Blaine smiled at him. “You’re welcome. We’re here.”

Kurt looked up, not even realizing that Blaine had pulled up to a distinct, but beautiful house and stopped the truck. “This is gorgeous, Blaine.”

Blaine chuckled nervously. “Thanks. My parents built it.

“Really?” Kurt replied. “Do they live here?”

Blaine fidgeted a little in his seat, and Kurt didn’t miss the action. “No. It’s just me.” He answered.

“Isn’t that a little dangerous?”

Blaine shrugged. “It’s in the middle of nowhere, and half a mile into the woods. I don’t have any visitors unless they’re invited.” Blaine said with a grin. “I also have ‘No Trespassing’ signs placed at different spots.”

“You own this land?” Kurt asked, impressed.

Blaine nodded. “I own about 400 acres. I have the house, as well as some farm land, including a few fruit trees.”

Kurt had to control himself from snorting. “You’re a farmer?”

“Got a problem with that?” Blaine questioned playfully.

Kurt shook his head quickly. “No. What kind of animals do you have?”

“Not very many. I have a few chickens and a cow.” Blaine said.

“That’s all?”

He nodded. “I was never really into taking care of animals. I always wanted to work with the land. But I keep a few around for company.” Blaine said, grinning. “Would you like to see the inside of the house?”

“Absolutely.” Kurt replied. “Lead the way, farm boy.”

Blaine laughed as he got out of his truck and walked around to the other side to help Kurt out.
“Princess Bride reference?” Blaine asked.

“It happens to be one of my favorite movies.” Kurt stated smugly.

Blaine smiled as Kurt stepped out of his truck. “Mine too. Now come on.”

In an instant, Blaine grabbed Kurt’s hand and led him up to the gorgeous house. They walked slowly, and Kurt took his time to admire the outside.

The house was painted a dark red color, with blue-green accents and white shutters. What Kurt loved the most was the wrap-around porch which held several wooden rocking chairs, as well as a porch swing.
__________________________________________________________

Blaine and Kurt made their way up the steps and Blaine swung open a very creaky door. They stepped inside, and Kurt instantly fell in love with the hominess of it. A large brick fireplace sat in the very center of the open living room, and the walls were aligned with wooden bookcases. A colorfully painted kitchen on the far left also caught Kurt’s eye.

“This is amazing!” He exclaimed.

“I’m glad you like it.” Blaine said. “Make yourself at home. I’m going to make some soup.”

Kurt nodded as Blaine made his way to the kitchen and began bringing out several ingredients. Kurt took the opportunity to take a closer look at his surroundings. He began surveying the books and pictures that adorned the bookcases. He came across one with a smiling, but much younger looking Blaine, with two people on either side of him. “Are these your parents?”

Blaine looked up from what he was doing. “Yes.” He answered shortly, not bothering to elaborate.

Kurt briefly wondered what the story was behind Blaine and his parents, but he decided that it wouldn’t exactly be an appropriate question to ask. There was something else he wanted to know about Blaine, though.
“Hey, Blaine?” Kurt asked as he made his way over to the island that sat in the middle of the kitchen.

“Yeah?” Blaine answered, not taking his attention off the carrots he was chopping up.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?” Kurt wondered curiously.

Blaine grinned. “How old do I look?”

Kurt hesitated, unsure. “Twenty- two? He guessed.

Blaine laughed. “Not quite. I’m twenty. But it’s nice to know that I look older. It means that I haven’t been trying to grow this beard out for nothing.”

Kurt laughed hysterically. “A beard? You mean that hint of stubble on your cheeks? How long have you been growing that?”

“A month.” Blaine grumbled, causing Kurt to laugh even harder.

When Kurt had calmed down, Blaine took his turn. “So, how old are you?”

Kurt decided to give a straight answer instead of having Blaine guess. “I’m nineteen.”

“Oh, I see I picked up a younger man.” Blaine teased suggestively, and Kurt reached across the counter to slap him playfully on the shoulder. Blaine tried to dodge Kurt’s hand, but instead just ended up spilling several vegetables on the floor.

Kurt smirked triumphantly, as Blaine went back to preparing the soup. Kurt raised his eyebrows when he saw Blaine dump some already cooked chicken into the large pot. “Pre-made chicken?”

“This is my favorite meal. I make it at least twice a week. So I always cook extra chicken to keep around so that I don’t always spend so much time cooking it.” Blaine admitted.

“That’s very…resourceful.” Kurt said, watching as Blaine added the remaining ingredients to the pot, and turned up the heat.

“Now it has to simmer until cooked through, then we’ll eat.”

“So what do we do in the meantime?” Kurt asked him.

“Why don’t you tell me more about yourself? Like why were you riding in a car with that scumbag? Did you know that guy?”

Kurt shifted uncomfortably. “You ask a lot of questions.” He mumbled.

“Hey”. Blaine said, placing a hand lightly but comfortingly on Kurt’s shoulder. “I know you don’t know me, but you can trust me. I promise I won’t judge you.” He said reassuringly.

Kurt sighed. “No, I didn’t know him. I was hitching a ride.”

“Where were you headed to?” Blaine asked with curiosity.

“Florida.” Kurt answered shortly.

“You have family there?” Blaine questioned.

“No, I don’t. But it’s where I need to go.” Kurt responded.

“Why?”

Kurt shook his head. “Too personal.”

An awkward silence followed, but Kurt decided that it was his turn to ask questions. “Tell me a little about living here. It must get lonely at times, right?”

Blaine smiled, though Kurt could see a hint of sadness behind it. “I like the peace and quiet. But there is a town, about two and a half miles up the road. I go there every other day, to get food and stuff. It’s a tiny town, so everyone is like family. If I get super bored, sometimes I’ll go up there to chat with some of the people.” Blaine said fondly. “Not to mention, I have my chickens for company.” He added.

Kurt laughed. “Of course.”

“Well, the soup should be finished. Come on.” Blaine led Kurt into the kitchen and got out two bowls and a ladle.

As Kurt took his bowl from Blaine, the two boys heard the distinct sound of thunder outside. Kurt outwardly groaned, thinking about how he would have to walk out in it later.

“You don’t like thunderstorms?” Blaine asked from behind Kurt.

“I love them. But not when I have to walk in them.” Kurt confessed.

“Oh…” Blaine trailed off, looking as if he was thinking very hard about something.

After a minute of staring, Kurt finally spoke up. “Blaine?”

Blaine seemed to snap out of his trance when he heard his name called. “Yes?”

“You kind of zoned out a little there.” Kurt told him.

“I was thinking. Maybe you could stay here tonight? There’s a guest room upstairs, and you already have clothes and everything.” Blaine explained, looking oddly hopeful.

“I—I, um, are you sure?” Kurt hesitated.

Blaine nodded his head emphatically. “Absolutely. It would be very dangerous for you to go out in that tonight, anyway.”

“Well, if you’re sure, I suppose it couldn’t hurt to stay one night.” Kurt responded, with a grin.
Kurt wasn’t exactly sure what was going on in his head. He was accepting an offer to stay overnight in a stranger’s house. Kurt knew he must’ve been crazy, but there was something inside him that told him he could trust Blaine. And against his better judgment, he did.

“Great!” Blaine said, enthusiastically. “Now follow me. And bring your soup.”

“Where are we going?” An amused Kurt remarked.

“To my favorite spot.” Blaine led Kurt outside and walked toward the swing on the porch. He took a seat on one side of the swing, and patted to the empty space beside him. Kurt followed, taking a seat beside Blaine.

“I thought we could watch the storm together.” Blaine suggested.

Kurt hummed in agreement, and the two sat in silence, enjoying their chicken noodle soup and the thunderstorm.
__________________________________________________________

When they finished, the storm had died down until it was just light rain, and Kurt couldn’t help the yawn that escaped his lips.

Blaine chuckled. “I’ll show you your room.”

Kurt nodded sleepily and followed Blaine back inside and upstairs.
When they reached the top, Blaine opened the first door on the left, and gestured for Kurt to enter. “I hope it’s comfortable enough. The bathroom is right next door.” Blaine told him. “Do you, um, need anything?”

“No.” Kurt replied simply.

“Ok, well, goodnight, I guess.” Blaine said awkwardly.

“Goodnight, Blaine. And…thank you.” Kurt said.

Blaine smiled. “You’re welcome.”
__________________________________________________________

Kurt lay in his bed for an hour after Blaine left. He was beyond tired, but for some reason could not fall asleep. He sighed frustratingly. Maybe if I got some water, he thought.
Kurt threw back the sheet and quilt that had been covering him, and, as quietly as he could, slowly crept downstairs to Blaine’s kitchen.

He removed a glass from the cabinet, but almost dropped it when he heard a voice behind him. “Kurt?” Blaine whispered.

“Blaine!” Kurt exclaimed. “You scared me!”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to. Can you not sleep?”

Kurt shook his head. “I thought maybe a drink of water would help.”

Blaine nodded. “I had the same idea.” He said, holding up a half-empty glass of milk.

Kurt filled his up with water, and went to join Blaine on the sofa. Neither knew what to say to the other, until Blaine had a sudden idea.

“You want to watch a movie?”

“You have a TV?” Kurt asked, genuinely surprised.

Blaine smirked. “Just because I live in the woods doesn’t mean I’m uncivilized, Kurt. But I can only watch movies. I don’t have cable, or anything like that.”

Kurt chuckled lightly as Blaine opened up what Kurt had originally thought was a cabinet on one of the bookcases, to reveal a small television. “That’s a clever idea. Any other secret hiding places in this house?”

“That’s a secret.” Blaine replied, winking.
He picked out a movie and put it in, before returning to his seat on the sofa beside Kurt.

“What are we watching?” Kurt asked.

“You’ll see.” Blaine grinned.

Kurt waited until the movie began, and then he burst out laughing. “The Princess Bride?” He said.

Blaine smiled. “Shh, it’s starting.

Kurt shook his head in amusement, before settling back in his seat.

The boys watched the movie in silence, until they both drifted off to sleep half an hour later.
__________________________________________________________

The next morning, Kurt awoke, momentarily forgetting where he was. It wasn’t until he sat up, removing the blanket that lay on top of him, that he remembered he was at Blaine’s house.

Blaine, the gorgeous boy that had come to Kurt’s rescue the night before. The boy who had been nothing but kind and generous to him. Kurt didn’t understand how he got so lucky with finding Blaine, but he did know one thing. Kurt didn’t want to leave.

He looked around and saw a note lying on the table in front of him. Noticing his name on the front, Kurt picked it up and began reading.

Kurt,
I hope you slept well. It was nice having you here last night. I am currently outside, feeding my animals and taking care of my plants, like a good little farm boy.

Kurt giggled as he continued reading Blaine’s note.

There is coffee in the kitchen if you want some. Help yourself to anything to eat. I don’t know when you’ll wake up, but I should be back around ten thirty.

Kurt glanced at the clock on the wall, which read nine thirty. He had an hour to eat and get his things together. He though it would be best to leave as soon as he could, so that he didn’t overstay his welcome. Quickly, Kurt read the last bit of the note.

And Kurt?

Don’t leave without saying goodbye.

Blaine.