The boys glanced at each other, horror in their eyes.

Blaine was the first to move.

"We're up, Carole," he called.

He leaned close to Kurt, whispering, "You clean up in here; I'll go downstairs with Carole."

Kurt relaxed, pressing a kiss to Blaine's cheek before moving away to clean up the mess they'd made.

Blaine rose from the floor, making his way to Kurt's door. As he reached for it, he saw the handle begin to turn. He stepped back, allowing Carole to open the door just enough for him to step around it.

Blaine stepped through the doorway, forcing Carole to step back or have Blaine push her aside. Blaine pulled the door shut behind him as he said, "Kurt's hair is a mess and he refuses to leave until he looks presentable." He heard Kurt begin to laugh as the door closed, and Blaine followed Carole downstairs to see if she needed help finishing the breakfast preparations.

As Blaine entered the kitchen, delicious smells assaulted his nose. Blaine stood in the doorway, inhaling deeply. Pancakes, sausages, hash browns, eggs…

"Everything smells fantastic, Carole," he said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Carole reached into the cupboard, grabbing several large bowls and handing them to Blaine. "Could you move the food from the pans and into these bowls? I don't like leaving hot pans on the table."

"Let me guess. One too many minor burns as a certain someone reaches for more food without paying enough attention?" The question was asked with barely-contained amusement.

Carole smiled fondly. "Something like that."

Blaine set the bowls on the counter, reaching for the spoon that rested in the pan of eggs and beginning to scoop them into the first bowl. Once it was full, he stepped over to the kitchen table and placed it in the middle.

"Blaine?" Carole's voice was softly questioning.

Blaine turned around. "Yes?"

"Would you mind…" Carole trailed off, pressing her lips together briefly as she searched for the words she needed. "Would you mind if I came with you to your house, after breakfast? I'd like to speak with your parents."

Blaine hesitated, struggling to keep his gaze directed at Carole instead of looking away as he wanted to. Mother seemed really upset last night…but Father was home, and that certainly doesn't help keep her calm…Maybe having Carole over will help… he sighed. It certainly can't hurt.

Blaine nodded. "Yes, I think that would be -" He stopped speaking abruptly as a pair of hands snaked around his waist, clasping gently, and Blaine felt warm lips press against his neck. Blaine leaned back into Kurt's embrace.

"I think that would be just fine," he finished, feeling his heart grow a little lighter at the prospect of facing his parents with another person by his side.

"What's for breakfast?" A sleepy voice rumbled from the doorway. Blaine tensed slightly and attempted to step away from Kurt. The arms around his waist tightened in response.

"Stop worrying so much," Kurt whispered in his ear. "Weren't you the one who said they wouldn't mind if we cuddled?" Blaine smiled, relaxing back into Kurt's embrace.

"Good morning, Finn," Carole chuckled, crossing the kitchen to hug her son. "Go on; sit down. We were just about to start eating. I just have to make sure your father is up." She turned to Kurt. "Kurt, would you and Blaine finish setting the table?"

Kurt stepped away from Blaine, turning to face Carole. "Of course!" he replied. Carole smiled gently as she walked away, leaving the boys in the kitchen.

Kurt moved to the cupboard to grab plates and cups for everyone. "Blaine, could you get the milk and juice out of the refrigerator and set them on the table?" he asked.

Blaine walked to the fridge, opening it and grabbing the two containers. He set them on the table with the rest of the food, and Kurt followed with the plates. He set one in front of each chair at the table. He saw Finn reaching to begin serving himself and smacked his hand. "Can't you at least wait for our parents to be here?" he scolded. Finn drew back, pouting slightly and clutching his hand.

Carole and Burt entered the room, then; Carole sitting next to Finn with Burt to her left. Kurt and Blaine took the seats on the other side of the table. Carole grabbed one of the dishes, offering it to Blaine, who refused politely, insisting she serve herself first. Carole didn't argue, but replied with "such a gentleman." Blaine blushed, and Kurt smiled, nudging his shoulder gently.

The conversation over breakfast was amicable, with everyone participating-even Finn. Throughout the meal, Kurt and Blaine would lean into each other. At one point, Blaine's hand moved beneath the table, resting lightly on Kurt's thigh. Kurt felt his face heat, and he glanced at his parents, hoping they hadn't noticed. Upon seeing they were occupied with their food, he relaxed and continued eating.

When Burt saw that Blaine's hand was no longer on the table, he opened his mouth to comment. Carole silenced him by popping a piece of fruit in his mouth and pecking him on the cheek. Burt froze, turning to glare at his wife. Carole whispered in his ear, glancing at Kurt and Blaine while she spoke. Burt muttered something under his breath, turning to stare hard at Blaine before finishing his breakfast.

Blaine shifted uncomfortably under Burt's stare and began to move his hand away from Kurt's thigh. Kurt reached down, placing his hand over Blaine's and squeezing gently. He darted a look at Blaine, smiling a little and hoping to convey an unspoken "don't worry about it" to him. The boys finished their food in silence.

Finn was the first to leave the table, gathering his dishes and setting them in the sink before leaving the room to take a shower. Carole and Kurt finished next, and Kurt reached across the table to take Carole's plate and cup and stack them with his. "Go relax, Carole. Blaine and I can do the dishes."

"Actually…" Carole began, darting a glance at Blaine. "I'd like to speak with Blaine, if that's alright with him." Blaine's eyes widened slightly as confusion flitted across his face. "I'm coming with you to your parents' house, remember?" Carole said.

Kurt whirled around. "What? Blaine, why didn't you tell me?" Kurt's tone was sharp, the hurt evident in his voice.

Blaine sighed and bit his lip, not meeting Kurt's eyes right away. As he opened his mouth to speak, Carole waved a hand at him so he would stay quiet.

"Kurt," she scolded, walking around the table to smack his shoulder lightly. "We'd barely even decided anything." Kurt opened his mouth, ready to interrupt, and Carole placed a finger under his jaw, pressing it closed. "And of course you can come, unless Blaine would prefer you stay here."

Kurt looked sharply at Blaine, who was staring fixedly at his linked hands in his lap. Carole smacked his shoulder again. "Quit glaring at him, Kurt. He hasn't done anything wrong." Carole rested a hand on Blaine's head, twining her fingers in his curls. "Let's go upstairs and talk for a few minutes, okay? Kurt and his father can take care of the cleanup."

Blaine rose from the chair, his eyes still downcast, and followed Carole up the stairs.