As Burt had hoped, things run somewhat smoother for the next little while. Kurt and Blaine are really figuring each other out, and figuring out who they are as a couple. It’s interesting to watch. Blaine is more confident, both through Kurt’s encouragement and a need to keep Kurt proud to be with him. Kurt’s transformation is almost comical. He floats around the house, always humming something or other, a look of utter bliss on his face. He seems oblivious to most things happening around him, no matter how loud or obnoxious Finn might be.

     One afternoon, Burt knocks on Kurt’s door, but doesn’t wait before opening it. He is met with the sight of Kurt laying on top of Blaine, the boys kissing passionately. Burt hurries out of the room, closing the door behind him with a slam. The boys blush and apologize later and Burt apologizes for not waiting for the all clear. They are careful to avoid the topic again.

     Blaine continues to sleep in his own bed. In all honesty, Burt is surprised. When one considers how inseparable they are during the day, it would only make sense for them to be the same at night. Kurt seems to be surprised by Blaine’s retreat but he never protests, just sweetly kissing Blaine good night before they head off to their own room.

     The boys go to the “Night of Neglect” concert the New Directions hosted. They come home looking tense. When Burt asks them what’s wrong, they both shake their heads and say that is was nothing. Burt marches them to the kitchen table.

      “What did we decide right here, last week?” he asks

     Kurt and Blaine look at each other, confused.

      “There were a whole bunch of rules, try and pick the right one.” Burt continues, growing quite impatient.

      “We, uh, well.” Kurt stutters.

      “We had a run in with Karofsky.” Blaine says softly.

     Burt has to force himself to take deep breaths and not just jump up and drive to wherever that jerk is.

      “We exchanged insults and he was just starting to get a bit violent when Santana came into the hallway. She threatened him and he went away.” Blaine says, hoping to calm Burt down. “Burt, you probably don’t know this but I’m actually quite skilled at boxing. I know I’m quite a lot smaller than him, but I was completely ready to defend Kurt however I might have to.”

     Kurt says something about being able to take care of himself, but Burt is touched. He’s still mad, but if something was gonna happen, at least Blaine was there. Burt’s not really sure what to do at this point. Surely the administration wouldn’t do anything, especially considering the fact that very little seemed to have actually transpired. He decides to let it go for the moment.

      “Well, I’m glad you’re both alright.” Burt says. “Hopefully you won’t run into him any more than this.”

     The boys nod.

      “I am a bit annoyed with you two, though.” Burt adds. “I don’t like it when you keep things from me, no matter how little you might think it is.”

     Kurt nods again, looking vaguely guilty, but Blaine looks destroyed.

      “So, just, don’t do it again, alright?” Burt finishes, hoping to calm Blaine down.

     Burt watches Blaine try to compose himself. Burt’s learned that Blaine has three faces. He’s got the artificial Blaine that is the most common. This Blaine is the performer, the perfect young man. The second face is the true Blaine. Loyal and intelligent, enthusiastic and kind. The final face is the one that breaks Burt’s heart. It’s the face of devastation, of low self-worth and of brokenness. While Burt is glad that Blaine is comfortable enough around him to show the third face, he just can’t stand it. In this moment, Burt watches Blaine switch almost instantaneously from the third face to the first face. Burt isn’t pleased by this, either. Blaine’s concealing himself, putting on the face he thinks Burt wants to see, and locking out his feelings. Burt decides to deal with this.

      “Blaine, you wanna tell me what the hell’s going on?” he asks. He feels like he should have been more subtle, but, hey, too late now.

      “Sir?” Blaine replies.

      “You’re upset. Don’t think I can’t tell.” Burt watches as Kurt turns to look at his boyfriend, putting an arm around him. “So what is it? It’s something I said, I know that.”

     Blaine looks away, the façade collapsing, revealing that awful third face again. Kurt pulls the boy closer to him, and whispers something that Burt can’t hear into Blaine’s ear. Eventually, Blaine mumbles a reply in a small, sad voice.

      “I’m sorry that I disappointed you, Burt.”

     It really shouldn’t surprise Burt as much as it does. Burt’s taken on such an important position in the boy’s life. Of course he craves Burt’s approval. Not only is Burt increasingly becoming a sort of father figure to him, but Blaine’s probably thinking that if he does something wrong, Kurt will be taken away from him.

      “Kurt, can you go upstairs?” Burt asks.

     The appalled look on Kurt’s face would be comical if the moment wasn’t so upsetting.

      “Dad, I really don’t think that –“ Kurt protests.

      “Just go, Kurt.” Burt insists.

     Kurt sighs, kisses Blaine’s forehead, and leaves the room. Burt knows he’s just standing a step or two out of sight, but he decides to ignore that.

      “Look, Blaine.” Burt begins. He waits until Blaine looks at him before he continues. “I like you. Okay? I’m planning on you being around for a good long time. I’m not just putting up with you or keeping you around because Kurt likes you or any crap like that. I genuinely enjoy having you around.”

     Blaine has a tear leaking down one cheek, his eyes wide.

      “When I say I’m annoyed, I just mean that I wish that you would let me worry about you. I’m sure you think that what happened was only a big deal because Kurt was there, but when you were telling me about it, I was worried for you, too. I thought by now you would know you could tell me about this sort of thing. I’m not disappointed in you, okay?”

     Blaine nods, wiping at his eyes.

      “Now go get Kurt to hug you better.”

     Blaine lets out a laugh mid-sniffle. Burt can hear Kurt laugh from the hallway. Blaine mutters a thank you to Burt, and heads out to where Kurt is waiting for him in the doorway, arms open.