That evening Kurt and Blaine sat in Kurt’s living room after dinner, working on Blaine’s audition piece. They had picked out “The Ladies’ Choice” from the newer Hairspray movie because it played up Blaine’s biggest strength: making Kurt and anyone else attracted to men swoon. It was also fresh, so Blaine felt pretty well-assured it wouldn’t be over-sung at the audition.

Kurt was sitting at his mother’s piano, plucking out strings of notes for Blaine whenever he was having trouble with a sequence and hitting play on the background track. Blaine was standing in the middle of the room using a broom as a microphone stand. As other members of the household moved through the house, they’d stop to listen for a second, chuckling at Blaine’s use of the broom.

“Dude, where’d you learn to do that?” Finn asked after watching Blaine let the broom almost fall down before kicking it up again while spinning and singing into it. Blaine stopped singing and smiled at Finn.

“Old movies, mostly. Going to shows, too. Come on, try it! It’s not hard.”

“Oh, no, Blaine, don’t do it. Didn’t you hear what he did to Rachel’s nose?” Kurt said quickly, standing up and dragging his boyfriend away from his stepbrother by the arm. Finn shot Kurt a mock glare as Blaine laughed.

“Just treat it like a girl, that’s what one of the teachers in a workshop I went to said. Of course, that advice didn’t really do much for me.” Blaine said, winking at Kurt. Kurt just rolled his eyes.

“Again, not advice that’s going to do much for him.”

“Hey! I pulled off that gentleman stuff for Rachel in New York!” Finn said defensively, turning to Kurt.

“Until you pounced on her face and lost us nationals.” Kurt said, and Blaine felt that if they had been any younger, Kurt would be sticking out his tongue.

“I wouldn’t have had to if you hadn’t snuck her off to a Broadway stage and made her think I was holding her back.” Finn said, a little disgruntled. Kurt sighed, his bitchiness falling away.

“That wasn’t the point of sneaking in and you know it.”

Finn nodded and Blaine decided it was time to intervene. “Here, on this chorus. Just swoop with the mic stand-“

“BROOM.” Kurt interrupted with a laugh.

“Broom. Swoop down with the broom,” he shot Kurt a mock-angry glance before continuing, “but don’t let go. Swing it back and forth delicately. Don’t ever let it hit the floor.”

Finn tried, but he ended up just falling. Kurt facepalmed delicately, pointedly looking over to Blaine.

“He’s hopeless. I told you he can’t dance.” Kurt said, shaking his head.

Just then, Carole entered the room, looking for the source of the noise. At the sight of Kurt and Blaine laughing as Finn sat fuming on the ground, she laughed as well.

“Finn, you weren’t really trying to do what Blaine was doing, were you?” She asked, shaking her head. “You’re too tall for dancing. Even in place.”

“I’m going to go call Rachel and see if she wants to go get ice cream.” Finn said, rubbing his knees as he stood up.

“You boys have been going at this for hours, and Blaine you’ve had it down for the six runs.” Carole said, turning off the CD player. “Take a break. There’s lemonade in the fridge and ice cream in the freezer if you two want anything.” Kurt thanked Carole, but instead of taking her up on her offer, the two just collapsed on the sofa.

Kurt could see that Blaine was thinking, and he turned to the other boy.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, his smile fading.

“Just wishing things could be like this at my house.” He said solemnly. Kurt sighed, taking one of Blaine’s hands.

“That bad being home?” He asked. Blaine had moved back home for the summer the day before. Blaine nodded.

“I wish I could bring you over. I wish they could be happy to meet you. I wish you could meet Jessie, she’d love you.”

“Your little sister.” Kurt said, and Blaine nodded.

“Well, maybe you should.” Kurt said, quietly. Blaine shook his head.

“I want to. I really want to. But some of the things my dad has said…” Blaine shook his head as though clearing it. Kurt frowned.

“Well, then, maybe you shouldn’t.” Kurt said, giving Blaine’s hand a squeeze. But you should probably head home, we’ve got a long trip to Chicago tomorrow.”

“I’m really glad your dad is letting you daytrip up there with me. It’ll make the trip a lot less lonely.” Blaine said.

“Well, he knows I better get used to the roads if you get the position, because I’ll have to come visit you pretty often.” Kurt said with a little smile, trying to hide how much he didn’t want Blaine to be living with his uncle in Chicago over the summer.

“True. Sucks there isn’t anywhere closer.” He said, knowing what Kurt was thinking and trying to hide those same emotions from himself. Slowly the two boys stood up, and Kurt walked Blaine to the door.

“Goodnight, Kurt. I’ll be here to pick you up at eight in the morning, coffee in hand.”

Kurt made a face at the early hour. “You better. Goodnight, Blaine.” He said, and the two gently kissed goodnight before Blaine left and Kurt went down to his room, picking up some magazines off his dresser to go through until Blaine got home and texted him.