What? He wouldn't do that

Then why do I feel like I'm dying

It's called a hangover, Kurt ;)

I hate you

You really don't

Whatever

Take a shot

Are you seriously suggesting that I drink MORE

The best cure for a hangover is more alcohol

That's stupid

;)

Blaine smirked down at his phone as the guys crowded around their shot-glasses and lifted them. "To many more years of doing this," he said. Once again, they all winced as they clinked their glasses together and threw back their shot before beginning their Sunday tradition of video games. They chose the most swear-inducing game from their youth: MarioKart.

The rules were pretty simple, take a shot if you swear or 'die', and it was always fun, even if they could only play four at a time. The other two would egg the others on and try to make the players swear while keeping track of how many shots they had to take. Blaine traded texts with Kurt throughout the day, checking on his hangover and teasing him about the night before.

Eventually, though, the guys had to leave, drunkenly taking cabs to the airport or train station while leaving Blaine with a disaster of an apartment. He shrugged it off, feeling floaty from all of the alcohol consumption. Plus, drunk him liked to hide stuff from sober him and he didn't want to spend two hours looking for his wallet again.

Instead, he laid about the living room, drinking water, eating some take away he ordered and talking with Kurt, who had taken his advice. He informed him that Blaine was lucky Sophie was in Georgia with her grandparents for the long weekend (Sophie would, reluctantly, accept food from Jordan's mum) because Kurt had ended up drunk again. Blaine just laughed and told him he would make it up to him by taking him to brunch the next day, then convinced him to watch a movie with him over the phone. They fell asleep to the sound of the others breathing.

888

Blaine didn't know what he expected when he picked up Kurt the next morning, but the disheveled man who opened the door was not it.

"Do you have to knock so loud?" Kurt practically growled.

Blaine grinned. "Aw, what's wrong?"

"For the second time in as many days, I've woken up with a hangover and they're both your fault." He tried to keep his face scowling but the corner of his lips twitched, giving him away.

"Come on, I'll buy you breakfast and you'll once again be happy with me and forget all about your hangover."

They headed to the diner Blaine had gone to with the Warblers the past two days and, after eating a stack of pancakes, Kurt begrudgingly admitted that he did feel better. The talk was light and happy and when Blaine dropped Kurt off after a walk around Central Park, Kurt didn't bother fighting his smile, tilting his face to accept Blaine's kiss on his cheek. He couldn't be sure he wasn't actually floating the rest of the day.

888

September faded into October and the last vestiges of heat clung to the crisp fall air. The Warblers Weekend had brought a new closeness to Blaine and Kurt's relationship and Blaine frequently joined Kurt and Sophie for dinner after Kurt got off work, sometimes enjoying a movie afterwards and talking, always talking. The space on the couch got smaller and smaller as they grew closer.

The last Tuesday of the month was Halloween and every class in the school had a party to celebrate, students and teachers alike dressing in costumes and enjoying treats that the parents brought in. When Kurt came to pick up Sophie, he grinned at Blaine's outfit, having missed him that morning.

"A pirate?" he laughed.

Blaine tugged on the fake hoop attached to his ear, grinning back and shrugging. "It was fast and easy," he said, gesturing to the green scarf wrapped around his head and the eye patch he had pushed up over it. "Besides, you can't mock me if you're not even wearing one."

"I am wearing a costume! I'm a fashion icon," Kurt informed him haughtily, striking a pose and smiling when Blaine just laughed. Sophie put her hand on his cheek, turning so he faced her.

"Dada, can Baine go tick or teating wif us?"

Kurt glanced at him for a moment before telling her, "I don't know, sweetie, why don't you ask him?"

She clambered down from her fathers' arms and walked to Blaine, who knelt in front of her.

"Baine."

"Yes, Miss Sophie?"

"Wiw you go tick or teating wif us?"

"Why, I would love to, Miss Sophie, thank you for inviting me!"

Sophie giggled and went back Kurt, holding her arms up until he picked her up. "I'll text you the details," Kurt said, smiling as they walked away.

"Sounds good to me," Blaine replied, waving goodbye to Sophie.

True to his word, when Blaine checked his phone during his lunch break, Kurt had sent him a text telling him a good time for them to meet at his flat. They traded texts until Blaine's second class showed up and he had to put his phone away. It wasn't until he made it home and was taking off his pirate gear that Blaine realized he didn't have a costume for the night. The pirate thing had just been for class and wasn't even a full costume; definitely not enough for a night of trick or treating. Kurt had told him that he and Sophie were wearing matching costumes, though he refused to say what. Blaine dug around his closet, searching for an outfit that could be thrown together quickly but still make sense.

He smirked when he found the perfect articles of clothing before showering and styling his hair the best he could with so little time. He changed into his costume and looked at the full effect in mirror.

His unruly curls had been carefully styled into Elvis' signature pompadour with a few stray hairs falling to his forehead. His black and white striped shirt was a little tight, but the black jean jacket with white stitching fit perfectly. The matching jeans were just on this side of tight and he let out a grunt as he leaned over to roll up the ankles slightly. He frowned at the white socks, hoping they would stay up, and looked over his shiny black shoes to make sure there were no scuff marks. Satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone before heading over to Kurt's flat.

He knocked on the door and was surprised to see Kurt dressed in a light green tunic-type thing, the front open and dipping halfway down his chest, revealing the pale skin underneath, and- "Are those tights?" Blaine asked, his voice a little strangled at the sight of those long legs covered in dark green stretchy material.

"Yeah," Kurt said, smirking. "I'm Peter Pan." He stepped aside, letting Blaine enter. Sophie ran to him, colliding with his legs.

"BAINE!"

Blaine laughed, picking her up. "Hi Miss Sophie! Are you ready to go trick or treating?"

She nodded vigorously before squirming from his grip. "I pitty, Baine!" she said, pointing to her outfit. She was dressed as Tinkerbell, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun and wearing the trademark Tinkerbell dress with flesh coloured sleeves and tights. She lifted her feet so that that he could see the puff balls on top of her slippers.

"You look very lovely," Blaine told her, oohing and aahing over everything.

"What are you?" she asked, tugging at his jacket.

"I'm Elvis." He stood, thrust forward so that he was on his toes, his knees bent and arms thrown out before settling back and curling his lips. "Thank you, thank you vureh much."

Sophie giggled as Kurt rolled his eyes, not bothering suppress his smile as he headed down the hall to his bedroom. Blaine grinned and began singing, "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog, cryin' all tha time."

Sophie laughed, wiggling her butt as she sang, "You aint nuffin' buda hoooound dog!"

Kurt came back into the living room, adjusting the brown belt around his waist before tugging on a pair of brown ankle boots and laughing as Sophie kept singing. He grabbed a green felt hat with a red feather and Sophie's glittery faerie wings before biting his lip.

"Would you mind carrying my keys and phone?" he asked Blaine, gesturing to his outfit. "There's not really any place to keep them in this outfit."

"Oh, sure, no problem." He picked up Sophie. "Are we ready?"

"Yes!" Sophie yelled, wiggling happily.

"Well let's go!" Kurt led the way, locking the door before handing his keys and phone to Blaine, who carefully tucked them into his pockets.

They wandered to various spots Kurt had found online that were good for trick or treating, keeping a careful eye on Sophie as she gathered sweets and treats. They told stories about past trick or treating shenanigans, their hands swinging slightly between them as they walked, occasionally brushing against each other. Every time, Kurt wanted to reach out and grab Blaine's, to lace their fingers together, feel the warmth of his hand in the slight chill of the air as the sun went down, but he didn't. After messing up everything last time, he wanted to make sure Blaine was comfortable before taking a step forward, even so small a one as holding hands.

As they made their way to TriBeCa, he caught Blaine looking at him in his peripheral vision. He turned his head, locking eyes and smiling as Sophie gripped his hand tighter, so excited to be out amongst all the brightly dressed people. Blaine smiled back and bumped their hands together lightly before taking Kurt's in his and lacing their fingers together, squeezing in a reassuring manner. Kurt squeezed back, his heart swelling and a smile blossoming across his face, one that didn't leave for quite some time.

888

Autumn finally beat out the heat, ushering November in with freezing rains and wind. Blaine used it as an excuse to cuddle closer to Kurt on movie nights, Sophie tucked between them under the blanket they shared, their finger twined together along the back of the sofa over her head. Since that avenue of intimacy had been opened, they had held hands whenever the opportunity presented itself, practically giddy with excitement.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving found them in the now-familiar position. Sophie was already in bed, resting up for their flight to Ohio the morning. Some Like It Hot played softly in the background, casting a silvery light in the otherwise dark room. Blaine watched it play over Kurt's face, so close to his own at that moment. He and Sophie were leaving the next day so that they could spend time with Kurt's family while Sophie was on break from school and they wouldn't be returning until sometime on Saturday. Blaine was headed upstate to spend the holiday with his own family, though he would be returning Friday instead.

He listened to Kurt talk, words occasionally punctuated by yawns and he couldn't help but smile.

Kurt smiled back, slow and lazy. "What?"

Blaine just shook his head, closing the small distance between them and pressing a sweet, chaste kiss to his lips. Kurt gasped as his lips tingled with the familiar sparks that came with kissing Blaine as his hand came up to cup his cheek, feeling the stubble scratching his palm. Blaine didn't take advantage of his gasp, content to move his slightly chapped lips against Kurt's smooth ones, one of his hands lightly holding onto Kurt's arm. Blaine pulled away with a soft sigh, letting out a hum of laughter when Kurt attempted to follow.

"Not that I'm complaining," Kurt murmured, licking his lips slowly, "but what was that for?"

Blaine chuckled. "I told you I wanted it to be perfect, remember? Watching you just talking about your day, the light from the movie across the room, I just realized that here and now... It's perfect. And I know we've had the, uh, issues in the past and that we're working through them, even now, but I just- I wanted to take the next small step with you."

Kurt blinked against the prickle of tears in his eyes. "You're so amazing, Blaine, and I'm glad I didn't lose you." He leaned in, brushing their lips together before sitting back. "Thank you for giving me another chance."

Blaine smiled at him, one hand coming up to tuck an errant strand behind Kurt's ear. "I'm going to miss you."

The mood was a mixture of somber and elation, trading gentle kisses and sad goodbyes. It was only for four days but in light of the newest step of their relationship, it seemed like four days too long.

Blaine had to leave not long after, as loathe as he was to do so. Kurt had his early morning flight and he had his own plans to leave early for his drive upstate. Kurt kissed him one last time after he walked him to the door, both men promising to text when they arrived at their destinations.

The adrenaline rush that had come when he kissed Kurt had worn off by the time he made it home and he barely had time to change into his pajamas before he was collapsing into his bed. The harsh beeping of his alarm clock woke him hours later and he groaned as he stood and made his way to the shower. He dressed comfortably afterwards, preparing for the drive to his parents. Grabbing his overnight bag, he took the lift to the garage and went to his car, used only for trips to visit family since it was more convenient to take a cab around the city than to drive. He set up his iPod to his favourite driving playlist and set out. It was easy going once he made it out of the city.

His thoughts wandered to Kurt, as they were wont to do lately whenever he had downtime. It got him through the long trip and before he knew it, he was pulling into his parents' driveway behind a familiar silver car with Texas plates. He sat there for a few moments, shooting off a quick text to Kurt telling him he had arrived while simultaneously replying to his earlier text by saying he was glad they had landed safely in Ohio. He had just pressed send when his door was torn open and he was pulled out and into his brothers' arms.

"BLAINEY!"

"Coop, I told you not to call me that," Blaine whined, rolling his eyes and swatting Cooper's hand as he ruffled Blaine's hair.

"All right, Squirt." Cooper winked, ignoring Blaine's scowl as he began pulling him towards the house.

"Coop, I need to get my bags," Blaine told him, trying to duck from under Cooper's arm but it just tightened around his neck.

"Nope, you can get them later; Ethan is dying to see you."

Blaine allowed himself to be led inside, hugging his parents and Alice, his sister in law, before doing a complicated handshake with Ethan. He was pleased to find his nephew hadn't inherited his shortness, standing chest high to him. They moved into the living room to sit in talk, his father making them all cocktails as they caught up. It was late when Blaine finally went to get his bag from the car and found his phone, abandoned on his seat.

He had a couple of texts from Kurt and one from Nick. He answered Nick's as he entered the house, saying his goodnights to everyone before retiring to his room. He took a quick shower, not bothering to put any product in his hair before flopping on his bed and calling Kurt.

"Hey, you," Kurt said a bit breathlessly when he picked up. Blaine couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, how are you doing? Why are you so breathless?"

Kurt laughed. "Oh, I had just finished putting Sophie to bed when I heard my phone go off. Kind of ran to get it."

"Oh, were you that excited to talk to me?" Blaine chuckled.

"Of course not," Kurt replied in a faux haughty voice, "I thought you were the queen returning my call." At Blaine's snort, he continued, "I've been waiting for her to, we have some very serious issues to discuss, like the colour of the linens at the next banquet and new hat styles and-"

"Kurt..." Blaine said, cutting him off with a laugh.

"All right, all right," he conceded.

"Tell me about your trip?"

Blaine listened as Kurt talked about the plane ride and the horrible traffic at the airport and Sophie's excitement over seeing her grandparents again. When he finally ran out of things to say, he asked about Blaine's trip, his words punctuated by yawns. Blaine told him about his own uneventful drive and getting to see his brothers' family for the first time in almost a year. They talked until they fell asleep, phones attached to their ears, the near silent breath of the other one a small comfort over the many miles.

The next day was Thanksgiving and, other than a short conversation when they woke up and realized what had happened, they weren't able to talk or even text. Kurt was busy helping Carole in the kitchen while Sophie curled up on the couch with her grandfather and uncle and watch football. Blaine's family had a tradition of playing football on Thanksgiving. Every year, rain or snow, the guys and whichever girls that wanted to play would gather outside, separating into teams and having an all out battle. There was no shortage of mud, skinned knees, or cut forearms.

After scrubbing up and eating dinner, everyone was too tired to do more than sit around the living room, talking and watching whatever was on the TV at the time. Kurt called Blaine after putting Sophie to bed, both giving a brief overview of their day before hanging up with the promise to talk more the next day.

Friday morning found Kurt and Sophie eating breakfast with Mercedes and Sam, who were in from Chicago for the holiday. He teased them about making him honorary uncle, his hand resting on Mercedes protruding belly, waiting to feel the strong kicks. They filled him in on the progress of the pregnancy and the new album Mercedes wanted to cut after the baby was born. They were still holding out on learning the sex until after but Mercedes joked that Sam would break before she did. Kurt shook his head and bet that she would when the nesting set in, remembering how crazy Jordan went towards the end of her pregnancy.

The rest of the day was spent on the couch, tucked between his dad and Aunt Delia. They were in the middle of the first movie when Kurt's phone buzzed with a text from Blaine, telling him he had made it home safely. Kurt smiled as he typed out a reply when Delia leaned over, catching sight of the name.

"Blaine? I didn't know the two of you were talking again," Delia said, quirking an eyebrow.

"He's Sophie's teacher, I told you that."

"Really, I don't remember that."

"Better get your hearing checked, it gets worse with age," Burt told her with a guffaw. She glared over Kurt's head before nudging him with her shoulder.

"So what's going on, then?"

Kurt checked his messages, replying to Blaine again before telling her, "We're just friends."

"Oh, yeah? Because that look on your face tells a completely different story," Delia replied, winking saucily at him.

He couldn't help the redness that crept up his neck to his face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh-ho-ho, I think you do!" she teased, poking his ribs lightly and laughing as he swatted her hand away before her face grew serious. "Are you sure about this, Kurt? I don't want you getting your heart broken again."

"In case you forgot, Aunt Delia, I did most of the heartbreaking myself," Kurt replied drily. He had not spared any details when telling his family about Blaine leaving.

"That doesn't mean you weren't hurt."

"Maybe I deserved it, I don't know." He shrugged a little helplessly.

"Hey, none of that," Burt interrupted. "I'm not saying what you did was right, but you didn't deserve to get your heart broken any more than Blaine did."

"I guess."

"Don't guess, know," Delia told him. "So what's going on then? And don't lie, I know that look on your face and it clearly says, 'more than friends.'"

"We're taking things slow, trying to rebuild our friendship and see where it takes us," Kurt said, looking both of them in the eye. Carole walked in, handing Delia a glass of water before settling in Burt's big armchair with a mug of coffee.

"You two quit bugging him. Kurt's a big boy, he can handle it without you two busybodies nosing into his business," she chastised them. Burt and Delia grumbled as Kurt mouth 'thank you' to her. As much as he wanted to tell them about the strides he and Blaine had taken in their relationship, he found he was too worried.

What if Blaine regretted kissing him? What if he changed his mind after and decided he didn't want to be with Kurt and he was just waiting to let him down in person? What if kissing Kurt had brought back bad memories?

What if...

What if...

What if...

The words circled around his head like vultures, picking at his brain until all that was left was doubt. He knew he was being stupid and that he should talk to someone, just to get the words out and in the air where they could be cleared but he kept holding them in.

At night, when he and Blaine talked on the phone, he allowed the other man's voice to act as a balm on his stupidly over analytical brain, reassuring him that Blaine did want him and wasn't just waiting to break it off. He allowed himself to bask in the tender words and easy going attitude.

However, the moment they hung up, the doubt crept back in, keeping him edgy and sleep as distant as it had been the night before. His exhaustion finally pulled him under some time after two and sleep clung to his eyes when Sophie woke up at seven, wanting her milk. He made a full spread as the others began moving about the house, pancakes, bacon, eggs, cut up fruit, anything he could find and add to the mountain of food. They settled in to eat, talking in between bites about last minute things that needed to be done before the out-of-state travelers left.

After lunch, Burt and Carole drove everyone to the airport and they spent several moments hugging and promising to text and call and make plans for Christmas before the New York group separated from the rest of them, boarding the plane when they were called. The moment they landed and disembarked, Kurt shot off a text to Carole and one to Blaine telling them they had made it safely. He wasn't able to check their replies until he and Sophie where in the taxi and when he did, his heart thumped in his chest as he read Blaine's message asking if he could come over later. He bit his lip, considering for a moment as all of the 'what if' thoughts of the past four days swirled around him.

He told Blaine that they were tired, hoping to put off what he felt was the inevitable, but Blaine persisted, bribing him with a promise of Thai food from his favorite place. He finally relented, asking Blaine to wait until six to come over so he would have enough time to wash the smell of Ohio and airports off of them. His stomach knotted when there was a knock on the door later that evening, one that loosened the moment Blaine walked in, leaned over, and kissed him, a bag of food in one hand and a bag of movies in the other. His doubts washed away like the tide, the vultures fleeing as something bigger and infinitely better came along.