Hope you like it. =)
Blaine never imagined falling in love would end in such a horrific way.
As Kurt dabbed medicine onto Blaine's bare chest of sickly, slowly-healing bruises, they exchanged grateful glances and talked briefly about Blaine's ex-boyfriend Jordan – a beautiful, dangerous control freak, with crazy mood swings and was easily angered. Not a good mix.
Blaine was healing, though. Slowly healing physically, mentally and emotionally.
With Kurt's persuasion, advice and soothingly calm voice, Blaine decided to stop Jordan, before the tall, green-eyed manipulator could get to anyone else – especially Kurt.
''So, I can see the appeal – as with Jeremiah – but why? Do you just have a thing for guys with green eyes?'' Kurt asked, unaware that he fell (partly) under that category.
''N-No.'' Blaine lied, ''I liked brown eyes too.''
'' 'Liked'? What do you mean 'liked'?'' Kurt replied innocently, taking no notice of the extraordinarily muscly chest of Blaine Anderson.
And how sexual their positions were, kneeling in front of each other.
'What a cutie.' Blaine thought.
''I mean that, now, ever since I fell in love with you,'' Blaine said truthfully, looking into Kurt's eyes, ''Blue-green-grey eyes are my thing.''
Kurt snorted.
''Really, Blaine?'' he laughed, raising an eyebrow and smiling, ''Really?''
''I mean, I knew you were smooth but – '' Kurt started.
Blaine interrupted with a whingey voice, ''Kurt! You know I meant it!''
''I know, I know.'' Kurt said apologetically, then adorably, ''Give me a kiss.''
Blaine leaned in and their lips touched lightly, Kurt's lips the sweet taste of…of…of honey.
XXX
Blaine's lips tasted like spearmint. It was the cutest thing Kurt knew about Blaine, until a second ago, when Blaine admitted he had a thing for blue-green-grey eyes.
'God bless my uniquely fabulous eyes.' Kurt thought contently.
'Wait, I'm an Atheist. Thank you loving parents, for giving me your artistic mix of eye colour!'
'That doesn't sound half as good.'
All this time when Kurt sat like a fool, smiling at nothing, Blaine stared.
''Huh? Did you say something?'' Kurt snapped out of his thoughts, thinking he heard Blaine whisper something so softly it sounded as if he were breathing.
''No, no, it's nothing.'' Blaine muttered quickly.
XXX
It was not nothing.
What Blaine had said was that Kurt had beautiful eyes.
XXX
Kurt snuck out of Dalton during a study day (which Blaine had to spend in boring lessons of maths and American History). The police told Blaine that the evidence he had wasn't enough to prove Jordan ever abused him.
While Kurt was infuriated by this, he knew they were right…but that tiny nagging voice in the back of his mind was telling him police should have some DNA identification device or machine by now. He knew that voice was right too.
It wasn't fair.
Every day that he saw Blaine's anxious, frightened face he felt more and more frustrated. Jordan needed to be caught.
OOO
''What?'' Kurt couldn't believe the police actually asked this of him.
The chubby policeman, with a halo of brown-grey hair and a naturally red face, stared at him in impatience.
''I'm not going to ask my best friend to go back to Jordan's apartment to get beat up again!''
The stubborn policeman snorted.
''Look, do you want to catch this guy or not?'' he said in a disrespectful tone.
'I hate the police.'
Kurt sighed. There was no other way.
XXX
''Blaine?'' Kurt asked airily, sitting down beside Blaine on his bed.
''Yes, Kurt, dearest?'' Blaine said lovingly, turning to look at him. Kurt looked hesitant and reluctant.
''What – What would you say to going back to – to Jordan's apartment?'' Kurt asked.
Blaine thought of everything he went through in that apartment. Images of Jordan kicking him to the ground, being held against the wall and punched, bashed with objects like baseball bats. He thought of Jordan's damn 'apology' look.
Pfft, some apologetic ex- boyfriend.
He didn't want to go back, but he knew why Kurt asked. For weeks, he'd known that if he went to the police, they'd say the evidence wasn't enough. And he was right.
''The evidence wasn't enough, was it?'' he asked Kurt. Kurt nodded with a frown.
''I'll have to go.'' Blaine said. Kurt nodded again, his incredible eyes filling with tears. Blaine hugged him tightly and didn't let go for another twenty seconds.
OOO
One of the hardest things to do for the past few weeks was avoiding Jordan and making excuses about why he couldn't go to the dreaded apartment; the place where Blaine was subjected to merciless bashing, humiliation and weakness over a period of at least 18 months.
Sure, Blaine lied to everyone for about two years straight, but the people who trusted him were easier to lie to, he found.
Blaine hated himself so much for thinking that. For realising that. That was one minor reason that he cut, but mostly so he could feel stronger than Jordan…just without actually standing up to him.
'I've been a friggin' coward.' he thought, gritting his teeth in anger.
He decided he had been in the shower too long when he glanced down at his prune-like hands.
XXX
Kurt's heart beat faster than usual, after receiving a phone call from the police. That chubby, stubborn policeman – who Kurt learnt likes to be called 'Flan' – made an 'appointment' for Blaine to go to the police station and discuss a planned arrest.
The bathroom door opened and Blaine stepped out into the dorm, clad in an adorable flannel, pyjama shirt and matching pants, patterned with rainbows and music notes. It was clear that he bought it from the women's section of a store, because he failed to notice he hadn't tucked in the pink tag at the back of his neck, which had some girly pyjama brand name on it.
Kurt found it absolutely adorable.
Wes and David were at lacrosse practice. It was just he and Blaine. Just he and Blaine.
The very thought made Kurt's bones tingle with excitement, as it always did. Blaine was most charming and relaxed when they were alone.
''I looove the pyjamas.'' Kurt purred, with batting eyelashes and a sly smile.
''Oh, damn, I thought you wouldn't notice!'' Blaine said in disappointment, not noticing the way Kurt just spoke. Kurt took back what he thought about Blaine being the most charming when they were alone.
''Who do you think I am, woman?'' Kurt joked, snapping back to normal. Then Blaine blushed and Kurt laughed.
''I didn't mean it like that, silly!'' He whacked Blaine playfully on the shoulder.
''I think you look adorable.'' Kurt said, changing his tone to sincere.
Blaine stood and smiled.
''Oh, I – I – I should mention, the police called.'' Kurt babbled suddenly.
The hazel-eyed boy's face fell.
'I can't. No, I can't. It'll be like declaring his execution.' Kurt thought, in a panic.
''What did they want?'' Blaine asked quietly, with a look of entire seriousness on his lovely, flawless face.
''…They – They wanted us to come in – a week from now, actually – to, umm, to – to'' Kurt stuttered, his lips starting to quiver a little. His started breathing faster and faster.
''Hey, hey.'' Blaine said soothingly, taking Kurt's hands, ''It's alright. Don't worry about me.''
Kurt gasped for air.
He hadn't done this in a long time. When he was scared of someone or something, his lungs didn't seem capable of breathing automatically. Last time this happened was in his seventh year of school, when four particularly merciless bullies dragged him into the boys' bathroom and locked him inside a cubicle with them. It frightened the life out of him. They later dunked his head in the toilet.
''Kurt, are you okay?'' Blaine said quickly, panic in his expression, but his voice was calm.
Kurt nodded, speechless.
'I love you, Blaine! I love you and I don't want you to go back there!' he wanted to say, but no word came out. Just puffs of carbon dioxide.
''Hey, slow down. Breathe deeply.'' Blaine said.
Slowly, Kurt's breathing was regulated.
''There you go.'' Blaine said in false-cheeriness.
Kurt sat and stared at their feet, ashamed to look at Blaine.
'Control your tongue, Kurt Hummel! You can do it!'
''T-They – They wanted you to come down to the police station – I'll be there too – to, umm, to make a sort of plan; a – uhh – a planned arrest.'' Kurt stammered.
''…Oh.'' Blaine said eventually.
After a brief silence, Kurt wondered if Blaine would refuse.
Why shouldn't he?
Why would anyone want to go back for more abuse?
''I – I'll have to think about it.'' Was all he said, quickly strolling over to his bed and tucking himself in.
Kurt went to bed too, but knew he'd lie there in the dark, listening to his Blaine breathe.
He switched off the light.
XXX
Blaine lay on his back, staring up into nothingness.
The darkness was strangely comforting. It felt like walls of soft cloud all around, away from all the bad things he could see, because he could see none.
He could hear Kurt breathing softly on the bed beside his and pictured the angel lying on his back, his eyes closed and his long eyelashes curling up towards the sky.
A million things were going through Blaine's mind, as they did every second of every day; whether he was awake or asleep.
But he just wanted silence.
He wanted his mind to stop reeling at such a pace, or even at all.
He wanted everyone and everything to be silent.
Except for Kurt. He never ever wanted Kurt to be silent.
It was just that, before Kurt and Blaine became boyfriends, when he was living in a hell hole of unrequited love and uninterested looks (which were really just great acting), it was hard to concentrate on his homework when he all he could hear was that angelic voice.
Now that they were each other's, he felt more relaxed. He and Kurt had each other now.
Which is why Blaine was all the more terrified of going back to Jordan's house.
He'd have to do it alone.
''…Blaine?'' Kurt whispered.
''Yeah?'' Blaine said to the darkness.
''If you say yes to the arrest, please, don't provoke Jordan, when you get there.'' Kurt said quietly.
''Oh. O-Okay.''
''I know it's hard not to scream at them – even if you're scared –'' Kurt said, Blaine thinking of Karofsky, ''but I…I don't want you to get hurt.''
Blaine was so touched that he was speechless. So he crawled out of bed, blindly reaching for Kurt's bed.
When he found it, Kurt turned to him, even though they couldn't see each other.
Blaine reached a hand out to Kurt's face and found the smooth skin of his chin immediately.
He leaned over and kissed him softly.
XXX
Kurt wondered how much his words affected Blaine after Blaine kissed him. At least he had influence.
He wasn't used to it, since every time he asked his dad to eat healthier, he ignored it, and now Burt was kicking himself about it; his heart was no longer strong.
And in New Directions and The Warblers, no-one listened to him (well, with the exception of Blaine, on occasion).
Principal Figgins and Karofsky were probably the worst of it.
He told the principal over and over again the horror he was going through. They probably thought he was going insane. And the case with Karofsky – well, how much do thick-skinned Neanderthals take in, anyway?
Anyway, he appreciated that Blaine actually listened to anything he says.
OOO
Saturday came, and Kurt wondered silently if Blaine had come to a decision, after a couple of sleepless nights. The appointment was to be on Thursday.
He got out of bed, wincing as the rays of morning sun shot through the thin white curtains. Going to the window, he saw dapper young men walking around in business and golfing attire, since it was a weekend.
'Thank goodness for Dalton; the little piece of England in America.' Kurt thought fondly.
He loved England. It reminded him of his mother, with her almost-transparent, blue-grey eyes, pale, porcelain skin and short curly, light-brown hair. Her features were delicate and soft-looking, and she had the loveliest, graceful smile. She wore lots of flowery clothes and she always smelt of jasmine, baby powder and some sort of English tea which Kurt could never remember.
For a child at the time, he realised he remembered a lot. There weren't many pictures of her, as his dad was devastated at her death and couldn't bear to look at any pictures of her. Kurt always had attention to detail.
Wes and David were already up; probably warming up for a lacrosse game at 7.30 in the morning.
He glanced over to Blaine's bed.
The quilt was pulled over Blaine's head and curled-up, tiny body, and he was breathing steadily. Kurt listened as Blaine breathed.
He was tempted to climb into bed with him, desperate for the touch of someone who wasn't bullying him for a change.
Instead, he climbed back into his bed, took his iPhone from the bedside and started playing Angry Birds, with the sound muted, for Blaine's sake.
XXX
Under the covers, Blaine struggled to stay silent and keep his breathing steady, as fat tears dropped noisily onto the bed beneath him. It sounded like sprinkling rain.
He decided he'll go to the police on Thursday, but he was still so scared. The fact that the police were going to be with him did not give any promised comfort at all.
But before he goes to the police on Thursday, he wanted to go to Jordan's one more time. Well, not wanted, but more like needed.
OOO
''So, I've decided.'' Blaine said to Kurt, as they took their not-Lima-Bean coffees and the plate of two warm croissants and butter.
The Dalton cafeteria was never a good place to discuss private things (which they both knew the hard way, thanks to a very gossipy fellow Warbler, who goes by the name of Wes) so they both kept things minimal.
''..To go – to go on Thursday?'' Kurt asked, wide-eyed and shocked in an adorable way that Blaine loved.
''Ye – Yeah.'' Blaine stuttered.
''That's –That's…good.'' Kurt said unsurely.
''Oh, remember, today we're going shopping with Rachel, Mercedes and Tina.'' he reminded Blaine, after they finished their brunches.
'Perfect.'
''Oh no. Kurt, I'm so sorry, but I can't go after all. I still have a few things to do; homework and such.'' Blaine apologised.
Kurt's face fell, but he said nonchalantly, ''Alright. I just wish they'd go easier on you. They didn't give me that much homework when I was in your year.''
Blaine laughed half-heartedly, knowing he shouldn't lie.
OOO
''Jordan, I've been really busy. Please, stop calling me while I'm at school.'' Blaine said in an annoyed tone, ''Just because you've already graduated…I've still got the rest of this year and next year.''
The tall, broad-shouldered nineteen year old scraped a hand through his short, dark-blonde hair with a sigh.
''Oh, you worry too much.'' Jordan said with a smirk.
It seemed he was in a good mood today and Blaine was glad.
'Okay. Tell him and leave. Quick. In and out. I can do it.' he thought.
''Well? Don't just stand there. I haven't seen you in a few weeks. Gimme a hug.'' Jordan said.
Blaine didn't want to be anywhere near Jordan, but he couldn't screw this up. Not today.
Kurt would find out that he lied to his face.
Blaine shuffled over reluctantly and Jordan wrapped his muscular arms around Blaine.
Being short and Jordan being so tall, his head rested right on Jordan's shoulder when he pressed Blaine's head on him.
''I've missed my little Blaine.'' Jordan sighed, playing with Blaine's hair affectionately.
He sounded deranged and he probably was.
Even after Jordan stopped hugging him, Blaine stayed still and expressionless; he was scared.
''What's up? How's school? Any boys as cute as you?'' Jordan asked with an eyebrow raised and a smile.
They went to different schools when they were dating; Blaine in Dalton and Jordan in a badly-funded public school at the top of the food chain. How could Blaine not see that they were never meant to be?
''N-No. Not really…'' Blaine lied. He didn't want to remind Jordan about Kurt.
''What about that kid you were with, that I met a while back?'' Jordan asked. Blaine held in his reflex to gasp in horror. Why did it have to be Kurt that Jordan remembered? He entirely forgot about Wes and David's existences.
''What was his name? Chris or something…Something short.'' Jordan thought aloud, ''He was cute.''
''Drew.'' Blaine lied quickly, with a half-laugh, ''Not even close.''
''Yeah. You guys good friends?'' Jordan asked.
Blaine knew Jordan was waiting for him to say the wrong thing. Waiting for an excuse to call provoking, for his actions to come.
''No, no. We actually didn't have much in common…'' Blaine mumbled sadly, to add to the effect.
Jordan looked convinced and Blaine almost sighed in relief.
''Oh, what a shame.'' Jordan said cheerily, ''But, oh well. You guys would have looked horrible together, anyway.''
Blaine wanted to punch him in the face, but he held it in, like most days whenever Jordan did or said anything that started a fire in him.
''Jordan…'' he started seriously, watching Jordan's eyes darken, like a storm cloud rolling over a blue sky, ''I…I've told you this plenty of times…and I don't think you took me seriously, but take me seriously now, when I say that…we're officially over.''
Jordan was still as a statue and his face was tight and hard-looking, almost stone-like, which indicated to Blaine that he was extremely angry and was ready to explode.
Blaine rushed to the door, glad Jordan hadn't blocked him from it earlier.
''Bye, Jordan.'' Blaine said viciously and quickly, swinging the door open and running down the tiled stair case and out the foyer door.
Running down the street, he wished he could afford not to look back, but Jordan was bound to run after him.
Blaine glanced back, frightened.
Jordan was standing at his large apartment window, hands folded across his chest and his face tight with anger.
Blaine shuddered, trying not picture the outcome if Jordan did chase after him. As far as Blaine knew, Jordan was a much faster runner than he.
He knew the next time he saw Jordan would start and end ugly.
Blaine sucked in some air, his lungs and throat on fire as he ran and ran.
XXX
Kurt was in half-hearted conversations with Rachel, Tina and Mercedes. He felt horrible for not being able to focus on these three beautiful girls who he had missed terribly.
He was just wondering how Blaine would be able to handle everything. He didn't want to assume that Blaine was unbreakable, as he did before.
He'd seen him crack that day in the bathroom, when Kurt discovered what had been happening, but he didn't want Blaine to break. And he always believed Blaine was the strongest, most wonderful and absolutely flawless mentor and best friend, and he still did.
But now, another title added to Kurt's perspective of Blaine Anderson; hero.
Now, if Blaine knew that Kurt would be embarrassed, but he knew he'd tell Blaine someday. Someday soon.
''So,'' Rachel said with an adorable smile, ''How's Blaine?''
''Yeah, since that night when we had that train-wreck extravaganza party at Rachel's house, I've…kinda wished to see him more.'' Tina said with an embarrassed smile and blushing cheeks.
''Yeah, but Rachel knows he's a hundred per cent on the same team as us.'' Mercedes reminded.
Kurt gave a tired laugh; they had been shopping all day and now they were sitting in a café for afternoon tea.
''Blaine's swell.'' Kurt replied shortly. Rachel wasn't used to this suddenly quiet Kurt.
''So, how are you?'' she asked, trying to coax talk out of him.
''Oh, y'know. Exhausted, but content with life at Dalton.'' Kurt answered.
''No, really.''
''Yeah, you don't have to be so private around us. We're four of the original six of New Directions.'' Mercedes said with a smile.
''Yeah, but I don't want to share the bad stuff when we hardly get to see each other.'' Kurt smiled sweetly at them, hoping they'd understand.
It was actually because – now that he knew the truth about Blaine – he felt as if everything bad in his life didn't compare to Blaine's, and therefore he didn't want to act so ungrateful.
''You're too sweet, Kurt!'' Tina exclaimed, hugging him.
He returned the hug with a rush of affection for them; the four of them were such different people, yet, somehow, they nearly always understood each other.
OOO
When Kurt returned to his dorm that day, Blaine was already there, lying on his bed reading a novel. Kurt knew he finished his homework by now; Blaine always read when he had nothing else to do.
''How was your day, darling?'' Blaine said, looking up as Kurt walked closer.
Kurt wanted so badly to reach over and kiss him, but he knew Blaine needed his space; he seemed closed in recently.
''I'm absolutely lovely, sweetie.'' Kurt said with a smile.
''Oh, shut up, the two of you!''
Kurt felt so stupid for not even realising that Wes and David were in the dorm as well. They were hardly ever here.
Blaine threw a pillow at Wes for being so rude, but he smiled. Kurt knew they were friends for a long time, and he felt like an intruder at times.
''Like you can talk! The way you and David go about things…You both have girlfriends!'' Blaine replied with a laugh.
''Who don't have to know about my blossoming relationship with David, may I add.'' Wes said seriously.
Sometimes Kurt honestly thought that Wes and David were actually together, and at times like this, he couldn't tell if Wes was just joking.
XXX
Thursday arrived too soon and Blaine felt emotionally and mentally unprepared to make a plan to arrest the one person who terrified him out of his skin.
He decided to soldier on – at least for Kurt's sake.
Blaine felt that, while he was younger than Kurt, it was his duty to mentor him and protect him.
He noticed that Kurt shift uncomfortably as soon as they sat down in the musty police station office, where Flan sat and his co-worker leant against the wall with his hands in his pockets, studying them.
Basically Flan's sidekick, Max was a quiet man who looked in his late twenties, with brown eyes and messy brown hair that he tied in a short ponytail. He had a bit of rock star appeal, Blaine admitted.
''So, what are we intending to do?'' Blaine asked Flan. Anyway, they explained that Blaine needed visual evidence of Jordan committing the crime before he could be arrested. He almost swore in disbelief at that; and Blaine never swore.
''Weren't the bruises enough?'' Kurt cried in protest.
Blaine put a reassuring hand on Kurt's knee.
He gritted his teeth and agreed, despite how he truly felt. He had the power to put a dangerous man in jail and he's hesitating?
''No, that'll be fine.'' Blaine forced himself to say.
''As long as he's arrested right?'' he said whilst looking at Kurt.
''Yeah, that's what we need to focus on. '' Flan said, ''You'll receive a pocket-sized camera, which you will bring into the apartment and hide somewhere where we can get a clear view of you and Jordan, okay?''
Blaine nodded, listening intently.
''It'll be wirelessly connected with and recording on an authorised government laptop and we'll be right down the stairs, so as soon as anything happens, we'll be right there, cuffs and all.'' Flan reassured.
He noticed the impressed look on Kurt's face, which was aimed on Flan. Maybe Flan wasn't as serious outside of the office.
''You certainly did your research on Jordan's apartment.'' was all Blaine could manage to say.
It definitely sounded easier than it was going to be.
At least the bashing was guaranteed. He took a deep breath.
''One thing you really need to do,'' Max said suddenly and softly, ''is to trust us. If you don't, he may know that something's going on.''
Blaine nodded.
OOO
''They were very helpful.'' Blaine said with forced nonchalance, staring at the road ahead.
Kurt said nothing, seeming solely concentrated on driving his car.
''You okay?'' he asked Kurt, watching the pale-skinned boy.
Kurt glanced at Blaine with a look Blaine had never seen on Kurt before.
Then, Kurt stopped the car at the side of the road and stared at him.
Blaine realised. Kurt was crumbling, before his hazel eyes. Crumbling, but not crying.
''I feel like you're too strong a person to be with someone as –as weak as me.'' Kurt admitted, his voice cracking, ''I mean, you've endured this for two years straight and all I've done was c-cry about not getting solos, or about love. Stupid things.''
Blaine sighed, absolutely flattered that Kurt felt that way, but also sad. So, he told Kurt the truth.
''…You are by far the strongest person I know and I always think that. Always. And at one point in time, I wanted your strength so much but I knew I would never have it, so, instead, I cut, because I thought that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.''
Kurt gave him a look that said ''You always know the right thing to say.'' So, Blaine continued.
''Kurt…love isn't about how compatible you are. It's about how much you love each other.'' Blaine said, looking into Kurt's glassy eyes, ''And I love you, to the moon and back.''
Kurt said nothing, but avoided Blaine's eyes.
''Heck, to Pluto and back!'' Blaine said, starting to crumble too.
He couldn't stand to see Kurt like this.
After a silence that almost hurt more than Jordan's fist, Kurt finally laughed.
Not a big laugh, or a hollow laugh, but a small, ashamed giggle.
Blaine leaned over and hugged him, and they smiled at each other like two lovey-dovey fools, knowing it.
XXX
Flan, Max and two other policemen met Blaine and Kurt outside Jordan's apartment, making sure they were unsuspicious; the policemen in street clothes and Kurt standing out of view of Jordan's window.
''You clear on how to use this thing now?'' Flan asked, holding up the tiny camera.
''Y-Yeah.'' Blaine replied, his voice shaking uncontrollably. He took off his jumper and threw it in Kurt's car.
''Hey, don't be scared, kid. You'll do fine.'' Max encouraged.
Blaine walked up to Kurt, who looked the same as the morning he stepped into that memorable Warbler meeting, dressed entirely in black, to announce Pavarotti's death. Kurt had so much to say to him, but didn't know what to say first.
Blaine looked miserable.
''…Kurt, I…'' Blaine hesitated, ''I…I lo – ''
''Come on, we haven't got all day!'' Flan hissed, motioning for him to go through the door before Max and the other two policemen stationed themselves at the bottom of the stairs. Blaine obeyed reluctantly.
Flan and Kurt sat in the small empty foyer, out of view from Jordan's door, recording evidence on the laptop as they watched.
XXX
Blaine walked up the tile stairs, his hands on the metal railing. He didn't know how many times he touched these railings wishing he were as strong.
'It's one last time and no more after that. One last time.' Blaine thought over and over, with every step he took.
He knocked on Jordan's door, the sound too loud and alarming.
He heard a sound inside, like the shattering of a glass plate.
The door flung open and Jordan was there, panting, his hands a little bloody.
He looked bewildered and crazy and didn't expect Blaine to turn up again.
''You.'' he growled, with a frightening scowl. Instantly, Blaine was terrified.
With two strong hands, he pulled Blaine inside the apartment and Blaine had no time to hide the camera. It fell out of his hand and sideways, on the floor of the living room; where everything happened.
''How dare you come back here?'' Jordan spat, throwing Blaine on the ground.
XXX
Kurt gasped. The camera was sideways and on the floor and Kurt couldn't hear anything, but they got a clear view of everything that was going on. Jordan was terrifying, even though Flan was the one with the headphones in, listening to their conversation.
''Can't you send them in now?'' Kurt whispered to Flan.
''No, this is stuff that kids do in the playground. We can't arrest him on these terms.'' Flan replied quietly.
Kurt's hyperventilating began.
XXX
This one last time, he would endure it. He'd become someone of strength in his own eyes, not some punching bag, low-life who let love hurt him over and over in many ways. Even if it meant that he had to break first, it would be worth it.
''I've come back here every time I've told you that we're through. What makes this any different?'' Blaine provoked.
He was leading himself straight into it.
''When I finally have someone else to punish is when it makes this any different,'' Jordan spat, shoving Blaine as soon as he got on his feet, ''And I didn't call on you to come here!''
''What?'' Blaine replied angrily, ''Who else are you hurting?''
The question was ignored as Jordan lunged towards the table of shattered cups and plates. Blaine knew he was taking out his anger on breakable things and now he knew that he had just become one by returning.
He grabbed a handful of the pieces and threw them at Blaine, who put his arm up protectively, his arm cut and bleeding already.
Then, Jordan shot forward to knock him to the ground.
XXX
Flan had his hand in the air, waiting to give the signal.
Kurt's hyperventilating made him feel light-headed and he tried his best to slow his breathing, but he could barely watch.
Could barely watch as the cracks started to show. Could barely watch as Blaine the Unbreakable was beginning to break.
XXX
Jordan pinned him down with one hand and punched him in the chest and in the face with the other.
Blaine either couldn't breathe or he was holding his breath. He wasn't used to being punched in the face, but he took every one of Jordan's punches, tears streaming down his face as he was attacked helplessly.
He was at his worst when he was being restrained and struggled to fight.
The weakness he felt was so extreme, that he couldn't help but crumble in front of Jordan. The humiliation and helplessness was on him like the rays of a desert sun.
What made him so angry about it all was that Jordan didn't even give him a chance to fight and while Blaine was trying, he was too weak to fight anyway.
He knew he was breaking. The pain was intense.
His mouth started tasting like blood.
Soon, his nose or something on his face was bleeding too.
XXX
Kurt shut his eyes but all he could see was Blaine being attacked by this huge, scary, strong man.
Flan gave the signal and the three policemen ran up the stairs.
Blaine was breaking.
Kurt could see it, the memory of his significant other, moving aggressively but helplessly under Jordan, being punched as he struggled to fight back and cried without holding back tears, those fading bruises a reminder of everything Blaine had done without breaking.
XXX
Kicking down Jordan's door, with his gun raised, Max cried, ''POLICE! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!''
Jordan stopped, genuinely surprised. Jordan fought to continue hurting Blaine as the policemen brought the large man down to the ground.
But by the time Max let anything about tolerance go, Jordan's hands were in cuffs and he was being led down out of his apartment, his head high like he won an award.
''This is not where this ends, Blaine!'' Jordan cried with an echoing, maniacal laugh, as they dragged him down the stairs.
Blaine was lying on the floor, panting, his body throbbing with pain all over. He felt no strength in himself that he could summon except to speak.
Soon, Kurt was running up the stairs to see Blaine again.
Blaine saw that Kurt was crying too, and more tears streamed down his face. Tears of pain, suffering, humiliation, weakness, helplessness, and also of relief and joy.
''I love you!'' Blaine finally croaked out. Kurt leant down and kissed his broken boyfriend, unable to speak.
Blaine wasn't prepared to touch another person again, but he knew it wasn't Kurt's fault and forced himself to. Blaine returned the kiss.
After a few seconds of studying Blaine's wounds and calculating the damage done, Kurt was able to speak again.
''Do you need me to call the ambulance?'' Kurt asked, taking a tissue out of his pocket and wiping away all the blood from his mouth, and then his forehead.
Blaine hesitated; he didn't want to be taken to hospital. Just the thought made him feel like a child who fell of his bike and grazed his knee; weak and in need of nursing.
''Blaine, look what you've just been through.'' Kurt encouraged Blaine.
''Okay.'' Blaine agreed, trying to sit up.
He groaned in pain and Kurt helped him lie back down.
Kurt whipped out his phone and called the ambulance.
''Okay, they're on their way.'' he informed with a sad smile.
OOO
As the ambulance van sped them closer to the hospital, Blaine gazed up lovingly at the Kurt; the beautiful angel who flew in, picked Blaine up with his heart and put him back together with love.
They held hands during the ambulance ride, Blaine lying in a stretcher and Kurt sitting beside him. At the moment, Blaine was only prepared to old hands with Kurt.
''You're gonna be alright…'' Kurt whispered in his ear, not sounding convinced with what he was saying.
''I will be. The bruises and cuts will fade…They will.'' he reassured, with a weak smile, actually saying that to himself.
Kurt gave him a pitying look.
''You won't be the same, Blaine. We both know it.'' Kurt said softly and sadly.
''But I will be fine.'' Blaine said.
''…I'll – I hope so.'' was all Kurt said.
OOO
Blaine opened his eyes. The morning light streamed in, straight onto his face and the smell of the room reminded him he wasn't in Dalton and that what just happened last wasn't a nightmare. The room smelt extremely hygienic (especially compared to his dorm, which is a mix of Wes and David's 'lucky lacrosse socks' and Kurt's defence of the smell; air freshener that smelt like toilet).
''Morning.'' said the velvet, soft voice of Kurt. Blaine was sore and his head felt heavy, even before he tried to life his head.
''Morning, honey.'' he replied, his eyes not in focus yet.
Someone gruff-voiced cleared his throat. Burt Hummel.
''Oh, good morning, Mr Hummel.'' Blaine said quickly, forcing himself up.
''Okay, okay, you don't have to be so polite all the time.'' Burt joked, care obvious in his voice.
Blaine wished his father sounded like that. In less than a year, Blaine was a frequent visitor at the Hudson-Hummels'. His visits were restricted to only holidays and on the occasional weekend; when Kurt felt especially homesick. But without any doubt, he would go there whenever asked.
''Stay down, son. You'll get headrush.'' Burt advised.
And just like that, Blaine felt dizzy and nauseous, so he took the advice.
''How are you?'' Kurt asked. Blaine's eyes finally adjusted to the bright light and he could see Kurt clearly.
The delicate boy was sitting on a chair, very close to the bed and his hair was perfect as usual, but Blaine could tell he stayed the night.
Kurt smiled tiredly.
''I'm good.'' Blaine said partially truthfully, feeling like he died and went to heaven, and here he was now.
''That's good.''
After a moment's silence, Kurt turned to face his dad and said ''Dad? We're okay. You can go home now, or wherever you need to go.''
Burt grunted in annoyance, but smiled.
''Alright. Get well soon, Blaine.''
Kurt turned back to face Blaine, but Burt wasn't finished.
''Just…avoid any mirrors for now, 'kay? You look like Picassa or whoever painted you.''
''Picasso, dad.'' Kurt corrected, ''And – no – he does not.''
Burt smiled and left quietly.
''Do I really?'' Blaine asked. Kurt laughed.
''No.''
''Wow, '' Blaine said, glancing at the tables on either side of the hospital bed. They were filled with bright flowers, 'Get Well Soon' cards and gift boxes.
''It's not like I nearly died or anything…right?'' Blaine asked Kurt.
''…Actually…if Jordan were more accurate…he may have fractured your skull, or given you fatal heart palpitations.''
Blaine didn't realise he'd been through that much; he just felt numb right now.
''Oh.''
''But, he didn't!'' Kurt said, with a forced smiled.
''Yeah…'' Blaine agreed absently, '' How long have I been asleep?''
''Uhh…a day-ish.'' Kurt said unsurely, ''It's all been a bit blurry.''
''Oh, yeah, I can see why…'' he mumbled, trying to remember being put in this hospital room.
XXX
They spoke comfortably for the next hour or so, Kurt studying Blaine's bruised face.
He could hardly look at Blaine without tearing up.
As the bruises started healing, they turned ugly shades of purple and green, making Blaine look in a horrible state, despite the smile he had so genuinely plastered on his face.
Kurt couldn't tell if he was faking the happiness.
''Are you really okay?'' Kurt asked eventually, the thought bugging him for too long.
Blaine gazed into his eyes.
''…No.''
He said it with such certainty that Kurt almost cried.
He knew it took a lot for Blaine to admit that he wasn't okay, to admit that he was not his best today and in Blaine's mind, Kurt knew Blaine saw that as weakness.
They sat in silence, each waiting for the other to say something.
''…Well I – what can I do?'' Kurt asked, ''What can I do to help?''
Blaine cracked unexpectedly.
''Stay with me.'' he pleaded with a broken voice.
Kurt took his hand and held it tight.
''I will.''
XXX
Blaine easily became bored of the plain environment he was in, so he gave in to his urge to constantly stare at Kurt, just for today.
Later, Kurt noticed.
''Why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?'' Kurt worried.
''No, no.'' Blaine said with a small laugh ,''I'd stare at you all day but I don't want to make you uncomfortable.''
To this, Kurt smiled and admitted with a giggle, ''Actually I feel the same way.''
''Wanna do something else, other than gazing into each other's eyes and talking?'' Kurt asked.
''Well, I don't mind. Were you getting bored?'' Blaine joked.
Kurt laughed and kissed him quickly. Blaine felt comfortable enough to kiss him in return.
They held hands and watched midday television movies from the nineties.
Eventually, they got bored and Kurt pulled out his iPod, which they listened to Katy Perry on.
''I didn't want to admit it, but I do like pop music.'' Kurt said, ''I thought I only liked Lady Gaga for her extravagant ways, but maybe her music has caught on with me. Katy Perry is becoming one of my favourite artists.''
''I told you Katy Perry was worth listening to.'' he replied, grinning.
XXX
A few days later…
For some reason, Finn felt it was very important for himself to find out what happened to Blaine. Kurt knew Finn cared for Blaine but he didn't want to admit it.
Kurt realised he could avoid the prying questions by asking Finn some about why he wants to know so badly.
''Look, just because I want to know why he's all bruised and stuff doesn't mean he's gonna be the best man at my wedding, 'kay?'' Finn said defensively.
''That's not what I mean.'' Kurt reasoned, ''I mean: why is it important for you to know?''
''I – I – '' Finn stuttered awkwardly, ''I don't like seeing my friends hurt. And…personally…''
Finn pulled Kurt away from Burt and Carole, who were both deep in thought as they sat in the hospital coffee room.
''I feel like he's gonna be a good friend of mine.'' he admitted.
Kurt was surprised. Finn was always too stubborn and manly to admit anything slightly sensitive or emotional (Kurt never understood those stupid 'must-be-a-man' thoughts that went through Finn's head.).
''Look, I would tell you…but it's not my place to say.'' Kurt said.
Finn nodded and they walked into Blaine's room together.
Finn had avoided seeing Blaine after hearing what happened to him. He told Kurt that it reminded him of the time when he visited the postman that he ran over. Not good.
''Oh, hey!'' Blaine exclaimed with a bright, wide, beautiful smile at Finn, then Kurt.
Kurt smiled and glanced at the small faded book Blaine had in his hands.
''It's a novel one of the nurses lent me. It's a science fiction story that was written like fifty years ago. Some of the stuff in here is really inaccurate.'' Blaine said.
Finn grinned and said,
''So, are you okay?''
And like a veil, Kurt witnessed Blaine's façade continue.
''Yeah, yeah.'' Blaine said casually, with a smile.
''Some thug!'' Finn joked, ''You're totally fine!''
''Uh-huh!'' Blaine agreed.
Finn realised he had nothing else to say but, ''Get well soon, man.'' and with that he walked out.
Blaine glanced at Kurt.
''He's sweet.'' Blaine said. Kurt looked proud.
''Yeah, Rachel is one lucky girl.''
OOO
After two weeks of recuperating in hospital, Blaine was allowed to go back to Dalton.
Before they left the hospital, they had one thing to discuss.
Kurt, Burt, Carole, Finn and Blaine all agreed to keep this under wraps (even though only Kurt knew the truth.) They understood why Blaine didn't want to tell anyone he was almost bashed to death.
Finn suggested the cover-up story be that Blaine's parents spontaneously decided to take Blaine on holidays to Hawaii and said Kurt could come along. Kurt added that Blaine decided to try (but failed) at surfing, which would explain the extra cuts and bruises everywhere.
''You guys are geniuses.'' Blaine said.
Carole beamed at Blaine; she respected him deeply for being such a good boyfriend to her stepson (who she liked to call her son as well.).
''Thank you so much for everything you've done.'' he said to the Hudson-Hummels, ''I sometimes wish I belonged in your family.''
Kurt pulled Blaine along with him and headed for the door.
He pulled the curly-haired boy close and whispered in his ear ''Yeah, but then we wouldn't be allowed to marry, even if it were in New York.''
''Oh, Kurt.'' Blaine said in a loving voice.
They kissed and walked out of the hospital, hand-in-hand and smiling.
Was that okay? Let me know in a review. =)