The following week was one of the happiest of Kurt's life. With each day that passed, Burt grew stronger and more aware. By Wednesday, the doctor's had given Kurt and Carole a packet of papers and diet information to follow for Burt's care when he returned home Friday afternoon. He was ecstatic by the entire turn of events, and barely had time to focus on anything else. If it hadn't been for Blaine and Mercedes getting him to sit down, eat, and do homework, Kurt had no doubt he would have failed several classes for the first quarter of the school year.

Even the Glee Club couldn't hold his attention, though they all sang a few rousing, happy numbers when he came in Monday and announced his father's return to consciousness. The guys in particular had surprised him more than the girls. Sam hugged him so tightly he was lifted off his feet, and Puck slapped him on the back so many times that Kurt was sure he'd have a large hand-shaped bruise by morning.

By Friday morning, Kurt was a ball of energy, pinballing his way back and forth across the main level of the house as he made sure everything was set for his dad's return. The kitchen had been cleaned out of junk food. What little that was left had been tucked down in Kurt's dresser since Finn had whined miserably at the thought of an entire house going to waste without it. Bedding had been brought down for the fold-out couch in the back room along with several changes of pajamas for Burt and all of his bathroom necessities.

Carole zipped past him with the schedule of meals she'd created for the rest of October and stuck it on the refrigerator with a magnet.

"He's not going to like this at all once he's stronger," Carole commented, adjusting the page so that it was right at Burt's eye level. There'd be no excuses for him missing it.

"It's for his own good," Kurt reminded her, sitting Burt's toothbrush, toothpaste, and rinse cup on the counter next to the sink. He adjusted the little cup, then sat it on the other side of the sink. "Which side do you think he prefers?"

"Either is fine, Kurt. You know your dad won't care," Carole said gently. She scooped up her purse and caught Kurt's hand before he moved the cup again. "Relax, sweetie. He's fine and he's going to be home in just a few hours."

"I know, but I think he likes the right side of the sink better and–"

What if he was remembering things wrong? What if it had been his mother who'd liked that side? Would Burt be upset and have another heart attack if his toothbrush wasn't on the correct side?

"Kurt, it's absolutely fine," Carole assured him. She gave him a kind smile and lead him back to the hall. "Go on to school. I'm sure Blaine's waiting. You're already going to be late."

Kurt took a deep breath, glanced around the room again and grabbed his bag and scarf. "You're sure he–"

"Kurt this house has never looked better and your dad is going to adore all you've done to make his recovery easier," Carole told him as she nudged him towards the front door. "Get going! I'll see you at the hospital this afternoon!"

Kurt nodded at her praise and quickly headed out to his car and hurried to school. The first bell rang just as he was climbing out of his car. If he was lucky, he'd be able to sneak inside while the announcements were being read and not get marked tardy. As quickly as he could, Kurt hurtled across the parking lot and into the building, turning down the hall where his locker was and putting the combination in.

"Tonight's football game will be away at Riverbend High School. It begins at seven-thirty," Principal Figgins was saying as Kurt changed out books and notebooks at top speed. "And last, but certainly not least are today's birthdays. We have three today. Marie Aben, Blaine Anderson, and Cassidy Macdonald! Make sure to give birthday greetings to our birthday students when you see them!"

Kurt froze at Blaine's name. It was Blaine's birthday and he'd had absolutely no idea. Did Blaine even celebrate his birthday anymore? Frowning, Kurt hurried to class as Principal Figgins began the Pledge of Allegiance and slid through the door and into his seat just as everyone else sat down.

Blaine winked at him playfully and smiled as attendance started.

"Running late, are we?"

"You didn't tell me it was your birthday," Kurt whispered back, feeling hurt. Even if Blaine didn't celebrate it anymore, it was still nice to know these things.

Blaine's smile disappeared and he shrugged. "I haven't thought about it in years, Kurt. There's no reason to anymore."

"But still–"

"Boys, enough chatter! It's time to start today's lesson."

They both apologized and turned to the front. For the rest of the morning, Kurt pestered Blaine about his birthday and what he wanted to do, but Blaine refused all of Kurt's ideas and plans. He insisted they all just ignore it, because he wasn't actually turning seventeen. He never would turn seventeen and that was something he'd accepted a long time ago. Kurt didn't like it, but when Blaine reminded him that his dad was coming home tonight and that that was more important, Kurt stopped mentioning it.

Instead he shot Carole a text during lunch and explained everything and that, even though tonight was Burt's homecoming, he still wanted to do something for Blaine. Even if it was just a cake and dinner, he wanted to celebrate his friend's day of birth in some way. A celebration like that was something Blaine hadn't had in a long time. To Kurt it wasn't about whether or not Blaine was actually turning seventeen or even sixty-seven, it was about giving Blaine something to make him feel human and cared for again.

By two o'clock, Kurt was anxious and unable to sit still. As soon as the afternoon dismissal bell rang, he tugged Blaine to his feet and out into the hall. They skipped their lockers despite Blaine's protests, and within minutes they were in Kurt's car and turning onto the main avenue through Lima towards the hospital.

"My jacket and my history book–"

"I've got my book and you can borrow one of my jackets if you get cold."

"But–"

"I don't want to be late, Blaine, my dad's getting out of the hospital and," Kurt paused as he turned left. He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. His dad was getting discharged and was fine. They weren't going to keep him there any longer. They wouldn't take that back after how well he'd been doing. "I'm just really excited that he's coming home."

They arrived at the hospital just as Carole was coming out to put her purse and work bag into her car. She led them upstairs to Burt's room where Doctor Rubens was finishing his final exam before Burt was released. He beamed at the sight of his son, Blaine, and Carole as he pulled his shirt on.

"Hey guys! All ready to celebrate?" he shot Kurt a wink, which told Kurt that his text to Carole had been passed on to his dad.

Blaine grinned and stepped forward to help Burt climb carefully to his feet. Carole patted Kurt's shoulder and smiled at him while Blaine helped Burt into a wheelchair.

"We're going to pick up an ice cream cake on the way back," she whispered. "Nothing too fancy, but I got candles and a few little party favors on my lunch break and set them up at the house. Take the long way back home or something so we have a little more time, okay?"

Kurt nodded as Burt settled down in the wheelchair. Blaine and Nurse Nancy began wheeling him out into the hallway and then into the elevator. Carole and Kurt followed behind, murmuring about Carole's arrangements and how difficult it would be to keep Burt away from the cake. By the time they reached the entrance, Carole had hurried ahead to pull her car up to them. Kurt helped his dad into the passenger seat and then set his bag and various possessions into the backseat.

"We'll see you at home," Carole called, waving as Burt rolled his window up and they pulled away.

Kurt watched them drive off, thinking hard about how he was going to distract Blaine without being obvious.

"We better get going, too," Blaine said, hitching up his backpack and nodding towards the far side of the parking lot.

Kurt watched Blaine adjust his bag once more and smiled. Perfect.

He took the long way back to their side of Lima, apologizing to Blaine for rushing out so quickly, and then insisting that they go back by McKinley so Blaine could grab what he needed. Blaine protested a bit, but when Kurt pointed out that they were passing by either way, Blaine relented and let Kurt drop him by the side door.

As he waited Kurt sent a text to Carole, asking if they were home yet and ready. He received a positive response just as Blaine climbed back into the car. They talked aimlessly on the way back to Kurt's house, but once they pulled in, Kurt couldn't contain his excitement anymore. Biting his lip painfully, he hurried out, bouncing and beaming as he circled and yanked Blaine's door open.

"Boy, you're certainly happy," Blaine commented, smiling himself as they headed up to the front door. "You'd think you just won the lottery."

"Well , my dad did just get home from the hospital," Kurt reminded him, trying not to laugh at Blaine's obliviousness. "I think I'm allowed to be super happy right now."

Blaine agreed as Kurt led him into the house and was getting ready to speak again when they turned the corner.

"Surprise! Happy birthday, Blaine!"

Blaine froze at Kurt's side, mouth falling open in disbelief. His eyes took in the handful of balloons and streamers and the single banner hung over the entrance to the kitchen that read "Happy Birthday". Kurt watched him anxiously, hoping Blaine wouldn't get upset about it all.

"You guys– but how– you really didn't have to–"

"Of course we did, kiddo," Burt told him from his seat on the couch. "Dead or not, we're still giving you a damn good birthday celebration."

"I just–" Blaine bit his lip, clearly fighting a smile. Kurt looped his arm through Blaine's and shook him a little. He could see the wonder in the other boy's eyes at the decorations and little gathering. It might not be much, especially by Kurt's standards, but it obviously meant more to Blaine than he could express. "It's seems pointless if I'm not actually turning seventeen, sir."

"Burt," his dad growled pointedly as Kurt ushered Blaine over to the couch. "None of that sir business, all right? You're a part of this family now, whether you like it or not."

Blaine sunk down beside him as Burt turned the television on and asked him which game he wanted to watch. Kurt watched the pair of them for a moment, heart thumping its way up into his throat. His dad adored Blaine. And for Blaine's part, he seemed pretty fond of Burt as well. Blaine picked a baseball game, eyes still scanning the decorations in disbelief and finally meeting Kurt's. He beamed at him, a huge, wide smile that lit up his face in a way that made Kurt's throat tight and his heart twange like a rubber band.

God, Blaine was so simple, so sweet and full of wonder. It shocked Kurt, in a way, to see it. After all Blaine had been through, he seemed to have forgotten how great and fun life could be; how beautiful and caring people were if he let them in. When Kurt thought about it, it wasn't surprising. Fifty years was a long time. Even his dad hadn't been alive for that long.

Carole headed into the kitchen and Kurt made to follow her, eyes still lingering as the two men on the couch groaned at the television. Kurt sat down on one of the barstools and kept his gaze on them, taking in Blaine's bright eyes and beautiful smile, the enthusiasm in his voice as he talked about the game with Burt.

"See something you like?" Carole quipped teasingly.

Kurt jumped and found her leaning on the counter, watching him look at Blaine.

"I– he– I'm j- just glad Dad's home," he stammered, face hot. He couldn't keep thinking about Blaine like that, or watching him and loving everything he saw–

With a strangled noise, Kurt glanced back towards the living room. Love. That's what this was, wasn't it? Love was the wave engulfing him and the riptide yanking him out past the drop off into the deepest part of the sea. Even if he'd wanted to swim away he couldn't; not when Blaine was the island waiting out there for him to wash ashore on.

"It is nice to have him home," Carole agreed, smiling sadly at Kurt. She reached over and took his hand gently, stroking his knuckles as Kurt looked away from the living room. He couldn't be falling in love with Blaine. Blaine was off-limits. Nothing could happen unless he wanted his heart broken completely. "It's great having Blaine here, too," she added after a moment. "He's very fond of you."

"I'm fond of him, too," Kurt conceded quietly. He swallowed thickly and tried to force the lump in his throat down. "I wish he could stay here with us forever."

"Nothing lasts forever, sweetheart," Carole reminded him. "It all ends some time, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth having while you can."

She said nothing else after that, instead returning to the stove. Kurt's eyes followed her for several minutes as he turned her words over in his head. It was almost as if she was encouraging him to pursue Blaine, to have his heart broken into a dozen jagged pieces in June when Blaine disappeared from his life for good. It was only when they had all sat down for dinner that Kurt realized he was going to have his heart broken regardless of whether or not he and Blaine became anything more than friends while he was here. His heart was sinking fast, falling in a way that terrified him more than his dad's hospitalization had. He was in love, or stumbling his way into it. Nothing was going to stop his heart from breaking now.

Dinner was amazing. The cake afterwards was even better. Blaine had never had an Oreo ice cream cake before, but it was a wonderful experience to share with Kurt, Burt, and Carole. After stuffing himself with several slices, they cleaned up the mess and unfolded the sofa-bed for Burt. Blaine watched Kurt get everything sorted as Carole helped Burt to the sink to brush his teeth and change. It took a while to get Burt back into the living room and onto the bed, but as soon as Blaine and Kurt had lowered him to the bed, he was out cold.

"How long is he going to be so weak for?" Kurt whispered to Carole, looking concerned.

Carole leaned down and tucked the blankets in around Burt, then pressed a kiss to his scalp. "A while, probably. Another month at least, depending on how he heals."

Blaine took Kurt's hand and gave it a squeeze. "He'll be fine," he assured him. "If he's made it this far, he'll make it through the rest. It's all uphill now."

Kurt nodded, eyes still on his dad as Blaine said goodnight to Carole and led him downstairs. They changed into their pajamas, Blaine using a pair of Kurt's since he didn't have his own, and started looking through the pile of movies Kurt had insisted Blaine watch before he left. Blaine wasn't sure what the point of the recent movies education was considering he probably wouldn't remember any of it once he was Beyond, but it was a nice thought. The movies weren't that bad either. So far he was enjoying all of them, even one called Mean Girls, despite not understanding half of the social atmosphere.

"What about Rent?" Blaine asked, holding it up for Kurt to see. It was one Kurt had mentioned as a more recent re-make from a Broadway show, and he was curious to see it.

"Sure," Kurt agreed, settling down on the bed and watching Blaine. "Be warned, I'll do a lot of singing and dancing."

Blaine laughed as he tried to remember how to open the DVD player. "I'd be insulted if you didn't. You voice is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," Blaine told him as he pressed the play button instead of the open button. "Damnit, I hate this new technology."

When Kurt didn't laugh or tease him about being an old man, Blaine glanced over his shoulder and found Kurt watching him with bright, surprised eyes.

"Y- you think my voice is good?" Kurt stammered, hands twisted in his lap. He bit his lip and looked away from Blaine.

"Of course, I couldn't sing as well as you if my life depended on it," Blaine said. "Your tone, your range, all of it. Kurt, your voice is incredible. Just like you."

They both blushed and looked away from each other. Blaine scolded himself silently for saying the first compliment. He hadn't been thinking when he'd said that. Kurt needed to hear it, needed to be told how great and wonderful he was, but Blaine wished there was someone else to do it. Or that he could trade stomachs with someone else because his seemed to be permanently leaping around in his belly.

Blaine glanced back over at Kurt as he fumbled for the open button on the DVD player. He was smiling shyly to himself now, beaming so widely that it made Blaine's brain short out for a moment. Kurt was such a wonderful person, so caring and gentle, yet tough enough to survive the worst of high school. Blaine envied Kurt's strength. He watched Kurt continue to smile down at his lap, wishing he could keep that moment in his memory forever. The way Kurt's head was tilted, the crooked up little corners of his mouth, and the bright teeth peeking out from between his lips. He could imagine how blue Kurt's eyes were right now, spiraling galaxies that others couldn't yet fathom into their lives.

Something knocked Blaine in the hip. He jerked around, heart pounding as though he'd been caught, and realized what had hit him. It was the DVD player finally opening up for the disc in his hand. Blaine put the movie in and stood up. Thinking about Kurt's beauty, physical or internal, was foolish. He had to stop this.

Kurt had settled back against the pillows while Blaine berated himself again. For a moment, Blaine allowed himself to dream, and then slammed the door shut in his own face. So what if Kurt looked sweet laying there against the pillows with a little grin still lingering on his face? It shouldn't matter to Blaine.

But it did and he couldn't get it to stop.

Blaine dropped down next to Kurt, who slid in closer and rested his cheek on Blaine's shoulder. He swallowed thickly and tried not to think about how this would look if Carole or, by some horrible miracle, Burt wandered down here.

Instead he cleared his throat and tried to sit up and away from Kurt a bit. It didn't work and Blaine hated how glad he was that it hadn't. Kurt's warmth cocooned around his left side and settled in him like the toasty heat of a fire in the grate.

"Thanks," he mumbled as the previews start, "for the party. I'd forgotten what that was like. Just living, I mean, not getting older."

It had been a long time since he'd celebrated anything, especially for himself. Other missions had had birthdays and parties, but Blaine had always been too focused to actually enjoy himself. This time around, his focus was lax, almost none existent some days, and Blaine couldn't seem to get it back. He wished he could say it was because this mission had no real guidelines (especially in light of so many people knowing the truth about him), but as Kurt's hand came to rest on his thigh, Blaine knew that wasn't the reason.

A second later, Kurt's grip on his thigh grew heavier as Kurt leaned up and in and pressed his lips to Blaine's cheek. Blaine was so startled he didn't move. He thought he might have forgotten to breathe, too. It was just a quick kiss, a soft, pleasant, and slightly damp press against his cheek, but it was unlike anything Blaine had ever experienced.

His entire face was tingling as Kurt leaned back and smiled at him.

"I figured you'd enjoy it," Kurt said, eyes a vortex of blues and greens that made Blaine dizzy. "You deserve a nice day to celebrate you. That's what birthdays are for, even if you're dead."

Blaine barely understood half of what Kurt was saying. His ears seemed to be short-circuiting, the sounds of Kurt's voice rising and falling with the tempo of Blaine's heart beat. He looked over, eyes locking on Kurt's, the soft green swirls tangled around the different blue hues. Getting lost in Kurt was too easy. It was the reason he wanted nothing more than to close the gap Kurt had just placed between them and stumble his way into his first real kiss. That last one – the only one from his old life – certainly didn't count when he remembered how it had ended. He shuddered at the memory and did his best to shake it off.

"Kurt, I–"

A heavy, resounding thump echoed over their heads, followed by the muffled sounds of Finn cursing.

Blaine sat back quickly and shook his head forcefully. There had to be a way to get himself to stop–

Stop what exactly?

Kurt hollered upstairs to see if Finn was okay and got a curse-filled response.

It only took Kurt dropping down beside him, retaking his hand and resting his head on his shoulder again for Blaine to realize he was trying to stop the inevitable.

Love. That's what this had to be, even if it was just starting. He'd seen other people in love before, seen the look in their eyes and heard them talk about how amazing it felt. Looking in Kurt's eyes, being snuggled up with him and wanting nothing else to ever replace how content he felt in those moments couldn't be anything else. He wanted everything with this boy, but that was the problem.

Kurt was making him hope and dream and live a life he didn't have any more. All of the aspects of living that he'd let go of were suddenly everything he was experiencing and wanting and Blaine didn't know what to do with it. He didn't know what to do with anything else anymore, and that was terrifying. He couldn't be what Kurt needed if he couldn't get control over himself and he couldn't do that until he started facing the life he didn't have any more.

Was opening himself back up to life part of facing everything? Or was this some horrible, cruel temptation that was set up to potentially rip him and Kurt apart?

Jittery and nervous, Blaine sunk down into the pillows with Kurt and listened to the other boy start singing softly to the opening song.

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?"

It was the first movie they watched together that made Blaine cry and for a split-second at the end, Blaine realized what he should do with his time here. This mission was designed to be open-ended, and yes, there was one very specific thing he had to overcome before it all ended, but the rest of the time...

Surely, nine and a half months of time with only that to do meant he was being given time to experience life – fun – that he'd never had before. His old life had been about getting out of Lima, dreaming and achieving and never doing much else. It had been difficult to keep fiends when he'd started realizing he was gay, and his life hadn't been much of one after that. Even before his realization, his parents and grandparents had played such a dominant role in his life that he'd never really had control over it.

Even if it was short, this was a second chance. Or, at least, Blaine was going to treat it like one.