Blaine felt like he was spiraling downwards.

In the middle of his third week, Blaine got a virus. In the past he had gotten a little cold now and again and while it would knock him down for a bit he would spring back up but this time it was different.

He was running a constant high fever, shaking constantly and had a horrible cough. As soon as his fever started rising his visitors were limited and everyone who could come in had to wear a mask.

Kurt had begged for a few days off of work when Blaine started getting sick and spent every minute with his boyfriend.

At first, Blaine was almost delirious with the fever.

"Kurt?" He asked, voice hoarse before he dissolved into another coughing fit.

"Here baby," Kurt grabbed a cup of water and held a straw to his lips. "Drink?"

"What is it?"

"Just water," Kurt gave him a soft smile as Blaine's hazy eyes slid around the room. "Drink up."

"Why are you wearing that?" Blaine asked after he took a few sips, reaching a trembling hand up to brush across the mask.

"Because you're sick," Kurt ran a thumb across his cheekbone.

"'m I gonna die?" He asked, dazed.

Kurt's heart stopped. Maybe Blaine had heard the doctor talking to the Andersons and him last night when they thought he was sleeping about how important it was to bring down the fever.

"No," Kurt cupped his cheek with his gloved hand. "You're not going to die. You'll be just fine."

"Don't feel like it," Blaine let out a deep, horrible cough. His thin body jerked with every hack. "Think 'm dying."

"You're very sick," Kurt sat down in a chair next to him. "They're pumping you full of medicine. You'll be okay."

"Kurt," Blaine's eyes cleared for a moment. "I need to tell you something."

"You need to go to sleep."

"I'm scared to sleep," Blaine whimpered, eyes filling with tears. "I'm scared I wont wake up."

"Of course you will," He took Blaine's hand in his own, wishing he could hold his hand without the gloves. "The doctor said this is normal and not a big deal. You'll be fine."

"If I die..."

"You are not going to die," Kurt shook his head. "Don't talk like that."

"I want you to date someone else," Blaine's face was so serious that Kurt felt his throat tighten. "I know you're all about the romance and we love each other but I want you to be happy. I want you to fall in love with someone else and marry them and have babies and grow old together."

"Stop..."

"Don't be sad," Tears trickled down Blaine's cheeks. "I love you so much and I don't want you to be sad forever."

"Look at me," Kurt took his jaw in his hands. "You are not going to die. I am not about to start planning my life without you in it because you are always going to be in it. No more. I promised I would never say goodbye to you and I don't plan on starting."

"Okay."

Kurt sat back in his chair, tears dotting the mask.

"Don't cry," Blaine mumbled, looking like he was falling asleep.

"I'm not," Kurt said softly and Blaine smiled sleepily.

"Liar," He said as he fell asleep.

A few days later, Blaine's fever broke and while he was better his stamina was almost gone. He tried as hard as he could but could barely stay awake. Even going to the bathroom was enough to earn and hour long nap.

But he didn't seem to remember their conversation they had earlier that week.

Kurt didn't know if he had just not noticed how he was quiet around Blaine yet or if he was just too tired to care. Every time he glanced over at his boyfriend he remembered that quiet conversation and his chest clenched.

What if Blaine didn't make it? His dad might have beaten the cancer but people died from cancer all the time.

"What are you thinking about?" Kurt jumped at Blaine's soft voice.

"Why hello Sleeping Beauty," He teased, squeezing his knee.

"Maybe a kiss would help me stay awake."

"Can't with the mask," Kurt sighed and Blaine rolled his eyes.

Maybe it was the fear of losing Blaine that made him feel like this. Maybe it was how scared Blaine sounded. Maybe it was the idea of losing Blaine that made him feel that way.

Maybe it was the way that Blaine made it sound like he had nothing to look forward to.

"Can I ask again what you're thinking about?" Blaine smiled.

"I want to get married to you," Kurt blurted, surprising himself almost as much as he surprised Blaine.

"What?" He pushed himself up a little, wincing as the IV line jerked on the port a little.

"I...I want to marry you," Kurt felt like his mouth was dry.

"Kurt..." Blaine's eyes became sad. "I just...not until it's a secure thing you know?"

"What? Your life?" Kurt frowned. "We can't get married until we know you're not going to die?"

"It sounds less horrible to say your boyfriend died of cancer than your fiancé did," Blaine whispered.

"I could be hit by a bus tomorrow. I could have a heart attack. I could choke on my dinner," Kurt took his hand. "I don't know what the future holds. I do know that I want to marry you."

"Kurt..." Blaine's eyes flooded with tears.

"Will you marry me?" Kurt squeezed his hand. "I don't care about the future. I don't want to live my life based on what could happen."

"Yes," Blaine nodded, tears running down his cheeks. He smiled shakily. "Yes. I will."

Kurt grinned widely and picked up his thin hand, pressing it to his lips over the mask.

"I want something to look forward to," Kurt whispered. "I can't stand spending every day like this."

Blaine pressed their foreheads together and sighed.

"I love you," He said softly. "You say we now have something to look forward to but I've had something for a long time. I know every time I wake up I'll see your face or hear your laugh. That's what I look forward to."

"I love you too," Kurt reached over to place the hat on Blaine's head. "I wasn't able to get out of work tomorrow morning so I have to leave tonight."

"That's fine," Blaine smiled. "I'll look forward to seeing my fiancé tomorrow."

Kurt felt like his entire body was so much lighter the entire drive home. He found himself smiling slightly as he picked at dinner with his family.

"I have something I need to say," He spoke up during a lull in the conversation. "I asked Blaine to marry me today and he said yes."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Oh," Carole put down her fork. "Kurt..."

"I know," Kurt looked around quickly. "I know. He's so sick but I...I want to spend the rest of my life with him. We both need something to aim for...to look forward to."

"Kurt," His father rubbed a hand over his face.

"I know it's reckless and sudden but it feels so right."

"Losing your mother almost killed me," Burt said softly. "I loved her so much and losing her was the worst thing I can imagine."

"And losing my husband, even though we weren't as close at the time, tore something inside of me," Carole looked so sad that Kurt felt himself deflate a little.

"Why does everyone just assume he's going to die?" Kurt snapped, angry.

"We're not..."

"Saying he's my fiancé shows that there is a future. That he is going to live until our wedding," He felt tears welling in his eyes. "Because when I picture my future he is in it."

"And you're sure?"

"More sure than I've ever been in my life," Kurt nodded.

"Okay," Burt shrugged and then smiled. "So I now have a son-in-law?"

"Almost," Kurt smiled, relief crashing over him like a wave when he saw that Carole was smiling as well. "Hopefully soon."

"Good. I always did like Blaine," Burt gave Kurt a warm smile. "Did you get him a ring?"

"Oh...no...it was kind of a spur of the moment kind of thing..."

"You didn't get him a ring? I'll see if Louis can take care of the shop tomorrow. We're going shopping," Burt started cutting into his chicken.