Burt was walking back from the cafeteria, Kurt having ordered him to go eat something – as long as it was heart-healthy, of course. Ever since Burt's heart attack, Kurt had been extra careful with regards to his dad's diet. It still amazed Burt that after everything that had happened, Kurt was still looking out for people around him before himself. Burt nodded at the nurses as he passed, who smiled in return. The nurses had taken a liking to the Hummel men and were taking great care of both of them.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Kurt Hummel's room," said a male voice and Burt stopped, whirling round. There was a young boy standing at the nurse's station, dressed in stylish jeans and a polo shirt. His dark hair was gelled back and his posture was abnormally good for a teenage boy.

"Who's asking for Kurt?" Burt asked and the boy whipped around, looking startled.

"I'm Blaine Anderson, sir. You must be Mr Hummel." Blaine stuck his hand out politely and Burt shook it. His eyes travelled to the stuffed bear that Blaine held in his hand. It had the words Get well soon stitched on its belly.

"Nice to meet you, Blaine," Burt said gruffly, slightly taken aback by the boy's dapperness, "Kurt's room is this way."

Blaine smiled in relief and fell into step beside Burt. "Is he OK? I'm not interrupting him or anything?" Blaine asked anxiously as they strode down the hall together.

"He's awake," Burt told him, "but as for OK? I think that's a long way off."

Blaine frowned but didn't say anything as Burt turned into the nearby room. They both stepped in and Blaine's eyes widened as he took in Kurt's appearance. He was sitting up, propped against the pillows but what held Blaine's attention the most was the white gauze wrapped around his head, covering his eyes.

"Dad?" Kurt asked, head turning in their direction.

"Yeah, it's me, kid," Burt said, sitting down in the chair by Kurt's bed. "You have a visitor."

"Blaine?" Kurt asked, head jerking up.

"Hi, Kurt," Blaine greeted, his voice a little hoarse. He stepped forward hesitantly and stood by the edge of the bed. He was shocked and he was doing a poor job of hiding it, though of course, Kurt didn't know that and Burt thought that it was probably a blessing at this present moment.

Kurt reached a hand out, but after a second, he hesitated and started to withdraw it. Blaine quickly grabbed it and rubbed his thumb across Kurt's knuckles. Kurt blushed and Blaine mustered a small smile. Kurt was still cute when he blushed.

"Kurt, what happened?" Blaine breathed, unable to stop himself from asking.

"Someone attacked him," Burt answered, knowing that Kurt wouldn't be able to find the words. "Now he's blind."

"Blind?" Blaine gasped. "Oh, Kurt, I'm so sorry."

Kurt was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't any pity in Blaine's voice, only sorrow. He shrugged, his face perfectly blank but Blaine could detect the small quiver in his lips.

"Here, I got you something," Blaine said, gently taking Kurt's hand and closing it around the paw of the teddy bear. "It's a get well soon bear."

"It's so soft," Kurt commented, trailing his fingers over it delicately. "Thank you, Blaine. You didn't need to."

Blaine shrugged but then remembered that Kurt couldn't see it. "It's no problem."

Kurt shifted over and patted the side of the bed. "Sit down."

Blaine looked to Burt, who nodded his approval. Blaine gently sat on the edge of the bed beside Kurt, tightening his grip on his friend's fingers.

"So, Blaine," Burt started, "Kurt tells me you go to Dalton."

"Yes sir," Blaine nodded, looking round at Burt. "Dalton is a wonderful school."

"How did you two meet?" Burt asked.

"I was told to make myself useful and spy on the Warblers," Kurt answered softly, "Blaine's a part of the Warblers. They're our competition at Sectionals."

"You spied?" Burt snorted and both boys chuckled.

"Not very well, admittedly. They caught me out and I ended up going for coffee with Blaine and his friends," Kurt told his dad.

"He was so endearing that we had to get to know him," Blaine grinned, nudging Kurt playfully. Kurt flinched slightly but he smiled.

Burt watched as Blaine withdrew from Kurt a little upon seeing him flinch, trying to give him space.

"You sing, too?" Burt asked.

"Yes. I love singing. I play the guitar as well," Blaine explained happily and Burt could see the same passion that he saw in Kurt.

"And you're gay," Burt added, not beating around the bush, true to form.

"Dad," Kurt hissed, his face bright red.

"It's OK, Kurt," Blaine assured him. "Yes sir, I am. Came out when I was thirteen."

Burt nodded approvingly. "You don't have to keep calling me sir. Call me Burt."

"Thank you," Blaine smiled warmly at him.

Burt saw the start of a smile on Kurt's face and his fingers danced over the small bear's fur. Blaine watched curiously as Kurt tensed and his head moved in the direction of the door. A few seconds later a nurse came in and Blaine's eyes widened. He quickly made the connection, realising that Kurt's hearing had improved now that he had lost one of his other senses.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. There is a Carol Hudson outside, asking to come in," the nurse informed them.

"I'll be back," Burt grunted, getting up and leaving with the nurse.

Blaine turned to Kurt, who was biting his lip. "Dad won't let me have any visitors," Kurt said, softly. "You're the first."

"Wow, I'm honoured," Blaine told him, voice sincere. "Kurt, I'm so sorry. If I hadn't have given you that advice –"

Kurt cut Blaine off by reaching out and grabbing his arm. "Stop, Blaine. It's not your fault. I don't know who did this but it was bound to happen, whether you had given me that advice or not. You know that."

"I just – I am so, so sorry," Blaine croaked. "When you didn't reply to my message I thought that maybe something had happened but then I thought that I was probably over reacting. Besides, we've only known each other a few weeks."

"I'm sorry I didn't get a message to you sooner," Kurt apologised, biting his lip. "Everything at the moment is just a lot to take in."

"How – how does it feel? Does it hurt?" Blaine asked carefully. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"No, it's OK. Everything smells so much stronger and everything is a lot louder," Kurt explained.

"Everything feels different. You don't know what you're missing until it's gone." His voice grew sadder and Blaine hesitantly wrapped an arm around Kurt. Blaine had always been one for physical contact and to him; nothing offered comfort like a hug. "It's so weird," Kurt admitted, his voice small. Blaine didn't know how to answer, but he was saved by Burt entering again. "Carol was here?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah. She wanted to see how you were doing," Burt told him, sitting back down.

Kurt nodded and shifted on the bed. "How are Wes and David?" Kurt asked, directing the question at Blaine this time.

Blaine eagerly launched into a tale of the two boys' antics at Dalton. Kurt listened intently, happy that he could take Blaine's mind off the attack. Blaine smiled brightly when he heard a soft laugh from Kurt.

They fell silent when the doctor entered the room.

"Morning, everyone," he greeted cheerily and Blaine saw Kurt scowl a little. "I have some good news for you, Kurt. You can go home today."

Kurt visibly brightened, sitting up straighter. "Really? I can go home?"

"Yep," the doctor beamed. "We just need to check your eyes again and then all you have to do is sign the discharge papers and you can go home."

"Thank you," Kurt smiled along with Blaine and Burt.

"Thanks, Doc," Burt said, standing and shaking the doctor's hand.

"Alright, Kurt. Let's get these bandages off and take a look," the doctor said, moving to the edge of the bed.

Blaine jumped off the bed and stood a little awkwardly to the side. "Did you want me to leave?" He asked.

"Only if you want to," Kurt said as the doctor started to un-wrap the bandages, "if it makes you uncomfortable."

"No," Blaine replied, smiling softly at Kurt's compassion. "It's fine."

Kurt's bandages were unravelled and the doctor carefully peeled away the two patches that were taped across his eyes. Blaine sucked in a breath, eyes widening. The area around Kurt's eyes was a dark red and looked very irritated.

"Can you up open your eyes, please, Kurt?" The doctor asked. Kurt's eyes fluttered open and he inhaled sharply. Kurt's eyes, that had once been a startling blue, were now cloudy and red. The doctor waved a flash flight in front of Kurt's eyes but there was no response. "Can you see anything?"

"No," Kurt replied, mournfully, "it's just dark."

Blaine bit his lip sadly and shifted. Burt sighed and Kurt winced, obviously having heard it.

"I'll put some more cream around your eyes to ease the irritation and then I'll re-wrap them," the doctor explained.

Kurt nodded and silence fell as the doctor worked. When Kurt was re-bandaged the doctor stepped back, admiring his handiwork. "Alright, let's go get these discharge papers," he said and Burt followed him out of the room.

"Feeling better?" Blaine asked, sitting back on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, the cream helps," Kurt answered softly. "Sorry. I must look awful."

"You don't," Blaine replied without missing a beat, eliciting a flush from Kurt, "you look as beautiful as always." Blaine grinned as he watched Kurt blush and he shifted. Kurt's stomach rumbled and he blushed harder, making Blaine chuckle. "Hungry?"

"Yeah, I have to eat bland food at the moment until my taste buds adjust," Kurt winced.

"That sucks," Blaine gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

"Blaine?"

"Hmm?"

"If my dad says it's OK, would you – would you like to come back to my house?" Kurt asked shyly.

"I'd love to," Blaine grinned. "Are you sure, though? You don't want to rest or anything?"

"No, all I have been doing is resting," Kurt mumbled grumpily.

"Well then I would love to keep you company," Blaine grinned and Kurt smiled in response. Burt came back in and grabbed Kurt's bag from the floor.

"Alright, we're ready to go," Burt told them, smiling brightly.

"Dad, can Blaine come with us?" Kurt asked, looking hopeful. Burt took in Blaine's pleading expression, alongside his son's and he sighed. He wanted Kurt to stay calm and try not to let this get on top of him, and obviously Blaine was helping.

"If you don't have plans then yeah, you can come," Burt said and Blaine nodded eagerly.

"Thank you," Blaine smiled at him. They helped Kurt off the bed, helping the boy to shakily get his balance under control. Burt had helped Kurt changed into a t-shirt, sweat pants and a jumper a few days ago because his son had refused to wear the tacky hospital gown for a second longer.

Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and placed it on his elbow. Kurt gripped his arm tightly and slowly they made their way out of the hospital.