Four: Heart Attack
Sad chapter :( But with a little bit of fluff mixed in because I cannot, absolutely cannot, help myself. I really like this chapter actually. I'm not sure why but I was just really, really happy with how it turned out ^.^ Enjoy and pretty please leave some reviews, I really like reviews :)
Blaine was pleased to note that Kurt seemed better having had a talk with Finn. He still hadn't contacted anyone besides Finn and Puck but Kurt was now texting Finn a couple of times a day and it had him looking a little happier.
Kurt was telling Blaine about a story Finn had told him from football practise during AP English when they were supposed to be reading Hamlet to each other as Hamlet and Horatio but Mrs Addison didn't seem to mind their distraction. Both of them had handed in spectacular essays a few weeks ago so she was lenient with them. Blaine was sure she was ten seconds away from telling them to get to work so he picked up his copy of the play and found the section they were supposed to be reading when the door opened. Kurt noticed too and continued his story.
"And so this football coach, who's a woman by the way, told them that the first six to throw up were cut," Kurt explained and Blaine couldn't hold back a laugh.
"That's hilarious, she sounds awesome," Blaine whispered back. "So what-"
"Kurt Hummel?"
Blaine and Kurt both looked up at one of the receptionists standing by the teacher's desk. Kurt frowned in confusion as she beckoned to him.
"I need to talk to you outside for a moment. Bring your things."
Kurt's eyes widened in shock and he looked at Blaine worriedly. Blaine shrugged, as unsure as Kurt was of what was going on. Kurt packed up his books and followed the receptionist out the door. Blaine inched his chair around slightly so he could see where they stopped just down the hall to talk.
Mrs Addison noticed him but said nothing as Blaine focused entirely on Kurt's face. As the receptionist talked to him, her face solemn, Kurt went from confused to shocked to afraid to devastated in a matter of five seconds. He started to shake and when the receptionist reached towards him his sank down to his knees. Blaine was out of his chair in a flash, ignoring the curious looks from his classmates, and running out to Kurt.
"What is it?" he demanded, kneeling in front of Kurt. He took Kurt's shoulders and blue eyes met his for only a moment before Kurt threw himself onto Blaine's chest and began sobbing. Blaine was shocked and rubbed Kurt's back. He looked up at the office lady who had her mouth covered with her hands as she gazed down at the boys.
"What happened?" Blaine asked her, desperate to understand Kurt's sadness.
"His father had a heart attack," she whispered to him. "He's in hospital."
Blaine gasped and tightened his arms around Kurt. He knew how important Burt was to his son, how important their relationship was to Kurt's life.
"Shh," Blaine crooned. "Shh, it's going to be alright. Shh." His voice faded off into indiscernible words but the sound of his voice and his mouth moving in Kurt's hair was enough to calm him down. Blaine hummed slightly, crooning out the words to the first song that popped into his head Keep Holding On by AvrilLavigne. Probably not the best choice but it had a soft, slow melody and Kurt stopped crying before he'd gotten halfway through but he continued to clutch Blaine's blazer, his face pressed into his chest.
"Kurt?" Blaine said softly. He didn't respond. The bell was going to go soon and people would be out in the corridor so Blaine wanted to get Kurt somewhere he could be afraid and upset in peace. "Come on, you have to get up sweetheart." The words slipped out without his consent and Kurt stirred at the pet name.
"I want to go to the hospital," Kurt whispered.
Blaine nodded. "And I'll take you but we should go to our rooms and get changed first. You have to get up."
He eventually coaxed Kurt to his feet and dashed into the room to get his things, saying a quick apology before rejoining Kurt in the corridor and wrapping his arm around his waist tightly.
"I'll go and get the paperwork to sign you out during the school day," the receptionist said quietly before wandering off, clearly thinking it was best if she left Blaine to deal with the distraught Kurt. Kurt was drying his eyes and nose with a tissue and he gave Blaine a forced half-smile.
"Come on," Blaine said.
"Why did you call me 'sweetheart'?" Kurt questioned as they left the main building to head over to the dorms. Blaine blushed.
"It just came out, I don't know why," Blaine shrugged. "You were upset and it just came out."
Kurt leant his head on Blaine's shoulder. "I'm so glad I have you, Blaine. Promise you won't leave me alone?"
"I promise," Blaine replied, his voice thick with emotion even he didn't quite understand.
"If you get to call me sweetheart then I get to call you honey," Kurt said teasingly as Blaine unlocked their room. Blaine blushed but was pleased to heart Kurt sounding a little better.
"If you call me honey I think the Warblers might get the wrong idea. More than they already have that is."
Kurt pulled a face as he went and got changed. Blaine watched in horror as Kurt pulled out a pair of jeans, a white dress shirt and a vest without even looking and started to change. It was terrible. He'd never seen Kurt not care about his clothes before so he knew he was absolutely terrified. All Blaine wanted to do was wrap Kurt in his arms and never let him go.
"I swear, Nick and Jeff have no rights accusing us of being stupid," Kurt muttered. "If they don't start dating soon I might tear out my hair."
Blaine threw on a casual outfit and followed Kurt out of their room, locking it behind him and they left the dorm and went to the parking lot. Blaine drove around to the office and ran inside the sign the papers so they could leave.
Kurt was wringing his hands when he got back to the car. He'd also switched the radio off.
"It's going to be alright," Blaine whispered, leaning over and put his hands over Kurt's to still them. Kurt looked at him, tears glistening afresh in his glasz eyes.
"How do you know?" Kurt asked softly, fear in his tiny voice.
Blaine didn't have an answer to that so he just squeezed Kurt's hands and started the car to take them to Lima and the hospital. Blaine felt his phone vibrating and he groaned and asked Kurt to get his Bluetooth head set out of the glove box and answer the phone for him.
"It's your dad," Kurt said as he pressed accept and switched on Blaine's headset. "Hi Mr Anderson." Kurt gave Blaine the headset as it connected and he put it on his ear.
"He's driving so he's just putting his headset on," Kurt explained. It connected so Blaine nodded to Kurt.
"Hi Dad," he said.
"Why aren't you at school?" Nathan Anderson asked, confused.
"I'm taking Kurt to Lima," Blaine explained. "His dad had a heart attack and he's shaking too much to drive."
Kurt gave Blaine a harsh look that he ignored.
"Oh… Kurt is…?"
Blaine sighed. "The boy who transferred this year. My new roommate, remember?"
"Oh right, sorry."
Blaine rolled his eyes and refrained from accusing his dad of never paying attention. He'd promised Kurt he'd try and get along with his dad better.
"Why are you calling anyway?" Blaine questioned.
"The case wrapped up early so your mother and I will be home this weekend," Nathan explained. "We were hoping you might come home for the weekend."
Blaine hesitated. "I don't know, Dad," he said hesitantly. He was worried. What if Kurt's dad died? Kurt would need him.
"You don't want to?"
"No, I'd love to come home, it's been a while but…" Blaine trailed off. He didn't want to express his fears in front of Kurt. However his father was a very sharp man and seemed to catch on.
"You're worried about your friend," he realised.
"Yes."
Kurt was watching Blaine curiously.
"Well… you don't have to make a decision now then. Let us know later on if you're coming," Nathan decided. "I hope your friend's dad is alright."
"Me too…" Blaine knew he sounded afraid.
"I'll let you concentrate on driving," Nathan decided.
"Tell Mum I said hi and I love her," Blaine said. "Thanks for calling, Dad. I love you."
It had been a while since he'd actually said that to his father and he knew that the silence on the other end of the call meant he had surprised him.
"I love you, too, Blaine," Nathan said softly. Blaine's heart swelled and he actually felt tears sting his eyes but he held them back for Kurt. "I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. Bye."
Blaine hung up but left the headset on.
"Can you text Wes? Let him know we'll be missing rehearsal?" Blaine requested, trying to control his voice from shuddering. Kurt nodded.
"What's wrong?" Kurt asked him.
"Dad said he loves me," Blaine explained. "He hasn't said that for years."
Kurt smiled a little but it didn't reach his eyes. "That's great. I told you."
Blaine almost smiled.
They were silent for most of the drive until Blaine turned off the interstate into Lima. Kurt was clenching his hands so tightly that his knuckles were white.
"Before we get out of this car you are going to take a deep breath and calm down," Blaine ordered. Kurt looked at him with wide eyes. His breathing had started getting short and sharp the closer they got. "I'm not going to let you go into the hospital in this state. You need to be calm and ready for whatever they tell you. I'm here and I am not going to leave you alone but you still need to be calm, deal?"
Kurt nodded and concentrated on slowing his breathing, his knuckles still white though.
Blaine pulled into the hospital car park and got out of the car. Kurt joined him on his side and they walked to the hospital together. Blaine reached out and took one of Kurt's hands so he could stop trying to dislocate his fingers and held it between his own.
"You're okay," Blaine whispered, holding Kurt's hand to his heart. "I'm here."
Kurt inched closer to Blaine, his face paler than normal. Blaine went to the front desk and asked where they could find Burt Hummel. She gave him a room number and the name of the doctor seeing to him. Blaine took Kurt to the room and found Carole waiting outside.
Kurt threw himself into her arms and started crying again as Blaine watched him helplessly. She got Kurt to sit and went to get coffee. Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand and pulled him into the seat beside his before curling up to his side, clutching his arm tightly.
Blaine reached over and stroked Kurt's hair, wishing more than anything that there was something he could do to help him. Carole returned and Blaine spent a few minutes coaxing him into drinking the coffee she'd gotten for him. Blaine didn't touch his until he was sure Kurt was drinking his. He almost regretted it. Awful, awful coffee.
"Have you heard anything?" Blaine asked Carole. She shook her head.
"The doctor said he'd be out soon," she explained. Kurt made a funny sound. He finished his coffee and curled back up to Blaine who stroked his hair again, not even thinking about the action. It seemed to calm Kurt down, oddly enough since he would normally kill anyone who touched his hair.
Carole watched them for a while, a kind of softness in her eyes until the doctor emerged from Burt's room.
"Are you with Mr Hummel?" he asked them. Kurt looked up expectantly as Carole nodded. Blaine held his breath. Kurt reached down and took his hand, squeezing tightly.
"Is he alive?" Kurt asked.
"Yes but that's the only good news I have for you," the doctor explained. "He suffered the heart attack due a sever arrhythmia which caused a lack of blood flow to his brain. He's comatose and we aren't sure when or if he will wake up."
Kurt froze and Blaine turned to him immediately, bundling him into his arms and rocking him slightly. Kurt just pressed close to Blaine, unable to cry or speak.
"Can we see him?" Carole asked numbly. The doctor nodded solemnly and Blaine squeezed Kurt once and stood, pulling him up too. Kurt clung to him as if he was a lifeline while they walked into the room. He let out a tiny sound of despair at the sight of his Dad, seemingly sleeping, hooked up to machines and an IV. A machine was counting his heartbeats and Blaine saw Kurt staring at it. He understood. That machine showed Burt was still alive. Kurt put a hand on his own heart and Blaine pulled him closer.
Carole pulled a chair up and sat down beside Burt, her face devastated.
"I should call Finn," she said softly. Kurt nodded and Blaine wasn't sure he even understood the words.
"Do you want to sit?" Blaine asked him quietly. Kurt nodded but wouldn't let go of Blaine and he felt a pang in his heart. "Let go for a moment, Kurt. I'll get you a chair and then I'll call Finn if you want me to."
Carole nodded gratefully and Kurt eventually let go of Blaine and stared at his dad as he sat. Blaine brushed his hand over Kurt's hair once more and stole Kurt's iPhone so he could call Finn, hoping he wasn't in class right now as he went into the hall.
Finn picked up after three rings.
"Hey, Kurt!" he greeted.
"This is Blaine, actually," Blaine informed him. "Kurt and I are at the hospital with your mum-"
"What happened? What's going on? Is he alright? Is she alright? Tell me what's going on Blaine!"
"Calm down, Finn," Blaine groaned. He wanted to go back to Kurt. "Burt had a heart attack. He's comatose in the hospital right now. I had to drive Kurt here because he couldn't be trusted behind the wheel of a vehicle. You should come down here…"
Blaine was feeling out of place but he couldn't leave Kurt. He'd promised.
"Thanks, dude, I'll be there," Finn said and hung up. Blaine returned to the room and passed Kurt his phone back and Kurt kept his hand, dragging Blaine close. Blaine looked at Carole who gave him a sad look.
"Kurt this is uncomfortable," Blaine protested. He thought for a moment. "Get up for a second." Kurt stood and Blaine took his seat, pulling Kurt onto his lap so he could hold him close. Kurt buried his face against Blaine's neck, peeking out at his dad with tears in his eyes.
"What if he doesn't wake up?" Kurt whispered.
"He will," Blaine whispered back. "He'll wake up Kurt. You have to think that way."
Kurt shook his head and turned away from the sight of his unconscious father. He tried to hold back a sob but when Blaine rubbed his back he started crying again.
"I don't know what I'd do without him," Kurt murmured between sobs. Blaine nodded understandingly and continued to rub Kurt's back, holding back his own tears. He hated seeing Kurt so helpless and desperate. His phone started vibrating again and Blaine grumbled, pulling it out.
It was Wes.
"What?" Blaine asked quietly.
"I was wondering what's going on," Wes explained, he sounded surprised by Blaine's tone. "Kurt was pretty vague. Just 'Blaine and I won't be at rehearsal. Sorry'. What's happened?"
Blaine hesitated as Kurt tightened his hold on him.
"We're at the hospital," Blaine whispered, turning his head away. Kurt still heard him and made a tiny sound. "Kurt's dad had a heart attack."
"Oh god! I hope he's alright!"
"He's in a coma."
"Crap." Wes was silent. "Tell Kurt we're thinking of him. Are you two going to come back tonight?"
"I don't know what Kurt wants to do," Blaine admitted. "He refuses to let go of me so wherever he wants to go I'm sure I'll be there too."
Wes laughed but it sounded forced. "He trusts you so much."
Blaine smiled at that. "I'll call later, okay? Don't decide anything too drastic about Sectionals without us."
"We won't. Does he mind if I tell the Warblers what's going on? I'm sure they'd want to know."
Blaine poked Kurt's shoulder until he raised his head to look at him.
"Wes wants to tell the Warblers. Is that alright?" Blaine asked. Kurt nodded and returned to hiding his face against Blaine's shoulder. Blaine relayed the answer to Wes and said goodbye.
Finn arrived not long after and joined the vigil at Burt's bedside. He cast a small smile at the sight of Kurt snuggled against Blaine's chest before looking at Burt sadly. He took Carole's hand.
They sat in silence for god knows how long and Blaine felt his leg starting to fall asleep where Kurt was sitting on him and he absently tried to shift it. He wondered if Kurt had fallen asleep.
"Blaine," Kurt mumbled, finally raising his head. Everyone looked at him worriedly. Blaine pushed his hair off his forehead and smiled softly.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Can you take me back? I don't think I can take being here much longer," Kurt told him. He looked at Carole. "Is it okay if I go back to Dalton?"
"Of course it is, honey," Carole assured him. "We'll watch him, don't panic."
Kurt smiled gratefully and climbed off Blaine's lap. Blaine stood, subtly trying to shake feeling into his left leg. Kurt noticed and his face scrunched in apology.
"You should have said something," he chastised.
"It's alright," Blaine assured him. "You're not heavy, you just stayed in the one position for a while."
Kurt blushed. "Thank you."
Blaine just smiled and said goodbye to Carole and Finn, pulling out his phone as he went.
We're coming back now.
He sent the text to Wes and got a response immediately.
Bring Kurt to the choir room, B, we have a surprise. You remember when we played around with 'Lean on me' last year?
Blaine's face lit up. He'd loved performing that song with the Warblers. It looked like they wanted to sing it to Kurt and Blaine loved all his friends even more in that moment. Kurt was watching his feet miserably as they walked out of the hospital. This would cheer him up for sure.
Sure I do. I think he'll appreciate that. You are awesome, Wes.
Blaine put his phone away and slid a foot closer to Kurt.
"Are you okay?" he asked then winced. "Sorry, stupid question."
"I'm scared," Kurt told him. "I can't imagine life without Dad."
Blaine didn't know what to say to him so he just took his hand as he had before and squeezed. Kurt squeezed back and the familiar electric rush went through Blaine's hand. He felt even closer to Kurt after today and the protective feeling he had was far stronger now.
He studied Kurt's dishevelled hair, red puffy eyes and watched as he worried his bottom lip between his teeth. Yet Blaine didn't think he knew anyone who was more beautiful than Kurt.
He frowned. Dear God… he was falling for him, wasn't he? But Kurt didn't need that. Kurt needed a friend, someone to be there for him, not a boyfriend. This dilemma consumed him all the way back to Dalton but Kurt didn't seem to mind the silence. He was staring out the window sadly and Blaine chewed his lip as the urge to wrap Kurt in his arms and protect him came up again.
Yes. Definitely falling for him.
This sucked.
They got back and instead of taking Kurt to the dorms Blaine dragged him to the main building and the choir room. Kurt looked at him curiously.
"I really just want to sleep, Blaine," he complained.
"I was told to bring you here, don't blame me," Blaine informed him. They reached the choir room and went in. The Warblers were sitting around quietly and jumped to their feet when the boys entered.
"Kurt!" Jeff cried and flung his arms around Kurt in a tight hug. "We're so sorry. This sucks big time."
Kurt mumbled something unintelligible but returned all the hugs he was given by the Warblers.
"You need to sit here," Nick informed him, pushing Kurt into an armchair and patting his head. "We wanted to do something for you but we weren't sure what so Jeff, the bright pickle he is, said we should sing something to you to let you know that we're here for you. Always."
Kurt looked up in surprise. Blaine knew what it was. Kurt hadn't had any of his friends be there for him when he needed them before but here were fifteen other boys telling him that they would be. Tears misted in Kurt's eyes as the Warblers got into formation.
Blaine locked onto Kurt's eyes as they started singing.
"Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow,
But if we are wise we know that there's always tomorrow."
Blaine stepped forward for the chorus and leant down to look Kurt directly in the eyes, adoring the blush on his cheeks as he smiled.
"Lean on me, when you're not strong,
I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on,
For it won't be long,
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on."
They continued singing to Kurt and he smiled at them. He still looked devastated and lost but he knew now that he wasn't alone and he looked a bit better for that. He jumped up as they finished singing and wrapped his arms around Blaine tightly then turned to Wes and hugged him too, before continuing and giving hugs to each of the Warblers.
"Thank you all so much," Kurt said, wiping his eyes and smiling bravely. "This means more than you realise."
Blaine smiled softly and turned to Wes.
"Thanks," he said. Wes shrugged.
Blaine turned to Nick to see that he was watching Jeff with a strange expression on his face. Jeff was patting Kurt on the shoulder and smiling at him, saying something comforting. Blaine nudged Nick and he looked at him.
"Are you alright?" Blaine asked.
"I just… I can't take it anymore," Nick said with a frown. "Life is too short."
Wes and Blaine exchanged confused looks.
"Can't take what anymore?" Wes asked curiously.
Nick ignored him and walked over, grabbing Jeff's arm and leading him out of the choir room. Blaine's eyes lit up and he turned to Wes excitedly.
"I knew it!" Wes trilled. "Finally!"
Blaine laughed and turned to watch Kurt hugging Trent again. Wes's triumphant expression turned into a knowing smile.
"At least now I can focus on you," Wes said and walked off before Blaine could say anything. He shook his head and Kurt looked over and met his eyes. He gave Blaine a grateful smile and Blaine's heart tightened.
A friend, he reminded himself. Kurt needs a friend right now.
"What's up, Nick?" Jeff asked curiously, unsure what the mixture of nervous and serious meant on his best friend's face.
"Uh… let's go somewhere private," Nick suggested. They went down to the empty junior common and sat down on one of the leather couches together. Jeff studying Nick as Nick stared at his hands in his lap. "Jeff… we've been friends for a long time, right?"
"Since seventh grade," Jeff agreed. I've also been in love with you that long…
"You know… I always said I'm straight and all that stuff but sometimes that doesn't matter to me."
Jeff frowned, tilting his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… sometimes when I'm with you nobody else matters. Just you. And I… Lately I really just want to…" Nick was blushing and still refusing to look at him. Jeff thought he might understand what Nick was trying to say but didn't want to get his hopes up.
Nick didn't say anything else and Jeff bit his lip.
"You know I'm in love with you right?" Jeff asked, throwing caution to the wind. Nick looked up at him with a tiny smile.
"Yeah, I got that a while back," he teased. "I didn't mind. It's nice to know someone thinks that much of you, especially someone as wonderful as you. But that's when I started to think it would be great to have you tell me. To have you hold me. Jeff… I have no idea what this means for my sexuality, and I don't care to be honest, but I think I'm starting to fall for you… I really like you a whole lot more than as my best friend and I don't want to be afraid of that anymore."
Jeff smiled gently, resisting the urge to throw himself on Nick and hug him tightly. His heart felt like it might burst.
"What brought on your change of heart?" Jeff questioned.
"Kurt's dad. Life can be snatched away at any moment, you know? Why should I waste my time worrying about my sexuality when it doesn't actually matter? What matters is that I care for you and I want to be with you."
"You do?" Jeff held his breath, holding back his excitement as Nick nodded.
"Will you be my boyfriend, Jeff?" Nick asked. Not trusting himself to speak, Jeff just nodded ecstatically and Nick laughed, shifting closer and resting his forehead on Jeff's. "I'm going to kiss you now, alright?"
Jeff didn't have a chance to respond as Nick pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth. It was everything and more than Jeff had ever imagined kissing Nick would be like. It was brief and sweet but Jeff was very happy when Nick pulled away, smiling at him.
"Was that okay?" Jeff asked. Nick grinned a little.
"That was more than okay," he replied, he seemed a little surprised but Jeff understood. Nick hadn't ever been attracted to another boy before and it was probably a little weird. Nick studied him for a moment and leant in to kiss him again. Jeff smiled against Nick's mouth and angled his head so he could kiss him easier.
This was something that had been missing in his life and he felt like he might explode from happiness. He felt a little guilty. He knew he should be sad for Kurt but he couldn't help being so happy when Nick was finally his.
