When Blaine showed up on Kurt’s doorstep with the big news, Kurt was understandably jealous, but that jealousy didn’t have to last long.

“I asked if I could take you with us. Mom said yes!”

After planning and a lot of talks between Blaine’s parents and Kurt’s dad, it’s finally happening. Of course they’re seeing RENT, but they’re also going to Wicked and to a show called the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, since Blaine’s mom thinks that educational shows are important too.

Blaine’s mom is visibly regretting every step she’s taken to get here, since the Spelling Bee is not an educational show. Kurt and Blaine’s mom are sitting next to each other and Kurt tries not to laugh when he sees Blaine’s mom’s reactions. Blaine’s on stage, since he got picked to be a speller from the audience. The audience loudly cooed and awww’ed when Blaine first appeared, since he stands out between the adult cast members and guest spellers, but he’s survived his first spelling round.

He laughs when he goes back to the audience after his elimination.

“You made your Broadway debut,” Kurt whispers when Blaine’s in earshot.

“Are you proud of me, mom?” Blaine asks his mother, who groans. When one of the characters starts singing about having an erection and selling dairy-free stuff, she gets up and leaves. Kurt and Blaine burst into laughter, which pisses off some other audience members, but that only makes things even funnier.

“Good thing we have Wicked as a buffer for RENT,” Blaine says when they’ve calmed down. It’s kind of a shame that Blaine’s mom has left, because the second part of the show is unexpectedly emotional, because it delves into the insecurities of the characters.

When Olive sings her big The I Love You Song, Blaine grips Kurt’s hand.

Tell me what you’re learning
Ma, I have, Oh God, this need
I think Dad is angry, Ma
And I do not know what to do
Mama, Mama, Mama

Kurt looks at Blaine, completely ignoring the actors on stage. Blaine’s as tearful as Olive. Then he turns to the empty seat where Blaine’s mom used to sit.

Kurt files this away for later.

Blaine’s dad doesn’t join them for Wicked. Blaine’s dad doesn’t join them for RENT.

Maybe the latter is a good thing, since RENT was as amazing as Kurt and Blaine had hoped, but Kurt’s not sure if Blaine’s dad would appreciate it. Blaine’s mom was once again horrified, and she probably wouldn’t have taken two fourteen year olds to a show like that if she’d known, but she didn’t walk out this time and by the end of the show she was crying as hard as Kurt and Blaine.

Kurt and Blaine have their separate room, so he doesn’t have to worry about the Andersons overhearing. They can’t tell them to go to sleep, even though it’s late. Kurt and Blaine want to stay awake as long as possible, since they want to be able to make the most of the time they have.

During their last night in the city, Kurt decides to ask what’s been on his mind.

“Blaine, why is your dad never here?”

“Hm?” Blaine absently says. He’s reading the RENT Playbill again.

“Your dad. He didn’t even show up for dinner in these past three days.”

“Oh,” Blaine lowers the Playbill, “He’s busy. Always busy. But I don’t mind. If he didn’t have business here, then we wouldn’t be here.”

“And… doesn’t that bother you?” Kurt asks carefully. He thinks back at the Spelling Bee show. Blaine was gripping Kurt’s hand so tightly that it almost hurt.

“It’s what it’s always been like,” Blaine shrugs nonchalantly.

Kurt lets out a frustrated sigh. Blaine can tell him everything. Kurt has no problems telling Blaine his secrets, so the thought that it’s not a mutual feeling stings a bit.

So Kurt drops the carefulness and he tells Blaine that he’s noticed Blaine’s reaction in the theatre. Blaine’s face falls. Kurt gets out of his bed and he climbs into Blaine’s. He always gives Blaine a few seconds to push him away, but he never does.

“I am not like Olive, Kurt, no worries,” Blaine says, but there’s still some sadness, “Unlike Olive, I have parents who love me. But like Olive, they’re not always there and it- I guess the song just hit me hard. That, and the fact that my mom walked out of the show…”

“But that’s not your fault, right?”

Blaine nods. “I know that, but it still sucks, because… because…”

Kurt waits for Blaine to find the words.

“You know, I am jealous of you.”

“Me?”

“You and your dad are so completely different from each other, but he still takes time and effort to understand you. I’ve seen the photos of your childhood tea parties with your dad. Mine would never even consider.”

Meanwhile, Kurt feels like he and his dad have slightly grown apart since Kurt’s mom’s death. That, and Kurt knows that his secret is hanging over them and he just doesn’t want to ruin things. But Blaine’s right. Even then, Kurt and his dad are everything to each other.

Kurt realises that it’s probably why Blaine loves spending time in their home.

“I’m so happy you’re here with me,” Blaine says softly, “Otherwise I’d be totally alone during the musicals.”

“I’m happy you asked me to come along.”

Blaine smiles and it’s not sad. In fact, it’s joyous and Kurt very much prefers this over Blaine being sad.

“I always want you to come along, Kurt. You’re my best friend!”

“And you’re mine.”