Blaine doesn't think a day has ever gone slower in his life. Maybe the day he got his implants turned on, but that was so long ago he can't remember, all he knows is that today is crawling.

He stands impatiently at the door of his classroom, briefcase in hand, waiting on the last student to exit his room. He's struggling to get his binder into his overflowing backpack, trying to shove it in there. It takes another minute before Blaine hears the loud zip of the backpack closing, the student, Max, slings it onto his back weaving his way in between desk finally making it out the door. He lets out a sigh; glad Max can't hear his exasperation.

He basically runs through the school, slowing to a fast walk when he walks by the administrative office, but picking up again just as soon as he clears it. He's been anxious all day, it's Damon's first day of Kindergarten.

And having skipped the whole preschool thing, mostly due to the fact that they couldn't find one that was just for deaf children, this was the first time that Damon had ever hung out with kids other than Finn and Rachel's, other than the occasional play dates when Damon showed interest in a certain kid from the neighborhood but those didn't always turn out the best. So yeah, Blaine is nervous about how his son's day went.

All of his anxiety escapes him when he sees Damon's smiling face round the door as he steps into the hallway, his too-big backpack making his small frame appear even smaller and all Blaine can think is, how is my kid in Kindergarten? He's too small, no, this isn't right; he should stay home another year. He's not ready for this. I'm not ready for this.

Before Blaine can even ask how his day was, Damon has his little arms thrown around his neck, clinging to him like a monkey, Blaine uses his arm to scoop his boy up, hiking him high on his hip so they are face to face. He drops a kiss to his forehead, giving him a tight hug; gosh I missed him so much today, before setting him back down so they can sign.

"I'm guessing it wasn't that bad then?"

"It. Was. Awesome!" He says doing a little happy dance, and Blaine honestly can't imagine he could be anymore endearing. "Everyone is just like me! Everybody signs! And I have a new best friend! His name is Liam," Damon's hands flew through the air, a hundred words per minute. The bright smile on his face the whole time made Blaine melt.

He'd been worried all day. It was a school for the deaf, but that didn't mean anything. Just like any other school, kids could be cruel, and first days are always scary (maybe more so for the parents than the kids), and Damon was small for his age. Blaine had a knot is his gut all day, wondering how he was doing, what he was doing, was he making any friends? He had to force himself to stay in his room during lunch and not go and check up on him. He did text Kurt though, asking him if it would be so terrible if he just snuck into the cafeteria just to check up on him. Kurt told him to stay put, Damon would never meet new people if Blaine was around all the time, stealing him away from his classmates.

"Oh buddy that's fantastic. I was really worried about you today; I'm glad you had a good time!"

"Why were you worried, daddy B?" Damon asks, his little face pinched in question.

"Well… School wasn't always the easiest for daddy K, or me. I just- I'm glad you made some friends, and you had fun. And you know who else must be dying to hear all about your day?"

…

"Are those my boys I hear?" Kurt arches an eyebrow as he rounds the corner, looking at Blaine first who offers him a reassuring smile. Kurt's own lips tug up in a smile, as he kneels down, immediately having two little arms thrown around his neck.

Kurt never would have thought that working from home would go slower than working in an office, but today had proved him wrong. He's sure that both he and Blaine had both been worry warts all day, but at least Blaine had his students to keep him busy, keep his mind off of things. Kurt couldn't focus at all, his mind kept wondering, worrying about things that could go wrong.

He thought the alone time would make him more productive. He was sure he would get at least two rough copies finished. He didn't get a single sketch done the entire day.

He lifts the boy that's still wrapped around him up, motioning for his husband to follow him into the kitchen. He plops the five-year-old down on the counter, removing his backpack, and his coat. He hangs them both on the kitchen chair.

"So you had a good day then?" He asks, waits for his answer of, "Totally; it was great!" before turning to open the fridge, grabbing a juice box and something special he'd picked up earlier while he was not working on designs.

"I'm glad," he says setting the box down, "I got you a little something just incase, but… well, I guess now it's just a first day-celebratory cupcake!" He signs with a smile, revealing the red velvet treat before turning to Blaine and saying, "don't worry, hun, I got you one too." Which makes Blaine go routing through the fridge.

"Yum, my favorite! Thanks daddy K!"

Kurt ruffles his hair, earning a pout from him. "No problem bud, now why don't you get out all the forms you need us to sign, and then you can go play for a while before dinner, sound good?"

Damon nods, hopping down from the counter. He riffles through his backpack, producing a large stack of papers before slinging it back over his shoulders and running off towards his room. Kurt curses internally as he takes in the mountain of papers that had just been placed in his hands. He remembers this from when he was in school, it doesn't matter that they don't need free lunch, or the he doesn't take the bus since Blaine will be driving them in every morning, all the forms need to be signed and returned. What a pain in the ass.

"You wouldn't want to help me with this would you?" Kurt smiles warmly at his husband, batting his eyelashes playfully, eliciting a groan from Blaine.

"You know I can't say no to that look Kurt." He shuffles over to the table dropping into the seat across from Kurt, cupcake in hand, licking the frosting from the top, getting it all over his face. Kurt rolls his eyes thinking, not for the first time, it's like I have two five year olds.

"That's the point. Now finish up that cupcake and wash your hands before you touch any of this! I don't want to send in sticky papers that's just gross." Blaine slows his licks, smiling slyly at his husband from behind the cupcake.

"Blaine," he grumbles, giving him the best bitch glare he can muster.

"Alright, alright!" He says unwrapping the cupcake, taking a large bite out of it, chewing hurriedly. He chuckles when Kurt rolls his eyes at him again before turning back to the mountain of paper work.

…

"Do you think I could have a Liam over after school today?" Damon asks warily, not meeting Blaine's gaze, the next morning as he and Blaine walk into the school for the second day of classes. A heavy dread settles in Blaine's chest at the trepidation in the boy's hand movements.

"Why were you nervous to ask that, bud?" Blaine asks, stopping the boy mid stride with a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder; he pulls them aside so other students can pass. Damon shrugs, tossing looks around the room, anywhere but to Blaine's eyes.

"I don't know, " he answers dismissively. Blaine squats down in front of him, getting eye level, Damon finally directing his attention to his dad.

"I… I thought you understood that Daddy K and I- we want you to feel comfortable asking us stuff, ok? Anything, you understand? I know we've only been a family for a few months, but don't ever think you're asking too much, ok? You're our kid now, remember? There's no need to feel scared, or uncomfortable."

Damon gulps, still looking unsure; he nods giving Blaine a small smile.

"They didn't let us go over anyone's house when I was at the orphanage, or have anyone over. Not like I was ever invited-"

"Hey," Blaine tugs the boy into a hug, holding him tight until Damon returns it, hugging him firmly around the back, his arms barely able to wrap around Blaine's wide shoulders, his pointer fingers straining to hold his arms in place. "You already made a friend yesterday, and I'm sure you'll make even more today!" Blaine says after he releases the boy. "And of course Liam can come over, we just have to find his mom or dad and ask them if it's ok with them first, alright?"

At the mention of the other boy's parents, Damon's face lights up as he remembers what had originally bonded the two of them.

"I forgot to tell you yesterday, Liam has two daddies, just like you and Daddy K! Oh, and guess what else? He was adopted too!"

"Really? Wow, what are the odds? That's awesome that you found someone you has so much in common with," Blaine signs over enthusiastically, knowing that this will be good for his son.

After the first few days of opening up and exploring his new room, and new home, adjusting to his new life at the Anderson-Hummel's, Damon had sort of reached a plateau. He was still as happy as he had been that first day, he had still referred to Kurt and Blaine as his dads, and he seems genuinely comfortable in his new life. But that didn't… change at all. He stuck to his room and to the kitchen at meal times. The only time he would be found in the living room would be if Kurt or Blaine suggested a family movie night. He never asked for anything, never complained, Blaine would have chalked it up to good manners if not for the fact that Damon was a five-year-old boy, and no boy that age had such astounding manners.

Hanging around with more children his age will be good for him, Blaine thinks, hopeful that the interaction will help Damon act more like a five year old than a twenty five-year-old houseguest.

…

The two boys bound up the stairs as soon as he cracks the door open. Blaine watches his husband follow their son with his eyes as Damon races to his room to show off all of his toys to Liam. "What, are we chop liver now?" He asks with a pout, looking almost genuinely hurt.

"This was inevitable, Kurt," he answers before kissing his pout away.

"I know," Kurt huffs, tangling a hand in Blaine's curls, disheveled from a stressful day of collecting and filing his students paperwork all while trying to find time (and get all their attention) to teach them something. "I just thought it would happen like ten years from now!"

"It will still happen ten years from now," Blaine assures jokingly before suddenly turning serious, "I'm hoping if he hangs out with more kids his age he might… open up more. He was really nervous to ask me if he could have Liam over today. I mean it's not me is it? Am I- is he scared of me or something?"

"Of course not!" Kurt assuages, his eyebrows screwing up in a look that Blaine can only take as, are you nuts? "He adores you! He looks at you as if you hung the stars, Blaine."

Blain chuckles lightly, hanging his head in embarrassment, "no he doesn't." he argues, but gives up when Kurt gives him a pointed look. "I just-five years are not supposed to be so… so-"

"Mature?" Kurt supplies.

"That's one way of looking at it." Blaine says jadedly, finally pulling off his jacket, hanging it in the front hall closet before settling into the couch, letting the stress of a second day slip away.

"You're really worrying about this," Kurt says sitting next to him, running his thumb over the worry line marring Blaine's otherwise perfectly smooth forehead, he frowns slightly finally gauging how serious this issue is to Blaine, and realizing that he's right to worry. "I guess I haven't really noticed; he's always so happy. I thought everything was going great. I thought we were good dads."

"We are, you are. You're a fantastic father Kurt, don't ever doubt that." Blaine guarantees, easing some of the fear that had come on so fast, settling deep in Kurt's stomach, causing him to feel sick. Maybe he was a good dad by Blaine's standards, but that didn't mean anything if Damon didn't think he was doing a good job, if he didn't feel comfortable.

He's not able to voice any further concerns because the next moment Damon and Liam are barreling into the living room, toy airplanes secured in their hands as the run around the room, weaving around tables and chairs with ease, making their planes do fantastic tricks in the air.

The couple on the couch share an amazed look, eyes flicking back to their son every few seconds as he and his friend make their way through the living room and back up the stairs.

"That-"

"That's the first time I've seen him play with his toys outside of his room." Says Blaine, his face splitting into a wide incredulous smile. He shakes his head slightly, wondering if what he saw was just his imagination, that's how strange the situation was. Even on the weekends, when they were all home, they would all go into Damon's room to play, or watch TV snuggled together on his full sized bed.

"You know the more I think about this the more it makes sense," Kurt admits, turning to his still shocked husband, who only lifted his eyebrows saying, go on. "He's had a hard life; he had to grow up really fast on top of losing his hearing. He didn't have any friends at the orphanage from what he leads us to believe. And I'm sure he didn't have a space to call his own while he was there. It must have been horrible sharing a room with people whom he didn't feel comfortable around. Maybe he's genuinely happy in having a space that's all his to do what ever he pleases in. He was so young when everything happened he probably doesn't remember anything else."

"So you're saying we're not failures at parenting?" Blaine concludes.

"Nope," Kurt answers happily, "just two dads, overly concerned for their sons well being. Which," Kurt adds, "is kind of the definition of 'good parenting' I'm pretty sure." Blaine doesn't say anything else, just gives his husband a light, happy kiss to express how relieved he is. He's glad that their worries were for nothing, but he still can't shake the feeling that more needs to be done to make sure Damon knows that this is his home too.

…

Damon sits in the chair across from them at dinner later that night. Liam had been picked up an hour ago and Damon had been up in his room since then until, Kurt had announced that dinner was ready.

"Did you have fun with Liam today?" Blaine asks, taking a sip of coke while waiting for Damon's answer.

"Yeah, lots of fun. We pretended we were flying trick planes! I didn't even know what trick planes were until he told me, but they're really cool. Do you know that planes can fly upside down?"

"I do know that, I've even seen some planes do it," Blaine chuckles slightly as the youngest boys mouth hangs open in shock.

"Really? Do you… do you think I could see a plane fly upside down?" There it is again, the apprehension in his request. Blaine feels the same dread from earlier land in the pit of his stomach. He glances at Kurt, seeing the same sadness he feels mirrored in his husband's eyes.

"They have an air show every year at the Pease Air Force base in New Hampshire, the Blue Angels are performing this year, I'm sure we could take a little vacation up there for a week during the summer, right Kurt?"

Kurt gives them both a large smile saying, "sounds like fun! What do you think? Maybe we could go to Boston while we're that way too, we could go to the Museum of Science, and we could even go on a Duck Tour!"

"That sounds awesome!" Damon signs enthusiastically, all prior uneasiness gone, which both parents are happy about, but it's still something that needs to be addressed.

"Can we ask you something, buddy?" Blaine can see a little panic creep into the boy's eyes at the request, giving them a jerky nod. "I thought that you understood this morning when I said that you should feel comfortable asking us stuff, but you still seem a little uncertain. What can we do to make you feel better?"

Damon begins twirling his pasta around his fork, avoiding his father's looks of worry. He drops the fork to answer with a meager, "I don't know."

Blaine sighs, knowing there is something making him so reluctant, he just needs to get to the bottom of it. "Are you scared we'll say no?" He tries, just trying to get something out of the boy other than his normal dismissive answers.

Damon shakes his head, "No, that's not it. I just… You guys are really cool, and you wanted me when no one else did, and I don't want you to not want me anymore if I ask you for too much stuff."

Kurt and Blaine share heart broken looks with each other before turning back to Damon, each thankful that they don't have to talk, because they are sure the lumps in their throats would make their voices crack embarrassingly.

"We could never not want you." Kurt says, reaching a hand across the table to cover Damon's little one as he worries a napkin in between his fingers. "We-we're so lucky to have you in our lives Damon, we were so happy when you agreed to come live with us. Please know that, please know that we love you so much, and we just want you to be happy here, with us. We don't want you to worry about us not wanting you, because that could never happen, not in a million years."

"You're our son now," Blaine adds, "our family, and you always will be. Understand?"

Damon nods, a glint of tears just visible in his eyes before he quickly blinks them away. "I understand, and I love you too. I'm glad you're my dads."

"We're glad we're your dads too," Blaine says with a teary nod. They all sit in silence for a second, their dinner long forgotten, before Blaine wipes at his eyes a smile taking over his face. "Come over here," he says motioning for Damon to join him and Kurt on the other side of the table. He scoops the boy onto his lap, placing a small kiss on the boys head as he holds him close to his chest, Kurt joins them in a family hug dropping kisses on both of their heads, both so thankful for this wonderful boy they've been given. Blaine sets him on Kurt's abandoned chair so that he can sign, "What do you say we forget about the spaghetti and go get some ice cream?"

Kurt giggles at his husband's childish suggestion, but can't help but think that it's actually a perfect idea. "And you can pick the place," he adds, earning a small, bashful smile from the boy.

"Can we go to Ben & Jerry's?" There is still a little reluctance in his motions but Blaine thinks that it's only going to get better.

"Of course! Go get your jacket and your shoes and I'll be out there to help you tie them in a minute ok?"

He nods hopping off the chair, running to into the living room to do what his father asked of him. Blaine sighs, relaxing back into his chair as soon as the boy is gone. He was so worried that he didn't like them, when really he had been worrying the same of them. It only made him feel guiltier though. Hadn't they given him the attention he needed? Hadn't they shown him all the love in the world? He has to know he means everything to us. How could he think we could just not want him anymore?

But then Blaine remembers a time, almost thirteen years ago now, when he'd had the same fear. He had been terrified about his implants not working and Kurt not loving him anymore, not wanting to be with him because he was damaged, not good enough. He understands Damon's worries; on a certain level their situations are not that different. Strangely the realization eases him slightly, the pit in his stomach is gone, as is the sad look, replaced with one of optimism. Damon is still getting used to people wanting him, treating him like just another human being, not like he's damaged or different. And if he doesn't understand it already he will soon understand that he isn't going anywhere. They are a family, and always will be.

"Dads? Are you coming?" The youngest Anderson-Hummel asks from he doorway of the kitchen, his jacket zipped up to his chin, his sneaker pulled on with the laces dragging across the floor. Kurt places a gentle hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his memory; he smiles at both of his boys, wondering, not for the first time, how he got so lucky?

He scoops the boy up, twirling him once before placing him gently on the counter, earning a giggle from the five year old that makes Blaine's heart swell after all of the stress and uncertainty of the day. "Let's just tie these laces first, huh?"