Title: Look at what a heart can do

Warnings: description of injury, mention of animal cruelty

Reviews:

MarciaChapter2: thanks so much! We were happy to get to this point too where they start caring about each other!

Thank you! I work very hard on the playlists for these fics lol I listen to it while I'm writing to get the vibe and I loved so many of the songs I tried something new and used lyrics in the breaks. I love music and will listen to just about anything, so I'm always looking for new stuff to listen to. I will talk about music anytime! -K


So remember how we said it will be 12 chapters total? Haha just kidding it's going to be 13. The last full chapters will be a monster otherwise, so we decided to split it up. We will still post both of them at the same time (11 and 12) because we don't want to leave anyone hanging. We just don't want it to be such a long chapter. There will also be a short epilogue. Anyway, carry on!


A terrible pain in his head and side woke Kurt. He groaned, his mouth dry and cottony. He would give his entire castle for a sip of water. He tried to sit up, but his body did not obey. His abdomen ached and burned. Every breath was a labor.

"Fuck," he whispered as he opened his stinging eyes. The first thing he saw was his canopy of leaves and vines above his bed.

He remembered everything. After going to check who had tripped his barriers, he had spotted two of them trying to pry the castle door open. He went through the usual song and dance: he told them to leave, they refused, he attacked. This time they came with others and with firebombs. They did battle and Kurt killed them all, but not before one of the bombs blasted a piece of his own castle through his side. Another had snuck in to the dungeon and his heart nearly shot out of his throat when he thought of what the intruder's intentions might be.

He had made him pay though.

Kurt felt the rage course through him again at the thought. How dare these brutes barge in constantly and threaten him! Threaten his home and his… Well, none of the people here were his. Especially since they all were gone now, he was sure of it. Kurt fisted his blankets, then frowned. How had he gotten to bed? Last he remembered he was in the dungeon with Blaine… Kurt lifted his blanket and noted he had been changed, his wound cleaned and dressed. He narrowed his eyes at the bandage.

"That bastard touched me… and destroyed my very expensive sheets," he grumbled. He glanced around his room and noted nothing else looked disturbed save one of his chairs and an ottoman. He grinned fiendishly at the thought of Blaine scrambling for an answer before Kurt could wake and destroy them. The fool was probably looking for something to change Rachel back. Idiot. Nothing could do it but him. The grin faded. But they were gone. He was sure Mercedes let them. Now he was alone and had nothing to show for all the hard work, all the planning. He cursed the men who attacked, cursed Blaine for leaving, and cursed himself for being a fool. For not being being strong enough. This was his own fault. It's what he got for getting careless. This was his punishment.

He was trying to figure out what he should do first, wallow in self-pity, fix his door, or find a new prisoner to replace Lady Rachel when his door suddenly opened. He shrunk back in a panic, certain he had missed an assassin and they had come to finish him off.

Mercedes pushed open the door further and sat so that she held it. Oh, awake I see, she said.

He glared at her. "Yes, I am. Care to explain—" He froze as Blaine bumbled through after Mercedes carrying a tray rather shakily of three steaming bowls and cups. Kurt pulled the covers up to his nose.

You were saying? she replied with a knowing glint in her eye.

Blaine was humming a little and he stopped abruptly when he saw Kurt peeking at him from under the covers. He smiled and set the tray down on a table. "Oh good! You're awake, Mr. Sleepyhead!"

Kurt threw the covers down in indignation. "How dare you address me as anything but—"

"Mercedes and I were taking bets on when you would wake," Blaine carried on brightly as if Kurt hadn't spoken. He set a bowl on the table where Mercedes could eat and then set a little tray up with a bowl, spoon, tea, and a thin bottle with that fucking dandelion from the dungeon in it. "I said you would probably sleep for the rest of the day, but she said you would awaken when you smelled food. Looks like she wins!" He cheerfully set the tray next to Kurt's feet and then went to Kurt's head. Even though he tried to slither back under the covers, Blaine caught his arm and propped him up on pillows. "There we go! And here's your food! Shall I feed you?"

"Do not touch me!" Kurt snatched the spoon from Blaine's hand. "And I am perfectly capable of feeding myself!"

Blaine smiled and plopped down in the chair next to Kurt's bed with his own cup of tea and bowl of what he now saw was soup. "So how are we feeling? Are you in a lot of pain?"

Kurt looked up from the fragrant soup Blaine had apparently made, to his face. His eye wasn't too bad, but there was definitely a bruise where that animal had hit him. He knew it had upset Blaine what he did, but he wasn't sorry. He had deserved it. Blaine had been unarmed.

Setting his spoon down, Kurt wove his fingers together. "I think I specifically told you not to touch me before I fainted."

Blaine sipped his soup. "And I think if I had listened, you would still be lying on the floor of your dungeon, dirty and bleeding." He winked at him. "You might try saying, 'thank you.'"

Kurt looked down at his soup, his cheeks warming. He wasn't used to not being in control. "Thank you," he mumbled before picking up his spoon. It was actually delicious if a bit simple. It was warm and filling and exactly what he needed to build up his strength. He had a lot to do. "After I eat, I'll heal myself again. It is a deep wound and it will take time, but I'll heal faster than anyone should. I might… need help getting down to the front door. They blew it to bits so I will need to repair it as best I can."

"Taken care of," Blaine said. "You have only been out most of a day and night, but I was able to repair it somewhat. When you get your strength up, you can fix it how you would like."

Blinking in surprise, Kurt looked down to his soup. "Oh… Why?"

Blaine chuckled and sipped his tea. "I should like for no mercenaries to come cut my neck in my sleep, thank you very much. It might not be my castle, but I still am staying here."

"No, why are you being so kind?" Kurt looked up into warm hazel eyes. "I've been horrible to you. I've threatened you, injured you, nearly killed you, and imprisoned you, yet you have still met me with kindness. Why?"

"Kurt… May I call you Kurt?"

He ignored how nice his name sounded on Blaine's lips. "You may not."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "Fine." He set his bowl aside. "Master Hummel, I know you think me a silly fool who is too naïve. Maybe I am.

"Like you, I spent most of my life friendless, moving from place to place without being able to build upon any one relationship. I've gone hungry. I've been treated poorly for things I cannot control. I've seen my share of dark times. In all those respects, I understand you and I sympathize with you. My parents taught me that being kind is always worth it.

"What I want, what I've always wanted from the beginning is just to take Lady Rachel home. Since I've been here, I want to release the cats of course, but most of all I just want to help. That includes you and the villagers."

Kurt was shocked into silence. It was quite hard not to believe Blaine with how sincere he was, but he still didn't trust it deep down. Blaine might even have the best, most honorable intentions, but he would be constantly disappointed by life.

"There are none of us worthy of your efforts," Kurt replied as he began to eat again. "You would be wise not to trust them. Or me."

Blaine sighed and set his empty bowl aside. "I know. And yet, I still do." He looked up sternly at Kurt. "There will be changes around here."

A smile tickled Kurt's lips, but he held it back. "Oh, there will?"

"Yes," Blaine replied, completely serious. It was quite darling. "For one, I shall not be living in the dungeons anymore. I will move back into my room."

"That is the room in which you stay, not your room."

"It is my room currently. Also, Lady Rachel will be moved into my room with me where I can keep closer watch on her. She is lonely down in the cold dungeons."

Something painful stabbed at his chest. "She is a prisoner," Kurt said darkly. "And she will stay where she is."

Blaine gave just as good as he got and stared Kurt down. "She can be just as much of a prisoner in my room as the dungeon. It's a mess down there anyway."

Kurt crossed his arms. "No."

Blaine crossed his arms. "Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"You would do well not to anger me," Kurt ground out.

"And you would do well to be nicer to the person who is taking care of you," Blaine retorted hotly.

He's right, Mercedes chimed in from where she had been eating and watching the show. He had every chance to kill you and take Lady Rachel, but he didn't. He cleaned your wounds and kept you safe. You owe him gratitude.

"Only because he needed me alive," Kurt sneered.

Blaine looked to Mercedes and then back to Kurt. "Can you make me able to talk to her? She is lonely too and no offense to you, but you have been quite an ass. So she's been taking up with me and we would like to be able to have a civilized conversation."

Mercedes booming laughter echoed through his head as he squeezed the life out of his spoon. "No. You are becoming too familiar, you imbecile!"

"I also want you to be nicer to me," Blaine continued, unbothered by his blustering. "And to Mercedes. We are the only ones who put up with you and we deserve respect."

Kurt's mouth opened and closed as he tried to think of something to reply that would hurt his feelings enough. He demanded tears!

I love this boy, Mercedes chuckled as she rubbed up against Blaine. No one has ever been able to shut you up so well before!

"Mark my words! Once I am recovered from my sick bed, you will both suffer my wrath!" He worked himself up, but the ache in his side was increasing the more he sat up, so Kurt settled back into his pillows with a pained grunt.

The amused smile on Blaine's face fell and he jumped up to help Kurt. "Are you in pain?"

Kurt swatted at him. "Don't touch me! I'm fine." He lay against the pillows and closed his eyes until the pain subsided.

Blaine fussed around him, never touching him but fluffing up his pillows and tucking his blankets in better. Something about it was sweet, but Kurt didn't allow those type of thoughts to linger. That would lead to weakness and weakness was something he couldn't afford.

Once they finished, Kurt watched Blaine take away all the empty bowls and stack them back onto the tray. He was wearing clean clothes, but they were ragged. He needed new ones. Kurt doubted he would wear the extravagant robes he himself favored, opting for the soft woolen sweaters and less expensive linens he usually wore. Now if he were to dress Blaine—

No. He shouldn't be thinking like that. Blaine wasn't a doll to dress up. He was an inconvenience and an upstart. They wouldn't end their short term of being acquaintances with warm feelings. Still, he could extend a little congeniality towards him for all he had done. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "The soup was quite good." He fretted with the blanket he clutched in his hands and glanced up to see Blaine watching him as if he was trying to determine whether or not he was serious. To be fair, Kurt had tricked him a lot. "I'm being sincere. Did your father teach you that too?"

Blaine smiled shyly. "Thank you. My mother, actually. She makes it when we're ill."

Kurt nodded. "I see. My mother taught me how to make cheese."

"You make that cheese? The one in the kitchen?" Blaine asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Of course," Kurt said dryly. "Who else? I have no servants."

Blaine stopped from snooping around Kurt's room to shrug. "I guess it does make sense. It's fantastic." He stopped at some shelves.

"So you've said." He wasn't pleased by Blaine's words, but he wasn't displeased.

"This is the one from your story?" Blaine gestured to the simple little pitcher that had been his mother's. His first act of magic.

"Yes and my rules still apply! No touching my things! I will feel no remorse killing you."

Blaine cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'd be willing to take you more seriously if you hadn't just literally boiled a man's blood only days ago for threatening me."

"I didn't do it for you," Kurt huffed. "I was merely protecting my home."

"Mhm." He was bent at the waist observing the pitcher with his hands clasped behind his back. "Anyway, you did a wonderful job except for this one crack."

"What?" Kurt tried to sit up, alarmed. "Where?" He winced in pain.

"Allow me to speak to Mercedes and I'll tell you," Blaine said impishly.

"No."

"Fine. I suppose you shall never know."

Kurt was about to ask Blaine if he wanted a personal demonstration of the blood boiling when he clapped his hands together.

"How would you like some entertainment?"

Kurt sighed happily and made himself more comfortable. "Yes." Blaine's soothing voice was just what he needed at the moment.

"Our story begins with The Very Grumpy Wizard throwing The Humble Bard into the dungeon when he did nothing wrong."

Kurt opened his eyes to see Blaine kneeling at the foot of the bed with a puppet on each hand. His face fell. "Oh joy."

Blaine ignored his less than enthusiastic reply. "Now, if this resembles any situation you have experienced in your actual life, it is purely coincidence. You should just take it as an opportunity to see what other choices could have been made. Let's begin!"

Mercedes snickered and flopped down at the foot of Kurt's bed. Blaine began his show and Kurt endured it begrudgingly. He was to the third act of his skit when Kurt groaned and scrubbed his face.

"Yes, yes! I understand! I am the worst! Can you please stop before I lose my grip on my sanity?"

Blaine sniffed and primly began putting his puppets back into their burlap sack. "Very well. As long as we have learned our lesson. I suppose you need your rest."

"Would you— Sing please?" Kurt smoothed the covers out over his chest. He hated sounding like he wanted something, especially from Blaine, but he truly had missed his songs. They brought peace to his soul when nothing else did. Finally, he looked up and saw Blaine beaming at him. He simultaneously hated and enjoyed it. Kurt looked away.

"Of course, Master Hummel. Any particular requests?" He scooped up his recovered mandolin and began strumming it.

Kurt watched his fingers coax music from the instrument, his body relaxing immediately. "Something soothing. Whatever you want." His eyelids were growing heavy once again so he placed his hand over his wound and thought healing words. Warm light glowed from his hand and he collapsed back with the concentrated effort of healing himself. A few more days of it and he would be fully recovered.

Blaine had watched him do it with open fascination, but he continued playing. When he sang, Kurt closed his eyes and let the words soak into his skin.

"Chaos falls like pouring rain, like the sky is caving in. Fight my way above the ground. Now I see without the summer daze, you are all I got. Need a minute, time to steal. Heal me, oh, sweet chamomile. Scream above the static sound. Oh, will you help me out, will you help me out? Will there ever be settled scores or will they always fight for more? They always fight for more. I've been in the dark, I've been counting stars. You've been in my heart through the heavy parts. When it's all too much to feel, heal me, oh, sweet chamomile. I've been in the dark with a racing mind. You've been in my thoughts almost every night. When it's all too much to feel, heal me, oh, sweet chamomile."

Kurt wondered why Blaine chose that song. He cracked open his eyes to watch the earnest way he sang. Was it about Lady Rachel? Surely he was in love with her. That's the only reason someone would hang on so desperately. Love. His eyes traced the glow of the sun around Blaine, warm and yellow. Even with his blackened eye, he was still a sight to behold. She probably loved him back desperately. They probably sang treacly songs to one another before declaring their love and slobbering all over each other. He had heard Lady Rachel was about to pick a suitor. He was actually surprised more suitors hadn't come to save her. A fool though he might be, at least Blaine truly cared. Kurt ached for someone to care about him so deeply. Then he pushed the desire away. He would have it soon. He would just have to be patient.

Kurt knew he shouldn't trust Blaine, shouldn't fall asleep where he could easily slash his throat and be done with it, but he hadn't harmed him before. Why would he do it now? He didn't trust Blaine, but as long as he held his lover in a gold cage, Blaine wouldn't harm him.

His last thought before falling asleep was that Blaine had technically repaid his life debt back to him, but he hadn't mentioned it. Kurt decided he wouldn't either. In the meantime, he could pretend the pretty words were meant for him…


All that I know about us is that beautiful things never last, that's why fireflies flash


The next day, Blaine brought Lady Rachel to his room even though Kurt threatened everything he loved.

Blaine nodded at him like he was placating a child. "Yes, yes. You're a scary wizard and I'm quite afraid. You need to conserve your strength and giving her food and water will be one less thing to do. Hush and get to healing."

He could tell it infuriated Kurt that he showed no fear, but how could he? Blaine was wearing him down, he knew it. He could bluster and flail all he wanted, but his bark was much more fierce than his bite nowadays. He was adept at winning people over and he knew Kurt would give in eventually.

In the days following the attack, Kurt did indeed recover quickly. Once a day, he would heal himself and Blaine would marvel at it each time. Kurt informed him he was ridiculous and Blaine reminded him he had only seen real magic one other time.

"When was that?" Kurt asked as they took a daily stroll through the courtyard. Kurt was much stronger now, but Blaine worried he would collapse again or worse, not be fully recovered if anyone were to attack. He asked Kurt about sealing up the walls, but he shook his head.

"It was in one of the cities." He held his arm out so he could help Kurt over a loose stone, but he scoffed and walked right over it gracefully. Blaine curled up his fingers. "I had gotten distracted by the sparkle of a passing lady's earring and thus became lost."

Kurt snorted as he tucked his hands into his sleeves. "Ah, so this happened recently?"

Blaine shot him a glare. "No, I was a child. Anyway, I realized my mistake and began to fret and cry. Suddenly, there was a strange man in front of me wearing a thick cloak. He had scars all on his face and one glass eye. I was frightened, but he spoke to me kindly and asked if I was lost. I told him yes and he plucked a hair from my head. The hair was consumed by flame and I was still very scared, but I followed him. He led me right to them. I joyfully reunited with my parents who were just as upset as I, but when I turned to thank him, he was gone. Cooper said I was lying because none of them ever saw him, but I didn't imagine him. To this day, I have been grateful to him and his magic."

Kurt had listened without interruption until he finished. "You're quite fortunate he didn't take you home and make stew of you. Too trusting. Were he a forest nymph, you might have been spirited away forever. You must be made of luck."

Blaine laughed and thought of Doug. They had come to the break in the wall and Kurt sat down slowly to rest on a slab of ice. He jerked away when Blaine tried to help him.

"I do not need your assistance!"

"You groaned like a tree being felled! Calm yourself!"

They glared at each other, but Kurt broke away first. "I am not a frail old man."

Blaine rolled his eyes away and sat beside Kurt, making sure he kept his distance. He looked even more pale in the late afternoon sun. Miraculously, he was up and moving, a feat most could not accomplish.

"Anyway, I know it was probably not a good idea to trust that man, but I did and he very kindly helped me. You should be grateful."

Kurt coughed out a laugh and burrowed farther into his robes like he was chilled. "Oh really? Why is that?"

Blaine's eyes followed his profile for a few moments. He wondered at the little scar on his neck. Who had done that to him? Someone he allowed too close. No wonder he threw a fit every time Blaine tried to touch him. He looked away. "Because it taught me as a child that some people who possess magic can be kind. I don't have to tell you that I've met others in this world who don't hold this belief."

With a frown, Kurt looked over at him and held eye contact. Thankfully his eyes were clearer and brighter.

"Had I believed everyone else," Blaine continued. "I might have attacked you when I first came for Lady Rachel."

Kurt's frown softened. "And you would be dead. You must find that person and thank him profusely for teaching you to not become a bigot."

Although he doubted Kurt was trying to be funny, this surprised a laugh out of Blaine and made Kurt smile the tiniest little bit.

"I do wish I could thank him. For many things." Blaine looked off towards the road and thought of his family and how much he missed them.

Kurt toyed with his rings. Blaine had noticed he wore five, two on his left hand and three on his right. The two gold with leaf and vine carvings on his left were stacked on his ring finger while the other three on his right were more ornate. There was a big emerald sapphire on his pointer finger set in delicate silver. On his middle, a clear quartz in a gnarled setting of some black metal that looked like the branches of a tree. Lastly, on his ring a green opal that looked like a canopy of trees with sunlight streaming through set in silver. He was extremely curious about why he wore them, but the only time he mentioned them, Kurt only glowered so Blaine hadn't asked yet. He would when Kurt was in a better mood.

"So what's your plan?" Kurt asked suddenly.

Blane looked up from where he had been watching the sparkle of the jewels. "Plan?" He truly had no idea what Kurt meant. "For thanking that man? I wouldn't even know where to start."

"Let's pretend you are putting on one of your silly little skits."

Blaine didn't like the way Kurt was smiling. "They aren't silly…"

Kurt waved him away. "And say I, in my endless patience and benevolence, decided to let you take Lady Rachel home. I'm not actually doing it, wipe that hopeful look from your face. What shall you do? Gather the reward, marry her, and have lots of loud, annoying babies? Become a lord? Not a terrible plan other than having to be married to her and your children never having hope of reaching a top shelf." He looked rather pleased with himself.

"I'll have you know that Lady Rachel and I are merely childhood friends. When I heard she had been taken, all I could think about was when we would play together and how we promised to be there for each other. It was a child's promise, but I took it seriously. Yes, my family can use the reward, but I don't want to marry her. I have only ever felt romantic attraction towards men, although I've never been in love." He felt a bit shy at admitting that, but it was completely worth it to see Kurt's mouth drop open. Blaine allowed himself to feel the pleasure at Kurt's shock. He though he had him figured out and it was delicious. "Who is the fool now?"

Kurt recovered quickly and kept staring at him like he was a confusing puzzle. "I am no fool."

Blaine looked down at his hands in his lap. "My family and I, we always have had each other, but I didn't always have much choice as far as making my fortune. I know I will always have a place with my family, but I wanted to help somehow. And I want a home. A place I can live. I've never had that before since we always traveled. Then there's the Anderson name. First it was my father and then my brother. Everyone knows them and they always shined so bright. It's like when you are looking at the stars. They all shine, but when some of them are next to others, they aren't quite as bright. You have to really look at them to see them. I'm the dull star next to Cooper. So I heard about all this and thought, maybe if I could convince you to give Rachel back, I could bring her home and it would be a great event. Then I could be the bright star." Blaine couldn't believe he was telling Kurt of all people this. He would probably laugh at him and think him stupid, but to his surprise he just listened.

Blaine was about to apologize for sharing too much when he saw the silent blinking glow from under the trees. "Oh! So pretty!" He stood and ignored the way Kurt seemed to sputter. Leaving the castle walls through the gap, he went towards the fireflies as they drifted in and out of his view. "Kurt! Come! Look how beautiful they are!"

"I have most assuredly seen a firefly before," Kurt grumbled, but shuffled towards Blaine anyway. "I don't see why you find them so fascinating."

Blaine shrugged, undeterred by Kurt's lackluster appreciation. "I have always loved them." He carefully caught one in his hands and waited for the inevitable glow. When it happened, he opened his hands slightly for Kurt could see. "Look how cute!"

Kurt wrinkled his nose, but he looked in the window of Blaine's wrists carefully so as not to touch him. He seemed unimpressed, but to be fair, someone who could do all Kurt could might not be as filled with wonder at a mere insect.

"It's… very nice," Kurt settled on and stepped away.

Blaine opened his hands and let the little bug go join its friends. The evening grew darker and the crickets and frogs grew louder. Blaine blinked and it was as if the stars had fallen from the sky. Fireflies glowed all around him, so many clustered together like he had never seen before. He laughed with joy at the gorgeous sight and turned to Kurt who was watching him, arms in his wide sleeves and an odd look on his face.

"Have you ever seen something so beautiful?" Blaine asked as he spun around like a child.

"Never," Kurt whispered.

Blaine stopped and reached out his hand.

Kurt twitched away. "What?"

"Spin with me! It's fun! The lights spread and it looks amazing!"

Kurt looked at his hands and then back to his face. There was something there, some wall that had crumbled for a moment that made Blaine recall his relaxed face when he was sleeping. A vulnerability. But as soon as it was there, it vanished as Kurt smirked at him and turned away.

Blaine wasn't hurt, but he felt a sadness for Kurt he couldn't quite name. That's when he noticed there didn't seem to be as many fireflies. It was as if Kurt leaving took them away. A grin broke out on his face and he put a hand to his chest. Had Kurt…? Surely not. He couldn't stop smiling as he followed Kurt's path into the castle.


Nothing's gonna hurt me with my eyes shut, I can see through them


Mercedes watched them re-enter the castle while she sat on a high shelf next to a fern. She was cleaning her paws, but she kept her eyes on them. Fools, both of them. She watched how Kurt tried to act like he wasn't still weak and he disliked Blaine fretting over him. But she saw how he fought a smile. Then she looked to Blaine following Kurt like a lost puppy who found a boy to play with. They were both quite obvious and it gave her hope. Perhaps Blaine was their last hope.

Truthfully, she had wanted revenge too at one time, just like Kurt.

When she first met Kurt, she only saw him as a lonely boy who everyone stayed away from. He would sit up in his tree and read his book or sit off in the corner during classes, sticking his nose up at everyone else. She would notice the longing looks he gave to the other children when they would laugh together. She noticed how the others treated him, like he had a disease that would be transferred to them if he even spoke to them. She winced when they would taunt him and tease him about his mother being a witch. And Dave was the worst of them. He made a comment to her once about how his family was more important than hers, but Mercedes didn't really care. However, he seemed to get pleasure out of doing anything he could to upset Kurt. It got to the point where she spoke out against him, but her family quickly shut her down.

"He's the Town Master's son!" her father chastised her. "Do you know what they could do to our family?"

"And he's probably right about them!" her mother said. "There is just something wrong with that family. Burt Hummel used to have sense until that woman bewitched him!"

"But I've never seen Kurt do anything harmful," Mercedes argued. "In fact all the others are the ones who are mean to him! You should hear the names they call him and his mother! And they steal from him and throw things at him—"

"Stay away from that boy," her father said, stern finality in his voice. "He is nothing but trouble."

So Mercedes did what her parents told her to, just like she always did. She turned a blind eye to the cruelty of their peers and even other adults in the village. She didn't look at him or watch him or defend him when Dave left a bloody goat heart in Kurt's bag and no one did anything but laugh.

But then came the day she found him in the tree just reading his book. He was curled in on himself like he could shut out the world. His chin rested on his knees and a perpetual scowl twisted his face. He looked so sad and alone that she forgot her parent's warnings and climbed up into the tree with him. He seemed to ignore her, but she saw the quick glance around like he was looking for others. As if she was the distraction so someone else could sneak up on him. To be fair, they had done that to him last week. They sat in silence for a few moments until Mercedes decided to speak up.

"I've never read that book before. Is it any good?"

He glared at her up over the top of his well-worn copy. The green lady on the front with the pointy hat looked back at her.

"I haven't finished it yet," he replied snidely.

"I've seen you. You just start it right back over when you finish it."

He huffed and flipped a page.

"Come on then. Tell me something about it." She smiled at him encouragingly.

His eyes scanned her face like he was attempting to suss out her intentions. He smiled back, but it wasn't warm. "Well, everyone continually betrays her until she decides to give in and be the villain. Something to aspire to, no?"

Mercedes laughed. "As if you could be the villain."

Kurt's mocking smile dropped. "Yes I could!"

"I don't buy that. You are too kind. I saw you feeding those stray cats that hover outside the butcher's."

He sighed, defeated and set the book in his lap. "I had to do something with the goat heart. And I always feel so terrible seeing them go hungry. Everyone just shoos them… I suppose I know how they feel…" He thumbed the folded corner of his book.

Mercedes' heart went out to him. "I think that's nice. And I feed the cats too sometimes."

They shared a smile, a moment of understanding.

"Now, tell me about the book—" She had moved over on the branch when her hand slipped and she was tumbling back and falling. Then came the worst pain she had ever felt in her entire life mixed with the shock of having the breath knocked from her. There was blood everywhere and a bone poking from her arm.

Kurt leaped down from the tree, his face drained of color as he frantically looked her over. Mercedes felt faint and could barely remember the way he babbled about helping her even though he shouldn't. She honestly couldn't pay attention to much else besides the pain, but soon all her attention had been pulled back with intense focus to him. A warm glow began to flow from his hands that hovered over her fractured arm. Kurt was concentrating completely on her wound. She was shocked. She had never seen magic before, nor had she believed the rumors that Kurt and his mother were magical. Here was the proof though, right in front of her. Kurt was sweating and mumbling and her arm was knitting itself back together. The bone snapped back into place, the muscle formed back into its usual shape, and the skin closed like it had never happened. The pain faded to a dull ache. The only hints that something had occurred was the pain in her back from falling and the blood that still shone wet where the wound was.

Kurt dropped his hands and let go of a relieved exhale. He reached for her again, but her mind was still trying to comprehend what had happened. She flinched away and saw his heart break all over again.

The others had seen it too. It reignited the fire of their distrust and they chased him away.

Mercedes sat alone for a long time after, staring at the boy's abandoned book. She felt foolish. He hadn't hurt her, but helped her when she had needed it. She resolved to apologize to him and thank him for helping her.

But Kurt never returned to school. His father warred against the rest of the village to protect him. He kept him close. Kurt stayed away from her along with everyone else.

Until the end.

Her family treated her differently too. The only difference between before and after was that she had been healed by Kurt. They acted like she had been turned against them or cursed by Kurt. She tried to explain what happened, but they refused to talk about it, even going so far as to pretend it didn't happen. So she stayed away from Kurt for a long time. She knew she would lose her family otherwise.

When she was able to sneak away and visit him in his first castle, he was a shell of himself. She brought him his book she had hidden away which was the first spark of life she saw in his eyes. He seemed so paranoid, so hollowed out. It wasn't the reunion she was hoping for, but she promised she would return.

It wouldn't be soon.

Her parents found out somehow about her visiting Kurt. They told her if she went again, not to bother returning. She would no longer be their daughter if she continued to associate with him. She knew it wasn't right. She tried to change their minds, but they only pulled away. Her sister wouldn't speak to her.

After Kurt attacked the village, they even shunned her, saying he wanted to find her. They tried to lock her in her room until she changed her mind. They were insane.

The next time she saw him, he would be much different. He would be consumed with an idea for revenge. And she would agree. She would join him.

When she went to Kurt, she was angry. She was tired of being mistreated for no reason. She told Kurt she would help him, but not like this. Not the way he wanted to. Now he was obsessed with taking his revenge and she was along for the ride.

Her anger cooled over the years. She often wondered how her family was. What they were doing. She understood they were just afraid. Now she understood they were trying to protect her. She desperately wished she could take it back. But Kurt would see this out to the end and nothing would change his mind.

Her golden brown eyes followed them as Blaine said something and made the corner of Kurt's lips curl up just a little. She hoped this was enough to change his mind, his heart.


Blood is thicker than water, but both feel the same when your eyes are closed


Dave Karofsky, Town Master of Lima like his father before him, knew he was playing a dangerous game.

Once his father had taken him to another town and shown him the bear fights. He had to be lifted onto a box to see into the ring, but it was a sight he knew would stay with him forever. Part of him was sad for the bears, but the other was fascinated.

"Why are the bears so mad at each other?" he asked his father as the fight got bloody.

Paul Karofsky watched them too with a delighted grin. "That's the thing! Sometimes they don't wanna fight. So they have to rile them up a bit. They take that long stick with the sharp point at the end— see that man over there has one— and they poke them! Get them good and mad, then they'll fight! Isn't it marvelous?"

While he never grew to enjoy the bear fights like his father, he never forgot those words. That's what he felt like he was doing with Hummel: poking a bear.

It was a delicate process. A jab here. A stab there. He had to be manipulated into such a rage that he couldn't possibly stop himself from mauling whatever happened to be in front of him. He couldn't believe he hadn't already attacked. When he kidnapped the Berry girl, Karofsky prepared himself. He knew that would be the end of him. He thought Hummel would keep taking people and he would finally be justified in marching on the castle. But then he hadn't and why was driving Dave mad. What was his angle of the game? And Dave knew that Hummel was playing the same game as him. Always had been.

When they were younger, Dave was drawn to the shy boy with no friends. Later when it came out that he was indeed magic, he understood why. He had been casting spells on him to make him want Kurt! That's the only explanation. No wonder he loved to torment him and make him cry. He wanted Kurt. He hated that he wanted him.

So Karofsky jabbed and poked. He sent assassins to kill him. Some got closer than others. He really thought that beautiful actor man would have done it. No one ever came back. But now he was close, Dave could feel it. He would finally avenge his parents and also squash the terrible urges he felt when he was around the wizard. Sure, he was an attractive man, but he was magical and that was something Dave had been taught never to court. There were whispered stories that his family only told about stealing their lands from magical beings, but he wasn't sure if they were true or not. In his mind, the world would be better without magic, a world where everyone was on level ground. Then he could protect his people better.

Sure he had done some things that wouldn't be considered moral, but it was all in the name of protecting Lima. Ridding the world of his nemesis would just be a boon.

When Blaine Anderson came along, Dave fell hard. He was attractive and sweet and charming, a perfect fit for their little community. Dave had all but begged him to stay. But of course, he was only there because of that fiend taking his friend. Dave had hoped Blaine would decide he couldn't do it or that he was afraid and come back. He seemed to be the timid type. But he faced Hummel and came back, wounded but alive. To see those injuries on him infuriated Dave beyond belief. He was now even more determined to rid the world of Kurt Hummel. He thought then Blaine would stay away, stay with him. But he left again. Dave was beside himself with worry. So he sent Ryder to get Blaine's body back or whatever remained. Word had reached him that his family was looking for him and he wanted to have an answer should they make their way here. But then Ryder returned with nothing but the information that not only was Blaine fine, but he was voluntarily staying there. Dave had his suspicions. Hummel had worked his evil on him as well or was holding him prisoner.

So that's why he was there, sneaking around the edge of the forest. He dared not enter the castle walls. No, he was more intelligent than that. Hummel would never pass an opportunity to kill him. So he skulked in the shadows, heart skipping at every noise. That's when he saw Blaine. Oh, he looked even better than Dave remembered. His beard had been trimmed recently, but not his hair and it fell in rings over his ears. He appeared clean and healthy which was a relief. Dave was about to call out for him when Blaine turned around and held out his hand. A shiver ran through him when Kurt Hummel stepped out behind Blaine, scowling at his offered hand and brushing past him. Blaine shook his head, but he was smiling. Dave's heart sunk. So Hummel had bewitched him?

Blaine dropped his hand and followed behind Hummel, watching his every move. Jealousy flared hot through Dave. How could he do that to sweet Blaine? He knew that given a real choice without magic, Blaine would chose him. Not Hummel. But then… Hummel turned at something Blaine said as they walked the perimeter. He was saying something with that puppet he carried on his hand and when Blaine looked away, Hummel smiled. It was soft and sweet, full of admiration. As soon as Blaine looked back at him, the smile disappeared. So he held affection for Blaine. Jealousy coursed through Dave once again and he balled up his fists.

This could not stand. He had to free Blaine from the wizard's grip. Blaine would not be his plaything. With a new determination, Dave started his journey back to the village. He would have to put his plans into motion a little earlier than expected. He thought of the goat he had hidden in his old barn, the one his father was murdered in. He would have to kill it tonight and blame it on Hummel. It would feed the fire. He hated lying to his people, but he needed to get them ready to take Hummel down once and for all. Maybe he should let Ryder discover the goat. He had a strong stomach.

Dave thought of the bears again, slashing and biting at each other. It wasn't always the biggest bear that won, but the quickest. The smartest. He had every intention of coming out of this the champion.


music used:

Song Blaine sings:

-Sweet Chamomile: Ruth B.

Title/breaks:

-Starting to Get to You: Jensen McRae

-Fireflies: Ron Pope

-Eyes Shut: Years & Years

-The Water Is Fine: Chloe Ament

we do not own music!*