Hi everyone! Anyone? Anywho, first I should apologize, both for the hiatus and for the short chapter. On the bright side, I have now completed my secondary schooling and have my own laptop, so hopefully I can update my stories more often. Secondly, the chapter is fairly short, due to the fact it's been so long since reviewing this story I just wanted to write a quick refresher before jumping back into it. Luckily, I do know where to go from here, and hopefully my execution isn't too flawed.

I guess one benefit of my leave is that Amy Lee released played a new song, and it is the perfect fit for this chapter. It's called Find A Way and you can view it here watch?v=4UE5sqaI9p4

Take my hand, hold me close
Every breath's a gift, we don't know what tomorrow holds
But I know I need you, you show me the truth
And I will reach you somehow

In the few weeks since Sam was admitted from hospital, things finally seemed to settle for both him and Puck. Despite the fact that he still lived in a motel, there was nothing predominately dangerous or vicious to target him. Puck's father was now in prison, thanks to the decisive evidence Nana found in a "moment of utter serendipity", and this seemed to ease the remaining Puckerman's a whole bunch. Whenever he and Puck cuddled on the couch, Puck's grip was a little more loose, but still just as caring.

Much like their family ties, the couples physical wounds were beginning to heal as well, to the point of full recovery. Puck's bruises were now unnoticeable, and Sam's head was fine, as long as he didn't tilt it to far to the right. That made day-to-day life much easier, and as long as Puck's abdomen scar was hidden, easy it would stay.

The two were enjoying dinner at Puck's one Saturday night, nostalgic of the recent past. It was a date, of sorts, but Sam refused to spend to splurge on anything while he was still living in a motel.

"I wish you'd just let me pay for dinner," Puck said, staring at their uninspired meal.

"What's so bad about this?" Sam replied, downing a forkful of mashed potatoes.

"Oh, nothing." Puck played with the peas on his plate. "It's just that we could mix it up. We could go out more, to like parties and stuff." He grinned. "Then we'll be known as the next Kurt and Blaine."

Sam giggled, swallowing. "Blaine's changed a real lot in the past two years."

Puck paused. "How would you know? You only met him a couple of months ago."

"I'm pretty sure he doesn't recognise me, considering I went through puberty, but-"

"Hold on," Puck interrupted, setting down his cutlery with a clang. "I have a feeling it's story time." Much to Sam's amusement, he feigned child-like anticipation and let the blond begin.

I'll find a way
Build another world beyond the pain
I'll find a way to keep you safe
Until the end of time

Sam lay in the forest, humiliated and terrified. The blades of grass prickled his skin, but he did nothing to move. For what felt like hours, he ruminated over the haze of thought in his head. What would happen when he attempts to go back inside? Egg yolk trickled down the groove of his back. He refused to go inside, burying his face in the grass and ignoring the crickets chirping.

He heard footsteps, but didn't bother to move. They came closer, and he expected a firm kick to the gut. However, a careful voice spoke just above a whisper.

"Sam?"

It was Blaine. Sam didn't bother to move.

"Are you okay?"

Sam choked in response, sitting up and staring Blaine in the eyes. "Okay? Of course I'm okay." He balled his fists, the dried blood cracking. "I'm completely perfect, thank you for asking."

"Sorry-"

"I was just fucking outed in front of a school of homophobic jackasses but I am just great," he began to growl, tensing his jaw in utter frustration.

Blaine stood there, willing to take the verbal abuse. "I'm sorry," he whispered again.

"Why?" Sam demanded, jumping up. "Why are you sorry?" He staggered over to Blaine and poked him in the chest. "You were there. You are one of them. Why are you sorry?"

Blaine winced with every poke, but kept his stance. He grasped Sam's finger with his hand and gently moved it back. "I-I'm sorry."

Sam still seemed to be seething with rage, but he stared at Blaine, feeding off of his empathy. Then, without warning, the palpable tension faded and Sam broke, hugging the smaller teen incredibly tightly and sobbing over his shoulder.

"I-It's okay," Blaine placated, cautiously patting Sam's shoulder. "It's going to be alright." He let the cries lessen into sobs before moving out of the embrace.

Sam wiped away the tears from his eyes, well past trying to disguise his intermittent sniffs and gasps. "Why?" Is all he could muster.

"Sebastian's a dick, that's why," Blaine replied. "If it makes you feel any better – you're not the first he's tricked."

Sam looked up. "How do you know that?" he asked.

Blaine sighed, and turned to locate a tree not far off from Sam's. There, engraved in the trunk, was 'B.A. + S.S', encased within a love heart.

"Oh."

Break the chains within your mind
Fighting blindly through the dark
I know you hear me, I would give my life
If it would save you from this

Puck nodded sadly. "I guess he kinda went through the same thing."

"Yeah," Sam agreed.

"That's good, then, I guess. If Blaine can resurface, I'm just as sure you can."

He smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"On that subject, I have something to ask." Puck grabbed Sam's hands from across the table. "What do you think about coming out?"

The look of absolute horror on Sam's face made him grimace. "Okay, okay... how about just to the Glee club? I mean, we know we'll get their support... and half of them already know so...?" Puck tried to appear supportive himself, shrugging his shoulders and scrunching his face into a smoulder.

Sam's cheeked flushed. "Okay," he said finally. He was taken aback by Puck's enthusiasm, as the other boy cupped his jaw and kissed him.

"Awesome!" He cheered, "And I have the perfect way to do it!"

I'll find a way
Build another world beyond the pain
I'll find a way to keep you safe
Until the end of time