"Married?!" The flabbergasted and disgusted tones of his fellow peers is not unlike Kurt's own reaction. Yes, a few people look excited, most notably Sugar, but the consensus seems to be against it. Rachel holds up her hand to show off the ring and it catches a few girls' interests, including Mercedes, but Kurt is quick to yank her back into her seat.

"No way," he hisses. "We can't show any signs of approval."

Mercedes looks longingly over at the group surrounding Rachel but doesn't move again. "I mean she seems pretty set on it, Kurt. As her friends we need to support her."

"As her friends we need to stop this madness before she makes a decision she'll regret for the rest of her life."

"I agree," Quinn says, dropping into the seat behind them.

Kurt startles and doesn't respond right away. He didn't think Quinn was that close to Rachel, or to anyone for that matter, but the look in her eyes in sheer determination.

"Well okay," he says slowly, "good."

Before he can elaborate on what exactly the three (or really two) of them can do, a jarring noise sounds from the corner of the room. Sugar is banging random piano keys and keeps doing so until she has everyone's attention. "Perfect," she purrs. "I just wanted to announce that in honor of my favorite holiday, I will be hosting a Valentine's Day part at Breadstix on Friday! Oh and also, no singles allowed! They're depressing."

Kurt wants to say he doesn't care, that this is just some stupid party for some stupid holiday he hates, but the ache is there. Valentine's Day may normally be a cheap, commercial way to celebrate love but this whole party just serves as another reminder of what Kurt lost. When Sugar had mentioned the 'no singles' part Kurt unconsciously looked over at Blaine and he did the same. Their eyes had met for only a moment before the both turned away. Kurt still isn't making any progress, and while he's not giving up per say, he is becoming a bit discouraged. It's been almost two months since they broke up and while Blaine admitted to having feelings still, it doesn't seem to have changed anything.

Over the weekend Kurt actually met another gay guy in the record store and they chatted a bit. His name is Chandler and he was cute but, try as he might, Kurt couldn't help but think he didn't hold a candle to Blaine. Kurt had given him his number, though, and they exchanged a few texts before Kurt put a stop to it all. He wasn't an idiot and he knew where this was going. Every time he tried to imagine a date with Chandler he ended up focusing on what Blaine would think when he found out. Would he jealous? Kurt knew he would. So more importantly, would it be enough to get Blaine to change his mind? Or would it encourage him in his efforts to let Kurt move on? This went on for a little while before Kurt realized how absolutely cruel it all was. He was using Chandler, leading him on, to make another guy jealous. Not knowing how to tell Chandler the truth without hurting him, he opted to tell a little white lie about being excited for a date he had coming up. That took the wind out of Chandler's sails and eventually he stopped texting all together.

Focusing in, Kurt pushes thoughts of Blaine away as he listens to Joe and Sam talk excitably about their new service for wooing people via song for the small price of five dollars.

&&&&&

Rachel and Mercedes had pleaded with Kurt in an attempt to get him to go to Sugar's party but he refused. He wasn't going to be the one lone kid without a date because no matter how many times they assured him Sugar was just kidding about the whole thing. Sitting at home and marathoning Project Runway is a much more enjoyable way to spend his time and he's just spotted the remote on the floor half under the couch when the doorbell rings. Kurt's face scrunches up as he ponders who it could be and as he walks to the door he desperately hopes it's not his friends in one last ditch effort to get him to go to the party.

"Hey! I'm come bearing Chinese food," Blaine greets, holding up the Panda Express bag for emphasis.

"Uhhh…" Kurt stares at the boy, his heart thumping, unable to come up with a response.

"I know this is kind of out of the blue, but I saw your car was here so I knew you didn't go to Sugar's party and I just thought since neither of us were doing anything we should hangout." Blaine's smile had begun to falter at Kurt's expression and by the end of his explanation it fades completely.

"So lemme get this straight… you were watching my house to see if I was going to leave?" This is better. Teasing and flirting is something Kurt knows how to do.

"That's what brothers do! We look out for each other," he protests.

"No Blaine, that's what stalkers do," Kurt counters. He manages to keep his tone light even though the word brother sent a wave of disappointment through him.

"Yes well," he hesitates, "can I come in? It's just that it's pretty cold out he-"

"Oh right yes of course!" Kurt jumps out of the way and waves Blaine inside, closing the door behind him. "Sorry about that," he mutters.

"It's not a problem," he says, rubbing his arms to bring the warmth back to them. Despite it being well below freezing, Blaine is adorned in only a lightweight long-sleeved t-shirt.

Kurt starts walking back into the main room and says, "My plan was to catch up on the last few Project Runway episodes but if you want to watch something else that's fine." He stops moving and turns around when he notices Blaine hasn't followed. Quirking an eyebrow, Kurt tilts his head at Blaine who hasn't moved from the kitchen.

"You don't- we can eat in there?" he asks hesitantly.

Kurt smiles and nods, patting the coffee table lightly before brushing past Blaine to grab two cans of iced tea from the fridge.

"You better get used to our house rules considering they'll be yours tomorrow," Kurt says once he returns to the couch. Picking up the remote he begins searching the dvr list until he sees what he's looking for.

"I know it's only been a couple months but it feels weird to be leaving my house. It already feels like more of a home than my old one."

Kurt, who had just taken a big bite of chow mien, chews quickly and swallows so he can ask Blaine to elaborate.

Blaine looks down at his hands, which he's wringing in his lap, and takes a deep breath before explaining. "It's just, yes I grew up there, and I have some good memories of my early childhood, but I hardly lived there those last few years. I boarded at Dalton and didn't come home that often. I didn't even realize how much I had shut myself off from my family until I moved out here. It's been nice being with them so often these last few months."

Kurt nods, feeling like there's more to it than that, but doesn't comment. "Well trust me, one week living with my dad and you'll be begging to go back and live in the solitude of Dalton."

After that they lapse into a comfortable silence which is only broken when Kurt has an opinion on something that can't go unexpressed. They're still there a few hours later when Sally and Burt get back from their dinner. They seem surprised but pleased that the two of them are hanging out and Kurt wonders if maybe their falling out didn't go as unnoticed as he'd hoped.

&&&&&

They all rise bright and early the next morning to get a jump on the day. The Anderson's (Sally would soon be a Hummel but the paperwork was still being processed) had spent the past week packing everything into boxes so all that needed to be done was to move them, plus the furniture they were keeping, into the Hummel household. Kurt, ever mindful of Burt's health scare the previous year, had wanted to hire some help. Burt refused but Kurt wouldn't let it go until he agreed to bring Donny along.

The two of them pull up into the driveway and are greeted excitedly by Sally and Maria. Maira quickly tugs Burt off toward the pile of boxes already in the yard insisting that her stuff be the first things loaded. Blaine is standing off the side still in his pajamas and looking adorably rumpled.

"Rough night?" Kurt asks with a smirk.

"My nightmares featuring clashing patterns and sleazy cocktail dresses kept me up," he deadpans. Kurt laughs loudly and Blaine cracks a smile too.

"Alright you two," Burt calls at them, "enough chatter. We got some boxes to move!"

Kurt rolls his eyes but Blaine sends him a little salute and immediately begins loading boxes into Kurt's Navigator. It's the biggest car any of them have so it will have to do until Donny shows up with his pickup truck. When the car is full to the brim Burt drives it down the street and the others follow on foot. This goes on for about a half an hour until Donny arrives. Once he's there the group gets into a pretty solid rhythm. Kurt and Blaine stay at the Anderson's old house and load up the truck then Sally drives it to the Hummel's where Burt and Donny unload it.

Blaine's carrying an exceptionally heavy load across the lawn when Kurt hears a yelp and then a loud thump. Turning, he sees Blaine examining his shirt while the boxes he was carrying lay on the ground. Dropping his own boxes and hustling towards him Kurt asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," he grumbles. "I ripped my shirt though." Blaine fingers are running over a long tear down the front of his shirt and he sighs loudly. Then, in one quick movement, he sheds the shirt completely.

A choked off noise comes from the back of Kurt's throat and he whispers "How?" He meant it more as a oh my god how are you so attractive but Blaine misinterprets.

"It snagged on the corner of the box, no big deal." He rummages one of the fallen boxes which happens to contain his clothes until he find something causal enough to be worn. It ends up being a pale yellow tank top which isn't all that different from not wearing a shirt at all. Gulping, he tears his eyes away from the beautiful sight and continues his journey to the car which is now waiting to be loaded.

By the time four o'clock rolls around they've managed to get everything into the house although it's a far cry from all being unpacked. Kurt lies on his bed and groans loudly for a third time. He had promised Rachel that he would help pick out a birthday present for Hiram today but now he regrets it completely. His whole body is soar and if it wasn't for the fact that he had to go he would have gone straight to sleep. He checks his phone and sighs before pushing himself up and out of bed.

He's about to push open the bathroom door when he registers the sound of the shower running. A panic sets in for about two seconds before he realizes it must be Blaine. The fact that he would be sharing a bathroom with two other people didn't occur to him and the thought does nothing to improve his mood. He's not really sure what shared bathroom politics are but he just needs to grab his toothbrush and there's a shower curtain so he knocks loudly and cracks the door open.

"Blaine? Don't worry it's just me I have to grab my tooth brush." Kurt finally steps all the way in and is opening up the cabinet when he hears a bunch of scrambling from behind the curtain.

"Kurt?" Blaine asks. His breathing is irregular and it almost sounds like he's panting.

"Yeah it's me," he answers feeling a bit uneasy. With the addition of Blaine's stuff he's having trouble finding what he needs. "Here got it! I'm leaving," he calls and starts to back out of the room.

A short, high pitched whine comes from the shower but it's quickly cut off and Blaine responds with a shaky "okay".

Frowning, Kurt leaves the bathroom and is just pulling the door closed when he hears one of the most wanton moans he's ever heard. He hastily shuts the door to muffle the sound but it's too late, he's already heard it. There's only one reason Blaine would be making a noise like that and the thought makes him light headed and his cock harden. Sending a short text to Rachel, he hurries off to his room to take care of the growing problem.

He does eventually make it to Rachel's house and she flounces to the car with her arms crossed. "What was that all about?"

"Something came up. And you're lucky I'm even helping you in the first place, I've been moving boxes all day."

Rachel concedes and the car ride to the mall is filled with idle chatter. They're searching through the used book store for the Guys and Dolls 1982 London Revival Edition, the only edition Hiram doesn't own, when Kurt's struck by a thought. He opens his mouth to say something to Rachel but she speaks first.

"I just don't think it's here," she pouts. "I know it was a long shot but it would seriously be the perfect gift."

"Keep looking. Or actually, why don't you go ask someone who works here. Maybe they have it in the back or something." Rachel nods and spins around to find an employee but Kurt puts a hand on her arm. "Wait one second, I want to ask you something. Do you think I should get Blaine something for his birthday?"

She stares at him for a second before whipping him with her purse. "Of course you should! If nothing else he's your brother now."

"I know," Kurt sighs. "It's just… what do you get for your ex-boyfriend whose now your step-brother who you're still in love with?"

Rachel giggles and Kurt sends her his best bitch face. "Sorry, sorry. You just sound like somebody on one of those horrid shows like Maury." She laughs again but then her eyes widen and she whips her head up to look a Kurt. "Wait, you're in love with him?!"

"What? No. Maybe. I don't know. It doesn't matter," Kurt says with a shake of his head. "I just need to know what to get him."

"A bow tie?" Rachel suggests. "He seems to wear a lot of those."

"Too generic. I want to get him something special, something that lets him know how I'm feeling."

"So basically you need a present that says 'I still love you but you're my step-brother now so that makes it a little awkward but I still want to make it work'."

"Yeah basically," Kurt says, managing a smile.

&&&&&

Blaine's birthday celebration is the first big event in the new and improved Hummel household. Kurt and Sally work together to make Blaine's favorite dinner, Carbonara, and a chocolate cake. It's different from how birthday celebrations use to go but Kurt doesn't mind so much. New family means new traditions. The addition of Sally, Blaine, and Maria into their home isn't as awkward as Kurt feared it would be. Being around Blaine all the time is going to take some getting used to and Kurt is glad they're at the very least friendly with each other these days.

After dinner is eaten Kurt brings the cake in and starts the singing. Maria adds in the appropriate cha cha cha-s and it makes Kurt smiles because he hasn't heard those in forever. Right before Blaine blows out the candles Sally heaves out a sob and Kurt startles, half leaving his seat.

"Don't bother," Blaine says, rolling his eyes, "she does this every year."

"He's right dear, I'm fine." She takes Kurt's hand in hers and pats it but the tears still shine in her eyes. "I just can't believe you're eighteen," she says softly. "You're not my baby anymore."

"I haven't been your baby in a long time," Blaine responds but his eyes soften. He leans over to hug her and whispers, "But I'll always be your son."

Sally sniffles a few more times but wipes her eyes and then claps her hands. "Alright, enough tears. Let's get this part started!"

The rest of the night is deemed "Family Game Night" and as lame as it sounds it's actually really fun. Kurt used to do something like this before his mom died but after that, with just two people, it really didn't work out so well. The game they choose is Apples to Apples and Kurt laughs so hard at Maria's choice of Richard Nixon for Virtuous that he has actual tears in his eyes.

As it gets later, Burt and Sally announce they're going to bed and they force an unhappy Maria to do the same. Kurt looks up from the magazine he'd been glancing through to find Blaine's eyes on his. Suddenly the silence between them seems electric and Kurt has no idea why. He stands up abruptly and says, "I'm going to go get your present, I'll be right back."

Digging through the back of his closet he pulls out the small box that contains the red and white striped bow tie he'd gotten. He was so unhappy about the choice, about the unoriginality, that he'd debated whether he should give it to him at all. He finds Blaine in the same position he left him in; sitting at the counter on one of the high stools.

"Here," he says handing Blaine the box. "I know it's not much but…"

"No Kurt, I love it," Blaine says, giving him a genuine smile. "I've been meaning to incorporate more red into my wardrobe."

"That's not all," Kurt starts and takes a deep breath to muster up the courage to continue. "I want you to know that everything I said still stands. It might not always, and I'll let you know if it doesn't, but for now, it does."

He doesn't need to specify what he's talking about because he knows Blaine gets it. The look on his face is unreadable, though, and eventually Kurt gives up trying figure him out and turns around to walk away. But before he gets far he hears the stool scrape against the floor followed by two feet hitting the ground and as he turns around he's met with a mouth full of Blaine.