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The last few days had been revelations for Quinn; Things she never expected seemed to be common place here. She'd had at least five people ask her when her child was suppose to be born without any disgust or condescending attitudes. A couple of older women had even stopped and kissed her forehead... apparently that was a tradition; A blessing for a new mother.

Blaine had told her that their stay with the plain-riders didn't have to be permanent, or that they could stay and build a new life...at least according to Kurt.

Now, that young man was an enigma. He was beautiful but male, proud but shy, reckless in his safety but cautious when it came to being emotionally close to people. It all pointed to someone with secrets... she just hope those secrets didn't end up hurting Blaine. She wasn't stupid, she'd seen the way her oldest friend had watched the taller boy when he thought no one was looking, the way he would zone out and get this strangely sweet on his face. She'd seen the same expression when he'd had a crush on that shop clerk, but it hadn't been this severe...

Jeremiah's' rejection had caused Blaine to lock himself in his room for a week, and write depressing songs about love. She wasn't sure how he'd respond if it happened again... especially with someone he appeared to be getting closer to. Unrequited love sucked... rejection more-so.

Quinn put on her 'you can tell me anything' face, and walked to dinner. With any luck, perhaps she could ferret out the truth.

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The night was cool and clear. Blaine hadn't brought up Chandler to anyone, but part of him wanted to demand to know who the boy was, and what he was or had been to Kurt... Although he knew he had no right to.

After breakfast he'd had another riding lesson... a short one this time, not nearly long enough to incapacitated his legs again. He managed to dis-mount without falling into the taller boy's arms again, something he was both proud of and disappointed by. Kurt helped him remove the saddle from the horse.

To his surprise, Kurt didn't lead him away from the pens the way he did before, but rather towards a large tent off to the side.

The tent was the size of four of Blaine's tent put together, but somehow it was so crowded that it seemed smaller. The deep, sweet scent of leather hung thickly in the air, and different saddles and tack where hung or piled in different places.

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"Just put it own here." Kurt helped him place the large item onto a stand. "I think we can leave the lesson on how to clean it until next time." He smiled slightly, "How's your back?"

"A little tense, but better... why?" Blaine asked in surprise.

"I was wondering if the muscle ointment helped any. I mean it always has for me, but it's different with everyone. Sometime after a long ride I just want to soak in it." His eyes laughed at Blaine's expression, "It doesn't matter how long you've been riding, too much can make you hurt."

"When do you ride?" Blaine asked in curiosity. "I've only seen you ride that first day really, but Mercedes said you'd gone out and ridden at night... isn't that dangerous?"

They walked around the outskirts of the camp as they talked.

"Not usually... oddly enough, it's safer for us if we don't go near the cities. There aren't that many wild animals in this part of the Kingdoms, and as long as you aren't... distracted, there's no reason not to ride at night. Besides," The older boy added, "It's when I've always really ridden for me."

"Why at night though?" The curly-haired boy persisted, "Isn't it easier to see during the day?" Blaine would never admit that the darkness always bothered him.

Kurt whirled around and opened his mouth before snapping his jaw shut. He'd nearly told him to mind his own business, nearly lashed out at someone who had no idea how hard the subject was to talk about. "It's... I..." He tried to form the words, but his discomfort was obvious.

"I'm sorry Kurt." Blaine was quick to apologize. "It's not my concern, and I shouldn't be grilling you about it." He gave a tentative smile. "So... What's going on with Sam and Mercedes?" He changed the subject.

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Kurt found himself in his tent for the evening, wondering about that moment when he'd reined in his sharp response in exchange for looking like an idiot. He could've told Blaine a half-truth about why he preferred to ride at night, but for the first time, he found himself wanting to give someone the truth.

Wanting to be able to trust someone with it. Someone who wouldn't laugh or... or mock him for such a puerile reason.

He stood, and left his tent, walking to the tent across the way.

"Blaine?" He called out, without looking in.

...

Blaine had wondered why Kurt had been so worried by his question. It was simple, wasn't it? He stretched out on his bed-roll, and contemplated any and all reasons he could think of to spend time out in the darkness. There were too many things that could happen if you were alone... He knew from personal experience.

He heard movement outside, and sat up.

"Blaine?" A distinct voice spoke clearly. "Are you still awake?"

He stood, and went to the door-flap. He pulled it aside, and motioned for Kurt to enter.

...

Kurt wasn't sure WHY he'd been so sure this was a good idea. He entered the other boy's tent, noticing that he had as many lanterns as possible lit.

"I wanted to talk to you, about earlier. There IS a reason why I like riding at night. It's important to me," He paused, "About as important as staying in the light is to you." He saw Blaine's eyes widen, but other than that, there was no sign that he'd struck a nerve. The shorter boy still didn't speak, but rather offered Kurt a cushion to sit on. They sat at the low table, and Kurt began.

"You know my Mother died when I was eight... and that my Dad had a hard time dealing with it?" He swallowed. "He had a harder time then anyone knew. He drank, he slept all day, barely worked except when he had to. And he ignored me. Some days it seemed that he couldn't even look at me without crying and walking away. I was a kid. I figured that there was something wrong with me that made people leave. My Mom was gone, and my Dad didn't seem to want me anymore. I really thought that maybe if I hadn't been there that they'd still be together, that maybe I shouldn't be alive." Blaine looked at the pale boy in shock. Was he saying that he'd thought about... At 8? "That's when Miriam started coming to see me every day." Kurt continued. "She was only 14, but she knew that the happy face my father put on when he was working was fake. She's always been too old for her years... and she knew what was happening. That something was wrong. So she took me down to the horse pens one evening, and we went for a ride. Did you know we burn our dead? The legend says that when we return to the sky, we become part of it. Mira told me that my Mother hadn't wanted to leave, but that it had been time for her to go back to the creator, to become part of the sky itself. She pointed out a small, but bright star, and told me that it was my Mother's, and that on clear nights they can look down and see us. That's when I started riding at night. Whenever it was clear, I would ask her to come with me. I'd gallop along in the starlight... and I'd wave at the sky so she'd know it was me." He felt a tear slide down his cheek, but didn't stop it or wipe it away. "And I've always known somehow that as long as she's watching over me that the night is nothing to really fear, because as long as there's starlight, there's no real darkness. Bad things happen, but somehow it all comes out alright in the end." He smiled at the curly-haired boy. "So now you know... and I have to wonder. As much as I love the night, you seem to hate it. Will you tell me why?"

. . .

A/N: Another long wait for a chapter! So sorry for it! :( *Sad face* Between life and family, my time has been pretty restricted. HOWEVER! Now that the school year is over, there should be more time for writing!

OK, that being said: 117 FOLLOWS! 96 REVIEWS!

To the people that have reviewed and given my inspiration to feed my muse:

Klaineangel: Niff will be with us in 3 'days' (in fanfiction, not real life, sorry!) Yes, I'd like to think that Jeff is going to case all kinds of trouble for our boys... imagine that! Nope, don't like Adam or Chandler. It's just how I am!

Josy Hummel: You are very welcome! I always like to recommend fics that deserve it! (Not to mention that you take time to talk to your reviewers too!) Personal bias perhaps... hmm. Blaine puppy! Sometimes like a kicked puppy... poor Blainers... I might put together a "Sexy" one-shot to work in connection with this fic, but no promises that it'll make it onto the site... maybe I could send it to you first for a quick critique?

Amrawo: Here! Have more!

AngellaCrickett: So glad you liked it! It's actually something called "The Physicians Prayer". My grandmother's father was a doctor, and he had that on the wall of his office his entire career apparently. He always said "God heals the patients, Doctors are just the instruments that collect the fees.

Reviews are like crack to my muse! Gimmie!