Burt was up a little before six to open the shop and let his guys in. His shift didn't start for another few hours, but Mike was off today which meant Burt was the only one available with a key. After letting Daniel and Adrian in he stumbled back upstairs and started a pot of coffee. Even after nearly two decades of living in England and having tea pushed at him from all sides Burt had never been able to stand the taste, especially in the morning. It was coffee or nothing for him.

This morning however, Burt was barely aware of the coffee mug warming his hands and the caffeine waking him up. His mind was around the corner and the down the hall in his son's old bedroom, where Blaine and Kurt were still sleeping. They'd have to be up in another hour to catch the Tube, but Burt wasn't focused on that. This man had come out of nowhere and brightened Kurt's entire life in a matter of days. With a look and a smile Blaine made Kurt do and say things Burt had only ever dreamt about his little boy experiencing.

To Burt it felt like the miracle he'd been hoping for had finally arrived. Kurt wasn't just achieving his dreams and being incredible on his own anymore, he finally had someone he could share that with. At least Burt hoped that was the case. He knew how much Kurt had wanted a relationship that was romantic and committed, but had never really had the time for it, or someone who could understand his hectic life. Blaine, as a fellow Olympian, would understand his time constraints and the difficulties they would both have communicating and having a constant relationship.

Burt refilled his mug and took a sip, thinking over the smiles and glances he'd witnessed last night. Love was in Kurt's life now, new, budding, and so incredibly strong it knocked Burt back a step so that he could get a better look at it. How any of this was going to work was beyond him, but those few hours spent with Blaine had told him what he needed to know. The young man Kurt had brought home to him was serious and wanted to hold on to this, possibly forever. As the thought crossed his mind, Burt paused in the hall on his way to Kurt's room, waiting for the fear and anxiety to come with it. Nothing happened, though. He felt sure and calm, something he'd never expected at the prospect of Kurt finding his someone.

After knocking faintly and receiving no answer, not even a sleepy groan, Burt pushed the door open enough to pop his head into Kurt's room. The sight that greeted him warmed his heart, and was so unlike anything he'd ever seen with Kurt before. His son was on his back, dozing peacefully with Blaine draped over him, face nuzzled into the curve of Kurt's neck and his right hand wrapped tightly around Kurt's chest. It didn't surprise or faze him that they were both shirtless, and he tried not to think about what it meant because this was even newer to him than it was to Kurt. He'd never doubted that Kurt had relations with other men, especially during the last Olympic Games since it was notorious for those things, but it was another thing to open the door of his son's childhood bedroom and see it for himself.

It struck him then, as he watched the two shift and mumble in their sleep, that if he'd chosen to stay in Ohio after Elizabeth's death that Kurt would have found Blaine anyway, earlier even. Lima wasn't that big after all, and odds would have been high that they ended up at the same school. Maybe whatever Blaine had been through, and Burt knew there was something there, would have been easier, simpler because they would have had each other to grow strong with. His boy would have been all right in Lima, even if Burt had still had plenty to worry about in Ohio.

A loud, sleepy yawn met Burt's ears a few moments later, and he smiled faintly as Blaine's curly head popped up and glanced around blearily.

"Mmm," Blaine grumbled sleepily, yawning and stretching a little. He turned his face back to Kurt's sleeping form, a grin pulling back his lips. His hand rubbed over Kurt's chest lightly as his chin dropped down onto it as it stilled over Kurt's heart.

Something tugged in Burt's chest as he watched the sweet scene, as Blaine's fingers laced through Kurt's bangs and caress his face. If he'd had any doubts last night, they'd be gone now. Blaine was in love with his son, more than Burt had ever dreamed was possible for another human being to be with Kurt. It wasn't that he didn't think his son was worthy of it, but to Burt Kurt had always loved so much deeper than anyone else. To Burt nobody else's love for his son could ever measure up to what Kurt could give in return. Until now.

"Wake up, beautiful," Blaine murmured, hoisting himself forward a few inches and nudging his nose against Kurt's chin. "We've got training and a subway ride."

Kurt groaned in dismay at being roused, his head lolling to the side and burying his face into Blaine's curls.

"W'at's a 'ubway?" he asked groggily, arms curling around Blaine's waist and tugging him in closer.

Not that Burt thought it was possible for them to be any physically closer.

"T- the um," Blaine's voice paused in certainty and Burt realized he was searching for the proper term for the London Underground.

"The Tube," Burt hissed from the cracked doorway, making Blaine jump. "Breakfast in half an hour, all right? Roll him off the bed if you have to. Sleeps like a log in that thing."

Especially with a handsome, loving man tangled together with him. Burt ducked back out in time to hear Kurt's hoarse voice murmur "Good morning", followed by the wet smack of their lips meeting.

When Kurt had first said he was participating in the 2012 Olympics Burt had hoped it would be his last, and considering Kurt would be almost thirty next time he assumed it would be, but now he didn't feel guilty for thinking it. Kurt was coming away from these games – this life he'd chosen – with something everlasting and poignant; with someone Burt thought would never arrive.

Blaine was surprised by how difficult it was to get Kurt out of bed that morning. At their rooms in Olympic Park Kurt always sprung up and dragged him from under the blankets, but here Kurt was dead weight under him.

"Kurt, come on," Blaine urged, twisting out of Kurt's arms and rolling onto his side. Kurt followed quickly, rolling with him and snuggling into his chest.

Laughing loudly, Blaine allowed himself to sink into the embrace for a few moments. It wasn't like he wanted to leave Kurt's arms any time soon. Being where he was right now felt like home, a home he'd never really had to comfort him like this. With his own family things had always been strained since he'd come out, and while he and his father were on better terms, Blaine knew James was still struggling with his younger son's sexuality. The thought made Blaine's eyes fly open and prevented him from drifting off with Kurt once more.

His family was arriving today. They were probably already on a plane headed over to see him in the last leg of his tournament. It had been nearly a year since he'd seen his parents, and only a few months since he'd visited his brother and his family, but he suddenly felt jumpy and nervous. Would his father be better than he had been last year? His mother had certainly come around, and Cooper and his wife, Amanda, had never cared. And Liam, his little nephew, probably wouldn't even recognize him even though it had only been a few months since his birthday.

"I don't hear a lot of movement in there," Burt hollered as he presumably passed by the bedroom door.

"A few minutes," Blaine replied, pulling himself from his thoughts and staring down at Kurt nestled against his chest. "He's a lot harder to wake up here than he is at Olympic Park."

"Only because he's been molding that bed to perfect since he was fifteen," came Burt's amused reply a few seconds later, growing louder as he came back to the door. "Having you there probably doesn't help matters."

Before Blaine could formulate a response Burt's boots clomped away and he was left with the steady, light sound of Kurt's breathing. It was soothing to just lie there and listen, to feel the warmth of Kurt's skin pressed against his own, and to know in that moment that his life was everything he'd ever hoped it would be.

"Come on, sleepy head," Blaine sighed finally, struggling to roll Kurt onto his back and escape his tangled embrace. "We've got training in a few hours," Blaine continued, nipping Kurt on the chin. The other man's face scrunched up and Blaine smiled at the adorable sight. "Come on, Kurt," Blaine sang softly, sucking a path up and down Kurt's throat as he began to squirm and wiggle underneath him.

"B'aine, stop," Kurt groaned, his voice thick with sleep and happy. "Wanna 'nuggle."

"Later," Blaine promised, pressing his weight down on top of Kurt and using his thumbs to pull Kurt's eyelids open. "It's almost nine. We've got training at eleven, remember?"

Kurt groaned in protest and jerked his head out of Blaine's grasp, blinking slowly and smacking his lips. He stared blurrily at the clock on the wall and then yawned in defeat. "Can't we just stay here and be naked together?" he griped as Blaine kissed his cheek sweetly and sat up.

"I don't think your Dad would appreciate that too much," Blaine told him.

Kurt mumbled something into his pillow that Blaine didn't understand.

"Up," Blaine insisted, sliding his hands into Kurt's and hoisting him into a sitting position with some difficulty. "Lots to do today."

Kurt yawned widely once more and finally relented as Blaine leaned in for another kiss on the cheek. With a easy twist Kurt's lips captured his own, tugging slightly but full of reassurance and sweetness. They stayed like that for several minutes, kissing slowly and taking in one of the calmness moments the day would offer.

As Kurt pulled back Blaine kept his eyes shut and dipped his forehead until it was against Kurt's. He didn't think, couldn't barely focus on breathing as he let Kurt's presence tangle with his own. His family was going to figure it out Blaine realized, there was absolutely no denying or getting around how they felt about each other, even if they'd yet to say it out loud.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," Blaine murmured without thinking, knowing it was true in his head and his heart while he was so lost in being here with Kurt.

"I– you– "

Kurt's surprised stammer made Blaine's eyes fly open, and he stare at Kurt, so close and shocked, waiting for him to pull back in alarm despite the exchange Blaine had heard between him and his father the night before.

"We both are," Kurt finally said, and Blaine relaxed into Kurt's body, simply enjoying the close proximity as they both let the words sink in. "And well, I already caught you once, right? Kept you from breaking your face at the opening ceremony... "

"How can you catch me again if we're both falling?" Blaine wondered, dropping his head onto Kurt's shoulder and sliding his arms around the other man's waist.

"Maybe we don't have to stop," Kurt decided, sounding a little breathless. "If falling for you is always going to feel like this, then I just want us to keep falling together, deeper and deeper until we're so in love we can make anything work."

Blaine smiled serenely and pulled his head up enough to kiss Kurt again, soft and slowly, more smiles pressed against smiles than a heated kiss like they tended to share.

"So I guess when my brother asks me tonight I can say I've got a special man in my life?" Blaine inquired hopefully.

Kurt bit his lip bashfully, but nodded as he began to smile. "As long as I can say the same before we leave here, boyfriend."

Blaine grinned widely, heart thumping harder at the word. They were together, officially decided and in love. What would happen beyond this next week was barely even on his radar because of how thrilled he was. Even the idea of his father's disappointment couldn't stop Blaine from pushing forward and sealing their mouths together once more.

After a rushed breakfast, Burt drove them to the station and let them out. He'd smiled brightly at the pair of them, and waved them off with the promise of seeing them in a few days for their various competitions. Blaine was still smiling so big his face was starting to ache, and at his side Kurt wasn't fairing much better. Ever since Kurt had addressed him as his boyfriend at breakfast they hadn't been able to stop. Burt had grinned a lot more too every time he heard the term of endearment.

The ride back to Olympic Park sped by much faster than Blaine had expected. In no time at all they were back at their rooms, grabbing their bags, changing into their workout attire, and then meeting briefly outside to see each other off.

"So do you want to meet for dinner?" Kurt asked as they began walking, their joined hands swinging between them. "I get out at six, so I can just meet you at your room and we can shower and go grab something."

"I uh, can't," Blaine admitted nervously. "My... my family's arriving tonight, so I'm meeting them at their hotel and... well... "

"Oh," Kurt's voice dropped a little, his steps faltering from skips to a slower walk. "That's fine. I... we can do breakfast instead or something."

"I want you to meet them," Blaine tried to reassure him, but he felt horrible for how he'd just said his plans and hadn't included Kurt after Kurt had gone out of his way to introduce him to Burt. "My dad just... I don't know how he'll take it, and I don't want you in the middle of that until I know he'll be civil. My brother and his wife and my mom don't care, but my dad's... always struggled with accepting me, I guess."

"No, that's fine," Kurt said softly, pausing in his steps and leaning in for a tight hug. "I wish everyone could have a dad like mine, but I know it's not possible. Just... if you want me to come over or maybe all meet for breakfast tomorrow, just text me okay?"

Blaine smiled in relief as Kurt kissed him and then bounced away and into his training facility. He hoped his father would be better than he had before. The last time he'd seen him he'd definitely improved a ton, but James had never had the experience of being introduced to a boyfriend either.

With a shake Blaine set off for his training at a jog, already knowing he was going to be late and impossibly distracted throughout the course of the day.

By half past four Cooper was blowing up Blaine's phone. Across the gym it was beeping and buzzing and ringing like a bomb about to explode. Wes kept shooting him looks, at first annoyed and then concerned when it didn't stop but got worse.

"Uh, not that I encourage you to answer your phone during practice or anything, but... that sounds kind of urgent?"

Blaine shook his head and continued at his punching bag, light on his feet and bouncing back and forth as he jabbed harder.

"Cooper," he spluttered through ragged breaths. "They're all coming in today for the rest of the week. He won't stop bugging me until I'm at their hotel," Blaine added as Wes rolled his eyes fondly. "You know how he is."

Wes nodded and chuckled. "More of a three year old than that kid of his."

Blaine grunted in agreed and snapped his arm forward in a practiced, controlled movement.

"Very nice form," Wes complimented, circling around as Blaine continued through the last leg of his training regimen. "I think you're all set for your quarter finals. Tomorrow we'll go over his weakness spots some more, really build a plan, all right?"

Blaine pulled his arms back in, but continued to bounce on his feet, sweat pouring down his chest and back as Wes tossed him a towel. His phone was still chiming obnoxiously across the room.

"You're letting me out early?" Blaine asked in surprise as the towel hit his face. He grabbed it and started to wipe the sweat of his face, neck, and chest.

"Yeah," Wes decided, scooping up Blaine's phone and handing it over as well. "You're doing fine, and besides, I don't want you up all night deleting his stupid messages instead of sleeping."

"Not like I'll be sleeping anyway," Blaine admitted as his phone stopped buzzing with its twenty-third new text message. "I've got a boyfriend to keep me occupied."

"You've got a what?" Wes splutter, whipping around in amazement. "Don't tell me you and Kurt finally opened your damn mouths for more than kissing and cock sucking... "

"Shut up," Blaine snapped as Wes elbowed him in amusement. "We're... I met his Dad yesterday," he said. "We decided this morning. I just – "Blaine cut off, beaming over at Wes.

"I'm happy for you," Wes said, ruffling his hair. "For both of you, especially if his dad didn't kill you on the spot."

"It's not his dad I'm worried about," Blaine mumbled weakly.

Wes's face fell at his words. Blaine didn't have to say anything more for Wes to understand what he'd met. They'd known each other for years, long enough for Wes to have met his dad on several occasions and realize he'd always struggled to accept Blaine as he was.

"He's gotten better, though," Wes reminded him as he grabbed his own bag and swung it on. "And I mean, Kurt's a great guy. I'd like to see anyone meet him and not like him."

"I– "

His phone began ringing again and Blaine sighed heavily and accepted the seventh call.

"What?" Blaine spat into the receiver and a second later he wished he'd kept the phone across the room when he finally answered it.

"OH, UNCLE BLAAAAAAAINEY! WE'VE COME TO SEEEE YOU!" Cooper sang shrilly.

In the background Blaine heard a second voice, just as sing-song but definitely a toddler – Liam.

"Uncle B! Uncle B!" Liam chanted, giggled loudly as Cooper made a ridiculous noise. Judging by the rumble of static on Cooper's end, his brother had just scooped his nephew up.

"Hello, Cooper," Blaine greeted evenly as the pair continued to laugh and squeal.

"Hey, baby brother! We're at your room," Cooper told him. "Puck met us and let us in. This place is sweet," he paused briefly and a moment later Blaine realized he was covering his son's ears, "and it smells like sex. Either one or both of you have been getting busy. Or maybe you've been hooking up together?" Cooper asked thoughtfully. "I always thought Puck might swing both ways... "

"We're not– well, Puck might be bi, but that's not– " Blaine stammered as he shouldered his bag and started out of the gym. "He's barely been in the room at all– "

"Oh, so that's you and some hot guy I'm smelling," Cooper responded cheerfully. A loud sniff echoed through Blaine's phone and he groaned in dismay. "Smells like a good time."

"Are you really having this conversation with Liam right next to you?" Blaine gritted out as he walekd faster towards the village. "Somehow I don't think Amanda will– "

"Relax, he had to go poopy," Cooper cut in as though he frequently went from sexual discourse to talking about his son's potty time. He probably did, knowing Cooper as well as Blaine did, and he was barely even surprised. "He'll be in there for a bit, but he's getting pretty damn good at it. Still likes butt-wiping help, though, kind of like his uncle..."

"Cooper," Blaine groaned in dismay. "No, just don't. He's three, and that's completely different– "

"Oh, relax," Cooper barked, laughing in delight. "God, I forgot how easy it is to mess with you about your sex life seeing as you usually don't have one."

As Blaine flashed his badge at the village gate he heard Cooper sigh dreamily, and rolled his eyes. He could perfectly picture his brother's expression and stance right now, phone in the crook between his ear and shoulder, batting his eyelashes coyly and trying to look prissy as he examined his nails.

"Sooo, who's this guy?" Cooper chirped brightly.

Blaine ignored the question and instead headed into his building and towards the elevator. He hoped terribly that he would lose his signal once inside but luck wasn't on his side this evening.

"He's got pretty eyes, doesn't he?" Cooper persisted and Blaine heard the distinct sound of a door creaking open and then his nephew's little voice singing "The Poopy Song".

"Is everyone already settled in at the hotel?" Blaine asked instead of interrupting his nephew's adorable singing with discussion of Kurt.

"Yeah, got a huge suite for all of us," Cooper assured him as the door closed. Blaine stepped out of the elevator and headed down the hall to the room. "You get the couch, though. You and this pretty boy of yours. Unless that pretty boy is just your hand all dolled up for a night of fun– "

Blaine threw the door open and punched Cooper roughly in the middle of the back.

"Ouch!"

"Bye, bye, poo-py. Bye, goodbye, poo-py," Liam's little voice echoed out of the adjoining bathroom as Cooper jerked around, rubbing his back and pouting at Blaine.

The toilet flushed a few seconds later, and Liam shouted, "Goodbye, poopy!" once more. Cooper grinned widely as the little guy came tottering out of the bathroom with a bright grin.

"I said goodbye to my poopy, Daddy!"

"Great job, champ! Did you wipe like we've been practicing?" Cooper asked, kneeling down and pulling back the waistband of Liam's jeans to check.

"Uh huh, I'm a big boy!" Liam cried in excitement. Then he spotted Blaine towering over his father's kneeling form and a huge grin took over his face. "UNCLE B!"

His nephew hit his calves like a rocket, squealing and shouting in joy as Blaine laughed and scooped him up, tossing him up towards the ceiling. Liam giggled happily as Blaine caught him, his bright blue eyes sparkling.

"Look at you!" Blaine cried in amazement, holding Liam out at arm's length. "You're going to be bigger than me next time I see you!"

"I'm this many now!" Liam told him, waving three fingers in his uncle's face. "And I'm gonna be a big brother!"

"I know, your mommy told me all about that," Blaine agreed, shifting Liam until he was settled on his hip. "I bet you're excited, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I can't wait!" Liam babble, waving his chubby arms around and beaming. He squirmed until he was facing Cooper and demanded, "Papa, you're supposed to feed me soon."

"You sound like your mother," Cooper complained, but he obediently pulled out his phone. "Hey, Amanda... yeah, I've got Blaine... Mhmm, we'll be there soon, your son's demanding food... Love you, too."

"I should probably shower first," Blaine began, but Cooper shook his head and started lugging him towards the door. He grabbed a bag Blaine hadn't noticed before and directed him out into the hallway.

"Already packed all of your stuff," Cooper informed him. "You can use the fancy shower at the hotel. It's even big enough for two, if you catch my drift... "

"Cooper," Blaine warned as he set a squirming Liam down and watched him toddle off down the hall.

"I'm going to bug you until you give me a name and status," Cooper replied mildly, catching Liam's little hand before he could take off down a side hallway. "Nope, sorry, buddy. It's straight to the elevator for us."

Blaine followed them into the lift and tapped the button for the ground floor as Liam bounced excitedly between them. "So how's Amanda doing with her pregnancy? I know she had a rough time with Liam once she got this far along."

"Hmm, she's doing great except for her feet so far. Wasn't a lot of morning sickness either like with him," Cooper answered. "You're not avoiding my questions though. Fess up."

"I– his name's Kurt," Blaine relented finally.

"Kur? What's a Kur?" Liam questioned curiously.

"Kurt," Blaine corrected, ruffling Liam's pale blond hair. "Kurt's a person. A... a really fantastic person."

Cooper's eyebrows arched in surprise as the lift chimed and the doors slid open. Liam dragged them both out by the hands and started them out into the square.

"Oh, so he's nice?" Liam asked as they headed out of Olympic Village. "Can I meet him? Is he your best friend? Will he color Ironman with me?"

"Maybe," Blaine replied quietly. "And yeah, he's definitely a best friend."

"Maybe a little bit more?" Cooper pressed quietly as he led Blaine to his rental car.

"A lot more than maybe," Blaine decided without looking at his brother's face.

He didn't think he could stand the excitement and elation Blaine knew he would find in his brother's gaze when his father would be reacting in the opposite way by the end of the night. There was no way Cooper would be able to keep this information to himself, and since Liam knew a few details it was bound to get out before dinner was through, or even before it started.

They piled into the rental car, Cooper strapping Liam into his car seat and giving him his phone to play games on while he drove the few miles towards the hotel.

"You don't seem to, uh, happy about that," Cooper said uncertainly.

Blaine folded his arms over his chest and bit his lip, trying to figure out the best way to phrase what he was feeling. "I am happy with Kurt," he settled on. "Happier than I've ever been, Coop. I... I'm falling in love with him." Blaine let out a dry laugh and stared out the passenger window. "I'm falling in love for the first time in my life and in a matter of hours Dad is going to belittle me for even thinking such a thing is possible between myself and another man."

"He's... "Cooper trailed off sadly as he turned down the road the hotel was on, the brightly lit, towering structure looming before them. "He's getting so much better about that, Blaine. I swear it to you. He's not going to say that. I just... he won't, okay? He loves you, and he's really starting to realize what that means now."

The car was silent except for Liam singing to himself in the backseat as Cooper found a parking space to pull into and turned the car off.

"You really think he'll be okay with it?" Blaine asked miserably.

"Anyone who makes you smile like you did earlier when you mentioned him is going to be okay with Dad," Cooper assured him. "He's not going to turn away someone who makes you that happy, no matter what he's got going on under his clothes."

"I– you get him out and I... I'll text Kurt," Blaine decided, glancing at his watch. It was half past five now. Kurt would be out in another half an hour and with a short bus ride he'd be at the hotel. Blaine could even meet him at his stop and walk him up.

"Awesome," Cooper grinned, hopping out of the car as Blaine pulled his phone out.

As Cooper unstrapped Liam, Blaine decided a quick call would work better, knowing Kurt probably wouldn't answer but that the hotel information would be easier to give through a voicemail.

After several rings Kurt's voicemail picked up and Blaine left his message, trying to stop himself from blushing as Cooper laughed and nudged him teasingly.

"– call me when you get thi– Coop, stop! Sorry, my brother's an ass– would you quit?" Blaine shouted in annoyance as Cooper pinched his face and cooed. Liam giggled at the teasing and waved towards Blaines' phone.

"Hi Mister Kur!"

"Oh, that's my nephew, um. Just call me when you get out of training and I'll meet you and bring you over? If you still want to? You might not, I don't– "

"Of course he does," Cooper cut in sternly. "I've got to have a face to put with a name after all. And I need to see these pretty eyes of his that make you – "

"Shut up!" Blaine growled, pulling the phone away from Cooper. He glared at his older brother and took a few steps away to finish his message. "I'll talk to you soon. I... I love you. Fuck, that's probably too soon, isn't it? It's true, th– "

His phone beeped and the recording ended. Gulping nervously, Blaine allowed Cooper to yank him along into the hotel and up to the top floor where his family's suite was booked.

A babble of noise greeted his ears as they stepped into the little entry way, and Blaine was instantly impressed with the decor and size of the place. It was similar to a large apartment, with entirely new appliances in the little kitchenette directly across from him and modern, sophisticated furniture set up to his right by the television, where he could see the top of Amanda's head poking up above the back cushions.

"Mama! Mama!" Liam squealed, twisting violently in his father's arms until Cooper set him down and let him toddle off.

"Hey, baby boy!" Amanda's voice chimed as the toddler scrambled onto the couch beside her and flung himself into her arms. "Oomph! Wait it, baby. My belly's too big for that now."

"Uncle B is here!" Liam shrieked, standing up on the cushions and grinning over the back of the couch at them.

"Blaine?"

The sound of his mother's voice made Blaine spin back towards the kitchen. A spoon clattered to the counter and then the fast clip-clop of high heels pattered around the cabinets hanging from the ceiling. His mother's upper body and smiling face came into view.

"Oh, Blaine!"

She was in his arms in an instant, her own dark, wild curls obscuring his vision as his father appeared.

"Oh, look at you," his mother gushed, leaning back and taking his face in her hands. "You're still so handsome and you look so happy. I've missed this face so much."

Blaine laughed as she started to pepper his cheeks and nose with affectionate kisses.

"Mom– Mama, stop," he chortled as a groan echoed from the couch. "It's great to see you, but stop. Pinching. My. Face."

"Give the boy some room there, honey," his father interrupted, pulling her away a little as he moved forward. "It's good to see you, champ."

"It's good to see you, too, Dad," Blaine replied, trying not to sound too formal despite the awkwardness. Last time they'd been face to face it had ended in quite a big verbal spar about his sexuality until Blaine had walked out.

"Oh," Amanda groaned, coming up behind the rest of them. "Make way, big planet coming through here, direct meteor hit on Blaine."

"Oh, hey, now," Blaine said in mock-outrage. "I'm not the Anderson you should be hitting on."

"Oh, shut up, and hug me and your growing nephew," Amanda griped, waddling into his open arms as best she could.

Blaine let out a low whistle. "Man, I forgot you were so far along already. Last time I saw you all, you weren't even showing."

"Yeah, well, these boys have a habit of being big babies," she huffed in reply. "Help me to the couch?"

"Yeah, of course," Blaine agreed, wrapping an arm around her waist as Liam bounced along at his side.

"Hands off the goods, little brother!" Cooper hollered. "Or I'll be all over your boy when he arrives!"

"What?"

"His what?"

"You've got– " Amanda gazed at him in delighted astonishment as he helped lower her onto the couch.

"I– Cooper," Blaine growled, face burning under his family's surprised stares.

"He's got a Kur!" Liam supplied happily.

"Kurt, buddy," Blaine corrected gently, setting the little boy down on the couch beside his mother.

He glanced up at his parents and Cooper over the back of the couch. His mother's hand was covering her mouth, her eyes stunned but so hopeful, so desperate for what she'd just heard to be true. At her side his father's expression was unreadable, but Cooper was grinning victoriously.

"That was not how I wanted to– "

"But he's already on his way, Blainey," Cooper beamed, bouncing over like a five year old high on a sugar rush. "The sooner they know the sooner they can compile a list of questions about this guy you're boning– "

"Oh my god," Blaine breathed in disbelief. "Were you born without tact?"

"Pfft, no," Cooper laughed, winking at him. "I'm quite good at sticking my tack in things– "

"Cooper Maxwell, not in front of our son!" Amanda hollered. "I am not explaining your nonsense to him yet."

"But– "

"Zip it and leave your brother alone," she added. "I'd rather hear about this guy from the one seeing him."

"Well, I– "

"Oh, Blaine," his mother squealed, coming back around to him and grabbing his hands. She tugged him down onto the adjacent couch and smiled. "Did you say his name was Kurt? How long have you been seeing him? Is he another boxer or– "

"Let him breath, Lyra," his father insisted, dropping down into the armchair. "You sound like you really like him."

His words surprised him, but Blaine nodded. "Yeah, he's wonderful."

"Aw, Blaine, you're blushing," Amanda teased, hugging Liam to her side. "He must be really great if he's finally got you settling down. I was starting to think it was never going to happen."

"Well, it's not like we've known each other very long– "

His phone buzzed in his pocket and Blaine dug it out, grinning broadly when he saw Kurt's name flashing across the little screen. Oblivious to the delighted looks his family exchanged, Blaine picked up the call.

"Hey! Are you– "

"Getting off the tube by the hotel now," Kurt's breathless voice came through the line. "Do you want to meet in the lobby or– "

"Yeah, I'll b- be right down, okay?" Blaine rushed out, hopping to his feet and ignoring the way his mother giggled at his antics.

He was out the door at a gallop, barely sparing his family a quick excuse for the abrupt departure. None of them seemed to mind in the least if their smiles were anything to go off of, and the idea that maybe, just maybe, his entire family might be ready to share the joy he'd found made his heart leap almost as much as Kurt's smile did.

Kurt walked briskly once he hung up. The address for Blaine's family's hotel was only a short walk away, but Kurt was bubbling with excitement. He hadn't expected to be introduced so quickly considering everything he'd heard about Blaine's relationship with his father, but the fact that Blaine was taking the same step he'd taken yesterday relieved him. It made Kurt feel like he wasn't moving quite as fast as he'd thought he was and that their budding relationship meant as much to Blaine as it did to him.

From the exit station Kurt could already see the towering hotel, lit up magnificently and glowing golden from the fading sunlight reflecting off the glass front. As he walked Kurt tried to keep straight the names he'd heard and the two other voices that had joined with Blaine's on his voicemail.

There was Cooper, Blaine's older brother by a number of years. He'd sounded like quite a joker over the phone, affectionate but a little wild and ready to ruffle Blaine's feathers every chance he got. Kurt's sharp wit would come in handy with him.

His little nephew, Liam, had also been on the message. He'd sounded adorable from the few little high, babbling sentences Kurt had picked up from the background and couldn't have been older than three or four. Being around little kids wasn't something Kurt was very familiar with, but he hoped Blaine's only nephew didn't take one look at him and start crying – or tell him he sounded like a girl. The last toddler he'd encountered at let him know that several dozen times before Kurt had made his escape.

Third was his mother, who Kurt had already heard multiple good things about. She seemed caring and sweet, if a bit overprotective. The general vibe Kurt had gotten from Blaine about her was that she was similar to what Kurt remembered about his own mother, soft and warm but tough as nails if need be.

Cooper's wife was supposedly with them all, though Kurt had heard very little about her since he'd met Blaine a week ago. The one thing he knew for certain was that she was pregnant with their second and due in the next few months.

Which left only Blaine's father, James, if he remembered correctly. He was the one member of Blaine's immediate family that Kurt was both scared and anxious to meet. Blaine had said they were on better terms than they had once been, but his father had also been his biggest critic over the years, intolerant of his sexuality and against his career choices, which had led to a painful but rather short estrangement between the two.

Gulping thickly, Kurt crossed the street at a light jog, letting the overwhelming sense of high quality and prestige wash over him as he stepped into the hotel's massive shadow. He briefly wondered if Blaine had somehow managed to afford the place, but decided he hadn't. This was Blaine's first Olympics and despite winning however many tournaments in the past he would never be able to afford this until he had a medal under his belt and the advertising agencies started hounding him. It was especially unlikely since Blaine was a boxer, a much less followed and talked about summer Olympic sport than swimming or volleyball.

His parents must do quite well for themselves, and perhaps Cooper and his wife had pitched in a chunk of money as well. Kurt twirled through the glamorous revolving door at the front, was greeted by two door men and a bell hop, but Blaine appeared across the expansive lobby.

"Kurt!"

Ignoring the disdainful look of the surly women working the desk, Kurt squeaked slightly as he hurried towards the other man. Blaine dashed right into his arms, wrapping him up and attempting to lift and spin him around. Kurt laughed as he was set back down after a quarter turn, and pecked Blaine sweetly on the lips.

"That usually works better in movies," Kurt teased, moving his mouth to Blaine's cheek and planting a softer kiss there. "Or if I'm prepared and kick my feet up."

"Y- yeah, well," Blaine beamed at him, a little flushed and breathing heavily.

"Elevator ride wear you out?" Kurt asked suggestively, recalling the flurry of activity in their first lift ride together.

"Wh– oh, no. I, um, took the stairs," Blaine admitted sheepishly. "Vaulted down half of them to be perfectly honest."

"All to see me?" Kurt asked in surprise as Blaine took his hand and led him towards a side hallway where a line of elevators were waiting.

"And to escape Cooper's teasing," Blaine told him. "He's going to be– don't take him too seriously, okay? He's a great brother and all he's just got no filter. Even around Liam – that's my nephew's name, by the way."

"And your father is James?" Kurt asked, filing the little boy's name away as a chime dinged and the lift to their right slid open.

"Yeah, he's– so far he's been nice tonight," Blaine remarked, sounding surprised by it. "He's... trying. It's little weird, but... " He shook his head to dismiss whatever thoughts were plaguing him, and turned back to Kurt smiling once again. "My mother's name is Lyra, and then Amanda is Cooper's wife. And her swollen belly is Lucas Alexander right now," he added as an afterthought, pressing the button for the top floor. "Or Charlotte Rose, depending on who you ask."

"They're waiting to be surprised?" Kurt asked, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet.

The closing of the lift door seemed to shut all of his nerves into the small space with them, flying back into him and squirming about in his chest. He hoped they liked him as much as his own father had liked Blaine. Even half as much would be okay with him. Anything that didn't set Blaine's father off and ruin Blaine's first reunion with his family in so long.

"Yeah," Blaine answered, bringing Kurt back momentarily. "Amanda's dead certain they're having another boy, but Cooper refuses to listen. I, personally, think she's right. From all the times I've talked with her on the phone, her pregnancy is exactly like she was with Liam. Swollen feet, almost no morning sickness, huge belly even at seven months."

Kurt shivered at the description.

"I am so glad I will never have to be pregnant," he grimaced. "The entire thing sounds so painful and exhausting. Kids, in general, sound exhausting."

"Y- you don't want kids?" Blaine stammered, his voice shrinking a little as the elevator began to slow down.

"I'm not sure," Kurt said honestly. "I've never been around them a lot, and... I don't know. My career's been such a huge part of my life I haven't put a lot of thought into it."

"Oh," Blaine said, and Kurt hated how disappointed he sounded as the lift doors breezed open. "I guess that makes sense."

As they stepped out, Kurt latched onto Blaine's hand and pulled him in close. "Maybe your little nephew will make up my mind for me. I'd like to settle down soon, maybe do 2016 and then be done with it."

Whether or not Blaine took the suggestion as Kurt meant it didn't seem to faze the other man. A slow grin spread over his face and he squeezed Kurt's hand tightly and leaned up to kiss him.

"You ready? They're quite a group to get used to– "

"Uncle B, come e't 'pa'etti!"

Kurt's head whipped around and he spotted a small boy in the short hallway behind him, thick pale blond hair a rumpled mess as he clapped his hands. His face was already covered in sauce. Blaine gave Kurt one last smile and then hunkered down and charged towards his nephew, who squealed in delight and darted back towards the open door.

"Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum!" Blaine bellowed, his voice several octaves lower than Kurt had ever heard it. It really shouldn't have turned him on in this setting, but it was one of the sexiest sounds he'd ever heard Blaine make.

"No!" Liam shrieked tumbling through the door and slamming it closed. High-pitched giggled erupted as several other voices scolded the little boy and Kurt hurried over to Blaine's side, looping his arm through Blaine's.

"You're quite the uncle, aren't you?" Kurt teased. "Scared the poor thing half to death."

"Oh, please, he lives with Cooper," Blaine snorted, untangling his arm and instead sliding it around and squeezing Kurt's ass.

Surprised, Kurt jumped slightly and gave Blaine a coy look. "Really? With your family right down the hall– "

"Figured I get a good feel in before we have to behave for the next several hours," Blaine told him, smiling slyly as he glanced as the still closed door and backed Kurt up towards the wall. "And I'll probably have to stay the night with them, so... "

Kurt let himself be pressed against the wall, his arms looping loosely around Blaine's neck as he accepted a deep, warm kiss. Chest fluttering, Kurt relaxed his body against the wall, and let Blaine rest against him, hands on his hips and mouth sliding slowly against his. His nerves began to melt away as Blaine's warm breath brushed over his lips, their mouths parting with a wet smack as Blaine began nuzzling along his jaw.

A shrill whistle echoed down the hallway and broke up their moment. Cooper began cat-calling at them and Blaine groaned and ducked his head into the crook of Kurt's neck, making Kurt shiver as the vibrations seeped into his skin.

"Oh, are you gonna put on a show in the hall, Blainey? I'd love to see th– "

"Cooper, stop!"

An unfamiliar, but feminine voice chided the man, who winked over at Kurt and then ducked back into the room. A few seconds later an older woman appeared. There was no doubt in Kurt's mind that this was Blaine's mother. Same dark, unruly curls, though hers were streaked with gray; sharp, defined features and tanned skin. Blaine twisted his face away from Kurt's neck and glanced over at the door.

"Hey, Mama," he breathed, sounding embarrassed.

A blush began to rise up Kurt's neck as he realized how terrible of a first impression he had to be making; pressed up against the wall and making out with this woman's younger son. Cringing a little, Kurt pushed off the wall and let Blaine take his hand. Lyra only smiled radiantly at them, her eyes sparkling in a similar way as Blaine's, though her eyes were a bright, clear blue.

"You must be Kurt," she greeted, still smiling brightly, her gaze shifting back and forth between them.

"Yeah, this is Kurt. He's my boyfriend," Blaine rushed out, his voice a little high on the last word and it made Kurt feel like he was floating. Blaine was his boyfriend.

"It's so nice to meet you, Mrs. Anderson. I– "

"Oh, call me Lyra, dear," she told him. She reached up gently and brushed a loose strand of his hair back. "He's so handsome, Blaine," she added, smiling at Kurt first and then her son, who ducked his head shyly. "And English. I'm guess this relationship is very recent?"

"We, uh– opening ceremony a little over a week ago," Blaine admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck as he gave Kurt a tentative smile.

Kurt returned it fully, despite the lurking fear that Lyra wouldn't approve of such a fast-paced relationship.

"Well, I'm glad," she said, surprising both men. "It's about time someone stole Blaine's heart and swept him right off his feet."

Even more surprised, Kurt found her circling her arms around him in a warm embrace. The sweet scent of cinnamon and vanilla invaded his nostrils before she pulled away.

"Now, both of you just ignore Cooper. Something went seriously wrong with him at some point and I'm still not entirely sure when or what it was," she said as they linked their hands together again and motioning for them to follow her into the suite. "James probably dropped him on his head– "

"Hey!"

Kurt startled slightly at the indignant voice as they shuffled inside. Blaine closed the door behind them and then an older man, mostly gray on top, ducked out from the kitchen.

"I'll have you know I never dropped Blaine on his– "

"Talking about Cooper, Dad," Blaine informed him, pulling Kurt closer to his side.

"Ah, well, that's an entirely different situation," his father amended. "I was a lot younger then, more clumsy."

Kurt smiled at the obvious joke, but paled a little as James'a close-lipped smile faded as he catch sight of their locked hands. Blaine tensed at his side, his smile suddenly becoming rather forced and his palm sweaty in Kurt's grasp.

"Dad, t- this is Kurt. Hummel," Blaine introduced as James stepped forward slowly, wiping his hands on a towel he pulled out of his back pocket and giving Kurt an unreadable look. "He's a diver for the British Olympic team."

"So that's what caught your attention so quickly," Cooper's voice hollered from the little hidden alcove where a dining table was set up. "You would go for a hot man in a Speedo."

"Cooper," James snapped, sounding aggravated. He turned back to Kurt and Blaine, his expression slipping back into something Kurt couldn't place. "You've just met, uh, recently then?"

"Last week, sir," Kurt answered.

"Hmm, that's not very long," James continued, looking stern.

But then Liam returned, pushing his way past his grandparents' legs and latching himself onto Kurt, who nearly yelped in surprise.

"Hi, Mis'er Kur! Come eat da me'balls!"

Blaine and his parents were all looking at Liam in surprise, and Blaine smiled reassuringly as Kurt pealed the boy off of his calf and scooped him up.

"Meatballs, huh? I told you said spaghetti in the hallway," Kurt mentioned, giving the toddler's belly a little tickle like he remembered his mother doing with him.

Liam giggled. "We're havin' both!"

"Both?" Blaine echoed in mock-shock. "Wow, bud, that sounds awesome. You better have saved us some."

"I did! I did! I saved you lots a' me'balls cause Daddy always says you like balls– "

"Cooper," James snarled, turning and heading back into the alcove.

"What? I didn't– "

The other man's words ended with a wounded yelp, and by the time Kurt had carried Liam into the dining alcove he found James seated at the head of the table, Cooper on his left hand side with a very pregnant woman and a little booster seat at her side.

"You made Papa hit me," Cooper pouted as Blaine took Liam from Kurt's arms and helped settle him down into his booster chair.

"You always deserve to be hit for one thing or anything," Blaine retorted, rolling his eyes as Amanda nodded. "Oh, Kurt, this is my sister-in-law, Amanda and her belly, currently named Lucas."

"It's a girl– ouch! Stop hitting me!"

Amanda glared at her husband, hand still raised and ready to strike once more, but Cooper cowered away. After a few seconds she seemed to accept his defeat and turned towards Kurt, who was feeling rather frightened until she smiled up at him and offered her hand. Kurt took it and shook it gently.

"It's so nice to meet the guy who's put those stars in Blaine's eyes," she told him, shooting him a little wink.

Blushing furiously, Kurt nodded shyly and settled down at the seat next to Blaine, who was between his mother and him. The others returned to their meals, Amanda and Cooper making a point to help Liam and prevent him from making a huge mess while Blaine's parents picked up whatever conversation they'd left off with. Under the table Kurt felt Blaine's left hand close over his thigh, squeezing gently and reassuringly.

For the remainder of the meal Blaine's hand was a guiding comfort on his leg, a link to calmer thoughts and memories. The meal did seem to go well from Kurt's perspective. While Blaine was busy sneak-directing his nephew to pelt Cooper with meatballs, Lyra and James got to know Kurt, asking about his competitions, his history with diving and about where he lived and his family. Kurt told them about Blaine meeting his father the previous day, the fun day adventuring around London, and then got more than a little caught up discussing the details of his diving competitions so far this Olympics.

After they were all finished Cooper disappeared with Liam for bath time, Lyra helped Amanda back towards the sitting room, and James began scooping up the dirty dishes. The last part surprised him, even more so when James refused to let Blaine or himself help and insisted that they go pick a movie for all of them to watch from the hotel's listing.

"Dad, are you sure– "

"Yeah, Blaine, I'll be fine," James assured him. "This isn't my first time doing dishes, and I imagine you're both exhausted from training all day."

"I– yeah," Blaine acknowledged, scratching his neck. "If you're sure– "

"Go on, champ. I'll be done before long."

With a final, unsure glance at his father, Blaine took Kurt's offered hand and they headed back out to the sitting room together. Amanda was stretched out on the couch, her feet in Lyra's lap and currently being subjected to a very thorough massage.

"Oh, god, Lyra you should just come back to my house with me and Cooper can stay at yours," Amanda groaned happily, her eyes drifting closed as her hand rubbed over her stomach. "He sucks at foot massages."

"He's good at other things," Lyra reminded her.

"Nothing that I need right now."

"Oh, I bet he'd argue with you on that," Blaine laughed as Kurt lingered at his side, wondering where they would sit. There was a smaller sofa, big enough for two side-by-side, and a chaise lounge chair, that Kurt was willing to bet would fit two people snuggled up close.

"Oh, like what? The only thing he's good at is getting me preg– oh," Amanda said in surprise. "Well, yes. That always feels nice, too."

Blaine laughed again, and Kurt grinned in an embarrassed sort of way as Blaine toed his shoes off and glanced at the seating options.

"Let's take the chair," he decided after a moment. "I don't think Dad and Cooper are going to be too interested in snuggling with each other."

"O- okay," Kurt agreed rather nervously. It was that he was scared to be close to Blaine, quite the opposite. He wanted nothing more than to snuggle up and finally rest his eyes for the day, but the idea of doing so in front of Blaine's family was a little bizarre to him. They'd only met an hour or so ago, and he didn't want to make them uncomfortable, but if Blaine thought it was a good idea...

Kurt kicked his own shoes off as Blaine flopped down, his legs stretched out over the long cushion and his arms open and waiting for Kurt. Feeling a little silly Kurt slid over the arm of the chair and slotted down next to Blaine, falling into his embrace as Blaine tangled his legs up with Kurt's.

"Mmm," Blaine murmured, burying his face against Kurt's neck and letting his lips graze the soft skin. "Much better." He yawned loudly and nuzzled against the pulse point pounding away on Kurt's neck. "So sleepy."

Me, too," Kurt mumbled, unable to stifle a yawn to rival Blaine's. "You're so warm. Totally not fair. Your body heat is going to put me to sleep, too."

"You've never complained about that before. Or anything else I do to put you to sleep for that matter," Blaine quipped, untangling his legs from Kurt's and instead curling them up and draping them over the arm on Kurt's side of the chair so that he was nearly in Kurt's lap.

"You two are so cute together it's almost sickening," Amanda remarked, and Kurt jumped a little, having forgotten that they weren't alone like usual.

"We– uh," Blaine paused and yawned once more. "Oh, whatever. Snuggle with me."

And Kurt obliged, glancing once at the adoring looks the two women were giving the pair of them. He let his cheek droop on top of Blaine's curls and shut his eyes, falling asleep long before Cooper or Blaine's father reappeared.

James really had no idea what he'd expected to find back in the living room, but it certainly hadn't involved his younger son being curled up on top of someone and soundly asleep. He paused as he caught sight of the two, dozing peacefully, their heads tucked together and hands linked. It was... well, adorable, but even so it still made his stomach churn with worry.

"They're sweet, aren't they, James?"

He nodded mutely in response to his wife's question and settled down on the smaller couch next to their chair. After years of dealing with his own apparent problems with his son's sexuality and realizing the roots of it, James was still grasping the idea, separating his fears from the way he'd once directed them at Blaine. It was easy to see it like this though.

"Pop-pop, can we watch Dora?" Liam asked, scampering across the room, now freshly washed and in his pajamas.

The boy tumbled across James's lap, damp hair pressing against James's shirt, but he didn't mind it like he had years ago with his own boys. A lot had changed since then, with both of his sons and himself.

"I don't think they have that here, bud, but I'm sure we can find something fun to watch," James answered, lifting the boy up and setting him more carefully in his lap as Cooper emerged from the far bedroom, shirt soaked and little toddler footprints on his jeans.

"You should have just taken a bath with him," Lyra remarked, eyeing his clothes as he slouched down beside James. "You probably got cleaner than he did in there."

"Pr'bably," Cooper grumbled, eyes drifting closed and his head drooping back onto the cushion. "Wake me when they start making out or something."

"Who– " James stopped himself from finishing the question as his gaze shifted to his left. Blaine twisted a little, his free hand fisting into Kurt's loose shirt as Kurt yawned and sunk further into the chair.

God, the sight terrified him. It had nothing to do with Blaine being with a man and it had taken James quite a few years to figure that out, especially with his wife's persistent help. Blaine being with anyone scared him because he'd spent the majority of his son's life watching the boy get hurt and then, in an attempt to deflect that same fear and hatred, he'd hurt his son further.

First there had been the teasing in late elementary school because Blaine married his superhero action figures and loved wearing purple bow ties. Then middle school had begun and before James had blinked his son was growing up, getting taller and thinner during his eighth grade growth spurt but coming home with black eyes and scraped knees and elbows. Blaine had always tried to hide it, to brush it aside as roughhousing gone too far, but James had known even then. The bow ties had disappeared, Blaine had joined the soccer team, and then for whatever reason, either some kid at his school or directly from his own mouth, Blaine had come out.

James still remembered the day his son had finally admitted it to him. He'd been called in from a very important business venture because Blaine had started a fight in school. How any of the faculty could think Blaine had started it once they caught sight of his cuts and bruises had been beyond James, but they had. James had even let himself believe it at first because of how furious he was about the missing opportunity at work. They'd argued the entire drive home about Blaine's suspension and then, when Blaine finally tried to run off and hide again, James had stopped him and demanded a reason for why the fight had started in the first place.

It wasn't the answer he'd wanted to heard, but it had been the one lurking in the back of his mind for close to a decade.

Their relationship had never been the same since that. Instead of following his tearful son up to his room, he'd poured himself a stiff drink and lurked in the kitchen until Lyra had gotten home. By then the fear had already dug in deep, leaving a permanent imprint on his heart that made his sure of all one thing. He had to protect his son at all costs, and that meant separating Blaine from what made him a target.

Even now, years after acknowledging how much he'd let his fears for his son's safety ruin their relationship, James still struggle with everything, especially seeing Blaine finally falling for someone. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that it was happening, and it terrified him. He'd sent Blaine to Dalton to try to protect him, had isolated his son even further from him, nearly lost having Blaine in his life, and now the other part of his fears was coming true.

Blaine was falling in love and there was nothing James could do to protect his son from his own heart.

"I-I- I'm gonna go put him down," Cooper yawned at his side, and with a jolt James realized that nearly an hour had past while he'd lost himself in thought and watching Blaine and Kurt sleep.

His grandson was plucked from his lap and slung over Cooper's shoulder to be carried into their bedroom for the night. Lyra helped Amanda to her feet and led her after her husband and son. James glanced at the television screen, at the old Bugs Bunny cartoon he'd been completely unaware of picking for Liam to watch. More than anything he wished he had more nerve when it came to asking Blaine questions, or even asking Kurt. Whatever they had already was powerful and sweet, there was a intense bond already forming and what it might mean for them was unknown to him and frightening.

"James? Dear, are you okay?"

James gave a little grunt as Lyra's gentle, familiar hand brushed his cheek. She sat down beside him and kissed his cheek, her gaze following his towards the two men still asleep in each other's arms. Kurt twitched slight in his sleep, grumbling and twisting as James watched, but his son's hand was there to hold Kurt's head steady, cupping his cheek so that Blaine could nuzzle his jaw and plant a sweet kiss there.

"I always knew he'd fall fast," she whispered, dropping her head onto his shoulder and rubbing his back soothingly. "He gets that from– "

"Me," James finished quietly. He sighed heavily, a mixture of resignation and fleeting flickers of happiness running through him. "He absolutely gets that from me."

"Mhmm," she agreed, kissing his cheek almost exactly where Blaine had just kissed Kurt. It made James's throat tightened and his eyes sting. "I seem to recall a lot of chasing and mooneyes from you before I finally agreed to a date."

"Yes, well– "

Across from them, Kurt whined in his sleep, startling a little and then blinking slowly. "Blaine, st-ahp," he mumbled, his face still drooping down towards Blaine's. "Your whiskers tickle."

"You love my whiskers," Blaine murmured, smiling against Kurt's jaw and rubbing against it.

"Mmm. Do not," Kurt argued weakly, letting Blaine's hand direct his head to tilt back. Blaine's smile latched onto his neck, kissing softly and Kurt sighed happily. "Okay, maybe I do."

"Good," Blaine said, and James definitely felt his heart clench up that time.

They were already so in love. Even if he'd wanted to James couldn't have tried to prevent this, not with his wife at his side and all of the memories and reminders of the beginning to the best time of his life. Almost forty years later he still had that same spark, the kisses that made his lips tingle, and the woman gazing back at him every night like everything in her world was right there wrapped up with them.

Before Lyra could get up, James called over to the two.

"Let's pull out the sofa-bed, guys," he told them, climbing to his feet and smiling a little as they both twisted and squinted up at him. "It'll be much more comfortable than that chair."

"D- dad?" Blaine mumbled, his voice slurred as James leaned down and lifted him into a sitting position.

"Come on," James urged. "Let's get you two set up for the night so your mother and I can get some sleep, too, okay?"

"A- a- all right," Blaine yawned.

Lyra smiled sweetly at James as the boys climbed to their feet, rising up on her toes to kiss his cheek once more. "I love you," she said simply. "More than I ever have before."

She was proud of him, after all of his struggles with Blaine, his setbacks and the fear he'd let clog him for so long, he was finally being the man Lyra had been telling him he was all along.

"I'll be in soon," he replied, moving to pull the cushions off the sofa so that they could pull the bed out. "And thank you," he added quietly. "I– we'd never be where we are now without you."

His eyes drifted towards Blaine, and he knew she understood what he meant. She always understood him better than he understood himself. It was one of the main reasons he'd fallen so hard and so fast decades ago; it was the same reason he kept falling for her over and over, randomly when he first woke up or over the slightly, seemingly meaningless things.

James hoped Blaine had finally found that with this boy – this man by his side, laughing as Blaine nearly slipped as they yanked the folded bed out of the sofa's belly. As much as he'd indirectly tried to prevent it, Blaine finally seemed to have found what James had always wanted for him and now he was happy to see it.