Absence and the Heart (4/10)
Media: Fanfic
Title: Absence and the Heart (4/10)
Rating: PG
Pairings: Klaine
Other Characters: David and all the other named Warblers (because I'm not ready to let them go yet)
Spoilers: Up to s2e19
Warnings: Fluff, angst
Word Count: 3,520 approx (these chapters are getting longer and longer)
Summary: Blaine copes with the first ten days of not having Kurt around every moment of the day; the Warblers cope with Blaine.
In this chapter: Burt Hummel. Need I say more?
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3a
Chapter 3b
Sunday
It’s Sunday morning and he should be allowed to sleep in. Turns out David has other ideas. He should have seen it coming, given the way the older boy’s been brainstorming on the science project that Blaine has yet to participate in. Not that he minds. Science was not one of his strong points, and David revels in it, and doesn’t seem to mind letting him ride on his coattails.
Which is probably the reason why Blaine limps out to David’s car, foot bandaged securely, and gets in on the passenger side.
“Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going at least? You just said we’re going to pick up some spare parts for the engine.”
“And risk you jumping out of a moving vehicle? I think not,” David replies. “You’re a little slow in the mornings aren’t you?” He’s teasing.
“That’s not an excuse to take advantage of me and haul me out on some joyride.”
“Good thing I picked up one of these for you then, hmm?” David waves a medium drip in front of his nose.
Blaine’s eyes widen and he grabs for the cup. “Gimme!” Clutching it securely, he takes a long, slow sip. “Mmm… not quite heaven - Kurt’s lips are heaven - but close.”
David chuckles. “TMI Blaine.” He starts the car and pulls out, letting Blaine cradle and fuss over his coffee while he does the driving, in the hope that Blaine will wake up enough by the time they reach their destination.
He needn’t have worried. The moment they pass a familiar mile marker, Blaine sits bolt upright in his seat and stares at David completely alert and just a little bit freaked.
“We’re going to Lima? Why are we going to Lima?”
David grins. “Spare parts remember?”
Blaine is smart enough to put two and two together and for a moment he contemplates yanking the wheel out of David’s hand and turning the car around.
“I hate you, I hope you know,” he growls. “You couldn’t find any other place in Westerville or anywhere in between; you HAD to pick this one.”
“I love you, too, and you’ll be thanking me later.”
Blaine only pouts. “I think I’ll need more coffee.”
“Oh man up, it’s going to be fine.”
“Easy for you to talk. You’re not the boyfriend.”
The older boy only chuckles and turns off the exit ramp that will take him to their destination. Blaine pouts more and drains the rest of his coffee, hoping it will make him alert enough so he won’t go and say anything stupid. It does nothing to calm the butterflies in his stomach that flutter at the thought that he’ll probably get to see Kurt today!
David pulls into the Hummel Tires and Lube garage and Blaine swallows nervously, lingering in the car even as David kills the engine and gets out, going over to the familiar older man who’s just getting up from behind a desk.
“Mr. Hummel, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m David. We talked on the phone yesterday.”
“Call me Burt. Yeah, I remember you. One of Kurt’s Dalton friends right?”
“That’s right. He’s doing well back at McKinley?”
“Seems to be.” Burt adjusted his cap. “So you mentioned something about an engine and needing parts?” He looked genuinely interested.
“Blaine’s and my science project.” David looks back to where Blaine’s just getting out of the car, carefully putting weight on his left ankle which is still bandaged and in a sandal instead of a shoe. “We’re building a rotary engine and need a few parts to make it work.”
Burt watches Blaine as the smaller boy comes over to him and stretches out his hand with a smile. His expression softens a bit when he sees the boy is hurt, and he grasps the hand a little more gently than normal.
“Kurt said you hurt yourself. You doing better now?”
Blaine nods. “A lot better.” He tries to stand up a little straighter and a small wince betrays him.
To his immense and utmost surprise, Burt wraps an arm around his waist and helps him over to a chair. Blaine’s brain just about shorts out and he’s not entirely sure what to say beyond a thank you.
“Kurt’s been worried about you. I’d feel better if you were sitting down and not straining anything so I don’t have to add to his worry,” Burt says in response.
He perks just a little bit. “Is… is Kurt around? Or at home?”
The little touch of sadness on Burt’s face at his eager question also surprises him. “Carole took him to the farmer’s market. Somethin’ about buying fresh produce for a change… they probably won’t be back for a few hours, knowin’ them.” He rests a hand on Blaine’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, kid. I know you really wanted to see him. At least I can tell ya the feeling’s mutual from Kurt’s side.”
Burt and David have never seen someone’s expression crumble so hard and so fast. Blaine really wishes he’d been allowed to sleep in… but he forces a smile on his face.
“Ah well, these things happen, don’t they?” He gives a hollow laugh. “We sort of knew, when he said he was going back, that it wouldn’t be possible to see each other all the time.”
David’s busy getting his notes from the car, so Burt crouches down in front of Blaine. “Kid, listen to me: Kurt loves you. He loves you very VERY much. I see it in his eyes every time he talks about you. So don’t you doubt it for a second, alright?”
Blaine pretends the mistiness in his eyes is not because of tears. “I don’t. Doubt it that is. I feel the same way about him. I love him.”
Burt nods. “Good. Hold on to that. It’ll get you through the hard times.” He squeezes the shoulder gently. “Now, about that science project…?”
“Uh… David knows more than I do. I just agreed to be his partner, but he’s the one who came up with it, and who’s doing most of the work. I’m just… writing the presentation and explaining all his notes.”
“You put that car together with your dad. Don’t sell yourself short, kid.”
Burt gets up and goes over to David to see what they need, and the two get to work on the engine exchanging jargon Blaine has never even heard of despite rebuilding that old car with his dad. Figuring they know what they’re doing, Blaine stands and hobbles to get his bag from David’s car, waving assurance that he’s fine enough to walk on his own.
“Is it alright if I use the desk, Mr. Hummel?” he asks as he makes his way back to the chair he had occupied.
“Use my office. It’s cleaner.”
Blaine smiles a bit and nods, making his way to the smaller room and shutting himself inside. He drops into the chair and smiles a bit at the picture of father and son on the desk before taking out a sheaf of papers and some pens. He divides the stack up between science project and music and gets to work. He’s got time after all. Might as well distract himself and catch up on his work.
He doesn’t realize he’s lost track of time till the door to the office opens and Burt comes in. A glance at the wall clock tells him he’s been at it for a good couple of hours. The older Hummel goes over to the small mini-fridge and gets himself a drink before looking over at Blaine and tossing him a can of Diet Coke. Blaine is startled but manages to catch it.
“Kurt keeps a stash here,” Burt explains. “I don’t think he’d mind if you took one.”
“Oh… thanks.” Blaine opens the can and takes a long drink. He could actually use the sugar and caffeine right now. “Uh, where’s David?”
“Went to get lunch. How’s it going with the… uh…” He waves his hand at the papers strewn on the desk.
Blaine runs a hand through his curls. “I think… there’s progress.”
Burt studies him, and it sure looks like there has been. Part of him admires the boy’s dedication. He knows when he was 17 there was no way he’d been as responsible with his schoolwork. That Blaine is just makes him a little bit more comfortable with the boy dating his son. And speaking of his son, well, Burt’s not stupid.
“You didn’t call him and tell him you were here?”
Blaine looks up from writing music, then glances down again. “Uh… no. I just… Time with his step-mom. He told me once that he didn’t feel like he spent enough time with her since the wedding. I don’t want to intrude or interrupt that.”
“I haven’t seen you around much since he transferred back.”
“I…” Blaine sighs and Burt can see he’s struggling. “Kurt’s getting his life back in order. There’s a lot he has to catch up on. I don’t want to smother him or take up all the free time he has. I mean, we still talk on the phone and text each other.” He sets the soda can down on some tissue so the condensation doesn’t stain the desk. “How’s he doing, though? From your point-of-view.”
“He’s doing good. Definitely happy to be back at his old school and with his friends. It’s almost like he never left.” He sees Blaine give the slightest twitch. “Almost.”
Blaine stares at his music. “What’s different?”
“Well, from my point-of-view… he’s happier. He doesn’t come home looking like he’s in pain all the time. He doesn’t look scared anymore. He looks like he’s in control and he’s got everything covered… But sometimes I see him look around absently. Like he’s looking for someone that’s supposed to be there but isn’t.”
Blaine blinks and is a little surprised when a tear drips onto the paper. Quickly he blots it up. “He misses me?” His voice is so soft that Burt has to strain to hear him.
“He hasn’t said it out loud, but I know my son.”
Burt watches Blaine through all of this. He hasn’t missed the tear, the slump of the shoulders, the fact that he’s still technically remained in school and doing schoolwork on a weekend, possibly to distract himself from missing Kurt, the way his hopeful expression had crumbled when he’d heard Kurt wasn’t around; and how he was hiding the heartache behind his gentlemanly façade.
He knows a little of Blaine’s home life, from what Kurt has told him, and he’s aware that Kurt and the Dalton boys he hangs out with have been more a family to this boy than his biological family. It makes him want to go over and shake his parents and tell them that no job was worth losing their son over.
He knows it’s none of his business, but here’s this kid, this kid his son loves (and he can maybe see why), sitting in his office and trying his best to be responsible, and supportive and understanding and patient… with. His. Son. while trying not to fall apart himself. He moves and goes to sit beside Blaine, leaning against his desk and facing the boy.
Blaine looks up at him nervously, almost as if he’s afraid of asking what he asks. “How did you do it?” His voice is still soft. “I know it’s not the same, but… missing someone… how do you go on when they’re not around?”
Burt’s not angry. If this kid really loves Kurt the way he loved Kurt’s mom (and he thinks he does), then he’s not one to turn down advice if he knows it’ll help them both through this transition and distance.
“You just do. You remind yourself that as much as you’d like to tell the world to go to hell and give up living for anything else, it’s not what they’d want you to do, and that doing it is spitting in the face of all they stand for.”
“Did you ever want to just hide under a blanket and never come out?”
“All the time. But I had to come out. I had Kurt and he needed me to be there for him, to take care of him, ‘cause I was his dad and I couldn’t stop being his dad just ‘cause life decided to throw me a curve ball.” He reaches out and gently nudges Blaine’s chin up with a finger
Blaine meets the older Hummel’s eyes. They were almost hazel like his own. Kurt’s eyes must have come from his mom.
“I know it’s hard,” Burt continues. “You’ve just gotten in this relationship and you’re still figuring things out, and then suddenly there’s all this distance between you, and you’re missing that presence in your life. But you don’t have to hide, under a blanket or behind this superhero that you think you need to be for Kurt.
The boy’s eyes go wide and he blinks, but remains silent, letting Burt speak.
“You’re just a boy in love, and that’s all you need to be…. So just live as one. Live like even though he’s not around, you know you’re gonna see him at any moment; like he’s waiting for you to come and sweep him up.”
Blaine nods slowly.
“And Blaine, anytime you wanna see him, as long as it’s okay with Kurt, you’re welcome at our house.” He pats the boy’s cheek gently and with just a bit of fondness. “Just remember though, the door stays open.”
He stands when he sees Blaine smile slowly. It’s a small smile, but it’s a smile, and Burt likes to think it’s progress.
“Yes, sir. Thank you,” Blaine replies.
David returns with lunch soon after and once they’ve eaten, Blaine joins him and they spend the next few hours finishing the engine under Burt’s supervision. They’re almost done when the phone rings in Burt’s office. Leaving the boys to wrap up and trusting that by now they know what they’re doing, Burt goes to answer it. Neither boy pays any attention to the call until Burt calls out to them.
“Kurt and Carole are back home. Would you boys like to join us for dinner?”
Blaine and David look at each other, and then at the clock on the wall. It’s almost 6pm and they still have a little more to do before they have to head back to Westerville in order to make Dalton’s curfew. David looks apologetically at Blaine. The other boy only shrugs resignedly. He’d be more than willing to break curfew if it had been just him, but he wasn’t about to drag David down with him. The older boy had a lot riding on his record at Dalton.
David squeezed his shoulder gently. “I’m sorry Mr. Hummel, but we need to leave soon or we’ll be late for curfew. Tomorrow IS a school day and Dalton likes to have us back by eight, so we have time to settle back in after weekend activities.”
Burt nods. “I understand.” He looks at Blaine. “I know Kurt will understand. He’s been there after all.” He’s not blind to the boy’s disappointment. “I’ll ask him to call you, Blaine.”
Blaine perks up just a little bit. “Thank you, sir.”
The older Hummel turns back to the phone and Blaine turns back to silently helping David finish their engine before it’s time to pack it up and load it into David’s car. Then it’s time for the long drive back to Westerville, neither of them noticing - as they turn the corner and David presses down on the accelerator - the black Navigator pulling up to the Hummel garage.
Blaine’s silent for most of the drive, which has David glancing at him on and off a little worriedly. For the most part, the dark-haired boy just stares out of the window at the scenery passing by, and the older boy can’t help but wonder what’s going through his head.
“Hey, I’m sorry,’ he says at last.
Blaine looks over at him. “For what?”
“Dragging you out here without even calling to check first if Kurt was even around.” David sighs. “I thought it’d be a nice surprise for you both.”
He can’t be angry with David even if he wants to. After all, how many times has David agreed to go along with some crazy hare-brained plan of his own? The fiasco at the GAP being his most recent example. So he just reaches over and squeezes David’s arm.
“I’m not mad.”
“You’re sad though.”
“A little, yeah. Foiled again, as they say. It’s not your fault though. This stuff happens.” He drew his arm back. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other, just not yet. We will eventually.”
“Yeah you will, if the rest of us have anything to say about it.”
Blaine smiles a little, grateful he has these boys as his friends - David and Wes especially. Again he thinks back to his early days at Dalton. David had been the one to coax his story out of him, and then put him in his car - much like this time - and drive him to see a doctor for the muscle he had pulled in his shoulder just before transferring. A muscle he had pulled when some jock had grabbed his arm and tried to jerk him into a wall, and he’d resisted. David had helped him carry his bag while it had healed.
“Thanks, David.”
“Anytime, Blaine.”
… They’ve only just parked within the Dalton grounds when Blaine’s phone rings, the tone identifying the caller as none other than Kurt. David smirks at him.
“Go take your call. I’ll handle the engine.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, thumb poised over the answer button.
“Absolutely. I’m gonna take it to the lab and get it set up. Answer your call, Blaine.”
He gives the darker boy a nod of thanks and walks slowly to the entrance, putting the phone to his ear. “Hey.”
“You could have told me you were coming to visit my dad today, y’know.” Kurt sounds as disappointed as he feels.
“I promise you I didn’t know, Kurt. David didn’t tell me anything when he dragged me into his car this morning.” He can only hope Kurt’s not too mad at him. “I didn’t even realize we were going to the garage till he turned down the street.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end, and Blaine pauses his walking across the parking lot, balancing on one foot.
“Do I even want to know?” There’s a sigh in his voice.
“Science project. And he wanted to try and surprise us.”
“And you couldn’t call me and let me know you were there?!”
Blaine walks again, and goes up the steps into the main building. “Your dad said you were out with Carole. I remember you telling me how much you wanted to spend time with her; I wasn’t about to interrupt that.” He starts down the hall. “I know you. You would have dropped everything and left.”
“For obvious reasons, Blaine,” is the deadpan answer. Another sigh. “Sometimes… I really want to tell your nobility to go jump off a cliff.”
He laughs a little as he turns a corner. “I don’t think your dad would approve of me dating you if that side of me died. And you like that side of me, admit it.”
There’s a soft snort. “I like all sides of you, thank you very much.”
Blaine’s heart lightens a little as he hears this. “Aww… you’re wonderful Kurt.”
“I am, but I’m glad someone else thinks so, too.”
He grins, loving Kurt’s confidence. “How was the farmer’s market?”
“Oh my god, Blaine! I can’t believe I’ve never been to one of those before. Do you have any idea how fresh those products are compared to the stuff in the supermarket? How economical? I’m talking fresh enough, not just to eat, but enough to make facial masks and body scrubs!”
“You went nuts, huh? Or is that putting it mildly?”
“I think I may have bought a month’s supply of avocado.” There’s a pause as he hears Kurt fiddle with something on the other end. “How’s your ankle?”
He walks down the dorm halls towards his room. “Sore, but doing much better. I can hobble around on it and wear shoes. It should be alright in a couple of days.”
“Those Warblers taking care of you?”
“As always.”
“Good.” Blaine thinks he can hear Carole calling for Kurt in the distance. “I think she’s having problems with the pressure cooker.”
“Go save the day, Kurt, or at least the dinner.”
“Looks like I’ll have to… good luck with the science project.”
“Thanks… I think we’ve got it in the bag. Have a good day at school tomorrow. Call me when you’re done? I miss you.”
“I will.”
Kurt hangs up on the other end as Blaine pushes open the door to his room and goes inside.
=====
Enjoy!
Feedback as always is loved and appreciated :)
Title: Absence and the Heart (4/10)
Rating: PG
Pairings: Klaine
Other Characters: David and all the other named Warblers (because I'm not ready to let them go yet)
Spoilers: Up to s2e19
Warnings: Fluff, angst
Word Count: 3,520 approx (these chapters are getting longer and longer)
Summary: Blaine copes with the first ten days of not having Kurt around every moment of the day; the Warblers cope with Blaine.
In this chapter: Burt Hummel. Need I say more?
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3a
Chapter 3b
Sunday
It’s Sunday morning and he should be allowed to sleep in. Turns out David has other ideas. He should have seen it coming, given the way the older boy’s been brainstorming on the science project that Blaine has yet to participate in. Not that he minds. Science was not one of his strong points, and David revels in it, and doesn’t seem to mind letting him ride on his coattails.
Which is probably the reason why Blaine limps out to David’s car, foot bandaged securely, and gets in on the passenger side.
“Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going at least? You just said we’re going to pick up some spare parts for the engine.”
“And risk you jumping out of a moving vehicle? I think not,” David replies. “You’re a little slow in the mornings aren’t you?” He’s teasing.
“That’s not an excuse to take advantage of me and haul me out on some joyride.”
“Good thing I picked up one of these for you then, hmm?” David waves a medium drip in front of his nose.
Blaine’s eyes widen and he grabs for the cup. “Gimme!” Clutching it securely, he takes a long, slow sip. “Mmm… not quite heaven - Kurt’s lips are heaven - but close.”
David chuckles. “TMI Blaine.” He starts the car and pulls out, letting Blaine cradle and fuss over his coffee while he does the driving, in the hope that Blaine will wake up enough by the time they reach their destination.
He needn’t have worried. The moment they pass a familiar mile marker, Blaine sits bolt upright in his seat and stares at David completely alert and just a little bit freaked.
“We’re going to Lima? Why are we going to Lima?”
David grins. “Spare parts remember?”
Blaine is smart enough to put two and two together and for a moment he contemplates yanking the wheel out of David’s hand and turning the car around.
“I hate you, I hope you know,” he growls. “You couldn’t find any other place in Westerville or anywhere in between; you HAD to pick this one.”
“I love you, too, and you’ll be thanking me later.”
Blaine only pouts. “I think I’ll need more coffee.”
“Oh man up, it’s going to be fine.”
“Easy for you to talk. You’re not the boyfriend.”
The older boy only chuckles and turns off the exit ramp that will take him to their destination. Blaine pouts more and drains the rest of his coffee, hoping it will make him alert enough so he won’t go and say anything stupid. It does nothing to calm the butterflies in his stomach that flutter at the thought that he’ll probably get to see Kurt today!
David pulls into the Hummel Tires and Lube garage and Blaine swallows nervously, lingering in the car even as David kills the engine and gets out, going over to the familiar older man who’s just getting up from behind a desk.
“Mr. Hummel, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m David. We talked on the phone yesterday.”
“Call me Burt. Yeah, I remember you. One of Kurt’s Dalton friends right?”
“That’s right. He’s doing well back at McKinley?”
“Seems to be.” Burt adjusted his cap. “So you mentioned something about an engine and needing parts?” He looked genuinely interested.
“Blaine’s and my science project.” David looks back to where Blaine’s just getting out of the car, carefully putting weight on his left ankle which is still bandaged and in a sandal instead of a shoe. “We’re building a rotary engine and need a few parts to make it work.”
Burt watches Blaine as the smaller boy comes over to him and stretches out his hand with a smile. His expression softens a bit when he sees the boy is hurt, and he grasps the hand a little more gently than normal.
“Kurt said you hurt yourself. You doing better now?”
Blaine nods. “A lot better.” He tries to stand up a little straighter and a small wince betrays him.
To his immense and utmost surprise, Burt wraps an arm around his waist and helps him over to a chair. Blaine’s brain just about shorts out and he’s not entirely sure what to say beyond a thank you.
“Kurt’s been worried about you. I’d feel better if you were sitting down and not straining anything so I don’t have to add to his worry,” Burt says in response.
He perks just a little bit. “Is… is Kurt around? Or at home?”
The little touch of sadness on Burt’s face at his eager question also surprises him. “Carole took him to the farmer’s market. Somethin’ about buying fresh produce for a change… they probably won’t be back for a few hours, knowin’ them.” He rests a hand on Blaine’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, kid. I know you really wanted to see him. At least I can tell ya the feeling’s mutual from Kurt’s side.”
Burt and David have never seen someone’s expression crumble so hard and so fast. Blaine really wishes he’d been allowed to sleep in… but he forces a smile on his face.
“Ah well, these things happen, don’t they?” He gives a hollow laugh. “We sort of knew, when he said he was going back, that it wouldn’t be possible to see each other all the time.”
David’s busy getting his notes from the car, so Burt crouches down in front of Blaine. “Kid, listen to me: Kurt loves you. He loves you very VERY much. I see it in his eyes every time he talks about you. So don’t you doubt it for a second, alright?”
Blaine pretends the mistiness in his eyes is not because of tears. “I don’t. Doubt it that is. I feel the same way about him. I love him.”
Burt nods. “Good. Hold on to that. It’ll get you through the hard times.” He squeezes the shoulder gently. “Now, about that science project…?”
“Uh… David knows more than I do. I just agreed to be his partner, but he’s the one who came up with it, and who’s doing most of the work. I’m just… writing the presentation and explaining all his notes.”
“You put that car together with your dad. Don’t sell yourself short, kid.”
Burt gets up and goes over to David to see what they need, and the two get to work on the engine exchanging jargon Blaine has never even heard of despite rebuilding that old car with his dad. Figuring they know what they’re doing, Blaine stands and hobbles to get his bag from David’s car, waving assurance that he’s fine enough to walk on his own.
“Is it alright if I use the desk, Mr. Hummel?” he asks as he makes his way back to the chair he had occupied.
“Use my office. It’s cleaner.”
Blaine smiles a bit and nods, making his way to the smaller room and shutting himself inside. He drops into the chair and smiles a bit at the picture of father and son on the desk before taking out a sheaf of papers and some pens. He divides the stack up between science project and music and gets to work. He’s got time after all. Might as well distract himself and catch up on his work.
He doesn’t realize he’s lost track of time till the door to the office opens and Burt comes in. A glance at the wall clock tells him he’s been at it for a good couple of hours. The older Hummel goes over to the small mini-fridge and gets himself a drink before looking over at Blaine and tossing him a can of Diet Coke. Blaine is startled but manages to catch it.
“Kurt keeps a stash here,” Burt explains. “I don’t think he’d mind if you took one.”
“Oh… thanks.” Blaine opens the can and takes a long drink. He could actually use the sugar and caffeine right now. “Uh, where’s David?”
“Went to get lunch. How’s it going with the… uh…” He waves his hand at the papers strewn on the desk.
Blaine runs a hand through his curls. “I think… there’s progress.”
Burt studies him, and it sure looks like there has been. Part of him admires the boy’s dedication. He knows when he was 17 there was no way he’d been as responsible with his schoolwork. That Blaine is just makes him a little bit more comfortable with the boy dating his son. And speaking of his son, well, Burt’s not stupid.
“You didn’t call him and tell him you were here?”
Blaine looks up from writing music, then glances down again. “Uh… no. I just… Time with his step-mom. He told me once that he didn’t feel like he spent enough time with her since the wedding. I don’t want to intrude or interrupt that.”
“I haven’t seen you around much since he transferred back.”
“I…” Blaine sighs and Burt can see he’s struggling. “Kurt’s getting his life back in order. There’s a lot he has to catch up on. I don’t want to smother him or take up all the free time he has. I mean, we still talk on the phone and text each other.” He sets the soda can down on some tissue so the condensation doesn’t stain the desk. “How’s he doing, though? From your point-of-view.”
“He’s doing good. Definitely happy to be back at his old school and with his friends. It’s almost like he never left.” He sees Blaine give the slightest twitch. “Almost.”
Blaine stares at his music. “What’s different?”
“Well, from my point-of-view… he’s happier. He doesn’t come home looking like he’s in pain all the time. He doesn’t look scared anymore. He looks like he’s in control and he’s got everything covered… But sometimes I see him look around absently. Like he’s looking for someone that’s supposed to be there but isn’t.”
Blaine blinks and is a little surprised when a tear drips onto the paper. Quickly he blots it up. “He misses me?” His voice is so soft that Burt has to strain to hear him.
“He hasn’t said it out loud, but I know my son.”
Burt watches Blaine through all of this. He hasn’t missed the tear, the slump of the shoulders, the fact that he’s still technically remained in school and doing schoolwork on a weekend, possibly to distract himself from missing Kurt, the way his hopeful expression had crumbled when he’d heard Kurt wasn’t around; and how he was hiding the heartache behind his gentlemanly façade.
He knows a little of Blaine’s home life, from what Kurt has told him, and he’s aware that Kurt and the Dalton boys he hangs out with have been more a family to this boy than his biological family. It makes him want to go over and shake his parents and tell them that no job was worth losing their son over.
He knows it’s none of his business, but here’s this kid, this kid his son loves (and he can maybe see why), sitting in his office and trying his best to be responsible, and supportive and understanding and patient… with. His. Son. while trying not to fall apart himself. He moves and goes to sit beside Blaine, leaning against his desk and facing the boy.
Blaine looks up at him nervously, almost as if he’s afraid of asking what he asks. “How did you do it?” His voice is still soft. “I know it’s not the same, but… missing someone… how do you go on when they’re not around?”
Burt’s not angry. If this kid really loves Kurt the way he loved Kurt’s mom (and he thinks he does), then he’s not one to turn down advice if he knows it’ll help them both through this transition and distance.
“You just do. You remind yourself that as much as you’d like to tell the world to go to hell and give up living for anything else, it’s not what they’d want you to do, and that doing it is spitting in the face of all they stand for.”
“Did you ever want to just hide under a blanket and never come out?”
“All the time. But I had to come out. I had Kurt and he needed me to be there for him, to take care of him, ‘cause I was his dad and I couldn’t stop being his dad just ‘cause life decided to throw me a curve ball.” He reaches out and gently nudges Blaine’s chin up with a finger
Blaine meets the older Hummel’s eyes. They were almost hazel like his own. Kurt’s eyes must have come from his mom.
“I know it’s hard,” Burt continues. “You’ve just gotten in this relationship and you’re still figuring things out, and then suddenly there’s all this distance between you, and you’re missing that presence in your life. But you don’t have to hide, under a blanket or behind this superhero that you think you need to be for Kurt.
The boy’s eyes go wide and he blinks, but remains silent, letting Burt speak.
“You’re just a boy in love, and that’s all you need to be…. So just live as one. Live like even though he’s not around, you know you’re gonna see him at any moment; like he’s waiting for you to come and sweep him up.”
Blaine nods slowly.
“And Blaine, anytime you wanna see him, as long as it’s okay with Kurt, you’re welcome at our house.” He pats the boy’s cheek gently and with just a bit of fondness. “Just remember though, the door stays open.”
He stands when he sees Blaine smile slowly. It’s a small smile, but it’s a smile, and Burt likes to think it’s progress.
“Yes, sir. Thank you,” Blaine replies.
David returns with lunch soon after and once they’ve eaten, Blaine joins him and they spend the next few hours finishing the engine under Burt’s supervision. They’re almost done when the phone rings in Burt’s office. Leaving the boys to wrap up and trusting that by now they know what they’re doing, Burt goes to answer it. Neither boy pays any attention to the call until Burt calls out to them.
“Kurt and Carole are back home. Would you boys like to join us for dinner?”
Blaine and David look at each other, and then at the clock on the wall. It’s almost 6pm and they still have a little more to do before they have to head back to Westerville in order to make Dalton’s curfew. David looks apologetically at Blaine. The other boy only shrugs resignedly. He’d be more than willing to break curfew if it had been just him, but he wasn’t about to drag David down with him. The older boy had a lot riding on his record at Dalton.
David squeezed his shoulder gently. “I’m sorry Mr. Hummel, but we need to leave soon or we’ll be late for curfew. Tomorrow IS a school day and Dalton likes to have us back by eight, so we have time to settle back in after weekend activities.”
Burt nods. “I understand.” He looks at Blaine. “I know Kurt will understand. He’s been there after all.” He’s not blind to the boy’s disappointment. “I’ll ask him to call you, Blaine.”
Blaine perks up just a little bit. “Thank you, sir.”
The older Hummel turns back to the phone and Blaine turns back to silently helping David finish their engine before it’s time to pack it up and load it into David’s car. Then it’s time for the long drive back to Westerville, neither of them noticing - as they turn the corner and David presses down on the accelerator - the black Navigator pulling up to the Hummel garage.
Blaine’s silent for most of the drive, which has David glancing at him on and off a little worriedly. For the most part, the dark-haired boy just stares out of the window at the scenery passing by, and the older boy can’t help but wonder what’s going through his head.
“Hey, I’m sorry,’ he says at last.
Blaine looks over at him. “For what?”
“Dragging you out here without even calling to check first if Kurt was even around.” David sighs. “I thought it’d be a nice surprise for you both.”
He can’t be angry with David even if he wants to. After all, how many times has David agreed to go along with some crazy hare-brained plan of his own? The fiasco at the GAP being his most recent example. So he just reaches over and squeezes David’s arm.
“I’m not mad.”
“You’re sad though.”
“A little, yeah. Foiled again, as they say. It’s not your fault though. This stuff happens.” He drew his arm back. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other, just not yet. We will eventually.”
“Yeah you will, if the rest of us have anything to say about it.”
Blaine smiles a little, grateful he has these boys as his friends - David and Wes especially. Again he thinks back to his early days at Dalton. David had been the one to coax his story out of him, and then put him in his car - much like this time - and drive him to see a doctor for the muscle he had pulled in his shoulder just before transferring. A muscle he had pulled when some jock had grabbed his arm and tried to jerk him into a wall, and he’d resisted. David had helped him carry his bag while it had healed.
“Thanks, David.”
“Anytime, Blaine.”
… They’ve only just parked within the Dalton grounds when Blaine’s phone rings, the tone identifying the caller as none other than Kurt. David smirks at him.
“Go take your call. I’ll handle the engine.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, thumb poised over the answer button.
“Absolutely. I’m gonna take it to the lab and get it set up. Answer your call, Blaine.”
He gives the darker boy a nod of thanks and walks slowly to the entrance, putting the phone to his ear. “Hey.”
“You could have told me you were coming to visit my dad today, y’know.” Kurt sounds as disappointed as he feels.
“I promise you I didn’t know, Kurt. David didn’t tell me anything when he dragged me into his car this morning.” He can only hope Kurt’s not too mad at him. “I didn’t even realize we were going to the garage till he turned down the street.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end, and Blaine pauses his walking across the parking lot, balancing on one foot.
“Do I even want to know?” There’s a sigh in his voice.
“Science project. And he wanted to try and surprise us.”
“And you couldn’t call me and let me know you were there?!”
Blaine walks again, and goes up the steps into the main building. “Your dad said you were out with Carole. I remember you telling me how much you wanted to spend time with her; I wasn’t about to interrupt that.” He starts down the hall. “I know you. You would have dropped everything and left.”
“For obvious reasons, Blaine,” is the deadpan answer. Another sigh. “Sometimes… I really want to tell your nobility to go jump off a cliff.”
He laughs a little as he turns a corner. “I don’t think your dad would approve of me dating you if that side of me died. And you like that side of me, admit it.”
There’s a soft snort. “I like all sides of you, thank you very much.”
Blaine’s heart lightens a little as he hears this. “Aww… you’re wonderful Kurt.”
“I am, but I’m glad someone else thinks so, too.”
He grins, loving Kurt’s confidence. “How was the farmer’s market?”
“Oh my god, Blaine! I can’t believe I’ve never been to one of those before. Do you have any idea how fresh those products are compared to the stuff in the supermarket? How economical? I’m talking fresh enough, not just to eat, but enough to make facial masks and body scrubs!”
“You went nuts, huh? Or is that putting it mildly?”
“I think I may have bought a month’s supply of avocado.” There’s a pause as he hears Kurt fiddle with something on the other end. “How’s your ankle?”
He walks down the dorm halls towards his room. “Sore, but doing much better. I can hobble around on it and wear shoes. It should be alright in a couple of days.”
“Those Warblers taking care of you?”
“As always.”
“Good.” Blaine thinks he can hear Carole calling for Kurt in the distance. “I think she’s having problems with the pressure cooker.”
“Go save the day, Kurt, or at least the dinner.”
“Looks like I’ll have to… good luck with the science project.”
“Thanks… I think we’ve got it in the bag. Have a good day at school tomorrow. Call me when you’re done? I miss you.”
“I will.”
Kurt hangs up on the other end as Blaine pushes open the door to his room and goes inside.
=====
Enjoy!
Feedback as always is loved and appreciated :)