Title: Stay off the Furniture; Or, How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Blaine
Pair: Klaine
Warning: Violence, mention of past sexual assault, physical assault
Word Count: ~5585
Summary: S2 Post-”Original Song” AU. Burt finds Kurt and Blaine singing with each other in his house. And on his couch. He’s not so sure about this kid.
AN: This one is for![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
xenachakram12. It only took like a year for this! Enjoy!
Nothing new to come home to the sound of loud pop music pumping up through the ventilation system. Burt tossed his keys on the stand by the door, remembering nearly a year ago, stepping into the house to hear “Single Ladies” bouncing off the damn walls, only to come down to see his son flitting around with two pretty girls in leotards without lookin’ at ‘em twice.
Yeah, he could’ve done better about that one. He was man enough to admit it. He got that some of Kurt’s friends (and probably that brillo-headed glee teacher) thought he came off as scary. And that was okay, sometimes. Kept the riff raff in line. But he didn’t want Kurt thinking of him as scary or intimidating, even if it meant dealing with Kurt occasionally being a little mouthy back. At least they were able to be honest with each other.
Burt checked his watch and shook his head. It was a little early for Kurt to be home from Glee club, since he thought they were meeting after school every day this week for some competition, but there were voices coming up through the vents anyway.
I'm a survivor!
I'm not gon' give up!
I'm not gon' stop!
I'm gon' work harder!
The good thing about the ventilation system, Burt thought as he headed to the bedroom, was that when Kurt had been younger, Burt knew he could hear the kid down there. Y’know, if he needed him. Burt would want to be there.
I'm a survivor
I'm gonna make it
I will survive
Keep on survivin'
Bad thing was that Kurt forgot his father could hear him up here sometimes.
There was some boy singing along with Kurt, though, so Burt guessed it might be something they were practicing for Glee. He couldn’t place the voice, though. Was that Artie? Nah. He probably couldn’t get down the stairs, there. Burt would have to look into that. Puck? He kind of hoped not. Maybe it was that new kid Kurt had mentioned. Maybe he was a good guy after all, and not afraid to be friends with a gay kid.
Burt let them go at it while he hit his desk and tried to get some paperwork done. This was one of the first days he’d manage to get around and do things, and he wanted to take advantage of the energy while he had it.
He’d sorted through about half a pile of the mail that had built up while he’d been in the hospital when he heard the singing getting louder. He rolled his chair back to peer into the living room.
There was a kid on his couch.
There was a kid on his couch. Standing on his couch. Dancing on his couch. A dark haired kid in a prep-school blazer singing down at Kurt, who was grinning up at the kid like he was the Second freaking Coming, or something.
“I’m wishing you the best, pray that you are blessed, bring much success, no stress and lots of happiness!” The kid sang like he was trying out for a movie, all hands and exaggerated expressions.
“I’m better than that!” Kurt sang back up at him, leaning forward with his hands pressed to the arm of the sofa and one leg bent upward, like some girl in an old movie.
This was trouble.
“I’m not gonna blast you on the radio!”
“I’m better than that!”
“I’m not gonna lie on you and your family, oh!” The kid threw one hand in the air like he was a’testifyin’!
Kurt wagged one finger in the air coquettishly. “I’m better than that!”
The two of them sang the words back and forth, back and forth. Yeah, Burt was glad to see Kurt smiling- those had sure been too few and far between lately- but there was this strange, good-looking kid. No, boy, here making it happen. Who had just been alone in the basement with Kurt.
Burt tilted his head to the side and rose. He stepped into the room, crossed his arms, and watched for another moment.
“After all of the darkness and sadness, still comes happiness.” Kurt closed his eyes and flat out belted the line. “If I surround myself with positive things, I’ll gain prosperity!”
Burt cleared his throat loudly. Both boys turned. That kid’s hands stayed in the air as though frozen there.
“You mind gettin’ off my couch?” he asked dryly.
That kid stared at him for a moment in dumbfounded silence, then he dropped down with an easy grace. “Sorry about that.”
“Dad, I’ve mentioned my friend Blaine, haven’t I?” Kurt peeped.
“Not as I can recall.” And Kurt hadn’t. And that made Burt wonder why he hadn’t. Burt looked between the two boys, and Blaine stepped forward to offer his hand.
“It’s good to meet Kurt’s father.”
Burt pursed his lips and considered Blaine’s hand before taking it. The boy shook it firmly and met his eye with a smile.
“You don’t go to McKinley.”
“No, I go to Dalton. In Westerville.”
Burt nodded slowly. “We checked out Dalton. Good school.”
“Did we?” Kurt narrowed his eyes.
“Carole and I. We took a look at it last summer. Good language and literature programs.”
“I think it would be a good school for Kurt, too,” Blaine agreed.
“Do you.” Burt rubbed his hand over his mouth. “So how did you kids meet?”
“I was spying on their choir for New Directions.” Kurt sat on the arm of the couch and crossed his legs. “They caught me and bought me coffee.”
Something passed over Blaine’s face as he looked at Kurt just then, but he didn’t speak. Burt let the silence linger as Kurt looked back on Blaine with an open expression that at the same time seemed to be waiting on what Blaine would say, or do.
“Sounds like a nice bunch of guys,” Burt said finally. Something was up here.
“Oh, they’re the best.” Blaine flashed Burt a grin.
Burt took a few steps to stand in front of them. Blaine stood up a little straighter and swallowed. Bit by bit his mask of confidence seemed to fall away, and once it looked like he was going to speak again to fill the silence, but he didn’t. Now he just looked like a kid dressed up in a grown up suit.
Eventually, Burt gave another nod. “I got some work to do, so I’ll leave you boys to your practicing.”
He turned toward the kitchen to go get some juice. “Just stay off the furniture.”
As he opened the refrigerator, he could hear a nervous giggle in the other room:
“He’s scary!” Blaine tried to keep his voice low.... but not low enough.
“Oh, he’s a big teddy bear,” Kurt scoffed.
Burt smiled.
***
Sproing!
“You’re going to be fine.”
Sproing!
“Everyone at Dalton will love you.”
Sproing!
“I wish you’d told me about things getting so serious, though. You shouldn’t have had deal with that alone.”
Burt came down the stairs slowly. Blaine’s curls were visible first. Because he was jumping on Kurt’s bed.
“I just didn’t know what to do. You don’t either. That’s too much to ask of my friends.”
Sproing!
“I guess I wouldn’t have known. My last advice sort of went tits up, didn’t it? But now-”
Blaine’s eyes caught sight of Burt and his legs went under him immediately as he fell into a sitting position on the bed. Kurt looked up from where he was packing a bag, looking a bit at a loss of what to put into it.
“I had a cousin who took six stitches in her crotch doin’ that,” Burt informed them, almost casually.
Blaine smiled as he pulled his legs underneath him. Burt fought his own grin, because at this point, the kid suspected he was just giving him a hard time. Kurt’s confidence in his harmlessness had an effect on Blaine.
“We can pack up your clothes for the new house one of these weekends when you’re home. I’ll leave everything as is, until then.” Burt looked over the scant items in Kurt’s suitcase. “You got your moisturizing gear? And the... hair stuff?”
“Oh.” Kurt touched his cheek then headed up the stairs.
“He’s just nervous. He doesn’t want to leave his friends, and you guys, of course,” Blaine explained.
“Yeah, I kinda picked up on that.” Burt raised a brow at Blaine. As though he needed someone else to explain his kid to him?
Blaine looked down at his hands and drew in a deep breath.
“So I guess he didn’t let you in on these death threats either,” Burt managed. He walked over to Kurt’s dresser to see if he couldn’t eyeball anything the boy would need. He wasn’t going that far... or for that long, but it sure felt like he was about to disappear out of their lives. After sixteen years, it was hard to even imagine Kurt not sleeping under his roof.
Blaine shook his head once. “Nope.”
After a moment of silence between the two of them, Blaine said, “It seems like I should have realized what was going on.”
“If we didn’t, I don’t know why you would.” Burt turned to look at Blaine, who was pouting and staring pensively at the things on Kurt’s shelves.
“Anyway, the Warblers are going to love Kurt. They’re good guys, and they’ll make sure he feels at home. I know it’s hard when you have to transfer suddenly, and everything is new.” Blaine scratched the back of his hair. “But at least he’s not going to be the only out gay kid at his school anymore.”
“There a lot at Dalton?” Burt couldn’t quite make himself imagine Kurt having tons of ‘gentlemen callers.’
“Um. Not that many. But even one... that’s better than being alone.” Blaine looked up at Burt and creased his brow slightly. “I mean, I’m the only other one in the Warblers, but there are some other guys. The captain of the track team will probably try to recruit Kurt in more ways than one.”
“I... what?”
Blaine’s smile returned and he held his hands up. “I’m kidding. A little. I’ll look out for him, though. I promise.”
“No. I mean...” Burt put his hands on his hips. “You’re gay?”
“Oh!” Blaine shrugged. “Yeah. I am.”
“I see.”
“We’re not dating or anything. Not that your son isn’t delightful! We’re just friends,” Blaine finished quickly.
“I believe ya.” Burt crossed his arms.
Kurt jogged back down the steps and started to put the handful of bathroom supplies into the pockets of his suitcase. As he zipped the last one up, he narrowed his eyes and looked between Burt and Blaine.
“What?”
“Hm?” Burt raised a brow.
“What is it? Why are you guys staring at me?”
“I’m gettin’ a good look before you disappear.” Burt sat on the edge of his bed.
Kurt’s shoulders slumped a little. “I’ll be back on the weekends. I’ll even make family dinners.”
“I know.” Burt patted his leg and stood.
“It’s going to be fine,” Blaine said in a gentle voice. He touched Kurt’s fingers and gave him a smile.
Seeming a little reassured, Kurt nodded and went over to his dresser to figure out what clothes he would need during the week. Burt looked back at Blaine, sitting on Kurt’s bed and just watching him with a caring fondness.
Weird kid.
***
Burt had a joke he liked to tell. When people asked him if it was hard to parent a kid like Kurt, he told ‘em, yeah. Since the boy was about three, he and Lizzie had known it. Kurt was going to be smarter than them.
Sometimes that was funny. And sometimes his son did stuff like get mouthy and tell him to educate himself, and then Burt had to sit back and think of what had just happened and try to work it out. This time he’d talked to Carole who had rolled her eyes at him like Lizzie might’ve and told him to let her talk to Kurt.
But it was hard to sit on things when he didn’t get to see his son as often as he would’ve liked.
The moment Burt walked into the living room, Blaine’s eyes widened and he slipped down from where he was sitting on the back of the couch into a proper seat.
“You’re gonna break your neck sometime, y’know,” Burt said. He was a little confused. Last he’d heard, Kurt had been in a fight with Blaine. But here he was, on Burt’s furniture again.
“It’s good to see you, Mr. Hummel.” Blaine got on his knees and peered up at him.
“That so?” Burt walked over to lean over the couch.
“Kurt said you had a doctor’s visit this week. He also said that you’re a terrible souffle maker.”
“I dunno why he even tried to teach me. I’m pretty hopeless in the kitchen, even with the simple stuff.”
“Probably because souffles would be fun to screw up with you. The best memories aren’t always the perfect ones.”
Burt stared down at this kid. This kid that danced on his furniture and blurted things out that were borderline inappropriate to completely and utterly inappropriate.
This kid who had ended up in Kurt’s bed.
“You may be right about that.” He started to turn when Blaine spoke again.
“I’m sorry about the other night. Kurt told me you weren’t happy with me, and I admit that I shouldn’t have been drinking. I didn’t realize Rachel would have alcohol, and I should have thought about what might happen.”
Burt looked back at him and Blaine babbled on.
“I feel bad for getting Kurt in trouble, after apparently being a huge pain in the ass while I was drunk and then kicking him in the head by accident when he was sleeping on the floor. Kurt didn’t say; it was Finn that told me all the dumb things I did. I guess I have the alcohol tolerance of a six year old.”
Oh, Lord. Burt couldn’t help it. He laughed. “Yeah, well, one day you two are gonna be tellin’ that story to someone and crack up.”
“Finn already is.” Blaine rubbed his lips and looked down, clearly embarrassed.
Burt slapped Blaine’s shoulder. “There’s no end to the stories of me makin’ an ass out of myself after a few too many. Of course in those stories, I was a bit older than you.”
“Yeah. I know I shouldn’t have, but everyone else was, except Finn and Kurt. I was... nervous to hang out with Kurt’s friends.”
“That’s a pretty dumb reason to get plastered.”
Blaine bit his lip. “Yeah. But they’re such a tight group. I mean, Kurt hasn’t even been gone that long, and it was almost like he wasn’t welcome at the party.”
Burt looked at Blaine with a hard frown. Do what now?
“So I was afraid I was going to screw it up even more... You’re right, It was dumb. I just made a bigger mess.” Blaine looked down at his fingers.
Kurt appeared in the room with a plate, did a twirl, and landed on the couch next to Blaine. “Hi, Dad!”
Burt didn’t understand all that had gone down that week, but what was before his eyes was pretty plain. Kurt smiling, bounced back from their fight only a few days ago, and feeding Blaine a piece of fruit.
Kurt smiling. Now that was a sight Burt had missed. He couldn’t help but notice what kept making that happen.
***
Burt looked into the restaurant with his head craned to the side and his mouth slightly open.
“Is he doing The Charleston on that table?” Carole leaned forward and laughed.
“Y’can’t take that kid anywhere.” Burt shook his head.
“C’mon. He’s dancing the table because he’s excited. It’s adorable.”
Burt held his hands up and watched the kid go. His curls bounced as he jived back and forth on the table. Below him, Kurt leaned his hand and grinned up at Blaine all toothy and bright eyed.
Carole touched Burt’s arm. “He’s not a little boy anymore.”
“He’s always gonna be my little boy,” Burt replied sternly. He jerked his cap down a little and motioned forward with his head. “Time to meet the boyfriend.”
Carole shook her head as they moved forward. “We’ve met Blaine plenty of times before.”
“Not like this.”
Burt drew in a deep breath and figured, if he was nervous, that kid was ten times as nervous. The last time they’d talked, it had been about giving Kurt a sex talk. It had turned out Blaine was right about that.
At first Burt had been suspicious, but when Kurt had come to him on his own a few days after and started talking, vaguely, about how serious the harassment at his school had gotten, Burt knew that this wasn’t just about sex. Kurt needed to trust that his dad could handle what had happened to him before he laid his problems out there for them both to look at. And this was much more than Kurt should have been handling alone.
Burt had Blaine to thank for that intervention. When Kurt wouldn’t open up to him, he made the move to make sure Kurt got the help he needed.
That kid really loved his son.
“Psst!” Kurt waved at Blaine. “Manager coming!”
Blaine hopped down off the table and threw his arm around Kurt, feigning innocence.
“That kid.” Burt refused to call the quirk in his lips a smile.
***
Blaine was on the furniture. Again. But not for long.
Burt darted forward and caught the boy before his head went crashing into the counter. “Whoa, there.”
He helped Blaine to his feet and rubbed his back gently. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” Blaine touched the back of his head and looked around as though surprised to be on the ground.
“Kurt’s gonna get awful fussed if you bust your head,” Burt warned.
“Yeah. Sorry. I just wanted to make him a cake or something.”
“Do you cook?”
“Sort of...” Blaine grinned. “I’ll definitely not burn your house down.”
“I’d appreciate that. Seeing as how we’re still paying the mortgage.”
Blaine’s tongue peeked out of his lips, and he rubbed his chin.
Burt crossed his arms. “He might appreciate it more if you asked him to teach you.”
Blaine’s face lit up. “Wow. Yeah, that’s a great idea, Mr. Hummel!”
“Call me Burt.” He shook his head. “You can’t be as bad in the kitchen as I am.”
Blaine’s smirk was sort of irresistible. “That sounds like a challenge.”
***
Burt had gotten to the hospital as quickly as he could. It was a little hard to breath, knowing that his son might not be breathing when he got there, but he remembered the look on Kurt’s face every time he told his old man to stay calm and take care of himself and just tried with all his might to do that.
When he’d arrived, the doctors spoke to him, said a few things that took some of the weight off of his shoulders but not much of the worry. A nurse guided him to the room where Kurt was resting. “Resting” they called it, although it was less of that. Resting was what you did of your own free will. Coma was what you did when someone hit you in the friggin’ head with a crowbar.
As he stepped into the doorway, he almost laughed. Almost. Blaine was curled up in the bed with Kurt. Never could keep that kid off the furniture.
But this time, Burt understood. He’d watched as some asshole hurt the guy he loved... and Burt had no doubt that Blaine loved Kurt. He didn’t know if they’d said it, or what, but they showed it. All the time.
“Son, I’m going to need you to get down from there,” the nurse said sharply.
“Nah, it’s okay.” Burt stepped over to the bed where Blaine was lifting his head. The boy had a black eye himself amongst the puffy redness of his sobbing. “As long as it won’t hurt Kurt, I say let ‘em be.”
“Thanks,” Blaine squeaked.
Burt put his hand on Blaine’s shoulder and rubbed his back as he looked at Kurt. His head was wrapped up good and tight, but he could see a deep bruise poking out of the bottom of the bandages.
He needed to wake up soon. Burt closed his eyes and took a seat.
***
“Where the hell are your parents?” Burt said after a time. Finn had come and gone, with Carole who had to make sure their other son was okay despite his worry for his stepbrother. Blaine had just stuck around for hours.
“Um. They think I’m at Dalton, I guess,” Blaine muttered. He pressed his thumbs to his eyes and sighed.
Burt frowned, then wrapped his arm around Blaine’s back. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“He stepped in front of me. Those guys... They would’ve hit me but... God, when someone threatens me, Kurt is just...” His face scrunched up as he tried not to cry. “He’s fucking fearless.”
Burt chuckled softly. He looked over at Kurt, wondering why he couldn’t access that when it was himself who needed defending. Maybe it was in his best interests, actually, if this was where they’d end up.
He stood up then, as he noticed Kurt’s eyes were open, and he was frowning and looking around. “Hey.”
He moved to Kurt’s side and Blaine was up, touching Kurt’s hand.
“Kurt? C’mon, son. Can you hear us?”
Kurt stared at them, blinking slowly. Blaine darted into the hallway to get someone. Burt squeezed his hand tightly.
“I’m here, kiddo. I’m not going anywhere! Blaine’s here, too, and he’s getting help.”
“Wh-where...” Kurt gave another slow blink. “Where... Is this the hospital? Are you okay?!”
“I’m fine.” Burt laughed and put his hand on Kurt’s chest. “I’m great. Just take it easy, okay?”
Kurt closed his eyes, then opened them and looked around. “Is this the hospital? Dad, I told you that you had to stay on your diet.”
Burt had to fight to keep from cracking up.
“He’s awake?” An intern named Jerisa hurried into the room.
“Yeah. He’s a little confused.” Burt smiled at Blaine and reached out for him. Blaine came into his arms like the lost kid he was and watched as Jerisa shone a light in Kurt’s eyes and started asking him questions.
Kurt got a little cranky with her, but eventually she was satisfied and turned to them. “We’re going to keep him overnight for observation, but it’s really good that he woke up this quickly. He’ll still be a little disoriented, and he doesn’t remember what happened yet.”
“Gotcha. I’m gonna call his stepmom.” Burt nodded to them and started to turn to do that, when Kurt called for him.
“Dad?”
“Whoa.” Burt came back to the bed. “I’m right here. Just gonna tell Carole and Finn, okay?”
“Okay.” Kurt looked around the room again. He closed his eyes again.
Once Burt had Carole on the phone, he heard Kurt let out an alarmed noise, and Blaine leapt off the bed and ended up across the room. “Carole, real quick ‘cause I have to deal with something. Kurt woke up. Tell Finn.” Burt then closed his phone and hoped she’d forgive him for hanging up on her. “What’s wrong, hm?”
He petted Kurt’s arm slowly.
“He doesn’t recognize me,” Blaine said in a small voice, shaking his head rapidly. “He doesn’t know me.”
“His head got hit real hard, kiddo. It’s not you.” Burt squeezed Kurt’s arm. “Hey, Kurt. You with me?”
“Yeah, Dad.” His eyes were filled with tears. Not sadness, but fear.
“C’mere, Blaine.” Burt motioned for him. “Kurt, someone hurt you, okay? And you’re really confused, and that’s all right. You’ll get less confused as time goes on.”
He looked back to see Blaine frozen by the wall.
“Courage,” Burt said. He jerked his head to the side, hoping to get Blaine moving. He started to approach the bed, slowly. “Blaine was with you when this happened.”
Kurt stared up at Blaine blankly. Tears started to roll down Blaine’s cheeks.
“Don’t be sad,” Kurt muttered, reaching for Blaine.
“You’re probably not going to remember this right here,” Burt said. “Head injuries are funny like that. You’ll get the long term back-” Or Burt really, really hoped since Kurt knew him already. “-and you’ll forget what happened with the accident, and what’s happening right now.”
Blaine touched Kurt’s fingertips. “I’m sorry I startled you.”
Kurt’s nose wrinkled. “I- I know you.” He looked away. “Don’t I? My head hurts.”
“I know, baby.” Blaine touched his lips, then slowly sat on the bed. “You know me. Blaine.”
“Blaine.” There was no recognition of the name in Kurt’s eyes.
Burt’s heart pounded like a jackhammer. A head injury could also wipe out other memories. Maybe back before Kurt knew Blaine.
“We-” Blaine’s voice choked. He was clearly afraid of the same thing. “We can get the nurse to do something about your head hurting...”
“You’re beautiful,” Kurt murmured, staring at Blaine’s face. “You remind me of my boyfriend.”
Blaine blinked. “I-I do?”
Burt let out a breath and started to smile as Kurt began babbling on about how sweet and brave his boyfriend was. How handsome and wonderful. And also how romantic and silly and “full of fail” he could be. Soon Blaine was laughing softly as well.
“Sounds like you really love him,” Blaine said warmly. He squeezed Kurt’s hand.
“Mm. Yeah.” Kurt sighed. “So, so much.”
***
Blaine was on the couch. He had his arms curled around Kurt, who had been let out of the hospital, but was ordered to be off of school for at least a week. Blaine had dutifully driven over here after classes let out to be with his boyfriend.
Earlier Blaine had told Kurt about the things that he’d said right after waking up, and Kurt touched his cheek tenderly and tried to apologize.
“You took a crowbar to the brain for me. I can take a few anxious moments,” Blaine replied.
Kurt rested his head back on Blaine and closed his eyes. Being an invalid, even part time, was draining, apparently.
“So...” Burt came out of the kitchen. “This don’t look like a cake.”
Kurt covered his face and sighed.
“Maybe I should help.” Blaine started to move Kurt gently. “Put some of my lessons in baking to good use.”
“I could just do it,” Kurt suggested.
Blaine kissed his temple. “You have to relax.”
“How am I supposed to relax when our house is on fire?”
Blaine pinched Kurt’s nose and went into the kitchen. He touched his chest for a moment and looked over at Burt’s cake.
“Is it salvageable?” Burt asked.
“...Um...”
“Don’t hold back.” Burt laughed and looked at the recipe.
Blaine ran a finger along the edge of the batter bowl and tasted it. “Did you use baking powder?”
“The Arm & Hammer stuff? Yeah?”
“That’s baking soda. You use both.” Blaine shook his head. “Wow. I’m picking things up!”
He started to get out the ingredients to start over.
“So much for a welcome home cake,” Burt muttered.
“I’m sure he appreciates it anyway. He just wants to be up and around.”
Burt patted Blaine’s back and nodded. “So. How are you doing?”
“Um. Okay, I guess.”
“It’s never easy when your partner gets hurt. Much less in front of you. Have you been able to talk to your parents?”
Blaine raised his brows and shrugged. “I don’t really... want to hear what they’d have to say about that. They’re not the biggest Kurt fans.”
“Unless they’re sociopaths, I can’t believe they’d be happy about what happened.”
“No... I just... Sometimes my dad says things about Kurt’s gender presentation, and while I’m aware sometimes that can play a part, I don’t-- and Kurt doesn’t-- need to hear about it all the time. When Dad talks about it, I feel like he thinks everything that happens to Kurt is his fault, and... everything that happened to me was my fault. Like I should just opt for being invisible.”
“Either he’s being an asshole or he just wants to protect you,” Burt said. Then he raised a brow. “Or he’s doin’ both.”
Blaine frowned at the batter and started whisking the eggs in another bowl.
“Well, if you need to talk about it with someone, I’m here. I put Cassius in charge at the shop for the week to make sure I could be back here whenever Carole wasn’t around.”
“Do you think Kurt’ll have any long term problems?”
“I think he got pretty damn lucky.” Burt crossed his arms. “Running into that hospital Saturday night was too damn familiar.”
Blaine looked over at him.
“I’ve had nightmares like that. In this town? I dunno. I don’t want him to leave, you know. I want him home with his family, but he has to. He can’t stay in this town forever. They’ll kill him. One way or the other.”
“We’ll make sure you have tickets to New York,” Blaine said with a smile.
“I like New York. I used to live up that ways, y’know.”
“I guessed. Around Boston?”
“Never got rid of the accent.” Burt laughed. “I grew up there. We moved into New York later. Then ended up down in Ohio when I was a teenager. Think my pop owed someone money. We left the house in the middle of the night. That’s called ‘doing the skedaddle.’”
Blaine grinned.
“Lizzie came by way of California, though her mother was from England, and her dad from France. She dropped out of high school after her father died and decided to travel around the country. Her car broke down in Lima, and well, I wasn’t on the clock that day, but she left her Beatles tape behind, and when she came back for it, we hit it off.”
“Really? I didn’t know there was so much history that got the Hummels to Ohio. Ours is pretty tame. My mom and dad moved here before I was born because he got a job and she can do hers anywhere.”
“Where they from?”
“Indiana and the Philippines, respectively.”
“The Philippines? Wow. I guess I should’ve asked Kurt about that one.”
“Pinoy pride.” Blaine raised his fist in the air. He wiped his cheek and looked at his batter. “Um. Preheat... I guess just heat? The oven to 350 degrees.”
“On it.”
Between the two of them, they got the second cake attempt in the oven, and set the timer. Burt peered out into the living room and then moved over to the couch quietly.
“He’s asleep.” He kept his voice low as he looked back at Blaine.
Blaine came over to sit with Kurt and stroked the sides of his face carefully. There had been something in the way that Blaine had interacted with Kurt... not always there, but usually there, that spoke to a deep and abiding care. He screwed up. He got it wrong. He crossed lines. But the simple way Blaine brushed a few stray hairs from Kurt’s eyes told Burt everything he knew about this boy.
It wasn’t easy to let Kurt’s boyfriend into his life. Any boyfriend. But Burt couldn’t have asked for a better one, knowing that above all, Blaine cared about Kurt enough to risk him getting angry with him again. And there was no doubt that Blaine would adore his son and be gentle with him for as long as he needed.
Burt stepped behind Blaine and touched his shoulders. He leaned over and caught the boy’s eye, raising his brows. “If you need to talk,” he said meaningfully.
Blaine’s eyes were wide as he nodded.
Burt wasn’t sure if it was even appropriate to offer himself up as Blaine’s father figure when he couldn’t talk to his own father, but he loved this weird kid like he loved his own boys, and he wouldn’t let him be lost without someone there to hold him up, if he needed it.
Pair: Klaine
Warning: Violence, mention of past sexual assault, physical assault
Word Count: ~5585
Summary: S2 Post-”Original Song” AU. Burt finds Kurt and Blaine singing with each other in his house. And on his couch. He’s not so sure about this kid.
AN: This one is for
xenachakram12. It only took like a year for this! Enjoy!Nothing new to come home to the sound of loud pop music pumping up through the ventilation system. Burt tossed his keys on the stand by the door, remembering nearly a year ago, stepping into the house to hear “Single Ladies” bouncing off the damn walls, only to come down to see his son flitting around with two pretty girls in leotards without lookin’ at ‘em twice.
Yeah, he could’ve done better about that one. He was man enough to admit it. He got that some of Kurt’s friends (and probably that brillo-headed glee teacher) thought he came off as scary. And that was okay, sometimes. Kept the riff raff in line. But he didn’t want Kurt thinking of him as scary or intimidating, even if it meant dealing with Kurt occasionally being a little mouthy back. At least they were able to be honest with each other.
Burt checked his watch and shook his head. It was a little early for Kurt to be home from Glee club, since he thought they were meeting after school every day this week for some competition, but there were voices coming up through the vents anyway.
I'm a survivor!
I'm not gon' give up!
I'm not gon' stop!
I'm gon' work harder!
The good thing about the ventilation system, Burt thought as he headed to the bedroom, was that when Kurt had been younger, Burt knew he could hear the kid down there. Y’know, if he needed him. Burt would want to be there.
I'm a survivor
I'm gonna make it
I will survive
Keep on survivin'
Bad thing was that Kurt forgot his father could hear him up here sometimes.
There was some boy singing along with Kurt, though, so Burt guessed it might be something they were practicing for Glee. He couldn’t place the voice, though. Was that Artie? Nah. He probably couldn’t get down the stairs, there. Burt would have to look into that. Puck? He kind of hoped not. Maybe it was that new kid Kurt had mentioned. Maybe he was a good guy after all, and not afraid to be friends with a gay kid.
Burt let them go at it while he hit his desk and tried to get some paperwork done. This was one of the first days he’d manage to get around and do things, and he wanted to take advantage of the energy while he had it.
He’d sorted through about half a pile of the mail that had built up while he’d been in the hospital when he heard the singing getting louder. He rolled his chair back to peer into the living room.
There was a kid on his couch.
There was a kid on his couch. Standing on his couch. Dancing on his couch. A dark haired kid in a prep-school blazer singing down at Kurt, who was grinning up at the kid like he was the Second freaking Coming, or something.
“I’m wishing you the best, pray that you are blessed, bring much success, no stress and lots of happiness!” The kid sang like he was trying out for a movie, all hands and exaggerated expressions.
“I’m better than that!” Kurt sang back up at him, leaning forward with his hands pressed to the arm of the sofa and one leg bent upward, like some girl in an old movie.
This was trouble.
“I’m not gonna blast you on the radio!”
“I’m better than that!”
“I’m not gonna lie on you and your family, oh!” The kid threw one hand in the air like he was a’testifyin’!
Kurt wagged one finger in the air coquettishly. “I’m better than that!”
The two of them sang the words back and forth, back and forth. Yeah, Burt was glad to see Kurt smiling- those had sure been too few and far between lately- but there was this strange, good-looking kid. No, boy, here making it happen. Who had just been alone in the basement with Kurt.
Burt tilted his head to the side and rose. He stepped into the room, crossed his arms, and watched for another moment.
“After all of the darkness and sadness, still comes happiness.” Kurt closed his eyes and flat out belted the line. “If I surround myself with positive things, I’ll gain prosperity!”
Burt cleared his throat loudly. Both boys turned. That kid’s hands stayed in the air as though frozen there.
“You mind gettin’ off my couch?” he asked dryly.
That kid stared at him for a moment in dumbfounded silence, then he dropped down with an easy grace. “Sorry about that.”
“Dad, I’ve mentioned my friend Blaine, haven’t I?” Kurt peeped.
“Not as I can recall.” And Kurt hadn’t. And that made Burt wonder why he hadn’t. Burt looked between the two boys, and Blaine stepped forward to offer his hand.
“It’s good to meet Kurt’s father.”
Burt pursed his lips and considered Blaine’s hand before taking it. The boy shook it firmly and met his eye with a smile.
“You don’t go to McKinley.”
“No, I go to Dalton. In Westerville.”
Burt nodded slowly. “We checked out Dalton. Good school.”
“Did we?” Kurt narrowed his eyes.
“Carole and I. We took a look at it last summer. Good language and literature programs.”
“I think it would be a good school for Kurt, too,” Blaine agreed.
“Do you.” Burt rubbed his hand over his mouth. “So how did you kids meet?”
“I was spying on their choir for New Directions.” Kurt sat on the arm of the couch and crossed his legs. “They caught me and bought me coffee.”
Something passed over Blaine’s face as he looked at Kurt just then, but he didn’t speak. Burt let the silence linger as Kurt looked back on Blaine with an open expression that at the same time seemed to be waiting on what Blaine would say, or do.
“Sounds like a nice bunch of guys,” Burt said finally. Something was up here.
“Oh, they’re the best.” Blaine flashed Burt a grin.
Burt took a few steps to stand in front of them. Blaine stood up a little straighter and swallowed. Bit by bit his mask of confidence seemed to fall away, and once it looked like he was going to speak again to fill the silence, but he didn’t. Now he just looked like a kid dressed up in a grown up suit.
Eventually, Burt gave another nod. “I got some work to do, so I’ll leave you boys to your practicing.”
He turned toward the kitchen to go get some juice. “Just stay off the furniture.”
As he opened the refrigerator, he could hear a nervous giggle in the other room:
“He’s scary!” Blaine tried to keep his voice low.... but not low enough.
“Oh, he’s a big teddy bear,” Kurt scoffed.
Burt smiled.
Sproing!
“You’re going to be fine.”
Sproing!
“Everyone at Dalton will love you.”
Sproing!
“I wish you’d told me about things getting so serious, though. You shouldn’t have had deal with that alone.”
Burt came down the stairs slowly. Blaine’s curls were visible first. Because he was jumping on Kurt’s bed.
“I just didn’t know what to do. You don’t either. That’s too much to ask of my friends.”
Sproing!
“I guess I wouldn’t have known. My last advice sort of went tits up, didn’t it? But now-”
Blaine’s eyes caught sight of Burt and his legs went under him immediately as he fell into a sitting position on the bed. Kurt looked up from where he was packing a bag, looking a bit at a loss of what to put into it.
“I had a cousin who took six stitches in her crotch doin’ that,” Burt informed them, almost casually.
Blaine smiled as he pulled his legs underneath him. Burt fought his own grin, because at this point, the kid suspected he was just giving him a hard time. Kurt’s confidence in his harmlessness had an effect on Blaine.
“We can pack up your clothes for the new house one of these weekends when you’re home. I’ll leave everything as is, until then.” Burt looked over the scant items in Kurt’s suitcase. “You got your moisturizing gear? And the... hair stuff?”
“Oh.” Kurt touched his cheek then headed up the stairs.
“He’s just nervous. He doesn’t want to leave his friends, and you guys, of course,” Blaine explained.
“Yeah, I kinda picked up on that.” Burt raised a brow at Blaine. As though he needed someone else to explain his kid to him?
Blaine looked down at his hands and drew in a deep breath.
“So I guess he didn’t let you in on these death threats either,” Burt managed. He walked over to Kurt’s dresser to see if he couldn’t eyeball anything the boy would need. He wasn’t going that far... or for that long, but it sure felt like he was about to disappear out of their lives. After sixteen years, it was hard to even imagine Kurt not sleeping under his roof.
Blaine shook his head once. “Nope.”
After a moment of silence between the two of them, Blaine said, “It seems like I should have realized what was going on.”
“If we didn’t, I don’t know why you would.” Burt turned to look at Blaine, who was pouting and staring pensively at the things on Kurt’s shelves.
“Anyway, the Warblers are going to love Kurt. They’re good guys, and they’ll make sure he feels at home. I know it’s hard when you have to transfer suddenly, and everything is new.” Blaine scratched the back of his hair. “But at least he’s not going to be the only out gay kid at his school anymore.”
“There a lot at Dalton?” Burt couldn’t quite make himself imagine Kurt having tons of ‘gentlemen callers.’
“Um. Not that many. But even one... that’s better than being alone.” Blaine looked up at Burt and creased his brow slightly. “I mean, I’m the only other one in the Warblers, but there are some other guys. The captain of the track team will probably try to recruit Kurt in more ways than one.”
“I... what?”
Blaine’s smile returned and he held his hands up. “I’m kidding. A little. I’ll look out for him, though. I promise.”
“No. I mean...” Burt put his hands on his hips. “You’re gay?”
“Oh!” Blaine shrugged. “Yeah. I am.”
“I see.”
“We’re not dating or anything. Not that your son isn’t delightful! We’re just friends,” Blaine finished quickly.
“I believe ya.” Burt crossed his arms.
Kurt jogged back down the steps and started to put the handful of bathroom supplies into the pockets of his suitcase. As he zipped the last one up, he narrowed his eyes and looked between Burt and Blaine.
“What?”
“Hm?” Burt raised a brow.
“What is it? Why are you guys staring at me?”
“I’m gettin’ a good look before you disappear.” Burt sat on the edge of his bed.
Kurt’s shoulders slumped a little. “I’ll be back on the weekends. I’ll even make family dinners.”
“I know.” Burt patted his leg and stood.
“It’s going to be fine,” Blaine said in a gentle voice. He touched Kurt’s fingers and gave him a smile.
Seeming a little reassured, Kurt nodded and went over to his dresser to figure out what clothes he would need during the week. Burt looked back at Blaine, sitting on Kurt’s bed and just watching him with a caring fondness.
Weird kid.
Burt had a joke he liked to tell. When people asked him if it was hard to parent a kid like Kurt, he told ‘em, yeah. Since the boy was about three, he and Lizzie had known it. Kurt was going to be smarter than them.
Sometimes that was funny. And sometimes his son did stuff like get mouthy and tell him to educate himself, and then Burt had to sit back and think of what had just happened and try to work it out. This time he’d talked to Carole who had rolled her eyes at him like Lizzie might’ve and told him to let her talk to Kurt.
But it was hard to sit on things when he didn’t get to see his son as often as he would’ve liked.
The moment Burt walked into the living room, Blaine’s eyes widened and he slipped down from where he was sitting on the back of the couch into a proper seat.
“You’re gonna break your neck sometime, y’know,” Burt said. He was a little confused. Last he’d heard, Kurt had been in a fight with Blaine. But here he was, on Burt’s furniture again.
“It’s good to see you, Mr. Hummel.” Blaine got on his knees and peered up at him.
“That so?” Burt walked over to lean over the couch.
“Kurt said you had a doctor’s visit this week. He also said that you’re a terrible souffle maker.”
“I dunno why he even tried to teach me. I’m pretty hopeless in the kitchen, even with the simple stuff.”
“Probably because souffles would be fun to screw up with you. The best memories aren’t always the perfect ones.”
Burt stared down at this kid. This kid that danced on his furniture and blurted things out that were borderline inappropriate to completely and utterly inappropriate.
This kid who had ended up in Kurt’s bed.
“You may be right about that.” He started to turn when Blaine spoke again.
“I’m sorry about the other night. Kurt told me you weren’t happy with me, and I admit that I shouldn’t have been drinking. I didn’t realize Rachel would have alcohol, and I should have thought about what might happen.”
Burt looked back at him and Blaine babbled on.
“I feel bad for getting Kurt in trouble, after apparently being a huge pain in the ass while I was drunk and then kicking him in the head by accident when he was sleeping on the floor. Kurt didn’t say; it was Finn that told me all the dumb things I did. I guess I have the alcohol tolerance of a six year old.”
Oh, Lord. Burt couldn’t help it. He laughed. “Yeah, well, one day you two are gonna be tellin’ that story to someone and crack up.”
“Finn already is.” Blaine rubbed his lips and looked down, clearly embarrassed.
Burt slapped Blaine’s shoulder. “There’s no end to the stories of me makin’ an ass out of myself after a few too many. Of course in those stories, I was a bit older than you.”
“Yeah. I know I shouldn’t have, but everyone else was, except Finn and Kurt. I was... nervous to hang out with Kurt’s friends.”
“That’s a pretty dumb reason to get plastered.”
Blaine bit his lip. “Yeah. But they’re such a tight group. I mean, Kurt hasn’t even been gone that long, and it was almost like he wasn’t welcome at the party.”
Burt looked at Blaine with a hard frown. Do what now?
“So I was afraid I was going to screw it up even more... You’re right, It was dumb. I just made a bigger mess.” Blaine looked down at his fingers.
Kurt appeared in the room with a plate, did a twirl, and landed on the couch next to Blaine. “Hi, Dad!”
Burt didn’t understand all that had gone down that week, but what was before his eyes was pretty plain. Kurt smiling, bounced back from their fight only a few days ago, and feeding Blaine a piece of fruit.
Kurt smiling. Now that was a sight Burt had missed. He couldn’t help but notice what kept making that happen.
Burt looked into the restaurant with his head craned to the side and his mouth slightly open.
“Is he doing The Charleston on that table?” Carole leaned forward and laughed.
“Y’can’t take that kid anywhere.” Burt shook his head.
“C’mon. He’s dancing the table because he’s excited. It’s adorable.”
Burt held his hands up and watched the kid go. His curls bounced as he jived back and forth on the table. Below him, Kurt leaned his hand and grinned up at Blaine all toothy and bright eyed.
Carole touched Burt’s arm. “He’s not a little boy anymore.”
“He’s always gonna be my little boy,” Burt replied sternly. He jerked his cap down a little and motioned forward with his head. “Time to meet the boyfriend.”
Carole shook her head as they moved forward. “We’ve met Blaine plenty of times before.”
“Not like this.”
Burt drew in a deep breath and figured, if he was nervous, that kid was ten times as nervous. The last time they’d talked, it had been about giving Kurt a sex talk. It had turned out Blaine was right about that.
At first Burt had been suspicious, but when Kurt had come to him on his own a few days after and started talking, vaguely, about how serious the harassment at his school had gotten, Burt knew that this wasn’t just about sex. Kurt needed to trust that his dad could handle what had happened to him before he laid his problems out there for them both to look at. And this was much more than Kurt should have been handling alone.
Burt had Blaine to thank for that intervention. When Kurt wouldn’t open up to him, he made the move to make sure Kurt got the help he needed.
That kid really loved his son.
“Psst!” Kurt waved at Blaine. “Manager coming!”
Blaine hopped down off the table and threw his arm around Kurt, feigning innocence.
“That kid.” Burt refused to call the quirk in his lips a smile.
Blaine was on the furniture. Again. But not for long.
Burt darted forward and caught the boy before his head went crashing into the counter. “Whoa, there.”
He helped Blaine to his feet and rubbed his back gently. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” Blaine touched the back of his head and looked around as though surprised to be on the ground.
“Kurt’s gonna get awful fussed if you bust your head,” Burt warned.
“Yeah. Sorry. I just wanted to make him a cake or something.”
“Do you cook?”
“Sort of...” Blaine grinned. “I’ll definitely not burn your house down.”
“I’d appreciate that. Seeing as how we’re still paying the mortgage.”
Blaine’s tongue peeked out of his lips, and he rubbed his chin.
Burt crossed his arms. “He might appreciate it more if you asked him to teach you.”
Blaine’s face lit up. “Wow. Yeah, that’s a great idea, Mr. Hummel!”
“Call me Burt.” He shook his head. “You can’t be as bad in the kitchen as I am.”
Blaine’s smirk was sort of irresistible. “That sounds like a challenge.”
Burt had gotten to the hospital as quickly as he could. It was a little hard to breath, knowing that his son might not be breathing when he got there, but he remembered the look on Kurt’s face every time he told his old man to stay calm and take care of himself and just tried with all his might to do that.
When he’d arrived, the doctors spoke to him, said a few things that took some of the weight off of his shoulders but not much of the worry. A nurse guided him to the room where Kurt was resting. “Resting” they called it, although it was less of that. Resting was what you did of your own free will. Coma was what you did when someone hit you in the friggin’ head with a crowbar.
As he stepped into the doorway, he almost laughed. Almost. Blaine was curled up in the bed with Kurt. Never could keep that kid off the furniture.
But this time, Burt understood. He’d watched as some asshole hurt the guy he loved... and Burt had no doubt that Blaine loved Kurt. He didn’t know if they’d said it, or what, but they showed it. All the time.
“Son, I’m going to need you to get down from there,” the nurse said sharply.
“Nah, it’s okay.” Burt stepped over to the bed where Blaine was lifting his head. The boy had a black eye himself amongst the puffy redness of his sobbing. “As long as it won’t hurt Kurt, I say let ‘em be.”
“Thanks,” Blaine squeaked.
Burt put his hand on Blaine’s shoulder and rubbed his back as he looked at Kurt. His head was wrapped up good and tight, but he could see a deep bruise poking out of the bottom of the bandages.
He needed to wake up soon. Burt closed his eyes and took a seat.
“Where the hell are your parents?” Burt said after a time. Finn had come and gone, with Carole who had to make sure their other son was okay despite his worry for his stepbrother. Blaine had just stuck around for hours.
“Um. They think I’m at Dalton, I guess,” Blaine muttered. He pressed his thumbs to his eyes and sighed.
Burt frowned, then wrapped his arm around Blaine’s back. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“He stepped in front of me. Those guys... They would’ve hit me but... God, when someone threatens me, Kurt is just...” His face scrunched up as he tried not to cry. “He’s fucking fearless.”
Burt chuckled softly. He looked over at Kurt, wondering why he couldn’t access that when it was himself who needed defending. Maybe it was in his best interests, actually, if this was where they’d end up.
He stood up then, as he noticed Kurt’s eyes were open, and he was frowning and looking around. “Hey.”
He moved to Kurt’s side and Blaine was up, touching Kurt’s hand.
“Kurt? C’mon, son. Can you hear us?”
Kurt stared at them, blinking slowly. Blaine darted into the hallway to get someone. Burt squeezed his hand tightly.
“I’m here, kiddo. I’m not going anywhere! Blaine’s here, too, and he’s getting help.”
“Wh-where...” Kurt gave another slow blink. “Where... Is this the hospital? Are you okay?!”
“I’m fine.” Burt laughed and put his hand on Kurt’s chest. “I’m great. Just take it easy, okay?”
Kurt closed his eyes, then opened them and looked around. “Is this the hospital? Dad, I told you that you had to stay on your diet.”
Burt had to fight to keep from cracking up.
“He’s awake?” An intern named Jerisa hurried into the room.
“Yeah. He’s a little confused.” Burt smiled at Blaine and reached out for him. Blaine came into his arms like the lost kid he was and watched as Jerisa shone a light in Kurt’s eyes and started asking him questions.
Kurt got a little cranky with her, but eventually she was satisfied and turned to them. “We’re going to keep him overnight for observation, but it’s really good that he woke up this quickly. He’ll still be a little disoriented, and he doesn’t remember what happened yet.”
“Gotcha. I’m gonna call his stepmom.” Burt nodded to them and started to turn to do that, when Kurt called for him.
“Dad?”
“Whoa.” Burt came back to the bed. “I’m right here. Just gonna tell Carole and Finn, okay?”
“Okay.” Kurt looked around the room again. He closed his eyes again.
Once Burt had Carole on the phone, he heard Kurt let out an alarmed noise, and Blaine leapt off the bed and ended up across the room. “Carole, real quick ‘cause I have to deal with something. Kurt woke up. Tell Finn.” Burt then closed his phone and hoped she’d forgive him for hanging up on her. “What’s wrong, hm?”
He petted Kurt’s arm slowly.
“He doesn’t recognize me,” Blaine said in a small voice, shaking his head rapidly. “He doesn’t know me.”
“His head got hit real hard, kiddo. It’s not you.” Burt squeezed Kurt’s arm. “Hey, Kurt. You with me?”
“Yeah, Dad.” His eyes were filled with tears. Not sadness, but fear.
“C’mere, Blaine.” Burt motioned for him. “Kurt, someone hurt you, okay? And you’re really confused, and that’s all right. You’ll get less confused as time goes on.”
He looked back to see Blaine frozen by the wall.
“Courage,” Burt said. He jerked his head to the side, hoping to get Blaine moving. He started to approach the bed, slowly. “Blaine was with you when this happened.”
Kurt stared up at Blaine blankly. Tears started to roll down Blaine’s cheeks.
“Don’t be sad,” Kurt muttered, reaching for Blaine.
“You’re probably not going to remember this right here,” Burt said. “Head injuries are funny like that. You’ll get the long term back-” Or Burt really, really hoped since Kurt knew him already. “-and you’ll forget what happened with the accident, and what’s happening right now.”
Blaine touched Kurt’s fingertips. “I’m sorry I startled you.”
Kurt’s nose wrinkled. “I- I know you.” He looked away. “Don’t I? My head hurts.”
“I know, baby.” Blaine touched his lips, then slowly sat on the bed. “You know me. Blaine.”
“Blaine.” There was no recognition of the name in Kurt’s eyes.
Burt’s heart pounded like a jackhammer. A head injury could also wipe out other memories. Maybe back before Kurt knew Blaine.
“We-” Blaine’s voice choked. He was clearly afraid of the same thing. “We can get the nurse to do something about your head hurting...”
“You’re beautiful,” Kurt murmured, staring at Blaine’s face. “You remind me of my boyfriend.”
Blaine blinked. “I-I do?”
Burt let out a breath and started to smile as Kurt began babbling on about how sweet and brave his boyfriend was. How handsome and wonderful. And also how romantic and silly and “full of fail” he could be. Soon Blaine was laughing softly as well.
“Sounds like you really love him,” Blaine said warmly. He squeezed Kurt’s hand.
“Mm. Yeah.” Kurt sighed. “So, so much.”
Blaine was on the couch. He had his arms curled around Kurt, who had been let out of the hospital, but was ordered to be off of school for at least a week. Blaine had dutifully driven over here after classes let out to be with his boyfriend.
Earlier Blaine had told Kurt about the things that he’d said right after waking up, and Kurt touched his cheek tenderly and tried to apologize.
“You took a crowbar to the brain for me. I can take a few anxious moments,” Blaine replied.
Kurt rested his head back on Blaine and closed his eyes. Being an invalid, even part time, was draining, apparently.
“So...” Burt came out of the kitchen. “This don’t look like a cake.”
Kurt covered his face and sighed.
“Maybe I should help.” Blaine started to move Kurt gently. “Put some of my lessons in baking to good use.”
“I could just do it,” Kurt suggested.
Blaine kissed his temple. “You have to relax.”
“How am I supposed to relax when our house is on fire?”
Blaine pinched Kurt’s nose and went into the kitchen. He touched his chest for a moment and looked over at Burt’s cake.
“Is it salvageable?” Burt asked.
“...Um...”
“Don’t hold back.” Burt laughed and looked at the recipe.
Blaine ran a finger along the edge of the batter bowl and tasted it. “Did you use baking powder?”
“The Arm & Hammer stuff? Yeah?”
“That’s baking soda. You use both.” Blaine shook his head. “Wow. I’m picking things up!”
He started to get out the ingredients to start over.
“So much for a welcome home cake,” Burt muttered.
“I’m sure he appreciates it anyway. He just wants to be up and around.”
Burt patted Blaine’s back and nodded. “So. How are you doing?”
“Um. Okay, I guess.”
“It’s never easy when your partner gets hurt. Much less in front of you. Have you been able to talk to your parents?”
Blaine raised his brows and shrugged. “I don’t really... want to hear what they’d have to say about that. They’re not the biggest Kurt fans.”
“Unless they’re sociopaths, I can’t believe they’d be happy about what happened.”
“No... I just... Sometimes my dad says things about Kurt’s gender presentation, and while I’m aware sometimes that can play a part, I don’t-- and Kurt doesn’t-- need to hear about it all the time. When Dad talks about it, I feel like he thinks everything that happens to Kurt is his fault, and... everything that happened to me was my fault. Like I should just opt for being invisible.”
“Either he’s being an asshole or he just wants to protect you,” Burt said. Then he raised a brow. “Or he’s doin’ both.”
Blaine frowned at the batter and started whisking the eggs in another bowl.
“Well, if you need to talk about it with someone, I’m here. I put Cassius in charge at the shop for the week to make sure I could be back here whenever Carole wasn’t around.”
“Do you think Kurt’ll have any long term problems?”
“I think he got pretty damn lucky.” Burt crossed his arms. “Running into that hospital Saturday night was too damn familiar.”
Blaine looked over at him.
“I’ve had nightmares like that. In this town? I dunno. I don’t want him to leave, you know. I want him home with his family, but he has to. He can’t stay in this town forever. They’ll kill him. One way or the other.”
“We’ll make sure you have tickets to New York,” Blaine said with a smile.
“I like New York. I used to live up that ways, y’know.”
“I guessed. Around Boston?”
“Never got rid of the accent.” Burt laughed. “I grew up there. We moved into New York later. Then ended up down in Ohio when I was a teenager. Think my pop owed someone money. We left the house in the middle of the night. That’s called ‘doing the skedaddle.’”
Blaine grinned.
“Lizzie came by way of California, though her mother was from England, and her dad from France. She dropped out of high school after her father died and decided to travel around the country. Her car broke down in Lima, and well, I wasn’t on the clock that day, but she left her Beatles tape behind, and when she came back for it, we hit it off.”
“Really? I didn’t know there was so much history that got the Hummels to Ohio. Ours is pretty tame. My mom and dad moved here before I was born because he got a job and she can do hers anywhere.”
“Where they from?”
“Indiana and the Philippines, respectively.”
“The Philippines? Wow. I guess I should’ve asked Kurt about that one.”
“Pinoy pride.” Blaine raised his fist in the air. He wiped his cheek and looked at his batter. “Um. Preheat... I guess just heat? The oven to 350 degrees.”
“On it.”
Between the two of them, they got the second cake attempt in the oven, and set the timer. Burt peered out into the living room and then moved over to the couch quietly.
“He’s asleep.” He kept his voice low as he looked back at Blaine.
Blaine came over to sit with Kurt and stroked the sides of his face carefully. There had been something in the way that Blaine had interacted with Kurt... not always there, but usually there, that spoke to a deep and abiding care. He screwed up. He got it wrong. He crossed lines. But the simple way Blaine brushed a few stray hairs from Kurt’s eyes told Burt everything he knew about this boy.
It wasn’t easy to let Kurt’s boyfriend into his life. Any boyfriend. But Burt couldn’t have asked for a better one, knowing that above all, Blaine cared about Kurt enough to risk him getting angry with him again. And there was no doubt that Blaine would adore his son and be gentle with him for as long as he needed.
Burt stepped behind Blaine and touched his shoulders. He leaned over and caught the boy’s eye, raising his brows. “If you need to talk,” he said meaningfully.
Blaine’s eyes were wide as he nodded.
Burt wasn’t sure if it was even appropriate to offer himself up as Blaine’s father figure when he couldn’t talk to his own father, but he loved this weird kid like he loved his own boys, and he wouldn’t let him be lost without someone there to hold him up, if he needed it.
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Date: 2012-01-02 03:46 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2012-01-02 03:47 am (UTC)From: