Blaine,
You...wow. I'm gonna word vomit for a minute. So be prepared.
I want to thank you for your kind words. No, I want to thank you for meaning what you say when you say kind words. I want to thank you for accepting me and everything that I am. It's something few have done in this world. I wake up every day knowing I have to step into a building that doesn't look at me like a person. They look at me like a gay fairy who's going to "spread the gay" unless they do something about it. I'm in hell, Blaine.
No matter how famous I get, every assistant and secretary I have will know Blaine Anderson needs no appointment. If he comes, he's to be seen in. Mark my words. Use a highlighter if you want to. I'll never be too famous to not have time for someone as amazing and wonderful as you.
To Jeff: If you're as energetic and rambunctious as your letter, I'll adore you almost even more in person. Thank you for your kindness. You try too hard to make me blush. My range is hardly that coveted.
To Nick: Vintage stamps? Wow. Our weirdest was the celibacy club, but it got disbanded when the president got pregnant at sixteen. I say it was the weirdest because of the activities they did. They used boundary balloons to show "how close was too close." I kid you not. Now, I'd probably say our weirdest is the Superhero Initiative. I can't even.
Back to Blaine. You are nothing less than fantastic. Do not be sorry you had to go to Dalton. We shouldn't live in a world where we have to seek out safe places in order to be ourselves, and know love, and compassion. One day, the world will be different. One day, it won't be so hard to keep my chin up, and my heart on my sleeve. One day.
I look forward to early morning coffee and oranges from the Sunday market.
Emotionally yours,
Kurt
Nick and Jeff walked into the dorm room, spying Blaine sitting with a white envelope. They watched as his face went from emotional, to furious, to amused, to curious, to disbelief, and then back to emotional. They watched him blink back tears, hiding his face behind his hand for a moment.
They gave him a minute and then walked over, pretending they hadn't seen a thing.
"Hey, is that Kurt?" Jeff asked.
"Did he respond to us?" Nick asked.
"Yeah." Blaine forced a smile. "To Jeff: If you're as energetic and rambunctious as your letter, I'll adore you almost even more in person. Thank you for your kindness. You try too hard to make me blush. My range is hardly that coveted."
"Hardly that coveted?" Jeff sputtered. "Does he not know?"
"I don't think he does." Blaine shook his head, his eyes were sad again.
"What about me?" Nick asked.
"To Nick: Vintage stamps? Wow. Our weirdest was the celibacy club, but it got disbanded when the president got pregnant at sixteen. I say it was the weirdest because of the activities they did. They used boundary balloons to show how close was too close. I kid you not. Now, I'd probably say our weirdest is the Superhero Initiative. I can't even." Blaine read.
"What?" Nick laughed, clutching his stomach. "Oh, that's rich."
"Blainey...is something wrong with Kurt?" Jeff asked softly.
Blaine paused for a moment, taking a ragged breath. He relinquished the letter so they could read the other parts. They went from fond to enraged, looking horrified at the words in front of them.
"They can't...they can't..." Jeff shook his head. "Tell me they can't actually think that!"
"Jeff, breathe." Nick said softly, rubbing his back.
"Breathe! How could they! They...and...but...oh, Kurt." Jeff rambled.
"There isn't anything we can really do for him, but be here when he needs someone." Nick said.
"I need to walk." Blaine said, standing up.
"We'll come with." Jeff said.
"No, please." Blaine shook his head, stepping away.
He wandered around the campus, avoiding running into anyone, until he was certain he had his emotions under control. It wasn't until he was sure that he went back to his dorm to compose a reply.
…...
Kurt is shaking, he knows he is, and he feels weak and vulnerable and stupid. He's holding back the tears, but only so. In his hands, he's clutching the envelope he knows is from Blaine, but if he hears one kind word in contrast to his day, the damn inside his chest will implode. Taking a shaky breath, he shoves the envelope into the passenger seat. Later. He'll open it later.
He reaches to start his car, but before he can even click the keys into the ignition his driver's side door is wrenched open, and the scream he'd been burying bursts out of him.
…...
His first thought is that he's cold. Not in any specific place. Just cold. And then he thinks he's kind of numb, which doesn't make any sense, because he doesn't remember doing anything that makes him numb. Beeps are sounding around him, and the smell of cleaners hits his nose, coupled with another smell that translates into one place.
The hospital.
He's forcing open his eyes, but the lights are too bright, and they make him blink rapidly until he can adjust. The room is empty, except for him and several machines. There's an IV in his arm, and it feels like something pressed against his nose. An oxygen tube? Why is he in the hospital?
He's groping for where he guesses the nurse's button should be, until he hears a click and a buzz, and a voice comes on the speaker above his head.
"Yes?" she asked.
He tries to talk but it comes out like a hoarse cry instead of actual words. In seconds the door to his room is open and two nurses are rushing in.
"It's alright, Kurt. We need you to stay calm, and breathe, and focus. Can you do that?" the first nurse asked.
They know his name? He doesn't try talking again, so he just nods.
"You're under some heavy morphine, and it's affecting your speech right now, but just give your brain a few minutes to catch up and you'll be okay. Just relax. You're safe." the second nurse said.
"Daa..." Kurt tries again, but it doesn't fully work.
"Your father is in the hospital. He's here, he's just outside. He'll be in in a minute." the second nurse said.
He blinks, trying to focus. The numbness is still there, but he's not so cold and hazy anymore. Thoughts are starting to form a little more. He's trying to remember. Why was he here? When did he get here? Then he thinks of school, and then his car, and a pair of hands.
"No!" He struggles, the memory to vivid.
"Kurt, calm down. Calm down. You're safe. It's over. You're safe. No one's going to hurt you here." the first nurse said.
They're both on either side, trying to hold him gently but firmly.
"Kurt? Kurt!" Burt is there, in a flash he's there.
"Dad." Kurt choked out. "Dad."
"I'm here, buddy. I'm right here. It's okay. It's okay." Burt takes the place of the second nurse, holding him down with one hand, and stroking his hair with the other. "I've got you, bud. I've got you."
Kurt let's out a whine, but it's broken, he's broken. He can feel every kick, punch, and vice grip like a record on his skin. Burt looks as lost as he feels, unsure of how to comfort his only son.
"They're never going to touch you again." Burt said.
The damn breaks.
…...
"Mr. Anderson." Mrs. Pearl stops him after his last class.
"Yes, Mrs. Pearl?" Blaine looks at her politely, attention focused on her.
"You have a phone call in the main office, dear." She said.
The main office? Why? Everyone who should be able to contact him for important reasons has his cell number.
"It's a woman from Lima, Ohio." Mrs. Peal adds.
Blaine follows her to the main office.
"This is Blaine Anderson." He says, taking the phone.
"Blaine? This is Mercedes Jones, I'm a friend of Kurt's."
"Mercedes, of course. What can I do for you?" Blaine asked.
"I know this is really unusual, but I thought you'd want to know sooner than however long it's going to take Kurt to be able to write to you." Mercedes said, her tone wobbles.
"Mercedes, what's wrong?" Blaine asked.
"Kurt...he's in the hospital." Mercedes took a deep breath. "There was an attack, after school. I don't have a lot of information, but they've said they'll call when he wakes up."
Blaine feels the room spinning, or is it just him? He can't tell. He can't breathe.
"Thank...you, Mercedes. I...oh god." He feels sick.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way." Mercedes said.
"No...no...I appreciate you including me." He sucked in a ragged breath. "I'll..."
"It's okay, we're all pretty lost here too." Mercedes said quietly. "I'll try and keep you informed."
"Yes, thank you." Blaine said.
"I'm going to call Carole and see if she knows anything more." Mercedes said.
"Of course. Thank you for calling. Goodbye." Blaine said.
"Bye." She hangs up.
Blaine plummets to the ground. The office ladies scream.