Chapter Fourteen

Blaine felt like a stalker the next day. He hadn't expected Kurt to come into school but there he was stood by his locker. He still looked terrible, probably even worse than he had yesterday. Blaine worried about him. He was in no way healthy and with the threat of Karofsky... Well, Blaine shuddered to think just what might happen. That was where the stalker part came into it. Blaine had become something like a shadow bodyguard to Kurt. So even if Kurt wasn't aware of it, he was being looked after by Blaine and that gave the younger boy some peace of mind.

The idea was actually working. Several times he had seen Karofsky walking a little too close to Kurt but as soon as he saw that Blaine was near he would stalk off angrily. He didn't even need to come to blows with the jock and for that Blaine was glad. Another fight and he would be suspended. If he was suspended then there was no one to watch out for Kurt.

He knew that Kurt would probably kill him for thinking like that. Kurt would claim that he didn't need protecting and that he wasn't a baby bird, or a girl. Blaine knew all of these things. Kurt was probably one of the strongest people that Blaine had ever met. He was so brave even if he didn't know it. But even though he was all kinds of brave and strong, he was no match for Karofsky, who was twice the size of him. And of course the fact that Kurt was a pacifist didn't help. Blaine had almost laughed when Kurt had told him that he absolutely did not approve of violence, at all. Blaine had then asked why Kurt was with him if he detested violence so much, as Blaine was renowned for getting physical at the first sign of trouble. Kurt had just told him that Blaine was more than his actions and that Kurt was going to stick around until Blaine realised that he didn't need to punch someone to get his point across.

XXXX

One thing Kurt is not, is stupid. He might be sick to his stomach, terrified and pretty much miserable, but he isn't dumb. It only takes him a day to work out what Blaine is doing. He'd found it weird the next day when he returned to school, that Blaine seemed to be everywhere that he looked. But then again the same thing could be said about Karofsky.

Karofsky was luckily steering clear of him but the looks that he kept giving Kurt from afar were enough to make his stomach whirl. The best way Kurt could describe the looks were hungry or lustful. Karofsky had made it clear by his actions that he wanted Kurt in a physical way and the thought of that made Kurt shudder.

Kurt knew that he'd normally throw a fit at Blaine's behaviour. It made him feel weak and pathetic and Kurt hated feeling like that, probably more than anything. But he was so tired and he had to admit that he felt safer with Blaine watching his back. If he caught a glimpse of Karofsky in the hallway all he had to do was to look the other way and he would see Blaine, and he'd be able to push on without becoming a trembling mess.

And Kurt knew that Blaine had actually been attending classes and that his grades had improved dramatically. He really was trying and that thought made Kurt feel a little proud of him. Yes he was still heartbroken, but he could feel the ice that seemed to have encased his heart, slowly start to melt. He was also proud of Blaine because it seemed like he had resisted beating the crap out of Karofsky. Blaine was probably itching to hurt the jock but he hadn't. It made Kurt want to forgive Blaine. But he couldn't. Not yet. It still hurt too much.

XXXX

That night at home it was only Burt and Kurt having dinner. Carole was working a late shift at the hospital and Finn was having dinner with Rachel, she'd complained that they hadn't been out on a date in ages. Normally Kurt loved quality time with his dad. It wasn't often that it was just the two of them anymore. Don't get him wrong, he loved Carole and Finn but sometimes it was nice to just have some proper father-son time. However, this was not one of those times.

Kurt still wasn't eating properly. It had almost been a month since the break up. He was doing better. He was eating a little salad once a day. That was all he could manage. But eating that still made his stomach churn uneasily. It didn't taste of anything and Kurt had to literally force himself to chew and swallow it down. Eating it was a pointless endeavour because he always threw everything back up anyway. He was throwing up everyday and it sucked.

But tonight his dad had decided that because he'd been eating so well that he wanted a treat. He ordered in pizza even though he knew Kurt disapproved completely. There was no way that Kurt could get away with not eating at least a slice. Even the thought of it alone made Kurt feel sick.

Burt's eyes watched him as he picked up one greasy slice of pizza. He eyed it warily before biting into it. He chewed it slowly, then swallowed with a gulp. He looked up at his dad and gave him a tight smile. Kurt's smile seemed to put Burt at ease who then started on his own food. He forced down one slice and then another. But then his stomach gave a painful lurch and Kurt had to excuse himself to run to the bathroom. Making things very obvious to Burt.

Burt watched Kurt as he fled the kitchen. At first he had wondered whether Kurt might have an eating disorder. So he had forced him to eat. But now he was even more worried. What if Kurt had bulimia? True, this was the first time that Burt had heard him being sick but that didn't mean he hadn't been doing it more often.

He was frightened for Kurt. He'd always been on the slimmer side so all the weight that he'd lost in this month didn't seem like a good sign. Kurt looked half dead, it reminded him of what Elizabeth, Kurt's mother, had looked like before she died. And that made Burt very fearful. Thoughts of cancer invaded his head and he had to shake them away. It was still a sore spot.

Picking up the phone, he made a call to the doctor's office. He needed to know what was going on with his son, if only to put his mind at rest.

XXXX

"We can see what you're doing." Puck growled at Blaine.

"It's kinda creepy, dude." Finn said.

They had begun to notice the way that Blaine had watched Kurt and, after taking a couple of days to prove their suspicions, they were ready to confront him. They'd thought he would have got the message from the previous beating that they'd given him, but obviously not. Clearly they hadn't hit him hard enough. Well, that they could rectify.

"It's not what you think." Blaine held up his hands in surrender.

He didn't particularly want to be beaten up, not that anyone did, and he knew that that was exactly what they had come to do. He would try to reason with them and if that didn't work, then he'd just accept defeat. His father would probably call him a coward but he couldn't hurt people that Kurt cared about. He just couldn't.

"Well what I think is that you've got a sick obsession with my brother. You need to stay away from him before you break him more than you already have."

Blaine winced at Finn's comment. He hated himself for breaking Kurt. He knew he had done and he'd do anything to reverse it. He just needed the chance. But to actually hear someone call him out on it hurt like hell.

"No! I still care about him. I'm just looking out for him." Blaine tried to reason.

"I'm done with this." Puck said, moving toward Blaine with hostility. "Let us make our point more clear."

Before Blaine really had any time to react, a fist had come down on him which connected with the corner of his eye. It left him disorientated and defenceless. This was going to be painful.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Kurt's high voice made all three boys freeze and slowly turn to face him.

It was Puck who was brave enough to speak first.

"Giving this asshole a taste of his own medicine. No one messes with one of my boys." He says it like its the most logical thing in the world.

Kurt glared at Puck and Finn and they shrank away from his gaze.

"I don't need you to look out for me, and I certainly do not need you to be violent on my behalf. Apologise right now." Kurt said.

He was still feeling like rubbish but he'd had a sudden burst of energy when he'd saw them hurting Blaine. Unfortunately he didn't know how long it was going to last and he didn't want to make a fool out of himself in front of these guys.

"Seriously?! After what he did to you?!" Finn asked in shock.

"That is none of your business!" Kurt said angrily. "Get out of here now!"

Puck and Finn quickly fled at seeing how enraged Kurt was. A mad Kurt was never something anyone wanted to deal with.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked, moving toward Blaine.

"I'm so sor..." Blaine started to say before Kurt cut him off.

"You know I should be thanking you." Kurt said.

He wrapped his arms around his thin frame as Blaine gave him a quizzical look.

"I know you've been protecting me. Because of you, Karofsky is too afraid to come near me. So thank you."

"You weren't supposed to notice." Blaine said blushing.

"You're not as ninja as you think you are." Kurt said with a small chuckle.

Blaine gave Kurt a small smile. He wasn't sure where this was going.

"You've said you're sorry and, I'm trying to forgive you but... I'm just not there yet." Kurt paused, taking a deep breath. "But I love that you haven't given up on me."

Blaine looked at Kurt in shock. He was honestly surprised, but he was so happy at Kurt's words. He'd thought he had no chance with the boy even though he continued to try. But to hear that there was even the slightest slither of hope completely filled him with joy.

"I will never give up on you." He said it with such conviction that Kurt couldn't not believe him.

With a small smile Kurt turned to leave.

"Hey Kurt, are you feeling better?" Blaine called out to him.

Kurt glanced back at the boy he loved. "I'll be okay."

It was clear that things between the two boys were still shaky, but maybe they would be able to work things out. Kurt knew he still loved Blaine and from what it looked like Blaine could still feel the same way about him. But he didn't want to rush back into anything. Maybe that had been the problem. Maybe they had rushed into things to quickly the first time and that's why things didn't really work out. If Kurt were to try again he had to know for sure that he wouldn't be broken again. He'd barely survived the first time. But for now, things were looking up.

And for a little while he stopped feeling sick.

XXXX

When Kurt arrived home his dad was waiting for him in the living room. That wasn't a good sign. He knew his dad was getting suspicious about everything concerning Kurt, and he had a feeling that last night's display had only added fuel to the fire.

"Kurt, buddy. We need to talk."

"What about, dad?" He tried to play it dumb even though he already guessed what it was about.

"First you weren't eating and now you're being sick. And don't lie to me and tell me that you aren't because I heard you Kurt."

Kurt didn't say anything. What was the point with arguing with evidence? He should have known his dad would stage some sort of intervention. He just wondered where he was going to go with this.

"And that is why I have made you an appointment with the doctor. It's in twenty minutes and I'm gonna be taking you myself so you can't get out of it."

That wasn't what Kurt had been expecting. He'd thought maybe his dad would force him to eat more and watch him like a hawk afterwards, but he didn't expect this.

"Dad. I don't need to go to the doctor." He told him as calmly as possible.

"Then go for me. I'm worried about you Kurt." When he saw that Kurt still looked reluctant he tried a different tact. "I don't need the stress of worrying, kiddo."

He saw the upset look on Kurt's face and for a moment he felt bad using his health against his son. But clearly that was what it was going to take to make Kurt go and get some help, so he tried not to feel too guilty.

Dejectedly, Kurt went out to the car. He couldn't fight against something like that.

XXXX

"So what seems to be the problem?" Dr. Reynolds asked, giving the father and son a reassuring smile.

Burt shot Kurt a look, willing him to speak, which didn't get any response. Shifting uncomfortably he began to talk for Kurt, though he was hesitant and unsure of what to say.

The truth was, Kurt was afraid that if he opened his mouth, the salad that he'd forced down his throat was probably going to make a reappearance and the pale boy really didn't want that to happen.

"Well I think Kurt might have an eating disorder. At first he wasn't eating, and then when I forced him to eat something he just chucked it back up. He's lost so much weight. Just look at him."

Kurt made a disgruntled sound as the doctor looked him over. Anyone could see that the boy was very underweight. His face was becoming gaunt and he looked as if he could sleep for a hundred years and that still wouldn't be enough. She understood why the father would be worried, as she was worried just from looking at him.

"How long has this been going on for?" She asked kindly. She focused on Kurt, letting him know that she wanted for him to answer her.

"Just around a month, I guess." He whispered quietly before he turned defensive. "But it's not like it's by choice!"

"Well, why did you stop eating to begin with?"

Kurt shot a nervous glance over to his dad. "At first it was through lack of appetite. Nothing seems to taste good anymore. And then I started vomiting and I got scared to even try to eat. But even though I wasn't eating anything I kept being sick."

"And how often do you feel sick?"

"Every day, multiple times a day."

Burt's eyes widened in concern. How hadn't he noticed any of this? Knowing that he hadn't noticed what was going on made him feel inadequate as a father.

"Have you been sick today?"

"Twice." Kurt's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Well, how about we do an ultrasound to see if we can find out what's making you so sick? I'll prescribe you some anti-nausea medication which you'll need to take everyday to keep the sickness at bay. It's very important that you eat Kurt." Dr Reynolds said softly.

Kurt nodded, his eyes becoming watery. He was feeling weirdly emotional today but he just blamed that on the conversation he had had with Blaine.

"Right, hop onto the bed and we'll see what's going on."

Kurt did as he was asked, lifting up his shirt. In his head he was chanting the words "Don't be sick" repeatedly.

"This might be a bit cold." The doctor warned.

She squirted the cold gel onto his stomach which made him wince before taking the scanner and running it over his abdomen. After a few seconds she paused, and stared at the monitor with a look of shock on her face.

"What is it?" Burt asked worriedly. "Is it a tumour or something? Cancer?"

Kurt paled considerably at his dad's suggestions. He hadn't thought that anything so serious could be wrong with him. His thoughts went to his mother. If she had had cancer then it might not be that unlikely that Kurt could get it too.

The doctor printed off some images and handed Kurt some tissue to wipe the gel off of himself. When he'd finished she motioned for him to sit back in the chair facing her. God, why couldn't she just tell them already?

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you some... personal questions." She looked apologetic.

"That's fine." Kurt's voice trembled.

"Kurt, are you gay?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Burt asked angrily while next to him Kurt just nodded.

"Have you engaged in penetrative sex?"

Burt spluttered from beside him Kurt turned bright red. Dr. Reynolds took his reaction to mean yes.

"What's wrong with me?" Kurt asked quietly.

The doctor handed Kurt the pictures that she had printed out and pointed to what looked to Kurt like a tiny, almost microscopic blob.

"That there is the beginnings of an embryo. You're pregnant, Kurt."

XXXX

The car ride home was awkward and silent. Neither Burt nor Kurt knew what to say to each other. What could be said? None had imagined this kind of situation so neither of them had prepared for it. It was complete and utter shock.

The doctor had explained to the shell-shocked pair that there was a gene known as Mpreg which allowed men to conceive and carry a foetus. It wasn't actually such a rare gene but because gay relationships were a minority not many male pregnancies actually occurred.

The doctor had gone on to talk about the risks of a male pregnancy. She explained that Kurt would have to be extra careful to avoid having a miscarriage. If Kurt were to have one then his life could be in danger. So abortion wasn't an option for Kurt at all. She told him that he was only four weeks pregnant and seeing as it was nearly Christmas, the baby would be due in September.

As they were leaving she told Burt to ensure that Kurt ate. He desperately needed to increase his weight. She prescribed him the anti-nausea medication and some additional vitamins, and told him that he shouldn't be afraid to eat while taking them.

The pair hadn't really talked since they had left the doctors.

"Why didn't you say anything, Kurt?" Burt asked.

Kurt didn't say anything. In his mind he was freaking out. He couldn't be pregnant. This had to be some kind of joke. Was it April Fools? No, it couldn't be, it was only December. The whole thing was so hard to get his head around.

Kurt Hummel was going to be a father.

"You and that Blaine kid?" Burt asked, his brow furrowed. He obviously didn't like the image that he had created for himself.

Oh god, Blaine! The boy had been so desperately trying to get Kurt back, so much so that Kurt had been thinking of giving him a chance. This would change everything. He wouldn't want Kurt after he found out. A baby didn't exactly fit the image that Blaine had created for himself. Kurt didn't even know how he would explain the situation even if he tried.

They arrived at the house and Kurt slowly got out of the car. Burt met him before they walked to the door.

"Don't cry, kiddo. Its going to be alright. I'll explain to Carole and she can arrange putting the baby up for adoption for when it's born. You just go lay down and I'll bring you some toast to your room."

Kurt hadn't even realised that he'd been crying. He went and laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what his father had said. His father just assumed that Kurt was going to give up this baby but Kurt already had other ideas. He wasn't going to give up this baby. By mid-September next year, Kurt was going to have a baby, with or without the support of his loved ones.

XXXX

The next day Kurt felt like a new man. After taking his anti-nausea medication he felt like his normal old self again. Carole was up, and had been sure to make him some porridge and, after a couple of minute's uncertainty; he didn't really believe that one little pill could do much for his sickness, he ate the whole bowl that was put down in front of him.

Kurt arrived early at school so that he could search out Blaine rather than the other way around. He wanted to tell him. He was going to be a dad and so he deserved to know. He was armed with the sonogram and the papers that the doctor had given him concerning the Mpreg gene in case Blaine doubted him, which he probably would. But as soon as he saw Blaine he chickened out.

He found him in the library of all places. He was bent over a book, taking notes at a frantic pace. Kurt knew that he was doing it to prove to Kurt that he was serious about being a better person, and the thought of that warmed his heart.

For a second he let his mind wander, imagining what kind of father Blaine would be.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Kurt asked as he got near the table.

Blaine's head shot up in surprise.

"Of course." He said, hurriedly moving his things off of the opposite side of the table to give Kurt room.

He watched as Kurt pulled out his own things and began doing his own work. Kurt didn't say anything so Blaine focused back to the notes he had been making. The whole thing seemed a little bizarre to Blaine but he was so happy that Kurt had actually approached him that he would go along with anything that Kurt wanted.

"Do you still love me, Blaine?" Kurt asked suddenly.

Blaine didn't even need to think about his answer, "I do."

"And nothing will change that?" Kurt asked shyly.

"Nothing could ever change that."