Something was wrong with Kurt.

Burt wasn't sure what had his son acting like a fool, but it was driving him crazy! For the past few days, the boy was almost useless at the shop, dropping things and continually burning himself at the forge. At first Burt thought he might be coming down with an illness, but he was eating normally and never seemed to run a fever. Then he suspected Kurt was upset. He had acted odd when his schoolmates used to be unkind to him, but when he bluntly asked if someone was picking on him, Kurt acted as if his father was raving like a lunatic.

"Trust me dad, everyone in this town feels the same way about me they always have. Nothing new there. Now, eat the vegetable soup I worked so hard on."

Burt was honestly stumped. Kurt was staring off in to space when he was meant to be writing figures in the book, sighing at random intervals, and disappearing for large amounts of time. He had always gone on long walks by himself, but Burt knew something else was going on. He knew his kid. Kurt was hiding something.

To be fair, Kurt was always hiding something, but Burt didn't want to force him to admit anything if he wasn't sure. He could hold out hope he was wrong and that Kurt wouldn't have an even more difficult life than he already seemed to have. However, he had seen the way his son looked at girls and he had seen the way he looked at boys. Burt Hummel may be dumb, but he wasn't stupid.

Maybe if he hadn't been distracted by his budding relationship with Carole, he might have noticed his son sharing lingering glances and meaningful smiles at one boy in particular. Unfortunately, he missed those signs completely including how blissful Kurt seemed to be after he would spent any time with his new best friend. In fact, if he hadn't been proposing to Carole at that very moment, he would have stumbled upon a very interesting scene indeed.

"Kurt..." Blaine whispered as the taller boy kissed up his neck, then bit along his jaw. He tightened his grip on Kurt's hips, earning a muffled groan from Kurt.

"What is it, dear?" Kurt mumbled into the sensitive skin of his neck, sending shivers throughout his body. Blaine swallowed hard and let his head fall back against the wall Kurt had him pinned against. Kurt followed his bobbing Adam's apple with his tongue.

"I... I just need a little break..." He squeaked out the end of his sentence from his place in the cage of Kurt's arms bracketed on either side of his body. Kurt sighed and lifted his head to meet Blaine's eyes. His eyes were darkened and hazy, making Blaine's knees feel weak. He smiled before gently kissing Blaine's lips.

"Are you tired of kissing me already?" Kurt pouted as he stroked Blaine's cheek with the tip of his nose. His warm breath tickled Blaine's ear and he held back a whimper.

"What? No! No, of course not! I just... uh, I'm starting to have a bit of a problem and... Um..." he stammered while blushing furiously.

Kurt stared at him for a moment before realization dawned and he backed away, also blushing. "Oh! Uh, sorry... I guess I got a little carried away."

They sat down on Kurt's sofa, Blaine a little more carefully then Kurt after having to adjust himself a bit. Kurt pretended not to notice as they got comfortable.

"So, where is your dad tonight?" Blaine asked, trying to get past the slightly awkward circumstances. Kurt smiled fondly at the thought of his dad, scrubbed clean and wearing his nicest clothes. He even gathered some flowers to take for his date with Carole.

Kurt threw out most of the flowers and picked a few more that made his arrangement look much nicer, of course.

"He is officially courting Mrs. Hudson now. Finally! I'm so happy for him. I mean, no one will ever be my mother, but I adore Carole and she makes dad happier than he's been in a long time."

Blaine nodded in agreement. "She is a very sweet lady. I'm happy for them. I hope I can get to that place you are with my father..."

He looked down at his hands in his lap, trying not to cry. Kurt reached over to place a comforting arm over Blaine's shoulders and press a kiss to his temple. He wasn't normally so tactile, but something about Blaine just brought it out in him, especially when he was sad.

"Hey, it's okay. Don't try to rush it, Blaine. You know, mom died when I was eight, so I've had almost ten years to grieve. I still get sad sometimes, but it's not as heavy an ache. You just lost your father earlier this year, so it's still very fresh. Let yourself feel it."

Blaine nodded and took comfort in Kurt's strong arms. He leaned into his chest, allowing Kurt to squish him a little. He enjoyed being held like this. It had been so long.

"Have you gotten a chance to talk to your dad?" Blaine asked in attempt to change the subject. He wasn't ready to become a sobbing, snotty mess all over Kurt just yet.

"What about?" Kurt replied, still holding Blaine to his chest with his head resting on top of the shorter boy's. Blaine drug a finger through the soft hair on Kurt's arm.

"About you not wanting to be a blacksmith. About going to New York to be an actor?"

Blaine felt Kurt tense against him, but still holding him close.

"No."

"Why?"

Kurt sighed. "Blaine... You know I can't."

Blaine pulled away just enough so that he could look in Kurt's eyes. He grabbed his hands when they fell from around his shoulders, face lit up with enthusiasm.

"Yes, you can! Just tell him!"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "It's not that easy-"

"Yes it is you just say, 'Dad, I don't want to be a blacksmith-'"

"Blaine..."

"'I would rather go to New York and try my luck at being a performer!' See, easy!"

Kurt pulled his hands away and wrapped his arms around himself. "I can't, Blaine." He seemed to find a smudge on the wall very interesting. "I... He's so happy right now and I can't be the reason he's not."

Blaine rested his chin on his hand as he leaned his elbow on the back of the sofa and wished Kurt would look at him again.

"You don't think it would make him unhappy to know you were miserable? If he only knew, I bet he would want you to follow your dreams. I know my father would."

Kurt finally looked at him, his eyes a little wet. Blaine leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on the tip of his nose.

"I'll think about it, okay? I just need some time."

Blaine nodded before noticing the time on the grandfather clock across the room. "Oh, goodness! I need to be getting home. I've barely convinced mother that I don't need to wear a bell around my neck to keep from getting lost. She would pass out if I wasn't home before dark."

Kurt hummed into the kiss Blaine gave him and pressed his lips against Blaine's a little longer. He had never kissed a boy before, but this was one of the most wonderful feelings in the world. He felt himself becoming addicted to the feeling, wanting it more and more until it swallowed him whole. He had always been more shy and timid, especially since he had to keep his affections a secret, but Blaine just brought out something in him. They pulled back, staring softly into each other's eyes.

"When are you going to sing for me?" Blaine asked quietly and got a coy shrug in response.

"Whenever you want. I would rather not do it in front of the townspeople, though. They have made it abundantly clear that they think I'm a freak."

Blaine shook his head before pulling Kurt up off the sofa with him. "You are most definitely not a freak, Kurt. Prejudice is just ignorance. They will see someday."

Kurt hugged Blaine tightly. He didn't understand how someone so wonderful could be his, but he was so glad they had found each other. After a few more sweet kisses and another embrace, Blaine headed home.

For the rest of the afternoon and evening, Kurt busied himself with cleaning and straightening around the house that he normally did on their off days. He was just sweeping the kitchen when his dad walked through the door, a goofy expression on his face. Kurt wondered if that's how he looked around Blaine and hoped fervently he hid it better than his dad.

"Did you have a nice time?" asked Kurt.

Burt smiled and patted his son heartily on the shoulder. Kurt winced as he playfully shoved Burt away. "Why, yes I did. Carole is a wonderful woman."

Kurt smirked at his father as he continued his sweeping. "I agree. I like her a lot."

Burt stared at his son for a few moments. "You really do? You like her?"

Kurt paused his task at the seriousness in his father's voice. He looked him in the eye before saying, "Yes, Dad. I really do like her. And I love how happy you are nowadays," just as serious at Burt had been.

"You know how much I loved your mother," Burt said quietly. Kurt set the broom in the corner before sitting with his father at the small kitchen table. It wobbled because one leg was shorter than the other three, but they didn't really care. They were both fantastic blacksmiths, but shit carpenters. "And you know that no one, even someone as wonderful as Carole, could replace her?" he continued.

Kurt nodded, his throat getting a lump just thinking about how much they both loved her and how devastated they were when she had died. "Dad, are you trying to tell me something?"

Burt looked down at a deep gouge on the table surface where Kurt had dropped the cast iron skillet when he was nine after cooking his first meal all on his own. Burt could shoe a horse in record time, but he was also shit at cooking. Thankfully Kurt was not.

Burt grunted his, I'm-trying-to-communicate-but-I'm-terrible-at-it grunt. "I'm trying to make sure you are alright with this. Me courting Carole," Burt said clumsily.

Kurt tried to give his dad a break. He reached across the table and rested his hand on top of Burt's. "Of course, Dad. Please don't hold back anything on my account."

Burt beamed and patted the hand his son had laid on top of his other one.

"In that case, we are going to have dinner here tomorrow evening! You, me, Carole, and Finn! Oh, and he is bringing Rachel as well." Kurt had to fight hard not to roll his eyes at the mention of her name. The way she had been making obnoxious eyes at Blaine made him want to push her off the nearest cliff. He had no doubts she was in love with Finn, but she enjoyed getting attention in any way she could. Instead, Kurt pasted on a smile and stood to resume his sweeping.

"That sounds good, dad. I can pick up some things to cook beef stew tomorrow afternoon."

Burt stood as well and began to head off to his bedroom. "Okay. Hey, since Finn is bringing his friend, why don't you bring that Blaine boy?"

Kurt froze, glad his back was to Burt so he couldn't see the face he made.

"You two seem to be close and I haven't really gotten the chance to get to know him."

Kurt swiveled around to face his father. "Why, certainly! I'm sure he won't mind!" Kurt waited for Burt to close his bedroom door before he smacked himself repeatedly in the face with the broomstick.

What the hell was he going to do?

"Your dad wants me to come to dinner?" Blaine exclaimed across the table at Kurt as they ate breakfast in the cafe the next morning.

"Shh! Can you stop yelling please?"

Blaine slumped down and dug his hands into his hair with his elbows resting on the table. He looked worried.

"Sorry. I just don't get why he wants me to come to dinner. Does he suspect us? No one can find out, Kurt!"

The young blacksmith leaned over the table and patted Blaine's arm. "Hey, don't worry. He just said that he wanted to get to know you more since we've become good friends. No one's going to find out." Kurt scooted his seat away from the table. "Just stay calm and come have dinner with us. I'm going to go settle the bill and you get a grip on yourself, okay?"

Blaine nodded as he watched Kurt walk away before forcing his eyes away from the retreating form. His mind was racing. What if Mr. Hummel knew? Blaine had always been told that his thoughts were plain on his face for anyone to see. If he went to this dinner, Burt would undoubtedly see the affection he had for Kurt by the way he looked at him. So, maybe he wouldn't look at Kurt at all? No, that was stupid! He couldn't go the whole evening without looking at Kurt. That would be suspicious.

Plus, he wanted to look at Kurt.

Blaine could hear the conversation at the table next to his as they discussed another train getting robbed by the infamous Crawford Gang. This was the third time this month they had struck and gotten away.

"It must have been because they were wearing those black scarves that disguise 'em." One man said to the other. "No one can get a good description!"

That was it! Blaine needed a disguise! Not like a scarf or a mask, just a different persona! Cooper did things like this all the time when he wanted to get into discreet clubs or women's under things. He would just be distant to Kurt and try to treat him like a brother or something. It was foolproof! Blaine smiled as he smacked a fist into his other palm.

"What's got you so happy all the sudden?" Kurt asked as he rejoined Blaine at the table.

"I have a fantastic idea!" Blaine said as he began to walk Kurt to the blacksmith shop.

"What?" Kurt replied. Blaine practically hopped beside him in glee.

"I'm going to act differently to you tonight at dinner! I will just act the opposite of how I normally act and your dad won't suspect a thing!"

"Um, are you sure that's a good-"

"Think of it as a disguise! We will know the secret and he will be none the wiser."

Kurt sighed. The way Blaine was grinning at his own cleverness made it impossible to say no to him. He was staring up at him with his big, hazel eyes, just waiting for Kurt's reply.

"That's... Okay, sure. Do that."

Blaine grinned impossibly wider and reached forward to smack a kiss onto Kurt's cheek before remembering where they were. He settled for awkwardly rubbing his shoulder. Kurt smiled back at him, a blush settling on his cheeks as he waved goodbye.

"Have fun at the Evans'! Be careful with those soft hands of yours." He winked before swaying away towards the entrance of the shop.

"Hey! My hands aren't that soft!" he yelled after him, but Kurt didn't turn around. Blaine sighed, sure a dopey grin was on his face and then scolded himself. This was exactly what he could NOT do tonight! He would have to practice around Sam today.

Pam gave her son a proud smile as she walked into his room. He was fastening a bow tie around his throat and frowning at himself in the mirror.

"You look quite handsome, son."

Blaine startled as if he hadn't known she was there until that very moment.

"Thank you, mother. I try."

Pam's eyes welled up at how much Blaine reminded her of Jonathan sometimes. She swallowed back her tears as she dusted non-existent lint off the shoulder of his dinner jacket from where it lay on Blaine's bed.

"You would think you were going out to court some lucky lady with how nicely you're dressed."

Blaine laughed nervously, his face going a little pale. He got nervous like that sometimes around large gatherings. "No, just dinner with the Hummels and the Hudsons. A friendly dinner. For friends," Blaine said a bit awkwardly. Pam helped him put his jacket on, smoothing his lapels down until they were just right.

"Well, they seem like very nice people. I met Carole in town the other day. I like her. I especially love that Kurt. He's been such a good friend to you and I know you are in good hands anytime you are with him."

Blaine's eyes widened and coughed nervously. "Oh yes, he's the best. Anyway, I ought to be going now so I'm not late."

He kissed Pam's cheek before grabbing the freshly baked loaf of bread he made himself (he didn't want to expose the Hudson's or the Hummel's to his mother's cooking if it was unnecessary.)

The walk to Kurt's house was laden with anxiety. Blaine gave himself a pep talk along the way. Thankfully he didn't get lost as much anymore since he was starting to find his way now. He had been practicing his casual persona all day on Sam.

He stopped when Sam asked him if he was feeling okay.

One look at Kurt once he opened the door melted all his worries away and he had to suppress the urge he felt to kiss the daylights out of the boy.

"You're right on time!" Kurt exclaimed as he squashed his inclination to leap into Blaine's arms. His eyes were extra blue with excitement and he had put on some of his nicer clothes. "And you've brought bread!" Blaine grinned at the beautiful boy and offered it to him.

"Yes, and I promise mother didn't make it."

Kurt mimed wiping sweat off his brow. "Good. You know I adore your mother, but dad almost broke a tooth on those muffins she gave me."

Blaine laughed along with Kurt as they entered the kitchen. "You look enchanting tonight," he whispered quietly. "As always."

Kurt blushed at the sincerity in Blaine's sparkling eyes and the way he kissed the back of his knuckles gently. "Thank you. You look quite dashing as well."

Blaine blushed a pretty pink and ducked his head in embarrassment. Kurt was about to lean in for a kiss when he heard his dad letting Carole, Finn, and Rachel in. They jerked away from each other, Kurt scurrying over to the stove to stir the stew and Blaine plopping down at the kitchen table. Blaine traced a chip in the table's surface as the others came in. After everyone greeted each other, they all sat down at the table. Blaine knew now was the time to put his plan into action.

"Blaine, why don't you sit here by Carole and across from me?" Kurt said as he guided Blaine to his seat.

"Oh, good! I was hoping I wouldn't have to sit beside you!"

Kurt gave him a warning look while Burt raised an eyebrow.

Blaine made a face. "He smells sometimes," he whispered loudly to Carole who laughed nervously. She wasn't really sure if he was joking, but she figured it was a teenage boy thing.

"Blaine! I do not smell!" Kurt said in indignation. Blaine waved him away as they all settled down, Rachel on the other side of Blaine. Kurt definitely didn't plan that.

"Oh, Kurt! Don't be so sensitive! It was just a joke!" Blaine teased. Kurt rolled his eyes as he finished laying out all the food on the table.

"So, Blaine," Rachel simpered as she batted her eyelashes. Finn had been way to interested in Quinn Fabray lately and she wanted to try to make him jealous. "Have you met any interesting ladies in town?"

"Oh, yes," he exclaimed. "There's Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Pillsbury, of course, and I also got to meet Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Evans-"

"I meant ladies our age?" Rachel interrupted. Finn was focused on practically inhaling the food around him.

Blaine stroked his chin in thought while Kurt tried not to smile at how adorable he was when he was thinking. He knew exactly what Rachel was doing, but unfortunately for her, she was unaware of just how oblivious Blaine could be.

"Well, there is Mercedes. She's nice. Ms. Lopez and Ms. Pierce are older than me, but they are definitely interesting..."

"You are way too charming to not have your eye on someone here in town," she hinted while stroking his arm.

Blaine jumped at the contact and peered at his sleeve."Is there something on my jacket? Oh no! It's not a bug, is it?"

Kurt snorted at Rachel's incredulous look. Blaine smacked at his arm as Finn took another helping of stew and bread.

"We actually wanted to speak to you about something-" Carole interjected, but was overtopped by Rachel.

"Kurt! Have you been rude and taking up all of Blaine's time with silly boy things?" She giggled while twirling one of his curls around her finger.

Kurt bit back a retort about just what he had been doing with Blaine's time. Blaine's face drained of color and he coughed nervously.

"Of course he hasn't! Why would he do that?"

Everyone around the table paused to stare at Blaine's panicked face. Kurt decided a distraction was in order.

"Blaine, can you pass the salt?"

Blaine finally recovered and fixed a cool smile on his face.

"Can't you get it yourself with those long arms?"

Burt's eyebrows furrowed while Kurt just sighed at this awful plan. Rachel continued to play in Blaine's curls, but he ignored her. Girls were always playing with his hair. Finn finally pulled his face out of his bowl long enough to notice her hands on another boy and he frowned.

"Hey! Look, the salt is the same colour as you Kurt!" Blaine said with a smirk.

"Really, Blaine?" Kurt huffed.

"Hey, why are you all over him?" Finn asked Rachel.

"Are you two fighting or something?" Burt asked his son who rolled his eyes.

"No, he is just being a prat," he answered, throwing Blaine a withering look. Blaine glared at him while squirming out of Rachel's embrace.

"Excuse me!" Blaine said.

"Oh, Blaine! You're very strong!" Rachel said.

"We have news..." Carole started again.

"Hey! Rachel and I are courting! What are you trying to do here?" Finn yelled as he stood.

"The only thing I'm trying to do," Blaine said struggling. "Is to detach her from my arm! Why are you hanging on me?"

Kurt put his face in his hands, giving up completely.

"Well, it seems to me you are taking advantage of Rachel!" Finn said heatedly.

Blaine blinked at him before he burst into laughter until tears sprang from his eyes. Rachel finally slumped back into her own chair with crossed arms.

"You- you think," he asked as he was consumed by another fit of laughter. "That I'm trying to be scandalous with Rachel?" He cackled again and the short brunette crossed her arms with a huff.

"It's not that funny," she pouted.

Kurt smiled into the palm of his hand at Blaine's beautiful laughter.

"I don't get the joke." Finn frowned.

Burt cleared his throat loudly and suddenly everyone was silent.

"I don't know what's gotten into all of you tonight, but Carole and I have something to tell you all and you're going to shut up and listen." He turned to her and gestured for her to go on. She gave him a grateful smile and glanced around the table at four pairs of eyes staring at her.

"Burt asked me to marry him and I said yes!" She squealed. The teenagers burst into congratulations, Kurt and Rachel more enthusiastic than Finn and Blaine (who was feeling decidedly more and more out of place.)

They celebrated with some blackberry wine they had saved with Kurt serving everyone gracefully. Blaine knew he should be trying to act distant, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the sway of his hips and the excited sparkle in his eyes. Rachel had finally gotten her way with Finn and they sat together in front of the fire (in full view of Burt and Carole, of course) talking sweetly and quietly. Carole told the story of how Burt proposed and Blaine certainly did not fantasize about how he would propose to a certain beautiful, blue-eyed boy. Kurt was distracted most of the evening with his father's news, but he did spare Blaine a few glances, seemingly forgiving him for being such an idiot over dinner if the way he smiled was any indication.

Once the Hudson's had left for the night and taken Rachel with them, Kurt walked Blaine out and he knew for a fact he was forgiven. Well, if the way Kurt pushed him into a shadowy corner of their porch, buried his fingers into Blaine's shoulders, and kissed him breathless was any indication, he wasn't mad.

"I'm still mad at you," Kurt said as he trailed small kisses along Blaine's jaw and neck. Blaine swallowed and hummed in response. "You were being a real ass."

"Mhm. Definitely an ass. Kiss me?"

Kurt obliged, sealing his lips over Blaine's. They kissed for a little while longer until they heard dishes clattering around inside and were reminded they weren't alone. The boys pulled away from each other reluctantly, shy smiles on their swollen lips.

"I'm sorry if I said anything to hurt your feelings. The plan worked out great in my head..." Blaine said as he rubbed his arm.

Kurt shrugged. "You didn't hurt my feelings, but dad thinks you were drunk."

Blaine's eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open. "Oh no! Do you think he will decide I'm a horrid influence and forbid you from seeing me? Or what if he tells my mother and she makes me go to confession? Or what if-"

Kurt silenced the panicking boy with a finger to his lips and smiled softly. "That's not going to happen. I'll talk to him and just explain you were nervous. He will understand."

"You're sure?" asked Blaine.

Kurt nodded and gently kissed him one last time. "Yes, it will be fine. Now, you're sure you can get home okay?"

It was Blaine's turn to nod, a smug grin sliding onto his face. "Of course. I got here all alone didn't I?"

They waved goodbye and Blaine only embarrassed himself once more as he tripped over a rock walking backwards away from Kurt's home. Kurt stifled a giggle at Blaine's expense, sighed, and then went into the house to face the music.

He found his father puttering around at the sink, washing the dishes. He didn't turn around as Kurt plucked up a towel and began drying the stack of wet plates.

"So that was an interesting dinner," said Burt carefully as he fished another plate out of the sudsy water. Kurt hummed in response, trying to figure out how to explain Blaine's erratic behavior best. He was thinking about blaming it on being kicked in the head by a horse, but he wasn't sure his dad would buy it.

Burt had pretty much had it. There was something going on for sure now and he knew it had something to do with that Blaine kid. He had a few ideas, but he really wanted Kurt to tell him on his own. However, if Kurt was being hurt in some way, he was going to have to push a little.

"Alright," Burt said as he handed Kurt a clean plate. "I'm just going to ask. Is Blaine picking on you?"

Kurt was so deeply immersed in his thoughts that when he finally registered what his dad had said, it struck him as funny. He began to laugh, almost as hard as Blaine had done at dinner, but Burt didn't seem to see the humor. He swiped the drying towel from his cackling son and wiped off his hands with a frown.

"I'm serious, Kurt. He was being very rude to you tonight and honestly, I don't know him all that well. Then there's the thing with Rachel... Would you stop laughing?"

Kurt was bent over in half while clutching at the counter top for support. "I'm... I'm sorry," he said as he wiped at his eyes and attempted to regain control of himself. Burt just stared hard with his arms crossed and hip leaned against the counter. "Dad, I promise Blaine isn't hurting me. He's my best friend and he... well, he just got nervous tonight. You can be a little intimidating, you know."

Burt raised an eyebrow at this. He was still not telling him everything. "Why would he be intimidated? And why have you been acting odd lately? Don't you dare lie to me, Kurt. I know my own kid and something has been going on with you."

"Dad, I'm fine okay? Just drop it."

"No, I will not. I'm worried about you and I won't 'drop it' until you tell me what's going on."

"Dad..."

"Kurt."

Suddenly, his vision was blurry and his throat was tight and he trembled with rage and misery and despair. He wrapped his arms around himself tight, a sob breaking through. His dad guided him to the table and handed him the dish cloth so he could wipe off the fat tears rolling freely down his face.

"I, I, I'm fine," Kurt wailed into the dish cloth.

Burt was seconds from finding his shot gun and going out to find whoever was making Kurt this upset. His boy had been through enough in his young life and he deserved to be happy for once.

"You are not fine. Now, who is doing this to you?"

"You are!" Kurt screamed suddenly and Burt leaned back as if Kurt had slapped him. It was as if a dam broke and Kurt couldn't stop the torrent of everything he had been feeling for years from gushing out.

"I don't want to be a blacksmith! I'm only doing it because it makes you happy and I want to make you happy and proud of me! But I don't want it, not really! I want to go to New York and I want to try and make it there as a singer and an actor! And even if I fail, I want that option! God, I just hate it here! Everyone in this fucking town hates me and they look at me like I'm a cockroach just because of who I am and things I have no control over! And boy, if only they knew the whole truth! You're worried about Blaine hurting me? He's doing the exact opposite. He's..." Kurt's expression became soft and his tears finally slacked off somewhat. Fear crept across his face as he looked his dad in the eye for a few beats, then a fierce look overtaking the fear. "I love Blaine. Not like a friend. I love him like I'm supposed to love girls. And I can't stop it either. I've tried, dad. I've tried so hard to be the son you want, but I can't... I tried... I'm sorry..." Kurt dissolved into tears once again, burying his face into the dishcloth just so he wouldn't have to see his father's face. He was too afraid.

In the silence that followed for what felt like an eternity, he heard a chair scrape as it was pushed back and footsteps. Kurt's heart sank at the thought that his father was walking away from him. He knew he wouldn't survive the rejection from his dad; it would be an irreplaceable hole in his heart. The sudden warm pressure on his shoulders came as a surprise to him and he pulled his red, blotchy face from the towel to meet Burt's eyes. He was crouched in front of him, burly arms over his son's shoulders and a determined look steeling his gaze.

"Buddy, I'm so sorry I never saw you were unhappy because of me. No, don't say anything, it's my turn to talk. You are right, I shouldn't have just assumed that's what you wanted and to think you were doing it all for me..." Burt's eyes welled up along with Kurt's at the amount of love Kurt had for him. His kid was definitely one in a million. "Kurt, I want you to be happy. But this town doesn't deserve you and if you want to go off and try your luck somewhere else, I'll miss you like crazy, but that would make me happy. You being happy. Do you understand that?" Kurt nodded, unable to speak for the time being. Burt sighed. "As for Blaine, he's weird, but I like him." Kurt gave a watery chuckle. Burt smiled. "I don't know much, but I know my job as a parent is to love you. I loved you the first day of your life, when you were nothing but a wrinkly pink thing. I loved you when you cried every day and night for weeks as a baby. We loved each other through your mother's illness and death, even when we felt like giving up. I loved you through your tantrums and our fights and I love you today, just as much. Do you understand that?"

Kurt was sobbing again, this time in relief at the tightness in his chest loosening and the words his father spoke searing permanently into his heart. He nodded and they fell into a tight embrace. Burt rocked his boy gently, just like he did when he was a baby and knew things were going to be better now. His greatest fear was losing Kurt and now he felt like he had just found him instead.

Thanks for reading another chapter! Let us know how you are liking the story in a review! -A and K