So it was a tiny bit awkward. They avoided touching – because it could lead to something – so when they did, it was playful nudges or poking in the side. But they were still close – the best of friends. Blaine was slightly clingy that day, constantly wanted to be with Kurt or Jessie, unable to deal with the thoughts that came when he was left on his own.

But Kurt really didn't mind. They sat together on one of the beds in between therapy and meal times, talking, or laughing or even singing.

Jessie interrupted them just before dinner.

"Kurt, can I talk to you for a second?"

Kurt and Blaine exchanged worried glances, before he stood up and headed to Jessie. She led him out of earshot.

"You father called."

Kurt's eyes lit up.

"He wants to come by tomorrow." Kurt grinned. "Are you okay with that?"

"Absolutely." Kurt laughed.

Jessie gave him a long look. "You sure?"

He nodded. "Why wouldn't I be?"

She shrugged, but Kurt could see she was hiding something.

"Alright. He'll be here at about eight – I'll come get you?"

Kurt nodded. "Where?"

"Do you want to talk in the courtyard?"

Kurt nodded eagerly. "Yes please."

Jessie nodded. "Alright, I'll probably come get you after breakfast."

"Thanks Jessie."

He returned to the bed they were sharing, and Blaine looked confused. "What was that about? Is everything okay?"

Kurt grinned. "Yeah. Everything is perfect. My dad is coming to visit tomorrow."

Blaine blanched. "Oh."

Kurt didn't notice his drop in attitude, climbing back onto the bed and sitting next to him.

"Kurt…" Blaine whispered.

"Yeah?"

"What's your dad like?"

Kurt laughed. "He's amazing."

"Why isn't your mother coming?"

Kurt swallowed a bit. "She died when I was eight."

"Oh." Blaine blushed. "Sorry."

Kurt shook his head. "It's okay. Ever since then it's just been Dad and I…but he's great."

"Does he…does he know that you're gay?"

Kurt grinned. "Yeah. I told him a couple of months ago."

Blaine swallowed hard. "How was he about it?"

"Great. He was…a little…" Kurt searched for the word. "Uncomfortable? I don't know. He wasn't…resentful, but he wasn't…"

"Like my dad." Blaine muttered flatly, and Kurt nodded slightly. "Don't you hate him?"

"What?"

"He…he told them, didn't he? He took you here and he's the reason why you're here?"

"I used to…I used to hate him. The first couple of days I couldn't…but he was worried. He was worried and he didn't know what to do. How can I hate him for trying to take care of me?"

Blaine sighed and nodded. "I guess."

"I kind of miss him, you know? For so long it was just me and him, but now I'm here, and I haven't seen him in weeks, and he's home by himself…. I'm actually a little worried about him!" Kurt laughed, excited about the visit, not noticing how Blaine was withdrawing into himself the longer he spoke.

"Yeah."

Finally, Kurt noticed. "You okay?"

Blaine just nodded. "Come on. Dinner-time."

^.^

They spent dinner talking about school – it was holidays at the moment, but as soon as September came around, they would get a private tutor for the different age groups – which basically meant Kurt and Blaine in a class on their own.

Blaine liked learning – he liked Italian and English and Music, but he hated Math and the other subjects. Kurt was indifferent – school was just something he had to endure and he didn't particularly enjoy any of the subjects.

After dinner, they walked back to their ward and Blaine passed off a genuine yawn.

"Time for bed?" Kurt asked and Blaine nodded.

"I feel like collapsing early tonight."

"Alright. I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow?"

Blaine nodded, crawling into his bed as Kurt shut the curtain behind him.

^.^

Breakfast was mostly filled with Kurt being nervous. He jittered around, barely eating until Blaine forced him to.

"What's wrong with you?" Blaine laughed.

"I'm worried."

"About what?"

"Everything!" Kurt took a deep breath. "I'll be okay."

When Jessie approached them, Kurt almost squealed.

"He's waiting for you." She said softly, and Kurt took a deep breath, standing up, forgetting about his breakfast.

Blaine grabbed his hand, giving it a firm squeeze and giving him a smile. "He'll still be the same amazing father, okay?"

Kurt nodded, taking another breath before following Jessie. They walked through the halls, and Kurt continued to get even more nervous, the closer they got to the courtyard.

"Excited?" Jessie asked.

"…kind of…"

Jessie grinned. "You'll be fine."

"Are you coming out with us?"

"Nope. I'll leave the door unlocked."

"Can my dad come in and walk around and stuff?"

Jessie nodded. "For a little while. Visiting hours close in three hours."

"Thanks Jessie."

"You're welcome Kurt…have fun."

She disappeared back around into the hallway and Kurt stood in front of the glass doors. The curtains were still drawn – he couldn't see out, and his father couldn't see in. Placing his hands on the door, he pushed it open, letting the rays of light blind him.

He shut his eyes, and suddenly he was being scooped up into Burt's arms.

"Hey kiddo."

Kurt breathed in, finding him exactly the same. He smelled like grease and the crappy two dollar soap that was in his bathroom. He was a little thinner, but he was still stocky and still his dad. Nothing had changed - the way he'd half expected it to.

"Hey dad." Kurt whispered.

Burt pulled back, letting Kurt drop, and searching his son.

"You look good." You've gained weight.

Kurt bit his lip. "Thanks."

It was awkward.

"So…how is it?"

"What, this place?"

Burt nodded.

"It's…like a hospital."

Burt winced. "I'm sorry."

Kurt shook his head. "Don't be. I'm…I think I was better off here."

Burt managed a nod. "Made any friends?"

Kurt grinned. "Yeah."

Burt's eyes widened. "So…uh…is it…"

"His name is Blaine." Kurt said softly.

"And are you guys…"

"We're friends." Kurt said shortly. "And yes, he's gay…but that doesn't mean anything."

Burt nodded, and Kurt could see the obvious cogs ticking over in his head.

They moved to the bench and chairs, sitting down and sighing.

"So when do you think they'll let you out?"

Kurt shrugged.

"The house is really empty without you." Burt said softly. "I missed you."

Kurt bowed his head. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's…mine, a little. But still."

Kurt cleared his throat. "How have you been?"

Burt suddenly looked nervous, and Kurt shot him a worried look.

"I…uh…I met someone."

Kurt felt a pang of jealously. "What? Who?"

"Her name is Carole. Carole Hudson."

The name wasn't familiar, and Kurt bit his lip. "And…are you…"

Burt shrugged. "It's nothing serious. We're…dating…but…"

"Dad…if you're happy, I don't have a problem with it." Kurt forced a smile.

Burt raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

Kurt nodded. "Fairly sure."

There was another awkward silence.

"So what's Blaine like? Why is he…here?"

"Attempted suicide." Kurt said bluntly. "Twice."

Burt's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

Kurt sighed. "His dad…when Blaine told his father that he was gay…his father beat him up for it…and then he was getting bullied at school….and he couldn't take it anymore."

Burt's jaw almost dropped, frowning in concern. "What…"

Kurt shrugged. "He can't go home, and he'll go into foster care when he gets better." Kurt sighed. "Life just kind of sucks for him."

Burt saw the pain behind Kurt's eyes – how much he cared and how much this was killing him. He swallowed hard, frowning in thought.

"Kurt…"

Kurt looked up at him sadly.

"I…Can I go meet Blaine?"

Kurt grinned. "Yeah….come on!"

Burt followed slowly behind him, thinking hard. He glanced up to peek into wards – finding the kids with sunken, dead eyes – those who had pretty much given up, and those who were wondering why they were there. It was draining – it was sad. Burt regretted ever letting these people take his son away.

Kurt led him to his ward, taking him all the way to the end.

"So this is my little section." Kurt waved at it dismissively, before turning to Blaine's.

The curtain was drawn, but Kurt knew there wasn't a nurse inside. He knocked gently.

"Blaine? You there?"

"Yep."

"Can I come in? My dad wants to meet you."

"Uh…" Blaine paused, panicking. "I guess…"

Kurt pulled back the curtain, grinning at his father before slipping in.

Blaine looked pale and scared, and Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"You okay?"

"Yep." Blaine whispered, reaching over to turn the lamp on.

The sickly yellow beams of light that filled the room really showed off his bruises properly – they gleamed an array of ugly colours that scattered his body. The bandages over his wrist were still white and shiny – they'd been changed earlier this morning.

Burt gave him a once over, sympathy in his eyes.

"Blaine…this is my father, Burt Hummel. Dad…this is Blaine Anderson…my best friend."

Blaine's eyes widened at the title, and grinned.

"Nice to meet you sir…" Blaine said a little timidly, and Burt shot him an easy grin.

"Nice to meet you too, Blaine. Thanks for keeping my boy company."

Blaine grinned, his whole body relaxing.

"It's been a pleasure." Blaine grinned, beaming at Kurt.

"How long are you here for, Blaine?"

"I'm not sure." He sighed heavily. "Treatment decides on us, basically. Once we've done a health check, it's about us."

"So…once you're healthy, you come home?"

"Pretty much." Blaine sighed.

Burt nodded, and his phone beeped. Whipping it out, he sighed.

"I have to get home. I'll be back tomorrow, okay?"

Kurt nodded, standing up and giving his father a huge hug. Blaine stuck out his hand for Burt to shake, but Burt pulled him up into a hug.

Kurt watched fondly as Blaine's entire body went rigid – his face contorting into a wince of pain as he felt every bruise on his body, but it passed and he completely relaxed and hugged back. When they both pulled away, Blaine had watery eyes, and Burt gave him a kind smile.

"Keep safe, Blaine." He grinned, and Blaine nodded, not trusting himself to speak as he got out of bed.

"We'll walk you out?" Kurt offered, glancing at Blaine to make sure he was okay with it.

Burt gave him a sharp look and Kurt edited his sentence.

"We'll walk you as far as we can go?"

Burt grinned at him.

"Sure thing kiddo."