Kurt expected things to change after his admission, but the guard was true to his word and said nothing. They continued their daily treks into the clearing and spoke of the weather and the wildlife that was not scared off by the guard's loud movements.
Somehow, the man reminded him of Quinn. Kurt did not sense a kinship to this man as he had with the woman who would raise his daughter, but there was a quiet presence that marked them as like souls. The guard, with his dark hair and darker eyes was human to a fault.
Eventually, word came that Blaine would be returning. Kurt withdrew into himself, something the guard did not fail to notice. They were together when Kurt received the news. He felt the blood drain from his face and would have fallen if his hand had not been braced against the wall. The guard made no move to touch him, although Kurt saw a tightness in his shoulders that betrayed the desire.
"Thank you," Kurt said, voice soft. The courier bowed and left. Kurt drew himself up, feeling so pitifully human and fragile as he clutched the cloak around his body and swept out of the hall. As soon as his bare feet touched grass, he took off running.
The ground blurred in his tear-filled eyes as he continued with reckless abandon. He knew every hole and rise of this land and his balance was sure. When his body started to betray him – harsh gasping breaths and legs just a little too slow to respond – he fell in a heap and let the sobs take him.
Ever faithful, the guard caught up only a few moments later. The man looked winded and he slumped forward, resting his hands on his thighs as his body struggled to get enough air. Kurt knew, in a satisfying moment of clarity, that he could escape from this cage and be free.
For one heady moment, he imagined finding Quinn and Beth and living as a human with his child. He would never teach her to fly, but they could discover how to live as humans together. Quinn would be a gentle and patient teacher to them both. Kurt could sing again with someone whose voice matched his own. There would be no true happiness for him, but at least he would be free.
As quickly as the thought appeared, he abandoned it. There was no life without his robe. He would have ended his suffering long ago if hope had not sustained him. Perhaps Beth would be enough to tether him to this life for a time, but in the end his fate would be the same. This way he could spare his daughter some pain.
"I have a plan," the guard said when his gasps slowed. He stood up, looking down at Kurt with dark eyes set in a determined expression. "I know how to convince Blaine to give you your freedom."
"Freedom is nothing without my robe," Kurt said. He knew his voice was ugly and jarring and harsh. For the first time, he reached out and initiated contact. His fists slammed into the man's legs over. The human crouched down to Kurt's fists rained down on his side and shoulder.
With the last of his strength spent, Kurt fell into the man's arms, clinging to his neck in desperation. The man said nothing, letting Kurt cry into his shoulder for several long minutes.
"Do you trust me, Kurt?" The man said at last, letting Kurt extract himself from the embrace and slide several inches away. It had been an inexcusable breach in their carefully maintained distance.
"Do I have a choice?" Kurt answered, voice hoarse from crying. He dug his fingers into the ground, taking strength from the earth and centering himself. "I'm sorry. You have been nothing but kind to me."
As the man outlined his plan, Kurt felt his heart sink. It was flimsy at best and suicidal at worst. But Kurt had failed to save himself thus far and he would rather die than live in pain for another moment. With a grim determination, Kurt made his way back to the castle, his faithful guard close behind.