To avoid looking too nervous about the night ahead, Blaine had taken to his bedroom. Jessie had been bobbing in and out, but at the moment he was alone and looking through pictures Wes had posted of their trip to Sectionals.

At the musical tones of the Skype ringer, Blaine jumped.

Smiling, Blaine answered the call, only to be greeted by an expanse of pale boyfriend chest.

“Uh… Kurt?” Blaine asked, glancing over at the door to make sure it was shut and there wasn’t a sneaky little sister standing there.

“Hey!” Kurt said, dipping down so that his face was visible.

“Put a shirt on before Jessie hears me talking to you and skips on over here to say hi.” Blaine said, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t help but notice that the hickey on Kurt’s chest was entirely gone.

“That’s actually why I called.” Kurt said, confusing Blaine.

“You called so I could tell you to put a shirt on?”

“No, I called so you could tell me which shirt to put on.” Kurt said, backing up. Quickly, two dress shirts swung into the picture.

“You said business casual, right?” Kurt asked, peeking out from over the shirts.

“Shirt, slacks and tie, yeah.” Blaine said, amused.

“Good. Now, do I do yellow with a dark blue tie or aqua with a yellow tie?” Kurt asked, shaking the shirts.

“Umm, I like the blue one with your eyes.” Blaine said, smiling a little bit. Okay, so he could be trite from time-to-time.

“Blaine, you’re not supposed to be looking at my eyes tonight, we’re supposed to look platonic.

“Do straight guys not look each other in the eye?” Blaine asked, and Kurt blushed. He had a good idea what he looked like when he and Blaine were looking each other in the eye.

“Really, Blaine, what color?”

“The aqua, really. If you want my opinion, which is always terrible.” Blaine said.

“Okay.” Kurt said, putting down the other shirt and sliding on the one Blaine had selected, leaving only one button undone at the collar. He picked up a pale yellow tie and tied it, flattening it down over his chest.

“There. You don’t think it’s too colorful, do you?” Kurt asked, spinning around.

“Kurt, just because gay people are represented by a rainbow doesn’t mean that straight guys only wear dull tones.”

“Yes, but I want to be convincing!” Kurt said, grimacing. Blaine smiled. “Don’t worry about it. If you overdo it, it’ll be just as bad.” Blaine reasoned. He heard his door open and quickly sat up to see Jessie stepping into his room.

“Are you talking to Kurt?” She asked in a stage whisper. Blaine nodded and gestured for her to join him.

“Kurt, your biggest fan is here.” Blaine said, laying back down as Jessie basically climbed on his back, her chin on his shoulder.

“Hi, Kurt!” Jessie said, smiling at at the camera. He could see that she had lost a tooth since he had last seen her.

“Jessie! How are you, dear?” Kurt asked, sitting down in front of the camera.

“I’m good. I hear you’re coming over tonight for dinner.”

“Yup. I was actually just having your brother tell me if this shirt is normal enough to wear tonight.”

“Why are you asking Blaine about clothes?” Jessie asked, scrunching up her nose. Both boys laughed.

“That’s a good question. What do you think, is this a good thing to wear tonight?” Kurt asked, gesturing at the shirt and tie. Jessie thought for a second, her face scrunching up as she thought.

“I like your fancy clothes better.” Jessie admitted.

“So do I.” Kurt and Blaine said at the same time, and they both gave little laughs, though the tone fell a little bit.

“Are you wearing that because our dad won’t like your normal clothes?” Jessie asked, and Kurt nodded. “I’m sorry. I wish my dad weren’t so mean.”

“I wish so, too, but not for my clothes. I’ll survive in something plebian for a night.” Kurt said with a small smile.

“What?” Jessie asked, cocking her head. Both boys laughed again.

“It means Kurt is making a huge sacrifice tonight.”

“That’s exactly not what I said, Blaine Anderson.” Kurt said, laughing.

“You two are weird.” Jessie said, giggling.

“Well then you’ll be glad to pretend not to know me for a night.” Kurt joked.

“No I won’t.” She said, wrapping her arms around her brother’s neck. “I’ll hate it.”

“Well I bet you’re going to be a fabulous actress.” Kurt said, and Jessie smiled.

“Jessica Anderson, come pick up these stuffed animals!” Blaine heard his mother yell, and nudged her.

“Go, so she doesn’t come up here.”

“Fine. See you tonight, Kurt!” She said, purposely digging her elbow into Blaine’s back as she got off the bed.

“See you tonight, Jessie!” He said, waving. Jessie poked her head back in view of the camera and blew him a kiss before running away. “Have I told you how much I adore your little sister?”

“She’s an angel. Even when she hurts.” Blaine said, reaching around and rubbing his back as best he could.

“Well, I better let you go. I’ll see you tonight. I love you.” Kurt said, swallowing hard and subconsciously putting his fingers on his computer screen.

“I love you, too.”

“So let me get this straight, you’re going over there in clothes you’d never wear, to meet his parents and act like you two aren’t dating?” Burt asked, his voice raised. Kurt looked down at the ground, trying to avert his father’s eyes. He had avoided telling Burt what was going on for specifically this reason, but his father had caught him on his way through the living room and was questioning Kurt’s clothing.

“Dad, we have to.” Kurt said, looking up. “Blaine doesn’t like this any more than I do.”

“I know he doesn’t, but that doesn’t make me any less frustrated with this. I don’t want my son having to pretend he’s anything else than he is for anybody, and that includes his boyfriend’s parents.”

“I know, Dad. But I can do this for Blaine. I have to do this for Blaine. This is what he has to deal with all the time whenever he’s home.” Kurt said, looking directly into his father’s eyes. Burt sighed, looking down.

“I’m still making this clear that I don’t like this. I’ve offered to talk to Blaine’s father before. If anything happens tonight, I will talk to his father whether Blaine wants me to or not. I know it’s past the point where you can stay uninvolved, but I don’t like you not being you for anybody.”

“I know that, Dad. Just let me do this for Blaine.” Kurt said beseechingly.

“Okay. But, Kurt, don’t hide yourself too much.”

“I won’t. Thanks, Dad.” Kurt said, trying to smile at his father.

“Go on, don’t want to be late meeting his parents.” Burt said, shooing him out of the living room with his arm.

“Dad?”

“Yeah, Kurt?”

“I love you.” Kurt said, trying to portray his absolute gratitude and appreciation for Burt as his father.

Burt walked over to him and enveloped him in a tight hug.

“Love you, too, Kid.”

Kurt knocked on the Andersons’ door at exactly 6:59, having been invited to come at seven in time for dinner at 7:30. He felt incredibly stupid standing in his typical high school boy dress clothes in the lingering daylight, but when the door opened he realized that Blaine hadn’t been exaggerating about the dress code.

Because the woman in front of Kurt was wearing a very pretty red shift dress that in all honestly was probably a bit too young for her and very high heels that were probably too high for her. She herself wasn’t quite as old as Kurt had expected, however. His own mother, like most of the McKinley mothers, would have been nearly approaching fifty by now, but this woman only looked ten years younger.

But she was definitely Blaine’s mother. She had the same olive skin, plump lips and arched eyebrows (though hers were tamed to just the top of those arches) as her son, and she had the straight hair Jessie envied.

She was a beautiful lady, Kurt had to admit. But she had very little of that accompanying warmth usually associated with those who held the title “mother.”

“Mrs. Anderson?” Kurt asked, smiling at the woman. Even though she was a step up from him, they were at the same height. Apparently she had influence over Blaine’s height as well.

“You must be Blaine’s friend.” She said, stepping back and opening the door wider for him to come inside.

“Yes, Mrs. Anderson, my name’s Kurt Hummel.” He said, awkwardly extending his hand to her. She grasped it and released it in a gesture that simultaneously refrained from being rude but also declined such a manly gesture as shaking hands. Kurt was impressed, and terrified.

“Welcome to our home, Kurt. Blaine! Your friend is here.” She called, walking back into the living room.

“Your house is very beautiful, Mrs. Anderson.” Kurt said, pretending to look at all the features as though he hadn’t stood here observing before.

“Thank you.” She said, and was saved from making more conversation Blaine entering, his hair holding more gel than Kurt had ever seen it. Jessie followed closely behind.

“Hi, Kurt.” Blaine said, a nervous energy behind his eyes as he very obviously tried to keep his voice steady, like one would speak to a friend. Blaine swallowed after he said Kurt’s name, hoping he was being discreet. He had always felt like his feelings about his boyfriend were particularly evident whenever he spoke his name; that soft caress of intonation on his voice had to be obvious to everyone.

“Hi, Blaine.” Kurt said, obviously trying to constrain the same sort of feeling. Jessie elbowed Blaine in the side.

“Kurt, this is my little sister Jessie.” Blaine said, wincing in pain, wishing his mother would just get back to what she was doing instead of standing by them all.

“Hi, Jessie.” Kurt said, bending over. He hesitated, worrying. Did straight guys bend over to talk to children?

“Hi, Kurt.” Jessie said, skipping over to him. “Would you like to see my dolls?” She asked, wrapping her hand around his wrist. Kurt looked up at Blaine and then back to Jessie. There was a certain look in her eye that told him that he better follow.

“Jessica, leave your brother’s friend alone.” Mrs. Anderson said, walking back into the living room.

“It’s alright. Sure, Jessie.” Kurt said, and Jessie grinned widely and turned around quickly, jerking Kurt’s arm in the process.

“You too, Blaine.” She said, taking his wrist in her other hand and leading them hurriedly up the stairs.

Jessie led them into a room parallel to Blaine’s on the second floor. The walls were painted a very light lavender, and shelves of porcelain dolls lined one wall while shelves of little league sports trophies lined another. Unlike Blaine’s room, Jessie’s room was very much lived in.

“There. Now they can’t hear us if we’re quiet.” Jessie said, letting them go and closing her door before running and leaping into Kurt’s arms. Luckily, he was ready. “Hi, Kurt!” She said, giggling.

“Hi, Jessie.” Kurt said, lifting her up into the hug before putting her back on her feet again.

“Close your eyes so I can say hi, too.” Blaine said with a smile, and Jessie stuck out her tongue but clapped her hands over her eyes.

“Hi.” Blaine said, stepping in and kissing him softly. He took Kurt’s hand in one of his and tapped Jessie on the head with his other.

“You can come out now, we’re done.”

“Good.”

Kurt couldn’t help but realize that Jessie had the most devilish grin on his face he could imagine. He turned to Blaine.

“This is so much easier. Can we just stay up here the entire time? Your mother is frightening.”

“I hate to tell you, but she’s going to be the easy one.” Blaine said, running a hand through his hair. Kurt quickly swatted Blaine’s hand away, smoothing his hair back out with his fingers.

“You two look like monkeys.” Jessie said, giggling. The boys couldn’t help but giggle, too.

“I feel like one.” Kurt said, smoothing out the last of Blaine’s hair. “I feel like this is just one big monkey circus, and I’m going to wake up and it will have all been a dream and I won’t own this shirt anymore.”

“I told you he’s making a big sacrifice.” Blaine said to Jessie, who giggled again.

“Only for you.” Kurt said, grinning. Blaine squeezed his hand. “Okay, game plan. Where should I sit at dinner?”

“Umm… next to me?” Blaine answered.

“I’m overthinking things, aren’t I?” Kurt asked, scratching the back of his head.

“No more than I am. I’m about to jump out of my skin at every second. Do you realize how many shirts I went through to make sure that I could find something that didn’t coordinate at all with yours? So I chose red, with a black tie. And then I realized that those are McKinley colors, so I changed again even after my mother saw me, to this, and I realized that I probably look like I’m nervous about seeing you, so I stayed in this even though it’s green and it kind of goes with what you’re wearing and…”

“Blaine!” Kurt said, reaching up and taking Blaine’s face in his hands, effectively stopping him. Blaine sighed and stared into his eyes.

“Jessie, you wanna close your eyes again so I can calm your brother down?” Kurt asked, and the girl quickly clapped her hands back over her eyes. Kurt chuckled and gently leaned in and kissed Blaine.

“We’ve got this, okay?” Kurt whispered, giving Blaine a small smile. “We’re overreacting, and everything’s going to be fine.” He started to lean in again, but Blaine blocked him by turning his head and looking at his sister.

Who was clearly peaking between her fingers.

“I told you to close your eyes, Jessie!” Kurt said, laughing. Jessie blushed.

“You were talking, I thought that meant you were done!”

“That’s not how it works.” Blaine said, covering Jessie’s eyes with his hand and leaning back in to kiss Kurt again. Releasing them both, he looked into his boyfriend’s eyes.

“I think we’ve exhausted the amount of time we could reasonably be looking at Jessie’s dolls.” Blaine said, grimacing.

“I get another hug though.” Jessie said, and Kurt grinned and opened his arms for her, scooping her into another hug. After hugging her, Kurt stood up and looked at Blaine.

“Here we go.” He said, looking at Blaine. The older boy took his hand and gave it a squeeze before looking at the door and realizing that he needed to drop it. With mutual sadness, the two let their hands go, starting for the door.

As they went downstairs, Kurt spotted a new figure sitting in an armchair by the fireplace. He had greying hair in a buzz cut and paler skin than the others of the household.

“Kurt, this is my father. Dad, Kurt Hummel.” Blaine said as they reached the bottom of the stairs, standing out of the way. Mr. Anderson stood up and walked toward them, and Kurt tried his very hardest to keep his cool. As he drew closer, Kurt noticed that Mr. Anderson had the same hazel eyes as his children and was close to his own height.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson.” Kurt said, holding out his hand. Mr. Anderson stuck his hand out and shook Kurt’s hand, but gave him a puzzled expression.

“Something wrong with your voice?” He asked gruffly.

“Um, no, Sir…” Kurt said, looking down and trying his hardest not to glance at Blaine.

“Oh. So what school do you go to, Kurt? Blaine said you used to be a Dalton boy.”

“McKinley High, sir.”

“You play any sports?” Mr. Anderson asked. Kurt’s mind reeled, and it took him a second to get it away from his cheerleading uniform.

“I played kicker on the football team my sophomore year.” He said, and Mr. Anderson nodded.

“Blaine here was a wide receiver until he went to Dalton and decided he’d rather sing and do debate.” Mr. Anderson whacked Blaine on the arm, and Blaine winced from the force. “The singing thing is supposed to be pretty good, what’s it called again? Wibblers?”

“Warblers.” They both corrected at once, and Kurt suddenly realized that he probably should have kept his mouth shut.

“That’s it. Were you one of them?” Mr. Anderson asked.

“Yes, sir.” Kurt said. “Well, in time for the Sectionals performance, at least.”

“Ah, that’s that one when I was in Detroit. Awful town. Weren’t you supposed to have a dual or something there?” He asked Blaine.

“It was a duet, Dad. And it was with Kurt.” Blaine said exasperatedly.

“Oh.” Mr. Anderson said, nodding. “Right. Well, Isabel and the maid should have dinner ready soon. Isabel?”

“Yes, Brian, it’s almost ready.” Mrs. Anderson said, coming back into the living room. “You can all come in and start sitting down, if you like.” Mrs. Anderson said, gesturing to the dining room. Jessie was the first to walk in, and Mr. Anderson went second, followed by the boys who were shooting each other frightened looks.

“Kurt, will you take a salad?” Mrs. Anderson asked, and Kurt nodded. She handed him a bowl and took one for herself, as it appeared that Jessie and Mr. Anderson shared Blaine’s distaste for greens. The maid continued bringing in food for a few more minutes, and when she melted into the background Mrs. Anderson gestured for everyone to eat.

Kurt took a bite of his salad and looked up to Mrs. Anderson at the end of the table closest to him.

“This salad is delicious, Mrs. Anderson. I really like the berries with this dressing.” He said, smiling.

“Thank you, Kurt. The maid made it, I’m not much of a cook” She said, and Kurt smiled awkwardly and returned to his food, glancing over at Blaine next to him, and his father on the far end of the table looking less than thrilled.

“Kurt, it just occurred to me.” Mr. Anderson said, and Kurt looked up, his blood chilling. “You said you were on the McKinley team your sophomore year. Was that the year they won a game for the first time in a long time?” He asked. Kurt nodded.

“And you were the kicker.” He said. Kurt didn’t like where his tone was going.

“Yes, sir.” Kurt said, fidgeting his leg around under the table.

“I read a story about that game. Didn’t the team dance to some fag song?”

“Daddy, Mrs. Melost said that’s not a nice word.” Jessie said, putting her fork down from her chicken and looking up at her father. He waved her down with one hand.

“Uh, well, we danced to ‘Single Ladies’ to distract the other team.” Kurt said, blushing. Blaine tried his hardest not to laugh, but he couldn’t help but snort, glancing up at Kurt. He blushed.

“What sort of fag comes up with an idea like that? Dancing on the football field. Disgraceful.” Mr. Anderson said, mostly to himself. Kurt raised his eyebrows and smirked, and Blaine had to try even harder not to laugh.

“Daddy! That’s not a nice word!”

“Jessica, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m a grown man and will say what I please in my own house?” Mr. Anderson snapped, drawing Kurt and Blaine out of their amusement.

“Yes, but we have company, and you should be polite.” Jessie said, looking square into her fathers’ eyes. Kurt’s mouth fell open a little bit watching her.

“Jessica, stop talking back.” Mrs. Anderson said, her eyes on her plate.

“Mr. Anderson, it was quite effective, if you’ll recall the story.” Kurt said, trying to draw the attention away from Jessie before she got in trouble.

“Effective? You know what’s effective? Playing the game and not messing around. There’s a difference between football and choir, and there’s a reason most choir kids aren’t cut out for the game.” Mr. Anderson said. Kurt frowned.

“Kurt, where are you planning on going to college?” Mrs. Anderson asked in an obvious attempt to change the topic and clear the air.

“NYU.” Kurt answered, smiling. He couldn’t help but notice Mr. Anderson’s look of contempt.

“Blaine’s hoping to go to Yale for law.” Mrs. Anderson said, her smile positively frightening. Kurt couldn’t help but notice Blaine stab his chicken particularly venomously. “What do you plan to study?”

Kurt glanced over at Blaine and then back to his mother, feeling rather caught.

“Fashion design.” He said, trying his hardest to hold his smile.

Mr. Anderson laughed.

Kurt looked down at his plate as Mr. Anderson’s laughter hung in the air and no one around the table said a word. Kurt felt like he wanted to hide, to never be seen again. Obviously, the Andersons had figured out that he was gay. He had failed Blaine.

Blaine put his foot next to Kurt’s so that their shoes touched. It wasn’t much, but it was the only thing keeping him from crying.

The rest of dinner passed mostly quietly. As soon as they had all finished, Kurt excused himself to go home. No one protested. With one sad smile to Blaine and Jessie, he left.

From his living room, Blaine could hear Kurt’s Escalade pulling out of the driveway. He listened to tires crinkling over the cement and looked straight ahead at his father’s television, though Sean Hannity’s face on the television made him want to turn away in disgust. Not that there was anything he wasn’t disgusted with at the moment.

He had seen that look in Kurt’s eyes and hadn’t been able to do anything about it.

“So I guess that really is a fag school you go to.” Mr. Anderson’s voice cut through the uncomfortable silence between them, only broken by Hannity’s ravings about an abortion practitioner. “Nice to know there are some worse than what you turned out to be, though. That little nansy-boy, does he even have a father? Or was he raised by women like most of those prissy gays?”

“Kurt’s mother died when he was little and his father has raised him ever since.” Blaine bit out, not looking at his father.

“Some hell of a father, then, raising a gay.”

“Yeah, well, you did, too.” Blaine heard himself saying before he could stop himself. He was furious about hearing his father call Kurt names, declaring Mr. Hummel an inadequate father. Burt Hummel was twice the father Brian Anderson was.

“Oh, clever. Well at least I didn’t raise a pussy bitch of a son like that one.” Mr. Anderson muttered. Blaine’s face snapped away from the television and he glowered at his father.

“Don’t talk about Kurt that way.” Blaine ordered in a bossy tone he had never used with his father before. Mr. Anderson’s eyes squinted.

“Just because your little gay boyfr-“ something in Mr. Anderson’s mind clicked as he looked at Blaine’s reaction to his words, and his face grew red with fury.

Blaine could feel his body dragging him away from his father instinctively, and Blaine was suddenly standing, though his father still held the power in the room from his seat in his chair.

“Get out of my fucking house.” He almost growled, and Blaine backed into a wall, not sure whether he should run for his room, the door or stand his ground.

“I SAID OUT!” His father yelled, taking down the footrest of his chair in a crash. Blaine’s mother walked into the room between Blaine and Brian, her face worried but attempting to look oblivious.

“What’s going on in here?” Isabel asked, looking sharply at Blaine.“Our fag son is in a fag’s relationship with that gay he brought over here tonight, trying to pass off bringing his gayness under my roof as ‘just being friends.’” Brian barked. Isabel looked over at Blaine, a worried look on her face, silently pleading for him to deny the claim.

“Is this true, Blaine?” She asked, her voice low and musical in her attempt to be soothing.

“Kurt and I are dating, if that’s what you’re asking.” Blaine said flatly. He watched his mother’s eyes drift upward and felt his stomach sink as he realized she was praying.

“Now he fucking admits it, after tainting my house with this shit. OUT! I won’t stand for it!” Mr. Anderson said, standing up. Isabel rushed in his direction.

“Calm down, Brian! He’s just a boy! It’s just a phase!” She said, making Blaine’s heart sink with his stomach.

“He’s acting on it, Isabel!” Mr. Anderson yelled in his wife’s face.

“Blaine, go to your room.” Mrs. Anderson turned and commanded before turning back to her husband. Blaine didn’t need telling twice; he ran up the stairs two at a time and launched himself into his room before leaning up against a wall, heaving. He could still hear his parents yelling at each other downstairs, debating the seriousness of his sexuality. It’s pretty damn serious, if you ask me, Blaine thought, feeling tears come to his eyes. He was leaving tonight, he knew it. His father wouldn’t host an actively gay son under his roof, and it was past all denial at this point. Tears pouring from his eyes, he turned into the room ready to pack a suitcase.

Jessie crept into his room, her big brown eyes looking up at him. Blaine’s gut wrenched.

“Blaine?”

“Jess, you shouldn’t be in here. How much did you hear?” He asked, placing a palm flat against his forehead, his fingers splayed above his head.

“I came through the storm way when I heard Mommy and Daddy yelling,” she said. He and Jessie shared a bathroom with doors right next to their bedroom doors, down small hallways from the main upstairs hallway. They had both always been afraid of storms, and when she was younger Jessie would come through the bathroom to sleep in Blaine’s room when the storms scared her.

“Is Daddy really going to make you leave this time?” She asked, not moving from where she was standing. Blaine sighed and sat down.

“Yes. Come here.” He said, reaching out his arms for Jessie to come sit on his lap. She did, and Blaine tucked her up into a hug.

“Because of Kurt?” She asked, and Blaine could feel her little tears wetting his shirt. He could feel his own tears start again, but he wanted to be brave for her.

“Yes.” Blaine said, sighing. “Dating Kurt means that Dad can’t avoid the fact that I’m gay anymore.”

“You love Kurt, don’t you?” She asked, pulling back to look him in the face. Blaine smiled.

“Yes. How’d you know?"

“Mommy says you can’t hide true love,” bet she thinks I should, Blaine thought bitterly, “Plus I could tell from the way he looks at you that he loves you, and so it just made sense that you loved him back.”

“Are you sure you’re not older than nine-years-old?” Blaine asked, cocking an eyebrow at her playfully. Jessie giggled and Blaine pulled her in for another hug.

“I love you, Blaine.” Jessie murmured. Blaine squeezed her tighter, this time tears falling from his eyes into her dark, curly hair.

“I love you too, Jessie. Don’t forget it.”

“When do you get to come back?” Blaine’s heart sunk as he realized he didn’t know the answer.

“I don’t know, Jessie. It’s not like sending me off to school this time. But I’m still your big brother. You have my phone number. If it changes,” if they cut me off, “I’ll let you know what the new one is. If you need anything, let me know. If you can’t get ahold of me, you remember Wes down the street, right? Go knock on Wes’s door, and he’ll help you get to me, okay?”

“Okay, Blaine. I have something for you.” She said, and ran off out of the room. Blaine sighed, tears pouring from his eyes as he set about pulling his suitcases back out and dropping his clothes back into them from their new places in his drawers. It was strange how easily his life fit back into his suitcases, ready to leave. He piled in the framed pictures he had brought home from Dalton too, and put the one of him and Kurt that had been hiding under his pillow on the top of the pile. As he was looking for his copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, Jessie returned, a beaten-up stuffed cat clutched in one hand.

“Mr. Meowington?” Blaine asked, looking at the hand-me-down.

“He was yours before he was mine, and you need him more now.” She said, holding the familiar grey cat up to Blaine. Sometime long before his memory, his favorite stuffed animal since toddlerhood had been black with white boots.

“Thanks, Jess.” He said solemnly, taking the cat from her and putting it in his suitcase. He turned back around and knelt, opening his arms for another big hug. He thought for a second and sighed. “I want you to take that picture you have of me and hide it, okay? Dad will get mad if he sees it.”

“I still get to look at it, right?” Jessie asked, her voice scared.

“All you want. Just don’t let him see it, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Jessie. Have some courage for me, okay?” Jessie nodded her head, but tears were coming out of her eyes.

“I love you too, Blaine. I wish you weren’t leaving.”

“I wish so, too. But I need you to do another thing for me: I need you to go in your room and put your earphones in, okay? Listen to your iPod until no one in the house is yelling anymore. It’s about to get really bad and I don’t want you to hear it.”

“You’ll be okay, though?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Yes. Go on. I’ll text you later, okay?” He said, setting her on her feet and kissing her forehead before looking her in the eyes.

“Okay.” She said, and with a gentle kiss to his cheek she turned around and left his room.

Blaine sat down, holding entirely still for a few seconds. He could hear the ongoing argument downstairs, but the topic had turned. He heard mentions of custody and survival. Blaine realized they had moved on to the old topic of what would happen if they divorced. It was over: he had lost. He knew how this discussion would go. Mrs. Anderson wouldn’t qualify for alimony because of her job, and Mr. Anderson would win custody of Jessie. Isabel wouldn’t be able to support both herself and Blaine, no matter her salary, and she’d have to pay child support for Jessie as well. She’d have nowhere to go with a son no one could want.

The tears came again. Blaine knew his mother wouldn’t leave. He already felt responsible for taking away her happiness. Blaine knew he had ruined his parents’ marriage. It only got worse when the fact that his parents had only gotten married because his mother was pregnant with him was factored in.

Choking on tears, Blaine pulled out his cell phone and called his most recent call. It took a single ring for the boy on the other end to answer.

“Hey. I’m driving.” Kurt answered, his voice flat.

“Are you on the highway yet?” Blaine asked, eyes scrunched closed at what he had to ask. He heard the wheels rush over to the side of the road and Kurt hastily throw the car in park.

“I was about to be; I stopped for some coffee and was just headed back. I’m stopped now. Blaine, what’s wrong? You’re not cr-” Kurt asked, his voice rising in worry.

“He’s throwing me out, Kurt.” Blaine cut into his sentence quietly. Blaine heard a thud over the phone and knew Kurt had sunk into the steering wheel. “Can you call your dad and see if I can spend the night? I don’t want to be a burden, but I need someplace to go tonight… and I’ve got a lot to figure out… and you guys are the only ones who really know what’s going on… and…” Blaine rushed, not hiding the tears that were falling.

“Do you need me to come get you?” Kurt interrupted him, and from the break in Kurt’s voice halfway through the sentence, Blaine knew he was crying, too.

“Yes. Not for another ten minutes or so… I don’t want you just sitting in the driveway.” Blaine could throw up at the thought of anything happening to Kurt on his end.

“Okay. I’ll be within a block of the house, just text me when you’re ready and I’ll pull around.”

“Thanks, Kurt.”

“I love you, Blaine.” Kurt said forcefully. Tears came out of Blaine’s eyes and he whispered it back, but he wasn’t sure Kurt had heard it before the call ended.

Kurt sat there for a few seconds, trying to compose himself, the whispered I love you too, Kurt haunting him as he cried and hung up the phone. Why did this have to happen to Blaine? Kurt sniffed and pulled his phone back up, his fingers quickly pressing the numbers for home. He held it up to his ear and looked up, hoping the tears would stop. “Dad? No, Dad, no… listen… it’s about Blaine…”

After he had everything packed, Blaine sat on the floor, waiting to be addressed again. He could hear the fight downstairs wrapping up, coming back to him. What would they tell people? Would it influence Mr. Anderson’s business? How would they explain it to Jessie? Blaine listened as they rationalized him away, their son becoming just another piece of their dirty laundry. Blaine wanted to curl up in a ball and block everything out, but he knew it was coming soon. He sat and waited until the arguing stopped and he heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. Blaine stood, not wanting his father to see him cowering on the floor. His door swung open to reveal the shadowy figure of his father.

“So get out. Go on, take those things we bought you like an ungrateful piece of shit. Get out! I’m done with you.” He said, kicking the door and walking away. Blaine took a deep breath and picked up his two suitcases and guitar case, carrying them down the stairs and heading for the door, his fingers fishing his phone out of his pocket to text Kurt.

“Blaine? Do you have anywhere to go?” His mother asked as he approached the door. Blaine turned back to her, still no warmth between them.

“For now.” Blaine replied sharply, and Isabel nodded and stepped back, accepting her son’s coldness.

Blaine walked out, not looking back at his mother as he stepped into the warm summer evening air. He walked to the end of the driveway before pulling out his phone and texting Kurt.

Okay. –Blaine.

He stood for a minute or so before a vehicle reached his street, and gently it pulled up beside him.

“Blaine!” Kurt exclaimed softly from the open window, and Blaine could see him moving to open the car door.

“Don’t get out.” Blaine said, and Kurt nodded solemnly.

“Put your bag and guitar in the trunk and get in the back, okay, Darling?” Kurt’s voice was so soft and loving that Blaine couldn’t keep his composure very well as he did as his boyfriend told him. As soon as Blaine closed the door behind him, Kurt started to drive.

“That drip’s for you. I swung by and picked it up at the drive-through on my way back.” Kurt said softly. Blaine picked the coffee up from the cup-holder and took an experimental sip, resting his head against the back of Kurt’s seat.

“Thank you.” He said quietly.

“Does the park here have a curfew?” Kurt asked quietly.

“Eleven.”

“It’s only nine. Do you want me to stop for a second or wait until we’re in Lima?” Kurt asked, turning around to glance at Blaine. He turned back from the road, but reached his arm backward, stretching his hand out for Blaine to take.

“The park.” Blaine said, taking Kurt’s hand and realizing how much his were shaking.

“Okay.” Kurt said gently.

Kurt pulled into the park and parked by an empty playground. He got out of the car and climbed in on the other side than Blaine, but sat on the floor of the car between the seats instead of the seat next to him. Silently, Kurt reached up, brushing the back his fingers down the side of Blaine’s face.

“Thanks for coming back for me.” Blaine murmured, his eyes closing at Kurt’s touch.

“Shh. Of course I did. Dad says you’re welcome to stay until we get something permanent figured out.” Kurt said gently. “Is there anything you need before we head back?”

Blaine shook his head. Kurt nodded and began to stand up, pressing a kiss to Blaine’s forehead. Blaine’s arm shifted suddenly, grabbing Kurt’s shoulder. Kurt glanced down and saw Blaine’s wet eyes peering up at him beseechingly. A groan formed in Kurt’s chest at the pained look on Blaine’s face, and Kurt swooped down to Blaine’s lips.

It wasn’t like any kiss they’d ever had, Kurt realized. Tears were pouring from Blaine’s eyes as he clutched at Kurt, his fists grabbing Kurt’s shirt as though trying to hold anything at all. Kurt was beginning to cry again as well, his lips gentle against Blaine’s hard mouth.

They kissed for so long that Kurt had to sit down in the seat next to Blaine’s. “I’ve got you.” Kurt would whisper in between kisses, his thumbs sneaking in to wipe away the wet tears Blaine’s face. Blaine didn’t respond except to press himself closer to Kurt.

Eventually the tears stopped falling from Blaine’s eyes and he collapsed against Kurt’s chest. Kurt kissed the top of Blaine’s head gently and held him tightly.

“I love you so much, Kurt.” Blaine whispered into Kurt’s chest, and it was all Kurt could do to keep from crying again.

“I love you too, Blaine. Let’s get home. Do you want to lay down in the back?” Kurt said, stroking a hand down Blaine’s back.

“I…I’d rather be close to you right now.” Blaine said quietly. Kurt smiled and pulled Blaine back so he could look at him.

“Then sit up front with me.” Blaine frowned, his hand moving to Kurt’s face and running down the tracks from Kurt’s tears, a guilty look falling over his face. Kurt looked into his eyes, silently scolding Blaine as he took Blaine’s hand in his and kissed the fingertips before leaning in and kissing Blaine softly.

The drive home was almost entirely silent. Blaine sat sideways in his seat, not taking his eyes off of Kurt as he drove, holding his hand except for when Kurt especially needed it to drive. Kurt would glance over at Blaine every several seconds, sighing and stroking Blaine’s palm with his thumb.

Eventually they pulled up to the house, and Kurt helped Blaine with one of his bags, continuing to hold Blaine’s hand as they walked into the house. In lieu of the usual craziness around the Hummel house at this hour, only Burt was in the living room.

“Hi, Dad.” Kurt said, sighing. Burt stood up and walked to them.

“Thank you, Mr. Hummel, for letting me stay tonight.” Blaine said, looking down. Burt clapped an arm onto his shoulder, and Blaine looked up. Burt pulled him into a hug, patting the boy on the back. Blaine began to cry again, trying to hide it as Burt let him go.

“Blaine, it’s Burt, I’ve told you this. And don’t mention it, of course you can stay. We’ll talk about all of this tomorrow; for now just go on down to Kurt’s room.”

“Mr. Hummel- Burt- I can sleep on the couch or something, really,” Blaine said, looking down. But Burt cocked his head to the door.

“Go ahead and go down there. Kurt will follow in a minute, but I need to talk to him first.” Blaine nodded and went to take his other bag from Kurt, but Kurt told him that he’d take care of it. Blaine trudged down the stairs, and Kurt looked up at his father.

“Kurt, I’m going to let him stay down there because he shouldn’t be alone. But I’m going to tell you, and you’re going to listen, that if you do anything tonight, you’re taking advantage of him.” Burt said sternly. Kurt was too emotionally drained to make a fuss about what his father was implying.

“Yes, Dad.”

“I mean it. Now, like I said, we’ll talk about this all tomorrow. Go on.” He said, and went back to sit down. Kurt picked Blaine’s bag back up and went to go downstairs, but saw Annie standing in the hallway to her room.

“Kurt, is he okay?” She asked, leaning up against the wall. Kurt gave her a sad smile.

“He’s… alright. I’ve got him.” He said, and Annie nodded.

“Let me know if there’s anything I could do.” She said, shrugging and tugging on one of her curls with both hands.

“Okay, An.” He said, walking up and hugging her before going downstairs.

Blaine was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking down at his phone. Kurt walked over and sat down on the bed next to him, though turned completely toward him, and reached over and took his hand.

"What are you doing?" He asked quietly.

"I texted Jessie to tell her where I am. She says to tell you that she loves you." Blaine said.

"Tell her I love her, too. I'm sorry, Blaine." Kurt said softly, looking down. Blaine's hand tightened around his.

“Kurt, there’s nothing to be sorry for.” He said, his honest eyes peering into Kurt’s, still wet.

“I should have tried harder. Lied. Something.” Kurt said, but Blaine shook his head.

“You shouldn’t have had to do anything at all.” Blaine said forcefully.

“I still can’t help but feel that it’s partially my fault, Blaine.”

“Kurt. If it makes you feel better, this had to happen eventually. I couldn’t keep fighting off being in a relationship until I was out of college. That would be hell! I’ve told you before that I had fifty bad reasons for not figuring myself out about you earlier, and I’m telling you now that he was one of them. But no matter what, I can’t keep hiding from life just because it’s inconvenient for him. And being with you… you… convinced me that it’s time for me to live now and deal with the consequences.”

“I still feel like there’s something I could have done to avoid this.” Kurt said softly.

“Because you have the biggest heart in the world.” Blaine said, giving him a soft, sad smile that Kurt returned before kissing him softly.

“It’s been a long day. Do you want to go take a shower? I know that always makes me feel better.” Kurt said.

“You just don’t want me to get hair gel on your pillow.” Blaine said knowingly, and Kurt blushed and grinned. Blaine kissed him on the cheek. “I will, though. Just for you.” He said, getting up and digging through his suitcases for the things he’d need for bed.

After Blaine went into the bathroom, Kurt went about changing into his pajamas and doing his nightly moisturizing. Blaine walked out just as Kurt was putting on the last of his lotions. He gave Blaine another soft smile as he gestured to the bed. Blaine went over and climbed in carefully, as though afraid to move the covers. Kurt shut off the lights and walked back over, climbing into bed and taking his boyfriend gently in his arms.

“I love you, Kurt.” Blaine said, snuggling into Kurt’s body. Kurt kissed him on top of his damp, curly hair.

“I love you too, Blaine.” Kurt whispered, stroking down his back and listening as Blaine’s breathing slowed and the older boy fell asleep.