Carole led the way to Kurt's bedroom. Blaine followed, slightly surprised she hadn't chosen her own room for the conversation.

Carole caught his curious look and said, "I figured you'd be more comfortable in here." She sat on Kurt's bed and patted the space next to her, indicating that Blaine should sit as well.

Blaine sat gingerly, his spine stiff and gaze focused on the floor. Suddenly, he felt one of Carole's arms wrap around his waist, and she pulled him close to her, placing her other hand on his hair and running her fingers through it.

"Will you tell me about your parents, Blaine? I'd like to know how they feel about your..." she paused, searching for the right words.

Blaine sighed. "You want to know how they feel about me being gay, right?"

Carole made a noise of assent.

"My mother," Blaine sighed heavily. "She tries to be supportive, but ever since I...came out, she's treated me differently; as if I'm an entirely new person. And my father...well, he's still convinced this is 'just a phase,' and I'll 'get over it.'"

Carole shook her head, continuing to run her fingers slowly through Blaine's hair. The two were quiet for a few moments before Carole spoke again.

"I only asked because I want to know the kinds of people I'm going to be meeting with today so I can try to be prepared." Carole sighed. "I won't say I'm always going to say the right things or have all the answers, but I want you to know that I'm here, no matter what you or Kurt needs." She felt Blaine shift next to her, moving away slightly so he could turn his head and watch her expression. Carole rested a hand on his cheek, keeping the other in his hair. "And I want you boys to be honest with us if we ask questions. I already had this talk with Kurt yesterday…" Blaine's face flushed, and Carole bit back a smile. I knew he wasn't sleeping. "I know you boys care deeply for each other, and you want to express your feelings in actions as well as words. Just…" Carole paused to press a kiss to the side of Blaine's head. "Just be careful, okay? Kurt's my son now, and I consider you to be part of the family, too. And that isn't going to change, no matter what you boys go through."

Blaine looked away, and Carole dropped her hand to his shoulder. "I know your relationship with Kurt is going to be different than any of the relationships that I've seen Finn go through-and I'm not just referring to the fact that you and Kurt are boys and there is no 'girl' in the relationship-the two of you are far more level-headed than Finn ever will be." They both chuckled softly. "This is brand new territory for all of us, and we're going to have to work together to figure things out. You and Kurt need to be honest with each other and with me and Burt as well." Carole saw Blaine tense slightly at the mention of Burt's name. "He likes you," she reassured. " He wasn't sure for a while, but you make Kurt happy. He may come off as gruff and somewhat intimidating, but he truly only wants the best for the both of you." Carole squeezed Blaine's shoulder before standing. "Your clothes are on the dresser-I washed them last night before we headed to bed. We can leave whenever your ready."

Carole's hand was on the handle of the door, and she'd just begun to turn it when she felt arms wrap around her waist. "Thank you," Blaine whispered.

Carole turned around, wrapping her arms around Blaine and squeezing tightly. "You're welcome, sweetheart. If you ever need to talk, you let me know, and I'll listen." She pressed a kiss to his curls before pulling away and leaving the room.

Carole left the room, nearly walking into Kurt as she closed the door behind her. Kurt jumped away, a guilty look on his face.

"Hello my little eavesdropper," she greeted him.

Kurt blushed and looked away.

Carole grasped his chin gently.

"So, did you hear everything?" she asked.

Kurt bit his lip, chewing on it nervously for a moment before replying. "More or less..."

Carole sighed, leaning forward to press a kiss to his forehead. "Anything you want to talk to me about?" she asked.

Kurt shook his head.

"All right. I'll leave you boys to get ready, then. I'll be downstairs." With a light squeeze to his shoulder, Carole stepped away from Kurt and headed back to the main floor.

Kurt watched Carole as she walked down the stairs, then turned to his bedroom door. He knocked softly before turning the handle and gently pushing the door open.

Blaine was sitting on the far side of the bed, hunched over with his arms resting on his knees.

Kurt crept into the room slowly, closing the door as softly as possible.

"Don't try to be sneaky," Blaine said, his voice slightly muffled. "I know you're here, Kurt."

Kurt felt a flush creep up his neck as he moved across the room. He sat next to Blaine, not quite touching him as Kurt was unsure if Blaine would welcome the physical contact right now.

He was somewhat startled when Blaine sat up, shifting slightly to rest his head on Kurt's shoulder. Kurt smiled, reaching across his body to rest his hand in Blaine's hair.

"Blaine, do you..." Kurt paused for a moment. "Would you prefer I stay home, and not go with you to your house today?"

Blaine sighed, curling in closer to Kurt's side. "You shouldn't have to deal with my parents on top of everything else you've gone through," he replied. "Not yet, anyway."

"There is no way they can be any worse than what I've dealt with so far. Besides," Kurt nuzzled Blaine's neck. "We're in this together, and we both know this isn't going to be easy. But I want to be there for you whenever I possibly can."

Blaine turned to press a kiss to the underside of Kurt's jaw. "I'd like like you to be there," he whispered.

Kurt smiled, holding Blaine tighter. "Then I'll certainly accompany you," he replied

Blaine pulled back enough that he could look at Kurt's face. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Anything for you, honey. I'd do anything for you."

The boys sat quietly for a few moments before Kurt pressed a kiss to Blaine's forehead and stood up, making his way to his closet to choose an outfit for the day. Blaine stood as well, peeling off his shirt and replacing it with the one he'd been wearing the previous day.

When Blaine had finished changing, he turned around to see what Kurt had chosen to wear. His jaw dropped open in shock, and he closed it quickly.

"Kurt, you can't wear that," Blaine said.

"And why not?" Kurt asked, his tone daring Blaine to insult his outfit.

Blaine stayed silent for a moment, taking in the clothing Kurt had chosen.

A dark baseball cap sat on his head. He'd paired it with a t-shirt that read "Hummel Tire & Lube" and loose blue jeans. His feet were encased in sneakers that looked suspiciously clean-almost entirely unworn.

It wasn't that he didn't look great-Kurt could have worn a cloth sack and Blaine would have thought he looked fabulous. But the outfit Kurt had chosen…

"It's not you, Kurt. The Kurt Hummel I know and love would never go out in public like that."

Kurt's lips thinned, anger shimmering in his eyes. Blaine sighed, stepping closer to his boyfriend and laying a hand on his cheek.

"You're hiding, Kurt. You're trying to hide part of who you are. And if you feel the need to do that in order to meet my family, then…then you should stay home."

Kurt huffed angrily. "I'm not hiding," he said snidely. "I'm trying to avoid giving your parents even more reason to be uncomfortable with me. I would think you would appreciate tha-"

Blaine touched a finger to Kurt's lips, silencing him.

"Kurt," he said, holding the other boy's gaze steadily. "I want them to see you exactly as you are. Because I love you. And they're either go to accept you as you are, or they aren't. I don't want you to change yourself for my sake." He smiled. "We're in this together, remember? And I want my fabulously dressed boyfriend by my side when I see my parents today." He leaned forward, pressing his lips to the side of Kurt's mouth. "Pick something else, please? I'll wait for you downstairs."

Kurt nodded, reaching to ruffle Blaine's hair as the other boy tried to duck away. Blaine giggled, smacking Kurt's hand away and leaving the bedroom.