I hadn’t seen Burt get this excited before. It reminded me of the moment when you return to school over the summer holidays and are finally able to see that friend you weren’t able to get in touch with the entire break and had really missed as a result—except this was more like five or six summer breaks between Burt and Artie. I turned toward the house, beckoning to David as I ducked under the porch.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Dave," Burt said disapprovingly as he moved to join me.

"We get permits early on the rez," David lied unsatisfactorily as Burt laughed at him while I unlocked the door and flicked on the porch light.

"Sure you do," Burt added, still smiling.

"No really, he’s an exception,” Artie explained from the window of the car, “I mean I have to get around somehow!"

I recognized Artie's jovial yet serious voice easily, even though the last time I saw him would have been the last time we were here in Forks. The sound of Artie’s voice brought me back to my childhood and made me feel uneasy, almost as if I was a child again. I went inside, leaving the door open behind me and turning on the inside lights before I hung up my jacket. Burt and David helped Artie out of the car and into his wheelchair while I backed out of the way as the three of them hurried in, shaking off the rain.

"It really is great to see you." I heard Burt telling Artie. I felt guilty knowing they had only stopped talking because of me but happy that Mom had persuaded them to reignite their friendship, even if was while she was sick.
"It's been too long," Artie answered. "I hope it's not a bad time. I haven’t seen you since you got back. I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with Carole Newton." He chuckled but his dark eyes flashed up to me again, their expression unreadable.

"No, it's great that you’re here. I hope you can stay for the game."

David grinned. "I think that's the plan — our TV broke last week."

Artie made a face at his son. "And, of course, David was
anxious to see Kurt again," he added. David scowled and ducked his head while I fought back the urge to laugh like a Japanese schoolgirl.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him, turning toward the kitchen. I was eager to escape Artie and his searching gaze.

"Sure," David answered.

"How about you, Dad?" I called over my shoulder, walking alone around the corner. He agreed to some food too, his voice moving in the direction of the front room and the TV. I could hear Artie's chair follow.

The grilled low-fat cheese sandwiches were in the frying pan and I was slicing up a tomato when I sensed someone behind me.

"Need some help in here?" David asked. His enthusiasm was hard to resist.

"I never need help when cooking." I smiled, pausing for a second. “So how are things? Did you finish your car?"

"No." He frowned. "I still need parts. I should really visit Burt in his shop unless... you didn’t come by any parts yet, did you?”

"Sorry. I haven't seen any master colanders."

He started laughing, “Guess you really do love cooking!”

“Why? What’s so funny?”

"They’re called master cylinders! It’s okay, I’ll ask Burt about it before we go.” He paused, and then he seemed to suddenly remember something, “By the way, is something wrong with the truck?"

"No. Why?"

"I was just wondering because you weren't driving it.” I stared down at the pan, pulling up the edge of a sandwich to check the bottom side. "I got a ride with—a friend."

"Nice ride." David's voice was admiring. "I didn't recognize the driver, though. I thought I knew most of the kids around here."

I nodded noncommittally, keeping my eyes down as I flipped sandwiches.

"My dad seemed to know him from somewhere."

"David, could you hand me some plates? They're in the cupboard over the sink."

"Sure." He got the plates in silence. I hoped he would let it drop now.

"So who was it?" he asked, setting the plates on the counter next to me. Oh, I realized, apparently not.

I sighed in defeat. There was no point in hiding it from him. "Blaine Cullen."

To my surprise, he laughed. When I glanced up at him though, he looked a little embarrassed. "Guess that explains it, then," he said. "I wondered why my dad was acting so strange."

"That's right." I said, trying to sound innocent. "I forgot he doesn’t like the Cullens."

"Superstitious old man," David muttered under his breath.

"You don't think he'd say anything to Burt, do you? About them?" I couldn't help asking, the words coming out in a low rush. David stared at me for a moment, and I couldn't read the expression in his dark eyes. "I doubt it," he finally answered.

“Dave, he’s been trying to hide clues about vampires in those fishing books he always gives to Burt!”

"Really? Good thing Burt doesn’t read then…”

“Dave!”

“Relax, would you? I think Burt chewed him out pretty good last time. They haven't spoken much since — well, we both know when. I don't think he'd bring it up. He’s really enjoying having his friend back."

"Fine," I said, trying to sound indifferent.

I stayed in the front room after I carried the food out to Burt, pretending to watch the game while David spoke to me casually. I nodded every few moments when he paused, listening but not listening; I was watching for any sign that Artie was about to out Blaine and his family, trying to think of ways to stop him if he began.

“Kurt, these are really good!” Dave boasted.

“Oh hush—they’re just sandwiches…”

“Kurt’s just being modest,” Burt said, eyes still glued on the TV, “You should come over more often and see some of the other stuff he cooks.”

“That’d be great!” Dave agreed, his eyes focused on me as he said it.

It was a long night. I had a lot of homework that was going undone, but I was afraid to leave Artie alone with
Burt. Finally, the game ended.

"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?"

David asked as he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold.

"I'm not sure," I said honestly. “But I would love to see you again, though. It’d be great if we could have that catch up.”

Dave’s eyes trailed to the floor, “Somehow I don’t think I stand a chance seeing you again with Cullen around.”

I narrowed my eyes, "Blaine doesn’t dictate who my friends are," I pointed out, “And you shouldn’t assume he does so either.” I thought I might have caught a mumbled apology but I couldn’t be quite sure; Dave just nodded eyes still on the floor.

“I wasn’t talking about that. I was talking about my Dad. He probably won’t want me coming here anymore if you’re hanging around Cullen.”

“Oh.” I said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped so quickly. I feel like a hypocrite now telling you not to assume when that’s just what I did! Well, maybe Dad and I could come over to yours for the next game?”

“Yeah. Yeah, that sounds really good.”

“Just get the TV fixed. Or better –use it as an excuse to go shopping and get another one! Not that anyone would need an excuse to go shopping. Especially when they live in Washington State.”

He smiled at me. I think he meant to say something else but both our father’s were approaching now and I got the hint that it wasn’t anything he’d want to say in front of them.

"That was fun, Burt," Artie said.

"Come up for the next game," Burt encouraged, stopping to stand by the doorway as Artie wheeled himself over to the car. “Or if you don’t, we’re coming to yours!”

"Of course," Artie said. "We'll see each other soon either way. Have a good night." His eyes shifted to me standing by David a fair few meters from the door, and his smile disappeared. "Kurt," he added seriously. “A word please?
Dave, do you mind waiting in the car?”

“Aww Dad, if you’re gonna start about—”

“Car, David.”

Dave shot me an apologetic look and headed back silently to the driver’s seat. Artie glanced to where Burt was standing in the doorway but he didn’t seem to look like he was in any mind to interrupt the pending conversation.

“Does he know?” Artie whispered eyes still on Burt.

“Know what?” I asked innocently but Artie saw right through me shaking his head. He sighed, “Just—I’m not going to tell you to be careful because you’re a teenager and I know any phrase of advice is just going to fly right over your head right now. Also despite what I say, I know you’re going to do whatever you want. But, at the very least, think of your father, Kurt. He’s already lost Elizabeth. Do you honestly think he’d be able to stand losing you too?”

For the longest time I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I couldn’t believe Artie had played that angle.

“He’s going to be fine,” I said, my voice shaking but as soft and calm as I was able to make it given the circumstances. “And you know how I know that? Because he’s not going to lose me. That is never going to happen. Good night, Mr. Black.”

I turned and passed Burt by the door as he stood there waving as Dave reversed out. I wanted to bolt for my room but Burt’s voice stopped me. “What did Artie want?” he asked casually.

“Oh—you know. He just wanted to know about the truck. But then he realized what a great mechanic of a father I have and that there was just no point in asking!” I let out a small ‘ha!’ but it was faked and I was sure Burt would catch on. I tried to make another move for my room but was stopped again. "Wait, Kurt," he said. I cringed. Had Artie managed to slip something in before I’d had a chance to join them in the living room?

But Burt was relaxed, still grinning from the unexpected visit. "We haven’t had much of a chance to talk one on one. And you know how important that is to me so… tell me. How was your day? How’s school?"

"Good." I hesitated with one foot on the first stair, searching for details I could safely share. "My badminton team won all four games."

"You play badminton?" He had every right to sound surprised.

"Well, actually I can't, but Finn is really good," I admitted. “He offered to partner with me.”

To my delight, Burt nodded in the utmost admiration, “I’m really proud of you boys, you know. I know you only made the effort to get along for mine and Carole’s sake but now look at you both.” He paused looking down at the floor as he spoke, “And… speaking of Carole, I heard you’ve been calling her Mom.”

My eyes grew wide; I hadn’t even considered how he’d feel about it. “That’s okay with you, right?”

“Of course! Hey, as long as you’re only doing it because you feel comfortable about it. In the end it don’t matter what I think.”

“I am comfortable, Dad. I really love her, I think she’s great.”

He smiled at me. “Glad to hear it. Good thing you and Finn didn’t end up too friendly if you know what I mean.”

"Dad!" I groaned. "He's kind of dating my friend Rachel!

And we consider each other brothers!”

He smiled at me apologetically. "I’m only stirring! So… I guess it's good you'll be gone Saturday. I've made plans to go fishing with the guys down at the shop. Probably will get Artie to come out too now that the weather's supposed to be real warm. But if you and Blaine wanted to put your trip off to go to the dance, make sure to let me know. Carole will do my head in if she doesn’t get a photo.”

~.~

By the next morning, the tense evening with Artie seemed harmless enough now so I decided to forget it completely. I caught myself humming while fixing the last out of place hair with my hairspray can. Burt noticed. "You're cheerful this morning," he commented over breakfast. “And no cans of hairspray at the table.”

I shrugged. "Of course I’m cheerful. It's Friday." I hurried so I wouldn’t have to make Blaine wait. I had my satchel ready, shoes on, teeth brushed, but even though I rushed to the door in record time, Blaine was faster.

Though I was early, he was already waiting in his shiny car, windows down, engine off.

“Looks like your ride is here,” Burt chuckled, “Tell him to come in and say hi next time!”

I quickly grabbed a bagel off the counter before waving bye to Burt and confidently climbing in the passenger side quickly, eager to see Blaine. He grinned at me, stopping my breath and my heart as he kissed me earnestly by way of morning greeting.

“So, I was thinking since we were early, we might go someplace private and talk. That is of course, if that is okay with you?”

“Of course,” I said softly, “That is more than okay, actually. Do you have any idea where we could go?”

He nodded, “There’s a park just off the main road that
leads to the school. We’ll find parking easily with the Volvo.”

I must have been getting used to the car because when the engine stopped, I hadn’t even realized until Blaine had placed his arm around me and we started talking. He wanted to know about people today: more about Elizabeth, her hobbies, what we'd done in our free time together. And then the one grandmother I'd known, my few old school friends — embarrassing me when he asked about boys I'd dated. I'd never really dated anyone, so that particular conversation couldn't last long. He seemed as surprised as Rachel and Tina by my lack of romantic history.

"So you never met anyone you wanted?" he asked in a serious tone that made me wonder what he was thinking about.

I was grudgingly honest. "Not in Lima. I was the only gay kid at that school or at least the only out gay kid. I had a few unrequited crushes but they were—stupidly—on straight men."

His lips pressed together into a cheeky smile. “Well, I’m not sure how stupid that was. A lot of straight men here are crushing on you.”

His comment caught me by surprise. “Really? How is that possible?”

He looked surprised, “You don’t know? Uh, let’s see… I think the fact that you’re very attractive might have something to do with it. You’re so confident with who you are that some guys have had to question themselves… And you somehow manage to pull off looking unbelievably sexy in a wardrobe that doesn’t allow you to do very much with it.”

“Well, I do always manage to always look good,” I sighed smiling into his embrace. I didn’t for one second think he was being shallow – maybe a little flirtatious – but if anything, I had learnt that Blaine was genuine. His arm around me suddenly relaxed. “Join me in the back seat?” he asked.

“Um s-sure,” I stammered embarrassing myself no doubt. I had just enough room in the back seat to lay my head on Blaine’s lap. I had to prop my knees up though but I was less concerned about that and more inclined towards mentally congratulating myself for packing an extra can of hairspray in my satchel as Blaine was currently playing with my hair. Normally I wouldn’t have been comfortable with it but the way his cool fingers ran through the strands on my head was unexpectedly calming.

“So uh… w-who else is thinking about me?” I whispered, speaking my curious thoughts out loud.

Blaine didn’t hesitate, “Colin Murphy, the senior. And I’m pretty sure he has a girlfriend. Also that guy Josh Comen who reckons it’s his duty to straighten out lesbians. I have it on good authority he’s been picturing you in the school showers. He’s been wondering if you’d be any better than Stacey Keaton at giving blowjobs.”

“Is that so?” I asked grinning. I had to admit it was rather complimenting knowing all of this even though the information wasn’t going to change anything. “And what about that Cullen kid—Blaine I think his name is—he wouldn’t happen to be thinking of me also, would he?”

“Oh that guy!” Blaine smiled, playing along. “Yes, he definitely likes to think about you too. But it’s what he has dreams about that is a lot more interesting.”

“I see,” I finally managed to choke out, "Can I ask what his dreams are about?”

"No." He grinned. "I was rather hoping I could show you."

I sat up slowly and turned around to face him; I must have misunderstood. Or had I not heard correctly? Were my hormones that crazy that they were creating something unrealistically tangible out of my overreacting imagination to satisfy my craving for Blaine?

But I wasn’t going to have cut the crazy. Because Blaine was being serious. When he saw my face though, he seemed to be embarrassed himself, immediately reaching for the back of his neck and smiling awkwardly as he looked at the floor of his car.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “Was that a little too forward?”

And that was all it took. Now that I knew that I hadn’t just imagined him saying what he did, my confidence raised to an extremely new all time height. “Not at all,” I whispered shifting over even closer to him and reaching for his thigh, massaging the leg muscle gently with my hand. I breathed down his neck then tilted my head up so my still whispered voice could directly reach his ear. “So what exactly did this dream consist of?”

Blaine’s grin was back as he rubbed his nose against mine quickly brushing our lips together before gently placing his hand around my waist so he could pull me closer to him. “We were in the backseat of my car, quite like this only—I had you right under me and… you were wearing a lot less clothes.”

“Well then, if you want that vision to come true, you’re going to need my help, you see. I’m wearing a lot more layers then you’d think.” I slowly fell backwards allowing him to gently place my back against the seat of the Volvo as I began taking off the top part of my clothes.

Blaine was shorter than me so he didn’t take up as much room in the car as I did but my being taller meant that I ended up with my legs stuck up at an odd ninety degree angle, my knees bent so my feet could rest against just the end of the car. The unplanned position though allowed no room between his hard-on and my jeans which meant I could feel his length pressing into me. I wasn’t complaining. And I guess that was the reason I couldn’t control the gasp that escaped my lips as I felt him press up on me a second time.

“Let me help you with that last shirt of yours, Mr. Swan.”

Blaine said skillfully reaching for my buttons and undoing them the second I had nodded my head in consent. His eyes grew wide as he saw my chest and I’m sure if he could blush he would have been. It was like he had never seen a half naked man before. He traced the contours of my chest muscles as if he wanted to memorize every last bit of my upper body and I couldn’t help but giggle. He noticed my amusement immediately.

“Forgive me,” he said still tracing his fingers all over my chest, “It’s been over a century and while I’ve done my fair share of research, nothing could have prepared me for how beautiful you are.”

I couldn’t help it – I actually snorted. His eyes narrowed, “Don’t mock me! I’m being serious. Even in my dreams, dreams which have allowed me of late to rest a lot more easily, I did not imagine such perfection. And I must also seek your forgiveness for my amateurish ways. I don’t exactly know what I’m doing.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him, “You’re doing fine. I mean my jeans are causing a little called for hurting but this modestly reconstructed scene here widely resembles the dreams I have – except in mine you were also wearing a lot less clothes.”

He laughed and pulled his shirt over his head in less than three seconds. Though it was still early in the morning, the clouds had darkened the sky and his crafted muscular abs seemed to glow in the car. I couldn’t help but stare. My male swimsuit model catalogues certainly were nothing compared to him.

At this point I was starting to grow incredibly uncomfortable and Blaine seemed to notice the strain I was facing because he stared down at the silver buckle and played with it teasingly. “Here, let me help with you that too…”

With just the right amount of aptitude, Blaine managed to withdraw my belt so it hung loose by the sides of my jeans. He then slowly, and excruciatingly, pulled the zipper down and I was forced to moan again as I felt the friction from the fastener against my erection. I lifted my waist just high enough so that Blaine had the right amount of space to pull my jeans down to my knees and expose my underwear, the lust obvious in his darkened eyes.

“Tell me if I’m going too fast,” he said his voice pained as if he was mentally cursing himself for not telling me this earlier.

“You’re not,” I reassured him again, “If we’re being honest here, I don’t exactly know what I’m doing either.

All I know is… I don’t want you to stop.”

“Then is this okay?” he asked, rubbing my hard-on through my underwear with his wrist.

“Mmhmm,” I said my eyes closed, allowing everything else to just disappear so I could feel.

“And this?” he asked again, this time placing his hand under my waistband and stroking my cock almost too dexterously as he moved his palm up and down. I groaned loudly.

“Blaine!” I was squirming under his touch now. “God—yes!”

His hand was so cool and my penis was warm and hard from being erect but the cool-on-warm contact was actually more pleasurable then I could have ever imagined. He rubbed his thumb over the slit of my cock and it felt so good that I cried out loud. I could have sworn the birds in the park heard me as they flew over us at the sound of my voice but I couldn’t have cared less.

Blaine seemed to read my movements because I knew he couldn’t read my thoughts and when I all but sat up, my
hands reaching for his face, he allowed me to grab him as

I crushed my lips against his allowing him to continue the expert way he handled me, running my hands through his hair, kissing him feverishly as I moved my way past his mouth and started sucking into his neck.

“You’re so good at that,” he told me, “see, I have to be so careful with your neck. It’s the point where the desire to devour you becomes almost animalistic. If I were to ever lose control around you, I’d never forgive myself. I almost did once and I—”

I shook my head, “No,” I interrupted him, “You’d. Never.”

Between the kisses, between the facts that our tongues were shoved down each other’s throats, I managed to get a few more words out. “Oh! Blaine I—Oh! Please? I want… want…”

“What do you want, beautiful? I’d give you the stars and moon if I could.” He moved his hand faster as he spoke.

“Ohhh! GOD! Shit, no. I mean. Fuck. I just want to… I just want to.”

What I wanted to do was make him feel just as good as he was making me feel. But I couldn’t get the words out; I had lost all control over my senses. So instead I decided to do what Blaine seemed to have the right idea about. I decided to show him.

I reached for the erection obvious in his pants but I didn’t work as slow as he did. I didn’t have vampire speed but I had a whole heap of raging teenage male hormones and damn if they didn’t work just as fast. Blaine’s belt was already undone and I had my hand already in there, desperate to make him also just… feel.

I heard him moan and God, if it wasn’t the sexiest sound I had ever heard. He pushed his head back as far away from my neck as possible exposing his own neck and I wanted to reach out and suck on it again but with the way his hand was moving, I was really starting to worry that I might mess up his very expensive car…

“Blaine, you have to stop, I’m going to—”

But he took care of that in an instant and I was forced to let go of his cock as he pushed me onto the back seat of his car again and without warning swallowed me whole. I wasn’t expecting it. He hadn’t prepared me for it, hadn’t led up to it and so, before I knew it was happening, I was coming down his throat, my forehead etched in sweat, my fingers marking his back in a lot less harmful way then they would if he were human.

“Blaine!” I said as he took in every last drop, climbing on top of me as I lay under him naked and panting. And then I couldn’t manage to get another word out, desperate as I was to get my breath back.
It was a few minutes before he spoke, “I don’t think there’s been a rhythm quite more beautiful than the beat of your heart.”

I held him impossibly tighter sighing in content until I realized, “Oh shit! Blaine! I’m so sorry… Did you need me to er… help you out?”

He chuckled, “As sexy as that sounds, I’ll survive. I’m afraid it’s time we left.”

It’s funny how I seemingly forgot about real life whenever I was with Blaine but now that I had been brought back to Earth I began to worry. I knew we had left my house early but –

“Are we going to be on time for school? Or am I going to need a blindfold the entire journey because of your ridiculous compulsion to speed?” He was already doing up his pants and climbing into the front seat as I hastily scrambled to put my clothes back on again.

“That depends…” he said, “Do you promise not to look at the speedometer whilst I’m driving?”

“Blaine!”

“Kurt! Please let me speed a little or we will not make it in time for school.”

I sighed but I wasn’t giving in. “And by ‘a little,’ exactly how many miles per hour are we talking about?”

He didn’t answer my question as he started the engine. As he reversed out he smiled saying, “Maybe a blindfold on you isn’t such a bad idea…”