As the can pulled up to his dads house, Kurt swallowed nervously. His dad was gonna kill him!! After a difficult month, hed missed a call from his dad. The subsequent voicemail didnt exactly soothe him.

"Kurt, buddy, you know I usually leave you to live your own life and make you own mistakes but I swear to god if you get your skinny ass back to Lima and fix this before it gets any more bizarre, I will come to New York and drag you home myself.  I expect you to call me back with your flight details within the hour. Ive transferred $500 into your account to cover the cost."

2 weeks later, Kurt lifted his bag out of the cab and paid the driver.  He walked slowly up the path to the front door, knocking once before letting himself in.  Closing the door behind him he called out for his dad who appeared from the kitchen, drying his hands on a dish towel.

"Hey dad. Its good to see you." Kurt smiled, walking towards Burt with his arms out.

"Have you called him yet?" Burt asked abruptly. Kurt stopped short of his dad, his face dropping.

"Um....not yet. Have....have you spoken to him?" Kurt spoke quietly, still upset that his dad was so angry with him.

"He gets off work in an hour. The address is on your bed." Burt said, his voice devoid of emotion as he turned back into the kitchen leaving his stunned son to walk upstairs alone.  

Burt listened to his sons heavy feet on the stairs and sighed heavily.  He knew he was being excessively hard on Kurt but if was about time he stopped being such an idiot and over-reacting.  Look at what his temper had cost him so far! No, Burt was determined to continue on the way he was going until this was all sorted out and everything was back to normal.

Kurt dumped his bag in his room and picked up the paper his dad had left on his bed. It was just an business name and address with what looked like a shift schedule underneath. Checking his watch he realised he only had about 30 minutes to freshen up and leave if he wanted to make it on time. Deciding that it was probably best to show his dad that he wanted to fix things, he decided to just change his shirt and freshen up his hair.  A quick pat with his favourite aftershave and nobody would have guessed that hed been awake since 4am.  Grabbing his phone and wallet from where hed dropped them on his bed, he grabbed the note and headed back downstairs.

"Dad? Dad, are you here?" Kurt called out, hearing a response from the living room.  "Hey dad. I was wondering if it was ok for me to use my old car while Im here?"

"Heading out?" Burt asked sullenly, looking round and noticing his sons dressier appearance.

"Um....yeah. I thought Id head over to the Walnut Complex." Kurt replied, not missing the hint of a smile that appeared briefly on his fathers face.

"Yeah, go ahead. Keys are on the hook. Its been well looked after and has a full tank of gas in case you want to go driving around town." Burt said, trying his best not to sound too hopeful.

"Thanks Dad." Kurt crossed the room and lifted his car keys from their hook.  "Dad, I know youre mad at me and I just wanted to say that Im mad at myself. I walked away once and Im not gonna do it again."  Burt nodded and turned back to the newspaper he was reading. As he heard the door close and a car engine start, he just hoped that Kurt wasnt too late.

Kurt drove straight to the Walnut Complex. Although it was a fairly new addition to Lima, he knew the area and figured it couldnt be too hard to find.  As he stopped at the traffic lights just yards away from the address, he checked his watch and noticed that he only had 10 minutes before he missed his chance for the day. He couldnt go home and tell his dad hed failed on the first attempt. As the lights turned green, he crossed the intersection and found a parking space right outside the main entrance.  Getting out, he leant on his car trying to compose himself. What was he going to say? What was he supposed to say? He looked up as he heard a familiar laugh......there he was. Blaine. What the fuck was he wearing? Kurt assumed it was some kind of uniform cos God knows he shouldnt not being wearing those clothes willingly! A fur waistcoat and a cat ear headband? What the fuck.... Kurt thought to himself. Taking a deep breath, he took a step forward.

"Hey."

"Kurt! What are you-I mean why...how did you...." Blaine struggled to complete a sentence as he saw his ex-fiancé standing in front of him. For a second he started to get excited but then he remembered the last thing Kurt had done before hed left him there in their apartment in New York.  "What do you want Kurt?"

"Can we talk? I know I dont have any right to ask anything of you or expect anything from you but please, can we....can we talk? Please?" Kurt asked pleadingly, knowing that Blaine had every right in the world to tell him to fuck off.  But Blaine was still dapper and Kurt really hoped that would be his saving grace.

"I guess I could manage a coffee." Blaine sighed reluctantly, checking his watch. He really didnt feel like listen to Kurt wallow in self-pity but at the same time he hated his one bedroomed apartment. "Lima bean?" Kurt nodded.

"Do you want me to follow you in your car?" Kurt asked, incredibly grateful that Blaine was agreeing to spend any time at all near him right now.

"Um....I dont have a car right now. Ill walk and meet you there." Blaine said quietly, turning to walk towards the coffee shop.

"We could go in my car?" Kurt offered, seeing Blaine look behind him nervously.

"I dont know Kurt."

"Please Blaine, Ill drive straight to the Lima Bean and as soon as you want to go home Ill drive you straight there. I promise, just....please?" Kurt rushed out, hoping that Blaine would agree.  Blaine nodded and followed Kurt to his car.  Kurt reached past him to open the door and gasped as Blaine flinched.  "Blaine-I would never.....please believe me-" Blaine cut him off with a dark look and pulled the door open.  Climbing into the car, he settled himself in the seat and slammed the door. Folding his arms he stared blankly out the window and Kurt walked back round to his own seat.  Wiping an unshed tear from his eye he wondered how things had gotten so messed up.

15 minutes later Kurt had parked at the Lima Bean and they were heading towards the front door.  Blaine opened the door and held it open behind him for Kurt. It was an uncomfortable silence as they ordered their drinks separately, Kurt insisting on paying for Blaines when he saw him counting his coins out of the corner of his eye.  Kurt followed Blaine to a table and took a seat opposite him, getting the feeling that Blaine didnt want to be too close to him right now.

"Talk."

"What?"

"Talk. You said you wanted to talk Kurt so talk." Kurt winced as Blaine emphasised his name with such spite.

"Um....how have you been?" He asked gently, wondering where to start.

"Im working in a childrens play centre for minimum wage after dropping out of college because the person I used to live with turned into a dick. Ive been cut off by my parents because I flunked out of college and Ive got no friends here as theyre all still at college. So how fuck do you think Ive been Kurt?" Kurt had never heard such venom in Blaines voice before and it shocked him to his core.  One horrible night and hed destroyed Blaines life.  

"Blaine, Im so sorry. Please, you have to believe me! I never meant for anything like this to happen, please, you have to believe me. Blaine, I love you so much, it was a stupid horrible mistake that I will never, ever make again." Kurt tried to hold back his tears, knowing that he was in no position to be begging for sympathy.

"Kurt.....you do realise that everything youve just said is exactly what they all say. Im so sorry, Ill never do it again and then what do you know, it happens again.  Kurt, I will not stay or go back to an environment where I live in fear of what might happen to me." Blaine answered sharply.  Kurts mouth gaped open.

"You....Blaine, I never meant to make you feel that way. It was a horrible mistake and I know it sounds like a total excuse but I think it was the alcohol. Im never going to drink any alcohol ever again and I will do whatever it takes and whatever you want to make it up to you. You have no idea how awful I feel. I passed out after you left and as soon as I remembered what had happened I threw up. I still feel physically sick when I think about what I did to you. Blaine I know you must hate me and I know I have no right to expect anything from you but please, Im going crazy without you.  Ill do whatever it takes and whatever you want me to do to make it up to you.  Ill even move back to Lima if thatll show you Im serious about us. Blaine please, dont say its over." Kurt begged.

Blaine looked up at Kurt not knowing whether to believe him. After everything he still loved Kurt and it was definitely unlike him to drink so much. Maybe it was a one-off but what if it wasnt. Was he really willing to take that chance.  Kurt did look awful which kinda made Blaine feel better, he was glad that Kurt seemed to be suffering. 

"Can you take me home now please?" Blaine asked quietly, needing time think things over. He was 80% sure he was gonna go back to Kurt but he needed extra time. Kurt just nodded sadly. He didnt want this to end so quickly but hed promised Blaine he could leave and he needed to show Blaine that he could be trusted again.

Kurt followed Blaines directions and was shocked to see where Blaine was living.

"Blaine, you live here?" Kurt asked, struggling to hide his dismay. 

"Yeah, minimum wage doesnt exactly allow for much." Blaine said sadly, hating that Kurt had seen the hovel he was currently living in.  

"Blaine, I know this might sound wrong but would consider moving into my house? I mean, my dads house. Theres a spare room and I know my dad would love to have you stay there. He literally yelled at me for 90 minutes straight when he found out what had happened." Kurt admitted. 

"Kurt, Im not moving back in with you. I need time to think." Blaine protested but secretly liking the idea of being around Burt again.

"No, I know and I swear thats not what this is. You wouldnt have to pay rent and dads house has got to be safer than this neighbourhood. I promise Ill stay out of your way and I promise not to bother you while Im here." Kurt tried to think of every reason he could to convince Blaine to come home with him. He watched quietly as Blaine pulled out his phone, searched his contacts for a number and dialled it.

"Hey its me......yeah I did....um, ok I guess.....I cant do that, its not that simple....yeah I know, I do too, its just what if-......yeah I heard....um, did you say.....oh, ok. No Im outside my apartment just now but just wanted to check......are you sure?.....I guess I could......ok.....yeah, Ill do it.  Thanks."  Blaine ended his cryptic phone call and turned to face Kurt.  "Can you wait here for me? Looks like Im packing a bag." Blaine smiled slightly but it disappears as quickly as it appeared.  Kurt nodded and watched as Blaine let himself into the building.  Picking up his phone from the dash, he dialled his dad.

"Dad, its me. Did Blaine just call you?"

"Yeah he did. I asked him to move in weeks ago but he was just too proud to accept. I dunno what you said but he seems to have given in at last."

"I didnt really say much. I just dont know what to say around him. I dont know how to make him see how sorry I am." Kurt sniffles as Burg sighed.

"Kurt, you can force him into things, thats how you got yourself in this damned mess in the first place."

"I know, I know-"

"I dont think you do. Kurt, you raped your fiancé. Youre not going to get him back with a snap of your fingers." Kurt froze as he heard the word.

"Is that what he thinks I did?" He asked, an unsettling feeling appearing in his stomach. "Dad you have to believe me, I didnt I swear!! I got drunk and a bit rough but I didnt...I cant even say it. I heard him say stop but I thought he was just playing. Dad, if Id known thats what was happening I would have stopped straight away, please, you have to believe me!"  Kurt pleaded.  

"Kiddo, I know you and I know this is very unlike you but this is what Blaine believes and right now his feelings are more important than yours."  Burt said softly, hearing the pain and distress in his little boys voice.

"Blaines coming back, I need to go. Well be home soon." Kurt said goodbye to his dad and ended the call just as Blaine got in the car.

"I think thats everything. What happened?" Blaine noticed the tear stained face beside him.

"You told my dad I raped you." Kurt said quietly, shame filling his face and voice.  Blaines breath caught in his throat.

"Um, yeah. He saw me in the mall a few days after I can back and I broke down. He took me back to his place and calmed me down.  I told him everything. I needed someone to talk to." Blaine said, sounding slightly defiant as fresh tears poured down Kurts face.

"Blaine, I didnt mean....I-I....I thought you were just pissed at me because I was too rough and I hurt you! Blaine I swear, if I had any idea that thats how you were feeling I would have stopped straight away.   Blaine, I would never, ever, ever do anything so horrible to you! I swear I thought you were just pissed because I was rough and because we were arguing all the time. Please Blains, you have to believe me!" Blaine felt himself breathe faster as Kurt worked himself up into a panic attack. Kurt didnt seem like he was lying, he seemed genuinely upset and heartbroken.

"Do you want me to drive to your dads house?" He asked, holding his hands out for the keys.  Kurt nodded, got out of the car and walked round to the passenger side, as Blaine did the same and settled into the drivers seat. As he made his way to the Hummels house, Blaine listened as Kurt mumbled his way through his panic attack. Blaine managed to pick up enough words that made him doubt whether Kurt had meant to force himself on him.  He didnt want to just give in and go back to New York with Kurt - what if it did happened again? What was the likelihood of Kurt not having any alcohol ever again. Hed been handsy before when he was drunk but never like that. Blaine didnt see himself as a victim so had never blamed himself for what had happened, never wondered what would have happened if hed yelled louder, pushed up from the table and pushed Kurt away. He hadnt given in but in his drunken state Kurt hadnt lasted that long. He knew Kurt took things too far, he knew Kurt hadnt stopped when he yelled at him, he knew that Kurt had pinned him over the arm of the couch and he knew that Kurt had passed out in the living room floor shortly after climaxing. Stopping at a red light, Blaine thought back over the entire event and realised that yea, although Kurt had been tougher than usual, he was still tender in his touches, the way he whispered in Blaines ear.  He wasnt one for making excuses but when he combined his memories and thoughts with Kurts current state of distress he wondered if hed panicked himself and mis-interpreted what had actually happened. 

He looked over at Kurt who had his arm wrapped around his waist and was sobbing quietly.  Blaine realised the huge misunderstanding that had torn them apart. He reached his hand over and squeezed Kurts knee gently. Kurt lifted his head and made eye contact with Blaine. 

"Blaine-"

"I know," Blaine cut him off. "When we get there I think we need to have a proper conversation." Kurt sighed heavily and nodded, a small but grateful smile appearing in his face.  The light changed to green and Blaine continued the drive.  

5 hours later, Kurt and Blaine were both crying heavily as they held each other tightly.  After a full and frank discussion about so many heavy issues, both of them felt emotionally drained but a lot happier and easier about their future.  Kurt had finished his term at NYADA and admitted to being incredibly unhappy. He admitted that the night hed hurt Blaine was the night hed withdrawn from NYADA. Hed gone to a bar to drown his sorrows and had gotten so drunk hed needed help from a doorman to get into the cab. Kurt didnt try to blame his actions on anything but Blaine believed Kurt when he said he was sorry and was appalled with himself that Blaine had interpreted his actions in that way.  After a lengthy discussion, Kurt agreed to come back to Lima to work on his relationship with Blaine.  They both agreed that they needed to reconnect in an environment that held no worries for them, no stress of college, no loneliness of being in a city full of people they didnt know.  

When Burt came downstairs the following morning, he smiled slightly at the sight of Blaine curled up in Kurts arms, both of them fast asleep and snoring lightly.  He noticed a piece of paper on the coffee table and as he approached he recognised Kurts handwriting.

"I, Kurt Hummel, agree to not drink a single drop of alcohol for at least the next 18 months under any circumstances.  I agree to talk to Blaine about any worries or fears I may have, even if I think they are trivial. If it matters to me, it matters to us.  

I promise to always be honest with Blaine and will listen very carefully to anything he says.  I will ask him to explain anything I dont understand and will do the same for him.

I agree to forego any and all type of sexual contact and/or activity until such a time as Blaine initiates it.  I will not coerce or guilt Blaine into any sexual activity.  I recognise that I broke a trust that Blaine placed in me and agree to do whatever it takes to earn this trust again.  I am allowed to masturbate at any time but will not touch Blaines genitals without express permission.

I will give Blaine as much space as he requires.  I will not go into Blaines room unless invited and will leave as soon as Blaine asks without protest.  I agree to take things at a pace set by Blaine.

I agree that if any of these pledges are broken, Blaine reserves the right to end the relationship with no further chances given.

I agree that I was a total douchebag and that my hair is not flawless.

Signed, Kurt E Hummel"

Burt smiled at the last paragraph knowing that Blaine had made him write that.  Putting the paper back down on the table, Burt walked into the kitchen to start up the coffee maker, knowing that if Kurt was willing to jump through all those hoops for Blaine that they might just make it. He knew his son and he knew that hed be stubborn enough to stick to every single one of those promises if it meant he could keep Blaine - especially if he knew that one wrong move could end it all.

~*~5 years later~*~

Blaine stood outside the grey office building checking his watch.  It had taken a long time for them to reach this point.  They had not had a single argument in the last 5 years due to their promise to talk things out calmly.  After 9 months, Blaine had scored out the paragraph that withheld sex and they had both spent the next 6 weeks building up and rediscovering each other.  After 14 months, Blaine had torn up the entire contract, much to Kurts horror as he thought Blaine was breaking up with him.  After 22 months they eloped to Las Vegas without telling anyone except Burt and his wife Carol.  Now, 2 and a half years after their impromptu nuptials, they were taking the next step.  Blaine turned when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know, I said Id be here 5 minutes ago." Kurt panted, trying to catch his breath as Blaine laughed at him.

"Relax, we still have 15 minutes until the appointment. I just wanted to make sure you were here on time." He smiled, fixing Kurts tie.  "Ready?"

"Ready" Kurt nodded as they linked hands and entered the building.

Mrs Banks greeted them with a smile and shook their hands.

"Mr Anderson, Mr Hummel, its good to see you both again.  Are you ready?" The kind brunette smiled as both men nodded quickly.  "Now, I know that this has taken a while to arrange and I thank you both for your patience but I hope itll be worth the wait."

Kurt squeezed Blaines hand as they heard a cry behind the door in front of them.  Following Mrs Banks through, they came face to face with a dark haired, blue-eyed baby who was giggling at the lady holding her.

"Mr Anderson, Mr Hummel, Id like to introduce you to your daughter."