Thank you for all of your support. It's been fun so far. I hope you enjoy where I take it next.
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Last time on "Try Me":
All Kurt knew was pain as he woke up. His ribs, his face, his back; everything seemed to ache. Repressing a moan, he opened his eyes only to find that they were almost swollen shut. He whimpered as he tried to open them further.
He saw a dark blue comforter around him that wasn't his. The bed was comfortable, but again, it wasn't his. His heart pounded and he almost cried out in panic when he realized he wasn't in his dorm room. Where was he?
A soft snore sounded next to him. Carefully turning his head, he froze. Curly black hair surrounded an attractive olive skinned face with full lips. Oh shit. He knew this face.
What was he doing in bed with Blaine Anderson?
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Panic erupted in his body. He'd already had his ass kicked, the last thing he needed was to go through another beating. How had he even gotten here? Had he stumbled around the frat house until he'd found a random bed?
Cringing at the pain in his ribs and back, he slowly sat up. Barely able to see, he had no idea where he was much less how to get back home. What had happened last night? David had found him at the party and beat him up. That was all he could remember.
Standing carefully, he held in cries of pain. Looking back through his swollen eyes, he saw that Anderson hadn't moved. Grateful, he hobbled around until he found a door. He walked through it and down a hallway. Looking in an open door to the right, he saw a bathroom. Stepping inside, he quietly closed the door. After using the bathroom, he gingerly splashed cold water on his face, moaning as he patted it dry with the soft towel hanging beside the sink. Taking a deep breath, he looked in the mirror, a high whine of distress escaping him.
Both of his eyes were swollen almost shut, his jaw was black and blue. There were bruises around his throat – those he was used to. Knowing there was more damage, he lifted his shirt as high as the pain in his ribs would allow. Tears coursed down his face as he saw the black, blue, and yellow bruising all over his pale chest. Lowering his shirt, all he could concentrate on was getting out of there.
He couldn't handle Anderson waking up or anyone else who may have ended up crashing here. Quietly leaving the bathroom, he followed the hall which led to a living room and kitchen. It didn't look like the frat house from last night, but Kurt wasn't going to concentrate on that. It was getting out that mattered. He knew Mercedes and Rachel must be freaking; if they were sober enough to give him any thought.
Spying what looked like the front door, he shuffled forward. Looking down in confusion, he realized he had no boots or jeans on. Just strange sweatpants and his t-shirt. He didn't spare it more than a moment's thought before he reached for the front door. As his hand closed over the handle and pulled, another hand came around him and pushed against the door, closing it effectively.
Crying out, Kurt rushed away, holding his hands over his head.
"Calm down, Kurt, nobody is going to hurt you," a voice said soothingly.
Squinting through swollen eyes, he saw Blaine standing there in just sweat pants.
"Where am I?" Kurt asked, his voice raw from having Karofsky's meaty hand around his throat.
"You're in my apartment. We're off campus. Nobody can find you here," Blaine said calmly.
"What do you mean? Did you kidnap me?" Kurt asked, his mind fuzzy and confused.
Blaine chuckled. "Not quite. How much do you remember from last night?" He moved away and sat in a chair near a couch and a large, flat screen TV. Blaine held his hand out toward the couch and Kurt moved slowly toward the furniture. He lowered himself down onto the couch, moaning a bit at the pain.
"Hold on," Blaine said, standing and going into the kitchen.
Kurt heard water running and a cupboard opening and closing. Soon, Blaine was in front of him, offering him a cup of water and a couple of ibuprofen.
"Thank you," Kurt mumbled, watching Blaine return to the chair. He had to concentrate on his pain so he didn't make an ass out of himself by staring at Blaine's bare, muscular chest. He swallowed the pills, wincing at the ache in his throat. Was there anything on him that didn't hurt?
"So, what do you remember?" Blaine asked again. His face was kind, unlike the snark that was typical in his features.
"David. He was mad because I was there. He'd told me not to come. I did anyway cuz Rachel and Mercedes wanted to go. I tried to stay away from where he was, but when I went to find a bathroom, that's when he found me. He took me into a bedroom and beat the shit out of me," Kurt said quietly.
"Are you guys a couple?" Blaine asked out of curiosity.
"We were," Kurt admitted. "I'm not supposed to say that, but hell, at this point, David will probably end up killing me anyway." His tone said he just didn't care anymore.
"Did you know I came in the room while David was kicking your ass?" Blaine asked, concerned about what Kurt had just said.
"Yeah, I remember. I heard David offer for you to kick my ass, too," Kurt said, gently rubbing his temples.
"Do you remember me beating the shit out of him instead?" Blaine asked.
"What? You… what?" Kurt said, his swollen eyes widening.
"You may be a clumsy kid who dresses like a clown, but nobody deserves to have their ass kicked like you did. I was there once before in my own past and I figured I'd put a stop to it for you," Blaine said.
Kurt put his head in his hands. "Oh my god. Thank you, Blaine, really. But now you've just made it worse. When he finds me, holy shit," Kurt said, silent tears tracing down his puffy features.
Blaine came over slowly and sat next to Kurt. Putting his arm gently around the shivering boy, he pulled him into his side, careful of his injuries.
"It's going to be okay, Kurt, I promise," Blaine said.
"How can you say that? As soon as Karofsky finds me, I'm a goner," Kurt whimpered against Blaine's heated skin.
"That's why you are going to stay with me until Karofsky is gone. I know he's planning to move out of state sometime near the end of the summer. From what I found out from your friends, you didn't have any plans for the summer, so I figure you can just stay here. I'll help keep you safe," Blaine said.
"But, but, why? You can't stand me," Kurt asked, his shivering lessening under Blaine's warm arm.
"Like I said earlier. Nobody deserves to be treated like Karofsky is treating you. Stay here over the summer, heal up and by the time school starts again, Karofsky will be gone. No worries," Blaine said, his tone business like.
"I can't do that to you," Kurt said softly. "You are very kind to offer but I can't impose like that."
"You can and you will," Blaine said. "I've, uh, been where you are and I wish someone had been there to stick up for me."
Kurt blushed under all of his bruises. "Thank you, Blaine. Um, I guess it's a good offer. I can't imagine living in fear every night wondering if David would be coming after me. I've done enough of that over the past three years. I accept your offer. Thank you again."
"You can stop with the 'thank you's'. This isn't charity. This is a chance for you to heal up and get strong. I used to be like you, only… less flamboyant. I, uh, was beaten up once, a friend and I were. We were beaten almost to death. After that is when I started working out. I knew that if I could beat the shit out of people, nobody would mess with me. It worked. Now, with you, I'm, I don't know, paying it forward or something like that," Blaine said, shaking his head.
"Will you teach me?" Kurt asked quietly.
"Teach you what?" Blaine cocked his head to the side. Kurt thought he looked adorable like that.
"How to fight. I mean, after I'm a bit healed, cuz right now just breathing hurts like hell. But, maybe you could teach me how to punch or something," Kurt said.
"I think that's a good idea," Blaine said. "I'd be happy to. As different as you and I are, we still have something in common and we should stick together, help each other."
"I just wish there was something I could do for you in return. Maybe pay room and board?" Kurt offered.
He was having a hard time believing the sudden turn his life had taken. Just a couple days ago, Blaine was mocking Kurt. Now he was playing the knight in shining armor, offering to take Kurt in and protect him. Was this real? And why was he agreeing? What would he do if this all turned out to be a joke? Something in him believed Blaine. There was a spark of sincerity in those golden eyes that made Kurt want to believe everything he was saying.
"Nah. My folks are paying for everything. They won't notice a little bit more money going out for food and whatnot," Blaine said.
"I'll just go home and pack a bag and come back, I guess?" Kurt said, unsure of what he should do.
"Actually, I got in touch with your friends, Rachel and Mercedes and they are packing up what they think you'll need and will be bringing it by later today," Blaine said with a smile.
"I guess you thought of everything," Kurt said, feeling utterly exhausted.
"I guess I did. Let's get you back into bed and I'll make you something to eat. You're going to need a lot of rest. If you don't get it here, you'll have to go into the hospital," Blaine said, a warning in his tone.
Kurt couldn't help once again, noticing the muscles in Blaine's arms, chest, and abdomen, as he got up and leaned over to help Kurt off the couch.
Kurt moaned and Blaine swiftly and gently picked him up. Kurt wrapped an arm around his neck, unsure of what else to do. Kurt leaned his head into Blaine's shoulder and neck area. Blaine smelled like yummy body wash and pure male. Kurt breathed in deeply, unable to help himself, cringing when it hurt his ribs.
"Try to not breathe as deeply, it'll help with the rib pain," Blaine's voice rumbled against him.
Carrying him into the room, Blaine carefully laid him down in a sitting position. He pulled the blanket up to his waist and sat down next to him.
"By the way, I do believe we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Blaine Anderson," he said, sticking his hand out.
"Kurt Hummel. Pleased to meet you," Kurt said with a lop-sided smile.
"Oh and don't worry about the apartment. It's just me here. Nobody else even has a key. You are one hundred percent safe," Blaine assured him.
"I know you don't want to hear me say it, but thank you. I can't remember the last time I was able to truly relax without fear of David coming in and yelling at me for doing some tiny little thing," Kurt admitted.
"You really are welcome. And just because I'm being pleasant now doesn't mean I always will be. But I figure you're injured, so I'll be nice," Blaine said with a wink.
With Blaine's wink and his gorgeous, exposed torso, Kurt felt like he was in a dream. A good one at that.
"Coffee?" Blaine asked.
"Oh, yes please," Kurt said eagerly.
A little while later, Blaine came back with the coffee and joined Kurt on the bed. He turned the TV on so Kurt could watch that runway show. Soon enough, Kurt had fallen asleep. Blaine quickly took his cup so it wouldn't spill. He laid there, staring at Kurt's fine features. He was either the nicest guy on earth or the dumbest.
He was sure he would find out the truth soon enough.
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