you met me," Blaine teased.

"And then I met you," Kurt told him, with a broken chuckle. "And you turned me into a sex addict."

"No regrets," Blaine said. He smiled and slid a third finger inside Kurt, who whimpered. "Just—"

"Do not," Kurt said and kissed him silent. "I propose we ban all Katy Perry references from this relationship."

Blaine faked astonishment. "Never!" he exclaimed. "Eyes on the mirror, pretty boy."

Kurt stopped complaining and watched as Blaine removed his fingers entirely and slicked his own throbbing erection up with the cool lube. He hissed a little at the sensation, but got over it soon enough, when he heard Kurt moaning quietly, his own hand wrapped around his cock.

Blaine moved forward and kissed his neck again, then pulled his cheeks apart to manoeuvre himself inside. Kurt hummed as Blaine eased into his stretched opening.

"Sit back a little," Blaine breathed and Kurt obeyed and then Blaine was buried deep inside. "Tell me when."

"When," Kurt said, almost immediately.

"You sure?"

"Blaine."

"Okay," Blaine said, gripping Kurt's hips. "Love you so much."

"I love you—hngh, dammit, Blaine."

Blaine continued to push in and out of him, watching him intently in the mirror. Kurt's eyes were half-lidded again and he was watching as their bodies moved together. Blaine smiled and pressed his lips back to Kurt's neck as he continued to fuck him, quickly. Kurt rocked back against him and threw his head sideways to give Blaine better access with his mouth.

"God, look at you," Blaine said, shakily.

"There," Kurt choked out, as Blaine's cock hit his prostate over and over. "Shit, right there."

Blaine watched in the mirror as Kurt came undone under his touch. He reached around took Kurt's cock in his hand and began to pump on it in time with the thrust of his hips. Kurt raised his hands like he needed to grab onto something and eventually, he reached back and took Blaine's hips and slammed them forward again and again. He was crying out and Blaine couldn't manage complete sentences, the tightness and the heat becoming almost too much.

"God, Kurt," he managed to choke out. "Can you..see yourself? God."

"Too..busy..looking at, hmm, at you."

Blaine smiled and then groaned because he could feel Kurt getting close. The grip he had on Blaine's hips tightened and he was gasping and panting and cursing. Blaine closed his hand tighter around Kurt's cock and stroked it harder and faster and Kurt came with a loud moan, shooting a stream of white over the mirror, his own chest and Blaine's hand.

That was enough to send Blaine flying over the edge. Kurt's mouth was parted and his eyes were wide as he watched Blaine thrusting harder in and out. Blaine came seconds later, shouting Kurt's name into the mirror and into Kurt's ear and Kurt cried out as Blaine shot his load inside him. When Blaine stopped moving, Kurt fell back against him and just breathed. Blaine wrapped his arms around him and took comfort in the way his and Kurt's heart were beating manically together.

"You're beautiful," Blaine told him. "God, you're just so, so beautiful."

"You, too," Kurt whispered, very, very quietly.

Blaine opened his eyes and studied his boyfriend in the full length mirror. He turned him round to face him.

"Kurt, baby, are you crying?" he asked, even though a single tear was currently trickling down Kurt's flushed cheek. He reached up and wiped it away, but another fell, followed by another and another. Kurt fell against Blaine and buried his head in his neck, arms lacing around him. "What? Did I hurt you? What's wrong? You didn't want to do that? Oh, God, I'm so sorry, I thought you wanted that. Baby, I'm so sorry."

Blaine felt like his heart was breaking in his chest, as Kurt clung to him and cried softly, his words coming out broken and incoherent.

"I'll make it up to you," Blaine said, quickly. "I don't... I don't know how, but I.. God, Kurt, I'm sorry."

Kurt pulled back a little and tried to say something, but Blaine couldn't understand him. Blaine tried to calm him down by rubbing gently on his back and whispering that he loved him and that he was sorry.

Finally, Kurt's sobs became sniffles and he was blinking at Blaine through watery, bright, blue eyes.

"Stop apologising," he said, with a small hiccup. "Y-you didn't hurt me, or anything like that. I definitely w-wanted it, I p-promise. I just.. I'm happy for you."

Blaine just stared. "Huh?"

"I was just thinking about your mom," Kurt told him. "I just.. I'm happy she's t-trying for you. I just want you to be happy."

"And you're crying?"

"It's stupid, I know," Kurt said, chuckling through the remnants of his tears. "I just.. I know how hard you've been taking this and I just f-feel relieved that you're...that things are looking up for you."

Blaine pulled him into a tight embrace. "Love you so much," he told him, kissing his cheek.

Kurt laughed a bit, then pulled back, but held Blaine's hands "We have to shower again now."

"Can't it wait 'til morning?" Blaine asked, pouting.

"I want to hold you tonight and I won't do that if we're sweaty and disgusting."

"Fine," Blaine told him. "You win. But we're preserving water and doing this together."

"Deal."

Kurt grimaced as he cleaned off the mirror. He could see Blaine through it, lying in bed, eyes closed, a small smile on his lips.

"So much for now funny business under my dad's roof," he uttered.

"What we just did," Blaine began, "was the furthest thing from funny, so we're good."

"If you say so."

He finished cleaning away his own come (shuddering all the while), then went into the bathroom to wash his hands. He dried them, then shut the door behind him and switched off the light, before climbing into bed. Blaine came up close and pulled him into his arms until he was spooning him.

"Do you have an awful lot of crazy kinks like that?" Kurt asked, as Blaine pressed a war kiss to the back of his neck.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" Kurt asked.

"Dunno," Blaine told him, yawning. "We should explore some of yours."

Kurt snorted. "The traditional way is good enough for me."

Blaine laughed. "What, no hot fantasies? No tying me up, or making me wear skirts?"

"No," Kurt told him. "Your butt's too big for a skirt."

"Offensive," Blaine said, smiling. "Seriously, though. We've been sleeping together for about two years now. We should experiment a little."

"Well, what if I don't want to?"

"Then we won't," Blaine said, pulling him closer.

They lay there in silence for a long time, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. After a while, Kurt shifted a little, then settled.

"I sort of liked the mirror thing."

"Nuh-uh," Blaine said, voice muffled. "That's my kink. Get your own."

Kurt thought for a moment. He was pretty much a straight forward kind of guy. Well, apart from the fact that he wasn't straight. He couldn't think of anything that he wanted to try. He'd thought riding was a big step.

"I don't know," he said, finally. "I'd let you tie me down though."

"I don't want to tie you down," Blaine told him. "Don't want to leave any marks on your wrists or whatever."

"Oh," Kurt whispered.

"Unless you wanted me to."

He considered it.

"It might be hot."

Blaine turned his head a little and his breath was hot on Kurt's ear. "Oh, yeah?"

Kurt swallowed. "I miss the days when you fucked me and fell asleep almost instantly. Now all you do is talk."

"Never fucked you," Blaine muttered. "Only ever loved you."

Kurt twisted his head back and smiled. "Stop trying to seduce me, I'm too worn out." He kissed his lips, gently.

"Get some sleep then."

Kurt turned back and closed his eyes and Blaine held him close, their bodies flush together.

"Blaine," Kurt whispered into the darkness.

"Hmm?"

"I'm glad you're happy."

Pause.

"Still a long way to go," Blaine said, quietly.

"I know," Kurt said. "But it's looking good."

"It's looking good," Blaine confirmed. "I am happy, though. You know that, right? I'm happy with you. Happier than I've ever been."

"Good," Kurt said, smiling happily. "Night."

"Night, pretty boy," Blaine said and Kurt's insides danced. "Dream about me."

"You're all I ever dream about."

"That's because I'm the man of your dreams," Blaine said, smirking.

"I could have meant I had a lot of nightmares."

"You could have, but you didn't."

"I didn't."

"Love you."

"Love you more."

Blaine walked into the kitchen the following morning and found Kurt cooking, wearing an apron. Finn was at the kitchen table eating cereal.

"Hmm, look at you being all domestic," Blaine said, grinning and taking a seat next to Finn.

"If this is another one for your kinks you can forget about it," Kurt said, not looking at him, but Blaine could hear the smile in his voice.

"Dude, some of us are trying to eat," Finn mumbled.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Homophobes."

"I'm not homophobic!" Finn exclaimed, quickly. "I just don't like to think about my brother having..uhh, sex and stuff while I'm eating my breakfast, man."

Blaine raised his eyebrows at Finn referring to Kurt as his brother. "Some day we'll be brother in laws, Finn."

Kurt turned around and gave Blaine his best scowl. Blaine only smiled.

"Uh, yeah, I guess," Finn said, shoving a spoon of cereal into his mouth.

"What are you doing anyway?" Blaine asked Kurt.

"It's Christmas eve, Blaine," Kurt explained. "I'm practically cooking this entire dinner by myself, so I need to start preparing early."

"I can help."

"You can help by staying right where you are."

Blaine smiled. "I thought you didn't believe in religion and all that," he said. "Wouldn't that constitute religious holidays, too?"

"I don't," Kurt confirmed. "I do, however, believe in a good turkey dinner. Don't complain. You'll appreciate it tomorrow."

"I wasn't complaining."

"So, is your mom coming, dude?" Finn asked.

Kurt shot him a look, but Finn didn't notice. Blaine shook his head at his boyfriend to let him know it was fine.

"Not sure," he told Finn. "Guess we'll find out."

Kurt gave him a sympathetic smile, before placing a bowl of cereal down in front of him and kissing the top of his head. Blaine smiled.

"You should give your mom a call."

Blaine's smile disappeared. "I should what?"

Kurt nodded. "Ask her again. She might think we were just being polite. Let her know we actually want her to come."

Blaine breathed silently for a few seconds. "Do we though? I mean, don't you think it would make things awkward?"

"If you don't want her to come, then don't say anything," Kurt told him, "but I'm perfectly willing to get to know her if she's willing to try to deal with you—us—this. Everything is going to be awkward at first with this, Blaine. If it makes you too uncomfortable, we don't have to have her over, but I'm fine with it."

"Me, too," Finn added.

Kurt smiled. "And now you have Finn's approval," he said. "The decision's yours."

Blaine held the phone to his ear, his hand shaking a little. He listened to the steady ring of the dial tone and then a voice came on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Hi, mom."

Pause.

"Blaine?"

Blaine cleared his throat. He shouldn't have been as nervous as he was speaking to his own mother.

"Yeah," he said, then coughed. "I—we—that is, Kurt and I—and um, Finn—that's Kurt's brother..well, step-brother, really, since his mom and Kurt's dad just got ma... Um, never mind." He stopped and caught his breath. "We were wondering if you maybe did want to take us up on that offer to come over for Christmas dinner tomorrow? It's just Kurt said I should call you and tell you that the offer still stands and that we'd love to have you. If you haven't made plans already. I mean, it's fine if you have, but you're really welcome here and—"

"Blaine," his mom said and there was a tint of amusement in her voice. "Blaine, honey, you're babbling."

Blaine stopped. "Oh."

His mom laughed quietly on the other end and Blaine just sat there, speechless.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Ab-about you coming over?" Blaine asked. His mom hummed an affirmative. "Yeah, totally. Kurt says there's plenty of food and that he'd, um, really like to get to know you and...and stuff."

There was a long pause and for a moment, Blaine thought they had gotten disconnected, but before he had a chance to remove the phone from his ear, his mom spoke again.

"What time?"

Blaine breathed a sigh of relief.

"Finn!" Kurt shouted. "Finn! Can you get the door? And be nice!"

Kurt was finishing up setting the table. Blaine had helped him, before going for a shower. Finn had remained in the other room, watching TV.

They had exchanged gifts that morning. Kurt had gotten Blaine a bow tie set. It had five different bow ties in it, all with different patterns and colours and Blaine had been pleased with it, much to Kurt's dismay. He was starting to develop an addiction. Blaine had gotten Kurt a blue sweater, to match his eyes. It was beautiful and Kurt had kissed him for a long time as a thanks.

Finn had given Kurt a plain scarf and Blaine a candle. They had smiled and thanked him politely, before giving him their gifts; a box of chocolates from Blaine (he had struggled with choosing a gift) and a shirt from Kurt, because Finn was in dire need of some new, fashionable shirts, that were not plaid or polyester.

Kurt heard Finn shuffling next door in the living room. He heard a door banging and then footsteps, as Finn made his way to the front door. Kurt wiped his hands in a tea cloth, then made his way out into the hallway and down the stairs to his bedroom, where Blaine was getting ready.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw him there, studying himself in the mirror. He hadn't noticed Kurt coming down.

"You look great," Kurt told him.

Blaine turned around and took a deep breath, then exhaled, slowly. "Thanks."

"Finn just went to get the door," Kurt informed him. "Ready for this?"

"Yeah," Blaine said. "Yeah, I think so. You?"

Kurt shrugged. "Oh, you know me," he said, grinning, "I can talk to anyone. It'll be absolutely fine."

Blaine nodded and came towards Kurt, then grabbed his hand. He could tell that Blaine was nervous. His hand was quivering a little and his mouth was set in a thin line. Kurt pulled him close and placed a hand on either of his shoulders. He met his eyes.

"This is a step in the right direction," Kurt told him. "I know you're nervous, I am, too, but this could be the start of things getting back on track for you, so I'm willing to push the nerves aside and see this through. You should, too. No matter what happens, I'm here for you and maybe that's not a huge consolation, but it's still true. I'll get you through this, I promise."

He knew that was a big thing to promise, but he was determined that he would help Blaine in any way that he could. He wanted him to be happy and he would do anything within his power to make that happen.

"It's a massive consolation," Blaine assured him. "I love you, but you know that."

"I know," Kurt told him, kissing his lips quickly. "I love you, too and you are also aware. Ready to do this?"

Blaine smiled, real and bright.

"Ready."

When they reached the top of the stairs, Kurt let go of Blaine's hand and Blaine was caught between wanting to take it back and being grateful, because his mom still wasn't entirely accustomed. She was standing by the door, while Finn talked to her about something or other. Blaine took a deep breath, then grabbed Kurt's hand again. Kurt raised his eyebrows.

"Don't let go," Blaine whispered.

Kurt nodded.

They walked forward and Finn stepped back, looking relieved.

"Hi, mom," Blaine said, smiling.

Blaine's mom smiled back. She looked little uncomfortable, but Blaine had expected that. Her eyes drifted to Kurt and Blaine's entwined fingers, but she looked away quickly. They stood there in silence for another few moments and then Kurt stepped forward.

"How about we go to the dining room?" he asked, smiling brightly.

They went into the dining room and Kurt had already set everything out on the table. He removed the foil coverings and sat down next to Blaine. Finn and Blaine's mom sat down, too. After Kurt had served them their plates, they began eating. A long, painful silence passed, until Finn finally broke it.

"Uh, Mrs Anderson?" He made it a question. "Could you please pass the gravy? My turkey's dry." He looked across at Kurt. "Not that your cooking is bad! It's just.. I like my meat moist.."

Kurt blinked at him, twice, then laughed, quietly. Blaine smiled. Blaine's mom passed Finn the gravy boat.

"Did you have trouble driving on the roads, Mrs Anderson?" Kurt asked.

His mom looked up and blinked back at him. "I.. It wasn't too bad," she said, sounding a little bewildered. "Do you.. Do you think you could call me Deborah?" she asked and Blaine knew that she didn't want to associate herself with her husband just now.

"Of course," Kurt assured her. He gave her a smile. "Deborah," he said, carefully. "Do you want any more anything? Honestly, there's plenty. My dad and Carole bought so much food, I don't know what they were thinking."

Blaine eyed his mother as he ate a forkful of potato. She looked flustered, but remained polite.

"Oh, no, thank you," she said. "This is more than enough." She took a few peas on her fork and smiled as she raised it to her lips.

"Mom," Blaine said and she looked up at him quickly, "you hate peas." She looked uneasy again. She tried to protest, but Blaine just smiled and shook his head. "Mom, honestly," he said, "you don't have to eat something just because it's there. It's—"

"Kurt," Finn said, quietly and Blaine stopped and looked at him. "Can I go back upstairs?"

Kurt looked at Finn's empty plate, blue eyes wide, mouth a small 'o' shape. "You're finished already?" he asked, shock laced in his voice.

Finn just looked uncomfortable. "Uh, yeah."

Kurt shook his head and Blaine smiled a bit. "Okay," Kurt said, slowly. "Yeah, go ahead. There's ice cream and stuff in the freezer."

Finn gave him a grateful smile and muttered a quiet 'later', before leaving the table and then the room. A few moments of silence passed and Blaine was beginning to think the entire thing was a huge mistake and a terrible idea.

"Really, Mrs—ah, Deborah," Kurt said, after a while, "you don't have to eat anything you don't want to eat. I promise, I won't be offended. Just because Finn practically licked his plate clean, doesn't mean everyone has to."

Blaine's mom blinked at Kurt and Blaine knew she was lost for words, that she didn't know how to approach this, so he cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Kurt's right, mom, don't eat it if you don't want it," he said. "So, um," he cleared his throat, "how have you been? You seem a lot... You seem like you're doing good."

Blaine saw his mom eyeing Kurt, like she didn't want to say too much in front of him.

"Mom," Blaine said. "Kurt is practically family," he told her. "I don't think you even understand how...how close we are. We...we tell each other everything, so it's fine to say anything you want while he's here."

Kurt smiled and Blaine could tell he was feeling a little awkward, but that he was trying for Blaine. Blaine grabbed his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze, hoping it came across as a grateful gesture. Kurt squeezed back.

"I see," Blaine's mom said, very quietly. "Well, yes, I've been doing fine. Really good, actually. Tell me..tell me about you. How's school and...New York? I feel like I've missed out on so much.."

Blaine smiled. This topic seemed like it would take up a lot of awkward silence.

"I'm good," he told her. "I'm studying music at NYU. Kurt's at NYADA."

"What do you study?" his mom asked, looking directly at Kurt and Blaine felt his heart swelling a little, hope soaring through his veins.

"Musical theatre," Kurt told her. "I'm in my second year. I headed out there a little before Blaine did."

"Kurt's a really amazing performer," Blaine told his mom. "He's going to be huge some day."

"I hope you're not insinuating that I'm gaining weight," Kurt teased.

Blaine gave him a smile, but he was aware of his mom watching them. He thought about toning it down a little, but figured she would have to get used to them as a couple and now was as good a time as any.

"Tell me about New York," his mom urged.

"It's really great," Blaine said, glancing at Kurt, who nodded in agreement. "We've got an apartment. A friend of ours, Santana—I think I told you about her—she lives with us and Finn and his girlfriend, Rachel have an apartment above us, so it's..it's good."

"It's not huge, or anything, but it works," Kurt added and Blaine was grateful, because he was having difficulty carrying on.

They spent the rest of dinner telling Blaine's mom about school and Blaine could tell that his mom was forcing a smile and trying to cope with the entire situation, but she was still struggling. Once Kurt had taken the plates inside and made coffee, Blaine addressed the issue.

"Mom," he said, softly, "I know this is difficult and that you're trying, but it's okay that you're finding it hard. We understand that this isn't going to be a speedy process, so just...take your time."

Kurt nodded in agreement. Blaine's mom looked distraught.

"I... It's just different, that's all," she told them. "I'm so used to seeing you with a girl on your arm, it's just..it's different," she repeated. "It's not that I don't think you're a perfectly nice...boy," she said, quickly, eyes going to Kurt.

Kurt simply smiled and sipped his coffee.

"Did it take your parents a long time to...to come to t-terms with...everything?" she asked Kurt.

Kurt placed his cup back down on the table. "I came out to my dad when I was about fifteen," he told her. "He told me he already knew, but it was still hard, because I was scared of how he would take it, of how he would feel about...about me, once he knew. He did struggle with it for a little while, but he's accepted it now, he's even happy. He loves Blaine, so that helps," Kurt said, chuckling a little. "My mom died when I was younger, but I like to think she would have accepted me and loved me still. My dad says she would have." He shrugged. "It's fine that it might take you a little longer to get used to this," he said. "It's great that you're trying."

"It really does mean a lot that you're trying," Blaine interjected. "I... I really love Kurt, mom. I really want you guys to be at least on speaking terms. You're both important to me, y'know? It's okay if it takes a little while, it's comforting to know you're trying."

Blaine's mother frowned and tilted her head sideways, then gave Blaine a sympathetic smile, her eyes sad. "I'm trying my hardest," she told him, quietly, voice breaking.

"I know," Blaine assured her. "Thank you."

His heart ached a little, because he remembered being a child and spending time with his mother. She hadn't been depressed back then. She'd always been bright and cheerful and always had a smile for him. He missed that, missed his mom being happy, missed her loving him and acting like he was her little boy. It had been a long time since she had behaved in such a fashion and now, Blaine could see slivers of his old mom coming through. He wondered what had happened to bring her back around, wondered if it was some kind of medication or professional help.

She looked a lot better, too. Her dark hair was styled to precision and she had dressed up neatly. She looked happy, even though she obviously wasn't, not really.

"I'm sorry that your father behaved like he did," she told him, which caused Blaine's eyes to widen a little. His mom rarely said anything against his dad. "I wish... I wish I could go back and change things. I never wanted to see him hurt you, Blaine."

"I know," he said, quietly, looking down into his coffee cup. "It's not your fault, mom. You weren't well."

"I only ever wanted you to be happy," she said, as if he hadn't even spoken.

"I am happy," Blaine apprised her. "It took me a while to get there, but I did. I'm happy with where I'm at in life, happy at college and in New York and with Kurt, especially. I know this is real and that.." That I'm going to marry him some day, he wanted to say, but decided against it, because it was probably a little too much at the moment. "I just know there isn't anyone that could make me happier."

Kurt gave him a slow smile and it reached his ocean blue eyes and Blaine felt his heart contracting, because he had meant every word. Kurt was the best thing in his life, as cheesy as that might have sounded, it was completely true.

"I'm.. I'm glad you're happy, sweetheart," his mom told him and she smiled and it was real. "I.." She trailed off and shut her yes for a moment. "I'm sorry. This is just a lot to grasp. I mean, it's different..to see you two together. I can see you're happy, Blaine, but I just need...need time."

"So take your time," Blaine told her. "Honestly, I understand."

"It takes some people longer than it takes others," Kurt said. "It's fine that you were raised to believe this is..wrong, I guess, but the important part is that you're trying. Nobody can ask any more of you."

She nodded quickly.

"And I can see that you love Blaine," Kurt added. "You do, right?"

"Of course I do," she confirmed. "Of course I love you," she said, eyes on Blaine.

Kurt nodded. "I think he needed to hear that."

Blaine smiled, heart beat speeding up slightly. "I did."

"Me not understanding your...lifestyle choices doesn't mean I don't love you, Blaine," his mom explained. "Your my son."

"I love you, too, mom," Blaine managed to croak.

"Your dad loves y—"

"Mom, it's fine," Blaine said, shaking his head. "I know he doesn't. You don't have to pretend to keep me happy. I've known he doesn't love me for years. It's no big deal."

Blaine couldn't remember the precise moment that he had realised this. He figured he had always just known. They hadn't ever really had what one could consider a real relationship, mostly his dad just pushed him hard, while Blaine went along, just to please him. It didn't hurt much any more, it was just how things were.

"Your father is a hard man," she said, quietly.

"I know," Blaine said, with a nod. "It's okay."

"I'm meeting with him tomorrow," his mom said. "I'm filing for a divorce."

Blaine's eyes went round as saucers. "You... Really?"

"Really." she told him. "It's for the best, Blaine. Does it upset you?"

He thought about it. he wasn't upset, relieved, but not upset.

"Not at all," he told her. "I'm glad you're getting away from him. As much as I hate to admit it, he..he scares me sometimes. A lot of the time, actually."

"Me, too," she said. "I'll let you know what he says. This involves you, too, after all."

Blaine nodded. She was referring to the cash agreement.

"Blaine," she said, after a long pause. "I'm so sorry," she told him, "for everything."

They stood by the front door and said their goodbyes. Blaine's mom hugged him and told him she loved him and Kurt couldn't help smiling, because he knew this would mean a lot to Blaine, that it would put his mind at ease. They broke apart and both smiled, a little teary eyed. She turned her gaze on Kurt. She had warmed up to him a little by now.

"Thank you for having me, Kurt," she said, voice a little unsteady. "You're a wonderful cook."

"Thank you for coming," he said, smiling. "We loved having you."

He wasn't lying, it hadn't been unpleasant. It had been a bit awkward, sure, but he would have endured hours of pain staking awkwardness if it meant it would be of benefit to Blaine. She wasn't as uptight as she appeared to be once she opened up a little. Kurt thought he could even grow to like her.

"You should come visit us in New York sometime," Blaine said, shyly. "Right, Kurt?"

"Totally," Kurt agreed. "Judging by those shoes, you seem like a woman of good taste," he said, "I think you'd enjoy the shopping in New York."

Deborah Anderson smiled, before she realised she wasn't supposed to, but Kurt had caught it. She nodded, slowly.

"Maybe I will," she told them. "We'll keep in touch," she said, eyes going back to her son.

"I'd like that," Blaine said, with a warm smile.

"I should get going," she said, eyes flicking between Kurt and Blaine.

"Thanks for coming, mom," Blaine said, opening the front door. "Drive carefully."

"I will," she said. "I'll call you tomorrow, Blaine. Bye," she said, giving them a final smile, before walking down the steps at the door.

They watched as she got into her car, then waved her off as she drove away. Blaine shut the door, then turned to look at Kurt and before Kurt could say a word, Blaine had pulled him into a tight embrace. Kurt smiled and wrapped his arms around him, giving his back a few reassuring pats.

"I love you," Blaine muttered against his neck.

"I love you," Kurt told him. "Feel better?"

"Much," Blaine said, quietly, not loosening his grip at all. "Thank you for doing that," he said. "I know it was hard for you, too."

"Anything for you."

"Merry Christmas, Kurt," Blaine said, drawing back a little.

His eyes were shining and tear-filled. Kurt reached up and caught a tear as it slipped down his cheek.

"Merry Christmas, baby."