Kurt wiped his face as best he could and took a deep breath before he opened the door and peeked out into the hallway where Blaine was waiting. His eyes widened when he saw Blaine and Cooper arguing.
"Why are you always such an asshole to me," Blaine whisper shouted at Cooper.
"Me? Your husband is the one who told me to fuck off," Cooper pointed aggressively at Blaine.
"That's because you were … surprise … an asshole to me," Blaine pushed Cooper's hand away. "Kurt actually cares about me and was looking out for me."
"Listen to me, little brother," Cooper's voice was condescending.
Kurt had heard and seen enough. He stepped out between the brothers, "stop it," he said, "both of you. Your dad is in there dying and you two are out here arguing like school children."
Blaine and Cooper both looked at Kurt. Blaine took his hand and asked, "what did he say? Are you ok?"
"He wants to talk to you, Blaine. We should go in there right now," Kurt paused. "But honey, he doesn't have much time left at all."
"I'm coming in too," Cooper announced.
Kurt gave him a look but he knew he could not stop Cooper from seeing his own father. He opened the door and led Blaine into the room with Cooper following behind.
Blaine took his seat at the edge of the bed. He saw that his dad had been crying so he took his hand, "I'm right here Dad," he said blinking back his own tears.
"I'm here too," Cooper said while positioning himself on the other side of his dad's bed.
"Boys," their dad began, "I love you, both of you. But Cooper I need to speak to Blaine. Alone."
Kurt could see that Cooper was beside himself with anger but he didn't want to upset his dad so he just gave a small huff and left the room. Kurt knew he had to leave also but tearing himself away from Blaine's side was one of the hardest things he had to do in his life. He squeezed Blaine's shoulder and said, "I'm right outside," his gaze burned into Blaine's hazels, "RIGHT outside."
"I love you," Blaine said and watched his husband walk out. He then turned his attention to his dad. "Dad, you are breathing hard. Should I get the nurse?"
"Son, never mind that; there is no time. I need to tell you something," he struggled to speak now. "Please just listen."
Blaine nodded and felt tears slide down his cheeks. He just realized the gravity of his dad's illness. He knew his dad only had days left. The sobs came swiftly but he listened.
"Blaine. I have been an ass all my life."
"No, dad"
"Shhh. Just listen."
Blaine squeezed his dad's hand.
"You have been nothing but an amazing son all your life," he gasped. "You are loving, respectful, intelligent, brave and you have deserved so much more than what I've given you."
Blaine continued to sob. His dad looked distorted to him through the tears.
He continued, "I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry I haven't been there. I'm sorry for the way I treated you and Kurt. I'm sorry I couldn't make things work with your mother. I'm sorry that it's too late to make things right," he broke down. His chest heaved as he cried. He could barely get the last words out, "I…love…you. And I'm…sorry."
Blaine could not take any more. He leaned down and buried his face into his dad's shoulder. They cried together for quite a while before Blaine rose back up. His hand caressed his dad's wet face.
"Thank you, dad. I have always loved you and I love you now," Blaine sobbed. "And I don't want you to die. Please. Can't the doctors do anything?"
His father's silence answered that question. Blaine was heart-broken. He lay down beside his dad, held his hand and simply held him.