Hi everyone! I got such incredible feedback - thank you so much for the reviews! - that I decided to continue this fic. It took me a while to get this chapter done with school and writer's block keeping me down, but my lovely beta is a wonderful cheerleader. I've got ideas for where it's going to go. Hope you enjoy it!
As usual, Kurt and Blaine are property of Fox and RIB. I just like to borrow them.
Around midnight Burt and Carole returned home from dinner and a movie, humming along to an old song on the radio. They had a wonderful time laughing with the Jones' about the silly romantic comedy over wine at their favorite Italian restaurant in town – Breadstix didn't count, and that was the kids' hangout.
As Burt reached the driveway and made to turn in, he frowned at his son's car haphazardly parked with the back end hanging into the street. He pursed his lips, turned to Carole, and pulled up alongside the curb in front of the house.
It isn't like Kurt to just leave his car like that. I mean, sure, I'd almost expect it from Finn, but…. This is weird. Carole went ahead towards the house, but Burt walked slowly past the Navigator and noticed his son's bag still sitting in the front seat. He knew Kurt wasn't just rushing in to watch some TV show; something must have been wrong.
Carole gasped softly at the front door, noticing a sheet of stationary tacked over the peephole. "Burt, honey, come here," she called, worried urgency seeping through.
Burt's head snapped to see his wife holding something small and walked over, peering over her shoulder to read the note.
Dad and Carole,
Blaine was here when I got home. Something happened, I don't know what, but he's hurt. And he needs me. I'm sorry about the car – keys are on the counter.
We'll talk in the morning
Love, K
The couple looked at each other, concern etched into both their features. Burt placed his hand on Carole's back as he met her eyes shining with tears. He just nodded once and unlocked the front door to lead her inside.
"Go up to bed, honey, I'll move his car," he said softly as he leaned to kiss her cheek. She met his eyes for a moment and walked slowly upstairs to their bedroom as he strolled into the kitchen, hands in his pockets. He noticed the mugs and plate of cookies still in the living room.
Kurt doesn't just whip those out for anything…and he'd never leave dirty dishes out like that…
Burt blanched with worry, mind reeling as he reached blindly for the keys left in the middle of the countertop. He finally grasped them, shook his head to clear it, and went back out to move the cars. He returned to put the empty mugs and plate in the sink, replacing the remaining cookies in the jar – but not before having one himself. He just couldn't resist Kurt's cookies.
He walked slowly upstairs to join his wife, munching worriedly and deep in thought.
Kurt heard the front door open when his parents returned. For the past few hours he had slept lightly, if at all, afraid for the dear boy in his arms.
He dreamt of the horrid scene in his mind, seeing Mr. Anderson lashing out, his wife crying but doing nothing. He imagined poor Blaine racing through the streets and shivering on the bus. He saw Blaine's red tear-stained face, the bruise spreading across his cheek from temple to jawline. He nearly felt the stings of former injuries, to his body and his heart.
Each nightmare ended just as Kurt reached for Blaine, always somehow embedded in his subconscious, Kurt's eyes flying open with a faint gasp. Blaine's grip on his shirt would tighten momentarily, like he knew even in his sleep Kurt needed the reassurance that he was there, that he was safe.
Blaine's dreams, though, were far less clear in a mind too exhausted from the overload of pain. He whimpered occasionally, fidgeting, as images of the past flashed sporadically through the dark on a loop. A hand swinging backwards for momentum. Pain exploding from the place of impact. Three shadowed figures towering overhead. A dress shoe flying towards his face. Blood. Screams. A purpling, furious face. Tears, so many tears. Each one sent the sharp sting of fear up his spine, the twist of anxiousness in his stomach.
But just before the memories were too much, too painful, one of solace would save him. A soft hand in his. The taste of coffee, chocolate and mint against his lips. The sweet, tinkling laugh. Fingers curling in his hair. Warm breath against his cheek. A soft song crooned for his ears alone. Each time his fist tightened on the fabric in his hand and he nuzzled his cheek into Kurt's chest.
Kurt sighed and opened his eyes, noting his cheeks were damp. Too exhausted to move, to even think of letting go of or simply shifting Blaine, Kurt just tilted his chin upward enough for Carole to see him from the doorway. She padded softly into the room and gently draped an afghan over their intertwined bodies. She could just barely see the small, sad smile offered by Kurt in gratitude.
She met Burt in the hallway, her eyes saying what she feared to voice.
What on earth could have happened? They look so peaceful…
Neither saw the bruise on Blaine's face in the darkness.
Morning came, beautifully sunny as any summer day and just plain obnoxious as it streamed through Kurt's bedroom window to hit him square in the face. He groaned softly and rolled onto his side, tossing his arm over a warm form and nose turning into a bushy head of curls. He smiled and tightened his hold on Blaine as he took a deep breath of the scent that was just so..so Blaine,sweet and musky with the constant subtle undertone of coffee mixed with last night's hot chocolate and –
Last night. Kurt's grin fell as his eyes popped open, glad Blaine was facing away from him. Blaine, who somehow managed to doze off after what happened yesterday and seemed to have slept through the night. Blaine was curled up in a ball, his back pressed up against Kurt's side and hands grasping Kurt's arm where it reached across his collarbone to hold him close. Kurt took a deep breath, careful to remain still so as not to wake his boyfriend.
Well, he slept. But his face… Kurt angled his head up ever so slightly to see over the squashed curls and – oh gosh, his cheek is deep purple! He lowered his head and nuzzled his nose into Blaine's hair, almost as if to hide. I should have put ice on it or something last night. He wouldn't let me though…he wouldn't do anything. I can't believe that his father would do this. That his mother would just stand idly by and watch him leave in such panic, such fear. I can't bear to see him like this…
Kurt sniffed and realied tears were rolling slowly down his cheeks. Blaine grumbled and cuddled closer to Kurt, who in turn wrapped his arms tighter around him.
"G'morning," Blaine mumbled, voice rough with sleep. He lifted Kurt's hand from his waist, pressed his lips to the palm and held it to his heart.
Kurt couldn't help but smile at the gesture and kissed Blaine's hair. "Good morning, sweetheart…" He let his voice trail off, unsure if he should say anything more. He didn't want to upset Blaine so soon, but they would need to talk about the previous night at some point. Especially with his parents. Speaking of…
"Is that –" Blaine inhaled deeply through his nose and hummed. "Pancakes? And coffee?" Kurt could hear the hint of a smile in his boyfriend's voice and rolled his eyes fondly.
"Yes, Carole has an excellent pancake recipe with bananas. Would you like some breakfast?" Before he even finished his sentence Blaine was nodding excitedly and twisting around in Kurt's embrace with a silly grin, though his eyes weren't as bright as usual. Kurt was almost surprised Blaine could smile at all; but that was Blaine, always smiling, effervescent, exciteable Blaine. Even when he felt the worst he could find a reason to muster up a smile.
Keeping him distracted may be a good idea…so I can talk to dad. Blaine can't go back there. He can't. I won't let him. Kurt managed to hold a small smile on his face as he gave his adorable boyfriend's nose a light kiss. As per usual, Blaine tilted his head to reach for Kurt's lips, only meeting his soft cheek as the brunette twisted away at the last second.
"Morning breath. Brush teeth." Kurt giggled, destroying his mock-disgust as he gave in and kissed Blaine before begrudgingly getting out of bed. He turned towards the bathroom and added with a glance over his shoulder, "And there's coffee downstairs," before grabbing his toothbrush and Blaine's spare from the drawer.
Blaine watched his boyfriend for a moment before scrambling over to him and grabbing the toothpaste.
It was oddly domestic, getting cleaned up in the morning together. Sure, they'd slept at each other's houses – well, Blaine's slept over more than the other way around – and they'd done this before. But it never failed to make their hearts flutter at the thought of similar mornings down the line; in one or five or ten years, they could both see the scene in a noticeably different setting, maybe their own apartment in the city. They hadn't discussed it, though it didn't feel pressing to do so. They both knew this was it, they were looking at their future right before their eyes. It was all they wanted. This was their forever. So no, they were not explicitly aware of how the other felt, but they didn't mind. They had a feeling it would last.
But now wasn't the time to discuss it. Blaine had noticed his bruise and his eyes welled up. He dropped his toothbrush on the counter and spun away from the mirror just as Kurt reached out to him. Blaine's hands curled into fists around Kurt's shirt as his forehead pressed to his boyfriend's neck. Sobs wracked his small frame. Slightly taken aback by the sudden onslaught of memory and unsure of what there was for him to do, he simply held onto Blaine, one hand smoothing his matted curls as the other rubbed soothing circles between his shoulders.
A few minutes later Blaine managed to catch his breath and lifted his head to meet Kurt's gaze with eyes so pained it broke Kurt's heart. The brunette brushed the other's stray tears with the pads of his thumbs, then simply cupped his cheeks.
"Whatever you need. I'm always here. Anything, anytime. Okay? Always." His eyes never left Blaine's, voice never wavered. The smaller boy couldn't find any words; his lips wouldn't work. He just nodded once and wrapped his arms around Kurt's neck. Thank you. I don't know what to do.
"We will figure something out. But we do have to talk to Dad and Carole, okay? They can help." Blaine just nodded again and took a stuttered breath.
After a minute he asked in a low whisper, "Pancakes and coffee?"
Kurt couldn't help but chuckle at his adorable boyfriend. "Yes, let's go." He guided Blaine back into his bedroom – pointedly avoiding the mirrors – and down to the kitchen. They could brush their teeth later, Kurt decided. He wouldn't push Blaine.
They were met with delicious aromas as Carole placed a pancake atop an already large stack on the platter beside the stove. Burt was seated at the table reading the paper holding a cup of coffee, four places set at the table. Kurt silently thanked whoever was listening that Finn had gone to Puck's for the night. The conversation that was bound to occur was not something Finn should be involved in.
Burt looked up at them, eyes instantly drawn to Blaine's cheek. His eyes flew to meet Kurt's. He raised his brows and nodded slightly as if to say, Yes, we're going to talk after breakfast. Whatever it is, we'll work it out. Kurt let his face crumple for a moment in thanks, relief, pain, worry…he needed help dealing with this.
Blaine's gaze was trained on Carole and the pancakes, oblivious to the silent exchange. His stomach rumbled loudly enough for all four to hear.
Everyone turned to the boy, wide-eyed but grinning, as a small sheepish smile spread across his own lips.
"Can, uh…can I have some pancakes please? They smell delicious." Blaine's voice was small, unsure, nervous. Kurt squeezed his hand reassuringly and grinned.
"Of course, sweetie," Carole replied warmly. The way a mother should speak, Blaine thought idly. "Just finished the batch. Grab some coffee and take a seat." She smiled as she carried the platter to the table and sat beside her husband. Burt folded his paper and set it to the side to make room as the boys crossed the kitchen to make their coffee. Once their backs were turned the older couple shared a concerned look, both having seen Blaine's bruise. Carole's eyes teared up as Burt's brow furrowed. He nodded at her. We have to talk to them now. She blinked and took a breath, settling into her chair as she nodded in return.
Kurt and Blaine liked their coffee the same way and had it down to a science. Blaine grabbed the Hazelnut creamer from the fridge as Kurt spooned two scoops of instant coffee into each of their mugs and added the hot water from the kettle. Kurt set the can of coffee to the side and took a spoon from the drawer to his right. He turned back to see Blaine lift the can to his eye level and scrunch up his nose in mock distaste.
Kurt just rolled his eyes and tilted his head towards the bottle sitting on the counter and stirred the contents of one mug, pausing as Blaine added creamer. At least he's still complaining about the instant coffee. That's normal. Maybe this will be easy, maybe…
He noticed Blaine hadn't moved to the second mug. Brow furrowed, Kurt lifted his gaze from the coffee to find his boyfriend staring into the swirling mixture. Blaine's hand clutched the bottle enough to dent it as his entranced expression slowly morphed towards one of anguish. Kurt put his hands on Blaine's forearms as he ducked to his eye level, trying to catch the smaller boy's gaze. Not until Kurt gently cupped Blaine's cheek did he get a response. His hand fell slack from where it gripped the creamer, and he slowly turned to face Kurt.
Blaine's hazel eyes were clouded, darkened, yet shining with tears. Kurt saw the heartbreaking pain once more and hastily pulled his boyfriend into his arms. Blaine's hands were trapped between their chests, fisting in Kurt's shirt.
Only at the sound of Blaine's ragged breath did Burt and Carole spin in their chairs to face the boys, surprised and worried and unsure. Kurt shot them a look that begged for help, but slowly rubbed up and down Blaine's back.
Burt was the first to speak. "Why don't you kids have a seat. Seems like there's something we need to talk about."
Blaine dissolved into broken sobs as he fell against Kurt.
A/N: I'M SORRY. IT'LL GET BETTER I PROMISE. BLAINERS WILL BE HAPPY. Just hang in there.
As usual, reviews are like coffee - delicious, magical, reviving and extremely motivational.