Burt wasn’t having a very good week.

On Monday he had to drop off his only son at a boarding school hours away from where he lived in Lima. It was like having Kurt dangled before his fingers by fate and taunted: Hey look your son is broken and it will probably take a long time for him to trust the world enough to be himself again. You could help of course, but the court had insisted on the strict supervision at McKinley or back to juvie. Oh and your girlfriend’s son goes to that school and you won’t be there to help with Kurt’s hostile feelings toward Finn either.

On Tuesday he’d sat through the whole day worrying about Kurt and regretting his decision not to tell him about Finn, who seemed terrified of approaching the other boy at all. Kurt held deep resentment towards Finn and while Burt understood the reasons why, Finn had changed. But he knew he wouldn’t be able to convince Kurt enough to trust the other boy and he’d spent the whole day trying to come up with the right words to tell him and failing. 

He’d even went as far to asking Kurt’s roommate for advice Tuesday night. A conversation that Carole had overheard and then a small fight had started between them. Which ended in a very stern Carole demanding that he tell Kurt as soon as he called again. Carole had grown very fond of Kurt through the visits and phone calls during his time in juvie. 

Now on Wednesday morning he had woken to find a frantic voicemail from Finn explaining that Kurt had recognized him and had freaked like Burt expected. 

And now he was in trouble.

The caller ID showed Kurt’s dorm number big and bold across the screen of the phone. Were the numbers bigger than before? It was like even the phone was accusing him.

Burt pushed the talk button and answered with a hesitant, “Hello?” 

“Hi, Dad.” Kurt said coldly. “You’ll never guess what little friend I made at school yesterday.”

Burt sighed and said, “I was going to tell you, Kurt, I was. I just didn’t know how.” It sounded like a pathetic excuse out loud.

“Oh, I don’t know.” Kurt said sarcastically, “Maybe you should have just told me the same way you told Finn.” 

Burt sighed again, “Carole told Finn, not me.” He heard Kurt’s angry intake of breath to begin another sentence but cut him off, “I know that’s no excuse! I just- I… I messed up Kurt.”

Burt heard Kurt’s angry huff over the phone as he continued, “I know I should have told you, but I just couldn’t. It took me forever to convince you to go to McKinley in the first place and I thought if I told you about Finn, you wouldn’t go.”

“So you lied to me?” Kurt asked angrily. 

Burt felt his composure slipping slightly, “I couldn’t stand another second of you being in that place, Kurt. Not when you actually didn’t do anything to deserve it. I was willing to do anything to get you out. I was going to tell you as soon as everything was arranged for you to leave, then it changed to when I was going to pick you up, then I just kept pushing it back and eventually I didn’t tell you at all. I was just worried about how you’d react and I didn’t want to lose you when I just got you back.”

Kurt didn’t reply at first and Burt was content enough to wait him out as he thought it through. It was one of the many things he loved about his son. He usually didn’t automatically make harsh decisions, he took the time to think things through.

“Fine.” Kurt said eventually.

“Fine?” Burt asked hopefully.

Kurt sighed and said, “I mean, I still wished you had told me but I know why you didn’t. I forgive you. Oh and I also forgive you for telling Blaine.”

Burt spluttered in shock and relief before asking tentatively, “Blaine threw me to the wolves?” 

Geez. He felt like he was on trial with his on son, Carole was disappointed in him, and now his confidant had betrayed him too. His week kept getting worse.

Kurt laughed, a sound that Burt didn’t realize he missed so much until he heard it, “Uh-huh. I woke up this morning and he had already left. I felt kind of bad honestly, I kinda owe him an apology… but he left me a letter.” 

Kurt sighed and repeated, “A letter, Dad.” 

Burt grinned slightly at the fond exasperation Kurt had in his voice, “He probably was just scared. I’ve heard that you are quite intimidating these days.”

Kurt cleared his throat guiltily, “Well… I wasn’t very nice to him last night. But I don’t think he was scared. I hope not. I mean- I just think he wanted to be able to finish telling me everything he had to say…”

“Oh?” Burt said, not sure whether or not to ask what the letter contained. He was curious, but being nosy probably wasn’t in his best interest right now. So he was glad that Kurt told him without him having to ask.

“Ya.” Kurt said, “He went on and on about how Finn changed a lot since he started at McKinley sophomore year. Apparently he pulled the same bullying crap as before but eventually became a really good friend… Whatever, I’ll decide that for myself.”

“Kurt. I really wish you weren’t so hard on Finn. He-” Burt began warningly. He knew how stubborn his son could be sometimes.

“I’ll give him a chance, Dad.” Kurt said, cutting him off, “But I’m still angry with him and it’s not like we are going to be best friends right away… Anyway. Blaine says he sorry, but he felt too guilty not telling me that he knew when it made me so upset.”

Burt can hear a smile in Kurt’s voice as he paused, “He’s just-“ Kurt began, searching for the right words. “He is just so nice to me when I don’t deserve it.” 

“What do you mean? Of course you deserve it, you deserve everything.” Burt insisted.

Kurt sighed and said sadly, “I’m not sure I do, Dad. I feel so different now. I was barely myself in juvie and I’d thought I met myself halfway here but now I just feel like a bigger jerk than before.”

“Then just be you.” Burt prompted, knowing all the while that it wasn’t that simple.

“I don’t think I know who that is anymore…” Kurt said softly. “And I don’t know how to deal with this. The people I spent time with in juvie and Blaine Anderson are exact opposites. Blaine is almost too nice. I don’t know how to handle it and it’s all just driving me crazy. The old me probably would have thrived off of and loved someone like Blaine but I’m not used to it.”

It broke Burt’s heart to hear that Kurt wasn’t used to people being nice to him and he had to clear the catch in his throat before he could speak. “Kurt, I know you don’t think it now but you really are one of the most kind and caring people I know. You’ve had to be so strong over the past year and I know it changed you a lot but… You still are. You just need to let it show.”

Kurt sniffed over the other line and Burt realized he was crying. The fact nearly brought him to tears himself but he grasped at his composure for just a little bit longer. 

“I’m just so scared, Dad. The only person I really trust is you and you’re not here. I’m being an ass to Blaine and pushing people away. My teachers probably hate me already and- God! I feel so stupid. I mean, one of the main reasons I was relieved to leave juvie was because I couldn’t be myself there and I felt like nobody was really my friend. And now I’m setting myself up for the same thing here.”

Burt didn’t know what to say but Kurt just continued on, “And I feel so angry. I’m so mad and fed up. And I can’t take it out on the world or Lima or Bradley or juvie so I’m lashing out and it just makes everything worse. I just don’t know what to do.”

“I wish I had the answers, Kurt, but this is all over my head.” Burt hesitated, not sure how his son would take this, “I saw a therapist after your mom died and then again after you were convicted guilty. He is really nice and has helped me a lot… I’m sure he’d be willing to talk to you if you think it could help. Even if it’s just over the phone.”

Kurt was silent for a long time and then asked in a strangled whisper, “You think I need therapy?”

Burt rubbed a hand through his hair, “I don’t know. You sound really torn up bud, and you have every reason to be. It could help you.” 

“I don’t want a therapist.” Kurt said softly, “I can deal with this on my own. I just started out on the wrong foot is all.” He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than Burt. “If I try hard enough I should be able to- to... I just want to try to find my footing again and if I can’t do it I promise I’ll think about it.”

Burt nodded, “Okay. Whatever you want, Kurt. I’ll support you either way.”

“Thanks, Dad.” 

“That’s my job.”

Kurt gave a short breathy laugh before he said, “Well, I really should go to breakfast if I don’t want to be late to my math class again.”

“Again?” Burt asked, frowning. 

“Ummm…” Kurt mumbled sheepishly.

“Nevermind. Just go eat whatever healthy crap you decide on today.” Burt teased.

“A coke and a slim-jim is crap, not a healthy breakfast.”

“Hey! That’s the breakfast of champions.” 

Kurt sighed and Burt could practically see him rolling his eyes, “Bye, Dad. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Burt said, hanging up the phone.

Burt closed his eyes and willed himself not to cry. It was just a bad week… a bad year really, and probably a bad tomorrow. But he knew it would get better. It had to.

Blaine hesitated at the table he had recently began sitting with Kurt at. Kurt wasn’t here and he could see Puck, Finn, Trey, and Aric already sitting at the usual Glee table. There was only 15 minutes left before first hour and Blaine knew he had to eat fast, which could prove very difficult around his friends. Plus he had a feeling that if Kurt did show up for breakfast he would avoid a table with Finn at all costs. So, ignoring the familiar pang that he always felt when sitting alone, Blaine slid into a chair at the empty table and immediately began scarfing down his oatmeal.

Trying not to wince at the food scalding his throat, Blaine scanned the mess hall, eyes falling on Artie’s curious expression from across the room. Blaine felt guilty about his treatment of Artie the last few days, knowing he had been growing distant. Artie gave Blaine a hesitant wave, which Blaine returned, and then wheeled out of the mess hall. Blaine couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Artie did come over to say hello but he knew that it took the other boy a long time to get to class with only one elevator in the building. He really did need to remember to apologize.

He didn’t ponder on it long before he saw Kurt hesitantly approaching his table. Kurt nodded at the seat across from Blaine, asking for permission to sit down. Blaine blinked, surprised that he felt the need for permission, before nodding slightly and Kurt grinned before sitting down.

The two boys ate in silence for a few minutes, each feeling a little guilty and angry about the last few days. Blaine was just about to give up on the hope that Kurt would start a conversation when Kurt pulled out a small notebook and pencil, quickly scribbling something down and passing it to Blaine.

Blaine tilted his head at Kurt curiously before looking down to see what the other boy had written. 

Since we are apologizing on paper... I’m sorry. For, y’know, everything. Especially freaking out on you yesterday. -K

Blaine blushed at the reminder of the letter he had hastily scrawled that morning, shocked at the apology. In all honesty he had wanted one, but hadn’t expected to get it so soon. Blaine quickly wrote a reply and pass the notebook back.

It’s fine. Sorry again for not telling you about Finn. He really is a nice guy you know. -B

Kurt rolled his eyes, writing out a longer reply than Blaine expected.

You don’t have to apologize. You were just  trying to appease my Dad, which I understand. Though I think I am going to be suspicious that you and him are in some creepy cahoots behind my back for a while... Did he tell you anything else about me? -K

Well... -B

Kurt frowned down at his reply before pushing the notebook back without responding. Blaine sighed and asked, “Why don’t we just talk out loud?”

Kurt shrugged and said, “This is easier.” Blaine studied Kurt’s face for moment and, seeing the silent plea there, wrote a reply. Then moved closer to Kurt so that they wouldn’t have push the notebook so far across the table.

He just said that you have trusting issues and that you’re a good person. I’m not getting him into trouble here am I? -B

No, but he said you “threw him to the wolves.” -K

More like I threw him to the Kurt. -B

:) Ya that’s probably worse. -K

Blaine smiled and looked up, meeting the other boys matching grin. Finishing off his oatmeal, he glanced around the lunch room and tried to ignore all the staring suddenly sent in their direction.

Everyone is looking at us... -B

Probably cause we are passing notes in the middle of breakfast. I’d be surprised if they didn’t.  -K

Hey! This was YOUR idea. Because for some reason still unknown to me, you refuse to engage in polite conversation. -B

“engage in polite conversation.” Really? Nobody talks like that. -K

We aren’t talking, Kurt. We are WRITING. -B 

Blaine was relieved that they had gotten onto a lighter topic and was actually enjoying the playfull banter. But he was still confused as to why Kurt didn’t want to speak outloud.

If you want to know why we are passing notes, Blaine, you just have to ask. -K

I already did. Remember? This is apparently “easier.” -B

Kurt sighed and ran a hand through his hair self-consciously when Blaine looked at him expectantly.

Its just easier for me to be nice when I can think about what I am going to say. Recently, when I talk I usually just end up being an ass. -K

Whatever Blaine had been expecting Kurt to write, it hadn’t been that. The sudden upfront honestly threw him off as he searched for some kind of a response.

But Blaine didn’t have time to reply because the 5 minute warning bell sounded and they had to rush out of the mess hall and back to the dorm to get their things for first period. They walked to AP Calc together and Blaine was happy that the mood between them had lightened for once.

When they arrived in the classroom Blaine mentally prepared for the onslaught of swearing, glares, and heavy sarcasm that was sure to ensue. But it didn’t. Kurt just did the extra credit problem on the board and then worked on homework. He was completely silent the whole class period. 

When one of their classmates accidentally walked backwards right into Kurt’s desk and spewed out a string of apologizes, Blaine felt the class tense. Everyone was waiting for Kurt to get angry or yell at the boy but he just shrugged the apology aside like he wasn’t mad at all.

Kurt was completely silent in English too. And Blaine was surprised that without Kurt constantly whispering vulgar nick names of characters in To Kill a Mockingbird into his ear, the class was rather dull. 

Puck dragged Kurt to the bench press at soon as gym started and Blaine could see the two boys laughing and teasing each other. He frowned. Why was Kurt so easy going with Puck when it seemed he had been avoiding talking to Blaine all together?

It was the same thing at lunch. Kurt seemed fine when talking to Puck, Trey, or Aric but whenever Blaine tried to speak with him he barely said a thing. Blaine knew that Kurt had said he didn’t want to talk, but he couldn’t help but feel singled out. Kurt hadn’t said a word to him since breakfast.

Blaine tried to find Kurt after school was over to ask him what was really going on. After two days of constantly wishing Kurt would stop talking the sudden silence was a little unnerving. He wasn’t about to force Kurt to speak with him but Blaine wanted a reason for what was beginning to feel like the cold shoulder. 

Blaine couldn’t find him though and had ended up ten minutes late for his tutoring session with the twins. Then it had taken Blaine five minutes to get them to shut up about him not being on-time and he had lost track of time during the session, making them almost late to Glee. Then Trey and Aric had spent the whole practice blaming each other for Blaine’s “sudden disregard for punctuality.” 

Blaine had practically run out of the room once practice was over, ignoring the confused looks sent his way. He needed to find Kurt.

Why did it matter so much anyway? If he didn’t want to talk he didn’t have to talk. Blaine could wait patiently... Right?

Blaine sighed, not sure where he was going to look until he found himself climbing the stairs to the roof. Hadn’t Kurt said he did homework up here? But Karofsky had found him so maybe he wouldn’t have gone up here again.

Blaine glanced around nervously as he reached the door to the roof, suddenly anxious that a teacher would appear and give him detention for going onto a restricted area. He turned the doorknob and found it locked.

He sighed in relief, glad he wouldn’t have to break the rules. But then he remembered Kurt picking the lock on the window in Mr. Cepress’ room. What if he had locked the door behind him so Karofsky wouldn’t know he was there? That’s Blaine would have done if he could.

Blaine knocked hesitantly on the door, “Kurt? Are you there? It’s Blaine.”

For second there was silence then Blaine could hear someone moving on the other side of the door and the tinkling sound of Kurt fiddling with the lock. The door swung open and Kurt waved him onto the roof, locking the door behind him.

“I’ve been looking for you.” Blaine said as he watched Kurt stow away his pocket knife.

“Well you found me.” Kurt said as he walked back over to the pile of books against three-foot wall of the roof.

“I- Umm.” Blaine began awkwardly as Kurt sat down, “I was wondering...”

Kurt watched him expectantly and Blaine sighed, walking over to the other boy and sitting down across from him. Kurt watched him warily and Blaine was surprised to see a slight nervousness in his eyes that he hadn’t seen before. 

Blaine cleared his throat and asked, feeling stupid, “Why did you decide not to talk to me?”

Kurt paused a few seconds before saying, “I am talking to you.”

Blaine rolled his eyes, “Not now. I mean this morning and during the school day.”

Kurt shifted uncomfortably, “I told you that I am not good at being nice when I don’t have time to think about it.”

“So you just decided to ignore me all day?” Blaine asked, “And why just me?”

Kurt put his head in his hands and said, “I’m sorry. That was stupid wasn’t it?” Blaine didn’t respond and Kurt seemed to take that as a silent affirmation because he groaned in frustration, “Nothing I do is right. Just- Just give me a minute okay? I need to think before I can explain this right.”

Blaine nodded and said, “Okay.” He watched Kurt patiently as the boy looked everywhere but Blaine and appeared to be lost in thought.

Kurt was leaning against the wall of the roof and had his arms wrapped protectively around his legs. Blaine couldn’t help but notice how the late afternoon sun reflected in Kurt’s light blue eyes and seemed to make his skin glow as the wind blew softly through his carefully styled hair. Kurt bit his lip, letting it slide out from in between his teeth.

He looked beautiful.

Wait. What? Blaine backpedaled. Where had that come from?

He didn’t have a chance to think much on it because Kurt suddenly stood up and began pacing. Blaine pushed himself to his feet and turned to face him, trying to smile encouragingly.

The smile seemed to set Kurt off because he finally said, “I can’t- I just can’t with you!”

Blaine frowned, not understanding, “What?”

Kurt sighed and stopped pacing, “I don’t know how to deal with you.”

Blaine tilted his head to the side, “What do you mean?”

Kurt threw his hands up in the air, “I’m not used to people other than my family giving a damn about me! Okay? People gave me shit before I went to juvie, and I got even more when I first got there. I know how to deal with people shoving me around or insulting me or joking around or talking about stuff that doesn’t really matter! That’s my normal. And then you,” Kurt said pointing an accusing finger at Blaine, “You come along and you care! You smile and tilt your head and expect something out of me. Then I am mean and threatening and swear even though I can tell you hate it and you're still are so friggin nice that it drives me crazy.”

Blaine swallowed loudly, not sure how to respond, “I’m sorry?”

Kurt growled. Like actually growled as he stormed towards Blaine, grabbing fistfulls of his shirt and pushing him up against the door of the roof. “That is what I am talking about, Blaine! I just yelled at you for being nice and you apologize? What the hell? How I am supposed to respond to that?”

Blaine watched Kurt with wide eyes, fighting down another apology. He tried not to think about how Kurt was pinning him to the door or that he somehow liked it. He liked being pinned to a door by his roommate. What?

Kurt let go of his shirt but didn’t step away, barely giving Blaine room to move at all. Blaine leaned away from him, wary of all the things he was suddenly feeling and still shocked from the sudden physical contact. .

Kurt hung his head and said in a quieter tone, “No one has ever troubled themselves this much about me before.”

“Kurt.” Blaine said, awkwardly putting a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

Kurt sighed, “But don’t you see? None of this is your fault. You were just being a good person. And I- I’m not.”

Blaine frowned, “You don’t think you’re a good person?”

Kurt just shook his head, “I don’t even know anymore.”

“It’s not something you know.” Blaine said, “It’s something you do.”

Kurt grinned and says suggestively, “You want me to do a good person? Who do you have in mind?”

Blaine let out a short laugh, “Really? That’s where your mind goes? That wasn't even a good joke and I was being serious.”

Kurt smiles, “I guess it was just too much sentimental crap for me to handle. My mind can go into the gutter instantly. Plus I have never really been funny.”

“Apparently.” Blaine mumbles, still aware that they are extremely close. Kurt is not six inches away from him and seems to have no intention of moving. Blaine inhales deeply, noticing a light smell of cigarettes hanging on Kurt and asks loudly, “You don’t smoke do you? Cause that is so bad for-” 

Blaine is cut off by the sudden chime of Kurt’s IPod, which the other boy quickly fishes out of his back pocket, finally stepping away from Blaine to read a text he had just received. Blaine had to stop himself from sighing in relief because the proximity had been distracting for reasons he hadn’t allowed himself to think about.

Kurt scanned the text quickly and said, “Hmm. Puck says Principal Recklin called an all-school assembly.” He checked the time, “Looks like we have about five minutes to be there.”

“What!” Blaine shrieked, turning around to pull at the doorknob before remembering it was locked. He was stuck here until Kurt opened the door. The thought almost made him shudder.

He watched Kurt impatiently as he picked up his things, his newfound feelings for the boy doing nothing to lessen the worry about being late to the assembly. Kurt shouldered him out of the way and picked the lock quickly before opening the door and ushering Blaine off the roof.

Kurt turned back to lock the door behind him and Blaine jumped from one foot to the other nervously, “Come on. Come on.”

As soon as Kurt stowed away his pocketknife, Blaine grabbed his hand and dragged him down the stairs and towards the main gym. Kurt followed him willingly, chuckling at Blaine’s frantic pace. 

“Blaine. Stop worrying. No one is going to punish you for being late for an assembly.” Kurt said, seemingly trying his best to sound comforting.

“I don’t like to be late.” Blaine explained. “Plus I think I know what this is about.”

“Oh? What?” Kurt asked curiously as Blaine practically dragged him down another flight of stairs.

“McKinley is the only boarding school even close to Dalton,” Blaine explained, “The students have to go somewhere while they rebuild the school.”

“And you think some of them will come here?” Kurt asked.

Blaine nodded, sighing with relief as they reached the assembly on time. “I almost certain that is what this is about, but let’s go see if I’m right.”