Kurt hadn't see Blaine since he had started school again. He had talked to him a couple of times but he really wanted to talk to Blaine in person and, really, to touch him.

On Friday afternoon, Burt picked up Kurt as per usual and drove him home. The radio was playing softly and Kurt was startled when it was suddenly switched off.

"I need to lay something on you," Burt said and Kurt sat up straighter in his seat, listening intently.

"What is it?" Kurt asked, immediately worried that it was about Burt's health.

"Now, I talked with Belinda, your therapist, and she reckons it's a good idea for you to start mingling with others," Burt explained. "So I've invited Carol and Finn over for Friday night dinner."

"OK," Kurt agreed, nodding his approval.

"There's just one more thing," Burt continued slowly.

"What?" Kurt asked, his tone suspicious.

"Finn had already made plans with Rachel and was going to cancel but once Rachel heard where he was going, she invited herself along," Burt told him in a rush, as if it would lessen the blow.

"What?" Kurt squeaked. "Dad, no!"

"Sorry," Burt said. "It's too late to uninvited her."

"Fine," Kurt huffed but then grinned mischievously. "If Finn can invite Rachel, I can invite Blaine."

"Deal," Burt agreed and Kurt grinned triumphantly.

When they got home, Kurt had Burt dial Blaine's number and he waited for it ring.

Blaine picked up after five rings, sounding out of breath. "Hey Kurt," Blaine grinned, having already checked caller ID.

"Hi Blaine. Everything OK? You sound out of breath," Kurt greeted, his confusion evident.

"Warbler rehearsal," Blaine explained.

"Oh! I forgot about that. I'm so sorry for interrupting," Kurt apologized.

"It's OK. What's up?" Blaine cocked his head on one side, listening intently.

"Oh. I'll be quick. I was wondering if you wanted to come to Friday night dinner tonight. You could stay the night?" Kurt asked shyly.

"I'd love to," Blaine grinned. "I'll come straight after rehearsal."

"Cool, I'll see you then. Now get back to singing your lungs out Mr Soloist," Kurt teased and Blaine laughed.

"As you wish. Bye."

Kurt hung up and beamed. Blaine hadn't seen him without the gauze across his face and he wanted to make a good impression on the boy. That could only mean one thing.

"Dad," Kurt cringed as he called out, the loud sound wreaking havoc on his ears. "I need your help."

There was a knock on the door at 6:30 and Burt opened it to reveal Blaine. He was out of his uniform, carrying an over-night bag and grinned when he saw Burt.

"Hi Burt," Blaine greeted, sticking out his hand for Burt to shake.

Burt did so with a chuckle and ushered the boy in. "Kurt's downstairs," he told him.

"You don't want me to help with anything?" Blaine asked, not wanting to be rude.

"Nah, I'm right. Now shoo," Burt teased and Blaine chuckled. He bounded downstairs and froze when he saw Kurt.

Even blind, Kurt still remained the most fabulous and fashionable person he'd ever laid eyes on. He was wearing black skinny jeans that were so tight they looked like they had been painted on and a grey jacket with zips. His hair had been coiffed and looked perfectly in place.

"Who's there?" Kurt asked, a frown on his face.

"It's Marley's ghost," Blaine grinned, managing to find his voice.

"Blaine! You made it," Kurt beamed and Blaine suddenly noticed that Kurt wasn't wearing the white gauze around his head anymore.

"You lost the gauze," Blaine commented, stepping further into the room and dropping his bag out of the way so that Kurt wouldn't trip on it.

"I'm not a mummy anymore," Kurt cheered and Blaine laughed. He pulled Kurt into a hug, glad that he didn't flinch and instead hugged back tightly. "I forgot to tell you," Kurt said, pulling away. "It's not just us tonight. Carol, Finn and his friend Rachel are coming over too."

"That's cool," Blaine grinned. "Are you ready?"

Kurt shrugged. "As I'll ever be."

"Where's Lucy?" Blaine asked, looking around. He beamed when he saw the 'get well soon' bear on Kurt's bed.

"Outside," Kurt replied distractedly. Blaine had moved away and Kurt was having trouble figuring out where he had moved to.

"Everything OK?" Blaine asked, noticing Kurt's look of frustration.

"I have no idea where you are," Kurt sighed, throwing his hands up in defeat. "It's like talking to an empty room. Oh god, I've gone insane, haven't I?"

Blaine chuckled and stepped back towards Kurt, taking his hands, which Kurt gripped tightly. "I'm right here, don't worry. You're not insane."

"Feels like it," Kurt mumbled but he was smiling.

Blaine heard the doorbell go upstairs and Kurt froze.

"We could wait five more minutes," Blaine suggested and Kurt nodded frantically.

"Yeah, let's do that."

Burt opened the door for the second time that evening and ushered Finn and Rachel in. He kissed Carol lightly and beamed at her. She returned the smile and ducked inside.

"How are you dear?" Carol asked as Burt hung up her coat.

"Good. We're getting there slowly," Burt smiled softly at Carol.

"Where's Kurt?" She asked.

"Downstairs with his friend Blaine," Burt answered, stepping into the living room.

"Who's Blaine?" Finn asked, confusion written all over his face.

"A friend of Kurt's," Burt answered, "goes to Dalton Academy."

"Spy!" Rachel declared loudly and Burt winced.

"Give it up, Rachel," Finn sighed. "Kurt's not even in New Directions anymore."

"No talking about glee club," Burt instructed firmly as Rachel opened her mouth to respond. "I don't want you upsetting him tonight."

Finn nodded and Rachel repeated the action, though it was somewhat reluctant. They heard footsteps on the stairs and Kurt emerged with a boy they had never seen before.

"Good timing," Burt said, breaking the silence that had fallen. "Dinner's nearly ready."

"Thanks Burt," Blaine grinned.

"It's nice to see you Kurt," Carol said, moving towards him. Kurt tried not to flinch as Carol hugged him, though he was unsuccessful. Carol didn't say anything, just kissed his cheek and stepped back.

Finn and Rachel were staring at Kurt, mouth open. There was still some irritation left around his eyes but it was mostly cleared. At the moment Kurt had his eyes open and they could see that they were cloudy and still red.

"Are Rachel and Finn here?" Kurt asked, frowning and Blaine touched his arm.

"Yeah, they are," Blaine told him quietly and it suddenly clicked with Kurt. They were staring.

"Stop staring," Kurt barked and their mouths shut with a snap.

"Dude, how'd you do that?" Finn asked in awe.

"Don't call me dude," Kurt growled and Blaine rubbed his back in an attempt to soothe him.

"I'm Blaine Anderson," Blaine introduced himself politely.

"I'm Rachel Berry," Rachel said, stepping forward, puffing her chest out. "Kurt and I were in glee club together. I'm the New Directions' leading star."

Blaine watched as Kurt's face hardened at the mention of glee club and hastily tried to change the subject. Burt shook his head and retreated to the kitchen with Carol.

"Kurt was telling me that you and Finn are dating," Blaine interjected, looking to Finn.

Rachel stepped back and grinned, taking Finn's hands in hers. "Finn is the leading male in our glee club. Don't think you can get anything from us or Kurt."

"I'm not here to spy," Blaine told her coolly. "I like spending time with Kurt."

"We don't talk about glee club," Kurt said through gritted teeth. Kurt was glad when he heard Lucy panting as she came trotting into the room. She nudged his leg and sat next to him obediently.

"Hi Lucy," Blaine grinned, patting her and shaking her paw.

"Cool, you got a dog," Finn grinned and moved forward to pat her. Rachel had taken a giant step back.

"You don't like dogs?" Blaine asked.

"More like they don't like me," Rachel huffed. "Does it have to be here?"

"If I want to get around, then yes," Kurt smirked.

Blaine smothered his laughter as Rachel huffed.

"Dinner's ready," Burt called and Rachel hurried to the table, eager to get on Carol's good side. The boys followed at a slower pace, Lucy trailing behind.

Blaine helped Kurt with his seat, eliciting a blush from the countertenor and Rachel looked to Finn with hopeful eyes but he just plopped himself down in a free seat without so much as looking at her.

As Burt placed the plates around the table, Carol asked about Kurt's new school.

"It's different," Kurt replied slowly. "I'm by myself at the moment until I learn enough to be able to keep up with everyone else."

"Well, I'm sure you will catch on quickly," Carol smiled encouragingly.

"Come on, Lucy," Burt grunted as he tried to put the plate in front of Kurt. "Out of the way." Lucy just looked at Burt with her big brown eyes.

"Go on Lucy," Kurt instructed, patting her head. "Go to the living room." Lucy stood and padded away to the living room and Finn watched in awe.

"Why does she only listen to you?" Burt grumbled and Kurt sniggered. Burt placed a salad in front of Rachel – he'd had to make a separate meal for the vegan – and he sat down. "Dig in," he grunted and Finn dived into his meal.

They made small talk as they ate, Finn and Rachel catching them up on the gossip of McKinley. Blaine nudged his foot against Kurt's as Rachel was going into great detail about something a girl named Brittany did. Kurt nudged him back gently. He knew that Kurt would be upset, listening to what his friends were doing, things he wanted to be a part of.

Burt noticed that Kurt's carefully placed mask was falling and quickly changed the subject to football. Finn and Blaine dove into the topic eagerly, Blaine stopping to explain certain things to Kurt, who perked up whenever he was included.

It was going to take time, but they would get there.