Over the nearly eighteen years of Kurt’s life, Burt has seen him in some really strange outfits. He’s done his best to be cool about whatever Kurt wants to wear. When he banned the knee length sweaters in Kurt’s sophomore year, he’d felt really guilty, and decided not to interfere with Kurt’s style any more.

     But then Kurt decides to wear a kilt to prom. He’s made it himself and he is so proud. Burt’s shocked.

     Not so much about the kilt, because, really he’s seen Kurt wear stranger and Burt has picked up enough about fashion to know that Kurt looks good. His shock is more because Kurt might as well have painted a nice big bull’s-eye on his chest. Going to a dance with a boy is risky enough, but going wearing a skirt? Burt is really worried.

     Finn says he likes it, but Burt has to warn him about the danger to it. Kurt appeals to Blaine for help in the argument but, surprisingly, Blaine sides with Burt. Kurt says something about understanding if Blaine doesn’t want to go with him because of what Blaine’s gone through, but then storms off upstairs. Blaine looks torn, looking at the stairs as if trying to decide whether to go up and try to resolve the situation, or to let Kurt have a moment to cool off.

      “Hey, Finn.” Burt says, “Wanna go pop some popcorn? Please?”

     Finn looks confused, but must decide not to argue with Burt, because he gets up with a sigh and heads to the kitchen.

      “So Blaine,” Burt says, muting the TV. “What was Kurt talking about when he said about you having gone through something?”

      “I just told Kurt this yesterday, but I went to a dance with a guy right after I came out, and we got the shit beat out of us. There some stuff with that I’m still working on getting over. So going to another dance is scary enough, and it’s like what you said, I want to avoid causing trouble.”

     Burt thinks about this for a while. It’s almost as if not a week goes by that Burt doesn’t find out about some tragic event or other that Blaine’s gone through.

      “How badly did they beat you up?” Burt asks.

     Blaine looks away, really uncomfortable. He doesn’t reply right away.

      “I haven’t told Kurt details, mainly because I know how much it would upset him.” Blaine says softly, making eye contact with Burt. “Luckily, they weren’t armed at all, so they didn’t do as much damage as they might have. There were three guys and there was one holding each of us while the last guy was beating us. We both had to go to the hospital. We were both two huge bruises, really. They dislocated my shoulder when they grabbed me and broke a few of my ribs. I’m gonna have to tell Kurt about that at some point, because there’s a huge scar on my chest from where they had to go in to mend a rib.”

     Burt cringes at this. He had a broken rib back in highschool during his football days, and it was really painful. Blaine is shaking slightly as he tells the story, clearly reliving the awful experience. Burt feels sick just hearing it.

      “They were verbally abusing us, too. I heard everything you can imagine; I was called every filthy name. Jake, he was the guy I went with, he had most of the same injuries, but instead of the shoulder, he actually had a concussion, from when they threw him to the ground when they ran. That was just so scary because I couldn’t get him to wake up, even when we were on the way to the hospital. He was okay and all, but after that he never spoke to me again. He blamed me, since I asked him to the dance. He actually went back into the closet, and told people that I had blackmailed him into going with me. That made the bullying even worse for me.”

      “Bud, that’s – it’s –” Burt pauses, shaking his head. “That’s just so awful. I can’t even imagine. Is that why you went to Dalton?”

     Blaine looks at his lap for a moment before answering, picking at something on his wrist.

      “I actually didn’t go to Dalton for another few months. The school did a few things to make sure that I wasn’t in any physical danger, but the harassment continued. I tried really hard to stick it out, but it – it ended up really messing with my head.”

     Burt’s heart breaks as he listens, the worry he felt when he saw Blaine start favouring his left wrist intensifying. All the research he’s done over the years when worried about Kurt is suddenly flooding through his mind.

      “Blaine” he asks softly. “Bud, I need you to tell me something, okay?”

     Blaine nods, his eyes wide. Burt takes a deep breath before continuing, keeping his eyes on Blaine.

      “Have you ever self-harmed?”

     Blaine is silent and utterly still for a long time. Burt’s genuinely considering calling Carole or Kurt for back up when Blaine speaks.

      “I have. Yes.” He answers quietly, eventually looking up to make eye contact with Burt. “I had actually started before then, but the accident made everything worse. I went to Dalton after my mom caught me.”

      “Have you stopped?” The most important question is out of Burt’s mouth before he can stop himself.

      “Yes.” Blaine says, but cringes as he adds: “Mostly.”

      “Mostly?” Burt repeats, his voice low, concern rising again.

      “I, uh, well that was a couple of years ago and I relapsed a lot when I was getting settled into Dalton. I’ve been a lot better in the past year or so but every now and then something gets to me and it’s like no time has passed at all.”

      “When was the last time?” Burt demands, leaning in towards the boy.

      “Burt…” Blaine says, looking away. “I don’t – I really –”

      “Blaine. Tell me now.” Burt says, his voice commanding.

      “Three months ago. When Kurt and I had that fight after Rachel’s party.”

     Burt is feeling so many different emotions right now. He’s just so sad. Hearing the stuff Blaine has gone through is just overwhelming. The amount of pain the boy has experienced in so few years is just devastating. Burt’s mad, too. How didn’t he notice this sooner? Blaine was around so much even then! Couldn’t he have prevented it? Does Kurt know? What about Blaine’s parents? The people at Dalton? Why is this still happening?

     It’s almost as if Blaine can read his mind, because he lets out a long sigh, scratches the back of his head and starts talking again.

      “I know what you’re doing. You’re blaming yourself. Or maybe you’re just trying to find someone to blame. Stop it. Just stop it. Everyone knows, even Kurt. Sometimes relapses just happen. I went and told one of the Warblers afterwards because I felt so guilty. They convinced me to phone my parents and I went back to the therapist I had seen before.”

     Burt’s somewhat relieved by this, but is still far from comfortable.

      “I, well, I told Kurt two weeks ago. The night he decided to go back to McKinley. I, uh, I’d actually been thinking about cutting when you came in to talk to me. I was trying to figure out if I could do it without getting caught, but then I realized that Kurt would find out whether or not I told him. I realized that someday he’d see my wrists, and that I really ought to tell him before he found out for himself. So when he came up, I told him.”

     Burt is so relieved that they had managed to intervene, even if only just that one time. He is also glad to hear that Kurt already knows, because Burt doesn’t think that he could or would keep something like that from his son. Also, having Kurt as a support system will most likely help Blaine.

      “He was great about it.” Blaine says. He sees that Burt looks confused, so he continues. “Kurt was. When I told him. He got me to show him my scars and he –” Blaine is starting to choke up, and dammit, Burt is, too.

      “He kissed every single one and he told me how beautiful I am. And that he thinks I’m perfect and to call him any time, day or night, if I need him.” Blaine is openly crying now and Burt’s not much better. Burt is just in awe of his son, at how well he’s handling all this.

Blaine looks up at Burt, and wipes his eyes.

      “Burt, I –” He stumbles over his words a bit, frowning in concentration. “Sir, I, I know it seems soon and all but I, I love your son. I haven’t told him yet, but I will soon. He is the best thing in my life and I just love him so much.”

     Blaine gets progressively more confident as he speaks; entirely sure of what he is saying, but slightly nervous about how Burt will respond.

     Burt doesn’t say anything, but gets up, crosses the room and pulls Blaine into his arms. He hugs the boy for a few long moments, Blaine clinging to him.

      “I am just so glad that you two found each other.” Burt says, doing his best to keep his voice even.

     Unfortunately, that’s the moment that Finn returns, popcorn in hand.

      “It didn’t seem buttery enough so I got some butter from the fridge and – Whoa! What happened in here?” Finn exclaims.

     Burt and Blaine pull apart, laughing awkwardly.

      “Just – uh – working through some things.” Blaine says. Finn nods and, surprisingly, doesn’t say anything more. His chat with Carole must have done some good.

      “Let’s go up and see that boyfriend of yours.” Burt suggests to Blaine. “You two have got some compromises to make.”

     Blaine laughs and grabs some popcorn as they head upstairs.

     The conversation is long and everyone gets frustrated at some point or other. It is eventually determined that Kurt will wear the kilt, but the boys will avoid all public displays of affection to be safe. They will not leave each other’s side, no matter what. Blaine suggests that they not dance at all unless they feel really safe. Kurt agrees. Allies are listed. Kurt is going to talk to Sue Sylvester and ask her to keep her eyes out for them. He’ll talk to Puck and the other Glee jocks to get them to stick around, too. If anything happens, they are to phone Burt straight away and get to a safe place.

     The boys are planning to go to the party one of the Glee kids is organizing. Burt ‘suggests’ to them that they not drink at all, and both agree without any hint of hesitation. They are to be home by one AM and Burt will be waiting up to make sure.

     Prom night arrives in no time at all. Kurt’s still getting ready when Blaine arrives, so Burt answers the door. It is clear that the kid is scared out of his mind, so Burt takes him to the living room for a chat. They talk about everything they’re doing to ensure the safety of both boys, but Burt reminds Blaine that he doesn’t have to go if he decides it’s too much. Blaine shakes his head at this, and Burt just reminds him that they can come home whenever they want.

     Blaine is somewhat calmer by the time that Kurt announces that he is ready. Finn had already left for Quinn’s so Burt, Carole and Blaine all gather at the bottom of the stairs to watch Kurt’s decent. Kurt looks fantastic. Burt is sure of this, particularly when he sees the way that Blaine is looking at Kurt. There is so much adoration in the boy’s eyes.

     Blaine pulls Kurt into a hug when he reaches the bottom of the stairs, kissing him sweetly on the cheek. The boys exchange a few whispered words that Burt doesn’t let himself try to decipher. The boys pin on their matching boutonnieres and then it’s time to leave. Burt hugs both boys, being careful not to squish their flowers. After a few more words of caution, Burt closes the door behind the boys and moves to the living room window to watch them drive way.

     The moment is so emotional for him. His baby boy is going to prom! Kurt’s going to prom with someone who loves him. If only his mom was still around to see this. Everything that Burt’s always worried about is simultaneously being resolved and intensifying. Resolved because Kurt has found someone who makes him happy. Kurt is not alone. Kurt is experiencing everything that average teenagers get to experience. But Burt is still worried about all the other people of the world. In some ways, it’s easier, safer for Kurt to not be in a relationship. How will the jocks react tonight? What about that Karofsky kid?

     Thank goodness for Carole. She comes over and wraps a soothing arm around him. She steers him to the couch and comes back in a moment with a beer. Together, they wait, Burt staring at his phone.

     After about an hour, Finn comes home furious and shouting. Burt hears something about that Jesse kid and getting kicked out before Finn slams his bedroom door behind him. Carole goes up to resolve that issue, and Burt is left alone. After what feels like years, the phone rings. Burt grabs it and barks out a rough “Hello?” while doing his best not to panic.

      “Hi Burt. It’s Blaine. Everything is alright. We’re both safe.”

     Burt lets out a long breath.

      “I’m just calling to tell you about something that happened. We’re on our way to the party now – Kurt’s driving – but I thought I should give you an update. There was a bit of trouble at prom – Kurt was crowned prom queen.”

     Burt swears. Blaine laughs bitterly.

      “Yeah, exactly. We were both really upset, but he decided to go up and accept his crown anyways. He – he handled it really well. Incredibly graciously. The King –“

      “Who was King?” Burt interrupts.

      “Karofsky.” Blaine says flatly. Burt curses again. “He ran off when it came time for the king and queen to dance. So, I, uh. Well, I went over danced with Kurt. We got to dance together, and everyone was watching.”

      “Then what?” Burt asks, worried.

      “Nothing, really.” Blaine says, sounding just as surprised as Burt felt. “We danced a bit more and when people were starting to leave, Puck walked us to my car. And now we’re, uh, we’re turning into the driveway now.”

      “Okay,” Burt says, “Make sure you’re home by one! I’m so glad you’re okay! See you boys soon!”

      “Bye, Burt!” Blaine says as he hangs up.

     Burt is so relieved to hear that his boys are safe. He’s absolutely appalled with the whole prom queen stunt, but Kurt seems to be okay, so Burt will set his anger aside to deal with later. He’ll want to get the full story tomorrow, maybe during breakfast, but it can wait for now.

     The boys are home just before one. They come into the living room, tell Burt that they are tired, and say that they’ll see him in the morning. Both boys hug Burt good night, and then head upstairs. When Burt goes up to bed, he notices that the door to the guestroom is open, and the bed is empty. Hushed voices can be heard from Kurt’s room, followed by giggles. The next morning the boys come down to breakfast wearing rumpled pyjamas and sweet smiles on their faces. As Burt watches them chat over coffee and occasionally feed each other bites of scrambled egg, he decides not to mention the whole prom queen debacle. Not today, when they’re so entirely wrapped up in each other. But then again, Burt thinks to himself, aren’t they always?