"I'm gonna go get another drink, alright?" Kurt heaved himself of the bed and grabbed his glass. "Want one?"

"Uh, yeah, that'd be great." Blaine didn't look up from the drawer he was rummaging through and Kurt kissed the top of his head on his way to the door. "And I think there's some red vines in the cupboard by the fridge."

Kurt chuckled at the hopeful note in his boyfriend's voice and headed down the stairs into the kitchen. Quickly pouring them each some lemonade, he located the red vines and made his way back out to the hall. Unfortunately he wasn't looking where he was going and slammed straight into someone tall and heavily built.

The drinks toppled to the floor and Kurt bent to pick them up, muttering apologies and gathering the scattered sweets.

"Who the hell are you?" The voice was deep and Kurt looked up to find a middle-aged man with short salt-and-pepper hair frowning down at him. Kurt stood up and offered his hand.

"Hi, I'm Kurt. You must be Blaine's father." The man completely ignored Kurt's offer of a handshake, instead turning to remove his suit jacket and hang it up.

"Are you one of Blaine's friends?" He didn't look at Kurt as he said it, as though he really didn't care about the answer.

Kurt couldn't believe that Blaine hadn't told his father anything about him. He frowned and opened his mouth to correct him when Blaine appeared on the stairs, looking flustered and slightly out of breath.

"Yeah Dad, Kurt's in the Warblers. We're friends, just... friends." Kurt stared at Blaine in disbelief and Blaine ducked his head, at least having the decency to look ashamed.

Mr Anderson didn't notice the expressions on both boys' faces; he had pulled a Blackberry out of his pocket and was tapping furiously at the keys.

"Mm, that's nice Blaine." He mumbled, already heading in the direction of his study.

Once he was gone Blaine took the cups out of Kurt's hands, quickly depositing them in the kitchen, before stepping into his shoes and opening the front door.

"Come on Kurt, let's go." Blaine's voice was flat and he stared dejectedly at the floor as Kurt pulled on his shoes and jacket.

They spent the car ride back to Kurt's in complete silence, not even trying to ease the tension with the radio. Kurt could feel the tears burning behind his eyes but he hadn't decided yet if he wanted to confront Blaine or wait for Blaine to come to him.

Eventually they pulled into the Hummel-Hudson driveway and Kurt was almost at breaking point. They got out the car and as Kurt turned towards the front door, he felt arms wrap around his waist. Blaine pretending that nothing had happened was the last straw. Breaking free of his grasp, he span round, the tears coming thick and fast, cascading down his cheeks. Blaine looked utterly shocked and slightly hurt, but Kurt didn't care.

"Are you ashamed of me?" He yelled at the shorter boy, causing a frown to appear on Blaine's face.

"Of course not Kurt, I love you, you know that. Why on earth would you think I'm ashamed of you?" He held his hands out to Kurt, as if trying to show just how much he wanted to be near him.

"Oh, I don't know. I was just struggling to think of any other reason my boyfriend wouldn't want to tell his father we're dating." Blaine's face turned ashen at Kurt's words and his shoulders drooped. Kurt's anger faded at the look of pure hopelessness on Blaine's face.

"Kurt, I think I have some explaining to do." He took a deep breath before looking Kurt in the eye. "My father doesn't know I'm gay." Kurt gasped at the revelation, suddenly realising how hard Blaine's home life must be. "A few years ago, after the whole deal with those boys at my old school, I joined a PFLAG group and made really good friends with this guy. He used to come round my house and help me get the courage to tell my dad. But then my dad found out he was gay. You don't even wanna know all the things he called him; worse names than that guy at the roller rink. He told him to stay away from me and said he was sick and wrong and unnatural. I swear to god, I thought he was going to hit him. He was just so angry. There's no way I can ever tell my dad what I am. He already ignores me most of the time. What's wrong with me!" Blaine leaned back against the side of the car, sliding down so he was sitting on the driveway. He buried his head in his hands as his body began to shake with sobs.

"Blaine, there is nothing wrong with you." Kurt hurried to kneel next to his boyfriend, trying and failing to get him to look up. "Please, Blaine, you're perfect. Absolutely, one hundred percent perfect! I love you Blaine please, tell me what to do." Kurt was in tears again himself, seeing Blaine falling apart and in so much pain.

"I just want to hold you, just let me hold you." Blaine's reply was muffled slightly, but at last he looked up. He opened his arms to Kurt, his expression truly anxious, as if he honestly expected Kurt to say no.

"Of course Blaine." He shuffled closer to the broken boy, wrapping his arms around his waist as Blaine hugged his shoulders.

They sat like that for a moment, Blaine trying to calm his sobs, Kurt periodically kissing Blaine's neck and jaw. Eventually they both stopped crying, but stayed sitting on the floor, still needing to hold and be held.

"What makes it worse" Blaine began, his voice thick with emotion, "is that I love you so damn much and I can't even tell my parents about you. I want you to be able to meet them and worry about if they'll like you or not. And come over for dinner whenever, and make out on my bed without having to worry about whether my parent are home or not. And one day, I want to marry you, and have my parents there to support us, like I know Carole and Burt will. I want you to feel like part of my family, but I can't do that if my dad doesn't even know how much you mean to me."

"I love you too Blaine, so much. And I want all those things, but I don't want you to get hurt. I would do anything to keep you safe and happy. If you decide you want to tell your dad then I will be there for you the whole time. But if you decide you're not ready, then I will still be here with you. We'll get through this together Blaine, I promise." Reaching up he cupped Blaine's cheek and turned his head, pressing their lips together softly.

When Kurt pulled back he thought something seemed to have changed in Blaine's eyes, a certain determination was darkening the colour as he gazed lovingly at Kurt.

"You know what, Kurt? It's time. I've been hiding way too long. You're so proud of who you are, it's inspirational, and I will fight to make you part of my family; even if it means arguing with my dad."

Kurt's brow furrowed in concern and he shifted onto his knees beside Blaine. Taking his face in his hands he stared deeply into his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt. But all he found was the same determination he had previously seen, and love. A whole lot of love.

"Blaine, are... are you sure? You don't have to do this for me. I'll love you no matter what."

"No Kurt, I want to do this. I'm gonna have to do it someday, so why not now, while I have someone as amazing as you to help me through it." He moved his hands to cover Kurt's, that were still holding his face, and pulled them into his lap, rubbing his thumbs along the soft, pale skin. Ensuring he had eye contact, he continued in a low voice. "I love you Kurt, and I'm going to fight for you."

Kurt nodded mutely, again close to tears as Blaine declared his devotion to him.

"Okay Blaine. Let's go." Kurt began to stand up but Blaine gave no indication of moving. His expression was shocked.

"What... now!"

"Yes Blaine." Kurt offered his hand. "Now. I can tell you really want to do this but we need to do it before you lose your conviction. Come on, we'll do it together." Kurt smiled down at his boyfriend, waiting patiently with his hand still outstretched.

Blaine hesitated for a second longer before placing his hand in Kurt's and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.