Trent was worried. He knew Kurt and Blaine liked to be alone, they were always making out or just sitting together staring into each others eyes. He saw them sneak away from parties or just a group gathering all the time, but he was pretty sure neither of his friends would desert the family picnic for very long. They were both polite to a fault, and leaving the picnic for the rest of the afternoon didnt seem like something either of them would do.

Kurt had told him that he and Blaine were taking a walk in the woods, but that was quite a while ago. Hed seen Blaine get upset with Cooper, and that could be part of the reason – Susan had asked Trent not to mention her relationship with Coop to Blaine, so it must have been a surprise to him. That just didnt seem like a reason for the two to be gone for so long. It was getting dark now, heading on towards evening and everything had been packed back on the cart and all the family was getting ready to walk back home.

“Trent, have you seen Blaine and Kurt?” his mother called to him from the cart. “I think we should let Kurt ride part way back home with his sore leg.”

“No, Mom. I havent seen them for a while. Ill go have a look,” Trent offered. He then walked over to his mom to say in confidence, “Blaine likes to sit in the summerhouse when hes upset. He used to go there when he was missing his folks. He might have taken Kurt to show it to him?”

“Okay, son. Just let them know were leaving in a few minutes,” she said, looking just a bit worried.

“I will, Mom, dont worry,” Trent assured her.

Trent had walked almost to the summerhouse when he heard a noise. It sounded close and around the bend in the path he saw Kurt lying on the ground, Blaine holding him and both of them had tears running down their faces.

“Hey, what happened? Are you okay, Kurt?” Trent asked, rushing towards them quickly - thinking Kurt had fallen and hurt himself. “I can go get Cooper....”

“No, were okay. Kurt got some bad news, but were fine. We were just getting ready to come back,” Blaine said. Trent looked at them, wondering what Blaine was covering up. Hed known Blaine since they were babies and he could tell there was something under the surface -something going on that was upsetting both of his friends.

“If you want, I can take the family home and come back with the cart for you?” Trent suggested. He knew neither one of them wanted to be interrogated by his seven sisters – and that is exactly what would happen. Then with his mom involved...

“Would you mind? That would be so great of you, Trent. We would appreciate it so much,” Blaine gushed. He had been so worried about how to get Kurt back to the dorms and this would be perfect.

“Okay, Ill be back in twenty minutes or so,” Trent said and he was gone.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

“You okay now, Beau? Can you get up and walk with me back to the picnic table?” Blaine asked gently. He was still worried about Kurt, who hadnt said another word.

“Yes....just give me a hand and we can go,” Kurt murmured.

Blaine got Kurt back on his feet, gathered the handkerchiefs filled with mushrooms, and put a supporting arm around Kurts waist. They walked slowly back through the darkening woods and sat on the bench by the table.

“Hey, I didnt even get a piece of your Black Forest cake, Beau,” Blaine tried to tease his boyfriend, but Kurt just sat there, looking at Blaine with wet eyes.

Trent got back with the horse and cart a few minutes later. Someone was sitting with him in the cart and Blaine figured out it was his brother by the time they were close enough to see in the gloaming dark.

“Blaine, are you alright?” Cooper asked as he got down from the cart and came over to his brother and Kurt.

“Yeah, were okay. Kurt just needs to get back to the dorm and get some rest,” Blaine said, his face asking Cooper to butt out. Cooper ignored the obvious message.

“Kurt, whats going on?” Coop asked him directly.

Kurt buried his face in Blaines chest for a moment, trying to gather himself to answer a question he had no idea how to phrase. Blaines arms went around Kurt of their own accord, the muscle memory having been set after so many days of doing just that. Kurt sat back up, his swollen eyes on Blaine.

“Tell them,” was all Kurt could say.

Blaine took a deep breath.

“You know Kurt had cancer and thats why he had to have his leg amputated when he was nine,” Blaine began. Coop knew this, but Trent had never been told the details. Both nodded for Blaine to go on.

“Every year he has to have a PET scan, to check for cancer, and he had it on Friday. They usually send a letter a few days after saying it was negative. Well, Kurts doctors office called and told him to be there at eight oclock in the morning on Monday.”

Cooper sat down beside Kurt and took him in his own arms. Kurt leaned heavily on the larger man, accepting the hug and all the warmth Cooper offered. Then Trent came and hugged him, too. Cooper held out his arms to his brother and Blaine practically ran to him, pulling his big brother close.

“Kurt, you know that there is a chance that this is nothing. I know how it sounds and how it feels. I have to give my patients bad news all too often, but it could just be that they need to do a part of the test over or they found something that needs further clarification. Do you understand that?” Coop asked.

Kurt nodded, but everyone could see he didnt believe it.

“Do you want to go home to your dad tonight? Ill drive you there right now if you want,” Coop offered.

Kurt sat still for just a moment before he nodded his head.

“Yes, please, Cooper. I need my dad. Can.....could...ah....Blaine come with me – and stay for the doctors appointment on Monday? Please?” Kurt begged.

“Of course. Ill deal with the school. Lets get you back to your dorm room and you can pack,” Coop advised. “Ill bring my car around and we can leave right away.”

Trent helped Kurt into the horse cart and they rode back to Candelaria Hall in silence. Kurt sat beside Blaine, holding on as if there were no tomorrow and they had to practically pry him away to get him out of the cart.

“Im going to go put the horse in the barn and Ill be right back,” Trent said.

On the way to the barn he called Sheila.

“Hey, can you meet me at the Dalton barn? I need to get back to Kurt and Blaine, but the horse needs to be put up for the night. Any chance you can help me out?”

“Sure, Ill be right there. I was just getting ready to head home, but Im in no hurry. See you there in a few,” Sheila said.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

Trent was taking the harness off when Sheila walked into the barn.

“Thanks a million, I need to get back to Kurt. I owe you one,” he said hastily as he turned to go back to the dorm.

“Whats wrong?” she asked.

I cant say, its not my story to tell, but just say a prayer for Kurt, okay?” Trent asked. Sheila nodded and Trent was gone.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

“I got back in time,” he said, walking back in the dorm room. “Tell me what I can do to help,” he offered.

“I need to fold those clothes on my bed and get them in my overnight case,” Blaine said from the bathroom where he was gathering his toiletries for the trip.

Trent packed both bags for Blaine and Kurt. Kurt just sat in the overstuffed chair looking out the window.

“Kurt, Im so sorry, man. Im praying for you. Can you have Blaine call when you talk to the doctor?”

Kurt nodded absently, not moving his gaze from the path in front of the building. He was still sitting and looking out the window.

“Ill be waiting for the call. You know were all pulling for you, always,” he said, taking Kurts hand and holding it until Blaine was ready to go.

“Theres Cooper. Should we call your dad before we leave? Would it be better if he knows youre coming home?” Blaine asked.

“Yeah. I dont want to tell him why until were there. You know, with his heart and everything. But yes, we should tell him were coming,” Kurt said, searching his pockets for the cell phone.

“Dont worry, Beau, Ill call him,” Blaine offered and Kurt nodded his consent.

There was no putting Burt off once Blaine told him they were on their way to Lima. He knew immediately that something was wrong with Kurt. He had been having a strange feeling of unease all day, he wasnt able to settle anywhere and had paced the house for hours.

“What exactly is going on, Blaine? Dont make me guess,” he demanded. Blaine put the cell on speaker and nudged Kurt to speak to his dad.

“Gloria called from the doctors office. She told me to be there when they open on Monday morning,” Kurt said in a monotone, then pushed the cell phone away.

“Mr. Hummel? Yeah. I dont think Kurt wants to talk, but well be there in about an hour,” Blaine said.

“Okay. Are you driving, Blaine?”

“No. Cooper is driving us. It was his idea to take Kurt home.”

“Okay, tell him thanks. Ill be here waiting, thanks for calling me,” Burt said and hung up.

Kurt was sitting next to Blaine in the back seat, leaning against him. He grabbed Blaines arm after a while and pulled it close around himself, holding on tightly.

“Hey, baby...were going to take care of you,” Blaine cooed quietly, running his fingers through Kurts soft hair. “You know I wont leave your side,” Blaine reassured him over and over.

Kurt closed his eyes and curled himself up as tightly as he could to his boyfriends side – as close as the seatbelt allowed. He tried to lie down, but after a struggle, he settled for just being close enough to snuggle into his arms and let him stroke through his hair.

“Were almost there, Kurt,” Cooper said, exiting the ramp from the highway and turning down the main street leading to Burts neighborhood. In a few minutes they pulled up in the Hummel driveway and Coop looked up to see Burt walking towards them. He must have been waiting on the porch.

Blaine caressed Kurts cheek to wake him up. Hed dozed off several times on the way and appeared to be asleep now. Blinking his eyes, Kurt sat up, holding his back as if he was in pain. His eyes got wide when he looked up, “Daddy?”

“Hey, buddy....” Burt said, opening the door. Blaine undid the seatbelt and Burt lifted his son in his arms and walked inside. He nodded at the Anderson brothers to come along. Cooper got the backpacks out of the trunk and followed Blaine inside.

Setting all the overnight cases and backpacks in the front hall, Blaine and Cooper followed the sound of Burts voice into the den where they found Burt seated on the sofa, holding Kurt in his arms. His eyes were swollen and very red, but there were no tears on Burts face. He was rocking Kurt, who had curled up into his fathers lap and was sobbing once again, his face buried in his shirt. The scent of Old Spice and motor oil, the comfort of the thick, soft flannel, even the sounds of his fathers faithful heartbeat brought Kurt back to the days when he was first diagnosed and Burt had rocked him to sleep every night.

They all sat in silence, just watching the man and his son. Finally Kurt seemed to have fallen asleep once more.

“Burt, lets let Blaine hold him for a few minutes. I want to check you over, okay?” Cooper said in his no-nonsense doctors voice. Burt looked at him, a bewildered expression on his face.

“I want to check your blood pressure and heart, okay?” Cooper said again, opening the medical bag he had brought in from his car to take out the blood pressure kit and stethoscope. Burt didnt say anything, just allowed Blaine to take his place holding Kurt and went over to sit beside Cooper.

He took Burts blood pressure, listened to his heart, asked a few questions concerning what medicine Burt was taking and his medical history surrounding his heart attack.

“I think youre fine, Mr. Hummel. Kurt has told me about your heart attack, so I thought it best to check and give his mind some ease,” Coop explained as he put the instruments back in the bag.

“Thanks, Coop. I didnt think of that...” Burt said, giving Coop a half-smile.

“I can stay as long as you need me,” Coop offered, speaking to both Burt and Blaine.

“Thanks. Mr. Hummel? I wanted to ask if I can stay here until Kurt goes to the doctor? He wants me to go with him, too, if thats okay with you,” Blaine asked, fear in his eyes.

“Yeah, Blaine. I think that will be the best thing for Kurt if he asked you to. Go ahead and put your stuff in his bedroom,” Burt said, his eyes never leaving Kurts face.

Coop helped Blaine take all the things down the hall to Kurts room. Blaine hung up Kurts clothes and put the other things in drawers and on the bathroom shelf. He knew it wasnt necessary, that they were only going to have to pack it back up again, but he wanted to give Kurt some time with his dad. No matter how close Blaine had come to be with his boyfriend, he instinctively knew that Burt would be able to make Kurt feel safer than he ever could. That thought – that he just wasnt adequate - filled Blaine and made his skin shiver and quake.

“What is it, Squirt?” Cooper asked, watching his baby brother struggle.

“I...I dont know if I can say it,” Blaine answered.

Cooper got up and went to Blaine, who fell into his arms. Ever since he lost his parents, Cooper had been father, mother, guardian, and mentor to Blaine. These were the arms Blaine felt safe in, but he was very afraid that if the news on Monday was what they were all thinking – even Coopers embrace couldnt make him feel safe ever again.

“Hey, Squirt. Im here. I know it doesnt do any good to tell you not to worry, because were all worried, but you know Kurt is strong. He beat this once, and Im sure he can do it again if he has to. Hell have you to lean on this time, and I know youre going to be strong enough for him.”

“Thanks, Coop. Ill do my best,” Blaine said, more to reassure himself than to answer Coop.

Burt came in to the bedroom. He was carrying a sleeping Kurt and laid him down on the bed.

“I think he needs rest. Probably better if he sleeps for now. Well have to get through tomorrow before we see the doc on Monday,” Burt explained. “Come on in to the kitchen, I have some beef stew heated up, you can eat before you drive back to Westerville, Coop.”

They trailed after Burt, sitting in the cozy kitchen and eating bowls of fragrant stew with crusty French bread.

“Can I ask about Kurts cancer he had as a child?” Cooper asked Burt.

Burt sighed. He thought he should be used to speaking about it by now, but every time he got the same dread in his belly, the same disbelief that Kurt actually had cancer after all the pain of losing Elizabeth.

“He had osteosarcoma. They had done one round of radiation before the docs realized that it wasnt working. They spent so much time on that, it was too late to try chemo to kill the sarcoma – the tumor had almost doubled in size by then. So they took his leg. The tumor was in his knee. Of course afterwards they did the chemo to make sure it was gone,” Burt had changed to a dull monotone while he recited the facts, but at the end he was reaching into his pocket for his handkerchief to dab at his eyes and blow his nose.

Coop patted his back, but Blaine came over and hugged his boyfriends dad, hoping to make him feel at least a tiny bit better. It must have worked because But gave Blaine a little smile before taking a long drink from his water glass.

“Im not an oncologist, but I think its rare for osteosarcoma to grow back after an amputation. It sound like they caught it early if its there now. If it was in later stages they would have him in the hospital by now,” Cooper said, hoping his view was correct.

They sat for a while longer until Blaine heard Kurt moaning from the bedroom. He got up, excused himself, and ran for the room, skidding around the corner on the parquet flooring, then launching himself at the bed.

“Kurt? Are you okay?” he breathed out, the fear showing in his eyes as Kurt jerked awake.

“Blaine? Oh, Blaine, hold me, please. Tell me Im okay?” Kurt pleaded. “I was having this terrible nightmare...”

“Of course youre okay, Beau...” Blaine laid beside Kurt and held him, saying loving things to him as he stroked his forehead and held him in his arms.

“Thank you, Bee, youre the best...” Kurt murmured before falling back asleep. This time Blaine stayed with him, holding him. Cooper came in later to leave a kiss on his brothers cheek and to say goodbye. Blaine tried to blink awake, but he was worn out from the picnic, the mushroom hunting, and mostly the stress of this new chapter in their lives. He was so scared, but had to put up a brave front so he didnt upset Kurt needlessly.

A while later, after Cooper drove back to Westerville, Burt came in to check on Kurt. Both boys were sound asleep, Kurt in his silk pajamas and Blaine in a T-shirt and boxers.

“Hold him safe, Blaine,” was all Burt said and he thought Blaine nodded, but he wasnt sure.

Sundays dawn came and it wasnt long before the sun was shining in Kurts east-facing window, painting the room with bright light. Kurt woke first, looking intently at Blaines sleeping face. He could see the tracks where tears had made thick trails down his face, and that brought new tears to Kurt. He should have called his father to come get him, not told Blaine anything – he should have spared him this awful waiting for doom to strike.

It was a double-edged sword, however. If he hadnt told Blaine, then all of the worry and fear would be balanced on his dads shoulders. Kurt wondered if it was better to share the tragic things and if that really lessened the burden for all concerned, or if was better not to tell Blaine at all. The answer was just academic, though, since Blaine knew now, there was no reason to speculate whether things would have been better or worse if hed taken a different action.

Blaine moved in the bed, taking in a deep breath of air as he turned on his back. Kurt hummed a quiet tune, hoping to lull Blaine back to sleep. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked tired. Kurt tried to sneak out from under Blanes arm, but as he started to stir, his fingers curled around Kurts body and hauled him closer.

“Dont go, baby, I need you here,” Blaine mumbled, an adorable whine in his voice. Kurt wanted to stay, he would never want to upset Blaine, but he had to use the restroom. His full bladder was beginning to ache a little from being denied.

Kurt squirmed a bit more, wriggling out of Blaines embrace, and finding himself twenty feet from the bathroom door with no cane, crutch, or wheelchair and minus his prosthesis. Well, he could just hop. He learned to do that years ago, but used that mode very infrequently in the past few years because he thought he looked ridiculous doing it. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so he hopped to the bathroom door, pushing it almost shut behind him as he rushed to get to the facilities.

Blaine woke up as he felt a cool breeze drift under the blanket. He turned, confused for a moment until he looked around and saw he was in Kurts room. He smiled, anxious to see his beautiful boyfriend in the light of morning. It was just a few more moments before he remembered why they were in Lima and his face fell. He heard a noise in the bathroom and then the door opened and Kurt came back in, hopping on his one leg. Blaine jumped forward, catching Kurt who giggled.

Smiles broke out all over Blaines face, so happy to hear the joyful sound coming from his boyfriends mouth. He kissed him chastely, wanting to brush his teeth before anything more intimate.

“I bet youre hungry. You slept through supper last night, Beau. How about I fix you something to eat?” Blaine offered.

“I would love something to eat. Here, let me get dressed and get my leg on while you do your morning routine, then I can come with you. We can have the morels with eggs for breakfast. We did bring the mushrooms with us, didnt we?” Kurt asked.

“Yeah, I put them in a sack, theyre in the kitchen,” Blaine said.

“My dad loves mushrooms and we havent been hunting for them in ages. I know it will cheer him up if I make them for breakfast, then we can have mushroom soup for supper,” Kurt smiled. Blaine studied his face for a moment, not wanting to startle Kurt, but he was concerned. He was completely broken last night, but appeared cheerful this morning. Blaine looked into Kurts eyes and saw the deep pain there, so he knew it hadnt really changed. Kurt was trying to put up a front for his dad and Blaine.

“Okay, baby, lets go and start some breakfast,” Blaine agreed. He promised himself he would stay close and keep an eye on the boy he loved.

“Hey, kiddo!” Burt greeted his son when he walked into the kitchen, newspaper in hand and slippers and bathrobe in place.

“Good morning, Mr. Hummel,” Blaine said, standing by the stove with one of Kurts aprons covering his oxford shirt. He had a spatula in hand and was watching whatever was in the pan with an eagle eye, his other hand around Kurts waist.

“Hi, Dad, did you sleep well?” Kurt asked, worry in his voice as he eyed his fathers relaxed way of dressing. He was used to his dad being dressed in flannel shirts and jeans by breakfast time, hush-puppies on his feet laced and tied - even on Sundays.

“No, cant say I got very much sleep, buddy. But Ill take a nice nap this afternoon when I get back in from mowing the lawn,” Burt said.

“I can do that for you, Mr. Hummel. Id be glad to lend a hand where its needed,” Blaine smiled at his boyfriends father.

“Well see, I need the exercise but maybe we can switch off – you do the front and Ill do the back or something,” Burt said, sitting down at the country pine table. He spread the newspaper out to read the sports page and set the leisure and fashion sections near Kurts place.

“Hey, what smells so good?” Burt asked, sniffing the air and trying to place the distinctive odor.

“When Blaine and I were walking in the woods yesterday we found some mushrooms. Im going to make mushroom soup, but these Im sautéing to put on the omelet...” Kurt started to say but was interrupted by Burt.

“Morels!” he shouted. “Wow, I havent had a morel in at least three years! Thanks, boys. I love those delicious little bites of heaven,” Burt crowed, his eyes twinkling as he licked his lips in anticipation of the gourmet meal he was about to have.

Cooking done, Kurt arranged the three plates to look as good as they smelled and Blaine poured the hot tea and got little glasses for the orange juice.

Everyone was quiet throughout the meal as they ate the delicacy. Burt didnt even seem to notice that it was turkey bacon instead of the pork he preferred but could no longer eat.

“Wow, these are delicious!” Blaine said, taking another small bite of morel, savoring each mouthful.

After breakfast, Burt left to get dressed and Blaine went to change into something suitable for lawn mowing and they all went about their morning plans. Kurt didnt do much. He was so worried about what was going to happen in the morning, his stomach was upset and he couldnt seem to take an interest in anything. He tried to read his new Marie Claire magazine, and even though it was the issue with Heidi Klum showing off her favorite Project Runway looks from all the past years, Kurt set it down. He was in no mood to force himself to be happy when he might find out the next day that he could have a new tumor somewhere in his body, waiting to kill him.

Blaine came in with grass stains on his knees, grass clippings in his hair, and a smile on his face.

“Hey, Beau! Im done with my part. I offered to do it all, but your dad is a stubborn man. Now I know how you came by it,” he snickered and Kurt rolled his eyes. He was proud of being as stubborn as his old man. It was part of their blood.

“Go take a long, hot shower and change into something suitable to cook in,” Kurt demanded, dodging away as Blaine came close to get a kiss.

“Hey!! I need a kiss to have strength to go take a shower, Beau. Please?” Blaine laughed, stealing a quick peck on Kurts rosy-blushed cheek.

“Okay, just one tiny kiss then,” Kurt conceded. Blaine grabbed his shoulders and dipped him backwards, one arm sliding around Kurts waist to keep him from falling as Blaine kissed him deeply. It must have been good because Kurt didnt give one peep about the grass clippings that fell down the front of his shirt.

“After those morels for breakfast, I am craving your mushroom soup for supper!” Blaine called out as he came into the den where Kurt was resting, his foot up on the arm of the sofa, his body stretched out on the cushions.

“I was thinking I might have you cook the soup. I can be there with you to show you how, but have you do it so you can learn,” Kurt said, his mind obviously on something else. He had little frown lines and the corners of his mouth didnt join in the smile as he turned his attention to his boyfriend.

“I would love cooking lessons from the famous Chef Kurt!” Blaine said, making a funny fake French accent as he pretended to twirl the end of an imaginary moustache. He leaned closer and took Kurts hand, kissing all along from his wrist to his shoulder and making loud humming noises as he did so. He got a reluctant smile from the object of his affection, which made him turn on the charm even further. He saw a rose in a vase on the coffee table, part of the bouquet hed bought for Kurt a week ago, and put the red rose in his teeth.

“Or we can dance the tango! Imagine us on the French Riviera, wearing Italian silk suits, an orchestra tuning up in the background. There you sit, so beautiful that no one dares to approach....and suddenly....” Blaine grabbed Kurt, picking him up and holding him close, his arms wrapped around him...

“You are swept off your feet by the dashing young cavalier....Senior Andersucci, the most famous tango dancer in the world! Everyone is taken aback, all eyes are on the lucky man that has been chosen to dance...” Blaine helped Kurt to get his balance, then began to dance with Kurt, an exaggerated tango, as he hummed th tune. Kurt was almost doubled over in giggles as Blaine swirled him around the room, kissing his neck – which tickled since he still had the flower gripped in his teeth.

Burt walked in from mowing the lawn to hear a commotion in the den and stepped around the corner to find the boys dancing a very loose version of the tango, Blaine dipping Kurt in an exaggerated swoop as Kurt giggled and blushed. Blaine, the rose in his teeth, holding Kurt tightly and smiling into his face. Burt loved the sweet expression on Kurts face and thanked his lucky stars that Kurt had Blaine in his life.

The afternoon was quiet, Kurt taught Blaine how to make Zupa Grzybowa, the mushroom soup that his grandmother made.

“Grandma came here as a young person and the local food that was available wasnt the same as in her native Poland, so like most people in the same boat, she tested flavors, tried different but similar ingredients, and made her cooking a mixture of her childhood home and the new country,” Kurt explained to Blaine.

“She must have been an amazing woman,” Blaine smiled, thinking her grandson inherited quite a bit of her courage and self preservation.

“I dont know that she was more brave than any other woman in the same position. Coming here wasnt her idea, she was a victim of her time. She made the best of what she was offered and worked hard for a foothold – but that can be said of millions of other people, too. I think we just do what is necessary to live our lives,” Kurt said. He loved his grandmother and was proud of what she accomplished in her life, but he was under no delusion that she was so very different than her contemporaries.

“Id give her a little more credit than that, Kurt. Dont be modest, I think you got some of your fighting spirit from her, didnt you?” Blaine asked.

“I know you mean well, Bee, but I have to say that I hate it when people say how “brave” I am, or how I “fought the good fight”. It isnt as though I sought out cancer so I could show off my courage. I was unlucky enough to get cancer- no, I was cursed with it. Just after losing my mother! I didnt want to fight...I dont think any of my actions were me fighting. I sat in my room and cried, I yelled at doctors, I pushed my own father away and asked God to take me. I was not brave. I gave up hope and just let the medical people do what they said they had to do and I hated every bit of it, and I was not a nice person at all.

“I think the only person I was really actively fighting was myself. Dont believe all these human interest stories about kids being strong and brave and fighting their illness – probably less than 10 percent of them are really fighting. The rest are just letting life do its best to kill them. And the kids have no idea how to change that, so in their shock they just let life happen to them,” Kurt said with bitter words. He grew disgusted with himself and threw the wooden spoon he was using to stir the soup down in the sink and walked to his room, slamming the door behind him.

“Whats going on?” Burt asked, coming to see what was up with the boys.

“Kurts just upset. Hes been holding it in all day and I think he just got to the frayed end of his rope. Hes in his room....that was his door you heard,” Blaine said, still standing by the stove, stirring the mushroom soup. He lowered the heat under the pot and set the spoon down.

“I kind of figured that was it. You okay, kid?” Burt asked.

“Yeah, as okay as I can be. I said something without knowing how he would react. I bet wrong...it was a stupid thing to say,” Blaine admitted, looking guilty.

“Yeah? What did you say?” Burt asked.

Blaine told him the basics of the conversation between himself and Kurt.

“I wish I could have warned you, but even I never know whats going to set him off. I never did. He just needs some time to stew for a while. Id give him twenty minutes or so, then go in. You know – and I guarantee he knows – it wasnt your fault. You didnt say anything wrong. Hes just trying to deal with everything right now. You understand, dont you?” Burt asked. He looked stressed himself and Blaine felt bad hed been a part of that.

“Yeah, its a lot to take in. I was amazed he was doing so well today, Id expected him to be a lot less cheerful,” Blaine admitted.

“How soon until supper? That soup smells like home,” Burt smiled.

“Kurt said its just about done. Its been simmering for a while to let the flavors mellow and the barley cook all the way through. It sure smells great,” Blaine said, stirring the pot to give his hands something to do.

Knock Knock

Burt turned and walked to the door.

“Hello, Mr. Hummel. Im Trent Barnes. We met at Dalton, Im a friend of Kurt and Blaine,” the boy said, holding his hand out to shake with Burt.

“Oh, of course, Trent. Blaine is in the kitchen, come right in,” Burt said, taking Trents coat.

He guided him to the kitchen where Blaine got a huge smile on his face when he saw who was there.

“Trent! Whats brought you to Lima?”

“I came to see you and Kurt. I thought I might be of some use plus my mother made this for you,” he said, setting a covered cake plate down on the table. He removed the lid to reveal a cake with white frosting, chocolate roses and cherries decorating the top. “Its a Black Forest Cake. You didnt get any of the one Kurt made for the picnic...and you know my mother. She thinks baked goods are a cure for all the worlds evils,” he said, an indulgent look on his face as he thought about his mom.

“You know well love it,” Blaine grinned.

Trent walked closer, sitting when Blaine waved his hand to indicate a chair.

“So, how is Kurt doing?” Trent asked, his big green eyes showing his deep concern. He reached out to hold Blaines hand to offer support.

“Im fine, and let go of my boyfriends hand,” Kurt said from the doorway, causing Trent to jump. He stood to try and explain himself, but didnt get a chance as Kurt rushed forward and hugged him.

“Trent, it was so sweet of you to come, thank you,” Kurt gushed, pulling back to see Trents face before giving him another hug.

“I was worried, Kurt. I know youre going to be at the doctors tomorrow, but I wanted to come to see if I could do anything to help you now,” Trent said, pulling out Kurts chair so he could sit down.

“I think were doing okay. Blaine is spoiling me rotten as he always does,” Kurt said, smiling at the boy sitting beside him. Kurt took Blaines hand and kissed the knuckles, then brought it to his cheek. The love-light shining in his eyes was enough to make Blaine feel weak in the knees and he turned his hand over to lace their fingers together.

“I just wanted to show you my support,” Trent said, “I better get back on the road.”

“Nonsense!” Burt said, standing in the doorway. “Blaine and Kurt made supper. Stay and eat with us, Trent. This is a long way to drive just to drop off a cake. You are welcome in my house, please stay for supper.”

“Yes, please stay for supper,” Kurt echoed, fixing Trents green eyes with his blue ones.

“Okay, I guess you twisted my arm. It does smell good. What are we having?”

“Kurt taught me how to make his grandmothers Polish mushroom soup,” Blaine told him, smiling at Kurt once again.

“You should stay anyway – we found the mushrooms on your property,” Kurt grinned. “Blaine and I were walking in the woods when I saw the first few, so we collected enough to make soup. I hope that was okay?”

“Of course. I dont think anyone has ever picked mushrooms from there before, you might as well make good use of them,” Trent agreed.

They had big bowls of the rich, savory soup with bread and for dessert they each had a slice of Mrs. Barnes Black Forest cake.

“That was wonderful!” Trent said, “My compliments to the chefs,” he grinned bowing to Kurt and Blaine. “Now, let me help with the washing up.”

“Nope, thats my job tonight. You boys go sit in the den, Ive got this,” Burt said, shooing them out of the kitchen.

After visiting for a while, Trent had to go to get back to his dorm before dark.

“Well, we find out tomorrow I guess,” Kurt said, knowing he had to bring up the subject.

“If youre okay with it, can you call me – or have Blaine call me? I didnt say anything to anyone but you know Ill be worried,” Trent said, searching Kurts eyes to be sure he wasnt over stepping.

“Yeah, of course well call you,” Kurt assured him as they said goodnight.