For the first time in a long time, Kurt completely lost track of time. He had no clue how long he'd been staring blankly at the television.

The sun had set long ago and Kurt could only guess how late it was. Their phones were on the coffee table but were decidedly out of reach. Even if they weren't, Kurt refused to move until he absolutely had to, not wanting to disturb Blaine. He needed the rest.

Exhausted from the high emotions of the day, Blaine had finally succumbed to sleep and was resting in Kurt's lap. They were curled up on the couch, Kurt gently stroking Blaine's hair, the light from the television illuminating them in the otherwise dark living room.

The entire evening had been a blur. Finn had discreetly left them alone upon their return to the house and had returned from Rachel's a little while ago. He hadn't asked any questions for which Kurt was very grateful. He had to remember to thank Finn later; maybe with baked goods.

Over the evening, Blaine had recounted the ordeal with his father with startling clarity. Kurt had held him and listened, refusing to let his own tears fall. He needed to be strong for Blaine right now.

Blaine had told him everything, memories of the past painting a dismal relationship with his father: a relationship that Blaine had always hoped one day would improve. Through tears, Blaine had confessed that he didn't think it would ever happen, but he had always hoped…until today.

Blaine had spoken with such a pained voice that it physically hurt Kurt and he only held Blaine tighter in his arms, trying to convey how much he loved him.

The last several hours were spent in silence, Blaine having run out of things to say, or at least the energy to say them.
They remained on the couch, curled around one another, trying to find some peace in the stillness of the house. It wasn't long before fatigue washed over Blaine and he fell asleep as soon as his head settled in Kurt's lap.

Kurt gently tugged a strand of one of Blaine's errant curls (that had long since broken free of its gel) and allowed himself a small smile as Blaine squeezed his knee affectionately and curled closer to Kurt's body.

Though still understandably shaken, Blaine did seem slightly better after talking. Kurt himself was still in shock, trying to process everything he had heard tonight. He knew Blaine's father was abrasive and seemed to alternate between ignoring Blaine completely and screaming at him. But he had never physically hurt him before today. Kurt felt horrid that for the briefest of moments he wished Blaine's dad would have just ignored him today as usual. It would have hurt Blaine less.

A gentle cough behind him startled Kurt out of his thoughts. Craning his neck around, Kurt noticed his Dad and Carole watching him curiously. His father had a mildly irritated look on his face.

Kurt nodded to them before gently extricating himself from Blaine. Placing a kiss on the top of Blaine's head, Kurt whispered a quick, "I'll be right back."
Blaine remained asleep, burrowing back into the couch, seeking out the comfortable warmth that was now gone.

Kurt walked toward the kitchen, indicating for his Dad and Carole to follow him. The large clock over the oven indicated that it was almost midnight. Kurt wasn't that surprised. He sighed and turned around, not looking forward to this conversation.

Burt spoke immediately, the frustration evident in his voice. "Curfews and rules exist for a reason Kurt – why is Blaine still…"

Kurt interrupted his father, raising his hand to emphasize his point. "I know Dad, I do. I know Blaine should have left hours ago but Finn's upstairs and…" Kurt paused, taking a deep breath to steady his voice. "Something's happened…"

The tone in Kurt's voice was disconcerting. Burt frowned. Kurt looked and sounded absolutely exhausted. He looked over at Carole and saw she was thinking the same thing, and was just as worried.

They knew that Blaine and his father fought. It was hard not to notice when some days Blaine spent nearly all waking hours at the Hummel-Hudson house in a desperate attempt to avoid going home to the last possible moment. Burt knew it was as much to escape his house at it was to be with Kurt. The last several times this had happened, Burt had grudgingly allowed Blaine to crash on the couch, clearly seeing the desperation in Blaine's eyes; how much he needed Kurt.

Burt could already tell that this was different; it was worse.

Kurt wrapped his arms around himself, trying not to shake. He had to stay strong for Blaine.

"Kurt…" Carole started, seeing that Kurt was barely holding himself together.

"Blaine's Dad…" Kurt couldn't stop the tears now; they were falling whether he wanted them to or not. "His Dad…there are bruises…" Kurt took a shaky breath before whispering, "Because of our plans…and…us…"

"Oh honey…" Carole immediately enveloped Kurt in a hug which he gratefully returned, willing himself to stop crying.

Kurt pulled back after a moment, looking pleadingly up at his father. "I can't send him back tonight Dad. I can't."

Burt nodded, pulling Kurt into a fierce hug, at a loss for what to say. He could feel Kurt shaking. They hugged for a long moment, before Kurt stepped away, wiping angrily at his own tears.

Burt sighed. Of course he was going to let Blaine stay; but it wasn't that simple. Blaine would have to return to his house sometime and tomorrow would come all too soon. Furthermore Burt had the distinct impression that Kurt didn't want to let Blaine out of his sight. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the knowledge that his son and his boyfriend would be together in the same room, behind closed doors, in the same bed.

Before he could voice his concerns though, Carole abruptly spoke up. "Of course he can stay. You boys head upstairs."

Carole pointedly ignored the glare her husband was sending her, instead choosing to rub a soothing hand over Kurt's back.

Kurt smiled at Carole gratefully, and stepped toward his father and hugged him tightly again. "Thank you Dad."

Burt forced a small smile and saw Kurt do the same, though for entirely different reasons.

Kurt took a deep breath to compose himself. Wiping away his remaining tears, he headed back into the living room. Quietly padding over to the couch, Kurt leaned down, his hand gently cupping Blaine's face. He looked so peaceful sleeping that Kurt loathed waking him.

"Blaine…" he called softly, stroking his cheek for emphasis.

Blaine's eyes fluttered open in confusion, trying to focus on the face in front of him.

"Come on…" Kurt whispered, trailing his hand down Blaine's arm and tangling their fingers together. "It's time for bed…"

Still groggy, Blaine allowed Kurt to pull him up and lead him by the hand upstairs.