Kurt definitely should have been working. He had far too much to do to be curled up on the couch with Mai dozing in his lap. She’d claimed she was sick again, and although he was dubious he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. He just wanted to have her with him today. It was Friday, and since he’d spoken to Blaine on Monday he’d gone into overdrive with work. He’d done the same thing when he was waiting for the phone call from the adoption agency, when Rachel and Finn had a rough patch and both used him to vent, when his dad had been ill again – he was a stress-worker. He figured he’d earned some snuggle time. He flinched when his phone buzzed on the coffee table, worried it would wake her up, but she didn’t stir. He kissed her hair without thinking and laid her down on the couch.

It was the first he’d heard from Blaine since that talk, and even though he knew Blaine was just respecting his decision and giving him space and being mature, the lovesick teenager in Kurt’s head was pouting that he hadn’t at least tried to speak to him.

Kurt, please can we talk? Over lunch? I miss you x

He frowned and tried to tap out a couple of different messages.

No.

I’m busy.

I’m scared.

Coffee. Same place as last time.

Perfect. Thank you. What was the place called again? My brain’s a sieve lately x

That was weird, but Kurt went along with it. It had been a stressful couple of weeks. People forget things. In all honesty, no matter how much that stung it was nothing in comparison to Monday.

Lil’s Caf�. Can you make 11?

Of course. Whenever you want, Kurt. Thank you x

Kurt thought about replying, but decided against it. Whatever he was going to say – and he really had no idea – he wanted to say it face-to-face.

Naturally, he got nothing done until 10:45.

He was so preoccupied trying to find Blaine when he walked into the caf�, Mai clinging protectively to his hand in case he got upset again, that the ring of the bell in the doorway made him jump. He didn’t see him, but his eyes did fall upon a red uniform topped with a blonde ponytail. Kitty smiled at him as she sipped from a milkshake. He raised an eyebrow in suspicion, and she stood up to greet him. He almost walked right out again, but forced himself to walk over to her.

“Kurt. Thanks for coming.”

“I don’t want to ask a stupid question, but I take it you’re the one who texted me today?”

She pulled Blaine’s phone out of her pocket and waved it a little at Kurt.

“Maybe.”

Kurt could’ve kicked himself. Of course Blaine wouldn’t forget the caf�.

“And he couldn’t do it himself because…”

“Because he doesn’t have his phone. Wow. I thought you were smart.”

“Are you just going to make fun of me? Should I just leave now? My daughter’s sick, I didn’t drag her out here to be laughed at by you-”

He turned to go, but she put a hand on his arm.

“Wait. Sorry.”

He took a deep breath and faced her again.

“Does he know you’re here?”

“No. You can sit down if you want.”

“We-”

He wanted to refuse, but Mai jumped onto a seat and tucked her knees up to her chin. She still looked a little wary of Kitty, wrapping her arms around her shins. Kurt was ready to comfort her when Kitty surprised him for the second time that day.

“You want some of my milkshake? It’s strawberry.” Mai looked at her father for some signal that it was okay. “There’s no bourbon in it, I swear.” Kurt didn’t laugh, but the corner of his mouth twitched a little. He gave Mai a nod.

“It’s fine, sweetie, you can have some.”

She beamed and got up (so much for sick, Kurt thought) to pick up the cup eagerly.

“Your hair looks really pretty, Mai. Did Daddy do it for you?” She nodded, the straw still in her mouth. “Woah there, I never said you could finish it. Come here,” she said, pulling Mai onto her lap, “you little monkey. We can share.”

It was like a different girl. Kurt was dumbstruck.

“You’re looking a lot better than last time I saw you.” At first there was an edge to it, but his features softened when he remembered how scared Blaine had been before, how pale and still she was. “Are you okay now?”

Kitty nodded.

“Much better now. Thanks. Kurt, I- I’m really sorry. If I was rude to you before.”

Kurt took another careful breath, keeping his gaze on Mai, her wide eyes staring up at him as she drank.

“You call that rude? My best friends have done worse. Sweetheart, slow down, you’ll make yourself sick.”

Kitty took the cup from her and had a sip.

“Yeah, munchkin, and there won’t be any left for me. He’s really sorry, Kurt. I’ve never seen him like this. Is there any way you’ll take him back?”

Kurt had to stop for breath. He knew she was direct, but this was the longest conversation they’d ever had and she wasn’t wasting any time.

“That implies we were really together in the first place.”

“Look, I know I screwed things up. We talked for a long time, and I- I’m going to be better. I promise. It was only because I thought- I thought I was losing him, okay? And that was because I saw him with you. Any idiot can see he’s crazy about both of you – even you, you little milkshake-stealing hamster.” She hugged Mai close for a moment and the little girl giggled.

“It’s complicated-”

“No, it’s not. It’s simple. He’s totally gay for you and I know you like him too. When you were at ours for dinner, you were like- you were like a family. You know, it’s not every day a teenager actually encourages their parents to move on and start new relationships, but here we are. I hereby offer my amazing babysitting services for your next date, seeing as I kind of ruined your last one.”

“Kitty. You can’t just trick me into coming here and- expect it to fix everything. It doesn’t work like that.”

“I know. But I- I wanted you to know that I’m not going to mess stuff up any more. And I’ll never yell at her again.” Mai grinned and kicked her feet out. “See? She believes me.” Mai nodded at her, and Kurt wished he could have left her at home. “No more teen rebellion.”

“You stole your dad’s phone this morning, and am I right in guessing that you’re skipping school to be here?”

“Okay, fair point. But this is for a good cause.”

Kurt kept watching his daughter, so at ease in Kitty’s arms.

“I have work to do.”

“Will you think about it? Call him or something?”

“You should go back to school. Come on, Mai.”

“Daddy, you should buy Kitty another milkshake. I had almost all of hers.”

“I noticed, little miss stomach bug. I’m taking you home for some actual food. I’m- I’m glad you’re better, Kitty. I really hope you and Blaine figure things out.”

She stood up, desperate to keep him there, to say anything she could to change his mind. He offered her a five dollar bill from his pocket but she shook her head.

“Kurt- I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I messed anything up.”

He smiled at her and she smiled back. Mai watched them both, confused as to why they weren’t just hugging like normal people. Like her dad hugged everyone. He reached out for a second and she leaned forward, only for him to pat her elbow awkwardly.

“I know. Bye, Kitty.”

He took Mai’s hand and they walked away. She looked back to see Kitty, hands shoved into the pockets of her red hoodie, looking less tough than before, and more like a girl in need of a daddy-hug than anyone she’d ever seen. Kitty watched the door close, giving Mai a little wave as they walked out, and picked up her bag so she could make her way back to school. She knew she’d have to face the wrath of Coach Sylvester when she got there, but it was worth it if Kurt knew she was sorry. More so if it could make her dad happy again.

Dinner was quiet that evening, apart from Zach babbling away as usual.

“And then Chuck passed me the ball and I dribbled with it but only for a couple of seconds, because I was pretty close to the basket, and then I tried to do like a run-up thing and it didn’t go in but I swear it so nearly did, Dad, it was really close. I think if I was taller it would’ve gone in.”

Blaine laughed weakly, nudging his food around his plate.

“Tough break, buddy. Don’t hold your breath on that one; your mom and I aren’t exactly giants.”

“Yeah,” Kitty agreed, “and I haven’t grown since I was fourteen. But that’s fine by me. I’m like a little cannon ball on the field.”

“It’s okay. I don’t really need to be tall. I like soccer better than basketball anyway, and you don’t have to be tall for soccer, you just need to be fast, and apart from Josh I’m the fastest in my class, and I think he cheats anyway…”

Kitty took Blaine’s hand where it was resting on the table, loosely gripping his fork.

“You okay?”

“Mmm? Oh, fine. Just. Not hungry.” He pushed out a smile. “I’ll just clear this up.” He stood to take his plate to the sink, kissing the side of her head as he went. She watched him scrape his food off and wipe his plate clean. His shoulders were sagging. His head was bent forward. Normally he’d match Zach for inane chatter, but he just let him go on and on as if he’d given up. She gave her brother a nudge.

“Ow! What was that for?”

She turned to check Blaine hadn’t heard the change in tone. He hadn’t. She looked at Zach and nodded towards their father.

“Go.”

He looked at Blaine and realisation dawned on him. It wasn’t often that he and Kitty were in synch, but they knew spontaneous hugs were a little cuter from him. He walked up to Blaine’s side, bobbing his head under his dad’s arm and wrapping his arms around his waist. Blaine looked surprised for a second.

“Hey, honey; what’s this-” he saw Kitty watching and rolled his eyes. “Ah. Guys, I’m fine. I swear.”

“Dad, do you miss Kurt? Did you break up?”

“We- we couldn’t really break up, I mean we weren’t- exactly- yeah,” he dried his hands clumsily and returned the hug, ruffling Zach’s hair slowly. “Yeah, I miss him. But I’ve got you two. You’re the most important thing to me, okay, never forget it.”

“We already knew that. You told us, like, a million times when you and Mom broke up.”

“Zach!” Kitty hissed.

“Sorry,” Zach sighed, “love you too, Dad.”

“I just mean,” Blaine cut between them, “it’s been a rough couple of months. I think we need to focus on this, on us, for now.”

Zach hugged tighter, and Kitty nodded and smiled. She kept watching as Blaine closed his eyes and rested his chin on top of Zach’s head. She knew he’s been focusing on her and her brother for almost eighteen years, and he’d waited long enough. It should have been his turn now.