Authors Note; Welcome to my second Glee Fanfiction, I hope you enjoy this because I sure had fun writing it. This is a multi-chap fic and will become eventual Klaine.
Disclaimer; Glee is in No way mine sadly. Neither is the song 'You can let go'
Things Can Only Get Better
Wind blowin' on my face
Sidewalk flyin' beneath my bike
A five year-old's first taste
Of what freedom's really like
I walked into my Dad's garage shop holding his breakfast, the smell of exhaust and oil hit me like a wave and I relaxed at its familiarity. I looked up and saw a black SUV was up on the lift, its hood open. Considering that the hood was up Dad couldn't be too far away. I went behind the counter and stepped into the small cluttered office, there sitting behind the desk sorting through papers was Dad. He had his usual cap on and his Hummel Lubes and Tire uniform.
"Hey Dad" he looked up and smiled.
"Hey son, what ya doin here so early? Shouldn't you be heading to school?" I nodded.
"Just dropping off your breakfast, you need to eat healthier." I chirped.
"What is this? Where's my usual?" He asked as he rummaged through the brown paper bag.
"That is an Omelet made with just whites and filled with vegetables. You need to start taking care of yourself. Two slim jims and a beer are going to send you to the grave faster than I can say Lady Gaga." I replied with an eye roll.
"It's the breakfast of champions!" he protested "I guess with enough hot sauce it'll taste fine." He grunted conclusively. I resisted the eye roll that was becoming prominent in any conversation I had with my father. I loved him, I did, but he still ate like a teenager and that was not good for a man his age.
"I have plans on Friday," announcing this, I knew I'd be in for a chewing out. He stopped pulling out his breakfast and stared at me. "I have tickets to a sing-a-long production of the sound of music. It only comes once year and…"
"But we have dinners on Friday nights, it's a tradition." Dad said angrily his face turning frigid. I knew this was coming, ever since I can remember Mom made us sit down for dinner together every Friday. When Mom died Dad made sure to keep the tradition of Friday dinners alive, and I am all for that. Except now I'm a teenager and Friday nights are kind of important. My Dad was right though, it is a tradition…
He was runnin' right beside me
His hand holdin' on the seat
I took a deep breath and hollered
As I headed for the street
"I know I was just wondering if we could have it earlier than normal so I don't miss the show." I replied thinking quickly.
Dads face relaxed into its normal content expression. "Sure buddy, how about we go to Breadstix after school? That should give you enough time to get ready right?" I looked at him happily, I was so glad he was willing to compromise.
"Sure thing Dad, I'll see you after school" I glanced down at my watch, if I left now I would arrive right before the bell rings and avoid a dumpster dive "Have a good day at work." I said with a wave.
"Hey Kurt?" I turned around and looked at him questioningly "Love ya kid." He said gruffly.
I gave him a small smile. "Love you too"
You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Oh, I think I'm ready
To do this on my own
It's still a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be ok now, Daddy
You can let go
As I continued to make my way towards my Navigator, I couldn't help but feel a deep pang of foreboding. Feeling paranoid was not going to help anything so I hopped into my baby and made my way to Hell on Earth, also known as William McKinley High.
I pulled up into the school and navigated my way to my usual parking spot. Turning off the car, I looked around the lot making sure I was in view of the front doors before I grabbed my bag. With my head down, I walked as quickly as I could without running, I couldn't help but feel that something awful was going to happen today. It was one of those feelings that wouldn't go away until the next day. Maybe I'm being overly dramatic again…
The hallways were cramped but I managed to squeeze my way to my locker without any mishaps. Maybe I was wrong, maybe today was going to be a good day. With that last thought I looked at the small vanity mirror that was hanging on my locker, rechecked my hair, grabbed my books and was about to close it when I caught sight of the red and white letterman jackets. I froze when I caught sight of the cup that Karofosky and his cronies coming towards me. Doing what comes naturally when a person is trying to help the survival of a very expensive Marc Jacobs violet pea coat, I ran to my first class.
I glided into the empty classroom and slid to the first table and sat down. Pulling out my notebook and dog eared copy of Pride and Prejudice preparing for another extremely boring class. The reading list we had been given at the beginning of the year had all my favorite classics, and while that was great, it was absolutely boring. My GPA is a 4.5, and not to sound cocky, but I am smarter than all the idiots here. Definitely including the Neanderthals… Soon enough the class filed in, and the teacher began reviewing the homework. I felt a vibration in my pocket and sneakily pulled my phone out.
From: 'Cedes
To: Kurt
Hey Boo! Ready 4 glee?
I smiled at the text, I was so proud to have a friend as great as Mercedes. In all honesty she was my first real friend in this hell hole. Even after she found out that I was as queer as a three dollar bill she stuck by my side. Albeit she did throw a brick through my window... As happy as I was to have such a great friend, we have not been as close as we were last year. We still go shopping and gossip like there is no tomorrow but that is the extent of our friendship. It seems I'm more of a convenience than anything else... I quickly typed back a reply and slid my Iphone back into my pocket.
From: Kurt
To: 'Cedes
Of course, I have the perfect plan to lock Berry up in the supply closet ;)
Rachel really was getting on my nerves ALL THE TIME. It wasn't fair that she and Finn got every single solo. Mr. Shuester plays favorites so bad it makes me want to hit him upside his curly haired head. Ugh that man isn't even fashionable! It's a vest. Every. Single. Day.
I was recalled from my daydreaming when my name was called, "Mr. Hummel, what's number four?" I glanced down at my paper and rambled off something about how Mrs. Bingsley is jealous of Elizabeth because of the attention she is receiving from Darcy. Mr. Miller gave me a nod and went on with the review. I looked out the window and grimaced, the sky was beginning to darken with the tell tale signs of a storm. A cold shiver of dread swept through me that made my body tremble slightly. Something bad was coming, I could feel it.
...Glee...
The day passed in a blur of locker slams and slushy facials and by the time I sat down in my final period, I had changed my outfit three times, plus received a new array of bruises. The slushy facials are not as bad as the locker slams. Those suck. Don't get me wrong, my outfits are important but so is my skin. Albeit the worst part about them is when one of the Glee guys walks by and pretend they don't even see it happen.
The final warning bell rang and a small group of Neanderthals walked into the room, their letterman jackets somehow making them immune to the rules and consequences.
Azimo walked up to my desk with a smirk, "Hey Ladyboy." I rolled my eyes at the originality of the statement. Before I could honor him with a Kurt Hummel Original, the French teacher waddled in. The Neanderthal waltzed to the back of the class acting as if he had just won a prize.
Madam McCrery began her lecture on how to pronounce the different versions of hello and goodbye. I'm 100% fluent in French, thanks to my mother and her love of theater. I began to space out again as she made the class repeat what was written on the board.
Glee club was next and I was excited as much as I was resenting it. Seeing as it's the same thing every day/week/month. Rachel would whine, get what she wanted and sing with Finn as the rest of us swayed and hummed in the background. Before I could indulge more into my thoughts there was a knock on the door. My eyes followed Madam McCrery while she opened the door and let in Mr. Schue. He spoke in a whisper way to low for me to make out, but at that second the grim feeling went down my spine.
"Monsieur Hummel your excused." The entire class stared at me as I shakily gathered my things and followed Mr. Shue out of the class. Right when I was about to cross the threshold my gaze lingered at the two adults who stood before me, each looking like they had no idea how to handle the situation. Pillsbury's bug like eyes met mine and there was nothing I could do but wait as the two educators figured out what to say.
"Kurt..." Mr. Shue began to speak slowly as if he were talking to a frightened animal, "Your Dad." My blood ran cold, I couldn't breathe, "He had a heart attack."
I closed my eyes and sucked in a shaky breath, and turned heel and began to walk towards the parking lot. I heard Shue yell my name but I ignored him, I had to get to my Dad. The red locker lined hallway had never seemed so long, every step I took felt as if it were weighted down by some unknown force. I stopped walking and blinked rapidly trying to get rid of the onslaught of tears that were trying to force their way out. I jumped when a solid hand landed on my shoulder but refused to acknowledge who it was.
"C'mon I'll drive us." I nodded and let myself be led. Somehow Mr. Shue got us to my Navigator, got my keys and we both climbed in. I heard him speaking to Ms. Pillsbury saying to drive alone so they could have a way back to school but none of it really registered in my mind. My mind had gone completely blank and the next thing I knew we were in the waiting room of the hospital's ICU, sitting in tacky plastic chairs. When I closed my eye the reality of the situation came crashing down.
My Dad, my Daddy was in the hospital. The only man who tried to understand me, the only man who protected me, raised me and actually loved me was in the hospital. ...and he might not make it. I began to shake and my breath came out in short gasps, my Mom was gone now my Dad?
Flashes of my mother began to fly through my head. The hospital room that had no other color but the blindingly plain white. The slow beeping that showed the reality of death that was inevitably coming closer every second, and the disgustingly sterile smell that went with it. The final Moments when she told me that she was proud of me and that she loved me. Dad and I at the funeral him telling me everything would get better because there was nothing worse that anyone could throw at us...
"...urt...Kurt...Deep breathes..." My eyes snapped open only to see the concerned amber eyes of Mr. Shue. I sucked in another breath and let it out slowly; he backed away but stayed in front of me, squeezing my knee slightly in a comforting manner. I leaned back into the uncomfortable chair and let out a shaky sigh.
"It'll be okay." Mr. Shue whispered trying to be positive. He had a point, the doctor had yet to come out and tell us anything. That's when a tall, blond curly haired man with a clipboard came out through the doors of the ICU room. He was wearing the usual doctor garb, his face was friendly but his green eyes were solemn behind a pair of reading glasses.
"Mr. Hummel?" I stood up automatically and practically ran over to the man. He took in my ragged appearance, then back to the clipboard. "I'm assuming that Burt Hummel is your father?"
I nodded, "Is he going to be al-alright?" I cursed myself slightly at letting my voice crack. I felt a hand rest at the small of my back, and the tension in my shoulders lessened slightly from the small comfort.
The Doctor looked at me with pity, "I'm afraid that your father has had a long term case of hypertension with this it can cause the body harm for years without the patient showing any symptoms until it's too late. Your father had heart failure which led him to have a stroke. We haven't been able to make the swelling in the brain go completely down. This being said, your father is in a coma, and due to the severity of his ailment we are not sure if he will wake up soon if at all."
...Glee...
It's been three days since the doctor told me that I may lose my Dad. Three fucking days and nothing has changed. Well, at least Dad hasn't changed. I on the other hand have not slept since three days ago nor have I eaten a proper meal. Not that is matters because I'm not tired or hungry.
I was on my way to school, also for the first time in three days. Not that I wanted to be here when my Dad could...die...at any second. I pulled into a parking spot and pulled in, grabbed my bag and locked the doors. I made my way into the front entrance of the school without even glancing at the dumpsters. I was not in the mood for any shit today, no locker slams, no slushy facials, and definitely no dumpster dives. Surprisingly enough none of the Neanderthals bothered me that morning.
Glee was uneventful I got thrown sorrowful looks, pitying glances, and wishes for everything to work out and my Dad to wake up. I smiled politely and nodded to each of the gleeks, I did not have enough energy to say anything.
The day ended as quickly as it had begun and I found myself back in the hospital sitting next to Dad. Without really having anything else to do I pulled out my dog eared copy of Pride and Prejudice. Even while reading my favorite novel I couldn't help but notice how horrible my Dad looked laying on the hospital bed. His face was gaunt deep purple bags were under his eyes, his usual tan skin was a sickly pale. I reached out and grabbed his calloused hand and winced as I squeezed it and got no response.
That was when things took a turn for the worst. The rythmatic beep of the BPM machine began to become hysterical and random. I jumped out of my seat and ran towards the door and yelled for a nurse. Then everything seemed to go into slow motion a nurse followed by a group of doctors rushed in with a defrubillation machine. The doctor was yelling 'clear' as he took out the paddles and pounded them into my Dads chest. The doctor began yelling again and then I was being pulled away by a nurse.
...Glee...
It was killin' me to see
The strongest man I ever knew
Wastin' away to nothin'
In that hospital room
I don't know how long I stood outside his room, it could have been seconds, minutes, hours, and I couldn't tell you. The nurse who had dragged me out of the room still had a grasp on my shoulder, albeit lax. I stared at the door waiting and hoping that the doctor would come out and say that everything will be okay. As childish as it sounds, that's exactly what I needed to hear. The Doctor came out of the room and quietly shut the door. He looked up towards me and shook his head sadly.
You know he's only hangin' on for you'
That's what the night nurse said
My voice and heart were breakin'
As I crawled up in his bed, and said
My heart was in my throat, before I could ask he began to explain what happened. "He's only hanging on by a thread. He's not stable enough to move and put on life support. It's time to say goodbye." I numbly walked into the room...for the last time. The few doctors who were left cleared the room. I dragged my feet and finally reached the bed, the baby blue colored blanket was strikingly bright against Dad's pale skin. I crawled up into his bed and laid down next to him, tears running down my face. The one thing I learned in Glee was that expressing yourself through song is sometimes the best and only way to let your emotions out. Just then the lyrics from a song floated through my head...
"You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Your little boy is ready
To do this on my own
It's gonna be a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be ok now, Daddy
You can let go
You can let go"
"I love you Daddy." I choked out and kissed his forehead. The spacious beeping of the heart monitor slowed even more, before it completely flat lined. The same nurse who pulled me out of the room came in and shut the machine off.
...Glee...
Next time on "Things can only get better" Kurt is reunited with his homophobic grandparents, Burt's funeral and Finn called Kurt a what!
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