This chapter is almost embarrassingly short and incredibly late but it was difficult to write. Inspiration sort of just drained out of me, so apologies lovely readers. I decided it was better to try and get something finished rather than strain the words to make it longer. I never intended this to be a chapter story, but I started with the last line and it just grew from there. I really appreciate all you people who read and/or review, it makes my day. So, without further adieu: the final chapter of Memories and Hospital Beds. Enjoy. Xx
He watched Blaine for the next few days, looking so uncomfortable in his own home, looking around as if even the cracks in the walls were unfamiliar and new. Kurt had hidden the photo albums and frames in the linen cupboard... he didn't need any more pain to remind him that his Blaine was gone, maybe forever. He had tried at first, showing Blaine photos of them together, telling his stories about how they first met, when they moved in together, but it just made Blaine uncomfortable. So Kurt took some time off work and stepped back to being a helpful 'friend', taking him to follow up doctors' appointments and making sure he ate well.
Their days passed in a mix of routine and melancholy; sleep, food, awkward conversation, food, doctors appointment, food, more awkward conversation and finally. Sleep. Yet even that didn't provide any comfort to Kurt. He put on a smile for Blaine, but his insides were knotted, his days long and his nights immeasurable. He broke down in public restrooms and late at night, curled up on the couch, when he was sure Blaine was asleep in their bed upstairs. He was so close to him, but he had never felt so distanced from him and each day they took a step away from one another. Away from the people they used to be. This wasn't Blaine; not really, this was the16 year old Blaine who still preferred to shellac his hair in the morning and was still traumatised by his high school bullies and every day he changed a little more past Kurt's recognition.
Kurt was afraid that one day... he would be unrecognisable, that time was being rewritten and that soon his Blaine would be gone forever.
Late at night his negativity churned and flowed unbrokenly out of him. A fresh cup of tea lay untouched on the floor beside the couch and his cheeks were wet.
Unknowingly, above his head, Blaine also lay awake, staring at ornately framed photo of himself and the important person, the one he couldn't remember. They were casually slung over each other, hands clasped in a dancing pose; their mouths were slightly open in frozen laughter, happiness shaping their faces. He had no idea how so much love could be conveyed through one look.
An intake of breath pierced the silence.
As Kurt lay in a pair of Blaine's old sweatpants that stopped smelling of him a long time ago, he pondered the spider webbed ceiling he had yet to clean. He was reminded when this all started. What both, gave him his freedom and in turn, encompassed him in a steel cage.
Students hurried around him and Kurt's heart beat increased, what was he doing here...
The causal bumps and push of the students vaguely reminded him of his most recent shove against the cold metal of the lockers and his bruised shoulder twinged in response. He was once again out of place, as per usual, but he decided to get this over with and with his best smile firmly in place he reached out to the next boy he passed him on the stairs.
"Um, excuse me, hi, c-can I ask you a question? I'm new here.
"'I'm Blaine"
He was brought out of his daydream by the slow pad of footsteps and Blaine's face appearing from the hallway, stepping out of the darkness and into the faded light of the lamp.
There was something different, a confidence of stature, a light in his eyes. A warmth that rushed and flowed as their eyes met and an ache that eased as if time had slipped into nothingness, leaving the world precisely where it lay, three months previously...
No..."Blaine?"
A smile Kurt hadn't seen in weeks, a smile specifically reserved for him tainted by a mix of confusion and revelation spread to Blaine's face. His hand reached out and cupped Kurt's face, searching his eyes for the memories and...
"K-Kurt?"