rockstarwarbler: (+ Upset (Look away))
Blaine Anderson ([personal profile] rockstarwarbler) wrote in [community profile] queerasglee2012-08-08 02:58 pm

"I've been trying all my life to stand up every time I fall. If you could see it through my eyes."

Who: Blaine Anderson and Michael Novotny
What: The aftermath
Where: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
When: Following Michael's accident

It was after three in the morning by the time Blaine made it back to Pittsburgh and to the hospital where his dad was being kept overnight for observation. Blaine hadn't gotten Dr Pearson's voicemail until he actually arrived at Kurt's place in Lima, and he absolutely freaked out in a panic when he did. Which is what led to Kurt insisting Blaine leave his car there so he could drive Blaine back to Pittsburgh. He wouldn't have to be alone when he was worrying about his dad, and honestly, there was no way Kurt would let Blaine be alone after everything that went down anyway. Blaine had been upset to start with but hearing his dad had an accident, even if it was minor, just had him an emotional wreck.

So, after Blaine had made it to Lima about 11pm and they both promptly hit the road again with Kurt promising to call Burt at regular intervals so he knew they were okay. Blaine spent the first part of the trip just sitting in in the passenger's seat of Kurt's car just having a good cry now the anger had abated and Kurt kept rubbing Blaine's leg comfortingly on and off as he drove. Otherwise, beyond the radio on low, the drive was silent and Blaine appreciated that so he could try to absorb the whole mess. He used all of Kurt's travel tissues and looked a bit of a wreck by the time they arrived at the short-stay ward at the hospital Dr Pearson worked at.

They were directed to the room where Blaine's dad was, and even though he was scared to face his father, Blaine stepped into the doorway of the room hand-in-hand with Kurt and met his father's gaze silently. Kurt just gave his hand a soft reassuring squeeze and then kissed Blaine's cheek, telling him he would be in the waiting room, and then Blaine found himself standing there alone hovering in the doorway like he had no clue what he was supposed to do or say now. Before he knew it, a sob escaped before he could catch it and fresh wash of tears spilt down his cheeks just from a mix of emotional upheaval, exhaustion, frustration, anger, hurt, relief to see his dad was, in fact, okay... you name it.
zephyrnovotny: (Em||Comfort)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-08-08 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
It was so late, and Michael was exhausted, and he could tell Blaine was, too. There was no denying it with the expressive eyes looking back at him. But in their exhaustion, there was a quiet, and an openness that Michael had never been able to reach before in talking to his son. There was no anger or frustration, for which Michael was extremely grateful, just a calm, if heartbreaking conversation. There were all these... These feelings and emotions that he'd buried, and just the process of even beginning to find them to let them back out was enough to break his heart all over again.

"I'm so sorry Blaine," Michael said, squeezing his son's hand in his own, needing to keep that connection. "I should never have made you feel like I would love you less for being who you are. I love you, kiddo. With every bit of my heart, I love you. You're a part of me, Blaine... And I look at you the way you are, and Ben... Your dad would've been so proud of you, and I'm proud of you, too. I just... I let my fears get the best of me, and I was so afraid of losing you, too. You're a fantastic kid, and you have such a big heart... I don't know what the hell I've been thinking, but I'm sorry."

Blaine's confession only served to make Michael feel even worse, but he was grateful that his son was at least speaking to him now, and not only speaking, but being completely and totally honest. "Blaine... If you're happy, I'm happy. I wanted this for you, I just... I wanted it to be a girl before, because I was scared... I'm still scared, if I'm honest because this world is a fucked up place. But I love you and I trust you, Blaine. And no matter what happens, I want you to be safe and happy. I have a lot of... A lot of issues, Blaine, and those aren't your fault. I have a lot of things I never dealt with, but I'm going to, now. I'm going to get help in dealing with stuff, because it's not fair to you that I haven't taken care of you the way I should, or been a good dad to you. I love you, Blaine. And I'm going to do everything I can to get better so you can ask me what you need to, and I can be here for you. I promise you, Blaine. It's going to be better. I'm going to be your dad again, and not just that dick who doesn't listen to you. But I need your help, too. We've gotta be a team on this. And maybe it wouldn't hurt for us to... I don't know, get some counseling as a family? Together?" It felt like a huge weight off when Michael finished speaking, and then he fell silent, giving Blaine an opening to speak.
zephyrnovotny: (Hurt Comfort)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-08-08 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
The information that Kurt was a virgin was actually kind of surprising to Michael. The boy was beautiful, and Michael wasn't dumb enough to think kids weren't having sex younger and younger these days. And considering how old he'd been when he first fooled around that was pretty damn young. "Shit... It's fucked up that gay kids are still getting bullied this much. You'd think that time would've changed things. I know it's not the same as it was before, but it's still pretty awful. But you... it sounds like he's a fantastic person, Blaine, and that's... That's all any parent can ask for. For their kid to fall for an amazing person who cares about them and will take care of them. And if Kurt's that person for you, Blaine, I'm going to be happy for you."

He sighed heavily, his hand coming up to rest against his son's cheek. "You're an amazing person, Blaine. And I'm sorry... so sorry that I tried to change who you are. You didn't deserve that. If I had been being a good father, I would've been teaching you how to be the best damn gay kid you could be. I would've been teaching you about safe sex, and all the other things that you needed to know to stay safe instead of making you miserable." His son was seriously the most amazing thing that he'd ever been part of making, and Michael used his arm to push himself up a bit, watching Blaine's face as he told him that he wanted to find the kind of love that Michael had shared with Ben. With tears rolling down his face, Michael put his arm around Blaine and pulled him into a tight hug. "I wish he could see you now, Blaine. You're so brave... I swear to you... I'm going to get it right. I'm going to see a therapist and do whatever else it takes. I want to be your dad... The way we used to be... And I want to know Kurt and get to know why you fell for him." Shaking his head, he pulled back to look at Blaine again. "You're wise beyond your years, you know. Just like your Dad. It's crazy. You got my blood, but you're so much like him sometimes that it scares me. I love you, kiddo. I love you, and I'm so sorry I made you think I'd stop loving you because of who you are."
zephyrnovotny: (Hug)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-08-08 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Michael couldn't help remembering back to all those years ago, when Justin, young and in so many ways, still naive about the world, had walked out of a high school dance, just like Blaine had, and been bashed within an inch of his life, also just like Blaine. They'd nearly lost Justin then... Brian... all of them, really... so sure that it was too late... That Justin wasn't going to make it. But somehow he'd pulled out okay, and then, all these years later, the very same thing had happened to Blaine, even down to the brain injury and the almost certainty that they'd all felt that they were going to lose him. Michael remembered sitting in the hospital next to an unconscious Blaine's bed, holding his hand, and begging him not to leave him. That thought alone choked him up, and he gave Blaine a small nod. "You're right, son. They can't make you straight. And neither can I... And I shouldn't have ever tried. You are an amazing son, and you used to be the brightest light in my world... And the only reason you're not anymore is because I was refusing to let you shine... Your Uncle Emmett always says he's not ashamed to let his flame burn bright... And you shouldn't be either, Blaine. I'm so sorry I tried to hide you or make you lie to yourself. I love you, kiddo. I really do." He smiled just a little at that. "That... That's what it was like when I was with your dad," he admitted softly. "No matter how hard things got, or how hurt I was over the world, your dad just had this... This way of making it all better. He'd smile at me and hug me, and he had this... This warmth in him that was always exactly what I needed..." Michael realized in that moment that this was probably the first time he had ever talked so openly about Ben with Blaine. It had always been a painful subject for him, but as he spoke, he realized that maybe it would be a good idea to talk about it more.

Blaine's words broke Michael's heart, and brought home more than ever how far he'd pushed his son away. Blaine literally felt like he didn't have a father. And Michael had done nothing to change that. If anything, he'd only made it worse. Made Blaine more afraid and uncomfortable in his own skin, and he'd never forgive himself if Blaine didn't find himself now. But with Kurt's help, maybe? Maybe he would. "I wish I could say that you're wrong... And that I've always been here for you. But I haven't been, and I know that. But Blaine, I swear to you, I'm going to try my best to get through this and be better. Just... I know it's a lot to ask, Blaine, but can you please try to forgive me for what I've done?"
zephyrnovotny: (Hug)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-08-13 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Michael's good hand rested firmly on his son's arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. It was killing him knowing what he did to this boy... This boy who was part of him, the best part of him, and there was nothing in Michael that wanted to keep pushing them apart. All he wanted to do now was pick up the pieces and do the best he could to put them together without leaving anymore scars than he already had. "I've missed you, son," Michael admitted, meeting Blaine's gaze quietly. "I've missed you so much, and it's all my fault... And I am so sorry that I didn't fight for you... for our family."

"And that's what I want for you, too, kiddo. What any decent parent would ever want for their child. And I know I haven't been a very decent parent lately, but that's going to change. You deserve all the good things in the world, Blaine, and Kurt? I think Kurt's a very good thing. I love you, kiddo. And I'm okay with you being whoever in the world you are. Unless that's a drug addict or a serial killer, and then I'm gonna kick your little butt... But I'm okay with you being gay. And I'm proud of the man that you're becoming."
zephyrnovotny: (Warm)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-08-21 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
Michael's arm snaked out to wrap around Blaine gently, finding comfort in the simple gesture from his son that he knew meant so much. Blaine was a good boy. A fantastically behaved kid with a heart of gold, and Michael would never stop being grateful that his son had grown up to be such an incredible young man. "You know something, Blaine Anderson? You're an amazing kid. You're a beautiful person, and I'm honored that I get to be your dad, even if I haven't exactly acted like it lately. I love you with all my heart, kiddo."

It only took a moment for Michael to mull that over before he was nodding his consent. "Of course. That's okay with me. I'd really like a chance to get to know the guy who turned your head. He has to be something special if you care about him as much as you do." Carefully, so as not to hurt his bad shoulder, Michael shifted to rest his head on top of Blaine's. "And he's welcome to stay the weekend. Of course. As long as his dad doesn't mind. I do want to talk to him and really get to know him... And I want to talk to you and get to know you again, too. I let this go on far too long, Blaine, and I can never apologize enough. I can't promise you things will be perfect from now on, but I promise you with all my heart that I will never stop fighting to protect you. The real you, and not the you I tried to make you be."
zephyrnovotny: (Seriously?!)

[personal profile] zephyrnovotny 2012-09-02 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
There was something in this quiet moment shared with his son that just broke through all the walls Michael had ever held in place in attempts to try and force Blaine into any kind of mold. Just having his precious child in his arms (or arm, as the case may be) again, feeling the familiar but beloved weight of the curly head resting against his shoulder, was enough to remind Michael what being a father was really all about. "I know, kiddo. All of these horrible things happened to you, and instead of being a dad, I chose to be another one of those people who made you feel like you weren't good enough. I take full responsibility for that, Blaine. I made very bad decisions as your dad, and I can never apologize enough to make up for that. I wish there were something I could say that would magically make all those painful things go away for you so that you could just be happy... completely happy, and see all the things that I see when I look at you that make me so proud to be your father. I'm so happy you found Kurt, Blaine. I know that this world has enough horrible shit without the people you love who are supposed to love you, too, constantly doing things that hurt you. I have never hated you, but I know that what I did, trying to push you to be someone else... it made you feel like I did. The truth is, Blaine, I'm weak and afraid sometimes. And I make stupid decisions out of fear that end up hurting the people who matter the most to me. That includes you. I remember when you were a tiny baby... Right after your mom had you... And your dad and I were in the hospital with her, and the doctor put you in my arms... and I just looked down at you, and... You were the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. And you were ours. I promised you that day that I would do everything in my power to make sure that you were okay, that you always knew you were loved, and that you could always be yourself with me... And along the way, I let my own hurt hold me back... I could've stood up and gotten help when your dad died, but I didn't. I had options, and I didn't take them. And in doing that, I hurt you so much more than I ever wanted to. I refused to listen to people telling me that you needed me, and I am so sorry, Blaine. You are the most important person in my life, and I love you with all my heart."

Michael nodded slowly. "That's fine by me. He should stay over. I don't want him out driving at this time of the night. And if he's fashion conscious, Nana's house might kill him, so we should definitely keep that from happening." He laughed a little at the thought of a queen with major fashion sensibilities in his mother's house. Tightening his arm around his son, Michael leaned to press a kiss to the curly hair on top of the boy's head. The sleepy rambling was something Blaine had done since he'd started talking, and it always made Michael smile just a little. "I think you're the same person, just... Stronger somehow... But I've forced you to hide a lot of yourself when you're around me, and I don't want that to happen anymore. I want to know it all. I don't want you to feel like you can't even tell me that you're friends with a gay guy, or that you have a boyfriend, without us getting into an argument. I'm going to go to counseling and get some help for my problems, too. I want to be a better dad and a better person in general... And being bitter at the world's not going to help me get very far with that."