Blaine’s talk with Kurt didn’t do quite as much good as Burt had hoped. Kurt comes to see him at the garage to talk saying that he was tired of being so unmistakeably unique - a unicorn. Burt tries to find a way to reiterate everything Blaine had said without making it clear that he’d been listening in on their private conversation. In the end, he tells Kurt, “You know what they call a unicorn without a horn? A friggin’ horse.” He later realizes that he actually sounded vaguely profound saying that. Cool.

Burt had hoped that that would be the end of the situation, but he was sadly mistaken. Kurt came home the next day to say that Blaine’s audition had concluded with the directors practically begging for Blaine to read for the part of Tony. Kurt said he left before he could see Blaine’s answer.

“I just, I couldn’t stand to watch. Neither of replies would have made me happy. I mean, if he said he would, I’d feel betrayed.  On the other hand, if he refused to go for the part because of loyalty to me, I’d feel guilty for holding him back.”

Burt didn’t really know what to say.

“I mean,” Kurt continued, “I guess there is absolutely no chance that I’ll get the part, so it’s not at all about him taking it from me. It just such a double standard that they think that he’s not too gay to do it – he’s ever bit as gay as I am!”

“I think you know how you feel about this, Kurt.” Burt says, trying to redirect from the topic of exactly how gay is son’s boyfriend is. “You’re having to choose between your pride and Blaine. I think we both know which you’ll pick.”

Kurt agrees, and hurries off to his room. He’s planning something, and the next day Burt finds out what. Kurt gives Blaine flowers at school, congratulating him on his audition, and telling him he’ll be the perfect Tony. No hidden motive. Just honest congratulation. And when Blaine gets the part, it’s announced that Kurt will play Officer Krupke. Kurt’s content. But even though this is resolved, Kurt’s life is never without some type of crisis or other, so it’s only natural that a major problem arises in his campaign.

Rachel Berry, having noticed the interest the school has in Brittany as a female candidate, decides to capitalize on the opportunity to add more to her already over-flowing CV and run for senior-class president. Kurt, wrapped in Blaine’s arms on the couch again, tells Burt about how betrayed he feels. It’s an awful moment of deja-vu to a few days before.

“I mean, first she destroys my credibility as a leading man by laughing in our scene together, ensuring that I won’t get the part as Tony. But that’s not enough for her. Not she has to try to take from me the only thing I have left for my application. How can she do that to me?”

Kurt sobs into Blaine’s shoulder and Blaine looks up to Burt, his eyes stricken. It’s as if Blaine’s realized that all of the pretty, kind things he’d said a few days ago weren’t enough. That he can do everything he can to help Kurt, he can love Kurt to the moon and back, but it won’t be all Kurt needs to feel safe and happy. Burt knows that feeling. It’s a feeling he’s lived with for the past three years, keeping him awake at night and worried when Kurt is at school. He’s always known that Kurt was being bullied, and he’s always tried to help, but between Kurt’s pleas for independence and the school’s reluctance to do anything, Burt’s been left feeling completely unable to help.

And now Kurt’s safe. And in love. His primary bully gone and his best friend/boyfriend at his side and it is still not quite enough. That’s not to say that Kurt’s greedy. Not at all. But there’s only so much that Burt and Blaine can do to support him. And Burt’s watching as Blaine realizes this fact. It’s devastating.

“Look, Kurt.” Burt finally says, speaking as much to comfort Blaine as his son. “What she did was awful. It was hurtful. I know. I get it. You’ve had a really hard week. And I know it feels like the end of the world, but it’s not. You’ve got us. You’ve got a house, you’ve got a life. You’re healthy. I know right now that NYADA seems like the only thing that matters and will ever matter, but it’s not. What Rachel did wasn’t kind, but it doesn’t mean that all of your dreams are destroyed. You could still beat her in the campaign. And even if you don’t it’s not the end for you. If people with not-so-good marks can get football scholarships because they’re really good at football, than why should your extra-curriculars matter if you’re really good at performing?”

Kurt sniffles, and Burt can’t tell if it got through to him.

“So take tonight to feel bad for yourself. Go ahead. But tomorrow you’re going to quit sulking and you’re going to get back to work on your campaign and get rehearsing for your part as Officer Krupke. And you’re going to do such an amazing job at those that you’ll forget about everything else.”

Kurt doesn’t say anything, but Blaine looks grateful. Burt hopes that if nothing else, his speech helped Blaine understand that sometimes there’s nothing he can do but stick around with Kurt until he sorts things out on his own. And that is okay to not be able to help.

Burt leaves the living room and hears Blaine suggest watching Moulin Rouge. Kurt must have agreed because it’s not long before Burt hears that one guy from the movie cry out “The hills are aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive with the sound of muuuuuuuuuuuusicc.”

It’s one of the only musicals Burt knows well, partially because it’s one of Kurt’s favourites, but also because Burt’s a bit fond of Nicole Kidman. Burt’s not really one to analyse things to death, but as he sits down at the kitchen table he realizes that Blaine picked a good movie. It’s about trying to put on a musical but discovering love is more important. Of course, the girl does die at the end, but still. Or maybe Blaine just picked it because it’s one of Kurt’s favourites. Either way. The kid’s pretty good.