Written for Kurtofsky Winterfest Day 1: New Beginnings
Title: Being Alive
By: Rubylis
Rating: T (PG)-Should be suitable for most.
Summary: David gives Kurt a chance at a new life.
Warning: Cancer; character death.
Kurt labored for each breath now. The oxygen mask that was supposed to help felt instead as if it were slowly smothering what little life he had left. He shivered. Even under two layers of blankets he was cold. Always cold. And thirsty. His dry tongue darted futilely across chapped lips. He fell into a short, fitful sleep then woke again to long shadows darkening his room as the sun began to fade. His last sunset. He had, finally, accepted the certainty of that a few days ago.
He listened bitterly to the songbirds flocking back to their nests for the evening. Every warbling note a painful reminder of his loss. First, his ability to sing. Ironically, the very semester his NYADA classes started. Second, his ability to even speak. And soon, tonight he silently amended, his life. He bit back tears, furious at the inept doctors who had misdiagnosed him in the beginning. If they had caught the cancer earlier. If they had started treatment sooner, more aggressively.
He dozed off, then woke to a now familiar presence in the room with him. He watched Dave pull up a chair, sit and take Kurt's hand in his as he had for nearly a week now. The unnaturally bright green eyes-glittering like sunlight on grass-no longer startled Kurt. The hand on his, so much stronger now than when David had been human, cradled his fragile fingers protectively. Dave grinned. "There is one problem with doing this now." Kurt raised a questioning eyebrow. Facial expressions and a writing pad were all he had now to communicate. "You'll never be old enough to drink. Not legally."
Kurt tried to laugh. His lungs seized and he ended up in a painful coughing fit that left him wheezing. He lay back on the pillows, eyes closed, exhausted. The bed creaked and he felt Dave climb in next to him. Kurt turned on his side, huddling greedily into the unexpected warmth. Dave pulled the blankets tight around the smaller man and held him close. "Are you ready?" Weakly, Kurt pointed to his throat. "Yes." Dave kissed his temple. "You'll be able to sing again."
Kurt opened his eyes, making sure Dave was clear about his wishes, and nodded. Dave turned off the oxygen then took the mask from Kurt's face. He heard Kurt's heart speed up, panicked, and saw the flicker of fear cross his face as his body slowly starved from oxygen deprivation. "Kurt, think about how warm you are." Dave slid his palm over Kurt's chest. His pulse slowed as he relaxed. "Good. You're doing great." Kurt whimpered and turned his head into David's shoulder. Dave felt tears dampening his shirt.
Kurt's lips were parted and turning dusky when Dave kissed him. He felt Kurt's body going limp against his. It was time. His mouth trailed down Kurt's jaw and, when he reached the soft flesh just over his jugular vein, he sank his fangs in. Kurt jerked once. Dave held him fast. It wouldn't take long, not as close to death as he was.
Kurt sighed, happily snuggling into the warmth of his bed, stomach pleasantly full, tongue lapping the last of his meal from his lips.
"Thanks for not draining me completely, Hummel." Kurt opened his eyes, startled at the sudden depth and clarity of his surroundings and, with some amusement, belatedly realizing his "meal" had come from Dave Karofsky's throat. "Greedy little vamp aren't you?" But Dave said it affectionately and followed with a quick kiss.
"Give me a break, Karofsky. I've never died before." Kurt retorted playfully then froze. He glanced nervously at Dave before tentatively, softly singing a few notes. His voice. He had his voice back. With a delighted laugh, he threw his head back and enthusiastically began singing "Being Alive."