Kurt woke up to the sun filtering through the tiny window in his bedroom. He groaned and got up, ready to begin his morning ritual. He noticed a couple of missed calls on his phone, but after looking at his clock radio, realized that whoever it was would have to wait until he was on his way to NYADA for the day. As he was choosing the perfect outfit for his mood for the day, he saw his phone light up again, and saw his dad's face on the screen.
"Sorry, Dad," he said to the phone, ignoring it. He still had so much to do before getting to school. He had spoken more to Carole in the last few months than his father, as Kurt normally was in school long after Burt had fallen asleep from the chemo. He decided to call his dad quickly on his walk to the subway. It would be a short call, but at least he would get to hear Burt's voice.
An hour later, Kurt was dashing through the streets of New York, walking quickly to the subway station. He pulled his phone out and called home.
"Kurt! Where the hell have you been?!" Burt's voice sounded over the phone. Kurt was taken aback.
"Dad, I'm sorry! I have been so busy, and you know, I have tried calling you a few times, but you weren't feeling well. I'm here now though, so what's up?" Kurt explained, still wondering why he was greeted the way he was.
"Kurt, where are you?" Burt said. Kurt was confused.
"Dad, I'm in New York. I go to NYADA, remember?" Kurt answered, concerned.
"No, I know that! Where are you, right this second? What are you doing? I hear a lot of noise," Burt responded.
"I'm running to the subway station. I have a class in about an hour, and I have so far to go. And you'll never believe it, Dad, but I-"
"Kurt, stop." Burt, said suddenly, but softly. Kurt frowned. He had been getting used to his father's shorter temper from the chemo, but after so many days of not talking, Kurt was a little more than hurt that his dad didn't seem to care about how his life was going. But Kurt took a deep breath and sighed, still hurrying to the station. He just couldn't afford to miss that train.
"Okay, Dad. What's wrong?"
"I said stop, but I still hear you moving and out of breath. Kurt, I need you to stop and sit down someplace. I need to tell you something, and I will be damned if I tell you while you are literally running to school." Kurt stopped abruptly and looked around. The closest thing to him where he could sit was the steps of the library one block down. They would have to do.
"Okay, hold on, Dad, there's not really a place to sit anywhere. Walking towards the library steps right now." Kurt continued to walk, listening to the silence on the other end with increasing worry. As soon as he sat on the steps, he braced himself for the worst.
"Alright, I am sitting down. What's wrong?" Kurt asked his father. He could hear Burt take a few shuddering breaths. 'Had he been crying?' Kurt thought.
"Kurt, kiddo, I don't know how to tell you this, so I am just going to say it, okay?" Kurt's mind flickered to that night, here in New York, at that diner, when his father said almost the same thing before explaining he had cancer. His father was supposed to be fine, but what if he wasn't?
"Okay, I'm ready." Kurt froze, waiting to hear what had happened.
"Kurt, late last night, Carole and I got a phone call. It's-it's Finn. He was in a car accident with Puckerman. Puckerman's pretty beat up, but he will be okay. But Finn? Finn. God, I am so sorry to tell you this on the phone, but Finn didn't make it," Burt's voice cracked at the end. Kurt felt that he was in a bubble. No longer could he hear the taxis, the sirens, the hustle and bustle of New York City. He couldn't feel the steps beneath him, or feel the breeze that had been cooling his face mere seconds before. His step-brother, no, his brother, was gone. Finn Hudson, the kid who Kurt had had a crush on, but then who became family, and a best friend, was gone. His protector would no longer be there to support him.
"Kurt? Kurt, are you okay, buddy?" Burt asked, knowing how difficult it would be for Kurt to process.
"H-how?" That was all Kurt could bring himself to say.
"Um, we aren't really sure. Puckerman told the doctors that he and Finn had gone to a party. Puck couldn't drive, and didn't think Finn should either, but Finn assured him that he was fine, just not feeling well. He was speeding and missed a curve and hydroplaned or something, and plunged off the side, into a ravine. But, the, uh, doctors want to do an autopsy. Certain things aren't adding up." Kurt could barely intake all the information.
"What things?"
"We don't know yet. We're waiting on the doctors. But, Kurt, I know you love New York, and it's probably a busy time for you, with finals coming up and everything, but…"
"Dad, I am heading back to the loft and getting plane tickets." Kurt stopped. Rachel. Who was going to tell Rachel?
"Dad, does Rachel know yet? I mean, has anyone called her?" Kurt asked.
"No. So far, the only people we know who are aware of this are Puckerman, you, and us. I know it will be incredibly difficult, but could you please tell her and see if she can get here as soon as possible too? I hate to ask this of you, kid."
Kurt wanted to say no. He begged himself for the meanness to come through so he would say 'no'. But, he knew Puckerman, regardless of his desire to be a bad-ass, would be inconsolable for a few days, and he knew he couldn't make Burt and Carole do it. After all, they had lost a child. Kurt could feel himself finally break down. He needed to get back to the apartment, away from the outside world. He felt the tears prick his eyes. He needed to wrap this up.
"Yeah, Dad, I'll tell her, and I will get us to Lima as quickly as we can, okay? I am so sorry. I will be home soon and I love you and Carole, okay?" Kurt finished, his voice breaking.
"Okay, kid. I will see you soon. Love ya too. Be safe." And the call ended. Kurt walked back to the apartment numb, trying to process. What had happened? Finn knew better than to drive drunk. He wanted to be angry at Puck for having any part of the accident, but he couldn't. It seemed like Puck had grown up. He dreaded telling Rachel, knowing that it would be neither easy, nor pleasant. He knew that deep down, she hoped, and he thought, knew, that Finn and her would end up together in the end. But that was before. And now he would have to be the one to tell her that her second, but no less important dream, was shattered. Kurt stumbled back to the apartment, unaware of anything around him. He knew Rachel went on a run in the morning, so she would be back soon. Santana was working a double shift, so she wouldn't be home for a while. That was for the better.
Kurt went upstairs, went inside, locked the door and sat down on their beat up couch, placing his head in his hands. That was how he stayed, wondering how he was going to move on himself, but also how he was going to tell Rachel.
