I'm back! It's been like 2 months and I am SO sorry. I got really busy with work and life. I need to adult sometimes and it sucks. And then I honestly was going to write last week but then I got a concussion and I was told that it probably wasn't a good idea so I had to write this week instead. I hope you all haven't forgotten about me and that you're anxious to read this chapter. I should be able to write weekly now that I'm only working 4-5 days a week. Thanks for sticking with me through the delay. Here you go!

Do I even need to say that I don't own anything?

"I prefer that you not take him home, Burt."

"He's my son and I will take him if I want."

"Burt, your son has a very severe head injury and I think it would be better if he stay here for a few days so I can keep an eye on him."

Kurt was drifting in and out of consciousness. The last thing he remembered before now was Blaine holding his torso telling Laura, who was carrying his feet, to hurry. He wanted to sit up to tell Dr. Baker that he was feeling well enough to go home, knowing full well that he was lying due to the stabbing pain making itself known in his head when he tried to sit up.

"No. I get to make the decision and I think he should go home."

"There's more to it than just his head though. His ankle is broken and he needs to stay off it and I'm concerned about the marks he has on his back."

"What are you talking about?"

"I think you know what I'm talking about."

"He likes to climb trees. He's not very coordinated and he falls. That's what it is. Isn't that right, Blaine?"

Kurt waited to hear the response of the boy he didn't know he was there.

"Well…um…Kurt did tell me that he fell out of a tree."

"See. There you go. Now let me take my son home, Dr."

"I don't think it's a good idea but fine. I guess there's no sense in arguing with you. But please keep an eye on him the next couple of days."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Um…Mr. Hummel, is it okay with you if Kurt stays here until he's awake? I think he should sleep. I can walk him home when he wakes up." Blaine asked quietly.

"Fine. I have things to do at home anyway. Have him home before supper. I don't care if you have to wake him up."

Kurt heard the door slam, silencing everyone momentarily.

"Is it okay if I go sit with him, Dr. Baker?"

"In just one moment. Blaine, I want to talk to you. Please have a seat."

Kurt vaguely heard the sound of a chair sliding across the floor as the voices began again.

"Blaine, do you know something that you're not telling me about Kurt?"

Blaine sighed loud enough that Kurt heard.

"Yes. But I can't tell you."

"Blaine, Kurt's life could be in danger. We could save him if you tell me what you know."

"I can't tell you anything. I promised Kurt. He's my best friend and I don't want to betray him."

"I think he would be okay with you telling someone if it involved helping him."

There was a long pause and for a minute, Kurt thought they just exchanged looks to finish the conversation or that he had fallen asleep again. Blaine spoke slowly and quietly.

"Kurt…Kurt's dad has beat him his whole life. Kurt loves his pa and doesn't want anyone to know. Please don't tell anyone. I promised Kurt that I wouldn't tell anyone. I'm only telling you because if this gets worse, then you know how to handle it but please…please keep this a secret."

"Blaine…telling someone could help him."

"No! You can't!"

"Blaine-"

"NO! Kurt will tell someone if he wants to but you aren't going to. And I know you won't because you respect your patients too much."

This time, Kurt was sure that only glances were exchanged because he heard the curtain open and Blaine walk in. He sat in the chair next to the bed Kurt was on and only then did he realize that he had never opened his eyes. He wasn't sure he wanted to. He was so upset that Blaine had betrayed his trust. But maybe this was a good thing? Is that why Kurt had told Blaine in the first place? Because he DID want someone who could help him? All these thoughts were hurting his head. He stirred himself awake so he could be taken care of. He groaned as he opened his eyes and started rubbing his head.

"Ugh. My head…it hurts so much."

"Hi, Kurt. Do you want me to get Dr. Baker?"

Kurt nodded.

Blaine got up from his chair and ran past the curtain. Blaine and Dr. Baker were back in under a minute.

"Hi, Kurt. How are you feeling?" Dr. Baker asked, moving his hands to Kurt's head.

"Not good. My head really hurts."

"I'm sure it does. You hit it pretty hard when you fell. Does anything else hurt? Your ankle? Your back?"

"No. Just my head right now."

"Okay, I'm going to give you something for the pain. And I'm going to give you enough that you can take it before you go to sleep as well. That should be good enough to make the pain go away. If you still have pain tomorrow then you can come see me and I'll get you some more. Okay?"

"Okay. Thank you." Kurt tried his best to smile, failing miserably.

"I'll be right back." Dr. Baker smiled and left the room.

Kurt still hadn't looked at Blaine. He didn't know if he was mad or not and that was more confusing than anything.

"Hey. How are you?" Blaine asked, clearly trying to break the silence.

"I hurt." Kurt said.

"I'm going to walk you home. If you need anything on the way just ask."

Kurt just nodded, still not looking at Blaine.

Dr. Baker walked back in carrying a small envelope.

"Here. Take this now. The envelope has the rest and you can take it before you go to sleep. I've wrapped your ankle to heal it but try your best to stay off it as much as possible after you get home. If you have to, use a wagon to get to school. Try not to walk. The more you walk on it, the longer it will take to heal. I want to see you back in here in about a week to check on it and you. Do you have any questions?"

Kurt shook his head as he swallowed the pills with the water he was given.

"Okay then. If there's nothing else then I'll let you go. Remember, if you still have pain tomorrow, come back and see me."

"I will. Thanks, Dr. Baker." Kurt said, slowly pulling himself off the bed, refusing Blaine's out stretched hand.

Kurt and Blaine walked out the door and started towards their homes. Kurt limping and trying to walk as fast as he could; Blaine keeping up with hardly any effort.

"So, how are you going to get to school tomorrow? I'm sure that if I asked my ma and pa, they would be willing to pick you up in the wagon."

"I'm going to walk. Just like every other day." Kurt said curtly.

"But you heard the doctor. He doesn't want you walking on it."

"Yeah, well, it's not like I have a wagon. I walk everywhere because I have to."

"I already told you that we could take you."

"No." Kurt yelled. "I am perfectly capable of walking."

"But Kurt-"

"Blaine, stop. I heard you tell Dr. Baker. You promised me that you wouldn't tell anyone!"

"Kurt, what was I supposed to do? Your pa could have killed you! The beatings are getting worse."

"I'm aware they are getting worse. But you still broke your promise. I have kept all of your secrets." Kurt tried to storm off but the pain in his ankle was keeping him from running away.

"Look…I'm sorry, Kurt. Really. I'm sorry I broke my promise but…but I'm getting really scared for you. I'm scared that one day, he's going to go too far and you're going to get really hurt. I needed an adult to know in case something happens to you. I don't even know what I would do if something bad happens. You're my best friend, Kurt. And I love you." Blaine said sincerely.

Kurt stopped walking to face him. He looked into the hazel eyes he had grown to love and sighed.

"I love you too." Kurt leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips, not wanting to make it longer in case someone happened to walk by. "And I know why you did it but I just don't want my pa to find out that anyone knows. And now I'm nervous that he's going to get really angry if he finds out that you and Dr. Baker know. I'm scared too, Blaine. He's drinking more now than he ever has. And I'm scared that I could go one day without doing anything bad and I'll still get a beating."

"Maybe if you told Mr. Ingalls? You know that he would do something about it."

"No." Kurt turned away and started walking again. "No one else can know. I know he would but he can't know about this. I can take care of this myself."

"Kurt, I don't think you can." Blaine said, following Kurt. "I know that you put on a brave face for everyone at school but at home, he's a lot bigger than you. And I know you're scared."

"Blaine, no. If I need help I will ask for it."

"Promise?" Blaine asked.

"I promise." Kurt replied, Blaine not believing him at all.

Kurt took a deep breath before he walked into the house, preparing himself. With a small shove, he opened his door.

"Pa? I'm home."

"Come here, son."

Kurt turned towards his father who was sitting at the table with his hands interlocked on the table in from of him. Kurt made his way slowly over there, afraid of saying anything, and sat down across from Burt.

"Do you want to tell me what happened today?" Burt was oddly calm and it was making Kurt nervous.

"I…um…I went to get some water and I tripped on my way back to my seat. I hit my head on a desk going down and Blaine and Laura took me to Dr. Baker." Kurt explained.

"And did you tell them anything about what happened to you?"

"No. I wasn't awake."

"I didn't just mean today. Have you told anyone ever about what happens to you?"

Kurt gulped. As scared as he was to lie to his father, it was nothing compared to the fear of telling him the truth about Blaine knowing.

"N-no. I tell Blaine that I fall out of trees. That's all that he knows, Pa. Honest."

Burt removed his hands from their position and placed them firmly on the table and stood up. Kurt didn't follow suit, too scared to move at the sight of his father towering over him.

"You better be telling me the truth, boy. Or I'm going to give you the beating of your life." Burt walked over to Kurt and gently placed his hand on Kurt's shoulder causing the young boy to flinch. "You better heal up fast."

He removed his hand from Kurt's shoulder and went outside to do God only knows what. Kurt started shaking and he let the tears pour down his cheeks. He didn't know why that conversation scared him so much. His father didn't yell, which was unusual. But he did threaten him which was a common occurrence. The sudden calmness of Burt scared Kurt. Burt was so calm about beating his own son and that thought hurt more than the pain in his head. Kurt walked to his room and fell to his knees behind the closed door, continually letting the tears fall.

Kurt woke up the next day to a light knocking on his front door. He walked as quickly and quietly as he could to avoid waking his father up.

"Blaine?" Kurt asked rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm picking you up for school. My ma and pa are in the wagon right now waiting for us."

"Blaine, I told you I could walk."

"Kurt, you need to be resting your foot. Besides, they need to go to the Mercantile this morning anyway and I just asked if they could take us to school since they were going that way. Come on."

"You didn't trick them into taking us, did you?" Kurt asked only slightly serious.

"Not at all. Cross my heart. Come one, get dressed." Blaine smiled.

Kurt let Blaine come in as he got ready as fast as he could. He ran a comb quickly through his hair and grabbed his books.

"I'm ready! Let's go." Kurt started walking towards the door.

"Kurt, where's your lunch?" Blaine asked curiously.

"Oh…um…I don't eat lunch anymore…" Kurt said quietly and ashamed.

"Why not?"

"My pa is starting to spend all of our money on his alcohol…" Kurt whispered.

"You can share my sandwich. And I'm going to make you one every day."

"Blaine, no. I don't want you to pity me."

"I'm not. You need to eat and you're my best friend. I would do anything to help you." Blaine said with so much honesty that Kurt couldn't argue.

"Fine. But if it becomes too much trouble, you're stopping." Kurt joked. He walked towards the door and put his hand on the handle. Before he turned it, he looked at Blaine and gave him a quick kiss. "I really do love you."

Blaine gave him another kiss. "I love you too."

Kurt opened the door and walked towards Blaine's wagon, feeling that for the first time in a long time, he could be genuinely happy. That thought went away when they showed up at school.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson."

"You're welcome, Kurt. Have a good day. I love you, Blaine." Pam smiled.

"I love you too, Ma. Bye!" Blaine waved. "How are you feeling?" He asked turning towards Kurt.

"Honestly? Better than I thought I would. I hope I don't need to go back to Dr. Baker. Those pills he gave me really helped."

"Just let me know if you need to and I'll go with you."

"Go with him where, Blaine?"

Blaine jumped at the sudden voice behind him.

"Go with him to Dr. Baker's, Nellie." Blaine said with no emotion.

"No. You won't. I told you not to talk to him and I meant it." Nellie grabbed Blaine's arm and dragged him away from Kurt leaving him alone.

"Kurt, where were you this morning?" This time Kurt jumping at the sudden appearance behind him.

"Geez, Laura. You scared me!"

"Sorry, Kurt. Where were you? I had to walk behind Mary and Finn and they were speaking all lovey dovey to each other and it was really gross."

"I was going to walk but Blaine and his parents picked me up. Dr. Baker said he didn't want me on my ankle that much so they brought me. I would've told you but I didn't even know myself."

"Oh…I understand. Are you going to be walking home today?"

"I honestly don't know. I will be unless Blaine has come up with another plan to kidnap me after school as well." He joked.

"I hope not. I miss you, Kurt."

"I miss you too. We should go fishing this weekend! Just the two of us."

"I'd love that!" Laura took the breath away from Kurt when she squeezed him in a hug. "I can't wait!"

They were interrupted by the sound of the bell signaling the start of school. Kurt was walking slow as everyone ran past him. He was about to start walking in when he was shoved out of the way and pressed against the wall.

"Oof! What's going on?" Kurt yelped.

"Stay away from Blaine, Kurt. Stay away from him or there is going to be trouble." Nellie said.

She let go of her grip on him and ran inside. Kurt followed after a few second trying to figure out what had just happened.

Hope you guys enjoyed! Please let me know what you thought. Unfortunately, I'll be ending this story within a couple of chapters. I know how it's going to end and what the last chapters are going to have but unfortunately, I can't make it longer without it getting boring. I absolutely love writing this story. I'm writing 2 right now and this is my favorite for sure so I'm sad about ending it. Anyway, leave a review and let me know what you think. Until (hopefully) next week. Peace and love! xoxo