TRIGGER/WARNINGS(overall): Rape/non-con, abduction, physical and emotional abuse.

TRIGGER/WARNINGS (THIS CHAPTER): none

A/N: Thanks go to lillybean queen of the i ocean, and Doni for reviewing the previous chapter.

Life did indeed get me, but I am (tentatively) back. Some stories are being abandoned. Some are going to be finished. This one will be finished.

Now, I'm doing something I hadn't planned on and introducing another character. I've left his identity ambiguous on purpose, so imagine it being anyone you want (Dave, Puck, Sam, etc). There will be NO (requited) romance developing between this man and Kurt, though he is going to be a major player for a while. If you guys prefer me to give him a name, let me know who you want it to be (or just let me know anyway, because I'm curious!).


Kurt searches the castle in vain for his robe, but can find no trace of it. His activities do not go unnoticed, and soon he is forced to abandon his quest when a guard takes permanent residence in the halls. Kurt watches him warily at first, aware how tenuous his protection is with Blaine gone. The humans do not like him, as if they suspect he is not one of them. His attempts at communicating are stilted and without Quinn around he grows lonely.

When he can no longer bear the ache of being locked indoors, he braves the wrath of the guard by walking out. As usual, no one stops him but a guard does follow at a distance. Kurt tries everything in his power to escape the guard, but the man is persistent and Kurt is still weakened from giving birth. At last he heads to the clearing and sits on the grass, wishing he could shed his clothing but knowing it would not be prudent with the signs of his pregnancy still etched on his body.

He looks over at the guard, eyes narrowing as he searches for some sign of malevolent intent. There is nothing apparent in the back of the head visible to him, the human facing away from him. The day is beautiful, all soft sunlight and gentle birdsong and Kurt has been so long without the beauty of nature that he cannot help himself from singing along. The birds stop for a moment but then renew their song and Kurt can't help but keep that glimmer of hope that maybe, even if he never finds his robe, he could stay here forever and maybe he would still be close to his old self.

"Sir, uh…it's getting dark soon," the guard says, human voice grating but Kurt recognizes the apologetic tone. When he opens his eyes he realizes he has been sitting all day, sometimes singing and sometimes just sitting listening and pretending he can fly if he just wishes hard enough.

Kurt rises in a fluid motion, unsteady on his feet after so long on the ground. It feels as if a thousand needles are stabbing into him and he bites his lip in pain and wavers. Before he can fall, the guard lunges forward and catches him, holding him gently and it's the first time human touch doesn't hurt. As soon as the pain is gone, Kurt pulls away and the guard lets him go without protest.

"I'm sorry. I know you don't like to be touched by anyone but Prince Blaine but I thought you were going to fall." Kurt looks at the man, regarding him curiously. It's the first time since Quinn or Blaine that anyone spoke to him and he isn't sure how to reply. In the end, he settles for a slight turning up of the lips – smile, he knows it's called – and a nod before he speaks.

"Thank you." His voice is a whisper but the man hears because he smiles in return before falling in to step beside Kurt, metal armor clinking and hurting Kurt's ears. He winces and the man notices because he does that thing with his face scrunching around the mouth and eyes and apologizes again.

"Must you wear the metal?" Kurt asks, hoping his tone does not come across as harsh. He has seen Blaine shout at the guards, but Kurt does not intend his comment to be mean. It surprises him the lack of malice he feels towards this man.

"I can switch to leather armor if you prefer, though I will not be able to guard you as well." Only once had Kurt seen bandits attack his guards, but they were easily overcome. His guard is bigger than those, broader across the chest and taller than Kurt himself. He cannot imagine anyone overpowering this man. "Perhaps if you stay closer to the palace…"

Kurt is not happy with the compromise, but he agrees. It will be nice to not hear the terrible clunking with each step. He isn't sure why, but he thinks this man may be someone he can trust. That thought alone terrifies him and he draws back into himself, ignoring any attempt the guard makes to speak to him. When they get back to the palace, he locks himself away and refuses to see anyone.