Last Christmas Blaine found Kurt and gave him a home …

Blaine's POV

Blaine said his goodbyes as he took the trash out the back before heading home. He was tired but fulfilled after helping out at the local shelter with his glee club for Christmas. Sam was right it was the time of year to be giving and many people lost sight of that. Blaine huffed a little as he lifted the overstuffed garbage bag over his head into the tall dumpster bin. He let out a heavy sigh as he bent over to get the pieces that fell out of the bag. He honestly would have missed it if he didn't stop to get the last bits of trash off the ground. There huddled as close as to the dumpster bin as possible was some type of hybrid animal. Blaine froze, he wasn't sure if the thing was even alive or conscious all he knew was that it must be freezing. Blaine was a little chilly in a jacket and hat and gloves and scarf. The hybrid on the ground only wore torn pants and a long sleeve shirt, both of which were wet from the snow. Blaine looked around wondering if anyone would be looking for it. When he decided no one was coming for it he took off to pull his car into the alleyway. After very carefully laying the cat hybrid into the back of his car and giving up his hat, scarf, and jacket he drove home, trying to think of a way to explain things to his parents.

If only it were as simple as warming him up. The cat hybrid was still unconscious when he arrived home and after carrying him into the home and laying him on the sofa Blaine realized how much trouble the cat hybrid was in. There were extensive bruises on him and he looked to be extremely thin and pale. His fur was natted and dirty. Blaine knew how important it was to keep him at a secret at the moment, but he knew taking care of the cat hybrid was something larger than he was capable of. He only knew of one person he could call that he could trust. It was a little awkward to call Finn and ask to speak only to his mom, but he also knew that he didn't have many options.

Carole helped him out by taking care of the bruises, recommending a shampoo that will help with any fleas, telling him how to take care of the an ear infection, and giving him her personal cell number and telling him to call with any questions. She also promised to keep this to herself. Before she left she explained to Blaine where the hybrids came from. Apparently they were babies that were never given to families, mostly one's doctors assumed were not going to live after being born, and they were then treated as experiments for making the next super human. However, almost all experiments were considered failed when the physical aspects of animals appeared on the humans. Those experiments were then sold as pets to people willing to pay the money.

However, taking care of the cat hybrid was not that simple. He was skittish and didn't even trust Blaine enough to tell him his name. He jumped at everything and would hide for hours. Blaine was patient of course but Blaine also welcomed him into his home. It was Christmas Eve and all he wanted this year for the cat hybrid he took in to trust him. Blaine gave him a room to himself with a bed. He bought him some new clothes to keep him warm. All Blaine wanted in return was a little trust.

That night everything seemed calm as Blaine watched some Christmas specials with his family. Everything was okay, minus the cat hybrid hiding under the sofa, tail swooshing back and forth just watching and waiting for something. Then a fire truck with sirens blaring drove by; with Santa atop, spooking the hybrid enough to pull him from his hiding spot under the sofa with a loud howl and dart for the stars. On his way he brushed the tree and ended up breaking a couple ornaments. Both his parents were not too please. His dad made a couple of loud comments. Blaine knew enough that they were only in the heat of the moment and immediate began to clean up the glass and garland.

Blaine tried to find the cat hybrid before bed to tell him everything was okay, but he honestly couldn't find him anywhere and just decided maybe after a nights sleep everyone would be better. However, it turned out he was too worried to sleep and ended up just laying in bed thinking. Blaine turned in his bed when he heard the softest knock on the door and before he could say anything the door crept open. The minute Blaine saw the cat hybrid standing in the doorway he knew something was wrong. He was crying and shaking. Blaine didn't move or flick the light for fear that he would spook the cat hybrid. "Blaine..." and oh gosh his voice sounded so broken.

"What's wrong?" Blaine and him rarely talked and it normally would be nice to hear his voice but he was so upset that Blaine could only be filled with worry.

"I'm sorry." He whispered on the edge of tears.

"For what?" Blaine barely got the question out, before the cat hybrid interrupted him.

"Please don't send me back. I'll be good I promise!" he cried. Blaine froze. Had he been thinking Blaine would leave him on the street or take him somewhere?

"No, no. I would never ever take you back. I promise. And you were not being bad; you're very good. Please just trust me." Blaine stated softly but certainly hoping it would soothe him. The cat nodded and sniffled, ears lying flat and tail in his hand. "What happened?" Blaine finally asked after a second of silence.

"I had a nightmare and I know I made a mess and I was bad. I've been trying really hard to be good. I really have been. I've been trying extra hard to pass all your tests and-" the cat was getting hysterical again so Blaine took the chance to interrupt.

"Tests? I haven't been testing you. I want you to be comfortable and happy here." Blaine clarified horrified to find that the cat hybrid thought he was being tested and wondered if he had been before. It was silent for a moment as he picked at his tail, he must have been thinking.

"Can I … can I sleep in here with you Blaine? You make me feel really safe and I'm scared."

Blaine was shocked and wondered if he was hearing things, but he must not have been because he was standing there nervously waiting for an answer. "Yes, of course" he replied dumbly. The cat hybrid nodded and went to lie on the floor by the bed. Blaine took a deep breath in before taking another chance "You know I don't like sharing my bed with strangers, but if you tell me your name maybe I can make some room?" It was silent for a long while and Blaine wondered if he scared him away again.

"Kurt."

It was so quiet that he almost missed it and Blaine had to contain himself from jumping with giddiness. He scooted over and waited for Kurt to join him but he never came up, Blaine began to worry as he peeked over the bed thinking he frightened him. However, Kurt was contently lying on the floor curled in a ball with no sign of fear. "You can join me, it's not test or a trick."

"Um … I … well sometimes I can't help it when I sleep and I … " he trailed off this time picking at the fur on his ears. After a second Blaine caught on and smiled.

"It's okay. I liked to cuddle in my sleep too."

Kurt slowly and carefully joined Blaine in bed, but laid as far from Blaine's side as possible. Blaine counted his little victories that night.