"Oh my god I'm going home. Do you know what this means?"

Kurt was practically bouncing with excitement next to Blaine as they both made their way to their respective seats. There was a bunch of reporters outside but Kurt couldn't care less and neither did Blaine; Kurt still haven't given anyone an official interview about their relationship and when Blaine asks why, he'd just say "I have my reasons" or "you'll know soon enough."

"Uh, that you're going home?"

"Exactly!"

Blaine laughed, he has never seen Kurt this excited before. It was kind of amusing and endearing.

"You don't know how much I want to just sit in the floor of my house and just breathe there." Kurt said. Blaine extended out a hand to get Kurt's hand-carry bag. "Ever the gentleman."

"Thank you. I try." Blaine gave a curt bow. He placed it inside the overhead compartment and squeezed in next to Kurt, finally able to hold his hand and lace their fingers together. "Can you please stop bouncing?" Blaine chuckled a little.

"I most certainly will not stop bouncing Mr. Anderson." Blaine's lips went up, almost teasing. Kurt rolled his eyes. "Shut up. I think I'm just going to bounce all the way there."

"It's a 5 hour flight Kurt, I'm sure you're gonna get tired at some point." Blaine raised an eyebrow at him.

"Watch me."

And Blaine did watch Kurt; he went from bouncy to giggly to quiet and eventually, he fell asleep on Blaine's shoulder after a couple of hours. Blaine tried his hard not to vibrate from silently laughing when Kurt fell asleep; it was only understandable because Kurt practically couldn't sleep all night because going home meant seeing his family and friends from high school who were also going back home for Thanksgiving.

Once it was announced that they were landing, Blaine gently woke Kurt up. Kurt shifted in his seat and nuzzled his nose closer to Blaine's shoulder and Blaine could almost hear Kurt sniffing him. He blushed, he couldn't believe that Kurt Hummel was doing this to him.

He lowered his lips to whisper into Kurt's ear, "Kurt, stop sniffing me. We're here."

"You," Kurt's muffled and sleepy voice said. Blaine smiled, shaking his shoulders to wake Kurt up. Kurt popped one eye open. "You always smell like coffee."

"I do? Is that bad?" He asked, sounding worried.

"No. I like coffee, remember?" Kurt yawned. He looked outside the window and his eyes widened. They already landed. "We're here!" He excitedly said, resuming his bouncing.

Blaine laughed as they walked out of the plane and into the airport where they went and got their luggage. They were walking side by side when Kurt felt Blaine stiffen; Blaine suddenly remembered that this wasn't all fun and games, he was going to meet Kurt's father.

"Jesus christ I'm so nervous." Blaine let out honestly. Kurt patted Blaine on the back.

"You'll be fine. He'll like you, I swear." Kurt smiled.

They walked out of the airport and Blaine was practically shaking with nervousness. He's Kurt's father, he's a congressman, HE'S KURT'S FATHER was the only thing inside his mind.

He could almost feel his brain overheating.

But it soon faded away when he saw how Kurt's face brightened up at the sight of his dad, paparazzi forgotten. Kurt's eyes were shining and his smile was radiant and innocent all at the same time. It was like he was back to being young.

"Kurt!"

Blaine looked ahead to see Mr. Burt Hummel waving his hand and Kurt bolted right past him, running towards his dad's open arms as Kurt got into his tight hug. Blaine was in awe, Kurt and Burt's relationship can actually be summed up in one hug. He sighed; he wasn't jealous, not really, in fact he was happy that Kurt had this but it would be nice to have a father like that.

"Dad! I missed you so much." Kurt pulled away, looking his father over to check him. "Are you eating right? You've been following my dietary regimen for you, right? Does Carole watch your eating habits? You got fatter!" Kurt interrogated.

"We'll have time for that later, bud." Burt let out a bark of laughter. "In the meantime, aren't you gonna introduce me to this man here?" He said, nodding towards Blaine who was trying to hide behind Kurt.

"Oh right!" Kurt suddenly remembered. He stood beside Blaine and linked their arms together. "Dad this is my boyfriend, Blaine." He smiled.

Blaine cleared his throat and held out a hand for Burt to shake. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Congressman Burt Hummel, sir."

"That's an awful lot of polite words in there boy." Burt said, looking down at Blaine's hand.

Kurt waited because he knew his dad and he trusts his dad's instinct when it comes to people. If Burt likes Blaine then Kurt knew he had the right guy. Burt took Blaine's hand and shook it. Blaine was about to let go when he was pulled into a fatherly hug courtesy of Burt Hummel. To say he was shocked was an understatement.

"Uhm, I…" Blaine stuttered.

"No formalities. Call me Burt." Burt said, clapping Blaine in the back. He let go and placed a warm hand on Blaine's shoulder. "Now come on, Carole and Finn are waiting at home. Let's just hope Finn hasn't eaten everything she cooked." Burt said.

They made their way towards the car, waving towards some of the cameras. It was different there. There were only a few paparazzi so it was a nice change both for Kurt and for Blaine. Blaine hang back to watch Kurt and his dad talk and catch up; it was a great sight. He was happy for Kurt and he couldn't help but think that maybe he needed to go home so he wouldn't be in the way.

But it's as if Kurt knew what he was thinking because he looked back, shook his head and smiled, extending a hand out and holding Blaine's hand, pulling Blaine next to him.

"Don't get any negative thoughts. You're not being a bother." Kurt said.

As surprised as Blaine was at Kurt's ability to read people's minds, he chuckled and nodded. "I guess I'm not the only one with superpowers here."

"It's not superpowers, it's empathy."

Blaine was kind of expecting a very expensive car because of the Hummel's family status but instead he finds himself sitting inside Burt Hummel's beloved truck and it awed him so much more. Burt and Kurt talked almost all the way to the house with Burt asking Blaine a few questions like where he went to high school and stuff but they really hit it off when it came to football (which is when Kurt wore his earphones on because he couldn't relate to anything football).

Once they arrived, Burt opened the front door with Kurt following close behind, motioning Blaine to get inside as well because it was November and it was cold outside and also because he was carrying a lot of luggage. Blaine couldn't help but feel that Kurt's house was very cozy and comfortable.

"It's good to be home." Blaine heard Kurt say.

"Burt, is that you?"

Blaine looked over towards what was probably the kitchen a woman came out, all smiling and happy. Burt kissed her on the cheek, she's probably Kurt's stepmom. Kurt got enveloped into a hug as well.

"Kurt, I missed you so much." She said. "Sometimes having two boys here just gets boring." She laughed.

"I can only imagine." Kurt replied. "I missed you too Carole." He added, kissing her in the cheek as well. When she let go, her eyes fell on Blaine.

"Oh is this Blaine?" She asked, glancing at Kurt. Kurt nodded and it was Carole's cue to give Blaine a motherly hug as well. "You look so much more handsome in the flesh. Look at you." Carole said, pulling away and giving Blaine a once over. Blaine blushed, scratching his nape in embarrassment.

"It's nice meeting you too Mrs. Hummel." Blaine gave her a sincere smile.

"Just call me Carole." She said. "Finn! Your brother's here!"

When Finn came out from the kitchen, one thing popped into Blaine's mind: Finn the Giant. He was munching on something while Carole just scolded him lightly with "I told you not to eat anything until they arrive!", rushing back to the kitchen.

"Dude! I haven't seen you in a long time." Finn said, opening his arms for Kurt which Kurt happily went into. Blaine wasn't scared, it was just that Finn was very, very tall.

"Don't call me dude." Kurt firmly said.

"Oh right, sorry du—Kurt." Finn laughed sheepishly.

"Finn, this is Blaine."

"Hey man, nice meeting you." Finn said nicely, holding out a hand which Blaine shook. Then he frowned, staring at Blaine's hair. "Is that a helmet?"

"Finn!" Kurt screamed, scandalized, slapping Finn by the arm.

"What?"

Blaine laughed at the exchange. He wasn't offended, he gets that a lot.

"It's gel. I'm not used to not putting gel on my hair. It tends to stick out everywhere when it's not gelled." Blaine explained.

"That's cool man, it's like you have your own protective gear." Finn said seriously, earning a glare from Kurt before saying another innocent "What?".

Blaine didn't notice that only the three of them were standing in the hall while Burt was in front of the TV and Carole was finishing up dinner. Burt called Blaine and Finn over to watch some football and probably get to know each other.

Kurt followed closely and smiled when he realized that Blaine was going to be fine without him for a while.

"Hey dad, I'm just gonna…" Kurt faded out, pointing his thumb towards the stairs and Burt nodded, understanding what Kurt wants to say. "Play nice." He smiled.

"I'm always nice." Burt replied. Kurt nodded, gave his dad a kiss in the cheek and went upstairs.

Blaine was curious and didn't realize he was staring at the spot where Kurt was. The curiosity was probably written all over his face because Burt answered his thoughts.

"You know that his mom died when he was 8, right?" Burt started and Blaine nodded. "Well, he does this thing every time he gets home," Burt paused, sipping his beer. "He'll go upstairs, open all the drawers and cabinets in my room, sit on the floor and just breathe in there, you know?"

Blaine nodded, Kurt must really miss his mother.

"It's his own way of remembering his mother. They were really close." Burt explained. "How about you, son? Any stories you want to tell?" Burt asked.

Blaine felt a pang in his heart when he heard the word 'son' coming out of Burt's lips. He's never heard that word used by a male voice in years and it gave him tingles.

"I don't know sir—"

"Burt." He interjected.

"Oh, sorry, Burt." Blaine apologized. "Uhm, what do you want to know?"

"How'd you meet Kurt?" Burt asked curiously.

"Well, I first met him at a gala that I played at." Blaine smiled at the thought. "I had no idea who he was because I don't watch that much TV but your son really has this presence…" Blaine's voice faded into a sigh while Burt just watched him intently.

"He has that effect on people."

Blaine snapped out of it and laughed nervously. "Yeah. Uhm, so I thought it'll be the last time I'll see him but it turns out his PR manager goes to our shop for coffee and well, that's where this all started." Blaine scratched his nape once more, feeling shy.

Burt just nodded. Their conversation flowed nicely as the game started once more, exchanging comments and opinions about football only to be ended when Carole said that dinner was ready. The dinner went well in Blaine's opinion because everyone was genuinely nice to him. It ended too soon for Kurt but he had no choice but let Blaine go, his mom wanted him home.

"The dinner was great Carole." Blaine said with a smile. "And thank you for having me here although I'm nervous as hell." He chuckled quietly.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you home?" Kurt offered.

"It's okay Kurt and besides, you need all the sleep you can get." Blaine told him.

"We'll see you on Thursday Blaine." Burt placed a hand on Blaine's shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

"Thanks si—uh, Burt." Blaine ended, seeing the warning look on Burt's face. Burt smiled.

Kurt walked Blaine to his cab and opened his arms for Blaine. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist and kissed his cheek. "Don't miss me too much." He winked.

"Don't flatter yourself." Kurt retorted. Blaine sniggered lightly.

"I'll call you when I get home."

"Okay."

Blaine waved at everybody, got in his cab and went home. The Hudson-Hummels are nice folk and he can't wait for his mom to meet them. He's pretty sure that his mom will like them.

Thursday night came with Blaine and his mother all caught up with each other's lives since they last saw each other. Blaine drove his mother's car to the Hudson-Hummel house and before they got out, he had a talk with her.

"Mom, they're really nice and I already told you last night that Kurt's…"

"…not like some people I know. Yes, I understand." Jane smiled. "Don't worry honey, I'll play nice. I even made them mashed potatoes." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Thanks mom." Blaine said, kissing her cheek.

"Now come on, they're waiting for us." She said, getting out of the car.

Blaine took in a deep breath before ringing the door bell. He heard a faint "coming!" from inside the house and recognized it as Kurt's voice.

Once the door opened, both men stood and stared at each other, just taking each other in. Blaine swears to god that Kurt gets beautiful every day, it's becoming unbearable.

They snapped out of their thoughts when they heard a cough from Jane and a loud, "Kurt close the door, it's getting cold in the hallway" from Burt.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, my manners have completely escaped me." Kurt apologized. "Come on in."

Blaine and his mother walked in. "Something smells really good." He mumbled. "Oh. Kurt, this is my mother, Jane Anderson." Blaine introduced her. Jane gave Kurt a warm smile.

"It's lovely to meet you Mrs. Anderson." Kurt said, "I'd shake your hand but I think I'll just give you a helping hand." He smiled, getting the Tupperware of mashed potatoes from Jane.

"Aren't you quite the gentleman?" She said. "Thank you." She ended. Kurt gave a curt bow and went to the kitchen with the food.

"Oh is that them?"

Carole emerged from upstairs and clapped her hands as she walked down.

"Good evening Mrs. Hum—"

"Tut tut." Carole said. "I told you to call me Carole."

"Of course. I'm sorry." Blaine smiled. "This is my mother, Jane."

"It's nice to meet you Carole." Jane said, offering a hand but ending up in a hug. She looked confusedly at Blaine and he just smiled at her and gestured to hug Carole back.

"Oh, excuse me, that must be the turkey." Carole said as something dinged in the kitchen.

"Anything I can help you with?" Jane offered. Blaine smiled; he knew it, he knew that his mom would never miss the chance to bond while cooking.

"Are you sure? I mean, you're our guest." Carole said but Jane just nodded. "Alright then. I'll introduce you to Burt, he's in the backyard."

They both walked towards the kitchen just in time when Kurt came back to the hallway. He smiled at Jane as he passed her and gave Blaine a wink; he knew that he got this and it's also helping that Jane was really nice after all. Blaine's lips thinned, trying to hide a smile while he looked at Kurt from head to toe.

"What?"

"You look amazing."

"Don't I always?"

Blaine rolled his eyes and kissed Kurt on the cheek. They haven't seen each other in a day and they both felt like they missed each other too much.

"Come on, we're eating in our backyard." Kurt said, taking Blaine's hand and dragging him outside. They passed their mothers (stepmom for Kurt) and just smiled, fully intending to help by setting the table.

Dinner started soon enough and thankfully, it wasn't as awkward as what Blaine had been imagining for the past few days. It was very pleasant and he's actually relieved that his mother wasn't interrogating Kurt and asking embarrassing questions. There were never-ending compliments about the food and the house and the personalities and it was just fun and laughter.

Blaine and Kurt fell in a conversation about turkeys half way through as Kurt was poked the turkey on its side.

"Stop poking it."

But Kurt just continued to do as he pleases, not even looking up at Blaine but just smirking.

"You know why I love Thanksgiving?"

"No, why?"

Kurt's smile widened, "It's because I'm terrified of turkeys." He explained. "I was once chased by a huge turkey when I was young, I was 6 or 7? And god, these creatures are the spawn of Satan. And they run really fast." He paused, cutting a meat off and munching on it. "This is the only night where I can get my revenge."

"Really Kurt? Really?" Blaine said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Shut up Blaine. That was a traumatizing experience." Kurt pouted.

"Aww, I'm sorry." Blaine pinched his cheek. "I'm sure you'll get over it."

"Oh yeah, I'm sure." Kurt replied, sarcasm dripping from his words. "I will devour every fiber of your being." Kurt addressed the turkey. Blaine just had to laugh at that and also because of the look on Finn's face as he stared at Kurt, probably terrified and confused.

Little did they know that their parents were watching them intently and in the back of Jane's mind, she's thinking that Kurt's not too bad after all because it's been a while since he's seen Blaine this happy.

As soon as dinner ended, Burt and Finn practically dragged Blaine to the living room to watch a football game in which Carole, Jane and Kurt had no interest in. Carole was the one who took charge of the washing of the dishes while Jane and Kurt remained outside, cleaning up the table.

"So Kurt," Jane started. He can sense Kurt tensing up a little but it faded away after a while. "Why Blaine?"

Kurt was caught off guard; he was expecting a string of questions once he was left alone with Blaine's mother starting with "are you serious about my son?" but he didn't expect her first question to be so hard to answer. So hard to explain. He looked up at Jane who was waiting but there was no sign of rush on her face, she was genuinely smiling at him.

"I, uhm," Kurt was at a loss.

He racked his brain for a coherent answer. Why Blaine? Exactly, why Blaine? Kurt glanced at the open door to the kitchen and saw Blaine having a conversation with Carole, Blaine noticed him staring, smiled and waved.

Maybe it was because of how amazing Blaine played that night in the gala. Maybe it was because he makes great mocha and cupcakes. Maybe it was because of his overly gelled hair. Maybe it was because of their trip to Chinatown. Or maybe even because of how he takes Kurt's hand in his and just gives him a heartfelt smile.

Kurt didn't know.

"To be honest," Kurt started, staring at Blaine. "I always ask myself that every single day and I still can't find the best answer possible." He said in a voice so sincere that Blaine's mother couldn't help but nod.

"I think I understand what you're saying." She said. Jane walked over to Kurt and took both of his hands, Kurt looked down at his hands then at Jane. "Just do me one favor Kurt Hummel, don't suddenly leave him. That's his biggest vulnerability because it already happened to him twice."

"Twice?"

"His father and brother left us when he was still young." Jane said. "And his boyfriend of 3 years left him for some other boy." She divulged. That was new for Kurt, the past relationship, he'll have to keep that information for later.

"You don't have to be worried Mrs. Anderson." Kurt smiled, patting Jane's hand. "I promise I will never do anything to hurt Blaine and I swear I'll never leave him."

It was a big promise but looking at Blaine through the open door, drinking a beer with his dad who was now laughing with Blaine and Carole, he knew that it wasn't such a bad promise. He knew that he could do it.

Kurt and Jane talked about a lot of things after that; it seemed that Jane's only concern was about Kurt leaving Blaine and right now, it's not really a problem. Kurt wasn't planning on doing that any time soon. Or ever.

When the older group of people are settled in the living room, watching television, and Finn vanishing towards his room, Kurt and Blaine did the same.

"Dad, we're just gonna go upstairs." Kurt announced as he dragged Blaine towards the stairs and to his room.

"Use protection!" Carole giggled and Kurt couldn't hide the blush that crept to his cheeks. He was glad, however, to see Blaine blushing as equally hard as him.

Kurt's room was everything Blaine has thought about. It was neat, clean and well-maintained even though it hasn't been lived in for about 5 or 6 years. There were magazines stacked on one side and a computer and other things.

"Your room's really nice, totally different from the Pent." Blaine commented. He has taken to calling Kurt's L.A. home as the Pent because apparently, 'penthouse' was too long a word for him to say.

"It is really different. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to…" But his words were cut when he threw himself in his bed, face flat against a pillow, laughing. "Dear god I missed this bed."

"I can tell." Blaine chuckled, sitting down on the edge of the bed and running his hands up and down the arch of Kurt's back.

"So, Blaine," Kurt started, sitting up Indian-style to face Blaine. "In the spirit of thanksgiving, tell me what you're grateful for." He smiled.

Blaine mimicked Kurt's position and smiled, getting deep in thought. "Well, I'm thankful about the amazing dinner I had tonight because that turkey tasted so good." Blaine started earning a nod of agreement from Kurt. "I'm thankful that there were no embarrassing interrogations in the whole duration of this dinner." He continued and heard a chuckle from Kurt. "I'm also thankful that I'm here with you, celebrating Thanksgiving with you, hanging out with you inside your room and just being here in Ohio with you. I'm thankful for that." Blaine ended, giving Kurt's hands a squeeze. "What about you?"

"Moi?" Kurt asked. "I'm grateful for my job and this chance of going back home to my family. And I'm grateful for everything that has happened in my life so far, whether it'd be good or bad. I'm also grateful for having you here in my humble abode." He smiled at Blaine. "And I'm grateful that I have you." Kurt honestly said.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence and just staring at each other, Kurt grabbed hold of a pillow and started hitting Blaine with it.

"What the hell?"

"We're so sappy." Kurt laughed.

"You started it!" Blaine retorted.

The battle of the pillows continued as they both enjoyed the moment of being together with no cameras, no pretenses, just them.

"Thank you Kurt." Blaine whispered as the battle died down and they were lying on the bed, facing each other.

"What for?"

"For existing."

Kurt silently laughed. "I gotta say, I should thank you too."

"Because I'm awesome?" Blaine tried which earned him a pinch on the nose.

"That and because you're my reality amidst all these celebrity hype." Kurt sincerely said, his hands playing with Blaine's curly hair.

Blaine couldn't help but smile and it took only a few minutes of silence before both of them were fast asleep.