Kurt sat in front of his mirror, fixing his hair for the last time. It had taken him a couple of hours to decide what would be the best outfit for tonight. He must have tried on a hundred combinations, until he finally decided on his current ensemble. He looked again at his choice of Michael Kors Grosgrain-Trim button down, tie and muted stretch pants. Understated, but still stylish, he thought. Hopefully, it was perfect. He double checked that his collar was just right.

He bounded down the stairs to meet his Dad in the kitchen. "Dad, can I have the keys to the car?" he asked.

"Where you headed?" asked Burt, with curiosity.

"To dinner. With Blaine," he said as earnestly as he could.

Burt looked at him curiously. He knew something wasn't quite right, given that look in his son's eyes, and he squinted at Kurt suspiciously, "Isn't it Monday?" he asked.

"Dad come on," Kurt said, ignoring the question.

"Why isn't Blaine picking you up like he always does?" Burt wondered.

Kurt thought fast, "Well, we're going closer to his house than here, so I suggested we just meet there."

Burt knew when his son was hiding something. But he also trusted Kurt. He reached in his pocket and tossed him the keys. "You be good…and stay safe. I don't know what you have up your sleeve Kurt, but it better not get either one of you into any trouble."

Kurt swallowed hard. He hated lying to his Dad, but this was something he had to do. He hadn't even told Mercedes or Rachel. He knew that if he did, they would immediately text his boyfriend, and then it would all be over. Like trying to stand up to Karofsky, this was something he needed to see for himself, damn the consequences.

"We'll be fine Dad," he said, and gave Burt a hug. "Love you. See you later."

And Kurt was off to meet Blaine's parents.

---

Blaine couldn't really remember the drive home, but before he knew it, he was pulling into the driveway of his parent's house. It was still early and his Dad wouldn't be home for hours. Time to breath, he thought.

He unlocked the front door and entered the living room. Blaine felt constricted in this house, but ironically, he understood that returning to it offered him the freedom he needed. "Mom, I'm home," Blaine called.

No one answered, and Blaine looked in the kitchen for her. Instead he found a note. Ran to the store for dinner. Be back soon! Blaine smiled. He enjoyed having the house to himself. He put Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone into the blue-ray, and relaxed on the couch while he lost himself in the movie. Blaine understood how Harry felt. Sometimes he too felt like he lived in the cupboard under the stairs. His freedom was Dalton Academy.

As the movie ended, his mother returned home and Blaine immediately went to help her unload the groceries from the car. She kissed him on the cheek and they chatted while they put the groceries away.

"How was your day, Sweetheart?"

"Fine, Mom. Just met a friend at the coffee house, then came home. "

"Did you have a good show last night?"

"Oh yeah, the funniest thing happened…" Blaine continued to tell his story without even thinking about it. Lying had become second nature to him in this house. It was a matter of survival really. He didn't want to lie to his Mom, but the truth was he had no choice. As far as his mother knew, he had all nightly shows. He couldn't tell his mother where he really spent his evenings. They talked for a while, small talk, as he helped his Mom start supper.

They had settled into their Monday night routine, Mom cooking and Blaine entertaining her, when the doorbell rang. They both looked up, curiously. "Can you get that honey?" Mrs. Anderson asked, since her hands were deep into making meatloaf.

"Sure," Blaine said and he walked to the front door and opened it. As soon as he saw the figure standing before him though, Blaine's heart fell to the floor and he suddenly felt dizzy. He grabbed the doorknob hard to steady himself. "What are you doing here?" he asked with a mix of anger and fear.

Kurt smiled at him, holding a bouquet of flowers. "And hello to you too," he said with a smile. Blaine just stood there, staring at him. Kurt glanced inside, "May I come in?" he asked expectantly.

"You shouldn't be here," Blaine hissed at him, and just as he was about to step outside with Kurt and close the door behind him, he heard his mother yell from the kitchen, "Who is it, sweetheart?"

Kurt raised his eyebrows at Blaine, and Blaine stood frozen, not sure what to do. If he let Kurt in, everything as he knew it would be over. But if he refused, Kurt would turn away from him, he was sure.

He ushered Kurt inside quickly, and shut the door after peering outside to make sure no one was watching. Kurt gave the living room a once over, and observed the d�cor to be tasteful with a traditional style. Here and there were hints of what he could only guess were Blaine's touches. On the walls, he noted numerous pictures of a man in military uniform with what Kurt assumed to be the unit he commanded. He hadn't realized that Blaine's Dad was a military man. Maybe that explained things.

"It's just a friend, Mom" Blaine quickly said, then turned to Kurt angrily but quietly, "What do you think you are doing here?"

"I told you I wanted to meet your parents," Kurt said, somewhat hurt at Blaine's reaction. "I figured today was my last chance."

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" Mrs. Anderson said, as she joined the boys in the living room. Blaine turned to her with a frightened look, but Kurt smiled widely and strode over to the striking woman holding his hand out. "Kurt Hummel, Mrs. Anderson. These are for you," Kurt said handing her the flowers. "I am so happy to finally meet you."

Mrs. Anderson politely shook his hand and thanked Kurt as she looked him over head to toe. Kurt continued to smile at the scrutiny, until she looked up at her son in distress. Blaine's expression was pleading and she shook her head at him. She took the flowers into the kitchen, and Kurt followed her, not ready to give up yet. Blaine slowly followed as well.

Concerned about everyone's reaction to his surprise appearance, Kurt sought to keep the mood light. "Let me help you with those," he said and he filled the vase she had taken out of the cabinet with water. "Add a dash of sugar and they will last longer. A beautiful woman deserves beautiful flowers."

Mrs. Anderson smiled at Kurt with tight lips, but kept her eye on her son. "What are you thinking, Blaine?"

"Blaine didn't know I was coming, Mrs. Anderson." Kurt quickly told her. "I've been asking to meet you and his Dad for months, but Blaine always says no. I figured I would have to take matters into my own hands," he explained, looking somewhat apprehensive.

Blaine looked at his Mom, who never took her eyes off of him. "Are you two…" and she made a gesture with her hands back and forth between Blaine and Kurt.

"Yes Mom," Blaine almost whispered. "Kurt and I are together."

"Oh God Blaine," she said with her hand on her forehead as though she might faint. "He can't be here. You have to get him out."

Blaine looked at Kurt, his beautiful, na�ve Kurt, who looked like he might start to cry. Blaine couldn't do this to him, despite how angry he was right now. "Dad won't be home for at least another hour. Couldn't he stay, just for a little bit?" Blaine asked. His heart melted at the smile that returned to Kurt's face. How does he do it? He wondered briefly if Kurt could melt an iceberg.

"I'm great in the kitchen, Mrs. Anderson" Kurt said, with a little more gusto. "Much better than Blaine!"

With that, Mrs. Anderson laughed at Kurt and hugged her son. "He can stay for a bit. But he goes before your father gets home." Even in these brief moments, despite being terrified for her son, she could see what Blaine saw in the boy. Kurt was a charmer and clearly a free-spirit who was comfortable with who he was. Maybe he would be good for Blaine…out there.

When all the food was in the oven cooking, Kurt asked if he could see Blaine's room. Mrs. Anderson agreed, but warned them they only had about twenty minutes before Blaine's father came home, and Kurt had to leave before that. Kurt was disappointed of course, but he had at least managed to meet Blaine's Mom, and she was pretty great.

Kurt was somewhat shocked to see Blaine's room. The drum set and the guitar stands he fully expected, but what surprised him were the displays of both sports and military memorabilia. "Interesting d�cor," Kurt teased his boyfriend.

"It's to my father's liking," Blaine said with resentment. "He was in Iraq until I was about ten years old. He used to send us pictures and souvenirs." Blaine sat on the edge of the bed, exhausted. "You shouldn't have come," he said quietly.

Kurt walked over to stand between Blaine's knees, and put his arms around his boyfriend's neck. "Your mother likes me," Kurt said, smirking.

Blaine smirked back at him. "Yes she does."

Kurt leaned in to kiss him, and Blaine pulled back instinctually. He had never dreamed to kiss his boyfriend in his father's home. Kurt just smiled, gently pulling Blaine back toward him, and kissing him softly on the lips.

Blaine sighed, and said "We better go before the Colonel gets home."

"Colonel?" Kurt exclaimed. "You keep too many secrets Blaine Warbler."

You have no idea, thought Blaine.

---

Blaine and Kurt came down the stairs, hand in hand, laughing. They didn't realize, until they were halfway down on the landing that Blaine's father was staring up at them. Blaine froze and immediately let go of Kurt's hand. But it was too late. Kurt saw Colonel Anderson's recognition, and Blaine's face turned white.

"What the hell is this?" Col. Anderson said coolly and calmly.

Blaine stood petrified on the landing. "Dad…" he said with great unease. "You're home early."

"I asked you a question, Blaine Anderson."

Kurt looked at Blaine, but he made no move to respond or continue down the stairs. Kurt took the initiative. He pulled himself as tall and confident as he could, and strode down the steps over to Col. Anderson. He held is hand out firmly. "Kurt Hummel, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you. "

"Is it now?" Col. Anderson responded with a leer, looking up at his son. Blaine struggled to meet his father's eyes. Col. Anderson ignored Kurt and walked up the stairs, past Blaine to stand on the step above him. Blaine's father stared down at him with contempt in his eyes. Blaine looked tiny beneath the towering figure of his father, but Blaine gathered every ounce of courage and strength to look back up at the man.

Kurt's heart was in his throat and he thought he could cut the tension in the house with a knife. In the doorway of the kitchen, he could see Mrs. Anderson, grasping a hand towel, clearly anxious. Maybe this was a mistake, Kurt thought for the first time, feeling frightened.

"We had a deal Blaine." Kurt could see Col. Anderson's anger grow. "When you got yourself beat up at your old school, your mother begged me to enroll you in Dalton Academy. I agreed with the understanding that you would keep that…stuff...out of my house. "

"And I have Dad," Blaine said firmly.

"This is keeping it out?" Col. Anderson roared. "Flaunting it in my face, having that boy in your room, holding hands down the stairs is keeping it out?"

"He has a name, Dad," Blaine said, defiantly.

"Don't get smart with me, young man!" he warned with a finger in Blaine's face.

"Dad, please," Blaine shrunk back glancing at Kurt. Alone he could fight back, but not in front of Kurt. It would provoke his father too much and he couldn't let that happen now.

"Did you meet him at Dalton?" Col. Anderson demanded, linking his thumb over his belt buckle. "I warned you what I would do if you started dating there."

Blaine closed his eyes. No, not in front of Kurt, Blaine prayed, please God not in front of Kurt.

When Blaine didn't answer, he grabbed his son by the shoulders and shook him. "I asked if you met that boy at Dalton?"

Kurt was devastated to see the anguish in his boyfriend's face as Blaine stood before his father and whispered, "Kurt goes to McKinley."

"Don't you lie to me, boy!" Col. Anderson raised his hand. Blaine started to plead, but it was too late. He felt his father back hand him across the face and he fell onto the banister, clutching his left cheek.

Kurt stood in horror and his hands flew to his own face. Kurt knew it was bad for Blaine at home, but he never dreamed of this. Burt had never laid a finger on him and never would, no matter what he did. Kurt wanted to do something, wanted to scream, wanted to go to Blaine and gather him in his arms and never let go. But no sound came out, and he couldn't move. Look at me Blaine, Kurt urged in his head, just look at me. But silence rocked the room and Blaine did not look up at him.

Blaine burned with fear, anger, and most of all humiliation, as his face burned in pain. As he held on to the banister with his right hand, his hand reached to his left cheek. He tasted blood in his mouth. He risked a quick glance to his father's hands. That was always the key. And he knew it wasn't over. His father was still raging, towering over him as he stood one step up from Blaine, hands ready to do far worse to him, just waiting for Blaine's next move. Blaine could not let Kurt see any more. He had done this alone before, and he would do it alone now. He couldn't bring himself to look the boy he loved in the eye. So he looked at Kurt's hands, his delicate yet strong hands that would never hurt a fly. And he whispered, almost pleading, "I think you better go."

What have I done?
Wish I could run
Away from this ship going under
Rachel's words rang through Kurt's ears. What had he done? He knew this was his fault. He should have respected Blaine's wishes. God, why did I have to be so selfish, he thought. Why didn't I just listen? Suddenly, everything made sense; Jeremiah, Rachel, pushing away his feelings for Kurt for months. Then Blackbird…Take these broken wings and learn to fly. That had changed everything, given Blaine the courage to act. Blaine's strength had been a lifeline for Kurt over these past few months. Utterly humiliated at Prom, Blaine had reached a hand down to him. "Are you ready for this?" he had said. Kurt felt Blaine's strength pulse through him that day. And today, he would give it back.

Kurt looked at Blaine's mother. She stood still in the doorway, with a pained almost apologetic look on her face, but she made no move to intervene on behalf of her son. Kurt could see that Blaine didn't expect her to. They had been here before, and this is how it went. But Kurt had not been here before, and he would not just stand by.

Kurt stepped forward to the base of the stairs. He looked up at the precious soul before him, as if for the first time, and fell in love all over again. He reached his hand up to Blaine, and firmly told him, "No. We better go."

Blaine had been lost in his own head, the world moving around him like a nightmare. He was startled awake by his boyfriend's words and finally looked Kurt in the eye. He looked at his father, who stared at him daring him to leave. He looked at his Mom. Blaine could see she was scared for herself and for him. He pleaded with his eyes; please tell me what to do! Mrs. Anderson glanced to her husband and studied Kurt. Then she slowly turned back to her son, the one she had never been able to protect, and gave him the smallest of nods. Blaine thought of Nick's words, the words that they had sung together; Hold On. And here was his angel, Kurt Hummel, offering him a hand to hold onto. Blaine took it.

Kurt exhaled, not realizing that he was holding his breath. He squeezed Blaine's hand as hard as he could as if to tell him it would be all right, and he pulled him to the front door.

Colonel Anderson turned to the boys with rage. "If you leave this house, do not expect to come back Blaine Anderson," he threatened his son. "And do not even think about packing your bags for Dalton. That is over."

Kurt looked at Blaine with surprise. Blaine did not turn back to his father or to Kurt, but only nodded ever so slightly, staring at the closed front door. He had known what tonight meant, the minute he saw Kurt at the door, the minute he let him in. He had made a deal with his father. He would stay in the closet at home, he would not date at Dalton, or there would be no Dalton. Blaine had hoped, had tried, to keep his secrets from both his father and Kurt. But secrets have a way of getting out. And he knew that nothing would ever be the same.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird Fly
Blackbird Fly

Blaine reached for the doorknob and opened the door. With a deep breath, he squeezed Kurt's hand, and stepped out into the light of the dark black night.