Here he was again; the sickengly sweet atmosphere with the too happy people who greeted him as he shuffled through the cobblestone streets.

He pulled his collar from his damp neck nervously. This is always how it started and he knew it all too well. It was always the happy scene that would normally be considered the happiest of dreams. He looked around at all the familiar faces wearing the ridiculous garments his subconscious would usually whip up.

If it were any other circumstance, he would definitely wrinkle his nose in utter confusion and ask Santana why she was wearing a ski jacket that looked as if a toddler painted it with leopard print tights and blue go-go boots.

If it were any other circumstance that is.

He couldn't even be bothered as the blindingly pink sun suddenly and quickly sunk behind the distant mountains. The impending dread engulfed him as his chest constricted and a thin layer of sweat coated his body. Just like always, his breath would come in shallow pants and his head would become dizzy before what seemed like a elephant would smash into him and his eyes would shoot open.

Stop.

He couldn't feel his body. He couldn't even feel his heart beating although he knew it was pumping blood quickly through his veins. It only disgusted him and made him feel more uncomfortable. After feeling nothing, the first feeling returned to him was that of the blood he had just been worrying about. He could feel it slither through his body, a distinct hissing sound accompanying the feeling of the grimy worms and snakes traveling within his veins.

He felt cold and hot all at the same time as his body desperately tried to writhe in agony and to shake off the tendrils snaking around his form. His whimper would fall on deaf ears as he opened his mouth to let out a scream that would never sound.

The vixen materializing above him held a chesire grin. Her grin widened, and her face split apart, dark and rotting blood would run over his face and a shrill laugh would fill the air, followed by the collective voices of the ones he loved. His father, Finn, Rachel, Santana, Puck. All of them would continue to scream, growing louder and louder with each passing moment. Through the screaming, he could distinctly hear muddy blood flow over him with the ease of water but with the consistency of molasses. It would fill every cavity. His mouth, his nose, eyes and ears, and he would suffocate, trying to gurgle out a strangled scream from around the thick liquid. He tried screwing his eyes shut. He always tried. And as he struggled against his invisible restraints in a desperate attempt to break away from the hell he was going through, he realized his every bout of rebellion only aggravated the demons plaguing him.

A hiss. "Welcome to Wonderland, Kurt."

And suddenly, a face he had never seen before flashed in front of his eyes, contorted in hate and agony as it whispered to him.

"…..Kurt….."

His sobs couldn't surface, nor could he respond.

"Kurt."

He groaned, his muscles burning as he strained for control over his body.

"Kurt!"

He let out a blood-curdling, gasping scream as he was brought back to reality. Panting, he quickly scanned his surroundings with alert eyes. His gaze landed on his step-brother, who was at his bedside, worry obviously plastered on his face in the most expressive of ways.

Kurt sighed and ran a hand through his haphazard locks of hair that had let themselves loose with all the thrashing he was known to do in his sleep.

"What is it, Finn?" he groaned, his usually smooth voice shattered and shaky. His hand then scrubbed at his red and sleepless eyes, hoping to erase all visions of his horrible subconscious.

"You were just making a lot of noise. Just wanted to see if you were oka-"

"I'm fine."

The snappy reply cut Finn off, and although it was obvious that there was something wrong, Kurt always answered Finn the same way.

Always.


"No, Mercedes."

The flamboyant boy shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket as he and his best friend neared the counter of the Lima Bean.

"C'mon, Kurt! It would be girl's night! You used to love girl's night!" she pleaded, tugging on his arm.

Kurt smiled softly.

"Yeah, used to. That was before-"

"Welcome to the Lima Bean! What would you like today?"

Kurt glanced up as his thoughts were interrupted by the beaming barista.

"Medium drip," Kurt mumbled as he studied the man behind the counter. His smile grew wider when he caught his glance. Caught by the other man's attractive looks, he didn't even hear what Mercedes ordered.

Taking his hands from his pocket and tapping out a text message on the small keys, Kurt couldn't keep his infectious grin from spreading.

Remind me to start making a habit of coming to the Lima Bean – K

He sent the text to a particularLatinaand the barista handed them their beverages.

"Thanks! Have a nice day," he said in a chipper tone, his hazel eyes locking onto sky blue ones. Kurt glanced down at his name tag.

Blaine.

"Ooh, he's definitely ALL honey and sugar!" Mercedes squealed as they sat down at a small table. Kurt batted at her arm.

"Ssh! Mercedes!" he said, unable to contain his grin even behind his cup of coffee. He glanced back up at the barista.

"I knew you were checking him out! You should go give him your number," she giggled, taking a sip from her respective cup.

Kurt rolled his eyes. Sometimes, as enthused as they are, his friends were a bit too crazy to be openly seen with in public without coming out of it feeling embarrassed.

"Mercedes, please. He probably isn't even gay." His eyes flickered back to him again and he gave another glance over his form. The other caught him staring and smiled, giving him a little wave. Kurt only blushed and squeaked, nearly choking on his coffee.

After coughing and assuring Mercedes his life was in no danger, she tossed him a look that questioned what that was all about.

"Anyways, Rachel was the one who suggested it, since we're all single now and some chill time would always be great, y'know?" she asked, referring to their topic of conversation earlier. Kurt only sighed.

"I don't think I can make it this time, Mercedes," he answered, hastily taking a sip from his coffee, nearly burning his tongue.

Said girl only let out a long sigh.

"Is there something wrong, boo? You don't hang out with us that much anymore," she said, leaning across the table, giving Kurt the same worried look Finn always did when he came into his room at night during a particularly bad spell. Kurt only smiled.

"We're hanging out right now, aren't we?" he said as sweetly as he could, adjusting his scarf. He could only hope not too many people would realize that underneath the concealer hiding the bags under his eyes and his practiced smile, he wasn't doing well at all. Mercedes took his answer and returned to her slouching position in her chair, bent on persuading Kurt to their occasional sleepover.

Kurt flicked his wrist towards the other. "Look, I don't think I can do a sleepover, but we can all go see a movie this weekend, comprend?" he proposed, smiling genuinely at her.

She grumbled before agreeing. Kurt's phone buzzed from in his pocket and he went to retrieve it.

scopin' out ur men at a coffee shop, lady face? - San

Kurt grinned as he quickly replied.

at least I'm not checking out the way his ass moves in a Cheerios' uniform - K

touche little fairy but dont act like u arent thinkin' bout it - San

A blush creeped across his face as he read the reply. Damn, she knew him well. He re-pocketed his phone and looked at Mercedes, who was wearing a smirk and sporting a devilish glint in her chocolate-hued eyes.

"What?"

"You're live bloggin' about that fine piece of eye candy at the counter, aren't you?"

His blush grew and betrayed the flabbergasted "no!" that he stuttered in response.

"Make a move!" she said with a wide grin.

Kurt shook his head, not trusting his voice.

"Well," she stood, placing her hands flat against the table, "if you won't give him your number, I think I'll give him mine," she stated before marching off, her confidence pouring out of every orifice with each strut. Kurt only groaned and placed his face in one of his hands.

Was she insane? She must have been insane.

He watched the exchange as secretly as he could muster. The gentle laugh and the twinkle of the other male's speckled eyes as he heard out Mercedes's proposition didn't go unnoticed, neither did the way he shrugged his shoulders and scratched the back of his head as he made a face of apology.

He found himself grinning and put his cup up to his lips to try to hide it.

He saw Mercedes tense before returning to their table. Kurt only lifted a perfectly shaped eyebrow in question when she sat down at the table defeated. She gave him a stone-cold glare.

"He like boys."

The table was not prepared for the coffee spittake that proceeded the simple statement.


Well, alright guys~! What do you think? Deserve a few chapters? y/n?