AN: Because I think Burt needs some screen time and these pre-series drabbles are fun to write! Inspired by lyrics from "Stay With Me" by Finch
"You can't leave me, too."
Looking down at the tear-filled eyes of my nine year old son, my heart breaks at his words. Kurt's always been a little on the clingy side but this past year it has been worse. I've even started taking him to the garage with me instead of leaving him with a sitter at home as much as I can. The garage might not be an ideal environment for a nine year old, but at least he seems content sitting in my office working on schoolwork or playing with his toys.
"I'm not leaving you, Buddy," I tell him, kneeling down in front of him. Reaching out I place my hands on his shoulders. "I'm just going out for a couple of hours for dinner with Sarah and then I'll be back."
"Why can't I come with you?"
"Sometimes adults like to share a meal alone."
"You and mommy always took me out to eat with you."
The tears are falling down his cheeks now. Wiping some away, I take note again at just how small my son is and how much he is like his mother.
"Okay, you can come with us," I relent. "Go dry your tears and change clothes," I tell him, pointing to the steps.
As he hurries away to do just that, I walk into the kitchen and call Sarah to explain the situation. I'm surprised when she insists that she isn't sharing a date with a nine-year-old boy and tells me to choose between her and Kurt. That decision is an easy one to make.
"I'm ready, Dad" Kurt says, coming into the kitchen as I hang up the phone. There are no more tears in his eyes, but his tear-stained cheeks are reminders of them.
Picking him up I place him on a stool and then grab a paper towel. "It looks like it's going to be just us, Buddy," I tell him, wetting the paper towel. Wringing it out, I cross back over to him. "Where do you want to go?" I ask, wiping away the last remnants of his tears.
As lonely as I might be, Kurt needs to come first now. I realize now that it isn't fair to ask any woman to accept that, just as it isn't fair to my son to ask him to be second in my life. Now that Kathleen is gone, Kurt is my world and I need to wait until he's open to letting someone else in our lives again.