Blaine changed to something a little nicer for dinner that evening. He wished he had a chance to go shopping with Kurt beforehand so hed look less like someone who didnt belong. As it was he felt good in his button up shirt, maroon sweater with dark slacks and a yellow bowtie, even if his hair was a little messier than normal because hed run out of hair gel… or more like verging on unruly curls. Still he hoped Kurt could tell hed tried to look nice.

He walked to the town square with the Jones and Sam. Mercedes was talking and laughing with Sam while her parents hung back, polite, but still not interacting with Blaine or Sam much. When they got to the square Blaine stopped to take it all in. Long wooden tables were set up and bright lanterns hanging across wires like big, yellow Christmas lights that illuminated the area giving the whole square a warm and enchanting appearance. People milled about laughing and already some of them were munching on food. It was wonderful. Finally his eyes landed on Kurt sitting with a middle-aged man and talking to the couple across from them.

Blaine smiled, his heart flipping a little bit at the sight of Kurt; he hadnt felt this way about a guy in a long time. In fact he wasnt sure hed ever felt this way about someone so fast. Trying to calm his beating heart, he started over to where Kurt was sitting, but he was stopped by someone walking straight up to him and standing in his path.

"Oh… um, excuse me." Blaine said almost running into them, he looked up to see a tall, broad shouldered young man. He crossed his arms and scowled down at Blaine, his chin jutting forward.

"You dont belong here." The man said.

Blaine was stunned for a moment before speaking. "I… was invited."

The man uncrossed his thick arms letting them down by his side, but his fists were balled like he was looking for a fight. Blaine braced himself, boxing moves hed learned back in school flashing in his mind. He didnt want a fight, but he was prepared to defend himself, because this stranger looked ready to take a swing at him.

"You werent invited." The man snarled. "You just walked into town one day." His jaw clenched and his pupils were contracting in anger.

"I mean I was invited to dinner... I was asked to come this evening." Blaine tried to explain. Before he could say anything else they were interrupted by a voice that Blaine instantly recognized.

"I invited him." Kurt said tugging on the mans arm to pull him away from Blaine. "I asked him to have dinner with me and dad."

The man turned to Kurt and Blaine leaned forward ready to act if he decided to lash out at Kurt. Instead the mans expression softened, and his fists loosened. "You invited an outsider to our celebration?"

"Yes Dave. I asked him to dinner." Kurt said his voice steady and his expression cool.

"You shouldnt have." Dave said almost sounding hurt.

"You can take that up with the town council then." Kurt strode past him and stood next to Blaine.

Dave took one last look at Blaine before shaking his head angrily and storming off. Kurt walked reached down and laced his fingers together with Blaines. It was only then that Blaine realized his own fists were curled and he was standing on the balls of his feet ready to spring into action if needed.

"Were you going to punch him?" Kurt asked lifting an eyebrow as he rubbed a thumb across Blaines hand.

"No. Well, only if I had too."

"Oh." Kurts expression fell, his eyes looking troubled.

"I dont like to fight." Blaine tried to explain. "But Ive had to learn to… protect myself and if hed turned on you then…"

"I can take care of myself."

"Im sure you can, it was just instinct."

Kurt nodded, looking calmer as he smiled a little. "Dave is harmless, dont worry about him." He looked towards the table hed come from, it was filling up with more people, mostly young people around Blaines age. "Come met my father."

He turned back to smile at Blaine and tugged on both of his hands to pull him along. Blaine followed him over to the table where a man stood and held out a hand for Blaine to shake. Blaine could see the resemblance between him and Kurt, in the eyes and the curve of the mouth.

"Im Burt Hummel." He said in a cool tone, "Kurts Father."

"Blaine Anderson." He said shaking the mans hand. "Pleased to meet you."

Burt nodded stiffly and Blaine was beginning to wonder if it was only Kurt, Mercedes and Quinn that were alright with them being in town.

Burt was quiet for most of the meal, as Kurt and Blaine talked to those around them. Blaine found that the younger people, those around Blaines age, seemed more eager to talk to him, to pepper him with question about where he was from mostly, while the older generation eyed him with distrust. The evening was nice though, everyone brought food to share, passing around platters of roast chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and bread and pies and all kinds of vegetables.

There was a small group of musicians playing off to the side and as the sky grew darker fireflies started fluttering around. There was an intangible quality to the air that made Blaine relax, even after his almost confrontation with Dave.

The best part was he got to spend more time with Kurt.

Even though hed spent most of the last day and a half with him they still werent running out of things to talk about, being with Kurt felt easy and right and warm and happy. Blaine almost thought his skin seemed to hum when he was near Kurt. Blaine loved to watch his smile and how he talked with his hands and laughed easily surrounded by his friends.

At one point Kurt excused himself to go visit Mercedes and Burt took to opportunity to lean forward and talk with Blaine. He had his arms folded on the table as he looked Blaine straight in the eyes.

"Youre American." He said and it didnt seem like a question.

"Yes sir. From New York."

Burt nodded. "I always wanted to visit America, Ive seen pictures of New York. My wifes family was from America."

Blaine smiled, it seemed like Burt was at least trying to be friendly. "Really? So Kurt has family back in the states?"

Burt shrugged, "Never knew them." Burt said shortly. "How do you like New York?"

"I… I love it there. The people and the energy. I go to school there and hope to call it home permanently after I graduate."

"Kurt says youre a performer?"

"Yes sir, I sing and act."

"Uh huh…" He narrowed his eyes searching Blaine face for a long moment. Blaine licked his lips and tried to keep a steady gaze. Finally Burt sat back in his chair a little, and while he didnt actually smile his eyes seemed lighter. "Kurt sings. Has an amazing voice. Got it from his mother."

Blaine did smiled, feeling as if he may have just passed some kind of test. Kurt came back with Mercedes and Sam in tow. They enjoyed the rest of the evening listening to the music and enjoying each others company. At one point Kurt leaned into Blaines side a little and grabbed his hand as they watched the musicians. Blaine just tried to sit perfectly still, Kurts shoulder pressed against his own, he didnt want to move and break the perfect moment.

Eventually the gathering broke apart and Blaine offered to help Kurt and some others clean up. Once the square was cleared he said goodnight to Kurt with a yawn, squeezing his hand before reluctantly heading back to the inn.

When Sam and Blaine got back to their room Sam bounced around and looked at Blaine expectantly. "How about we stay a few more days?"

Blaine brushed his fingers against the flower wreath still on his bed post, the flowers bright and soft, leaving him with a slight tingle in his fingertips and a warm energy vibrating through him.

"Okay." He looked at Sam and smiled. "Lets do that."

Burt left the dinner earlier than Kurt who stayed to spend more time with his friends and with Blaine. Finally everything started winding down and Kurt stayed to help clean up, to his delight Blaine insisted on helping with the breakdown as well. Why did he get more excited about every moment with Blaine the longer he knew him?

Afterwards Kurt walked home tired and happy, he caught himself smiling every time he thought about Blaine. He was kind and gentlemanly and nothing like what Kurt had been taught outsiders were. Every time Blaine smiled Kurts heart would do a little flutter, he was trying to ignore it, Blaine was an outsider and he would be gone soon enough. Kurt needed to make sure he kept his emotions in check.

He sighed when he thought about Dave reaction to Blaine, he didnt blame Dave for not trusting an outsider, but Kurt knew it was more than that. Dave had always been sweet on him and he must see Blaine as a threat. Was Kurt that obvious with his feelings? He looked down at his empty hand, the hand that kept reaching out for Blaines without Kurt even thinking it through. Having Blaines hand in his own made him feel safe and warm and… and Kurt needed to change his train of thought.

He pushed open his front door and followed the sound of voices to the kitchen. His dad was sitting around the table with the other members of the town council; none of them seemed to have noticed Kurt yet.

"Im sorry Sue, but I disagree." Judy Frabray said, her voice sounding a little shrill. "I dont care what information we might find out about the outside world, how is it worth the risk of having them here?"

Kurt took a step back standing behind the entryway where he could still see the group gathered, but hopefully they wouldnt see him.

"I dont know why we need to know anything about their world at all." Another council member added. "We arent part of that world for a reason."

"We should get rid of them! Drive them out of town!"

Several others at the table agreed. Kurts heart tightened in his chest.

"Thats what we did before." Russel Fabray added. "I dont think weve ever regretted keeping our town safe from those who could destroy what we have here."

Kurt worried his bottom lip, he didnt know much about the other time outsiders had come to Folaigh. Hed been eleven years old and they were gone before they caused any real trouble. Kurt hadnt even had a chance to see them.

Sue held up her hands to try and silence the group. "One hundred years have passed since the miracle began in Folaigh, you arent at all interested in the progress the world has made?"

"What progress, people dont get better they get worse." Judy said bitterly

"Now Im not sure that is always the case." Burt spoke up and Kurt smiled. "People can grow and learn."

"Oh yes, it was our hope that the world would grow and learn that made us separate ourselves from it so thoroughly" Kurt didnt catch who said that, but the sarcasm was clear.

"I dont care about the idiots running wild outside of Folaigh." Sue spoke up and everyone stopped to look at her. "This isnt about seeing if the word has redeemed itself, I doubt it has and I dont care either way. When I say progress I mean what about medicines or machinery? Didnt your bother in Belfast have electric lights in his house Judy?" Sue said staring her down. "We left before that reached our little town. We could use that kind of thing here. Im thinking about progress for Folaigh."

Everyone was silent for a moment and Kurt found hed been holding his breath. He wasnt interested in electric lights, or the fear of outsiders, or any arguments right now, he just really didnt want his town to run Blaine and Sam off.

"No." It was Emma Pillsbury who spoke up this time; shed been silent so far. Emma was a school teacher, in charge of the younger children at the one school they had in town. "You know I am for progress and learning and giving our children the best. But who cares about electric lights? Or new fangled modern things? We have always been fine without them we will continue to be fine."

She leaned forward her large eyes earnest and her voice strong. "We have to get these men, these outsiders, out of town before they corrupt our children or find out about The Miracle. I cannot believe that Sue would invite them to stay without consulting us first." She leaned back in her chair her eyes a little wet and her breathing heavy as if she was trying not to cry.

"I agree." Russells voice was angry and strong. "If we cant make them leave then we need to imprison them! They are not welcome here. Have you forgotten why we used our magic to hide Folaigh in the first place? This is not worth the risk!" He pounded a fist on the table making Kurt jump.

Kurts heart was pounding in his chest, he understood why Emma was so passionate, she wanted what was best for her town, but they were wrong. This was more than Kurt wanting Blaine around, Folaigh had lived in the shadows too long. Kurt wanted to know about the world and he couldnt be the only one to feel that way, he knew he wasnt if his friends fascination with Blaine and Sam at dinner had been any indication.

"Outsiders are evil." Russell continued to growl. "Drive them out!"

Several other people echoed his words the tension in the room rising. They were starting to look less like a council and more like an angry mob.

"I dont care what we have to do to them to get rid of them, but they dont belong here!" Someone shouted and that was when Kurt rushed into the room.

"No!" He said firmly and everyone turned in surprise to look at him. Kurt felt a little ill with nerves, but he kept his voice steady. "What are you saying? Do you even hear yourself? You sound intolerant and vengeful and... and violent . Arent those the very things Folaigh is against?" Kurt was breathing quickly his heart in his throat, he caught his fathers eyes, Burt smiled at him and nodded for him to continue.

"Have any of you even taken the time to meet these men you are calling evil? Blaine likes to sing and he is sweet and polite and… and Sam is funny and lively and they are just people. Youve always made us believe outsiders were monsters, but they arent."

"What about what happened to your mother?" Mrs. Jones asked softly, she been silent this whole time.

Kurt swallowed and had to catch his breath, her words cutting him like a knife. "Not all of them are evil. These two, Sam and Blaine, they arent bad people. If we are against them for no reason then we arent we the ones acting like outsiders?"

The room grew silent.

"We can learn from them. I know very little about the word outside Folaigh, I dont see why learning from them is wrong." Kurts hands were shaking but his voice was growing in strength.

Emma shook he head, "I just dont know if it is worth the risk."

"But they arent a risk. What have they done since they got here? Helped with the flower cart? Danced? Tried to get to know people? Helped clean up tonight? Im telling you they arent that different than us."

"I say we give them more time here." Sue said. "It would be good for us and if they show any signs of danger we make them leave."

There was silence around the table for a moment before Emma looked down to her lap. "I… I guess if they arent showing any signs of trouble…"

Russel Fabray let out a humorless laugh. "We should wait until they do cause trouble then? Wait until it is too late?"

His wife reached over a put a hand over his, "We could handle two outsiders if it came to it. I just dont know why we would trouble ourselves with them at all."

Sue looked around the table, making eye contact with each person, and filling the room with am aura of calmness. "I saw we vote on it." They all knew what she was doing, but just because she was calming them down they still all had their own minds.

"I agree, we should vote." Burt said. "And I want you all to know I am for letting the boys stay. They arent doing any harm and they will bore eventually and leave without any suspicions. If we drive them out it will only make them talk about us. Two young men spreading stories about a strange village that ran them out in anger isnt a tale we want floating around."

Several people nodded in agreement and everyone agreed to a vote.

"You have to leave for the vote Porcelain." Sue said, "You arent part of the council."

Kurt gave his dad a hopeful glance, but he sided with Sue. Kurt sighed and walked back to his room to wait nervously. He kept his hands folded on his lap and tried to stay quiet so he could hear what was happening, but the only thing he eventually heard was everyone leaving. His dad came to his room and sat down on his bed next to him.

"You were very passionate with your opinion back there."

"Folaigh was founded by people who were considered outsiders, people who didnt fit. We have always striven to accept each other for who we are." He looked up at his dad. "Thats how you raised me."

Burt smiled. "We voted to let them stay, for now."

Kurt felt the tightness in his chest start to loosen in relief; he ungripped his hands and stretched his fingers realizing hed been holding them too tensely.

"I know youre curious about the outside world Kurt." Burt continued. "Learn as much about it as you can while they are here. Wisdom is what makes a poor man a king" He smiled quoting an old proverb, "but you know you cant leave Folaigh."

"Of course I know." Kurt said quietly. "I wasnt considering it. Im just interested… in things Ive never known before, but Folaigh is my home. I understand that and Im happy here." Kurt ignored the twist of pain those words brought, was he happy here?

"Good." Burt nodded and placed a kiss to Kurts hair. He wasnt an overly affectionate man, but he tried and these little gestures always made Kurt smile.

"Goodnight dad." Kurt said as Burt got up and crossed the room.

"Good night Kurt, and just… be careful okay?

"Be careful?"

"With your heart." Burt said as he left them room. "Blaine cant stay forever."

Kurt stared after him for a moment before he fell back on the bed and covered his face with his hands. He understood what his dad was saying, about not leaving Folaigh, and about guarding his heart. He was just afraid that his dads warning on that front may be a little late. Kurt groaned as he ran his hand through his hair, what did he just fight the council for? Was he right about letting them stay? How would spending more time with a boy he wanted, but could never have help anything?

Kurt went to sleep that night afraid hed made a terrible mistake.