It was quiet.

Well, maybe not completely quiet – there was the crackle of the dried leaves under Kurt's booted feet. There was the sound of the wind rushing through the trees, which made the branches rattle about above his head. And on top of that, he could hear the soft sh-sh-sh-sh that denoted some sort of movement in the bushes.

"Please, let that not be any wild animals," Kurt murmured to himself. "Or any other thing that goes bump in the night." He pulled his cashmere scarf tighter around his neck as he ventured farther into the woods. Kurt wasn't going to let his guard down now. Not after everything else he had been through.

Kurt's hand tightened around a roughly carved wooden stake he held like the lifeline it was. His heart began to pick up its pace the longer he kept walking. Every shadow he saw and every sound he heard kept him on edge. He wasn't sure how much more he could take at this point.

"I'm sure you don't really want to use that, do you?" a voice behind him said.

The tension left Kurt's shoulders immediately.

"Blaine . . "

With a soft sob, he turned around and threw himself into his boyfriend's arms. His hands buried themselves in Blaine's coat, clutching it frantically as he let out the tears he had been holding back since he left home.

"Shhhhh," Blaine whispered, attempting to comfort him. "It's okay."

"No, Blaine." Kurt's muffled voice said. "It's not okay. It's horrible. Just horrible."

Kurt shut his eyes but couldn't wipe the images from his mind. "I just saw Karofsky and Azimio rip Figgins apart piece by piece and feed on him. They were EATING him, Blaine. I can never unsee that."

"If only bleaching the brain were a thing," Blaine said, trying to take Kurt's mind off everything.

Kurt chuckled." Well, it might make people less appetizing to this zombie horde."

He looked up, concerned. "What about the Warblers? Are they all okay? Did you get in touch with them?" Even though Kurt no longer attended Dalton, he still felt close to many of those guys.

Blaine smiled as he heard his boyfriend ask about the rival Glee club. "Thankfully, due to Wes' anal-retentive nature, the Warbler phone tree was near intact. We were able to get in touch with almost everyone. Nick and Jeff were already holed up at Nick's house at the time, having a romantic evening. Trent was traveling with his family. They are now safe and secure at their summer home In Narragansett, waiting out the storm. Wes is good so far at Columbia. He says the campus is currently in lockdown, and David says Yale is the same. Thad and John are also thankfully accounted for and out of harm's way."

Kurt breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear your coven is intact. I can't imagine you guys without each other." he considered for a moment. "Wait . . what about Sebastian?"

Blaine snorted. "The lucky bastard was on a private jet on the way to Paris when the shit hit the fan. He landed and said nothing has happened yet in Europe – but he's pretty much stranded there until – well, I'm not sure when."

The wind whistled through the trees again, causing Kurt to hold onto his boyfriend even tighter. His eyes checked the perimeter of where they were standing to ensure no zombie had followed him into the glade.

"Blaine, what are we going to do?" he whispered, frightened. Kurt began to consider the situation they were in again. Talking about what you would do during a zombie apocalypse was all good and fun when, well, it was actually a joke or a movie or TV show. But dealing with it in real life was a whole other thing altogether.

And Kurt did not like it. Not one bit.

Blaine could start seeing Kurt unraveling as his mind started processing their current situation. This, however, was having an adverse effect - at least for Blaine.

He slowly walked Kurt backward until he had him pinned against a tree. Blaine leaned forward and started nuzzling Kurt's neck, mouthing his way to what he knew was Kurt's weakest spot – right behind his left ear.

"B . . . Blaine, honey . ." moaned Kurt as his knees wobbled. How did this boy always know how to press his buttons so well? "What . . .what are you doing?" he asked.

Blaine continued his ministrations, practically growling while doing so. "Do you know I can hear your heart beating fast? I can practically feel the blood rushing through your veins. I can smell how afraid you are. Fuck, Kurt. . .do you know what that does to me?"

Kurt gasped, threading the fingers of his free hand through Blaine's dark curls. "I know, honey, I do. Believe me, I do." He moaned again as he felt Blaine reposition himself, so their hips were aligned. Kurt rocked up into Blaine and gasped as he felt their clothed erections brush against each other.

Blaine whimpered and mirrored Kurt's actions. He pulled away for a moment and licked his lips. Blaine's eyes lingered slightly on Kurt's beautiful neck. With one hand, he pulled Kurt's scarf away to admire it more. It was smooth and perfect, especially his favorite bit, right above his collarbone. That lush space where his shoulder met Kurt's neck constantly drove Blaine crazy. He lost count of how many hickeys he's left there. He took his fingers and caressed it. Kurt shivered in response.

"Kurt, please . . ." he begged. "Can you put down the sharp pointy wood thing so I . . ." he paused, leaned in, and sucked that delicious area on Kurt's neck.

Kurt groaned. "Baby, we . . can't . . we don't have time to give you a proper feed right now." he gripped Blaine's curls tighter. "You need it bad, don't you?"

Blaine nuzzled that spot again. "I'm sorry. I know. I know. Not a good time. It's just been a while, and - God, you smell so good." He let his teeth just barely graze Kurt's skin. "So good," he repeated.

Kurt quickly checked around to make sure they were alone before whispering: "Just a nip, Blaine. We can't afford to stay here much longer."

Blaine nodded, first taking Kurt's lips in a fierce kiss. "I love you," he said after pulling away.

"I love you, too," Kurt replied, his eyes mirroring his words.

Blaine unbuttoned his wool coat and opened it. He moved closer, using the fabric to envelop Kurt and protect him from the outdoor chill. Kurt closed his eyes as Blaine's breath warmed his neck. He felt his boyfriend's lips hungrily move: they parted as Blaine's tongue licked, and then he felt the pressure from those glorious lips as Blaine sucked that pulse point on his neck that he loved so much. It took only a few seconds, but Kurt knew - he could sense Blaine's fangs elongating and drawing even closer.

And when Blaine bit down, sinking those fangs into Kurt's sublime neck, both boys almost orgasmed on the spot.

Kurt dropped the wooden stake at his feet. His hands clutched against Blaine's back, pulling him closer. "Blaine, " he whined while grinding his hips against his boyfriend, eagerly wanting more.

Blaine moaned as he felt Kurt's blood hit his tongue. It wasn't sharp or metallic like it was the first time he had fed off of another person. Kurt always tasted so sweet, so addictive. It's how he knew they were matched perfectly. Kurt loved Blaine so much to give this part of himself willingly. He trusted Blaine always to be careful and never take more than he knew was needed.

Blaine's hand quickly moved to the waistband of Kurt's pants. As he continued to feed, he undid the button and slipped it inside, letting his hand encircle and tighten around Kurt's cock. His boyfriend groaned and began fucking himself up into Blaine's fist. It was driving Kurt insane: the sensation of Blaine feeding on his neck with his hand tight around him. He savored the pressure and the buildup in his body until Kurt keened loudly, spilling over Blaine's fingers.

Blaine swallowed and then licked over his bite on Kurt's neck, making sure the wound closed adequately. He quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, cleaned them both up, and fixed Kurt's clothing. Kurt leaned against the tree, still breathing heavily but smiling.

"I will never get over how amazing you are – and how fantastic that feels," he says, looking sated. "Though, you may have to carry me out of here now."

Blaine smiled and leaned in to kiss Kurt, who grimaced immediately.

"Ugh, though you can keep the taste of blood honey, it definitely isn't my thing," Kurt said, shaking his head.

"I think you taste sweet," Blaine said, pouting a bit. "Though, seriously – are you okay?" He was positive he didn't take too much but always wanted to double check.

"I'm fine," Kurt assures him as Blaine gently wraps his scarf back around his neck. "Enjoying the afterglow. And just teasing you a bit." Kurt traced Blaine's mouth with his fingers. "You okay too?"

Blaine nodded and lightly kissed Kurt's fingertips. He always felt rejuvenated right after a feed, even a small one like that. He buttoned up his coat and looked at Kurt to determine their next steps.

"I don't know what you'd prefer to do - we could head to Dalton; they will always give you sanctuary as a former student . ." he began.

Kurt looked unsure. "Is it safe there? I mean, I thought we'd be good at McKinley - and that was a horrible decision." He bent down to pick up the wooden stake he had dropped moments before.

Kurt's eyes widened as he stood, seeing something right over Blaine's shoulder. He pushed his boyfriend aside suddenly, shouting: "Blaine, run!"

Blaine stumbled over a few feet from the force of Kurt's shove. As he tried to get his bearings, groaning filled the air. He scrambled around, searching for Kurt, who was no longer in sight.

"Kurt!" he shouted, frantically searching for him. He dove into the foliage, trying to pinpoint the source of the groaning.

Then he heard Kurt yell.

And then the smell of Kurt's spilt blood filled his nostrils.

Blaine ran to his left, following the scent of his boyfriend farther into the trees. He reached an area wooded area by a small outcrop of rocks. Kurt lay on the forest floor, eyes closed, with a small trickle of blood running down his forehead. A large, familiar figure wearing a red varsity jacket was lumbering towards Kurt's body.

Seething at this sight, Blaine's bloodlust took over.

"Karofsky!" He shouted. "You stay away from him!' Blaine hissed. "He never was and never will be yours!"

Blaine rushed the former football player, bowling him over for a moment by knocking his feet out from under him. Karofsky growled in frustration as he stumble-crawled, attempting to get back upright. He drooled and gnashed his teeth at Blaine. He lunged at the vampire, surprising Blaine. In his effort to dodge the zombie's reach, Blaine tripped and fell backward. Karofsky then turned his attention back to Kurt.

"No!" Blaine yelled, running forward to grab the football player by the collar of his torn varsity jacket. He yanked him away from Kurt just in time. Karofsky roared as Blaine picked him up like a rag doll and tossed him against the nearest bolder. He hit the rock with a loud thud and then slid down to the ground. He didn't move. Blaine silently thanked his family for his vampiric strength and the Dalton Fight club for his scrappy fighting style. Then he scrambled towards Kurt.

"Kurt," Blaine said frantically, trying to revive him. "Kurt, sweetheart, open your eyes."

Blaine started to panic. Kurt wasn't moving.

"No, no, no . ." he whimpered. "Kurt, please, baby, wake up," Blaine pleaded, softly caressing his boyfriend's face.

A few long moments followed with no sign of life from Kurt. Blaine fell back as the air rushed out of his lungs. His head fell into his hands as he squeezed his eyes shut and let out a mournful cry as he pulled at his curls helplessly.

"Kurt, " he wailed, rocking back and forth, inconsolable.

Blaine jerked back suddenly as he felt a gentle touch on his head. He lifted his head, tears still streaming down his face.

"Please, don't do that; you know how much I love your hair."

Blaine dove forward into Kurt's arms. "Kurt!" he said, relieved. "Don't ever do that to me again. I may be undead and not have a beating heart anymore, but if I did, it really would have broken losing you like that." he hiccupped.

Kurt embraced the vampire. "I'm not going anywhere. Remember, we're together. Always."

"Always," Blaine repeated. "Fearlessly and Forever."

"Fearlessly and Forever." Kurt agreed.

They embraced again.

"Thank you for saving me," Kurt murmured into Blaine's curls. "I was so scared."

"I was, too," Blaine admitted. "But, um, don't tell the guys; I'll never live it down."

"You got it," Kurt promised, sweetly kissing the top of Blaine's head. "Now help me up so we can . . ."

A loud growl made both boys turn their heads. Kurt winced at the quick motion.

Karofsky was half crawling and half dragging his body towards them. Kurt and Blaine both tried to get up, but their limbs became entangled, and they found themselves on the ground once again with the football player almost on them. Blaine threw himself in front of Kurt, figuring he was already undead; how much worse could it get? As a warm, still-living human being, Kurt had more to lose at this point.

Just as Karofsky was almost in arms reach to them, the boys heard a gun being cocked. A shot rang out, and they watched as Karofsky's skull (or what was left of it) exploded: a spray of blood and brain matter littering the forest floor.

"Yes! Great shot! You are so on my next Halo team," they heard a male voice say.

"Hobbit. Porcelain. Go get a room," a female voice countered.

"I told you we'd find them together," another male answered, sounding smug.

The boys looked in surprise as a group of people entered the clearing.

"Sam?" Kurt said, not believing his eyes. "Santana?"

"Cooper?" Blaine said in a much similar manner. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"We've been searching for you. Are you okay?" another voice said from behind them.

Kurt's eyes widened. "Dad?"

Burt Hummel shouldered the shotgun he was carrying and rushed forward to check on the boys. Sam and Santana drew close as Burt inspected Kurt's head carefully. Cooper pulled Blaine aside to talk with him privately.

"Squirt, " he asked. "Are you alright?" He smiled as Blaine pulled him into a tight hug.

"It's been a horrible few days, Coop. But I'm so glad you are here. I thought you were still stuck in LA." Blaine told him.

"Couldn't stay away, you know that," Cooper confessed with grin. He looked over Blaine's shoulder at the rest of the search party. "Soooo, still with Kurt, I see?" he teased. "I saw the heart eyes from across the forest."

Blaine shoved him. "Quit it, Coop. I love him. Kurt's my mate – or at least I want him to be if he'll have me." He said in a low voice.

Burt cleared his throat loudly. "There will be no mating ceremonies any time soon, do you hear me? At least nothing until we figure out what to do with this zombie problem."

Blaine stood straight up and blushed beet red. "Um, yes, sir."

Kurt's dad stared at Blaine, his eyes narrowing. "Call me Burt."

Blaine swallowed and corrected himself immediately. He carefully eyed the large, shiny shotgun gleaming over the shoulder of his boyfriend's father. "Yes, sir, Burt, sir . ." he babbled.

Santana walked past him, smirking and shouldering a bloodied baseball bat. "Real smooth there, Short Stack." she teased.

Sam shrugged and motioned for Kurt and Blaine to follow them. "Come on, we've got to meet the others and figure out what to do next."

The group followed Burt and Cooper, who kept insisting on pointing the way every few minutes.

Blaine held his hand out to Kurt as he had on that staircase in Dalton a year before.

"Don't let go, okay?" he told Kurt, his eyes filled with concern

"Never," said Kurt, his fingers entwined with Blaine's.

He took a deep breath as they trudged through the woods. He was safe. This, Kurt thought while feeling Blaine's firm grip in his own . . .this was safe. This was home.

And for the first time since the zombie onslaught began, Kurt really started to believe that things were going to be alright.