Blaine was back at school again, and it seemed that he couldn't escape whispers about him. Friday, afterward when they had finally started on their assignment, it hadn't been that bad. Blaine was actually pretty good. Once they had started, he had given his all, and they were able to finish quicker than Kurt had anticipated. As Kurt was putting his things away, Blaine had tried to grab him again, but Kurt was already cautious, so he escaped before Blaine could even touch him. Blaine had thrown a wink at his scowl before Kurt had left.

That morning in English period, Blaine whispered in his ear,"By the way, you taste absolutely delicious." Kurt ignored him, but he was sure Blaine knew exactly how red he had gotten at that comment.

Later that day, just before Kurt was headed towards the cafeteria, Blaine cornered him. "Nice scarf." He smirked. Kurt was about to retort back with some snappy comment when Blaine pulled the scarf away from his neck.

"What are you doing!" Kurt hissed, turning red as his hickey was exposed. He snatched his scarf back, glaring. Blaine's eyes were on the hickey, which showed no sign of fading so far, his gaze turning dark. Kurt quickly wrapped the scarf around his neck again, cursing under his breath. Blaine snickered. "You are so fucking cute," and then he sauntered away. Asshole.

Kurt had had a very long weekend, to say the least. Burt and Carole had decided they wanted to get married that Saturday. As their wedding planner, Kurt wasn't very happy at that news. He had so much to do. This wedding had to be perfect, and with so little time to plan it, Kurt was all over the place. The decorations, the flowers, the wedding dress for Carole, plus the dresses for the bridesmaids, a suit for his dad, the dance training that he was giving Burt and Finn, the Glee Club, the speeches, everything! There just wasn't enough time, but if anyone could do it, it was Kurt Hummel. At least they had decided on a Church wedding so Kurt didn't have to look for the perfect place as well. But Kurt was absolutely exhausted. It didn't help the matter that he had to wear a scarf every day because he just didn't have the time to do the detailed makeup. Thankfully it was nearing winter so no one suspected anything.

Kurt found Blaine waiting for him after the glee practice, with a look on his face that Kurt couldn't decipher.

"What do you want, Blaine?" Kurt sighed, rubbing a hand through his eyes. He was so tired.

Blaine frowned at him before asking,"Is it true you got Karofsky expelled?"

Kurt stopped and looked at him. He had not expected that question. But it figured that he would find out about that sooner or later. "Yeah," Kurt said nonchalantly, but he couldn't help the smile that burst through his face, despite his exhaustion. Karofsky was gone and he was fucking happy, okay!

Blaine whistled. "Wow. I didn't think you'd actually do anything about it."

Kurt's smile vanished and he scowled. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Blaine waved his hand dismissively. "How did you convince Sylvester? I didn't think she'd do anything."

Kurt turned around and started walking towards the parking lot, Blaine right beside him. "She didn't, but then my dad stepped in." Kurt had been extra worried about his dad's health after that day, and hadn't even let him near anything greasy. He didn't even let anyone else eat anything even remotely harmful to Burt's health, and even though Carole seemed to be coping, he could see that it was driving Finn crazy. Finn lived on food that caused heart attacks.

"And?"

Kurt frowned. "What do you mean 'and'?"

"I know the Principal wouldn't just expel someone just because a parent got involved. There's more."

Kurt stopped again and gave Blaine a puzzled look. "How do you know that?"

Blaine raised a dismissive hand again but he was interrupted. "Hey Kurt." It was Finn. He and some other guys were staying back after glee, doing who knows what. Kurt didn't have any time to care about the details. "Is this guy troubling you? Do you want me to kick his ass?" Blaine raised his eyebrows while Kurt just rolled his eyes. Finn had been over protective of Kurt lately. The poor guy still felt guilty for not stepping in with the Karofsky situation while he could, in spite of Kurt repeatedly telling him that he didn't blame him, nor did he expect anything from him.

"I'm fine Finn. But thanks."

Once Finn knew that Kurt wasn't in any immediate danger, he broke into a grin. "So hey, I just wanted to let you know that we might be getting a bit off course with the wedding. And I'm writing my own script."

"Not a chance. I told you I would be writing it. And why do you want to go off course? Everything I have prepared is perfect. You can't screw this up, Finn."

Finn sighed. "It- It's a surprise okay? Just trust me."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. This can't be anything good. Kurt knew Finn had a big heart, and yes he trusted him, but he wasn't exactly the smartest pea in the pod. "A surprise?" He asked skeptically.

"Well, it's more of an apology."

"Finn, for the last, you don't need to apologize," Kurt said, exasperated.

"You'll love it, I promise!" Kurt couldn't help but give him a fond look as he waved him goodbye and rushed off to the choir room. Kurt couldn't believe how much Finn had grown up in just a few months. Wasn't it just last month that Finn wouldn't be caught talking to Kurt? And now here they were, brothers, and closer than ever.

"Seriously Hummel? Crushing on a straight guy?" Kurt was snapped out of his thoughts by Blaine. His eyebrows were raised and he had an unimpressed look on his face.

"Why, are you jealous?" Kurt teased. Kurt thought that everyone knew that Finn and he were going to be step-brothers since Finn was one of the most popular guys in the school. He was sure he had heard gossip about it before. Kurt couldn't believe Blaine didn't know. But come to think of it... he had been suspended for almost the entire week, and he didn't seem like a very social person- hell he hadn't seen him talking to anyone other than Kurt- so he must be out of the loop. And yeah, Kurt had a massive crush on Finn last year, but he was over it now. Any feelings that Kurt might have towards Finn were completely platonic.

"Yeah right," Blaine scoffed, but he sounded a bit weird. Before Kurt could analyze it though, Blaine was already saying goodbye and was gone.

The wedding was absolutely wonderful. Everything was so amazing! Finn was amazing. Kurt still couldn't believe that he sang a song to him- well to him, Carole, and Rachel- and danced with him in front of everyone. And yeah, he didn't cover as much area in his speech as he might have if he had gone with the one Kurt had written for him, but the one he gave was so amazing and heartfelt that Kurt forgave him.

The next Monday morning, Finn greeted him with a "hey little bro" and a pat on his shoulder.

"I'm older than you, Finn." Kurt rolled his eyes fondly and smiled.

"Yes, but you'll still be my little brother." Finn pulled him into a half-hug, making Kurt laugh in surprise. What was up with him today? He was never this affectionate.

Just as he pulled away, Blaine came out of nowhere and shoved Finn, walking away, then turning around and sneering at him, "Watch it Gigantor."

"What is your problem!?" Kurt called after him but he was already gone. Kurt helped Finn straighten up and glared at the corner where Blaine had just disappeared.

"Are you alright?" Kurt asked worriedly.

"I'm built like a bulldozer, Kurt. I think I'm fine." Finn chuckled. "I just don't know what his deal is."

The day just went downhill from then because Kurt was called to the Principal's office only to find Burt and Carole already there, sitting with a very indifferent looking Sue Sylvester. Apparently, the Karofskys took Sue's advice and appealed to the school Board. Dave was back. Kurt felt like all wind had been knocked out of his lungs.

Burt and Carole offered to put him in Dalton, but it was the money they had saved for their honeymoon. Kurt couldn't take that away from them. Karofsky's father had promised that he wouldn't get into any more trouble and would behave himself. While Kurt had little expectations of that being the case, he had Finn and the rest of the Glee club, and dare he hoped, even Blaine, to help him fight against Karofsky. Plus, Dalton seemed amazing and really tempting, but it wasn't worth losing all his friends over. Also, he wanted to be on the winning team this year in Sectionals, and he knew the New Directions were that. He was so tired of being so afraid all the time. He wanted to fight back and not run away anymore.

The next day Kurt was surprised to see fresh injuries on Karofsky's face. Karofsky didn't even look at him when they passed each other in the hallway. Finn, who had been acting as his bodyguard ever since he heard Karofsky was back, seemed to be as surprised by this as Kurt. They shared a bewildered look. This should be a good thing, but life couldn't really be that easy, could it?

That wasn't the only surprise Kurt got that day. Blaine was acting really grumpy that day and hadn't tried hitting on Kurt even once. In French, when their assignment was due, he had answered in grunts and monosyllables at any of Mrs. Rosario's question, and then had completely ignored Kurt for the rest of the period. When he wasn't looking though, Kurt could feel eyes on him. Something was up with him.

Later that day, he saw Blaine glaring at Karofsky, and Karofsky looking away quickly with something akin to fear on his face. Ok, that was new. Shouldn't Karofsky be angry at Blaine instead of scared? He was twice the size of Blaine. Slowly the pieces started fitting in Kurt's head and he almost groaned out loud. Blaine got himself involved again.

Kurt was running a bit late for Glee Club practice. Most of the students had already gone home or wherever they went when school was over for the day. That's when he saw Blaine standing by his locker. Kurt immediately took the opportunity to confront.

"What did you do?" Kurt hissed at him once he was within hearing distance.

"Why hello Kurt. Nice to see you too." Blaine said with mock cheer and wearily closed his locker door, leaning against it, looking at Kurt with disinterest.

"Cut the crap, Blaine. You beat Karofsky up again, didn't you?" Kurt accused.

"Why do you just assume it was me? Maybe it was your boy, Hudson. Or wouldn't he ever do something like that for you?" Blaine winked at him, but he sounded a little... bitter?

"Yes Finn is my brother and all, but he wouldn't ruin his reputation like that and-"

"Wait a second. What do you mean Finn is your brother?" Blaine looked completely taken aback.

Kurt snapped his fingers, annoyed that Blaine wasn't keeping up. "His mother married my father. Brother. Anyways, you've already done it once-" Kurt stopped speaking when Blaine burst out laughing.

"You are brothers." Why did he almost sound relieved? Whatever. Kurt really wasn't in the mood for this right now. Blaine kept laughing as Kurt glowered at him.

"What the hell is wrong with you today." Kurt was getting seriously irritated by Blaine's behavior.

"Sorry sorry." Blaine finally stopped, but he was still beaming at Kurt. "So, want to come over to my place later? I can tell you anything you want to know there." Blaine winked, aaand he was back again. Kurt would have been angry if he wasn't kinda relieved. Not that he wanted Blaine to flirt with him. No. But just the fact that he was doing that meant that at least he was back to normal. And normal might be really weird and frustrating right now, but that was what Kurt Hummel needed.

He just shook his head exasperatedly, feeling lighter than a minute ago. He took a deep breath and tried to be patient. Time to swallow your pride, Kurt Hummel.

"Blaine..." Blaine noted the change in his tone and immediately sobered up. "Thank you."

Blaine blinked. "What?"

Kurt blushed. "I might not agree with your methods, but I can't argue with the results. I don't know what exactly you did to make him stop- because I know he wouldn't have just stopped because you beat him up- and to be honest, I don't want to know, but... thank you."

Blaine stared at Kurt like he was almost shocked. Kurt got even redder. He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "Well, anyway..." Kurt started walking away, but then Blaine grabbed his wrist. Kurt stopped and their eyes locked. Kurt couldn't look away as he stared into the depths of Blaine's eyes. Kurt had never noticed before how soft they were, unlike everything else about Blaine. Right now, as Blaine was staring at Kurt, his eyes filled with emotion, he looked almost... vulnerable. Blaine blinked, and the moment was over. He blinked again and all his softness was gone and replaced by his devilish smirk.

"While I do appreciate that little speech, I can think of better ways that you can thank me with." Blaine winked.

Kurt surprised both Blaine and himself by laughing. "Oh my god, do you ever stop?"

Blaine looked surprised, and maybe a little pleased by Kurt's reaction. He grinned. "Course not."