"Child services are happy for him to stay with us for a couple of weeks, but as far as long term living arrangements go, they don't like to place kids in homes with their boyfriends and girlfriends. They do agree though, that it would be better for Blaine to find someone he knows to stay with," Burt's voice was frustrated, and it broke a little on Blaine's name.

"Honey it only has to be on paper," Carole said softly. "We are happy to have you here anytime you want, and you can stay on weekends, whatever you feel happy with, honey," Carole was choked up and she went towards Blaine to sit on the arm of the chair Burt had perched him in. She ran her fingers through his curls, and Blaine closed his eyes.

He had felt so safe for a few minutes. He didn't want to open his eyes, because he knew Kurt was looking at him helplessly and Carole was crying.

"It's okay. Really," Blaine managed, opening his eyes to look at the ceiling, "Thank you for even trying. You are such amazing parents. Kurt is really lucky to have you," Blaine made a small attempt at a smile.

"You have us too, Blaine," Burt said roughly, "I don't know what's going to happen with you and Kurt, but you seem to have found each other early on. Not many people are that lucky. But if either of you decide you want to break up, you will still be welcome here," Burt looked fiercely at Kurt.

"I want both of you to promise me right now, that whatever happens, you will always come to us. And no matter what happens, you will be civil to each other at the very least," Burt was emphatic.

Kurt looked outraged at his father.

"Dad, I love Blaine, and I'm never going to hate him. How can you even be thinking this?" Kurt's voice was offended, and Blaine pressed a kiss against his shoulder, where he was perched on the other arm of Blaine's chair.

"I just want you both to promise me that… whatever happens… you will always stay friends. You're only young and a lot goes on at this age. But I think you need each other more than even you two realise right now," Burt shot Carole a look.

"Dad?" Kurt was worried. "This isn't just about Blaine not being able to stay with us, is it? There's something else?" Blaine felt terrified. What else could go wrong in his life today? He didn't know what he would do without Kurt. He'd never felt so alone in his life.

"Blaine's father has apparently cancelled his last Dalton payment," Burt said softly. "We're struggling to send you there, Kurt, and Child Services won't pay for a private school. Blaine will have to leave Dalton," Burt finished quietly, and Kurt could hear the regret in his father's voice that he couldn't afford to send both boys.

The room was silent for a few moments before Kurt took Blaine's hand, and spoke decisively.

"We'll go to McKinley."

Burt's eyebrow rose sharply.

"We? Kurt?" Carole asked, gently.

"I'm certainly not staying at Dalton without Blaine and watching him take out Nationals with MY New Directions!" Kurt grinned at his boyfriend.

Blaine couldn't believe what Kurt was thinking. He knew he missed his friends, but risking run ins with Karofsky just for him seemed sweet to the point of foolishness. Blaine couldn't help the memory of Kurt in tears that day they had first invited him to Dalton for coffee. He had gotten his confidence back so much over the last three months. But Blaine couldn't help thinking that Kurt hadn't really considered what they would be re-walking into. Both of them.

Burt breathed in deeply. "Kurt, I don't want you back there with that Karofsky kid," Burt shook his head firmly.

"Well I'm not leaving Blaine. You can send us somewhere else if you want, but at least at McKinley Blaine and I have friends, and Glee Club is poised to take out Nationals. Karofsky will just have to deal with it, and if he tries anything we can actually have him expelled this time," Kurt was actually smiling.

He missed New Directions. He didn't see nearly as much of Mercedes as he would like, and Finn was terrified to even talk to him in case he had let something slip about glee. Every time he saw someone wearing a sweater vest he got a pang of affection for Mr Shue. Hell, Kurt even missed Rachel. The thought of Rachel gave Kurt an idea. He wouldn't bring it up yet, but he knew Blaine stayed in touch with Rachel after his disastrous attempt at bisexuality. That might be an option that could solve everything for them. Not bisexuality, obviously, but Rachel.

"I have to think about this, Kurt," Burt conceded, seeing the look of excitement and love on his sons face as he looked at Blaine in that moment.

Kurt grinned. He knew that look.

They were going to McKinley.

Blaine tried to force a small smile, but even without his bruised cheek, he doubted he would have been very convincing. He remembered Karofsky pushing him against the wire on that day he had tried to confront him. Blaine still didn't know where he had gotten the courage to confront Karofsky that day. Kurt had just rung him in tears, and he had been in his car. He hadn't stopped to consider how this boy he had just met could make him throw aside all his own fears and only feel protective. Now in hindsight, he really should have understood his feelings for Kurt from the off. But Blaine had managed to come off as calm and collected during the confrontation, and he doubted Kurt even realised that Blaine was having trouble breathing at the thought of the threat every day.

Kurt beamed at him.

He loved Kurt, and he knew Kurt had his heart set on McKinley now. And Blaine would protect him. But who would protect Blaine? Kurt couldn't stop those guys. Hell, Blaine couldn't stop those guys, but he would never let Kurt be hurt. He'd seen his dad's fist coming toward Kurt and he'd thrown him out of the way without thinking. It was only instinct to protect the person you loved, Blaine thought as he leant his head against Kurt's shoulder, as Carole and Burt left them to go bustle round the kitchen to organise dinner.

Blaine just hoped he could keep some of that survival instinct for himself without being selfish.

He had a feeling he might need it.