2x12 You are the Sunshine of my Life

The second time he regains consciousness, he's a little bit more aware of his surroundings. He's realized that he's in a hospital the first time around – when his crying son launching himself at Burt had nearly pulled the IV from his arm – but he's fallen back asleep before the first doctor could even start poking and prodding him.

There's a hushed argument going on close to his bed and Burt strains to hear what's it about. He doesn't dare turn his head, afraid to alert his family in case they are discussing him.

"... just woke up. I can't go back tonight," he hears Kurt whisper and only now does he realize that his son is in Lima instead of New York where he should be.

"... already missed a week of school. You have final exams coming up. I promise I'll take good care of your dad and I let you come back as soon as you're done with exams," his wife replies, equally quiet and Burt thinks she sounds exhausted.

It shocks him to hear how much school Kurt seems to have missed because of him, especially because he has no idea what day it is, no idea what happened after he was short of breath during breakfast with Carole. All he can guess, thanks to the machines surrounding him, is that something was, is seriously wrong with him.

Burt wets his lips before he attempts to speak and he has to clear his throat a few times before his voice cooperates.

"You need to go to school, Kurt," Burt tells his son as his family slowly appears in his field of vision as he turns his head to the left.

Both Kurt and Carole look like they've been crying and Burt hates himself for putting them through this. At least he assumes it's his fault after ignoring his doctor's advice about changing his diet for over a year.

"Dad!" Kurt is next to him instantly, his hands reaching out like he wants to hug him but is afraid to do so. "You're okay. Carole's going to get the doctor."

Burt shakes his head. He doesn't want to deal with doctors. He wants to speak with his family.

"Finn?" he asks when he notices his stepson is missing. His son grimaces before he smiles widely.

"I left him a message. I'm sure he'll be here soon," Kurt tells him before he gives up on holding himself back and carefully puts his arms around Burt.

"I'm so happy you're okay. I was so scared to lose you too."

For a moment Burt thinks he's going to throw up because he did this to his son. It's also in this moment that he decides to do whatever the doctors tell him from now on, so he can be around to watch Kurt grow up, so he can see his sons getting married, can get grandchildren.

Carole returning with a young looking doctor behind her, saves him from having to respond to Kurt's confession and for once he doesn't argue while the doctor checks him over.

"We'll have to run more tests," the doctor explains as he draws blood, "but if nothing goes wrong, your husband should make a full recovery."

Carole nearly hugs the doctor before changing course and pulling Kurt into her arms. It soothes him, the knowledge that Carole would have taken care of Kurt had he not made it.

"So when does he have to leave?" he asks his wife once they are alone again.

"Dad," Kurt tries to argue but Burt shakes his head, his eyes on Carole.

"Two hours if he wants to catch his train."

"I don't" Kurt mutters under his breath and while Burt doesn't want to let Kurt out of his sight either, he has to be the grown up here.

"Kurt, you need to finish the school year. I'm not making you stay until the semester is over but you need to take your exams. You know we can only afford NYADA because of your scholarship." It's a low blow but an effective one.

Kurt's shoulders slump and he nods once.

Over the next two hours Carole and Kurt catch him up on what he missed and it's hard to wrap his head around the fact that he's been in a coma for a week. He thought he was invincible and instead nearly died at forty. Elizabeth would be so mad at him if she knew he broke the promise of always being there for Kurt, to always protect him.

There are tears in his son's eyes when Carole reminds him that they have to leave soon if Kurt wants to make it back to New York in time for Monday's classes and Burt gives him his most reassuring smile before opening his arms to his son, trying not to show that just raising his arms exhausts him.

Their hug is interrupted by a tentative knock on the half open door, left open by the last nurse to come check on him. To his surprise his son looks more apprehensive than happy to see Mercedes standing in the door and Carole motions to Kurt to go talk to her.

"Ten minutes, Kurt," she tells him and Kurt slowly extracts himself from Burt's arms.

"I'll miss you," his son whispers, tears trickling down his face and Burt has to resist the urge to ask Kurt to stay, because he has to do what's best for his family.

"I'll miss you too."

Mercedes is standing a few feet away from his dad's room when Kurt joins her in the hallway. She's fiddling with the sleeves of her stylish jacket – one Kurt had picked out for her the previous summer – and keeps avoiding looking straight at him.

"Cedes," Kurt greets her, tension thick in the air. He isn't unhappy that his best friend showed up, but he doesn't know what to say either.

"Carole let me know your dad woke up. I'm sorry I just showed up like this, but I wanted to talk to you before you left for New York."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Kurt tells her, because Mercedes had been coming over since before his mother had died. "I forgot."

"It's okay, I understand," Mercedes says at the same time and Kurt gives her a tentative smile.

"I only have a few minutes, but do you want to get a quick coffee?" Kurt asks, because he hasn't been sleeping well and he also doesn't want to have that conversation out in the hallway.

Mercedes nods and they take the elevator down to the cafeteria. The coffee there is atrocious, but if he wants to finish the rest of his homework on the train he has to stay awake for at least a few more hours.

They sit down at an empty table in a corner, two steaming mugs of coffee in front of them. It's fairly crowed, which isn't surprising for a Sunday afternoon and Kurt is glad they got a table away from the other people in the cafeteria.

Neither of them says anything at first, but then Mercedes squares her shoulders and looks him straight in the eye.

"Look Kurt. I'm really sorry about everything. I shouldn't have tried to force my faith on you when I knew it wasn't what you wanted."

Kurt nods but doesn't say anything, sensing that Mercedes isn't done.

"I just, I didn't know how to help you and instead of asking what you needed I just thought about what would help me," Mercedes explains and Kurt gets it.

He might never understand religious faith, but he knows that it helps some people; knows that Mercedes is one of them and didn't mean to hurt him on purpose.

"I just needed you to be there for me," Kurt tells her quietly and Mercedes' face falls even more.

"But I know you didn't mean to hurt me. I just couldn't deal with that when all I needed was a hug." His voice wavers and he wraps his arms around himself.

"Maybe," Mercedes starts, "can I give you a hug now?"

"I'd really like that." Kurt smiles before he gets up and lets Mercedes pull him into her arms.

"Are we okay?" she asks when they separate and Kurt nods, because no matter how mad he got, she's his best friend, was his first friend.

"Kurt," Carole interrupts them and Kurt sighs because that means it's really time for him to go back to New York. Back to where Blaine is waiting for him, but hours away from his dad.

"I'll call you," he promises Mercedes and hugs her again, because he has missed talking to her.

"You better, boo," his best friend smiles.

Mercedes follows them out, but declines a ride from Carole, still proud of her new driver's license, so they say goodbye once again in front of Carole's car.

"Ready to go back?" Carole asks after Kurt is buckled in and Kurt shakes his head.

"No, but we both know I could never say no my dad."

"He only wants what's best for you."

"I know."

Three more finals and he'll be done with high school. It's a good distraction because he's been feeling like a lousy boyfriend ever since Kurt came back to school the previous week. Because his boyfriend had been moping around and there had been nothing Blaine could do to cheer him up.

The good thing about finals – other than that they are his last – is that Kurt can finally go back home to Lima as soon as the week is over to see his dad who is still in the hospital because the doctors want to keep an eye on him. He had been present for a Skype conversation between Kurt and Burt so he understands why Kurt still worries so much. Because Burt looked exactly how he imagined a person to look who had been in a coma; pale and tired though according to Kurt he sleeps during most of the day.

He can tell Kurt is distracted as they try to study for next day's exam in Blaine's room because he keeps checking his phone every few minutes.

"I don't think I'm coming back once I'm done with finals," Kurt suddenly says and Blaine furrows his brows in confusion.

"To NYADA?" Please no, he adds in his mind. To his relief, Kurt shakes his head.

"Till next fall," Kurt clarifies and then Blaine understands.

"You're going to miss my graduation." Kurt looks apprehensive but nods.

"It's okay, Kurt. I understand," Blaine assures him because in the grand scheme of things, a high school graduation ceremony really isn't that important. Especially if it isn't your own.

"You're not mad?" Kurt asks like he can't believe Blaine doesn't mind.

"Of course not. I know how much your dad means to you and I think, even when my dad and I weren't getting along, I would still have done the same."

Because family is important to him as well. Especially after his mother walked out on them and he and his dad had to learn how to be a family. He may never have the relationship Kurt and Burt have, but things are good between him and his dad these days and he would be devastated if he lost him.

Kurt launches himself at Blaine and smashes their lips together. It's the first time they're exchanging more than a chaste peck on the lips and Blaine kisses back passionately because he has missed this too. Taking study breaks to make out in one of their rooms.

When Kurt nips on his lower lip, Blaine opens his mouth and curls his tongue around his boyfriend's, causing Kurt to moan. Kurt sucks on his tongue and pushes him back, right on top of his books, but Blaine doesn't care that his Italian dictionary is digging into his back uncomfortably, not when Kurt is kissing him like that.

Before things can get too heated however, Kurt's phone rings and his boyfriend smiles at him apologetically when he sees that it's Burt who is calling and takes the call.

Blaine rolls his eyes because Kurt's dad has a tendency to call just when things are heating up between them and if he said that he hadn't checked their rooms for hidden cameras he would be lying.

"Yes Blaine is here with me," he hears Kurt say before his boyfriend rolls his eyes as well.

"Dad, we're just studying." Kurt's faces flushes and Blaine can guess what Burt's response to that was.

"My dad says hi," Kurt turns to him, a faint blush still coloring his cheeks.

"Tell him I hope he gets discharged soon," Blaine replies because he knows it would calm Kurt down considerably if the doctors deemed Burt healthy enough to go home.

He tries to focus back on his books while Kurt and his dad talk a while longer, and he notices with relief that Kurt looks much happier once he hangs up the phone.

"They're definitely keeping him until the end of the week, but my dad is positive that he'll be allowed to go home soon," Kurt reports and Blaine's face breaks into a wide smile.

They go back to their separate books for a few minutes until Kurt puts his hand high up on Blaine's thigh, close enough to his crotch to make him drop his book.

"I think I'm done with studying for the day. You want to take another break with me?" Kurt asks while he closes his books.

Blaine's own books are on the floor before Kurt can even finish his sentence.

Aunt Kate picks him up in front of the school as soon as his last exam is done and Kurt throws himself into her arms. Aunt Kate had called him daily since his dad had been admitted to the hospital, unable to visit her brother herself because the owner of the gallery she worked for had been on vacation.

"It's okay. He's okay now," Kate whispers as Kurt holds on tight.

Together they load Kate's car with Kurt's possessions - three suitcases filled with all his clothes and four boxes filled with schoolbooks, his laptop and decorations from his door room. School is still in session for one more week, but luckily he has gotten permission to leave early this year.

He and Blaine have already said goodbye up in Blaine's room where his boyfriend has promised to try to make it to Ohio as soon as possible, so they pull out onto the street as soon as all his belongings are stowed away in Kate's car.

Traffic is slow until they get out of Manhattan but once they are on the interstate most of the cars are driving toward New York and they manage to cross into Pennsylvania before it gets dark.

They spend their time singing along to the radio until they can't find nothing but country stations and Kurt is grateful that his aunt isn't as tone deaf as his dad. Because both of them want to get to Lima as fast as possible they switch every few hours so they don't have to stop for the night.

If it were up to Kurt they would go to the hospital straight away once they reach Lima the next morning, but Kate pleads for a shower until Kurt gives in, not looking his best either.

When they both come back downstairs after freshening up, Carole has breakfast ready for them, and Kurt digs in, hungry after only eating a sandwich from a gas station the previous night. As always the pancakes are delicious and Kurt's happy he doesn't have to deal with the temptation every day because he likes his skinny jeans way too much.

Finn doesn't talk to him during breakfast and Kurt decides then and there that they will have to have a talk soon, in case Finn hasn't changed his mind and still plans to leave in two weeks.

Carole pulls him aside before they leave the house and for a moment Kurt expects a lecture. But Carole just smiles at him sadly.

"He's been moping around ever since Burt got sick. I think this is affecting him more than he lets on."

Kurt's smile is more of a grimace than an actual smile, but he can't tell her that the reason Finn is acting weird is that they got into a fight the last time he was home when he implied his stepbrother wasn't a good son.

It's nearly ten when they arrive at the hospital and to Kurt's surprise a doctor is with his dad. Thankfully, his dad is sitting up and talks animatedly with the doctor when they pile through the door and Kurt relaxes again.

"Guess who's getting discharged today?" his dad calls out as soon as they are all in the room with the door closed behind them.

"Oh my God," Kurt exclaims before he rushes over to his dad and hugs him. The IV in his dad's arm is gone making it easier for them to hug and Kurt doesn't let go until the doctor clears his throat.

"As I was just telling Mr. Hummel, he has an appointment with a dietician on Monday and he'll need to come in for a check up at least once a week for the next month. He should stay in bed for at least another week, but afterward a short walk every day will be beneficial to his health."

"When can I go back to work?" his dad asks after making a face when the doctor mentions the dietician. "I own my own business so I can't stay away forever."

"Come back in six weeks and we'll see if you are fit enough for some light work. No strenuous activity; but if your vitals are okay you can do some work in the office."

His dad's face falls and Kurt stares at Finn who fidgets and looks away. Because they all know what this means. That the family will have to pitch in as much as possible and that they may have to hire a mechanic until his dad is allowed to work on cars again.

"I can only stay for a week, but I haven't forgotten what you taught me, Burt. I can do the oil and tire changes this week," Kate offers once the doctor has left to get his dad's discharge papers.

Kurt, Finn and Carole are quick to offer their assistance as well but Kurt can tell that his dad is thinking what he is thinking. That it won't be enough – not if Finn leaves and Kurt has to go back to New York before his dad can go back to work full time.

He knows that he'll have to make a decision about his future this summer if his dad doesn't get better as fast as he wants to, and just thinking about it makes him sick to his stomach. But he'll be here if his dad needs him – no matter how much it would suck.

"Don't worry about it now, honey," Carole tells his dad. "You focus on getting better and we do the rest."

It's a testament to how tired his dad must still be when he doesn't argue and just nods.

To distract his dad, Kate entertains him with stories from her work and Kurt talks about his exams and his hopes that he did well in all of them even though he was distracted a lot during them.

Ten minutes later, a nurse helps his dad into the hospital-mandated wheel chair but his dad is so weak, Kurt thinks he might need it anyway. Kate sits between him and Finn on the ride back home, having picked up the weird vibes coming from them, but thankfully doesn't comment. Back at home, Carole makes up the couch for his dad and helps him on it while aunt Kate clicks through the channels until she finds a football game for them to watch.

Once he is sure his dad is comfortable and taken care of, Kurt excuses himself, suddenly dead tired, and heads up to his room for a long nap. He only takes off his shoes, too tired for anything else, and texts Blaine to let him know his dad is home before he passes out.

When he wakes up again a few hours later, his clothes are wrinkled and his hair is in disarray. After another quick shower, Kurt leaves his room quietly, just in case his dad is asleep on the couch downstairs. The door to the guestroom is closed so he assumes his aunt is asleep as well.

Finn doesn't answer when he knocks on his door and Kurt pushes it open slowly, just to find the room empty. His stomach rumbles and he figures he might as well go downstairs and make some lunch for him and Carole and something healthy for his dad.

He is about to announce his presence when he hears his name and stops in his track one foot still hovering above the last stair.

"... it's going to be hard, but we'll make it work. That school has done wonders for him," his dad says and Kurt creeps closer. After a moment of silence his dad continues.

"Have you spoken to the insurance people?" Carole sighs.

"Your insurance covers only about a third of the hospital bills but if we manage not to hire anyone until you can go back to work, we should be fine. I've looked through the books and it's not as dire as I first thought. Finn will understand why you can't give him a new car for graduation."

Kurt slowly walks back up the stairs, having heard enough. The decision isn't hard to make anymore.

He'll stay in Lima until his dad has fully recovered and if he loses his spot at NYADA over it, well, he'll learn to live with it.

Two days back home and Burt is bored out of his mind. Carole is at work, Finn at school and Kurt hovers while his sister is taking the morning shift at the shop, after his family decided he couldn't be left alone.

His son is also acting weird, constantly looking like he wants to say something but always stopping himself before he actually does. Until Burt has enough.

"Okay spit it out."

Kurt opens and closes his mouth a few times, before he squares his shoulders and sits down in Burt's usual chair.

"I'm not going back to New York. Not until you've been given a clean bill of health."

"Absolutely not." Kurt apparently doesn't hear a word he says because he prattles on.

"You know that McKinley is the last place I want to set foot in, but it's only two more years and I'd have Mercedes and..."

"Kurt, I said no. You are not throwing away your education because I couldn't resist cheeseburgers and red meat."

"You wanted to keep me in Ohio last summer," Kurt reminds him petulantly and Burt sighs.

"Cut me some slack. I wasn't thinking rationally after I found you in bed with your older 'best friend'."

Unfortunately, his son doesn't give up easily when he really wants something or thinks he is in the right.

"Aunt Kate is leaving Friday, Finn in two weeks and Carole has a full-time job so I'm the only one who can help out in the shop for free. You need me to stay here."

Kurt isn't wrong, Burt knows that especially after his talk with Carole, because they can't afford to hire a new mechanic right now and pay the hospital bills, housing at NYADA and the mortgage on the house. But they can't have no one replace him either, because with new and larger auto repair shops opening up all over Ohio, he can't afford to lose the business of those who come to him because at Hummel Tires and Lube they still take their time for the customers, still treat them like people instead of walking paychecks.

"Look Kurt, I'm not saying you can't work for me. In fact, I would have made you work in the shop anyway, because I'm not comfortable with you spending the summer in your boyfriend's apartment in New York, especially when you have no reason not to be home for the summer. I probably would have paid you a bit more, but I did expect you to help out. So I'm not refusing your help, but once the summer is over you'll be back at NYADA, okay?"

Most days, Burt admires how stubborn Kurt can be when it comes to things that are important to him but today he'd rather shake his son to make him listen to reason. Too bad he isn't only on bed rest because the doctor said so, but also because he still feels too weak to move around much.

"I can't dad. You might not be well enough by the time I have to go back to school and then I would burden you even more, because I know it isn't cheap for me to live in New York, even with the scholarship. I'll be seventeen soon. I know what I'm doing," Kurt informs him before he leaves the living room and runs upstairs.

Burt waits until he hears Kurt's door close again before he pulls out his cell phone and dials an already familiar number.

"Ms. Carson, who do I have to talk to about Kurt staying enrolled at NYADA?"

Kurt is lying under a large chestnut tree in the backyard, iPod turned up as loud as possible while he texts Blaine who has started moving his belongings into his new apartment, even though he won't be able to move in until after graduation. That's why he doesn't hear his dad approaching and only notices that he is not alone when a pair of worn down sneakers comes into his field of vision.

"Dad, you're not supposed to be up," Kurt exclaims and yanks the ear buds out of his ears. "You've heard what the doctor said."

His dad is leaning heavily on his cane, but apart from that he thankfully looks okay; not like he would collapse any moment now. Nevertheless, he quickly fetches a chair from the patio and helps his dad lower himself into it.

"I'm fine and he did say fresh air was good," his dad replies once he is seated before his expression becomes more serious.

"So I called NYADA and we've come up with a solution. You won't lose your spot as long as you return before midterms, practice on your own and either homeschool or go to school until you come back. Oh, and have filled out all the necessarily documents. I forwarded you the link, so please fill out the forms so I can sign them," his dad tells him and Kurt considers it for a moment.

"I could do homeschooling?" he asks because that would be perfect. He could work during the day and study in the evening. Unfortunately, his dad shakes his head.

"Neither Carole nor I are qualified for that, but you are missing the point. The point isn't to find a way to keep you here, it's to get you back to New York as soon as possible. So do we have a deal? If doctor Williams says I'm healthy enough to go back to work fulltime before your midterms, you'll go back to New York."

Kurt nods, because the only reason he wants to stay is to help out until is dad is better. He guides his dad back into the house before heading upstairs to his computer to fill out the forms his dad requested.

He does fill out his return form because he still wants to get out of Lima, but when he comes to his housing form he hesitates. Because living in the NYADA dorms isn't cheap and his scholarship doesn't cover them.

In the end he doesn't fill it out, because for one, another students who actually comes to school in August might need a room more, and it would be unfair to reserve one that he might not even get to use at all, and secondly, he'd save his dad some money if he could find a cheaper place to stay. Maybe at aunt Kate's if the commute was doable.

Before he carries the stack of papers downstairs for his dad to sign, he dials Blaine's number however, because this is a decision that impacts their relationship as well.

Blaine answers after the second ring and Kurt makes himself comfortable on his bed as he fills his boyfriend in on what's been going on since he returned to Lima.

"...so while it would suck a lot, there's a pretty big chance that I will have to finish high school in Ohio, or graduate a year late at NYADA. So if you want to rethink staying together, I'd understand."

He feels sick to his stomach just thinking about Blaine breaking up with him in addition to having to stay in Lima and going to school with Karofsky and his Neanderthal friends.

"I'm so sorry Kurt. It would make things so much harder for us, but I stand by what I said. I love you and I can't imagine my life without you."

Blaine sounds like he does when he's trying to hold back tears and Kurt guesses that's a pretty good sign that his boyfriend isn't lying and just trying to let him down gently.

He is still talking to Blaine about decorating ideas for the apartment when his dad calls from downstairs and Kurt promises to call back later.

Downstairs he hands his dad the filled out forms, but luckily his dad doesn't realize the housing form is missing.

"You look happy," his dad remarks while he puts the forms into an envelope, probably so he can mail them before Kurt changes his mind.

"Blaine called," Kurt replies, still smiling brightly.

"You should drive back to New York with Kate tomorrow. Go to his graduation. Because you won't see each other much if he's spending the summer in New York and you're here."

"But..." His dad doesn't even let him start.

"I'll be fine, Kurt. And I'd feel a lot better if you didn't miss your first boyfriend's high school graduation. Because I don't ever want you to resent me."

Kurt immediately shakes his head, because he could never hate his dad for something like that. But his dad also has a point. Blaine's plan had been to stay in New York over the summer to decorate and move into the apartment and to try to find a job and so far Blaine hasn't said anything about his plans changing. Who knew when they would see each other again if Kurt missed Blaine's graduation?

"Okay, I'll go. But you have to promise not to do anything stupid like walking around on your own before the doctor cleared it for you."

He holds out his hand for his dad to shake and his dad rolls his eyes before taking his hand.

"Deal. Now scram. 'Deadliest catch' is starting in a few minutes."

His dad doesn't have to ask him twice.

The green of his graduation robes brings out his eyes according to Kurt, but Blaine finds them just plain ugly. And the fact that they dwarf him next to the other graduating seniors doesn't make them any better. At least Kurt won't have to deal with that if he keeps growing the way he has the past year.

Cooper texts him while he as getting ready and once he is happy with his hair – not that you can see much of it underneath the cap - he hurries downstairs to meet his family. To his surprise Kurt's aunt is with them when Blaine arrives in the auditorium, highlighting Kurt's absence. He is still happy to see her, don't get him wrong, because she had been helping him and Kurt quite a lot, but she still isn't Kurt.

"Burt instructed me to bring my video camera so they can watch you get your diploma as well," Kate tells him after kissing him on both cheeks and Blaine is touched that Burt cares so much about him even though he is just the boyfriend.

His dad's graduation gift – in addition to the apartment – is to turn off his cell phone for the rest of the day, something that rarely happens and Blaine hugs his dad tight.

"I, uh, let your mother know about graduation, but she didn't call me back. I'm sorry," his dad tells him after Blaine releases him, and to his surprise it hurts less than before. He's gotten used to living without her and it would have been more of a shock if she had shown up.

"It's okay. I have the important family members here with me."

Cooper clutches his chest dramatically, causing him and his dad to laugh about his brother's antics.

Before long he is called behind the stage to wait with the rest of his class until the headmaster calls them onstage. He tunes out for a bit while the headmaster talks about responsibilities and the future but tunes back in when it's time for them to receive their diplomas.

He is the first in line as an Anderson and when his name is announced his head snaps up and he looks out into the crowd when Kurt's unmistakable voice cheers him on.

"Mr. Anderson?" the headmaster addresses him where he stands frozen on the stage and Blaine blushes before he hurries to accept his diploma.

He doesn't get a chance to talk to Kurt until after he joins Vocal Explosion on stage for their final song but once they are finally backstage again, he pulls Kurt aside immediately and smashes their lips together, only breaking for air when they absolutely have to.

"You came!" Blaine exclaims breathlessly before he pulls his boyfriend into a tight hug, knocking his cap off in the processes. All around them, the seniors are hugging their friends goodbye but Blaine can only focus on the feel of Kurt in his arms.

"Dad convinced me that I would regret not being here for this. And I missed you. I know it's only been a week but who knows when I'll see you again."

Blaine's face falls for a moment, because he hasn't figured his summer out yet, but right now he just wants to be happy about having Kurt back with him in New York. Even if it's probably just for the weekend.

"We'll figure something out. Do you want to come upstairs with me? I need to change because dad's taking us out for lunch."

Kurt nods. "I'd like to freshen up as well. Kate and I only arrived two hours ago and I know the places your dad usually takes us to."

Of course Kurt is right and his dad takes them to a restaurant in a side street off fifth avenue, one whose name he is sure Kurt has read in one of his magazines and told him repeatedly, but he forgot straight away.

The table is set for five people and Blaine looks at his dad in surprise.

"Did you know Kurt would be here?" His dad nods.

"Burt called me yesterday to tell me Kurt was coming and to make sure the two of you didn't play house the whole weekend. He was happy to hear that I plan to stay in your guest room."

"Bummer," Cooper teases and Blaine scowls at his brother.

"And where are you staying?"

His brother and Kate share a look and Kurt pretends to gag next to him.

The moment the waiter arrives they all at least act like grown ups and his dad orders a bottle of champagne for the table, before they all place their individual orders. When the waiter returns and their glasses are filled, his dad raises his glass.

"To Blaine and his future. I'm so proud of you, son and while I still think you would have made a great pianist, I'm sure you're going to take NYU by storm as well."

Kurt finds his hand under the table and squeezes it, when Blaine gets a little chocked up during his father's speech.

After that lunch passes without any incidents and Kurt and his dad ride back with him to NYADA to get his last boxes for his new apartment, while his brother and Kate leave to do god knows what. He didn't ask because he's sure neither he nor Kurt would like the answer.

His new apartment is still bare apart from the two beds that were delivered a few days ago, and the sofa and coffee table the previous tenants had left behind. Harmony isn't set to arrive until early August; plenty of time therefore to furnish the rest of the place under Kurt's guidance.

Together he and Kurt unpack his sheets so his boyfriend can take a nap while he and his dad go out to buy kitchen supplies. He had been surprised when his dad offered but his dad had shrugged it off and had mumbled something about wanting to spend time with him.

When they get back with the essentials, Kurt is awake and unpacking Blaine's suitcase, an iron board Blaine didn't even know was in the apartment standing next to the window.

"I hope you don't mind but I didn't want your clothes to get wrinkled."

Blaine wraps his arms around him from behind and kisses his cheek.

"Of course not."

For dinner Kurt makes good on his promise to teach the Andersons how to cook, because he won't allow Blaine to just live off junk food in his new apartment and who knows if Harmony is any less hopeless than Blaine.

They make stir fry rice with grilled chicken and an assortment of vegetables, Kurt ducks out and purchases at a store close to the apartment before he and Kurt sit down on the floor in front of the coffee table while his dad takes the couch.

His dad looks out of place with his chopsticks and colorful plate, but he also looks happier than Blaine has seen him in a long time. After dinner, he and Kurt take care off the dishes and it feels so domestic he understands what Burt meant by playing house.

Cooper calls just when they put away the last pan, inviting them out to a karaoke bar that would totally let Kurt in as well with three grown ups in tow. To his surprise his dad asks to join them as well.

"What? Let's just say that you didn't get your musicality from your mother," his dad pouts and Blaine shrugs because he's happy that his dad is taking an interest in the things he loves.

They have fun and his dad does have a surprisingly good voice, which he proves in a hilarious duet with Kate.

Sunday morning, he and Kurt head to Ikea, to his boyfriend's chagrin, to pick out more furniture for the apartment. Once they get to Brooklyn and inside the store, Kurt perks up however when Blaine gives him free reign to choose whatever he wants as long as he doesn't go over budget.

After making the arrangement to have the furniture delivered the next week, they meet his dad, Cooper and Kate for a late brunch, before it's time for his dad and Kurt to head to La Guardia. Kurt had protested at first when his dad had offered to take him back to Ohio by plane, but in the end his dad had convinced him, assuring Kurt that he had enough miles to fly to Europe and back for free.

Blaine is sure they attract some stares when he and Kurt pretty much make out in the terminal while his dad checks them in, but who cares. As much as he wants to follow Kurt to Ohio, he has to furnish the apartment, and he has an audition for an off off Broadway play the following Saturday.

But he isn't worried; not anymore. Sure not seeing Kurt all the time is going to suck spectacularly, but they are strong and as long as they keep communicating Blaine's certain they are going to make it.

"You know I'll never saying goodbye to you," Kurt whispers into his ear, when his dad returns to collect Kurt.

"Me too." It isn't as romantic as Kurt's proclamation but Blaine needs to return the sentiment.

"Call me when you're home?" Kurt nods and they hug and kiss once more until his dad clears his throat.

Blaine watches Kurt walk toward security, his shoulders slumping once Kurt is out of sight.

"So are you ready for this?" Quinn asks as they are packing up their room.

She hasn't stayed here long, but somehow she now owns even more stuff than she did before. Probably because sharing clothes with Brittany hadn't been practical anymore.

"I guess," Santana replies. "They're sending a social worker over first thing Monday morning to make sure I can actually stay with my mom for the rest of the summer. Which is fucked up. My mom was never a bad parent and I'm sixteen; I can take care of myself."

"At least you want to go home," Quinn scowls, throwing a pair of jeans into her suitcase with more force than necessary.

"I'm sorry Q. But you know; if it gets too hard you can always come stay with me. Screw social services."

Quinn nods but she looks resigned. It's not the first time Quinn has to go home, but Santana knows that she hasn't been home this long for a while.

"I can't believe my dad is making me go to a debutante ball. I've seriously considered telling him the truth just to get out of it. I haven't seen the guy who is escorting me since I was twelve." Santana frowns.

"Maybe tell them about Nick." Quinn shakes her head.

"Already tried that. My dad insists that I meet a proper gentleman, not run around with some 'sissy dancer'."

Quinn looks livid and Santana is tempted to punch Mr. Fabray in the face the next time she is forced to meet him.

Luckily, Brittany bounced through the door before Santana can make an actual plan to hurt Quinn's father.

"Can we go pick up Lord Tubbington now? Daddy just brought the last of my boxes to the car."

Britt had been disappointed that Santana wasn't going home with her this summer, but when Santana had offered to give up the cat, Brittany had been mollified. A genius idea on her part.

"Soon Britt Britt," she assures her girlfriend while she throws a t-shirt at Quinn.

"Don't be sad Quinn. You'll see us early August," Brittany pipes up again.

"Guys, I told you I'm not going this year. And it's way too late to apply now anyway," Quinn replies, not even looking up from where she's folding her shirts. They've had this conversation often enough.

"But San already signed you up and maybe we can cheer Kurt up as well," Brittany keeps going, ignoring the look Santana sends her.

To her surprise Quinn isn't mad. She's even smiling.

"You know what. If it gets me away from my family sooner, I'm in."

Brittany drags them both into a group hug and Santana holds on tight. Because for the first time in years, they are all doing their own thing this summer. And while she's going to miss Brittany, she can't wait to properly reconnect with her mother.

Finn's high school graduation is the week after Blaine's and the family piles into Carole's SUV to drive to McKinley together. Once they get there, Finn leaves to find the other graduates and Kurt makes his way through the high school in search of the guidance counselor, a Ms. Pillsbury. It makes sense to talk things over with her in case he has to go to McKinley in the fall.

Kurt immediately recognizes the petite woman from the homeless shelter and to his surprise she seems to know who he is as well.

"You must be Mercedes' friend. You have a lovely voice," she greets him, but doesn't offer him her hand to shake.

"Thank you. Um, like I told you when I called, there's a chance I might be going to McKinley this fall. I've brought my transcripts along for you to look through.

They left home early so they could find a good seat close to one of the exits because his dad isn't supposed to be on his feet too much yet, so there's plenty of time for him to work out his fall schedule with Ms. Pillsbury.

After looking through his transcripts she signs him up for mostly AP classes, which hopefully increases his chances of not sharing a class with a certain closeted bully.

"And of course Glee club. You'll have to audition but it's just a formality, especially in your case," Ms. Pillsbury continues and Kurt nods.

His dad texts him moments later, telling him to collect something of his.

He says goodbye to Ms. Pillsbury with a frown on his face, because his wallet, keys and phone are all in his pocket so he doesn't know what he supposedly lost.

Kurt nearly drops aforementioned phone when he spots Blaine sitting next to his family, animatedly chatting with his dad.

"But your audition," Kurt exclaims as soon as he reaches his boyfriend.

"I asked if I could do it one day earlier because I didn't want to miss my high school graduation and they agreed."

Kurt is about to go in for a kiss before he remembers where he is and that he may have to go to school with some of the people in the auditorium next year, so he settles on a brief hug.

Blaine frowns but thankfully doesn't comment on his unusual greeting and Kurt sits down on the empty seat next to Blaine. They hold hands however, because there are only parents in their row and he is certain none of those would say anything with his dad right next to him.

Both he and Blaine cheer when Harmony gives her valedictorian speech and before long the ceremony is over and Kurt climbs into Blaine's car for a little detour on the way to the house.

Once they reach the house, he pulls Blaine upstairs to his room for a few more minutes of peace and quiet before the McKinley Glee club arrives for his stepbrother's graduation party.

"So, have you talked to Finn yet?" Blaine asks while Kurt changes into something a little more comfortable.

"I've tried, but he's been dodging all my attempts. He's probably afraid I'll try to guilt trip him into staying," Kurt replies, as soon as his shirt is over his head.

"And you will you?" He shakes his head. Finn's mind is made up and if he is really joining the army where god knows what could happen, he'd rather they part on good terms.

"Okay. But tell me if I should give him the cold shoulder," Blaine offers and Kurt kisses him for his loyalty until they are both breathless and the doorbell rings.

Half an hour later, the party is in full swing. His dad is sitting in a chair on the patio with Carole next to him, both pointedly ignoring the alcohol Finn's friend Puck has brought along.

Mercedes and Harmony are singing a duet on the karaoke machine Sugar has lent them, and Tina and her boyfriend Mike are trying to dance along with Sam. When he spots Finn going inside, Kurt sees his opportunity. After making sure his dad is distracted, he grabs two bottles of beer – definitely not his drink of choice but it will have to do for the purpose of the talk – and follows Finn into the house.

Finn is refilling the chips bowl when Kurt finds him in the kitchen. Before he can bolt again, Kurt blocks the doorway and holds out the two beers.

"Open them for us?"

After a moment of hesitation, Finn puts down the chips bag and takes the beers from Kurt. Once they are open he hands one back and Kurt reluctantly takes a sip. He's never liked the taste when Blaine kissed him after drinking beer and it isn't much better straight from the bottle, but Finn smiles at him when he seems him drinking it.

After another sip he puts the bottle down however.

"Listen Finn. I'm not going to tell you what to do again. Just promise me you'll be careful."

Finn looks surprised but nods.

"I'm sorry too, for calling you selfish. You just did what you had to to get out of this town and I'm sorry for saying you didn't have a good enough reason," he adds to Kurt's surprise.

When Kurt doesn't say anything he quickly continues.

"And I'm sorry for ditching you, but I'll send some money."

"You know Dad would never accept that. But thanks for offering. And I still think that you have nothing to prove, but if this is really that important to you, I guess you have my blessing. Not that you need it."

"It means a lot to me. Thanks, du- ah, bro."

When Finn opens his arms for him, Kurt steps into them and they share a hug, something they rarely do.

After, Finn picks up his beer again, and when he sees Kurt's expression he chuckles.

"Do you want me to drink that? Puck brought some wine coolers for the girls. Not that I think you are a girl." Finn immediately backtracks but Kurt just nods gratefully.

In a corner of the backyard, away from their parents' eyes, they share a drink, toasting brotherhood, which had seemed unlikely not too long ago.

His dad and Carole say goodnight around nine – his dad exhausted from being off the couch for so long – but before they go in, his dad calls him, Blaine and Finn over.

"I want a picture of all my boys together. Because who knows when we'll all be together like this again."

Blaine tries to protest briefly but one look from his dad shuts him right up and he get in line next to Kurt while Carole asks one of the glee clubbers to take the picture.

He sets it as his background picture later that night with Blaine's already sound asleep next to him. Because after he came so close to losing parts of his unconventional family, he always wants to carry a piece of it with him.

With the future as uncertain as it is right now, he at least knows for certain that come what may, he has people in his live who love and care for him unconditionally.

AN: That's it for season 2. As I've mentioned before this was Finn's last episode. He'll still be mentioned every now and then but he won't actually show up again.

Season 3 will come January 2014. If there are any characters you'd like to see as NYADA freshman, let me know.

Thanks for reading and I'll be back with this once I've finished my other projects.