Kurt expected it to be his dad, Carole or Finn telling him that Blaine was here, even though it was a little early. Instead Mercedes stood in the doorway. “Are you ready to go, Boo?”

Confusion crossed Kurt’s face and annoyance flared on his best friend’s. “Don’t tell me you forgot!”

“I’m sorry Cedes, what were we supposed to do today?” Kurt said quietly.

“You ARE taking me shopping so I can find something to wear to my DAMN cousin’s wedding next weekend. You promised me that I would look so fabulous it wouldn’t matter I was having to spend Valentine’s day celebrating her love life when I have none.” Mercedes was giving Kurt the look that he knew meant that she was not to be messed with. The first time he saw it she threw a rock through his windshield.

“Mercy, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot.” Kurt was trying to let her down easy. “Last night Blaine and I kissed, which you probably saw… um.. anyways, I kind of made plans with him, since he’s my boyfriend now. I wanted to call you last night and tell you all this, but it was late and I was so tired.”

“While I am happy for you that you have finally started moving with that prep school boy, you can cancel. I really need this today, I need a day with my best friend. I promise to even gush over each detail of your kiss, even though romance is the last thing I want to think about.” Mercedes said with determination not quite masking her hurt.

“I can’t just cancel Mercedes, he should be here any minute, after a two hour drive.” He was trying to think of a way to fix this. “Maybe he could come with us?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes because hanging around with you and your boy toy is going to help get me out of my funk.”

“You never know, and I would like you to get to know him. I really can’t have my best friend and my boyfriend hating each other. Don’t punish Blaine, because I forgot. Please.” Kurt took his best friends hands when she didn’t respond. “Mercedes, I’m sorry I forgot, he kissed me and all thoughts left my brain. I am an idiot and I promise to make it up to you. We can have a sleepover tonight doing whatever you want. I’ll even make you tots… with cheese.”

Mercedes finally laughed, “Fine, but if you think I am going to sit around watching you suck face all day, you are sorely mistaken.”

Just then Burt called up to Kurt letting him know Blaine was there. “Let me go down and tell Blaine, we can come up here and make a plan for the day together, Alright?” Kurt asked cautiously.

“Fine, Boo, go find your man.” Mercedes smiled a genuine smile.

Kurt hurried downstairs to find Blaine standing at the bottom of the stairs. Kurt greeted him with a quick kiss. Kurt offered him an apologetic smile saying, “Change of plans, I forgot I promised Mercedes to take her shopping. She’s a little bummed about the impending doom that is Valentine’s day, her single-hood combined with her cousins wedding are not helping. You can come with us?”

Blaine looked slightly crestfallen, “Are you sure? As much as I want to spend time with my boyfriend,” a true smile reached his lips just at the mention of the word. He composed himself and continued, “I don’t want to make Mercedes uncomfortable.”

“I’m sure, I want to spend time with you, and you will just love Cedes. And to make it up to you, I can drive to Westerville tomorrow.”

Blaine frowned again, “I can’t tomorrow, my parents will be back tomorrow and are dragging me to some party. Trust me I would much rather be with you.”

They made their way up to Kurt’s room. Mercedes was looking through Kurt’s closet flipping through his various pieces. Kurt introduced them and they quickly made a game plan for their day of shopping. Blaine was mesmerized by the ease of Kurt’s and Mercedes’ relationship. Their banter was so effortless and their plans fell into place. It could have been uncomfortable walking around the mall silently as the two chatted and critiqued the fashions they saw, but Blaine was content to walk beside them holding Kurt’s hand. There was a sort of comfort walking with such amazing friends being able to share a little bit of what they had together.

As Mercedes slipped into a dressing room to try on several ensembles Kurt had put together for her, Kurt leaned into Blaine and said, “You have been awfully quiet, is everything okay?”

“Perfect, I like watching you with Mercedes, you two just click. It’s fascinating.” Blaine replied.

“So, you’re not bored?” Kurt asked still feeling anxious that Blaine was not happy following him and Mercedes around the mall.

“Far from it, I just like spending time with you.” He squeezed Kurt’s hand not comfortable following through with his urge to kiss Kurt in the middle of the mall.

Mercedes came out and modeled a beautiful red cocktail dress. Before Kurt could even speak, Blaine exclaimed, “You look stunning, red is a great color on you Mercedes.”

Mercedes face softened as she looked at Blaine, who reddened a bit feeling he may have stepped out of line.
“Thank you, Mr. Anderson.” Mercedes said giving him a smile, then turning to Kurt becoming all business again, “Okay, so what do you think?”

Kurt looked her up and down for a moment before passing judgment, “While Blaine is correct that red is a great color on you, I think you need to try the other red one first. The neck line will be more flattering to the bust, while the contrasting band will accentuate the curve of your waist.”

Mercedes laughed, “I was thinking the same thing, but I wasn’t ready to eliminate this one quite yet. Thanks Boo.”
Once Mercedes left Blaine turned to Kurt, “I’m sorry if I was out of place.”

Kurt turned to him in confusion, “What are you talking about?”

“This is your thing with Mercedes I shouldn’t have butted in and offered my opinion.” Blaine sighed.

“Honey,” Blaine’s heart leapt at the term of endearment. “I’m sure Cedes would agree, you can always compliment her. Your opinion wasn’t wrong and she did look stunning. I just remembered the items I pulled and knew there was a perfect option for her. I’m sure you will agree when she comes back out. I loved hearing what you had to say. I’m sure Mercedes did too.”

“Yes, it’s just a shame that the only boys who seem to notice the fabulousness of me are gay.” Mercedes added entering the room looking even more beautiful in a red dress with a black band around the waist that fell just above her knee.

“That is simply because straight men have no taste. Kurt was absolutely right; you look beyond amazing in that dress.” Blaine told her beaming at the woman before him.

“Okay, I think we have two keepers here, Boo. I’ll take the dress and you can keep the white boy, I like him.”
She returned to the dressing room to change into her regular clothes.

Kurt leaned in and whispered in Blaine’s ear, “Thank you,” then kissed him on the cheek.

“What did I do?” Blaine asked in wonder.

“You were just yourself and won Mercedes over. If she says I can keep you then I just may have to do that.”

Blaine wanted to kiss Kurt so bad, he could almost feel their lips pressing together, but they were already pushing their luck in small town Ohio already.

The dress bought, they moved on to shoes and accessories. By the time Mercedes outfit was complete, Blaine was starving. “Let’s get something to eat, my treat,” he offered.

In the restaurant, Blaine was left alone with Mercedes for the first time. He wasn’t sure what to say but Mercedes spoke as soon as Kurt was out of ear shot.

“You seem nice Blaine, but let me make one thing perfectly clear. You hurt my boy and I will hurt you. It doesn’t matter how much I may like you, Kurt is my best friend. Just consider yourself warned.”

“I like how everyone is so protective of Kurt, it makes me feel better knowing you all care,” Mercedes gave him a look. “I already had a similar talk with Finn and Puck. I will tell you the same thing I told them; I like Kurt and I don’t plan on hurting him. If I do you have my express permission to do whatever you like with me.”

Mercedes smiled again at him, “I think you’re good for Kurt, he’s always so happy when he talks about you.”

“He makes me happy.” Blaine blushed. A huge grin then played on his face, “You know Mercedes, being my friend could be pretty cool too.”

Mercedes shot him a confused look, “And why exactly is that?”

“I go to an all boys school. Just say the word and I can introduce you to a buffet of hot straight guys that appreciate a beautiful woman.” Blaine said taking her hand.

“Don’t tell me you are leaving me for my best friend Blaine, that is so clich�.” Kurt said as he approached the table to resume his seat.

Mercedes gave Kurt a flirtatious look, “No, your man was just reminding me he has a wealth of boys at his fingertips, just ready to be introduced to this chocolate thunder.”

That evening Mercedes left the boys so she could gather her things for the sleep over, granting them a bit of alone time. Both boys were a bit nervous at first not sure what to do. In the end, things just happened naturally. Sitting on the floor at the foot of Kurt’s bed (the door remaining open even though the house was deserted) they let their lips met, getting to know the intricacies of each other’s mouths.

Just as the pair was starting to become breathless, Mercedes stood in the doorway and cleared her throat. “Kurt, I thought I told you I didn’t want to watch you suck your boy toys face,” she said in mock anger.

Both boys reddened, Blaine not sure if Mercedes was kidding or not. “Sorry Blaine you should go, I have a promise to keep to my girl.”

Later that night as Kurt and Mercedes sat watching Moulin Rouge, she turned to him. “Kurt, can I talk to you about something?”

Kurt nodded, briefly taking his eyes off Ewan McGregor who he had been ogling. “I like Blaine, I want you to know that. But don’t take this the wrong way, I’m just worried I’m going to lose you to him.”

“What do you mean Cedes?”

She sighed, “Just like this morning, we had plans, but you forgot and wanted to drop me to spend the day with him.”

Kurt turned to Mercedes with sad eyes, “It’s not like that Mercedes, I would have canceled and I have declined dates with Blaine because I had plans with you. Last night, I got caught up in everything, I spoke without thinking. I really like him Cedes, he makes me feel like no one has ever made me feel.” Kurt's next words came out in a whisper, “I think I’m falling in love with him.”
Mercedes eyes grew bigger and she made to speak but Kurt cut her off. “But no matter what, you Mercedes Jones are my best friend. Now I can’t guarantee we will spend as much time together as before, but I will always make time for you. Because I know I love you, you’re my best friend.”

Mercedes grabbed Kurt into a bear hug and whispered in his ear. “I really am happy for you Kurt. The way he looks at you… I want that one day.”

The next day Blaine was putting on his grey suit, he paired it with a green tie that reminded him of Kurt’s scarf. He was singing ‘We Close Our Eyes” as he made his way downstairs where his parents were waiting.

“Don’t you look handsome,” His mother said pulling him into a hug. “And happy too, and you said you didn’t want to go to this party.”

Blaine shook his head; he was not looking forward to spending time with this parents’ business partners, their families and friends. It was always a exercise in trying to portray the image his parents’ wanted him to be. “It’s not the party. I’m just happy.” He continued knowing that his next words were likely to cause a fight, but not really caring, thinking that nothing could taint his mood. “It is almost Valentine’s Day, and I have the best boyfriend I could imagine. The world truly is a beautiful place.”

Blaine continued singing before his father’s yells blew the words out of his mouth. “What did you say? I thought I told you, you are not dating boys. You are going to grow out of this phase.”

Blaine held on the happiness that spurred him into his declaration as he responded to his father. “And I told you dad, it is not a phase. I have found a spectacular boy, who is talented and beautiful and I really, really like him. He makes me happy and I think he likes me too. You can accept that fact, or not. But either way it isn’t going to change the fact that I am gay. Did you know that Kurt works on cars and he helped win a championship for his high school’s football team? It’s true and yet even with that he is still gay. And you know what else, his father, who is a mechanic, used to play football and is just about the picture of masculinity; he loves his son and accepts him, every part of him. He accepts me, too. He asks about me, I feel more at home at Kurt’s house than I have here since I told you I am gay.”

“Well, isn’t that nice. He may accept your choice, but I will not, not in my house.” Mr. Anderson spat at his son.
Blaine was surprised that his mother actually interceded on his behalf, “Ben, now is not the time, we will be late if we don’t leave now.” Well, it was more of an intervention than his mother had ever done. Grumbling Mr. Anderson led the group out to the car.

At the party, Blaine was paraded around and introduced to all of the girls under the age of twenty by his mother. Finally, she left him alone with a group of teenage girls and told to ‘have fun’. Soon enough he was chatting amicably with the girls there. Most of them seemed nice enough, but soon a little redhead started hitting on him. At first, Blaine tried to laugh off the advance, but then she leaned in and tried to kiss him. He took a step back and said, “Sorry, but I have a boyfriend.”

The six girls that were standing around went wide-eyed. The redhead blushed and politely excused herself. Finally a tall blond broke the silence. “So, what’s his name?”

“Kurt” Blaine said with a smile. The tension broke and they chatted about Kurt for a while. Blaine loved talking about Kurt, the girls cooed over his story of meeting and pursuing him. (He glossed over the bullying part.) They gushed over the story of their first kiss and Blaine’s concern watching Kurt play football. In the end he pulled out his phone and showed them Kurt’s picture on Facebook. As they were talking about how cute Kurt was, Blaine’s father walked up. The look in his face told Blaine that he was furious. In a cold voice he said, “It’s time to go Blaine. Now.”

Blaine bid the girls goodnight and followed the stiff form of his father out the door. Once the three Anderson’s were in the car, the explosion happened. “I brought you here so that you could meet and nice respectable girl, not so that you could parade your abnormality around in front of my colleagues. I have spent years building my reputation as a family man of high moral standards and you try and ruin it all in one night I can’t believe you!”

Blaine sat in stunned silence trying to take in the words his father was hurling at him. “So, it’s not just that you don’t believe I’m gay,” Blaine began. “But you believe me to be abnormal and are worried how this might impact your reputation.” Blaine said in a calm even voice.

Mr. Anderson seemed to be under the delusion that he was finally getting through to his son. “Being gay is not normal, but it is something you can overcome. I will now have to explain to everyone that you were just joking or you were confused. If you want to take over the company, you will have to maintain the moral standard I have established.”

“But dad, there are a few problems with this scenario,” Blaine responded in the same even tone as before, trying desperately not let his anger get the better of him. “I am gay and I am normal.” He continued talking over his father’s protests. “I am not joking or confused. And I don’t want to take over your company, I want to study music, perhaps education if not performance. I have my own moral standard, the main point is to treat people with respect no matter who they love or what makes them different.”

Blaine just ignored his father’s words the rest of the journey, trying to block out his hate filled message.
When they arrived home he went straight to his room. He sent a text to Kurt, saying, “Hug your dad, he deserves it. Bad night tonight, just ready to go to bed. I am turning my phone off. I will talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Blaine.” He rolled over and cried himself to sleep, wishing his father could be half the man Burt Hummel was.

Monday at school Kurt was worried about Blaine, but he had received a message this morning telling him he was doing better and asking if they could meet tonight for coffee. He knew something bad had happened the night before and was almost certain it was another fight with his father.

In Glee club introduced the assignment for the week, love songs. Kurt was feeling this one. He was sure he could find a plethora of songs about the way that he felt for Blaine. While he wasn’t sure it was love yet, he knew that it was deeper than he ever felt for anyone. Almost everyone seemed excited about the assignment, but Santana and Mercedes. He really hated that this time of year was so hard for her. Kurt understood, this was the first year Kurt didn’t want to burn down any and all valentines displays. While he still found no excuse for kitschy stuffed animals and the like. He did like the idea of having an excuse to profess your feelings for another person. Thinking about this Kurt began to formulate a plan.

Blaine was sitting at the Java Hut, which was half way between him and Kurt, waiting anxiously for his boyfriend. He just needed to see him, needed a reminder that someone cared for him just the way he was. He knew his friends at Dalton liked him, but he also need something deeper to dull the ache.

When Kurt walked into the shop, he walked up to Blaine and pulled him in to a tight comforting hug. With a kiss on the cheek, he released Blaine, taking the seat across from him. Kurt refused to discuss anything else until Blaine told him what happened. Blaine loved how Kurt could make him feel alright again, and accepted. He always knew what to say. Blaine smiling again, Kurt told him about their assignment in Glee and his plan for class. Blaine helped him with song ideas, all the while formulating an idea of his own.

By Friday Kurt was ready to present his assignment to the club. He had watched Mercedes fa�ade crack a little more, with each sappy love song performed. He knew that this week was turning out to be harder than she expected. He could see her stiffen when he raised his hand telling Mr. Shue he was ready to perform his love song.

Standing in front of his friends, Kurt said, “As you all know, I am now in a new relationship. It is pretty amazing. However, I don’t want to sing about my new love, but rather, I want to sing about a person I have loved for about a year and a half now.” He turned to face his best friend, “Mercedes, I love you. You are my best friend, and you have been beside me through everything. You were the first person I came out to, you accepted me and encouraged me. You never made me feel I had anything to apologize for. You are a truly exceptional person. And I want to sing this song for you.”

While the intro played Kurt noticed the tears in Mercedes eyes and gave her a sweet smile before he sang.

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness, my admiration
And for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...
I'm bound to thank you for it

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
So for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...
I'm bound to thank you for it

I want to thank you
For so many gifts
You gave with love and tenderness
I want to thank you

I want to thank you
For your generosity
The love and the honesty
That you gave me

I want to thank you
Show my gratitude
My love and my respect for you
I want to thank you

I want to...

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

When the song finished Kurt pulled Mercedes out of her seat and into a hug.

Blaine was glad when Sunday night rolled around. It was the day before Valentine’s Day but he had arranged for his date with Kurt for this night. It had been increasingly harder to meet Kurt, with Blaine’s parents still in town. His father had taken away his keys after finding out Blaine went to meet Kurt Monday, only allowing him to drive to and from Dalton. His father couldn’t be inconvenienced enough to take his car away full time. He had however threatened to take away Blaine’s Phone and computer if he broke the guidelines. The only way he had gotten away tonight was the excuse he had a Warbler’s performance, which was technically true.
Kurt was meeting him at a little restaurant near the Java Hut. Blaine had reserved a private room, thankful that the caf� was new enough many people hadn’t thought of it for their own dates. When Kurt walked in Blaine led him to the dimly lit room. A single table was set up with candles and a red rose laying on Kurt’s plate. Blaine pulled Kurt into a kiss, calming his own nerves.

“Before we eat, I want to give you your present.” Blaine told Kurt. He then sat his boyfriend down, then turned to the door and gestured. Kurt’s eyes widened as he saw the Warblers all in suits, instead of their uniforms walk in the small room. Blaine stood in front of them and said. “At Christmas, you taught me that a gift doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to be special. I wanted to show you that I understand that now.” Then with the Warblers began to sing, Blaine taking the lead.

It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

The rest of the boys slipped out of the room, going to their own dates or back home, as Kurt approached Blaine who was looking sheepishly at his boyfriend, waiting for his reaction. Kurt placed his hands on either side of Blaine’s face. “That was the best present anyone has ever given me.” Kurt leaned in a brought his lips to Blaine’s trying to pour every emotion into that one simple touch.

Kurt gave Blaine a book of poems, handwritten and illustrated by him. They each felt that they had the best gift. They relished in each other over their meal, lingering as long as possible together. The week had been hard for Blaine, and Kurt had hurt for him and Mercedes, but they were stronger for it. As they parted, exchanging several last kisses, they knew that whatever they had together was special. It was so special they didn’t need to label it, but if they did, it would have to be love.