Kurt had finally broken and joined the Warblers. He had decided to join them after they had put on a group performance, Blaine singing lead as per usual. The Warblers had been delighted that Kurt had agreed and had immediately filled him in on their plans for Regionals.

"A duet and a solo," Wes announced to everyone in the room, "is the plan for Regionals. Auditions start tomorrow. Meeting adjourned."

Chatter broke out and Blaine turned to Kurt, who was seated next to him. "You should audition," Blaine grinned at him.

"No," Kurt shook his head. "I've only been a part of the group for a few days. Someone else deserves that solo and duet more than me."

"Even though you may not get it, you should still try out," Blaine said. "You never know."

"But I've only just joined," Kurt protested.

"Everyone loves you," Blaine insisted. "Even if you got it, I don't think anyone would mind. We would be proud of you and honoured to have you as our soloist or duet partner." Kurt sat in silence, head bowed. "New Directions aren't like this are they?"

"No," Kurt chuckled. "There would be munity if someone stole Rachel's solo and it would be Rachel and Finn with the duet, naturally."

Blaine shook his head. He wasn't used to things running like that. The council made things fair for the Warblers, each of them getting the chance to audition for solos.

"That's unfortunate," Blaine finally answered and Kurt hummed in the back of his throat. "Are you ready to go? I'm sure your dad will be waiting," Blaine smiled, taking Kurt's hand.

"Yeah, I'm ready. I haven't left anything behind, have I?" Kurt asked.

Blaine looked around and saw nothing. "Nope. Let's go."

They walked out together in comfortable silence, Kurt's cane echoing around them as he tapped the ground. Burt was waiting for them in the car park as usual and Blaine led Kurt to the car.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Blaine smiled, kissing Kurt gently.

"Bye, Blaine," Kurt grinned and jumped in the car. Blaine watched them drive away before heading to his own car.

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"Blaine was trying to get me to audition for a solo or for a duet for Regionals," Kurt said as they drove and Burt perked up.

"That's great. You should go for it," Burt nodded.

"I won't get it," Kurt protested and his father frowned.

"Why not?" Burt demanded.

"Because I'm new," Kurt shrugged, "and it's not fair to those who have been waiting for this chance."

"That's true," Burt agreed. "But you should still audition. I know you miss singing, kid."

Kurt ducked his head and smiled. "I guess with everything that has happened, I haven't felt like singing much," he shrugged. "I feel like everything has changed all over again."

"Isn't this the perfect opportunity to prove that nothing has changed?" Burt asked. "We got through your mum and we can get through this. We learnt that the world doesn't end when something is taken from us."

Kurt nodded. "You're right," he smiled.

"Course I am," Burt grunted and Kurt laughed. "Do you have a song in mind?"

"Not at the moment," Kurt shrugged. "I'll think of something."

The rest of the trip was spent mostly in silence, Burt leaving Kurt to think over his upcoming audition.

When they got home, Burt set about making dinner and ringing Carol while Kurt moved to the bookcase in the living room, trailing his hands over the records and CDs that they kept. His father hadn't moved anything in the house since Kurt had become blind, allowing him to keep the visual of the house in his mind so that he could move and find thing easily.

His hand stilled as he counted across the records and pulled one out, trailing his fingers over the cover. It was a Beatles album, he was sure. It had belonged to his mother – she had been a huge fan – and Kurt instantly knew what song he would be singing.

He smiled and put the record back, moving back to the couch, pulling out his new text books from his bag. He balanced his English book in his lap and opened it, fingers trailing over the brail. He had finally grown accustomed to reading brail, able to do it with ease now, hardly getting confused anymore. Occasionally he would stumble over certain words, taking a few minutes to decipher it before continuing on what he was reading.

A special typewriter had also been given to Kurt. They keys were in brail but the lettering came out in ink on the page. He also had another that meant he could type out notes in brail but used the ink one for handing in his homework and for writing his assignments. He'd also learnt that his exams would have to be different and taken separately to everyone else.

He worked on his homework and frowned when he briefly heard Burt's side of his phone conversation to Carol.

"I'm trying, Carol," he was saying. "We both knew that after the attack it would take time."

There was silence and Kurt pretended that he couldn't hear.

"You what? Carol, an adjustment like this will take time," Burt said. "Things will pick up soon."

More silence filled the house.

"I guess, if you want a break for a while," Burt sighed. "Then there is nothing I can do to change your mind. I do care for you, Carol, a lot." Kurt bit his lip. "I'm sorry too, Carol."

Burt hung up the phone and Kurt pushed his books of his lap and got up. He padded quietly to the kitchen and stepped inside. "Dad?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah?" Burt said gruffly. "You alright?"

"Fine. Are you?" Kurt asked. "I uh- over heard you speaking. Sorry."

"No, it's not your fault," Burt shrugged. "I would have told you anyway."

"I'm sorry about Carol," Kurt whispered.

"She wants a break. She needs to figure out if this is what she wants," Burt grunted.

"I'm sorry," Kurt said sadly. "Hopefully she will come around."

Burt smiled and pulled his son into a hug. "Alright, I need you to taste this," Burt said, pulling away and picking up a spoon from a pot where he was attempting to make soup. He put the spoon to Kurt's mouth and he sipped it carefully.

Kurt's face scrunched dramatically and he coughed. "Ew, what is that?" He spluttered.

"Soup," Burt frowned.

"Call for a pizza, Dad," Kurt shuddered, "because that isn't soup."

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Kurt waited anxiously outside the choir room with Nick and Jeff. The three of them were auditioning for a solo and Kurt was the last to go.

He heard the doors open and footsteps approaching. "Are you ready, Kurt?" Wes asked and Kurt nodded.

Wes led him into the room and stood him in front of everyone. "When you are ready," he said, taking his seat. Kurt swallowed, nodding and the music started.

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

Black bird 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

Kurt couldn't see Blaine's look but the others could. He was gazing at Kurt with such love and devotion that they felt honored to be in the presence of this moment.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark, black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark, black night.

Kurt could picture his mother singing clearly in his mind. People had told him that her face would start to fade but for Kurt it didn't. He could picture clearly his mother at their old piano, singing with a blinding smile on her face.

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,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

There was applause and Kurt ducked his head.

"Thank you Kurt," Wes said, taking hold of his arm again. "We need to discuss this so if you wouldn't mind waiting outside."

Kurt nodded and let himself be led out. Wes helped him to the chair and hurried back inside. "You'll have to sing for me another time," Kurt said to Nick and Jeff. "I wished I could have heard your auditions."

"Same," Jeff smiled, "watching a video isn't nearly as good as the real thing."

Kurt blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. They chatted lightly while they waited and finally Wes came back out again.

"We have come to our decision," Wes told them, face serious. "Nick, Jeff. We are giving you the duet at Regionals."

Nick and Jeff grinned and stood, hugging each other tightly.

"As for you, Kurt," Wes said, turning to Kurt. "Congratulations, we are giving you the solo."

"What?" Kurt breathed. "But I've only just joined!"

"You were very impressive, Kurt," Wes beamed, "amazing."

"I – thank you," Kurt breathed, allowing himself to be hugged by Jeff and Nick.

"The meeting has been adjourned," Wes announced.

"We'll see you late, Kurt," Jeff said and Kurt was suddenly left alone. He frowned and jumped when he was pulled into a hug.

"You were beautiful," Blaine whispered in his ear and Kurt blushed.

"Thank you," Kurt smiled shyly.

"Watching you – Kurt, I love you," Blaine told him sincerely. Kurt's breath hitched and he hardly dared to believe it.

"I love you too, Blaine," Kurt said with the biggest smile Blaine had ever seen.

Blaine beamed and pulled Kurt into a passionate kiss, holding him tightly.