Thank you SMS what a mess, Bandgeeknm and Juliet Hummel-Anderson for the story alert and GlitterRain and Asteriadreams for a favorite story add.
WhenRiversTurnToRoads- I didn't mean to make you cry! That you for calling it wonderful- even if it did contain such a despicable human being I couldn't even name him (he doesn't deserve one)
Temarifan9622- I hate him so much I couldn't even give him a name. Thank you for calling it amazing- I'll try to keep up a fairly regular publishing rate.
When Kurt finally came to, he was staring into Blaine's gorgeous hazel eyes- well, I could get used to waking up like this.
"Hey, you're up." Blaine said softly, with a smile just as soft as his voice.
"Wh-what happened?" Kurt asked, lying still, content with the way that Blaine was looking at him.
"I guess that with everything that happened, you felt a little overwhelmed and you..."
Blaine trailed off. He didn't want to embarrass Kurt by saying fainted or worry him by saying passed out- so he settled for saying nothing.
Kurt felt himself start to blush but then all the color drained from his face after it sunk in why he had fainted: his father had shown up, insulted him and Blaine- called them abominations- and then Burt had punched his father, probably breaking his nose.
"My dad is going to be SO angry." Kurt groaned and Blaine's laughter ghosted over his face. It was a moment later that another thought occurred to Kurt. "Oh my God- how is your dad's hand?"
"It's fine." Burt replied coming into the den.
The two boys sprung apart as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn't have been doing. Burt barely suppressed a smile- but only just.
"But-but you're icing your hand." Kurt said, while gesturing to the bag of ice that Burt was holding to his hand.
"This is nothing kid." Burt said and gave Kurt a reassuring smile. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I-I think so." Kurt replied.
"You sure about that?" Burt asked. "Because you know that you're allowed to not be okay. Your dad said some pretty...not nice things."
"I'll be okay." Kurt replied before silently adding- it's not like I haven't heard it all before, granted not from my dad but it's still nothing new.
"Kurt, I want to tell you something and I need you to know I mean every word." Burt started.
Kurt felt his heart beat speed up and he grabbed Blaine's hand. The two boys looked toward each other and had no idea what was about to be said.
"Kurt, and of course you too Blaine, you both need to know that no matter what happens you will always be welcome here- no questions asked."
Both boys burst into tears.
Kurt was crying because after being hurt by so many different people so many times, and after hearing what his father really thought of him, he couldn't believe someone could show him so much unconditional kindness- especially since he hadn't known him for long and had already done more than he could have ever expected.
Blaine was crying because of the love he felt for his dad, whatever feelings he felt for Kurt- he was hesitant to call it love because he hasn't known Kurt long (even if it did feel like they've known each since forever)- and even a few tears in anger that such an offer had to be made because Kurt didn't feel/wasn't welcome in his own home.
Burt looked a little misty eyed himself and got out of his chair to pull the boys into a hug. They stayed like that for a long moment before Burt broke the hug.
"I need you to help me with something boys- and it's gotta be done tonight."
The boys looked confused for a moment but eagerly agreed, willing to help with whatever he was thinking of doing.
"Dad, stop fidgeting." Blaine said laying a hand on his dad's shoulder.
"I'm just nervous." Burt replied with a small smile.
"Everything will be fine!" Kurt called from the kitchen.
Kurt had declared he was taking over cooking once it had become abundantly clear that there was no way Burt could cook in the nervous state that he was in.
Burt shifted nervously again and Blaine shook his head at his father with a small smile before heading into the kitchen to see if there was anything he could help Kurt with.
When he walked into the kitchen, his smile widened at the sight before him: Kurt was wearing an apron standing over a pot of something, stirring whatever it was gently, before taking a separate spoon and tasting some of whatever was in the pot.
Blaine felt a warmth spread through him as he began to imagine that they were in their apartment in NYC (a dream they both shared) and he was coming home from his sight singing class, anxious to hear all about Kurt's new designs for his classes at Parsons.
Woah...where did that come from? Blaine wondered. He hadn't even known Kurt for two weeks and he was already imagining a future with him. He shook his head one more time and approached Kurt, happy to hear he was humming underneath his breath.
"Hey, thanks again for cooking." Blaine said. Kurt just nodded in response.
"How nervous is he?" Kurt asked placing a lid on the pot he had been stirring.
"I have never seen him fidget so much." Blaine said with a smile.
"Well, dinner is ready- I'm just keeping everything warm." Kurt replied.
"They better get here soon or dad will explode." Blaine answered.
Luckily though, it wasn't a minute later that the doorbell rang, meaning that Carol and Finn had arrived for dinner.
Blaine and Kurt shared a small smile as they heard Carol's voice approaching the kitchen.
"Hello boys." She greeted before pulling them both into hugs. "How are you two doing? Burt told me about...the event this afternoon. I just want you boys to know if you ever need anything, you call me no matter what time it is."
The boys just nodded, trying to fight back the emotions- and tears- that had come back a vengeance. Burt came into the kitchen and nodded at the boys.
"Carol, why don't you go take a seat and we'll bring dinner in- I just put the finishing touches on the stew." Kurt said taking the lid off the pot to emphasize his point.
"Okay boys." She said with a smile and exited the kitchen.
The three boys watched her leave and they rushed to get everything ready. After they were all sure that everything was covered, Kurt started to take everything in. Blaine started to follow but was stopped but his dad.
"Blaine, I just wanted to ask if you were-"
"Dad, you don't need to say anything." Blaine said stopping his dad short and giving him a reaffirming smile. "Just take deep breathes and keep your hands out of your pockets."
Burt laughed and grabbed the glasses and followed his son into the dining room.
"That was a fine meal Kurt." Carol said placing her spoon down in her empty bowl.
"Thank you." Kurt replied, feeling himself blush a little.
The table lapsed into silence. Finn was still chewing his last monster bite, Kurt and Blaine were waiting anxiously, Burt was gathering courage and Carol was just enjoying a quiet moment.
"Carol." Burt said after a long moment.
Blaine and Kurt grabbed each others hands under the table, fighting to keep their faces neutral.
"Yes?" She said and gave Burt her full attention.
Burt took a deep breath and reached across the table and took Carol's hand in his.
"Carol, I know this isn't the most romantic of places, but seeing you here surrounded by family, I know that this is the perfect place to do this." Burt said and paused to get his emotions under control. "I never thought I would find love again but one day, there you were and I could never imagine not having your love- and I never want to have to."
Burt got out of his chair, got down on one knee and took the ring out of his pocket. Carol gasped and brought her hand to her mouth, tears already starting to flow. Blaine and Kurt had forgotten how to breathe and Finn was trying to convince himself he was really seeing what he was really seeing.
"Carol, darling, I love you, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Oh my god Burt! Yes!" Carol yelled and threw herself into Burt's arms, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips
Both Blaine and Kurt began hugging each other, trying to hide their tears of happiness- while Finn was still frozen in shock.
"Oh my god- I'm engaged!" Carol shouted and kissed Burt again.
"Congratulations you guys." Blaine said once the couple broke apart and Burt quickly pulled his son into a hug.
"Yeah, congratulations." Finn said with a goofy smile. He couldn't remember the last time he mom looked that happy.
"Oh, Finny, you're okay with this?" Carol said pulling her son to her.
"Of course mom." Finn said- he wasn't surprised (now that it had happened) and while no one could replace his dad, he knew Burt wasn't going to try to replace him but rather simply just be there for him.
Kurt watched the scene before him and felt overwhelmed with emotion: he was unbelievably happy to see these two people get second chances at love after they both lost their first loves too soon. However, he would be lying to himself if he didn't admit he felt jealous of the family that was forming in front of him. He laughed softly as Burt and Carol pulled each of the boys into a group hug. However, he got a heart warming surprise when the group broke apart:
"Come over here Kurt, you get to be part of the hug too." Carol called.
"But-" Kurt started.
"Not buts." Burt interrupted. "You're part of the reason I did this now."
Everyone in the room stopped and stared at him, waiting for an explanation of the statement.
"Well, kid I saw first hand what you've been going through and it just made me think about being lucky enough to have an amazing woman like Carol and how I wanted to give her- and Finn- a home."
Carol was crying again (not that she had ever really stopped) and Kurt felt himself to tear up too. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this emotional (well, since before he met Blaine anyway).
"Come on- you're part of the family too now." Burt said.
Kurt tried to restrain himself but he couldn't: he had ran across the room and barely slowed before being embraced by the people who had so willingly, and unexpectedly, let him into their lives.
There you go dear readers- some sickeningly sweet fluff to make up for the last chapter (and possibly the next chapter). Also, sorry if Burt's proposal sucked- I'd have no idea what to say in that situation (guess it's a good thing I plan on being proposed to and not having to be the one proposing).