Authors Note: Why hello there.

SOOO I would like to thank again all the alerters, the reviewers, the everybody-ers who even clicked on this link! You are amazing for even getting this far. I love you for it, I would also like to apologise for the long delay, i don't really have an excuse for that...

For the next couple chapters, how would you like them? Chapter for each day, (of course it would be shorter than normal) or a three-parter?

So I promise this will be somewhat promising :) I hope.

I'm sorry in advance, there shall be a lot of OC-ness in this one…

If you want any snippets or previews before the next chapter comes out go to my tumblr. Arabellasmith(dot)tumblr(dot)com. I will be posting little bits every now and again! XD Now what are you waiting for! Go forth and READ! :D


Chapter Seven

Ready… Set… GO!


Ben sat on the edge of his bed, breathing. Just breathing. His eyes were fixated on a mark on the carpet. He couldn't believe it.

They had spent their whole lives together and now… Harry could just be gone. Just like that.

He didn't really know how he made it out of the café, made it back to his room. After the pooling he had to get out of there.

The time he'd spent running really paid off.

He fell back on to mattress and closed his eyes. A tear slipped down his temple and dropped onto the quilt, forming a small puddle by the side of him.


Blaine sat with Kurt in his room. They had perched on the end. A silence, which Kurt couldn't decide comfortable or not, fell over the room.

"Why is it now everything seems so real?" Kurt asked him with a knot in his throat.

Blaine drew a breath and sighed. "I don't know."

There was a nothing kind of feeling lingering in Kurt's mind. He didn't have words to describe the way he felt. Just nothing.

"I meant what I said the other yesterday – or this morning rather." Blaine corrected himself

Quickly and Kurt nodded.

"You'll keep me alive."

"Exactly," Blaine cleared his throat and kicked his shoes off scrambling back on the bed. "Which means, you'll understand what I'm about to tell you… right?" He asked slowly and cautiously.

Kurt knitted his brows but copied Blaine's action and moved next to him.

"Depends on what you're about to say..."

Blaine crossed his legs so that he was facing Kurt straight on and took his hand. "I – I,"

A beat. "After school and training, you're gonna have to start training more. Me and you."

Kurt's eye widened. That would mean, the morning 5k, lessons, training and then another few hours.

"Blaine-"
"And you're going to have to start eating more, too." He eyed Kurt up and down. "You're way too skinny, Kurt you'll break like a twig."

His jaw dropped and Kurt pulled his hand away.

"Kurt…"

"Blaine, that's insulting!"

"You've been losing weight since you got here and it's not healthy!" Blaine insisted and Kurt jumped to his feet.

"I'm fine looking after myself thank you very much Blaine!" Kurt yelled sharply and folded his arms across his chest defensively.

"Kurt-!"

"I think you should leave!" He demanded and refused to meet his eyes.

Blaine pulled himself up and stood right in front of him, taking his face in both hands.

"Kurt. Whatever happens we're both going to be relying on each other for survival in a week, if the trust doesn't start here and now, we're screwed."

Kurt took his words and he thought about them carefully. The trust. Does that mean Blaine realizes Kurt has little faith in him?

"Please Kurt, you have to trust me," Blaine begged and Kurt couldn't resist those sweet, safe chocolate eyes. They seemed so honest. Apart from his life, what was there really to lose?

"fine. I - I trust you." He nodded.


Two days later, after an extreme training session, Blaine finally took Kurt to the warblers; which he'd longed to do since the beginning. When they first go in the warblers hall (a converted training room) they saw the boys huddle together in a group. They disbanded when the two boys walked in.

Blaine had tried to treat it as a normal meeting but was refused by Wes and David.

"Guys what's going on?"

David grabbed Blaine's shoulder and pushed him down onto a brown leather sofa. Wes took Kurt's hand and led him down next to Blaine.

"Hello, we are the Warblers!" Wes called out in his usual class, as if he was introducing himself for a sectionals crowd or something. What did the Warblers do anyway, put shows on for the rest of the body? Maybe the teachers? "Kurt, I wanted to let you know that, it was so amazing to meet you, from me and a couple others here in the warblers. We really hope that when you come back maybe you'll join us here?"

Kurt smiled and bit his lip. Don't cry Kurt. No. Just because some guys you've known for a couple days are being really nice doesn't give you the right to cry! 'really nice'? What was happening to his vocabulary.

They stood in a triangle shape Jeff, the blond riddle boy, stood at the point.

Blaine chuckled softly and held his forehead between his thumb and index. He smiled charmingly; the same way he used for the first days they met and for a second Kurt felt at home.

"And Blaine," He began to get personal staring Blaine right in the eyes now. "we really liked having you in the Warblers and we can't wait for you to come back. So we've put a little something together for you guys." Wes smiled and took a step back into a clear space so they were in a perfect arrow alignment.

The boys at the back began 'oohing'.

Jeff took the solo.

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

The Warblers didn't seem to have access to instruments, bar an old piano that most of cost loads to save up for sitting in the corner that looked long overdue for a practise. But they seemed to have adjusted to doing it accapella style.

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

Suddenly David broke out of the triangle somewhere near the back and took over. Cassidy appeared from the other side and joined. It made Kurt smile, even more than he had been previously, because honestly, he didn't expect Cass to be a singer.

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go

Somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know

Cass came straight up to Kurt and Blaine and took both of their hands, singing right at them.

He looked as if he was about to break down in tears.

He mouthed a 'Sorry' to Blaine before they fell into formation again and Jeff took back his part back. Singing 'Oh's' over the top.

They sung the chorus again and each boy came up to Kurt and Blaine, offering their condolences.

It made Kurt feel special, for the first time in a really, really long time because they didn't know him yet they were being so nice, he just wanted to hug them all.

Wes and David were the last ones to come to them. David pulled Blaine to his feet and as did Wes, Kurt. They dragged both boys into the centre of circle forming around them.

Kurt looked all around him to see the boys singing directly at him, he spun and everyone seemed so sincere. He felt a weight on his shoulder and turned to see Blaine, who also looked as if he was about to tear up.

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Kurt used the heel of his palm to wipe away tears gathering.

Somewhere only we know?

There was a sudden outburst of cheers and cries as Kurt found himself piled with boys as a group hug was commemorated. He found himself laughing and completely ignoring the tears streaming down his cheeks. He came face to face with Cassidy, crushed against the blond, who had also broken up in tears and he wiped away Kurt's cheek with his hand before wrapping his arms around Kurt's slim form and taking him into a hug.


Ben's fingers dug into the doorframe and he could feel the dirt grinding up beneath his nails.

He sighed and knocked on the already opened door.

Harry who had his back towards him, packing his bag, spun around suddenly. His muscle's tensed for a single second before he relaxed against the desk at the sight of Ben.

"Ben." He addressed the blond who stood in his doorway.

Ben smiled slightly and entered the room, taking small steps. "What are you doing?" He asked, eyes lingering over the half packed bag.

Harry turned to look over his shoulder at the contents before turning completely.

"Oh, uh, Blaine wanted all the boys to get together and camp in the woods – part of training or something…" He shrugged and pursed his lips.

He didn't even catch it when Ben came from behind and locked his arms around Harry's waist.

"Please don't go." He mumbled into Harry's shirt. His glazed over eyes fell to the ground. "I don't want to be alone."

Harry sighed, broke the locked fingers around his chest apart and spun to wrap his own arms around Ben. Ben relaxed into the hold and a tear dripped down his cheek.

"I'm not going anywhere." Harry promised and swayed them slightly, his cheek rested against bens forehead.

The blond exhaled.


"Ready?" Blaine asked over his shoulder as he packed his bag.

They had planned to spend the night in the forest just outside of the Dalton campus.

"Mmm," Kurt hummed completely unfocused and fixated on a spot on the ceiling left by the previous dormer.

Blaine turned and paused for a moment, he stared hard at the boy to check if he was for real. "Kurt." He sank back against the desk and folded his arms.

"What?" Kurt snapped his head round to Blaine and eyed him wearily. Blaine's tongue circled the inside of his cheek and he scoffed.

"You're unfocused."

"I'm not!"

"Kurt-"

"Blaine, can we just go, now. Please?" Kurt asked bringing himself to a standing and huffing, "I just wanna get this over with."

"Kurt, what did you have for lunch today?" Blaine suddenly asked completely off topic, startling him. Kurt pulled the strap up his shoulder on his bag.

"Pasta."

Blaine raised his brows and shook his head in shear disappointment. "I can't believe you would lie to me Kurt. After all this and you still don't trust me?"

"Blaine I-"

"No." Blaine cut him off and waved his hand out. His hands ravelled in his hair and he let out a massive groan. "Again with the lies!" He yelled and pounded his fists against the wooden desk.

"Not eating makes you lose concentration, when you lie your eyebrows raise slightly. What is wrong with you?" He demanded and Kurt felt the comment slice across his heart.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?" Kurt screamed, screwing his face up and shaking like a leaf in the wind. "When I first got here you nice, you were kind and ever since you've been a bully. That's it... You're just some bully Blaine." He shook his head in disgust.

Blaine was speechless. No. He was nothing like those kids back in his elementary.

Those kids were horrible. "You're being cold towards me, it's like you have walls up or something."

Who knew 10 year old's could be so mean.

They used to pick on him, for wanting to hang out with the girls and reading rather than playing soccer at lunch on the field.

Call him names.

He was nothing like them.

"Kurt – I," Blaine didn't know what to say, he was just trying his best to protect Kurt. But he was protecting himself as well. If he forced himself to hate Kurt, then it would hurt so much if he lost him to the Inspection. Of course he'd been nice at first, he never would've thought they'd allow Kurt into Inspection.

Stupid, stupid Inspection.

But however he tried, he couldn't hate Kurt. He just couldn't. In fact he didn't even dislike him.

He really, really liked Kurt.

"Kurt," Now was the time for honesty. "I – I'm sorry."

Kurt was taken aback. He was shocked. Blaine was sorry?

Blaine lowered himself onto the Bed and dropped his head into his hands. Kurt came and joined him, placing his hand soothingly on Blaine's back. He tried to continue, "I'm just… I'm scared, y'know."

Blaine Anderson was scared? Kurt had no hope.

"You know how I lost my last partner to Inspection, I really don't want to lose another one," Blaine looked up and met Kurt's eyes. "I've lost too many people Kurt and I'm not by any means prepared to lose you. Got that?"

His hand cupped Kurt's cheek and the slim brunette felt the ground slip beneath his feet along with his breath. The temptation was too much…

Blaine swallowed and pulled his hand away, he quickly got to his feet.

"Okay, okay. We should get going…"

Kurt nodded, trying to clear his head.

Focus Kurt.


Kurt and Blaine took the hall, they had just turned when Aaron and a blond that definitely wasn't James turned the corner. They were fully equipped with backpacks slung over their shoulders. "Alright lads?" The blond smiled toothily, he tone tainted with an Irish background. He was a black shirt Kurt noticed.

"Quinn?" Blaine furrowed his brows, staring at him.

The blond, Quinn, winked walking towards them. Kurt blinked. This boy reminded him a lot of Quinn Fabray.

He didn't even know Quinn could be used for a boy's name.

"What are you doing here, where's James?"

"James broke his leg in training, they were going to send him in anyway," Quinn nodded and Aaron rolled his eyes. "So I volunteered to take his place."

"You volunteered for Inspection?" Blaine asked sounding impressed and his eyes went wide. He held out his hand in front of him. "That's impressive, Congrats."

Quinn met his hand and they shook. "Couldn't risk sending James in with a broken leg now could we? He'd be mince meat in seconds."

"What lovely imagery," Kurt commented his brows jumping slightly. Quinn turned to him.

"Hey you're Kurt right? The new kid?"

"That's me." Kurt nodded softly and his fingers fidgeted. "It's a pleasure."

"Right then." Aaron sighed and looked around at the three. "Let's get going, where's Harry and Eli?"


"I always thought I'd spend my last minutes with you." Harry sighed and smiled sadly at the boy led in front of him. He brushed some hair that had fallen over his eyes back.

They had ended up lying face to face on Harry's bed, heads on separate pillows.

"Shut up." Ben frowned. "You're coming back, so just- just stop talking, okay?"

Harry nodded and shuffled closer. His eyes locked on Ben's and he leaned close.

Eyes lingered over lips, Ben could feel Harry's breath against his skin.

Okay he was ready for this.

And he really, really wanted this.

He really wanted to have Harry kiss him right now.

A hairs breadth from touching, Ben could feel Harry's eyelashes against his temple.

"Yo Harry we have to – Oh crap am I interrupting something?" Eli blanched his head scooping around the corner.

The two boys broke apart – the lack of lip touching was disheartening – and Harry scrambled to his feet, turning a lovely crimson.

Ben exhaled and he rolled off the bed, to his hands and knees. He got up quickly and brushed his shirt down.

"No, uh no. We ready to go?" Harry asked turning extremely red, trying to gather up all of the braincells that had fled due to the proximity of Ben's lips and Eli's shoulders jumped slightly, suggestively.

"Well I am," He commented grinning and leant his elbow against the doorframe. "I don't know about you…"

"Eli." Harry said in a scolding tone. Eli chuckled.

"Okay, grab your shit and let's go." He patted the wall twice, before disappearing around the corner.

Harry turned to Ben, whose face was the colour of berries. He took a deep breath, but before he could say anything Ben interrupted him.

"Come see me when you get in yeah?" He asked and made a swift exit.

Harry went to plead, ask him to stay but instead when he tried to speak all that came out was air and a bad excuse for a whimper. He rubbed at his forehead and dropped it into his cupped hands.

"That went well," Eli commented from the doorway and Harry picked up a pillow and threw at him. "Sorry, too soon?"

"You think?" Harry grumbled and hitched his backpack over his shoulders. "Come on then, let's get this done."


"Eli, Harry!" Blaine called catching sight of them heading towards them. Eli waved over and smiled. Harry looked a little glum.

Kurt caught a glint in his eye as he patted his hair down.


"Here?" Blaine asked depositing his stuff on the ground, it was a clearing. Not much around. Tree's were banded all around, and there was a lake, small and quaint.

Kurt felt sick.

It looked a lot like the clearing New Directions once took a trip to, as Mr Shue called it, a bonding trip. It didn't actually go so well, Santana ended up in a fit and walked off in a mood.

Kurt looked over to the left where Santana had headed before reminding himself this wasn't actually the same place.

The rest of the boys nodded to Blaine's earlier suggestion and dropped their bags.

Kurt slumped back against one of the tree's.

Harry came over and sat with him; he sighed and stared out at the two boys, Quinn and Blaine trying to put together a fire.

"Well, this is depressing." Quinn decided, eyes searching the decrepit wood around them, he began tapping his foot.

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll thank for all the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll come back down and sit beside your
feet tonight

Quinn began to sing and Blaine shot him a look. "Really Quinn? Is that appropriate right now?"

The Irish blond shrugged and Kurt smiled a little.

Wherever I am you'll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive

Harry chuckled and Quinn hopped up onto a fallen log, hanging on a tree, like the man in singing in the rain. He swang around it and hollered;

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll take on all the sadness
That I left behind

He wiped a fake tear away from his cheek, and hopped back down, winking over at Kurt. He held out a hand and pulled him to his feet. He began to dance with him.

Kurt tried hard not to giggle but it ended up getting the better of him.

The madness that you feel will soon subside
So in a word don't shed a tear
I'll be here when it all gets weird
If I ever leave this world alive

Blaine rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Knock it off Quinn, we all just want to get through this night in peace."

Quinn let go of Kurt and grinned over at Blaine who was trying to start a fire using just wood and stone. "Just trying to cheer everyone up Blaine." He shrugged and slipped back down the tree trunk.

Kurt cleared his throat after turning a little bit red and stumbled back against his own tree.

Harry raised an eye towards him and he just ducked his face.

Eli giggled and kicked him over with his boot.


The next morning Kurt awoke to a sore back, as soon as his eyes opened he realised he was going to be doing this for seven days next week. A groan passed his lips before he could block it with his hand. Harry stirred from next to him and winced at the bright light.

They'd all brought sleeping bags. All apart from Aaron which meant he'd probably freeze in the night.

Luckily Quinn decided he didn't need one and leant his to a very grateful Aaron.

Kurt didn't actually know where Quinn slept, he just remembered the last place the Irish boy was, was sat by the fire poking it with a stick. He seemed out of reality, away in his thoughts.

But he'd fallen asleep when Quinn was still awake.

Actually he didn't know who'd fallen asleep last, only that Harry was out like a light, then Eli – who'd gone to sleep in some laughing fit – was after him.

He couldn't tell when Blaine had slept, he could only see the back of him across the fire so he had no idea really.

"Good morning boys!" Kurt was broken from his reverie by a pile of wood clattering to the ground. He rolled and looked above where Quinn and Eli stood, Eli deposited his own armful of wood down and smirked. "We didn't actually need any of that you know?" He asked turning to Quinn.

The blonde shrugged and then noticed Kurt staring at them.

"Morning cupcake." He winked and the red head giggled again, hauling himself up on a branch.

He hooked his legs round and dangled off, so his head was dangling and he was upside down.

"Quinn?" Kurt spoke in a daze and sat himself upright, sitting against his tree again.

"Hey," He smiled softly and chucked a couple logs on the decrepit almost half dead fire.

Kurt looked around to see if there was anywhere that had looked slept in. Nowhere. "Where- where exactly did you sleep last night Quinn?"

"I didn't." Quinn shrugged and the black circles under his eyes were evident. "Never do,"

"Quinn thrives off sleep deprivation, it's what makes him quirky." Eli smirked from where he was hanging upside down, his arms folded across his chest.

Kurt frowned.


As soon as he walked in the door, Ben tackle hugged Harry, nearly knocking him off his feet.

"Woah, hey," Harry laughed and hugged back tight. "I thought I was coming to see you?"

"Couldn't wait." Ben mumbled in to Harry's sweat clad shirt, the one he'd slept in overnight.

He smelt bad. But it was kind of comforting.

Eli sniggered to himself and nudged Harry with his elbow, Harry rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue at the red head, leaning his cheek into Ben's blond crown.

Eli just winked and then patted Quinn on the back. "Well, I really can't be assed to run, fancy coming to the chill out, play some pool?"

Quinn raised his brows and sniffed under his arm pit. "Yeah, I'm gonna take a shower first, I'll meet you there in an hour, yeah?" He nodded and headed down to his room. "Laters Blaine and Kurt!"

"See you in the helicopter!" Blaine called waving back.

"Yeah… see- see you." Kurt said quietly, paling dramatically. Blaine turned to Kurt and furrowed his brows. "You okay?" He frowned.

"I – I've never flown before Blaine." Kurt admitted and bit his lip, which Blaine sighed to.

"It'll be fine," Blaine promised, placing his hand soothingly over Kurt's arm. "As long as you're with me, I'll keep you safe." He leaned forward and pressed a small kiss to his forehead.


The day of leaving came around and Kurt wasn't ready. He awoke and found himself stiff to the bone. He – he wanted to move but he couldn't.

He'd been other this a thousand times in his head.

If he survived, then that would be good, he'd get to live here with his new friends.

If he died, he'd get to be with his family, and everyone he ever knew thought he was dead anyway so would that be such a problem?

It wasn't like he was even close to his new friends…

There was a knock at his door and Kurt found his eyes drawing to the window, it was light outside. It was empty.

Blaine explained that there was to be no classes today, only a small farewell ceremony held in the grounds as the chopper took them away and into the skies.

He guessed no one would be up for a good hour and a half still.

Another rap at the door broke him from his reverie and he pushed back the covers to be met with ice. His whole body tensed. Shit. It was freezing! And he slept in nothing but his boxers.

He quickly slung on a pair of jogging bottoms, again leant to him by Cass. He made a quick mental note, if he made it out alive, he had to pay Cassidy back for everything.

The door went again.

"Sweet gaga, I'm coming!" Kurt flustered and rolled over the bed, leaping for the door. His hand clasped the door handle and he flung the door open, expecting to see Blaine standing there with that hard expression that he'd been wearing a lot recently.

But instead was the sweet face that belonged to a small, but defined, shivering blond.

"Cass," Kurt blurted out in shock.

"Hey Kurt," Cass greeted him in a small voice, his eyes were red and swollen and Kurt could tell he'd been crying – why, he didn't know. Cass' fingers trailed up and down the fresh bandage around his wrist and he avoided Kurt's eyes. "Blaine was going to come and get you, but I asked if I could instead. I hope that's okay," He quickly tacked on the end.

Kurt's face relaxed and softened, to one of caring. "It's fine Cass,"

"I – um, I wanted to say goodbye before anyone else," He blurted out suddenly. "It's not that I don't want anyone to say goodbye before me, but, I mean, I wanted to be the first-" He paused. "-And I just totally contradicted myself just then – um – oh!" He jolted out of his ramble when he found Kurt pulling in for a tight, solid hug. He tensed at first – natural instinct, the way he'd been taught – and then relaxed again and sank into the body pressed against his.

"I'll come back Cass, I promise." Kurt told him, whispering in his ear, sending the hairs on the back of the blond's neck to stand on end.

"Please do, you're the only person that-" Cassidy cut himself off, not really knowing what the ending to that sentence was, he just knew Kurt was special to him.

Not in the same way he was to Blaine, because it was – well used to be – obvious Blaine had a tiny crush. Or maybe that was just Cassidy, after years of training can pick up on these things.

But Kurt had, he'd practically beaten up Blaine for god's sake, for reasons unknown to even him and Kurt hadn't even been cold towards him. "Just please come back,"

Kurt laughed slightly, completely out of place for the circumstances and nodded. "I will, I'll make sure of it,"

Cassidy finally pulled back and sighed, holding the taller boy out at arm length. "Do," He smiled and hooked his elbow through Kurt's.

"Everyone's waiting down in the breakfast hall,"

Kurt nodded, and then paused. "Will you give me five, I need to get ready, wait for me?"

"Sure," Cassidy nodded and Kurt led them into his room.

Cassidy plopped onto the bed and Kurt disappeared into the bathroom.

A silent heartbeat passed.

"Are you scared?"

Kurt paused just about to step into the shower. He exhaled and then turned to the closed door, where Cassidy waited on the other side.

"Yeah," He answered quickly and disappeared to the land of suds.


Cassidy was right, most of them were there.

Aaron and James, who had a guilty look draped across his face sat near the end with Quinn. Then there was Eli, who, oddly, was seeming calm in comparison to the other boys, trying to pull his red hair down in front of his eyes. He was failing of course. It was too short.

Then there was Harry, he too didn't seemed to freaked about anything, apart from the pale boy clinging to his arm next to him. Ben looked drained and his eyes matched Cass'.

Wes, David, Cameron and Blaine were on the other end and there were two free seats, one next to Blaine on the end and the other between Cameron and Wes.

Blaine looked up from where he'd been staring in a pool of drip coffee, no room for milk, and flashed Kurt one of those smiles he'd seen when he'd first arrived.

"You're up," He smiled. "I was gonna come and get you but Cass-"

Kurt held up his hand to cut off his sentence. "I was told."

Blaine nodded and patted the seat next to him; Kurt obliged and sank into the seat.

Cass, coldly, slipped into the one next to Cameron and refused to look in the older boy's direction.

Cameron didn't even flinch for that one, on the inside of course he was hurting, but, he really didn't see the point of getting worked up and upsetting Cass further so he just pushed it to the side.

Anyway he was used to being rejected by Cassidy, they used to be really good friends, until one day, every time Cameron would try to start up a conversation he'd be simply shot down.

It was just out of the blue one day.

But now he was used to it.

It was normal.

Wes and David both locked on Kurt. "Hey Kurt, we –" They exchanged a look and then turned back to Kurt. "All of us, we, well…"

David picked up on Wes' sentence. "We know we sang to you guys but, to you Kurt, we want you to know we all really liked meeting you…"

Wes started again. "Yeah, and as soon as you come back we're going to have to do something, like a newbie's party or something!" He grinned.

David nodded enthusiastically and tacked on "-like an initiation or something!"

Kurt turned to Blaine who just shrugged in response, raising his hands defensively. "Hey as long as it's legal then I'm okay with it."

Kurt paled a bit. "Have I misjudged you, by quiet a lot?" He asked Wes and David who were innocently waving it off. He laughed a little and smiled.

Blaine nudged Kurt gently and offered him one of those charming smile. "You okay?" He asked quietly as Wes and David went to planning a big initiation party for Kurt. "You nervous?"

Kurt inhaled. "Yeah, well kind of," He shrugged. "But I just kinda figured out something last night which made everything better." A slight smile pulled at his lips and Blaine returned it.

"And what realisation did you come to?" Blaine asked humouring him.

Kurt's smiled faltered for a second before it reappeared. "I figured that if I live, I get to be with all you lot and attend ninja school for a while longer. If I died-" He shrugged nonchalantly. "-then I get to be with my family. Either way works out for me."

Blaine froze. There was something sad about that that Blaine couldn't exactly put his finger on. He smiled emptily at Kurt.

Maybe it was because of the way he just seemed to accept it? That he was satisfied with this? He didn't know but when he responded he was sure his voice was hollow and colourless.

"You won't die. I promise."

And it was a promise he was determined to keep.

Kurt smiled softly at him. "We'll see."

"Okay, listen up boys." A voice boomed from the door and echoed around the emptiness of the café on the morning due to the whole school having a chance to sleep in.

Every boy turned and their hearts sank when they saw a very official man dressed in full military gear stood at the door with a clipboard tucked into his palm and a pencil lounging behind his ear. "You have twenty minutes until the helicopter arrives." He flipped up a sheet and his eyes scanned some document. "I need Kurt Hummel, Blaine Anderson, Aaron Mitchell, Quinn O' Conner, Harry Day, Eli Turner. Please come with me."

He left, not waiting for the boys.

Harry blinked and turned to Eli who was frowning. Wes and David swallowed and James yelped.

Kurt and Blaine shared a concerned look before they both simultaneously rose from their seats.

Ben's hand tightened around Harry's wrist. He looked terrified and his face was drained.

His eyes a mix of red circles and black bags, on the table in front of him.

"Hey," Harry eased the fingers off and took them in his own. "It'll be fine, I'll see you before we leave, okay? I have something for you anyway," He cleared his throat and pressed a kiss to Ben's head before departing with the rest of the boys, laying a hand on Eli's shoulder as they passed through the door.

James hugged Aaron and wished him luck before Aaron and Quinn left for the door.

Cass' hand shot out suddenly and grabbed Cameron's wrist, shocking the taller boy and making him blink unexpectedly. "You okay Cass?"

For a second Cassidy was nodding, then the next he shook his head. "I feel like I'm going to be sick and I don't know why…" He admitted and squeezed his eyes shut, his grip tightening and his throat burning.

Cameron considered the way Cassidy's body was tense and he lips were trembling as he held down bile.

"Hey, Cass, you feeling okay?" Wes asked from across the table. David nodded. "You don't look so well."

"You wanna go to the nurse?" Cameron asked quietly, pulling the bond in closer and Cassidy let out a sharp breath.

He shook his head furiously. "No," There was a beat and Cameron pulled him in fully, rubbing his arm, whispering "shh, it'll be okay, you're okay,"

Cassidy let out a strangled sob and let his head fall into his hands. "I just want to go home!"

The table fell silent in shock.

Home as in… home home? Or dorm room home?

Cameron sighed and nodded, rising them both. "Okay, come on, let's get you back to your room."

"No!" He struggled out of Cameron's grasp and strongly pushed him back into Wes, startling the whole table.

"I just – leave me alone!" He demanded, fists curling, eyes watering. "I – I," He was lost for words.

"Cass, calm down, come on," Wes prompted and Cassidy shook his head.

No one knew what had set him off like this but he sure was passionate and after seeing what happened to Blaine, no one dared – except Cameron – to get in his fiery path.

"It's not fair!" He declared and choked out another sob, his eyes seemingly misted over with some kind of fog. "Why can't this all be over? Why do they need us to be their little lab rats or something? Why can't they just do it themselves? You do realise we've just sent all those guys out to their possible deaths!"

He shook his head. "I – I can't just watch my friends die. I have to do something!" He decided suddenly and began to stride towards the door. Wes and David shot each other looks before quickly leaping in the way. They blocked his way with outstretched arms.

"Move!" Cassidy demanded and clenched his teeth.

Cameron quickly ran up behind and grabbed his arms.

He immediately fought back, squirming at first before spinning quickly and landing a fist straight in Cameron's eye.

A gasp rattled from where James and Ben had stayed back, Wes and David blinked and quickly found themselves intervening.

"Okay Cass, breath calm down." David told him, grabbing his shoulders in hopes of restraining the fuming blond.

But he seemed to be more paralysed in shock than angry, his hands were cupped around his gaping mouth and his eyes were notably clearer. He shook his head.

Cameron had his hand clamped over his eye where the punch had struck and Wes was trying to peel away the fingers to take a look.

"Cameron, I – I…" He shook his head and made to step forward, sending everyone flinching. David grabbed him and at the action he felt Cassidy wilt a little. "Cameron I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you, I'm –" His eyes were watering.

"It's fine Cass." Cameron answered in almost a sinister tone.

"Cameron-"

"Just leave it okay!" Cameron demanded and his leg shot out as he kicked a chair. "Fuck sake!"

David could feel the tremors shooting through his friend and the way Cassidy had seemed to go limp as if he let go then his knee's would just buckle and he'd fall in a hopeless pit.

Cass' teeth chattered and he quickly diminished a tear of anguish.

The whole room was stricken with tension, the inhabitants not knowing what to say about the spectacle and Cassidy's eyes locked on the back of Cameron's head.

Ben had had enough, he stepped between them all. "Hey!" He yelled, looking angry.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" He demanded with a tone of disappointment, Cameron turned to face the small blond making his speech. Ben shook his head. "Our friends are currently out there about to be sent into a bloody warzone and we're stood here arguing? Show some respect for them and man up! There's nothing we can do to stop them now, it's way too late for that now. So why don't we wish them some luck and go out to see them off, instead of standing around here swinging punches and yelling!" He shook his head, looking distressed. Cassidy blinked and directed his eyes to the ground, shamefully.

"Can we all just do that, then when their gone have little petty meaningless fights?" He pleaded and then strode out of the door, pushing carelessly past David and Cassidy.

Cameron looked up toward where Cassidy and David stood then to Wes.


Mr Marshall, then man with the clipboard stared down at them, lined up against the wall.

"You will all receive a rucksack with minimal survival kits. What is in them you don't know. You won't find out until you reach your destination. When you touch ground at the camp you may not open them, but go straight to your designated beds and wait for further instructions. Understand me? Have I made myself perfectly clear?" He bellowed, his voice fitting and loud.

Eli was the only one who took a step together and clacked his heels, saluting and puffing his chest out. "Yes sir." He barked back staring out in front of him.

The other boys discreetly offered him an odd look but all chorused. "Yes Sir."

They were all then tossed a rucksack labelled with their names. Kurt received his and sent a look towards Blaine curiously but Blaine just returned with a shrug.

He felt around it for a second, pretty sure he could feel a canister, before draping it onto his back like the rest of the boys.

"You are to be taken to the field to be picked up in just under fifteen minutes. You shall board the craft and sit in your pairs. There is to be no talking throughout the ride, you must remain silent until touchdown. Any questions?"

There was no response and Mr Marshall seemed to be satisfied with the silence. He nodded.

"Follow me."

They were led back out into the hall and Harry just caught sight of Ben storming out of the café a few doors down from him. Their eye's met and they exchanged small emotionless smiles, Ben rooting to his spot.

"You are free to say your last goodbyes before the carrier comes to pick you up." Mr Marshall told him and he nodded, turning heel and heading off down the hall to the field.

Ben ran straight towards Harry and he thought he could do it but – but he just couldn't.

He wrapped his arm straight around Harry's neck and hung tight.

Cass trailed out with Wes, David, Cameron and James – who was still hobbling on crutches.

The former met eyes with Blaine and looked away instantly.

He still couldn't look in those eyes anymore, fear lined etched into his memory from the time when… well, you get the picture.

Wes and David being the inappropriate human beings they were grabbed everyone up and gathered them all in an uncomfortable group hug.

Blaine opposite Kurt sighed but offered him an apologetic smile. Kurt shrugged and smiled slightly. I'm sorry about this.

It's fine, don't worry.

They mentally exchanged words.


Outside; fifteen minutes later.

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded crumpled sheet of paper. Ben, who was standing opposite him, blinked at the sight and frowned a little. "What is it?" He asked.

Harry peeled the dog-eared corner gently away and smoothed out the paper. He passed it to the blond. "Here."

He took it and stared hard at the image in front of him. It was a drawing in crayon and had four people with too-big-slash-too-small heads and lopsided ears.

He instantly smiled. "From second grade." Ben nodded and the smile reached his ears. The two figures on the outside were both female, their mothers.

In between the to oddly shaped women were two blurs that were meant to be him and Harry stood in the middle.

"How do you even –"

"I was sent there, for Murphy, I took a detour home and picked it up." He nodded and wrapped his hands around Ben's for a second. "If I don't come back-"

"Harry!" Ben scolded, appalled.

"Wait, listen to me. If I don't come home, it's up to you if you keep it or bury it with me, okay?"

Ben was about to protest when he met Harry's sincere gaze. He took a breath.

"Okay." He nodded. "Fine, but don't – talk like that!" He demanded seriously.

The brunette smiled one last time and pulled him into his arms.

Suddenly a whip of air caught up around their feet and Harry chuckled slightly, sighing.

"There's my ride." He joked and Ben frowned punching him playfully in the shoulder.

Harry quickly took a look to where Cass and Kurt seemed to be in an embrace that wasn't coming to an end anytime soon, ignoring the helicopter behind them.

He turned back to Ben.

There was something he was so desperate to do right now.

A feeling of being utterly torn ran through him, he was about to leave, and possibly never return, meaning this may be his last chance.

But then if he did come back would it just make the amazing friendship they had bitter and odd and weird. What if Ben didn't like it? What if he denied him?

And if he didn't have people shouting at him to get a movement he probably would've found more flaws in this plan but right now he didn't have the luxury that was time.

It was now or never.

Harry's hands found their way to Ben's neck and then his cheek and then…

He brought their lips together.

It was odd, but Ben didn't seem to detest so he deepened the kiss and brought his hands around to the back of Ben's neck, through his hair, the shorter boy's hands finding their way up to Harry's chest.

The feeling of finally having his best friend's lips against his own, it was… it was amazing.

Soft lips, so hungry for this from who knows when it started. The want started. But it was something that seemed so long over-due.

Ben had heard about moments like this, about feeling like you were only two people in the room, everything around you going grey, the only colour being you and him.

And it was really like that.

They were broke apart by Eli, who had stalled as long as possible but frankly couldn't wait any longer and pulled Harry away. "Come on its waiting for you!" He yelled over the noise of the

Spinning blades. Ben went to pull him back but his arms were restraint by a pair of strong ones around him, he tried to fight back, he tried to struggle free but to no avail.

"Harry I –" He choked out, but Harry and Eli were already gathered in the chopper and the blades were turning. They were leaving the ground space and that could've been the last time he ever got to see the person who meant the world to him.

Cassidy spun Ben round and took him in his arms, whispering nothings in his ear and rocking him gently.


Inside the aircraft, Kurt sat pale as white wash and stiff as a board. He swallowed thick but found it hard at the latitude.

Oh god, he was going to heave, he did not like being off the ground. He really did not like it.

Then he felt a grip around his wrist, an anchor tethering him to the seat and keeping him safe.

He turned to see Blaine with a apologetic smile. You'll be fine his soft eyes promised and Kurt slipped his finger into Blaine's and interlocked them. God I hope you're right.


Authors Note: Holy Christmas. I had to force myself to pull out at the end. I could've kept going for another thousand words or so but it was already so long! Okay so I shall be working on the next chapter shortly ^^. I hope you enjoyed my little Kiss I wrote in there, that was totally not meant to happen but It just came out and I was like… FITS.

Oh and I have a question, out of curiosity, if you had to pick… Who's your favourite OC?

Leave me a review and I will love you forever. I'll most likely respond as well… I hate to leave reviewers hanging! :(


In the Next One: Blaine, Kurt, Eli, Harry, Quinn and Aaron are dropped off at the camp and day one begins. They finally get to rummage through those mysterious rucksacks and see what's lurking inside.
Back at home, Ben and Cassidy both have to get some serious thinking done before the week's up or emotions and feelings will be splayed everywhere and it won't be pretty.