The next night, completely out of the blue, a familiar silver car rolled through the bay doors of Hummel Tires and Lube.

"One minute," Kurt called out, bent over some paperwork from his last repair. Before he could turn to address his customer, Kurt was lifted into the air and spun around.

"Kuuuuuurrrttt!" Jeff squealed as he picked Kurt up and shook him like a rag doll.

"Jeff! Jeff!" Kurt choked out between giggles. "For God's sake! Put me down!"

"Hey!" Finn barked, stepping out of the office at the sound of Kurt's screaming. He squinted, staring down the blond boy manhandling Kurt. "What's going on out here?"

"It's okay, Finn," Kurt said, catching his breath as Jeff dropped him unceremoniously back on his feet. "I'm just talking to a friend."

Finn nodded uncomfortably, uncertain about leaving Kurt alone with a member of the rival crew, but went back into the office and shut the door behind him.

"Oh, Kurt!" Jeff hugged Kurt from behind. "Friends! I missed you."

"Yeah, well, I think I missed you most of all, scarecrow." Kurt swatted at Jeff's hands until Jeff let him go.

"So, how long has Frankenteen been working here?" Jeff asked, jabbing a thumb at Finn, who was pacing the perimeter of the office and bent over his cell phone, frantically texting. He was probably informing on them to the rest of the McKinley Crew, but Kurt didn't care. He wasn't lying when he said that he missed Jeff. On the whole Dalton Crew, Jeff was the only one who Kurt considered a real friend.

"Since work's picked up around here," Kurt said, dropping down onto a nearby stool, unaware of his own exhaustion until right then.

"So, does that mean you're cool with the McKinley Crew now?” Jeff asked, picking up a wrench off Kurt’s tool cabinet, fiddling with it for a second, then returning it to its spot. “Last I heard, there was some culture clashing."

"Yup." Kurt nodded, taking another glance back at Finn. "I'm pretty sure Santana still hates me, but otherwise everyone else is cool."

"It's nice that your dad gave Finn a job," Jeff commented. Always moving, he shifted on his feet and thrummed his fingers against his thighs.

"Yeah, well,” Kurt shrugged, “it doesn't hurt that his mom is also dating my dad, so..."

Jeff nodded.

“Gotcha.”

Kurt didn’t want to think about that too much. He liked Finn and all, and he loved Carole, but he wasn’t sure yet how he felt about having a new family. It had been only him and his dad for so long. Even with him going off to college (hopefully), their dynamic would change.

Kurt had had enough with change in his life. He wasn’t eager for more.

"So, what brings you by, Jeff?" Kurt asked, using Jeff as a distraction to keep those thoughts away. “You’re a long way from home.”

"Well," Jeff said, looking down at his feet rather sheepishly, "I've actually been by a few times hoping to catch you, but you guys have been so busy, and you’re never alone."

Kurt nodded in agreement, not commenting so Jeff would continue. Jeff shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels, his body becoming a single tense muscle.

"Anyway, I was hoping to talk to you about what I need to do to make my car more, you know, street ready…” he said, then dropped his voice, “and maybe discuss some other...you know...stuff..."

Kurt waited a moment longer to see if Jeff would elaborate, but Jeff kept his head bent, a bashful smile on his face, blushing hotly. When Jeff lifted his eyes to look at Kurt, Kurt arched an eyebrow, intrigued by his behavior. Jeff was such an outgoing, energetic boy. It was out-of-character to see him this way.

"Well, let's take a look, shall we?" Kurt stood, sliding the stool over to Jeff so that he could sit in exchange for the boy's keys.

Kurt approached Jeff’s car, eying the 300ZX up and down, peeking in through the windows, taking a moment to choose his words before he spoke.

"I noticed that your car is a bit more…rough around the edges, compared to the other guys' cars," Kurt said carefully.

"Yeah," Jeff agreed with a bob of his head. "I don't quite have the...uh...resources, that the other guys have."

Kurt had suspected as much. Sebastian had mentioned that Jeff attended Dalton on scholarship, and by the way Jeff dressed when he was out of uniform (ripped jeans and t-shirts paired with Converse sneakers that had seen better days) Kurt didn’t assume that Jeff had much in the way of disposable income to spend. One thing Kurt had to commend the Dalton Crew on, regardless of their faults, was that they didn’t seem to make an issue of Jeff’s situation. He was just one of the guys.

"Okay." Kurt clapped his hands and then put them on his hips. He looked the car over again from bumper to bumper. Jeff nibbled his lower lip as he watched Kurt's blue-grey eyes sweep over his car. Kurt felt the anxiety radiate off of him, from his tapping feet to his twiddling thumbs.

"Here's what we'll do," Kurt said, "I'll put it up on the lift and give it a thorough once over. I'll make a list of the things you’ll want to get done, in order of importance. Then, whatever I can teach you to fix, we'll do together. You'll only have to pay for the parts we replace. Agreed?"

"Oh, Kurt," Jeff said, shaking his head slowly, overwhelmed by Kurt’s generous offer, "I can't..."

"Hey…" Kurt put a hand on Jeff's knee and squeezed gently, "I'm being selfish here. I want you to hang out with me for a while." Kurt lowered his voice to a whisper. "I need someone else for company besides Finn." Jeff looked back at Kurt, a small smile curling his thin, pink lips. "Besides, if you're any good, maybe you can come work here, too."

Kurt winked and Jeff blushed again – something Jeff didn’t normally do around the other guys, only Kurt…and one other person.

Luckily work had slowed down for the afternoon. Kurt put Jeff's 300ZX on the lift and started teaching him minor repairs. They changed his oil, checked his fuses, aligned his tires, and inspected his brakes. Kurt was happy to have Jeff there to chat with, and Jeff was keen to learn anything Kurt was willing to teach him.

"Hey," Kurt joked, "maybe you can do all this stuff for the guys now. Take my old job."

Jeff chuckled good-naturedly, but when Kurt shot a look Jeff's way, he noticed the boy’s eyes shift nervously.

"Jeff, you seem like you want to talk to me about something," Kurt said, getting his station set up to flush Jeff's radiator. “Something important.”

"Yeah," Jeff admitted with a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I do."

"Well, get to it, Jeff. While we're still young," Kurt teased. He wanted to ease Jeff's discomfort, but Jeff started pacing in a circle, gathering his thoughts. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and then released his hidden confession all at once.

"There'ssomeoneIreallylikeandIneedhelpaskingthemout."

When Jeff finished, he looked equally relieved and terrified.

Kurt's eyebrows shot up.

"Okay..." Kurt turned away from the car to give Jeff his undivided attention. Jeff's pale complexion turned completely brick red up to his scalp till it showed through the parts in his hair. He kept his head bowed, his eyes glued to his shoes. He seemed to shrink before Kurt’s eyes. If he ducked his head any lower, he would sink straight into the floor.

Kurt had a feeling he knew exactly who Jeff was talking about, but he needed Jeff to tell him so he could be sure.

"Jeff, you're a smart, funny, handsome guy," Kurt gushed. "I don't see you having a problem asking a girl out..."

"It's a guy," Jeff clarified.

Kurt grinned.

"Ahhhh." Kurt nodded emphatically. "I see. Well, do you think he knows?"

Jeff shrugged, refusing to look Kurt in the eyes.

"Well, I don't know how much help I can be," Kurt admitted apologetically. "But I think the best course of action is just to be honest, because I have a feeling the person you're thinking of feels the same way."

Jeff's face was still bright red, but he glanced up at Kurt's face and smiled.

"You think so, Kurtie?"

Kurt rolled his eyes at the horrible nickname.

"Yes, Jeffy," Kurt retorted. "Yes, I do."

Jeff walked over and wrapped his arms around Kurt, hugging him tight, relief evident in the way his muscles relaxed around him. Kurt patted Jeff gently on the back, returning the hug. Kurt wasn’t really much of a hugger, but it couldn’t be avoided around Jeff, and less and less did Kurt really mind.

"Okay, big guy," Kurt said with one last squeeze. "Enough cuddle time. Let's get back to work."

For the next half hour, Kurt and Jeff shelved the personal chitchat as Kurt demonstrated how to siphon fluids from the car's system. Lost in their own separate thoughts, they mostly went through the motions, until Kurt couldn't stand the silence anymore. He had a question in his brain burning to be asked...one he didn't think Blaine would answer entirely. He mulled it over as he lowered Jeff’s car from the lift. Jeff raised the hood and started re-checking the engine for alert codes under Kurt’s supervision. Finn had left hours before, and the last customer had picked up their car already. They were alone in the shop, with no chance of anyone overhearing their conversation.

"Can I ask you something?" Kurt asked, watching Jeff eye the display of the code reader.

"Sure."

Kurt held his breath. Now that the moment had come, he wasn’t sure it was appropriate to put Jeff on the spot, but Kurt needed to know.

"What is the deal between Wes and Blaine?"

Jeff put the handheld computer down.

“Hasn’t Blaine told you?” he asked, his face drawn, as if he had hoped the burden of answering this particular question would never fall on him.

“No,” Kurt said, “and I know that I should probably wait for him to tell me, but I don’t honestly know when that will be. He can be kind of…stubborn.”

“Yeah,” Jeff agreed with a laugh. “That’s one word for it.”

“Besides,” Kurt continued, “I was hoping for the unedited version.”

Jeff stared at Kurt with pleading eyes.

“Kurt…”

“I wouldn’t ask you,” Kurt cut in, hoping to make Jeff see reason, “except, I kind of got put in the middle of this, and I don’t know who else to turn to.”

Jeff pulled up a stool and sat on it, breathing out a long sigh. He looked down at his feet, swinging them back and forth. Kurt grabbed a stool and sat close by, his presence meant to nudge Jeff on. Jeff’s eyes clouded over the way they always did when Jeff thought about something difficult. Finally, he sighed and gave a slight nod, more to himself than Kurt. Kurt couldn’t imagine what convinced Jeff to tell the story, but Kurt wondered if maybe the memory of Sebastian almost throwing him to the ground and Jeff running to his rescue had something to do with it.

Jeff took in a deep breath. He opened his mouth and closed it again, as if he wasn't sure where to begin.

"Wes and Blaine were actually best friends once," Jeff started, picking at the oil beneath his fingernails. "I mean, we all pretty much grew up together out in Westerville - Blaine, Wes, me, and Nick. But Blaine and Wes grew up down the block from each other. We went to the same schools, were in all the same classes, liked all the same things, but Blaine and Wes, they were like brothers from another mother..." Jeff drifted off a little, lifting his eyes and staring off into space. Kurt tried to piece together a picture of Blaine growing up. What could have possibly happened to split up such good...

"Bles!" Jeff blurted out suddenly. Kurt looked at Jeff as if he had grown another head.

"What?" Kurt asked bemused.

"Or Waine?" Jeff furrowed his brow in thought.

"What are you talking about?" Kurt asked.

"Their bro couple name," Jeff said, but then shook his head, deciding against it. Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Anyway," Jeff continued, "all of Blaine's close friends knew he was gay long before his parents did. He figured they would have a hard time handling it, so he put off telling them. After eighth grade, we were all headed to Dalton, and Blaine decided that it would be a good time to come out.”

“How did they react?” Kurt asked when Jeff paused to take a breath.

“His dad was pissed,” Jeff replied with a scowl. “At the last minute, he pulled Blaine out of Dalton and sent him to public school. Thought it might toughen him up...or keep him in the closet. I don't know. We really didn't get to hang out much after that, seeing as we all board at Dalton and Blaine still lived at home. Well, his freshman year..."

Jeff peered into Kurt’s eyes.

"Did Blaine ever tell you about the Sadie Hawkins dance?"

Kurt shook his head, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

"He mentioned something about getting into a fight at a school dance."

Jeff laughed sadly.

"Maybe I should let Blaine tell you that part," Jeff said. "All I'll say is that he asked a guy to go with him, some jocks didn't like it, and yeah, they got into a fight."

Kurt swallowed a wave of nerves, wondering when Blaine would ever tell him the truth about that night.

"Anyway, Blaine’s dad blamed his mom, his mom blamed his dad..."

"For what?" Kurt asked.

"For Blaine being gay."

Jeff grabbed a paper towel and some Lava soap from Kurt’s station and started scrubbing his hands. Kurt could see how uncomfortable talking about this made him, but he would always be grateful. Maybe he could find a way to make it up to Jeff somehow.

"In the end, his mom left and brought Blaine here to Lima, and things got better. I mean, Lima's not the most progressive place in the country, and McKinley has its share of homophobes, but Blaine fit in here. He joined the football team and became student body president, and then there's Glee club. He and Puck formed the McKinley Crew at the end of sophomore year, and we got to see him more often."

"But, hasn't he been gone?" Kurt asked, leaning forward on his stool, hanging on Jeff's every word.

Jeff wadded up the dirty paper towel and tossed it in the trash.

"Yeah. His dad found out about all the stuff Blaine was doing, annnnd that he kissed a girl..."

Kurt chuckled.

"Tell me!"

"Nope," Jeff said with the first smile he’d worn since he started talking about Wes and Blaine, "I have been sworn to secrecy."

"Ugh!" Kurt groaned, tossing a rag at Jeff. Jeff nearly tipped his stool trying to avoid it. "Keep going then."

"Blaine's dad thought he'd been cured," Jeff said, forming air quotes with his fingers for emphasis. "He came back, told Blaine he wanted to make amends, and moved Blaine out to Chicago. That was during junior year."

"And Blaine went? Just forgave everything?"

"Well, yeah," Jeff answered simply. "Blaine really loved his dad. Blaine lived with him for six months. They built Blaine's 'Stang together." Jeff's smile faded. "But then Blaine's dad came home one day and found Blaine in his bedroom all over some guy..."

Kurt felt a sharp pang of jealousy hit him square in the gut. It was a selfish reaction but one he couldn’t help. Kurt knew that Blaine hadn’t been sitting on a block of ice, waiting for him to come along, and he immediately felt guilty. Jeff must have seen the switch in emotion on Kurt's face because he stopped talking, but Kurt looked at Jeff and motioned for him to continue.

"Blaine's dad was furious. Kicked him out. Gave him the whole 'I'm leaving for an hour and when I come back you'd better be gone' speech."

Kurt's heart broke. Why couldn't Blaine have a dad like Kurt's? A dad that could see all the wonderful and beautiful things about Blaine? A dad who wasn’t a complete homophobic asshole? Kurt’s chest hurt that Blaine’s father had been so unfair, but he was still confused.

"I don't understand," Kurt said. "What does this have to do with Wes and Blaine hating each other?"

Jeff averted his eyes again. "That night at the dance? When Blaine got jumped? Wes knew about it. It was a bunch of his old friends who did it, and they told him the night before."

"And he didn't let Blaine know?" Kurt gasped, his eyes hot with angry tears. "He-he didn't warn Blaine ahead of time?"

Jeff hung his head.

"No," Jeff said. "The way I heard it, Wes said that Blaine was a big boy and could take care of himself. He said he didn't want to get involved."

The roar of another engine broke the tension that had built up in the shop around Jeff’s story, and Kurt smiled. He knew that engine. He’d know the sound of Blaine’s Mustang anywhere. Hearing it approach, rolling up to the bay, Kurt felt an intense need to be in Blaine's arms. Kurt spun around and hopped off his stool. When he saw Blaine enter the garage he threw his arms around him, knocking him backward about a foot or so.

"Oof! Kurt!" Blaine squeaked in a shocked voice.

"Oh, Blaine," Kurt answered, his voice wavering as he fought back tears.

"Kurt, are you alright?" Blaine tried to push away to look into Kurt's eyes, but Kurt only held on tighter. Eventually, Blaine gave up, winding his arms around Kurt, threading one hand into his hair. This uncharacteristic display was a surprising but not unwelcome development, and Blaine wanted to hold on to it for as long as it lasted.

"You're working late," Blaine said when Kurt let up enough to let Blaine breathe.

"I'm always working late," Kurt said with a flirty wink, "that way I know I'll get to see you."

Blaine was confused by the change in Kurt's demeanor, but he didn't complain.

"Actually, it's my fault." Jeff crept out from behind his car. Blaine nodded at his old friend, extending a hand, which Jeff took and shook.

"Yeah, Finn texted and told us you were here," Blaine said.

"And you didn't rush down to rescue me?" Kurt teased.

"No," Blaine said with a smile, "Jeff's a stand-up guy. I wasn't worried."

Kurt leaned into Blaine's side, holding his arm possessively. Jeff looked from Kurt to Blaine and sighed.

"Well, I best be going."

Kurt took Jeff’s hand, and let Jeff pull him into one last hug.

"Thanks...for everything..." Jeff stammered. "You know, fixing my car...and stuff..."

"No problem, Jeff." Kurt released Jeff, but Jeff seemed reluctant to go. "Come back anytime."

Jeff nodded, then walked away toward his car.

"Oh, and Jeff?"

Jeff turned back, raising his eyebrows in response.

"About…you know who…be honest with your feelings. Everything will turn out all right."

Jeff smiled.

"Thanks."

Jeff got in his car, started his engine, and pulled out of the bay, giving Kurt and Blaine a wave as he sped away.

Blaine hugged Kurt, breathing him in as if they had been apart for months.

"God, you smell good," Blaine sighed into Kurt's shoulder. Kurt grinned.

"I smell like motor oil," Kurt countered.

"You smell like Kurt." Blaine brushed his lips against Kurt's impossibly soft cheek. Blaine found it fascinating that a boy who worked so hard every day could stay so soft and smooth. "And if motor oil is in there somewhere, then so be it."

Kurt could have stayed wrapped up in Blaine's arms all night, but Jeff's words kept buzzing in his brain, and the longer Blaine held him, the more he wanted to cry.

"So, what's up, Blaine?" Kurt asked.

"Well, first off, I needed to hold you."

Kurt slid his arms beneath Blaine's jacket and his hands under his shirt to feel his warmth. Blaine hummed at the touch of Kurt’s hands on his skin.

"And, second,” Blaine said, “I wanted to do this..."

Blaine moved slowly out of Kurt's arms, but only far enough to see his face. Once he had taken a moment to gaze into Kurt's eyes, Blaine pulled Kurt into a kiss – long and slow, his mouth caressing Kurt's lips, sending tingles shooting down his limbs. Blaine gently nibbled Kurt's lower lip and Kurt moaned. Blaine smiled at the sound, delighting at his effect on Kurt...an effect he could feel against his leg the longer Blaine held him.

Blaine broke the kiss, chuckling when Kurt chased his lips with a whimper. Blaine took a moment to appreciate Kurt's just kissed look - his lips swollen, his eyes shining, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"But mostly, I wanted to ask you a question."

Kurt raised an arched brow, surprised that Blaine sounded nervous, holding on to Kurt's hands and closing his eyes.

"I want...I would like..."

Blaine laughed and blew out a quick breath. He looked back at Kurt, his eyes resolute.

"I want to ask you out on a date."

"A date?" Kurt said the word like he had never heard the concept before.

"Yes," Blaine said. "An official date. We could go to dinner, a movie, anything you want. I don't care, as long as it's out and it’s with you."

"A date?" Kurt repeated, making sure he had heard Blaine right the first time.

"Yeah." Blaine held Kurt fully in his arms again. "I could take you out in my Mustang..." Blaine nuzzled Kurt's neck. "And then we could find someplace quiet to look up at the stars..." Blaine kissed Kurt's throat. "I could ask you to be my boyfriend..." Blaine nibbled the shell of Kurt's ear. "And maybe you would ask me for another kiss..."

"A date?"

 Blaine chuckled, looking at Kurt's expression, which was blank, and his face a little pale.

"Kurt?" Blaine’s smile dropped as he tried to meet Kurt's eyes. "Kurt, are you okay?"

Kurt met Blaine's gaze, his eyes warm like syrup and honey, and his lips, so inviting. Weren't they just on Kurt's skin? Wait, what day was it? And did Blaine say 'date'?

If Kurt could only remember his name and phone number, he could begin to process the fact that Blaine had asked him to go on a...wait, did he say boyfriend?

Blaine started to step away, his expression of concern turning into one of disappointment. The loss of sensation was immediate. As soon as Blaine let go of Kurt's hand, Kurt’s body went numb.

Kurt’s eyes snapped at Blaine, and in one bound he launched into Blaine's arms.

"Oh, thank God you're back," Blaine chuckled, wrapping himself around Kurt. "I thought you had gone catatonic for a second...like maybe the thought of going out on a date with me disgusted you."

"What?" Kurt held Blaine at arm's length. "Disgusted by a date with you? You've pretty much been all over me for weeks. Why would a date disgust me?"

Blaine ducked his head, and for the first time Blaine seemed timid.

"I thought maybe you wouldn't want to be seen with me...you know, in public."

Kurt bent to catch Blaine's gaze. When Blaine finally looked at him, Kurt gave him an incredulous smirk.

"You're kidding, right?"

Blaine began to smile again.

"So, is that a yes?"

Kurt nodded, dumbfounded by Blaine’s uncertainty.

"Yes," Kurt said. "Yes, yes, infinitely yes!"