"Why are you smiling so much?" Kurt could practically feel her eyes burning a hole into his neck.

"I'm...sorry?"

"Seriously, you never smile like this." Kurt kept his back to his friend, focussing on Mr Robinson's Jag for the last time for the next few months. 

"Kurt!" A half-full water bottle slammed in between his shoulders causing him to whip around to face his best friend, who's eyes widened as she pointed to the toddler sitting in her lap.

"Nice Q; blame your baby. Solid parenting right there."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Puck's teaching her to play catch; it must be his influence."

Kurt made sure Beth was content playing her teddy bear before he flipped of her mother - the last thing he needed was for Beth to copy him and lead to a beating by her parents. Mainly Quinn - Puck would probably tear up a little bit due to his "baby badass" as he like to call her when Quinn wasn't around to hear him. 

"C'moooooon, tell meeee." Quinn whined, Beth looked up at Kurt at her mother's tone, he swore she was raising her tiny eyebrows at him. Almost as if to ask what on Earth her mother was doing.

"It's okay honey; daddy and uncle Kurt will get mommy help when she goes crazy." 

Quinn huffed, shifting Beth to her other leg as she sat cross legged on one of the work benches. Kurt smirked at her sour expression and turned back to the Jag's engine. "Oh my God...oh my fucking God!" 

"When Beth starts swearing I am so saying 'I told you so' to you and Puck." He didn't even bother turning around this time, just shot her a look, snorting a little bit at her face. "You're gonna catch flies Q."

"Oh my God." Kurt rolls his, wipes his grease covered hands on his white tank top, before leaning back over the Jag.

"Yes, we've already said that Quinnie." This time instead of a water bottle she stretches as far as she can with Beth still in her arms to poke his ass sharply with the toe of her boot.

"Okay," Kurt picks up one of the dirty rags next to him and throws it at her, landing it on her arm, "we really need to talk about all the violence! At this rate Beth is going to grow up thinking it's normal for me and Puck to get beat up by girls all the time!"

"Shut up, no one cares right now! You manned up!" The smile on the girls face looks manic; Kurt almost wants to back up slowly. 

"I feel like I should be offended, I er, I don't quite know how to take that." Finished with the car at last Kurt slams the hood down and wipes his hands down again on a cleaner rag as he walks to the sink, unfortunately, within Quinn's hitting range.

Thankfully she refrains from further hitting, Kurt would think that was due to her feeling bad for constantly smacking him when she's...well whenever she's feeling any strong emotion really...but Beth has turned around and is attempting to climb her mother. He almost wants to high five the baby for ensuring Q can't pinch him or something. 

"You totally talked to Bowtie!"

"I'm not following...you were there, you know I talked to him!"

Quinn rolls her eyes and winces as Beth digs an elbow into her stomach. "Ow, Beth baby careful please...I mean you spoke to him outside of being Kurt-the-friendly-badass."

Kurt glares at her, "Cute."

"I thought so, you've so had more than one conversation with him. One that didn't revolve around that asshole." She mouthed the last word. They're supposed to be cutting down on swearing around Beth now she's talking. It's taking a bit of time. "My baby's all grown up!" 

"Your baby is still a baby." Quinn narrowed her eyes at him, sneer in place. 

"Stop being difficult. You manned up and grew a pair didn't you?"

Kurt dried his hands, refused to answer, and picked up Beth instead. "You spoke to him, without waiting around for him to come to you didn't you? Please tell me you're no longer burying your head in the sand about his level of gayness? Dude flies a rainbow flag harder than anyone I've seen since you when we were sixteen."

Kurt bounced Beth lightly, slowly lowering her backwards so she was almost upside down screaming with baby giggles, laughing quietly along with her, before flipping her back up quickly and repeating the process. He swore flinging the hyperactive child around for the last year or so was the main reason behind his defined muscles more than using the treadmill his dad kept in their basement.

"Kurt."

Still doing everything to ensure Beth kept laughing Kurt let himself look over to his friend, who now wore a frown instead of a giddy (if slightly terrifying) smile. "Look, I admitted to you that I thought he was hot okay? I still do. But I just think the kid needs a friend; and not like the ones in glee, he needs someone who's going to get it and not give him some bullshit advice about 'singing about it' or 'it gets better'. Cause it doesn't Q, not yet, not in this cow town. I went to hell and back last year, and yeah I had you and Puck to stop me doing anything too stupid." 

Beth patted his jaw lightly; her giggles fading into hiccoughs as she wrapped her chubby arms around his neck, letting him cuddle her close, one hand supporting her and the other running up and down her back. Whether it was soothing her more than him Kurt didn't know. "I can't let Karofsky torment another kid okay, I just I can't." 

Quinn tilted her head to the side, eyes wide and unblinking as they watched him hug the baby, Beth seemingly giving him more comfort than Kurt was giving her as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck. "So that's it? You're, what, going to ignore that you like him - don't you dare Hummel I know you, you like him, even if it's just a little bit."

Kurt sighed; a tiny lopsided smile appearing as Beth lightly traced patterns on the shoulder her head was resting on. "I'm going to do what I promised. I'll be there when he needs someone to bitch too about how unfair life is, or when he wants a distraction and to not think about school or glee or, I don't know." 

He turned to face her full on, smile now replaced with an almost lost expression, "I am not letting Karofsky near him. I'm not letting him ruin Blaine." Passing a subdued Beth back to Quinn Kurt began to gather up his things in order to drive them all back to his and tell Burt he was finished with Mr Robinson's car. "I'm not going to ruin him." He added under his breath, Q unable to hear him while she carried Beth over to his Navigator. 

For the most part, keeping Karofsky away from Blaine was relatively simple. Simple in the sense that most time Kurt only needed to be seen with Blaine for most of the school to understand that if you messed with him, then you automatically messed with Kurt. Quinn also seemed to be taking an interest in him adding her own protection; she even called him Blaine or Anderson as opposed to the previous 'Bowtie'. For Karofsky he added on glares and vague (and often unsaid) threats, being near the football player still terrified Kurt but apparently his acting skills were far better than he bargained for; only Quinn could tell and that's only because she knows the whole story. 

Kurt was actually thankful for his new role; it gave him the perfect excuse for hanging around the new kid with the bowties and perfect ass without telling anyone about his, he wouldn't call it a crush if only because it was so much more than that now. Three weeks and he was beginning to realise that the more he spent time with Blaine or spoke to him he liked him a little bit more. He even found the constant 'happy-go-lucky' outlook the boy had on pretty much everything adorable rather than annoying. 

Blaine seemed to be unaware of Kurt's self-proclaimed status as his bodyguard and of his feelings. 

Quinn however wasn't letting up, she'd moved back in with her mom for the time being as her dad was gone again, but it didn't seem to prevent her being at his house non-stop. It also didn't stop her teasing him and dropping "subtle" hints around Blaine. He's pretty sure if he didn't adore the ex-cheerleader, or have a moral code wherein smacking a girl is wrong no matter what, he'd probably push her into a locker or punch her shoulder to shut her up. Like he did with Puck. It's probably a good thing Blaine is hopelessly (adorably) oblivious. 

"He likes you too you know." A blur of pink and greyscale popped up in front of Kurt's face, manic smile upside down due to his laid down position on their couch.

"What?" Quinn lifted his legs and sat herself down with them on her lap before stealing his cigarette, immune the to the his glare and curse.

"Blaine, Anderson with the great Ass, likes you. You do realise all of this would be avoided if you'd have just asked him if he likes dick right?"

Kurt stared at her for a second before huffing and closing his eyes. "I'm not asking a kid if he 'likes dick' as you so eloquently put it. I've come to accept that he is gay happy?" 

"No, not happy, why aren't you tapping that if you admit it then? Don't you dare give me any crap about not being good enough or I'll kick you in the balls."

"Nice, why am I friends with you again?" 

Quinn pinched his leg sharply to get him to look at her. "Kurt."

"Fine, yes I know he's gay, but only because we ended up talking about Spiderman and he's got the biggest boner for Andrew Garfield ever, way more than a normal 'man crush'...that and I found him reading Vogue the other day in the library and he didn't try to hide it. Doesn't mean anything."

"It means you can finally ask the kid out numb-nuts." 

"It means he likes boys, it doesn't mean he likes me."

"Are you deaf now too? Is there something I missed when I just told you he wants you back?" Quinn was frowning at him.

"I'm sorry, I forgot we were back in eighth grade where I had to use a friend to find out if he likes me."

"I didn't say anything for fucks sake, I noticed things. Like how he is constantly checking you out, he blushes if you say something remotely forward or flirty annnnd he is the one who sought you out."

Kurt ignored her, content to go back to his daydreams of said boy. Yes he liked him; yes he would definitely like to see him naked. And if it was just that then Kurt would go for it, he's not above admitting to himself that if Blaine was only ever going to be a one time thing then he'd go for it. But he can't because Blaine wouldn't be a one time only deal. He's the kind of boy his dad would love, the kind Kurt would want to take to a crappy dinner at Breadstix and not let him pay. The kind that Kurt can seem himself falling for because he's perfect in all the right ways - even when he's not. 

And Kurt can't do that. Because he's not...not anymore. Maybe a year ago, if they'd met in time Kurt would have jumped at the chance, he would fawn over the other boy. Maybe they'd be together and be happy and not let anything hold them back. But it's not last year, last year did happen and Kurt is fucked up, and he can't let himself fall for Blaine. It'll only end up in tears for both of them. 

So Kurt will let himself be Blaine's friend, he's pretty sure he can call Blaine that now, it's been three weeks and they talk everyday, even if it's just through text. He's almost proud of himself for making that move. Not that he asked for Blaine's number, no he sent him a text instead that said Hi, It's Kurt, stole Finn's phone for you number, figured it's easier that way than hoping to run into to each other or risking coming to bleachers if me or Q isn't there.

Kurt even saved Blaine's reply of just a smiley face. There's not reason why he would've done that except that it made him smile because Blaine didn't care that he had his number now. A number he used often to send Kurt random thoughts and quotes throughout the day. He'd spent all of Saturday texting him Harry Potter book quotes while he worked.

His dad and Finn kept side eyeing him every time he let out a laugh or snort if they were ridiculous. The odd thing was that he didn't care. He didn't even tell Finn to fuck off. He just ignored it and carried on working, looking forward to those texts.

He should be horrified at how Anderson is slowly sneaking his way under Kurt's skin. He should want to blank him like he does with the large majority of McKinley's population. But then again he's always had trouble being outright mean or bitchy to someone so sweet. He still talks to Tina Mike and Britt. Sometime even Santana too, if only because he admires how she owns the fact that she's a bitch.

The bell for next period rang out in the background, Kurt groaned at the bought of getting up but they were starting a new project and he was hoping to grab Blaine as his partner. He didn't need the help - he could easily do it alone but he's only ever done projects alone in this class. Quinn only being in his Art, History and European Geography class. Blaine's the next best thing; possibly a little bit better if he's being honest with himself.

Grumbling to himself he swung his legs off of Q's lap and stood up stretching his arms above his head. He re-arranged his grey beanie and the thick denim shirt he was using as a jacket (it's colder but not cold enough for a coat just yet) before kissing Quinn's forehead. 

"Ask him out Hummel!!" he flipped he off over his head as he trudged towards class.

Blaine was already there when he took his seat next to him. "You really need to stop smoking."

Kurt pulled a face as he got his things out. "I need to do a lot of things. Some are easier said than done; smoking is one of those things." he pulled his shirt of next to show the Rolling Stones vest he had on, "I'm trying, we both are for Beth mainly but ya know..." 

Turning to look at the younger boy as he rest of the class filled in he held back a slightly smug smile. "It's no where near finished." 

"Wha?" Blaine tore his eyes away from Kurt's upper arm to look at the other boy instead. Kurt's grin widened.

"The tattoo, it's not done yet. I'm going to keep adding to it until it's a sleeve." 

"Like your entire arm?"

Kurt shrugged, "Maybe, I might just have it as a half sleeve or go three quarters down." 

Blaine's golden eyes returned back to studying the artwork on his arm. Visually tracing over the design. "Did it hurt much?"

Again Kurt shrugged, "Only in certain parts. Arm's not so bad really, the underside hurts like a bitch but there are worse places."

"It's beautiful." Amber eyes met blue-grey almost hesitant.

Kurt raised his eyebrows as if to say 'go on', "Does it mean anything?" 

Blinking Kurt fumbled over his words again, thanking every god he didn't believe in that he managed not to blush. "This one does yeah." twisting so he could see his upper arm and should Kurt pulled back the sleeve of his top a few inches, "the bird on the branch is for my mom. You know the Beatles song 'Blackbird'? It was her favourite." he pointed to the bird sitting on a branch that came across the top of his shoulder, it looks almost ready to take flight with broken looking feathers swirling around below it, melting into the rest of the tattoo. He traced his finger lower onto the top part of his arm to where an antique looking photo frame sat empty "You are not allowed to tell anyone about this bit okay? Me and Puck got tattooed over the summer, I was moral support but decided to get it added when he got Beth's name and date of birth done. I figured I could get it filled in when I have kids." 

"You want kids?" Blaine didn't necessarily look surprised just curious. 

"Yeah, I love Beth and I don't know I never really thought about it at first. Didn't seem like an option but yeah, one day I want kids. God knows why cause I've seen Beth throw some truly immense tantrums." Kurt cleared his throat and changed topic to a less heavy one, "the flowers are symbolic for some and the others are my mom's mine and Quinn's favourites. Those I'll admit to getting because it looked cool and only thought of adding meanings when I wanted more added." he didn't twist his arm around to show Blaine the vintage lock and key. It didn't so much as have a meaning but to him it was symbolic. 

"I'm booked to get more done next week if you want to come." 

Blaine smiled brightly, "Okay, if your sure. How many do you have?" he whispered the last part as their teacher walked in and began assigning partners. 

Kurt winked at him before whispering back "That's for me to know and you to find out." before he turned back to face the front of the room, chuckling at the almost pouty look on Blaine's face.

Kurt smiled victoriously when Ms Mesher let them pick their own partners, only changing then if she saw fit. Kurt supposed he was lucky that the eccentric young teacher seemed to love him although she hated when he skipped, so he tried not to. Blaine being in the class only serving as part of the reason he's began showing up to every class...he wants to graduate as well. 

"Alright, guys shut up for a moment, as you know this semester our topic is 'love'" half the class (mainly the boys) groaned, "calm down boys, that does not mean we're only going to look at Romantic love! I expect you've all read or nearly read Enduring Love...if you haven tough cause you're about to do your first presentation. Their all due in week after next and each of you will be handed a different type of love to look at!" 

"Like what?!" one of the hockey jocks from the middle yelled. Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Like the fact that there's a stalker. That's not romantic is it? Okay..." she began randomly pointing to pairs and giving them a genre, "Kurt, Blaine I want you two to do obsessive love." 

Smiling to himself, he'd already read the book and the different briefs they were give last week. Blaine seemed happy with it too. "There's tons we can say on obsession in this! So his do you want to do this?"

"We could do it together? It saves us always calling each other to find out what the other one has finished or needs to do. Umm my shifts at the garage are on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's and every other Saturday so unless your busy on the other days, in which case we can figure something out." 

"Umm I can't do Tuesday's and Monday's."

After agreeing on Thursday's at Blaine's and Monday's with home at the garage and hen going back to Kurt's they spent the rest of the lesson discussing Snow White and the Huntsmen. Mainly on if Chris Hemsworth was hotter in that or as Thor. 

When the bell rang they were still disagreeing, "Blaine he was not hotter as The Huntsman. Sorry but no, maybe just as hot but not hotter." he would have gone on but at that moment Blaine grabbed his arm, thumb grazing his tattoo as he tripped over his bag while laughing at Kurt. Kurt's natural instinct was to grab the shorter boy around his waist.

He froze as Blaine blushed lightly, face stupidly close to his own. I could kiss him if I really wanted. He didn't. Instead he squeezed Blaine's tiny waist. Blaine shucked his feat while Kurt looked away and cleared his throat. 

"Umm thanks for that; could've been really embarrassing." 

Now what he should have done was told him it was nothing, made sure he okay, let go and left for French not "What would you do without me to catch you?" followed by a wink and another not-so-subtle squeeze of Blaine's hips. 

The junior blushed and stuttered out a thanks before rushing off to his next class. Kurt's eyes widened at the butterflies in his stomach.

Well shit.