A/N: Thank you, again, to everyone who has taken interest in this story. Favorites/alerts are still climbing and I'm glad people are taking interest (: I'm also very, very, very sorry about the delay! I know I said the 18th with probably a chapter or two before then, but I grossly underestimated the amount of study I needed for my exams and how exhausted I would be after them D: I have literally spent the week and a half since they've been over sleeping.

Also, this is AU, obviously, but I'd like to point out that it's mostly Kurt and Blaine's universe. There will, of course, be appearances made by other characters, but this story is about Kurt and Blaine's journey together, so it will be mostly centered around them. If you read this epically long author's note, thank you (: I hope you all enjoy! .

Blaine was awoken at 2:30 am by his phone buzzing obnoxiously across his bedside table. He picked it up, planning on setting it to silent and chucking it to the end of his bed till morning, and did a double take (that he was sure looked comical while he was lying on his bed with his hair tousled) at the name on his screen.

"Burt Hummel." blinked merrily up at him and, for a moment, he stared dumbly at the phone. He had taken Mr. Hummel's number from Kurt a few days ago as a second number to contact him on, but he wasn't sure how Mr. Hummel had gotten his number because Blaine hadn't called him yet.

Once he realized the call was probably going to disconnect at any second, and his hazy mind had sewn together "Burt Hummel, 2:30, must be an emergency, Kurt.", he fumbled to answer.

"Hello?"

"Blaine?"

"Yeah?" He thought it wise not to reveal that he knew who it was, it would probably seem creepy.

"Thank God you answered. Listen, it's Burt Hummel," Blaine heard screaming in the background and sat up, alarmed, "Kurt's dad." Blaine, again, heard screaming, but it was muffled by Mr. Hummel's shirt this time and he heard the older man trying to calm whoever was screaming. Blaine knew in his heart it was Kurt, but he prayed that maybe Finn just happened to scream at that high a decibel and pitch, and that maybe Burt had called because Kurt told him to for… some reason.

When the line cleared, Blaine spoke. "Uh, yeah, Mr. Hummel, how can I help you?"

"It's, uh, it's Kurt. I'm sorry for waking you, Blaine, but I don't know what else to do. Kurt woke us all up screaming and none of us can calm him down. Finn said that I should call you instead of Mercedes or Rachel because he's gotten very close to you and maybe you could help? Have you any idea what we could do?"

Blaine thought for a quick moment before anything came to mind, "Music. Music will calm him, Mr. Hummel, have you tried playing him his iPod?"

"Yeah, Kid, we tried it. Couldn't find many soothing songs on there but the ones we did didn't work at all." Blaine could hear the desperation in Mr. Hummel's voice, betraying his calm demeanor and telling Blaine that he wasn't trying to be condescending by calling him "Kid".

"I don't, uh, I…" Blaine thought for a moment, and then hoped that his next idea worked, as absurd as it seemed. "Could you put the phone up to his hear, Mr. Hummel? Turn the volume up all the way and hold it to his ear."

Blaine knew the moment the phone was near Kurt's head. The screaming got louder and he could hear Kurt sobbing feebly through it. Kurt sounded like he was in agony, being tortured by unseen forces and unable to break free. As soon as Blaine realized he was within hearing distance of Kurt, he began speaking.

"Kurt? Kurt, hey, calm down. It's ok, it's me. It's Blaine, can you hear me? Calm down, Kurt, everything's going to be fine. You're dreaming, that's all, just a dream. Wake up, Kurt, come on, wake up for me. You have to wake up, love, it's ok."

Blaine kept speaking into Kurt's ear, not losing hope. If he didn't come around within the next few minutes, he'd drive to Lima with the phone on Bluetooth. He didn't care if he had to turn around half way there 'cause Kurt had snapped out of it, he'd still do it.

Eventually, Kurt's screaming turned to whimpers, which turned into deep, uneven breaths, and Blaine became aware that Kurt was awake.

"Kurt?" Blaine heard the line shuffle and assumed Kurt had taken the phone from his father's hand.

"Blaine?" Kurt eventually murmured into the receiver, voice gruff with sleep and scratchy from screaming; it sounded odd on him.

Blaine's stomach dropped painfully at the sound of Kurt's voice. Kurt was still crying. "Yeah, it's me. Are you ok?"

"Nightmare."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"No."

"Ok. Want me to stay on the line until you fall asleep again?"

"No."

That one hurt. "Uh, ok… do you think you'll be able to get back asleep ok?"

"Yes."

"Ok then. I'll ring you in the morning, sweet dreams."

Blaine heard the phone thump and Kurt's bed creaking slightly before Mr. Hummel spoke again.

"Wow. Thanks Kid. I didn't think anything would calm him."

"No problem, Mr. Hummel. Call me again if you need me."

"It's Burt, Blaine, but thanks for the courtesy. I'm sorry if I have to bother you again, but I will call if he gets upset again. Thanks, Blaine. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Mr. Hum- uh, Burt."

The line went dead and Blaine fell back against his pillows. It was strange that Burt Hummel would call him in the middle of the night to help him with Kurt - not that he minded. He'd never mind, all he wanted to do was help. He thought it was good that Burt called, that Finn had suggested it. He didn't know if Kurt had told Finn about their friendship or if the boy had just picked up on it, but either way he was thankful that Finn knew and thankful that he, himself, was able to help. He rolled over on his bed as the clock neared 3am, thoughts of Kurt heavy on his mind.

Kurt awoke with a start at 10am, body sore and eyes weary from oversleeping. He rolled over to face the room with a groan, eyes immediately registering the slumped form of his father in his desk chair. Burt roused with his son's noise and blinked dazedly at his surroundings before pulling himself to Kurt's side.

"You awake, Kid?"

Kurt sat up to lean himself on his elbows. "Yeah, Dad." It feels like he hasn't slept in a year.

"There was a few false alarms. You want some breakfast?"

"No. I'm not hungry, but thanks."

"Alright. I'm gonna go grab some, I guess I'll see you in a bit." Burt patted his son on the shoulder before leaving the room with a back-cracking stretch. Kurt immediately felt bad that his father had to sleep slumped in a desk chair for most of the night.

Kurt pulled himself to the bathroom and knocked back a few pills before scrutinizing his reflection in the large mirror that sat above the sink. He saw the bags that hung heavy under his eyes, purple almost to the point of looking bruised, and he saw the lines slowly forming on his brow and chin, evidence to everyone else of his recent turmoil, but he took no notice of them. Instead, he bared his teeth a little to examine them before picking up his toothbrush and jumping in the shower.

About halfway through his morning routine - which now only consisted of showering and brushing his teeth and hair - his phone rang, chirping Teenage Dream at a barely audible volume through the sound of the shower. He threw a towel around his waist and ran back to his bedroom to answer.

"Hi, Blaine."

"Hey, Kurt. What's up?"

"Nothing. I was just having a shower, you?"

"Just finished breakfast. Your dad didn't have to call me again last night so I presume you got back to sleep and everything ok?"

"Uh, sure? What are you talking about?"

"Last night after I spoke to you on the phone. I was afraid you wouldn't get back to sleep or something."

"Still lost…"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what, Blaine?"

"Your dad rang me last night. You woke up screaming at around half two, I guess, and they couldn't calm you down. Finn suggested calling me and it worked. You seriously don't remember?"

"Not at all. Thanks, though, I guess." Well that's not embarrassing, thought Kurt, how did I forget Blaine being on the phone? Or Finn and Dad being in the room?

"No problem. Hey, what are you doing today?"

"Nothing. I was just gonna stay at home and relax, why?"

"You wanna come to mine? My family's out for the day, so I was thinking horror movie marathon?"

"But you live two hours away and I'm not even dressed… I didn't even wanna get dressed today." Kurt pouted. He wanted to spend time with Blaine, but he really didn't wanna leave the house. "How about you come over here? And bring the movies? Carole's working for the day and night and Finn and Dad are going to a game."

"Sounds totally awesome. I'll leave now if that's cool? It'll still be two hours before I get there and the earlier we start the more we can watch!"

"Ok, Lassie, calm down. I'll see you in two hours. Bye."

Blaine laughed down the line "Shut up. Bye."

Two hours later, a still very much excited Blaine Anderson pulled up outside the Hummel-Hudson residence, eight different horror films and twenty types of candy in tow. He rang the doorbell and bounced eagerly on the balls of his feet. The door swung open, revealing Kurt dressed in low slung, black sweat pants and a tight white t-shirt. Blaine's eyes briefly zeroed in on a series of scars on his exposed hips, but traveled back up to Kurt's face quickly.

"Hi!" He started, leaning in for a hug. Kurt returned the hug and greeting before leading Blaine into the living room.

"Sooo, what movies do you have with you?"

"Multiple. You pick one out while I go put the junk into bowls."

Halfway through the movie, Kurt's phone went off. He opened the new message and groaned.

Hey Bud. Me and Finn are gonna grab a hotel room for the night then head home tomorrow after breakfast. Carole's workin' till 9am at the hospital, you be ok on your own?

Blaine's over Dad, so I'm not entirely alone. I'll be fine, enjoy the night.

He sent the message and, before Burt could reply, sent off another.

Can Blaine stay over? We're watching scary movies all day and you know I'll be terrified alone ):

Fine, but no messing around. Blaine stays on the sofa. Love you Kid, see you tomorrow.

Ok. Love you too.

Kurt locked his phone and rolled onto his side on the sofa, straining his head back a bit to face Blaine, who was sitting in the recliner beside the sofa, laying back.

"Dad's staying out all night with Finn and Carole's working till the morning. You wanna stay over? Dad said it was ok."

"Yeah, sure. It'll save me the two hour drive in the dark."

"Cool. Hey, we need more popcorn. You get it."

"I'm the guest!"

"So that makes me the boss. Mush."

In the five minutes it had taken Blaine to pop the popcorn and put it into a bowl, Kurt had curled himself up in a corner of the couch with a blanket up to his eyes, no longer lying down. Blaine sat down beside him and put the popcorn on the coffee table in front of them.

"It's only a film, Kurt."

"But they figured out how to get into the town! They're gonna kill everyone!"

"Zombies aren't real, don't worry."

"I know, but what if they were? They terrify me!"

"Seriously? Zombies?" Blaine couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Kurt retaliated by throwing a cushion at him, "Shut up! It's not funny! It's my only irrational fear, but I'm terrified of them."

"Oh, well now it's on!" Blaine leapt from the couch, pulling two cushions with him. He threw one at Kurt and began fake gnawing on the other, muttering "Mmmm, brainssss!" as he did so. Kurt fired the first offending cushion back at Blaine, dislodging the one in his mouth. Blaine's head snapped to the side with the force and he immediately turned back to Kurt, acting impeccable as ever, before limping towards him. Kurt squealed and ran from the room, honestly scared.

"Blaine! Stop!" But Blaine continued after him, picking up speed and volume as he went. When Kurt began up the stairs, Blaine grabbed his ankle and tugged, knocking Kurt off balance, but giving him time to brace himself with his arms. Blaine jumped on top of him, breaking character by laughing uncontrollably, and started to tickle him.

"Blaine! No, please! I hate being tickled!"

Kurt tried to push Blaine off him and roll away, but only managed to send them both toppling down the few remaining stairs on the staircase, leaving them sprawled in the hallway with Blaine on top of Kurt, inches between their faces. Their laughing eventually petered out and they tried to catch their breath, staring into each other's eyes.

When Blaine's eyes flicked almost unnoticeably down to Kurt's mouth, Kurt spoke up. "We should… we should get back to the film." He pushed Blaine away from him abruptly and rolled over to stand. As they both stood, Blaine's eyes traveled to where Kurt's shirt had ridden up, exposing his hip. His attention was grabbed, again, by the faint scars there.

He reached out toward them as Kurt started toward the living room and Kurt froze, Blaine's hand on his hip. When he saw what Blaine's eyes were fixed on, he pulled his shirt down roughly. Blaine raised his other hand to the shirt, however, and pulled it back up.

"Kurt, what… I thought you said you didn't harm yourself in any other way?"

"I don't."

"Really? Then what are these?" His fingers ran along the scars, feather-light, and Kurt pulled away from him.

"Old. They're nothing."

"Kurt, they're still pink. They're new enough."

"No they aren't, Blaine. Drop it."

"No, Kurt. You know I want to help you. What are you so afraid of?"

"Drop it!"

"No. You keep doing this. Letting me in an infinitesimal amount, then kicking me back out! I need to know things to help you!"

"I don't want your help! I don't need it!"

"Yes you do! Please Kurt, I'm worried about you."

"You don't have to be. I'm fine, Blaine."

"Please, Kurt. If not for yourself, then for me and your friends and family. We're so worried, Kurt. You're falling apart."

Kurt could feel the tears welling, and he desperately tried to hold them back. "You can't know that. You have no interactions with my friends or family and they'd speak to me if they were worried."

"You're wrong. Haven't you seen the looks on their faces around you? The worry in their eyes? I have. And I have had interactions with them, I've spoken to Mercedes."

"You what?"

Blaine pulled out his phone and scrolled through his messages. When he found the ones he was looking for, he handed the device to Kurt. "Read them."

Kurt looked down at the phone, not sure what to expect. On the screen was a conversation between Blaine and a number he knew to be Mercedes'. It was dated the previous day.

Hey Mercedes, it's Blaine Anderson. I don't know if Kurt's told you about me?

Hey Blaine. Yeah, he has. You're the kid from Dalton, right? Kurt's new friend. How did you get my number? And what's up?

Yeah, that's me. Uh, I stole it from Kurt's phone. I was just wondering if you'd noticed anything… odd about him?

No offence, Blaine, I'm sure you're a nice kid and everything, but how is that any of your business? You've only been friends with my boy for a few weeks. I don't think that merits being told if something is "odd" about him.

No, I know that. I'm sorry if I'm coming off nosey or anything, I'm just worried. Kurt and I have become quite close over the last few weeks, and I'm just worried about him. Something seems to be bothering him and I'm just really worried. I thought maybe you'd know something that I could use to help him.

Yeah, you and me both are worried. Everyone's worried about him, Blaine, but no one can get through to him. We don't even know how to approach him anymore. He's a completely different person. He's gonna kill us when he finds out we were talking about him, btw.

Fuck, so everyone's noticed? What can we do? I'm trying everything but I just don't know… Yeah, I know he'll be pissed. I'm hoping it'll be worth it. I don't care if he wants to burn the ground I walk on as long as I can help him.

That's dedication, boy. And yes, everyone's noticed. Finn's beating himself up over it. He thinks he's responsible for whatever it is, but we know he's not. He's being the best brother he can be, but he's lost like the rest of us. We're all in the same boat. We don't know what to do, we're all worried, and it's affecting us all. Has he told you anything?

Nothing of significance. He's trying to blame it on stress over his Dad and Karofsky, but I don't believe him. He's strong. He wouldn't let Karofsky affect him like this. Have you noticed the weight loss?

Are you kidding? How could we not? He's wasting away. Have you noticed the bags under his eyes? The way he doesn't seem to care about his posture or appearance anymore? I don't know who he is anymore, but every time I try to talk to him, he zones out. It's like we're not there anymore. He just stays glued to his phone or staring into space.

Fuck. Ok, Mercedes, thanks. Looks like we're all in this together for him. Thanks for talking to me (:

No problem, Blaine. The more to help him the better. X

Kurt had tears rolling down his face unchecked now, and when he looked at Blaine, he could see that he was about to cry as well. Upon seeing Blaine's face, though, anger coursed white hot through his veins.

"Who do you think you are? You stole my best friend's number from my phone then texted her behind my back? About me? The audacity!"

"I'm sorry, Kurt, I really am, but I needed to know everything. Did you read those texts? Everyone's scared for you! Everyone's worried! All we want to do is help you, please."

"I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute." Kurt ran past Blaine, straight up to his room. He couldn't deal with this. He was doing fine in his own little bubble. Keeping everything quiet worked for him, dammit. He'd gotten over cutting by himself, he was managing fine. He didn't need help.

He slammed the door to his bathroom behind himself and immediately sought out his pills. Four ought to do it. Just the right amount to put him as far out in space as he could go without seeming so. Just as he was about to down the pills, he heard the lock on the bathroom door click open and he cursed his dad for having the locks with a little dent on the other side. A coin could easily unlock them and apparently Blaine knew this, because it was he threw the door open.

"Kurt, stop! You can't keep using pills to run away from your problems!" As Blaine stepped forward to knock the pills away from Kurt, Kurt threw them in his mouth and swallowed, coughing a little after from the dry, bitter taste four at once left. "Damn it, Kurt, you have to face up to this. One: you have problems you need help with. Two: you're addicted to these pills! And three: shutting your friends and family out isn't going to do you any good!"

Kurt was exhausted. Crying and fighting took it out of him, and he'd barely slept the night before. He crumpled to the floor, again with tears on his cheeks, and wrapped his arms around himself.

"I can't do this anymore, Blaine. You trying to pry my problems out of me is exhausting either way. If I tell you, it's emotional trauma resurfacing, followed immediately by the fear you'll think I'm absurd and abandon me; and if I don't tell you, it leads to arguments and me feeling bad and I just can't do it anymore! I don't want to argue about this anymore. I don't want to fight. I've been fighting my whole life and I'm sick of it!" He broke off with a sob and dropped his head onto his knees. Blaine knelt beside him and wrapped him in a tight hug, waiting for his sobs to ease before speaking.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. I know you hate this - probably hate me - but if I don't try to pry it out of you, you'll never tell me. I've tried waiting, both with you and other people, and sometimes it works. But I've found that the only effective way to get people to talk is to ask questions and stay persistent. Not to such extreme lengths as arguing about it, but hey, you and I both have always had a flare for the dramatic, so we end up arguing."

"You're wrong. You don't need to stay persistent. It'll only drive me away."

"Well, it depends on the person. Now, do you want to sleep for a while? I can see your eyelids drooping."

"Yeah."

"Alright. But we're talking when you wake up." Blaine's words were wasted on Kurt, who was already asleep. Blaine sighed and lifted Kurt into his arms, devastated that he could lift Kurt into his arms. A result of the weight loss no doubt. He carried him into his room and threw the blankets over him, before lying down beside him on top of them.

A/N2: Wow, this chapter came out all over the place. Apologies. I rushed the end because I wanted to get it out to you guys ASAP. Concrit is welcome, flames are not. (: I hope the story will, however, clear up and get moving soon. Love you all, Beaut. x