Sophia smiled at him "Hi!!"
Harry smiled, his two front teeth missing, "Hi! Wanna play tag?"
"Sure! But, what's your name? You never told me the other day," Sophia asked curiously. "I'm Sophia"
"Pleasure to meet you Sophia, I'm Harry. Harry Anderson," Harry said proudly, shaking Sophia's hand, causing her to giggle. She had never met someone her age as polite as Harry.
"Well, Harry Anderson," she tried his name out on her tongue. "You had better be pretty fast to tag me!" She got up from the swing, running away, a gigantic smile on her face.
"I'll get you!" Harry ran as fast as he could, finally catching Sophia by the hand at the gigantic slide.
"Can I ask you a question?" Sophia asks, which was kind of a question already.
"Yeah! But I gotta go, so can it wait for tomorrow? My dad's waving me over." Harry nods his head in the direction of Blaine, who was sitting on a bench.
"Do you really have to go Harry?" Sophia pouts, her eyes big and pretty.
Harry thinks for a moment, because Sophia was really his only friend. "I can ask him.. But he's going to be lonely, today was our day to be together." He explains.
"My daddy is here! They can talk." Sophia suggests, her face lighting up. She knew her Daddy would like that.
"Okay! Let's play hide and seek first, then we can introduce them! I'll go first. You have twenty seconds!" Harry covered his eyes as Sophia ran away laughing. "20...18...17.." Harry counted, happy as could be that he had just made a new friend. He had hoped that his daddy and Sophia's daddy could be friends too, his daddy could use someone like that.
**
Kurt was never worried about Sophia at this park, and he always managed to keep himself busy. Today he decided to call his almost 13 year long best friend, Rachel Berry. He dialed her number, smiling to himself as the sun came out.
"Hey, Kurt!" Rachel picked up on the second ring like she always does.
"Hello!" Kurt eased into a smile as he heard the voice of his best friend. He and Rachel had gone to college together and she had always been there for him. "How have you been?" He really didn't feel like talking right now and he knew that Rachel would eagerly fill that spot.
"I have just been spectacular!" Kurt heard her say from the other end of the phone call. He could hear his step-brother's voice on the other end too asking his wife who was on the phone, to which her muffled voice called back "It's Kurt, honey! School's going great." Rachel and Kurt had both graduated college majoring in the Dramatic Arts, but they had decided to go completely different ways, landing Kurt as a fashion designer and Rachel as a music teacher in Chicago.
Rachel continued to talk about her life, but Kurt wasn't really listening. He just needed something to distract him from his own thoughts. His ears might have been listening, but his mind and eyes were elsewhere. His gaze traveled to Sophia and to the various parents that were sitting on the other benches like him, when he saw-
He had to bite his bottom lip to stop the gasp that was threatening to escape his mouth when he saw him. He had curly black hair that seemed to be coming loose from the excessive amount of hair gel he had in it. Kurt was too far away to see much else, but he was drop-dead gorgeous. Sure, Kurt had seen other attractive guys, but none like him. He reminded Kurt of someone, but he couldn't remember who.
He knew that he was looking too long and too creeperish, but Rachel could talk for hours and the man seemed preoccupied with reading. Kurt smiled to himself a little, but was soon ripped out of his thoughts.
"I mean it's crazy, right?" Rachel said from the other line. She was obviously expecting some type of response from Kurt.
"Oh, yeah. Crazy," Kurt agreed, producing a very obvious fake laugh.
Rachel must have picked up on his distraction, but she didn't say anything. "But anyways, that's enough about me. How have you been?"
Kurt shuffled uncomfortably, and bit his bottom lip nervously. "I've uh, I've been-" He had two options. He could tell Rachel the truth, or he could lie and say that everything was perfectly fine. He trusted Rachel with anything-sometimes too much for his own good-but he didn't want to turn into one of those people who mope about their problems all day. And besides, he didn't want to put Rachel in an awkward situation. "I'm fine." And he was. He really was.
Rachel obviously wasn't convinced, but she didn't make Kurt talk about it. "How's Sophia?"
At the mention of his daughter's name, Kurt saw her go down the slide with her new friend, who was slightly shorter than her with a bright smile and curly black hair. That's when Kurt realized. He had the curly black hair. The same hair that-
"She's wonderful," Kurt said simply. "She just started Kindergarten a few months ago and seems to love it.
"How's Chandler?" Rachel asked quietly, knowing how he treated him and Sophia. "Has he tried anything?"
Kurt wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. She'd tell someone, then everyone would know. But Sophia was technically Rachel's biological daughter too. "He spanked her last night."
"WHAT?! No, you have to leave him Kurt." Rachel hissed, clearly worried. "Find
someone else."
Kurt looked back at the curly haired man, then back at Sophia. "I'm trying Rachel. I'm giving him one last shot. One last shot, and if he does something like that again, I'll leave. I promise."
"Okay. You're way more forgiving than I am, but okay," Rachel nodded even though Kurt couldn't see her.
"But Rachel, what if I can't find someone else? I mean, Chandler is the only one to ever express any want to be with me and even he is....Who will help me take care of Sophia?" Kurt rambled on.
"Well, Chandler obviously doesn't do a very good job of taking care of either one of
you," Rachel pointed out.
Kurt bit his lip harder and could start to taste blood. "You don't understand, Rachel." Kurt wasn't too sure he understood either.
"You're right. I don't understand. I just want you and Sophia to be safe, that's all."
"Thanks Rach, I appreciate it. It really means a-"
"Remember, we live in Chicago, Kurt. If you leave, you just can't leave your job." Rachel says, watching out for Kurt.
"I know. I'll kick him out-he can go live with Sam and-"
But Kurt couldn't finish his sentence because Rachel interrupted him, like she often does. "You two are always welcome here. If you ever wanted to come up for a weekend or something. It gets pretty lonely with just me and Finn, well, actually.." Kurt could hear the smile in Rachel's voice.
"Actually?" Kurt repeated, raising his eyebrow suspiciously.
"Okay, well we weren't going to tell people yet," Rachel started, excitement very present in her voice. "But, I'm pregnant!" She said all in one breath.
"Congratulations! Oh my goodness, I'm so happy for you two! Do you want a boy or a girl? Oh my goodness Sophia could have a new playmate!"
"We'll be sure to visit you; I really have to go. I'll talk to you tomorrow?" Rachel sounds as if she's in a hurry.
"Okay-" The line goes dead. Kurt smiled slightly to himself. He had known how much Rachel wanted to have kids. He knew how much joy that kids bring to parents, and he was glad Rachel and Finn could share that happiness. After a few minutes, Kurt felt Sophia tugging on his coat, her face happy, with the curly haired boy by her side.
"Daddy, this is Harry, Harry Anderson." The boy named Harry holds out his hand, giving a toothy smile.
"It's very nice to meet you Harry, is your dad here too? Or your mom?" Kurt gingerly shakes Harry's hand, smiling.
"My daddy's here sir. We were wondering if you two wanted to meet so you wouldn't be alone." Harry nodded towards the curly haired man, who looked so dapper.
"Oh! Only if he's okay talking to me, but I'd sure love the company!" Kurt stood up, looking down to Sophia who was giving an evil smile.
Sophia and Harry walked over to Harry's dad together, who was sitting on the park bench.
"Daddy! This is Kurt, Sophia's dad!" Harry says excitedly, "You two should be friends, because then Sophia and I can be together more."
The man looked up briefly, but then his eyes turn downward again. He patted the spot next to him, motioning for Kurt to sit down. "You two go off and play, we'll call you over later," he said quietly, fiddling with his thumbs.
Kurt sits down, leaving quite a bit of space in between them, his heart racing in his chest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."
The other man almost laughed and the faintest flicker of a smile crossed his face. Almost. "It's fine." His eyes flickered up to Kurt for just a second like he was scared to look anybody in the eye.
"Well, I'm Kurt. Kurt Hummel," Kurt said matter of factly, extending his hand. The other man took his hand uncertainly, and for the first time, Kurt locked eyes with his heavenly golden brown eyes which made his heart flutter in his chest.
"I'm Blaine Anderson." Blaine. It seemed to fit him well enough, Kurt thought. The rest of the time that Sophia and Harry played-which turned out to be a long time- Kurt and Blaine sat in almost silence. Every time Kurt would almost say something, he would take one look at Blaine and stop.
Mostly everybody else would question Blaine's apparent uncomfortableness. They'd question why he was always looking down and not talking. They'd question why he seemed to be contained to himself. But, Kurt knew. He knew what it was like to feel uncomfortable in his own skin. He knew what it was like to be scared of everybody. To be scared to trust everybody.
He had recognized every sign since he first sat down next to Blaine. His uneven breathing, his hands providing his distraction from himself, the way he was slightly slouched over, the way he wouldn't meet Kurt's gaze.
Kurt knew that Blaine probably didn't want to talk to him, but he was intrigued by this mysterious man. He crossed his legs, turning into Blaine slightly. "So, tell me about your-"
But, he couldn't get out his full sentence before Sophia and Harry came running over, both out of breath. "Daddy, can we..can we.." Sophia said in between breaths, clutching at her stomach.
"Wow, slow down there," Kurt laughed, pushing Sophia's hair out of her face.
Sophia steadied herself then tried again. "Can we..as in us four go to get ice cream?" She asked quickly, grabbing onto Harry's arm.
Kurt looked to Blaine for his response, and if he didn't know better, he could've sworn he was blushing as he nodded slowly. "Yeah. Yeah that sounds great," a smile that melted Kurt's heart creeped into his features.
Kurt stood up again and felt lighter than he did when he sat down. "Good. I know just the place."

***

Blaine. Stop. Stop now. You promised you wouldn't do this again. You promised you'd never get involved with anyone again. Stop. STOP. You know what happens. Nothing good. Stop now. Blaine tried to tell himself this, but his feet weren't listening. Instead, they carried him farther along next to Kurt's.
Him and Kurt were walking close. A little too close for Blaine's liking. Too close that their hands kept brushing as they strided along, sending jolts of electricity up Blaine's whole arm. Maybe he always walked this close to people-maybe he had just never noticed. Maybe it have never mattered enough to be noticeable.
Harry and Sophia were quite a bit ahead of Kurt and Blaine, skipping along happily. "Harry won't stop talking about Sophia," Blaine smiled, surprising even himself. He hardly ever started a conversation. Especially with someone like Kurt.
Blaine caught Kurt's eye out of the corner of his before Kurt replied. "Same with Sophia. Looks like our children may have a good friendship ahead of them."
"Harry could use a good friend, he doesn't have any at school really. Sophia's a very nice girl." Blaine stared at his feet, walking along the sidewalk
"Is something wrong? With you, I mean." Kurt asks concerningly, turning towards Blaine.
"I'm just not used to this," Blaine said, but he knew Kurt could tell it was more than that. It was way more than that. "Does Sophia have a mom?" Blaine asks, willing to change the subject.
Kurt laughs, his cheeks turning pink, "A dad. I'm gay, gay gay gay."
Blaine looks up at Kurt and smiles, "Same. Well, Harry has me. There was issues with my previous relationship, and we went separate ways." Blaine points at Sophia and Harry, who were holding hands, "They seem happy," he pointed out, not wanting to talk about himself or his past anymore.
"Are you happy? Being single?" Kurt blurts out, "You-you don't have to answer that. That was inappropriate."
Blaine looked over at Sophia and Harry again, then back at Kurt. "When it's hard to support your family, pay the bills, and have money on the side, no. But sometimes it's nice to be single." Kurt's face dropped, it was hard for him to think someone this good looking, and gay could be single. Blaine had wished he hadn't said anything because he hated to see Kurt frown.
"I'll pay for the ice cream. Don't even try to talk me out of this Mr." Kurt teases, opening the door to the ice cream parlor for him, Blaine, Sophia, and Harry. Kurt seemed to mean it as nothing more than a nice favor, but Blaine knew what he was trying to do.
Blaine nodded, he knew he wouldn't be able to talk the new friend out of paying after what he said. "Thanks."
"What do you guys want?" Kurt asks once they make their way to the front of the line.
"I'll have.. I'll have a chocolate!" Harry says loudly, peeking over the counter. "Oh no, no, I'll have chocolate WITH rainbow sprinkles!" He then turned to Sophia and said in what he thought was a whisper but really ended up being very loud, "My daddy likes the rainbow."
Blaine could feel a light color on his cheeks, but he knew there was nothing to be ashamed of. "I'll have a chocolate also. No sprinkles," he said to the woman behind the counter, hoping that Harry woudn't tell Sophia-or anyone- more about him.
Sophia ordered next and Blaine could've sworn that he saw Kurt wink at him as he ordered a vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.
They got their orders and sat down at a small table in the corner, and Blaine couldn't help but notice that his and Kurt's knees were touching under the table.
"My daddy's a teacher!" Harry said proudly, eating his ice cream which ended up all over his face.
"Really? That's so cool! My daddy designs clothes. He should design some clothes for you," Sophia nodded, noticing Harry's worn out clothes.
"Sophia!" Kurt hissed.
"You could, I'd give you some money.." Blaine trailed off, pulling out his wallet.
"You really want me to? I can do it. For free, you're my friend." Kurt told him, pulling out his phone. "I need to call Chandler, my boyfriend. I'll be right back." Blaine watched Kurt leave, but he could tell something wasn't right. It was almost like Kurt didn't want to call his boyfriend. Maybe he didn't. Or maybe he just didn't want to leave the ice cream shop.
Either way, it was none of Blaine's business. He had just met the guy, for goodness sake! But, maybe there was something Kurt wasn't telling him. Maybe he would one day. And maybe, just maybe, Blaine would tell Kurt about his life. Doubtful, Blaine decided as he took another lick of his ice cream.
***
Kurt stepped out into the sunlight outside of the small ice cream shop, half hoping and half not that Chandler would answer the phone. He tapped his foot impatiently as the phone connected and Chandler's phone-went straight to voicemail.
Kurt wasn't shocked. Not one bit. Angered, yes. Shocked, no. Chandler almost always had his phone off when he was with Sam. Which was very often. When Chandler was with Sam, he shut everything off. His phone, his brain, even himself, or so Kurt imagined. The only thing he didn't shut off was the sexual part of him.
Kurt didn't like to think about it too much, but he could almost see where Chandler was coming from. He knew what it was like to want to get away from everything. But, the thing was, Chandler's everything was becoming Sam. And wanting to take a break was NOT an excuse to cheat. The worst part of it all, was that Chandler wasn't ashamed of it. He wasn't ashamed to leave Kurt and Sophia in the dust like they were absolutely nothing.
As Kurt stepped back into the ice cream shop, he had never been closer to walking away from Chandler. But he couldn't. Not now. Probably not ever.

***
It was almost midnight before Chandler returned home in his half drunken state. Sophia had gone to bed hours ago and Kurt was up watching tv, doing anything to keep his mind off things. As much as he was probably going to regret it, he would regret it even more if he didn't. He needed to talk to Chandler. Nobody pushed Kurt around. He was stronger than that.
"I'll be home early to take you and Sophia out to dinner to make it up to you. I promise." Kurt knew that Chandler wouldn't keep his promise, but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He really wanted to fix things between him and Chandler. He really wanted everything to be normal again. Kurt knew that Chandler was formulating an excuse for why he wasn't home early, so he sat in silence, barely looking up at his boyfriend from where he was curled into himself in the blankets on the couch.
Chandler sat down on the couch next to Kurt, pressing a kiss to his forehead, trying to be sweet. "Hey," he smiled his signature smile. A smile that was supposed to give Kurt butterflies, but instead made him feel like puking. A smile that Chandler used to try to fix everything, but ended up failing miserably. Kurt didn't say anything, he just raised his eyebrows, waiting for Chandler to say something else.
Chander didn't seem to notice or care, because he just sank into the couch, not really paying much attention to the tv or to Kurt. "You know, you said you'd take Sophia and I out for dinner."
Chandler laughed, laughed. "Tomorrow. I promise babe, but let's go to sleep." Chandler half carried, half pulled Kurt into the bedroom.
"Goodnight Chandler." Kurt curled onto his side of the bed, turned away from Chandler. "Kurt? Can we be a family again? I'll stop seeing Sam, I'd come home on time. We'll eat dinner together. I just.. I miss the actual love." Chandler whispers, pressing his body against Kurt's, his breath tickling Kurt's ear.
Kurt couldn't trust him after everything. He didn't know why Chandler was asking when he was the one who made things the way they were. Things were perfectly fine before Sam came into the picture. "Chandler, no. Please let me sleep, and then go back to Sam in the morning." He pushed Chandler off him and left to go sleep in Sophia's room.
***
The next morning in the Anderson house was quiet, Harry had a huge smile on his face as Blaine made pancakes. "Daddy, I think you and Mr.Hummel should date."
Blaine almost dropped the spatula. turning around in shock. "Kurt has a boyfriend, Harry."
"You like him though, I could tell. You never ever smile that big around people." Harry said matter-of-factly, turning the page in a picture book.
"Maybe. He has a boyfriend though, and I'm sure they're very much in-"
Harry cut in, "Sophia said that her other dad doesn't even come home half the time, and when he does, he's usually hurting her daddy." That caught Blaine's attention, but it couldn't be true. No one should ever lay a hand on Kurt, he's such an amazing dad, and person.
"Harry, do you know where they live? I forgot to ask Kurt and he wants to do a fitting for your new clothes.." Blaine trailed off, dialing Kurt's number on his cell phone.
The phone rang, until finally being answered, "Who the hell is this? This is Kurt's boyfriend."
Blaine almost dropped the phone, "I'm just a friend, can I speak to Kurt please?" Blaine heard small moans, a slurp, and Kurt asking for the phone.
"Kurt's a little, a little busy. He'll call you back after he's done this blowjob."
Blaine hung up, not wanting to bother whatever was happening. He sat down in a rickety old chair, and started to eat the pancakes, stopping to put syrup on them. "Do you want me to cut up your pancakes for you sweetie?" He asks Harry, who was currently gnawing on a whole pancake.
"No, no, it's fun eating like this!" Harry yells, which he was always used to.
"Are you ready to leave, we can go to the park first.." Blaine trails off, grabbing his messenger bag.
"YAY! I can't wait. I get to see Sophia again, and Kurt said he was going to make us lunch. I bet he's a really good cook." Harry runs off a list in his head, putting on his one size too small converse, and the only light spring jacket he owned. "I wish Kurt didn't have a boyfriend. I want him to be my daddy."
Blaine shook his head, "Harry, he can't be your daddy. Let's go."
***
Blaine called Kurt before he knocked on the door, not wanting to interrupt er-anything. Kurt sent out Sophia and Sophia told Blaine to come inside,and then told him that her and Harry were going to the park.
Blaine carefully went inside, not wanting Kurt's boyfriend to beat the shit out of him or anything. "..Kurt?" He asked quietly.
Kurt called from down the hall, and Blaine followed, it sounded as if he had been crying. "Kurt? Are you okay?!?!" The sight that greeted Blaine was not pleasant. Kurt was lying on his side, curled up in a ball. The only thing he had covering him was a sheet.
"Cha-chandler. C-c-can you get me another blanket? He left me. I had to go wash the other sheets because they were covered in blood and lube. There's spare blankets in the closet." Kurt pointed towards a huge closet, one fit for a movie star. Blaine nodded, upset at seeing Kurt like this. He silently picked up one of the blankets, walked over to Kurt, and placed it on top of his most likely naked body.
"Cuddle with me? Please, Blaine?" Kurt asked, almost pleadingly. He sounded so broken and helpless, that Blaine wanted to just take away his pain, kiss away his tears, and make that smile return. He could only see from Kurt's collarbone up, but that's all that he needed to see. Kurt's normally perfect hair was a mess and his stunning eyes that were a dull gray color today had turned red from crying. Blaine had wished that Kurt had someone else besides Chandler because he didn't deserve to be treated like this. Blaine thought that even he, himself could maybe fill that spot and-
NO. Blaine mentally kicked himself for thinking like that. Just because he knew what Kurt felt like, didn't give him any right to think about someone that way again. He made a vow to himself a few years ago that he would never feel that way again, and he intended on keeping it. "I'm sorry, Kurt. But I can't.." Blaine lost his trail of thought and couldn't get himself to look Kurt in the eye. Instead, he focused his vision on the floor. "I'll just.. I'll be out there with them, okay? Take as long as you want," Blaine said regretfully and looked at Kurt once more, then softly pushed his friend's hair out of his face.
He couldn't see Kurt's eyes, he wouldn't allow himself to, but Blaine could see pain and rejection etched into Kurt's features at his words, and it killed him inside to know that he caused that pain. At least, part of it. He gave a fraction of a smile before returning back to where Harry and Sophia were.
***
Later that day, Kurt and Blaine had made lunch together while Harry and Sophia played in her room. "I'm sorry." Blaine whispered, stirring the pot of boiling water.
Kurt smiles, looking at Blaine. "It's okay, it happens at least every week. Maybe more. Chandler's never left.. Ever. He just packed up all his stuff and left." Kurt sits at the kitchen island, cutting up chicken.
"You don't deserve that. You deserve so much better. Now you can find someone better." Blaine tells him, adding the swirly noodles to the pan. "And it can't be me. I'm not good enough for you."
Kurt frowns, turning around. "Blaine, you're perfect. I've only known you for a few days, but I can already tell what an amazing person you are. Anyone would be lucky to have you, anyone. I know you don't want me to be that person, but promise me you'll find someone. Okay?" He wrapped his arms around Blaine, giving him a hug.
The hug was warm and tight and something Blaine hasn't received for years. "I won't, I can't trust anyone." Kurt pulled away abruptly.
"What happened, with your other boyfriend? Did he do anything to you?" Kurt stirred the noodles, and added chicken to the pan with oil in it. "You can trust me, you know."
Blaine nods, not wanting to talk about Sebastian. "I trust you. But I'm not ready. Not yet. The last time I had even been physically intimate with someone was when Harry was one. Five years."
"Well, I need you to promise me one more thing." Kurt sits back down onto the stool.
"What is it?" Blaine asks, invested in making the food.
"If you ever have any problems with paying rent, or getting food, or getting clothes for you or Harry, you'll tell me. I'm usually always here or at the fabric shop." Kurt plays around with his phone.
"Thank you." That's all Blaine could say. Because this stran-friend, who he's only known for a week, offered to help him. No one has helped him, no one.
***
The rest of the night went well, Kurt even fitted Blaine for a new suit to wear. Harry and Sophia had fallen asleep on the couch, leaving Kurt and Blaine drinking wine at the kitchen table. "Thanks. For everything today. Harry really likes you."
Kurt giggles, and it's cute and innocent and unlike anything he's heard before. "Sophia wouldn't shut up about Harry since they last saw each other, it's so cute! She talks about you sometimes too, and once she-she said that your hair looks like broccoli! Because of how curly it is." Kurt rambles, and he's happy and cheerful. Blaine feels as if he could ruin it by leaving.
"Harry never shuts up about Sophia either, it can be kind of annoying. My hair looks like broccoli? I hope she doesn't try to eat it!" Blaine laughs, his hand getting awfully close to Kurt's.
"Are you going to have to leave? Never leave. Don't leave tonight. Please." Kurt pouts, his puppy dog face adorable and endearing. "You can even have the guest room."
Blaine agrees, not wanting to leave Kurt. Because Chandler could come back, they always try to come back. "I can, I can sleep in your bed if you'd like me to."
"Yes." Kurt gets up, leading Blaine to the room again, "I'm going to go change, if you can make the bed, then I'd love you." Kurt saunters off into the bathroom, leaving Blaine with a change of sheets.
Blaine makes the bed, neatly patting down the comforter and sheets. "Do you have a change of clothes I could wear?" He asks through the bathroom door, not opening it.
"Just pick a pair of sweatpants from the top drawer, they should fit you. If you don't mind sleeping shirtless.." Kurt trails off, opening the door.
Blaine opens the top drawer, and picks up the first pair of sweatpants in it. "Thanks"
When Blaine came out of the bathroom, Kurt was already in bed with the lights off, sleeping in the middle of the bed. As Blaine crawled under the sheets, Kurt cuddled his face into Blaine's chest. "Goodnight."
Blaine's heart fluttered, it had been years since someone slept with him like this. Well, other than Harry. "Goodnight." Blaine felt peaceful for once. It was a strange kind of peace. A peace that felt almost guilty. A peace that he feared he could only reach when alcohol was flowing through his veins and all his senses and feelings were numb. Either way, it was peace. Something that Blaine needed every once in a while. He eventually drifted to sleep, lulled by the thought that Harry was happy and at least one Anderson wasn't hopelessly confused.