Happy Tuesday, my darlings.

I am once again in awe. Your comments and reactions to the last chapter had me smiling so hard it actually hurt. Thank you so much for all the support and lovely reviews. I'm in a bit of a writer's block at the moment and it helps with my motivation. Thank you so much, I mean it.

I want to thank Christine again for her help with this story. She's amazing.

Alright, who's in the mood for some Burt Hummel?

Enjoy!

Burt moved anxiously against the pillows as he listened to the doctor. There were too many instructions, too many details, it was hard to keep track. There was only one thing that mattered to him, even though he was sure Kurt would get upset for not paying proper attention.

He wondered where Kurt was. He was usually here by now.

As if summoned, the door opened and Kurt walked into the room, a cup of coffee in his hand and a soft expression on his face. Burt ran his eyes over his son, there was something different about him, even though he couldn't quite pinpoint what. His clothes didn't look as neat as they usually did. His button down was a bit wrinkled, which was completely unacceptable when it came to his son.

Burt would have been worried if it wasn't for the look in his eyes – open, calm... happy? Was that happiness on his boy's face?

All of that went out the window as soon as Kurt turned to the bed after closing the door and saw the doctor was standing next to the bed. The concern etched itself to his features quicker than Burt could think of something to appease him.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, rushing to Burt's side.

"Good morning, Kurt," Dr. Stemberg said, a reassuring smile on his face. "Everything's fine. I've just been talking with your dad for a bit, making sure he knows the changes he needs to make from now on."

"Are all his results back?" Kurt said, reaching for his hand. Burt let him squeeze it.

"Yes, and everything looks good. He just needs to eat healthier and exercise a bit." He looked down at Burt. "And probably stay out of trouble, okay? Stay away from anything that might upset you or stress you. I know it's hard, but you don't need any extra strain on your heart."

Burt snorted. "Have you seen the news? How do you expect me not to get upset, ever?"

"Well, watch less news and more movies, maybe," Dr. Stemberg said, chuckling and patting Burt on the shoulder. "You'll be okay."

"Does this mean he gets to go home?" Kurt's voice was full of hope.

"Already signed off on his discharge," Doctor Stemberg said, and Burt turned to look at his son, who was grinning so wide he was shocked his face didn't crack. "I'll ask one of the nurses to bring you a detailed diet before you leave." He turned back to Burt. "You're free to go, Mr. Hummel. Just take care of yourself."

"Thank you," Kurt said, shaking the doctor's hand. "Thank you so much for everything."

"My pleasure," Doctor Stemberg said, and with a nod, he left them alone.

With a squeal of delight, Kurt leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. The smile on his face was so bright, Burt almost had to close his eyes for a second to keep it from blinding him. It had been a long, long time since he'd seen his boy like this – it was so wonderful to have him back.

"This is such great news!" Kurt exclaimed. "What do you think? Are you ready to get out of here?"

"I was ready the moment I woke up, kiddo," Burt groaned. He watched him as Kurt stood up and began packing. "You okay?"

Kurt glanced at him, curiously. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know," Burt shrugged. "There's something different about you."

"It's just..." Kurt stopped halfway through folding a shirt and looked dreamily at the window, at the bunches of flowers sitting there. "Life's kind of wonderful, isn't it?"

Oh, so his son was in love then.

Burt wanted to say he was surprised, but he wasn't, not really.

Burt had been ready to flee from the hospital as soon as the doctor walked out of his room, but there was no rushing Kurt. He fetched one of the nurses and had her explain all his dietary restrictions, asking her a million questions that Burt knew were unnecessary. Why the hell Kurt needed to make sure it was okay for him to eat kale was something he would never, ever understand. It went in a salad, didn't it? That meant it had to be healthy.

But what he did understand was Kurt's need to know everything, to make sure he had all the information he could ever possibly need. Kurt was careful and analitic, and Burt knew it made him anxious to deal with new things, especially when they were unexpected.

"Oh, I forgot to ask her about brussel sprouts..." Kurt murmured, eyes trained on the list in his hand, when the nurse had left. He made as if to follow her.

"Kurt, come on," Burt said. "Let the poor woman do her job. We don't need to ask her about every single damn thing. I'm sure we can figure it out on our own."

Kurt frowned, looking like he wanted to protest, but in the end he just put the list carefully into his bag. "It's okay. I can probably get a few books, do some research. There are many vegan substitutes we can try, as well."

Burt did his best not to groan, but a little sound did escape his lips. God, he would be eating bacon-flavored rubber soon, and he was not looking forward to it. "That sounds great," he said, and hoped it didn't sound too sarcastic.

Kurt must have seen right through him, though, because he simply rolled his eyes in fond exasperation. "I see I'm going to have my work cut out for me." He looked around the room, checking they weren't forgetting anything. "Alright! We're ready to go. Let me just run to Cooper's room quickly to let them know we're leaving."

Burt waved him away as he nodded. When he was alone, he stood up and took a little walk around his room. He had been lying still for too long. He knew he would be getting tired often and soon, but he was determined to do everything in his power as to not be a burden on his son.

Five minutes went by, and then ten minutes, and Burt began to wonder where Kurt had gone. He knew the Anderson brothers were just down the hallway, so he wasn't sure what the hold up was. He headed to the door, ready to go look for him, when it opened and Kurt came in, pushing a wheelchair with a man sitting in it, who could only be Cooper. Blaine was right behind them.

"Hey, sorry it took so long, had to find a wheelchair for Coop," Kurt said, smiling broadly. "They wanted to come by and see you out."

"We're so happy that you're back on your feet, Mr. Hummel," Blaine said, dashing smile on his face. "This is my brother, Cooper."

Cooper smiled and offered his hand. Burt took it and shook it gently – the poor man looked like he could get knocked over by a strong wind. It was difficult to imagine he was only a few years older than his Kurt – the illness made him look so much older. His skin had no shine, and his eyes were sunken on his thin face. He was wearing a baseball cap, and Burt knew from experience that it did not do much to hide the baldness.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hummel," he said politely. "Thank you for letting us borrow Kurt. We're very fond of him."

"Nice to meet you, too," Burt said, nodding down at him, and smiled. "My son tends to have that effect on people."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "I can point out a lot of people who think I'm a bit of a bitch."

"Well, none of them are in this room," Cooper replied, looking up at him. "Here we all think you're amazing."

Blaine's eyes were bright and full of love as he looked at Kurt and nodded his agreement. Burt had to glance away, feeling like he was witnessing something not meant for him. It was incredible, how quickly these boys had fallen for each other.

Burt turned to look at Cooper again, and found him looking back at him. There was a special spark there, an excitement that seemed out of place in someone who looked so entirely tired and weak. It didn't take long for Burt to realize this man loved his brother in the same way he loved Kurt – fiercely, endlessly. If Kurt was happy, then Burt was happy. And it seemed like it was the same thing with these two boys: if Blaine was happy, Cooper was happy.

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of each other," Cooper commented, his smile turning soft and hopeful. "This is great. It's usually only Blaine and I for the holidays..."

"Cooper," Blaine tried to chastise his brother, glancing at Burt and quickly away, clearly embarrassed. "It's June. Can you not plan so far ahead?"

"Kurt and I are also alone for the holidays every year," Burt said, enjoying the way Kurt and Blaine began to blush when he joined Cooper's early planning. "There's plenty of room at my house for more guests."

Kurt covered his face with his hand, but he was laughing. "These two are going to drive us crazy."

Cooper quirked an eyebrow at them, "Hey, we've suffered a lot to make this," he pointed between Kurt and Blaine, "happen. Heart attacks and cancer, all to get the two of you to meet. You both better let us have some fun."

Burt watched as Kurt rolled his eyes fondly, and leaned down to press a kiss to Cooper's cheek. Kurt had never been a touchy-feely guy – he would express his love in other ways, but had always been uncomfortable touching people or letting himself be touched. For a long time, only Burt was allowed to hold him. But now... it looked so easy for him, to be affectionate with these two men, and the tenderness on his face as he looked at Cooper almost made Burt's heart stop.

"I don't know about Blaine, but I personally owe you a lot," he said, two pairs of blue eyes finding each other. "You're basically my favorite person in the universe."

Cooper grinned and then looked up at his brother and stuck his tongue out. "Did you hear that? I'm his favorite. Jealous?"

"Not in the least," Blaine assured him calmly, in a manner that showed he was more than used to his brother's antics. "You're my favorite, too, so I guess we can share."

"Sharing is nice," Cooper said, leaning back in his chair, visibly satisfied.

They finally made their way out of the room, Blaine insisting on carrying Burt's bag since Kurt was still pushing the wheelchair. They tried to convince Burt to make the way out on a wheelchair, too, but Burt Hummel was a proud man – he would walk himself out of this damn place, hopefully to never walk back in again.

It was a bit surreal, crossing the main doors out into the real world. Manhattan stretched before them, looking bigger than the last time Burt had seen it, crowded and noisy and all the things that made Kurt love this city, something Burt often didn't understand. He just knew New York City allowed his son to be free, and that was enough for him. He could love this city, too, for the way it had become a home away from home for Kurt.

Blaine put his bag down on Cooper's lap for him to hold while he flagged down a cab. He was a gentleman, although Burt wondered how much was real and how much it was him trying to impress the father of the man he was dating. The earnestness, the openess told him it was not a facade. This was Blaine Anderson in the flesh, compact yet impressive.

A cab pulled up to the curb soon enough, and Blaine opened the back door.

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you boys, soon," Burt said. He clasped a hand on Cooper's shoulder. "You take care, okay?"

"I will. You too, Mr. Hummel," Cooper replied, smiling at him.

"Same goes for you," Burt said, his hand now falling on Blaine's shoulder. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Uhm yes, thank you, Mr. Hummel," Blaine said, his eyes a little wide, like he wasn't expecting Burt to do something as simple as pat his shoulder.

"Come on, Dad, I'll help you into the car," Kurt said, and though Burt protested, he did just that.

He closed the door once Burt was seated, and Burt rolled the window down a bit as Kurt turned back to the other two to grab the bag from Cooper.

"I'll be back to see you as soon as I can, okay?" He promised. "I'll bring you more muffins."

Cooper smiled up at him, and reached to grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just take care of your dad, Kurt. We'll be okay."

Kurt squeezed back and then turned to Blaine, moving in for a quick, rather chaste peck on the lips, though he seemed to want to linger, if the way he pulled away, as if in slow motion, was any indication. Their eyes were wide and bright as they parted, and they both ignored Cooper's joyful whoop.

They didn't say goodbye – they didn't need to. Kurt gave him one last grin and went around the car to open the back door and sit next to his father.

Cooper and Blaine stayed there, right on the curb, waving at them until the cab turned around a corner, and they couldn't see them anymore.

Kurt's apartment looked a lot different from the last time Burt had been there. The furniture wasn't the only change – it was the obvious lack of Nick, too. The pictures of the two of them together, the extra coat hanging in the coat rack, all of it was gone. After seeing Kurt with Blaine, he had quickly forgotten the other man had even existed, even though a week ago or so, he had been a permanent fixture in Kurt's life.

So much had changed in so little time. He hoped it was all for the better.

It was a little past noon by the time they arrived, so Kurt made him park on the new couch, a blanket thrown over his legs, while he went into the kitchen to get some lunch going. The television was gone – the space right in front of the couch was only a naked wall. It made Burt's blood boil. What kind of human being takes everything away from a person who is going through a near tragedy?

Suddenly, he was glad Nick was gone.

Kurt returned after a little while and helped him settle at the new kitchen table, where a plate with the tiniest piece of meat Burt had ever seen was waiting for him. He almost had to dig under all the green leaves to find it.

He looked up at Kurt, nonplussed.

Kurt took the seat across from him, his own plate looking pretty much the same. "What?" He asked.

"Do I look like a rabbit?" Burt blurted out before he could stop himself.

"No, you look like the father I would like to keep around for a few more years," Kurt replied, as he grabbed his cutlery and started eating very neatly, clearly not impressed with him. "So let's not turn your first meal out of the hospital into a little battle, alright?"

Burt sighed and began to eat.

Although he hated to admit it, Burt was in desperate need of a nap after lunch. He felt like a child, but also knew he was still recovering, and that the sooner he regained his strength, the sooner he would be allowed to go back to Ohio.

Kurt insisted on him taking the bed, and no matter how much Burt argued, his son won. They were both stubborn, but Kurt was younger and willing to hold the argument for as long as it was needed. He had taught him well.

When he woke up and slowly shuffled out of the bedroom, he found Kurt working in his tiny office, pinning a dress to a mannequin, folding the fabric so it would fall just right. It was always fascinating to watch him as he worked – he was accurate and focused, obviously passionate and dedicated. He leaned against the doorway for a bit, until Kurt looked up to check something on a sketch and found him there.

"Hey! Good nap?" He asked with a little smile. Burt grunted something that sounded like an affirmative reply. "I was about to take a break and make some tea. Would you like some?"

"Sure," Burt agreed, and followed him into the kitchen, where Kurt immediately forced him to sit.

Kurt filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove. "I was thinking that I need to do a grocery run, probably tomorrow. I haven't been home much in the past couple of weeks, so we're running out of everything. Is there anything in particular you would like me to get for you?"

"Am I allowed to say bacon?" Burt said, instantly earning a deadly stare from his son. He raised his hands as if to protect himself from it. "Whatever you deem appropriate, Kurt. I don't mind."

"I'll probably stop by the hospital to see Cooper and Blaine, too," Kurt commented, as he reached for a couple of mugs from the cabinet. "It's stupid, because I've been with them almost constantly lately, but I never even realized I had to ask Blaine for his number."

"You didn't exchange phone numbers?" Burt said, a little surprised. "Well, that's easily fixed. Of course you should stop by to see them." He watched as Kurt put tea bags into the mugs, and then added: "You and Blaine sure got awfully close."

Kurt turned around to face him, leaning against the edge of the counter. "I..." He paused, as if at a loss for words. He shook his head slightly. "I honestly don't even know how this happened. My life is not what it was just a handful of days ago."

"It certainly isn't," Burt muttered. The kettle began to whistle, so Kurt poured the water and joined Burt at the table with the mugs. "You really like him, don't you?"

Kurt busied himself adding sugar to his tea, stirring for a moment. He was bashful, youthful in a way he hadn't been when he was a teenager, when people in school kept telling him he was wrong, that he wasn't worthy of love and acceptance. He hadn't been able to experience love, to have the romance he craved, while he watched all his classmates pair up, go to prom, slow dance. He had stood at the sideways, watched it all happen, and waited as patiently as he could.

Burt knew Kurt had dated more than he had ever told him about. Burt had only heard about the serious boyfriends, like Nick. But he knew the heartbreaks and the disappointments were more numerous than he would have liked. No one had loved Kurt the way he deserved. Maybe Blaine would be the exception.

"I really do," Kurt finally whispered into his tea. His gaze rose up to meet Burt's across the table, expectant, hopeful. "He's... god, sometimes I look at him and I can't believe he's real."

"He's quite charming, isn't he?" Burt chuckled. The man seemed to have dropped out of a romance novel, the kind Lizzie always sighed dreamily about and made him jealous – what kind of fictional character did he have to become to make his wife sigh like that? But Lizzie always cupped his face and kissed his forehead and told him she didn't need a prince charming, because she had a handsome mechanic instead, and that never failed to make him fall in love with her all over again.

"He really is," Kurt said, and leaning across the table a bit, clearly eager to let out some of his thoughts and feelings, told him all about their date, about how easily they had connected, how much they had in common.

It painted a very clear picture to Burt, but it didn't mean it wasn't unusual – the way they seemed to be falling for each other, so quickly, so absolutely... Burt had never heard of anything like it. It was straight out of a movie, a perfect screenplay with carefully planned obstacles that had been sorted while pushing the main characters together into unavoidable love.

It scared Burt, if he had to be honest. It scared the living shit out of him. He knew his boy. He knew how he gave himself so completely when he thought it was worth it, he knew how hard his heart could crack. If Blaine dropped it, it wouldn't be the first time. It had been cracked and carefully patched before.

But Burt just wanted Kurt to be happy, to have what he had always wanted.

Why can't I walk hand in hand with the person that I love?

Sometimes he looked at Kurt and he still saw that sixteen year old kid who wanted to be brave and open, free and loved, and was constantly shoved aside for it.

And now, as he watched him sip his tea and recount his date with Blaine, he thought about how Blaine's eyes had glowed as he looked at his son. He thought of the gentle way he had held his hand, the quick but lingering kiss outside the hospital, the adoration as he watched Kurt interacting with his brother...

Maybe Blaine would be the person who would finally hold Kurt's hand the way he had deserved; the way Burt had always dreamed someone would.

I hope you liked it, and I'll see you all again on Thursday!

Love,

L.-