Chapter 2

'No home to return to…don't want to be a burden…father…still out there still waiting...'

Those words echoed inside Blaine's head repetitively, over and over again like a broken tape once they left Kurt's lips, like a soft drone in his head that wouldn't crease to peace. It was definitely not something Blaine expected to hear, time seemed to have slowed down at that exact moment and he found it hard to process his surroundings, his mind went blank. Standing out was the bitterness of Kurt's words ringing in his ear, the raw sorrow evident in his voice, the sudden emptiness in his heart that threatened to swallow them both. It broke Blaine's heart. All he wanted to do at the moment was to rein Kurt in his arms and assure him that everything's going to be fine, that he'll find his father and reunite soon. But no, he couldn't, the last thing he wanted to do was discomforting his guest and making false promises, so he settled with clearing his throat and smiling politely, resting a gentle, reassuring hand on Kurt's knees.

"I will help you find your father, I'll send my words and men, just tell me his name. Please, I just want to help and this is the least I could do for you. I assure you it's not out of sympathy." Blaine said softly with great tenderness once his eyes met Kurt's, the two locking eyes for a long moment as an underlying new found connection silently formed between them; one that both men couldn't place yet but mutually knew existed deep down.

"I-Thank you…He's Burt…Hummel." Kurt whispered almost brokenly, tears began to rim his eyes as he fought to keep them at bay, refusing to let them fall. He promised himself that he wouldn't cry for this, no, his father would not wish that but this is a painful reminder of what happened when his mother died it's was like he was reliving his childhood nightmare. However, sitting next to this gorgeous man, a stranger that had been so kind and gentle to him, someone who he saw genuinely cared for him, he couldn't hold it to himself anymore. He threw himself into the Blaine's arms and buried his head to the crook of his shoulder, silently letting the tears that he refused to show for so many years fall. As his tears dropped one by one, he felt strong arms wrapping around him, welcoming him to a warm embrace. For once in many years, he didn't feel alone, not anymore.

On the other hand, Blaine cannot say that he wasn't surprised by Kurt's actions but at the same time it felt right to have him in his arms. His hands started to rub Kurt's back automatically, in soothing circular movements like his body knew what to do before his mind did. "It's okay; everything's going to turn out okay. We'll find your father, until then stay here with me." Blaine murmured into Kurt's ear, holding him closer to his chest as each word came out, the name Burt Hummel eerily familiar to him but he just couldn't place where he had heard the name before.

"I'm going to take care of you, Kurt; you'll have a home to return to, it'll be right here we'll always welcome you and please, I ask for nothing in return." He promised softly, knowing that in Nick's eyes this is going to be a bad idea and it would be a knife straight to the heart when the time comes that he must let Kurt go. But he is willing to doing anything for the boy in his arms, a human that he has growing feelings for, strong feelings that he just couldn't name yet.

Kurt sniffed after a long period of crying, it was a release for him to finally be comfortable to do so, like the gates of a dam reaching its limits opened. Somehow he didn't feel embarrassed crying in front of Blaine, instead he felt embraced…safe. Not wanting to make the household owner even more uncomfortable he sucked in a deep breath and pulled away immediately once he trusted that he could control himself again, looking down with regret.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to, it was too much all at once, I didn't control my emotions properly. I'm really sorry and I swear that it won't happen again. I know I shouldn't have done that, it was inappropriate and crossing the line, probably making you uncomfortable, I apologize again. Next time I…"

Kurt's ramble was interrupted by Blaine's index finger, pressing against his lips, silencing him very effectively. His breath hitched and he must been blushing furiously as he felt the air around them getting hotter. "Hush, wee one." Blaine started with a soft chuckle, and Kurt was surprised that he wasn't either melting or steaming already. "You don't have to be sorry for anything; I didn't mind and wasn't discomforted." Blaine smiled softly, that oh-so-charming smile that Kurt couldn't get out of his head. "But rest for now Kurt, you need it. And if you want to change to bandages feel free to let me know. Or if you wish for me to check it for you instead of my workers, I will gladly do so also." Blaine stood up from the bed and Kurt slowly leaned back into the huge bed, still in a daze while watching Blaine as he pulled the sheets over to cover him and tugged him to bed. "I shall go now, but I'll be back." Kurt blinked and nodded, smiling up a little to Blaine, his eyes looked at him in confusion when Blaine hesitated to leave. He was about to open his mouth to tell him that he's going to fine when Blaine leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Goodnight."

Kurt's heart almost jumped out of his chest at the expected affection, racing at a pace that made him think that he'll explode as he watched him turn and leave. His mind filled up with confusing ideas and mixed emotion. What's up with you Hummel? Stop being creepy and inappropriate, what is this feeling? The butterflies, fuzziness, warmth, melting. He's just being a good host, calm yourself down, you don't really know him except for his name. But his eyes…you already did that. His voice…again been there done that. His smile…oh no…that curve, the corners going upwards…his lips…don't…soft tender lips…Kurt Hummel…I wonder…oh gods you don't, you can't, STOP IT.

Kurt frowned at himself while trying to get some sleep as he twisted and turned on the bed; failing miserably, with no luck in settling his mind and heart on their vigorous debate driving him crazy, what was that kiss all about? Finally he gave up and sat up slowly, seeking another subject to focus on. Running his fingers up and down his arms they brushed over his forearm; the rough texture reminded him of the bandages and his wounds remembering of when Blaine told him that would help him change them if needed.

Curious with the need to know just how he was healing, he started peeling the bandage off while being thankful for something to divert his attention. But when he started examining the wounds the thankfulness slipped away, there weren't a lot of marks, just the usual cuts and scratches. What puzzled him was the ones near his wrist, there were a lot, but Blaine mentioned about a large amount of blood loss, these wounds couldn't possibly cause a major blood loss to the point of unconsciousness. He frowned and rubbed his neck, the rough texture acknowledging him of other bandages there.

He scanned the room trying to locate a mirror, surprisingly there was only a small one on the table, but that'll do, he ignored the other questions popping out in his head and focused on his neck. He placed the mirror in front of him, taking in a shaky breath then started to remove the bandage with slightly trembling fingers, he don't understand why he's so anxious about the whole ordeal.

He expected to find something gruesome and bloody but nothing prepared him for this sight, there were animalistic bite marks, messy ones along the column of his neck, something tried to kill him, sending a cold dread down his spine. He stared at the wounds, mind going blank. Eventually he noticed that even though the bite marks were familiar as if he saw them before but he couldn't place exactly what animal it was from. But for now, he saw enough, he needed sleep, he tried to not think about it and fixed the bandage again, making a mental note to himself to ask Blaine about it later.

Kurt slid back down on the bed a minute later, closing his eyes once again trying to slip into the realm of dreams. After a few more disturbing thoughts and images he finally fell into a shallow sleep where he spent most of the night tossing and turning around in the bed, having disturbing dreams about fangs, fire, knifes and his father.

Blaine rushed to seek Nick right after closing Kurt's door behind him, the nagging in his head getting on his nerves. Thousands of internal arguments churned up chaos in his head, turning it into an unrelenting battlefield. Without thinking about it any longer he knocked on the dark wood that was Nick's door, immediately regretting it when his skin met the hard wooden surface. He knew that his friend would want to talk to him about this among other things, but what was he going to tell him? He didn't need to be reminded over and over again about how he can't do this to the innocent boy or listen to the lecture about him needing to keep his profile low for the umpteenth time if they don't want another visit from his dad.

Just before he got the time to apologize and turned to leave a voice came behind the heavy door "Coming." it yelled. Blaine swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat as the door swung open with a Nick standing there who was raising an eyebrow. The shorter male stepped aside as Blaine walked in wordlessly, the door closing behind him. "I…" he groaned and shook his head, starting to pace the floor of Nick's bedroom.

"Blaine, I know why you're here, but you can't." Nick deadpanned before Blaine could wiggle his way around the obvious problem.

"I know." He sighed "How many days until he must go?" he asked Nick hopefully.

"It's not good for you but I would imagine a couple more days, the wounds on his neck won't heal quickly. But you know why Blaine, you shouldn't drag yourself or the boy in a thing that will not end well." Nick looked at Blaine with understanding eyes "It's dangerous for a human to…"

"Be with me. I know. But he's different, I could feel it, I never felt this way before. "Blaine sighed exasperatedly, feeling torn and helpless. He wants him and he can't help himself. Knowing that pains him, accepting it would probably kill him inside.

Nick, always the voice of keeping Blaine in line with rules, pointed out "That's why you should keep your distance, to protect him, what if the outside get wind of this? I know you've been playing it cool the past years but you still have the influence and power. He won't be able to survive another attack Blaine, it is lucky that he's still alive."

"But I promised him…" Blaine said in a soft voice, smiling at the memory but bracing himself with the inevitable lecture.

Nick's eyes grew comically wide "You promised him? What did you promised him Blaine?"

Blaine took a deep breath "Well…I promised him that he can stay till whenever." Nick nodded, that's not too bad he can work with that. "And then that I'll take care of him and he's always welcomed here." Nick nodded again, that's being a good host and he could easily find someone to take care of the boy when he's around. "And that…this can be his home for now and I would help find his father." Nick sighed and calmed himself trying not to go on a rant; what he did that's very Blaine. "You really like him don't you?"

Blaine nodded and ran a hand over his face "I do Nick, I'm sorry but I can't help it, not when he feels so right when though I don't exactly know why. I can't let him go, unless he wants to himself…or at least after we found his father so that I know he will be safe. He's the most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on in all my 500 years, I don't even know him yet, but I crave him already, why Nick? And he's lonely inside and I know he's still hurting somehow; I just have the feeling of need in keeping him safe and happy. I don't understand. I never felt something so strong in my instincts for someone else before, and I barely know him. This isn't me normally, you know it. And I must sound pathetic now." He grumbled the last part out, not used to not having control over anything.

Nick nodded, knowing exactly the reason and feeling "Very well then, I'll help find his father, but after that Blaine, I fear you do what you have to do. I'm sorry but I don't think you should put him in risk."

Blaine smiled a little and nodded "I'll keep my feelings to myself, I promise. Thank you, Nick."

"You're welcome. I know how that feels, I understand. Unfortunately he's a human, or else I'm sure you'll flirt and woo him alright." Nick joked, hoping to lift the mood a little, he's not going to tell Blaine anything yet, not until he was 100% sure first.

Blaine rolled his eyes "I can't wait for Jeff to be back from the Farrie realm, and then I get to point out how bad you two are together." He smirked "Hopefully I wouldn't need to complain about how you two go at it." He winked and glanced at the clock then straightened himself "I should go now, but thank you for your help." He turned to leave "Bye Nick."

"Bye Blaine and I know you love us." Nick shook his head with a smile, images of Jeff flooding his head, he missed his mate.

After Blaine left and the door closed with a click, Nick looked out the window with a faraway look in his eyes; he missed Jeff, very dearly. The empty feeling in his chest seems to only grow as the days passed by. He knew that Jeff has to go home once in a while; his parents are royalty and meaning that he would be next in line.

But still, even though it is very irrational he still worries for his mate. There's always the urge to be with him, to spend every living second with him, ensuring his safety and happiness is not compromised is always the primary thing. Whenever Jeff is gone it seems like Nick has lost his purpose, he tried to keep his mind off the emptiness by working, it works very well until he has nothing left to do.

Nick signed a little; normally he enjoys sulking and whining about it in front of Blaine, just to annoy him and for the sake of his own sanity. But with Blaine's newfound interest in Kurt, he doubted that it would be a good subject to bring up, guess he will have to deal with it himself.

He ran his hand over the navy blue mark on his shoulder, the shoulder that Jeff loves to rest his head on. The mark was just a pattern, like the energy and magic that Jeff channels as a fae, free, smooth and bright. The another thing that he absolutely love about Jeff and his mark is the fact that unlike most mated couples marks which are a fixed tattoo like one, their mark moves with their emotions and feelings. Knowing that a part Jeff always there with him always makes him happy.

Just as he was thinking about that the blue swirls made their way down to Nick's chest, he closed his eyes to feel each little moment of it, knowing that Jeff is doing this to comfort him. The next couple days are going to be tough.

Blaine left and made his way into Kurt's room again, silently so that he would not disturb the boy. He looked beautiful under the moonlight, a strand of his hazel hair covering part of his face. Blaine carefully moved the strand back to place and Kurt moved a little, a small smile on his lips, his dreams stopped haunting him a while ago. He felt a warm buzz and protection, in his dreams he felt strong arms around him, after many years of cold nights, he unexpectedly felt loved and cared for.

Little Kurt was helping his mother prepare dinner, by helping he means organizing the cups, dishes and cutlery over and over again, occasionally handing the equipment Elizabeth was trying to find with a wide grin. He liked spending time in the kitchen with his mom, not that he doesn't like his father but when he spent time with Burt he'll be taken outside to learn 'essential hunter skills' as his father likes to put it, making his hands and face all dirty.

He didn't realize that he must have his face scrunched up in confusion when he felt arms around him picking him up. "What is my little prince thinking about?" his mother's soft voice sounded against his ears when Kurt wrapped his arms around his mother's neck, head resting on her shoulder just like what he usually do when he gets picked up, his mother always smelled like spring and flowers.

"I shouldn't." Kurt pouted and hid his face into his mother's neck.

"You can tell me sweetie, I promise that I won't tell anyone about what's troubling you." She said and Kurt could hear the small chuckle evident in her voice, always soothing and light.

"Even father?" He asked softly

"Yes, even your father." She assured softly "Unless you did something awfully wrong, but I'm sure you wouldn't have. Now tell me my little prince, what were you thinking about that led to that face?"

Kurt pouted even more and cuddled closer to his mother's neck as he whined "Why does daddy have to teach me hunting? It's not nice. Why can't I stay home and help you forever?"

Elizabeth hummed softly and settled a still pouting Kurt on the kitchen counter and left the stew she was making to a gentle simmer "Because you're his son, a hunter leader's little boy. And we need fearless hunters to keep the village going which I'm sure you'll grow up to be. We also don't kill for fun; we respect the animals that help us survive. It's not always nice but it's the circle of life, everything's linked to one other, it's a fine balance between people and creature that you'll understand one day."

"What if I don't like it? Why can't boys do what you do? I don't like running around and getting my clothes, hands and feet dirty." Kurt has stopped pouting when he listened to his mother but thinking about this put another bigger pout on his face.

"My dear Kurt," Elizabeth cupped her son's face gently "Some things are written and can't be changed, there are expectations and roles that you'll have to live up to, one day you'll see how important it is for you to help your father with his work." She leaned down so that she is eye-level with her son "I'm not saying that you can't change your paths in the future, but right now it is important for you to understand that your father is doing we think is good for you and the community, at least what we think is best for now."

Kurt nodded a little his pout melting away, his mother always help him understand stuff even though a lot of things are still too complicated for his little 5 years old head. "Okay, I think I understand it a little more now. I'll try for you and daddy."

Elizabeth smiled softly and kissed Kurt's forehead "Then that's a good boy. We better set the table up before your father comes back."

With that Kurt smiled widely and jumped down to the sets he organized earlier, taking them to the table and setting down neatly while his mom took the bread out of the oven when Burt came through the door. The man greeted the two of them before pulling the both of them into an embrace as the scene started to fade slowly.

A/N: This was a little short, going to have a little more action next chapter, nothing too crazy yet! I hope you enjoyed it, thank you again for reading.