Kurt didnt want to say the Cooper was avoiding him, but over the next few days it felt like he was.

Monday rolled around and Kurts family was going to come over for dinner. Cooper and Kurt prepared the meal and it was the first time since spending an hour together at the LMC that Kurt actually got to spend some one-on-one time with him.

Blaine hid up in his room while they got dinner ready. Kurt got the impression that Blaine usually did the cooking, but he was letting Kurt and Cooper have some time together.

Cooper was funny and enjoyable while they cooked. Complementing Kurts skills in the kitchen and winking at him making him blush. Kurt didnt understand, it was like there was more than one Cooper; the enjoyable affable Cooper who was chopping carrots for a salad and bumping his hip against Kurts. And then there was the Cooper who was out all of the time and only came back home once Kurt was already in bed.

Kurt wished he had the guts to ask Cooper what was going on in his head, but he didnt know him that well and didn't want to make things worse between them.

Burt, Carol, Finn and Rachel arrived and Kurt hugged his dad like he hadnt seen him in years. Rachel hadnt exactly been invited but she managed to make it over anyway. Kurt was actually relieved to see her, he needed a friend.

Dinner was going well, Cooper was charming and talkative and though Kurt was learning that Coopers favorite subject was himself he was somehow good natured and charismatic about it.

Kurt sat between him and Rachel and every once in a while Kurt would feel Cooper brush his hand against his leg or purposefully bump his foot against his own under the table. It wasnt much of anything at all, but it made Kurt smile every time he did it. It seemed flirty.

Between Rachel and Cooper no one else got to say too much. Rachel was peppering Cooper with questions about his career and Cooper was more than happy to give her tips and pointers.

"So you see yourself working in L.A. one day?" Burt asked when there was finally a pause in Rachel and Coopers conversation. Kurt looked at his dad and then Cooper. Kurt pretty much knew the answer to that question, but had avoided directly asking it so that he could at least pretend that Cooper didnt have set plans.

"My plan has always been to move back out west once Blaine starts college." Cooper said with a smile. "I mean you cant really be a full time actor in Ohio."

Kurt swallowed, his food suddenly tasting dry. Cooper wanted L.A. and Kurt wanted New York. Kurt looked worriedly at Cooper and then quickly away. Blaine caught his eyes and gave him a small encouraging smile. At least they had a year to figure it out, Kurt wouldnt freak out yet. He still had a year.

"Oh but Kurt is going to New York." Rachel said and Kurt shot her a glare. This wasnt a conversation he was ready to have three days into knowing Cooper, especially right now in front of everyone.

Cooper raised his eyebrows and looked at Kurt. "New York? Really? You never mentioned that."

Kurt froze, everyone at the table looking at him. It was all Kurt could do to keep himself from turning on the snark and snap out something about of course he hadnt mentioned it, how could he when Cooper was never even around!?

He was saved by Blaine though who broke the awkward silence. "New York City?" He asked looking excited. "What do you want to do there?"

"Ive been accepted to the New York Academy for Dramatic Arts actually." Kurt said feeling a swell of pride. "I had to turn it down this year, but I can reapply next year and most of the time if you had to defer because your name was drawn in the Lottery they let you in."

Blaines eyes grew round. "You got into NYADA? Thats incredible Kurt only a handful of people make it in."

"I know!" Rachel spoke up. "He is very talented." She looked at Cooper pointedly. "New York will love him."

"Well good job kid." Cooper said and his foot that had been pressed against Kurts moved away.

Kurt again felt stuck, anything he said would lead to a conversation he just wasnt ready to have. And even that small gesture of Cooper moving his foot away was hurtful.

Blaine came to the rescue again. "You know Kurt maybe this school year you could come talk to the Warblers, wed love to hear from someone whos not only won Nationals but was accepted to NYADA."

"But that would be treason!" Rachel gasped.

Kurt smiled and rolled his eyes. "Id like that." He answered Blaine.

It wasnt that he wasnt loyal to New Directions, but Blaine was family now. He could talk to the Warblers without betraying his friends. The conversation flowed easily from there, though Cooper was strangely quiet for the rest of the evening.

As everyone left Finn gave Kurt a pat on the back and a dopy smile and Carol and Rachel hugged him tight. Burt hugged him too and whispered in his ear, "Dont give up your dreams bud, find a way to make it work." And then they were gone and Kurt was left with just Cooper and Blaine again.

The next few weeks went pretty much more of the same, Cooper was gone all the time; Driving to Columbus for overnight stays to see his agent, or flying out to Cincinnati to shoot a commercial. At first Kurt was angry about how little he saw of his new husband, but he slowly started to get use to it. He was becoming much more comfortable in his new home and had even done a little redecorating in the bedroom with Blaines help.

His dad had brought his car that first Monday night as well so Kurt didnt feel as trapped. Rachel left for New York and threw a big party that Cooper couldnt make it too, but Kurt asked Blaine to come and he did.

Rachel was distressed and weepy by the end of the night talking about how everyone always abandoned her because Finn refused to move and Kurt was married. Kurt comforted her the best he could while dealing with his own disappointment.

"Youre a good friend you know." Blaine said on the ride back to Westerville. "I know it cant be easy for you, not going to New York this year."

Kurt bit his lip and kept his eyes on the road not speaking for a moment. "I didnt mind so much when I first found out." Kurt finally said. "I mean… Ive kind of always wanted a Lifemate." He could feel Blaine looking at him, but still kept his eyes forward.

"I get that. The Lottery is good for a lot of people. My parents really loved each other and it seems like your dad and Carol work."

"Carol  has been great for my dad. Now that Im not there Im so glad he has someone. He really loved my mom too, so I know that the Lottery can work. I just want it to work for me."

He glanced over at Blaine to get his reaction, not having meant to say so much. Blaine looked a little flustered

"Coopers just… Cooper is…"

"Its okay. You dont need to say anything for Cooper." Kurt said thinking how cute Blaine looked when he was nervous. "I just need to man up and talk to him about us and where things are going."

Blaine was quite for a while before he spoke up again. "What happened to your mom?"

Kurt pulled up to a stoplight and faced Blaine with a sad smile wondering where the change of subject had come from. "Cancer. When I was eight."

Blaines forehead furrowed and he put a hand over one of Kurts on the steering wheel. He hand was strong and smooth and had calluses on the fingertips that Kurt knew came from playing the guitar.

"Im sorry Kurt." Blaine said. "No one should have to lose their mom so young."

Kurt nodded, his throat filling with tears as the light changed and he drove forward.

"Tell me about her." Blaine said. "I mean if you want to."

Kurt smiled, people rarely asked about his mom and Kurt actually loved to talk about her.

"She was a teacher and she played the piano. She started teaching me, but I didnt keep up with it after she died so Im not very good. And she loved to bake. I remember making cookies and muffins with her. She always encouraged me to just be myself. My dad says that even when I was little I had a strong will and she knew how to handle it."

Blaine laughed, "You? A strong will? Never."

Kurt swatted at him. "Hey!"

"She sounds wonderful Kurt."

Kurts smile widened. It hurt to talk about his mom, but it hurt more to never talk about her. He didnt want to lose the memories he had.

"What about you, what happened to you parents?" He asked tentatively, neither Blaine or Cooper had said much about their parents.

"It was a car accident. Coming home from a relatives wedding. I was 13 and staying with a friend. My friends mom told me what had happened the next morning but I didnt really believe it until Cooper came back from California.

“Id never seen him so solemn. He and I got along alright back then, but werent really close yet. I remember he came over to where I was staying and didnt say anything at all he just gave me this really tight long hug. And thats when I knew. They were really gone."

Kurt had to wipe at his eyes to see the road clearly, losing his mom had been almost unbearable, if he had lost his dad too? Kurt wasnt sure what would have become of him.

"And then he moved back home?"

"Yeah, and then he moved back home. If not I would have gone to my Aunt Kelly who is very conservative and not that gay friendly. I know it sounds dramatic but I feel like Coop saved me."

"Wait." Kurt said in surprise. "Youre gay?" He stole a glance at Blaine to see his face break out in a smile before he started to laugh.

"It isnt obvious?"

"I dont know!" Kurt said. "I mean I hadnt really thought about it."

"Yeah, Im gay." Blaine laughed.

"Did your parents know?"

"Yes, I had come out the year before. I mean my dad wasnt thrilled, but I like to think he would have come around. Mom was great about it though. I think she knew already."

"I came out when I was 16." Kurt said. "When I had to mark my preference on the Lottery registration. I was so scared of how my dad would react, but he said he already knew. He was supportive from the start, but has definitely grown more comfortable with it over time."

It felt good to talk to Blaine. There was something so comforting and approachable about him. Cooper made him blush and feel a little giddy, but he also made Kurt upset and feel somewhat unwanted. He wished it was as easy with Cooper as it was with Blaine.

Kurt pulled up to the house and they both got out and walked to the door. For a split second Kurt thought about reaching out to hold Blaines hand, but then caught himself not knowing where that thought had come from.

"So now that your friends are all off spread out around the map I have an idea." Blaine said as he unlocked the front door.

"Yeah?" Kurt asked.

"I think before I go back to school you and you start your online classes you need to meet the Warblers."

"You want me to meet your friends?" Kurt said with a smiled.

"Of course I do!" Blaine said as they walked in, but the conversation stopped there as Cooper coming running into the foyer.

"You wont believe it!" He yelled and gave Blaine a big hug before turning to Kurt and hugging him as well and placing a quick peak to his cheek. Kurt could feel his whole face heat up. It was the first real show of affection hed received from Cooper.

"I got an audition. A big one!"

"Really Coop? Thats great!" Blaine said sharing in his excitement.

"I head back to L.A. tomorrow for the audition. Its for a movie! Like a big movie not the small independent one like I was trying out for a few weeks ago. This is a big deal!"

"Congratulations Cooper!" Kurt said feeling genuinely happy for him, Coopers enthusiasm was contagious. "You leave tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Ill only be gone a couple of days. And then well have to wait and see how things go. But…" He spun around on his heels. "This could be my big break!"

Kurt smiled and celebrated with Cooper, but he couldnt help but feel a little uneasy. It looked more and more like Coopers future was in California, and where did that leave Kurt? Where did that leave them?