June 5, 2012, 1:28 p.m.
In the dark: Home
T - Words: 1,633 - Last Updated: Jun 05, 2012 Story: Complete - Chapters: 16/16 - Created: Jun 05, 2012 - Updated: Jun 05, 2012 507 0 0 0 0
Blaine pulled up on the street as Burt pulled into the driveway. Blaine cut the engine and jumped out, locking his car behind him. Burt was helping Kurt out of the car, Kurt clutching the teddy Blaine gave him tightly, as if it were a lifeline. Blaine guessed that being in constant darkness; you would take comfort where you found it. It made Blaine smile to think that he had offered Kurt some reassurance.
Blaine headed over to them and took Kurt's arm as Burt shut the door and locked the car. They walked slowly to the house and Blaine took the opportunity to take in his surroundings. The house was beautifully decorated; Blaine could only assume that it was largely because of Kurt. Blaine followed Burt into the house, hardly needing to lead Kurt.
"Who's been baking?" Kurt asked, nose wrinkled in confusion. Blaine could smell freshly baked goods but he guessed that it must have be a lot stronger for Kurt.
"Carol has. She managed to stop Finn from sneaking some and dropped them over," Burt explained.
"Oh. Thank her for me," Kurt said politely and Burt nodded. "I'm going to show Blaine my room."
"I'll be up here if you need anything," Burt told them and they nodded.
"It's downstairs," Kurt informed Blaine, gesturing in a direction that he could only hope was towards the lower level of the house.
"Cool," Blaine grinned and he led Kurt to the stairs. They went down slowly, Kurt missing a step a couple of times, Blaine holding him tightly each time he did. Kurt sighed in frustration frequently, but they made into the basement safely. Blaine looked around and let out a low whistle.
"I knew you had good taste in more than one area," Blaine teased and Kurt laughed.
"You like it?" He asked.
"It's amazing, Kurt," Blaine told him truthfully, looking around in awe.
Kurt fumbled his way to the bed and sat down on it slowly. Blaine followed and sunk down next to him. "Did you want something to eat or drink?" Kurt inquired, politely.
"Nah, I'm OK for the moment. What about you?" Blaine asked. Kurt shook his head and he heard Blaine gasp.
"What is it?" Kurt followed the sound of Blaine's voice, feeling slightly frightened because he was confined to darkness, unable to see what had caught Blaine's attention.
"Is that your scarf collection?" Blaine asked. Kurt felt the bed move and he chuckled, relieved.
"I love scarves," Kurt shrugged.
"Wow, this is impressive," Blaine grinned, gently running his fingers over the scarves, finding that they were unbelievably soft.
They spent the next hour, discussing Vogue, books, Disney and everything else that sprung to mind. Kurt had never felt so comfortable with another person. Sure, he and Mercedes were best friends but since Quinn's pregnancy, they had drifted apart.
"Dad's coming," Kurt said suddenly and Blaine looked up from where he was lying on the bed to see Burt descend the stairs a few seconds later.
"Hey, I'm making lunch. You want to come up?" Burt asked.
"Of course. Thank you, Burt," Blaine replied politely and Burt nodded in response, turning back and retreating up the stairs.
"He likes you," Kurt commented, feeling his way to the edge of the bed and slipping off.
"Really?" Blaine asked, surprised. How could Kurt tell? Burt appeared to be indifferent.
"Of course," Kurt replied, jumping slightly when Blaine grabbed his hand. "You get to call him by your first name and you're in my room."
Blaine grinned brightly. "I like your dad," Blaine said as they climbed the stairs. "You two have a really great relationship."
"He's all I have," Kurt muttered and Blaine's heart clenched.
"Where's your mum?" Blaine asked, voice soft.
"She died when I was eight," Kurt told him, turning his head away.
"Oh, Kurt, I'm so sorry," Blaine said, biting his lip.
"It's OK. You didn't know," Kurt assured him, patting his hand.
Burt was placing plates on the table and Blaine led them over. Kurt sat down and sniffed. "Crackers?" He asked, sounding hopeful.
"Yeah, with jam," Burt answered.
"Thanks, Dad," Kurt smiled at him. Blaine himself had a sandwich, as well as Burt. Kurt reached blindly for the crackers, spreading jam over his fingers. He licked the jam off and took a small bite. They ate in comfortable silence until Burt struck up a conversation of football with Blaine. Blaine talked happily about sport while Kurt struggled to eat without missing his mouth. He jumped violently when a napkin was pushed into his hand and he blushed, wiping his face quickly.
"Is that OK, Kurt?" Burt asked.
"Yeah, it's not too strong," Kurt nodded and reached for another one. He jumped when the doorbell rang loudly in his ears and dropped the cracker he had been holding. "Are we expecting someone?" Kurt asked, wincing and delicately rubbing his ear.
"No. Go wait in the living room," Burt instructed and Kurt heard him stand up. Kurt stood too and felt Blaine grab his arm and turn him around. Not being able to see was so disorienting and it was confusing Kurt, making him frustrated and somewhat frightened. No matter how many people he was around, he felt horribly alone.
"Why doesn't your dad want people coming in?" Blaine asked, gently pushing Kurt down onto the couch. Kurt shifted and made himself comfortable before answering.
"I think he's afraid that whoever did it might come back," Kurt explained slowly, "that, and he wants me to be able to get used to being blind before anyone visits."
Silence fell and Kurt frowned. "I think it's Carol and Finn."
"Who's that?" Blaine asked, confused.
"It Dad's girlfriend and his son," Kurt said, face scrunched up in concentration as he listened.
"Do you want to go back downstairs?' Blaine asked, not wanting Kurt to be uncomfortable.
"Yeah. I don't want to deal with Finn. He hasn't got a clue most of the time," Kurt sighed. "You can bring the rest of your lunch down, if you want."
"I'll grab it," Blaine said, jumping up and grabbing their plates. Kurt was walking slowly, feeling for the walls when Blaine came back.
"Take two steps to the left and the door is there," Blaine said gently.
"Thanks," Kurt whispered and did as Blaine instructed. He managed to get downstairs without help and made his way to the bed, sitting down on the mattress.
"Here," Blaine said, putting the plate in Kurt's hands.
"Thanks," Kurt repeated, ducking his head. "I'm sorry that you have to do everything. That wasn't why I invited you over, I promise."
He chuckled. "It's fine, Kurt," Blaine assured him, "I'm happy to help."
"It's always going to be like this, isn't it?" Kurt asked, voice small. "People doing everything for me, I mean."
"To begin with, yeah," Blaine said, truthfully, "but I know you well enough to know that you're the kind of person who likes to do things for themselves, you're determined, courageous. You'll get the hang of it."
"I can't go back to McKinley. I have to go to a new school where I know nobody, learn to read with my hands," Kurt rambled, starting to get worked up. Blaine put his plate down and took Kurt's, setting it on the ground next to his. He took Kurt's hands and the other boy squeezed them tightly, desperate to have something to cling onto.
"It will be OK, Kurt," Blaine promised. "It could be so much worse."
"How?" Kurt whined.
"You could be dead," Blaine said bluntly and Kurt flinched. Blaine knew it was harsh, but Kurt needed to know that he was lucky. "I'll help you and so will your dad. I mean – if you want me to." Blaine blushed.
"You would help me?" Kurt asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Of course. You're my friend, Kurt," Blaine smiled.
"I – thank you Blaine," Kurt replied, squeezing his hands tighter.
"You're welcome," Blaine said. "Now, let's finish out lunch and then, I'm going to show you the brilliance of Katy Perry."
"Please Blaine," Kurt scoffed with a smirk. "Lady Gaga is a God."
Blaine laughed and handed the plate back to Kurt. "I'll prove you wrong."
"Bring it."
Upstairs Burt stood outside, facing Carol and Finn. "How's he doing?" Carol asked, worry etched onto her face.
"He's quiet," Burt shrugged, unsure of how to explain it. "But it's to be expected."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Carol inquired, eyes hopeful.
"Not at the moment," Burt sighed. "He's still adjusting."
"So he's really blind?" Finn asked, looking stricken.
"Yes, Finn, he's blind," Burt said, sorrowfully.
"Whoa," Finn breathed, hardly able to believe it. "I can't – wow. Blind."
Carol looked close to tears and took Burt's hand. "You'll call us if you need anything?" Carol asked and Burt nodded.
"Um – the New Directions were wondering if they could come visit," Finn told Burt, looking hopeful. "We have something planned for him."
"Not at the moment," Burt said firmly – although he knew New Directions tended to take things into their own hands. "Kurt needs to adjust and he can't do it with heaps of people badgering him."
"I'll call you later," Carol promised, kissing Burt's cheek and she pulled away, grabbing Finn and dragging him back towards the car.
Burt headed back inside and saw that Kurt and Blaine were nowhere to be seen. He headed downstairs, peeking around the door and saw Kurt and Blaine singing along to the music that was playing, Kurt smiling brightly, Blaine eyes scanning over him, as if he was remembering him.
Burt smiled. He knew that Kurt was in good hands and headed back up stairs to give him some space.