"You said you wanted to talk..." Blaine paused in his stride, causing Kurt to stop and double back. "What about?"

The two boys had spent most of the afternoon walking around the boat deck, after Kurt had sought him out, politely asking Cooper if he could borrow his little brother for a while.

Kurt shrugged.

"I don't know...I -- we talked about the boat, and -- I don't know, maybe you could tell me a little about your parents? You've dodged every question I've tried asking so far."

Blaine looked indignant.

"I have not!" Kurt gave him an exasperated look and he sighed. "Kurt, there's not much to tell. All I know is what Cooper's told me -- he's the only parent I've ever known. I don't really remember them."

Kurt waited, watching him closely as he walked over and wrapped both hands around the railing, holding on tightly.

"They left when I was four." Blaine said quietly. "Cooper was fourteen...and we were on a three month vacation in Europe. We didn't know what happened until Cooper asked around at the market, and one of the vendors who liked us said he'd seen them leaving the bakery -- wanted to know where we were." he fought back tears as he stared down at the water. "Mother didn't answer him, and Father said if they lingered any longer they'd miss their boat." he quickly wiped his eyes, silently cursing his inability to keep tears at bay. "Sorry. I -- Coop doesn't like to talk about them -- and I've wanted to -- it's just...difficult."

Kurt walked over next to him and leaned against the railing.

"No one deserves that, Blaine -- no one." he said quietly.

Blaine's lips cracked into a sad smile as he played idly with his shirt sleeve. A light breeze kicked up, ruffling his curls and felt wonderful against the back of his neck...calmed him in a sense.

"I know." he said softly. "I have Cooper, and that's perfectly alright with me. He's looked out for me ever since they left -- and he doesn't complain -- much. He's wonderful."

Kurt smiled.

"I'm sure." he said.

Blaine pushed off of the rail and walked away from it. The brunette followed.

"Kurt?" he asked hesitantly as they made their way past a row of deck chairs.

"Yes?"

"I -- I know your father is the one who stopped Cooper's arrest, and I -- I realized that I never thanked you like I did him."

"There's no need to, Blaine."

Silence. Then --

"Kurt?"

"Yes?"

"About Sebastian --"

Kurt scowled.

"Don't worry about him." he took Blaine's hand in his own, silently thankful that no one was paying them any mind. He could easily pass it off as a handshake if he needed to. "He'll be a gentleman -- to both of you. My father will make sure of that."

Blaine was staring at their hands. His heart was beating a mile a minute and he knew he was blushing -- but there was a problem. Was Kurt just being reassuring, or was there more to it?

Don't jump to conclusions, Blaine...it probably means nothing...remember, society doesn't take kindly to people like you.

Kurt let go, and plopped himself onto a nearby deck chair. Blaine sat down on the one next to him, trying to ignore the fact that he was most likely still red in the face.

"We do have a problem though." he said after a lengthy silence.

Kurt frowned at him.

"What's that?" he asked, sitting up a little straighter.

Blaine sighed helplessly and gestured to his clothing -- a thin burgondy top and light gray pants -- both of which had been Cooper's and were a little big, not to mention the tear under the left arm.

"Cooper and I don't exactly travel with appropriate attire for occasions like this." he confessed.
He felt his heart start racing again as Kurt's face broke into a dazzling smile.

"We're going to fix that." he said, jumping to his feet and grabbing Blaine's arm. "Let's go find your brother."