Chapter 11: Love Can Heal

Later that night, Kurt and Blaine were lying side by side in Kurt's bed, watching a movie that they'd both seen a million times before: The Princess Bride. They laughed together and yelled at Buttercup for being so dumb. They both agreed that Wesley was dreamy but Kurt insisted that Blaine was dreamier and Blaine insisted the same about Kurt. That debate led to a tickle fight in which Kurt finally admitted defeat and Blaine grinned and pecked his lips.

After the movie was over, Blaine lied down on Kurt's chest and closed his eyes, smiling. He'd been in the same position so many times before that he'd memorized the feel, but something was different. He was used to Kurt's warmth and his small puffs of breath that ghosted over Blaine's face. He was used to silence and…

He gasped, sitting up and staring at Kurt. He realized what was so different. He hadn't paid it much notice before Kurt told him the big secret, but now it made sense. Except… this didn't make any sense.

Kurt startled and reached for Blaine instinctively, worried. "Blaine? What's wrong?"

Blaine held Kurt's hand and squeezed, reassuring him that he was fine. "It's nothing, I just… Well, I just noticed…" He paused, sighing and trying to gather his thoughts. "Your heart… It's beating. I-It's never done that before…"

Kurt's eyes widened. "But that's… that's not supposed to happen. I…" He trailed off, sitting up and staring at Blaine wide-eyed. His breath hitched when Blaine pressed his palm to Kurt's chest, feeling the thump-thump, thump-thump of his heart. "B-But I'm dead… How can this be happening?"

Blaine shook his head. "I don't know. Does this… I mean, what could it mean? Are you… coming back, somehow?" he asked hesitantly, not sure what to make of the situation.

"I don't know," Kurt whispered, gasping when he reached up to feel his own beating heart. "I don't know what's going on."

"Maybe it doesn't mean anything?" Blaine suggested, reaching to hold Kurt's hand with his good hand, the one not in a cast.

Kurt shrugged, looking at Blaine with wide, confused eyes. The uncertainty scared them both.

They lay back down together, Blaine letting Kurt rest on his chest for comfort. After close to an hour, they were both sleeping soundly.

Sonia paced back and forth in Kurt's bedroom, waiting for him to fall asleep so she could talk to him. There was certainly a lot to talk about. His heart had started beating. That wasn't supposed to happen on these missions. It never had before. But maybe this wasn't like other missions. Maybe Kurt's situation was more unique than she had originally thought possible. Maybe it all had to do with Blaine…

She knew it had to be impossible. She'd never heard of such a case in which the guardian angel was allowed to come back after dying. And yet, she couldn't help but think and hope that maybe it could happen. That maybe their love for each other was enough to make a miracle happen. That maybe, just maybe, Kurt was getting a second chance.

"Sonia," Kurt said from behind her, sitting on his bed. She startled and turned to look at him, smiling. "Is everything okay?"

"Fine, fine," she shrugged. "We need to talk."

"I know," Kurt nodded, worry creasing his forehead. "Sonia, I don't know what's happening. Is my heart supposed to start beating again because I've been there for so long? Does that always happen on longer missions? I don't know what to think…"

"No, it doesn't happen," Sonia sighed. "To be honest, I don't know what's going on, either. My best guess is it has something to do with the bond between you and Blaine. I knew that he loved you, but I had no idea it was this powerful…" She turned away from him, frowning at her own thoughts. She knew she shouldn't tell him, shouldn't get his hopes up, but he deserved to know what was most likely happening. It was impossible but she knew there was no denying the inevitable.

"What is so powerful? What does this have to do with Blaine? Sonia, I don't understand," he said desperately.

"I know it sounds crazy," she stared. "But I think you might be… coming alive, somehow. I didn't know it was possible. It's never happened before. But maybe your connection to Blaine is strong enough to bring you back. I don't know what else this could mean."

She looked at Kurt and saw his eyes light up with hope and shock. "But… that can't happen. It's… I… Do you really think I'll get to stay with Blaine?"

Sonia couldn't help but smile, nodding. "I think so. But you shouldn't tell him until we're more certain. You don't want to get his hopes up only to leave."

Kurt's hopeful smile fell and he sighed. "I know. Thank you, Sonia." He reached out and hugged her and she hugged back.

"Of course, sweetie. Now go back to him. He's waking up and I have a feeling he'll need you." Kurt frowned, worry rising. Before he could ask what she meant, he suddenly found himself back in his earthly bedroom, but instead of lying next to Blaine he was watching the scene play out. He saw his own sleeping form next to Blaine, who was tossing and turning and panting in distress.

Panicked, he tried to wake himself up. "Wake up! He needs me! He needs me!" he shouted, but it sounded faraway like he wasn't even there. He shook himself, grabbing his own shoulders and desperately trying to wake up. He looked over at Blaine and saw tears streaming down his face as he whimpered. "No, no, no, no, no," he murmured quickly, shaking his head and shutting his eyes tightly.

"Kurt! Kurt, wake up!" Blaine hissed, gently shaking his shoulders. Kurt startled awake, pulled out of his awful nightmare. He looked up at Blaine and saw that his eyes were red, teary, and filled with concern. "Kurt, are you alright? You were trembling."

"I'm fine," Kurt whispered, reaching forward and pulling Blaine into a tight hug. Blaine wrapped his right arm around Kurt's back, clinging to him both for his own comfort and to comfort Kurt. "I'm fine," Kurt repeated. "But you were having a nightmare… Are you okay?"

Blaine looked surprised. "How'd you know?"

"First of all, I can see tears in your eyes. Second of all, that's what my nightmare was about; not being able to wake up and comfort you when you were having a nightmare."

Blaine laughed a little, smiling and kissing Kurt's forehead. "I'm okay now. I just lost a hold of you when I was sleeping so it got bad. They don't get as bad when you're holding me. Most of my nightmares lately are about losing you, so I'm fine once I realize you're okay."

Kurt's heart warmed and shattered all at once and he tried to fight his tears as he nestled into Blaine's side, hiding his face in Blaine's shoulder. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered, remembering what Sonia told him. He felt his chest swell with hope and he wanted so badly to believe it was true and tell Blaine the good news.

Blaine held him close and rubbed his back, surprising Kurt with how strong he was being about this. Maybe it was the way Kurt made him feel needed and wanted, or maybe it was the fact that he was slowly feeling more at ease with the Hummel family. Blaine didn't know. He just knew that he wasn't as scared as before. He didn't want to be afraid anymore.

"I know," Blaine murmured in response. "I know, sweetheart. I don't want you to, either, but it'll be okay. We still have each other for a few more months. It'll be alright."

"I love you," Kurt sighed. "I love you so much it hurts."

"I know," Blaine said, and that meant so much more to Kurt than repeating the words because he needed Blaine to know how much he loved him. He needed Blaine to always know. "I love you, too." But Blaine always returned the meaningful words and it made Kurt feel that much more whole.

It was close to one in the morning and they were both exhausted. They settled down and fell asleep in minutes, content in each other's arms.

They both slept in late the next day, Monday, and it wasn't until noon when Kurt sat bolt upright, panting and shivering in fear. Instantly, Blaine was awake and right beside Kurt, ready to comfort him. "Shh, shh, it's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. You're safe." Kurt quickly turned into him, burying his face in Blaine's chest and letting Blaine pull him into his lap. "Shh, it's alright. I'm here, Kurt. I'm here." He rocked Kurt back and forth gently, kissing his forehead. He didn't ask what Kurt's nightmare was about because he knew that he didn't like talking about nightmares right after the terror. So he decided to wait until Kurt was ready to tell him on his own.

Kurt was still trembling, clinging to Blaine for dear life because that's what it felt like. He felt like he'd relived the night of his death over and over again in one awful dream. He felt like Blaine was his lifeline at this point. "Don't let go," he pleaded in a whisper. He knew Blaine wouldn't, but he had to say it anyway to be sure.

"I won't," Blaine promised. "I'm right here, always."

Kurt exhaled shakily and nuzzled his face into Blaine's neck cozily. "W-We missed school…"

"That's okay," Blaine said. "I can catch up quickly and you're only there for cover, anyway. Don't worry."

Kurt just nodded, too comfy to argue. "I love you," he murmured, closing his eyes and just resting there. He wasn't tired enough to fall asleep, but he just wanted to stay in Blaine's arms for as long as possible.

"I love you, too," Blaine answered, as usual. He smiled and kissed Kurt's forehead. Kurt scrunched up his face adorably and shifted so he was sitting between Blaine's legs with his own right leg curled over and around Blaine's. He lied against Blaine's chest and sighed contentedly. Blaine grinned at him and thought, not for the first time, how lucky he was to have someone so beautiful, inside and out, in his arms, wanting him. "I love you so, so much, Kurt," he whispered sincerely. He saw Kurt smile and felt his chest fill with warmth as Kurt hugged his waist. They were completely intertwined and neither boy could think of a place they'd rather be.

Weeks passed and November turned to December as snowflakes started leaving white dots in hair and on rosy noses. The first snow of the season created beauty and childhood fun like sledding and building snowmen with crooked buttons. However, for Kurt, it just left memories. Memories that he didn't talk to anyone about. He remembered the December air biting his exposed face; he remembered the snow falling more fiercely as he had his life beaten out of him; he remembered his blood in the snow.

In three days, it would be exactly one year since the night of his death. And he didn't want to deal with it.

Blaine, of course, noticed how withdrawn he'd been lately.

At first, he tried the subtle approach, casually asking Kurt what he was thinking about. When that earned no response, he tried the more concerned approach. "Kurt, are you feeling alright? You seem like you aren't yourself lately… Are you sick or something?" he asked while they were on their way home from school.

Kurt startled from his place in the passenger seat, looking over at Blaine with wide eyes. His flustered stuttering was enough answer for Blaine that he was hiding something. "U-Um… I just—well… I have a lot on my mind. What with Christmas coming up and all." He smiled unconvincingly.

Blaine frowned, shaking his head as they pulled into the driveway. "Kurt, I know you better than that. You don't have to lie to me."

Kurt sighed, somewhere between defeated and frustrated, and said, "I'm sorry. I mean, I do have a lot on my mind, but it doesn't have anything to do with Christmas. It's… well… in three days it'll be one year," he finished vaguely, not wanting to say it.

Blaine looked over at him, wishing he'd meet his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked. "What was—"

He suddenly cut himself off, his eyes widening in realization. He now understood why Kurt had been so jumpy and withdrawn. "Oh, sweetheart," he murmured. He unbuckled his seatbelt before getting out of the car and walking around to Kurt's door, opening it. Kurt finally looked up at him, his eyes wet with tears, and Blaine wrapped his boyfriend in a tight hug. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't like talking about it," Kurt whispered, burying his face in Blaine's shoulder and hugging his middle securely.

Blaine just nodded understandingly and rubbed Kurt's back, kissing his cheek. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here for you, okay?"

Kurt nodded, a few tears escaping. "I-I know… I love you."

"I love you, too. I love you more than anything."

Kurt sniffled and hugged Blaine tighter. After a few minutes, they walked inside the house, hand-in-hand. Burt and Carole knew why Kurt was upset, so they let the boys go downstairs to be alone for a bit. Kurt and Blaine sat down on Kurt's bed and Blaine worked on his homework while Kurt lay down with his head in Blaine's lap.

Once he finished his math homework and the article analysis for English, he set his stuff aside and began stroking through Kurt's hair. "What do you want to do?" he asked as Kurt's eyes drifted closed.

Kurt hummed, leaning into Blaine's touch. "I just want to stay with you," he answered, a small, content smile pulling at his lips. Blaine smiled at the sight, glad that Kurt seemed to be feeling better. "I just want you to cuddle me and keep me warm."

"Of course," Blaine agreed with a soft, loving smile. "As long as you do the same for me."

"I think that can be managed," Kurt teased. Blaine chuckled and leaned down to kiss his forehead. "Now lie down and hug me, sweetheart."

"As you wish, my love," Blaine murmured, lying down on his side and pulling Kurt close. Kurt smiled and flung his leg over both of Blaine's, keeping him as close as possible, and rested his head on Blaine's arm.

"I like when you call me that," Kurt whispered after a few seconds.

Blaine smiled down at him. "What? 'My love'?" Kurt nodded and fisted Blaine's shirt in his hands, curling impossibly closer. "Then I guess I'll call you that more often. Because it's true… You are my love. You have all of my love that I can give." Blaine got a little choked up with the sincere words and Kurt seemed to cling tighter to him. Blaine wasn't quite sure why.

"I love you, Blaine, so much. I love the way you love me." Blaine couldn't help but smile.

"I'll love you until the end of time."

The next three days passed in a similar way; they went to school, came home, and then lay together until dinner time. Given the situation and the fact that Burt didn't want his son feeling alone and scared, he let the boys sleep in the same bed for the few nights leading up to the anniversary of Kurt's attack.

When the actual day arrived, Kurt was unbelievably jumpy around everyone but Blaine, around whom he was extra clingy. His paranoia even kept him from leaving the house. It was a Saturday and they didn't have anywhere to be, so that wasn't really a problem, but Blaine hated seeing Kurt so scared. He just wished he could make it all better.

"Where are you going?" Kurt asked fearfully when Blaine went to get up. They were sitting up on Kurt's bed, leaning against the headboard and watching a movie while Kurt clung to him, so of course Kurt noticed Blaine's small movement.

Blaine kissed his forehead and cupped his jaw, rubbing his thumb over Kurt's cheek. "Shh, sweetheart, I'm just going to the bathroom. It's alright."

Kurt nodded hesitantly and let Blaine go—eventually, after stubbornly clinging to him for a few seconds longer. When Blaine got into the bathroom, he sat down and sighed. He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted desperately to make Kurt feel better, but nothing seemed to work. He hoped that maybe it would get better after the significant date passed and Kurt got over his irrational fear that those men would hurt him again. He hoped it would be that easy, but he didn't think it would be.

However, the only thing he could do was watch to see what happened.

After doing his business, he returned to his spot at Kurt's side, letting Kurt sidle up to him again. Kurt instantly relaxed when Blaine had his arms around him again.

"Don't leave," Kurt whispered, clinging to Blaine like a lifeline.

"I won't, I promise," Blaine answered, rubbing Kurt's back.

After a while, Kurt fell asleep, leaning heavily into Blaine's chest. Blaine just held him, ignoring his own discomfort because he didn't want to risk moving and waking Kurt up. He was sleeping so peacefully.

At least, he was, until his face scrunched up in distress and he clung even tighter to Blaine. Blaine knew he had to be having a nightmare. "N-No…" Kurt whimpered in his sleep. "Don't… Have to get home… Blaine… Needs me…" Blaine's heart crumbled and he gently shook Kurt's shoulders, trying to wake him up. The movement only scared Kurt more, though, and he flinched harshly, letting out a choked scream. Blaine tried again, desperately wanting to pull him out of his nightmare.

"Kurt, please wake up," he said. "You're safe. I'm right here. Wake up, Kurt."

Suddenly the bedroom door was flung open to reveal Burt hurrying down the stairs. "I heard a scream," he said gruffly, worry filling his tone. He saw Blaine trying to wake Kurt up and guessed that Kurt must be having a nightmare. "What's going on, kid?"

"He's not waking up," Blaine said miserably, looking up at Burt with desperate eyes. "I don't know what to do."

Burt was at his son's side within seconds, reaching out to touch him and try waking him up, but Kurt flinched away, almost falling into Blaine's lap. "No, no, no…" he panted fearfully. "Don't…"

Blaine had tears streaming down his face as he tried to coax Kurt awake over and over. "Kurt, please. Wake up. I'm here. It's Blaine, okay? It's just me and your dad. You're safe. We're all safe."

Kurt whimpered again and then gasped as his eyes snapped open, staring unseeingly around his room. "B-Blaine!" he cried.

"Shh, I'm right here," Blaine soothed. Kurt spun around to look at Blaine before throwing his arms around the shorter boy. "You're safe."

"And you're safe," Kurt reassured himself. "I-I couldn't stop them… They were hitting me… I had to get to you… Then you were there… They wouldn't stop hitting you," he broke off with a heartbreaking sob, shaking his head.

"It's okay," Blaine whispered into his ear, rubbing his back. "We're in your room. We're safe, I promise."

Kurt nodded, taking a few shaky breaths in an attempt to calm down. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost midnight. He instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry…"

Blaine and Burt both frowned, confused. "Sweetheart," Blaine said. "What are you sorry for?"

"For waking you guys up," he said, seemingly noticing for the first time that his dad was in the room.

Blaine chuckled. "You didn't. I wasn't sleeping."

"Neither was I," Burt admitted.

"But you were up worrying about me," Kurt argued.

"Kurt," Blaine said forcefully while keeping his expression gentle. "Don't worry about it. We love you; worrying comes with the package."

Burt nodded in agreement. He'd been about to say something but Blaine beat him to it.

Kurt sighed, slumping against Blaine's chest. "I love you both so much."

Burt went back to bed and Kurt and Blaine spent the next two hours watching a movie and laughing, glad to have a distraction. A little bit before the end of the movie, Kurt fell asleep again. This time, he slept peacefully through the night.

A/N: I'm finally getting a chance to update! Yay! But the downside is that this chapter is sad… sorry :(

Love you, my lovelies :)

Review please!