Love, A Simple Duty Chapter 3

It was with regret that the two boys got out of bed and began to dress. Kurt picked up his pocket watch with a frown, turning it over in his hands.

"Any scratches?" asked Blaine, who was buttoning his vest.

"No, thankfully," said Kurt has he slipped the watch into his pocket. "Good Lord, Blaine, you're useless sometimes." Kurt walked over to the other boy, taking his hands off his own buttons and finishing the job. Then he reached up and straightened his bowtie. Blaine reached up and grasped Kurt's hand in his.

"I love you," he said, bringing one of Kurt's pale hands up to his lips and brushing them against his smooth knuckles. Kurt shivered, stepping closer to Blaine, trying to close up the distance between them.

"I love you," sighed Kurt, pressing his forehead to Blaine's. He kissed the other boy once, then stepped away quickly, dropping their hands. "But…you probably need to be going," he said, his eyes drifting to the ticking clock on his mantle.

Blaine sighed, reaching his hand up to fix his hair a bit before nodding. "Yes, I know." His eyes flickered to the door before landing back on Kurt with a steeled dedication. He took two steps forward and grabbed his lover's hand in his again, ignoring Kurt's protests that his family could be home at any moment.

"Kurt Hummel, I want to promise you something," said Blaine, his voice so intense that Kurt stopped speaking and instead looked at Blaine with rapt attention. "I promise you that one day, I will make love to you and we won't have to worry about…after. I promise that one day, we'll be able to stay in bed all day if we wanted to, kissing and loving and talking with each other for hours and hours. One of us doesn't have to hurry away, as if ashamed of what we just did."

Kurt opened his mouth, eyes wide. "I'm not ashamed of -"

Blaine squeezed Kurt's hands, pulling him a bit closer. "I know you are not ashamed, Kurt. I know you're not ashamed of yourself or me. You're the most proud boy I have ever met." Blaine took a shaky breath. "I just want to promise you that one day, we'll have a life together that will be one of love and free of worry."

Kurt looked at Blaine, his eyes sparkling with tears and yes, doubt. Blaine could see that. For Kurt, it was hard to believe that he and Blaine could have this life that Blaine talked about. Instead of voicing his concerns, for Kurt knew that Blaine knew them, he nodded. "I would like that," he said, squeezing Blaine's hands in return.

…..

Kurt sat in the sitting room of his house, reading one of his favorite books, Little Women. He relished in Jo's dreams and adventures.

All was quiet in the home, save for the footsteps he could hear from upstairs from time to time. Kurt didn't much care for who the belonged to, though he was sure Finn was home.

"How still the room was as they listened breathlessly," Kurt read. "…how strangely the day darkened outside, and how suddenly the whole world seemed to change, as the girls gathered about their mother, feeling as if all the happiness and support of the lives was about to be taken from them."

Kurt's eyes raced on the page, ready to turn it in a few lines when the footsteps became louder, actually breaking through his reading haze. Kurt looked up just as his father and step-mother walked in, smiling at him.

"Kurt," said Carole, who sat next to him on the couch he sat on. His father took a seat across from him in his favorite chair. "We have something we want to discuss with you."

Despite their smiles, Kurt's heart leapt uncomfortably, mostly in fear. He shut his book slowly, putting it on the table in front of him. "What about?" he asked slowly.

"You know how Finn has been in a courtship with Miss Rachel Berry for many years now," said Carole, putting a hand on Kurt's knee. "And that they will probably be married soon?"

Kurt's heart stopped it's erratic beating. This was about Finn, which made him feel much better. "Of course," said Kurt with a nod. "I'm quite happy for them - I know how much Rachel loves Finn, and how much he cares for her." It was true. Any fool could see how deep Rachel and Finn's love was for each other, though they had their disagreements.

Carole's smile was warm. That's what Kurt liked about Carole, and in fact, one of the reasons he was so open to Burt marrying her; her kind smile. "Kurt, honey, your father and I want that for you."

And suddenly, Kurt's heart was racing again, because this conversation was suddenly about him. About his happiness. More specifically, his happiness in love.

"Oh," was all Kurt could say, trying to keep his cool. Kurt risked a glance at his father, who was watching him and Carole with…interest?

"If you would agree to it," said Carole, interrupting his thoughts. "We were hoping you could enter a courtship with Miss Brittany Pierce."

Kurt stared at Carole, speechless. All he could think was: Was this the week that all parents decided that their sons should enter courtships? Blaine was only told by his parents about his impending courtship two days ago, and now here Kurt was, getting the same conversation from his family.

"You do like Miss Pierce, Kurt?" asked Carole, a look of concern on her face. "She was in choir with you when you went to Jefferson, yes? And when we've had her over for dinners, you seem to get along well. We didn't want you to court someone you didn't know or like as a person."

This would have been very comforting under other circumstances. Kurt had known many young girls and boys that were forced to marry people they had never met in their lives. The fact that his parents seemed to want his approval would have been welcomed to Kurt, had he been normal.

"Kurt?" It was the first time in the conversation that his father had said something. Kurt's father was a man of few words. Kurt looked over at his father slowly. He looked concerned. "Son, you look pale. Is there something wrong?"

Kurt didn't know what to do or say. He wanted to run from the room, lock himself in his room and never come out. He wanted to scream at his parents. Tell them no. Tell him that he loved Blaine.

"I…I can't."

This is what Kurt ended up saying; what ended up tumbling from his mouth. His eyes were burning and Kurt feared that he would begin to cry soon. The reality of the situation was hitting him suddenly and making him feel dizzy.

"Can't what, son?" asked Burt.

"I can't court Brittany and I certainly can not marry her one day," said Kurt, his mouth suddenly dry. These words were falling from his mouth almost without thought. He just knew that this couldn't happen. He couldn't do what Blaine was going to do and court a woman. He just couldn't.

Burt and Carole stared at him, more than a little confused. "Why not?" asked Burt.

There was something in Burt's eyes that made Kurt want to tell him the truth. That he couldn't marry Brittany because she was a girl.

Kurt remained silent. Suddenly, no words would come to him.

"Kurt," said Burt slowly. "We're not upset that you don't want to marry Brittany. It's obvious that you don't love her. I know the importance of marrying someone you love, kid. You have to spend the rest of your life with this person, and if you don't want to know, you'll never want to."

"It's true, sweetheart," said Carole, who was reaching up and smoothing back Kurt's hair. Kurt closed his eyes and flashed back to when his mother would do this to him when he was a child. "We were asking you what you thought. If you don't want to, it's perfectly fine."

"But son," said Burt. "We would like to know why…you seem very upset."

Suddenly Kurt's chest seemed tight. His breathing heavy and quick. His heart beat more times than he could possibly count, loud in his ears. In that moment, staring at his father, he felt like he should give his family the benefit of the doubt and trust them. He should tell them who he was and be honest.

To be perfectly honest, Kurt didn't believe he could keep the secret to himself anymore. It hurt too much.

"Dad," began Kurt, his voice breaking. "I can't marry Brittany. She's a nice girl and I do love her - she's probably one of the sweetest girls I know. But I can't see her as a wife because…" Kurt was shaking. He had dreamed of saying these words for years. "I'm already in love with some else. And I am…" Kurt left out a shaky breath and didn't make eye contact with his father. "I'm a homosexual."

This was not a dream. Kurt had actually said those words, the words he had wanted to tell his father for years.

"Oh." Carole said, mostly a reflex to the shocking news. Her hands didn't leave Kurt in disgust, which Kurt took as a good sign. Kurt couldn't bare to look at his father, however. He didn't want to see hate or disgust there.

There was an unbearably long silence to follow Kurt's confession.

"Kurt. Kurt, look at me."

Kurt forced his eyes up at his father. The first the he noticed that there was no hate in his eyes, which gave Kurt some hope. The second thing he noticed was that it was more sadness on his face.

"Kurt I…I'm not going to pretend to be shocked, because I think some of me has always known you were different," began his father. This was one of those times when Burt Hummel was not short on words or meaning of them. "I'm…almost disappointed that you didn't tell me earlier. You have to know, Kurt, that I love you just the same."

"Dad," said Kurt, his voice breaking and the tears already raining down his face. "You have to know why I kept it from you. If I were to tell anyone on the street this, I would be hated. Maybe shunned or beaten….I don't know. And I was afraid that you would hate me, too." Kurt felt the pressure on his leg increase. Carole was still holding him.

"Kurt," said his father, his tone full of disappointment. "I'm not some person on the street. I'm your father. When you were born, your mother and I swore you were the most handsome child to come into this world and that we would love you till the day we died." Burt sniffed - from emotion or just an intake of breath, Kurt wasn't sure, but he figured it was the former. "Your mother kept that promise, I intend to as well. It doesn't matter to me who you love, Kurt, even if I'm uncomfortable with it. I could never hate you."

Kurt found himself standing and stumbling across the space to his father, leaning down to hug him tightly. His father hugged him back just as tightly. They had never been this physically close since Kurt was a child, but Burt knew that Kurt needed this, at least for now.

"Thank you," Kurt sobbed out. "Thank you."

Finally Kurt detangled himself from his father, smiling at him and falling back beside Carole with a sigh. Carole reached up with her embroidered hanky to wipe away some of Kurt's tears.

"Carole," began Kurt, looking at the woman who he considered to be his second mother. "I hope…I hope you don't regret calling me your son."

"Never," she said simply, a small smile on her lips.

Kurt took a few more calming breaths, accepting the hanky and drying his face. When he handed it back to Carole, she took it and then his hand.

"Kurt," she began. "You said something else…you said you were already in love."

Kurt's heart jumped in his chest. He had said that, he thought, looking back on his confession.

"Oh dear, you don't have to elaborate if you don't want to," said Carole immediately. "I understand how hard telling us must have been for you. Really, you don't have to tell us more."

Kurt looked from Carole to his father's. Never before had Kurt thought he would be having this conversation. He never thought he would ever be able to tell anyone of his love for Blaine. Suddenly, Kurt didn't want to keep anything bottled up anymore.

Kurt back to the other day, when Blaine had said something about being ashamed of what they did together. Naturally, neither of them were truly ashamed, but the way they were forced to act made it seem like they were also being forced to be ashamed of each other.

Kurt decided that he didn't want secrets with his family any longer.

"No," said Kurt. "I want to tell you." He smiled and gripped Carole's hand tightly. "I never thought I would ever get to tell you and have such a warm response," he said, voicing his thoughts. Carole gave him a smile that told him to 'please, go on.'

"I'm in love with Blaine," said Kurt, the words pouring from his mouth. His heart jumped excitedly in his chest. Never before had he made such a confession, but to Blaine himself. A look of realization dawned on Carole's face. Kurt looked over at his father. He, too, seemed to put all the dots together. All the times that Blaine was here at the house, the times that Kurt spoke of Blaine and so many other moments that revolved around the other boy.

"Oh dear," said Carole, her smile growing. "That's…well, I guess that isn't so unexpected, is it?"

Kurt laughed and nodded. He was so happy, he thought he could start crying again.

"Are you…together?" It took Burt a moment to get the word out. Kurt could tell he would be struggling with this for quite some time, which hurt Kurt for a moment, before cursing his thoughts for being so quick to judge. Most fathers would probably be forcing Kurt on the street at this moment, or beating them within an inch of their lives. His father was listening to his love life with another man. He should be happy. And he was.

"We are," said Kurt slowly.

"How long?" asked Carole.

"We've been courting for over a year," said Kurt, a small smile on his lips. "First, we began as friends - best friends. It was a comfort to have another person who was like me, and Blaine felt the same way. Then we…we felt more for each other than just platonic feelings." Kurt choose his words very carefully. He didn't want to scare his family with too much information on their relationship.

"That's beautiful," said Carole and Kurt could tell she meant it.

"I'm glad you found someone like you, Kurt," said Burt. He still looked overwhelmed, but that was to be expected. "And Kurt…thank you for telling us. Finally."

"I'm glad I did," said Kurt. "It hurt to keep this from you."

Burt nodded and stood up, walking over to put a strong hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to write a letter of apology to the Pierce family and to tell them that Kurt will be unable to court Miss Brittany for personal reasons. Hopefully they will be able to find another eligible young man for her."

Kurt wondered if he should mention to his father that Brittany and Santana Lopez were rumored to have a romance together, but then decided he didn't want to have his father fall over dead prematurely and didn't bring it up.

Burt disappeared from the room, leaving Kurt with Carole.

"Kurt," she said after a moment of silence. "Do you feel comfortable telling Finn about this?"

Kurt's stomach dropped. He hadn't thought of that. "I…I don't know." Finn would be the only peer he had ever told of this, if he didn't count David Karofsky, which he did not.

Then again, Finn was his brother now, and if the rumors were true, Finn was around two homosexual men all the time at Rachel's house. Perhaps he would take the news well.

"If you need time, I understand," said Carole softly, as if reading his thoughts. Kurt nodded silently. Maybe he would wait a few days and then see how he felt about the subject. "Kurt," Carole began again. "I hope that the next time Blaine comes over, we could sit down and speak to the two of you. Though you've been courting for a year, it's not exactly proper for those in a courtship to never speak to the parents about it."

Kurt smiled wryly. "Carole, our courtship is anything but 'proper', you realize?"

"Yes, yes, I realize that," she sighed. "Regardless, I'm sure your father would like to talk to Blaine now that he knows he is more than just a friend."

Kurt was suddenly nervous about the prospect. He hoped his father wouldn't scare Blaine. He also hoped neither his father or step-mother would find out just how improper their courtship really was. In courtships, the members of which were rarely left alone without some sort of chaperone to discourage too much inappropriate physical contact.

To say that Kurt and Blaine had broken that rule would be a grand understatement.

"I understand," Kurt said finally. "I'm sure Blaine will like that someone knows of our relationship and actually approves." Kurt smiled fondly. "He always dreams about telling people."

Carole patted Kurt's cheek warmly and then stood, excusing herself.

Kurt found that he could not return to his book, his attention on other things. What Kurt really wanted was to tell Blaine of this development as soon as he could. The more logical part of him knew that he wouldn't be able to until tomorrow and certainly not at school.

Sighing, Kurt brought his book to his room and readied himself for bed. That night, when Kurt laid in bed, unable to sleep; because of excitement or apprehension he wasn't sure, he began to weep quietly. He had told his family the truth and things seemed better because of it. He couldn't believe this was real.

In fact, Kurt expected to wake up the next morning from this dream. It seemed too good to be true.

….

The next morning, when Kurt awoke and made his way down stairs to eat breakfast, Carole hugged him extra tightly and Kurt knew that it had been no dream.