“Blaine! Thank God, you have no idea how much grief she’s given me. Hold on I’ll put you through.” Blaine thought he had a pretty good idea, but remained silent while she connected him.

“Blaine! Really, it’s about time. I’ve tried ringing you countless times. You can be so irresponsible sometimes...” Blaine didn’t even try to get a word in edgeways, instead he settled onto his new red, Kurt approved sofa and sipped his coffee.

“...Anyway. I’ve decided to take control of the business, I’ve spoken to George and after some persuasion he came to agree with me.” It took Blaine a moment to process what his Mother had just said.

“Wait, you want to take over dad’s business?”

“Yes Blaine and before you get defensive your Father included a clause for precisely this situation.” Blaine sat up straighter, the condescending tone his Mother was using doing nothing to calm him.

“That clause only applies if I am physically or mentally incapable of acting as head of the company, you know that. Besides George controls most of it anyway.” He heard his Mother sigh in what was clearly meant to be a sign of patience.

“Blaine, taking into consideration how your life has been for the last few years it’s hardly surprising you’re making...ahh...unusual decisions. I feel you need some time away from the stress the company can bring.” Hot anger flared in Blaine’s chest, he stood and began pacing around the box filled apartment, not taking notice of the coffee slopping out of his mug onto the hardwood floors.

“What the Hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, given the situation a few years ago and how you’ve handled it, your sudden move and string of frankly baffling decisions recently, I don’t feel you’re up to the job of managing such a large company.” Her tone was simple, blunt, to the point. Blaine felt like he’d been punched.

“How do you – “

“Oh please Blaine, I may not have seen your Father very often, but we did talk. When you take into account that you never saw anyone for your problems back then; and your recent relationship with that boy – really, I thought you were done with all that - I really had no choice.” Blaine noticed he’d been stood stock still for a while now, but couldn’t bring himself to move. His brain felt like it had been repeatedly mashed against a wall.

“Mother, I’m gay, that isn’t something that’s going to change. Kurt is not going away, I never should have left him before. It’s because of you and Dad that I’ve made bad decisions. Keep Kurt out of this. I can’t believe Dad told you. He – he promised he wouldn’t”

“Blaine, please try to focus. I need you to come into the office to sign some papers. And I need you to do it in the next two days.” Blaine’s brain was trying desperately to keep up.

“No, Mom. This is not the kind of thing you can just throw at me last minute and expect me to go along with, I need some time to think this through. I’ll call you back.” He hung up without waiting for a response. His fingers dialled Kurt on auto-pilot.

“Hey you.” Kurt’s voice was warm, so much warmer than his Mother’s had been. Just the sound of it left Blaine speechless.

“Blaine? Honey, you’re scaring me.”

“Kurt?” Blaine’s voice was quiet and vulnerable.

“Yes Blaine?”

“My Mom knows. Everything. Dad told her everything. She wants the business.” Blaine’s voice gave out on the last word. Panic flooded Kurt’s chest.

“OK, are you at your new place or the hotel?” Kurt was already gathering his things.

“Apartment.”

“Okay, I’m on my way...and Blaine?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.” Kurt waited with bated breath. This was far from the first time they had spoken those words to one another, but he meant it and Blaine really needed to know it.

“I love you too.”

**

Kurt sat on Blaine’s sofa, neither one was talking. Having heard most of what Blaine’s mother had said he knew if he pushed Blaine too much he’d just clam up, so he sat trying desperately not to wring his hands. Blaine turned his head to look at Kurt; a single tear worked a shiny path over his cheekbones. Kurt reached over, cupping his face and using his thumb to wipe away the tear gently. Blaine’s eyes flickered shut momentarily.

“I just don’t get why she’s doing this. It’s not like she needs the money.” His forlorn gaze broke Kurt’s heart.

“She’s just being vindictive, she doesn’t like what you want to do with your life and she doesn’t like me. That’s all this is.” He ran a hand methodically up and down Blaine’s back, holding him close. Blaine sniffed and ran a hand through his now thoroughly ruffled curls.

“Don’t listen to her; you don’t need the money either. You didn’t want the business to begin with. This is a chance for you to start new. Do what YOU want to do.” Kurt lifted Blaine’s face with a finger under his chin.

“OK?” He watched Blaine nod, noting the tears had stopped and pressed a small, sweet kiss to his lips.

“I still have you...right?” The hope and helplessness in his face was shocking to Kurt.

“Of course you do. I love you Blaine, always have, always will.” Blaine’s face lit up, a smile gracing his features for the first time in hours.

“I love you too Kurt. I really do.” Kurt kissed his forehead tenderly, pulling him close so he could lay on his chest.

**

Blaine left for work at around ten the next day, Kurt having slept on the sofa. Kurt had left at the same time, calling home so he could get changed and call Caryn to say he wouldn’t be in the boutique today. He got a cab when he went out, knowing he only had limited time.

When the cab pulled up outside the hotel that his various connections had assured him Marissa would be at, he paid the driver and stood looking up at the building for a minute. Was he really going to do this? The short answer was yes. He loved Blaine. Blaine was hurting. The equation was simple for him. So he took a deep breath and walked through the large wooden doors showing far more confidence than he actually felt.

He marched straight up to the desk; a small dark woman turned her attention to him.

“Good Morning, I’m Kurt Hummel, I’m here to see Mrs Anderson.” Kurt drew himself up to his full height.

“Is she expecting you Sir?” The woman, Narina her tag said, smiled tightly, probably having already felt Marissa’s wrath. ‘She will be’ Kurt thought. He cleared his throat before speaking aloud.

“Not exactly, but she’ll come down, trust me.” Narina looked apprehensive but picked up the phone regardless.

“Hello Mrs Anderson this is reception, we have a gentleman asking to see you.” She listened for a few moments.

“He’s quite insistent Ma’am. Yes, he says his name’s Kurt Hummel. Okay, I’ll tell him, Thank you.” She replaced the receiver looking utterly perplexed.

“She’s on her way down.”

Kurt waited patiently, for the first time in his life he didn’t feel the slightest bit apprehensive about seeing one of Blaine’s parents. The elevator dinged open and Marissa stepped out closely followed by her assistant. She cast a judging eye over Kurt and walked towards him. She stuck a petite hand out.

“Hello Kurt.”