Blaine woke up with a slight headache and a numb forearm from the awkward position he was slumped in. He had no idea what time it was, but he knew it must be sometime during the day because of the sunlight streaming through the curtains. He rolled onto his back, freeing the arm that was trapped beneath himself and he rubbed his temples as he stretched on the sheets and pillows that felt much softer than what he was used to. When he finally opened his eyes, he realized the ceiling was not his. It took him a moment to remember he was at Kurts.

Shit.

He turned his head to look around the room in search of Kurt, but he was nowhere to be seen. He mustve gotten up already. Blaine didnt know exactly what he should do, only that he would have to get up sooner or later. Better to get it over with.

He glanced at the clock as he slipped out from under the covers and noticed that it was nearly one in the afternoon. How long had he slept? What time did he go to sleep in the first place?

With a hard blink and a shake of his head to clear his thoughts, he pushed open the door that led into the hallway, nearly tripping on the borrowed sweatpants that were far too long for him. As he made his way into the living room, he heard the water running in the kitchen and continued until he saw Kurt washing dishes in the sink.

"Hey, sleepyhead." Kurt grinned as he greeted him. He turned off the water and dried his hands the dish towel that was slung over his shoulder. Blaine took in his appearance, his messy hair and wrinkled t-shirt and the dark gray sweatpants that were low on his hips and were torn at the bottom. It was all so unlike Kurt, and Blaine had to refrain from rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasnt seeing things. It was strange, but Blaine thought he could really get used to seeing Kurt like this.

"Morning," Blaine mumbled his reply with a scratchy voice before clearing his throat and repeating himself.

"Well, not quite morning; you slept through the latter half of that, but hopefully that means you slept well. Are you feeling any better?" Kurt inquired politely as he hung the dish towel over the handle of the oven.

"Yeah. A lot better actually. Thanks for... letting me stay." Blaine said awkwardly as he leaned against the counter.

"‘Making you stay would probably be a more accurate phrase. But Im glad you did," Kurt leaned against the counter opposite Blaine with his arms folded comfortably. "I was really worried about you last night." He said after a moment.

"Im sorry. I shouldnt have caused all of that." Blaine replied sadly. Kurt just let it go, rather than starting another ‘its okay; no its not argument.

"Can I just ask..." He started and then hesitated. "Why did you go yesterday? What caused it all?" He looked over at Blaines downcast eyes and watched his features pass a million different emotions before settling on a reluctant one.

"I got—I released my EP a few weeks ago." Blaine began.

"I know. Its fantastic." Kurt complimented. Blaine was shocked. He didnt think Kurt would have even known hed released it, let alone listened to it. Sure, hed dropped off the signed copy, but he figured Kurt would have tossed it in the trash as soon as he saw the note on the back, at best.

"Youve—um, you heard it?" He faltered.

"More times than I should admit. Ive pretty much had it playing nonstop since it came out." Kurt blushed slightly and Blaines heart felt like it grew twice its size. "Its... Blaine, Im so proud of you. Its better than I could have imagined." Blaines eyes widened and started to sting a little bit. Kurt never failed to surprise him with his kindness.

"Thanks. Im really glad you like it." That was all Blaine could think to say before he changed the topic back to the original question. "Not everyone did though, I guess. I got a really bad review a few days ago and lately Ive just been getting more and more negative comments, mostly about my relationship with you. Its just been piling up and Kayleighs out of town so I havent had really anyone to talk to. On top of everything, yesterday... yesterday was the anniversary of Caseys death. It all just kept building and finally I snapped. I just needed to go somewhere and talk to someone, I guess. My method for that was terrible, though." Blaine gave a deep sigh and dragged a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Where you ended up wasnt so bad though, was it?" Kurt comforted. "Im sorry that all of that happened. You know you can always come to me, though, right? I dont want you to think you cant talk to me."

"Cant I?" Blaine blurted before he could think. "Sorry, I just dont know what to say. You are always so incredible to me and I feel like Im such a leech. I cant be that anymore. Youre too good to keep someone like me around."

"Would you stop being so self-deprecating? Blaine, you are amazing. I dont really care what happened, what you did. All I care is that you find the right path in the end, and youre getting there." Kurt reached out and took Blaines hand gently in his, giving his fingers a squeeze in comfort. Blaine watched their hands for a moment but he sighed and pulled away.

"Kurt, I cant. You just... Im not what you say I am; Im just not. I cant let myself hurt you this way again. Hurting you isnt worth anything. I cant do that, not again." Blaine started to turn away, but Kurt caught him.

"Blaine, just wait—"

"I cant stay Kurt; youve been far too kind to me and I have no way of repaying that."

"Just stay a little longer. I need you to be okay." Kurt begged. "You were a wreck last night. I just want you to be okay after everything that happened."

"Im okay, Kurt. Ill be fine. You were more than good to me and Im better. Will you let me leave? Please?" Blaine pleaded, near on the point of hysterical. Maybe it was from the exhaustion; maybe it was from seeing Kurt again, knowing what he did. He wasnt sure, but he knew he needed to leave. "Im sorry, Kurt, but I just cant do this. Ive already taken advantage of your hospitality enough. I cant stay any longer. I wont stay and hurt you anymore."

Blaines eyes were pleading with him, and Kurt couldnt refuse, no matter how much he wanted to. "Youre not walking home, Blaine; let me drive you."

"Ill call a cab; Ill be fine." Blaine ran a hand through his curls and tugged at the roots. "Please, Kurt." His last words were so quiet and sincere that Kurt had to let him go.

"Let me know when you get home, at least? Thats all I ask. Do me that much." Kurt sighed, knowing that was the best he could get.

"I promise. Im... Im so sorry, Kurt." Blaine had tears in his eyes again and Kurt could feel the sting behind his own.

"Just... take some time to think, okay? And I really mean that." Kurt handed Blaine his phone and wallet as he put on his shoes, completely foregoing changing back into his own clothes in favor of leaving. Kurt didnt seem to mind, anyway. Blaine turned the door handle and opened the door, ready to go, but turned back to Kurt one last time.

"I really am sorry, Kurt. I just... you need to know that. And thank you, again. I cant say that enough." Kurt only nodded and Blaine turned away to leave.

It wasnt until about a half an hour later, when Blaine sent him a text to let him know he was home, that Kurt allowed any tears to silently fall.

Why had that gone so horribly wrong?

"Blaine, what the hell? I tried calling you like, forty times! I know you were upset and I wasnt there but I still expected you to answer so I could at least check up on you and see if you were okay—"

"Kayleigh, I went back." Blaine blurted out at her over the phone. There was instant silence on the line as Kayleigh processed the words.

"You... Blaine, please tell me you didnt." Kayleigh sounded upset, concerned and a little bit frustrated, though that last emotion was clearly aimed at herself for not being there.

"I couldnt handle everything that was happening and I panicked." Blaine said frantically as he paced his apartment. Hed called Kayleigh almost as soon as he got home from Kurts.

"Blaine, you told me you would be okay. You could have come with me if you didnt think you were going to be." Kayleigh was distraught. She knew she shouldnt have left, that Blaine wouldnt be okay. Usually he would drive up to see Caseys parents on the anniversary. For all intents and purposes, they pretty much considered Blaine to be a second son when he and Casey were dating, and they still did to that day.

"I know, Kayleigh. I thought I was going to be and I wasnt. But thats not the worst part." Blaine held his breath and Kayleigh panicked.

"How could it get worse?! Blaine, you—"

"I didnt do anything while I was there, Kayleigh, I swear!" Blaine took a breath. "I ended up going into the backroom with one of the old bartenders and when he tried, I stopped him. I couldnt do it because I knew it would hurt... him."

Kayleigh was pretty sure the ‘him Blaine was referring to was Kurt.

"So whats the worst part, then? And by the way, Im really proud of you, B. For stopping it when you knew you should."

Blaine bit his lip, trying to fight a melancholy smile at Kayleighs words. "I left. Well, got thrown out was more like it, but I just kept walking until I ended up at Kurts place. He came home and I was just sitting on his porch and he made me stay the night so that he could look after me. I was a mess."

"What happened after that?" She asked, a lot calmer now, knowing that Blaine had been safe.

"Im a horrible person. I took advantage of Kurt again and he didnt bat an eye. I shouldnt have stayed over. Hes just too nice. God why is he so nice to me?!" Blaine started beating himself up again over everything that happened.

"Blaine, just calm down," Kayleigh soothed as much as she could over the phone. "Just tell me what happened." Blaine took another deep breath.

"Basically I told him what happened and he comforted me and then we went to bed. But this morning I... I kind of blew up at him. I told him that I couldnt be around him because I didnt want to hurt him and I know thats true, Im not good for him at all, but... I messed up, Kay. I dont know if I can fix this one."

"What did he say to you when you left?" Kayleigh asked evenly, trying to make up for Blaines hysterics.

"He told me to take some time to think."

"About what?"

"Thats all he said. He didnt say anything else." Blaine slumped on his couch after nearly wearing a hole through the floor with his pacing. "I dont think I can let myself be around him anymore, Kayleigh. Maybe youre right; maybe he does have feelings for me, but Im too destructive. I feel like I destroy everything that comes in contact with me."

"Blaine, that is far from true. Just look at all of the beautiful things you can create with your music. You obviously dont destroy that." She assured him.

"But music isnt a person, Kay. I cut people out and dont let anyone in to the point where I hurt people. How have you put up with me for this long?" Blaine, not quite grasping Kayleighs reassuring words, was hugging the throw pillow tightly as he spoke.

"Im stubborn, Blaine. I just like you enough to be stubborn. And you know what?" Kayleigh asked. Blaine waited for her answer. "So is Kurt. Hes driven and ambitious and dammit I know for a fact that he cares about you. Hes not going to give up on you, so dont you dare give up on yourself. Youll be okay, Blaine."

Blaine let out a groan and sunk further into the cushions. "Ill try my best, Kayleigh. You know my confidence isnt that great, though."

"I have enough confidence in you for the both of us." They talked for a few more minutes before they hung up with the promise that Kayleigh would come by the next day to keep Blaine company. Blaine fell asleep rather early on that night, much too tired to stay up any longer. He could deal with everything after some much needed rest.

Kurt wanted to keep the people who knew to a minimum. He mentally counted everyone who he had told, which was only Santana and his publicist, both of whom he knew wouldnt tell a soul. As far as he knew, Blaine had only told Kayleigh. Including Blaine and himself, that made five. He didnt want to tell anyone else if he could avoid it, but he also knew that this was one he couldnt avoid. He could never avoid the truth for too long with him.

He listened as the phone rang once, twice, almost three times before someone picked up the other line.

"Hey, Bud! How ya doin?" Kurt immediately relaxed at the sound of his dads voice. He didnt care who knew it; he was still such a daddys boy.

"Im... Okay, Dad. How are you?" He replied.

"Im good. Caroles trying these new paleo recipes on me. Theyre surprisingly not too bad. I like the sweet potato pancakes." Burt noted with a gruff laugh.

"Thats good to hear. Im glad you guys are trying that out. Remind me to send Carole the recipes Ive found." Kurt lay back on his bed as he held the phone to his ear to listen to his dad.

"Ill let her know." Burt paused for a moment, as if waiting for Kurt to speak, but when he said nothing, he continued. "So you want to tell me whats got you so down?"

"Is it that obvious?" Kurt asked apprehensively.

"Can I hazard a guess?" Burt asked in lieu of a reply. Kurt was a little afraid of what Burt was going to say. Then again, he was calling to be honest and ask for an honest opinion.

"Its probably not that hard to figure out." Kurt sighed.

"Its Blaine, right?"

"Ding, ding, ding," Kurts voice lacked any enthusiasm at his dads conjecture.

"You never told me what happened between you two. All you said was that you werent together anymore and then you refused to talk about it." Burt sounded shocked when Kurt had told him, but he didnt push it when Kurt said he didnt want to talk. He always knew Kurt would come to him when he was ready.

"Thats because I didnt want to tell you what really happened." Kurt admitted. "I know you would never judge me, but I didnt want you to get the wrong idea. It was very complicated from the beginning."

"So youre calling to tell me what happened now?"

"I guess. I dont know if I was wrong about him or not. I thought I wasnt, but now Im not so sure anymore."

"Well, what happened?" Kurt launched into the tale from the very beginning, leaving out almost no details. Burt asked questions, commented, and acknowledged that he was listening in appropriate places as Kurt continued. At certain points, Kurt couldnt stop the tears that would flow or the deep breaths he needed to pause for. It felt so good to be able to tell his dad everything. Everything he felt all throughout this whole affair had been bottled up since the beginning and to finally unleash it lifted such a heavy weight from his chest that he didnt even know was there.

When he finally finished with everything up until what had happened the other night, he took a long breath and waited for his dad to say something. It was quiet for a few moments while Burt took his time to think about it all, but Kurt didnt mind. He knew it was a lot to take in. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Well, that sounds like a bit of a mess." Burt said bluntly.

"He... he came over the other night." Kurt continued the story where he left off. "He was a mess, Dad. Hes been having a rough time lately and I helped him through it a bit, but hes still... I think I was wrong. I think maybe I read too much into what was all pretend for him." Kurt had pulled a blanket over himself at this point and was curled into a pillow as he talked on the phone.

"Do you really believe that?" Burt asked with such sincerity that it made Kurt stop for a moment.

"I dont... I really dont know." Kurt answered quietly. "He never seemed like he was faking it but... I guess this kind of thing never works out well for me." Kurt eyes filled with tears once again and he bit his lip to hold them back. He really needed to stop letting himself cry over this. It wouldnt help him in any way.

"I wish you would stop that, Kurt." Burt sounded tired when he muttered that.

"St-stop what?" Kurt had to clear his throat once again.

"You always do this to yourself. You never let yourself be completely happy; its like there is always some condition and youre just waiting for the axe to drop. You would chase your dreams to the end of the Earth and back again in a heartbeat but you never once allowed yourself to chase love." Burt explained determinedly. The resolute tone in his voice made Kurt listen with his full attention as Burt carried on.

"It happened with Luca too, but I didnt say anything because I really didnt think he was right for you anyway. But I know what I saw over the summer and again at Thanksgiving. You cant fake having love like that. Hes not pretending, Kurt. He loves you as much as you love him, whether hes ready to admit it or not. But you cant give up on him, Kurt. Im not going to let you do that again, not when I know youve found something good. Youre good enough, Kid. You just need to let yourself have it, and you need to go out and get it."

Kurt was stunned into silence for a few moments. Had he really always done that? Give up on something because he didnt think he was good enough? Looking back at his track record, he would fight to the death when it came to his career. He was ambitious and always kept himself on top of his game. But when it came to love... maybe his dad was right.

"I—Dad..." Kurt started, but trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"Just think about it, Kurt." Burt said with finality.

"...I will. Thanks, Dad." Kurts voice was heavy with gratitude.

"Anytime, bud."

"I love you, Dad."

"Love you too, Kurt."

Kurt hung up and tossed his phone to his side somewhere else on the bed. He dug the heels of his hands into his eyes and let out a breath. He had quite a bit to think about.