Blaine’s fears dropped a tiny notch when the doctors had finally decided to ease up on sedating Kurt, this meant it was highly likely he’d finally come to. Blaine remembered when the doctor told him that morning, his heart fluttered at the possibility of seeing his husband’s eyes again and hearing his voice. He was disappointed to hear though, that him waking didn’t necessarily mean they were in the clear. There could be a whole possible range of problems, especially considering the massive force Kurt had taken to the head.

Half into the day, while Blaine numbly flipped through some fashion magazine Carole left for Kurt,
he heard a gasp of breath from the hospital bed, rising to his feet, he found that his hand started trembling at the thought of finally talking to his husband again. He felt a pang in his chest, he didn’t remember missing his husband this much when he was out with Sebastian.

“Kurt?” Blaine leaned over and clasped his husband’s hand in his own. Bright blue eyes blinked back at him.

Kurt offered a soft smile, his breathing mask prevented him from talking immediately. He took in his surroundings for a brief moment, before shifting in bed. He didn’t seem surprised at all, but very groggy.

“Kurt.” Blaine reached his freehand over to stroke his husband’s cheek, gazing adoringly, “Just hold on a second, let me get the doctor. I love you. Hold on.”

Blaine reluctantly left, rushing out of the hospital room and returning back with the doctor. The doctor administered a few basic sensory tests and asked some questions before leaving the room. Blaine stood anxiously waiting for answers.

“He doesn’t seem to be paralyzed or experiencing any memory lost, for that we can be grateful.” the doctor nodded. “We’ll still perform a CAT scan to make sure there isn’t any brain damage and also check up on how his broken ribs are doing. I don’t think it’s a good idea to completely remove the respirator, but he can say a couple of words between the pumps.”

As soon as tail of the doctor’s coat hit the room’s exit, Blaine scooted his chair near his husband’s side and plopped down.

Kurt noticed his husband’s urgency and couldn’t help, but to feel giddy about his concern, Kurt stretched the elastic on his breathing mask to speak, “Hey.” before snapping it back. Kurt’s voice seemed strained, probably from the lack of water.

Blaine melted at the sound of Kurt’s voice. He paused for a moment thinking about the last words he said to Kurt before now. He stared sympathetically at his husband before filling up a cup of water using the sink in the room. He tried to help Kurt take a quick sip, but Kurt waved him off, giving him a disapproving look. He wanted to drink it by himself.

Blaine settled back in his seat before grabbing Kurt’s hand. “I’m sorry Kurt. I’m so sorry. I should have just listened to you, you wouldn’t be here if I’d listened.” he tightened his grip on Kurt’s hand, looking apologetic.

Kurt set down his cup of water and moved his mask before gently scolding, “Don’t blame yourself. I don’t blame you.” He grazed his thumb over Blaine’s knuckles.

“Look at you. Still trying to protect me and you’re the one in the hospital bed.” Blaine bit his lip, “I love you.” Blaine started, “You don’t know how scared I was, that you’d leave me and Lily... and on top of that the last words we’d spoke to each other. I didn’t want it to be left like that.”

“Blaine,” Kurt reached up and stroked his husband’s hair, “Stop being a dramatic sap.”

“Kurt, I’m serious.” Blaine’s eyebrows crinkled with concern. Blaine had a lot to think about during Kurt’s unconscious state. Specifically their marriage of eleven years. His affair plagued most of his thoughts during the hours he waited for Kurt to wake. Sadly, he settled on the same conclusion he did before, he would not tell Kurt.

If there was anything this accident had done for Blaine, it was make him realize how it would feel... being so close to losing Kurt. Can you imagine how Kurt would react to Blaine’s affair? He knew Kurt was an extremely forgiving person, just look at Karofsky, the guy had threatened to kill him and when they ran into him at the grocery store, Kurt chatted him up like they were old buddies, but somehow this seemed worse. He didn’t know if Kurt would try to work things out, or just pack up and leave and that’s what kept him from uttering a word about it.

Blaine had a little problem to take care of to insure his secret was safe though: Sebastian Smythe.

x-x-x

After a couple of weeks, the hospital assured Kurt’s family that he was absolutely ready to be taken out of care and back home. As long as Kurt stayed away from strenuous activities until his ribcage healed, and refreshed the bandage on his torso, he would be fine. The family trip Kurt had initially planned got thwarted, but Blaine promised him they’d reschedule again next month.

Honestly, Blaine didn’t want to return to work, he actually did beg and plead to take another entire week off to stay in Ohio, but to no avail. He didn’t want to go back when he’d been so close to losing Kurt and his return to work meant a confrontation with Sebastian Smythe was inevitable.

“Did you call Rachel to come and visit today?” Blaine looked worriedly at Kurt who layed in PJs flipping through soap operas on their room’s television.

“I’ll be fine with Lily Blaine, honestly. I’ve been getting nothing, but visitors this past month.” Kurt pouted.

“I’m just worried about you, I haven’t left you for more than ten minutes since the accident. Except when they had you in surgery of course.” Blaine reached for his work binder, dressed for work in a neatly pressed suit.

“I’m fine Blaine. Thank you for caring.” Kurt turned his attention to Blaine, “Now do I get a goodbye kiss?” he asked timidly.

Blaine smiled back at Kurt, leaning down over the bed to place his lips on his husband’s, he broke the kiss with a wet smack. “I’ll be home at four, I love you. Don’t be afraid to call me if you need anything.” Blaine turned on his heel and left for a surely interesting day.

At work, Blaine successfully avoided Sebastian for a total amount of four hours. He’d just popped into the break room and began to pour himself a cup of coffee, when he felt a hand glide across his stomach, he backed away in surprise.

“Oh, jumpy today tiger?” Sebastian wagged his eyebrows, “I’ve missed you.”

Blaine swiped off his shirt a couple of times, as if trying to remove dirt then proceeded to grab his mug off the counter, “We have to talk Sebastian.”

“Hotel or my place?” Sebastian rushed excitedly, breathing down Blaine’s neck.

Blaine walked around him and sat himself down on the break room table, “Here. We’re just talking.”

Sebastian looked flustered for a minute before leaning casually against the table near Blaine’s seat, “What’s up?”

“I-I lead you on, into thinking I had feelings that I truly didn’t. I think this should end now.” Blaine tested the ground a bit, Sebastian waited quietly for him to finish, “I realize that what I did was a big mistake Sebastian, I didn’t want to hurt anybody, but something has to give. I love Kurt and I love my daughter Lily. I’m sorry Sebastian. We can’t be together anymore.” Blaine confessed.

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him Blaine.”

“Wh-what?” Blaine’s face bunched up in disgust for a second. “No, no. If we keep this going, he will know and it’s not only him that will get hurt, it’s Lily, and it’s me. I’m already hurt Sebastian, I’m hurt because I know I’m giving Kurt a reason to not trust me, to not trust his husband.”

“So what? You’re just going to drop me? Kurt wasn’t there when you were feeling down, it was me. Remember that?” Sebastian straightened now.

“I realize you thought you were helping me, but it’s not like that Sebastian... what we did only made it worse. A lot worse.”

“You know what? I should have known you wouldn’t appreciate what I’ve done for you. I should have known not to trust someone who’s married and willing to fuck someone else so enthusiastically on the side.” Sebastian gripped his work papers off of the break table.

Blaine winced at Sebastian’s crude statement, “Sebastian, I’m really sorry. I didn’t want to start this.”

“Fuck off.” Sebastian spat before walking towards his cubicle.

“Wait! Wait!” Blaine leaped from his chair, gripping Sebastian arm, “You’re not going to tell Kurt right? You know it’d get us both in trouble, here at the office I mean.” Blaine sputtered.

Sebastian slowly turned to face Blaine, “We’ll just have to see.” he shook Blaine’s hand off.

“Sebastian don’t do this.” Blaine spoke desperately.

“Or what?” Sebastian teased.

“Look,” Blaine’s eyes darted around the office a bit “What do you want from me?”

Sebastian appeared to be in deep thought for a minute before answering seriously, “For you to suffer.” He smiled endearingly and sauntered off, with a bit more confidence this time.

Blaine’s blood ran cold.

x-x-x

Kurt pecked Lily’s forehead before quietly moving over her sleeping form. He didn’t realize it, but he really did miss doing his typical motherly tasks around his family’s home. He was excited to find a new chicken alfredo recipe, he was sure Blaine would love, chicken alfredo after all was his favorite meal. Before he even started dinner he even did some deep cleaning around the household: mopping, scrubbing the bathroom, wiping the windows, and organizing his wardrobe... again.

Yep, it’s great to be back home. Kurt thought. He hummed while carefully whisking the creamy alfredo sauce bubbling on his stove top. He stopped for a second after hearing the home phone ring, he sighed and placed his sauce on the back burner before rushing out of the kitchen.

“Anderson-Hummel household!” Kurt chipped.

“Kurt I assume?” a voice spoke gravely.

Kurt tucked the phone onto his shoulder to free both of his hands, “Yes, this is Kurt. May I ask who’s speaking?” this voice was not familiar.

“Hi Kurt. This is Sebastian Smythe. I’m Blaine’s co-worker, you might of heard of me.” the man continued.

“Oh, yes. I’ve heard lots about you....” Kurt nodded. Blaine always spoke adamantly when discussing his conversations with Sebastian and the tasks they both tackled at work.”
Confused as to why a co-worker would be calling, Kurt asked the only thing he could come up with, “Is something wrong? Is Blaine okay?”

“Blaine’s fine.” Sebastian shook off that notion quickly, “Listen, Kurt. I got enlightened today and I feel I should come clean to you about something.”

Kurt was even more confused now, “Uh... What about?”

“Kurt. I’m sorry I have to tell you this, it’s about your husband and I.”

It wouldn’t hit Kurt until he said it. At this moment in his life, in Kurt’s eyes, Blaine was a man not capable of doing something like this.

“Kurt.” Sebastian spoke, “Your husband and I have been in an affair for a while now.”

Somehow Kurt didn’t believe the voice on the other side of line sounded at all apologetic or at the very least sympathetic.

“Excuse me?” Kurt let out a laugh, “Are you playing with me?”

“I’m not lying Kurt. What have I ever had against you or Blaine for that matter? Kurt, think about all those extended business trips your husband has been on, and the late nights at work. He was with me Kurt. He took me out on dates and he even slept with me. It’s all in the bills Kurt, just look it up and... of course if you want the real work schedule you’d probably have to call Blaine’s boss, but yeah.” Sebastian babbled on.

Kurt didn’t respond.

“So... yeah. There you have it.” Sebastian trailed awkwardly, “Uh, if you have anymore questions, feel free to call back!”

Click.

Kurt stood with the phone next to his ear for a good twenty seconds before numbly placing the phone back on the hook, he dragged his feet to the edge of his bed and slowly sat down. He literally stared at the carpet for five minutes before actually allowing himself to think.

Blaine found him like that when he returned at work, an hour early, just thinking on the edge of their bed.

“Kurt?” Blaine placed his work binder on the nightstand before turning back to his husband.

Kurt was a lot of things, but conniving was not one of them. He didn’t search or rummage through any of Sebastian’s suggestions and he certainly did not jump to conclusions. He wouldn’t consider any of this serious until he knew from Blaine.

“I got a call today.” Kurt began, his eyes void of feeling.

Blaine made sure to return early, hoping to squash any suspicions by saying he and Sebastian had gotten into an argument before he called, but it was too late.

“Oh? Who from?” Blaine pretended to be oblivious.

“Your co-worker, Sebastian Smythe.” Kurt searched Blaine’s eyes for a sign.

Blaine drew a blank stare, “Oh, did he call to apologize? You know, he and I got in a fight today. Things got pretty ugly.” Blaine pretended to ramble.

“He said some pretty crazy things Blaine.” Kurt sat perfectly still.

Blaine sat next to Kurt, giving him a peck on the cheek, “Did he scream at you? I’m sorry honey, I know he can get pretty immature sometimes.”

“He said you were cheating on me... with him.”
“What? No, of course not!” Blaine shook his head, feigning shock.

Kurt saw it then. Saw what he’d been refusing to see for nearly half the year. The glint in his eye and the tone of his voice, he’d seen it when Blaine waved goodbye on his recent business trips, he’d heard it when he called apologizing about having to stay up late for work. It clicked into place then, why Blaine often started dodging Kurt’s welcome home kisses and went straight for the shower. Kurt even started to realize their sex life was completely lacking, he realized with horror they hadn’t done anything sexual for over two months. He realized, not only had Blaine been lying to him... he’d been lying to himself. He’d been in complete denial, he tricked himself into thinking everything was okay. He didn’t want to believe, and could not believe that his lover of thirteen years, husband of eleven, would cheat on him.

Blaine, the man who had stood beside him. The man who had proposed to him, who he had witty bickering with, who he’d consoled in for the better part of his life. Blaine betrayed him.

Blaine shifted nervously, noticing Kurt’s emotionless state, “You don’t believe him do you? Kurt?”

“Why are you lying?” Kurt questioned, his eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.

“I’m not lying Kurt. Why would you believe him over me?” Blaine’s facade was quickly falling with every word. He tried to hide the fear on his face, the regret, but he’d been holding it in for far too long. He let it fall for just a second, letting a single drop fall down his cheek. He reached out his hand to comfort his husband.

Kurt slapped his hand off, “Don’t touch me!” he hissed.

Blaine stopped, taken a back by Kurt’s sudden rage.

“You-You... I can’t.” Kurt turned his head away for a moment.

“I’m sorry.” Blaine sobbed. “It was a mistake. I’m sorry.” he attempted to reach out to Kurt again, this time his husband rose to his feet, whipping his body to look down on his husband.

“How long?” Kurt knew he didn’t need to explain.

“Five months,” Blaine cowered, “He didn’t mean anything to me, I promise you. I didn’t love him, I love you.”

“You love me?” Kurt let out a breathy laugh, “I don’t believe that anymore. I don’t believe you.” He placed his hand over his mouth for a moment in disbelief then continued, “Did you have sex with him?”

Blaine didn’t answer, he looked down at his feet

“Did you take him out to dinner? Buy him gifts?” Kurt pushed.

“I’m sorry.”

Kurt ran his hands through his hair, turning away from the man who suddenly stirred such deep hatred in him. He hated that he loved him. It infuriated him that he’d chosen this man to give his heart to.

Kurt paused before asking the question with the answer he feared the most, “D-Did you tell him, you loved him?”

At this point Blaine’s face was already dripping with tears, “I didn’t mean it.”

“I don’t know anymore.” Kurt whispered to himself. He rushed out, walking at a fast pace to Lily’s room. He shut the door firmly behind him before collapsing on the single chair beside his daughter’s bed.

Kurt stared at her innocent face, her peaceful state of sleep and cried as silently as he could manage. A million images, fears, doubts, and questions fled through his mind. Was it him? Was he not enough for Blaine anymore? Did Blaine regret marrying him? Maybe Blaine was dissatisfied with the sex. Kurt didn’t know, and what about Lily?

Lily was such a young girl, with a lot to look forward in her future. A high school education, college, a career in whatever her heart desired, a boy to fall in love with, but now whether or not she’d have a parents to look up to as a prime example of companionship was undecided. Yes, Kurt and Blaine would always be Lily’s fathers, but now Kurt was worried about what exactly they would be to her.

Kurt wasn’t sure if it was healthy for Lily to see her fathers stay together, because he wasn’t sure if he could still love Blaine. What would it do to her, if she saw him miserable in this relationship? It would probably destroy her outlook on marriage. He also knew breaking it off with Blaine could affect Lily and also destroy her outlook on marriage. It didn’t have to be like that though, he was sure it could work out both ways. Kurt could try to work it out and maybe somehow forgive Blaine or Kurt could leave... and one of them could definitely move on with someone else.

Lily stirred, before blinking hard a few times. Kurt wiped the tears from his face, he didn’t want Lily to know about this.

“Daddy?” Lily looked confused. She rubbed her eyes, before sitting straight up in her bed.

“Hey there sleepy head.” Kurt tried to sound happy, but his throat was strained.

“What’s wrong Daddy? Have you been crying?” Lily looked accusingly at Kurt’s puffy eyes.

“Nothings wrong Lily. Why don’t you go watch some television, I’m going to order pizza tonight.” Kurt rose from his seat.

“I thought you were making pasta daddy.”

Kurt laughed quietly, she was too observant for her own good. “Pizza sounds more delicious now though.” Kurt made an excuse. He actually didn’t feel like cooking at all, he preferred rolling into a tight ball and weeping until he was sure his tear ducts were incapable of producing anything.

Lily didn’t question any further and happily opened the door, running towards the parlor. He took a deep breath, he was exhausted from all the emotion, but he knew he’d have to end his conversation with Blaine. Kurt patted through the hallway passing his room, first making sure Lily was completely engrossed in television. He heard Blaine shuffling in their bedroom, he turned to walk back. Blaine stood awkwardly next to their bed, arms limp like noodles at his sides, he tilted his head hopefully to Kurt who stood leaning against the door frame. They both embraced the tense silence for a moment.

Kurt was the first to speak, “Blaine. I don’t know what you were thinking, I don’t know what it was that prompted you to start this affair, but I do know you’ve put our relationship at risk for it. Y-You’ve put our entire family at risk.” Kurt breathed, “Please tell me, give me some excuse, some viable excuse as to why I should even consider trying to fix something that you broke consciously. Am I not good enough anymore? Did I do something wrong? What was it?”

Blaine approached Kurt cautiously, standing at a decent distance before replying, “It was never you Kurt. I love you. You’re perfect the way you are” Blaine used a tone of conviction that quickly switched to a flustered state, “I didn’t think. I just- I didn’t think ‘I am starting an affair at this point.’ I didn’t think ‘I could possibly lose Kurt if I go further.’ or ‘What about Lily?’ it just happened and it was too late to take it back.” Blaine dropped his head, “But Kurt, I am thinking now and I am feeling now and I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust again to keep this family together. I promise that I love you, that I never loved him. I know that doesn’t mean much to you now and I think you have every right not to trust me right now, but please let me prove it to you.”

“Three months.” Kurt stated simply.

“What?” Blaine questioned.

“I’m going to try this out for three months. If it doesn’t work out by three months, I’m filing for divorce.”