Kurt really did not want to hear that his father thought another sex talk was in order. He learned about it as he and Burt were finishing up their turkey and Swiss sandwiches at the same kitchen table where their first talk took place a number of weeks earlier. Burt made the announcement as he carried his empty plate to the sink, obviously intending to head back to the shop with Finn for the rest of the day. Any chat that Burt was proposing was not going to happen until after dinner that evening. That left entirely too much time to stew and fret; Kurt caught himself thinking maybe he should pull out those pamphlets again. Wait! That was just silly; he wasn't going to be quizzed, was he?

Fortunately there was a huge pile of laundry begging for attention. Kurt threw himself into all the sorting, pretreating, soaking, washing and drying that often occupied those considered to be fashion conscious. He had several items to hand wash and many fabrics that required special care. In the midst of it all Mercedes texted him and he decided to call her back. They had an enjoyable conversation that completely distracted him because he spent half of his energy trying to pry out of her what she was so darn happy about. Mercedes was always so quick to jump all over his business and he expected her to spill but she continued to insist she was just happy for him. As he folded several dryer loads and delivered clean laundry to the kitchen, bathroom and various bedrooms, Kurt also plotted out his next moves with Dave. He sent Dave yet another text. Then Carole came home earlier than usual and was delighted to see some much of the laundry done. She and Kurt decided to steal away to the fresh air market. They visited most of the stalls and brought home bags filled with local produce and baked goods along with several overflowing baskets of flowering plants.

After another pleasant family meal on the deck, Kurt and Burt finally found themselves sitting on the deck across from one another with freshly filled glasses of iced tea on the table between them.

Kurt did not have his fingers in his ears this time, much to Burt's relief, but he still managed to roll his eyes and get out a "Really, Dad?" when Burt told him to stick around as Carole and Finn cleared the table.

Finn was relieved this was one time he wasn't getting a lecture. He wondered what Kurt had done. but he just mumbled "Good luck, Kurt" as he slid closed the door, leaving father and son glaring at each other in the cooling air of the evening.

"Yes, really Kurt. You know when I gave you those pamphlets and we talked the first time? I told you to read them and then come talk to me about it. I did most of the talking then. And I believe that you read what I gave you. But we never got together again after that, did we?"

Kurt shook his head no. He was pushing the beads of sweat up and down on his iced tea glass.

"Kurt, this time I hope you will do more of the talking."

Kurt looked up, startled.

"And I want to be direct with you, Kurt. When we sat together at the kitchen table I knew you were very na�ve. Of course, I also knew you had feelings for Blaine. But now, thanks to your moving rendition of 'Blackbird' and Blaine's epiphany, you two are dating. I'm happy for you Kurt, I really am. But this is a game changer. So it is important that we discuss some things."

"Dad," Kurt protested, "Blaine and I aren't having sex. Not even close." Even as Kurt objected he realized his father had a point. A lot had changed.

"Well, that's good to know because quite frankly it appears that you two are having trouble keeping your hands off of each other."

Kurt's already pink face turned beet red. So, it was that obvious?

"Listen son, I like Blaine. And Carole tells me I'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see what a… what a -I believe her words were 'drop dead gorgeous charmer' -he is," Burt glanced up to see a small smile and faraway glint in Kurt's eyes, "but all references to Prince Charming aside, I think you and I need to be realistic about where this little romance is headed."

"Little romance?" Kurt huffed.

"It is an expression, Kurt. So, talk to me." With that Burt adjusted his ball cap, crossed his arms, and quite uncharacteristically shut up to listen to his son.

Kurt blanched and swallowed hard. "Talk about what?" he nearly squawked out the words.

"Well, I'm leaving that up to you. Do you have any questions about what you've read? Worries about, uh…that stuff?" Burt was tongue tied. How did he expect this kid to open up about sex when it was such a challenge for his father to talk about it? Finally he just asked, "Are you happy?"

"Oh my god, dad, am I happy? This has been the best year of my life!" Kurt forgot how uncomfortable he had been just a moment ago. "Blaine is wonderful. I mean he is kind and sweet, and so romantic. I never thought I'd find someone like him!"

Burt saw radiance in Kurt's blue green eyes, so like his mother's, that shone from the depths of his heart. Yes, these boys are both smitten. And it sunk in. They were 17 years old. They were, without a doubt, horny as all hell. And they were head over heels in love.

"So what am I supposed to do with you two?" It was the question Burt had been asking himself and he just decided the hell with it. Maybe everyone needed to chime in on this subject. So he just asked.

"What do you mean?" Kurt was coming down from his self-induced high about all things Blaine.

"Well, picture this Kurt. I have a household here with a healthy teenaged son who is in love for the first time with another boy. I may not know about gay, but I know about boys. Because I was one, Kurt. So let's just say it: I know about horny."

Fuck my life thought Kurt.

"And as tender and romantic as you make it all sound, I know you two were most likely in the shower together yesterday." There, thought Burt, I've said it. I'm not saying it was right or wrong, I'm just putting it out there.

Kurt's hand went up to his mouth and his eyes got rather round. Seriously, fuck my life.

"In my day there was an expression about boys playing "drop the soap" in the shower. Now, I hope that is not considered homophobic by today's standards. My point is that it was not a romantic game, but a sexual one…" Burt leaned forward intently. "So, maybe you and I need to talk about what will and what will not go on in this house between you and your boyfriend?" Burt's tone revealed that it was not a question.

Kurt bit his lip and looked out across the backyard. A dog barked close by. Yes, he had read those pamphlets. He had gone to some of the websites that were listed. He knew a lot more now than he knew back in March. The literature all seemed rather distant and strange before Blaine kissed him. But then Blaine kissed him. And Blaine touched him. More than that. They touched each other. And over the past few weeks Kurt had come to understand that there was a lot more that he wanted to try. With Blaine.

Kurt took a sip of his iced tea. Man up. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"When we talked back in the spring you said that once I started doing it I wouldn't want to stop. Well, you weren't just talking about having sex, were you? You were talking about all of it. I mean kissing, touching, making out, all of it."

Burt couldn't help but smile and, when Kurt risked a glance at Burt's face, he bit his lip and grinned back, looking rather sheepish.

Kurt's eyes fell away and the words rushed out. "I think about him all the time, dad. The way he smells, the way he laughs, things I want to do to him, things I want him to do to me." It felt kind of strange admitting it out loud, but it was a relief, too.

"Is he pressuring you?"

"No, dad." Kurt laughed, "If anything maybe I am pressuring him."

"Oh?" Burt found the glass sitting in front of him and took a long swallow. They had been swatting away mosquitoes for the past few minutes so Burt reached over to get the lighter lying near the grill. He used it to light a citronella candle on the table. He sat down again and looked across at Kurt.

"It's not like I've attacked him or anything. It is just that Blaine wants to talk about everything." Kurt motioned with his hands. "I mean every little thing. And I guess maybe I'm not comfortable with all that talking. About the stuff we are doing or not doing, or going to be doing…There has been a lot of talking." Kurt shrugged, "I'd rather just do it."

Burt smiled. "You might take after your old man in that respect, Kurt."

"Yeah?" Kurt could remember his dad saying that these talks would make better men of both of them.

Burt thought he caught some amusement on Kurt's face, too. "Yeah. It's not easy to talk about this stuff is it? Jesus, look at the two of us right now."

Kurt giggled a bit. He liked thinking that he might be like his dad in some ways. All too often their differences seemed to outweigh their similarities. Yet they had always stuck together and Kurt not only loved his father, but also respected him.

Kurt suddenly thought of something he had wanted to say to his dad for a while. "Dad, thanks for making Blaine feel so welcome at our house. He really looks up to you, you know. He always tells me how lucky I am to have a father like you."

"What, a mechanic?" joked Burt.

"No, dad, someone who is so good about raising a son who is gay. I know it isn't easy." Kurt cocked his head and put his hand on his waist. "And you are not just a mechanic; you own the shop."

"Okay, okay," Burt did not excel at taking compliments. "Thanks, kid. And thanks for being upfront with me. I hope you know you can come to me anytime with anything that is on your mind. I don't have all the answers, but after all these years, we make a pretty good team." They looked across the table, taking each other in. The candle on the table flicked gently between them, sending a mild citrus scent into the air. "I'm your dad and I'll always be your dad and as you grow older the things we talk about are going to change. I guess they already have."

Kurt nodded. In his pocket his phone vibrated.

"I told you that I hoped you would understand that sex is a connection; and it can be a very special connection between people."

"I think I get that now, dad," replied Kurt softly. If by special connection you mean he has my heart and I have his. If by special connection you mean there are two of us but it feels more all the time as if there is just one future to discuss, a shared one.

Burt kicked into lecture mode before he could catch himself. "Ultimately, how far you want to take your attraction to Blaine, or anyone, is really up to you. I like Blaine and he is welcome in our home. I still hope you will take it slow and make it count. I'm actually relieved to know that Blaine likes to talk about things before he does them."

Burt was on a roll. "I do expect you two to be respectful of the other people who live in this house. Carole and I have no problem with you being affectionate with one another- within reason. Maybe you should think about what you would feel comfortable seeing Carole and I do in front of you—"

"Yikes!" yelped Kurt. He really did not want to think of his father or Carole in sexual terms. But he immediately cupped his hand over his mouth because that might have seemed kind of rude.

"Exactly," nodded Burt. "Take anything that should be private to the privacy of your room."

Kurt wanted to make certain he understood what his father was telling him. "So, can Blaine and I go to my room," Burt nodded. "And can we close the door?"

Burt gave Kurt a rather steely look, but he nodded again. "Yes, as long as you do not forget that you are part of this family."

"Can Blaine spend the night with me in my room?"

"No, I would not feel comfortable with that right now, Kurt. And I really don't want you asking to stay over at his house. Not at this point in time."

Again, the phone in Kurt's pocket vibrated. He resisted the urge to pull out his phone to see who was texting him.

"Please remember that there is another teenage boy living in this house who is just as fascinated by sex as you are even if his interest is in girls. We have to have some semblance of proper conduct or all hell will break loose." Burt said with a chuckle.

"Okay, dad."

Both of them took a long draught from their glasses of iced tea. Burt looked across the yard, where he could see occasional glints of yellow flitting through the muggy summer air. A lot had changed since last year when he last looked out on the fireflies at dusk. He looked across at his beautiful son then glanced into the kitchen where Carole stood under the light at the kitchen sink. He caught her eye and they smiled at one another. A lot had changed.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"You bet, kid."

Burt got up and carried their empty glasses into the kitchen. Kurt stayed on the deck to check his messages.

What's up? Evidently Dave was a man of few words. Well, at least he had responded.

Btwn shows. Missing u. What time tomorrow? Am I invited to dinner ;) Can't wait. XX B

Kurt responded to Blaine first: Sorry, busy with dad. Not as much as I miss u. Come over whenever u wake up. Plan to stay for dinner. I'll make yr wait worth it. Drive safe. XX K

Then he responded to Dave. When can I call you?

Kurt blew out the candle and went inside to find Carole. He found her and his dad in their nearly dark family room curled up together watching Grease. Again.

"Carole, I had fun with you today. I think those petunias will do well in the full sun on the deck, don't you? I'm glad we found the apricot impatiens for the front steps; they add a lot of color. "

"I had fun, too. Now if we can just keep all those pots watered we will be in blooms most of the summer."

"I can help. Before I forget, Blaine will be here tomorrow for dinner."

"Okay, thanks, hon. What do you guys want to have?"

"Well if it's nice, we can grill out. Either way, salmon would be good. With rice pilaf. And maybe the asparagus we got at the market? If you want me to get something started, just leave me a note."

"Thanks, Kurt."

Kurt turned around to leave. "Dad?" He couldn't resist. "Watch the PDAs!"

Burt growled "Get out of here, Kurt" and threw his ball cap in Kurt's direction.

Kurt howled and scampered out of the room.

"Was that about what I think it was about?" Carole asked her husband.

"Yep. We had out little chat."

"How did it go, honey?"

"Oh, it went. It gets a little easier each time. After talking to Blaine yesterday and Kurt today, I can say for certain that cupid has certainly done a job on them. Hopefully their raging hormones won't get them into too much trouble because, my dear, we are going to have a ringside seat."

Burt thoughtfully rubbed the stubble on his cheek. He glanced over to Carole. "Want me to shave tonight before bed?" He was suppressing a smile, but the glint in his eyes gave him away.

"That would be nice." Carole leaned over and kissed him on the neck.

--To Be Continued--