The conversation with his father seemed to open a floodgate of words between them and although Blaine didn't speak for too long, there was more dialogue, casual and important, than there had been for a long time.

Before Blaine would leave for school he started to describe what he had planned that day, what he expected Robyn to get up to and what he might do after school with Kurt. Over dinner he shared what he sang in glee club, what he had learnt at school, what assignments he was finding tough. Will listened and his eyes would glisten as his mouth twitched into a smile, so aware of the amazing leap Blaine had made in the last few days. He himself always found conversation difficult, always aware of his failings and already feeling that parenting was harder on his own. He knew his wife had been much better at discussing things with her sons, having a way of handling any situation calmly and with love but as he listened to Blaine, he realised he didn't need to be superdad, he could just listen, that was all Blaine wanted and needed.

Blaine explained he would grab a quick dinner after school at a burger joint before meeting Kurt at the ice skating rink and at the news Will raised a single eyebrow.

"Ice skating? You haven't done that in years."

"I know," Blaine said grimacing, "And I'm sure I'll make a complete idiot of myself but Kurt wants to so..."

"You like this guy don't you?" Will asked quietly but with a growing smile on his face.

Blaine looked at his dad with wide eyes and an open mouth. Had he been that obvious?

"What? I don't... I mean I - " Blaine started.

"Blaine," Will said, touching Blaine's hand as it trembled in front of his stomach, "Its fine. I never thought I'd have these conversations with you but I don't mind, I was just never good at this kind of stuff, your mother was..." he let his voice trail away, both of them knowing what was left unsaid. "But you do like spending time with this Kurt and your face lights up when you speak about him; I'd have to be a complete idiot not to realise." Will ended with a small laugh and Blaine relaxed.

"Yeah, I guess," Blaine said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Is he gay too?"

"Yeah."

"Well then there's a chance that he likes spending time with you too?"

"I don't know dad," Blaine said, a slight blush on his cheeks, "I mean I rang him up on this hotline, a complete stranger. He probably thinks I'm some kind of basket-case and just pities me."

"Blaine, people don't stick around after they think they've helped unless they really want to and he seems like a nice guy. He's been going out of his way to see you, ice skating next? I think he's a genuine friend, don't worry about that."

"Thanks dad," Blaine said, suddenly feeling relieved. He knew his dad was a practical man who would never lie so to hear him say those things was a good sign. He suddenly wanted Kurt to meet his dad and wondered if he could broach the subject later at the rink.

"Well I better go, Kurt will be waiting," Blaine said as he grabbed a jacket.

"You look nice Blaine," Will said as he patted Blaine on the back awkwardly, "Have a really nice time."

"Thanks dad, I'll try."

---

Kurt was there already when Blaine arrived and had clearly been on the ice for a while as he swooped to the barrier as soon as he saw Blaine.

"Hey," Kurt said, looking rosy from the cold, "I was starting to think you wouldn't turn up."

"No I'd never let you down," Blaine said.

"Good, that's what I was hoping," Kurt said, beaming, "Come on, get your skates on."

Blaine was soon on the rink wobbling to the side to hold on and looking at Kurt in amazement.

"How do you look so confident when I feel like I could fall at any minute?" he asked laughing.

"Practice," Kurt said simply, "I got here half an hour early so I wouldn't embarrass myself on the ice," he said smirking.

"Hey that's not fair," Blaine said with mock indignation, "I won't be able to catch up."

"Well that's what I'm here for, to hold on to," and with that Kurt took both of Blaine's hands effectively removing them from the side of the rink and forcing Blaine to skate nearer the middle.

"I don't know Kurt, what if I fall?" Blaine said, looking at him carefully.

"I've got you," Kurt said, with such sincerity that Blaine suddenly knew he was talking about so much more.

They walked hand in hand slowly for quite a while so Blaine could get used to the ice and he found himself laughing and joking as he got more confident. He realised it didn't matter if he wobbled or his foot kept going when he wanted to stop – Kurt was there and he held fast, never threatening to let go. Blaine clung on tightly and smiled.

"I've requested a song," Kurt said after a while, "I hope you'll sing it with me?"

"How do you know I can sing?" Blaine asked quietly.

"I just know," Kurt said smugly, "My friend says she has this psychic Mexican third eye and I'm guessing I have it too." Blaine laughed. Kurt nodded his head to someone Blaine couldn't see and as the song faded a new one started that Blaine recognised.

"Hurts," Blaine said, "Not many people know them here."

"I love them," Kurt said as he prepared to start singing in the middle of the rink but Blaine squeezed his hand as it rested in his own, indicating he wanted to start. Blaine looked directly at Kurt and smiled, trying to impart something, letting him know that he knew what Kurt was doing.

There's a storm on the streets, but you still don't run
Watching and waiting for the rain to come.

Kurt continued the song then and smiled as they stayed connected in the middle of the rink, standing and holding hands.

And these words wouldn't keep you dry
Or wipe tears from an open sky,
But I know, but I know, but I know I'm right.

But suddenly Kurt let go of Blaine's hands as he stood on his own and Kurt started circling him, still looking at him intently. Blaine could only follow him with his eyes and spin slightly on his skates.

And I won't let you drown, when the water's pulling you in
I'll keep fighting, I'll keep fighting.
The rain's going to follow you wherever you go.
The clouds go black and the thunder rolls
And I see lightning
I see lightning

When the world surrounds you, I'll make it go away
Paint the sky with silver lining.
I will try to save you, cover up the grey
With silver lining.

Blaine started singing the next part with Kurt, Kurt suddenly conscious that it would sound accusatory on his own. Blaine looked down at his feet in case he fell but the words were a little close to his heart and he was worried he would break.

Now there's no way back from the things you've done
I know it's too late to stop the setting sun.

Kurt sang on his own as Blaine seemed to lose confidence and he came closer, tugging Blaine's arm slightly so he could smile in his direction. They started to skate together, still holding hands.

You see the shadows in the distant light,
And it's never going to be alright
And you know, and you know, and you know I'm right.

Blaine started to feel more confident and suddenly started singing on his own, determined to show Kurt he could climb and succeed on his own.

And I won't get left behind, when the walls come tumbling in
I'll keep climbing, I'll keep climbing
The rain's going to follow you wherever you go.
The clouds go black and the thunder rolls
And I see lightning
I see lightning

Kurt continued the chorus squeezing Blaine's hand in his and smiling. His blue eyes swirled with something that Blaine didn't recognise and Kurt took Blaine with him as he skated faster, going in circles.

When the world surrounds you, I'll make it go away
Paint the sky with silver lining
I will try to save you, cover up the grey
With silver lining.

Suddenly Kurt stopped but it was Blaine who finished the song with the last line, smiling as he could see it all reflected in Kurt's blue eyes – hope and clear light ahead.

Deep blue sky, deep blue sky

---

They sat drinking hot chocolate a little while later, feet sore and cheeks rosy with a comfortable silence surrounding them. Kurt smiled as soon as he realised Blaine was looking in his direction.

"You sing beautifully Blaine," Kurt said simply, "You should definitely pursue a music career, I think NYADA would have you in a heartbeat."

"Really?" Blaine said.

"Definitely, they'd be foolish not to. I can help with your application if you like; you'll need to consider your options in the next few weeks."

"Yeah thanks Kurt, I'd really appreciate it," Blaine suddenly looked at the top of his drink, his whipped cream having deflated and sunk slightly.

"What's wrong? You did want to apply to NYADA didn't you?"

"Oh yeah, I just never thought I was good enough and I also never really considered my future. I know that sounds stupid..." Blaine said his voice trailing away.

"No it doesn't, I just hate that you felt like that or even that you do feel like that."

"I don't feel like that so often now," Blaine whispered.

"When do you feel like that?" Kurt asked and Blaine stared out the window as if to find answers.

"Sometimes when I think of my mum or Cooper, I think of what they would say in certain situations, what they would do if they were still alive and I wish they were still here. I guess I think that if I wasn't here then they would be here, like I could trade places."

"It doesn't work like that," Kurt said kindly, "No one knows why things like that happen but if your mum was here, she'd want you to live your life."

"I know, I sometimes imagine her telling me off when I'm hesitant but I look at the water below me on the bridge and then I imagine just washing it all away. It's even in my dreams."

"You have nightmares?"

"Yeah," Blaine mumbled, "Not so much of the accident, though I do wake up sometimes in a cold sweat after reliving it in my sleep. The worst nightmare is when I walk in the dark and the only thing I can see or hear are people whispering, scowling, hating my presence as if I offend them simply by being alive."

"But your mum and Cooper would never want you to feel like that Blaine, it was an accident."

"I know but my subconscious clearly doesn't," Blaine said ruefully.

"What were they like, your mum and Cooper?"

Blaine thought for a while and then nodded, which caused a confused expression to cross Kurt's face.

"I'd rather show you if you don't mind." Blaine stood to leave, putting on his jacket and Kurt looked up in surprise.

"We're going somewhere?"

"How do you feel about meeting my dad?" Blaine asked, suddenly nervous, "I think he'd want to meet you and I can show you all about my mum at my apartment."

Kurt smiled the biggest smile. "I'd love that Blaine but only if you're sure."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Blaine said smiling and stretching his hand out for Kurt to hold so he could get up from the seat. "There's no one else I would share this with."

---

"What's your dad like?" Kurt asked as they walked home.

"He's been really good actually about everything," Blaine said, "We had quite a chat the other day. I told him what had happened in the car, I've told him I'm gay. I know he struggles with all of this, my mum found it so much easier, but I think he does really well. He's like me a lot I guess."

"He sounds like my dad actually," Kurt began, "I thought he'd really struggle with having a gay son and at high school I was so worried what people would say to him, I deliberately pretended to be straight and ruined a competition song with Rachel." He laughed. "I mean in the end it seemed silly to pretend to be something I'm not when I knew my dad loved me just the way I am."

"I think everyone needs that someone in their life that accepts them no matter what. I never really thought that would be my dad. I guess when my mum was alive he let my mum do all the heavy talking but he's really been there for me."

"My dad's the same," Kurt said, "He always says that my mum was better, more admirable and caring but he always lets me know that I'm special and loved. I don't know how I would have got through half the things I've gone through without him really." Kurt suddenly found tears start in his eyes at the thought that his dad might be really ill in the future and he looked down, swallowing the fear that threatened to rise in his throat.

"Kurt?"

"I just really worry about him with this cancer," Kurt whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without him."

"Its local stage though right? They caught it early?"

"Yeah."

"Good," Blaine said taking Kurt's hand and stroking his thumb along the knuckle. They walked in comfortable silence until they reached Blaine's apartment, only parting hands when Blaine had to open the door with his key.

"Dad?" Blaine said as he entered, the television making noise from the living room but no answer heard. Kurt took off his shoes and crept behind Blaine who was walking towards the room.

The sight that they were greeted with could only be described as adorable. Obviously completely worn out from a day of teaching, Will was sprawled on the sofa amidst papers he had to mark, though some had made their way to the floor. His hair looked as if he had run his hand through it a few times and he looked cold, so Blaine draped the blanket over him to keep him warm.

"Let's go to my bedroom," Blaine whispered and Kurt smiled.

"He looks so tired," Kurt said in the safety of Blaine's bedroom.

"Yeah he works pretty hard for those kids he teaches."

"Wow your room is nice Blaine," Kurt said, suddenly looking around. He noticed the nearly blank corkboard and the extensive music collection but his bed looked cosy and the dark panelling of the furniture seemed to reflect Blaine's quiet character.

"I wish I had more to fill it with but I like it here, I don't feel on edge anymore when I try to sleep."

"You've got loads of great CDs Blaine," Kurt said perusing his CD racks, "Ooh I love this one." Kurt kept exclaiming every time he came across another CD he liked or owned and Blaine laughed. He picked up the photo album that his dad had been looking at recently and placed it gingerly on his bed. It was rather large and Kurt noticed and came to sit on the bed too, near Blaine. Blaine opened it without speaking and showed Kurt the photos.

There were so many happy photos of them all as a family – holidays at seaside resorts, visiting famous landmarks and important occasions like Cooper's graduation, that Kurt enjoyed the little glimpse into Blaine's life as part of a family. Kurt realised then that not only had Blaine lost his mother, he had lost his brother and the complete feel of a family. Kurt often felt it was him and his own father against the world and losing his mother at such a young age had made it so much more important for them to come together as a father-son unit. He suddenly realised that Blaine must have felt the gaping holes in his family life and noticed the abrupt change. He must have felt so alone and Kurt felt a fresh wave of sympathy towards the boy next to him on the bed. He placed his own warm fingers over Blaine's that rested on the bed and Blaine continued to share his photos and started to explain the stories behind them. An hour passed in such conversation before Kurt realised he should be heading back to his own apartment and he could hear Blaine's father stir in the living room.

"Blaine?" Will said just now outside the room.

"Yeah I'm here dad," Blaine said opening wide his bedroom door. "I brought Kurt back to meet you and see some photos."

"Oh hey," Will said, just noticing Kurt sitting on Blaine's bed with a nervous grin.

"Hi Mr Anderson," Kurt said, getting up and extending his hand to Will who remained by the door. "It's nice to meet you." Will looked surprised at the greeting and then smiled.

"Well it's really nice to meet you Kurt," Will said as his grin became bigger. "Gosh I feel like I owe you my son's life, I - " Will continued to grip Kurt's hand and he started shaking it with both hands.

"Oh I didn't do anything really," Kurt said embarrassed.

"No you really did," Will said confidently and Blaine smiled, though his face tinged pink. "I don't think anyone should underestimate what simple listening can do for a person who struggles. I think you did the most important thing a friend could do."

"Well I'm really glad I met Blaine through it all," Kurt said.

"Will you stay for a drink?" Will asked as he started to walk to the kitchen.

"Oh I'd love to but I'd better be getting back."

"Oh I can drop you off afterwards, just a quick drink," Will said, eager to have someone else to fuss over, someone to care for too. Kurt nodded happily in agreement.

They spoke about school and Will's job and how school work was starting to build up a little as exams got closer. As Will spoke, Blaine realised it had been quite a while since his father had had someone else to talk to apart from Blaine and work colleagues and he had never seen his father so at ease. He realised that ever since their own conversation a few days ago, Will had seemed as if a load had been lifted, a cloud parting so that a semblance of a life could be lived again and Blaine smiled at the thought.

They carried on talking long after their tea had been drunk and cookies shared and Kurt suddenly looked wistfully out at the window wondering where the time had gone. It had been quite a while since he had seen Burt, though they spoke on the phone constantly. NYADA and money had been the main reasons for preventing any visits and sitting in this warm kitchen with cookies and a family, he realised how much he missed his own and their comforting madness.

"Well I better be getting back..." Kurt said, getting up reluctantly.

"Oh right sorry," Will said, quickly washing the dishes, "Make sure you come for dinner soon, I promise I won't be asleep on the sofa next time!"

"Cool, I'd like that," Kurt said as he walked to Blaine's room to get his jacket. Blaine handed him his jacket quietly and Kurt instantly worried.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing," Blaine said looking up, "Quite the opposite actually," he said smiling, "I'm really glad you came round Kurt, you made all the difference tonight and I'm just really grateful."

"Don't be silly Blaine, thank you for showing me all those photos and sharing those memories. I feel really privileged, I know how special she was now, I know how much she meant to you."

"Will you come round again? I know my dad would really like that."

"Yeah, I'd love to. It really feels like a home here Blaine, I think this year will do you good. I know it's hard to forge a relationship with someone that you don't think you have much in common with but actually the things you share with your dad are what will keep you together. He loves you Blaine, I know that."

"Yeah I'm really lucky, I'd have no one without him."

"You'd have me Blaine," Kurt said as an awkward pause developed and Blaine looked up to see a flash of something in Kurt's eyes. He could almost see the colour change and his chest swooped a little at the sight. Kurt's face continued to soften and his eyes swooped over Blaine's face to look at his beauty.

"I've never really noticed your eyes before," Kurt whispered as he continued to look, "They look like pools of chocolate in this light." Kurt nervously giggled at his sentence but Blaine's eyes only widened slightly.

"Will you be ok now?" Kurt said, as he shifted slightly, his eyes still locked on Blaine's.

"Yeah I think so," Blaine said quietly, "I'll try to sleep and probably end up reading a book." He walked away slightly to tidy his bed, though it appeared neat to Kurt who stood to one side.

"You won't sleep?"

"No I never do," Blaine said matter-of-factly, "I mean I get a few hours I guess, light sleep where I doze then wake. My body seems to be used to it now."

"That's terrible Blaine," Kurt said, worry lines creasing his forehead, "No one should have to put up with that. Maybe you should see someone, to prescribe some kind of sleeping pill or something."

"No I don't like that idea and it doesn't bother me, don't worry." Blaine continued to tidy his bedroom despite its immaculate condition.

"Blaine," Kurt said, coming closer and stilling Blaine's hands as they rested on an ornament, "Do you dream when you sleep?"

"Sometimes," Blaine whispered, avoiding Kurt's eyes as he looked to the carpeted floor.

"I was just thinking," Will suddenly interjected by the door, "It's getting a little late, do you fancy staying over Kurt, it might be easier? We have a blow-up bed and I can drop you off home on my way to work tomorrow."

Kurt looked at Blaine and smiled and although Blaine looked sheepish at the suggestion, he was secretly hoping that Kurt would stay.

"That'll be great Mr Anderson, thank you."

"Oh call me Will, I insist," he said as he got the blow-up bed from the airing cupboard.

They quietly got ready for bed, Blaine handing Kurt pyjamas for him to change into in the bathroom and explaining all the products that Kurt could borrow if he wanted to continue his moisturising routine. After a while goodnights were said to Will and the lights switched off and a comfortable silence filled the darkened room.

"Good night Blaine," Kurt whispered from his place on the floor, "I hope you sleep well."

It had been such a perfect night, the ice skating, the hot chocolate, the conversation with his father and Kurt and sharing memories and photos, that the simple endearing wish that he sleep well seemed to finally overwhelm Blaine and he felt a sob leave his throat. Kurt sat up immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Blaine tried to say but his voice was broken and tears streamed down his face. Blaine could hear Kurt stumble and get up in the darkness and he was soon standing over Blaine as he lay on the bed.

"What's wrong Blaine?" Kurt whispered, gentle, kind and it almost made Blaine want to cry more at his beauty, at his care for others.

"You're just amazing and I'm really glad you're here." Blaine said, all worry that he might say something embarrassing disappearing as Kurt seemed to melt and soften even more.

"Oh Blaine," he said and he tentatively lifted the covers so he could lay next to him in the warm bed.

"Is this ok?" Kurt asked cautiously. Blaine nodded in the semi-darkness and Kurt crept closer, inching his hands around Blaine's waist in a hug.

"Tonight was perfect," Blaine whispered, seeing only Kurt's eyes blinking back at him and his slow smile creep along his face.

"I'm here now too Blaine," Kurt said, "I'll never leave, I'm with you."

And Blaine could only smile as he leant closer to feel Kurt's warm arms envelop him and keep him safe.