Kurt was awestruck by what he saw. Blaine had led them out to the ledge, holding him tightly so he wouldnt stagger over the small rope fencing around the edge. He could finally see that Blaines cave was part of a large cavern, bustling with other dragons. The walls had dozens of similar caves carved into them, all with interlinking staircases and walkways chiselled straight out of the rock. Each cave dwelling appeared to have a unique porch like structure some made out of fabrics and animal hides, others woven together leaves or simple wooden doors, affording each home some privacy.

So this was Blaines home, where hed grown up and lived all his life. As Kurt gazed around he noticed just how beautiful it was, lit only by the small amount of sunlight filtering through the ivy at the mouth of the cavern and the many communal fires, burning merrily and scattered on the ground like oversized campfires. At first glance the fire made all those in its glow look fierce and formidable but as Kurt studied Blaines people closer he saw laughing children and smiling adults, all chatting amicably with one another. He couldnt contain a smile as he watched them, gathered around the fires laughing, talking and singing together. Everything was so warm and vibrant, the community thriving in their own version of paradise.

Blaine lead him carefully down the staircases making sure he walked close to the wall, his rough, hot hand gently holding Kurts own. Kurt blushed with the intimacy of it and the patience and thoughtfulness that Blaine displayed with every step. When they reached the ground Blaine didnt let go.

"I sent a message ahead with Alexander that youd be returning with me. So naturally everyone knows, he loves making announcements, it makes him feel important which of course he is." Blaine said smiling and leading him by the hand to one of the fires. Kurt had a feeling that when Blaine said ‘he loves making announcements he really meant ‘my friend has a big mouth. Many eyes followed them as they sat down together on a log seat to the right of one of the fires. "Please forgive the staring," Blaine continued, noticing that Kurt was becoming uneasy, "many of us have never even seen a mortal before let alone have one in our midst. Dragons can be a little... curious."

Kurt flinched causing him to hiss in pain as a dragon with inky black wings and a sharp, barbed tail approached them slowly. It sniffed at Kurt gingerly before curling up on the floor at his feet and going to sleep. Blaine laughed quietly at Kurts startled expression. "No one will harm you here Kurt." He reassured him again. Kurt wondered why Blaine wasnt offended by the way Kurt had been warily eyeing every dragon as if it were going to devour him. "I know we must look scary to you, but most of us are harmless. This is Ava. Shes a friend of mine but shes very shy, she doesnt spend much time in her halfling form. I think shell grow out of it, shes still young." Blaine whispered the last but he was not quite quiet enough as Ava opened one eye and growled threateningly at Blaine who consequently fell about laughing. Ava indignantly, or as indignant as a dragon can look, got to her feet and stomped away. "Ahh teenagers." Blaine muttered watching her go and shaking his head.

Blaine momentarily looked up to a cave around half way up the left wall. From where Kurt was he could only really see that it was larger than most and didnt have a porch like the other cave homes, but he assumed that being a dragon and all, Blaine had much better eyesight. "What are you looking at?" Kurt asked getting Blaines attention.

"Ava is down, so that means school is finished."

"Dragons go to school?" Kurt enquired lamely.

"The younglings do of course, though Im sure our schooling is probably very different to yours," He said absently "here they come now." Before Kurt had a chance to ask who Blaine was referring to he leapt out of the way of two bright red balls barrelling through the air and straight toward them. He fell to the ground with an embarrassing yelp, dizzy as searing hot pain sparked down his left side. He staggered to his feet and looked wildly around and found the others, all laughing and looking at a harassed looking Blaine, flat on his back, with two identical small dragons, growling and tugging at his limbs with their tiny teeth. Suddenly, Blaine sat up his expression stormy and started speaking in the same unfamiliar language Kurt had heard Blaine speak to Alexander in. He was clearly angry, his voice a sinister growl as he admonished the two now cowering little dragons. The others surrounding the fire now looked on in sympathy or all wisely kept their distance and avoided eye contact with the now furious Blaine. Whining quietly, the little ones sat on their hind legs and bowed their heads.

Kurt, clutching his side, cautiously stepped forward, placing a hand on Blaines arm and feeling his scorching skin. Blaine turned and his expression softened some, looking slightly embarrassed and a lot concerned, eyes flickering down to wear Kurts hand was placed protectively over his ribcage. "Im sorry," Blaine muttered, momentarily bowing his head. "They need discipline, they often forget their manners." Blaines expression remained somewhat angry as he turned back to them "Elder Cerridwen would be ashamed of your behaviour, and in the presence of a guest. You could have hurt him, you have hurt him. How many times have I told you not to fly such a distance? Your wings are still too small to carry you from such a height, if you came into trouble you could have seriously hurt yourselves as well, have I and Her Honour Aine not taught you anything?" The dragonite closest to Kurt snuffled quietly "and now youre embarrassed because Ive had to scold you in front of everyone well thats not my fault Magnus, you continue to baffle me with your audacity to disobey me."

Kurt was a little frightened as Blaine continued his tirade. It seemed a little harsh to be tearing into such small and vulnerable looking things. He could clearly see that Blaine admonished them mostly because he cared for them, making him wonder what his relationship with the younglings was. "Go and change into your half form please and then come straight back down to meet our guest." The two young dragons started to flap their little wings as if to take flight again but one look from Blaine and they were trotting off in the direction of the north wall their little tails dragging against the floor, and their four paws firmly on the ground.

Blaine turned to Kurt and sighed "I am so sorry Kurt. Are you okay? Are you hurt much? Do you want to go back inside?" He rambled, hands hovering over Kurts injured side.

"Its okay, Im fine just a little winded," Kurt replied his curiosity getting the better of him, "are they your sons?"

"No, well sort off, Im charged with the twins since their parents died not long after they hatched, being the son of an Elder that wasnt destined to become the leader of our clan one day I oversee the general day to day activities of our people. Help out where Im needed, sometimes I take classes, sometimes I travel to liaise and trade with other clans. The twins are similar in origin to me so I was charged with taking care of them. I love them but they are always getting into trouble, no matter how much I scold them theyre always up to something within a couple of hours."

"It sounds like theyre a lot of work." Kurt wondered aloud but Blaine just smiled. "I care for them as if they were my own. They drive me crazy but I wouldnt have them any other way, and its nice to have love in my home however I can seeing as..." Blaine trailed off, blushing to the tips of his ears again and looking down at his knees. It baffled Kurt that a man like Blaine could suddenly appear so boyish and bashful. "Seeing as what?" Kurt asked and Blaine sensed that Kurt was going to be one to always ask questions.

"Seeing as I um- I dont- seeing as I dont have a-a mate." Blaine said stuttering and if his blush could deepen any further Kurt was afraid he just might burst into flames. "A what?" Kurt asked incredulous. "I dont have a mate." Blaine said clearly at last, sitting up a little straighter and looking up at Kurt from under his lashes. "Do you have one? The person you love, the one youll share everything with, for eternity?" Blaine looked incredibly embarrassed to be asking Kurt but he also couldnt miss the light of longing that sparked in his golden eyes as he spoke about the idea of this person, the person he was so desperate to know. After moments of uncomfortable silence, Blaine shook his head as if to rid himself of the fantasy and his tail swished anxiously behind him. "Silly me," he said cheerfully, "its probably different where you come from. Im sure your special one is as lovely as you are."

The forced cheeriness in his voice cracked Kurts heart in two. How was it possible to feel so much compassion for a creature youd only just met? His chest felt empty at the thought of Blaine, the man that had cared for him and reassured him regardless of who he was or where he came from, tending to his people and returning home to his bed each night, lonely and missing that one person to hold him and give back the insurmountable amount of love they would be likely to receive. Before Kurt could say thank you, before he could tell him that he too was alone, before he could reassure him that he would one day love and be loved how he hoped, they were greeted by two young, twin boys, both with fiery red hair and shuffling toward them nervously.

"Kurt, this is Tim and Magnus Maponos." Blaine said proudly but laughed as the twins tried to hide themselves behind Blaines legs, Magnus head poking out from the side. Kurt had never had a particular affinity with children but theyre shyness only endeared them to him. As he bent down he could see how Blaine blushed in embarrassment, trying to coax them out from behind him. He could see how desperately Blaine wanted him to love them almost as much as he did. "Hey fellas," Kurt said "dont be shy Im not as scary as mean old Blaine over here." Blaine tried to scowl but his expression slowly morphed into one of fondness and awe as Tim and Magnus slowly crept out from behind him, each grabbing one of Blaines hands and hugging their tails to their chests. Magnus, clearly the boldest of the duo practically vibrated with curiosity. "Hello." He said timidly in the same accent as Blaine, clearly he had taken the time to teach the little ones his language for which Kurt was thankful. Magnus looked up at Blaine for reassurance, checking he had said it right. He nodded and Magnus continued, a little more confident he stated matter-of-factly "Blaine says youre his friend so youre our friend too now." He pointed at his brother and Tim nodded his head vigorously. "Were sorry you got hurt." Tim piped up and the pride that lit up Blaines face was beatific as he stooped down and hoisted the pair into his arms.

In an instant Kurt was charmed by the odd and misshapen family. He reassured them that he was on the mend and that he was glad that Blaine had been so kind as to help him. Blaine smiled bashfully and Kurt began to wish that he could always make Blaines eyes light up with joy. He followed as the family began to lead him back up to Blaines cave, Kurt admitting that he still felt as if he couldnt quite catch his breath after his earlier fall. He watched on amused as Blaine teased the twins and they teased back, causing him to look anxiously over his shoulder at Kurt as if he hoped he hadnt heard Tim refer to his curls as a bush for nesting sparrows. Once they had reached the cave, Blaine set them down and they ran inside. He smiled at him, something soft and unidentifiable clouding his honey eyes before he beckoned for Kurt to join them inside. It was then that Kurt knew that he wasnt only charmed by the little dragon family but warmed by it, their bond giving him a strange sense of home in such a bewildering new world.