Chapter 3

(BLAINE'S POV)

"Rachel, why didn't you tell me you invited Finn to move in?!" I yell.

"I figured you wouldn't mind!"

"There's barely enough space as it is!"

"Is that why you're always hiding out in your studio?" Rachel says with a smirk.

"I'm not 'hiding out,' I'm a teacher. I have to choreograph routines and Lord knows there's no room here for that! Which is why I don't understand how adding another person- someone who very well may be classified as a giant- would be a good idea."

"We've been together for so long, Blaine. And Finn doesn't have to work so hard at his step-dad's shop anymore, they've hired so many more people. We just figured, the time is now. We want to be together."

I sigh, not knowing how to respond to that. So instead I ask about something that I've just never quite understood.

"Why have you guys waited so long, anyways? Doesn't Finn have a brother or something? Why hasn't he been running Burt's shop?"

"He has a stepbrother. But Burt doesn't trust him with anything."

There's a pause.

"... Why not?"

Rachel's face smooths over, as thought she's never thought about it before.

"Hm. You know, Finn's never really said."

I frown in thought, studying Rachel's expression. She looks twitchy and nervous. A feeling of dread washes over me as I wait for her to continue.

"Um... Speaking of Finn's brother... I invited him as well."

My jaw drops. Is she insane?

I voice my thought.

"No." Rachel defends herself. "I just... I feel bad. From what Finn's told me, Kurt has never really had any friends besides him. I figured it would be kinda cruel to leave him alone in Ohio."

"Why doesn't he have any friends? You're making him sound kind of creepy..."

A stepbrother who has no friends and who's own father doesn't even trust him? I do not like the sound of that.

"He's not creepy, he's just... Socially awkward." Rachel's mouth twists a little.

"Hm." I think for a moment. Delicately, I ask, "Does he have something? Some kind of condition?"

"I'm pretty sure he doesn't."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

"I just- I don't know how I feel about this. I've never even met him. And I don't really know Finn for that matter..."

"Well I've met his brother once or twice on holidays, when he used to show up. And I used to pass by him sometimes in the halls at McKinley. He was pretty cute, Blaine."

"Cute... and gay?" My eyebrows furrow. Is that what she's getting at? 'Cause that was a horrible lead up...

Rachel frowns in sympathy.

"No. Just cute."

Every time.

"Damn." I say with a straight face.

Rachel cracks a smile, and we both chuckle a bit.

"So... What do you say?" She asks seriously.

I pause for a moment to keep her in suspense. But she's looking at me with these bright, hopeful eyes and I just can't tell her that her boyfriend ("The love of my life!") can't move in with us.

"Okay, fine, fine. As long as I'm not the one who has to move out when you realize how cramped it's gonna get in here." I sigh with a defeated grin. Rachel claps her hands and smiles so wide it nearly splits her face in half. "What's Finn's brother's name? When are they moving in?" I ask.

"His name is Kurt. And we're supposed to pick them up from the airport in..." Rachel pushes up her sleeve and squints at her wristwatch. "A few hours."

"Rachel!" I look around the apartment frantically. "There's no time to prepare now!"

"Sorry! I just didn't know how to tell you they were coming!"

"So you just waited until the day of? What if I had said 'no'?"

"Ah, but I knew you wouldn't say 'no.' At least, not in the end."

My eyes narrow.

"I'm not a pushover, Rachel."

She puts her hands up in a defensive gesture.

"I'm not saying you are. I just know that you're sweet. And kind. And generous, and handsome-"

"Alright, now you're just pushing it." I work very hard to restrain the smile that's trying to break free- and fail miserably.

She laughs at me.

"I'm really happy for you guys. Are you excited?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

Rachel scrunches her face up in giddy enthusiasm.

"So excited!"

Now it's my turn to laugh at (and with) her.

"That's great! I'm gonna walk to the studio-- I got a class in half an hour. Can you pick me up before you head over to the airport?" I question.

"Sure. I'll clean this place up a little and text you when I'm about to leave the apartment... Around 5:30?"

"Cool, thanks." I say, picking my bag up off the floor, and heading outside. I need to clear my head before I meet the new arrivals.

"Alright guys, once more from the top!" I announce, pushing 'play' on the stereo. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight..." I chant, dancing at the front of the room. After a few bars, I stop and begin walking between rows. "Amy, point your toes, you keep forgetting." I gesture at her feet as I pass by. "Marcus, loosen up- your moves are a bit stiff..." I walk around the room and make corrections on autopilot.

Eventually, I make my way back to the front of the room. I attempt to smooth my hair down but the sweat just makes the gel watery so I remove my hands to prevent it from dripping.

Not bad, not bad... I think to myself as I watch my class, smiling a little. Some of my students have come a long way.

Soon enough, the song is over.

"Remember to hold your positions at the end- don't just relax immediately. It makes it look better. Plus, you get to bask in the applause for a few moments..." I wink. "The show is in a couple months and I want it to be perfect."

Everyone's eyes light up at the mention of the impending recital.

I take out my phone and check the time.

"Oh, shit. I kept you guys late." I say, furrowing my eyebrows.

"What time is it?" Dulce asks.

"It's quarter after 5. Sorry, guys." Quite a few eyebrows raise and everyone disperses to gather their things and leave. "Practice the routine this weekend, alright?"

"Bye, Mr. Anderson!" "Have a good weekend, Sir!" "See you next week, Mr. A!"

The chorus of voices fills my ears as, one after another, each student heads out the door.

As soon as the studio is empty, I walk over to my bag and take out a small towel. I dry the sweat on my neck, swipe the towel across my forehead, and pat down my hair with it until I feel somewhat cleaner. I plop down onto the floor and slip on a pair of sneakers.

It's the middle of March and it's freezing outside. I'm really glad I put on my warmest sweatpants this morning...

I slip my arms into a thick hoodie and slide a beanie over my curls. I'm just picking up my bag again to head out when Rachel pokes her head inside the room.

"Hey, ready to go?" She asks, barely able to contain her excitement.

I nod.

"Relax, we'll see your man soon enough." I chuckle, shoving my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and following her out the door.

"I don't see them. How can I not see them? Finn would have to be the tallest one in here!" Rachel huffs.

"I'm not sure... It said they landed already." I tell her, pushing up onto my toes to see above the heads of the people in front of me, to no avail.

"Well how do we know where to find them?"

"How should I know? You're the one who flies back to Ohio every god forsaken holiday. Shouldn't you be an expert by now?" I ask. Rachel always travels back to Ohio for the holidays because Finn and both of their families are there- it's just easier. Meanwhile, my family, who live all over, - Cooper in California and my parents wherever work or vacation requires them to be- all congregate in our (empty without Rachel) New York apartment.

Plus, I'm terrified of flying. So there's that.

"Yeah, but I'm always the one arriving. I never pick up other people." Rachel frowns.

I appear to have the same problem.

"I feel really stupid right now. Has Finn tried to call you yet?"

"Oh! I didn't even think of that!" Rachel exclaims, whipping out her phone. My eyes narrow, because really? "Shit! He says they're at baggage claim already."

Rachel spins on her heel and heads in that direction, without waiting for me to follow her.

I run to catch up.

I guess they arrived early.

Soon Rachel's face erupts into a huge grin. I follow her line of sight and see Finn's face mirroring her expression. Rachel takes off running, and for a moment a imagine Road Runner's signature cloud of dust behind her. I smirk slightly at my own joke before I realize that that probably looks creepy, so I school my expression into one of excitement.

Rachel almost manages to mow Finn down (which is no small feat for someone of her petite size) as they embrace, ending it with a hard kiss. Once they part, I move to shake Finn's hand, slapping an arm around his back in a guy hug.

"Hey man, good to see you again." I smile. I've only seen him a handful of times over the years when he managed to visit Rachel for a short weekend every once in a while.

"Yeah, you too." Finn grins warmly back.

"Oh! And Kurt!" Rachel exclaims. It's only then that I notice the person standing slightly behind Finn, almost using him as a shield.

But, as I've come to learn over time, nothing can protect you from Rachel Berry.

She darts right behind Finn and squeezes the guy in a warm hug, one he is clearly not expecting. "Thanks for letting me tag along." He says quietly her.

"No need to thank me, you're Finn's brother! You're more than welcome to stay with us."

Kurt's face twitches a little unpleasantly at the sentiment, and my eyebrows furrow. I wonder what that's about...

He soon recovers, however, and smiles at her before stepping back. She turns back around to focus on Finn.

It's then that I get a good look at him. He's taller than me by a couple of inches, and lean, with chestnut hair than falls into his eyes, but he makes no move to push it away. He's wearing jeans and a thick, grey, zip-up jacket that looks a little too big. His whole body seems to be curled in on itself, his shoulders scrunched, his face closed off, and his mouth in a thin line. His whole demeanor seems cautious and a little awkward, quite frankly, like he doesn't know how he should hold himself.

So I make the first move, extending my arm and offering him a hand to shake. He looks me up and down. I can't quite tell from his expression whether he's judging me or sizing me up, but before I can start to feel a tad insulted, he reaches forward and clasps my hand, shaking it.

"Hey, my name's Blaine." I say.

"Kurt." He nods, looking away as soon we drop hands.

He can't quite make eye contact with anyone but Finn. He's looking around the room, eyes not resting on anything for more than a second, unsure of what to do.

"Are you ready to go? Did you guys get your bags?" Rachel asks Finn, who nods and gestures toward his carryon and his suitcases.

"We sold our furniture, but we're having to rest our stuff shipped over." Finn elaborates. "Only brought the essentials."

I look back at Kurt, who only has a single, small, rolling suitcase. I frown for a second but say nothing.

"You need help with that?" I ask, trying to be courteous.

He shakes his head looking almost offended.

"I can handle it." He says quietly.

I nod and grab one of Finn's. Finn, following my lead, takes hold of the other two, and the four of us head out to the parking complex.

We put all of the bags in the truck, and just as I'm walking back around the side of the car, Finn lays a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, dude? Do you mind if I sit shotgun? My legs don't really fit well in the backseat and we were just cramped in an airplane for a while-"

"Oh, yeah, of course." I nod. Man, I've never really thought about how annoying it must be for people who need extra leg room all the time just to be comfortable.

I look to the driver's seat but Rachel's already situated herself there, smiling once again at Finn.

I sigh and open the door to the backseat. I slide in smoothly and look over to see Kurt already there, mouth twisted apologetically.

"Sorry." He says.

"For what?" I question, tilting my head to the side. Is he sorry that I have to sit next to him or sorry on Finn's behalf...?

He shrugs his shoulders slightly and looks away.

He's so odd.

As we start driving away from the airport, Rachel turns on the radio. Kurt's head remains turned toward the window, so I just look at him for a little while.

He's pretty stiff, sitting ramrod straight with his hands folded in his lap. But after a minute he seems to check himself or something, his body drooping all of a sudden with his legs apart. After his knee starts bouncing for a few moments, he crosses his legs, but right as he's about to clasp his hand around them, he immediately drops the pose, moving into a slouch yet again.

I turn toward the front again, listening in to Rachel and Finn's conversation about New York for a minute before the song on the radio changes.

I can literally feel the energy shift in the car before Rachel exclaims, "Oh, this is our song!"

Finn turns the volume up a bit, and I can hear the beginning of Paradise by the Dashboard Light playing through the speakers.

I smile confusedly. "This is your song?"

Finn turns around in his seat to face me.

"Hell yeah! Rachel and I won Nationals with this!"

I notice a slight movement in the corner of my vision and turn to see that Kurt's back has gone rigid, his hands clenched in tight fists.

I look back at Finn and smile.

"Ugh! We should have won Regionals against you guys! That should have been us!"

"You were in show choir? What group?" Finn asks.

"Dalton Academy Warblers." I state proudly.

"Oh come on! You beat us at Regionals the year before. You guys had your chance."

I smile ruefully. Vocal Adrenaline had been tough that year. We'd gone home with third place.

"Dear God, Blaine and I have had this conversation a million times. He's still bitter." Rachel laughs.

"I have every right to be! I killed that number. It was unforgettable."

"Maybe if you guys had worked more as a team, instead of you taking the lead all the time-"

I huff, incredulous.

"Don't even start, Rachel Berry. You are the queen- no- the empress of hogging solos."

Finn nods his head in agreement. I give him a look.

From what I've heard from Rachel, he was nearly as bad.

Finn puts his hands up in surrender, and we laugh.

Rachel and Finn start singing along to the song in earnest. I am about to join in myself, but all of a sudden I feel a pair of eyes on me. I turn my head and find my suspicions confirmed.

I meet Kurt's gaze. I smile awkwardly him, to which he responds, "You're from Ohio?"

He's so quiet I can barely hear him over the music.

"What?"

"You said you guys competed at Regionals. You're from Ohio, then?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. I am. You are too." Why do I feel like such idiot?

'Cause you're being an idiot. Oh course he's knows he's from fucking Ohio.

Kurt smirks the tiniest bit and nods, breaking eye contact and facing forward.

Kurt absentmindedly reaches into his pocket and takes out a what appears to be a Halls cough drop. When he unwraps it, I can see that it's "mixed berry" flavored. He pops it into his mouth and stuffs the wrapper back into his pocket. For a few seconds I can't stop looking at how his cheeks hollow as he sucks on it. My eye widen when I realize I'm staring and I instantly turn away. I'm wearing sweatpants; ergo, if I get even the slightest bit aroused, everyone will be able to tell.

Don't be ridiculous. It's a fucking cough drop. He's probably sick or something.

Jesus Christ, I'm desperate.

He's straight. If we're going to be living together, everything will fall to shit if I scare the crap out of him before he even walks in the door.