Kurt is holding Blaine’s hand. Not in a “follow me, I know where to go” kind of way. Not in a “something scary is happening” kind of way. Not even in a “things are really bad and I need comfort” kind of way.

This is handholding for the sake of handholding. Because they want to. Because they’re together. Because they like the physical reassurance of knowing the other one is there, and because they both like the fact that others see it and understand the significance of it.

There is thumbrubbing.

Is it called thumbrubbing? Blaine’s going to have to figure that out before he says anything about it to Kurt. He doesn’t want to sound ridiculous in front of his soulmate, especially since it’s the first time they’ve held hands like this. He really likes the thumbrubbing, though.

They’re surrounded by Kurt’s family and friends and, strangely, some of his teachers from McKinley. Blaine understands why Mr. Schuester might be there, and possibly even Miss Pillsbury, although Kurt’s never talked about her that much. Having Coach Sylvester here, though, is sort of weird. Especially since she keeps picking up loose gravel from the walkway around the fountain and throwing it in Mr. Schuester’s hair. When she’d shown up this afternoon, ready to hold a sign for Kurt to see during his procedure, all she said was, “Porcelain deserves only good things, the Director of the FBI answers to me, and I know seventy-eight ways to kill a man. Got it, Tiny Rock Hudson?”

None of that matters now, though. Kurt is Blaine’s soulmate. His soulmate. And while they haven’t had a chance to talk about it yet, it appears that Kurt is willing to overlook all the monumentally stupid things Blaine has done. He hopes they’ll have time to talk this evening, after everyone (New Directions, Warblers, and well-meaning family included) clears out.

In hindsight, it perhaps wasn’t the brightest idea to invite so many people who would want to congratulate them, cry at them, hug them, and – in the case of Rachel, Mercedes, and Jeff – threaten him. In Blaine’s defense, he sort of assumed they’d all leave or at least give them some space once it was figured out.

Just as Blaine begins to contemplate how to extricate himself and his soulmate (soulmate!), Mr. Hummel yells over all the talking. “Okay, I hate to break up the love fest, but we have a Friday night dinner to get to.”

Blaine knows his shoulders visibly drop, and that, along with the way his smile has vanished, must advertise his disappointment. He glances at Kurt who looks the same way. “Dad? Um, I was kind of hoping that Blaine and I would get a chance to talk now. You know, since we just figured out we’re soulmates and everything. Can’t we do Friday night dinner tomorrow night instead?”

Mr. Hummel shakes his head. “Absolutely not, kiddo. I made reservations in Columbus for the five of us since we’re almost a two-hour drive from home.”

“But Dad,” Kurt says, shaking his head, eyes beginning to water, “I understand how important Friday night dinners are, I swear, but just this once … wait, the five of us?”

“Well, of course.” Mr. Hummel grins at both boys. “Friday dinners are for family, and there are five of us now, aren’t there?” he asks, nodding to Blaine.

Kurt, who just a few seconds earlier was on the verge of unhappy tears, now lights up and runs over to his father, throwing his arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you, Dad! Thank you!”

“Right, right, say your goodbyes and everything. We have reservations.”

* * * * * * * * *

The five of them – Mr. and Mrs. Hummel, Finn, Kurt, and Blaine – are in Mrs. Hummel’s RAV4 fighting the Columbus Friday evening rush hour traffic before it occurs to anyone to ask where they’re going.

“So where are we having dinner?” Kurt asks.

Mr. Hummel grins, looking pleased with himself. “Well, where do we go for your special days?”

Kurt gasps and squeezes Blaine’s leg, which quite frankly Blaine would really like to focus on since it feels pretty great. He can’t think about it too much right now, however, when he’s in the backseat wedged between Kurt and Finn, with Kurt’s parents in the front. “G. Michael’s? Really?” Kurt squeals. Mr. Hummel just smiles again. “Oh my God, Dad!”

Kurt turns to Blaine. “Do you know G. Michael’s?” Blaine nods. He’s been there several times with his own parents. The restaurant is well-known and somewhat expensive. Of course he’s eaten there with his parents, even though the experiences were rarely enjoyable since his parents only truly cared about being seen. But Kurt doesn’t need to know that. “They have the best lavender duck breast with blueberry confiture, oh my God, Blaine.”

The look of pure joy on Kurt’s face is the complete opposite of the look of disgust on Finn’s. “They have like rabbit and weird birds and stuff,” he half-whispers to Blaine.

“Now Finn, you liked the sea scallops and beef when we ate there last time,” Mrs. Hummel reminds him.

“Yeah, but that was before you told me it was the beef’s shoulder! That’s creepy. People shouldn’t eat shoulders and junk.”

Kurt’s parents laugh, and Kurt rolls his eyes. Blaine smiles at Finn. “It didn’t say shoulder on the menu?” he asks.

“No, it did.” Kurt explains. “Finn just forgot how to read.”

“You tricked me!”

“I merely pointed out that they had dessert wines.” Kurt says. “It isn’t my fault you spent five minutes trying to figure out if Loupiac meant chocolate in French and forgot to read the rest of the menu.”

Finn shakes his head. “Well, why’re they called dessert wines if they’re not dessert?”

Mrs. Hummel, who must be experienced now in breaking up fights, puts her hand up from the front seat. “Boys. That’s enough. It doesn’t matter anyway, since neither of you is old enough to drink.”

“Still say it’s confusing,” Finn murmurs, crossing his arms in a huff.

* * * * * * * * *

When they arrive, they’re shown to one of the circular booths in the rear dining room. Finn immediately picks up a menu and starts studying it, probably trying to make up for last time. Blaine sneaks glances at the rest of the table while he pretends to look down at his menu: Mrs. Hummel (“Carole, dear, please”) leaning against Mr. Hummel; Kurt and Finn bickering again, this time over which appetizers to order (“Finn, I promise, you’ll love sweetbreads.”).

It’s so different from meals with his family, especially anytime they go out. His parents would be stiff right now, aware of any eyes that may look their way, while at the same time subtly glancing around to see if there’s anyone worth talking to. On those rare occasions when Cooper is home, he’d be talking about himself, loudly, as if anyone at another table might care, and trying out new accents on the waitstaff. The Japanese had been particularly embarrassing and offensive.

By contrast, dinner with the Hummel-Hudsons feels easy, inclusive, almost fun. There’s teasing and laughter and warmth, and no one is looking for a networking or career opportunity.

“Dude!” Finn says a little too loudly. “I googled sweetbreads on my phone, and that’s gross. We are so not getting that.” Kurt rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling.

It hits Blaine all of a sudden that he potentially gets this, too. He knows Kurt loves his family and how supportive they are of each other, even when they don’t get along. Over the last few days, as Blaine has tried to figure out how to tell Kurt that they’re soulmates, it never dawned on him that it might mean a place for him in this family, too. The realization is simultaneously thrilling as well as terrifying. There’s so much to mess up here, so much to lose, so much damage and hurt he could do with just the wrong word or move.

Please, please don’t let me screw this up.

“Blaine?”

He looks over to see Kurt, head cocked to one side, watching him with concern in his eyes. “Sorry! Sorry. Just trying to decide between the pheasant or the swordfish.” Blaine smiles, hoping to alleviate any worries. “What’s happening?”

“We need your vote. I say yes to sweetbreads, and Carole says she’s willing to try it. Finn and Dad vote against, though. We need a tie-breaker.” The sides of Kurt’s mouth turn up a bit, encouraging but not overwhelming.

Blaine peeks around the table, but there’s no question what his answer will be. “Sorry, but no.”

“Yes!” Finn hisses, as he covertly fistbumps Burt before turning to Blaine. “I knew you were cool, man.”

“Blaine! You’re supposed to be on my side,” Kurt pouts.

Blaine smiles and takes Kurt’s hand again, under the table. “I am always on your side. And this time being on your side means not getting sick when your family eats a cow’s pancreas.”

“You’re hopeless, I swear,” Kurt says fondly. “Maybe it would’ve been better if you had been Finn’s soulmate.”

“Hey, wait.” Finn says, elbowing Kurt. “Was that an insult?”

* * * * * * * * *

As they’re leaving the restaurant after dinner, and after Blaine has fought with Mr. Hummel over paying the check and lost, the five of them step out into the cool but pleasant night. Blaine stays close to Kurt as they make their way back to the car, and he notices Kurt’s pleased smile in the early evening light when he takes his hand.

“Oh, you know what?” Carole exclaims. “We’re just a block away from that Catalina place that Kurt and I have been talking about visiting.”

Kurt’s eyes light up a little. “Caterina, you mean!”

“Yes, that’s the one. We were going to look for new linens for the dining room, remember?” she reminds Kurt.

“Oh, um, yes, I did mention the store,” Kurt says, looking over at Blaine, “but I’m sure they wouldn’t be open this late.”

Carole shakes her head. “No, I remember from their website that they’re open until 7. We can just make it to look around for a few minutes. See if it’s worth coming back later when we have more time.”

Kurt appears torn, looking back and forth between Carole and Blaine, but this is something Blaine can easily fix. “We should go,” he tells Kurt, whose face breaks out into a beautiful smile. “I wouldn’t mind spending a little extra time out with you anyway.” Kurt squeezes his hand in thanks, and Blaine hopes that making Kurt happy will always be this easy.

The moment only lasts for a second. “No, you guys go on,” Mr. Hummel says. “Blaine and I can stay here, out of the way while you look around the store.” Kurt’s face falls, realizing a moment too late, just as Blaine has, that they’ve been set up.

“Oh, Dad, no.”

“Go on, Kurt. Take your brother with you.”

Finn, who until now had been trying to make his way back to the car without stepping on a crack in the road (no small feat on a cobblestone street), almost falls over. “Me? I don’t care about that stuff. Let Mom and Kurt do it.”

“I think they have a bakery, Finn,” Carole says. “You can get dessert.” Finn’s eyes get bigger, and he hurries over to join his mom.

Kurt, however, shakes his head. “I don’t think –“

“Come along!” Carole interrupts. “We have to hurry if we’re going to make it before they close!” She links her arms through Kurt’s and Finn’s on either side and half-drags them both down the street.

And then he’s alone with Mr. Hummel.

“Sorry about that, kid,” he says. “I realize it isn’t the most direct way to get a minute alone with you, but I wanted to talk a little.”

Blaine’s mind starts racing, and he’s suddenly very aware that the last time he saw Mr. Hummel was the morning after Blaine spent the night in Kurt’s bed after drinking too much the evening before. What if Mr. Hummel is going to say he doesn’t approve? Or that Blaine needs to spend more time getting his act together before he’s good enough for Kurt? Just because they’re soulmates doesn’t mean Blaine is automatically allowed a relationship with Kurt, and Mr. Hummel has plenty of reasons to want to keep his son away from Blaine. The bad advice that led to Karofsky’s forced kiss. Thinking that Finn was his soulmate. Ignoring his feelings for Kurt. Leaving their house with a hangover.

Crap. Blaine’s never going to be allowed to see Kurt again, and this whole thing has been a goodbye dinner. And the sad part is that Blaine really can’t blame Mr. Hummel at all. His only shot is to plead insanity and beg for mercy.

“Mr. Hummel, I know I haven’t always been the greatest friend to Kurt, and I’ve been an even worse prospective boyfriend and soulmate. I know, and I am so sorry, Mr. Hummel, you have to believe me. But I do care about your son, so much, and I swear I’ll do whatever I can never to hurt him again. I know I don’t deserve it, but I really hope that once –“

“Whoa, kid,” Mr. Hummel interrupts. Blaine looks up at him and stops. Oh God, here it comes. “You gotta stop looking at me like I’m going to beat you. This isn’t that kind of conversation.” He puts his hand on Blaine’s shoulder. “We don’t have long before Kurt finds a way to get back here, so just listen, okay?” Blaine nods quickly, hoping to get whatever this is over with.

But then Mr. Hummel smiles. “Look, I know you’ve probably made some mistakes, and I’m sure Kurt has, too. Won’t be the last ones, I’m certain. Do you think I never messed up when I was your age? Remind me when you boys are older to tell you about some of the things I got up to.” He chuckles, and Blaine feels his chest loosen ever so slightly.

“What’s important is that you learn from your mistakes, and judging by your rambling just a second ago and the production you put together for Kurt today, I’m gonna say you’re gettin’ there.” Burt claps Blaine’s shoulder a couple of times and then lets go. “You’re a good guy, anyone can see that. I know you’ve been there for Kurt a lot more than probably just about anybody else. And I do believe you want what’s best for my son. So knowing that you share this soulmate connection with Kurt, well … it doesn’t matter whether things work out with the dating thing or not, you’re part of us now, okay?”

Mr. Hummel pauses and clears his throat before continuing. “Kurt’s always been different, and I don’t just mean bein’ gay. He’s special and he knows it, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of that kid for not changin’ who he is just because others don’t like it. But it makes life tough for him, more than it should, and from what Kurt’s told me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about because you’ve been through it, too.”

There’s a little bit of a commotion coming from the end of the block, and Blaine looks over in time to see Finn get two steps out the door of the shop before Carole yanks him back inside. Mr. Hummel chuckles, and Blaine turns to see him staring down the street, looking fondly after his stepson. “Another of the things I’m proud of is how far this family has come, from when it was just me and Kurt to now with Carole and Finn. We support each other, we help each other, we talk to each other. And when we don’t, things get messed up, like with that Karofsky crap and the bullying at Kurt’s old school.”

Mr. Hummel turns his gaze to Blaine. “Now that applies to you, too. You guys aren’t just dating now, if that’s what you’re doing. You’re confirmed soulmates. Don’t think I don’t know how big a deal that is and what it means for your future, together romantically or not. And I know it’ll take some time, but I want to make sure you know that we’re here for you. Big stuff, little stuff – stuff with or without Kurt. We’re here for you.”

It’s all Blaine can do to choke out, “Thank you, sir.” It’s more than he’s ever explicitly gotten from his own parents.

“Listen,” Mr. Hummel continues, “correct me if I’m wrong here, but I’ve kinda gotten the impression you’re not too close to your folks or your family.”

Blaine doesn’t say anything, but the silence speaks for him. In all honesty, it isn’t that he’s not close. His parents do care about him, and he knows they love him. They supported his decision to transfer to Dalton after Sadie Hawkins, and they’ve never been overtly negative or judgmental about who Blaine is or his activities or his life.

They’ve also never been explicitly positive or supportive or interested or focused on him either. And he’d felt their already … stilted … relationship cool off just that much more after he’d come out.

So no. He’s not exactly close to his family.

Mr. Hummel just nods his head. “That’s what I thought, which is why I wanted to spell this out. There ain’t much you could do to make me not like you, okay? Not saying it can’t happen, but like I said, you boys are young and you’re gonna make mistakes. Most of it you can come back from if you want to. And since you’re gonna be an important part of Kurt’s life from here on out, whatever way that is, you’re family now, okay?”

“I – yes, sir. Thank you, sir, uh, Mr. Hummel,” Blaine stammers. Out of the corner of his eye he notices Finn, Carole, and Kurt making their way back up the block toward them.

Mr. Hummel puts an arm around Blaine’s shoulders. “Call me Burt, kid.”

“… And ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream with all the toppings,” Finn is saying as they’re back within earshot.

Carole looks like she’s trying not to laugh. “Absolutely, sweetheart. We’ll stop for ice cream on the way back to Lima.”

Kurt makes a beeline for Blaine and whispers, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Really okay, I promise. I’ll tell you later,” Blaine whispers back. “What’s up with Finn?”

“Oh!” Kurt chuckles. “Carole lied about the bakery and made him hold up tablecloths while we compared napkin colors and patterns with them.”

Finn glares over at Kurt. “I want the biggest brownie sundae we can find. Extra scoops!”

* * * * * * * * *

The five of them return to Dalton to drop off Blaine and pick up Kurt’s SUV and Burt’s truck. As they near the Dalton entrance, though, Blaine starts to feel somewhat nervous. It occurs to him that he and Kurt just had their first date … with Kurt’s entire family. While he’s thrilled that he was included and still can’t get over his conversation with Mr. Hummel, or rather, Burt, he wishes he could’ve had some alone time with Kurt this evening.

And with Kurt’s whole family there, will Blaine be allowed to kiss Kurt goodbye? Will Burt and Carole make Kurt leave at the same time they do? Kurt drove to school this morning, so it’s possible they’ll allow Kurt to say goodbye without everyone watching and head home a bit later.

Kurt must be wondering the same thing, because as they pull into a parking space he asks, “Dad? Um, I know you don’t like me on the interstate too late, but could we make an exception this once? I’d really like to stay here for a little while.”

“Kurt, we’ve had this discussion before. You’re a good driver, and I trust you, but you’re still learning.” Burt shakes his head and opens the car door to get out. “No exceptions on that rule unless there’s an emergency, and this doesn’t count,” he says as he exits, shutting the door behind him. Kurt scrambles to follow Burt out of the car and block his way to his truck.

“But Dad, seriously?” Blaine tries not to make any noise as he gets out of Carole’s car with the rest of Kurt’s family and watches the conversation between Kurt and his dad. “Please? We haven’t even gotten a chance to talk yet –”

Burt holds up his hand. “Kurt.”

“No, Dad, it isn’t fair! We just figured this out, and then everyone was around,” Kurt turns to Blaine, “which I loved,” and back to face his father, “but we didn’t get to talk.”

“Kurt,” Burt tries again.

“And then we had to go to Friday night dinner, which again, I loved. I appreciate it so much, Dad, you have no idea, but we haven’t had any time alone together –”

Burt now puts his hands on his son’s shoulders. “KURT!” he calls out. Kurt stops talking, looking up at his dad with big, desperate eyes. Blaine wonders if he should go over to try to help him. Last time Cooper was home he’d made Blaine practice his “puppy dog eyes” as an acting lesson, and even though it was really stupid and Cooper shouted at him a lot, Blaine actually got pretty good.

“I know today’s a big deal for you two,” Burt says, “which is why I worked it out for you to stay here at Dalton tonight.”

Kurt looks as shocked as Blaine feels. “Really?” he asks, sounding surprised. “You’re letting me stay with Blaine?”

“Absolutely not,” Burt replied. “You’re staying with your friends Nick and Jeff tonight. Carole already gave them your overnight bag with your pajamas and your face shellac or whatever. It’s almost,” he looks down at his watch, “eight o’clock. You two have until Dalton’s curfew at eleven o’clock to talk. I expect a phone call no later than five minutes after eleven letting me know you’re in for the night, and I expect to be able to talk to Jeff and to Nick, okay?” Burt glances over at Blaine. “And, uh, I think your friends said they’d be okay with it if Blaine stayed with them tonight, too.”

“Dad!” Kurt exclaims. “I can’t believe … this is…” He rushes to his father and wraps his arms around his neck. “I know I’ve said thank you like a million times today, but thank you so much. You’re the best. I mean it.”

Burt wraps Kurt in a hug and closes his eyes. “You’re a good kid and a great son. I’m happy for you, you know?” Kurt nods and squeezes tighter. He whispers something Blaine can’t hear to Burt that makes the man smile before taking a step backward out of the hug. “Go on,” he says. “I want you back home tomorrow no later than noon, okay? And Blaine,” Burt says, turning to look at him, “Carole’s making lasagna Sunday night for dinner. You’re welcome to join us, if you want.”

It takes Blaine a second to answer. “Thank you, Burt. Carole, I’d love to if it isn’t any trouble.”

“Of course not, dear. You’re welcome anytime.” She gives both Blaine and Kurt a hug before getting back in her car with Finn. “Burt? I promised Finn dessert on the way back. Do you want to follow me, and we’ll stop somewhere?”

“Yeah,” Burt answers. “Sounds good.” He claps Blaine on the back, gives Kurt another hug, and gets in his truck. The two vehicles pull out of their spaces, Kurt waving as they go.

All of a sudden Blaine feels incredibly nervous. It’s the first time they’ve been alone. “Uh, do you, um, maybe want to go somewhere and talk? It’s Friday night so the commons in my dorm will be full of people, but we could probably kick someone out of one of the reading rooms.” He doesn’t want to assume that Kurt will want to go back to his single room. They’ve been there thousands of times alone before, but it feels different now, weighted somehow.

“I thought maybe we could just go to your room,” Kurt responds, “but if you don’t want to, I’m sure we could find someplace else. Maybe one of the study carrels in the library?”

Blaine shakes his head. “No! I, um, my room is fine. I just didn’t want you to think I thought we needed to be alone.” Kurt looks puzzled at that. “You know, for more than talking.”

The blush on Kurt’s face spreads quickly as his eyes widen. “Oh! I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant that it would be easier to talk in private without worrying about someone walking in.”

“Right then. My room it is.” Blaine reaches out his hand, palm out, and Kurt takes it in his almost instantly. They move closer together and walk toward Blaine’s residence hall. “Maybe though I could give you a goodnight kiss? Before we go to Nick and Jeff’s for the night?”

Kurt grins and looks over at Blaine, obviously pleased. “I think that would be wonderful.”

 * * * * * * * * *

The last chapter includes talking and a sleepover and Sectionals. Almost done!

Both G.Michaels and Caterina Ltd. that the Hudmels visit in Columbus are real.