Chapter 9- It All Comes Back to You
Over the next few days, word on Kurt's accident filtered around through the Glee club and their friends. Many people stopped by, with Finn, Carole, or Burt coming out into the waiting room to tell them the latest. Finn also fielded many phone calls and texts from well meaning friends. Finn even found time to have a mildly awkward, but probably needed, conversation with Rachel.
"So you and Kurt are dating?" Rachel asked.
"Kind of." Finn shrugged even though Rachel couldn't see him through the phone. "There's mutual feelings involved. He knows how I feel about him, I know how he feels about me, but most of the time he's there in New York and I'm here in Lima, you know."
"But you were just here," Rachel said. "And he's there right now."
"We had a good time when I was in New York," Finn said. "And this trip was mostly about Burt. It's just nice that I'm here too and not at a school somewhere else."
"You guys didn't stay at the loft the whole time when you were in New York; you didn't want to have to be careful around Santana and I," Rachel said.
"Sure, there was that," Finn replied. "But it was nice to not have to make the trip from Bushwick into Manhattan every day too."
"So you're…" Rachel trailed off.
"I'm in love with Kurt," Finn said. "That's really the only thing that matters." Finn knew she was waiting for him to put a label on himself but he didn't feel it was something he needed to do, at least not for Rachel Berry.
"As long as you're happy; both of you,"Rachel said. "And take care of each other."
"I know I am," Finn whispered. "And I will."
000
Burt and Finn both didn't want Kurt to wake up alone, so they had worked out a schedule where Burt and or Carole spent the majority of the day at the hospital and Finn spent the evenings and nights. Sleeping in the chair in Kurt's room was not the most comfortable but it made more sense for Finn to do it than for Burt or his mom. And when it was quiet and dark at night, Finn had time to think and he'd talk softly to Kurt or sing to him.
The day after the accident they casted Kurt's leg and his arm and then his leg and arm were propped up with pillows. The day after that they determined Kurt was breathing fine on his own and removed the ventilator. There was some slight response to stimulus but nothing spontaneous. But it still gave them hope. Every night, a nurse would come by and change the dressing on Kurt's head, and wash Kurt a little. She started to show Finn what to do and encouraged him to help.
"I'm kind of big and clumsy," Finn protested. "I'm afraid I might hurt him more."
"You won't," she promised. "Touch is just as important as speaking to him."
As the days passed, the bruises on Kurt's body started first to deepen and then to fade into a greenish yellow, and Finn was sure if Kurt had been awake, he would be moaning about how horrible he looked. As the bruises faded though, so did the marks Finn had left on Kurt the night before, and it made Finn feel alone and very separate from Kurt.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hudson," one of the evening nurses poked her head into Kurt's room.
Finn looked up from where he was sitting beside Kurt's bed, reading off emails and facebook messages from everyone.
"There's a young man in the waiting room that would like to see your brother but since he's not family we can't let him in. Would you like to come out and speak to him?" The nurse looked apologetic.
Finn nodded. "Sure." He squeezed Kurt's hand once, waiting, hoping for Kurt to squeeze back but he didn't. "I'll be right back, Kurt."
Finn followed the nurse to the waiting area and was immediately greeted with an armful of Blaine Anderson.
"Finn," he sniffled, "why won't they let me in to see Kurt?"
Finn gripped Blaine by the arms and led him towards a seat. "They're still keeping it to just family right now."
"I thought he was doing better?" Blaine questioned.
"They have determined that they managed to stop the bleed in his brain, and they were able to get his arm and leg casted, but he's still mostly unresponsive," Finn said.
Blaine turned large, wet eyes on Finn. "When do they expect him to wake up?"
"They're not sure," Finn said. "They said it's probably just his body protecting itself from all his injuries so once he starts to heal? It's only been a couple of days."
Blaine nodded, and swiped at his eyes.
"So listen, while you're here can you do me a favor?" Finn asked.
"Sure," Blaine said.
"I've been here most nights and mornings, letting Mom and Burt get some sleep and they take the day shift. But the nurses at night, they've been coming in to clean Kurt up a little, and you know how picky he is about his products. Could you go by the house and get his skin care stuff and then walk me through it? I think it would make Kurt really happy when he wakes up."
Blaine nodded, his eyes lit up like spotlights. "Yeah, I can do that."
"Thanks man," Finn said. He clapped Blaine on the shoulder and made his way back to Kurt's room.
When Blaine returned a couple of hours later, he had a bag full of Kurt's products for Finn plus a pizza and a couple of pops.
"I thought you might be hungry," Blaine said as he held up the box with the pizza.
Finn's eyes widened in appreciation. "I'm always hungry."
"This is a really nice thing you are doing for Kurt," Blaine said. "He's going to appreciate it. I wrote down the steps with the names of the products as they appear on the containers and the best way to apply each." Blaine thrust the bag at Finn. He opened the box of pizza and set it on a small table between them and then handed Finn a can of pop.
"I feel like it's the least I can do," Finn said between bites of pizza. "He's Kurt. I- I love him."
Blaine sighed wistfully. "You guys have always been so close."
"Yeah, but that's not exactly what I mean," Finn said, his voice barely louder than whisper. "I love him. I'm in love with him."
The expression on Blaine's face was one Finn didn't think he'd ever forget. He looked a mix between confused, sad and disgusted. Blaine narrowed his eyes into thin little slits, "You're in love with Kurt?"
Finn nodded as he took another bite of pizza. "There is something I should probably tell you. I know you and Kurt have been getting close again. You want to get back together with him, don't you?" The question was rhetorical; Finn could see it and Kurt himself had mentioned the same thing. "The thing is though, Kurt's not going to want to do another long distance relationship Blaine. So as long as you are here and he's in New York… that's always going to be an issue. And I don't know what your plans are for the fall, but…"
"New York, NYADA, with Kurt," Blaine interrupted him. "That's my plan for the fall. Plus it looks like Kurt will be here in town for the foreseeable future."
Finn nodded. "That's true. It's just- ." Finn exhaled loudly and ran his hands through his hair. "Things have kind of changed between Kurt and I in the last few months."
"Wait, the other night at the movie theatre… that some kind of weird twisted double date," Blaine simpered.
Finn nodded. "Kind of."
"Are you and Kurt suddenly boyfriends or something?" Blaine asked.
"No, no," Finn shook his head because things still felt very new between them. "It's just- it's the same thing I was trying to tell you. Kurt's hesitant to give anything between us a real shot because of the distance."
"Are you sure that's the only reason, Finn?" Blaine asked snidely. He stood up and glared at Finn. "Maybe he is just trying to let you down easy. After all you've broken his heart before."
Finn looked at Blaine for a moment, then he stood up, towering above the shorter teen and he chuckled darkly. "I'd say we're pretty evenly matched in that area, Blaine."
Blaine had the sense to appear sheepish for a moment. "Kurt and I, we're always going to have something. Our chemistry is undeniable."
"You never forget your first love, Blaine," Finn smirked, one eyebrow raised in defiance. "Kurt and I have chemistry too. And history- it's not all great and it's complicated, but it's ours and it's strong."
"So, what are you saying here, Finn?" Blaine asked. He took a couple of steps towards Finn, making Finn step back towards the wall. "Are you telling me you're gay now and you're going to fight me for Kurt? Because I think Kurt gets the final say here."
"Oh Kurt definitely gets the final say on this," Finn agreed, pointedly ignoring Blaine's comment about Finn being gay. "I just didn't want you to think that now that Adam is no longer in the picture that it had something to do with you and it would be smooth sailing for you."
"Are you saying that you are the reason Adam isn't in the picture anymore?" Blaine challenged.
Finn felt his cheeks burn. He took a step towards Blaine, then another and another and more as he continued to speak, forcing Blaine to backtrack towards the elevators. "Kurt does what Kurt wants; you know that. I'm just saying I'm here too. And Kurt is fully aware of where I stand."
"It would be a mistake," Blaine muttered, loud enough for Finn to hear as he stomped away.
000
The days continued to pass in the same way as the day before. Finn woke up at the hospital, he did Kurt's morning skin care and gently combed his hair back off his face before Carole and Burt arrived. They'd bring breakfast and he would share anything that may have happened while he was with Kurt. A couple of days after Finn had started doing Kurt's moisturizing routine, while Burt and Carole were in the room (and talking about Finn) Burt thought he heard Kurt make a noise. Then almost daily, Kurt would make little noises while Carole and Burt were visiting.
A few days after that, Carole witnessed the first time Kurt's eyes fluttered open. They were not open for long, and he never seemed to focus on anything, but when prompted with bright light stimulus, Kurt's eyes would open briefly before shutting again. He never opened his eyes when Finn was around though, and Finn didn't try to make him. It started to feel like Kurt only responded when Finn wasn't around. The doctors were very pleased with the progress Kurt was making though, and that made everyone happy.
On Friday, the third of May, Finn arrived at the hospital to find Dave Karofsky sitting in the ICU waiting area.
"Dave," Finn greeted his friend. "What's up?"
"Hey Finn. I just thought I'd stop by and find out how Kurt's doing. See how you're holding up."
"You could have just asked Travis," Finn said. "But I'm doing ok. And things are pretty much the same with Kurt. No big changes. "
"Tonight's student night," Dave said. "Did you want to come out with Travis and I?"
"Oh," Finn replied. "Oh. No, I don't think so man. Kurt was going to go with us, remember. I was kind of looking forward to it."
"That's what we thought," Dave said. "Trav and I thought it might do you some good to get out though."
"No," Finn shook his head. "I can't go there tonight. Not when I was supposed to be there with him. I need to stay here."
Dave nodded. "If you change your mind we're not leaving until about 8."
"I won't, but thanks anyway."
"According to Travis you're considering bailing on your summer session courses too," Dave said.
"I don't always get the best sleep here at the hospital at night," Finn explained. "No point in trying to take classes that I'm just going to end up sleeping through."
"Then maybe you need to sleep at home, or in your dorm and not here," Dave said.
"Someone has to be here, Dave. What if he wakes up in the middle of the night?"
"It's a hospital, Finn, there are people here who can handle it," Dave said.
"If I'm not here at night, and I'm in class all day, when do I get to see him?" Finn asked.
"There is still plenty of time in between, Finn. You need to take care of yourself too. And do what is best for you. You know that's what Kurt would want you to do."
"I feel like I can't leave him alone though," Finn said. "I don't want to let him down again."
"You wouldn't be."
"I'll think about it," Finn said. "I haven't filled out any of the paperwork to withdraw yet either, so technically I'm still registered if I want to show up Monday or sometime next week."
000
The Friday before Mother's day, when Finn arrived at the hospital after his classes, Kurt's room was filled with people.
"What's going on Mom?" Finn asked as he looked at the doctor and nurses doing various things to Kurt.
Carole turned to Finn, her smile bright and large. "Kurt's been very responsive today. He's made some more noises, his eyes have been open and blinking a bit and he turned his head a little."
"That's great!" Finn exclaimed. He moved closer to the bed and saw Kurt looking at the doctor; his eyes blinking. Finn could hear little groans and moans from Kurt and watched as Kurt tried to grip the doctor's hand.
The doctor turned and looked at Finn. "Kurt's very responsive today; he might end up being very tired tonight or he might end up keeping you awake." He smiled at Finn standing just behind him. "Look Kurt, your brother is here."
Finn watched as Kurt's eyes opened again, wider than ever when he found Finn.
"Fi-ugh," Kurt moaned softly. His eyes closed for a second, before they opened again, soft and wet.
"Fii-in-n." Kurt drug out each letter of Finn's name, as he focused on making each individual sound.
"Hey Kurt," Finn whispered softly. His own eyes were glassy and wet. He placed a hand on Kurt's leg and startled when Kurt moved slightly. "He moved! He moved his leg." Finn said to the doctor.
"Good job, Kurt," the doctor said. "Can you try that again?" He pulled the blanket off Kurt's leg. "Can you try to move your foot? Or wiggle your toes?"
Kurt closed his eyes and pursed his lips. But then his foot raised slightly and his toes wiggled.
"That's my boy!" Burt exclaimed. He moved to the foot of the bed, pulling Carole with him.
Finn laughed, because that was such a Burt thing to do. When Finn laughed though, Kurt's fingers inched his way towards Finn's hand and Kurt's lips twisted into a tiny smile.
"Finn," Kurt said, this time stronger and more confident.
Carole and Burt stayed much later than usual; everyone was excited about Kurt's progress. The doctor's had taken Kurt away and run some more tests that evening. Kurt's speech got stronger and stronger and he recognized everyone in the room. The doctors were very pleased with the progress he was making. Burt wanted to stay until Kurt was settled back in his room and the doctor could give him an update. Kurt was mostly awake and responsive, but he did seem to close his eyes and drift off to sleep again easily. When his eyes were open though, it seemed to Finn that Kurt was looking for someone not in the room.
By the time Carole and Burt finally left for the night though, Kurt was sleeping and Finn hadn't felt quite so happy in a long time. He shut off most of the lights in the hospital room, and sat down in the chair beside Kurt's bed like he usually did. He reached for Kurt's hand, placing his larger one over it. Then he stretched out his legs, propping them up in front of him on the side rails of the bed and allowing his head to loll over onto his shoulder. Finn closed his eyes and began to drift off to sleep.
"You're holding my hand," Kurt's soft voice echoed in the still, dark room.
"Yup," Finn replied softly, not even opening his eyes. "You want me to stop?"
"No," Kurt sighed. "'S nice."
The next morning when Burt and Carole arrived, so did the doctor. Kurt surprised them all by being more alert and responsive. He even managed to swallow down a few bites of the soft diet food they brought by at breakfast time. He hugged his dad tightly, well as tightly as he could with his left arm in a cast.
"We'd like to keep him in ICU for a while yet, just to be safe, but we can start allowing visitors outside of the family during regular visiting hours," the doctor explained. "Let's just limit it to two or three visitors at a time, and nothing too exciting."
"Blaine?" Kurt asked. "Can I see Blaine?"
Finn wasn't sure why, but his stomach twisted with Kurt's request.
"Sure, kiddo," Burt replied. "I'll call him a little later and I'm sure he'll come by to visit."
"Later this afternoon we'll try to get you up and moving around a little as well," the doctor said. "Of course it might be easier if you didn't have those casts on your left side."
"What happened?" Kurt asked.
"You were in a car accident," the doctor explained. "You will probably need to be in your casts an additional 3-4 weeks."
"How was I in a car accident?" Kurt asked. "Why am I here in Lima?" Kurt turned and looked at Finn. "Why are you home?"
"You're accident was here, not in New York," Burt said. "You were home for a visit." Burt looked over at Carole and then Finn. "Where do you think Finn should be?"
Kurt looked at his father, then Carole and finally at Finn. "The Army; why aren't you there?"
Finn squinted his eyes and looked at Kurt. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the doctor exchanged a worried glance with Burt and his mom. "I was discharged. I shot myself in the leg remember."
"You shot yourself in the leg!" Kurt exclaimed, trying to sit up more in the bed.
"It happened late September," Finn said. "Then I showed up at the loft. Rachel and I broke up."
"Wait, what?" Kurt asked. His eyes were wide and confusion was painted all over his face.
"Kurt," the doctor said gently. "What's the last thing you remember? Do you know what the date is?"
Kurt looked up at the doctor. "Moving to New York. Getting an internship at .near the end of September. I don't remember coming home for a visit though."
"Oh God," Finn whispered. He felt the blood drain from his face and his stomach twisted into knots. He sat down in the chair beside the bed.
The doctor looked over at Burt and Carole. "I think we'll schedule you for a scan and run a couple more tests this morning before Kurt has any other visitors today."
"When- What's the date?" Kurt asked.
"It's May 11th, 2013," the doctor replied. "Don't worry. This sometimes happens with your type of injury. It isn't usually permanent but we'll run some tests to be sure."
Kurt's eyes widened. "May. What have I missed?"
The doctor shook his head. "Let's not worry right now about what you missed, Kurt. It would be better if you weren't told things you don't remember." He turned to Burt, Carole, and Finn. "It would be best right now, if you give us sometime to run our tests and do a scan and then we can discuss Kurt's apparent amnesia and how to proceed from here."
000
It was after dinner Saturday night when Blaine arrived at the hospital. Burt was the one to call Blaine and tell him Kurt was awake and asking for him. Burt was also the one to tell Blaine about Kurt's, hopefully temporary, amnesia when he arrived at the hospital.
"From what we figure, Kurt doesn't remember much after September," Burt explained to Blaine in the ICU waiting room. "He doesn't remember Finn showing up after his discharge from the Army, he doesn't remember our Christmas in New York, NYADA or the reason he was back in town."
"Are you saying Kurt still thinks we're together?" Blaine asked.
"It seems that way, yes," Burt agreed. "And his doctor said it would be for the best to just let things happen naturally, to let his memories come back on his own. So don't tell him about the break up. Don't talk to him about NYADA, don't mention my latest health crisis." Burt sighed loudly. "And if you can pretend that you guys are still together, for now, it would be helpful."
Blaine laughed. "I can do that, Burt. You know I still love Kurt. I'll do whatever he needs me to do to help him."
"No I didn't figure it would be that much of an imposition," Burt agreed. "But this is kind of a messed up situation and I hate to drag you into it. But he's asking for you and I just don't know how I can fend him off."
"And how are you and Carole holding up?" Blaine asked. "I mean, I'm sure you're ecstatic that Kurt is awake and doing so well, but how is this amnesia thing affecting you?"
"You know, we're just so happy he's awake," Burt said. He took off his ever present ball cap and rubbed at his balding head. "We've tripped over our words a couple of times, but you know, we're hoping this is just temporary and the doctor has explained that it will be better for Kurt to remember things on his own than to have things thrust at him."
"And Finn?" Blaine asked.
"The kid is so excited Kurt's awake," Burt agreed. "He's been quiet though. I think maybe he is afraid he is going to say something he shouldn't so he's just not saying much. Carole and I are just glad we were able to convince him to go back to his dorm tonight and get a decent night's sleep for once since the accident. He and Carole went out to get some food for all of us. "
"Finn's been sleeping here at the hospital?" Blaine asked, his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
"Every single night," Burt confirmed. "He didn't want Kurt to wake up scared and alone."
"He's very…dedicated," Blaine said.
"He really is, when it comes to Kurt," Burt said. "Since this whole cancer mess, the two of them have just become so close. Finn's been Kurt's rock through all of this."
Blaine nodded in agreement, his lips pursed. "So can I see Kurt now?"
"Blaine!" Kurt exclaimed as he looked up and saw the other boy standing in the doorway with his father.
"Oh, you are a sight for sore eyes, Kurt Hummel," Blaine said. He walked over to the side of Kurt's bed, the side not covered in casts and picked up Kurt's hand. Blaine brought Kurt's hand up to his lips and kissed it gently.
"I've missed you," Kurt murmured as Blaine's lips grazed the skin on his hand.
"Missed you too," Blaine said softly.
"I'm going to give the two of you some privacy," Burt announced rather gruffly. "No excitement and no funny business ok." He mock glared at his son and Blaine.
"Dad!" Kurt exclaimed while Blaine chuckled beside him.
Kurt looked up at Blaine who was carefully studying Kurt, taking in the bandages, the casts, the machines he was still hooked up to, Blaine's fingers lightly stroking over the iv in his hand. "I know, I must look a mess, but I couldn't wait to see you."
Blaine shook his head and smiled. "I think you look beautiful. When I think of how close I came to- we came to losing you…" Blaine shook his head sadly.
"Hey," Kurt said softly. "Not going to happen. I'm not going anywhere."
Blaine sat down in the chair beside the bed. "It's just when I heard about the accident Kurt, I couldn't help but think what happened if you died and you didn't know that I sti- that I love you."
"That would never have been an issue, Blaine," Kurt said. "I know you love me, and I love you. Granted I don't remember the last time either of us said it, but that's the amnesia, it's not because it was ever a consideration."
Blaine smiled, but it faded for a moment and then he shook his head and smiled brightly again. He looked up at Kurt with wide, excited eyes. "Ok, I didn't plan this but just go with me ok?"
Kurt nodded.
"I have something for you, it's at home because this is not at all how I pictured it and I was waiting for things to be right and perfect between us and I don't know how much more perfect the moment could be," Blaine rambled. "But, I love you. I always will. And I want our always to start now. I came too close to losing you Kurt without having the pleasure of being your husband." Blaine got up from the chair and got down on one knee beside Kurt's bed and held his hand tightly. "Will you marry me Kurt Hummel?"
There were tears trailing down Kurt's cheeks and he was whispering 'Oh my God' over and over while Blaine blundered his way through the proposal. When Blaine finally stopped, Kurt just stared at him for a moment.
"Yes," Kurt said softly.
So softly in fact, Blaine wasn't sure he heard him correctly.
"Yes!" Kurt shouted.
Blaine stood up then. "You said yes."
"I did," Kurt agreed.
"I promise, I'll bring your ring tomorrow," Blaine said. "I just didn't want to wait."
Kurt shook his head. "It's ok. It's good, it was perfect."
"It was, wasn't it." Blaine agreed.
"Now if my fiancé would just kiss me already," Kurt joked.
Blaine laughed as he gently crawled up onto the bed, kneeling on the side of the bed and propping himself up on his hands over Kurt. He leaned in and brought his lips to Kurt's, brushing them together very briefly. He felt Kurt's hand come up to cup the back of his head, keeping him from breaking their kiss. Blaine responded by deepening the kiss, licking intently into Kurt's mouth.
000
"We've got food and I even managed to sneak you in some fro-" Finn stopped short, grabbing the door frame when he entered Kurt's room to keep himself from falling over.
There, on Kurt's bed, hovering over Kurt, with his tongue down Kurt's throat was Blaine Anderson.
"Sorry, dudes," Finn mumbled.
"Sorry, Finn," Kurt giggled when Blaine broke their kiss and crawled down off the bed.
"We kinda got carried away," Blaine admitted sheepishly. He threw a calculated look at Finn.
"Oh, Blaine, hello," Carole said when she came in the room. "We got some food, I'm sure there is enough if you want some too. And Kurt, Finn even convinced to me to allow him to sneak you in some of that Blueberry Pomegranate frozen yogurt you love so much."
"Yum, thanks, Finn," Kurt said. He smiled at his brother and then turned and smiled at Blaine.
"Should we tell them?" Blaine said softly.
"Tell us what?" Burt asked. He eyed his son and Blaine carefully, noticing their flushed faces and bright eyes.
"Blaine asked me to marry him and I said yes," Kurt said.
Finn felt the entire room start to spin. He blinked his eyes a couple of times in case he was dreaming or hearing things or something.
"What?" Burt exclaimed. "Kurt, kiddo, this isn't something you just rush into."
"No, I know that, Dad," Kurt said. "We're not rushing into anything. It's just something like this makes you put things in perspective right? And that's what we've done."
"I'd still like to talk to you, both of you, about this," Burt replied.
"That sounds fair," Blaine agreed.
"Oh, well congratulations boys," Carole said. She smiled at her stepson. "As long as you are happy and are sure this is what you want."
Kurt nodded. "Finn? What do you think? I'm going to need a best man."
Finn blinked at Kurt, willing the tears away. "Sure, Dude. Anything for you." Finn moved closer to Kurt, stepping in between Blaine and the bed. He leaned in and wrapped his arms around Kurt. "Love you, Kurt."
"I love you too, Finn," Kurt sniffed.
Finn pulled back and looked at Kurt, who was smiling brightly and gazing adoringly at Blaine. Finn looked at his mom. "I'm suddenly really tired and not so hungry anymore. I think I'm going to call it a night." Finn walked towards the door and left the room, standing in the hallway for a few moments while he collected himself.
"That's not like, Finn," he heard Kurt say. "I can't believe he didn't want to eat."
"Kid's probably exhausted, Kurt," Burt said. "He's slept here in that chair every night since your accident."
"Really?" Kurt asked. "That's so sweet."
Finn couldn't take it anymore and he walked as quickly as his feet would carry him to the elevator and away from the person he was in love with.
000
"I figured when Kurt woke up you'd spend more time at the hospital, not less," Puck joked. He sat down on Finn's bed in the dorm room and picked up one of the xbox controllers. "But it's good to have you back around here."
"Yeah, it's good to be somewhere not the hospital for once," Finn said. He reset the game for two players and settled back against the wall.
"So can Kurt have regular visitors now or do we have to wait until he's released and at home before we go see him?" Puck asked.
"Yeah, he can have regular visitors now," Finn said. "Just a couple at a time and only during regular visiting hours. Nothing too exciting either."
"Cool, so I'll go over with you later today and visit," Puck said.
"I'm not going to go visit today," Finn shrugged.
"What?" Puck asked. "Why not?"
"Don't feel like it," Finn said.
"Right," Puck drawled. "Seriously, what's going on?"
"Look, everyone wants to visit Kurt alright," Finn said. "He's probably maxed out on visitors all the time, and I already spent all that time with him when no one else could. I can pretty much see him whenever. So no big deal."
"Sure," Puck nodded. "So when is he getting released? Are you going to go stay at the house for a while, help out and spend your nights with him again."
"I don't know when he's getting released," Finn said. "I probably won't go home though, I've got that one really early class and you know I HATE getting up any earlier than I have to."
Puck threw his controller down on the bed and grabbed Finn's out of his hands.
"Hey!" Finn protested. "What are you doing?"
"Seriously, Finn, what the fuck is going on?" Puck asked. "Did you and Kurt have a fight or something?"
"No," Finn scoffed. "We didn't have a fight."
"Then what is happening? This is weird, even for you and Kurt."
Finn exhaled loudly. "Kurt has amnesia. He still thinks it's last fall. He thinks he's still with Blaine."
"Oh," Puck's eyes widened. "He doesn't remember anything about the two of you?"
"Nope!" Finn exclaimed. "And if that wasn't bad enough, Blaine fucking proposed to Kurt and Kurt of course said yes."
"What?" Puck screamed. "That doesn't even make sense. Why don't you just tell him everything?"
"The doctor said we shouldn't try to fill in his blanks," Finn said. "It will be better if his memories come back on their own."
"If," Puck said softly, "you mean he might not remember at all?"
"Apparently, it's rare but yes, it is possible he won't remember at all," Finn explained.
"No," Puck shook his head. "I don't believe that for a second. There is no way Kurt isn't going to remember what's happened. There's no way he's not going to remember you and him."
Finn shrugged. "Even if he does. He's engaged to Blaine now. I don't know if he could just walk away from him like that. Or what if he doesn't remember until after he marries Blaine. He's not going to divorce Blaine to be with me."
"He's not going to remember you if you don't spend time with him either, Dumbass," Puck said. "You can't just ignore him and expect him to remember. You need to be around him. Do stuff for him. Let him see how you you feel."
"How, Puck?" Finn asked. "How do I do that when I'm pissed off about the engagement and I can't believe my luck that he doesn't remember us? He asked me to be his best man already. How was I supposed to say no to him?"
"Look, it's not going to come to that," Puck said. "We'll figure out something. Do you really think Kurt is going to stay engaged to Blaine when he remembers their break up? When he remembers that Blaine cheated on him? When he remembers that you're in love with him? Because I think he's going to leave Anderson in the dust."
"I honestly don't know what to think anymore," Finn said. He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Look, you're going to spend time with him," Puck said. "You're going to ignore Blaine as much as you can. And eventually, Kurt is going to remember."
000
When Finn went to the hospital that night, he overheard Burt and Blaine talking in the waiting room.
"Listen, kid," Burt said to Blaine. "I think you guys are too young to be getting married but I understand where you're both coming from in light of Kurt's accident."
"Thank you, Burt," Blaine said.
"But I'm not going to let this wedding happen with Kurt unaware," Burt said. "Either you wait to have the wedding until Kurt remembers everything or we go to his doctor and figure out if there is some way we can at least fill him in on this part."
"I don't understand," Blaine said.
"As far as I know, you guy's weren't even dating," Burt said. "You broke up, you broke my son's heart. I know you guys have been talking again and that's good, but it's not the type of relationship I want my son to base a marriage on.",
"Burt, I know I hurt Kurt. And I'm sorry, I really am. But we're past it." Blaine held up his hands. "I swear. And I honestly think the only thing keeping us apart at this point was the distance. Kurt was afraid of doing a long distance relationship again."
"That doesn't make me feel a whole lot better Anderson," Burt said warily,
"I'm going to New York in the fall," Blaine explained. "Every school I applied to is in New York. We won't have to be long distance any more."
"Still, I'm not going to sign off on this until Kurt knows everything," Burt said.
"And if Kurt wants to get married sooner than that?" Blaine asked.
"Then it's your job to make him see why staying engaged for a while isn't such a bad thing," Burt said.
Finn smiled from his hiding spot. Maybe Puck was right, Kurt probably wouldn't stay with Blaine once he remembered everything. And Burt, unknowingly, was on Finn's side in this. Finn thought his mother might be too. And obviously so was Puck.
Ok, Finn thought to himself, I can do this. I can wait for Kurt to remember and then we'll be together.
000
Kurt was released from the hospital five days after he woke up. They set him up with a wheelchair since his arm and leg were still in their casts. Burt, Carole, Finn, and Blaine were all there to help move Kurt back to the Hudson-Hummel house. Finn ended up temporarily moving back in, just so he could help lift Kurt up and down the stairs in the house while Kurt regained strength and balance back in his other limbs.
It didn't escape Finn's notice though, how much it seemed to irritate Blaine that Finn was the one to be there for Kurt. And if Finn emphasized that as much as he could to Blaine, well it was only because he felt it was fair in light of the engagement. But being that close to Kurt, holding him in his arms, inhaling the scent of his shampoo, feeling Kurt's cheek pressed up against his as they climbed the stairs; sometimes it was too much for Finn and he'd end up locking himself in his room, sobbing softly as he brought on his own release.
And it wasn't just the stairs, sometimes Kurt needed help dressing, although it had been remarkably easy enough to convince Kurt that boxers and athletic shorts and some of Finn's old tee shirts would be the easiest thing for him to get on and off over his casts. But sometimes Kurt needed help bathing too. They'd wrap his arm and leg in plastic, get him situated on a plastic chair in the tub and pull down the detachable shower head. Kurt would usually wear a pair of swim trunks until one time Finn suggested softly that Kurt didn't have to.
Kurt looked up at Finn with wide, scared eyes. "You'd be ok if I wasn't wearing them?"
Finn nodded slightly. "If it's easier for you." Finn hoped the look in his eyes was not nearly as predatory as it felt.
Kurt shifted slightly, trying to pull the already wet trunks down.
"Can I help?" Finn asked.
Kurt bit his bottom lip and nodded at Finn.
Finn turned off the water and let the shower head dangle. "Put your arm around my neck and lean into me."
Kurt did as Finn asked and Finn was able to gently tug the wet shorts down Kurt's legs and over his cast, flinging them into the corner of the tub. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from moaning when he finally was able to see Kurt like that again for the first time since the accident. Finn couldn't help the blush that flooded his cheeks though, and while it matched Kurt's, Finn knew they were for different reasons.
"Better?" Finn whispered.
"Better." Kurt agreed.
Finn turned the water back on and continued to massage at Kurt's scalp, handing him the shower head while he added and lathered the shampoo.
"Dad told me that you spent every night at the hospital after my accident, until I woke up," Kurt said softly. "And that you tried to do my skin care routine. Thanks." Kurt looked up at Finn. "It was really nice of you to do all that."
Finn focused on Kurt's hair, trying hard to not look at Kurt. "It kind of felt like the least I could do. And sleeping at the hospital, it made me feel better."
"Were you involved in the accident too?" Kurt asked.
"No," Finn said, but already regretting his words.
"But the accident bothered you," Kurt clarified.
"Kurt, this is one of those things we're not supposed to talk about," Finn said.
"You were there though, right?" Kurt asked.
Finn sighed loudly. "Fine, yes I was there. We were supposed to meet for dinner and I watched the whole thing happen. That's all I'm saying."
Kurt sucked in a deep breath of air. "Oh." He was silent for a couple of moments while Finn finished rinsing his hair. "I don't blame you for the accident Finn. I'm sure it wasn't your fault."
Finn laughed. "It really wasn't, but thanks anyway." He handed Kurt a body sponge filled with soap.
"I mean, you don't have to keep being so nice out of some misguided sense of guilt is all," Kurt said as he scrubbed at his arm, his chest, down his torso.
"That's not what this is," Finn argued.
"It's not?" Kurt asked. He scrubbed at his legs.
"C'mon Kurt," Finn pleaded. "You know how I feel about you. You're, you're you. You're the only you I've got, ok."
Kurt chuckled. "Ok."
"I know I haven't been the best…" Finn stumbled, looking for the right word. "The best brother or friend or whatever it is we are today. But I'm really trying ok, to be everything you need me to be."
"Ok," Kurt agreed. "For the record, you're doing a really good job."
"Yeah?" Finn asked.
"Yeah."
Finn couldn't help it then, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around Kurt and hugged him close, getting his tee shirt wet and soapy. And before he could stop himself, Finn pressed a kiss to the top of Kurt's head.
000
The next several weeks were a flurry of activities. Finn still had his summer classes to attend plus he was helping the glee club at McKinley get ready for Nationals in Los Angeles. Finn's professors in his summer classes were far more easy going than his first semester and he was easily able to arrange to miss a couple of days while he was in Los Angeles. Finn hadn't said anything to the glee kids about not coming back in the fall but he did tell Will Schuester about his fall plans and moving to New York where he had been accepted to Hunter college.
Blaine began spending an inordinate amount of time at the Hudson-Hummel house. He was there to help Kurt of course, and to spend time with his new fiancé, but all it did was irritate Finn to no end. Between Blaine's presence at the house, and all the extra glee club rehearsals before Nationals, Finn felt like Blaine was an annoying kid brother he just couldn't shake. And of course, it didn't help that Blaine brought up the engagement all the time. Every time Finn had to smile and grin and say how happy he was for Blaine and Kurt and how excited he was to be Kurt's best man, he fought the urge to kick something.
While they were in Los Angeles there were a couple of show choirs from the New York area and Will took it upon himself to introduce himself to the other directors. Then he talked about Finn, who had become the leader in their little club, leading them to Nationals last year and then helping this year. When Will casually mentioned that he was sad to lose Finn who would be attending Hunter in the fall, one of the other directors immediately asked to be introduced to him. When the New Directions returned to Lima, they had another Nationals trophy under their belt, and Finn had a new glee club to help with once he got to New York.
It was after Nationals that Blaine also started to get his acceptance letters to his schools; all that remained was for him to choose. His parents were very proud of his accomplishments but they were less than thrilled to hear about his engagement. Blaine was torn between accepting the offer from NYADA where he could be with Kurt all the time, and accepting his offer from NYU that would please his father. He put off his decision, trying to use the time to persuade his parents towards NYADA.
Kurt became increasingly more and more independent. As he regained his strength, he was able to hop up the stairs on one foot, while holding onto the railing. He was able to mostly dress himself although he often needed help with buttons. Kurt learned how to use his plastic wrapped hand to help shampoo and rinse his own hair. A couple of days before the McKinley graduation, Kurt had his casts removed. His leg especially, was still a little weak though, so he was given a cane to walk with for a while.
Finn moved back to the dorm full time after Nationals. It was nice to be away from Blaine and Kurt for a while. Travis, Dave and Puck all surprised Finn with a little celebratory party for the win at Nationals. Finn had a good time spending time with all of them again, but it made him sad to think of how much he would miss them all next year. Finn realized just how lonely it just might be for him to be in New York alone. "You've got to all promise me that you'll come visit me next year."
"Dude, I haven't even ruled out the idea of moving to New York with you at this point," Puck exclaimed. "And we are still working on the finer points of our plan to get Kurt to remember stuff and dump Blaine once and for all."
Dave nodded. "It's true. We're all pretty firmly planted on Team Kinn."
Finn laughed as he hugged them all. He really did have some great, if not surprising, friends.
000
"Thanks for helping me pick out something to wear today," Blaine said. He and Kurt were walking arm and arm down the hallways of McKinley before the graduation ceremonies.
"It's all covered by the gown though," Kurt pouted. "But at least I know my fiancé is the best dressed under the horrible gowns." Kurt nuzzled at Blaine's neck.
"Mmmm" Blaine murmured. "It's a little crazy how much I like hearing you say that word."
"What, under?" Kurt asked, laughing softly.
"No, goof ball, fiancé." Blaine sighed.
"Yes, that does have quite a ring to it doesn't it?" Kurt asked. He stretched his hand out in front of them, admiring the ring on his finger. Kurt looked around at the mostly deserted hallways. "It feels weird to be back now. I thought it would be the same, but it's not. Maybe it's been too long; this is probably the first time I've been back since I left huh?"
"No." Blaine shook his head and then fell quiet.
"Oh," Kurt said. "I was here during the time I can't remember. Well, at least we got to spend some time together while I was in New York and you were here."
Blaine didn't comment, he just tightened his arm around Kurt.
Kurt's face scrunched up a little and he shrugged out of Blaine's grasp, moving over to a trophy case in the hallway. Inside the trophy case was a cast photo from the musical that year, as well as a program. "You guys did Grease as the musical this year."
Blaine nodded. "Finn choose it."
"Why weren't you Danny?" Kurt asked.
Blaine shrugged. "I played the Teen Angel."
Kurt smirked and started humming a familiar tune. "You make me feel like I'm living a teenage drea…" Kurt stopped short. He turned and leaned back against the case, his shoulders slumping, the smile dropping off his face. "I was here. I came to see Grease."
Blaine nodded. His smile also disappeared.
"I came with Rachel because she didn't want to face Finn alone after their break up," Kurt said. "He came to New York, to the loft and they broke up. You were there. You sang that song to me at Callbacks." Kurt's hand flew to his mouth and he started to sob.
Blaine moved quickly to Kurt's side to wrap his arms around him, but Kurt used his cane to push him away.
"You cheated on me," Kurt said. "You were with someone else. We broke up. I stood here in this hallway and said I couldn't trust you anymore."
"Kurt," Blaine whispered. "We got past all of that. We've been talking. Since Thanksgiving. We sang together at Christmas."
Kurt looked up and blinked at Blaine. "I was in New York for Christmas, with my Dad and Carole and Finn. My Dad, Blaine, my dad's sick."
"No," Blaine reassured him. "He's fine, that's why you were back here. He's fine, I promise."
"How can I trust you?" Kurt asked.
"I love you, Kurt," Blaine said.
Kurt's eyes widened and his voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. "Finn. Oh God, Finn." Kurt twisted the ring off his finger and held it up for Blaine. "This was a mistake, Blaine. I'm not in love with you."
"Kurt," Blaine pleaded. "Don't do this, Kurt."
"Sorry, Blaine," Kurt said. "I just hope I haven't messed things up too badly between Finn and I. It must have been killing him, these past few weeks."
"Kurt," Blaine called as Kurt moved down the hallways.
Kurt turned around and looked at Blaine. "Go, you don't want to be late." He turned back around and hurried as fast as he could with his cane, down the halls and towards the choir room. Kurt could hear the drums softly though the closed doors. He opened one door gently, just enough to slip inside.
"I thought I might find you here," Kurt said softly. He worried his voice wouldn't be heard over the drums or Finn's own humming.
Finn looked up to where Kurt was standing in the doorway. "Kurt, you're going to miss the graduation."
"I don't want to be in there," Kurt said.
Finn looked at Kurt, his head tilting to the side. "What? Why?"
Kurt walked over towards Finn and held up his hand. "Notice anything missing?"
Finn grabbed Kurt's hand, his thumb stroking over Kurt's now naked ring finger. "Your ring." Finn swallowed hard. "Did you guys have a fight?"
"Kind of, but not really," Kurt said. "I, I started to remember stuff. It started with Grease. You choose Grease."
Finn smiled. "I did. And they did a great job."
"I came home," Kurt said. "I wanted to support you, even though I didn't really want to see Blaine then. But I don't think I got to tell you what a great job you did."
"I knew though," Finn said.
"I was there, when you snuck out of the loft when you broke up with Rachel," Kurt said. "When Blaine and I broke up too."
Finn nodded. "What else do you remember?"
"You're in love with me," Kurt whispered. "I remember you saying it after the accident. You were in the truck with me, waiting for the ambulance."
Finn nodded; tears dampening his cheeks.
"I haven't messed this up have I?" Kurt asked. "Tell me it's not too late for me. For you. For us."
"No," Finn shook his head. "It's not too late. It would never be too late for us."
Kurt brought his hand up and cupped Finn's cheek. He moved in as if to kiss Finn but then stopped. "Kiss me, pleas-"
Finn didn't even allow Kurt time to finish his request before he settled his lips over Kurt's. They kissed slowly, softly, for a long time, standing there in the choir room, holding onto each other. "I've waited a long time to do that again."
"What are we going to do now?" Kurt asked.
"Hold me close and never let me go," Finn said softly. "I didn't get to tell you, because of the accident, but I'm going to New York in the fall. I got into Hunter. And Mr. Schue helped me find a glee club to work with in Manhattan."
"You're going to be in New York too?" Kurt sobbed.
"I don't suppose you'd want to move out of the loft and find a place to live with me?" Finn asked. He reached down and grabbed at Kurt's hand, intertwining their fingers together. It wasn't really something they had ever discussed. And Finn would have been fine with Kurt staying at the loft and he living somewhere else. But with everything else that had happened, Finn wanted nothing more than to be with Kurt as much as he could.
"I think I'd like that a lot," Kurt smiled.
The door opened and Carole and Burt filed into the room. "Kurt, there you are. Everyone was wondering what happened to you. The Anderson's are upset their son's fiancé is missing the graduation."
"Well, I, I kind of broke off the engagement," Kurt said.
"Oh, thank God." Burt mumbled.
"He remembers, mom," Finn said softly to Carole.
"Who?" Carole asked.
Finn beamed at Carole. "Kurt, he remembers, everything." Finn held up their joined hands for his mom to see.
"Oh, honey, sweetheart," Caole addressed Finn, then Kurt. She hugged them both, pulling one in with each arm.
"Whoa, what's going on here?" Burt asked.
"Dad, I'm in love with Finn," Kurt said. "Rather, I'm still in love with him, after all this time."
Burt's eyes widened a little. "Is that so?"
Finn nodded. "And I've finally pulled my head out of my a-butt and realized I'm in love with Kurt too." Finn pulled Kurt closer against him and pressed a kiss against his temple. "I've been accepted to Hunter College in New York for the fall. And Mr. Schue has helped me find a new glee club in Manhattan to work with. Kurt and I are going to find a new place to live together and, well, we're dating."
Burt's brows creased and his eyes narrowed into tiny slits before he broke into a huge smile. "It's about time!"
"What?!" Kurt exclaimed.
"Oh the two of you think you're so slick," Burt chuckled. "It's not difficult to see something has been going on between the two of you. You've been practically inseparable since Christmas, you talk about each other all the time. And when you're actually together, you can see it in your eyes. Both of you." Burt looked at Finn. "All of those nights you 'fell asleep' in Kurt's room when he was home for the wedding; that was a bit of a tip off."
"And you're ok with this?" Finn asked hesitantly. "With us? With me wanting to be with Kurt?"
"I am," Burt agreed. "Would it change anything if I wasn't?"
Finn shook his head. "Not for me. I think we're both old enough to make this decision on our own. But it sure is nice to know that us wanting to be together is not going to cause problems for you and Mom."
"Not when I see how you look at him," Burt smiled. "Not when I watched how you were with him after the accident. I've been real proud of the man you've become over the last few months, Finn. I could see how much you were hurting when Kurt woke up. And you still put him first."
Finn nodded. "I'd do anything for him, Burt."
"Sorry Dad," Kurt said, interrupting Burt and Finn. He stretched up on his tiptoes and pressed his lips against Finn's. Kurt pulled away slowly, blinking up at Finn. He whispered softly. "I love you, Finn Hudson."
"I love you too, Kurt Hummel."