Kurt seemed to float through his classes and Glee Club, wondering what made two people feel they were in a relationship. He had no clue since he'd never actually had anyone interested, except Brittany. But she didn't count. Honestly, he really had no idea if Blaine was even interested in him. Sure there had been the coffee date and the night time calling sessions but he didn't know if Blaine saw him as a guy he'd like to date. Maybe he saw them as just friends? Now that was a depressing thought.

Sometimes it bothered Kurt to know he was fooling Blaine by not telling him about his family. It's not like Kurt was ashamed of them, quite the contrary. Kurt was insanely proud of his father and the life he'd built for him and Carole and Finn. But what Rachel had said about Blaine's parents disapproving bothered him. He wanted Blaine's parents to like him.

Thinking back on the couple he'd briefly met at Blaine's party Kurt couldn't honestly see them turning him away. But at that time they must have thought he'd had money considering he was dressed to the nines and escorting Rachel Berry.

In his conversations with Blaine they never talked about their families. Friends and school, of course, but not family. Kurt knew Blaine was an only child, Blaine knew about Finn, but Kurt knew Blaine's closest friends were Wes and David, and Blaine knew about Mercedes and the rest of the Glee club members. Blaine didn't even know that Kurt's mom was dead. Right now everything was simple between them. They were just friends at this point in time.

But Kurt wouldn't mind being something more with Blaine.

He could easily see the two of them cuddling on the couch and watching TV together, him carding his fingers through Blaine's curls. Which was ridiculous. They'd only known one another for what? Two weeks? It was pathetic to be that attracted to a guy this fast.

But he didn't mind it. Blaine made him feel happy no matter how long they'd known one another.

The day of the performance Blaine filled Kurt's thoughts. He couldn't focus in any of his classes and at lunch he stared at the text he'd gotten from Blaine that morning during French and ignored all the sidelong looks Mercedes was giving him. It had been a simple, "See you soon!" but it had been enough to set his heart pumping.

The second school finished Kurt hurried to Dalton, barely calling a quick goodbye to Mercedes. She'd helped him pick out his outfit for the show even though Blaine convinced him it was a casual thing. Kurt still dressed up in order to make sure to make an impression. He wore his favorite pair of jeans and his Doc Martins along with a lovely top that never failed to bring out his eyes. In his opinion he looked like a million dollars.

When he arrived at Dalton he felt (so very) out of place. There were boys in blazers everywhere smelling of money, mothers wandering around in diamonds, and fathers with platinum cards burning holes in their wallets. He slipped through the crowds of boys, milling around, feeling so lost. Finally it got to the point where he needed to call Blaine.

"Help, I'm lost in a sea of tacky navy blazers."

Blaine's laugh was music in his ears. "Where are you?"

Kurt glanced around the room he was in. "I'm next to a tapestry and a big bust of some angry man."

"That angry man would be Gregory Hastings Dalton, founder of our illustrious school. Give me a moment; I'm heading your way. I'll be the one in the tacky navy blazer." Blaine added, chuckling again. "I'm almost there- ah! I see you. Nice shoes." Kurt hung up and glanced around for Blaine.

He appeared a moment later, slipping around a tall boy with gel slicked hair much like Blaine's (but not as nice). Kurt gave Blaine a searching look up and down. He didn't mind the blazer on Blaine all that much, but he looked better in street clothes. "Hey!" Blaine said, bouncing up to Kurt and looking like an excited puppy.

"Hey! Quite the school you got here." Kurt commented.

"I know it's a little much, but it works well enough. We're performing in the commons." Blaine said, reaching out and taking Kurt's hand in his. "C'mon. I know a shortcut." He dragged Kurt along down the hallway but Kurt barely noticed. All he could think about was Blaine's hand in his.

Blaine had really nice hands.

Moments later they arrived at the hall where the Warblers were performing and Blaine let go, thoroughly disappointing Kurt. A few other boys in Dalton blazers stood at the front of the stage and Blaine glanced to them. "I should go, they're waiting for me. I saved a seat for you since you're a special guest." Kurt glanced down at the seat they were next to and saw a 'reserved' sign hanging on the chair. Blaine took a step back then stepped forward again. "After the show do you want to go and get a milkshake with me? I know the cutest diner. There's a meet and greet after the performance but I thought that it would be boring for you so I thought going out would be better."

Kurt's eyebrows scrunched together, "Don't you want to go out with the other Warblers?"

Blaine shook his head, looking a little sheepish, "I see them every day. I'd rather go out with you but I know Wes and David want to meet you so I have to stay for at least the first few minutes. Is that okay?"

Kurt nodded emphatically. "I'd like to at least meet your friends."

Blaine's smile widened. "Great! I'll see you after the show then. Hope you enjoy it." He reached out and squeezed Kurt's hand before hurrying up to the stage. Kurt settled down in his seat, his hand still tingling. He wasn't sure he'd ever get used to how touchy-feely Blaine was, but he was sure that he would grow to love it if Blaine kept it up.

A moment later the boys on the stage started to singing in complete harmony. Blaine took center stage, looking ridiculously dapper as he did a step and touch with the rest of the boys singing the lyrics to "Teenage Dream".

Blaine had conveniently forgotten to tell Kurt he was the lead singer for the majority of the songs they did. Kurt could see why though. His jaw had almost dropped when he realized just how good Blaine sounded. He had an amazing voice and he had a wonderful personality that just emanated from him. Now Kurt knew what they meant when people said someone had 'star quality.'

Halfway through Teenage Dream Blaine's eyes caught Kurt's and for a fraction of a second later his right eye closed in a quick, almost playful wink. Kurt blushed a little and grinned back, feeling almost as if Blaine were singing the song to him. Blaine went back his solo and Kurt glanced slowly around the room at the people in attendance.

Across the room he caught sight of Blaine's father.

He looked just like Blaine, but older and not as vibrant. Instead he actually looked a little rushed and bored. A few times his eyes strayed to his wrist watch.

The Warblers ran through seven more songs and finished to rousing applause. Kurt even jumped to his feet to show his appreciation. When Blaine came down from the stage he made a b-line straight to Kurt and moved close so he could hear him over the chatter of the people around them. "What'd you think?"

"You sounded great! Why didn't you tell me you were the lead soloist?" Kurt asked, wishing he could reach forward to push some of those lovely curls off Blaine's forehead that had sprung free during the show.

"Well, we're an a cappella group. We're a large group and I just sing lead for a few songs-"

Kurt chuckled, "Whatever you say Blaine. I still think you were amazing. Now introduce me to some of your friends."

"Well, aren't you pushy?" Blaine joked, touching his hand to Kurt's elbow to lead him around the room. He stopped a second later as a man's voice called out,

"Blaine, son!" Blaine stopped, looking a little panicked, his eyes scanning the crowd. Blaine's dad appeared before them a moment later, eyes glancing off of Kurt to settle on Blaine's hand touching Kurt's elbow to then go to Kurt's face. Finally he focused on his son. "You did a great job up there Blaine."

"Thank you dad." Blaine replied simply. His expression was suddenly neutral, leading Kurt to wonder about Blaine's relationship with his father. "Where's mom?"

"She had a dinner meeting with the rest of the ladies and sends her apologies that she couldn't come." Mr. Anderson glanced to Kurt who shrunk back a little. "I'm sorry, I haven't quite gotten your name."

Kurt stuck his hand out immediately, hoping the older man wouldn't notice how sweaty his palms were. "Kurt Hummel, sir." He felt Blaine's hand tighten on his elbow as his dad took Kurt's, confidently.

"It's a pleasure. Do you go here?" His eyes skimmed up and down Kurt's outfit.

"N-No sir. I go to school in Lima."

Blaine jumped in a moment later to help save Kurt. "We met at the party a few weeks ago."

Mr. Anderson's eyes flashed and Kurt didn't know whether that was a good thing or not. He obviously knew Blaine was gay, but he wondered what the man thought of Blaine seeing some guy. "Well, it's a pleasure again." He moved to grab Blaine by the shoulder and squeeze it once. "I have a meeting to get to, but I will see you later tonight, alright?"

"Yes dad. Thanks for coming." Blaine replied simply and Mr. Anderson nodded at Kurt once before slipping off and out of the common room. The second he was out of earshot Blaine let out a deep breath and smiled up at Kurt, obviously relieved at something. Kurt was about to ask what but was stopped as Blaine dragged him off to introduce him to his friends. But Kurt made a mental note to ask later.

The Warblers were possibly some of the politest boys Kurt had ever met. First Blaine introduced Kurt to Wes, David, and Thad who were the council leaders. They shook Kurt's hand and smiled sweetly and then Wes leaned forward, giving Kurt a conspiratorial look.

"Yes, I remember you. You were Rachel's date."

David leaned forward, blocking Blaine from the conversation. "Don't be surprised if the rest of the Warblers call you blue eyes. That's the first thing Blaine talks about when he describes you." Kurt blushed bright red and Blaine, looking equally flushed, tugged him away, muttering words under his breath that he was sure would make Blaine's mother flinch in shock.

The next Warblers were Jeff and Nick and a few of the other boys who were all just as polite. They reminded Kurt of Stepford sons and there was only so much politeness Kurt could take.

"Ready to go?" Blaine asked a little over half an hour later.

"Definitely. I can almost hear that milkshake calling my name. Though I should worry about it ruining my figure."

"Nonsense." Blaine joked, leading him out of the school by the hand.

He followed Blaine's pretty little silver car (that probably cost more than his car ten times over) and stopped at a sweet little diner that seemed filled with couples leaning close over shared milkshakes. Blaine led Kurt to a back booth and settled in across from him with a small smile as he lost his blazer and loosened his tie.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with those guys. They're a little hard to understand sometimes." Blaine apologized lightly, looking sheepish.

"They were actually pretty interesting. If a little intense." Kurt said, chuckling softly, pulling off his jacket.

Blaine sighed, looking over the plastic menu that had been tucked between the napkins and the sugar shaker. "They were trying to be on their best behavior for my sake. I didn't want them to overpower you and make you run off."

Kurt grinned and chuckled, leaning a little closer. "I highly doubt that a couple of boys in blazers would make me want to run off and leave you alone."

Silence fell for a moment and Kurt worried that it would be a repeat of their coffee date earlier that week. Finally Blaine spoke up, "So, would it be impetuous of me to ask to share a chocolate milkshake?"

Kurt felt his cheeks burst into flame and it took all he could to not burst out with a giggle as he nodded, murmuring a soft, "Yes, I'd like that."

Blaine beamed at him and set down the menu. "Great." His eyes flickered to the table and then back to Kurt, a small smile on his lips. "Have I mentioned that I'm really glad you came?"

"A few times, but I don't mind hearing it. It's nice having someone be glad I'm with them." Kurt said without thinking then quickly covered it up by adding, "It was nice meeting your dad today."

Blaine's smile fell and Kurt realized he was stepping into territory he really shouldn't have been. "He's a good man but he's always busy. He's never missed a Warbler performance." Kurt could sense a bit of tiredness in Blaine's voice.

"That's a good thing isn't it? I always love when my dad comes to my Glee club's performances."

Blaine was stopped from replying for a moment as the waitress came to bring them water and ask for their order. Immediately the other boy told her, "One chocolate milkshake, two straws." He shot a small look at Kurt who had to duck his head and bite his lips to keep from smiling to widely. The waitress left them and Blaine waited another moment before leaning towards Kurt with a serious look on his face, "Can I tell you something fairly private, Kurt?"

"Of course." Kurt replied, jolting a little at the thought of Blaine trusting him enough to tell him something private.

"I love my dad and he is a wonderful man. He was incredibly good about my coming out and my mother's party. He just… likes the idea of me being a Warbler too much. It's a marketing thing for him. Lets people see that I'm his son and he's the great dad that's there for everything while he manages the Insurance biz on the side." There was an odd bitter side to Blaine's voice and Kurt automatically reached out to take his hand.

He was thrilled when Blaine didn't pull away. Instead he turned his hand to link his fingers through Kurt's.

"Sorry to dump that on you. I usually don't do that." Blaine mumbled.

"I don't mind. I'm a good listener, or so I've been told." Kurt replied with a grin, squeezing Blaine's hand. They stayed connected for a moment longer before letting go and drawing their hands back to their respective sides.

"So, tell me about your family." Blaine prodded and Kurt immediately felt his blood run cold. This was what he had been worried about.

"I live with my dad and step-mom, Carole, but you already knew that. Carole's a nurse. And her son lives with us."

Blaine nodded, "And your real mom?"

Kurt bit his lips again before taking a stabilizing breath. "She's dead."

Blaine's lips formed the 'o' that Kurt was used to seeing when he told them that and proceeded to stutter, trying to fix his faux pas. "I am so sorry Kurt, I didn't realize-"

Kurt cut him off with a quick flick of the wrist. "No, it's fine. You don't have to apologize since you didn't know."

"How old were you?" Blaine asked, eyes softening. Kurt knew the look. It was one of pity and worry and usually pissed Kurt off to no end, but this time he knew that he at least owed Blaine an explanation since he'd stumbled into this unknowingly.

Kurt leaned back, sliding down in his seat. "Really young. Seven, I think? I barely remember her."

"What happened?"

Kurt gave a quick shrug. "Cancer." He didn't want to elaborate. It hurt too much.

There was a reverent kind of pause between the two boys before Blaine seemed to almost lunge forward to grab Kurt's hand in his. "I know I'm a little late to the game, but I've been told I'm a good sounding board for people when they're sad. You can always talk with me." He paused, looking uncertain. "If you want to, that is."

Kurt bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling too broadly and turned his hand in Blaine's to lace their fingers together for a second time that night. "I'd like that."

The smile that Blaine gave him could have outshone the sun.

They turned their thoughts to happier things. Blaine asked about Glee club and school. It was easy and comfortable this time. They didn't try to make their impressions count because they'd already passed that point. They had already confirmed they liked one another; now it was a matter of figuring out where they went from there.

The milkshake arrived and Blaine let go of Kurt's hand so he could set the glass cup in the exact middle of the table so they could each reach their respective straws. Both boys leaned forward at the exact same time and their noses brushed, sending a jolt of surprise through them and causing them to jump, knock their foreheads together and fall back. It took a moment to register what had happened before they broke into peals of laughter, clutching at their sides for air. They didn't even realize that the rest of the diner had fallen silent for a moment to cast wary glances their way.

Finally, as Blaine was wiping tears from his eyes, he pushed the glass to Kurt to let him have the first sip. When Kurt took his taste he pushed to towards Blaine and commented, still wheezing a little, "They should post a warning: Danger - do not drink at the same time."

Blaine giggled and suddenly his legs folded up closer to his body so that he was sitting cross-legged on the seat. "That's something they should have covered in the Rules and Laws for Debutantes."

"I don't think it was in the 'Book for beaus' either." Kurt murmured, vaguely remembering hearing term being batted around at Blaine's coming out party.

Blaine chuckled again, "Had you ever attended a coming out party before?"

"Like yours or in general?" Kurt asked, feeling a little panicky.

"Mine was an anomaly." Blaine said, by way of an answer.

"Maybe you'll start a trend." Kurt rambled nervously. "But no, I've never been to one before. I just did this as a favor to Rachel. When I told my dad I was doing this he just gave me a look and told me to enjoy myself. I know he could care less about balls and fashion and I know it has to be hard for him to have a gay son but he's come to accept it. At least your parents were good about your coming out."

"I really would love to meet your dad. He seems kinda awesome." Blaine mumbled and Kurt began to panic again but instead Blaine sighed and propped his elbow on the table, cradling his chin in his hand. "I wish I didn't have to do this. It's ridiculous really. My dad just sees this as a way of diversifying his network. Having a gay son that he accepts means he could very potentially start getting clientele with the more liberal side of the population because they see him as accessible and human. My mother went nuts when I came out as gay so now she apparently thinks that I'm a girl. She threw that cotillion as a way of helping to find a guy for me to bring as a date for the deb ball at the end of the month." Kurt could see in Blaine's face that he was tired and a little bitter about this whole situation, not that he could blame him.

Instead of keeping the conversation on his parents Kurt leaned forward to sip from his straw before asking, "So, did you find someone to go with you to the next ball?"

Blaine eyed him carefully, his lips quirking upward a little. "Well, I did meet this one guy, but from what I can tell he's not that into deb balls. He once told me he only came for a friend."

Kurt blushed bright red, catching onto the game. He took a quick sip of the milkshake to center himself before asking, "Well, why don't you ask him and see what he says?"

Blaine shrugged, snatching the milkshake from the other boy's hands. "I'm still trying to decide if he likes me enough to sit through the entire thing with me."

"I'm sure he does. You just need to ask him." Kurt prompted, praying that he wasn't reading the signals wrong and encouraging Blaine to ask some other guy.

Blaine opened his mouth to reply but stopped as a looming shadow fell across their table. "Hey, lookie at who's here. Homo breath."

Kurt jaw tightened and he glared up at the sneering face of Karofsky. "Go away Karofsky." He ground out, trying to remain civilized.

Instead of leaving Karofsky moved closer, glancing over at Blaine. "Who's this? Your boyfriend?" He jeered, pressing his hands against the table to bring himself closer to Kurt.

"Would you just back off? We're not bothering you. You came to our table." Kurt sniped, his lips pulling back into a snarl. He didn't even think about glancing to Blaine to see what he thought of this display.

"Actually you are bothering me. You're sitting in here exposing all these people to your gay germs. If they're not careful they might actually catch your queerness." Karofsky bit.

Kurt shrunk back, feeling close to tears. There were so many things that Kurt wanted to say but he couldn't muster the courage to actually say anything. A moment later, as Karofsky was leaning forward to taunt Kurt once more the milkshake suddenly spilled all over Karofsky's lower half, causing him to fall back into the booth across from theirs.

"What the hell man?

"Sorry," Blaine said, not sounding very sorry at all. "My hand slipped."

Kurt turned to stare at Blaine. The boy had a horribly angry look on his face and his hands were clenched.

Karofsky quickly got to his feet and started to sling homophobic slurs at them but was stopped as the manager, a hefty lady that reminded Kurt of the new coach for their football team, came to stand near him. "I'm sorry sir, you need to leave. You are disrupting the customers." Karofsky looked like he was about to punch the woman but she stood her ground.

Finally Karofsky moved to leave but not before shooting a quick, "See you later, homo."

Once he was out of earshot the manager turned to them. "I'm sorry for his behavior. Let me get you a new milkshake." Before either boy could protest she was gone and another girl was cleaning up the sticky table for them.

They sat in silence for a long while before Blaine finally said, "I guess you know him from school?" His eyebrows were knit together in a look of disgust.

Kurt hesitated before nodding. "He's just a homophobic idiot. I try to ignore him most of the time."

"I hate guys like him." Blaine hissed and Kurt was so surprised by that look of pure anger on Blaine's face that he reached across to take Blaine's hand. Soft hazel eyes clouded by anger turned on Kurt and Kurt smiled, trying to appear reassuring.

"I do too. But right now there's nothing we can do so let's just focus on the evening?"

Blaine nodded and sighed and moments later the milkshake was set on their table along with a complementary plate of fries. Both boys glanced up at the woman who gave them a smile and a quick wink and flounced away. Blaine chuckled and picked up a fry, dipping in the creamy treat before taking a bite. Kurt started at him, eyes wide and Blaine stopped, the remainder of the fry almost all the way to the milkshake again.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kurt asked.

"Dipping my fry. Please tell me you've have fries and a milkshake before." Kurt shook his head (it was so unhealthy). "Okay, that's it." Blaine sounded incredibly determined as he tossed the fry into his mouth and grabbed another one from the pile before dipping it and bringing it to Kurt's lips. Kurt shook his head, keeping his mouth clamped tightly shut. "Come on, try it." Kurt shook his head again.

"Please?"

"Uh-uh."

"Please?" Blaine's lower lip peaked out in a little pout and Kurt's resolve crumbled right then and there and his mouth opened. Blaine let out a bright, 'Ha!' and proceeded to feed the fry to the other boy.

Kurt was pleasantly surprised at how well the taste of the salt from the fry went with the cool sweetness of the shake. "Fine. It's good. But I'm not going to make a habit of this. It's bad for my complexion and my figure." He said and Blaine only chuckled, grabbing another fry and scooping it.

Conversation flowed easier from there. They just clicked and Karofsky's appearance had only seemed to open the floodgates for more conversation. Blaine talked about 'Vette and the rest of her gang of girls and Kurt talked about what he dealt with at school.

Blaine was an amazing sounding board and tried his best to give good advice. "Stand up to them, don't let them push you around," he said, trying to keep Kurt's spirits up.

Kurt appreciated Blaine's support. He hadn't had many people try to support him other than his father and a few other people.

"I appreciate it Blaine. Really-" he leaned over to look at his phone and caught sight of the time – nearly midnight. "Oh god, look at the time! I need to go!" he screeched.

Blaine glanced down at his phone and his eyes widened, "I hadn't even realized!" He scrambled out of the seat after Kurt, throwing money down on the table to cover their milkshake and give their waitress a really good tip. Kurt was already to his car by the time Blaine caught up. "Kurt!"

Kurt stopped and whirled around to look at him. "I am so sorry Blaine. I should have kept more of an eye on the time."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have kept you."

"It's okay. I just need to go now or my dad may kill me." Kurt knew that his dad was going to kill him no matter what, but he didn't want to make Blaine feel guilty. His hand touched Kurt's and Kurt jumped, startling a little.

"Call me tomorrow okay? And if you can, text me tonight so I know you got home okay?" Blaine asked, squeezing Kurt's hand between both of his. Kurt nodded once and smiled. There was a pause of hesitation and then Blaine was there, pressing his lips against Kurt's cheek and pulling away a second later, worry in his eyes.

Kurt felt his heart stop beating for a moment and his entire body seemed to tingle with the starting point being where Blaine's lips had touched his skin. Without realizing it he was staring at Blaine with a giddy grin on his lips. "I'll call you tomorrow. I promise."

Blaine sighed, relieved, and took a step back. "Tomorrow." He stood back and waited until Kurt's Navigator was out of sight before jumping up and down and sprinting to his car.

Kurt arrived home a little after midnight, thoroughly pleased that his car hadn't turned into a pumpkin. The house was dark when he drove up but that didn't mean anything. Kurt turned off the car as quietly as he could and slipped up the front steps, taking a moment at the door to send Blaine a text. 'Home, safe and sound. Talk to you in a few hours.'

Blaine's reply came mere seconds later. 'Definitely. ;)'

Kurt let himself revel in the moment before opening the door. He made it about halfway to the stairs before a voice sounded from the shadows, stopping him dead in his tracks and making his blood run cold.

"And where the hell have you been?"