Kurt smiled and nodded along with whatever mean thing Rachel was saying about a new singer. She, Finn, and her parents had come to the Hudmels for Thanksgiving. Rachel, having a schedule of what holidays she would spend with which family (her's or Finn's), had declared Thanksgiving to be a united holiday. Kurt knew he would one day rue the day he befriended the crazy girl and today was definitely that day.

'God help me,' Kurt thought, rubbing his temples as Rachel shrilled about her New York experiences even though she knew how jealous it made Kurt. Kurt had half a mind to think she was doing it on purpose to shove in his face. Maybe it made her feel superior, knowing about something Kurt didn't since they'd shared their small list of experiences.

Kurt pushed away the thought when Finn lumbered into the room, giving Rachel a quick kiss before plopping down in Burt's armchair and flipping the TV channel to a football game. Kurt and Rachel gave each other and exasperated look, rolling their eyes in unison at their very own Frankenstein's Monster grunting away at the TV set.

"So enough about me - for now. What's new in the spectacular life of Kurt Hummel?" Rachel arrange her body facing the taller boy, supporting her chin with both fists and giving the air of somebody interested in what he had to say.

"Well it's no New York - ("Of course not") - but this town isn't completely boring. There's enough drama between the East and West sides to put most soaps to shame."

Rachel's mouth popped open in awe, her eyebrows shooting up as well. "Yeah I heard about that," Finn piped in, speaking around his mouthful of chips. "Apparently some kids died."

"WHAT!" Kurt and Rachel's unified screams of shock were drowned out by the sound of the doorbell. Kurt gaped back and forth between the doorbell and his confused-looking brother, between finding out more about just what the fuck his brother was talking about and being a good host. In the end, his manners won out.

"Hey, Blaine."

Blaine smiled nervously, his hand working up a knot in his gelled-back hair. He combed the strands straight and wiped his slick fingers on his jeans. His armpits were drenched, half from nerves and half from the fact that the idiot was wearing a leather jacket during the hot day. For Fall, it was still very warm.

Kurt closed the door behind him, massaging his shoulder reassuringly as he led him into the house. He had convinced Blaine to join him and his family (plus the Berry's) for Thanksgiving dinner when he discovered that his parents didn't have a tradition or any plans set for the holiday. And Kurt just couldn't have the kid going to some bar to waste away the week they had off.

Rachel was eying Blaine speculatively, trying to figure out his angle because she knew Kurt would never hang out with someone who wore a lethal amount of hair gel and leather at the same time. It was just a not a good look ("Makes you look too shiny," Kurt would tell her).

Finn eyes were bulging out of his head and he gestured wildly behind the short boy's back at Kurt. Kurt nodded at his brother reassuringly, yes he knew this was the guy who flipped them off. Finn's arms shot quickly down and his face took the look of boredom as Blaine turned to say hello to him.

'This is going to be a long day,' Blaine internally groaned.

And it didn't get better either.

He was given a brief tour of the house and then Kurt (thankfully) directed him to the dining room to wait for dinner with Berry's dads. Blaine was thankful that he got away from Rachel's non-stop ranting about a state he wasn't remotely interested in. Like seriously, if you wanna make friends or have a conversation that doesn't leave you looking like a douche, talk about something you both like. But then again, hearing the short hobbit (even shorter than him) was a better prospect than sitting awkwardly, albeit quietly, with her two gay dads. Her two gay dads that were eyeing him curiously in a way that made his skin crawl uncomfortably. They didn't seem to make a motion of making conversation anytime soon.

Blaine finally decided to break the ice. "So, you got dragged into this dinner thing, too huh?"

Hiram and Leroy chuckled loudly and smiled kindly at Blaine at the remark. Blaine felt his nerves calm a bit and he managed to smile back at them.

"Yes, actually," Hiram answered warmly, the kind smile on his face a contrast to the awkward silence they were in before. "Our little girl insisted that since we're all practically family now, we should celebrate holidays together." He rolled his eyes adoringly.

Leroy nodded in agreement before bringing his head down closer to Blaine as if he had a secret to say, and whispered, "That's code for Hiram not being able to resist her pouty face." He bugged out his eyes and pointed with his head at his husband.

"Hey!" Hiram elbowed his husband in mock indignation, glaring at him amusedly. "If I remember correctly, who was the first one who succumbed?"

"I have no idea what he's talking about," Leroy rolled his eyes and made the motion for crazy with his hands. "Maybe he's had a little too much wine if you know what I'm sayin'."

Blaine watched curious eyes as Hiram and Leroy joked around with eachother. His eyes locking in on the way they touched eachother. They looked...happy. Not at all like the closet-restrained, basket cases that had come and gone through the town.

And how lucky for Kurt, too, that he had them to look up to. Their happiness to look forward. Blaine couldn't help but feel a little resentment towards his friend.

Leroy pushed his husbands hands from where they were attacking his tickle spots. When he finally succeeded, he turned back to Blaine, his head cocking at the dejected look on the boy's face. "Blaine? You okay buddy?"

"Hu-?" Blaine mumbled intelligently when he came out of his thoughts. Leroy gave him a warm smile, his hand reaching out towards Blaine's.

"There seems to be an awful lot going on through your mind," Leroy said softly. "And I am one for encouraging deep thought and all, but your's does not seem like your getting much out of it besides making yourself miserable."

"It's nothing," Blaine quickly reassured the older man.

"Oh, come on," Hiram prodded. "The foundations of the Berry family are Trust, Honesty, and Dance. And since the last one is out, it looks like you're going to have to trust with your honesty."