The next few days only got worse. Blaine forced himself to join the family for meals to not trouble his mom too much, but he stayed in his room besides that. In school he stuck to Tina - he liked Tina a lot; she was cool and funny, and she had amazing timing and sense for when to poke to something or when to leave it alone.

Sunday and Monday Kurt asked Blaine to join him for coffee or TV. He asked him if he wanted to do homework with him, or simply gossip about the newest girl on the Cheerios who looked like she had transferred from a gang territory.

Blaine declined. Politely as always, but short and honestly a bit cold. It was awful and Kurt felt lonely. He realized how used he had gotten to Blaine being there all the time. Over the two years their parents had been together Kurt had grown adjusted to Blaine being the closest friend he had - he was actually the closest friend he had ever had.

And now Kurt was all alone and he had no idea why. He was getting depressed himself. He missed laughing over nothing and talking about school or their friends or unimportant stuff.

So Thursday Kurt had had enough. He hadn't seen Blaine all week. No one in the Hummel-Anderson house had. Only at meals and there he kept quiet and was only eating a little - Kurt suspected that he only even ate to keep his mom from fussing out. Which she did anyway as soon as he left the table. In glee club and school Blaine kept to himself or hung out with Tina, and often it seemed like he did his best to stay away from Kurt.

Blaine didn't know if Kurt was still texting lively with Chandler. He thought he had seen him absorbed in his phone over lunch at school, or when he snuck glances at him in glee club he would see him stealing looks at his phone. He had no intentions on asking him about the nature of their relationship.

He had heard him telling Mercedes and Sugar that he was having coffee with a friend after school the day before and Blaine had nearly thrown up from the speed his stomach turned over with. Kurt was having a date.

It was 7.30 Thursday night and Blaine was considering to already go to bed because he didn't see a point in staying awake. He had nothing to do and with all the time he had spent in his room lately he had already finished the book he was reading for English class, plus his history class project.

When there was a knock on the door he considered pretending he was already asleep. He just wanted the day to be over. He had forced himself to get a grip of and allowed himself to make plans with Tina during the weekend. She had asked him to go with her to a dance show Mike had and he had agreed. He knew she was sensing that he needed some time out and he was glad that she would be his friend without forcing him to talk about what was troubling him.

The knocking got louder and before Blaine could react the door was furiously opened. Kurt marched in and shut the door behind him. At first he just stood in the middle of the room with his arms crossed over his chest, but suddenly he snapped out of it and walked over to sit next to Blaine on the bed.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked, and Blaine was so shocked he dropped his book.

Kurt's lips were pursed and his eyes were narrowed. He was staring down Blaine, not letting him look away and the concern mixed with stress was filling his face and his entire posture.

"What are you talking about?" Blaine asked, knowing it was useless to play dumb because Kurt had x-ray eyes and would see right through him with a snap of his fingers.

"Don't do that, Blaine. I know something is up with you. You've been absent from everything for nearly a week now. I don't even recognize you," Kurt protested, his voice now soft and just as worried as his eyes were.

"There's nothing wrong. I'm just tired, and I - am lacking vitamins these days," he lied, well aware what Kurt's response would be, and sure enough he rolled his eyes.

"Vitamins? Blaine, please. You eat more fruits and vegetables than anyone I know, and you're completely addicted to that vitamin-water you get at the gym. Admittedly not so much lately, because you haven't left your room and hardly eat anything at all…"

Kurt was starting to look frustrated. He seemed like he could either break down and scream or get up and throw things around any second now.

It was stupid, but Blaine felt guilty. He hated seeing Kurt troubled that way, and even more did he hate that he was the reason for his troubles. He simply couldn't win.

"Don't worry about me, Kurt. I just need some time and I'll be fine," Blaine tried lying, but it only helped so much.

Kurt narrowed his eyes and before Blaine had time to flee Kurt's hand was closed around his on the bed.

"Blaine, is this… do you like someone? Is that what this is about?" Kurt asked insecurely, not sure he was allowed to move in on that territory.

When he and Blaine had talked about guys before they had only ever discussed who on TV was hot and who wasn't, or if they had seen a cute guy at the mall. That was all. They had never grazed the subject of their interest in anyone in the slightest. In Kurt's opinion Blaine was young and had all the time in the world to flirt and date.

Blaine stiffened in his spot. Not only was Kurt holding his hand, he was also moving in the direction of the flaming house known as Blaine's heartache. Because of him.

"Blaine, if this is about a guy - if there's someone you like who doesn't like you back you could have talked to me. I know how it feels. I thought we were sort of friends… isn't that what being brothers is about? To be there for each other," Kurt said softly.

"But I don't want you to be my brother!" Blaine snapped and immediately felt his face burst into flames.

He pulled his hand away from Kurt's and jumped to his feet, desperate to get away from him. He had screwed up, he had screwed up really bad.

"Excuse me?" Kurt asked sharply with a raised eyebrow. Confusion and pain welled in over his face and it shot a pang of guilt directly to Blaine's veins. How was he ever going to fix this?

"You don't want me to be your brother? So - all this time you've just tolerated me, hung out with me to please our parents?" Kurt asked and now he was filled with pain oozing through his voice and from his entire body.

"That's not what I meant! I love it when we hang out. I can't imagine my life without you. I just…"

"What, Blaine? You don't want me as your brother, but you like hanging out with me - you're kind of sending me mixed signals here!" Kurt hissed and got to his feet as well.

It felt like they were getting ready for a fight. Kurt was standing at one end of the room with arms crossed over his chest and acid running from his eyes and tongue. Blaine was standing in front of him at the other end with trembling hands and guilt filling every fiber of his being.

"I like you, Kurt!" Blaine spat and knew that he shouldn't have, but he couldn't help himself. At least he wasn't crying - yet. He was close enough and it was hard to fight against the more worked up he got.

"That wasn't exactly helping. You know what - forget I even tried talking to you. If you are confused about yourself I don't how to help you. I have a Skype-date with Chandler -"

"Don't be with Chandler!" Blaine begged and now he was so close to crying that he could feel it in his voice and his eyes had started stinging.

"What? Blaine, you don't have any right to -"

"Be with me instead. I hate Chandler!" Blaine burst out.

It was like his brain and mouth weren't working together anymore, like some sort of important wire had been cut. He didn't know what was happening, but it was bad - he tried telling himself to stop, but tears were rolling down his face and his mouth just wouldn't stop.

"What? All of this crazy thing with you being depressed has just been because you don't like Chandler? You only met him once - Blaine, you can't dictate who I can and cannot talk to - even if this is some weird protective-brother-thing, though I'm not really sure since apparently you don't wanna be br… you need to explain this to me, cause I'm really confused," Kurt said.

Blaine wanted to hide. He couldn't figure out if Kurt was mad or hurt or disappointed -all he showed was confusion.

"Kurt, I can't stand Chandler. I can't stand what he does to you, I can't stand the way he texts you all the time - I mean god, doesn't he have anything better to do?! And the way you giggle and sit with your phone in your face all the time. And how you're constantly smiling over him - I just can't stand it!" Blaine let out.

"So you like me, but you don' want me to be happy?"

"I want to be the one to make you happy, and giggly, and send you texts all the time -" Blaine said and didn't care that he was nearly sobbing now.

"What? Blaine - I'm not sure I understand what you're -"

"I like you, Kurt! I have for… ages. Remember when our parents tried to get us to know each other and - I think it was the second time we met - you told me that you were really happy that I seemed so mature and not like some kid with bad attitude and bad skin. And then you said that you liked my style and my - that's when it started, and it's only been growing since, and I'm sorry. This is so inappropriate and I never wanted you to know because I'm a freak who has feelings for my brother and you can just… go tell our parents so they can send me away to be locked up," Blaine cried and turned around with his face hidden in his hands.

He couldn't face Kurt. Not now that he knew everything. In some way Blaine felt like he had just had a boulder removed from his chest, but it also felt like his heart had crumpled up and turned to dust. If this wasn't hell he had no idea what could be.

Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. He let himself be turned around, waiting for the feeling of a slap - it was bound to come after his revelation as a monster.

But it never came. His hands were gently removed from his face and Kurt was staring at him with big, piercing blues and a soft smile on his lips that Blaine couldn't interpret.

"Step-brother, Blaine. We're only step-brothers," Kurt smiled and cupped Blaine's face tenderly - and kissed him.

Kurt's lips were against his, moving softly. His thumb was caressing over Blaine's cheekbone and it felt like time stopped and nothing but them was present.

Kurt was soft and gentle. His lips were as sweet as his face and he tasted like mint. He moved skillfully and careful, possibly knowing that Blaine had never kissed anyone before.

Kurt wasn't sure what he was doing. He could feel a tingling sensation in his entire body and butterflies were floating around his veins. He was kissing his step-brother, but it didn't feel wrong or dirty; it felt incredible.

Blaine was insecure and the lack of action from him made it hard for Kurt to know how to show him how much he meant it. He didn't want Blaine to think that it was just from pity, because it wasn't. Blaine's lips were even softer and better than he had imagined when he had watched him sleep a few weeks ago, he never wanted to let them move away.

"And don't ever call yourself a freak again. Because you are not a freak – you're extraordinary. I will never let anyone send you away!" Kurt said firmly with his eyes locked on Blaine as ended the kiss.

"What are you doing?" Blaine asked baffled when he pulled away from Kurt, his face shocked and his cheeks still glistening from the tear-trains over his skin.

"Blaine. I… I honestly don't know. I guess I'm just trying to tell you that I like you too," Kurt stammered.

He felt like his brain had curled up to fetal position and was in total cramp. He had no idea what he was doing and he had no idea how to explain to Blaine what was going on inside him.

"I - Blaine, I never liked Chandler. I like the way he makes me feel, I like the feeling of someone liking me… but I could never like him the way he wants me to like him. Honestly, most of the time he annoys me because he's so clingy, and when I laugh at his texts… it's because they're so stupid. Blaine, he's just a joke to me," Kurt sighed and hoped it made more sense to Blaine than it did when it came from his mouth.

"Really? Are you sure? Because - I can take it," Blaine stammered. If possible he was even more insecure now. He couldn't wrap his mind around what was going on, and even less what it all meant. It didn't exactly make it easier that he could still feel the taste of Kurt on his lips and now all he could think about was getting it back.

"Blaine, I think I've liked you for quite a while now - but I only just realized it now, because I found out how it feels when you aren't around. I missed you so much when you didn't talk to me. It hurt so bad that you rejected me, and I was so frustrated and worried and I just… wanted you to be happy again," Kurt blabbered out.

He felt defeated and hopeless that he couldn't be sure if Blaine believed him, and he wouldn't blame him if he didn't, because why would he? It was all so warped up and he didn't even know himself what was happening.

"Then - what do you wanna do now?" Blaine asked. He wasn't sure if he could look at Kurt yet. The touch of Kurt's lips against his had transformed into a burning print and he was afraid that if he let loose of his self-control for just a moment he would seek for more.

"I don't know. I mean… we're - our parents are married. Being gay in Ohio is hard enough as it is but… I don't know. What do you wanna do?" Kurt stammered and started fumbling with his hands.

"Kurt. I really just wanna be with you. That's all I've ever wanted - since I met you," Blaine sighed and looked out of the window.

It was dark outside. The only people in the street was a couple walking their dog and a shine from the street lamp was sharp and yellow over the sidewalk. The lawn looked black from the lack of light and it was so cloudy that not even the moon could be seen on the sky.

"Blaine, you're only just turned 15. I'm moving to New York in less than a year. I don't - I've never had a boyfriend, and I don't wanna use you as a… test drive," Kurt said apologetically and it was like something snapped in Blaine's head.

The age difference. Kurt moving to New York. That was what he had kept telling himself as an excuse for why it would never work between them - but if Kurt wanted him too, why would age even matter?

"I never had a boyfriend either. If you wanna be with me we can make it work. I know that I'm - practically just a baby compared to you. You're so grown up and experienced, and I've never done anything in life, but - we can figure something out. I can visit you in New York. I was gonna do that anyway, if you'd let me," Blaine tried, determined not to give up.

He knew that he sounded desperate but he really didn't care. He was desperate. If there was a chance that he could be with Kurt he was not planning on letting anything come in the way of that.

To Blaine's great surprise a smile formed on Kurt's face. His eyes lit up and his cheeks turned a little rosy.

"If I wanted to kiss you again would you let me?" He asked.

"Yes. Always," Blaine agreed breathlessly and accepted Kurt flinging himself into his arms and his mouth crashing against Blaine's own.

This time Blaine might still be insecure but he let himself just as much into the kiss as Kurt did. Kurt was relieved to feel Blaine let go off himself and work his mouth with his, the experience making everything inside of Kurt simmer and boil.

This time Blaine was nervous. Before he didn't even stand a chance to think it over, but now he couldn't stop thinking about the fact that he had never kissed anyone before. He wanted to let his hands wander freely around Kurt's torso, to feel that it was real and not just a dream - but he was afraid it would be pushing it too far.

"So - what do we do now?" Kurt asked with a smile that looked like he couldn't turn it off even if he tried.

"I uhm… I don't think it would be the best decision to tell our parents that we… kissed," Blaine shrugged.

In reality he wanted to scream it all over town, over the state - over the world. But he knew that Kurt was right; it was hard enough to be gay. To tell people that they made out with their brother wouldn't exactly make it better.

"Blaine - you can say that we are boyfriends. If you want us to be," Kurt said and Blaine was completely caught off guard.

"You have no idea how much I want that. Thank you, Kurt -" Blaine said thickly, and looked awkwardly down in the floor. He had no idea what to do about himself now.

He had a boyfriend. Kurt was his boyfriend. He was Kurt's boyfriend, now. Everything he had wanted for the past two years was reality now. What had made him so sad and turned his insides to an aching knot some days, and other days made him feel like he was floating had turned into something that couldn't anything but make him only dance and sing.

"Well... does this mean you'll stop being depressed? And sit next to me at glee club tomorrow?" Kurt asked. He wanted to take a step closer to Blaine, but he wasn't sure Blaine was quite there yet – ready for the physical closeness. Especially if he was still upset over the thing with Chandler.

"Yeah. I mean – I can't really be depressed now. So I guess we'll drive to school together tomorrow as always?" Blaine replied. A smile was playing on his lips, but he was afraid that if he did anything drastic like move his feet he would collapse.

What do I do now? Do I kiss him before I leave? Do I hug him? Or maybe I should stay. Oh god, this is probably the most awkward moment of my life, Kurt thought.

"So – were you busy when I sort of... barged in on you? Sorry about that, by the way," he said and wondered what he and Blaine could do together if Blaine wasn't busy. He wanted to spend the evening with him, he missed him after not having seen him for so long, but would they be able to act like normal now?

"Not really. I was considering just going to bed, actually -" Blaine shrugged.

For a brief moment he imagined Kurt suggesting that he stayed to sleep next to Blaine over the night, but he quickly pushed the thought away. It wasn't exactly something that was likely to happen considering they had only just got together. Kurt is my boyfriend, I am Kurt's boyfriend.

"Oh. Are you tired? Cause I can leave now. I have some homework anyway," Kurt hurried to say and turned to head for the door.

"Can't they wait? I – I mean... do you wanna – I don't know, watch a movie or something?" Blaine asked in panic. He couldn't let him go so early. He wanted to take advantage of now being able to kiss and feel Kurt the way he had always wanted to do it. He couldn't let something as stupid as sleep or homework get in the way of that.

Kurt bit his lower lip and couldn't stop a smile from filling his face. He took a step closer to Blaine and let his fingers fall into place with his before meeting his eyes.

"Screw homework. Let's be together instead."

This time it was Blaine. He simply couldn't contain himself. Kurt didn't even get to finish his sentence before Blaine's face was attached to his, their lips moving in unison and his hands cupping around Kurt's cheeks. Kurt's hands ran around his back and pulled him a little closer so they were now chest-to-chest.

"Okay. Let's just... find a movie -"

Not gonna watch much of it anyway, Kurt thought, but kept a smile on his face without saying anything.

They both crawled onto the bed, but sat the way they used to. Before. Like nothing had changed – except everything had changed between them now. Still, it really hadn't.

Blaine turned on the TV and simply started the DVD already in the machine. Gilmore Girls. Of course. That was Kurt and Blaine's go-to-show when the world sucked around them, or when they were in an exceptionally good spirit. It was the show that had an episode for every occasion.

The episode started and they were both silent. The tension between them was thick, but nether moved or said a word. They kept their eyes locked on the screen with their hands lying on the bedspread so close they could feel the other's presence but not enough to touch. In short terms; it was painful.

"Blaine, I... do you wanna sit closer?" Kurt suddenly asked.

When Blaine dared to shoot him a glance from the corner of his eye he was still watching the TV and for a moment Blaine considered if he had only imagined him asking the question. He thought about it for a while, but challenged himself and dared to close his hand around Kurt's on the bed. Kurt immediately squeezed back.

Kurt shuffled a little closer on the mattress and shot a look up at Blaine from under his long eyelashes as he rested his head on his shoulder. Blaine squeezed his hand a little tighter, and let his temple rest against Kurt's head as they continued to watch the show.

It wasn't until after a few episodes that either of them talked. Kurt had to go to the bathroom, so he left and Blaine stayed on the bed with his heart throbbing and his face burning.

When Kurt came back he noticed how late it was. Rationally he knew that they should be going to bed. They both had a lot of classes the next day, and then they had family dinner so they couldn't just go home and sleep after glee club.

Without even knowing what he was doing Kurt was back on the bed and let his hand run over Blaine's arm before he kissed him. This time soft and sweet. It was cute and lingering. Blaine happily let Kurt's tongue enter his mouth so they could softly gently dance together, with Blaine's hand running up Kurt's arm, over his shoulder and up to cup around his neck.

That was the rest of the evening. They didn't even notice the disc ending and the menu repeating itself over and over again as they stayed with their arms wrapped around each other and their lips moving together.

"I guess we better discuss... us. What we're doing?" Kurt said once they both needed oxygen and relaxation in their jaws. Their locked their fingers between them and their eyes as well.

"I don't know. I just – wanna be with you. Then nothing else matters to me, really," Blaine said truthfully, afraid Kurt wouldn't find that enough.

"I wanna be with you too, but Blaine – we need to really consider this carefully. We can't let our parents or our friends know. It could hurt so many people if someone found out. My dad's entire political career would be trashed, and would never be considered as a serious attorney ever again – even less considered for that position as judge she really wants. And... you're so young, Blaine. You barely just turned 15 and I'm nearly an adult. Please don't think it's because I'm ashamed to say that I'm with you it's just -" Kurt blabbered out, panic spreading in his eyes.

"Shhh... I know, I know. It's really not the best situation we could create for ourselves. If I could choose I would – tell the whole world about us. But what's important is that we're together, no matter who knows or not -" Blaine sighed heavyhearted.

He really did wanted to scream it from a mountain top. Broadcast it all over town. Make a plane fly around with a sign telling the news – but he knew that as much as it pained him Kurt was right.

"You're so sensible. Thank you," Kurt breathed relieved and brushed his thumb over Blaine's.

"Can we please agree that it's not going to be weird? I mean... we have to pretend in public. But – we can still be like we used to, right? I missed you so much, Blaine. This week has been hell without you. Most days I didn't even feel like getting up. And if we go to being some of those people who doesn't even talk or anything... I don't want that to happen," Kurt said.

He knew that it was early to break down already, but he figured that if they were going to be together they needed to put it all down as early as possible, before either of them went into the relationship with different wishes and hopes. He wanted Blaine to know all he feared.

"I don't want that either. Just because you're my... boyfriend – I really need to get used to that thought – it doesn't mean you can't be my best friend anymore. We can still shop and have movie-nights. I don't wanna be without that for anything. As long as I get to hold your hand and kiss you, now."

He was so shy to look Kurt in the eyes while actually saying those words, but on the other hand he didn't want to risk missing a single reaction from him, so he forced himself to keep up the eyecontact and wait for a response.

"Blaine – yes. This means that now we can do all the things we've always done together, but sitting more comfortable. With each other. I will not miss a chance to kiss you or hold your hand whenever I can," Kurt smiled.

"This is gonna be tough," Blaine said and played with Kurt's fingers in his. He couldn't stop smiling when the thought that it was like their fingers were made to fit each other welled in over him.

"We live together. Our parents are hardly ever home these days, and when they are we can just be in our rooms. It doesn't have to be any harder than we want it to be. It's gonna be fine, sweetie," Kurt cooed.

"I guess you're right. Let's just take it one day at a time and see how it all goes. It's Christmas break soon and we'll have a lot of time alone then," Blaine smiled, hoping Kurt would believe him to really think it would be that easy. He was still nervous though.

"Yeah. Let's see how it goes. I'm afraid I'll have to go to bed now. But we'll see each other tomorrow, right?" Kurt said and slumped a little further down the bed before getting himself together to sit up.

"Yes we will. Now go to bed so I can sleep and see you sooner," Blaine grinned and followed Kurt's lead in sitting up.

"And Blaine – go downstairs and say goodnight to your mom. She's really worried about you. We all were. But our parents still are. I don't think she would dig in the reason of why you have been so... distant, lately, as long as you just go and let her know you're alright," Kurt requested. He really was concerned and Blaine could see that he meant it.

"I will. I promise," he agreed and got to his feet.

When they were both standing up they stopped in front of the door. Usually they would just get out in the hallway and race each other downstairs, but now neither of them even dared turning the doorknob.

"Goodnight. How about I'll text you when I'm in bed?" Kurt suggested.

Blaine nodded in agreement and Kurt closed the distance between them to press one last kiss of the night to his lips. For a moment Blaine was just about to lock his arms around Kurt and refuse to let go, but he knew that probably wouldn't be a smart move so he let go and accepted as Kurt moved away and opened the door to disappear down the hall.

His footsteps slowly turned quiet and Blaine heard his door open and close again after him. As soon as he knew Kurt was gone he forced his best pokerface on and went downstairs. His mom and Burt were both surprised to see him, but didn't ask any questions other than if he was feeling better.

He apologized for having been so distant and made up an excuse about having been stressed out about school, but having talked a bit to Kurt and having taken a few days to clear his head he was feeling much better. He wasn't sure if they believed him, but he didn't care. It was all the explanation he had to offer them.

When he was lying in his bed he felt all the feelings from the night take over his body. He was crying with a smile on his face as he hugged his pillow tightly and sniffed in the scent of Kurt – his boyfriend.

He had only just closed his eyes when a text popped up on his display and he rushed to read it.

Kurt: "I'm really happy you aren't sad anymore. Now that you're my boyfriend I won't let you be sad ever again. Goodnight xxxx"

Kurt felt like his inside were about to explode. He had been lying in his bed and played the events of the night in his head over and over again, but it seemed like he still couldn't comprehend just exactly what had happened between him and Blaine.

He remembered how soft and luscious Blaine's lips had been against his, how strong his hand felt in his and how good it had felt to be wrapped in his arms on the bed. He knew that Blaine was years younger than him, and he had always pictured himself with someone older than himself – but Blaine was so mature and whenever they were talking Kurt never thought of him as younger. Yet, he promised himself that he couldn't forget anymore. He needed to be respectful about Blaine's age, but he still needed there to be some boundaries. For his own sake.

He sent Blaine a quick goodnight-text and turned on his side so he could go to sleep, only to be interrupted by a text coming back.

Blaine: "I'm happy with you. I could never be sad when I'm with you. Goodnight, boyfriend xxxx"