February 23nd, 1919 - Düsseldorf, Germany

Kurt

Kurt froze on the first step looking at Blaine with his mouth hanging open. Blaine thought this was their first date. Their first date. Of many to come. With a huge grin Kurt fought the urge to dance at his excitement and instead followed Blaine up the stairs.

Blaine smiled when Kurt caught up to him; the man was waiting with his hands in his pockets while Kurt fumbled with the knob.

"You know that you can just walk in, right?" Kurt asked, as he held the door open.

"I didn't want to just barge in." Blaine said as he slipped past, already tugging at the scarf around his neck. "It seems a little rude."

Kurt chuckled, walking into the entranceway as he closed the door behind him, toeing off his shoes. "You are staying here. It's not rude." He said, smiling at Blaine, who was working at the buttons of his coat.

"Do you not usually lock it?" Blaine asked, as he shrugged out of his coat and draped it on the hook on the wall.

Kurt nodded. "If everyone is out, yes. But Anna is horrible for forgetting her key." He said offhandedly, unwinding his scarf from his neck to put with his coat.

"So, I should just walk in then? No knocking, nothing?" Blaine asked, looking like he was ready to jump out of his skin at the thought of not being invited into the home.

"Blaine, for god's sake, it is fine! You are staying here, and you don't have a key, just walk in. No one will mind."

"If you insist." Blaine sighed, shuffling on his feet. "But I feel like me leaving the house without someone might be a bad idea." He mumbled.

"And why would that be?" Kurt asked, confused.

"I can't speak German." He stated, a smile on his lips as it finally dawned on Kurt.

"Your right, you shouldn't. The German women have a tendency to steal away handsome men and you not being able to speak German just makes you a moving target." Kurt joked moving into the living room to rest his leg.

"Very funny, Kurt." Blaine laughed, following Kurt into the large main living area.

Smirking, Kurt stopped in his tracks as he saw Quinn coming down the stairs, a charming smile on her face.

"Oh, I thought I heard voices." She laughed, giving Blaine a simple wave in greeting which he returned with a happy smile. "How was your day?" She asked Kurt, as she paused on the last step leaning on the banister.

"It was fine, just went for a bit of a walk." Kurt smiled, glancing at Blaine with a smitten look, which earned him a wolfish grin from Quinn.

"You know, it's when she does things like that, that she scares me." Blaine whispered as he stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his slacks, looking at Quinn like he was ready for her to pounce.

Kurt laughed, smiling at a confused Quinn. "You make him nervous, it seems." He answered.

"He should be. A cute thing like him, it's a shame he dislikes women." She laughed for a moment before her face went somber. "Kurt, I was wondering if we could talk for a moment? Privately."

"Of course." Kurt smiled, putting his hand over hers that was resting on the railing. "Let me just let Blaine know."

"Thank you." She smiled, turning on her heel as she went back up the stairs. "I'll be in Anna's room."

"What was that about?" Blaine asked, looking confused.

"She said she needed to talk to me for a bit-"

"Say no more." Blaine grinned goofily. "I've been monopolizing you for too long. You should visit with her too."

"I won't be long." Kurt assured him.

"Kurt, she's your friend, spend as much time with her as you want. I won't be offended." Blaine said, his grin growing.

"Thanks." Kurt smiled, kissing Blaine's cheek.

"I think you missed." Blaine pouted.

"Sorry?"

"You kissed my cheek... My lips are here." Blaine said, pointing at his pouting lips.

Smiling, Kurt leaned in and pressed his lips to Blaine's, only pulling away when he was out of breath. "Better?" He asked.

Blaine nodded, his eyes still slightly hooded. "Much better. I was wondering if it would be all right if I could grab a nap?"

"Of course, I also emptied a couple of drawers in my dresser for you if you would like to unpack." Kurt said as an aside, starting to make his way upstairs to talk with Quinn. "I shouldn't take long." He called over his shoulder, smiling when Blaine followed him up the stairs.

"Don't worry. I can keep myself occupied for a while." Blaine assured Kurt as they walked towards the closed door of Kurt's room. Blaine paused leaning against the door, grinning at Kurt. "Now go visit with poor Quinn. I'm sure the girl desperately misses you." He said, his voice suddenly growing deeper as he pushed off the door to lean in closer to Kurt, a seductive grin on his face.

"Hmm, I'm sure she has." Kurt agreed, not moving from his spot while he fought a grin of his own. "But the question is, will you desperately miss me?" He asked coyly.

Blaine chuckled, his lips now so tantalizingly close Kurt could feel Blaine's breath against his mouth and Kurt watched Blaine's honey eyes grow darker. "Of course." He breathed, pressing a passionate kiss to Kurt's lips.

Breathless, Kurt stood in awe, any hint of composure now gone, as Blaine leaned back against the wooden door, arms crossed against his chest with a smug grin on his face. "You should go." He smiled, looking quite proud of himself.

Trying to calm his heavy breathing and his pounding heart, Kurt took a deep breath, looking Blaine right in the eyes. The other man's smirk grew cocky, as he saw how much the kiss had affected Kurt.

With a huff and a forced eye roll, Kurt leaned in, kissing the smug look off the other man, grinning into the kiss when Blaine let out a little moan.

Kurt's smile grew as he pulled away, Blaine's lips following his while his eyes slowly fluttered open. "You go have a nap, and I'll go visit with Quinn." Kurt said, trying not to look utterly satisfied with Blaine's sudden lack of composure.

Blaine nodded, a goofy yet satisfied grin plastered on his face while he attempted to open the door as he leaned against it. Kurt watched Blaine twist the knob and release the latch from the plate. He looked alarmed as he stumbled backwards into the room.

Repressing a laugh, Kurt moved forward to make sure that Blaine was alright, but the other man laughed, as he caught himself before he landed on his ass. "I'm fine, Kurt." He smiled, righting himself and waving Kurt off. "Go see Quinn, we've kept her waiting long enough."

Pressing a swift kiss to Blaine's light shadow of a beard, Kurt left Blaine to fend for himself as he walked the short distance across the hall to the room Quinn was sharing with Anna.

Kurt rapped his knuckles on the oak door in warning as he turned the knob. "Quinn?" He asked, glancing in the room for the woman.

Quinn was seated on one of the twin beds with her back resting against some pillows and a book open in her lap. At the sound of his voice she looked up from the book and smiled at Kurt. "Oh, Kurt, come in." She smiled, watching Kurt come in the room, close the door behind him, and sit at the foot of the bed.

The room was simple. Two twin beds, dressed in floral comforters, rested against opposite walls with a nightstand between them. On the inside wall stood a large armoire and a simple desk with loose papers scattered across the wood and books lay on the shelf above the desktop.

"I hope you don't mind." She said shyly, gesturing to the now closed book resting in her lap. "I was in need of something to read to calm my thoughts."

Kurt smiled. "It's fine." He said, cocking his head to read the title of the book. "The Scarlet Letter?" He asked, surprised.

She nodded, avoiding his gaze as she stroked the spine of the hardcover book. "It's a good book." Quinn mumbled.

"It is." Kurt agreed. It was one of his favorites actually; he wasn't sure why but for some reason the story intrigued him and he felt an odd connection to it. "Have you read it before?" Kurt had to ask, wondering if Quinn just grabbed it thinking it was a happy read.

"I have." She smiled bitterly, finally looking towards Kurt again. "It's kind of why I wanted to read it again."

"Oh?" Kurt asked, cocking his brow.

The blonde sighed, looking around at the simple decor that showed a young girl lived in this room. She looked up at him with her determined green eyes. But Kurt saw something in them that he had never seen in those beautiful eyes before, fear.

"Quinn?" Kurt asked, hearing worry laced in his voice.

She sighed again, this time a more conflicted sound. "I'm pregnant." She said almost so quietly that Kurt didn't hear her words.

Kurt felt his mind freeze. This wasn't what he was expecting this conversation to turn into. He was expecting them to catch up on their time apart, listen to Quinn gush about Rolph, her new position within the hospital, but not on that Quinn was now expecting a child.

"Are you sure?" Kurt squeaked, looking at Quinn's stomach in complete shock.

Quinn rolled her eyes dramatically. "Verily."

"Did you use a condom?" Kurt asked without even thinking.

Sighing, Quinn gave Kurt a pointed look. "Kurt, I'm pregnant. What do you think?"

"But you're a nurse-" He blurted; now chastising himself for his lack of control over his mouth.

"Yes, I am, and I obviously didn't follow the health measures of the German Army-"

"I'm sorry." Kurt interrupted, putting his hands up in mock surrender. He knew better than to get on the woman's bad side. "That was uncalled for. I'm just a little surprised, to say the least."

"You're not the only one." Quinn chuckled.

"So, who else knows?" Kurt asked, noticing that the blonde now looked at everything but him and her silence was the only answer he seemed to need.

Kurt was speechless. He wanted to say something encouraging but Quinn didn't look too upset, if anything she seemed to be fine other than the fact that she was looking completely torn. Gathering his wits, Kurt opened his mouth to say some encouraging words, but Quinn cut him off.

"I don't know what to do." She said, her eyes boring into Kurt's.

Kurt sat for a moment looking into Quinn's large eyes wondering what was the right thing to say to his friend. He knew she was scared, which seemed like an understandable feeling considering having a child was a large responsibility in anyone's life. Yet he had no doubt that Quinn would be just fine, she was a strong woman, and knowing Rolph he would do everything in his power to make sure Quinn and his child were cared for. He was just that kind of man despite his quirky personality.

"Well, maybe you should tell Rolph." Kurt said simply, it seemed like the only logical answer he could give.

"I know I need to. But I'm just so worried-" She sighed, her nervousness showing on her face.

"You have nothing to really worry about, Quinn. Rolph is head over heels about you. You are all he ever writes to me about." Kurt smiled at the embarrassed blush that rose on Quinn's cheeks. "Unless you aren't wanting to keep it..." Kurt asked, his mind going to another form of worry.

"Oh no!" Quinn said quickly, quelling Kurt's mind from going away on him. "I want to keep it." She smiled happily, placing a hand on the small swell of her belly that Kurt hadn't noticed before. "I'm excited at the prospect of having a child, but at the same time I'm terrified. This is a whole new experience for me, and what if Rolph isn't ready? What do I do then?"

Kurt thought for a moment, and no matter what scenario his mind made up according to how Rolph talked of Quinn in his letters he didn't seem to ever plan on leaving her in the near future. So Kurt told her as such, unable to keep his smile at bay at how Quinn blushed at the praise that Rolph wrote of her.

"I feel like we need to figure out what you are going to do." Kurt said honestly, knowing he would feel much better once Quinn had a plan.

"I guess the first thing is to tell Rolph-"

Kurt rolled his eyes, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice. "That would be the best course of action since he was the one that got you pregnant in the first place."

Quinn swatted his arm. "Oh, now you are just being a smart ass."

"I'm trying to lighten the mood." Kurt said in his defense.

"Focus." She scolded leaning away from him with a smile on her face.

Smiling in return, Kurt nodded bringing his thoughts back to the task. "Okay, so first you tell Rolph, when was he coming to pick you up?" Kurt asked remembering that Quinn had mentioned that Rolph was going to stop by for a short time.

"In a few days." She replied, watching Kurt intently.

"Well, then is as good a time as any to tell him." Kurt said, seeing her nod. "Then what needs to be done?" He asked. He honestly had no clue what to do in this situation and he thanked his stars that such a predicament would not befall himself.

Kurt watched as Quinn rubbed at the tender skin at her temples before they turned into fists that sat on either side of her head. "I guess, I would have to tell my parents. God, they will be furious. They never liked Rolph; they said he was below our station." She said, letting out a strangled laugh, her fists pressing firmly against her skull.

Not wanting her to hurt herself, Kurt grabbed her hands and began to rub the pad of his thumbs over her white knuckles to try and calm her. "Hey, everything will turn out all right." Kurt smiled reassuringly, holding her hands tightly.

"I hope you're right." She sighed, leaning her head against the headboard of the bed lost in thought. "I always expected to just follow whatever my father told me, go to school for a while, then get married to some man he chose for me." She laughed. "But now I'm pregnant with the baby of the man my father says is unacceptable, and truthfully I couldn't care less. I care for Rolph and he cares for me, my father be damned."

"I think you should maybe mention this to Rolph." Kurt said, smiling fondly as Quinn raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "You should tell him how you feel... He's under the impression that you are just with him to spite your father."

Quinn's mouth fell for a moment. "He honestly thinks that?" She asked, pain laced in her voice. At Kurt's nod, she sighed banging her head lightly against the headboard. "Men are so dense."

"Not all men." Kurt mumbled, getting a skeptical look from his friend. "Okay we are, but it's to protect ourselves. As much as we try to act like we are sure of ourselves, we are always questioning ourselves, but we mean well."

The blonde smiled. "You're all dense still. Even if you mean well."

Kurt shrugged knowing that there was now no way in changing her thoughts, but he knew the woman had a point. "So, what are you planning to do then-with Rolph?" He specified when Quinn gave him a confused look.

She smiled fondly. "Well, it seems I have to spell out for him tell him how I feel, since he didn't get it the first time. Then I'll tell him about the baby." She paused, deep in thought for moment. "Or should I tell him about the baby first?" She asked, looking up at Kurt with her big green eyes.

"I'm not exactly sure what the protocol is here...I guess the best way is to just let things happen, follow your instincts I guess." Kurt suggested, not sure whether he gave sound advice or not. However Quinn nodded, seeming to accept his words.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, both lost in their thoughts. "I want to get something from my room." Kurt said quickly, breaking the silence.

With a quick nod from Quinn, Kurt smiled. "I'll be right back." He assured her, leaving the room at a quick pace.

Once in front of his door, his hand settled on the knob he stopped pausing to remember that Blaine was planning on having a nap. Taking a calming breath Kurt quietly turned the knob opening the door a fraction and peaking his head in, whispering Blaine's name. When Blaine didn't answer him, Kurt opened the door wider letting a stream of light filter into the dim room.

Glancing towards the bed, Kurt couldn't help but let out a subtle gasp. Blaine looked surreal. The Englishman was curled into a ball on the bed his head resting on his pillow, as curls fell from his styled hair to frame his face. He was smiling in his sleep, as he clutched another pillow one that Kurt noticed very quickly was the one that he used.

Kurt tried to repress a smile as Blaine snuggled into the pillow his nose rubbing against the fabric, letting out a content sigh. Unable to fight his smile Kurt watched Blaine for a moment longer seeing the other man shiver suddenly. Walking quietly into the room Kurt gently pulled the throw blanket off of the foot of the bed, watching Blaine to make sure he didn't wake him as he moved the blanket that was tucked under his socked feet. Blaine stirred slightly from the movement, tucking his legs in closer to his stomach and tucking his head further into Kurt's pillow.

Smiling fondly, Kurt unfolded the blanket draping it over Blaine's shoulders pulling the helm down over his strong legs. Just as Kurt was about to put the knitted quilt over his socked feet Kurt noticed something odd. Blaine was wearing two pairs of thick woolen socks. Kurt felt warm just thinking about the heat that two pairs of socks must be containing, for a moment he contemplated taking the thick socks off of the other man's feet but he thought better of it when he saw Blaine shiver slightly again so he instead covered Blaine's socked feet with the end of the quilt.

Taking a deep breath Kurt watched Blaine for a few moments smiling happily when Blaine's body posture relaxed now that he was under the blanket's warmth.

Humming under his breath Kurt quietly walked to his dresser, rummaging quietly through the jewelry box that held his expansive yet highly inexpensive collection of cuff links and watches.

Kurt focused in the dim light for the hat pin he was looking for. But when his hand passed over a thin chain he felt his heart drop for a moment. Lifting it out of the drawer he looked at the oval gold engraved locket, the thin chain rested against his fingers as the locket fell to the end of chain, moving slightly from side to side. Kurt caught the locket mid swing and lowered it into the palm of his hand entranced with the elaborate engravings that swirled into the leaves and the simple delicate petals of a single flower. Kurt felt his vision blur as he stared at the pool of cool gold resting on his palm. Rubbing the tears from his eyes with the back of his sleeve, Kurt turned the locket over where E.T.H. was written in expertly carved curved letters. Kurt fought the sob that threatened to escape as he traced his thumb over his mother's initials.

Of all of Elizabeth Therese Hummel's belongings, this was the only thing he had begged his family to let him keep which they didn't even dispute much to Kurt's happiness. Closing his hand around the locket, he closed his eyes and breathed in, trying to control the emotions he had been keeping inside for years, that were now starting to come to the surface. He clutched the locket to his heart for a moment, scolding himself internally for acting like he was when there were other things he had to deal with. Hesitantly, Kurt opened his palm to kiss the now warm metal, feeling the engravings against his lips before gently placing the locket back into the safety of his jewelry box and in doing so his fingers rested upon the pin he had been looking for in the first place.

Grabbing the silver pin, Kurt quietly as possible closed the lid to the wooden box, glancing over to Blaine to see the man was still peacefully sleeping. Taking in a deep breath Kurt composed himself as best as he could, walking silently to the door to go back to Quinn.

When Kurt had walked back into Anna's room, within moments Quinn had started headlong into what was happening in her life after the last she had seen him. It was obvious to Kurt that Quinn was finished talking about her pregnancy and Kurt had to admit it helped him to calm himself by listening to her melodic voice, and when she ran out of things to say she asked about Kurt's life which he was more than happy to oblige.

A comfortable silence washed over them about an hour later, Kurt was sitting beside Quinn leaning against the wall when he remembered the pin he had hid in his pocket. "I have a present for you." Kurt announced suddenly breaking the silence.

Quinn's eyes widened, a fond smile on her face. "A present? Whatever for?" She asked, laughing quietly.

Digging in his pocket he held out the silver hair pin that was beautifully engraved on one end showing flowing patterns. "It's a tradition in my family." He smiled opening up one of her palms and placing the hat pin in her outstretched hand. "We have a tradition that when a woman becomes pregnant that you give her a gift. I'm not sure where it started but it's just something we have always done." Kurt shrugged, watching as Quinn traced a slender finger over the ornate designs. Kurt smiled, she looked truly touched. "That hat pin was given to my mother when she found out she was pregnant with me-"

Quinn's head snapped up ,eyes wide as she attempted to thrust the silver pin back into his hands. "Kurt as kind of a gesture this is, I can't accept it... This was your mothers."

Kurt nodded a smile playing on his lips. "Yes it was, but this pin isn't horribly important to me." He admitted thinking back to the locket that was safely tucked in a simple wooden box.

"What about your sisters-"

"They have their own." Kurt smiled. "They got the ones that Mom received when she was pregnant with them. And honestly what in the world am I doing to do with a hat pin?" He asked.

"I really shouldn't-" Quinn protested still stroking the silver pattern.

"I insist." Kurt smiled, placing a hand on her knee. "And if you really want to give it back to me you can do so if I ever happen to somehow acquire a daughter."

Quinn nodded, looking up and giving him a watery smile. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

Kurt smiled back, pulling her into a tight hug. "You are more than welcome."

Standing in front of his slightly ajar door, Kurt listened to the shuffling in the room then a soft curse echoed through the silence. Knocking gently Kurt entered the room, smiling as Blaine turned quickly to look at him.

"Kurt." The man said a little breathlessly a broad smile on his face. "I didn't expect you quite yet." He admitted, gesturing to the room which looked much worse for wear then when Kurt had been in earlier.

Blaine's few belongings were thrown across the bed, his clothes in wrinkled piles while his other belongings sat on the end table closest to the window. One of the drawers was opened wide and when Kurt caught sight of the contents he froze in confusion. It was full of grey woolen socks some looking like they had seen better days while others looked like they have never been worn before. Looking back quickly to the bed Kurt evaluated the clothing lying there. They were older style and well-worn but very well kept, even if some of the shirts seemed to be fading in colour. But it was the amount of clothing that intrigued Kurt. He only had a couple of slacks and about double the amount of shirts, but when he glanced at the drawer of socks it outnumbered his other clothing tenfold. It was a bit mind boggling, especially when he noticed that there were still a couple of pairs still sitting on the bed.

"Sorry, let me clean off a space for you to sit." Blaine murmured, breaking Kurt from his thoughts and moving to the bed to clear a space for Kurt, rubbing at his neck as he went. "I didn't think I was going to nap quite as long as I did." He chuckled, a twinge of red showing on his cheeks, as he stood and gestured for Kurt to sit.

Kurt took the last few steps to the bed sitting gingerly on the mattress in the spot that Blaine had cleared for him looking up at Blaine with a smile. "It seemed like you enjoyed your nap."

"I did." Blaine said happily, grabbing the last few pairs of socks to place in the over flowing drawer. "Thank you for the blanket." Blaine murmured so quietly that Kurt almost didn't catch his words. "I never seem to remember how cold I get when I sleep. So, thank you." He smiled, his eyes looking sad and distant for a split second and then suddenly returning to his happy, smiling self.

Fighting the urge to find out the cause of Blaine's forlorn look, Kurt gave the British man a smile hoping that his sudden concern didn't show in his features. "It was really no problem, Blaine."

The other man gave a quick smile. "Still, it was nice to wake up warm for once and not shivering like I usually do." He chuckled, yet his happy demeanor didn't reach his eyes. Blaine took the folded shirts in his arms to add to the small space Kurt had vacated for his use in the wardrobe, humming to himself as he started to place the first shirt on the wooden hanger.

When Blaine's back was turned Kurt felt his heart clench and his face fall. Blaine was upset about something. Kurt could tell when his smile didn't reach his eyes and his back was tense rather than relaxed as it should be after a good, long nap. Kurt glanced towards Blaine's feet, noticing that the man was still wearing two pairs of socks.

The man obviously had some sort of obsession with socks, a very bizarre interest with socks, which went so far as to collect them. Kurt had intended to leave his thoughts to himself but as he continued to think the questions he had floating in his head could no longer stay unanswered.

"Blaine?" Kurt asked, looking away from the drawer to the other man's feet.

Placing the last hanger on the rod the British man turned towards Kurt his eyebrow raised. "Kurt?" He smiled fondly, closing the doors of the wardrobe and walking back towards the bed.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Kurt mumbled shyly hoping the other man wouldn't be offended.

Blaine just smiled broadly, grabbing Kurt's hands and giving them a gentle squeeze. "Of course you can." He said sitting down on Kurt's left. "What do you want to know?"

Sighing Kurt looked into Blaine's bright hazel eyes. "Why do you have so many socks?"

Kurt watched Blaine's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, looking over quickly to his socks, then back at Kurt a blush rising on the back of his neck. "I like socks..."

"You like socks?" Kurt asked in disbelief as Blaine withdrew his hand from Kurt's grip looking into his lap and nodding. "Blaine, if you like socks so much, why on earth are most of them looking like they need to be taken out of their misery? Please, I promise not to judge you- just- please, just tell me the truth."

Blaine sighed, rubbing the back of his neck looking defeated. "I-I honestly can't even understand it myself." He paused raising his head to look at Kurt. "I never used to have this- this problem. But things change, I guess."

Kurt sat silently, feeling suddenly like he hit some sort of nerve with the British man. The poor man was now hunched as if a great weight was placed on him, his eyes were void of any emotion. They were haunted by what Kurt could only understand was memories. He had never intended to open any old wounds but he knew that for some reason socks, those god damn woolen socks were the scab that Kurt had unintentionally scratched.

"I'm not sure where to begin." Blaine admitted, looking around the room at everything but Kurt.

"Where ever feels best." Kurt said quietly hoping that the sound of his voice might calm Blaine.

"I hate my feet being cold." Blaine stated, looking at his socked feet and wiggling his toes. "It was never like this until I was in the trenches-"

Kurt felt his heart stop. He had somehow stumbled across dangerous territory, he knew how much the war had affected himself and he was only out in the trenches for a couple of months. But Blaine, Blaine had been in that hell for years and he wasn't likely to be one to have escaped with no scars both emotionally or physically.

"It was always so cold and wet. I'm sure you remember, but then again your trenches could have been better being on the high ground and all, most of the time." He smiled weakly fidgeting with the worn cuff of his sleeve. "The water was usually half way up my calf and it never seemed to warm up even in the summer but in the winter- God, the winter was the worst.

"No matter what you did, you just never seemed to warm up. After the first few months I just dealt with it, tried to ignore it as much as I could but then. Well, once your feet become in so much pain that you can hardly walk on them you feel you need to do something. According to one of my superior officers my feet were starting to get the beginnings of trench foot, I had no idea what that was but the other men just told me to get some extra socks... So I did. When I finally got some leave, the first thing I did was buy myself a pack of smokes, a beer and another pair of socks." Blaine chuckled hollowly, his eyes trained on the far wall, shifting his position on the bed so he was no longer sitting on the edge.

"My trench foot went away since my feet were dryer, so I just kept rotating the socks I had. They weren't clean, but most of us weren't down there, but to have dry and warm feet, god it was the most amazing feeling. It was one thing that gave a man some small taste of normalcy." He continued, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But once they started to take longer and longer to dry I got desperate and I began stealing socks from the dead men lying in the trench." He sighed, his eyes looking so torn and distraught, that Kurt just wanted to wrap the other man in his arms and tell him that everything was going to be all right.

Kurt froze as a memory drifted into his mind of Blaine telling him to hoard socks, dear god, the man wasn't joking. Kurt had always assumed the man was pulling his leg, trying to scare the young German that was stuck in that shell hole with him. Kurt thought back to his time in the trench when he had a couple pairs of socks he had stolen for himself, yet it was not from the feet of dead men, it was from the bottom of the men's packs. Kurt had always assumed Blaine's words were meant as a jest, yet looking at Blaine's expression of utter disgust and pain, Kurt knew that Blaine had in fact took the socks from dead men's feet and the thought sent a shiver down his spine as he watched Blaine's inner turmoil hit a head.

"I was desperate." Blaine continued frowning from his memories. "So god damn desperate for the feeling that I was almost crazed with finding dry warm socks. At first I was disgusted with myself, touching a dead body, taking something from a dead man that I called my fellow soldier, it made me sick to think I was disrespecting them. But then again, it wasn't like the lads needed them anymore -And I wasn't the only one, other men would take trinkets, lighters, smokes, equipment but then I would take socks."

He let out a strangled laugh. "It's pathetic now that I think about it but I just-I just couldn't stop, the fear of the cold, setting in it was more of a worry than getting shot. At least I signed up for that, but the damn cold disgusting trenches that I never signed up for. I don't know what I thought I would get but that was not it. Not taking socks off of dead men like a thief."

Blaine looked blankly at the far wall shaking his head as frustrated tears attempted to escape from his hazel eyes. "I never meant for anything like this to go so far..." He said weakly as silent tears fell.

"Blaine." Kurt murmured, ignoring all earlier thoughts of giving Blaine space and wrapping his arms around Blaine's shaking form. He wished he had the words to make all of Blaine's memories a thing of the past but he knew that the war haunted all of them, some more than others. And Blaine's strange attachment to socks, well, Kurt knew that this was only likely scraping the surface of the trauma the man experienced.

Kurt rubbed at Blaine's back, felling the shorter man shake uncontrollably in his arms as silent sobs wracked his body. Blaine clung to Kurt, his hands fisted tightly at the base of Kurt's shirt with his head resting at Kurt's neck. Kurt was at a loss, he had no idea how to console the man, but he hoped that if he continued to hold him, Blaine's ashamed tears which soaked into skin at the base of his neck would subside.

A miserable silence washed over them, making Kurt's skin crawl as his mind wandered into dangerous thoughts, about socks of all things. He couldn't help but glare at the offending items sitting neatly in the drawer, wondering which ones had once belonged to another man. Upon closer inspection most of the socks were worn, dark stains that seemed to be permanent spotting the wool along with green thread that mended the ribbed fabric. Deep down Kurt knew that the socks needed to be disposed of. They were on their last legs, the wool so worn out that green thread overshadowed the faded gray colour of the socks. But the issue was, would Blaine be willing to part with them if Kurt promised the prospect of new, clean woolen socks to replace them? He wasn't so sure Blaine would.

A shuttering breath left Blaine, burying his poor red nose in the crook of Kurt's neck.

"I had never had thought that dying would be less terrifying for me than the prospect of being cold for even just a minute." Blaine muttered against Kurt's skin. "I don't even understand why."

"Shh. It's alright." Kurt cooed, moving his hand to stroke at the smooth skin of his neck as he cradled Blaine against his body. "You have nothing to be ashamed of-"

Blaine went rigid in Kurt's embrace, and then jerked away violently his face so full of what Kurt could only see as self-anguish that it broke his heart to see Blaine so upset.

"Nothing to be ashamed of?!" Blaine yelled his eyes growing large, big tears falling down the previous tear tracks. "I took socks from dead men, Kurt! Men who were my friends. I defiled their bodies. They paid the ultimate sacrifice and I didn't even respect that!" Blaine suddenly stood, looking like a caged animal as he clenched his fists into his hair. "God, Kurt, I saw their faces, they were just so empty. Those men had families, people that loved them, and if they would have known their fellow soldier were taking their belongings. They would be so appalled. I'm disgusted with myself. I took their bloody socks!"

Kurt sat in utter silence, words escaping him. This was not how he expected this to go. "Blaine-" Kurt whimpered, cursing his voice for sounding so pained.

Blaine hung his head, walking towards the window, placing one hand on the sill while the other was resting on the frosted glass clenched in a fist and resting next to his forehead looking towards the darkened street. "How could you even want me when I did such horrible things?" Blaine sobbed, his voice rough from his crying earlier. "I'm not worthy to be in the same room as you-"

"Enough!" Kurt sobbed, his heart pounding. Blaine turned slightly, his red-rimmed eyes looking towards Kurt, with the smallest sliver of hope shining in them.

Standing, Kurt moved from the bed towards Blaine. "You have done nothing wrong." He assured the man, hesitating to wrap his arms around Blaine's hips. "You had to do those things to stay alive."

Shaking his head Blaine let his head fall back to the window, clenching his fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white. With a nervous sigh, Kurt moved forward to wrap his arms around Blaine, holding him tightly as he rested his head on the shorter man's shoulder.

"I don't think any less of you for what you've told me." Kurt whispered next to Blaine's ear feeling the other man shiver slightly. "We all had to do things in this war that we aren't proud of. But what you did, as horrible as you seem to think it is- you did it to survive. You were young and scared and all you wanted was to get the hell out of that nightmare in one piece. I was the same way- there was one point, a moment for me when I thought to myself I would do anything to get home. We are no different, Blaine- none of us that fought out there are the same men that we were when we left, and chances are we will never be the same again. But there is one thing we can do, we can try to rebuild our lives, and attempt to be happy and whole again." Kurt said, pulling back from his embrace and gently turning Blaine to face him. Blaine kept his head bowed shuffling his socked feet trying to make himself smaller.

Kurt frowned as Blaine kept his head tilted to the floor avoiding Kurt's eyes. Reaching out, Kurt stroked his hand on Blaine's cheek startling the other man to look up at him. Giving the British man a reassuring smile Kurt continued. "I know we'll never be perfect- we'll still have our nightmares to bare but we can't let our past affect our futures. We need to let go of as much as possible and try to be happy. You need to let some of it go Blaine, there is nothing you can do now." Blaine frowned. "I'm not saying you need to forget, you just need to move on and try to forgive yourself for what happened. You need to remember you did it to stay alive, and there is nothing wrong with that." Kurt smiled, placing his hands on either side of Blaine's face. "There is nothing wrong with it because if you didn't do those things you wouldn't be here with me."

A sigh of relief left Kurt's lungs as he saw a smile break across Blaine's face. "I don't think any less of you. I never could." Kurt smiled, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss on Blaine's lips. Then his cheeks, to erase the dried tear tracks. His nose, extracting a small chuckle as the dark haired man wrinkled his nose. Then he placed the gentlest of kisses on Blaine's closed eyelids, while the other man let out a sigh of happiness. "I'm so sorry, Blaine." Kurt said quietly pressing his cheek against Blaine's as he wrapped his arms around his neck. "I should have let things be-"

"No, you have no reason to be sorry." Blaine said quietly, pressing a kiss to Kurt's cheek. "You had no idea, it was my problem, you just happened to stumble on a sore spot. I never meant for you to see this part of me."

"I'm glad I did." Kurt smiled, pulling back to look into Blaine's beautiful hazel eyes. "If we are going to be-" He paused, blushing at Blaine's intense stare. "If we are going to be together, we need to understand each other, and more importantly we need to support each other."

"You're amazing, you know that." Blaine smiled, wrapping his strong arms around Kurt's waist. "You always seem to know what to say, even if you don't know it."

"I can't help it; I'm just brimming with worldly wisdom." Kurt jested lightly, hoping that the heavy conversation was over.

Blaine hummed, pulling Kurt closer to kiss him quickly on the mouth. "That you are." He agreed pulling Kurt towards the bed and sitting heavily. "Would it be alright if we just sit here for a while?" The dark haired man asked, all troubles seemed to be gone for the moment.

"Of course." Kurt smiled, sitting beside Blaine. "I don't mean to pry but I have a question about your socks-"

"Kurt, I'm sure anything you ask will be fine." Blaine chuckled giving a genuine smile.

Nodding, Kurt looked towards the opened drawer. "Who on earth did your mending? It looks like a five year old attacked them with yards of green thread."

Blaine laughed loudly. "Not all of us can be tailors like you. I did what I could considering I never really learned to sew."

"Well from now on, you'll let me do your mending, otherwise your poor clothes will be destroyed." Kurt said, feeling his heart skip a beat at the grateful smile full of adoration that grew on Blaine's face.

"I'll make sure all of my mending goes to you." He assured Kurt, his eyes sparkling.

"Good." Kurt smiled.

Kurt and Blaine sat in the room for a while talking in soft voices about their likes and dislikes and laughing at the stories they told of their childhoods.

Kurt was curled on his side on his bed his head cushioned by a pillow as he listened to Blaine's soothing voice. Blaine seemed to be in good spirits again, much to Kurt's relief. He was animated and smiling, his happiness reaching his eyes again.

Smiling, Kurt watched Blaine as he talked with his hands, when suddenly Kurt's stomach let out a loud rumble.

"Well, someone sounds hungry." Blaine chuckled.

Kurt hummed, ignoring the blush that stained his cheeks. "We should maybe head down to start supper."

At Blaine's nod, the two men left the room heading to the kitchen to find Quinn and Lena already starting the preparations.

Blaine

The kitchen was nice and warm, filled with soft laughter and chatter as the women and Kurt floated about grabbing shiny copper pots and waving sharp knives as they joked. Blaine felt a little out of his element and stood off to the side, lamely fiddling with the hem of his lumpy sweater while he watched this happy little German family make supper. Lena was leaning over an open cupboard rummaging around for something; Blaine could hear the glass bottles hitting each other as she pulled out a bottle of oil. Quinn was already at the stove stirring the pot of melted butter as Kurt dropped in the leaves of some herbs he had picked from the plants that sat alongside the sink.

"Hey lazy, are you just going to stand there all evening?"

Blaine smiled up at Kurt who was looking at him with a cocked eyebrow and hand resting on his hip. He looked like he belonged there in that kitchen scolding Blaine, all he was missing was an embarrassingly girly apron and a wooden spoon that he could swing about.

"What would you like me to do?" Blaine asked as he rolled up his sleeves, smiling a little more widely as he watched Kurt's eyes fall onto his forearms with a fixed stare. If Blaine flexed them as he sauntered into the kitchen that was his little secret.

Quinn giggled behind a dainty hand and glanced over at a smirking Lena, who had come up alongside her to turn down the heat underneath the bubbling seasoned butter. Kurt was flustered, his face pink he brushed past Blaine, shooting him a withering glance, which wasn't all that scary since Blaine could see the flush running up the back of his neck.

"Here, cut the onions."

"Oh, I see how it is." Blaine sighed dramatically moving up to the counter where Kurt had gestured to the wooden cutting board, with a large sized knife sitting next to it. Kurt was still rosy as he stood so close to Blaine that their shoulders brushed and Blaine was able to catch a hint of his aftershave.

"Hey, if you want to stay, you have to work for it. This isn't a free meal here." Kurt snorted, rummaging around a utensil drawer, pulling out a small metal object which he poked Blaine's arm with. Blaine laughed smacking the potato peeler away loving the way that Kurt smiled wide enough that he was able to see the ends of the German man's teeth. 

"I'll do my best, sir." Blaine joked back reaching out to grab the closest onion peeling it quickly, pushing the skins off to the side before moving onto the next one. Kurt moved to the sink on Blaine's other side and rinsed the potatoes before peeling them. It was impressive to watch, Kurt's long thin fingers spinning the spud as he worked away, removing just a thin layer.

Blaine picked up the sharp knife, examining it quickly before cutting into the first onion with a satisfying crunch and spray of flavour. 

"Do you think that you'll be okay with that?" Kurt paused in his peeling to eye the blade in Blaine hand. "I mean, you and sharp blades have a long history."

Blaine turned his head to the side so that he could give Kurt a deadpan look. "Oh, shush you." He continued, elbowing Kurt in the arm. The other man laughed it off by flicking the water that ran off his fingers at Blaine who hissed and jerked away.

"My, my, you're acting more like a married couple then me and Noah." Lena shot out, as she set a huge chunk of meat into a pan of boiling oil. Quinn giggled in agreement, standing a little off to the side with some fresh hot rolls on a plate. The sizzle of the roast made Blaine's stomach rumble in hunger and he turned away to focus on cutting the onions.

"Oh, be quiet you." Kurt rolled his eyes and returned to his potatoes, peeling with a new vigor.  Blaine's stomach growled again, loud enough that he could see the upward quirk of Kurt's lips while the other man snickered softly to himself. Blaine rolled with it and continued to dice the onions. It was all very easy and repetitive and Blaine went with it, chopping away until he felt a prickling sensation over the surface of his eyes. He quickly blinked a few times but it didn't seem to help as the tickle turned into a sting and his vision started to blur. Blaine tried to rub away the tears with the back of his wrist, purposely avoiding his hand which smelt strongly of onion. It didn't help.

"Hey, you okay there?" Kurt asked setting his last peeled potato down onto the counter on the other side of the sink where Lena swooped in and scooped them up.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." Blaine waved him off but his vision was so blurry that he could only make out the dark hue of Kurt's shirt and not the disbelieving look he was getting.

"Come here." Kurt murmured as he reached out with cold damp hands and cupped Blaine's face turning his head so that he was no longer facing the cutting board. Blaine was flush with embarrassment, hoping that the girls weren't watching Kurt run his thumbs across Blaine's hallowed cheeks to wipe away some tears.

"Sorry." Blaine mumbled. "The onions."  

Kurt rolled his eyes, not that Blaine could see, and grabbed the damp towel he had been wiping his hands on and wiped at Blaine's red eyes. Kurt was efficient. He had Blaine's face cleaned up and dried off before Lena and Quinn could make any embarrassing comments.

Blaine blinked a few more times staring up into Kurt's face and smiling widely. It was nice to be cared for like this, despite everything that had happened earlier and Blaine's little outburst Kurt was still kind and sweet.

"Better?" Kurt asked as he slowly dropped his hands from Blaine's face letting them graze down Blaine's throat and rest momentary against his collarbone. It was a smooth and seamless gesture which to observers wouldn't have seemed overly intimate but Blaine could see the way the tips of Kurt's ears were flushed and how he mindlessly flicked his tongue to wet his lips.

"Yeah." Blaine croaked out, his mouth suddenly very dry. He could feel the gaze of the girls' and when he turned around he could see Quinn flashing Kurt a very broad smirk while Lena fiddled with the spoon in her hand, looking rather embarrassed.

"Okay, good." Blaine turned his attention back to Kurt, noting that the distance between their bodies kept mysteriously disappearing even though the German man's eyes were fixed on Quinn. Blaine could hear mocking kissing noises behind him and choked back a laugh by coughing inconspicuously into his fist taking this moment to cool himself down or risk jumping his temporary bedmate right there in his family kitchen.

"How about I just finish up those onions?" Blaine took a small step back but Kurt was too busy shooting Quinn dirty looks and making crude gestures with his hands to notice.

"Good, at least then some of us will actually be doing something." Lena flashed Blaine an approving look as she shut the oven door, wiping her hands on the dingy grey apron tied around her waist. The hunk of meat was still sizzling away but there was now a large ceramic casserole pot sitting next to the stove filled with thinly chopped carrots. Blaine nodded smugly turning back to his cutting board and taking up the knife that he had set down.

Readying himself for the sting of tears again he could hear Quinn and Lena whispering to each other so he turned his head to glance at them over his shoulder. They were huddled pretty close together speaking rapid German in hushed tones while periodically looking over at Blaine. Blaine didn't think that they were trying to be rude but it was obvious that they were talking about him. He didn't dwell on it for long however as Kurt saddled up alongside him and bumped Blaine's shoulder with his own.

"This should help."

Kurt held out his open hand. Sitting on his palm was a small cube of sugar.

"Huh?" Blaine was confused but Kurt just shook his head with a smile and tugged on Blaine's arm with his free hand until they were standing chest to chest.

"Here, open your mouth." He said, picking up the sugar and pressing it to Blaine's closed lips. Shrugging, Blaine opened his mouth wide enough for Kurt to push the little cube inside. 

"Now don't chew or swallow until you're done with those onions." He warned, poking Blaine in the arm with his outstretched index finger. Blaine just smiled at him around the cube he had clutched between his front teeth. 

By the time Blaine was done with the onions Kurt and Quinn had moved on to setting the table. They had some kind of team thing going on with Kurt hauling all dishes to the side of the table while Quinn walked about putting everything in the right place.

"You're done?"

Blaine smiled down at Lena as the woman reached for the cutting board, not waiting for an answer. She pushed all the onions into the dish alongside the carrots before carefully rolling the roast out of the frying pan and into the same dish. After pouring the broth-like sauce that Quinn had been stirring earlier on top of everything, Lena shoved it all into the oven.

"Dinner should be ready in half an hour. That gives up plenty of time to clean up." 

Before anyone could make a move to gather up the dirty dishes, the front door opened and Sara and Anna came racing into the apartment with eager looks on their faces.

"Is dinner ready?"   

Lena just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Kurt grinned sympathetically at the crushed looks that the younger girls gave Lena. Anna scowled at the floor as she stomped her way to the table, her small shoulders hunched over.

"How about now?"

Noah sauntered into the kitchen, grabbing his wife by the waist and hauling her into a quick kiss that had both her siblings looking a little uncomfortable. Eventually Lena pushed at Noah's shoulders trying to look upset at the small smudges of oil he had left behind on her apron but the flush on her face betrayed her.

"Noah, what did I say about leaving the door wide open?" Burt asked, as he walked through the open doorway. He stopped to hang up his thick wool jacket and slip off his heavy work boots.

"Sorry, Burt." Noah was smiling as he walked back to the door and shut it before removing his jacket and boots as well.

"Just in time to wash up before dinner." Kurt called over his shoulder and busied himself by passing Blaine a large plate of buns to take to the table.

"Oh, the freeloader is still here?" Blaine couldn't understand what Noah was saying but by the way that the other man shot him a very disdainful glance he realised that it was probably something rude about him. He brushed it off with a tight clench of his jaw and walked towards the table where he set down his load and started to help Quinn with the utensils.

"Yes, Noah, Blaine is still here and he will continue to be here until he is not. Do you understand?" Kurt spat out angrily over his shoulder as he dried his clean hands off. "And don't you dare call him a freeloader, he's done more to help with dinner tonight then I can remember you ever doing."

Noah took a step back, his hands raised in surrender as Kurt continued to glower. Lena just shook her head at her husband, brushing past to stand next to Blaine and set a dainty hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, Blaine has been a wonderful help tonight. I don't think I have ever seen neater chopped onions in my life."

Blaine smiled at her, chuffed that it seemed he at least had two Hummels on his side now. Noah just shrugged and turned around to walk into the bathroom where Burt was emerging looking refreshed. The older man was rolling down the wrinkled sleeves of his button up.

"So, is it ready yet?" Anna asked from her seat, her plate already filled with bread and buns.

"Almost, and leave some for the rest of us, you little piglet." Shot Lena as she walked back the oven and checked inside. She seemed satisfied as she reached in with a thick kitted pot holder to pull out the dish. Anna scrunched up her nose at her sister and started to begrudgingly put back some the buns. Blaine reached out and plucked a warm roll, the top dusted with a light coating of sesame seeds. He plopped it down on Anna's plate with a secretive smile which earned him a wide grin. Quinn pulled out the chair to Blaine's left and started to sit down before Blaine reached out to grab the top of the chair's back and helped her push it in. She thanked him with a nod of her head.

"Dinner's ready!"

Lena plopped down the steaming roast onto the middle of the table where Kurt had thrown down a small chunk of cloth. At the same time, Noah exited the bathroom wiping his wet hands on the legs of his trousers and Burt sat down in his usual spot at the head of the table. Since his arrival he hadn't said anything to or even looked at Blaine, which he counted as a win. Hopefully, things would stay that way.

"You can sit down now." Kurt was at Blaine's side, reaching out to set a hand down on Blaine's arm while his other gestured towards a few of the sit empty seats across from where they were standing.

"Thanks."

He started that way pausing only momentarily to help push in Lena's chair clearly ignoring the squinty eyed look that Noah gave him. Kurt moved to take the chair at his father's right side, leaving the one next to him open.

"Here let me help you." Blaine ran that last little bit to stand next to Kurt and holding onto the back of Kurt's chair.

"I can get it, you know. I'm not a woman." Although he tried to sound a little offended that Blaine didn't think he was able to push in the chair himself, he looked a little satisfied as Blaine helped him.

"Oh, trust me, I know." Blaine mumbled quietly as he sat down in his own seat.

"What, lover boy isn't going to push my chair in for me too?" Noah asked in a snarky voice as he sat down. Once again Blaine couldn't understand what was happening but he felt the urge to snap out something cunning and cleaver at Noah's expense or punch him in the face. He didn't though because that would just be the height of bad manners but it didn't seem as if Kurt had that same problem. Blaine could see the hackles rising as Kurt scooted forward in his chair.

"Noah, if you don't stop it right now I'll make you eat dirt again like I did in the third grade."

There seemed to be wild sparks flying between the two friends as Kurt glared and Noah made a face; obviously it was dinner as usual as everyone ignored the two feuding boys and reached out the start filling their plates.

 "Can someone pass the salt?"

"Anna, where are you manners!"

"Can someone please pass the salt?"

"Blaine, would you like some potatoes?"

Blaine looked over at little tiny Sara sitting to his left. The little girl looked up at him expectantly while holding onto a large metal serving spoon. He didn't know what to do and turned his head to give Kurt a panicked glance. The German, now finished his staring contest with Noah moved to look over Blaine's shoulder. 

"Oh, Sara, sweetie, Blaine only speaks English." He said. The girl nodded, her face suddenly serious as she paused to think for a moment.

 "Blaine, potatoes?" She asked again gesturing to the pot in front of her. Blaine smiled down at her and nodded holding out his plate for the little girl to plop down some food.

"Thanks." Sara seemed to preen, impressed with herself, and handed the dish over so that Blaine could give it to Kurt. When his plate was finally full, he picked up his fork and knife and started to cut his slice of roast into smaller bite-sized pieces.

"Can I please have another bun?"

"Hey, sweetheart, can you pour me something to drink?"

"Noah, mom says that you need to watch your manners!"

"Oh, good, you do know how to use those." Joked Kurt as he leaned into Blaine's space, a grin on his thin lips. Blaine blushed in embarrassment but continued to cut up his meal.

"Yes I do, in fact I'm rather adept at it. Unfortunately, you caught me at a rather awkward moment yesterday." Blaine replied, carefully driving his fork into a few vegetables.

"Like I believe that for a moment, but okay caveman, I'll leave it alone but just remember I'm watching you."

With everyone occupied with the food in front of them, Blaine was sure that dinner was going to be uneventful as he was hoping, nah, praying for. He really just wanted everything to run smoothly and for Burt to completely overlook his presence still within the family home, especially after how embarrassing this morning had been. Of course, that's when Burt decided to set down his fork and take a sip of water.

"So, Blaine." The older man finished his drink. Blaine froze his fork clutched tightly in hand as he glanced up at the head of the household. Beside him, he felt Kurt stop. "Is English your first language?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Blaine watched Kurt's mouth open and close but no sound came out. ‘Gee, just leave me hanging here,' Blaine thought as he started sweating. Burt Hummel was staring him down and suddenly Blaine felt like throwing up.

"Umm. Ye-yes sir." He stuttered, thankful when Burt turned his gaze away and onto his son. Kurt was sheet white and trying to avoid eye contact by shoveling chunks of potatoes into his mouth. Lena seemed to catch onto what was happening and sat up tall looking at Blaine with a tight smile, her eyes wide with fear.

"Can I have another bun?" Anna asked from the other side of the table.

"Blaine." She interrupted, catching everyone's attention. "Kurt said that it's your first time to Düsseldorf. How do you like it so far?"

Blaine shot her a thankful glance to which she responded with a small hand gesture, urging him to speed it up before her father started in on him again.

 "Oh, yeah." He shouted, making Kurt jump slightly and elbow him. Blaine flushed and looked down at his still half full plate. "I-er, I love it. Everything is very clean... and lively."

"Can some please pass me another bun... and the butter?"

Before Lena or Quinn could ask him another question Burt jumped in, holding up a hand to stop Kurt from saying anything.

"Lena, they're right next to you. It's not that hard."

"It is, isn't it?" The older man shot out, not that he was expecting an answer or anything as he continued.  "But have you been to see Berlin yet? The cathedral is a great landmark and lovely this time of year."

Although Blaine couldn't understand just what Burt was trying to get at, he was positive that this wasn't about his traveling or sightseeing.

"No, sir. I only just arrived yesterday." He replied, slowly pulling at the collar of his sweater because it suddenly just got crazy warm in here.

"What about the potatoes, can I have some of those?" In the back ground, Anna was waving a hand and pointing at some of the dishes that sat across the table from her but no one seemed to be paying attention.

"Oh, then where are you from?"

Blaine stopped, glancing over to Kurt who stared intently back with fear evident in his wide blue eyes. He didn't say anything or give Blaine any sort of advice. Honesty was the best policy in this case, he didn't want to lie to Burt because that would be a shit way to start their relationship and Blaine was pretty sure that he was at least halfway in love with Kurt.

"L-London. That's where my mum lived. She just moved to Derby."

Burt's body seemed to perk up at the sound of that, his face pulled into a tight knowing look as he staring intently at the guilty look splashed across his son's face. That's when the other shoe dropped.

"Oh. You're British? How then did you and Kurt meet then?"

Everyone's eyes were abruptly on Blaine and he wished for the ground to open up and swallow him whole. Suddenly everything happened in a flutter of movement.

Quinn was up and trying to pass the pot of potatoes to Noah, who sat back with a smirk splayed across his attractive face.

"Here have some more. I think you need some more. Take the fucking potatoes."

"No, no, I think I'm good."

Lena was out of her seat and racing to her father's side, trying to fill his glass with more water.

"Hey dad, you look thirsty. Here's some more water."

 Anna sat in her seat complaining loudly for someone to pass her another bun.

"Seriously, it's like I'm invisible or something. Can I please just have another bun!?"

Kurt wasn't saying anything and when Blaine turned his head again to look at him for advice he could see the other man's right hand clutching at the corner of the table, the knuckles of his fingers bone white while he breathed heavily through his nose. Blaine was panicking; everyone was trying their best to draw Burt's attention away but it was no use, the man pinned Blaine and Kurt down with a look.

Sucking in a deep breath, Blaine reached out slowly and set his shaking hand down on top of Kurt's left hand which was clutching tightly at his pant leg, out of the view of all their table mates. Blaine uncurled Kurt's tensed fingers, letting the other man hold onto his own clammy hand in desperation. He tried to ignore the way Kurt's fingernails pierced into his flesh.  

This was it. Burt was starting to look both a little flushed and annoyed at having to wait so long for a response but Blaine made him wait for it as he took in another deep breath and reached out with his free to grab the platter of now cold buns.

"Well, Sir, if you must know... we met in a shell hole, when I tried to kill him."

The entire room went dead silent as everyone stared at Blaine horrified. Never had Blaine seen anyone's face change colour as fast as Burt's did. For a moment it seemed as if everyone had forgotten to breath and now Blaine was the one clutching desperately at Kurt. He tried to smile and play everything off, as if it wasn't brand new, earth-shattering news because if he and Kurt could move past that tiny detail then surely his family could look past it too.

He held the platter of bread out towards Anna.

"Would you like that bun now?"