Neither of them had gotten much sleep; Kurt had been far too worked up about his dad and whatever Kurt was feeling, Blaine felt with equal force. It was as bad – if not worse than to suffer yourself – to watch the person you love in pain. Blaine pulled into the Dalton car park, settling the car in its usual spot.

Blaine leant back in his seat, turning his head to look at Kurt. "Are you sure you want to come in today?" He asked.

"Exams will be coming up soon and it's better than moping around the house," Kurt replied quietly, though his stomach was churning. He was in no way sure about this decision.

Blaine just nodded; there was no use in trying to persuade Kurt to stay home. He was stubborn when he wanted to be and Blaine felt it best to just let him be. They climbed out of the car and automatically took each other's hands.

Kurt could hear the whispers as they walked past the students of Dalton. Even though it was an all-boys school, there was plenty of gossip. Some of these boys were worse than girls when it came to rumours and hear-say.

They went to Kurt's locker and Blaine leant against the one next to it as he watched Kurt put his things away and pull out his books for his first class.

Kurt shut his locker with a small sigh, looking like he wished he could climb inside it and disappear. Blaine pulled him close, leaning his forehead against Kurt's.

"If you need anything," Blaine told him quietly, stroking Kurt's cheek. "Tell me, OK? Please don't keep it bottled up inside."

Kurt nodded against Blaine, his throat tight with emotion, rendering him, quite literally, speechless. Blaine smiled softly and gave Kurt a chaste kiss.

"Hey," said a gentle voice and Kurt turned to see Nick and Jeff standing behind them.

"Hey," Kurt greeted quietly.

"We heard about your dad," Jeff said, biting his lip. "We're really sorry."

"Thanks," Kurt attempted a small smile, though it surfaced as a grimace.

"If you need anything, just ask," Nick said, pulling Kurt into a gentle hug. "We've got your back."

Kurt looked at Nick with sparkling eyes and was saved from answering by the bell, but the expression on his face told both Nick and Jeff just how thankful he was.

Throughout the day Kurt was quiet, though this was understandable and he was held at arm's length by everyone except for Blaine; the Warblers knew that he needed space. At lunch they sat with Kurt and made polite conversation but allowed Kurt to work on his art drawings with Nick. Blaine was constantly by his side and when he couldn't be there the other Warblers were always with Kurt.

After school Blaine drove the straight to the hospital, knowing Kurt wanted nothing more than to see his dad. The ride took just as long as before and Kurt was quiet the entire trip. Blaine wasn't sure what else he could do. He felt useless and had an itch to do something, anything, to help his fianc�.

"You're not useless," Kurt said softly and Blaine shot a confused look at him. "You were mumbling under your breath. You do it a lot and think I don't notice. You're not useless."

"I feel like I'm making things worse for you," Blaine admitted, his eyes fixed firmly on the road.

"You're helping me, Blaine, like you always do," Kurt said, laying his hand on Blaine's thigh.

"Am I really?" Blaine asked.

Kurt nodded. "Honestly, I don't know how I would do it alone."

Blaine smiled at Kurt and kept driving. "Your dad's going to be OK," Blaine promised, though they both knew perfectly well that Blaine was in no position to keep that promise.

"We'll see," Kurt said quietly, so quietly Blaine nearly missed it.

Blaine wasn't sure what to expect when he walked into the hospital room but he sure as hell didn't expect to find a bunch of New Directions standing around Burt singing a medley of religious ballads. Rachel was just finishing her song, her last notes lingering.

"Papa, how I love you,

Papa, how I need you,

Papa, how I miss you,

Kissing me goodnight."

The song finished and Rachel hung her head in silent prayer, kneeling by Burt's bedside. Blaine saw the look on Kurt's face; it was carefully controlled but Blaine could tell that underneath his stony facade he was furious.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked, tone incredulous.

"Finn told us what happened to your dad," Mercedes said gently, smiling at him. "So we decided that we come and pray for him."

"We are from different denominations and we thought one was bound to work," Quinn explained, holding the cross that hung around her neck.

"I didn't ask for this," Kurt said bluntly.

"Honey, friends help out even when you don't ask," Carol told him. She was sitting beside Burt, holding his hand.

"I thought it was a good idea," Finn said, smiling at Rachel who returned the gesture.

"We don't believe in God," Kurt informed them and both Quinn and Mercedes flinched.

"What?" Mercedes gasped.

"How could you not?" Quinn demanded.

"If there was a God, he's a jerk," Kurt said, shortly. "First he makes me gay and then has all his followers bleating at me that I chose it. Like I would choose to be mocked every single day of my life."

Blaine put his hands on Kurt's shoulder to try and calm him down. He knew all about Kurt's lack of faith. He had lost any belief in the greater good when his mother had died and he had been kicked out of church.

"You shouldn't talk like that," Quinn snapped, looking hurt.

"We are only trying to help," Rachel said, giving Kurt an incredulous look. "I think you're being unreasonable."

"And I think you are being insensitive," Kurt shot back.

"Babe," Blaine said softly, squeezing Kurt's shoulders. "Just relax."

"Maybe you should go, Finn," Carol sighed softly.

"What? No," Finn protested. "I invited them here, they should get to stay."

"Finn, please," Carol said tiredly, in a tone that told him that this conversation should have ended five minutes ago.

"No. Maybe Kurt should leave," Finn retorted and Blaine gasped. Sparks were practically flying from Kurt's eyes.

"He's my dad," Kurt growled.

"Enough," Carol snapped. "Both of you. Girls, it's time for you to leave."

Rachel, Quinn and Mercedes stood, casting Kurt a sympathetic look as they passed but Kurt refused to look at them.

"I hope you're happy," Finn narrowed his eyes at Kurt.

"Having the week of my life," Kurt retorted angrily.

"Both of you stop it," Carol barked. It was the first time Kurt had ever heard Carol sound truly angry. "Yes, we should have consulted you, Kurt, but you're being unreasonable about this. Each to their own. We didn't mean any harm."

Kurt exhaled in a huff but nodded. He moved towards his dad and squeezed his hand tightly but he got nothing in response. The air was thick with tension and silence reigned. Visiting hours were coming to close and Blaine stood up.

"We should head home," Blaine said quietly, his voice hoarse from the lack of use. Kurt nodded and stood, kissing his dad's forehead before leaving without a backwards glance. Blaine hurried after him and they headed towards the car park. Climbing inside, Blaine started the engine, trying to find a way to address the situation.

"They were only trying to help," Blaine said quietly. "They didn't know."

"They shouldn't have. They don't know anything about me or my family," Kurt sulked. "Finn knew that we didn't believe. I didn't even think he did."

Blaine shrugged. "People cope in different ways," he explained, "you tend to lash out at people." Kurt shot him a glare and Blaine raised his hands momentarily from the steering wheel in defence. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. You're protecting your heart, I get it."

Kurt sighed and leant his head back against the headrest. "I should apologize," he concluded.

Blaine smiled and nodded. He pulled to stop and parked the car. The two boys got out, grabbing their bags and went inside, noticing that it was just the two of them. Finn and Carol wouldn't be long behind them.

"Come here," Blaine instructed, dropping his bag and pulling Kurt to him and wrapping his arms around him. Kurt looped his arms around Blaine's neck and pulled himself even closer. "I know this is really scary," Blaine said gently, "and I'm scared too, but we're going to get through this together, OK? We need to be there for Carol and Finn, too. They're in this just as much as we are."

Kurt kissed Blaine soundly. "You're right. It's just – it's been you, me and Dad for so long."

"I know. It will take time to get used to being a whole family again," Blaine told him, "but you just have to be patient with Finn."

Kurt nodded and pulled Blaine back in for a heated kiss. They only pulled away when the front door opened and Carol and Finn came walking in. Carol smiled tiredly at them and headed to the kitchen without saying a word. Kurt guessed she was still disappointed about what happened and Kurt wasn't too happy with her at the moment either.

Blaine bent down and picked up their bags, heading over to the table. Kurt followed and pulled out his homework. Blaine sat next to him, tangling their legs together.

Finn came in and hovered for a moment before Kurt snapped. "Do you need something Finn?"

"You know, they were just trying to help," Finn frowned, "and you blew them off. They're your friends."

"I'm sorry Finn," Kurt replied, sincerely, "I know they were trying to help."

"Yeah and you shut them out," Finn said angrily. "You hurt their feelings. Like, a lot, dude. Not cool."

"I'll apologize to them, too," Kurt told him, not looking up from his homework.

"I think we can forgive everyone being a little emotional right now," Blaine's calm voice interjected.

"And you," Finn turned on Blaine, pointing an accusing finger at him, "you just stood there and let him rip my friends."

"Finn!" Kurt glared up at him. "I'm not Blaine's responsibility. He doesn't have to oversee my every move. I can make a decision without him approving it, you know. This is in no way his fault."

"Could have fooled me," Finn muttered, wretchedly.

"Finn, I'm trying to work here. Unless you have something vaguely intelligent to say, I'm going to ignore you." Kurt told him, bluntly.

"Not everything is about you," Finn snapped. "He's not just your dad; you're being so selfish. He could die!"

"You think I don't know that," Kurt hissed dangerously. "You think I like the idea of losing two parents? You think this is easy for me? You think I'm taking this lightly, like this is all just a joke? This is killing me, Finn. A little support would be nice, rather than you lecturing me about the fact that my own father is in hospital! I know, Finn, I know how dangerous this is and I am petrified. But of course, you're too interested in what you want than what's best for Dad! If I thought that praying to the big guy in the sky would help, don't you think I would have done that by now? You know nothing!" Kurt shoved his chair back and stalked off, disappearing up the stairs. Blaine shook his head and guilt suddenly became apparent across Finn's features.

"You may not be able to see it," Blaine said quietly, "because Kurt likes to hide behind his sarcasm and snark but he's terrified. You weren't around when he mum was sick. It tore him apart and it took so long to put him back together. I can't lose him like that again, Finn, and if that means you biting your tongue when you want to have a go at someone, you'd better do it. This is more important than just Kurt upsetting your friends. He's so close to losing it, Finn."

"He was rude," Finn said but the heat of the fight was leaving him.

"He is when he's upset and scared. Imagine if it was Carol lying in that hospital bed. Your only parent on the brink of death. Do you think your first priority would be being polite? Try putting yourself in Kurt's shoes, Finn. It's not easy for him. It never has been." Blaine replied, refusing to look at Finn as he stood up and started collecting their things together. Blaine left Finn alone by the table, disappearing after Kurt.

Finn sighed and slumped against the table. He knew that he would have to apologize to Kurt but getting him to forgive him was going to be a lot tougher.

Blaine found Kurt sitting on his windowsill, looking mournfully out of the glass to the backing track of John Mellencamp. Blaine noticed that he was twirling his engagement ring round and round his finger absentmindedly.
"He didn't mean it," Blaine said gently, folding himself onto the ledge next to Kurt. "He's upset."

"We all are," Kurt sniffed. "He didn't have to make feel like I don't care about my dad." Tears flowed freely down his cheeks and Kurt didn't make any effort to wipe them away.

"You know that not true," Blaine gasped, wrapping an arm around Kurt and pulling him closer to him. Kurt stopped fiddling with his ring and leant heavily against Blaine.

"That's how he made me feel," Kurt cried, chest heaving with his sobbing. Blaine held Kurt tightly and felt a surge of anger towards Finn. How dare he make his fianc� feel like that? He didn't know anything. "I can't lose my dad, Blaine. I need him."

"I know babe," Blaine said, kissing Kurt's temple, "and you won't lose him."