DISCLAIMER: I do not own Glee, nor am I associated with it or RIB. I don't own anything - there we go.

Don't Run Away

By: xSlythStratasfaction

Warning: Spoilers for Season 4 - an AU of 4x07 on. Basically a 'what if' Blaine transferred back to Dalton like he was planning instead of being talked out of it like Sam was able to do in the actual episode.

The second the plane touched down in Ohio, Kurt was ready to find Blaine.

Sure, he just had a hell of a week (or, if one was going to be accurate, a hell of the last few weeks in general), but really his mind had been on Blaine the whole time. During the last month alone, he felt like he's been floating in mid-air, like he was tethered to something, but filled up with enough air to cause him to feel just off. He'd kept in touch with Finn the last few weeks, trying his best to find out more about everything that has gone on, but to his dismay, not one soul had heard from Blaine since Sectionals - and even then, the boy seemed distant and cold.

And even worse, according to Sam, Blaine up and deactivated his Facebook as well as changed his phone number, so no one could get a hold of him. Perhaps that was for the best though, from what Finn said: some of the members of New Directions (especially the newbies) were pissed that Blaine left and ended up being one of the main reasons they lost.

Even Tina was livid at him and that was a shock to Kurt, having known the two of them to have become close over the last few months. But then again, it was Tina and she had been gung-ho about leading New Directions to victory since the class of 2012 walked out of McKinley High. So now Blaine was gone, cut off from his friends' lives, as well as completely out of the picture in Kurt's - it was like the last year or so never existed, like Blaine never transferred to McKinley and made friends, like whatever he contributed to New Directions' win last year was a farce.

And that's how Kurt knew that something was absolutely wrong.

It was like Blaine had completely given up.

::

"What happened when Blaine quit?"

Finn looked up from his bowl of cereal and yawned, staring sleepily at Kurt as the other boy grabbed a banana out of the fruit basket and began to slice it into his bowl of oatmeal. "I thought I told you on the phone," he grumbled, still trying to wake himself up enough to hold a normal conversation.

Kurt groaned, "You told me he transferred and that he felt like McKinley wasn't his home anymore, but that was about it. I need to know what else happened that day, Finn."

"Why? So you can go and fix it. I'm pretty sure he cheated on you and you guys broke up; hell, you couldn't even look at him the night of Grease! Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Something just isn't right with him. I could see it plain as day when Quinn was filming Sectionals. That wasn't Blaine up there… or at least not the Blaine I know- knew, I mean."

Finn poked at his cereal, "The Warblers stole our Nationals trophy-" Kurt gasped, "-and they left a video about one of us coming to get it back. Blaine decided to be the one to get it because, well you know, he's the only tie left to the Warblers and it was obvious that they were asking for him. I didn't even notice it, to be honest, but it was a really bad idea to let him go alone. But he- he just got up and left during rehearsal and I thought he was just going to go over there and get it back, but he didn't."

Kurt pushed his oatmeal to the side, feeling his stomach churn in anticipation of what else Finn had to say.

"When Blaine came back the next day, he acted like it hurt him to be there. He said McKinley wasn't his home and that the Warblers were like his family, that they welcomed him back with open arms. He even said he sang with him! And that's when I knew he was a lost cause. I tried to reason with him, but he said that the Warblers were his destiny and that was that. The next time I saw him, he was up onstage at Sectionals kicking our asses."

"I can't believe he'd go back to them after last year though," Kurt whispered, his stomach tight as he remembered the Warblers turning their backs on Blaine as he screamed in pain from the rock salt slushie. "They almost blinded him and they didn't even care. They didn't even stay to see if he was alright."

"Well, whatever they said to him last month made him go back."

Finn stood up and grabbed the box of cheerios, pouring himself another bowl as Kurt sat there deep in thought. For several minutes, the boys sat in silence, the only sounds were the noises their utensils made as they scraped their bowls - Kurt just pushing his food around and Finn shoveling his into his mouth.

By the time Finn was about to pour his third bowl of cereal, another person joined them in the kitchen, grabbing the cheerios box from Finn, erupting a shout from him.

"Dude, give that back!"

"I haven't even eaten yet and from the sounds of it, this box is almost empty. I call dibs on the last bowl," Sam grumbled, shoving Finn's outstretched arm away as he dumped the rest of the cereal into a bowl and tossed the box into the trash. "Morning Kurt."

"Morning."

"Did I miss something? What're we talking about?"

Kurt waited until Sam sat down at the table before he rounded on him, "Did Blaine ever look different to you before he transferred? Like upset or anything?"

"Well, yeah," Sam mumbled around a mouth full of cereal. "After you two broke up, he was a mess, I guess. He just wandered around like a zombie and the only time he smiled was when something really crazy happened. Any other time he just looked tired."

"Break-ups will do that to a person," Finn muttered; he was about to say something else when Sam talked over him.

"Yeah, but Blaine was like that before the break-up-"

Kurt popped up in a second, sitting up straight in his chair as he stared cautiously at Sam. "What do you mean?"

"Well, after you left for New York, he got quieter. Sure, he talked and stuff, but he didn't seem as Blaine-y as usual, if you know what I mean. He just seemed… lost."

Kurt frowned deeply and crossed his arms over his chest. "I know he was upset that I left, but he never seemed that sad when we talked on Skype."

"Probably cause he was more excited to see you," Sam added. "I know that he was a little sad over the fact that you couldn't throw your inaugural ball for his presidential win like you planned but-"

"Wait… what?"

"What what?"

"Backtrack for a second… inaugural ball?"

Sam raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing slightly out of confusion, "Yeah. The night we won the election, Blaine told Artie that you were planning a party for him to celebrate his win. Then when Artie asked about it a few weeks later, he said you had to cancel it because you were busy with work."

Kurt blanched. He remembered the night Blaine won the senior class presidency. He remembered canoodling with Isabelle and their co-workers and how Blaine just kept on calling him. He remembered ignoring the call and then forgetting to return it later on, finding out the very next morning via text that Blaine had won.

I won. You're looking at McKinley High's senior class president. Yay!

He remembered calling Blaine up and yelling 'Congratulations' in his ear when the boy finally picked up the phone; he also remembered the way Blaine's voice sounded - tired and gravelly, like he had otherwise spent all night cheering in celebration.

That or crying.

Oh god. He was crying.

Kurt had never planned a celebration party for him. In fact, they never really spoke of the matter anymore. Kurt had said his congrats and Blaine had taken them and that was that. The rest of their conversation tilted towards the little party Kurt had with Isabelle and the other workers of Vogue and not once had an inaugural ball come up.

And now Kurt felt horrible, absolutely horrible.

He shoved his bowl of barely eaten food away, standing up from the table as quickly as he could. It felt like his stomach was about to claw its way out of his body via his throat and he ran down the hall, collapsing to the floor in a heap as he threw up in the toilet. Behind him, he could hear Finn and Sam's footsteps and as soon as he was done expelling the contents of his stomach, a cup of cold water was handed to him.

"Swish and spit. Then you should drink a little. You look paler than usual," Finn said gently, watching carefully as Kurt did as he was told. He waited a few moments before he spoke again, "There wasn't a plan to celebrate Blaine's win was there?"

"How did you know?" Kurt croaked, sipping more of his water.

"We just guessed," Sam began. "You got really quiet and white as a sheet and it just reminded me of the day Blaine left and how he looked before he went back to Dalton. He told me that you wouldn't listen to him. Not that you didn't have every right to… you know, but he said that he broke your trust and that you were done with him and that was that. And then right before he left, he just stared at his locker for a little bit, closed it, and walked away."

"He did the same thing the night of Grease also. I mean, he did what you're doing now."

Kurt looked up at Finn, "You mean like throwing up?"

"Yeah. We- Artie found a review about our show online and he wanted to read it to everyone before they went out to eat in celebration… but nobody could find Blaine, so I went to look for him. He was- he was in the bathroom, throwing up like you were just now, except… it wasn't pretty, Kurt. It was obvious he had been crying, but once I found him, he just rinsed, wiped his mouth off, and walked away. He didn't even say anything. He just left."

Sam nodded in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest. "I think he did that, like, the very last day he was there. We had a meeting for our superheroes club and he got a text on his phone-"

"The private superhero one?"

"God, Finn, no, his actual phone! Anyway, whatever the text said, he just shut his phone off, ended the meeting, and then left. Next thing I know, I see him coming out of the bathroom and he's shaking and when I asked if he was alright, he just nodded and went on. I don't know what happened, but I think he got sick then too."

Kurt tugged his legs up towards his chest and rested his chin on his knees, his blue eyes clouded over in thought. "That was probably the day I messaged him. He just kept on calling and apologizing and it made me so angry. I got really mad a-and I texted him. I told him to stop contacting me, that I was done with him." He sighed shakily, "I was just so angry."

"You have every right to be. He cheated, Kurt. But, you've gotta understand that he felt... feels terrible about what happened. I know Sam understands it too; sometimes your head's not screwed on right and stupid things happen and you can't take it back, but then all you can do is apologize and hope the person you hurt can accept that. Blaine knew... knows he fucked up. He just wanted you to know how sorry he was."

"I know."

"He may have gone back to Dalton, but you could probably still talk to him."

"I know."

"So are you going to?"

"I have to. I can't- I need to." Kurt lifted himself off of the bathroom floor and righted himself in front of the sink, taking a quick glance in the mirror. He looked like shit. "I just hope he's not too far gone that he won't listen to me."

"Believe me, Kurt," Sam chimed in from his place in the doorway; Finn stepped back and slid past him to go back downstairs. "He'll listen. I promise. Blaine will always make time for you."

And then he left, leaving Kurt all by himself in the quiet, chilly bathroom. He stared at his reflection again and shivered, mostly from the cold, but also because Sam's last comment hurt.

Because Sam was right. Blaine had always made time for him… but Kurt hadn't always made time for Blaine.

::

Two hours.

A very, long intense two hours in his car making a trip he had once been so used to making and now Kurt was in Westerville, scared to death over what was about to happen. He was walking alone through the halls, his eyes taking in the over-the-top Christmas décor and the ridiculously shiny marbled floors. Long ago, he thought of this place to be like a castle, the perfect place to be when things had gotten rough in his life. But now, walking through the silent halls that slighty reeked cinnamon, pine scented cleaner, and bleach, everything felt suffocating.

To be honest, Dalton Academy was just as terrifying now as it was the very first time Kurt found himself walking through the pristine decorated halls over two years ago. Back then, he was a new student about to start a crazy journey he never imagined he'd ever have the opportunity to do. He never imagined to find love here, but he did. He found love and acceptance and when he left Dalton, things were different. He was different… and now, everything was different.

Hands tucked into his pockets, he made his way through the familiar hallway and found himself staring down the curved staircase, his heart racing in his chest as his mind flashbacked to the day he stopped a dark haired guy at the bottom of the steps and fell in love.

God, it had been so long ago.

Sighing, he went down the stairs and stepped through the threshold, walking down the hall, his hands clenched into fists as he slowly made his way towards the Warblers' rehearsal hall. From where he was standing, he could hear the perfect harmonization of the all male choir as they practiced yet another show stopping number (a Christmas song this time) and his heart constricted tightly in his chest when Blaine's voice soared over everyone else's.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
No, I just wanna see my baby
Standing right outside my door

Kurt wrapped his arms around his waist and shuddered, feeling the usual chills he commonly got when Blaine sang like that. He could hear the raw power of his ex-boyfriend's voice as the Warblers' voices swelled around him; they were nearing the end and even though he had gotten there right as everything was dying out, he could tell how emotionally charged the song was, especially with the way Blaine was singing.

"He's amazing, isn't he?" A voice interrupted, shocking Kurt from his thoughts. He jumped backwards and turned on his heel, eyes narrowing immediately at the person who had the audacity to just stand there and stare at him.

"Who are you?"

"Ahh," the boy smirked. "I see someone wasn't paying attention during our Sectionals performance. I'm Hunter Clarington, the new captain of the Warblers. And you must be…"

"My name is none of your business-"

"Kurt Hummel." Hunter's smirk grew larger as he looked Kurt up and down. "Honestly, Kurt, you act as if I've never heard of you before. Of course I'd remember the boy who stole our top performer from us."

"I didn't steal anything from you. Blaine transferred on his own."

"I'm sure he did… after you badgered him into leaving. I don't think I've ever met a person more eager to jump ship than Blaine was the day I asked him to come back to Dalton. You would've thought he left Dalton against his will."

Kurt glared. As much as he wanted to argue with this new guy, he just wasn't feeling it, especially when the last notes of the song were ringing around him.

You know that all I want for Christmas
Is you...

"I really don't have time for this."

"Oh, but I think you do," Hunter mocked as he stepped in front of Kurt and threw open the doors to the choir room. The Warblers immediately halted and looked up, their formations breaking as a few of the upperclassmen Warblers spotted Kurt standing behind Hunter. That's when Kurt spotted him: Blaine was standing there in the middle of the lineup, his eyes as cold as a winter day. He didn't look surprised or even excited to see Kurt. If anything, he looked gone... far gone.

A knot formed into Kurt's throat at the sight.

What had happened to him? Where had his Blaine gone?

As his thoughts raced, Hunter took the opportunity to step inside, one arm locked on Kurt's elbow as he led the two of them into the rehearsal hall. "Well, Warblers... we have quite the surprise in store for us. Gentlemen, for those of you who don't know this fellow here, you're in for a treat. It's my pleasure to introduce none other than Warbler alum Kurt Hummel."

A handful of collective gasps erupted through the group, as if Kurt's presence was something sacred or something to be feared. His stomach flopped as he stared around the room and caught the eyes of several boys - their gazes judgmental or confused. Next to him, Hunter just smiled.

"Welcome back to Dalton, Kurt. Warblers, practice is over. Perhaps we should leave Mr. Hummel alone." Around the room, the boys gathered up their things and slowly began to trickle out of the room, all except for three: Blaine, Hunter, and Sebastian. Kurt couldn't catch Blaine's eye to save his life, but he was able to take a look at Sebastian and he really didn't like what he was seeing. Sebastian looked livid with him, his green eyes mere slits as he glowered; he watched Kurt for a little while longer before he turned to Blaine.

"Come on, killer. Let's go grab something to eat."

Blaine just stood there, head lowered as he stared at his loafers, "Not hungry."

"Well you're certainly not staying here with him. Come on," Sebastian's hand darted out and caught Blaine's, causing a soft gasp to erupt from Kurt's throat at the contact. No matter how long he and Blaine were separated and no matter how angry he was at his ex, he just couldn't shake the awful feeling that filled his heart at the sight of Sebastian offering some sort of physical comfort to Blaine.

"No," he interrupted. "Blaine, I need to talk to you."

Blaine continued to stare at the floor, his hand still tucked in Sebastian's, but the grip was loosening fast. Hunter stood on the sidelines, leering angrily as he watched the turmoil unfold.

"Blaine, please."

"He doesn't need to talk to you."

"Stay out of this, Sebastian!"

"Kurt, don't." Kurt's heart exploded in radical beats at the sound of Blaine's voice. It was quiet and meek, nothing like the powerful crooning voice he heard earlier as he listened out in the hall. "Please don't," Blaine pleaded, his eyes finally coming up to look at Kurt. The emotion behind them was raw and Kurt stopped breathing; it was the first time since forever that he had seen a reaction in his ex whatsoever.

"Please, Blaine... can we talk?"

But Blaine didn't stay. His hand fell loose from Sebastian's and he marched right past Kurt and Hunter, his body barely brushing Kurt's as he plowed through the doorway and out into the hall. To his right, Kurt could hear Hunter make a snide remark, but it fell on deaf ears.

He turned on his heel and quickly dashed out of the room, his eyes darting around the hall for Blaine. When he spotted him heading towards the stairwell, he took off running, his voice yelling, calling out for Blaine to the other boy as he went around the corner.

"Blaine! Blaine, wait! Please?"

He ran into the stairwell and gasped when he collided with a prone figure. Blaine had stopped near the bottom of the staircase and he was looking up at the stairs, hazel eyes dark and unreadable.

"Blaine?"

"...why are you here?"

"I needed to talk to you. I just-"

"Do you remember when we met?"

Kurt felt wetness on his cheeks and knew he was fighting a losing battle with his emotions. There was Blaine standing in front of him, looking as handsome as ever, but there was just something wrong with him. He looked so much like the boy Kurt had fallen in love with two years ago, but he also looked so much different. Sniffling, Kurt nodded, answering Blaine's question with a soft whisper, "Of course I do."

Blaine didn't say anything else. He just stared at the staircase.

"Blaine? I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what I said to you after Grease. I'm sorry for that text I sent you and I'm sorry I wasn't there more. I-"

"Goodbye."

It was like his heart stopped, like the world fell out from beneath his feet. Kurt's eyes widened when he heard the word slip out from beyond Blaine's lips; it was a forbidden word to them. They never said it. Hell, even when Kurt texted Blaine to leave him alone, not once had he used the word, but there was Blaine, beautiful, damaged, lost, messed up Blaine... saying to him like it was nothing.

"Blaine, no-"

Blaine turned around, his face like stone. He barely kept eye contact as he stepped forward, his gaze focused on Kurt's lips. "Goodbye, Kurt. I'm sorry."

And then he was gone, sidestepping Kurt to head back the hallway from which he came and as soon as he disappeared around the corner, Kurt collapsed to the floor, his chest heaving with awful, gut wrenching sobs as the pain of the last few months came slamming into him like a freight train.

It was over. It was really, really over.

A/N: The response to the first chapter was amazing, guys! I really hope this chapter didn't disappoint. Please let me know what you thought! Also, the version of AIWFC that Blaine's singing is the version by Michael Buble! Check it out!