Author's Note:

1.

I put up a poll to see which story is currently your favorite and I will try to focus on that one mostly, so please vote! Thank you! :)

2.

Has anyone read Stranger Than Fanfiction yet? I love it so much! I wish Chris would make it into a movie and play Cash Carter! I think Chris would enjoy playing him – all those swear words XD

3.

And how awesome is the news about Chris Colfer developing his own Sci-Fi TV drama called Indigo about kids with paranormal abilities? I can't wait to see Chris on TV again. Also, his ideas are always the best. I hope we'll get more news on that soon.

4.

Talking about kids with superpowers, I have been creating a Klaine/all Glee cast story about everyone having superpowers. If I can manage to figure out the many flaws soon, I'd like to post it. But don't worry, I'm still working on No Regrets, About Trust and How To Save A Life. I'm trying to update all stories - but I have to go where creativity hits me.

5.

On another note, I received a review anonymously and I'd like to reply publicly:

Dear Guest, I don't think I'm portraying Kurt as a damsel in distress. Bad things happen to him, but he's not expecting Blaine or anyone to be his hero and solve his problems. In life, you can't always get rid of the people that wronged you as easily as you'd like. Sometimes you need the support of others to move away from a bad influence. Sometimes it also takes strength to accept help.

There are plenty of fanfics out there that are not original to the characters' personality or attitude. You seem to believe that fanfic writers have to stick to the characters' original flaws, strengths, personality, etc. If you disagree so strongly with the way I portray Kurt, then I recommend that you re-read my disclaimer in which I specifically claimed that this isn't canon!Kurt.

WARNING: This is NOT canon!Kurt because I don't think Kurt would fall apart and act like he does in my story. If you don't like vulnerable!Kurt then don't read.

I am aware that I tend to get sidetracked a lot and sometimes I'm going in circles. I write as I feel, it's kind of therapeutic to me, and I admit that I don't always have most of the plot planned out when I start a story. I go where it leads me. But if you need your fanfics to move forward, as you say, no one stops you to write your own.

It takes me so long to update, because I spend hours choosing the right words and re-writing and mulling things over. Maybe you should spend a few moments thinking of your choice of words, too, before you send off a review. Thank you.


Chapter 52 – Love Sick

A wet lick across Kurt's face made him squint his eyes. Oscar Oreo was lounging on the pillow above his head and had decided to wake him. Kurt patted him with his left hand, but when the cat started chewing on his fingers, he gave it a push off the bed. Meowing his protest, the cat vanished to haunt Rachel.

Kurt snuggled back against the sleeping Blaine, drawing the muscular arm that was draped over his shoulder more tightly around himself. He couldn't help but feel a deep loving connection to the man nestled against his back.

But then he remembered all that had happened with Andrew and what he was about to do today and a shadow fell over him. No, no, no, he didn't want to think about everything just yet. He wanted a few more minutes of sleepy bliss. It was so warm and comfortable with Blaine here – also, he could feel Blaine's morning wood pressed against his buttocks.

Kurt had to remind himself that Blaine was still sick, his heavy breathing was due to a stuffed nose and not horniness. But then it seemed as if being sick made him horny as well. Blaine was still not quite awake, but he responded to the needs of his body, pressing himself against Kurt and gently rocking against Kurt's body. His hand was roaming Kurt's front, slipping underneath the pajamas top and bottoms and holding on to what it found there. "Kurt—" a hoarse whisper. At least he knew whom he was in bed with, Kurt thought, amused. If this was what sleepy sex was like, it was wonderful. Still delirious from sleep, the day's troubles still far ahead, warm and cozy, doing nothing else but fondling one another—it was gorgeous. Kurt wondered if Blaine would remember this when he fully woke up or if he was too sick. He wondered if Blaine would regret this. They weren't together after all.

The other night that Blaine had stayed over in the same bed, there had nothing of this sort been going on. Yes, Blaine had still been with Chandler then and Kurt's father had slept a curtain away. Maybe this intimacy was just because Blaine was sick and of unsound mind. He didn't know what he was doing. For a moment, Kurt considered whether or not he should be encouraging this groping at all or if this was taking advantage of Blaine's sickness.

"Kurt—"

Perhaps Blaine did know what he was doing after all. Kurt closed his eyes and moved back against him, enjoying the feel of hard flesh along his crack and Blaine's hand on his own hardness for the few minutes it lasted. Blaine was powered out too fast and fell asleep again, snoring lightly. Kurt didn't mind. This was enough for now.

His alarm clock went off and startled Kurt awake again an hour later. Blaine was still clinging to him and grunting his disapproval of the time. Needing to use the bathroom, Kurt helped Blaine walk across the apartment. He was even worse than last night, walking on wobbly legs and coughing loudly. While he left Blaine in the bathroom, Kurt took the opportunity to change the sheets on Blaine's bed, but then figured it would be best if Blaine slept in Kurt' bed, because it was closer to the bathroom. Also, changing sheets with just one hand was too much of a challenge this morning.

"You boys are up already! Have you seen my fake diamonds?" Rachel was up and searching the living room for a missing earring.

"Haven't seen them, sorry," Kurt replied and went to his closet to get dressed. "Blaine's in the bathroom."

"Did you guys sleep all right? I noticed there was just one bed occupied!" She came after him and winked happily.

"It's not what you think," Kurt replied with a sigh – leaving out the sleepy fondling that Blaine most likely wouldn't even remember. "Blaine's sick and we shared a bed for warmth."

The smile died on Rachel's face, but it wasn't because of the news of Blaine's sickness as Kurt first thought. When she lifted her hand to reach out for his face, he understood that she was mortified by the sight of his bruises.

"Kurt, oh my God," she breathed out and dropped her hand before her fingertips could touch his skin. "You look horrible!"

"Thanks," he managed a wry smile.

"It didn't look that bad last night," she said quietly as if apologizing for her unsympathetic behavior the night before.

"I'll have to put some make-up on, I guess," he replied with a shrug.

"I'm so sorry," she murmured, and Kurt realized that she was truly shell-shocked. Her gaze fell on his injured hand and she shook her head slowly.

"It's all right, Rachel," Kurt replied, because what else was there to say. He continued stripping the bed and Rachel lend him a hand, before quickly dropping the sheet again. "You're not changing the sheets because they're—?"

Kurt laughed. "No body fluids on the sheets, I assure you," he grinned. "That is, Blaine was quite sweaty. I suspect he's running a fever."

"A fever? You mean Blaine's really sick?" Rachel was shocked all over again.

"Didn't you hear the coughing in the middle of the night?"

"I wore ear plugs," Rachel said. "I didn't want to hear you guys sharing a bed."

"Well, Blaine's caught a cold. I think he's running a fever, too."

"Oh, my God, and I invited him to stay the night!" She was instantly covering her mouth with her shawl. "But he's leaving today, isn't he?"

"He can hardly walk," Kurt protested. "I don't want to make him go back to his dorm where his roomie doesn't care a dime about him. Look, I'll buy some medicine and make him chicken broth and he'll be fine in no time. If you're afraid of germs, you could stay at Joey's place for a few nights."

Rachel let out a sigh. "No, it's all right. He can stay and I can help you. I happen to make the best chicken broth to cure any flu. My dads' recipe."

"Thank you," Kurt said with relief.

"Don't mention it." Rachel retrieved fresh linen and sheets from the bottom drawer and made the bed while Kurt hugged the pillows.

"I'm so sorry about your hand and the way I reacted last night, Kurt."

"It's okay," he assured her.

"No, it's not," she sighed and looked up at him. "I've been a horrible friend to you and I know it."

"Then stop being a horrible friend," Kurt said with a shrug.

Rachel gave him a pout. "The thing is that I'm used to you being my rock, Kurt. You cheer me up whenever I'm down. I have never needed to return the favor, because you were always so above things, so strong. You never let anything get to you. And now that you need help, I don't know how to help."

"It's easy, really," Kurt said, "because you don't have to do anything extraordinary. I don't expect miracles and I certainly don't expect you to fix things for me. It's the little things that count, like offering to make chicken broth or lend a hand when I can't use my own," he smiled at her and she returned that smile gladly. "Also, it would be great if you could take care of Oscar Oreo's litter box for the next few weeks, you know, as long as I only got one hand—"

Kurt grinned and Rachel laughed out loud.

"That's what a really good friend would do," he claimed.

With a grin, Rachel finished tucking the corners of the bed. "Okay," she said. "I'll take care of the cat poop and you won't call me a bad friend. Okay?"

"Okay," Kurt replied, feeling a bit lighter. He hated fighting with Rachel.

"And now I'm going to hug you," Rachel warned with a smile.

Kurt threw the pillows on the bed and opened his arms for an embrace and Rachel hugged him tightly.

"I'll make some tea," Rachel offered and went over to the kitchenette to put a kettle on. "Do you think Blaine wants a cup, too?"

"I'm sure he does," Kurt said. Suddenly Kurt was aware that Blaine was taking too long in the bathroom. Worried, he hurried across the apartment and knocked at the bathroom door.

"Blaine, are you all right? Do you need help?" He tried the door and found Blaine sitting on the floor beside the toilet, looking all pale and queasy.

"Sweetie, are you all right?" Kurt crouched down next to him.

"I was just dizzy," Blaine said. "Had to sit down."

"That's okay, let me help you up. Rachel is making tea and I can make you a sandwich. You need to eat something."

"No, I can't eat anything," Blaine said miserably.

"Nonsense," Kurt replied. "Have a sandwich with peanut butter and jelly and things will look better in no time."

"Don't talk about food, please," Blaine murmured.

"Why not?" Kurt asked confused. "Isn't peanut butter your favorite?"

"Oh, stop," Blaine said, before he lifted the toilet seat and heaved into it.

"Oh, I see," Kurt murmured and, grimacing, he rubbed Blaine's back with his good hand.

A few minutes later, Kurt helped Blaine back to bed, but he steered him through the curtain of his own bedroom. "Lie down in my bed, it's closer to the bathroom."

"I'm so sorry," Blaine murmured.

"Stop apologizing, silly," Kurt chided softly. "It's not your fault that you're sick. I'll bring you some tea in a minute and then you're going to try to get some more sleep today."

"But I have to get to class," Blaine said with a feverish slur. "I missed it yesterday already."

"You're not going anywhere," Kurt shook his head. "Believe me, sleep is your friend."

"I don't think I can sleep without you here," Blaine said while he slipped underneath the covers. "I liked holding you last night."

Kurt hesitated. This sweet confession was the last thing he had expected and surely Blaine just said it, because he was delirious with fever.

"How about the next best thing?" Kurt asked and, at the risk of being laughed at, he pulled his boyfriend pillow out from underneath the bed. "Will holding this suffice while I'm gone?"

Blaine stared at it and Kurt braced himself on being laughed at.

But Blaine reached out for the boyfriend pillow and draped the pillow's arm around his shoulders.

"It will, thank you."

They smiled at each other until Blaine dropped his gaze. "Aren't you grossed out by me?"

"Don't worry, even with a running nose you're still the cutest," Kurt replied.

"Really?" Blaine cocked his head and narrowed his eyes, thinking he was being teased.

"Really," Kurt assured him. "Last night I vowed to myself to never lie to my friends again and only speak the truth."

"That's a good thing," Blaine said with the most tender smile.

Kurt returned the smile. "And now open up wide for me."

Blaine looked at him questioningly.

Kurt produced a thermometer out of the chest pocket of his pajamas and grinned. "I need your temperature, so I can call your dad and ask him for advice on how to best take care of you."

"Oh," Blaine arched his brows. "Okay. I'll call him and give him to you, then."

Since Blaine's father was a doctor and also fond of Kurt, he didn't see any harm in this proposition. It was actually really sweet that Kurt would want to contact his father over this. While he listened to the conversation between Kurt and his dad, Rachel brought Blaine a mug of tea. She wore a mask and dangled another one in front of Kurt's face until Kurt gave a nod and let her put it on him. Blaine felt bad that he was sick and his friends had to be afraid of catching anything from him.

Kurt made notes on the things he could get from the pharmacy for Blaine and laughed with Dr. Anderson on Blaine's expense, but Blaine didn't mind. He was fascinated by the fact that Kurt was still so amicably close to his father, although they hadn't talked in over a year.

Kurt ended the call the same time that the doorbell rang.

"Who's that this early?" Rachel asked.

"Probably Chandler," Kurt said and went for the door. "He wanted to pick Blaine and me up."

"Aww, he's a doll," Rachel said. "Can he drive me to NYADA, perhaps? I really don't like taking the tube."

"He's not a taxi service, Rachel," Kurt replied before he opened the door.

"Top of the morning to you, Kurt!" Chandler sang and held out a paper bag of baked goods he had brought for breakfast. "I hope you guys are hungry! We couldn't decide what to bring and just took one of everything."

"We?" Kurt was happily surprised to see Genius stepping in after Chandler.

"I brought Emmett, I hope that's okay."

"Of course it is," Kurt said and immediately noticed that they both had a familiarity and happiness about them that was new and quite suspicious.

"Holy freak show!" Genius's eyes widened at the sight of Kurt. "Look at your face! You should have put an ice pack on that bruise last night!"

"I was going to put some make-up on," Kurt said with a sigh.

"You have to let me do it!" Genius offered eagerly.

Kurt narrowed his eyes. "As long as you don't make me look like your twin brother," Kurt said.

"What would be wrong with that?" Genius asked, mock-offended.

"Where's Blaine? Is he better?" Chandler asked. "He wasn't feeling all that good yesterday."

"I know," Kurt said. "I'm afraid he's not better. He's got a cold attended with fever."

"Poor guy," Chandler said.

"I'm sure he'd like to drink tea with you, if you're not afraid to catch anything."

"Take a mask!" Rachel came around happily and brought face masks for everyone.

"Thank you!" Chandler said and put a mask on. "I'll keep Blaine company while you guys get ready for take off."

"Take your time," Genius said. "We'll be a while, because Kurt needs to take a shower first."

"I do?" Kurt asked.

"You do," Genius said, pinching his nose. "You look awful. Go and get a shower," he ordered. "I'll be with you shortly to do your make-up and your hair. I doubt you can do that one-handedly."

Kurt didn't argue. He was happy that Genius offered to do his hair, so he went into the bathroom and undressed for a quick shower. Taking the T-shirt off was much easier than putting it on. He stepped into the shower and soaped himself up with his left hand. The tricky part was keeping his injured hand out of the spray.

He closed his eyes and let the hot water run over his head, trying to relax, but all of a sudden, he was battered by a fit of terror. He felt like Andrew was standing behind him, about to attack, and he let out a terrified yell. Kurt turned around, and almost slipped in the act of defending himself against his imaginary attacker. His heart was racing and he panicked so much that he was even scared to pull the shower curtain aside. He knew it couldn't be that Andrew was in the room with him, waiting for him to get out, but he was scared nonetheless. A sob escaped and he cowered down, trying to fight off the panic.

He flinched when there was a knock on the door. He remembered when Andrew used to lock him up in the bathroom and check on him hours later by knocking and asking if he was ready to come out again.

"Kurt? It's me, I'm coming in." It was Genius' voice. Kurt told himself that he was safe, but his body was still shaking and his heart was still beating in panic.

"Kurt, are you all right? I heard you cry out." Genius reached in and turned off the spray, then slowly pulled the curtain aside. "Are you hurt?"

"No," Kurt croaked and looked up at his friend.

"Can you stand up?" Genius held out his hand. "Give me your good hand, I'll help you up."

Genius helped him step out of the shower and wrapped him up in a bathrobe.

"This isn't mine," Kurt started to protest, but then realized that it didn't really matter.

"It's not?" Genius asked with a nod at the bright pink fabric. "I would have pegged it as yours."

"Not funny," Kurt murmured. He was shaking all over and pulled Rachel's robe tight around himself.

"What is it? A dizzy spell?" Genius asked.

"No. I thought he was here," Kurt wheezed and tasted salt on his lips. He was embarrassed to find that he was crying.

Genius wrapped his arms around Kurt's shoulders and pulled him close, rubbing his back. "Don't forget to breathe, sweetie, breathe."

It was difficult to take deep breaths, so Kurt took short, shallow ones and leaned against his friend until he could breathe again.

"It's all right," Genius said. "You can give in to your panic for a minute, then you count to ten and take back control. Look at me."

Kurt lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Genius. "Ten… nine…" Genius slowly started counting and Kurt joined in. His breath as well as his whole body was still shaking as Kurt counted backwards. But with every number he voiced out loud he became calmer.

Then he realized that Genius didn't ask him whom he thought had been there.

"Emmett, I need to tell you something," Kurt said in a tiny voice.

"Why is everyone calling me Emmett now?" Genius asked with a mock-annoyed sigh. He guided Kurt to sit on the toilet seat. "I abandoned that name for a reason."

"I guess people want to share real things with you and you have to admit that calling you Genius has a bit of a superficial ring to it. If you wanted to choose a real new name for yourself you could have gone with Peter or Steve, you know?"

"Do I look like a Peter or a Steve to you?" Genius was shocked for real this time. It made Kurt smile.

"It's all right, you can call me Emmett, if you need to. And we can talk while I do your hair and make-up," he said and began toweling Kurt's hair. "But first, how about you gather your thoughts while I blow you?"

Kurt looked up at him from under the towel, incredulously.

Genius gave him a grin and held up Rachel's blow dryer. "With this thingy here, okay? Then you can tell me anything you want to."

Kurt put the towel around his neck and closed his eyes. He let Genius' hands in his hair and the warm wind of the blow dryer soothe him and calm him down.

It was sweet of Genius not to jump on the gossip train and pry every word out of Kurt, but give him the chance to think about what he wanted to say.

When Kurt's hair was dry, Genius worked mousse into it and styled it to his liking. He gave Kurt a hand-mirror to check it out, but Kurt inspected the dark blue bruise on his cheek instead. It really did look worse than last night. Also, his head was throbbing. He brushed his fingers over a bump on the back of his head and pain prickled over his scalp.

"How are things between you and Blaine?" Genius asked conversationally.

"Friendly," Kurt replied shortly.

"Oh, yes, I bet you're very friendly to one another," Genius said, waggling his eyebrows. "Obviously, he spent the night. Care to share the juicy details?"

"He's running a fever," Kurt said with a sigh. "Nothing juicy happened, except for him spreading germs all night."

"Uh-huh," Genius grinned. "Let's continue this conversation when he's spilling sperms all night."

Kurt pulled a face. "Genius!"

"What? You need a good lay, I can tell," Genius shrugged and got his makeup kit out. "I hope for your sake that Blaine's up to it again soon."

"I've got bigger problems than not getting laid," Kurt muttered.

"I can see that," Genius touched his bruised cheek with just his fingertips. "I can't make it disappear completely, you know?"

"That's all right," Kurt said with a sigh. "At least it matches my injured hand beautifully." Kurt stared at himself in the mirror, feeling coated with misgivings while Genius was dabbing at his face with make-up.

"Emmett, I lied to everyone," Kurt began quietly and severely, as if about to confess an unforgiveable sin.

"Don't worry, everyone knows you're not really the power top you'd like everyone to think you are", Genius said while his face was only inches apart from Kurt's, his eyes focused on Kurt's skin while applying the makeup. "I for one love me a bossy bottom."

"Very funny," Kurt said with a sigh. Then he inhaled deeply to brace himself for his confession. "I lied about my injuries," Kurt went on. "I didn't fall down the stairs."

"Ah, that. Well, I didn't think you did," Genius replied soberly.

"It was Andrew. He set a trap for me and I walked right into it."

"Fuck." Genius looked him right in the eye. "Chandler and I suspected as much, but we didn't think you'd tell anyone."

"I can't keep silent about this," Kurt shook his head miserably. "I probably would if there was a guarantee that he'd never bother me or you guys again. But he's in a weird state, he's emotionally unstable and aggressive and I'm afraid he's a danger to people and also to himself. I thought the last time the police had dealt with him would have had an impact on him, but instead he just grew bitter and angry."

"Andrew threatened you, didn't he?"

"He said if I told anyone that he had attacked me he'd go after my friends. Emmett, I need to go to the police." He lowered his voice to no more than a whisper. "But I'm scared."

Genius took his left hand and squeezed it. "It's okay to be scared. I can come with you, if you like."

Kurt nodded. "I'd like that. But the thing is, I don't have evidence. What if they don't believe me? What if they think I want to screw Andrew over so that he gets locked up?"

"Your hand should be evidence enough!"

"He can just deny it. There are no witnesses. But—Wait!" Kurt's eyes widened. "He made a recording. I almost forgot about that."

"He made what?" Genius narrowed his eyes.

"We were in the sound studio a few floors over the workshop. He wanted to record my voice. He asked me to tell him that I loved him, so that he could listen to it every day." Kurt shook his head. "It's humiliating really, but it's my best shot at getting him locked up, whether it be a mental facility or jail, I don't care. But I'm afraid that when the police show up at his apartment, he won't open the door. Without any proof, they can't break down the door, can they? So he'll have plenty of time to get rid of the recording. What do I do? Do I go to him and ask him to give it to me?"

"You'll stay put, sweetie. You don't go anywhere near him again except for a trial at court. Let me handle that."

"No, Emmett! No, I can't ask that of you. He's out of his mind. He's got this twisted personality. One moment he was all sweet and caring, the next he's super mad at me and beating me up. And then he's all sorry and trying to make up again."

"That's exactly the reason why you shouldn't meet him again. Ever!" Genius said sternly.

"I don't want to meet him again." Kurt paused and scrunched up his face as he was pondering his next words.

"What is it?" Genius prompted gently.

"Andrew said some things—," Kurt began, shaking his head. "Like, why do I keep on trusting him when I know he's bad for me?"

"Don't let him get to you. Forget the things he said to you."

"Well, he was right about a lot of things. I feel like there's a part of me that's self-destructive, just like Rachel always points out, and that's who chose Andrew as a boyfriend and who kept rejecting Blaine. Like a part of me thinks I don't deserve happiness and therefore makes me seek a partner who's not good for me. It's like Andrew represents the vicious part of me."

"It makes sense, in a way," Genius admitted. "You can't take on yourself, so you're looking for someone physical to fight, a defeatable opponent. By resisting Andrew, you fight the dark side within you."

"I can tell you've been with Chandler for too long," Kurt said with a smile. "His TV talk is rubbing off on you."

"It's kind of contagious, I'm afraid," Genius admitted. "I'm not going to start lecturing you on the philosophy of Star Wars, I promise. You should let Chandler explain it to you one day. It's so cute when he starts talking about Han Solo and the Ewoks, I can tell you."

"What's the story with you and Chandler anyway?" Kurt asked to have something else to think about, but also because he was curious.

"We spent the night together!" Genius said happily. "Just talking and kissing, but yeah. It was incredible. He's so sweet. I love his voice, the way he talks, the way he blushes when I say something inappropriate, which is all of the time." Genius chuckled. "It's just like the way we communicated before via e-mails, only now there's the perfect face and perfect voice to all the words and I didn't think it was possible that the perfect online pal could turn out to be the perfect boyfriend as well."

"Wow, that happened fast," Kurt said. "So you guys are really together already?"

"Yeah, I guess we are," Genius said. "But Chandler doesn't want Blaine to know, because, you know, they only broke up like two days ago. He doesn't want to hurt him by telling everyone about us."

"And you finally told Chandler about your online identity?" Kurt was relieved.

"He had guessed as much and he was pretty mad that I hadn't told him as soon as I had figured it out," Genius said. "But he's quick with forgiveness, thank God. He'll need that with me a lot, I'm afraid."

When he was finished with foundation, Genius held up black eyeliner inquiringly, and Kurt nodded with a sigh. Genius grinned happily at being given free reign. Kurt tilted his head back so his friend could apply the eyeliner.

"Forgiveness is a funny thing. I don't understand why I just couldn't forgive Blaine for cheating for such a long time, but I forgave Andrew for harassing me like it was nothing."

"For one thing, you loved Blaine. So his betrayal cut deeper than any strike of Andrew ever could," Genius said, making a comprehensible point. "And you haven't actually forgiven Andrew. You just chose to give him the chance to redeem himself, rather than condemn him as the villain of your life story."

Kurt avoided to meet Genius' eyes, and Genius could tell something was wrong.

"Okay, I can tell there's more about Andrew you're not telling me."

Kurt looked up miserably. "Don't tell anyone what I'm telling you now, okay? This has to stay between us. Don't tell Chandler or anyone. Not Blaine or my dad or the police. Swear it."

Genius could see the horror in Kurt's eyes. "I swear I won't tell anyone."

Kurt took a deep breath and held Genius' gaze. "I think Andrew was going to rape me."

Genius' face went grave at this.

"I never would have thought him capable of that, because he had always respected my boundaries in this respect before. But now he's crossed a line that I had always trusted him not to. I'm really scared. He's still out there, planning his next move and I know I need to stop him."

Genius squeezed Kurt's shoulder. "You're not alone in this. We'll figure this out together. I'll get the recording somehow, and we'll go to the police together."

Kurt wanted to argue, but actually he was relieved that he had some backup and didn't have to do this by himself.

When they got out of the bathroom, Rachel came over to them. She was on the phone with someone, and Kurt squinted his eyes. He knew that dreamy, lip-biting look, the way she tilted her head. Could it be—?

"He's out now," she said in a warm voice to the person on the phone. "It was nice talking to you again. We need to catch up again soon." With a fuzzy smile, she handed her phone to Kurt. "It's Finn. He tried your phone, but you were in the shower, so he called me."

Kurt took her phone and couldn't help noticing the bittersweet look on her face – she definitely missed Finn.

"Hello, big brother," Kurt greeted. "What's the emergency this early?" The moment he'd said those words, Kurt became anxious. "There isn't an emergency, is there? Is everyone all right?"

"Everyone's fine over here," Finn replied, and Kurt realized how much he'd missed hearing Finn's voice. "But what's going on with you? I just talked to Burt and he told me that you broke your hand and then I went online and found pictures of you and read that you'd been in the hospital. Are you okay? Do you need me? You know I'll come to New York in a minute."

Kurt scrunched up his face, suddenly overwhelmed by emotion. It came so unexpected that Finn worried so much about him.

"Don't you dare shed a tear!" Genius stuck his finger at Kurt's face. "The eyeliner's not waterproof!"

Kurt inhaled deeply to get his emotions under control. "Thank you, Finn," he said. "Listen, I'll call you guys tonight and explain what really happened to me. I lied to dad last night. Please tell him that I had needed a night to sleep on it and think about what to do. But I'm okay now and I have all my friends here. Don't worry about me."

"Now I'm worried," Finn replied confused. "What did you lie about?"

"I'll tell you everything tonight," Kurt promised. "I have to hurry. Everyone's waiting for me. Thanks for calling, Finn. I miss you."

"Miss you, too, little brother. Take care of yourself, you hear me?"

"You, too." Kurt smiled when he gave Rachel's phone back to her.

He went over to his bedroom and found Chandler sitting with Blaine. They were giggling together, and Kurt was glad to see that they got along friendly even after breaking up.

"Kurt, this boyfriend pillow is so cute!" Chandler said. "Where did you get it?"

"I bought it online," Kurt confessed. It was really adorable seeing Blaine hugging the pillow. It made him want to hug Blaine himself.

"We can take off in a second," Kurt said to Chandler "I just need to find something to wear."

He checked his wardrobe and chose a pair of black flares, because they were easy to put on. Also, he noticed that he owned too many button-downs and hardly anything that he could just throw-on.

"Do you need help to get dressed?" Genius asked, sticking his head through the curtain and coming in to join the group.

"I'll manage," Kurt replied.

Genius rolled his eyes. "Just let me dress you, for God's sake."

His friend helped him put on a silver-glittery shirt. Anything flashy would do for Fashion Hero. While Genius was fumbling with the buttons, he said, "How about we all have breakfast here?"

"You mean in my bed?" Kurt asked incredulously. "Yeah, why don't you all get your pastries and spread crumbles on my comforter?"

"Great idea!" Chandler jumped up and went to get their breakfast.

"You should have known that he doesn't really get sarcasm," Genius chided Kurt with a smile.

Kurt addressed Blaine worriedly, "Are you okay with everyone eating in front of you?"

Blaine gave a nod. "I think I can stomach watching you eat now that I'm empty," he said miserably, but smiled nonetheless.

Chandler returned with Rachel and they both carried trays. They all settled on the bed and had baked goods and coffee while Blaine sipped his tea. It was a funny picture with all of them wearing white masks and lifting them up to eat.

Kurt was surprised that Rachel joined them, although she was phobic against germs. But she seemed to seek the company of her friends today. Maybe it was talking to Finn that made her sentimental.

Whatever it was, Kurt was glad that she wasn't acting like a diva at the moment. It was nice to have all of his friends around him. He soaked up their presence and it gave him strength to do what he needed to do today.

When it was time for the group of friends to hurry up, Kurt stayed behind for a minute to talk to Blaine. "I'll call you later," Kurt said to Blaine. "And you can call me anytime, too. Let me know if you need anything. In the meantime, you get some rest!"

Blaine grabbed Kurt's arm and pulled him closer. For a moment Kurt thought he was going to kiss him which would have been kind of gross, because Blaine was still all stuffed-nosey and bad-breathy, and also impossible, because Kurt was still wearing a mask. Instead, Blaine gave Kurt a stern look and whispered, "Whatever you decide to do about you know who, don't do it alone. And call me before you do anything, please!"

A smile spread on Kurt's lips, hidden by the mask, and he gave Blaine's hand a squeeze. "I have recruited Genius already. He's got my back. And it's safe to call the person in question by his name. You know, Voldemort was just a human once, too."

"Please call me, no matter what," Blaine begged. "Or else I'll spend the day in bed worried sick about you, literally!"

Blaine's concern touched him. "There's nothing to worry about, silly. All I have to do today is go to the police and report them what Andrew did to me. I'm more worried about you. I don't like that you're here by yourself."

"I think it's pretty brave that you're going to the police," Blaine said.

"Emmett's the brave one," Kurt said. "He's going to confront Andrew about the recording. Anyway, I'll try and be back as soon as I can. You stay put and get some sleep, okay?"

"Okay," Blaine replied, still not liking the fact that he was useless at the moment.

Kurt's heart expanded at the sight of Blaine's pout. Before he could stop himself, Kurt pulled his mask down to kiss Blaine's forehead.

Blaine still held his arm and looked at him with a perplexed expression.

"Just checking your temperature," Kurt said and felt himself blush. "You need to drink a lot of water!"

Kurt gently pried himself free of his friend's grasp and left before Blaine could say anything.

Thank you for reading!