Happy Saturday!

I hope you're having a great weekend. Once again, thanks for all the comments and reviews. You guys rock.

I don't want to say much about this chapter, so let's just get right to it.

I own nothing.

Kurt was taking the cake out of the oven when Blaine entered the kitchen, carrying Max wrapped in a towel and fresh out of his bath.

"You know, I was thinking…" Blaine said, shifting Max's weight to adjust him on his hip. "You should invite your boyfriend over for Max's birthday, if you want. What was his name? Noah?"

Kurt placed the cake on the counter and removed the oven mitts before he replied. "Yeah, Noah. But, uhm, he's not my boyfriend. We… well, it didn't work out."

Blaine nodded very slowly. "I see. I'm sorry, then, Kurt."

Kurt gave him a strange little smile, and didn't say another word about it.

Looking around the room in obvious confusion, Max was sitting on Blaine's lap. Kurt stood before them, phone raised to take pictures, and trying to get the little boy's attention. "Here, Max! Look at me!"

Max followed his voice, as he always did, and Kurt snapped the picture. He had taken over the role of photographer for this little party, since Rachel hadn't been able to make it, and he felt a little out of place. Daniel was permanently on Blaine's side, and Sam and Mercedes were one of the most disgustingly cute couples he had ever seen before, so Kurt was uncomfortable beyond words. It was still worth it, being there for Max, seeing his eyes widening as he stared at the lit candles on top of his cake, and at the balloons invading every available corner of the apartment. There was a large sign that said Happy 1st Birthday Max! hanging behind them on the wall, which had taken Blaine and Kurt about two hours to make.

"Kurt, you should be in at least one of the pictures," Blaine said, giving him a soft smile. "Come on. You did most of the work here."

"It's fine, it's fine," he assured him. "I'm not…" I'm not part of this family. I'm just the nanny.

"Don't be silly," Blaine insisted, and nudged Daniel a bit. "Would you mind taking the picture?"

Daniel glanced at him, silent for a moment, before a smile appeared on his face. "Not at all."

Kurt took a seat next to Blaine, feeling increasingly awkward as Daniel pointed the camera at them. Max, always happy to have Kurt close, grinned widely without being prompted for the first time. Blaine wrapped his free arm around Kurt's shoulder, pulling him just a little closer.

They sang the happy birthday song. Max had no idea what to do about the candle, so Blaine and Kurt blew it out for him, laughing. Sam and Mercedes clapped and cheered. Daniel put the camera down after taking one more picture. He wasn't in it, but with Kurt right next to Blaine, and Max sitting between them, it looked just right.

Everyone left, but Kurt stayed behind to help Blaine clean up. Max had fallen asleep not long after stuffing his face with the cake. The apartment was much quieter than it had been ten minutes ago. Kurt gathered a few more dirty plates and took them to the kitchen, where Blaine was standing at the sink. However, there was no sound of water, and the dishes were still piled up, untouched. Blaine's hands were pressed against the counter, his head bent down, his shoulders tense. Kurt didn't need to look at his face to know he was crying.

Not wanting to startle him, Kurt placed the plates on the kitchen table, and approached him carefully. He put a hand on his back, and Blaine immediately turned to him, as if his touch was enough to make his body react, and wrapped his arms around him, hiding his face in Kurt's neck.

"Hey," Kurt whispered, heartbroken.

Blaine didn't say a word. He just sobbed brokenly against him, and clung to him as if his life depended on it. But Kurt didn't need him to talk. He understood. He understood how Blaine had made the effort to look cheerful and fine while Max and all his friends were there to see it. He understood how hard it must have been for Blaine not to crumble in a million pieces at the obvious absences in that room, at the voices not singing happy birthday to Max for the first time.

He understood what it felt like when you were so sad, all you had strength left to do was cry.

Kurt held him tight, and let him cry, because it was the only thing he could do.

The closer they got to Spring break, the crazier the semester got. Blaine had to increase his office hours in order to accommodate all the students who needed help with papers, deadlines and the reading materials. Other professors weren't as considerate, but Blaine knew it was a stressful time for all of them, and still remembered how desperate he had felt himself when he was still a student. Kurt didn't mind the extra hours, either, and he said it was easier to work at Blaine's apartment, even with Max's cartoons playing in the background, than with Rachel at his own apartment.

So Kurt usually arrived in the morning carrying all his books, his computer and his notebooks, and parked at the coffee table, legs stretched on the floor under it, and typed like a mad man whenever Max didn't need him. He was grateful the summer break was approaching quickly, even if it was still months away. It was a hopeful horizon on his stressful, frantic days.

And a week off for spring break sounded just as heavenly to them right now.

On that Tuesday afternoon, Kurt walked out of Max's room quietly, after putting him down for a nap, and dropped back down on the floor, his back against the couch, to keep working on a paper due the next day. He only had to survive until Friday, and then he would have a beautiful week off to sleep and get some energy back before the end of the semester crushed him to pieces.

He was so focused on finding the perfect way to phrase his conclusion that when his phone began to ring, he accepted the call distractedly, without even checking the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Hi, Kurt."

He was surprised to recognize Carole's voice on the other end. "Hey Carole! How are you? Last minute fashion emergency?" He smiled holding the phone between his cheek and shoulder as he continued typing. She usually called him when she couldn't decide which shoes matched her outfit.

It took a second for her to reply, but the awkward and unusual silence was enough for Kurt to realize that something was wrong. "Kurt…"

"Where's Dad?" He asked, feeling his heart picking up speed. He held his phone with both of his hands now, trying to stop them from shaking.

"We're at the hospital, honey," she explained as calmly as she could. "He had another heart attack."

Kurt had to remind himself to breathe. "This can't be… is he okay? What did the doctor said?"

"Nothing yet," she said. "They're checking him right now. I just… I needed to call you…"

"Of course," Kurt said fiercely. He looked around the apartment, as if the answers to all his questions were somehow in there. He stood up. "I'll call Blaine to come home. I'll be there as soon as I can, Carole. Call me if there are any news…"

"I will. Let me know when you figure out when you'll be getting here," she told him, and after a quick goodbye, Kurt ended the call.

He was so scared he didn't know what to do. The only thing that sounded appropriate right now was to go out to the balcony and scream until his throat went raw.

He could feel the tears already running down his cheeks, but he ignored them. With shaky fingers, he dialed Blaine's number, and begged for him to answer. Please, please, please. I need you. Please.

There was a murmur in the background when Blaine accepted the call, and Kurt guessed he was in class, and not in his office. He felt so lost and desperate that he couldn't even remember what time it was, or where Blaine was supposed to be.

"Kurt?" Blaine said in a low voice. "What's up? Is Max alright?"

"It's my Dad," Kurt replied, and every word felt like it took all his strength. "He's in the hospital again. He's had another heart attack…"

"Oh my god," Blaine murmured. "Is he…?"

"I don't know anything. But I need to go home," Kurt closed his eyes, forced himself to inhale, and exhale. "Can you…? Can you please come? I have to go."

"Yes, Kurt, of course. I'll be there soon," Blaine replied, and Kurt heard him as he moved quickly, probably shoving his things into his bag. "Just stay there with Max until I get home. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Okay. Thank you," Kurt whispered, letting himself drop down on the couch when he realized his legs weren't really supporting him anymore.

"It'll be alright, darling, just hang in there," Blaine murmured, and just before the call cut off, Kurt heard: "Sorry, guys. Family emergency. I have to…"

And then all Kurt could hear was the tone.

He was so relieved that Max was asleep, because he didn't think he could do anything right now, except curl up on the couch, his arms around his legs, and cry. Why did this keep happening? Why couldn't his father be healthy and happy and safe?

Knowing he would go insane if he just stayed there waiting, he took a deep breath and stood up. He began to gather his things, put the computer in his bag, along with his books and his notes. Fuck school. Fuck deadlines. The only thing that mattered right now was getting to Ohio.

Blaine must have taken a cab from campus, because he was there sooner than expected. He rushed into the apartment, his bag hanging crookedly from one of his shoulders, his scarf thrown carelessly around his neck, and his phone still in his hand. As soon as Kurt saw him, he let out a little sob he hadn't known he'd been holding back, and Blaine walked towards him just in time for Kurt to collapse into his arms.

"Hey," Blaine murmured, sweetly. He kissed Kurt's hair, the way he kissed Max's before going to work in the morning. "It'll be alright. If he's anything like his son, he won't let something like this defeat him…"

Kurt felt his lower lip shaking as he tried to smile. "No one pushes the Hummels around," he whispered brokenly.

Blaine chuckled softly. "That's right."

Kurt allowed himself a moment to regain his strength and his breath, and then pulled away, drying his tears stubbornly. "Thanks for coming so quickly."

"No problem," Blaine replied, and when he saw Kurt was already putting his coat on, in a haste to leave, he placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Hold on. I got plane tickets while I was in the cab. There's a flight to Ohio at five thirty. There's still plenty of time to get to the airport. You're going to need a bag, some clothes… do you think Rachel could bring you some?"

Kurt marveled at how quickly Blaine could plan for these things. His own brain only had one thought: go, go, go, go. "You didn't have to…"

"It's nothing. And I don't want to leave you alone right now. You're not thinking straight and you shouldn't be alone. I bought three tickets. Max and I are coming with you."

"What?" Kurt's eyes widened. "Blaine, I couldn't ask you to…"

"You never have to ask, Kurt," Blaine smiled at him, and squeezed his hand. "We're not leaving you."

Kurt's heart gave a lurch in his chest for a whole different reason. "But what about work and, and…?"

"That's not something you need to worry about," Blaine made a dismissive hand gesture, and guided Kurt back to the couch. "I wouldn't feel okay letting you go by yourself. So just call Rachel, ask her to bring you a bag with whatever you need, and I'll go pack a few things for Max and me, okay?"

Kurt could only blink at him, unsure if Blaine Anderson was even real. "Okay."

Despite the crippling fear trying to choke him, Kurt was endlessly relieved that the shoulder he got to lean on was his.

Somehow, Max seemed to have understood that this was a very important flight, because he didn't cry once, not even when it was obvious how incredibly uncomfortable he was. Blaine held him on his lap and tried to distract him with different toys, as Kurt looked out the window and waited for the landing. He looked so tense, so scared, that Blaine couldn't stop himself from reaching for his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. When Kurt seemed to relax minutely with his touch, Blaine held on and intertwined their fingers together.

Once they were at the airport, safe with their feet on Ohio land, Kurt looked around the terminal, as if he expected his Dad to walk through the crowd towards him and hug him. But no one was there to receive them, so Blaine guided him to the car rental place. Kurt held Max while Blaine took care of everything, and the little boy cuddled against his chest and smiled up at him so brightly, that Kurt almost forgot his own heart was trying to crumble into pieces.

As they drove away from the airport, Blaine behind the wheel and Max in the back in a booster seat, Kurt called Carole to let her know they were on the way.

"How is he? Any news?" He asked eagerly.

"No, sweetie. He hasn't woken up," Carole replied sadly.

Kurt thought back to his dad's first heart attack, when he was in high school. He remembered sitting beside his hospital bed, feeling so terrified that he was about to be all alone in the world. He remembered his father's face, so calm, like he was only sleeping, but yet so wrong. And no matter how many times Kurt called for him, he didn't wake up. It took almost a week, of waiting and waiting and waiting, until Burt returned to him.

Every new heart attack made it harder for Burt to come back to him, but it didn't mean Kurt stopped hoping to see his eyes blinking open.

"Are you okay?" Blaine asked quietly once Kurt put his phone back in his bag. Kurt nodded absently. "I know that was a stupid question. I'm sorry. But I hope you know you're allowed to not be okay, Kurt. You don't have to pretend with me."

Kurt bit his lip, his blue eyes lost somewhere outside the window. "I'm scared."

Blaine kept his gaze on the road, but reached to squeeze Kurt's hand once more. "It's understandable."

"I know I'm bound to lose him one day," Kurt said, his voice shaky. "But I can't do that today. I can't lose him today. Not yet…"

"Don't think like that, alright?" Blaine said, glancing quickly at him. "We'll cross that bridge when we need to, but not yet. In the meantime… we'll get to the hospital, and even if there aren't any news yet, I'm sure you'll feel a little better just by seeing him. And then we'll figure it out from there, okay?"

Kurt nodded again, and then looked over his shoulder to check on Max. "You shouldn't have come. You didn't have to drag Max all the way to Ohio…"

"I meant what I said back home, Kurt," Blaine said softly, kindly. "We're not leaving you."

It was almost nine when they arrived at the hospital. Blaine found a place to park near the entrance, and they grabbed Max and his diaper bag and went inside. Kurt had gotten the room number from Carole, so they didn't waste time asking the staff for help - Kurt knew this hospital too well already, and guided Blaine to the elevator.

They reached room 203. There was a sitting area just outside, and Blaine told Kurt he would wait out there with Max, and to take his time. Right before Kurt headed for the door, Blaine gave him a quick hug, and a swift kiss to his cheek, and told him everything would be just fine.

Feeling a little lightheaded between the panic and Blaine's touch, Kurt went inside.

Carole was sitting beside the bed, her head resting on the back of her chair, and her eyes fixed on her husband. It took a moment for her to notice Kurt's arrival, but once she did, she was out of the chair and in his arms in record time.

Kurt glanced at the bed over Carole's shoulder, and his heart shrunk. The image that greeted him was eerily similar to that he kept in his memory from high school, only the man in the bed was now several years older.

"I'm so glad you're here," Carole murmured.

"How is he?" Kurt asked, and Carole pulled away to let him approach the bed.

"There's been no changes. The doctors say there's not much we can do except wait for him to wake up," she explained.

"What happened this time?" Kurt dragged the chair a little closer to the bed and sat down, immediately reaching for his dad's hand.

"I'm not exactly sure," Carole admitted. She dried the tears from her eyes. "I had just finished clearing up the dishes after lunch. I was in the kitchen when I heard a loud noise. When I went into the living room, he was on the floor. I ran to the phone and called 911, but he was unconscious when they got there. He hasn't woken up since."

"Have you been fighting? Has he been worrying about anything…?"

Carole gave him a sad smile. "Just the usual. You know how he is… it's impossible to get him to relax."

Kurt leaned closer and pressed a kiss to his father's forehead. "Why are you so damn stubborn?"

Carole rubbed his back comfortingly. "I'll go see if I can find his doctor, if you want to talk to him."

"I would like that, yes. Thanks, Carole," he muttered, giving her a little smile.

He knew it was mostly an excuse to give him some time alone with his father, but Kurt still appreciated it. Carole closed the door behind her, and the silence in the room was now only interrupted by the steady beeping of the machines Burt was connected to. He watched the monitors, somehow reassured by all the numbers and lines he didn't really understand.

There were a million things he wanted to say to his father right now, but none of them seemed to be easy to be made into words. He wanted to beg, to plead, to ask him in all the different ways he could think of to open his eyes, to say something, anything. To put him out of his misery. To stop doing this to him. Twice in less than a year was too much.

Burt's doctor was someone Kurt was, sadly, familiar with as well. It was the same one who had taken care of him during his heart attack, all those years ago. Doctor Hendricks shook his hand and gave him a polite smile.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you anything new," he said gently. "We did everything we could to stabilize him, and now it's mostly up to him."

"Unfortunately, I know the drill," Kurt said with a tired sigh. "Is there anything we can do to help? I could try acupuncture again?"

Doctor Hendricks made a helpless gesture. "It's not something I would recommend from a medical point of view, really, but… you know, it's worked for you guys in the past. I know how difficult it is to just sit and wait for your loved ones to come back. At this point, Kurt, if it helps you during this difficult time, then do it. I don't think it'll do much difference to him."

Kurt ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I just… I can't believe we're here again. I thought…" He wanted to say he thought his Dad was getting better, but that would have been a lie. He remembered that painfully honest conversation they'd had during Christmas.

"One of you can stay with him tonight," the doctor offered kindly. "I'll be back in about two hours to check on him again."

"Okay, thank you so much," Carole said, and the doctor left, after one last reassuring nod.

Kurt closed his eyes for a moment, and reached for Burt's hand again. "Blaine and Max are outside. They came with me."

Carole looked at him, a little surprised. "Really? That was very nice of them."

"Yeah, Blaine didn't want to leave me alone. I was a little nervous after your call," they glanced at each other, knowing that was the understatement of the century. "You must be exhausted. Why don't you go home? I can stay with him."

"Kurt, you know very well that I am not moving. I won't go anywhere until he can go with me," Carole said, lovingly arranging Burt's hospital gown. "But you should go home. Blaine and Max can stay at the house, too. You can't have the baby at the hospital all night long, and you must be tired from the flight, and everything. I'll be fine, as long as I can be here with him."

Kurt swallowed thickly. He didn't want to leave his Dad, but he knew Carole was right. They couldn't stay there all night.

They left the room together so Kurt could introduce Blaine and Max to her. They found them in the waiting area, where Blaine was trying to keep Max entertained playing his favorite cartoons on his phone. There were two cups of coffee on a little table next to him.

"Oh hey. I got you a coffee, but it might have gone a little cold," he said apologetically.

"It's fine. Thank you," Kurt smiled at him. "Blaine, this is Carole, my stepmom. Carole, this is Blaine, and this is Max."

"Thank you so much for taking care of our boy," Carole said, when Blaine stood up to give her a hug. "It means a lot to us."

"Please. I wouldn't have let him alone. Max and I are quite fond of him," he said with a teasing smile.

"Oh, this little cutie," Carole said, reaching to tickle Max, who for once didn't recoil from a stranger. "He must be so tired. Kurt, why don't you…?"

"Yes, yes, I know," Kurt said, after taking a gulp from his lukewarm coffee. The shot of caffeine into his system was enough to keep him going for a little longer. "But you have to call me. If anything happens…"

"I will." Carole placed a kiss on his cheek. "And we'll see you in the morning. Both of us."

Kurt nodded, his smile too tight, and there was nothing happy about it.

Max reached for him. Kurt grabbed him and held him tight, closing his eyes as he pressed his lips to the side of his little head. He felt the warmth of Blaine's hand as it rested against the small of his back. He felt surrounded and cared for, Blaine's and Max's presence keeping him sane.

"Let's go home," he said softly.

The house was dark, and too empty, painfully so. The remote control was on the floor, the kitchen table still had dishes left from lunch, and no one had been home to turn on the lights when the sun had set. Kurt stared at everything around him and tried to breathe in the scene from his Dad's heart attack.

He was aware of Blaine and Max behind him, waiting, giving him all the time he needed. He cleared his throat and told them to get comfortable. But there was nothing comfortable about this situation, and Kurt knew it.

"You and Max can have my room," he said quietly. His voice seemed to echo through the house. "I'll show you where it is, and then maybe we can have some dinner? You guys must be hungry."

In the end, they ordered a pizza, because none of them was in the mood to cook. Kurt set the table while Blaine was upstairs, bathing Max. They remained silent as they ate, Kurt too lost in thought, his mind and heart still at the hospital with his father, and Blaine unsure as how to help, how to find the right thing to say.

After they were done eating, Max began getting irritated - it was well past his bedtime, and he started crying like nothing would ever make him stop. With an apologetic glance Kurt's way, Blaine took him back upstairs, shushing him and singing quietly to get him to calm down. Kurt cleaned up the dishes, moving almost automatically, as if he was only going through the motions not to fall apart.

Once there was nothing else to occupy him downstairs, Kurt went up to the second floor, and knocked gently on his bedroom door, which was ajar, to get Blaine's attention. Max was almost asleep, so Blaine continued humming and swaying him gently.

"I'm going to take a shower," Kurt whispered. "I'll be just across the hallway, if you guys need anything."

"Thanks Kurt," Blaine whispered back.

Kurt walked to the door across from his and stood there for a moment, taking deep breaths as if trying to find the courage to open it. He entered, and turned on the light.

The room still looked the same. It was as if Finn had just gone out for the night but was expected to return home any moment to sleep. Kurt sat carefully on the bed. The sheets didn't smell like him anymore. Nothing smelled like him anymore. It had been too long already.

After a quick shower, Kurt got into bed, feeling completely foreign in this room. But his own bedroom was bigger and more comfortable for Blaine and Max, so unless he wanted to stay in the living room and sleep on the couch, this was the only option. He wouldn't step into his parents' bedroom. It smelled like Burt, and Kurt hoped it would smell like him for many, many more years.

Still, he couldn't sleep. He wasn't sure if it was the combination of fear and being in Finn's old bed, but he had never before been so awake. He toyed with his phone, considering calling Carole, but he guessed that no news was good news in this situation.

When tossing and turning got too maddening, he kicked the blankets away and padded quietly back downstairs. He had no idea if Blaine was sleeping already, but he didn't want to bother him, or Max. They had been too nice coming here with him, keeping him company. With a sigh, Kurt turned the light back on in the kitchen.

It seemed like the perfect time for his Dad's insomnia cure.

Blaine left the bathroom, toweling his hair dry and peeked at the bed to make sure Max was still calm and asleep. It had taken a while to make him comfortable, to get him to understand that it was okay to fall asleep here tonight, even if it wasn't their home. The kid was too used to their routine.

He checked his phone, letting the towel fall around his shoulders. Still no reply from Daniel. He had texted him to let him know they were in Ohio because Kurt's dad had had a heart attack. Maybe he was sleeping, but it was a little early for Daniel. They usually exchanged a few texts around this time.

He had already emailed work to let them know he was taking a couple of days off for a family emergency, as well as his students, to cancel their classes. He was sure they were glad for the unexpected time off, though he assured them they were still expected to meet their deadlines for the week.

He slipped into a clean pair of boxers, sweatpants and an old t-shirt. He wondered if Kurt was asleep already. Poor Kurt had looked so horribly scared since he'd gotten the call in the afternoon. Blaine had no idea how to help - he had come here all the way from New York, following him, but just being there didn't seem enough. He wanted to comfort him, to assure him everything would be alright. But he didn't want to lie. He didn't know if Burt Hummel would be alright. He was no doctor. He just knew he wouldn't be able to take the heartbroken look on Kurt's face if this didn't end well.

After glancing at Max once more to make sure he was okay, Blaine opened the door and quietly headed for the stairs. He needed a glass of water, and was surprised when he saw the light was on in the kitchen. He leaned against the doorway and watched Kurt, standing at the stove, stirring something in a pan. It smelled sweet and spicy.

Kurt reached for a cupboard. He was barefoot, his hair not in its usual do, perfectly coiffed, but falling limply and still a little wet. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, the cotton fabric a little worn, and stripped pajama pants, so long they pooled around his feet. He looked so at home here, Blaine realized he was seeing Kurt Hummel in his natural habitat, for the first time ever. He guessed the tightness in his shoulders wasn't natural, though.

As Kurt placed a mug on the counter, Blaine cleared his throat to announce his presence.

Kurt looked over his shoulder and tried to give him a smile, unsuccessfully. "Hey. I thought you were asleep."

"No, I just got out of the shower. The water pressure here is amazing," Blaine commented, walking towards him.

"One of the only perks of Ohio against Manhattan," Kurt replied, pouring the contents of the pan into the mug. "Probably the only one."

Blaine hummed thoughtfully. "What's that?"

"Warm milk with cinnamon," Kurt said. "My Dad always made this for me when I was little and I couldn't sleep. I think my Mom made it before him, but I can't really remember. Would you like some? I can make more."

"No, I just wanted some water. Thank you," Blaine said, and Kurt gestured for him to go ahead, so he opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. He uncapped it and took a sip, as Kurt leaned against the counter and closed his eyes, drinking his milk. "I know it's stupid to keep asking this, but… are you okay, Kurt?"

Kurt licked his lips, and didn't open his eyes. "No. I'm not okay."

"I wish I could…" Blaine began to say, but Kurt opened his eyes, and just that flash of deep, sparkling blue silenced him.

"You're doing so much," Kurt muttered quietly. "Do you have any idea how hard it would be to be in this house by myself, waiting for the phone to ring? Just knowing you and Max are here… it's keeping me sane."

"We'll stay for as long as you need us to," Blaine assured him, taking a step towards him.

"Thank you," Kurt whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you…" His eyes settled on Blaine. "You have no idea what this means to me. What you mean to me."

Blaine felt a sudden tightness in his stomach that he couldn't explain. He placed his bottle on the counter. "Whatever you need, Kurt, just… let me know. You've helped me so much these past few months…" He shook his head. He couldn't even explain exactly how much Kurt had saved him, by letting him talk about Cooper, by being there for Max.

Kurt took another sip from his mug, and realized his hands were shaking slightly, so he put it on the counter next to the bottle of water. "I can't lose him. I know I will, but… I can't. He's everything, Blaine. He's the one constant in my life. I can't keep losing people…"

God, Blaine understood. The ache, the absence, the memories. It was all too overwhelming. "What was it you said, back at my apartment?" He said with a little smile. "No one pushes the Hummels around?"

Kurt laughed amongst his tears. "No one. Not even death."

Kurt's eyes were mesmerizing. They seemed to change color - the tears made them grey, and they slowly morphed back to blue, until they were so bright that Blaine felt a little blinded.

They were looking at each other, everything else suddenly forgotten. Blaine wanted to reach out and wipe his tears away, but he wasn't sure if he was allowed. His fingers twitched against his thighs. A strand of hair fell on Kurt's eyes, obstructing Blaine's view, and without thinking, he did reach out, and brushed it away. Then he cupped Kurt's face softly.

"Don't cry, Kurt," he murmured, because it shattered his heart beyond repair.

Something seemed to break in Kurt. Before Blaine knew what was happening, Kurt's hands were making fists in his shirt, pulling him closer, and bringing their lips together. Blaine gasped as Kurt kissed him, deep and desperate, tasting the sweetness of the milk, and the saltiness of his tears. He was making little needy noises that completely broke Blaine's resolve, and made him kiss back, just as desperately.

There was something so incredibly overwhelming about kissing Kurt. It might have something to do with the way their lips glided together, like they were dancing a perfect little number no one else could ever know the steps to. It might have something to do with the way Kurt's hands kept pulling him closer, until their bodies were slotted together like puzzle pieces. It might have something to do with the way Blaine could feel Kurt's heartbeat, right in sync with his own. It might have something to do with the way they needed each other, because no one else understood, no one else managed to bring those barriers down.

Blaine took a step forward, pressing Kurt against the kitchen counter, feeling breathless and dizzy. Kurt was making little gasping noises, like he couldn't breathe either, but still couldn't bring himself to break the kiss. Blaine knew what he was feeling - he felt that if he pulled away, something inexplicably magical would come to an end.

An insistent little melody seemed to be playing somewhere. It wasn't until Max began crying that Blaine realized it was his phone, which had woken his nephew. And those two sounds were enough to shoot him back down to earth.

He pulled away, panting. "Daniel," he said, and Kurt's wide eyes seemed to harden somehow. His hands fell from Blaine's shirt, limp at his sides. "That must be… I texted him. It must be him. And Max… I need to…"

"Go," Kurt muttered, looking away, and taking a step to the side, to get some distance between them.

Blaine didn't need to hear it again. He stumbled back up the stairs quickly and entered Kurt's old bedroom, rushing to Max to calm him.

He didn't pick up the phone. He couldn't talk to Daniel when his lips still tasted like Kurt's.

Daniel didn't call a second time. Blaine turned the cellphone off, and shoved it under the pillow. He looked at Max, who had stopped crying, but was watching him with big, bright eyes.

"What the hell did I just do?" He asked his nephew.

Just like Blaine, Max didn't seem to have a clue.

BAM.

So. I'm just going to quietly walk away and wait for your reactions.

Love you!

L.-