Kurt’s alarm blared in his ears. Goddamn phone. He should just chuck it out the window. He so wanted to go back to sleep, but he didn’t, because that’s not him. Kurt was particularly efficient at taking care of his family. A blind man could see this. After all, he had been at it for years.
When cancer took his mom, it took her swiftly. He was just eight. He didn’t understand why his mom had gone. He didn’t even remember her being sick. She was just very, very tired one day and the next thing he knew, she wasn’t there anymore. And it hurt. A lot. His dad was devastated, and his little sister could not understand why her mom was laying in a box and letting them put her in the ground. “She’ll be safe there.” He says to her.
He had been strong. Stronger than an eight year old should be at his mom’s funeral. He had been a rock for his family. Keeping everyone grounded. He had his little sister under his wing, he looked out for his dad and that was his life.

That’s what his mom would have wanted, right?

He did have time for himself but never really the enormous amount that the average teenager has. Didn’t go to parties, or play video games and he consequently had no love life. Not that he would ever find someone in Lima anyway. But his family was happy and safe and he wanted to keep it that way. So he had to get up. If not, his father would eat greasy bacon before work and Sky would eat ice cream for breakfast. He can’t have that. His dad had a heart condition and Sky had enough energy as it is.
At least it is still summer. Its end is fast approaching, but he had a little time on his hands. Whether that is good or bad is yet to be determined.

After a quick freshening up and a lengthy morning moisturizing routine (there’s always time for that!), Kurt made his way to the kitchen and straight to the coffee maker. No matter what, he was not fully up til he drank his coffee. He’d gotten Sky to try some about a year ago and now she is the same way. There’s a shuffle at the doorway. Mhmm, speak of the devil.

“The smell of coffee just lifts you right out of bed, doesn’t it.” He said.

His sister was shorter than he was, with slightly darker hair and skin, but they had the same eyes. Their mom’s eyes.

“Well good morning to you too Pipin.” Kurt chuckled at the reply.

Sky’s snarky sense of humor can only be matched by his own. Kurt knows she’s going to need it. She starts McKinely High this year. And it doesn’t help that she starts as the sister of the only out gay kid. She’s strong though. Kurt raised her that way. She knows what she’s getting into and is determined to stare it down.

“What’s for breakfast?” She yawned out.

“Eggs benedict for us and toast and jelly for dad.” He responded.

“He’s going to flip one of these days cause you won’t let him have bacon.” She hedged

“He’s lucky I even let him have jelly.” Kurt replied.

“Come on Pipin, what’s wrong with just a piece of bacon?”

Kurt gave her a steady look.

“Do you not remember that particularly unpleasant visit to the hospital four months ago?”

They both remembered it all too well. Burt had a heart attack and scared the living shit out of them. Kurt had not let greasy food pass the threshold since then.

“Okay. Okay, I see your point. At least he got to meet the sweet nurse out of it. So not all bad, right?”

“No, not all bad.” Kurt agreed.

Carole was sweet. He had known that. Never mind the enormous crush he had on her straight son a while back. Thank goodness that’s over. His dad deserved happiness and Carole was certainly having a good go at it.

“Is tonight date night?” Sky asked.

“I think so.” Kurt replied as he placed a plate in front of her.

“Hmm this smells great! You’re amazing!”

“Oh trust me, I know.” He said with a smirk.

“Oh and so modest!” Sky said heavy with sarcasm as she took another bite. “Goddamn Pipin, what the hell did you put in this, crack?

“Language Merry.” He insists.

She rolled her eyes and continued shoveling down her eggs.

“Morning all.” Burt strolled into the kitchen with his coveralls on and a big smile on his face. Yep, it was definitely date night.

“Morning Dad” the siblings replied in unison.

“So it’s date night.” Sky deadpanned. She was never one to beat around the bush. Kurt often wonders if it a blessing or a curse.

“Yep!” Burt answered happily. “We’ve been dating three months. This is pretty special.”
“So we see.” Kurt said as he passed his dad some breakfast.

“Just so you know dad, I lobbied for you to get bacon, but no such luck!” Sky chirped as Burt chuckled.

Kurt sat down after a minute, nursing his cup of coffee. This was the other thing with their little family. They didn’t feel the need to fill the companionable silence with chatter. They understood each other.
When Burt finished, he looked at both his kids.

“Sky be good today.” He started.

“Aren’t I always?” Sky retorted

Kurt and Burt both gave her a “really?” look.

“Okay, okay. I just planned on riding today anyway.” She rolled her eyes.

“Okay, be careful.” Burt replied. “And Kurt, why don’t you call Mercedes and see if she wants to go to the mall or something, you need to get away from this house. You know, it won’t crumble while you’re gone.”

“I will.” Kurt said into his coffee. Silence met his answer and he looked up to see unbelieving stares directed at him.

“I promise! I have a couple of things to do but then I’m off.” And he will be. He’s planning on going to his meadow and sketching the day away…

“Okay then. See you later kids.” Burt clapped Kurt on the shoulder and kissed Sky on the cheek.

“Later dad.” They said in unison.

The minute Burt left the house Sky rounded on her brother.

“Seriously Pipin, you need to just leave whatever it is you claim you have to do and go have some goddamn fun.”

“Language Merry.” He said.

She ignored it. “Seriously!!” She exclaimed.

“Okay, fine.” He said. She searched his face for a bit…

“Okay.” She conceded. She knows when Kurt is lying and he isn’t now.

“I’m going to get my gear!” She shouted.

“Is Davy coming back today?” Kurt’s face had a huge smirk on it.

“Yes, as a matter of fact he his.” Sky replied while trying her best to ignore her brother’s smirk. Her best friend would be coming home after two weeks visiting family in New York. To say she was happy would be an understatement. But she missed her friend. Her best friend. Because she cannot afford it to be otherwise.

When Sky is dressed in her bicycle riding gear, she hurried out the house bellowing “You better not be here when I get back!!!”

“Be safe!!!” Kurt bellowed back.

As soon as she’s on her bicycle, she felt free.

“I’m so getting a bike when I’m 18!!!” She said out loud.

Okay, what to do, what to do… She knows Davy isn’t back yet, so riding the very short distance to his house wasn’t appealing. She slowed down a bit trying to consider her options. Maybe just a trip down the stretch and back. Something catches her eye on the sidewalk. Someone jogging. A guy jogging. Wait a minute, what?! Sky knows the families that live on her street. No one jogged. No one. They all had treadmills and home gyms and what not. So who the hell was this? The guy in question had curly black hair and powerful arms. Sky could see this, they kept flashing into her line of vision. He had earphones in and running shorts on and eyes that were… She couldn’t even describe the color… butterscotch with jade mixed in? Maybe? Sky was too busy trying to decide exactly what shade this guy’s eyes were to see the tree she’s heading for until it’s way too late to turn. Oh. Shit.