You guys just amaze me. 130 reviews? You guys! 3

I just love you all. Thank you so much! Also, GleekyFC, if you're reading this, please activate your private messages so that I can PM you back! :)

This chapter is dedicated to XxBlackShadowMagicxX for being the 100th reviewer and it is beta'd by the incredible Nija Assasian, thank you so much for all the support you've given me!

Anyone who reviews gets a preview of the next chapter so please, if you have a second, send me a review :) thanks for reading!

By the way, the most common answer by far was the Cheerio's uniform for Kurt's favourite outfit, which I have to wholeheartedly agree with! So, I have another question: what's your favourite episode of Glee so far? I would have to say Original Song (for obvious reasons) and The First Time (for even more obvious reasons!) I'm guessing they'll be the most popular but are there any others? :)

Also, if you have any fic recommendations, please tell me! I'm always in the market for new fics, especially if they're your own writing! Leave me suggestions :)

Chapter ten

Lima was a pretty great town, Blaine had decided. He had lived here all his life and although to begin with, he'd thought it was a dump and couldn't wait to escape to New York to pursue his dreams, his opinion had dramatically changed as of late. Right now, here in Lima, Blaine couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Besides, Lima had Kurt. And that was something that no other town could even begin to compare to.

Sure, Blaine still had ambitions to go to New York for college after graduation – all of his applications had been for colleges in the big apple – but for now, Lima would more than suffice. He and Kurt hadn't discussed the idea of college yet. Blaine didn't even know if Kurt was considering the possibility of continuing in education, let alone focus on a city or a course. But he refused to ask. Because if he asked and Kurt decided against college, all of Blaine's dreams would be shattered. And he couldn't quite cope with that possibility right now.

Ever since his and Kurt's first time – his heart palpated at the mere thought – Blaine had been walking on air. He hadn't known it was possible to feel this amazing but once again, Kurt had proved him wrong. Blaine had hopes that the other boy would never stop doing so.

He wandered through the streets of Lima, a contented smile on his face. Dusk was settling and it brought with it a comforting glow that dusted along the streets. The only thing that would make this scene better would be if Kurt was here to share it with him.

He and Kurt had been inseparable these past few weeks, as much as Kurt hated to admit it. Blaine knew that he was a long way off romance with the boy, but he had hopes that he was slowly opening his heart to the possibility of love. He hadn't forgotten Kurt's words in the few moments before their first time. I adore you.

Well, the feeling was mutual to say the least.

But as the sun set behind the haze of blackened clouds, Blaine would similarly learn that evening that all good things must eventually turn to darkness.

At first it started as a bad omen, a bout of paranoia, a tingle on the end of his fingertips that told him that danger was coming. He could have turned round and ran home. But he didn't. He did what Kurt would do – though he knew perfectly well that to synchronise his life with his boyfriend's would be horribly endangering – and he kept walking. He'd run too many times in his life. Today, he would continue on. He wouldn't be a coward. He would have courage. The very same courage that Kurt used every single day to get by.

But this time, courage failed him.

Blaine pulled out his phone, typing a quick text to Kurt.

Thinking of you – B x

The reply was instant.

Naked? ;) – K x

Blaine smirked, rolling his eyes. Of course Kurt's mind would have jumped straight into the gutter. Blaine should have seen it coming.

I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer – B x

Kurt took a few minutes to reply and for a moment, Blaine worried that he had offended him, before his phone buzzed, signalling an incoming message.

That's just a fancy way of saying yes – K x

Whatever you say – B x

Blaine slid his phone back into his pocket, humming slightly as he continued his walk down the street. Twilight was playing patterns with his surroundings, casting shadows and sending darkness over Lima. Blaine turned down a side street that he knew offered him a quicker route home. He wasn't going to risk being out after dark. As beautiful as Lima was when bathed in daylight, at night it was a very different story.

Blaine didn't see the man behind him until he was slammed up against a wall, an angry face thrust against his.

"You're Blaine Anderson, right?" The boy – he couldn't have been much older than Blaine, maybe a year or two at the most – snarled, grabbing a fistful of Blaine's shirt to hold him in place.

Blaine nodded, trying desperately to push the boy away, but he held fast.

"I believe we have unfinished business. I'm Matt, if Kurt hasn't mentioned me before," he growled, tightening his hold.

Blaine's heart plummeted, dropping through his ribcage and into his stomach. If this was about Kurt, then Blaine knew that one of them would be leaving less than intact.

"He hasn't, actually," Blaine retorted. He'd always had a short temper, but when it came to Kurt, his anger knew no bounds.

"Pity," Matt replied, smiling innocently at him, "maybe he could have warned you."

"Warned me about what?" Blaine asked, hotly.

"Not to get on the wrong side of me," Matt snarled, menacingly, "You see, Kurt and I used to fool around. And I turn up at Scandals expecting some play and he blows me off because of his scrawny little boyfriend, who I later discover is you."

Blaine felt a small swell of pride that Kurt had refused action because of him before remembering that he wouldn't hesitate to do the same for Kurt. But it was different. They were different. They saw things differently. It was their differences that made them so absolutely compatible.

"And what do I do? I try and teach Kurt a lesson," Blaine's eyes widened. So this was the animal that had hurt his boyfriend. If he thought he was angry before, he was livid now. "But Kurt's stubborn, I know that. And word on the street is that he hasn't dropped you yet."

Blaine smiled at him. He obviously had what Matt could only ever dream of having. This seemed to fuel Matt's anger further, sending him into a fit of rage.

"And I'm here to ask you nicely," the boy struggled to keep his voice controlled, "to leave him alone. Send Kurt back to where he belongs."

"Back to you?" Blaine asked, smirking. "No way. I'm not letting him go. Not without a fight."

Matt grinned threateningly at this. "If you want a fight, feel free. But I should warn you, I –" but he was cut off by Blaine punching him square in the face, knocking the words out of him. He took a step backwards, clutching his face.

"You were saying?" Blaine advanced on him, curling his lip, his eyes ablaze with fury.

"You little bastard!" Matt roared, lunging at him, punching him in the stomach.

Blaine doubled over, gasping, but managed to ram his knee into Matt's abdomen before he leant against the wall, catching his breath.

This only made Matt angrier. He launched at Blaine again, managing to get in a few punches before Blaine turned the tables, kicking and punching for all he was worth. What Kurt didn't know about him was that he used to be chair of the boxing club at Dalton. He was a master at channelling his anger into violence, and he'd never put it to better use than he was at this current moment.

Matt pressed him against the wall, punching his face and scrambling to grab a fistful of Blaine's shirt to hold him there but Blaine was too fast, dodging out of the way and behind Matt, slamming him face-first into the bricks. Matt stumbled backwards, reaching blindly for Blaine, but he was too slow.

Blaine had already taken off, running as fast as his legs could carry him through the streets of Lima. Night had fallen and it took him a few moments to realise that he wasn't going home. He was going to Kurt's flat.

He was drenched with sweat and gasping for breath when he arrived, knocking desperately on the door as he glanced furtively over his shoulder. It was insane to think that Matt could have followed him all the way here, but it was a possibility that Blaine wasn't going to chance missing.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Kurt yelled, scrambling with the locks on the inside of his door and pulling it open, stopping short when he saw who his visitor was. "Blaine?" He gasped, grabbing the boy's arm and pulling him into the flat. "Holy fuck, what happened to you?"

"Language," Blaine scolded, stumbling, leaning against the wall and trying to catch his breath.

"Blaine, you're in no position to tell me off for my language," Kurt told him, reaching out and pulling Blaine into his arms in one swift movement.

Blaine clung to his boyfriend desperately, breathing in the familiar smell of him, knowing that he was safe and home. He was okay. Everything was going to be okay.

Kurt kissed the top of his head, rubbing his cheek over his hair. "What happened?" He asked, voice soft.

"Nothing," Blaine mumbled, burying his face in Kurt's neck.

Kurt pulled away, holding his boyfriend at arms-length and surveying him carefully, though he remained silent. "Come with me," he instructed, taking Blaine's hand and leading him through the flat to the bathroom.

He sat Blaine down on the seat of the toilet, turning his back and pulling various bottles and tubes from the cabinet that hung precariously over the sink. He swung round to face Blaine, wet flannel in hand. Kurt reached out, murmuring a quick, "Can I?"

Blaine nodded, allowing Kurt to soothe the flannel over his already swelling eye. Kurt instructed that Blaine hold it in place, to which he obliged. Next, Kurt reached for the antiseptic cream, gently rubbing it into the cuts that scarred Blaine's features. Blaine winced several times but managed to hold still while Kurt worked. He didn't want to think about why Kurt was so practised in cleaning up injuries. He ignored the pain and focused on how soft and gentle Kurt was being, a side he was getting to see more often as the weeks passed and their relationship developed.

When he was done, Kurt led Blaine into the bedroom, pulling back the comforter and settling him on the mattress. Kurt slipped in beside him, holding him tightly but trying to be mindful to avoid bruises at the same time. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. "Blaine, tell me what happened, please."

It might have been the pleading tone that Kurt's voice took, or the way that he was looking at him or that Blaine just needed to talk about it, but it all came spilling out in a torrent of words. Blaine described Matt, so intimidating and overbearing and how he'd fought back and then just left him there and ran.

Kurt soothed him, making encouraging noises and commenting when necessary. "You were so brave, Blaine," Kurt said, when he was finished, "don't doubt that."

Blaine clung to him tighter, trying to push away thoughts of Matt and punches and brick walls and instead, lose himself in Kurt.

"I hate," Kurt started, voice hesitant, "I hate that you had to do that for me. I'm so sorry, Blaine, I should have been there, I should have done something or seen it coming and made sure that you were safe," Kurt rambled, pulling away from Blaine slightly and looking into his eyes. "I'm so, so sorry, Blaine."

His boyfriend leant over and kissed him softly, trying hard not to aggravate any of his injuries. "Kurt," he whispered, reaching up a hand to cup the boy's cheek, "this isn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself. Don't you think I felt the same way when this happened to you? But I couldn't have done anything and neither could you. It's over, Kurt. It's okay."

Kurt smiled softly, though his eyes were still conflicted, the only tell-tale sign of his guilt through his calm exterior. "I feel so guilty," he murmured.

Blaine held him tightly. "You have no reason to," he insisted, "I don't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself. There's nothing you could have done."

Kurt didn't let Blaine see his tears. Guilt overtook him as Blaine drifted into unconsciousness. Kurt pulled his boyfriend's phone out of his pocket, sending a quick text to his dad's to tell him where he was. He only realised how responsible that was after he'd sent it, but he waved the thought away carelessly.

He should have done something to look after Blaine. He should have been there, should have been protecting him. And now Blaine was hurt, all because of him. Well, Kurt vowed, never again. He would never let this happen again.

He would do whatever he could to keep Blaine safe. Even if it meant compromising his own happiness.

Blaine woke up alone. He reached blindly for Kurt, trying to pull him into his arms but his fingers were only met with crackling paper. Blaine forced his eyes open – though one would only half-open, which he guessed was a result of the beating – and regarded the note carefully. There was a small heart at the top, but the pencilled words underneath were what caught his eyes.

I'm so sorry, Blaine. I can't do this.

Blaine felt his heart promptly tear in two, tears welled in his eyes before he could fight back his emotions but he let them fall, dripping onto the paper and smudging the words until they were an indecipherable blur.

Kurt had left him.

Blaine noticed that it was nearly midday, realised that he should be at school by now but he didn't care. He didn't hold any regard for his injuries as he hauled himself out of bed, though he knew he would pay for it later. He pushed the bedroom door open, pulling on his discarded jacket and made his way to the front door. There was a note taped to the wood and a key in the lock, which was, presumably, a key to the apartment for Blaine to lock up after he was done. The note held only one sentence.

Please don't come after me.

Well, to hell with that, Blaine thought, pushing the door open and closing it behind him, wriggling the key in the lock until he was sure that the apartment was secure. Despite what Kurt had said, there was no way that Blaine was letting go without a fight.

He steeled himself as he walked through the streets of Lima – which were, thankfully, empty, he knew that his dishevelled and thoroughly beaten up appearances were bound to be questioned – preparing himself for the fight of his life.

Blaine knew where Kurt was. He didn't even have to think twice about it. He walked through Lima, across the block to his own home to pick up his car. He was in no state to drive but he had to get to Kurt. He had to get him back.

A buzz in his pocket told him that he had a new message. He pulled out his phone, frowning.

Where are you? School started hours ago – Rachel.

Blaine tapped back a quick reply as he walked.

I have unfinished business to tend to. Don't worry about me. I'll be home for dinner. Don't tell parents, please – Blaine.

Blaine scrolled through his phone, seeing a message that had been sent to his parents last night and a response. He guessed that Kurt had sent the text explaining where he was, and his parents had replied that it was fine.

Blaine smiled. Kurt wouldn't have done that if he didn't care. So why had he upped and left?

There was only one answer. Guilt. He'd made no secret of how guilty he felt about Blaine's attack and how responsible he felt for it. This was an act of selflessness in a vain attempt to prevent further harm coming to Blaine. He was protecting him. He acted badass and projected a cool exterior but the old Kurt was leaking through. It was the Kurt that Blaine only got to spend time with, the one who mourned the loss of his parents and could be himself without fear of rejection from Blaine.

Blaine's heart swelled. Kurt was willing to give it all up to keep him safe. The idea may be stupid and futile, sure, but there was more meaning behind it than Blaine could put into words. Kurt cared.

But Blaine couldn't just let him walk out of his life. He would fight tooth and nail for Kurt.

Blaine pulled into Lima Memorial, thankfully without accident or further injury. He climbed out of his car, being careful not to knock his body against the framework and increase the amount of pain he was in. Kurt had done wonders for his face, but his body was still in agony.

Blaine pushed the gate to the graveyard open, immediately spotting Elizabeth's tombstone and the figure that was huddled by it. Kurt. Blaine picked up his pace, crossing the graveyard quickly and coming to a halt in front of Kurt, who looked up at him with a tear-stained face.

They stared at each other for a few minutes before Kurt finally broke the silence. "I told you not to come," he whispered, brokenly.

Blaine knelt down beside him, reaching out an arm to wrap around Kurt, who cuddled into his side before he could stop himself. "Nothing will ever keep me away from you, Kurt," he murmured, pushing his boyfriend's hair back and kissing his forehead.

"You're not safe with me, Blaine," Kurt muttered, trying to pull away from him, but the boy held fast.

"I'm nothing without you, Kurt," Blaine replied, softly.

"You can't just say stuff like that," Kurt protested, though his voice was weak, "it makes this so much harder."

"Don't leave me, Kurt," Blaine whispered, pleadingly, silent sobs wracking through his fragile body.

Kurt closed his eyes, tears seeping from under his eyelids and spilling down his pale cheeks. "Blaine, your safety is at risk and I can't let you put yourself on the line for me. I'm dangerous; everything about what we're doing is dangerous and every day you're with me, you're put in more danger."

"You're worth it, Kurt, please," Blaine begged, leaning down to kiss his boyfriend fiercely.

Kurt's breathing hitched before he was returning the kiss feverishly, holding Blaine close. Almost like he never wanted to let go.

"I'm not," Kurt murmured as he pulled away, panting. "I can't let you do this, Blaine."

"Kurt, I care about you. I care about you so much and I don't care how dangerous it is, I'm not willing to let that go because I got hurt," Blaine insisted.

Kurt continued to cry but his eyes were ablaze, anger rising inside of him. "Don't you understand, Blaine? Don't you understand how difficult this is for me? When it's me in the firing line, I can deal with it. But when I'm putting you in danger, I can't bear it. They can hurt me as many times as they want, Blaine, they can break every single bone in my body and leave me for dead but the second they touch you, it's gone too far. That's when they really start to hurt me. I can't let them do that, Blaine, and I can't let you do it for me." Kurt whispered, sobs heaving through him, though his actions conflicted his words as he clung to his boyfriend tightly. His next words were whispered but they rung clear in Blaine's ears. "I can't lose you. Not like that."

Blaine pulled away slightly, angling Kurt's chin so that he was forced to look into his eyes. "Kurt, it doesn't matter whether they're breaking my bones or bruising my body – none of it matters - because they can't touch me," he growled out, voice firm with determination. "They can't touch us, or what we have. They can't even get close. What we have is so amazing," tears were seeping through into Blaine's words but he continued regardless, "and I can't let it go. I can't let you go. I don't know what I'd be without you, Kurt. I don't know how to live without you. Please don't make me. I can't lose you." Blaine pleaded, kissing Kurt again, willing him to understand. Tears mingled into lips and their mouths moved slowly and everything about it was heart breaking but so perfect.

Pulling away, Kurt just looked at him, silently crying. "Blaine, please tell me you mean it."

"I mean it, Kurt," he vowed, desperately, "I mean it, I mean every word."

"Okay," Kurt breathed, "okay. We're going to be okay."

Blaine couldn't stop the tears; it was as if a floodgate had opened and the entire content of his heart was pouring out. "Oh my God, Kurt, I love you, I love you so much," he murmured, reattaching their lips in a heated kiss.

As they separated, Kurt whispered, "I know."

TBC...

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