What was an otherwise calm fire scene cranked into overdrive the moment the backdraft hit. Chief Harris turned to the engines, spinning his forearm as half of the firemen rushed to their trucks while the other half moved their hoses in closer. “Get them out of there!”

The horns sounded three times in alarm and two firemen spilled out of the house, turning back to it and pointing, looking to the medics and back again.

“Anderson, do you copy? Chief! Do you copy?”

Kurt found himself leaning back against Jake who was too frightened to do anything other than support him. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, only the constant roll of come out come out get out be okay come out blaine blaine blaine cycling through his head like a broken record.

“Captain, he’s still on the move.”

“Kurt, he’ll be okay. His PASS hasn’t activated.”

Kurt nodded silently but couldn’t catch his breath. And he didn't care. Not until he saw him, heard him, anything more confirming than the current sight of flames and water and thick, black smoke.

A pop and a hiss broke through Captain Harris' radio, the air noise filled with static and mechanical sounding breathing. “Anderson. Copy.”

Kurt bolted up and away from Jake at the muffled, yet familiar voice. “Oh! Oh god, that was him. Was that hi-…?”

“Yep. He’s okay.”

“But where…” Before he could finish, there was movement by the front door. Kurt grabbed at Jake’s arm as Chief Anderson exited the house, smoke still billowing from his uniform. As it cleared, screams cut through the bustle of the scene. A woman’s blood-curdling screams.

Blaine was carrying a child, rag-dolled over his shoulder, charred clothes, shoeless.

Lifeless.

In a flash, Chief handed the child off to the medics, ripped off his helmet and mask, bending to rest his hands on his thighs. Kurt flinched to go to him, but Chief Harris held him back. “Leave him be. He's in his head right now. He'll be alright.”

Kurt conceded – there wasn’t anything he could do anyway. This fire was far from over and now, in his capacity as the C-DRT leader, he was facing a crisis like he’d never managed before. “Jake, back to the truck.”

“But…”

“Get in the truck. We’re not going to stand here and watch their tragedy. I’ll meet you there.” Kurt looked at Captain Harris, pleading for something, anything, although he wasn’t sure what. “That kid’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Or beyond resuscitation, yeah. Fucking Chief. He knew that kid was in there, even though Mom and Dad said he wasn’t home...” Captain pointed Chief to the direction of the misters to cool off and made one more check on Kurt. “You okay? You need some O2?”

“No, I'm…I'm good. Now.” Kurt looked around, the firefighters doing their job with a calm of experience. Of distance as to not get wrapped up in the drama that was unfolding around them. He envied them in a way he never imagined he would. He felt like he was holding his heart in his hand, afraid to squeeze it too hard or he'd crush it. “So, I’m in uncharted waters here – do we stay? For Mom and Dad?”

“Yeah, they’ll still need your services. It’s not going to happen right away though.”

“No. Why don't we head out and get food for you guys in the meantime? We're all going to be here awhile.”

“That would be perfect, actually. You sure you're okay? I need to get back to my crew."

"Yeah, yeah. Go. Thanks for…” Kurt smiled, exhaustion and relief taking over his ability to speak. "Thanks."

Kurt turned to head to the truck, pride sweeping over him as he passed the misting station. In light of what had just happened, it was a strange emotion, but the white tent – with auxiliary fire volunteers waiting to replenish oxygen tanks, to check over firefighters, and to run the misting of overheated workers – was Blaine’s baby. It was what he and Dot discussed only weeks before and what he had made happen – what was making him well enough to finish his job today.

Blaine stepped out of the light spray of water and hiked his jacket back over his shoulders, catching Kurt’s eye. “C’mere.”

Kurt took the distance in one step fighting every urge to touch him, to hug him, to physically react to the panic that had been filling his body. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I thought we had that fucking roof opened up enough in back.”

“There must have been a pocket somewhere. Were you…where were you?”

“We were coming downstairs; I was afraid we’d land in the basement.” Blaine looked back out at the scene and put his helmet on. “I have to go. Come by the station when you’re done?”

“I’m going to be here a long time.”

Blaine took off a glove and grabbed the sleeve hole of Kurt’s red vest, running a thumb over the reflective trim as his eyes met Kurt's, an exhausted smile brightening his face if only a little. “Text me. Find me. Please?”

Kurt nodded and took Blaine’s wrist, giving it a squeeze. “I’ll find you. Be careful.”

***

Kurt knocked on Blaine’s office door, still chuckling at the reception he’d received when coming to the station. He visited silently before, never making an entrance, never drawing attention to himself, to Blaine, to them as a couple, but it seemed the crew knew all about him anyway. Someone had been talking. Someone who just invited him to come in to his office, his voice wrecked and raspy.

“Hey.”

Blaine didn’t look up to greet Kurt, focused on paperwork. “Hi. Have a seat.”

Kurt sat quietly, the plastic bag he’d brought with leftover subs crinkling loudly in the quiet room. Blaine didn’t flinch. Kurt waited a long, exhaustible moment in silence and finally, “Do…do you want me to come another time?”

“No.” Blaine tossed his pen on the desk and finally looked up, his eyes lifeless with exhaustion. “What’d you bring?”

“Subs. You didn’t eat at the scene.”

“Thanks.” Blaine dug into the bag and pulled out a wrapped roll, opening it and eating in one swift motion, focusing on the food as though Kurt wasn’t even there.

“So. Are we playing the role of Chief Anderson at the moment?”

“I’m not playing a role. I am Chief Anderson in this building.”

“Mmmm, even with me. I’d thought you’d given up switching it off and on around me.”

Blaine grunted and took another bite, avoiding any eye contact.

“Look. I can ring you tomorrow or something. I’m not comfortable.”

Blaine chewed a rogue green pepper into his mouth and leaned back, the initial pains of hunger having been satisfied. He finally met Kurt’s eye, distant. Professional. “I heard you were worried about me.”

“I was petrified. It still lingers.”

“We’re trained for those types of things, Kurt.”

“Yes. But I’m not trained to watch it happen…especially not with someone I care about inside. And, I don’t care how trained you are, Blaine. Men die in backdrafts.”

“That they do.” Blaine went back to his sandwich.

“Blaine, have I done something wrong? Is it inappropriate for me to show concern on a scene?”

“No, not at all. Kurt, I’m not mad at you.” He put his sandwich down and wiped his mouth clean and sighed. “At anyone. I’m just...decompressing? This one took it out of me.”

“Okay. Then,” Kurt stood and sighed when Blaine didn’t even follow with his eyes. “I’m going to let you do that. If you need anything else…”

“Can you come to my house after I get Adrian to bed?”

The words came quickly, anxiously, and when Kurt looked back upon hearing them, Blaine’s eyes were pleading, the veil of authority having been lifted when Kurt touched the doorknob to leave.

“Blaine, I’m not sure that’s a go-…”

“Please? I’m not asking…I don’t want to be alone. I’m not asking you to spend the night, but just…come sit with me. You don’t have to say anything or do anything or…” He smiled at his own inability to find words for his overwhelming wash of emotions. “I need my son first. And then, I would really like for someone to come sit with me. And I’d like it to be you.”

“What time?”

“Nine? Is that too late?”

“No. Do you want me to bring anything? Beer? Movies? Parcheesi?”

“I am out of Yuengling…”

Kurt smiled and finally relaxed. “I’ll pick up a pack. And hug that boy extra tight tonight.”

“You have no idea…”

***

“It’s nice back here. I wouldn’t have figured it’d be this quiet in town.”

“Yeah, sometimes living in an old fashioned town isn’t so bad. Everyone turns in early.”

They sat in silence again, this being the pattern since Kurt’s arrival. A few sentences. A long silence, eating the pizza Kurt brought, sipping on beer (that Kurt finally tried after years of hearing his friends plead but this beer is delicious!) or just listening to the crickets lend their nightly serenade. It seemed to be just what Blaine needed and without realizing it, it was what Kurt needed as well. Dealing with family members who’d just lost a child was something he hoped he’d never have to experience again.

“They said that boy was five years old, Kurt. He could have been in Ade’s class next month.”

“Yes. He’s going to go to Freedom? That’s right over here?”

Blaine nodded and pointed in the direction of the school, only 2 blocks east. “What did they tell you happened? I mean, I know you’re under confidentiality agreements, so…”

“They signed off; it’s fine. Derrick was supposed to have been at a friend’s house and Mom and Dad were out working in that garage out back. I guess he and his buddy had a fight and he walked home.”

“How far did he walk?”

“I think he lives on Harrison? Isn’t that just west of you?”

“Yep. So…shit…he’ll go to Freedom too.” Blaine took a pull of his beer and closed his eyes, soaking it all in.

“So, god knows how many times he skirted getting killed crossing all of those streets. I mean I’m clueless about kids, but should a 5 yr. old be walking that far alone?”

“You’re not clueless. If Adrian ever tries it, I’ll kill him. You’re with a grown-up or you don’t move.”

“Well, somehow he made it – obviously. They’re guessing he looked for his parents and they didn’t answer, so…”

“So he got distracted by shiny shit on Mom’s dresser and started plugging it into electrical sockets.” Blaine sat up straight on his chaise, eyes flashing with anger. “No, a kid who’s still shoving shit into outlets should not be walking home alone.”

“Blaine, the other parents didn’t know he’d left their house. They thought the boys were playing quietly in his room.”

“I know. I just want someone to blame. I can’t wrap my head around this one. Senseless. And now a kid's dead.”

“It's hitting too close to home. That's understandable, Blaine. You can't be The Distant Stoic Chief about every facet of a fire this big.”

Blaine huffed and reclined again, draping his arms over the arm rests. Resigned. Spent. Exhausted. “And then, I was afraid I wasn’t going to get out of there with him.”

“What took you so long anyway?”

“I was about 3 steps from the first floor when the backdraft hit. Blew us down. Once I got up and was moving, I stumbled on a pile of debris from the 2nd floor. I had to get over that. In the dark…”

“…with a dead body.”

“Yes.”

They sat in silence again, resting in the reality of their afternoon. In the reality that somewhere not too far from them, a mom and dad were wondering how they were going to wake up in the morning without the spark and life of their 5 year old son.

“Do you ever get scared?”

“Not until afterwards…that’s why I was such a jackass at the station. The fear hits me and I just shut down.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t understand. I’m not even sure what all I’m feeling from it either.” Kurt took a pull from his beer, grimacing at its warmth. “Did you hear Mrs. Eastwood screaming? I can’t…I can’t get it out of my head.”

“No. I don’t hear anything other than my guys and my radio at that point. I’m on auto-pilot.”

“It’s…it’s the worst sound I’ve ever heard.” Kurt rolled his head to look at Blaine who looked about three sentences away from being asleep. He hooked their pinkies together, the slight buzz from the beers lulling him to join Blaine’s sleepiness.

The sound of a sticky sliding glass door didn’t even stir them. “Daddy?”

“Hmm?” Blaine jerked and blinked, smiling sleepily at the groggy boy standing at the foot of his chair, well-loved blanket in hand, hair flying everywhere.

“Ade…what are you doing up, buddy?”

“I hadta potty. The light back here confused me.” He rubbed his knuckles around his eyes and looked at Kurt. “Why is the peach gu-…Kurt…why’s Kurt here?”

Kurt smiled and stood, collecting their beer bottles and empty pizza plates. “Hey, Adrian.”

“Because Daddy needed a friend tonight and Kurt’s my friend. Let’s get you back to bed, huh?”

“Blaine, I’m going to go ahead and leave. You need…why don’t you go up with him? You’re exhausted.”

Blaine scooped Adrian up and nodded. “That sounds like a good idea. Ade, you wanna sleep with Daddy tonight?”

“In your big bed??”

“Yep. Bring your music too.”

They made their way inside and Adrian was already asleep in his dad’s arms before they got to the front door. “Go on…I’ll see myself out.”

“Are you sure?”

Kurt nodded and slipped his arm around Blaine pulling him in for a half-hug, until Adrian sleepily grabbed on and pulled him in all the way. Kurt chuckled nervously but mostly relished the comfort he felt in Blaine’s arms again, the comfort of that distinct smoky scent that lingered in his hair the day after a fire. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks for coming over. I’m…I’m not doing very well at leaving you alone, am I?”

They broke free and Kurt grabbed the doorknob before he decided to join the slumber party in Blaine’s bedroom. “You’re fine. Today hasn’t felt right without a pun text anyway.”

“But…flowers?”

“But, flowers. You think too highly of me.”

“No. I don’t think I do, Kurt.”

With a smile and a sigh, Kurt opened the door and stepped out. “Goodnight, Blaine. We’ll talk soon.”

***

Blaine [08-01-23 10:15]: A man noted for telling puns was locked into a dark closet, and told he would not be released until he made up a pun about the situation.

Kurt [08-01-23 22:31]: Oh, here we go. Why aren’t you asleep?

Blaine [08-01-23 10:33]: He immediately shouted, "Oh, pun the door!"

Kurt [08-01-23 22:35]: Really? I had to wait all day, almost see you die and…decide I can tolerate the taste of one brand of beer for that? FOR THAT?

Blaine [08-01-23 10:36]: It was worth it, wasn’t it? And I’m not asleep because he kicks until he’s out cold. I gave up trying.

Kurt [08-01-23 22:37]: Ouch. Does he kick on purpose or??

Blaine [08-01-23 10:38]: He twitches. Hard. Sometimes violently. He’s nailed my crotch three times already.

Kurt [08-01-23 22:40]: Poor thing. Maybe you should wear a cup?

Blaine [08-01-23 10:41]: I think I’ll pass. I also think he’s out now, so I’m going to scoot down and snuggle.

Kurt [08-21-23 22:43]: Sleep well. I’m going to work for awhile.

Blaine [08-01-23 10:44]: Thanks again for coming over. Oh! Are you going to be in the parade this weekend?

Kurt [08-01-23 22:45]: No. Dot’s taking the ERV with some of the college kids. I’m sitting with my family.

Blaine [08-01-23 10:47]: Where do you usually sit?

Kurt [08-01-23 22:48]: You know that club we went to? Somewhere in Time?

Blaine [08-01-23 10:48]: Yeah, across from the hospital?

Kurt [08-01-23 22:49]: Yes. There's a barbeque place around the corner. We always sit there.

Blaine [08-01-23 10:51]: Okay. I’ll look for you. And I really have to go now. The phone just fell on my face and I woke Adrian up laughing…it’s going to be a long night.

Kurt [08-01-23 10:55]: Haha! Go to sleep, boys.

Blaine [08-01-23 10:56]: Sleeping…zzzzzzzzzz…