A/N: Okay, so this definitely isn't very long, but it's something I've been trying to get to for a while. :)
I know I don't post regularly, but things may start to slow down a bit more… I got into a play my school is taking to a Thespian conference in January, so I'll be starting practices for that soon, and on top of that I'm trying out for the school's musical (which is ironically enough, Grease) this week, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed I get into that as well.
So, I just wanted to let you guys know in advance that with school, schoolwork, and practice(s) I may be a bit more behind, but I promise I'll try super hard to get things up!
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy, my beta says it's one of my best chapters! I have a whole lot in store for you guys too, and I'm already brainstorming stuff for a sequel! If you guys have any suggestions, like songs, or just ideas, feel free to PM me!
And again, thank you SO MUCH for your support, I never imagined this story to get even this far.
Chapter Ten
Blaine and Kurt were on the couch when Burt and Carole walked into the house later on that night. Blaine was curled up against Kurt's side, one arm slung over the lean boy's waist, and only his unruly, dark curls visible over the thick blanket spread over them. Kurt hadn't been able to sleep after that kiss; he could still feel Blaine's lips on his. He was a little disappointed that Blaine refused to talk about what had happened earlier that night, but he knew that in time he would come around, and until then he'd just have to wait.
His head snapped from the TV to the door as it opened, revealing the two adults. They both rid themselves of their coats and toed of their shoes, and were just about to go upstairs when they noticed the TV on and Kurt lying on the couch.
Burt eyed his boy with questioning eyes for a moment before speaking, "Kurt, what are you-"
Kurt held up one hand, and shook his head, hushing his father and gesturing down to where the blanket had slid down, revealing the small, dark headed boy underneath. Burt's jaw clenched and he looked up at Kurt angrily. Why the hell did Kurt have his friend over this late at night? What had they been doing alone?
Kurt shook his head and held up one finger, asking for a moment, then began to carefully remove himself from Blaine's arm and slide of the couch. He quietly tip toed his way to Burt and Carole, grabbing their arms gently and pulling them to the kitchen to talk. As soon as Kurt let their arms go, Burt removed his ball cap and ran a hand over his balding head.
"What the hell, Kurt? Why is Blaine here?" He asked rather loudly.
"Dad!" Kurt hissed quietly, "Calm down, it's /not/ what you think. Blaine got into some… trouble. He won't tell me how, all I know is that about three hours ago Blaine showed up at the door in the pouring rain with a whole bunch of bruises, and was on the verge of hypothermic shock," Kurt explained, shivering as the memory of a sopping wet Blaine, covered in dark bruises, played back in his head.
"Wait, what? You don't know what happened? Why won't he tell you? Is he alright?" Burt began to question worriedly.
Carole put a hand on Burt's shoulder, "Kurt, did you check on him to make sure he was alright? Did you take him to the hospital? No of course not… we would've been called... How'd you get his temperature up?"
Kurt blushed, "Erm… I uhm… you know I uh…" He stammered and raised his eyebrows, trying to explain what happened with as little words as possible.
Carole's look of confusion melted away and her eyes became wide in understanding, "Oh, okay. Well… good. Good job," Kurt couldn't tell, but he thought he saw a hint of a grin playing at the woman's lips.
Kurt sighed, "As for what happened, Dad, he refuses to tell me. I think it uhm… I think it had something to do with his…" He trailed off. Would Blaine be angry with him if he told his dad what he thought? Should he keep it to himself? He decided it was best to tell his dad and continued, "His dad….I think. I'm not sure. Like I said, he refuses to explain anything," Kurt shook his head.
Carole nodded, "Why don't you wake him up so I can check it all out, just in case?" She asked him.
Kurt nodded, "Yeah, okay," he replied simply before turning around and walking back to the couch. He kneeled down and lightly shook Blaine's shoulder. "Blaine… Blaine," he whispered in attempt to wake the sleeping boy up.
After a few more shakes and whispers Blaine shifted slightly, "Wha?" He mumble tiredly, his eyes cracking open to find Kurt kneeling over him, his face only inches away. He grinned slightly, "Ready for more already, Hummel?" He joked, craning his neck in attempt to kiss Kurt.
Kurt blushed and shook his head roughly, pushing Blaine back down, his eyes shifting to the adults watching from the other room. It didn't look like they had noticed, and for that Kurt was thankful. If they had, Blaine might not be able to stay with him, and he definitely didn't want Blaine going to his house tonight.
"No Blaine, Carole and my dad are here," at this Blaine visibly stiffened, "Carole wants to check you out. Don't worry, I didn't tell them much… like I could anyway, since I have no clue myself," he said, almost accusingly.
Blaine sighed and rolled his eyes before sitting up and running a hand down his face. He threw off the blanket and stood up, helping Kurt to his feet before walking to Carole and Burt alongside Kurt, "Hello Sir," he said with a nod to Burt before turning to Carole, "Mrs. Hummel."
"Kid, how many times do I have to tell ya. Call me Burt. I tell ya every day at the garage too!" Burt replied sternly.
Blaine chuckled lightly and nodded, "Right, sorry… Burt," he replied, "So Kurt said something about…"
Carole nodded, "Oh yes! Blaine, I just wanted to know if you might allow me to look you over, just to make sure nothing's too serious?" She asked. Blaine smiled; he loved how caring Carole was. She came into the garage a lot when she got off of work, and every time did she'd bring some type of snack for him. How could he say no to her even if he wanted to?
"Sure Carole," he agreed, faking a smile.
Carole gave him a reassuring smile before taking his hand and pulling him towards the table and directing him to take a seat. Once he did, she patted his hand and dropped it.
"Okay Sweetie," she began kindly, "Tell me where it hurt the most?" She asked as she did a quick once over just to see everything that was visible. His clothes were wrinkled and still slightly damp from the walk here, and she shook her head, "Kurt," she turned to where Kurt and Burt stood in the doorway, "Would you be a dear and go grab some of Finn's sweat pants and a tee shirt for Blaine? I don't imagine he could be too comfortable in these damp clothes," she asked him kindly.
Kurt nodded, sending Blaine a reassuring glance and a small smile before exiting the room and running off to find some clean sweats, which with Finn, would be a difficult search. Carole turned back to Blaine, who was looking up at her with guarded eyes. He liked her, he really did, but trusting her was a different story.
"Well?" She asked, looking at him expectantly.
Blaine's brows furrowed in question before it clicked, "Oh, right!" She had asked him what hurt the most, right. "Er… well, my stomach hurts, from being-" he stopped short, what was he supposed to say exactly? There was no one he was telling these people how he'd gotten hurt. They'd probably laugh at him or tell him he had deserved it. He shook the thoughts from his head and bit his lip, "From being hit," was all he said before continuing. "My head hurts pretty bad, and well," he pointed to his right cheek and eye, which were both bruised, "And those."
Carole nodded, "Take off your shirt," she instructed. Blaine sent her a wary look, but she just raised her hands in an upward motion. He sighed but slipped it off, handing it to Carole who sat it on the table. After making him stand up she began to slowly look over him, pressing her hands gently against his ribs and inspecting them. Kurt came back down with a pair of sweats and one of his own T-shirts- there was no way he was going to find a clean one in Finn's room, it had been hard enough finding the pants- and sat them on the table beside Blaine and Carole before walking back to his father, who was leaning against the doorframe watching his wife tend to the boy.
Burt wasn't sure why, but he had instantly become quite attached to the curly haired boy in the short amount of time they'd spent together. He was different than Kurt and Finn's other friends, tougher, but also very secretive and hidden. Burt still remembered Finn telling him all about Blaine's ways and how surprised he was at his attitude at dinner that evening they had invited him to stay the night. It surprised Burt a bit that the boy acted that way at school, but he had quickly learned that it was all just a front.
When the boy worked at the shop he was anything but what Finn had described, he was happy, smiley, well-mannered, and humorous. It made Burt happy that Blaine had learned to at least put a little bit of trust in the man, at least enough to act close to his true self. But he knew there was one person that had him beat; that had almost every ounce of Blaine's trust, and that was Kurt.
He turned to his son, who was now walking to him, and smiled. He was glad he had found someone like Blaine, someone to be close to. Kurt had really seemed to care for this boy. Granted, the two had already gotten into a small fight, but Burt saw how much Blaine genuinely cared for Kurt, and it warmed his heart that his son had found someone who did. Sure the kids from Glee loved Kurt, but Blaine was different. Not just because he was gay, but he could really connect with what Kurt was going through.
"You think he could maybe… stay the night, Dad?" Kurt asked as he finally reached his father. The question snapped Burt from his thoughts and he looked from Blaine to Kurt.
"Well, I don't suppose we've got much a choice, huh? I'm not sending the poor kid home now," the man dropped his voice, "Especially not if you think it may have been his father that did this to him. Blaine doesn't need to be around that."
Kurt just nodded. Burt watched as his son bit his bottom lip, looking thoughtful, before opening him mouth. But Burt had beaten him to it.
"I suppose you want to know if he can stay in your room," it wasn't a question; Burt knew exactly what his boy was thinking. He chuckled, "I guess so, but no funny business."
Kurt rolled his eyes, "Honestly, I don't think tonight's much of a night for 'funny business,' Dad."
Burt shrugged, "Can never be too careful."
"Okay, Blaine. It doesn't look like much, just some bruises, but no broken bones or cracked ribs. From what I can tell, Kurt seemed to have gotten you under control before hypothermia could take much effect, and you don't have a concussion. You do look a little pale though, and you're burning up, which suggests that you may be coming down with something from the cold earlier, so I'll give you a few Tylenol for the pain and fever, and send you to bed. We'll see how you're doing in the morning and decide what to do about school from there, okay?" Carole told Blaine, fetching two Tylenol and a glass of water, which he handed to the boy before patting his leg.
Blaine nodded, and took the pills, practically downing the water in one gulp. He then stood up, his knees still wobbling slightly, "Okay, thanks Carole. I appreciate your help," he said gratefully, then turned to Burt, "Er… I can go home you know. It's totally-"
Burt shook his head, "Don't be ridiculous, Kid, you're staying here and that's that. Now, you and Kurt run along to bed, you've had a long day, I can tell, and you need to rest up. We'll see you in the morning Blaine." Burt gave him a warm, reassuring smile, which Blaine returned.
"Thanks… Burt," he nodded before Kurt grabbed him by the arm and began to tow him along to the stairs.
"Come on Hobbles, we've got a difficult journey up the stairs before we can sleep, and who knows how long that'll take."
When they had finally made it up the stairs, Blaine instantly plopped down on the bed face first. His body jerked in what Kurt could only imagine was pain, before he went completely still. He laid like that for several minutes as Kurt stood by the bed awkward, and he began to worry Blaine had fallen asleep, but before he could check Blaine flipped on his back and sighed.
"I'm exhausted," he admitted, and Kurt could tell that it took a lot just for Blaine to admit this. Kurt had come to realize in the short amount of time that he had known Blaine that the boy did not like to admit weakness of any kind. Kurt smiled and sat down beside Blaine.
"I can only imagine, I don't know how you walked so far. I think I would have passed out," Kurt replied, attempting to lighten the mood. He watched as Blaine's face went from slightly relaxed to conflicted and very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. I uhm… I didn't- I mean I-"
Blaine waved a hand, "It fine Kurt, I know you didn't mean anything by it, I was just thinking," he explained, sitting up and facing Kurt. "Honestly, I just… I want to tell you everything, and that scares the hell out of me," Kurt thought he might cry from the way Blaine was looking at him, all sad and hopeless. He looked like an abandoned puppy, and Kurt's heart ached. He had to refrain himself from grabbing the small boy into his arms and holding him tight.
"Blaine, you don't have to rush. I'll be here whenever you need me," he said reassuringly. "I honestly can't see myself leaving your side anytime soon. I like you too much to do that."
Blaine shook his head, letting out a mix of a strangled cry and a groan, and Kurt swore he felt his heart rip. Blaine looked at him with watery eyes, and attempted a smile. How can someone be so beautiful when they're so upset? He wasn't sure, but somehow Blaine had managed to. Kurt couldn't help himself from grabbing Blaine's hand and lacing his fingers through Blaine's.
"I want to tell you," Blaine's jaw clenched, and Kurt could see the struggle in his eyes, "Now." Kurt merely nodded, not knowing what to say, "I didn't… I didn't run here consciously. I just started running. All I could think of was getting somewhere safe, away from what I had just- just experienced, and my feet took me here. I hadn't even been paying attention to my surroundings or how far or long it took, just what had happened and my need of safety. When I saw where I was, I knew why I was here," Blaine swallowed loudly and looked down at their joined hands, "I feel like I'm wanted here, like I matter, and it's nice," Blaine cleared his throat.
"Anyway, as for what happened… I want to tell you, but… you can't say anything to your dad or Carole, or anyone," he looked up at Kurt through his lashes, and Kurt hesitantly nodded in agreement, fearing what Blaine would say, "It was my dad… He was drunk, and my mom left to do… something. It just sort of happened, first it was just the normal, he got angry with me for no reason and stuff, but then I fought back and got smart. I probably had it coming, talking back and all, but I just- I couldn't take it; not again. So he started to throw punches and names and… stuff, and eventually it was all too much and I just ran. I ran like a coward, because no matter what I will never be able to stand up to my father. I'm too weak."
Kurt could feel the hot tears silently rolling down his cheeks as he shook his head, "No Blaine, you are not weak, you are so so strong." He grabbed the boy and carefully pulled him closer to him, cradling the now sobbing boy in his arms. He began to lay them down, making sure he had a hold of Blaine the whole time. When he had successfully laid them down he pulled Blaine even closer and the two boys stayed like that, Kurt whispering reassurances and sweet nothings into Blaine's ear and the boy letting out the tears that had been building up for years.