Birds chirping outside woke Kurt as they usually did, the twittering calls gently rousing him from his sleep. He pushed himself up groggily, frowning at the texture under his calloused hands. It wasn't right, it wasn't his room…

Then he remembered the events of the day before.

Choking, drowning, awakening, hooded stranger, Blaine.

At the thought of Blaine he opened his eyes, half expecting the mysterious boy to be standing somewhere in his room. He found it empty, just like it had been the night before. Kurt smiled slowly. Blaine was somewhere here. Kurt was in a place that seemed safe for once. It was enough to make him question if he was actually dreaming.

A knock sounded at the door, soft yet firm.

"Come in."

Blaine sheepishly opened the door, stepping in slowly.

"Good morning. I trust you slept well?"

Kurt bobbed his head in agreement.

"It's been a while since I've slept that peacefully. I'm not used to it."

Blaine cocked his head to the side.

"What do you mean?"

Kurt snorted.

"I mean I'm not used to being able to sleep without having to wake up and see if someone's watching you."

Blaine shook his head.

"You have one hell of an interesting… friend."

Kurt stood, and Blaine inhaled slightly. Kurt had forgotten that he'd removed his shirt the night before, and he stood only half-dressed in front of a near stranger. He blushed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I'm sorry. I've just always slept that way."

Blaine coughed, his voice sounding strained.

"It's alright. I understand. Ah… crossing your arms doesn't help."

Kurt let his arms fall to his sides, exposing the faintly defined muscle he'd been hiding. He ducked his head, his cheeks turning a faint shade of red.

"Gods, don't be embarrassed. It's my fault. I'll ah… step out for a moment."

Kurt looked up and raised a hand toward Blaine.

"No, it's fine. I'll just grab my shirt."

He found it on the floor and pulled it over his head.

"Better?" he asked.

Blaine nodded.

"It's not like you're unattractive, it's just that I just met you. And you're really not unattractive. You're kind of amazing."

Blaine ducked his head, and Kurt could imagine his cheeks were flaming.

"Why Blaine, are you flirting with me?" he asked with a coy smile.

"What if I am?"

Kurt blushed furiously.

"I suppose I'd have to see if you live up to your mysterious charade."

Blaine chuckled.

"I think I do. Perhaps I can prove it to you sometime."

Blaine stepped out of Kurt's room, then poked his head back in.

"You coming?"

Kurt tilted his head, perplexed by the meaning of Blaine's question.

"Breakfast."

Kurt nearly tripped over himself hurrying to the door.

"You don't have to ask me twice when it comes to food."

The two smiled, and Kurt followed Blaine back toward the dining room from the night before.

After a satisfying breakfast, the two boys went their separate ways. Blaine had claimed he had things to do elsewhere, and Kurt settled for roaming the grounds by himself.

He passed through the hallways he'd dashed through just the night before, smiling to himself at the memory. He walked through the halls, marveling at the framed works of art on the walls. They were almost like looking at a real image rather than a portrayal. After what seemed like hours of walking around the manor, he found himself outside.

Kurt stepped out into a small garden cloaked in shadows that only allowed a few rays of sunlight to peek through. The flora cast a soft scent around the grounds, invoking memories of youthful summertime spent back home. The small garden surrounded an impossibly lovely tree with dark leaves and white flowers, obviously the centerpiece of the little oasis. Kurt was transfixed by the dainty white flowers, and he edged forward toward the skinny trunk of the tree. He lifted his hand to touch the wood and his fingers just barely grazed the tree when a voice called behind him.

"Don't."

Kurt spun around, seeking the source of the voice. Blaine stood in the shadows near the house, swaying uneasily.

"Don't what?"

"Don't touch that thing."

Kurt was confused by the venom in Blaine's voice.

"What's wrong with it? It's just a tree, right?"

Blaine sucked in a harsh breath.

"It's… not."

Kurt stepped closer to Blaine, reaching out to touch his shoulder.

"Blaine, is something wrong? Tell me, please. It won't change anything."

Blaine weakly laughed.

"It won't? What is there to change anyway? And how can you be sure that it won't change anything, Kurt?"

Blaine's voice was on the edge of pleading, hysteria creeping into every syllable.

"I know because whoever you are, you showed me kindness. And I can't ignore that. I can look past whoever you are outside to see the person who took me in out of the goodness in his heart."

Blaine shuddered.

"I'll tell you."

Kurt led them to an elegantly made stone bench, where they both sat. The breeze rasped the leaves on the tree together, sunlight peeking through the overcast sky to shine on them. Kurt reassuringly grabbed Blaine's hand, looking up at him and smiling. Blaine drew a shaky breath and began.

"It was right after I'd been outcast. The rumors you hear were about a younger me, the one who didn't quite understand these woods. I was cruel, Kurt. I cast lost people out to die. One day, someone from the village, a priestess or something, she came to my door seeking sanctuary. She looked poor and cold, and I went to slam the door in her face. She… she cursed me. She made me the person I was on the inside."