-Thanksgiving holiday, two months later-

The door opens with a click and Blaine steps inside the house gently, replacing the grin with a calm mask of indifference.

 "I'm home," he calls out into the room as he makes his way through the kitchen.

He pauses.

Glass litters the floor.

Hesitantly he continues into the living room. His mother's favorite vase lies in shattered shards, glinting dully in the lamplight.

"You're early."

Blaine freezes as he hears his father's voice from the couch. "Yeah, I didn't have a lot of homework," he says flatly.

His father just grunts. Blaine's hazel eyes carefully flit about the room. The drawn curtains. The one lamp illuminating the colorless scene in dull light. The almost-empty bottle held in his father's grip. The remnants of another strewn across the carpet, the dark glass mingling with the pieces of clear, shining crystal. The putrid scent of alcohol polluting the air.

Blaine's nose crinkles and he picks his way across the room to the staircase, the glass tinkling softly under his step. At the foot of the stairs, he pauses and clears his throat. He has to ask. "Where's Mom?" He already knows the answer.

"Spending the night with her sister. But... But she'll be back," Mr. Anderson slurs. "She always comes back."

"I don't know why," Blaine mutters under his breath, just a sliver of speech in the quiet room. And his father is belching too loudly to notice.

Blaine trudges up the stairs and rushes into his room, closing the door softly behind him. He pulls on some clean clothes and flings his backpack into a corner. Quickly, he washes his face and reapplies the gel on his hair. He has to look perfect.

After spraying on some cologne, he pauses in front of the dresser. Hesitantly, he slides open a drawer he hasn't opened in weeks. Almost reverently, he slips out a small plaid bow tie. It would look so good with his outfit, wouldn't it? He holds it up to his collar, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

Practice the smile.

No, that's pathetic. Try again.

You're going to make Kurt cry. Try again.

Almost.

Not quite.

There it is. Perfect.

So you know how to smile. That's good.

Blaine's hand hesitantly lingers at his collar but he closes his eyes and puts the bowtie back, closing the drawer softly.

Buttoning up his jacket he slips downstairs and ties on his shoes.

"And where are you going?"

Blaine exhales.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" His father thunders. "YOU RUNNING AWAY TOO BOY?"

"No," Blaine says wearily. "I'm going to see Kurt."

"Oh your fairy boyfriend is back is he? So he didn't forget about you."

Blaine stands and turns his back on his father. "I'll be home late. Try and sober up," he clips sharply.

"Don't you turn your back on me."

Heavy hands spin him and throw him harshly against a wall. Blaine winces as his father's fingers dig into his bruised chest. "This is your fault. If you were normal this wouldn't be happening. Fag." Mr. Anderson spits, and Blaine's eyes water from his rancid breath. 

His father releases him and Blaine lets the wall support his weight as his knees weaken.

"This wouldn't be happening..." Mr. Anderson slurs, the alcohol blurring his words together as he collapses back onto the chair, taking another swig from the dark bottle. "This wouldn't be happening if you weren't you." He takes another swig and throws the empty bottle on the floor. It cracks, spider webs appearing on the glass. "Just go! What are you waiting for fag? GO! Go and get fucked by that fairy of yours. And stay there. We-we don't want you here... No one wants you."

Blaine stumbles outside the door and into his car, his father's profanities ringing in his ears as he pulls out of the driveway and onto the road. He grips the steering wheel tightly.

It's nothing new. He just drunk.

You're going to see Kurt. Finally.

Cheer up.

"Fag."

No. Don't do this to yourself. He's not worth it.

"We don't want you here."

"No one wants you."

Blaine pulls over on the side of the road, the cars flashing past sending streams of light past his window. His chest throbs. He stares blankly into the dark road ahead. And as the rain begins its soft pitter patter against the windshield, Blaine buries his head in his arms.

And he cries.

"Dad!"

"Yes Kurt?"

"Blaine's on his way here. Just thought I'd let you know."

Burt laughs, "Already? But you were just at the airport an hour ago! You'd better go unpack then. And Carole, can you set the table for one more?"

"Of course," Carole replies smiling. It's nice to finally have her family all together again.

Kurt hurriedly unpacks, pulling out some bowties he bought Blaine from New York and gets into some fresh clothes. Rain patters against the windowpane and increases until Kurt can hear it pouring outside, thunder growling in the distance. His heart constricts as he imagines Blaine on the slippery road. As he waits, he opens the box of bowties, admiring the softness and shine of the fabric and the vibrant colors. Blaine is going to love them. He imagines his boyfriend's soft smile and the way his widening gold eyes will crinkle at the corners. Imagines how he'll eagerly rush toward the mirror and hold them up to his collar, face breaking into large, bright grin that will have Kurt's heart warm and fluttering in his chest.

When the door bell finally rings, Kurt sighs in relief. Excited to see his boyfriend again, he sprints up the stairs, taking two at a time.

Burt laughs again at his son's enthusiasm and watches amusedly as he sees him almost trip over his own feet running to the door, throwing it open when he reaches it.

Blaine stands outside with a smile, eyes widening in joy as he sees his boyfriend for the first time in months. Kurt pulls him inside and out of the rain, watching as the other boy shakes the rain drops from his dark curls. They splatter against the floor, Blaine making little downpour of his own. After a second of studying his boyfriend, Blaine is rushing to Kurt, burying himself in his arms. Kurt holds him close, breathing in the smell of the clean autumn rain and Blaine, Blaine, Blaine. After a long moment, he mutters into Blaine's damp curls, throat thick, "I've missed you."

"Not as much as I've miss you." Blaine mutters quietly, his voice rough. The sound of it sends little shivers down Kurt's spine. Skype or the phone can never truly catch Blaine's voice. Can never truly describe how it can be bright and lively, echoing the bowtie clad child who cannot stand still or how it can be marbled and deep, like the feeling of smooth gravel brushing against the palm of your hand.

Kurt smiles and finds his own voice, speaking softly into Blaine's ear."Liar."

They both laugh, Kurt feeling the rumble of Blaine's chest against his own. Reluctantly, they pull away to look deep into each other's eyes. Kurt reaches over and brushes his slender fingers over Blaine's cheek, making the other boy close his eyes and shudder slightly at the simple touch.

Kurt's heart swells as Blaine's lashes flutter open and move closer and then they are kissing for the first time in what seems like forever, clichéd as it sounds. The feeling of Blaine's soft lips against his own is so natural.

Kurt Hummel is really home.

Their mouths slide smoothly together until Burt clears his throat. Blaine jumps back quickly, flashing a bright grin to Kurt who is rolling his eyes, before turning to Burt, "Hey Mr. Hummel!"

"Yeah yeah," Burt replies gruffly, but is unable to keep the smile off his face.

Carole bustles out of the kitchen. "Hello there Blaine! It's so nice to see you. Kurt, how about you get him out of that wet jacket before the poor boy catches his death, and then we can have some dinner."

Kurt helps Blaine shrug off his coat and hangs it out to dry, and they share a quick kiss before walking hand in hand to the dining room where Finn is already seated and started, "Oh hey Blaine," he says with his mouth full.

"Hey man. Good to see you."

Finn nods in agreement and everyone settles down to eat, laughing and talking, sharing stories and jokes.

Kurt can barely keep his eyes off Blaine, who either listens intently or joins in, speaking animatedly with his father and Finn about American football when the topic arises. Blaine periodically sneaks glances at Kurt when Burt is turned away, and blushes furiously when he catches Kurt staring. He's so unbelievably gorgeous. How the hell was I so lucky, Kurt thinks inwardly, How is it even possible that he got even more beautiful after all this time? He just wants to hold him, run his fingers through those dark curls, treasure him, kiss him...

"So Blaine, how's McKinley?" Burt's question pulls Kurt out of his reverie. Thankfully.

Blaine looks down at his plate, apparently his food just became extremely interesting. "Uh McKinley? It's um... It's fine." He composes himself and looks up but avoids Kurt's eyes, "It's fine. Not the same without everyone of course but yeah... It's okay. So, Kurt, how's Rachel? Has she found New York to her expectations?"

Confused at the subject change, Kurt hesitates a second before replying. The moment passes and the conversation continues. Kurt glances at his dad, who just shrugs.

It's nothing. You're just overreacting. Relax. He thinks to himself but makes a mental note to ask Blaine about it later.

Once dinner is finished, Blaine is helping Kurt put away the dishes despite numerous protests when thunder claps loudly, echoing through the house. The boys turn to each other and Kurt rushes to the window, taking a look outside.  The rains falls in sheets and Blaine's car is barely visible parked at the side of the road. The wind whistles, lightning flashes, and thunder roars. The trees sway sharply in the breeze, black brushes painting the sky a dull gray, the clouds like smoke rolling and blanketing the world in loud darkness.

Kurt turns to Burt, "Dad! Blaine has to stay the night. Look outside."

Blaine instantly protests, "Kurt..."

But Burt is nodding his head, "Kurt's right. Son, there's no way I'm going to let you drive in that."

"It's really not too bad..."

But Burt is having none of that. "You can sleep on the couch tonight. Call your parents and let them know."

Blaine relaxes, "Thank you sir."

"Don't mention it. Kurt, you go get something for Blaine to sleep in."

Kurt nods brightly, turning to his bedroom, "Come on Blaine!"

The boys bound down the stairs, "Door open!" Burt shouts after them, but doesn't pursue it.

The moment they are in Kurt's bedroom, Kurt shoves Blaine down on the bed, kissing him urgently. Blaine laughs in between kisses, trying to halfheartedly to push Kurt off of him. "Kurt... We have to sleep.... I have... school tomorrow." He chokes out and gasps as Kurt kisses his neck. He squirms, pinned to the sheets, unable to stop laughing at his persistent boyfriend, but is held tightly. Surrendering and allowing Kurt to kiss him, the younger boy wraps his arms tight around the boy above him and pulls him down closer, deepening the kiss. Blaine's legs naturally spread, allowing Kurt to slide between them and get closer. They kiss languidly until Kurt moves to lean against Blaine's chest, and then there's a sharp stab of pain and Blaine is pulling away with a gasp, eyes watering.

Kurt instantly leaps off and looks down concerned. "Oh my god Blaine I am so sorry..."

Blaine sits up with a wince, reaching for Kurt's hand, "Not your fault."

"Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, don't worry."

"Blaine."

He sighs, "Seriously Kurt it's nothing. I uh, tripped today at school and my chest is a little sore from the fall."

Kurt still looks concerned, "Do you need ice or something? Are you sure it's not serious?"

"I'm fine Kurt. Really," Blaine replies steadily.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

 "I forgot," He laughs embarrassedly, running his fingers through his curls, "You're... uh... distracting."

Kurt smiles and leans down, kissing Blaine gently before pulling away quickly, leaving Blaine chasing his lips. Pouting his lips much like a toddler indignant at not receiving a promised chocolate, Blaine whines, "Kurrrt, I'm not going to break."

Kurt laughs at his boyfriend's expression but moves away to rummage through his drawers, pulling out some black sweatpants and a white t-shirt and throwing them at Blaine. "You're right though, it's already late and we need to get up early tomorrow."

Blaine, moving to sit at the edge of the bed, freezes, "We?"

"Of course. I want see everybody. Mercedes, Santana and everyone else will be there too. It's supposed to be a like a little surprise Glee club reunion." He spins to Blaine, "Don't tell anybody else." 

"Then why don't you just drop by during Glee club?"

"Oh I won't stay the whole day, trust me I don't have that many good memories there. I'll probably just drop you off, visit a couple teachers, and then come back in the afternoon for the reunion. Unless of course you want me to say the whole day..."

Blaine replies quickly, "Oh no, no I need to focus on classes anyways."

"And I'm distracting?"

Blaine smiles, "Exactly."

"I can't help but pull focus sorry."

Blaine chuckles, opening his arms hopefully. Kurt moves into them and kisses him again, pushing him gently back down to the mattress, carefully avoiding putting pressure on his chest. "You take my breath away," he mumbles against Blaine's lips, which smile at the memory. Blaine's hand run down Kurt's sides, and then rise up to cup his face, pulling him in closer and...

Darkness.

TBC