October – Moving Forward

But either way, I've made up my mind.
I'm through feeling scared, I'm leaving that behind.

After Noah leaves, Kurt does feel lonely but he refuses to be one of those person that can't function on their own when their partners are away. So he goes to work every morning on time, watches Charlie for Santana and Brittany when they go out, and at night, he talks with Noah. It's hard, but not impossible.

Once Burt and his family arrive in New York, Kurt tries to be friendly even though Santana has already told him more than once that he doesn't have to do anything because Burt kept everything a secret, didn't give him time to adjust to Carole and Finn.

The meeting between his family and Burt's doesn't really go smoothly because Santana could never stand Finn in high school and now it's even worse because Finn's presences makes Kurt feel uncomfortable and Santana has decided that it's her job to be bitchy at the guy for Kurt.

Kurt is just happy that Burt, Carole and Finn are staying in a hotel.

It's nice to have his father there with him, to show him his new work place, to see him playing granddad with Charlie as always, but he can't help but feel like Carole and Finn are intruding. He does his best to act as if he's okay with them, but once it's night and he's at home and Burt and his family are at the hotel, he stops pretending.

"How is it going?" Noah's voice sounds slightly metallic through the computer and Kurt really wishes he was there with him.

Shrugging, he sets the laptop on the bed and curls up on his side, looking at his boyfriend. "Not really great. I thought I'd be okay with it but I can't wait for tomorrow to be here."

Puck sighs heavily and tries to smile. "When are they leaving?"

"In the evening. How is it going with the tour?"

Puck's eyes light up and he starts waving his hands around with enthusiasm while he describes everything to Kurt and Kurt feels happy. When he's talking with Puck, he's able to shut all the rest out. He laughs along with his boyfriend and listens to every detail avidly so he can pretend that he's there with Puck.

Kurt smiles at Carole when she kisses him on the cheek once they're at the airport. His smile is small and forced and he can read in Carole's eyes that she knows he's uncomfortable and still hurt. Not for the first time, he tells himself that he has every right to be upset because it's not like he doesn't want his father to be happy and have a family, it's just the way his father went about it.

"It's been really nice to spend some time with you, Kurt," Carole tells him. She pats him on the cheek and Kurt nods. After she turns around to walk inside the airport, Finn stands there for a few moments, looking at Kurt as if he's unsure on what to do.

In the end, he clears his throat and says. "I'll see you, Kurt."

"Bye, Finn."

They don't try to hug each other, and after a little wave Finn turns around and leaves too leaving Kurt standing outside the airport with Burt.

"I'm sorry I missed your boyfriend."

Kurt nods looking up at his father. "He really wanted to meet you too. I'm sure you will meet him some other time you came here."

Burt studies his son for a moment then, the way his lips curve into a smile whenever he's mentioning his boyfriend. "So, are you planning on making this a serious thing?"

Kurt frowns. "What?"

"What you have with Noah, because from what I've seen and heard, you seem to be taking this seriously."

"I am. We are," he adds quickly. "It's the first time someone means so much to me. We've been moving fast I think, but it feels right." He smiles. "I feel like an adult having an adult relationship."

Burt nods before reaching out to drag Kurt into a tight embrace. "Then I'm sure I'll meet him next time I come here."

"I may come to Lima too, you know," Kurt mumbles against Burt's flannel shirt. He hugs his father back tightly, closing his eyes for a moment. It feels familiar like nothing ever changed between them. Like being in New York didn't make Burt forget about him, like having Finn and Carole around didn't make him love Kurt any less. He swallows and pulls back. "I'm sorry for acting not really friendly with Carole and Finn."

"It's okay, they understand. Like I told you, I'm sorry."

Suddenly Carole walks out again, coming to stand next to them. "We have to go, honey," he tells Burt.

"Sure."

Kurt takes a deep breath and looks at Carole. "I hope to see you again soon, Carole."

She looks taken aback by the sudden change in Kurt's behavior, but she recovers quickly. "I can't wait."

Kurt hugs them both this time, before he finally pulls back and starts walking away. He doesn't stop a taxi right away but simply walks. When he feels his phone vibrating in his pocket, he's already smiling knowing who's going to be.

"I think I've managed to grow up," he says. He hears Noah laugh on the other end of the line. "It had to happen sooner or later."

"Don't change too much while I'm away."

He can hear Noah's uncertainty in his voice and he can understand because they've been together just for a few months, but like he told Burt, he feels confident about what they have, like he's moving forward from doubting things and fearing everything will turn out to be bad. Despite that, however, he still fears losing Noah because what they have means too much to him not to fear losing it. "I won't," he finally says. He stops a taxi and gets inside, quickly telling the driver his address.

While his eyes follow the lights moving quickly outside the window, he relaxes against the seat. "Tell me about your day?"