*Writer's note* This is my first ever fanfiction. Any and all comments would be greatly accepted and appreciated. If you don't like the story please tell me why so I may improve in the future, and if you like the story I'd love to hear about that as well. Thank you, Donitello.

Sam fumbled what would have been the winning touchdown for the McKinley High Titans, but instead lost them the game. Everyone of his brother's in arms dropped their heads and groaned out their pangs of disappointment and disapproval at their Quarterback. He looked over into the stands at all the downcast faces, but saw one shining out among them all. A medium height brunette boy whose hair was plastered down with hair gel wearing a bow tie, but still flashing him a smile. His face hurt the most because his best friend was trying to be supportive in this the most heartbreaking moment in Sam's football career.

Blaine watched as the football fell through Sam's fingers and knew what this meant for the game, to the team, and especially Sam. Sam had done everything within his capabilities to catch the ball and shoot across the field, but instead there it laid on the ground for a fraction of second until it was captured and taken to the other side. Knowing how hard this would affect Sam, and seeing the broken-hearted look on Sam's face Blaine decided in the second that no matter what had happened the game was still a victory and he had to be Sam's personal Cheerleader.

Although Sam carried the weight of the world on his shoulders at this minute he knew that somehow Blaine would make him feel better. He was the one that Sam turned to lately for when everything was going wrong in his life.

"Blaine will make it better. We can go hangout and watch a movie or something…he'll let me forget about my fuck-up tonight," Sam thought to himself as he drug himself into the locker room to clean off the decayed grass and mud from his defeat.

Sam let everyone shower ahead of him while he sat on the benches beating himself up emotionally and listening to the other boys express their angered and hurt points of view. No matter what was said Sam felt it was directed at him, and he took every insult personally. He made the conscious choice not to allow himself to break down crying until he was in the shower where no one could see the drops of ridicule and punishment from his eyes. Nearly everyone had showered, dressed and left before Sam finished removing his uniform and pads to step into the shower.

A hand from behind him was placed on his right shoulder, and a disembodied voiced said, "Don't worry man; it's not your fault. It was a difficult pass, and I don't think anybody could have caught it", Ryder said softly with compassion.

The new kid and fellow glee club member tried to console him, but made it worse. Sam turned, and looked him in the eye and grumbled out a simple "thanks" before heading to an empty shower stall to wash away the day.

After his shower Sam felt a little more relieved because his muscles weren't as sore, but his soul was still abused by the voices trapped in his head and the multiple instant replays going on in his head. He had thought a thousand times in that brief thirty minutes how he could have caught that stupid ball. He walked outside the concrete room and saw leaning up against a fence was Blaine. He had one foot braced up against the fence, and both hands shoved into his pockets while breathing into his scarf.

"I thought you were never going to get out of there", Blaine laughed while shivering from the extreme cold.

"You could have waited in the locker room", Sam said.

"I don't like going in there when everybody is in the shower. You know how people are", Blaine said looking at the ground.

Sam realized quickly what he was talking about, and shook his head, saying, "People are stupid man, don't worry about it".

"Come on let's go do something. I've had enough of this place for one day", Sam said with defiance in his voice.

Blaine noticed the red ring around Sam's eye lids and knew he had been crying.

"I'm starving, how about we go to Breadstix, and have dinner…my treat", Blaine said smiling.

"That's not fair; you've paid the last two times. I want to take you to dinner and pay you back, but I don't have any money", Sam said feeling guilty all over again.

Blaine cocked his head up and a little to the left, knowing how difficult money is to come by for Sam and said, "Hey, what are friends for; besides spending time with my best friend is payment enough."

Sam felt a rumbling in his stomach, and the thoughts of going to Breadstix was very appealing especially with Blaine so he begrudgingly agreed to the invitation.

At the restaurant Blaine noticed that Sam wasn't his usual sweet and talkative self. They sat there reviewing their menus while sipping on their drinks. Blaine found the dish he wanted, folded his menu, and laid it to the corner of the table. He looked at Sam's face. His brow was furrowed and he looked as if he were studying intently on each and every word.

"So, you know what you want yet", Blaine asked.

Sam dropped the menu to the table then folded it, saying "yeah, I think I'll get the spaghetti".

Blaine smiled sheepishly and responded, "That what you always get. Why don't you try something new?"

Sam blushed and little while fumbling with the articles on the table, "I like spaghetti, and besides that's all I know that's on there", Sam said as he pushed back into the cushion of the booth.

Blaine jerked his head to one side and raised his eyebrow confused. He had forgotten that Sam was dyslexic and never thought he may have trouble knowing what else was offered since the list of foods had Italian names.

"Sam, would you like something else? I can tell you what everything is or help you figure out what else is on the menu", Blaine whispered across the table.

A cat that ate the canary grin spread across Sam's face, and with a wink he said, "well I do get tired of spaghetti, so if you don't mind…"

Blaine rose from his bench and joined Sam on his side of the table and they reopened the menu. After a few minutes the waitress returned to take the orders and noticed the seat swap. She shot the two boys hidden behind the menu a disapproving look, and said, "Are you two ready to order?" Blaine went first, giving specific instructions on how he wanted his meal prepared, and what went on the side.

She turned to Sam, "Spaghetti, right?"

"No, not tonight, I think I'll have the Chicken Mar...Mar SA'la tonight," Sam said with embarrassed pride.

Blaine turned towards the kitchen to hide his smile at Sam's mispronunciation, but when he turned back saw the accomplished look on Sam's face, and Sam winked and him whispering, "Thanks".

After Sam's embarrassment of reading the menu had worn off, and the conversation had really started after Blaine returned to his side of the table Blaine noticed that Sam was still a little withdrawn. He knew Sam was disappointed about losing the game, but thought this sulking may be something else entirely. Thinking back a few days he remembered that Sam wasn't looking forward to tonight going back to the Hummel's household because Burt was in Washington, Carol was busy with work, and Finn would be complaining about his and Rachel's breakup all night. Blaine was trying hard to think of a way to get Sam to come back to his house for the night so he could cheer him up when a large clap of thunder echoed outside. As boom of the thunder sounded Blaine jumped and let out a small scream before covering his mouth and his face turning crimson colored. Sam looked at him confused and asked why he was reacted the way he did.

"I hate thunder," Blaine said, "It reminds me of the Sadie Hawkins Dance at the school I went to before I started Dalton. My date and I were beaten up while we were waiting on his dad to come pick us up. That sound reminds me of the car doors slamming and punches we both got and him hitting the ground. It just terrifies me, and can I tell you something that does not leave this table?" Blaine asked.

Sam sat across from him with his mouth slightly open and eyes wide from the story. The question hit him finally and while he was still mesmerized he slowly nodded, but never broke eye contact with Blaine whose own eyes were pooling tears as he relived that horrible night.

"Sometimes during bad thunderstorms, and if my dad is out of town I will go in and sleep with my mom. I can't settle myself down until I'm snuggled up close to her," Blaine admitted looking to the floor and wiping the tears from his eyes.

By this time, the boy's orders had been delivered to the table and another crash of thunder struck. Blaine jumped again, but held onto his nerves long enough not to scream.

"I don't know what I'm going to do tonight. Both my parents are out of town and I'm going to be in that house all by myself," Blaine stated shutting his eyes and covering his face with his hand.

"Well, if you're really that scared man, I'll sleep over with you. It's no big deal. I wasn't looking forward to listening to Finn talk anymore about how bad he thinks Brody is anyway," Sam responded while taking a bite of his dinner. "Blaine, thanks for helping me this is so much better than spaghetti," Sam muffled out while shoving more food into his mouth.

Blaine was so relieved, and ecstatic that he didn't have to spend the night alone, he just yelled out "YOU WOULD DO THAT FOR ME, YES PLEASE SAM…THANK YOU SO MUCH?"

Sam just smiled that boyish grin at him, winked and said, "Calm down dude, it's not like I was asking you to prom," then laughed out loud because he made his best friend blush again.

After they finished their meal Blaine went to his house and waited for Sam who had to go to the Hummel's and get some clothes and personal things for his sleep over. He explained to Finn that Blaine needed some help on a project and they'd be up late so he was spending the night. That way Finn didn't ask to come with them. Sam arrived at Blaine's house where Blaine had already showered and gotten in his pajamas for the night. Sam hadn't really seen Blaine without any gel in his hair before and was kind of shocked when a bushy headed former Warbler answered the door. Sam giggled uncontrollably at the sight as Blaine just rolled his eyes and invited his friend inside. A few hours passed by, and the storm seemed to let up before the boys decided to go to bed. Blaine had made up the guest room for Sam, and after showing him the layout retired to his room for some sleep. A few minutes went by and the storm seemed to gain a second wind, but this time with a vengeance. Sam heard Blaine crying from the hallway as he stepped out of the bathroom and with each loud clap of thunder he would scream in terror. Sam just ran to his room, and saw him there rolled up in a ball nearly hiding under his covers. Sam pulled back the blankets and crawled in behind him. One arm was sliding around his neck as the other slowly crept across his Blaine's chest. Sam stretched his legs and Blaine just melted into him still holding the covers to his nose. Sam hugged up to him, and with his hand over this chest brought it upwards and started stroking Blaine's curls.

"Shhh…it's only the wind. You're safe here with me. I'll protect you," Sam kept whispering as he reassured his friend, and slowly brought Blaine out of his panicked state.

Blaine turned around and buried his face into the bulging shoulder of the man holding him and quieting his fears. Sam felt the tears that stained Blaine's face and he was hit with a pang of pity for him. After they had both settled down, and Sam laid his arm back in its original position, but across Blaine's back now they started both became very groggy as they were slipping off to sleep. Blaine in his half-sleep stupor crawled up slightly, kissed Sam on the lips, said, "I love you so much", and went off to sleep. Although Blaine was fully unaware of this sleep driven action Sam was now wide awake, completely aware, and his mind was racing.