Chapter 3
The next day at school, Blaine was walking along the corridor to his maths class with Tina. He was lost in thought, as was the norm these days. Tina looked at him worriedly.
"So, Blaine, what're you doing for Thanksgiving?" Tina asked cheerfully.
"Oh not much, the usual dinner with the folks tomorrow and then just enjoy having a few days off I guess." As if he could enjoy anything at the moment. He forced a smile onto his face. "How about you?"
"Oh yeah, having a fabulous dinner with all the family tomorrow and then I'm getting up at the crack of dawn to go Black Friday shopping with-" Tina eyes widened as she realised her mistake too late. She winced, and glanced at Blaine, hoping he hadn't noticed.
"With?" Blaine enquired before it dawned on him. "Oh, with Kurt." He didn't need to phrase it as a question.
"Yeah. Sorry Blaine."
He smiled at her sadly. "Hey, there's no need to apologise. It's not your fault I screwed up." Then he gave her a more genuine smile. "I hope you have a great day, he'll be sure to give you even better advice now that he's in the thick of the New York fashion scene."
Tina smiled back. "Yeah, he's gonna tell me all the latest trends, hot off the press!" She studied Blaine's face for a second and then reached up and gave him a hug.
"Thanks Tina." As she walked away, Blaine smiled to himself. He was luckier than he realised; although he had been at McKinley for a year, most of New Directions had been Kurt's friends before his, and somehow after what he'd done they still accepted him. Sure, he'd had a few variations on Artie's "What you did to Kurt - not cool" when it had first happened, but for all their fierce loyalty, they were also a pretty forgiving bunch. But there was only one person he really wanted to forgive him, and he still didn't know how - if it was even possible - to make that happen.
The bell rang and he realised he was going to be late for maths.
Burt craned his neck to try and spot his son over all the other passengers making their way through arrivals. He couldn't wait to see Kurt - he'd missed him like crazy; two months had seemed like an eternity. Eventually he saw him, shooting a glare at a woman who had jostled him while flailing her arms and screeching in some sort of crazed reunion with what must be her family. When said glare was completely lost on her, Kurt rolled his eyes and smoothed out his clothes before thrusting his chin in the air and striding ahead, dragging his suitcase behind him.
"That's my boy" said Burt with a chuckle.
As Kurt noticed his father, a broad smile crossed his face and he picked up his already quite speedy pace. As he neared, Burt held out his arms for a long overdue hug, which Kurt gladly accepted.
"It's good to see you kid," Burt said with a small sigh, squeezing Kurt a little tighter.
"You too Dad," Kurt replied, and he couldn't have been more sincere. After the last few weeks he really needed some family time.
The two parted, and Burt looked over his son and smiled.
"New York looks to have been good to you! What's this you're wearing? The latest... er, clothes? Fashions? Ah you know what, I won't pretend to try and know any of the lingo." Burt waved his hand and took Kurt's suitcase from him.
"I think maybe you mean collection Dad? Well, whatever you meant, no. I had this before I left - you've seen it a hundred times before! I don't think Ohio is ready for me to be wearing the hottest new lines from New York. Even if I do make them look fabulous..."
Kurt smirked at his dad, who squeezed his shoulder and shook his head with a laugh. "I'm sure you do, kid. I'm sure you do. Come on, let's get you home. I have a couple of people who can't wait to see you!" He set off in the direction of the parking lot, leaving Kurt standing for a moment.
For a second, Kurt thought of Blaine when he imagined the Hudson-Hummel family reunion. He had always thought Blaine would be there waiting for him, if he hadn't insisted on coming to the airport that is. His smile faded, and he sighed, before jogging off to catch up to Burt.
When they reached the car, and Burt had commented on the size of Kurt's suitcase ("You're only staying a few days!" was met by a raised eyebrow that said "Have you met me?"), they got in and set off back to Lima. Burt started filling Kurt in on all that had been going on at the tyre shop and in his political meetings, but noticed that his son seemed to be in his own little world, watching the suburbs fly by without really seeing them. Burt glanced over a few times before sighing and trying to figure out how to bring up the fact that his son looked miserable.
"So how is New York really treating you kid? You look tired. I hope they're not overworking you at that place."
"No, it's fine Dad. It is hard work but it's great - I'm learning a lot and my colleagues are lovely. And I have a chance to work my way up and really make something of myself." Kurt smiled at his father, but he didn't have that look that Burt knew meant he was really excited about something.
"So why do you look so glum?" Burt pulled up outside their house, switched off the engine and took off his seatbelt, but made no attempt to get out of the car. He turned to look at Kurt, waiting for an answer. When he didn't get one, he added "Does this have anything to do with Blaine?"
Kurt's head shot up. "Well that was very to the point Dad!"
"I'm right though aren't I? Look Kurt, I saw him. I saw Blaine, and I have to say he looked terrible. Walking down the street crying. He's not in a good way."
"Well whose fault is that?!" Kurt shouted. "I can't believe you feel sorry for him Dad!" He looked hurt.
"I just don't think you know how much he's hurting Kurt, you didn't see him."
"Are you taking his side?" Kurt asked in disbelief, tears welling in his eyes.
"No! I'm just saying that he said he made a huge mistake and he was devastated. And you're clearly unhappy, maybe you could give it another go?" Burt said gently. He wasn't quite prepared for Kurt's reaction.
"Another go?! HE CHEATED ON ME!" Kurt yelled, tears escaping down his cheeks.
"What?" Burt frowned in confusion. "But you told me Blaine couldn't handle the long distance thing..."
"Well clearly he couldn't. THAT'S why he cheated on me!" Kurt looked exasperated, then defeated as his shoulders slumped and he looked down at his hands.
"I'm sorry Kurt. I didn't know it was that serious." Burt sighed, then a thought dawned on him. "No wonder he looked petrified when he saw me. And I had to make the shotgun joke huh?"
Kurt looked confused, but Burt waved it off. Realisation struck for a second time when he thought of the advice he had given Blaine regarding getting Kurt back. He winced and decided maybe he wouldn't tell his heartbroken son that part.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it's humiliating Dad."
"Well I'm sorry son. I hate to see you so upset. Anyway, it's between you and Blaine, no-one else. But, I am going to say this. He DID look devastated. If the two of you are so miserable apart, then maybe it would be worth trying to work through it to see if you can make each other happy again. Might work, might not. I'm just sayin'." He turned to open the car door, when Kurt spoke.
"Thanks."
"I'm always here for you kiddo. Just remember that. Just because you live hundreds of miles away in a big, fancy city-that-never-sleeps, doesn't mean your old man's not there for ya."
"I've missed you Dad." Kurt leant across to give Burt a hug, which his father gladly reciprocated, even pulling Kurt tighter when he tried to pull away.
"I've missed you too Kurt. Now come on, we gotta get all your stuff inside. That in itself could take a while." Kurt rolled his eyes, wiped away his tears and opened his door.
"I wonder how much I could charge per hour for this advice stuff?" Burt muttered to himself.
"Kurt!" Finn was at the front door, shouting to his stepbrother with a mouthful of what seemed to be bagel smothered in cream cheese, if what he was waving in his other hand was anything to go by. "It's so good to see you man!"
"You too Finn, but watch the coat with that bagel or you can pay for the dry cleaning!" Kurt exclaimed as he was enveloped in a bear hug, and pretty much dragged inside the house.
