Prompt: Toshiko Sato - "Okay. So, if you're seeing this, I guess it means I'm, well, dead. Hope it was impressive! Not crossing the road or an 'incident' with a toaster. I just wanted to say, it's okay, it really saved me. You showed me all the wonders of the universe and all those possibilities. And I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Thank you." - 'Torchwood'
"Hey, Kurt! Can I borrow your math book?" Finn called out as he walked down the steps into Kurt's basement bedroom. He had to admit that he was relieved it had been returned to it's previous arrangement as he didn't like to be reminded of the blow-up down here when they had tried sharing a room. It definitely wasn't a moment he was proud of, though he was glad Burt had promised a new house with two rooms following the upcoming wedding. He still wasn't keen on sharing a room with Kurt.
"Yeah, it's on my desk," Kurt called out, his voice coming from the direction of the bathroom.
Heading over to the desk, Finn quickly found the math book. As he picked it up a paper fluttered out from the book. Assuming it was simply one of Kurt's assignments, Finn bent down to pick it up. Instead of numbers though he saw neatly printed words. Before he realized what he was doing, Finn found himself reading a disturbing letter to Burt.
Dear Dad,
If you're reading this, it means that something has happened to me. I'm sorry to leave you alone but at least now you'll have Carole and Finn. That eases my mind a little bit, though I know you'll still miss me. Please don't stop living though. I'd hate for that to happen after everything that you've done for me. After everything that you've done for me, I don't want you to sacrifice further.
More than anything, Dad, I hope that I made you proud . . .
"No one was supposed to see that."
Finn looked up at the statement. "What the hell is this, Dude?"
Kurt leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms across his stomach. "I wanted to leave something behind for my dad in case Karosfsky follows through on his threat."
"He's been expelled. He can't hurt you," Finn insisted.
"Just because he isn't at school doesn't mean he can't hurt me."
Finn felt his chest tightened. "What are you talking about?"
Reaching up, Kurt removed the scarf he was wearing to hide the bruises he had been examining. Bruises that Karofsky's hand had left around his throat. "Karofsky was waiting for me in the school parking lot today. He wasn't happy about being expelled. If Figgins hadn't come along. . ."
Kurt let his words trail off not wanting to voice the possibility.
Finn had stepped closed, examining the bruises clearly left by a hand. He knew he needed to do more to protect Kurt.
"Can you pick me up for school in the morning?" Finn asked.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want you alone at school. I'm going to do everything I can to protect you," Finn told him, reaching out to pull his soon to be stepbrother into a hug.
"Thanks, Finn," Kurt whispered, as he let himself be hugged by the taller teen. He had been so scared lately that the security offered by the embrace was a welcomed relief.