A/N

OMG! It has been months and months since the last update and I am so sorry. Let me assure you that this fic is not abandoned! I have every intention of finishing it. I have chronic health issues and it's been more difficult than usual to get any writing done on LMFWIA.

Thank you so much to those of you who have stayed with me! And to those new to this story, enjoy! ^_^

And just a reminder that this story takes place in the summer between S2 & S3.

CHAPTER 5

Watching the boys head upstairs, Burt shook his head in frustration. The sound of Kurt's closing door echoed loudly in his ears and it took all the strength in him not to charge upstairs and reopen that door.

He understood that Kurt and Blaine wanted to be together right now, especially considering the circumstances. Still, the knowledge of this and the reality were two very different things. They were two young teenage boys behind a closed door. Burt knew all too well what could happen.

Sighing, Burt turned to Carole and was surprised to see her glaring at him.
"Before you say anything," Carole intoned, intentionally repeating the same words Kurt had said earlier. "Think about this."
Burt managed to look affronted.

Carole cocked an eyebrow at him, raising her fingers to count off her points. "One, Though Blaine wasn't supposed to be here, they both remained downstairs and not in Kurt's room. Two, Kurt trusted you enough to tell you the truth of what's going on and asked to let him stay over." The unspoken and didn't sneak him in was all too obvious to Burt.

"Three," Carole continued, "…despite trying to convince yourself otherwise, you actually like Blaine, and I'd go as far to say you see him as part of the family already. You trust him like you trust Kurt. And they need each other tonight."

Burt shifted his feet slightly and Carole smiled, knowing Burt's resolve was cracking. "And fourth," she continued, stepping closer to her husband and placing a hand on his arm, "Do you really think that they have anything on their minds tonight other than talking and maybe some sleep?"

Burt's mouth quirked into a half-smile; Carole was right – she usually was.

Carole smiled, reaching up for a quick kiss on the lips. "See? Told you so…"

Burt smiled for a moment before the weight of tonight's news settled over him again. What were they going to do tomorrow? He rubbed a hand wearily over his face. "Okay. Tomorrow we all sit down and talk. All four of us."

It wasn't until the door clicked shut behind him that Blaine finally processed that he was in Kurt's room. Everything still felt hazy around the edges from sleep; he didn't even remember climbing the stairs.

Blaine stood in the middle of the room at a loss for what to do or say. He didn't want to have to deal with anything right now. He was so exhausted.

The stress of the day only made him want to succumb to unconsciousness again and it was that thought that finally propelled him to the bed. Blaine collapsed on the edge of the mattress and sighed heavily, rubbing his hands over his face. Everything felt like too much right now.

The bed dipped and he felt Kurt sit beside him. Blaine immediately curled into his boyfriend, burrowing his head into Kurt's neck.

Kurt wrapped an arm around his back, mindful of the bruises and tried to silently convey his love and support. He didn't know what to do to make this better for Blaine.

It seemed as if Blaine had ideas of his own as he started pressing lazy kisses to the side of his boyfriend's neck.

Kurt wanted to protest but the insistent way Blaine was mouthing at his neck was quickly becoming distracting. Kurt instinctively tilted his head, his hand grasping on to the material of Blaine's shirt, as those brief kisses turned into long, hot, open mouthed drags of skin. It was all Kurt could to do to supress a moan.

As he felt Blaine's lips quirk up into a small smile, Kurt wasn't sure he entirely succeeded.

Blaine's lips trailed upwards and latched onto the patch of skin just below his ear and this time Kurt knew he moaned aloud.

"Blaine…" Kurt whispered breathlessly, opening eyes he didn't realize he had closed.

He felt one last kiss placed to his neck before Blaine raised his head to look at his boyfriend. Kurt started at the intensity of Blaine's gaze on him; there were so many emotions reflected in the depth of those beautiful hazel eyes.

Kurt felt more than heard the whispered thank you before Blaine's lips covered his. It was a gentle kiss that couldn't have lasted more than a second but it left Kurt reeling, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. He would never get used to the way that Blaine kissed him. It was as if Blaine were trying to convince him that he was the most precious person in the entire universe.

Kurt was starting to believe it.

But Blaine pulled away with a sigh and once again rested his head in the crook of Kurt's neck, wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist.

The sudden knock at the door startled them both but Blaine immediately tensed and tightened his hold around Kurt.

Kurt placed a brief kiss to the top of Blaine's head. The tension and exhaustion was practically radiating off Blaine and Kurt knew that his boyfriend couldn't handle anymore drama tonight. Kurt knew that his dad or Carole wouldn't separate them but it seemed Blaine thought otherwise.

"Come in Carole." Kurt called out softly.

Carole quietly opened the door, an amused smile on her face. "How did you know it was me?"

Kurt allowed himself a brief smile. "You can hear Finn a mile away and Dad wouldn't have knocked."

Carole laughed lightly at that as she indicated the items in her hand. "I thought you boys might like some water to last the night."

As she set down the bottles, Kurt noticed how she discreetly placed some ibuprofen nearby as well.

Kurt smiled appreciatively at her, knowing it would save him a trip for when Blaine needed some more

Carole looked between Kurt and Blaine, noticing how fragile and sad Blaine looked.

"Blaine…" Carole spoke gently. "There are some extra towels across the hall in the linen closet if you want a shower and help yourself to any food if you get hungry, okay?"

It was Carole's lingering question that made Blaine wearily raise his head from Kurt's neck. He met Carole's gaze and attempted a smile though it's likely it came out more as a grimace. "Thank you. I…" Blaine sighed. "Thanks for letting me stay."

Carole noted that Blaine looked far more exhausted than he should after having slept the past several hours. She had to repress the urge to hug him. "Anytime sweetie."

As Carole shut the door behind her, Kurt was unable to quell the surge of affection he had for his step-mother and father. They were so supportive of everything and everyone in his life. He only wished Blaine could have the same.

Kurt hugged Blaine briefly before speaking again. "Let's find you something to wear tonight, hmm?" Blaine nodded and reluctantly removed his arms from around Kurt.

Kurt darted back and forth across his room, opening drawers as he searched for some of the clothes he knew Blaine had left in the house over the summer. He would often come straight to the Hummel-Hudson house after his shifts at Six Flags and ended up having several changes of clothes here. Neither of them were very fond of the costume Blaine needed to wear all day; Blaine in particular couldn't wait to shower and change into something that was far more comfortable.

Finding suitable shorts and a shirt, as well as a change of clothes for tomorrow (which he quickly placed in the en-suite bathroom), Kurt made his way over to Blaine.

"These should work fine. Why don't you get changed and then we can watch a movie or something?" Kurt suggested, trying to project as much optimism as he could into his voice. He smiled warmly at Blaine, who just stared at the pile of clothes as they were placed on his lap.

"Be right back," Kurt told him as he excused himself to the bathroom to change. He looked back before closing the door to see Blaine sitting, unmoving, staring at nothing.

Blaine sat on the edge of the bed staring at his clothes. He just wanted this day to be over. It was all too much right now. All he wanted was to curl into Kurt's comforting embrace and try to forget everything. But Blaine didn't think that was possible; too much had happened today. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now; how was he supposed to process all of this?

The inevitable dawn of morning did little to comfort Blaine. He knew that Burt and Carole would surely want to speak with him. The thought of directly confronting the situation with his father over eggs and toast was something Blaine didn't think he was ready for.

Still, he knew he owed Burt and Carole the truth - it was the least he could do as they let him crash at the house (yet again). But Blaine wasn't sure if he had the strength needed to recount what had happened again. He was both physically and emotionally exhausted.

Trying to push thoughts of tomorrow out of his mind, Blaine thought of Kurt and how thankful he was for his support. Blaine knew for a fact that he never would have made it through the day without Kurt's support. He didn't know what he would do without him.

Despite the Hummel's generosity, Blaine was surprised Burt was allowing him to spend the night in Kurt's room. The other times he had spent the night he was told in no uncertain terms he was to stay on the couch. Blaine suspected that Carole was responsible for Burt's sudden change of mind and he couldn't be more grateful. He needed Kurt so desperately right now.

The sound of running water coming from the bathroom startled Blaine out of his thoughts. He wondered how long he had been sitting here staring at the clothes in front of him; clothes that he just realized were his own. Blaine quickly changed into the tankand shorts; he had been looking for these shorts this afternoon before everything had spiralled out of control. He didn't even remember leaving them here. Blaine sighed heavily as he folded his clothes and placed them on the corner of Kurt's dresser.

As he turned around, one of Kurt's numerous pictures caught his eye. It was a photo he had seen many times before but tonight he felt compelled to pick it up. Blaine trailed his fingers over the length of the basic silver frame that contained a young Kurt and his father. Kurt was about seven years old – a few months after his mother had died. Burt and Kurt were in the backyard, the sun shining above them with what looked to be a tea party in progress.

Even as a child, Kurt's fashion sense was impeccable; he was dressed in a stylish suite and matching bowtie. Both Kurt and his father had impossibly wide smiles on their faces and Blaine's heart ached with the unfairness of it all.

Blaine can't remember a time when his father ever looked that happy with him. Craig Anderson had never been the most demonstrative of men to begin with, but after Blaine came out, his father seemed to just shut down. Uttering the words I'm gay seemed to stop any sort of affection and tolerance his parents had for him, especially his father's. Blaine suddenly found that nothing he did was ever good enough, special enough; nothing he did could ever make his parents proud.

Yet here Burt was, happy and smiling at his son like nothing was wrong at all…even though they had suffered a horrible loss. Why couldn't his own father show him even the smallest amount of affection like what he could see so plainly in the picture? All Blaine wanted was for his father to accept and love him. After today though, Blaine felt certain it would never happen.

Kurt exited the bathroom, his gaze quickly focusing on Blaine standing in front of his dresser. Even though his back was to him, Kurt instantly knew the picture Blaine was holding and knew without a doubt that Blaine was comparing his relationship with his father to Kurt's.

Kurt stepped behind Blaine and pressed up against him, arms wrapping around his stomach. Blaine immediately leaned back into the familiar warmth, his free hand covering Kurt's.

Kurt rested his chin on Blaine's shoulder and just held him, waiting.

Blaine sighed and put the picture down, turning in Kurt's arms and hugging him fiercely.

"Your Dad's amazing," Blaine murmured into Kurt's shoulder.

"He is." Kurt said simply.

Blaine lips ghosted over the curve of Kurt's neck. He's always adored Kurt's neck and tonight he's unable to stop seeking it out. Kurt's scent is always so strong there and when Blaine inhales, it feels like home. He tightens his arms around Kurt, unwilling to let go of the one person in his life that accepts him – all of him – and loves him just the same.

"Come on," Kurt whispers after several long moments. "Let's get some sleep." Gently disentangling himself from Blaine, Kurt shuts off the lights and watches as Blaine tentatively sits on the edge of the bed.

Blaine knows he won't be able to sleep tonight. Everything is just so wrong right now.
What was supposed to be a fun, relaxing day with his boyfriend turned out to be the exact opposite.

Blaine exhaled heavily and felt the bed dip beside him - and as Kurt's hand slipped into his, Blaine was powerless to stop the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. Kurt. No matter what was going on, he had Kurt in his life and that could never be wrong.

He allowed Kurt to tug him further up onto the bed and they wiggled around for a few moments, trying to find a comfortable position. Blaine snuggled back into Kurt's arms, smiling as he felt his boyfriend's arm wrap around his torso, his long fingers settling on his stomach. He always felt so safe and protected when Kurt held him like this.

They lay on top of the sheets, the weather still too humid despite the late hour. Yet they both immediately tangled their legs together so every part of their bodies were connected.
Kurt placed several brief kisses to the nape of Blaine's neck and Blaine sighed contentedly, lacing their fingers together.

The silence in the room was only disturbed by that of their quiet breathing. Just as Blaine was starting to relax in Kurt's arms he tensed again, the fear of the unknown abruptly overwhelming him. "What do I do now?" Blaine whispered into the silence. The air suddenly felt thicker, more hostile with the weight of tomorrow looming over him. "What am I supposed to do tomorrow?"

Kurt pressed another, longer kiss on Blaine's neck before answering. "You do nothing. All you need to think about right now is getting some sleep. We'll deal with tomorrow later." Kurt put as much conviction into his words as possible, tightening the arms he had around Blaine reassuringly. "Just sleep."
Blaine exhaled shakily as he nodded and closed his eyes. If he couldn't sleep he could at least rest, knowing Kurt was there with him: Kurt who believed in him; who loved him.

He focused on Kurt and the way he could feel his chest rise and fall behind him. Before long Blaine found himself synching his breathing to match. The way Kurt's arms held on to him so securely and the way their fingers were entwined slowly started to pull him towards unconsciousness.

And when he did finally fall asleep, it was with the certain knowledge that he was loved and safe, wrapped in Kurt's protective embrace.