stoney321 | Fic Post (this is one of the signs of the apocalypse, so you know)

I don't think I've written any fic since... hmm, the Cullenses were Mormon missionaries proselytizing the the vampires of Fangtasia? Lol. That should tell you everything you need to know about me.

Since my flist has been dropping like flies since I started getting excited about GLEE, I thought I'd push it even further. But I do it out of love.

Author: Stoney321
Title: How The Pieces Fit
Rating: General
Summary: Burt makes sure Blaine knows...things, too. Written to (hopefully) put a smile on

flaming_muse's face today, and because I've wanted to write Burt Hummel for months. Very short, <600 words. (thanks to

oatmellow for speedy beta work note: EVERYONE NEEDS A BETA. Lol.)

How The Pieces Fit

"So...," Burt sighs, rubbing his head. "I don't know if your parents ever talked about, well, you know."

Blaine looks at Burt, stricken. "Um, Mr. Humm- Burt? If you're about to tell me about the birds and the bees, I would like to remind you of an incredibly awkward conversation we had eight years ago in your garage."

Burt blinks for a minute, chewing the inside of his cheek. "Yeah. Believe me, I remember that. Some fancy kid--no offense son, you know what I mean--comes in like he's my equal and tells me I need to tell my boy how-- Well, you know. How two puzzle pieces are supposed to fit together. That's not something a guy forgets too easily"

Blaine's face contorts with either amusement or embarrassment, Burt's never been able to figure the two out. At least, not when it's just him and Blaine. He looks at Blaine looking at his son and Burt knows exactly what Blaine's thinking. Which is why they're here, come to think of it.

Burt side steps someone, a stage coordinator, he thinks Kurt called him, and takes a step closer to Blaine, clapping a hand on Blaine's shoulder to keep their heads close in case anyone might want to listen in. "I just want you to know that no matter what, you matter to us, okay?"

Blaine looks down at their shoes and nods.

Not good enough, Burt thinks."You matter to me, got it? You wanna change your mind, you wanna take more time, believe me, I get it."

Blaine looks up, and Burt knows that look: worry and confusion. He saw it not too long ago on Finn's face when he had this same talk with him. Burt squeezes his shoulder companionably.

"I'm just saying, there's all the time in the world, it doesn't have to be everything right this second."

Blaine stammers,"I would never...never back out-"

Burt closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I know, kid, I know. I'm just saying, you do have the option." He pulls Blaine into a bear hug and catches sight of Finn walking towards them, smoothing the front of his shirt and checking his breath in his palm. Finn grins up at Burt and gives him double thumbs up.

"I said as much to my other son," Burt whispers into Blaine's ear. "Hell, you've been my son for years now, haven't you? Pretty proud of you, you hear me?" Burt pulled back, clearing his throat. He just had a tickle, probably the damn A/C, every one liked their air conditioning cranked to the max, he saw it all the time in his shop.

"Mr. Humm- Burt?"

Burt looks up at the rafters over the stage at the string of lights hung up high and blinks a bit. Just a little bright, that's all; that's why his eyes sting.

Blaine's voice is barely a whisper. "Thank you. For more than this, just... thank you."

"Anytime, kid. Now make an honest man of my boy, you hear me?"

Blaine's face breaks into the sweetest, dopiest grin Burt's ever seen, and he looked the exact same right before he danced out to make Carole his forever and ever. Burt would settle for nothing else, not on Kurt's big day. It's about time they made it official.

Blaine's whole body goes still when he sees Kurt step out. "Really. Thank you, Burt."

Just when I get him to finally call me that. "Call me Dad."