Blaine stepped into the sunlight, blinking a few times to adjust to the new atmosphere. He could feel the fresh air on his skin, and inhaled deeply. The cellar had been freezing, but up here was warm and light. He felt alive again. He glanced around, taking in the damp surroundings, eyes glazing over a row of keys hanging up…

"Blaine?" Kurt called out. Hearing Kurt's voice immediately reverted Blaine back to him.

"Kurt?"

"In here." Cautiously, Blaine made his way to the front room. He peered in the doorway. Sure enough, there was Kurt. Blaine's features lit up at the sight of him, while Kurt's jaw dropped. Blaine's smile faltered slightly when he took in Kurt's tear-streaked cheeks, and the way he was curled in on himself. Tears continued to stream down his face, but Kurt wasn't sure if they were of joy or confusion. His head ached from the mental strain of having Blaine torn away from him, and then put together again in front of his eyes. His chest heaved, flaming from the sobs that had crashed through him. He was exhausted.

"How are you here? Are you really real?" Kurt asked brokenly.

Instantly, Blaine surged forward, and was across the room within seconds. He knelt down by Kurt, unsure as to how to continue. He didn't speak. He didn't need too. Gently, almost hesitantly, he raised his hand, tracing his fingertips over Kurt's cheek. Kurt's breath hitched at the contact, as Blaine wiped away his tears.

"I'm here, baby. I'm real." Kurt breathed in deeply, meeting Blaine's eyes. Blaine could see he was very distressed. "What happened?"

Kurt closed his eyes, as Blaine tenderly moved his fingers from Kurt's face to his hair, raking them through the silky, if slightly matted locks.

"They went out for food. They chained me up and left me here." Blaine's face clenched in anger.

"Did they hurt you?" Kurt shook his head, eyes still closed.

"No, but I heard -" He cut off, unable to finish the sentence. He choked back a sob, as Blaine looked at him quizzically.

"What, Kurt?" Kurt's eyes scrunched up in pain, as he tried to hold down the tsunami of emotion. The current was already beginning to drag him back down as the memories flashed back. Blaine could see Kurt's fear, so moved his hand to the back of Kurt's head, and pulled him towards him to press a small kiss to his forehead. Kurt's eyes snapped open as Blaine pulled away. He looked into Blaine's eyes, as Blaine's fingers gently traced patterns on Kurt's neck.

"They - they told me you were dead." Kurt bravely got out. Blaine blinked in shock.

"They said that?"

"Well, that, and the fact I heard gunshots. God Blaine, I really thought you were gone." Tears still fell, as Blaine wrapped his arm around Kurt's waist.

"I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere." He whispered in Kurt's ear. Kurt whipped his head round.

"But you have to go! You're really free now!"

"But -"

"Please don't be noble. You've got a second chance, take it!"

"And I'm not leaving without you! Especially now. I was so scared when they took you away."

"Blaine, I'm stuck." He emphasised the handcuffs by raising his hand. The metal links clinked together as he moved. Blaine glanced down at the cuffs, taking in the small key hole. His mind replayed from the moment he stepped out of the cellar door to the keys in the hallway. He laughed in realisation. Before Kurt could register, Blaine jumped up and ran into the corridor.

"Blaine?" Kurt called out anxiously. Blaine bounded down the corridor, coming to a stop at the keys. Weirdly, they were lined up in size order, and were shined beyond belief. He scanned them, as his eyes settled on the smallest, thinnest key. He grabbed it hopefully, and bounced back into the front room.

"Blaine, what are you doing?" Kurt's speech was halted when Blaine held up the key triumphantly, grinning from ear to ear.

"We're getting out of here!" Blaine settled beside Kurt and began to pick the lock. Kurt watched in astonishment. After a few turns, the handcuffs sprang open. Blaine let the handcuffs and key drop as Kurt freed his hand. He clutched his swollen wrist to himself, rubbing it gently. He looked up at Blaine, the smile breaking out onto his face.

"Blaine, we're really getting out of here!" He exclaimed.

Blaine grinned as he stood up, holding out a hand to Kurt. He accepted it and allowed himself to be pulled up. Once on his feet, they faced each other and beamed. Kurt suddenly had an overwhelming urge to feel Blaine as close to him as possible. He wrapped his arm around Blaine's back and tugged him into his arms. Blaine's eyebrows raised in surprise as their lips met in the middle. Kurt kissed him hard and deeply, nearly knocking Blaine over. As much as Blaine wanted to reciprocate, he knew they had to move quickly. Reluctantly, he pulled out of the kiss, but remained close to Kurt's face.

"Kurt, we've got to go. They could come back at any moment." Kurt closed the gap, this time resting his forehead against Blaine's.

"I missed you." He whispered faintly. Blaine's eyes flicked between Kurt's eyes and his lips. He pressed his mouth against Kurt's, and felt Kurt react immediately, as his hands began to weave themselves into Blaine's hair. Blaine let out a small moan, as he ghosted his fingers over Kurt's back. After a couple of minutes of being lost in each other, they pulled back at the same time, and smiled shyly at one another. Blaine slipped his hand between them, entwining his fingers with Kurt's.

"Let's get away from here." He pulled Kurt with him, holding tightly to his hand. However, they froze when they heard a car pulling up on the gravel outside.

"Crap, they're back!" Blaine whispered.

"What are we going to do?" Blaine looked desperately around the room, as Kurt glanced out the window to see who was there.

"There's only one of them." Blaine looked back at him, more assured.

"If it's just one, we can probably take him on. Quick, stay down."

"What about you?" Blaine shushed him as he crept towards the front door.

"Keep down. When I signal, run. Please Kurt, trust me." Blaine pleaded with him.

"Ok." Kurt nodded, as he knelt down, ready to run when Blaine signalled. The car door slammed shut, and footsteps crunched towards the house.

"I'm looking forward to this." A voice outside exclaimed. The doorknob turned excruciatingly slowly. Blaine took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. His hands clenched into fists, as he was ready to take on his attacker. The door opened, as Charlie stepped into the house.

"Hey Fairy, I'm back for some fun of my own -"

Blaine launched at Charlie, aiming his balled-up fists into his face. The attack took Charlie by surprise, but he didn't stumble. As Blaine brought his fist up, Charlie grabbed his wrist, and blocked the other fist with his forearm. He kneed Blaine in the groin quickly, causing him to slack. Charlie used his new advantage to shove Blaine against the nearest wall. He pinned his body with his own, moving his hands to Blaine's neck.

"You thought you could fight me? The illusions of grandeur really have got to you, haven't they Anderson?" His grip on Blaine's neck tightened, as Blaine tried to cry out. The lack of oxygen turned his face an alarming plum colour, causing him to choke on his own breath.

"What was that Anderson? Didn't quite catch that." Charlie said sadistically. Kurt watched in horror Blaine struggled against the huge boy. He was frantically trying to fight off Charlie, but he was too strong. Kurt edged behind Charlie, contemplating his next move. Neither boy had noticed him.

"You really picked the wrong guys to mess with." Before Charlie could turn his head, Kurt whacked him in the neck. Kurt made sure to hit the point of the neck that would cause unconsciousness. The effect was instant. Charlie fell heavily onto the ground as Kurt dodged out the way. His hold on Blaine slipped, causing him to fall with him. Luckily, Kurt rushed forward to catch him before he hit the floor.

"I've got you". He said reassuringly into Blaine's ear. Blaine coughed harshly, as he rubbed his swollen neck. He tried to say something, but the violent coughing interrupted his speech. Kurt set him gently on the ground, before rushing into the front room to retrieve the abandoned bottle of water. He grabbed it, and raced back into the hallway. He slid down the wall beside Blaine, who was still sputtering and panting.

"Here, drink this." He offered Blaine, screwing the lid off for him. Blaine took the bottle gratefully, gulping down the water at a fast rate. Kurt watched him intently, letting his eyes wander over Blaine's neck. He couldn't help but gasp at the new bruises forming there. Blaine finished drinking, before handing back the bottle to Kurt.

"Thanks." He said. Kurt took a swig of water, grateful as the cool liquid soothed his burning throat. He screwed the lid back on, setting the water beside him.

"Anytime." He snaked one arm around Blaine's waist , as Blaine dropped his head against the wall. He glanced over at Charlie's unmoving body.

"Nice move there. Didn't know you knew martial arts?" He turned his face to Kurt's.

"What can I say, I'm kind of a ninja." Kurt retorted, grinning wickedly at Blaine. Blaine nodded in approval.

"I bet you are. You'll have to show me some of your moves sometime."

"There's plenty more where they come from." Kurt winked, before standing up. He held out a hand for Blaine, which he happily took. Kurt pulled him up, and out the door with him, towards their freedom.