"Can I help you?" Finn asked, looking at the group of boys that stood there in bewilderment. They looked vaguely familiar but he couldn't remember where he knew them from.

"Hi, I'm Nick. You must be Finn. This is Jeff, Wes and David," Nick introduced.

"Dude, how did you know?' Finn asked, shocked.

"We're friends of Kurt and Blaine's," Jeff explained, smothering his laughter much better than the rest of them, who were practically bent in half with amusement.

"You go to Dalton?" Finn asked.

"Yep," David grinned. "Are Kurt and Blaine here?'

"Oh right, yeah. Come on in," Finn said, opening the door wider. The boys grinned and let themselves in.

Blaine came wandering out and grinned, hugging each boy tightly. "Hey guys," he beamed. "Good trip?"

"Yeah, not bad," Wes shrugged, "If you don't count these two making out in the back seat for the whole ride."

Jeff and Nick blushed, Blaine laughing. "Where's the husband to be?" Nick grinned as he watched Blaine's eyes sparkle.

"Still primping," Blaine said, "and he just needs to talk to Burt."

"How's he doing?" Wes asked.

"Better," Blaine nodded. "He's doing much better. Still recovering but he'll get there."

The boys nodded, looking genuinely happy to hear the news. Finn shuffled awkwardly as the boys chatted, unsure of how to join in with the conversation.

Kurt came descending down the stairs, beaming when he saw his friends. Nick hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek, Finn watching with wide eyes. The others boys hugged Kurt gently and Finn was surprised when his brother didn't shrink away. He hadn't been entirely comfortable with direct contact outside of his family, but he seemed completely at ease with these boys.

"I just have to grab my things then we can get going," Kurt told them, breaking away from the group.

"Where are you going?" Finn asked, following Kurt as he headed back upstairs.

"Shopping," Kurt replied as he headed into his room, Finn hot on his heels.

"For what?" Finn asked, watching Kurt gather up his things.

"Wedding stuff," Kurt answered, unable to keep the smile off his face.

"Oh," Finn paused. "Can I come?"

Kurt gaped at Finn. "You want to come wedding shopping with me?"

"Yeah. You know, I'm still your best man, aren't I?" Finn asked, suddenly unsure.

"Of course," Kurt breathed, "You still want to be?"

"Yeah dude, I do," Finn told him truthfully.

"If you really want to come then sure," Kurt shrugged.

"Cool," Finn grinned and Kurt chuckled.

"Come on," Kurt instructed and they headed back downstairs. "Finn's coming with us," Kurt told the group as they returned to the ground floor.

"Cool," Blaine grinned, taking Kurt's hand. "Let's get going."

The boys cheered, Kurt yelling a goodbye to his dad and they went to their cars. The Dalton boys had come in one car and so Blaine took Kurt and Finn in his. They parked close to the mall and Kurt let out a little shiver. Blaine looked at him concerned as he shut off the engine. Finn jumped out and Kurt went to follow but Blaine stopped him.

"Everything OK?" Blaine asked quietly.

"Just the last time I was here I got the crap beaten out of me," Kurt murmured, struggling to keep his tone even.

"Last time you were alone," Blaine corrected. "This time I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"Nor I you," Kurt smiled. Blaine nodded and the two of them jumped out. The group headed inside and looked around.

"Where to first?" Jeff asked.

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other and shrugged. "I guess we could start with china," Kurt said, "we can get the flowers and stuff in New York."

"Alright, we'll start with wedding china," Wes grinned and they headed to a china shop. The women in the store gave the boys an odd look as they started looking around, Kurt and Blaine nudging each other as they looked at the patterns on the china, trying to find one they liked.

"What about this one?" Blaine asked, holding up a plate that had blue patterns on it.

Kurt looked at it with a critical eye and shrugged. "I like it, but I want to see if there's something else we prefer," Kurt said and Blaine put the plate back down.

"What about this one?" Nick called out, holding up a plate that was red. Both Blaine and Kurt scrunched their nose in distaste and Nick put the plate back down with a pout.

"Can I help you with anything?" asked an assistant. Both boys turned to find a women standing behind them with a smile.

"Oh, we're just looking at some wedding china," Blaine said.

"Who's wedding?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Ours," Kurt replied, taking Blaine's hand in his. Both boys watched with sinking stomachs as her smile fell and she took a step back.

"Oh, you two are – I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me," she stammered, walking away before she'd even finished her sentence.

Kurt shifted awkwardly and Blaine's fists clenched at his sides. "Just ignore her Blaine," Kurt whispered soothingly.

"Forget it," Blaine scowled, turning on his heels and stalking out of the store.

"Blaine!" Kurt yelled, hurrying after him. He caught up to Blaine easily and grabbed him by the wrist, spinning him around. "Where are you going?"

"Anywhere that's away from here," Blaine snapped. "She's ruined it, Kurt."

"She hasn't ruined anything," Kurt said firmly. "This is for us."

"She looked at us like we hadn't showered in months," Blaine cried. The others had caught up with them and by default, stood in a protective circle around them.

"What's going on?" Wes asked, looking concerned.

"That woman in the store," Blaine growled, "she ruined our day by practically telling us that what we were doing was wrong."

"Stupid cow," Jeff growled and Nick dropped his eyes to the ground.

"We can go somewhere else," Kurt insisted.

"What's the point, Kurt?" Blaine cried and Kurt was heartbroken to see tears welling in Blaine's eyes, threatening to spill over. "They're all going to look at us the same way." Blaine bowed his head and sniffed and Kurt looked despairingly at the group as Blaine cried.

"OK, we'll go," Kurt whispered. The boys watched sadly as Blaine sniffed and they quickly left the mall. "I'll drive," Kurt insisted, taking the keys off Blaine. Blaine looked up in shock, it was the first time Kurt had driven since his accident.

"No I can –" Blaine started but Kurt cut him off by pushing him into the passenger seat. Finn climbed into the back silently and Kurt went to Wes.

"Meet us back at my house," Kurt murmured, looking downcast.

"Yeah, no problem. I'm really sorry, Kurt," Wes said, patting him on the shoulder. Kurt nodded and hurried back to the car, slipping behind the wheel. Steeling himself, he started the car and carefully drove them home.

He pulled up to the house and Finn jumped out quickly. Blaine had kept his head bowed the whole trip and Kurt had noticed him shuddering as he tried to conceal his sobs.

"Blaine, baby?" Kurt asked, taking Blaine's hands. Blaine sniffed and his shoulder shook. "Let's get you inside."

They slipped out of the car and headed inside. The Dalton boys had pulled up behind them and Finn had already led them into the house. Burt was waiting for them by the door, the boys already having told him what had happened.

"You OK?" Burt asked and Blaine sniffed.

"Not really," Kurt sighed.

"Excuse me," Blaine croaked and he dashed up stairs. Kurt sighed and bit his lip.

"Nick told me what happened," Burt said and Kurt bowed his head. "I'm sorry, kid."

"I'm going to go check on Blaine," Kurt told him quietly. "Can you tell the others that we'll be down soon?"

"Sure, kid," Burt smiled gently and Kurt hurried up stairs to his fianc�.

Kurt went to their – because it wasn't his, not anymore and he had willingly given up ownership because what he got in return was so worth it – room and closed the door behind him. Blaine was lying face down on the bed, crying softly.

"Please don't cry, baby," Kurt said softly as he knelt on the bed and began rub Blaine's back.

"It's not fair," Blaine choked out, tuning his head so he could see Kurt. "This is meant to be a happy time and it's ruined."

"It's not ruined," Kurt insisted.

"Kurt, we can't even go wedding shopping like a normal couple," Blaine retorted, temper flaring. "How is it not ruined?"

"Are you still going to marry me?" Kurt asked.

"Of course I am." Blaine replied, as if it should have been obvious. How could Kurt doubt that?

"Then it's not ruined," Kurt replied gently. "I know I talk about having the perfect wedding but Blaine, as long as you marry me, it'll be perfect."

Blaine sat up and more tears streamed down his face. Kurt wiped them away with a caring touch and smiled softly.

"Every day I fall in love with you even more," Blaine admitted, leaning into Kurt's touch.

Kurt's smile grew. "Forget about shopping in Ohio," he said. "We'll shop in New York. It will be far more fun that way. We'll make a trip of it with our friends."

"That sounds nice," Blaine replied, grinning despite the tears.

"No more tears? I hate it when you cry, it's like listening to a puppy cry," Kurt pleaded softly and Blaine let out a half-hearted chuckle. Kurt pulled a tissue out of his pocket and handed it to Blaine, who blew his nose. "Do you need more time or can you come back downstairs?" Kurt asked.

"I'm OK," Blaine said. "After all this time – it just doesn't hurt any less."

"I know, baby," Kurt soothed, kissing Blaine gently, tasting his salty tears on his lips. "I'm sorry." Blaine stroked Kurt's cheek and smiled softly. "Come on," Kurt said, taking Blaine's hand. They headed back downstairs to see the others in the living room chatting with Burt. Blaine collapsed on the couch, Wes patting his shoulder. Kurt settled himself on Blaine's lap, gently playing with the curls on the nape of his neck.

"Don't worry, boys," Burt told them, sitting back in his chair. "We'll figure something out."

Both boys nodded and David tactfully changed the subject. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt, drawing comfort from him. Kurt was right; as long as they got married, it would be perfect.