A Month Ago

The light around Blaine was so bright Kurt could barely even see him anymore. He pulled him in closer trying to savor the time they had, Kurt knew they only had moments.

"I'm never saying goodbye to you." Kurt whispered and kissed Blaine's lips. He tried to make his voice sound even but it wavered. He knew this was it, he was moving on. Wasn't that what he wanted? This was right, the way things were meant to be.

It meant losing Blaine.

How could that be right?

Please Kurt pleaded silently to he didn't know who. Please give me another chance. Please just give me more time. Please don't make me let go of him.

The light increased until it was just white. Kurt was surrounded by white and nothing else. No bed beneath him. No Blaine in his arms. He was leaving but he didn't know where. Kurt wanted to sob but couldn't. Then his body hit something hard. There was a loud clap of noise and the light faded away.

Kurt couldn't move, he felt tired like he'd run a marathon. He turned his head to see where he was but it was dark and cold and... wet? Kurt realized there was grass beneath his cheek, he was outside and it was raining.

Kurt wanted to find out where he was and what was going on. He wanted Blaine. But he had no strength. He closed his eyes and everything went dark.


-----


Burt was sitting on the couch watching some crime drama show that Carole loved while drinking a beer. Carole was sitting close to him enjoying their quiet evening in. There was a storm outside, wind whipping around the house and lightning crackling through the air. The TV flickered and then came back on.

"I guess I should go find some candles and flashlights in case the power goes out." Burt said moving to get up.

Carole squeezed his hand. "They are all in the cupboard above the refrigerator. Wait till the commercial and I'll come with you and get us a snack."

Burt sat back down and smiled, putting his arm across the back of the couch to hold Carole. Burt wasn't really paying much attention to the show. They were all kind of the same to him but Carole liked it so he sat with her. His mind drifted to the young man who'd come and visited him at the shop a few weeks ago. Blaine Anderson, the kid had said his name was.

Burt found he kept thinking about him. He couldn't get him out of his head. The look he got in his eyes when he talked about Kurt. The faint blush to his cheeks and the smile on his face. Burt didn't know what had happened with this kid and his son, but he was fairly certain Blaine Anderson had been in love with Kurt.

Carole stood up and waited for Burt expectantly. He didn't even realize it was a commercial break. He stood up and a loud clap of thunder shook the house causing the lights to flicker.

"We should get those flashlights." Burt said and walked with Carole to the kitchen. Carole went to the pantry to get some microwave popcorn, while Burt looked in the cupboard above the refrigerator for the candles and flashlights.

There was another crack of thunder and a flash of lightning and the lights went out.

"I guess I am missing the end of the show." Carole said putting the now useless bag of un-popped popcorn on the counter.

"Sorry about that." Burt said flipping on a flashlight. It didn't turn on. He flipped it on and off a couple times swatting it against the palm of his hand when suddenly the whole kitchen was filled with light. Brighter than the flashlight by far. Brighter than if the lights had come back on. It was like a sharp flash of lightning, but lasting much longer.

Burt squinted his eyes and looked towards the window. The light was coming from the backyard, it soon faded and he and Carole were left in darkness again, their eyes trying to adjust to the change.

Burt realized the flashlight was finally on.

"What in heaven's name was that?" Carole asked.

"I don't know." Burt said handing a second flashlight to her. "But I'm gonna find out."

"Be careful." Carole cautioned as he walked out the back door.

Burt walked a little ways into the rain sweeping his flashlight across the backyard to see if anything was out of place. He was about to turn around and go back in when the beam of his flashlight caught something. He stepped a little closer to get a better look at whatever was laying in his yard. When Burt realized what he was seeing he rushed forward and fell to his knees.

"Carole! CAROLE!" He screamed. "Come out here. I need you!" Burt stared down at the unconscious but breathing form of his son.


Today

Burt walked into the kitchen to find Kurt frantically fluttering around the room. Opening the oven, checking the pots on the stove, twirling around like he forgot what he was looking for.

"Kurt." Burt said in a low voice.

"I can't remember if it has been in the oven 10 minutes or 15 minutes. Did I set a timer? Where's the timer?" Kurt said rushing around the room.

"Kurt." Burt said again.

"And why did I decide to make brownies for dessert. Brownies dad. I mean I can do so much-"

"Kurt!" Burt stage whispered to him and walked up putting a steady hand on his shoulder. "Deep breaths kiddo, you're stressing me out."

Kurt looked at his dad with wide scared eyes. "I can't do this."

"Yes you can."

"No dad. I can't. He's here. Blaine's here. In the other room and I..." Kurt ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath to keep from crying. "I don't know what to say to him."

"Start with 'Hello'" Burt teased.

"Dad. You're not helping. I don't want to scare him off. I... can't. What if he can't handle it? What if he walks out the front door and I never see him again?" Kurt's eyes were wet with tears at this point. "I can't lose him."

Burt put the wine Blaine had brought down on the counter and came back to hold his son in a tight hug. "Kurt. He spent months with you in that house when you were a... a ghost." Even a month after getting his son back he was still having a hard time wrapping his mind around that. "From what you've told me I don't think he's easily scared off."

He let go of Kurt and smiled at him. "You've barely talked about anything besides Blaine for weeks now. I understand this is a big moment, and if you aren't ready I'll make up an excuse and send him away." Burt looked his son in the eye, god his son was here, he still felt dizzy with the relief of it. "But Kurt do you want me to send him away?"

"No." Kurt whispered.

"Then how about we go talk to him, okay?"

Kurt nodded and let his dad wrap an arm around his shoulder and lead him to the living room. Kurt stopped in the doorway and watched Carole and Blaine talking about an old picture on the wall. Kurt's breath caught in his throat.

Blaine.

Blaine was here. He was smiling at Carole and wearing an adorable red bowtie and gray sweater vest. His eyes were just as deep and golden as Kurt remembered and he seemed brightened, more tangible, like everything had seemed since Kurt had come back.

Kurt tried to say something, but it came out more like a short gasp. Blaine turned towards the doorway and looked up. He stopped mid-word and froze. His eyes growing huge and his face going pale.

"Kurt?" He mouthed but no sound came out.


-----


Blaine felt like the rest of the room and the people in it were fading. All he could see was Kurt.

His Kurt.

Here.

Blaine's knees suddenly felt like jelly and before he could react Carole had wrapped an arm around him and Burt and Kurt had rushed forward. Burt helped Blaine across the room and down to the couch, talking to him and encouraging him the whole time. Blaine didn't hear any of it. All he could do was stare at Kurt.

"Oh my gosh. Blaine! Are you okay?" Kurt was on the couch next to him, hands moving quickly and hovering around like he didn't know what to do to help. "Of course you're not okay. What's wrong with me? Carole nearly fainted when they found me and I thought Dad was going to have another heart attack. You're not going to have a heart attack right? Or a panic attack? Blaine? Blaine? Say something please."

Blaine blinked at Kurt's worried face, his mind was spinning with everything he wanted to say, to ask, to do, but it took a moment of heavy silence in the room to get anything out, "Kurt. You... How?" He finally said.

Kurt smiled softly and shrugged, glancing down for a moment. "We don't really know. I can tell you what I remember. I was with you and there was all this bright light around us, I knew I was leaving and I just wanted more time with you." Kurt blushed and glanced quickly at his dad before clearing his throat and continuing. "And then everything was dark and cold and I was here. In the backyard. I was home and... and Blaine. I'm alive."

Blaine just continued to stare at him afraid he was going to wake up and this would just be a dream.

"After they found me I realized that... I'm real." Kurt continued. "I'm not a ghost, I'm real. I breathe and eat and bleed... and I'm alive Blaine.."

Blaine couldn't really process what Kurt was saying, "Bleed?" he asked, "Were you hurt?"

"Really Blaine? That's your first question?" Kurt smiled and shook his head. "No I wasn't hurt. I'm not hurt. I'm just saying I'm alive."

"You're alive."

"Yes." Kurt was looking worried, he bit his lip and looked at Blaine searchingly as Blaine sat there dumbly. "Say something." Kurt pleaded.

"I..." Blaine stopped. He honestly couldn't think of anything to say. He was completely out of words.

Well, maybe not completely.

"I love you." Blaine said softly, his throat scratchy with unshed tears, he moved forward placing his hands on either side of Kurt's face. "I love you..:" He repeated and kissed him.

Kurt was still for a moment before melting into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Blaine like he'd never let go. Blaine thought they might stay like that forever until he heard someone clearing their throat. Kurt broke away and Blaine turned to see Burt and Carole, Blaine had forgotten they were even there. Carole had her hands clasped, wearing a huge grin and crying. Burt stood with his hands in his pockets rocking on his feet a little, with a smile on his lips.

"Well... uh. This is going well then isn't it?" Burt asked with a smirk.

A laugh bubbled out of Kurt as he tightened his hold around Blaine and leaned his head on him.

"We're going to go check on dinner." Burt said motioning to Carole and they turned and left the room.

Blaine looked at Kurt who had tears in his eyes. "Don't cry." Blaine said. "There has been enough crying."

"You're crying right now Blaine." Kurt said wiping moisture from Blaine cheeks. Blaine didn't know when he'd started crying, he did know he was also grinning like an idiot and that he probably wasn't going to stop for a long time.

"Kurt. I don't understand. You're here and alive." Blaine looked down for a moment. "I thought I'd lost you."

"You didn't."

"I could have." He said looking at Kurt again.

"But you didn't." Kurt leaned in and placed a soft kiss to Blaine's lips.

Blaine closed his eyes and kissed him back, for a moment forgetting all of his questions or the fact that Burt and Carole were just in the other room. He held on to Kurt and kissed him feeling warmth bloom in his chest and radiate through his body. They broke apart as the doorbell rang but stayed as close to each other as they could.

Burt walked into the room carrying a large arrangement of flowers.

"These are for you." He said.

"For me?" Kurt asked face scrunching in confusion.

"No for both of you." Burt looked equally puzzled setting the flowers down on the coffee table and leaving again.

Blaine reached for the card attached to the arrangement with a shaky hand and read it out loud. "Kurt and Blaine." it read. "Sometimes things don't turn out the way you think they will. Love is very powerful and sometimes when you are brave the universe is kind. Don't question it too much, just enjoy second chances. Much love to you both. Camille."

Blaine stared at the card and then up at Kurt whose eyes widened in surprise before he burst out laughing. "Oh my god. How did she... I mean we are in Ohio and... Do you think she..."

"Kurt." Blaine interrupted with a smile, grabbing Kurt's hand. "Don't question it too much."

Kurt grinned and then pulled Blaine on top of him for another long kiss. Blaine felt Kurt's warm lips and skin against his own, he could feel Kurt's heart beating against the palm he laid softly on his chest. He felt giddy as he smiled into the kiss, Blaine was home and he was going to take this second chance for everything it was worth.

He was never letting go of Kurt again.