“This feels like an intervention” Finn said, squirming in his chair. Kurt regarded him from across the table in his usual smug way, as if Finn was being completely ridiculous. Finn caught Kurt’s look and looked down, not wanting to be the victim of Kurt’s sharp tongue.

“Whatever, you know what I mean”

Luckily the two boys were spared from any more awkward conversation and pauses by the kitchen door opening, and Carole and Burt entering the kitchen. Kurt and Finn both looked up simultaneously, and where relieved to see that the Hudmel parents did not look upset or angry, instead they looked very happy.

“Boys” Burt began as he and Carole took their seats around the table.

“We have some exciting news for you”

“Okay” Kurt quickly interjected before either parent could get another word in.

“This better not be something pointless and stupid because I am missing Millionaire Matchmaker for this and Patti was just about to-“

“No sweetie, this is important” Carole said, smiling endearingly. Burt however, did not beat around the bush.

“We are going on a vacation!”

Silence.

“Wait what?”

“You, me, Finn and Carole. We are going on a holiday together, for two weeks. We leave in two days”

Kurt gaped. Sure, a holiday with the fam, what could be more fun? But this was his summer holidays, the last ones before his senior year. He had plans. He and Rachel had a shopping trip lined up, as well as many musical-themed sleep overs to look forward to, and sing-a-long Sound of Music was back this year! He understood family time was important, but he was a teenager, and he didn’t want to spend two weeks non-stop with his family on some holiday-

“Wait” Finn spoke up.

“Where are we going exactly?”

“To Mabon Island”

Kurt frowned. He had never even heard of the place.

“Come on Kurt, buddy. Carole and I saved up a long time for this, and it’s important this family spends time together. You’ll have plenty of time for friends once we get back”

Burt was staring at him expectantly. Kurt forced a smile to his face, trying to appear happy.

“Sure, it’ll be fun”

Later

“Rachel”

“What is it, Kurt? Not that I’m not happy to hear from my best gay, it’s just that I’m taping the Real Housewives for this so…”

Kurt rolled his eyes, and hopped onto his bed, cradling his in his neck as he inspected his nails.

“I’m going to have to take a raincheck on our summer plans”

Kurt pulled the phone away from his ear so he did not have to listen to Rachel’s grumbling.

“What do you mean you have to take a raincheck? But we planned it all out and-“

“I know, I know! But Carole and Dad are taking Finn and me on a spontaneous holiday for the first few weeks of break and-”

“This is not acceptable, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel!”

“I know-“

“How did I hear about this from you and not Finn?”

Kurt sighed. Rachel had been damn near impossible (even more than usual) ever since her and Finn got back together last week.

“I don’t know, look, why don’t you ask him? I’ll put him on the phone”

“This isn’t over, Kurt”

“Right. Finn’s here, I’ll be saying good bye, Rachel”

Kurt shoved the landline in Finn’s poor, unsuspecting hands and rushed off before Finn could even act startled at Rachel’s persistent yelling on the other end of the line.

Present

Kurt sighed as he stepped off the barge at Mabon Island. He had his carry-on bag in one hand, and a large bottle of sunscreen in the other. He was covered head to toe in clothing in order to shield his porcelain skin from the harsh, bright sun, as well as having a large, wide brimmed straw hat to protect his head and face. It wasn’t the most fashionable of items, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

A large amount of people were spilling onto the jetty from behind Kurt, forcing him to reluctantly shuffle away from his ticket to freedom, and closer to two weeks of painful sunburn. Burt and Carole where walking in front of him, holding hands and giggling like love-struck teenagers. Finn was slowly walking behind him, one hand lugging his suitcase and the other holding his phone in front of him, texting Rachel, Kurt had assumed. Burt turned to look over his shoulder, slinging one arm around Carole and using his other to point at the bay to the left of them.

“Look at that- you should appreciate this view, boys”
Finn barely looked up but Kurt half-heartedly turned his head to see what he would be staring at for the start of summer vacation.

He was pleasantly surprised.
The bay was beautiful. The water was calm and a picturesque colour palate of light blues, dark blues, and green. Each gentle ripple of the water sent thousands of light reflections sparkling like diamonds, from the gentle afternoon sun that threw an array of warm colours in the sky. The sand was a bright mix of white-gold, and was littered with families and couples enjoying the warm, pleasant weather. The grass was a rich green that began beyond the beach, as well as a few island-paradise clich�d palm trees that lined the edges of the sand. There was an al fresco dining area, which invited a casual and relaxed feel to the entire resort. Kurt had to admit, he did like it.

The smell of fuel brought little warning to the sudden roar of engines in the air. The spectators on the jetty turned their heads to see three teenagers leaping aboard a couple of large jet skis. Two girls, a brunette and a blonde, kicked theirs into gear, zooming off into the depths of the bay, laughing the whole time. A dark curly-haired boy was behind them, pushing his jet ski into the water and leaping astride it, pressing down hard onto the throttle for an explosive launch off the beach. He quickly caught up to the girls, laughing and catcalling as he sped past them, turning the handle bars for a hard right. The brunette girl took the boy’s speed as a challenge, and pressed on her throttle to catch up to him. When she nearly reached him she stood up straight in her seat, leaning over to try and catch a handful of his hair. He yelped and ducked from her touch, flinging his hand out to try and push her away. She laughed, and veered her jet ski away from the boy’s hand in order to avoid being knocked over.

Kurt watched their horseplay in awe, unaware that his family had shuffled on and was nearly off the jetty.
“Kurt!” his father called from the end of the jetty, waving him over. Kurt quickly followed, forgetting about the curly-haired boy on the Jet Ski and his two female friends.

Later

Kurt shoved his bags down in his room of their rental house. Burt and Carole had spent extra to hire a villa rather than a unit, because they were bigger and more comfortable. Kurt held off a snarky remark about ‘family time’ simply because he was grateful he did not have to share a room with Finn ‘snores like a Neanderthal’ Hudson. He sat down on a bed and surveyed the room. It was nice, if a little plain. The walls were painted white, save one feature wall that was painted a pale blue. There was a painting of a sail boat in a plain frame on the wall, and a small desk that was empty of character and decoration. It was agreeable, the bare minimum, and neutral. Just like this whole place.

“Kurt, Finn!” Burt called them from the living area. Both Kurt and Finn slowly emerged from their rooms.

“We want to go out to the bar for a drink, but we forgot to pick up the second room key for you boys at check-in. Would one of you go and get it from main reception?”
Finn quickly volunteered Kurt. Kurt rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything as he was happy to get out of the house. He picked up his sunglasses from the glass-covered table and informed them he would be back in fifteen.
Kurt had a vague idea of where main reception was from his parent’s villa, even though he did not pay much attention on the way over. He was still dressed in his trademark skin-tight jeans and a long-sleeved sweater, which protected him from the sun but not from the heat. Even though it was late afternoon, little breeze meant the heat from the day appeared to be sticking around. He was sweating by the time he reached the main reception.
It did not have a door; instead it was a small, hut-inspired building that had a grey and white office appearance on the inside. There was a small waiting area with a couple of chairs and a table stacked with magazines. The main desk was at the back of the room, with a visible office area for staff employees behind it. Kurt walked up to the front desk. It was empty.

He glanced around. He could hear somebody talking on the phone out the back but he could not see them, and there was no bell to ring to alert them of his presence. He cleared his throat loudly.

Suddenly, the sound of a door slam caused Kurt to jump. He peered around the side of the desk to see a boy walk into the office area, shirtless and dripping wet. His new angle meant he could see the woman talking on the phone, and she pried it from her ear to scold the boy.

“Blaine! Stop dripping water all over the floor!”
Kurt stood on his toes to see the boy. He was wearing nothing but a pair of worn boardies, as if they had been used many times to swim in. He was towelling himself dry, before shaking his head like a puppy, sending water droplets flying from his curly dark hair-

Kurt felt a jolt of recognition as he stared at the boy. It was the boy he had seen earlier on the Jet Ski. Kurt was surprised; he didn’t think that the boy would work here. He couldn’t be older than Kurt himself.

“Blaine” the woman complained, swatting the curly-haired boy on the shoulder with a rolled-up pamphlet.

“Go serve the gentleman out the front, will you?”
Blaine laughed, picking up a resort t-shirt that was strewn across a desk chair and pulled it over his head. He walked casually out the front, smiling warmly at Kurt yet regarding him curiously.

“Hi, can I help you?”

Kurt stuttered with his words. Blaine’s smile had thrown him off guard. It was such a welcoming smile, one that did not stop at his mouth, but lit up his entire face.

“Uh hi, I ah… wanted the second room key for… villa 53”

Blaine nodded, and ducked his head from the counter, searching for the key. When his head re-emerged, his eyes scanned Kurt’s attire. Kurt felt affronted. Why was this boy analysing what he was wearing?

“Bit hot for jeans and a sweater?”

Kurt felt his defences go up but when he saw Blaine’s face, he realised that it was not a personal attack. Blaine’s eyes were soft and kind. For some reason, he genuinely wanted to know the answer.

Kurt smiled stiffly.
“Don’t want to get sunburned…”

Blaine threw back his head and laughed. He looked at Kurt, grinning.

“You don’t really want to be here, do you?”

Kurt gaped. How could this random guy possibly know his deal? He felt his ears go pink. Blaine’s grin got wider, as if he knew he had hit the nail on the head. Kurt looked away. He wasn’t sure if he liked this guy.

“Look” Blaine’s hand reached across the bench and patted Kurt on the arm.

“Give this place a chance. You might find it surprises you”

Kurt flinched at the touch and Blaine quickly drew his hand away. He placed the room key on top of the bench.

“There you go, villa 53. Have a nice day”

Kurt turned to leave.

“Hold on a minute”

Kurt turned back, wondering what on earth the boy could want.

“What’s your name?”

That, he could supply.

“Kurt”

“My name’s Blaine”