Hi guys, so here we go, changing things up a little to break down some boundaries between our boys. Hope you enjoy it. Also going back to Kurt's P.O.V with Blaine's flashbacks and journal letting you know what's going on with him. Please review.

Yes, I know it's rushed. I am moving ion two days! Ahh! Why did I not learn Italian. This is procrastination writing.

The day could not get better and in that way it could not get worse. Blaine was smiling at him from over his plate of pasta. He was smiling a lot this weekend and although it was definitely a good thing it was a little distracting. Blaine smiling was beautiful, he couldn't even use the masculine and say handsome because you don't see a painting by a fifteenth century Florentine artist that take's your breath away and makes you want to return over and over to just stare Handsome, you call it beautiful. And that was what Blaine's smile was, don't take your eyes off of it, can't breath, beauty. Kurt barely managed to keep up a normal conversation with him. He was lucky enough that he was too distracted to say anything funny enough to make Blaine laugh. Because the couple of time Kurt had seen Blaine laugh he had given a wide smile, closed his eyes and looked down. It was shy and short but that closing of hie eyes showed thick lashes across his cheeks, the curls falling over them and the wonderful little dimple that Kurt wanted to just kiss... No he did not think that. He pulled himself back up and ate a bit of his chicken.

"So..?" Blaine asked.

Kurt stared at him for a moment, he thought carefully over what Blaine had just been saying. He had been half listening. Something about having met Mr. Shue the week before."

"Um.. sorry, can you repeat that."

"Mr. Shue wants me to help out in glee club next week because the usual pianist is off sick."

"Oh!" Kurt said. He must have really lost track because he thought that Blaine had been talking about one of the guys at the garage. "Yeah, I guess."

"If you're not sure then I can say no and I still have to cover it with your Dad.. I mean I am meant to be working."

"I'm sure he'll say yes. Actually that would be great." Kurt said suddenly imagining Blaine talking and laughing with his friends in Glee club. It would be great if he could join him on some of his outings with his school friends, he always felt guilty when he went out for a night with Mercedes and he knew Blaine was sat at home. The problem was that he hadn't mentioned much about Blaine. He had complained in a way that now made him wince about having had a slave sent to him. He had mentioned the boy in passing so many times that the girls had started questioning him but they talked about Blaine the slave not Blaine the person. Somehow in not mentioning him because of the confusing situation he had ended up portraying Blaine badly and separating his best friend from the rest of his friends. He obviously needed to do some repair work on that one.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Kurt managed a little more enthusiastically. "I would love you to meet Mercedes."

"Would Rachel be okay with me being there?"

"Rachel?"

"She always avoids me when she's at the house, I mean she's never in the same room as me for very long and she keeps her eyes adverted."

"Oh. I hadn't realized." Kurt tried to think about when he'd seen Blaine and Rachel together but in truth Rachel didn't come over that often. Her and Finn preferred her house as her Dad's had a lot of evening commitments and they could get time alone. "She might not know how to react. I'll tell them all that you're my best friend and to not be themselves around , I want to sing a duet with you and I have the Perfect choice."

Blaine did that delightful laughing thing, his eyes always shined a little bit more when he opened them again after a laugh.

"Not themselves?"

"Well the minute I say you're my friend they'll jump all over you with lots of inappropriate questions."

"You'd really do that?"

"Do what?"

"Tell you're friends that you're friends with a slave?"

"Of course I would. Look Blaine, the guys at the glee club they don't judge. We'll they do actually, but we've stayed friends through thick and thin. Through Quinn's pregnancy and Puck and Finn's argument, through me coming out and Santana coming out and Brittany half coming out.. what I'm saying is, we accept each other as the social outcasts we are. They won't have a problem with you. Glee club is a haven from the rest of the world and I'm sorry I've not introduced you earlier I just wanted you to be comfortable and confident when you met them. "

Yes, that was technically a lie, Kurt hadn't put much consideration into introducing Blaine to the rest of his friends but that could easily be because Blaine had been so painfully shy and it had been hard enough for him to start talking to the guys at the garage so he couldn't have thrown more social situations at him right away.

Blaine smiled slightly then looked awkward and bent down.

"I wasn't thinking about meeting them. Are you sure they won't.. you know.. report me."

"One they're not like that. Two, what would they report you for?"

Blaine leaned over and lowered his voice so that nobody around them would be able to hear.

"One Kurt sometimes people keep they're prejudices and thoughts on these matter close to their chest. I mean, all the stuff we used to be taught in history classes just those little comments about the prison system taking those who they judged to be in-reformable and sending them to be trained as slaves. The little comments in biology about the 'slave gene' not having been found yet. People are taught to believe that slaves are criminals and genetically faulty. What about the safety tips about how to be around slaves because they are morally corrupt. Kurt, people are taught this from birth. They might think you need protecting form me or something."

"No, Blaine. I'll make sure they don't." Kurt reached out to hold his hand. "I'm going to protect you no matter what."

Blaine blushed and pulled away a little. "I just wished you didn't have to."

Kurt was about to reply but his phone started ringing.

He shot an apologetic look to Blaine and reached for his phone. The screen said Carol, he flipped it open.

"Hi Carol."

"Kurt."

Kurt froze, there was something wrong with her voice, it sounded nasally like she had been crying. He almost immediately knew what was wrong but he couldn't talk at all.

"Kurt, you need to come home."

"Dad?" Kurt breathed.

"He's in hospital. It's .. it's his heart again Kurt. "

"Is he.. is he.." Kurt couldn't think of anything to say.

"He was awake, he's just sleeping now because he's exhausted. He's not in danger of going into a coma again the doctors say it was a minor heart attack, a warning he needs to slow down a little bit."

Kurt found himself nodding even though she couldn't see. It felt like his stomach had dropped out.

He realized that Blaine was grasping his hand and staring at him with worry in his eyes.

"I'm on my way." Kurt said quickly hanging up the phone. He took a moment to try and breath, to try and get air into his chest because it hurt so much he could be drowning.

"Kurt?"

"It's his heart." Kurt said.

"I'll drive." Blaine said.

He took control putting cash on the table and pulling Kurt up. They were on the highway before Kurt looked up and found that Blaine was glancing at him, checking he was okay. He didn't have the strength to smile back but he did feel thankful. He knew he didn't have to do anything except sit there because Blaine had taken control so he didn't have to.

Two hours later they were pulling up to the hospital. Kurt had not had to say a single word. When he found a few tears sliding down his cheek Blaine had turned the radio on and gently put his hand on his knee.

"Just a moment." Blaine said hoping out of the car, he paid for a parking ticket and then opened the door for Kurt.

"Come on."Blaine said.

Kurt followed him into the hospital. He knew the way well, he remembered it from the year previous when his father had been in a coma. And years ago when his mother had been going through chemo. The last few weeks his mother had lived their. That was wrong actually, she had been dying there. She had not wanted to go home. She hadn't wanted Kurt to see her at the worst points and later as Kurt grew older he grew to understand she had only been able to put a brave face on for those thirty minutes when they curled up together reading stories and singing songs.

Blaine went straight to the receptionist Kurt stood waiting.

"He's down that corridor, room 247," Blaine shouted over his shoulder. Kurt snapped out of his daze and was gone in a moment. His Dad needed him. And he needed his Daddy.

He rushed down the hallway checking the numbers above the door. 244, 245, 246, 247!

He opened the door eyes immediately moving to the bed. Carol blocked the view of his Dad. Her cheeks were a little red and shiny and her eyes a little puffy but she'd obviously stop crying a long time ago. She smiled at him and turned to her husband behind her to say something. Kurt rushed forwards the second he saw his father. His eyes were open, he had a needle ion his arm and a machine next to him giving out a steady beat. But unlike the time before he looked like his father, he was a little grey skinned and looked very tired and he swore he had aged ten to fifteen years but he wasn't left feeling empty or terrified when he saw him.

"Dad." He was at his side reaching for his hand in a moment.

"I'll leave you too alone." Carol said standing up and briefly kissing her husband's cheek.

"Dad, how are you feeling." Kurt said sitting down on the chair vacated by Carol.

"Kurt. I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"Putting you through this again."

"Dad I'm just worried about you, that's my job."Kurt tried to make a little joke but it didn't really work.

"I'll quit the garage, I'll get Danny to manage it then if Finn wants it."

"Dad Washington."

"No Kurt, I've just bitten off two much at once. I'll back away from the garage and take a holiday, loose a little more weight. I'll still be bale to keep up."

Kurt sighed.

"I just never want to see you in here again Dad." Kurt just stay squeezing his hand. "You're tired. Stop worrying and just rest, we'll figure things out later."

"Yeah." His Dad took a long breath and shut his eyes for a moment. Kurt waited to see if he was going to go to sleep but his eyes opened again.

"Hey, how was your weekend with Blaine?"

"It was good. We had a lot of fun Dad." Kurt looked around he needed to do something to help "What do you need?"

"I need you to be there for Carol." Burt said seriously.

"I will." Kurt said equally serious. "But can I bring you anything? Grapes? A decent pair of pajamas?"

"Are you seriously judging my outfit right now?" Burt said with a chuckle.

"Yes. I guess I am."

"Pajamas's would be good, and some tunes as I know you're going to anyways."

"Tunes and something hospital cool. Got it." Kurt said keeping hold of his hand. He didn't want to leave but he'd asked what his Dad needed so he should go pick it up. He waited till he was sure his father was definitely asleep before he gently placed his hand on the blanket and walked out the door.

He gave a little smile to Carol to let her know things were okay. He opened his arms for her and she walked up to him to give him a motherly hug. She was great for his father and he had felt close to her since the wedding the previous year, they were a family an unconventional one but a family none the less and they loved each other in their way.

"I have to pick up some things for him. Will you stay with him?"Carol nodded."Of course I will Hunny."

"Do you need anything?"Carol shook her head.

"Finn?" Kurt asked to his step brother who was hoovering in the background.

"I'm okay."

Kurt nodded he walked slowly out into the waiting room, each step feeling wrong as his stomach twinged with how wrong it was to be leaving. Blaine was in the waiting room. Kurt hadn't been thinking of the boy at all in the last half an hour and he had left him alone in an unfamiliar place but Blaine still stood up and wordlessly hugged him. It felt good, it felt safe.

"How is he?" Blaine asked softly.

"He looks small, and pale, and I know he was trying to put a brave face on it for me but he was scarred."

Blaine nodded.

"He'll pull through Kurt. Everything's going to be okay."

Kurt nodded and found himself gravitating towards Blaine a while he just let himself be held in the familiar arms drawing comfort from it. When Kurt was ready to pull away again he felt a little stronger.

"I went to the shop. I picked up some sandwiches for Carol and Finn and a motor magazine for you Dad, I wasn't sure if he'd be up for eating but I've got some juices."

Kurt sighed. "Thank you, I've got to go pick up some stuff for my Dad."

"Do you want me to drive?"

"No, I'm fine now. I just.. can you stay with Carol and Finn. I kind of feel better about leaving if you're here."

Blaine nodded.

"Do you need anything?"

"I'm just going to get my guitar and journal out of your car, if that's okay?"

"Yeah."

Home didn't feel like home. It had never felt so empty. Kurt sighed and walked dot his room to pick up his satchel to fill with stuff. He went to his Dad's and Carol's room. He first reached for the photo's on the bedside table, his dad was going to be in for a while and he wanted him to have things around to remind him of his family if they couldn't always be there. He picked the photo of them all together at Burt and Carols wedding, then the picture of him and Kurt's mother in their early twenties stood together laughing. He felt Blaine should have a mention so he went to his own room and picked out one of the (many) copies of picture he had of him and Blaine taken in the photo booth. Back in his parent's room he picked out pajamas that probably hadn't been worn since the last time he had been in hospital. Eager to get back to the hospital as quickly as possible he ran through the front room grabbing another picture of Carol and into the kitchen where he raided the cupboards for fruit. He was out the house eight minutes after entering.

When Kurt got back to his Dad's hospital room only Carol was there sat besides his sleeping father.

"Blaine took Finn to the canteen. You know how he is with these things." Carol whispered.

Kurt nodded he reached for his step mothers hand.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"It's okay. You needed time away."

Kurt pulled a chair from the corner and sat next to her.

"Are you okay hunny?" She asked in the tenderly mothering way Kurt had no defenses against.

"Yeah, I'm just worried about what will happen next year. I mean if I go away for college then what happens to Dad if he get's ill. What happens to Blaine?"

"I'll look after your Dad. Kurt I know you feel responsible for us all but we'll look after each other even from afar. And you have to go to college, it's what you want and it'll hurt your Dad if you don't follow your heart. As for Blaine you know he'll be safe with us but I get the feeling that there's another reason you don't want to leave him?"

Kurt sighed.

"It's complicated."

"There are a thousand reasons for a relationship not to work and only one reason why it would."

"We're just friends." Kurt said but even to him it sounded weak.

"Kurt, do you really think that Blaine is too damaged to ever have a romantic relationship."

"What! No, no of course I don't."

"So why do you think he wouldn't want that relationship to be with you?"

Kurt sighed.

"Because.. because.. "

Carols smirking annoyed him a little. "There is a reason!" He snapped his Dad stirred slightly and Kurt winced at his own raised voice.

"Look, I'm trying to figure out my feelings." He whispered

"Just as long as you're not trying to ignore them."

Kurt sighed,.

"Alright look, I think Blaine is perfectly able to have a romantic relationship, but I think it would have to be one that's based upon a strong foundation of trust."

"He trust's you more than anything Kurt."

"And I'm going to work on that by not betraying that trust in anyway."

"Aren't you just talking yourself in circles?"

"Yes." Kurt huffed. "I need to get some coffee." He said it just as a reason to leave but the instant the words had left his mouth he knew he really could use a cup. "Can I get you one?"

"Yes thank you and Kurt, if you ever need somebody to talk to.."

"Thanks, but I think I need to work it out on my own."

Kurt got a little turned around on the way to the canteen. It turned out he didn't remember the place as much as he thought, that and the fact that he's head was so confused with worry for his Dad and his situation with Blaine.

It didn't help that when he did find the canteen the first thing he saw was his brother and his best friend (who he had a major crush on) sat together drinking coffee. He found himself ducking out before they could spot him. He got himself a substandard coffee from the machine in the hallway and went to sit in the prayer room for a little peace and quiet. He just wished he could forget everything.

Four hours later Kurt had managed to convince Carol and Finn to go home. Kurt sat quietly by his dad as Blaine sat on the sofa at the back of the room writing in his journal.

"Go get some sleep." Blaine said looking up at him.

"No, I'm okay."

"He's fine Kurt, I'll call you if anything changes. You know he wouldn't want you to be tired."

Burt opened his eyes and spoke.

"Go get some sleep Kurt. Blaine you should too."

"Dad can you not give some sort of clue when you're awake, we could be having a private conversation."

"Stop having private conversations when there's a sick person sleeping in the room."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Kurt," Burt said his voice turning into a warning.

"Okay." He said, he'd never once won an argument when his Dad had used that voice.

"With all respect sir I'll be fine till morning." Blaine answered.

Burt didn't argue and Kurt gave a bit of a sigh. At least with Blaine here he knew that if his Dad did take a turn for a worse then Blaine would call him.

Kurt bent down to kiss his fathers forehead.

"I'll be back in a few hours."

He smiled at Blaine to thank him.

Kurt literally punched his pillow, literally. He'd never punched anything in his life. He didn't have violent impulses. He was tired but he couldn't sleep. There was just no chance of it. Giving up he got up and went to make himself a sandwich. He ate it curled up on the sofa watching recorded episodes of America's next top model. After two hours he felt a little more relaxed but knew there was no way he would be able to sleep.

The only thing to do was to drive back to the hospital. However pissed off his Dad would be at him not taking care of himself. He'd tried. He grabbed a pillow and a blanket so that Blaine could get some sleep if he didn't want to drive home (in Kurt's car) and got in his car.

When he got to the hospital again Burt was asleep and Blaine was sat on the sofa softly playing the guitar and singing.

"What is that?"

Blaine looked up.

"Just something I wrote about your Dad."

"You wrote a song." Kurt sat down. "I'd love to hear it."

Blaine looked nervous but he gave a little nod and started playing softly.

"You didn't say there'd be no pain

Instead you made me strong.

You didn't say I'd have a voice

but you gave me a song

You didn't promise safety

But you made sure that I lived

I know that there's a reason

That I found you when I did.

Take another breath although

I cannot spot the air

Take that first step even though

I can't make out the stairs

Faith is being sure of thing's that others cannot see.

I believe in you because you believe in me.

Rather walk on water than

skate upon thin ice

Learning what is gained

From selfless sacrifice

Stepping off a cliff

Beneath my feet is sky

But if you cannot catch me

You'll teach me how to fly

I know the moon will pull the tide behind it every night.

I know there's electricity because I spy the light.

Faith is being sure of thing's that others cannot see.

I believe in you because you believe in me.

The fairytale is different

From what I used to dream

The castle's not a castle

Love's never what it seems.

Don't need a happy ending

Just a second start

Won't listen with my mind

Because I'm leading with my heart.

Even when it doesn't shine

I know there will be sun

Can't predict the future

But I know it's going to come,

Faith is being sure of thing's that others cannot see.

I believe in you because you believe in me."

Kurt had tears running down his face. He felt like he'd just been given the privileged of seeing into somebodies heart, and it was pretty and delicate and soft and full of hope, sincerity and love. he silently stood up and shaking reached for Blaine. "Thank you."

"It's for you too Kurt. I wish I could follow some of the lyrics though." He said rather sadly putting the guitar down.

"What do you mean?"

"That was nice Blaine, but I'm not dead yet." Burt's voice came out.

Blaine blushed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like that, I didn't mean for you to even hear it."

Come here." Burt was trying to sit up. Blaine went to help him. "The thing I don't think you realize is that I'm grateful for you too. I'm grateful Kurt has somebody to sit with him."

Blaine gave a little none believing smile.

"Dad, you've hardly slept at all." Kurt said looking at him.

Burt reached out for the button that gave him a dose of painkiller.

"It's just my leg, you know how it bothers me. Now, go lie down on that sofa, both of you because I'm not getting any shut eye till you do."

Kurt looked at Blaine, he felt too tired for it to be awkward. Blaine put his guitar down and Kurt threw the pillow he only just realized he was still clutching at him. Blaine moved as far back into the cushions as he could so that there was room for Kurt. It was a tight squeeze even on the wide cushions but Blaine's arms wrapped around him so he knew he wouldn't fall. He looked up at his dad before closing his eyes and saw him give a sad smile. He closed his eyes. It was okay to sleep, his Dad was only a few meters away and Blaine was right behind him. He could feel his heartbeat against his chest and he knew that if anything happened Blaine was there to help. For some reason that made him feel much better.

The walls were closing in again. The Hummel's kitchen was growing darker and smaller. That smell of vomit and blood and bleach was filling his nose again. He could here the screaming. No, not here not now he was doing so well at being normal. His master didn't seem attracted to him but he kept his head down and did his work and he hadn't been punished yet. Perhaps if he could just keep small enough and quiet enough he'd become like a piece of the furniture, ignorable. He kept his eating to a minimum so they wouldn't think he was costing them too much. The room was spinning he found himself sit down on the cool floor. It was no longer the tiles but concrete.

"Hey, kid, are you alright?"

Blaine opened his eyes and saw Burt Hummel in front of him. He panicked, he was meant to be working. And if he sat here on the floor then they might think he was getting ill and nobody wanted an unhealthy slave. Blaine tried to stand up but the room spun around him and he found himself falling heavily against the counter.

"Wow, wow, it's okay I' got you."

Blaine felt hands on his elbow then he was being guided slowly back to the floor.

"I am sorry sir." Blaine said shivering as he thought about the various options about what might come next.

"It's okay Blaine, do you need a doctor?"

"No sir."

"How are the cuts on your back?"

Blaine stopped to think for a second, he wasn't sure the appropriate answer. Burt had obviously gone to a lot of trouble in making sure he got the creams for his back so that he would not scar as badly, so that he would look nice for Kurt. Or would he want Blaine to be repentant about the things he had done to get the punishments and sound like he felt deserving. He decided the former but felt his body start to shake as he answered.

"It is fine sir, I think the scaring will not be too bad."

"It's not infected?"

"No sir."

At least he didn't think so, he tended to avoid looking to closely and there were patches he just couldn't reach.

Burt stood up and Blaine heard the sound of water. A moment later he was being passed a glass of water. He took it eyes still downcast.

"Thank you sir."

"When was the last time you ate?"

Blaine thought about that, he;d skipped breakfast, and supper the previous night.

"Lunch sir."

"Lunch yesterday?" Burt sounded surprised.
He disappeared from Blaine's view again for a while and then came back with a banana.

As Blaine reached for it he saw that Burt was on the phone.

"Hi, can I get two orders of the chicken tagliatelle, some garlic bread and two slices of you chocolate cake. Yeah, my address is stored, under Hummel. Half an hour, great thanks."

Burt looked down at Blaine.

"Okay, listen here kid, I can't have you fainting on me. I obviously should have kept a better eye on you but you have to show a bit of responsibility for yourself too. That means eat. Three meals a day, do you hear me?"

"Yes sir."

"Now, you and me are going to sit and eat a decent meal together and watch the footie. Whose your team?"

"Whoever you approve of sir."

"It's Bears versus Titans. Pick."

Blaine took a deep breath.

"Bears." He barely whispered.

"Good choice."

Here's a link where you can download the song Faith by Eleen Wilber for free (it's a safe link the music came free to download with a book).

pages . simonandschuster sing - you - home

If you have problems message me.