"Thanks Cooper," Mildred told him with as much sincerity as she could muster. "I'll ring my parents and I'm coming home straight away. Can I speak to Kurt?"

Cooper went to living room and found the boys curled up on the couch, Kurt tucked into Blaine's side, his eyes horribly red and puffy.

"Kurt. Mildred wants to speak to you," Cooper said gently and Kurt looked up at him, nodding once before lifting himself up slowly and taking the phone. He wandered out of the living room and towards to the kitchen, the receiver clutched to his ear.

"Hi, Aunt Mildred," he murmured.

"Hi KK," Mildred greeted softly. "I'm coming home, okay? I'll be there tomorrow and we'll go see your mum and then I'll take you back to your grandparents to stay there, alright?"

"Okay," Kurt agreed before asking, "is Mum going to be okay?" He knew it was ridiculous to ask; Mildred had even less of an idea of this than he did. But even if her answer was uninformed, he simply needed reassurance right now. He sounded like a small child again, like he was ten years old and had just lost his dad. But even then, he'd had his mother to comfort him. Now, faced with the devastating possibility of losing both parents, he felt more alone than he had even then, at the darkest time of his life that he could remember, save for the months of Karofsky's torment.

"She going to be fine," Mildred assured him. "Your mum's tough."

Kurt sniffed and rubbed his eyes with the back of his sleeve, something that usually would have disgusted him, but now, he barely even noticed. "Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow and we'll go to see her together," Mildred promised. They said their goodbyes and Kurt set the phone down. He wandered back into the living room where Blaine and Cooper were talking quietly. They stopped when Kurt entered but he couldn't bring himself to care, knowing that their conversation would have centred around him. He went straight to Blaine, curling up against him, and his boyfriend held him tightly in his arms.

"Can I get you anything Kurt?" Cooper asked gently and Kurt shook his head. "Alright. Just ask if you need anything."

Cooper left the two of them alone and Blaine stroked his boyfriend's hair. "What can I do?" He asked. He felt entirely useless and was hugely concerned about Kurt. He had never seen him so quiet before and he looked devastated, which was heartbreaking for Blaine to witness, especially seeing as he could do nothing to stop his boyfriend's turmoil.

"Just this," Kurt whispered and Blaine nodded. He shifted them so they were lying down and Kurt was the little spoon, wrapped up in his arms securely. Kurt thought that he seemed to fit perfectly in Blaine's arms. He couldn't believe that Blaine was his boyfriend, that he had someone to call his boyfriend. They were still new to this but it seemed completely and utterly right; the very epitome of what they'd both been looking for forever, as Blaine had once voiced it.

"Is this okay?" Blaine asked quietly and Kurt snuggled back into the warm cavern of his chest.

"Yes. Thank you," Kurt murmured, swallowing thickly. "I don't know how I could do this without you."

"You could," Blaine replied gently. "You're so brave and strong but I'm glad that I can be here for you."

Kurt smiled softly and turned in Blaine's arms so that he was facing him. Blaine looked down into his eyes, which were a stormy grey – Blaine filed that colour away for when his boyfriend was emotional – and Kurt gazed back into his hazel ones. Usually Kurt would be embarrassed for looking at someone so intimately but he couldn't find it in him to be.

This was Blaine – his best friend and his boyfriend. The one who knew everything about his troubled past and still wanted to be with him for some insane reason. Slowly he leant in and placed a small kiss on Blaine's lips, pulling back quickly. Blaine smiled at him and stroked his cheek before Kurt tucked himself back into his boyfriend's chest and sighed shakily, shivering as doubts and worries filled his mind once more, though Blaine's presence comforted him somewhat. But it wasn't enough to drown out his fear.

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Kurt slept uneasily that night in the guest room. He tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, not while his mother was in the hospital all alone. He couldn't help but think back to when his father had passed away, though he'd tried desperately to push such memories away.

Kurt was sitting in class, working from his activity book when one of the receptionists came in, looking worried. She whispered to the teacher, who shot Kurt a startled look before slowly approaching him.

"Kurt, you need to go with Miss Keller here. You're needed in the principal's office," she explained gently.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Kurt frowned.

"You're not in trouble. They just need to speak to you. Go on," she insisted. Kurt pouted but packed up his things and followed Miss Keller to the office. She kept throwing him worried looks that he didn't understand, though he was afraid of what her answer would be if he questioned her on them. When he got there he was taken straight into the principal's office and he was surprised to see that his mother was in there, though she was barely recognisable. Her eyes were red and puffy and she looked much paler than usual.

"Mummy? Why are you crying?" Kurt asked and Elizabeth sniffed loudly, tugging him into her lap.

"Hi KK," she soothed, stroking his hair. "There's something I need to tell you, okay? It's about your dad."

"Where is Daddy?" Kurt frowned and Elizabeth bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

"KK, your dad got sick today," she told him, her voice wavering. The principal stood off to the side, looking close to tears. "He had to go to hospital but they couldn't make him better and he passed away."

"What?" Kurt stuttered. "Where's Daddy?" He repeated, looking around desperately as if he expected Burt Hummel to wander in, clad in overalls and a baseball cap. He hadn't yet realised that he would never see his father again.

"I'm sorry, KK," Elizabeth cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. "He's gone, sweetie."

Kurt wiped at the stray tear that fell down his cheek and he sniffed, trying to blink away further tears that threatened to fall. His whole world had shattered then and it was close to shattering once more. Kurt tossed back the covers and pulled on a jumper. He slipped out of the guest room and made his way down stairs to get a drink.

He flipped on the light, blinking at the sudden brightness and rummaged as quietly as he could for a glass. He found one and put it under the tap, filling it to the brim. He went and sat at the table as he sipped his water, drawing his knees up to his chest.

He was startled when he heard footsteps and Blaine appeared in the doorway. Kurt took in his ruffled appearance, his hair wild and curly. "Kurt? You okay?" He rasped, rubbing his eyes blearily.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Kurt asked softly and Blaine shook his head, dropping into the seat next to him.

"No, it's okay. What are you doing up?" Blaine questioned, smothering a yawn with his hand.

"I couldn't sleep," Kurt murmured, fidgeting with his glass.

Blaine took his hand and linked their fingers together. "You're worried about your mum," he guessed, his voice soft.

Kurt nodded. "And I keep thinking about my dad."

Blaine exhaled sharply and wrapped an arm around his boyfriend, pulling him closer. "It's not fair," he whispered. Kurt gently smoothed Blaine's curls and placed a shy kiss on his cheek. Blaine leant his forehead against his boyfriend's and sighed softly. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing and I don't know how to make this easier for you," Blaine admitted and Kurt stroked his cheek.

"You are making this easy for me, Blaine," Kurt assured him. "I'm not sure what I need but you make it easier to breathe."

Blaine smiled softly and kissed his forehead. "You need to get some sleep," Blaine said quietly.

"I don't think I can," Kurt whispered.

"What if I slept with you?" Blaine asked, his voice hesitant with nerves. "Just sleep, I promise."

Kurt blushed but nodded, ducking his head. Blaine smiled at him and helped him up, leaving his glass on the table and switching off the light. Blaine linked his fingers with his boyfriend's and led him back to his room. Kurt bit his lip nervously before slipping into Blaine's bed next to him. It smelt of Blaine and he drew comfort from the smell. Blaine slipped in beside him and gently – hesitantly – drew Kurt into his arms. He sighed contently and closed his eyes, which were far too heavy to keep open anymore.

He felt Blaine place a kiss on his cheek before he finally succumbed to sleep.

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Blaine woke up and was confused by the heavy weight on his chest. He blinked open his eyes, waiting for them to clear before his breath hitched and his heart fluttered wildly in his chest. Kurt was using his chest a pillow, hand resting lightly over his heart. His long lashes rested against his porcelain cheek, chest rising and falling with each breath.

Blaine had never seen a more breathtaking sight. He trailed his hand over Kurt's back and in response his boyfriend shifted and huffed out a breath. Blaine waited as Kurt slowly began to wake up. His eyes fluttered open and inhaled deeply. Blaine smiled at Kurt's adorably confused face and gently stroked his cheek.

Kurt's eyes snapped to him and Blaine chuckled as his cheeks flushed red and he smiled shyly. "Morning," he grinned.

"Morning," Kurt echoed, rubbing his face.

"Did you get any sleep?" Blaine asked, looking concerned and Kurt smiled softly.

"I did. Thank you," he placed a quick kiss on Blaine's cheek and sat up. "I should get dressed."

Blaine nodded and they both slipped out of bed. Kurt disappeared to the guest room to shower and get dressed and when he was ready Blaine was just about to knock on his door.

They went to the kitchen where Cooper was eating his breakfast. He smiled at them in greeting and went back to chewing his toast.

Blaine and Kurt got themselves some breakfast and sat down with Cooper. "I'll take you to the hospital when visiting hours are open," Cooper told Kurt and he nodded. Blaine squeezed his thigh and he smiled up at him.

"You'll come with me, right?" Kurt asked Blaine, who smiled in response.

"Of course, if you want me to," Blaine nodded and Kurt let out a sigh of relief.