Blaine does need surgery, but to everyone's relief it is a simple operation, and by Wednesday he is allowed to go home. If Burt Hummel had been able to pick him up and put him in a stroller, he would have, if the way he escorts him slowly down the corridor is anything to go by.

"Gently now, careful," he says, every time Blaine takes a step, holding tightly to Kurt's arm.

"I'm not gonna break! I know how to walk."

"I know, but I don't want you to cause any damage...you know..."

"I won't," Blaine says quietly, turning red. He doesn't tell Burt that he is tightly contained in a jock strap, which he is to wear morning and night for six weeks. He only told Kurt because they share the laundry, and he knew he would wonder about his abrupt change in underwear habit.

The pain is slightly better now anyway; the doctor said this was because all the bruising was out now, and all it had to do was heal. His arm aches if he moves suddenly, but generally it's bearable. The only thing he hasn't done is look in a mirror. He had trusted Kurt to dress him and fix his hair, though he was looking forward to getting home where he could finally take a good look at his face.

"You okay there?" Burt asks, when they reach the elevators.

"I'm fine," Blaine says with a bright smile. "Happy to be going home."

He looks it too, greeting Brian warmly when they get downstairs, and thanking him for coming to drive them home. He hasn't spoken again of the news the doctor imparted, or about the fact that all his savings had been cruelly stolen.

Santana had visited, and when Kurt had arrived it was to see Blaine sitting up in bed laughing at something she had said. His happy mood had stayed too; when Brian had come to visit, and then Angie and Burt, all anyone had gotten was happy and upbeat Blaine in his hospital bed, who glossed over his pain, saying the doctors were giving him good stuff, and that he'd be fit and well in no time.

Angie had tried a few times to talk with him about the money, but he kept using the same line, which was that he was just pleased she had left him, and that was good enough. Burt had tried to talk with him about his injury, but again, all Blaine would say was that it was fine, he and Kurt had talked things through, and there was really no need to worry.

For someone who wanted to be home so badly, he is oddly detached when Kurt opens the door to the apartment, sitting as best he can on the couch, and not really looking around at all, just staring ahead at the spot on the wall which last time he had looked, had been covered with a huge spray of blood.

"Blaine, sweetie!" Angie coos, coming out of the kitchen. "I'm so glad you're home. Now, your freezer is full, I've cleaned everywhere, and I've made muffins and cookies too."

"Yep. She's been busy," Kurt mutters tightly as he sits next to him on the couch, and Blaine has to hide his smile. He knows just how much it will have pained Kurt to have Angie bustling around the apartment these last few days, and he also knows that whenever bad things happen it's his mom's automatic reaction to do anything she can to try and feel useful. He thinks Burt might really enjoy having her as a house guest.

"Anyone for tea? Angie asks brightly. "Coffee? Brian, you'll stay, won't you?"

"Oh, well, only if that's okay," Brian says, glancing at Blaine. "You must be tired, and..."

"It's fine," Blaine smiles. "Stay, have coffee with us, please."

After an hour Brian politely excuses himself, but even though Angie and Burt are moving to a hotel today, she insists on staying and making lunch for everyone, and Burt seems reluctant to move from right by Blaine's side. Instead he keeps himself busy drawing up a schedule for his medication.

"Now Kurt, don't lose this," he says, as he hands it over. "It's very important that Blaine gets his pain meds at the right time, and for goodness sake, don't mix them up. Double check the labels each time."

"Sure," Kurt says with a nod, and again, Blaine knows how much it's killing him not to launch into a tirade about how he is capable of dishing out a few pills every four hours.

"Blaine, did you want a bath?"

"Excuse me?"

"Did you want to take a bath?" Burt repeats.

"I'm good."

"The warm water might help, and I don't want Kurt trying to get you in and out on his own."

"You know what? I think I'll manage," Blaine says politely, then glances at the clock on the wall. "You should get going, probably. I'm sure you can check in now."

"Yeah, okay. We'll be back in an hour or so."

"Back?" Blaine asks in surprise. "You don't need to come back, really."

"We need to see you're okay," Angie chimes in. "And to make sure you both eat."

"We'll eat," Blaine says quietly, yet with a firmness to his voice that tells Kurt neither parent will be returning. "I need to sleep, and Kurt needs to make some calls to work, then we can eat before I sleep some more. Really, go enjoy the city or something. Kurt can call you later to give you an update if you want, and then you can come over tomorrow."

"But..."

"Blaine's right," Kurt declares, and he rises from his seat, gathers all the empty mugs, and then makes a great show of fetching pillows and blankets and helping Blaine to lie down on the couch. "He needs to rest."

"If you're sure," Burt shrugs, and though he's clearly not happy about it, and neither is Angie, they really have no choice when Kurt helps them with their bags, and hails a cab for them, sending them off with a bright wave.

"Jesus fucking Christ," he murmurs, when he can finally close the apartment door. Walking into the living room, he notes that Blaine is sitting upright once more, watching him.

"Kurt?"

"Hmm?"

"Come here."

Kurt obliges, happy to settle back on the couch with Blaine's arm around him, and happier still with the warm kiss that is placed into his hair.

"How are you?"

"What?"

"How are you?" Blaine repeats. "All anyone keeps asking is how I'm doing, but we both went through this, and for you it's probably worse, having to keep looking at me and running around everywhere...you haven't stopped, and I just wanted to know how you are."

"I wouldn't say it's worse for me," Kurt says quietly. "Just...I don't know really. I guess I'm like you."

"How do you mean?"

"Pretending everything is okay, that I'm fine. When really, all I wanna do is cry."

"Same," Blaine admits, and when he looks at Kurt again, his eyes are swimming with tears. "I feel like crap," he tells him honestly. "I hurt all over, I have to wear this stupid dumb jock strap, I have to wait four months to know the outcome, I've lost all my money, and you know what? I'm totally grateful and happy that you're here and all that, but I feel like everything else is shitty."

"Yes," Kurt sighs, giving in and letting his tears fall. "All of that. I'm scared too," he whispers, and it doesn't matter that he's crying, or that Blaine is too. He didn't realize until now just how much he needed to be with Blaine like this, to have the opportunity for them both to talk openly and honestly. "I'm scared the police will come," he carries on, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "Or worse, that they'll come back; for me or you. I'm worried about you, what we'll do if you're infertile. I mean, we'll get past it and still have a family I know, but the psychological effects... I'm scared of you being scared, of not wanting to tell me that you don't want to be left alone, or of you suffering bad dreams and keeping them to yourself. I need you to tell me."

"I will," Blaine nods. "I really will."

"I'm pissed off too," Kurt cries, on a roll now, and showing no signs of stopping. "Like you, I feel like it's all shitty. I'm pissed off that they did this to you, and that they're gonna get away with it. If there was any possible way that we could..."

"No."

Blaine is so sure and firm that Kurt knows he isn't going to change his mind, so he shuts up and gives a nod. "I know. I just...your money," he says with a sob. "Do you know that is the most romantic thing I have ever heard? You, saving like that. It's...you have so much faith in us to be able to make it, that you were saving for something that could be ten years down the line, and those bastards stole it. They stole all your money, and..."

"I still have that faith though, don't you?"

"I do," Kurt agrees. "Probably now more than ever. I don't think, or hope. I know we'll make it. I know we will."

"If you don't accidentally overdose me with the wrong drugs."

"Don't get me started on that," Kurt snaps, while Blaine laughs through his tears. "I love dad to death, and you know, I'm fond of your mom too, but my god, they think I'm twelve."

"Well if you're twelve, that makes me one," Blaine points out. "You can understand their concern."

"Ha! Well, yes. Seriously though, they don't trust me to take care of you."

"Oh I think they do, it's just that they want to do it too, and it's a little insufferable."

"Extremely. Tell me how you are anyway," he says, nuzzling in under Blaine's neck. "God I've missed you."

"You've been at the hospital the whole time."

"I know but I've missed this, you know? Us being us?"

"I know what you mean, and I feel the same," Blaine agrees. "In fact, all of what you said I agree with, that's how I feel. Scared, worried, pissed off. Angry, even. I'm as annoyed as you are that we can't go to the police, because I'd love to drag their asses through court, but you know what? As gross and shocking as it was, there was something rather satisfactory about you smashing Spencer's face in like that. I felt like one of those gangster molls, you know?"

"Oh stop it," Kurt laughs, before blowing his nose.

"I mean it! If I'd been in a better state myself, I'd probably have taken you right there and then."

"You would not. You would have panicked like hell and started cleaning the walls," Kurt grins, resting their foreheads together.

"You have a point."

Kurt gives a sad smile, and gently brushes a tear from Blaine's cheek. "Is it weird that I feel better? Even if we are sitting here crying?"

"Who cares if it's weird? I feel better too. I like this, being home, being with you."

"Same. Hey, you wanna have a movie marathon in bed? Pizza and beer?"

"Hmm, yes, but no beer," Blaine says regretfully. "Too many pills."

"That could be really fun."

"It really wouldn't," Blaine laughs. "You'd be the one clearing up my puke."

"True. Pizza and cherry coke then," Kurt says, helping Blaine to his feet. "And lots and lots of making out. Oh. Only if that's...if it's not gonna...I mean,"

"Kurt?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up," Blaine says, taking Kurt by the hand and leading him to the bedroom. "Making out is definitely on my list. There'd be a whole lot more too, if I could."

"Soon."

"Six weeks," Blaine whines. "Six long weeks of waking up next to you, going to sleep beside you, watching you take a shower..."

"Hey! Stalker."

Blaine stops him, pinning him against the bedroom door. "When those six weeks are up, we're not making any other plans for at least a month," he declares, before claiming his mouth in a deep kiss, which is exactly what they've both been longing for.

The next week is tough, and the pair come to rely on one another and their long chats that run late into the night, where they discuss their feelings, voice their fears, and vent about the oppressive presence of their parents.

Burt seems reluctant to leave New York at all, but after a week he announces that he has to return to Ohio, and says he will be taking Angie with him.

It's all Blaine can do not to turn around and give Kurt a fist bump right there and then. It's not that he doesn't love them, because he does, so much, it's just that they're determined to keep him wrapped in bubble wrap until the end of time, it seems.

His mom had practically fainted when he said he'd like to take a walk outside, as if this was a completely alien suggestion. She had actually been close to calling the doctor, and asking if this was wise, before Kurt manhandled him into a pair of shoes, threw a jacket over his shoulders, and loudly proclaimed that he was stepping out with Blaine for some air.

As it was, they were only gone for fifteen minutes before Blaine got tired from the stabbing pain in his groin, so they limped back home, stopping to make out a little in the doorway, of course.

The next day she had found him in the kitchen, and tried to give him fifty dollars to start off his savings again, but he was having none of it, and she gave up when he told her he'd stop speaking to her if she tried to give him money that he knew she didn't have.

In fact, the kitchen seems to be the place for people to trap Blaine when they want to talk to him, because the next day it is Burt who trails him in there, and with his frame blocking the doorway, there's no hope of escape.

"So, you and Kurt..."

"Uh-Huh."

"Are you being safe?"

"Excuse me?"

"With your injury," Burt mumbles, and it's obvious that he's finding this awkward, and yet he still feels like it must be said. "It can't be comfortable, and I just...I don't want you making problems for yourself just because you're too eager."

"Oh my god, you're asking if we're having sex," Blaine moans, mortified.

"Well..."

"Please don't. FYI? No we are not, and we won't be for quite some time."

"Oh that's good," Burt nods, the relief evident in his voice. "Good, yes. Sorry then...for the question. I just wanted to check."

"Well you've checked," Blaine snaps, then looks at his dad standing there in the kitchen, looking awkward and embarrassed, and his heart gives a lurch. He's only asking out of concern, Blaine reminds himself, and it's quite apparent that he wouldn't say anything unless he thought it totally necessary. It's also painfully obvious that Burt is walking on eggshells, worried about doing or saying something to upset him, and Blaine decides to open up a little more.

"I wanted to ask you something actually," he says, and Burt looks up almost hopefully.

"Oh?"

"But you cannot breathe a word. This is me trusting you with my whole life."

"Of course."

"Has Kurt ever said anything to you about marriage?"

Burt's eyes go wide and he frantically scans the kitchen as if it might hold the answer. "Uh..."

"As in...when? I mean, I know we both say we want to get married, but I just wondered if he'd ever mentioned when he thought that might be."

"Uh...he...he wants to marry you, yes."

"I know that but..." Blaine pauses, and tugs Burt closer so he can whisper. "I've been thinking more and more about asking him, you know? Only I don't want to ask him, and then I'm expecting to get married when I graduate, but he wants to do it right away. I mean, what if he doesn't want a long engagement? What if he does want a long engagement and then I'm ready to walk down the aisle after six months? What if he wants a big elaborate wedding that I just can't afford? Should I wait and save up some money for that first? Or should I just ask, you know, get it out there?"

"Uh..."

"And if I do ask, do I have your permission?"

"Oh you two definitely have my permission," Burt says heartedly, happy that there's a question he can answer. "And trust me, I have saved for Kurt's wedding since he was three. There's enough money for when you do decide to get hitched."

"It's gonna be expensive. Kurt won't settle for anything cheap."

"I know that. What are you, new?"

Blaine laughs, and Burt ruffles his hair, feeling so much better about things between them already. "Look sunshine, you want my advice? I'd wait on it for a while. Let all this blow over, let both of you properly heal, and then revisit the idea," he says, hoping and praying that's the right answer. He hasn't even thought to check in with Kurt about his plans regarding his own proposal.

"Yeah, you might be right," Blaine muses. "Hmm. Think about it again in the summer, maybe."

"Exactly. There's no rush," Burt reassures him. "I know you love him, and you wanna show him you're grateful for all his support, but there's a million and one ways you can do that without having to propose. You know it's something you both want to happen."

Blaine grins, and hugs Burt tight. "Thank you," he whispers happily, before Kurt's yell comes from the living room, telling them to grab him a soda while they're in there.

It's the night before they leave that Angie and Burt spring it on them. Later, Kurt would tell Blaine that they both should have seen it coming, but they didn't, and so it's quite the shock.

"Blaine?" Angie asks after dinner, when she has finally stopped cleaning the already clean kitchen.

"Yeah?"

"Um Burt and I were wondering..."

"Actually, this was her idea," Burt chimes in.

"Yes, but you agree, don't you?"

"I do, but I don't think they will."

"We talked about this," Angie says in a low voice, even though Blaine and Kurt can hear perfectly well. "You said to ask."

"I said to ask, but I also said not to get upset when they say no."

"If you're dating, or want to date, the answer is no," Blaine snaps, but Burt reaches out and gives a smack to the back of his head.

"Hey! I've told you, there's none of that."

"He's too old for me anyway," Angie smiles smugly. "And too grumpy."

"Oh. Well then what is it?"

"We would like you to come back to Ohio with us, and live at home until finals start."

Kurt says nothing, which is unusual, and instead it is Blaine who sits up as sharply as he can. "What? Are you insane? No!"

"Hear me out..."

"No!" Blaine shrieks. "I will not hear you out! I live with Kurt, mom."

"I know that, but he has to work. If you were in Lima, then Burt and I could..."

"Could what? Could annoy me all day long? Could ask me six hundred times a day if I'm in pain? Could jump everytime I so much as moved a muscle?"

"Hey!" Burt objects, loudly and firmly. "Now you hear me out, young man. I told Angie you'd say no, because you're an adult and you have your own life with Kurt. I get that, but she's only trying to look out for her kid, and you can't blame her for that. How many times do you hear me telling Kurt he's still my baby, huh? Now you'll apologize, please, I won't have you speaking to your mom like that."

And Blaine, big, twenty year old, adult Blaine, is clearly never too old for being reprimanded by Burt, because he hangs his head and mutters a sullen "sorry" to Angie, which makes Burt have to hide his smile. "I just...I appreciate all you've done, really, we both do, but I'm not leaving Kurt here while I fly home with you, I'm just not. That'd be what...five weeks apart? Plus, it might be spring break right now, but I need to get back to class next week, I can't just go missing."

"I could talk to your professors," Angie says quietly. "You're so smart. I'm sure they'd..."

"Mom." Blaine tries as hard as he can to remain calm, even sliding along the couch to be closer to her. "I don't think you're listening to all that I'm saying. Dad's right, I'm an adult. If I need time away from class, then I'll talk to my professors. I don't need you to do it for me. I'm not coming home," he says firmly. "I'll come back for a weekend, maybe, with Kurt, but...we both need each other right now. It wouldn't be fair for me to leave Kurt here. I know you want me to heal, but Kurt needs to heal too. We can help each other do that, but we can't if I'm in Lima."

"Did I do the right thing?" he asks Kurt fearfully later that night. He's in bed already, wearing pajamas, because Kurt has barred him from sleeping with a bare chest on the grounds of it making him too horny.

"Yes," Kurt answers, muffled as he rummages in the drawer for a t-shirt. "I think..." he pauses, pulling the t-shirt over his head and flipping out the main light. "I think you know that anyway."

"I do, but you were very quiet throughout it all."

"Because sometimes you need to fight your own battles," Kurt says evenly, then he leans over Blaine and turns out the lamp. "And I don't want anyone thinking you're not going back because I said something to convince you."

"Do we really have to sleep like this?"

"Four weeks and three days left."

"Ugh."

"Shut up, you love pajamas."

"I do, but I miss your hands on my chest."

"Hmm, well, it's for my own sanity," Kurt laughs, though he still cuddles in, his head resting in the crook of Blaine's neck. "I was proud that you stood your ground tonight," he tells him, before giving a yawn. "I love you."

"Love you too," Blaine murmurs, already on the verge of sleep.

It doesn't last for long though, as he wakes up in the early hours with a jolt, hissing in pain as he sits upright and shakes Kurt awake.

"Kurt, Kurt, wake up. Kurt!"

"Huh?" Kurt sits, rubbing at his eyes, which sting from being forced open. "Huh? What? What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"You missed your promotion."

"What?"

"Your promotion," Blaine repeats. "At work. I just realized. You were supposed to give that presentation like...over a week ago."

"Oh. Well...yeah."

"Kurt!" Blaine cries sadly. "Why didn't you say something?"

"Um...well, you had your surgery that day, so I wanted to be there when you came out of it."

Blaine reaches out in the darkness, his thumb rubbing gently over Kurt's cheek. "But your job."

"Blaine, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you and I are good, and that we're together. I'd be a barista again, as long as it meant you were still mine."

"That's not fair," Blaine sighs. "You've given so much to me, all this time...you've been amazing, and I've given you nothing in return. Now I realize you've missed out on achieving your dream, just because...because some bastards beat me up."

"Listen to me," Kurt urges, "before I pass out again. "You have given me so much, Blaine. For eighteen months, I was unbearable to you. You not only waited for me and kept faith that I'd come around, but you also supported me, and encouraged me to change and become a better person. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be anywhere near Marie Claire to begin with, I'd still be working in the coffee house, or waiting tables, trying to keep afloat. I have a job that I love, I'm clearing my debts, I live with the love of my life, and I'm in a much better place in every single aspect of my life thanks to you and your belief in me. So I missed one promotion, so what? There will be others, but there will never be another you."

Blaine wrinkles his nose. "That's cheesy."

"I don't care."

"I feel sad."

"Please don't," Kurt says, holding his hand tightly. "I haven't said anything, because it's fine, really."

"We missed our date too."

"Ah well, to be honest, I'm more upset about that than anything," Kurt sighs. "But as soon as you're able, we'll go out, I promise."

"Dinner and the theatre," Blaine smiles. "On me."

"Uh-uh," Kurt grins, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. "That date was mine, and I intend to follow through with the plan I originally had, which is to take you out for the day, so shut up with your dinner and theatre plans, Mr. Anderson."

He settles down again, happy when Blaine slides down next to him, and rests his head on his shoulder.

"Actually, maybe don't shut up about those plans altogether, because I really like being taken out, especially if it's to the theatre." Kurt then says, having thought over his words. "I really like Broadway," he hints. "Just...you know...let me get my date in first, then we can do yours."

Blaine laughs, looking up at Kurt's profile. "Don't ever change," he says softly. "You're completely crazy, yet totally perfect, and I promise to take you to the theatre as soon as I can."

"Broadway?"

"Where else?"

"The best seats in the house?"

"Naturally."

"And can we have dinner at that Thai place we went to on your Birthday? I liked that, and it was really expensive."

"Oh Kurt," Blaine sighs, before he laughs again. "Of course we can."