"Burt?" he looks petrified and I'm torn whether I should enjoy this or not.

"I think we need to talk don't you? " Blaine visibly gulps at my words and trails me as I walk through to the kitchen. It's funny how when the boys first met I was always nervous to be in this house, touch anything and now I come and go as easily as breathing (keeping tabs on the boys when their parents were away would do that to you I suppose) as much as it was huge it never felt empty, filled with trinkets and mismatched vintage furniture, framed pictures of Cooper and Blaine everywhere including a lot from the year he remained dressed in black and would only respond to 'Snape' from some book or film or something. I sit down on the stool in the centre of the island and really take a look at him. His eyes are blood shot his hair is definitely bed head and there is a damp stain on his pull over. It's worse than the mess of Kurt at my own house, worse than I thought I would be walking into that's for sure. Blaine is hovering at the opposite side of the counter deep in thought maybe?

"Can I get you something to drink?" its perfect manners as I would expect but he knows I would get myself a drink, this is his way of stalling the conversation.

"Why don't you just sit down?" his bum hits the seat quicker than I can blink and he just sits gawking at me. "So what have I missed?"

"Erm not much.....I mean, the tour is keeping me busy and I'm only home for two days....Cooper's birthday was really good fun! Unless Kurt didn't tell you about that in which case we didn't go out and sneak in to anywhere we weren't meant to be." His eyes never meet mine, sure he is looking at me but his eyes are almost looking through me, he's like a shadow of the Blaine I watched grow up.

"Kurt didn't tell me where you were, but I'm not stupid I know you're at the age where you want to experiment and go out to different places...." I also found a strip club card lying in the living room this morning beside where Finn was snoozing on the couch. "But I trust that I have raised my kids right and that they are responsible in these situations, besides Kurt's moving out in a few months I can't dictate to him any more...he's not a little kid as much as I would like to pretend I could walk in on you three throwing a soiree in the dining room..." I get a little chuckle from him then but still it doesn't meet his eyes.

"You did a good job Burt, with all of us! We could always rely on a Burt Hummel bear hug and pep talk whenever we needed it..."

"I guess I just feel a little more out of the loop now. You are all grown up and keep things to yourself....I just know Kurt is in bits and he won't tell anyone what's wrong..." He starts fiddling with his top and chews his bottom lip. "You don't look so great either kid....so let's try again. What have I missed?" his eyes connect with mine for a split second and I can see a range of emotions. None of them good.

"I just.... I feel like I'm drowning." He pauses for a minute but I let him continue at his own pace. "I feel sad like all the time and I can't seem to find something to make me happy again. Sebastian. He. When I was with him I tried to make him happy to keep us happy, I was crazy about him and then when I found out about....what he did, I was just crazy. I felt worthless, not good enough, dirty and unlovable. I couldn't tell anyone how I felt I didn't want them to judge me but at the same time I knew if he came calling I would have went back! How pathetic does that make me? To go back to someone that could do that?" he roughly wiped away the tears that were falling down his face and took a deep breath to calm himself. "I started going out with the guys to clubs and things, the attention it made me feel wanted again so I started to-let them advance on me- I slept with two of them too, and some guy told me I was beautiful and I, I can't tell you what I did but everybody saw the pictures. Including Kurt and I was too ashamed to call him. It didn't help that I forgot his birthday either, I have never ever done that and I was mad at myself and Tan for not bitching me out about it, and Sebastian for putting me in this place. Then he told me that he loved me....and that just made me feel even worse, I wasn't good enough for him I'm still not and it killed me that I couldn't find a better answer for him than I did but it took me off guard, I never thought he would be interested in me....and then last night he said he didn't like the person I was becoming and I felt relieved...that if he hated me it would be easier for him to get over but he doesn't even want to be friends anymore....I just feel like I'm one of those puppet shows, someone else is pulling the strings and I can't control the outcome.....If you hate me you can leave, I won't blame you." He shrugs his shoulders and looks so deflated I don't know how I can make this okay for him but I will try the best way I know how.

"I don't hate you kid and neither does Kurt for that matter."

"But he said -"

"I don't care what he said! I know my son better than anyone and he is stubborn but he isn't cold. He doesn't hate you, he's just pissed that the world has dealt him a shitty hand and he is trying to protect himself the only way he knows how. By shutting off from the world!" I reach over and tug his hand into mine and give it a tight squeeze receiving a small smile in return. "Now I don't know all the ins and outs of what happened with you and your boyfriend but I do know one thing for sure; none of it was your fault! People like that they are toxic to everyone that loves them and can't realise what a good thing they have when they have it! You are not worthless, or any of that other stuff you are Blaine Devon Anderson the nicest warmest kid I know! And another thing I hope you used protection?" His face flushes deep red and I can tell this is hard for him but I don't care my mission is on its voyage and I am going home with it complete.

"Uh- yeah I did"

"Good, keeping yourself safe is important!" his head bobs along with me "But can I tell you what else matters? Protecting your heart! You matter! Always remember that I told you all being intimate with someone is supposed to deepen that connection you already have, throwing yourself around is changing you and it's doing something to you, to your self-esteem, to your confidence, to your soul. I don't want you just giving it to anyone, hey! I know this is embarrassing but look at me and listen. You are so special, you're talented, you're generous, you're passionate, you're determined, you're loving, you're kind, people should have to work to see every side of you because you're a very rare breed..."

"Gay?" I can't help but laugh at that statement and he chuckles a little too.

"No! Well yeah but even rarer than that...you are Burt Hummel approved! I know it's not much but-"

"It is! It's the best review anyone could get!" he appears to be a bit buoyed by the conversation which means it's time for strike three to bring this home.

"Now that brings me back to Kurt, just give him time. You can't force yourself to feel things that you don't feel, no matter how badly you want to. He's stubborn, we all know this, just let him come to you when he's ready and I have every faith he will. And don't mope! You are on the adventure of a lifetime, take it all in, make memories, friends, maybe meet someone that deserves you....enjoy it all because before you know it you could be back here wondering where it all went. Try to not drink so much.....I don't wanna sound old but, just everything in proportion if you can. Most importantly if you feel down call someone, me, Cooper, your mom and dad, Santana, Dale! I know I wanted to hate the guy but he's very level headed. Just know you're not alone and you will always have a support system here when you need us and we won't judge- unless you get a mullet- or a tattoo. Can you promise to at least try and remember that?"

"Yeah, I'll try, thanks Burt you're really the best role model ever..." he comes round to my side and I envelop him into a trade mark 'bear hug' as the kids call it.

"Don't mention it kiddo! You're important to me and always will be..." I loosen my grip but he stays firmly in place and I chuckle. "I'm gonna go and let you get organised, safe flight! And let me know when you're gonna be back again okay?"

"Probably not for a while, give everyone some space and try to refocus y'know?" he walks me out to my car and stands waving me off, his spirit visibly lifted, I just hope they will last.