(9) I Won't Let Go

But When It Rains

Finn, Kurt, and Blaine sat in the backseat of Burt's truck, on their way back to the Hudmel household, almost there. Kurt had his head up against the window, watching the flashes of green pass him by as the rain rolled down the glass. The weather seemed to reflect the opposite of his mood. He was feeling optimistic. Hopeful, even.

He felt a hand grab an squeeze his own and turned to see Blaine who had a light, sweet smile on his face. "You're gonna be fine, you know that, right?"

Kurt returned the smile. "Yeah," He nodded. "I mean, if things can't really get any worse for me, they can only get better, right? Things can only go up from here."

"Right." Blaine comfortingly massaged the back of his hand.

They finally pulled into the Hudmel driveway where Burt put the gear into park. When they went inside, Blaine pulled Burt aside into the kitchen.

"Burt, can I talk to you?"

"Sure thing, kid."

They walked off into the kitchen. "You uh see..." He ran a hand through his hair and scratched the back of his head. "I uh... I was um wondering if um maybe um..." He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "If maybe I could ask Kurt out in a date..."

Burt laughed. "Of course you can!"

Blaine opened his eyes. "Yes..? Yes as in.."

"Yes you can take my son out on a date."

Blaine wrapped Burt in a hug. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Hummel!" and with that, he ran out into the living room, Burt smiling behind him.

XXX

Blaine sat down on the couch next to Kurt. Kurt immediately nuzzled his head into his shoulder. Blaine had never, ever felt his heart beating so fast. He'd never felt his hands shake this much. It was the worst feeling in the world. And the best. "Hey, uh, Kurt. Can we talk?"

"Sure."

"Well... Uh... I was wondering... If you wanted to go on a date with me?"

Kurt picked his head up from Blaine's shoulder. "Seriously?" He said with a smile on his face. Blaine smiled and nodded. "Yes... I would love to."

"Great. How's Saturday at two? Christmas break starts Friday, anyway. It's going to be a surprise, though..."

Kurt just nodded. He placed his head back on Blaine's shoulder and smiled.

Yep. Things were getting better.

XXX

Kurt walked inti the choir room and headed to take a seat in next to Rachel and Mercedes. Everyone was whispering in hushed tones. Kurt only heard bits and pieces of their conversation.

"How can they even let him back here!"

"I don't know! But someone needs to keep my white boy safe."

"Isn't there some kind of rule that should expel him or something?"

"Probably not, but there should be..."

"This isn't fair..."

He sat down next to them and searched through his bag for the latest sheet music handed them by Mr. Shue. "What are you guys talking about?"

They turned to him and Rachel but her lip. "Kurt... There's something important you need to know."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Ok."

The New Directions all exchanged weary glances. They were all thinking the same thing. What if this sent him over the edge? Quinn was the one who finally answered him. "Karofsky's back."

Kurt's hearing went muffled. Details didn't matter. He was back. Memories of that fateful day kept flashing through his mind. All the screaming, the yelling, the pain. And especially the terror...

He didn't even remember how he got there, but the next thing he remembered was a blurred memory of driving down a familiar road, and then running into a familiar room full of boys in matching uniforms. The next clear memory was throwing his arms around Blaine, who walked him outside into the corridor and sat him down on a bench as he cried uncontrollably into his shoulder.

Neither of them spoke for hours. There was no need to. Blaine didn't need to know what was wrong. All he knew was that Kurt was hurting and he was there to hold him tight and try his best to protect him from any fears he had, even though he might not be able to.

After Kurt had stopped crying enough to take a good, deep, breath, he finally mustered up the will to speak. "He's back..." He whispered.

Blaine shut his eyes tight a he pulled Kurt closer. "Oh, god..."

Kurt buried his face into Blaine's chest. "I was so naïve to think that he wasn't coming back. How could I have been so stupid!"

Blaine shushed him. "It's not stupid. Hope is never stupid." Kurt picked himself up from Blaine's lap. "So what're you gonna do? You-you could always come and enroll here..."

Kurt shook his head. "Tuition's too steep. My dad's tire shop isn't THAT successful... And I don't want to run... If I run," He looked at Blaine's hazel eyes. "If I run, Blaine... That gives HIM the power. It means that HE'S the one who wins." He shook his head. "I'm not going to let that happen. I CAN'T let it happen."

Blaine nodded. "How about I drive you home?" He offered. "You uh... I don't think you should be driving right now."

Kurt smiled at him. "Thank you." He whispered as h wrapped him in a hug. "For everything."

XXX

Burt was pacing back and forth in his living room with Carole at the table and Finn twiddling his thumbs nervously on the couch. None of them had heard from Kurt since they broke the news about Karofsky being back to him. As soon as Quinn had told him, he started walking, then began to run out of the room, tears falling from his eyes.

"God, I hope he's alright..." Prayed Burt. "Jesus, Carole... What I he's out there? What if that-that monster found him when he ran out of the choir room!" He ran his hands over his cap nervously.

The front door suddenly opened to reveal Kurt and Blaine standing there in the doorway.

"Kurt!"

Burt ran towards his son and wrapped his arms around him, glad to see that he was safe. "Don't you dare ever, and I mean ever, scare me like that again! We were worried sick! I thought... I thought..."

"I'm sorry dad, it's just that... I heard the news and I kind of lost it."

Burt pulled away and put his hands on the side of Kurt's head. "It's ok... Just as long you're safe." Kurt nodded and pulled him back for another embrace. "Why don't you get some hot chocolate or something..." Kurt nodded again and went to the kitchen.

Burt turned to Blaine. "Thank you for bringing him home. And for everything you've done for him. Hell, most guys I know woulda been outta here a long time ago. You're a good kid, Blaine; You have a good heart."

"Thank you, Mr. Hummel-"

"Call me Burt."

"Burt... When uh, when does the trial start, by the way?"

Burt sighed. "Not till January... Still got about three weeks to go till he's put through even more hell." He shook his head and looked down at the ground. "I still can't believe that they let him back in there."

Blaine nodded. "Me neither..." They stood in an awkwardly comfortable silence for a few minutes before Blaine decided to follow Kurt in the kitchen.

He was at the stove, heating up some hot chocolate. "So, where are you taking me on friday?" asked Kurt.

Blaine looked at him incredulously. "You think you're up to it? I mean... You're ok?"

"I told you. I'm not going to let this control my life. I'm not going to let it stop me from doing the one thing I'm actually looking forward to... And that's going on our date on Friday... And by the way, I think it was really cute that you asked my dad for permission."

Blaine blushed and suddenly found his shoes very interesting. "Oh, um, yeah..."

Kurt laughed and waved Blaine over. "Here, have some cocoa and let's watch a movie."

"That sounds great."

They took their cups and sat down on the couch with Finn who was watching It's A Wonderful Life.

"It's It's A Wonderful Life," said Finn.

Kurt and Blaine looked into each others' eyes and smiled at each other. "Yeah," said Kurt. "It is..."

XXX

A/N: Blech! Why can't I refrain from cheesy endings? BTW, THEY RELEASED THE BOX SCENE! Hdjaownfkk hdkdkovkekcof jdosmxlldhfkso kfpelogotmsovjd kdjdlxnepkelx klsjdkdoedkdknc That is me expressing my happiness/ fangirlyness/ enthusiasm.

Guess what's up next! That's right, THEIR DATE! Reviews equal faster updates and more possibility of a Kliss ;) *Le wink wink*

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