"Burt? Hey, listen, we've had a little bit of a problem out at Blaine and Kurt's place".
"What kind of problem?" Burt put down the tools he was holding.
"Seems like Karofsky got wind that they were kind of living together and went out there. He caught Kurt alone and..."
"Is Kurt ok?" Burt raised his voice, causing others in his shop to turn and look. "Is he hurt?"
"No, we got there before anything happened, but he's pretty shaken up. He's back home...well, our home… with Blaine. And Burt…he didn't want you to know about this."
"Of course I should know about it. I'm his father. I'll be home in a few minutes".
"Burt…I think you should let Blaine deal with him right now."
"Finn, don't tell me how to be a parent, ok?" Burt immediately regretted the tone he used. "I'm sorry. I just can't believe this is happening again".
"No, it's just…when you see them together, it's kind of cool. They really are a couple, you know"?
Finn was sitting on the front step when Burt pulled into the driveway. "Did anyone call the police on this guy? He's been told to stay away from Kurt." Burt tried to push his way past Finn, who put his hand on Burt's arm.
"I think there's a bigger problem here. Karofsky told Kurt that he wanted Blaine out of the picture so that he could have Kurt to himself. So Kurt isn't thinking straight right now. He just wants to protect Blaine."
"Finn, come on. You and I both know that Kurt can't stand up to Karofsky".
"Yeah, and that's the problem. Kurt thinks if he just gives Karofsky what he wants"…Finn started shifting on his feet, having to say this to Burt.. "that he'll leave them alone".
"And what does Blaine think about this brilliant idea?"
"Burt, come on. Blaine loves him. He would never do anything to put Kurt in harms way. Sam and Puck went out looking for Karofsky."
"You mean he's out there wandering around, while these two boys are here like sitting ducks?"
"Something like that. Listen…let's just take it easy when we go inside, ok. It was pretty intense in there earlier."
They went inside, careful to not let the door slam behind them. Burt looked at Finn when he heard-what, singing?- coming from Kurt's room.
"Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong
You know it's gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together".
"Is that the Beach Boys?"
"Well, you know Kurt. He likes the classics. And the beach. And, well…boys".
They went to the top of the stairs, and quietly made their way down to the middle step. Burt was riveted by what he saw.
Blaine and Kurt were lying on Kurt's bed. Kurt was sound asleep in the crook of Blaine's arm, and Blaine was singing to him quietly while he ran his fingers along the side of his head, brushing his hair back. If Burt was honest with himself, it really was something beautiful to see. And he thought about Kurt's mother, who would be so happy that their son had someone in his life that loved him this much.
Blaine turned when he heard movement near the stairs, and make a "shhhh" gesture with his finger against his lips. He moved his arm from underneath Kurt and whispered in his ear "I'll be right back, beautiful", kissing him softly on the cheek. As Finn and Burt made their way back up the stairs, Blaine followed, looking back once at his sleeping boyfriend.
"He's been like this for about an hour or so", Blaine said, as he ran his fingers through his own messy hair. "I think he's just so exhausted from fighting this same battle over and over." He looked at Finn "Anything on Karofsky?"
"Not yet. But they'll find him."
The three looked at each other, realizing that all of the men that Kurt loved the most were there to make sure he stayed safe.
Finn looked up as he saw a flash of blue fly by and land on the couch.
"What on earth…", Burt looked at Bocelli sitting there, then turned his glance to Blaine. "Care to explain"?
"That's Bocelli. I bought him for Kurt because I know he misses Pavarotti".
"Burt, it's kind of like your grand-bird". Finn laughed as he said it, wondering why Burt didn't also find the humor in his statement. "Wow. Tough crowd".
"Ok, let's figure this out before Kurt gets up." Burt directed them both to sit on the couch. "So let me get this straight. Karofsky thinks that if you, Blaine, are out of the picture, then Kurt will just run to him with open arms? Is he serious"?
"Sadly, he is. Kurt is so worked up about something happening to me that he said he was willing to do "anything"—his words—to make sure I don't get hurt. I was pretty rough on him before, and I feel horrible about it".
Finn looked at the confused expression on Burt's face. "We were trying to get Kurt to tell us exactly what Karofsky said to him, and Blaine had to use a little "tough love" on him. It worked, but kind of left Kurt in a bad way".
"I hope you know that I would never do anything, or say anything, that would hurt him", Blaine said to no one in particular. "I love him".
"So what do we do? As long as you two are together, Karofsky is going to continue to be a threat until we find him. If you aren't together…" Burt was interrupted quickly by Blaine.
"But, that's not going to happen. I'm not leaving him".
"What I was going to say is that if weren't together, Kurt would be so heartbroken that he wouldn't be thinking clearly. We can't have him walking around like that. It would be like he had a huge target on his back".
"Blaine could stay here with us". Finn said it, and then sat back on the couch, pleased with the suggestion.
This was so not what Blaine wanted. All of the plans that he and Kurt had, to live together in their little home on the weekends—they were falling apart. Granted, right now the guesthouse was not a safe option, until they got some type of security system in place. Blaine was being completely selfish in his thoughts. The relationship between he and Kurt was different now. They were not just holding hands and stealing kisses anymore. They were lovers. And he wanted that part of their relationship to continue. How could they do that under Burt's roof? He shook his head to clear the images of he and Kurt together in that way, and got back to the conversation at hand.
Before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door. Puck and Sam. And they didn't look happy.
"No sign of him. It's like he crawled under a rock somewhere. We even went to his house. His old man said he hasn't seen him since last night. I don't know if I believe him. I think he's covering".
"I don't know, Puck. His father seemed genuinely disturbed about all of this."
"So what next?" Sam looked at Finn, who was thankful that his brother had all of this support around him.
Blaine slipped away to check on Kurt, and came back to say that he was getting a little restless. "We need to make a decision soon, guys".
"I have an idea, but I don't think you're going to like it, Blaine. And it's going to hurt Kurt…but just for a little while…"
They all looked at Sam. "You know, Karofsky will resurface if he thinks that Blaine is no longer a factor. He wants Kurt. He's already said that".
"But the idea is to keep him from getting to him. That's why we're all here". Finn looked at Blaine, who seemed to already have distanced himself from the conversation.
"If he thinks that all of this has caused the two of them to split up, he'll be back. He's shown that he's not thinking clearly. His goal is Kurt. Without Blaine, Kurt, to him, is available. If he…"
"I don't like it, Sam. We'd be putting Kurt in danger leaving him alone with this guy." Burt looked over at Blaine, who just looked back and forth between each of them.
Blaine finally spoke up. "So let me get this straight. I'm supposed to break up with Kurt to send Karofsky a message that he's now up for grabs. Are you all crazy? I'm not going to break up with him, and Kurt would never believe it if I told him that I was. I told him ten times today that I love him. That's supposed to change in an instant"?
"That's why you need to be really convincing when you do it.". Finn put his hand on Blaine's shoulder. "It won't be real, but Kurt, and Karofsky, need to think it is. Once we have Karofsky in hand, Kurt will know it was all an act. It's a good plan, Blaine."
"No! It's a terrible plan. How can I do that to him? You saw how he reacted when I was saying all of those things to him today. What do you think will happen if I tell him, even as a lie, that I want to break up? That's not fair to him. I won't do it."
Burt walked over to Blaine and turned him so that they were face to face.
"Blaine, I know you love Kurt. I know that. But if the only way that we can get Karofsky to resurface, and get him some help, is to put on this charade and let him think that you've abandoned Kurt, then we need to do it. I don't see a whole lot of other options, do you"?
"Why can't we just tell Kurt that we're doing this? I don't want to hurt him".
Puck chimed in. "Let's face it. Kurt's my boy and all, but he can be a little bit of a drama queen. He might over act. Just saying".
Sam looked at Blaine and could feel the sadness in him rising to the surface. "Blaine, just make it public, and make it look real. Let us do the rest."
"Hey. What's all this about." Kurt had come upstairs, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Blaine looked at him and thought about how adorable he looked. He wanted to wake up every morning next to Kurt.
"Hi, sleeping beauty. We were all just having some boy talk. You hungry"?
Kurt had walked over and picked up Bocelli, rubbing his head with his thumb. "A little".
"Ok, why don't you give me our little friend, and you go get yourself together. You can't meet your public looking like that:. Blaine put his hand on Kurt's face, looking into those eyes. What he was going to do to him was unconscionable.
Kurt ran down to his room to get ready. Blaine turned and looked at the circle that had formed around him. "This better work, because I don't think I'll be able to take it if I damage my relationship with Kurt beyond repair. That won't be fair to either one of us".
Kurt came back looking better, but still worn out. He reached for Blaine's hand, and they walked towards the door, with a backward glance from Blaine. He just shook his head at the others.
After riding in the car for a few minutes, Blaine broke the silence. "So what are you hungry for"?
"Something light. And we need to stop on the way back for some food and a new cage for Bocelli. I think he's nervous with all of the open space around him".
"Yeah, we can do that."
"You ok? Are you upset with me?"
"No, Kurt. I'm not upset with you".
Kurt looked at Blaine from the passenger seat, and could see tension on his face. Being with me isn't easy, Kurt thought.
Make it public, Blaine thought to himself. "How about Breadsticks"?
"Perfect. I'll bring some of the leftovers back for our little one".
They found a parking spot, and Blaine came around to open the car door for Kurt. When he closed the door, Kurt put his hands around his waist and kissed him. Hard. Blaine felt his legs get weak, and returned the kiss, not wanting it to ever end. Blaine broke their kiss first, and looked at his beautiful Kurt. I'm so sorry for what I'm about to do to you, he thought as he turned to head in to the restaurant.
They went to their usual table, seeing many familiar faces, including several members of the football team.
"What can I get you guys?"
"We just need a few minutes, thanks." Blaine smiled up at the waitress. He looked at his watch. It was almost 10pm. How is it possible to pile so much misery into one day?
"So, quite a day, huh?" Kurt reached across the table and took Blaine's hands in his, something they had done a hundred times before. Blaine pulled his hands from beneath Kurt's, and said "Kurt, we need to talk about something".
"I know. It looks like the guesthouse is not going to be an option for a while. Maybe we can get sturdier locks. Or a security system? I know my Dad…"
"Kurt, we're not going to need any of those things. We're not going to be living there."
"Oh, did you find another place? I mean, I bought some curtains and stuff, but I can just exchange them".
"No, Kurt. I'll be living there. Alone".
There was a physical double take from Kurt as the words left Blaine's mouth. "I don't understand. I mean, I know my Dad is worried, but I think we'll be ok there once everything blows over".
"There isn't going to be a "we", Kurt. I just don't think this is going to work between us."
Tears started welling in Kurt's eyes. "I don't understand. What are you saying"?
"I'm saying that I think it's best if you and I are not together. I can't deal with all of the drama around us, Kurt. It's just becoming too much". Blaine felt like a knife was cutting away at his heart. The look on Kurt's face was worse than he's even imagined.
"But we…Blaine, I don't understand. You and I are…"
"Done, Kurt. We're done". Kurt began to shake his head, as if he could not understand what was happening. How could he, Blaine thought. Twenty-four hours ago, they were planning a life together.
"Blaine, please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what happened today, I'm sorry that I'm not…." Kurt was becoming louder, and people were starting to look in their direction. Kurt reached for Blaine's hands, and he pulled them away a second time.
"Kurt, you need to just deal with this and move on. You really didn't think that I was ready to commit myself to one person yet, did you?" This was the biggest lie of all. Blaine was determined to spend the rest of his life with Kurt. But after this, it may be impossible.
"Blaine, I love you so much. What happened? Why are you doing this to us?"
Tears were running down Kurt's face as he tried to look into Blaine's eyes. Blaine just looked away. People were now whispering and looking at them with sympathy, as they would any other couple that was breaking up.
"I think it would be best if Finn came to get you. I don't want to prolong this any more than necessary. I'm sorry Kurt." Blaine pushed away from the table and looked down at Kurt, who had his head bowed and his hands in his lap. Blaine could see the tears dropping from Kurt's eyes onto his pant legs. It took everything in him to not confess the truth, to tell Kurt how much he loves him, and to hold him and never let him go. Instead, Blaine walked towards the door.
Kurt looked up at him, sobbing. "I don't understand, Blaine. Is…is there someone else"?
Pushing the door open, Blaine landed the final blow.
"Yes, there is".
