‘Kurt, can I tell you something? Its sort of huge and since youre my roommate and friend I want you to know first, Blaine said, walking next to a smiling Kurt. Kurt had been smiling since Blaine took him to Warblers practice and he nodded when he looked at Blaine.

‘I have a date, Blaine smiled back, ‘on Saturday. His names Jeremiah and he works at the GAP so if we get married, I get a fifty percent discount.

Kurts smile faltered just a little. He secretly wished he could be the one to go on a date with Blaine and not this Jeremiah-dude.

Blaine opened the door to his and Kurts dorm and let Kurt enter first before walking in after him.

Kurt plopped down onto his bed and grabbed his notebook to scribble something down as Blaine came to sit down next to him.

Well? What are you waiting for? Tell me some more about him!

Blaine perked up with a big grin on his face after reading. ‘Oh Kurt, hes amazing! Hes tall, hes hot and he has blonde hair. I met him when I was searching for a new shirt a couple of weeks ago. He helped me pick out the perfect color and when I tried it on he told me that it looked cute on me. I swear, my heart was beating so loudly, I was afraid he heard it too. Then we started texting and chatting on Facebook and I... asked him out a week or so ago and he needed some time to think and then yesterday he said yes. Were going to the Lima Bean for coffee and then were going to the park. Its going to be so romantic.

Im so happy for you! Kurt wrote down with a smile.

‘I still cant believe that he said yes to me, Blaine said.

Of course he said yes to you, Blaine. Anyone who refuses to go on a date with you must be insane, blind, stupid, or all of the above!

‘You really think so? Blaine asked.

Kurt looked at Blaine before writing down: I know so.

Blaine smiled and wrapped an arm around Kurt. ‘You are an amazing friend, Kurt.

How do you know that? Weve only been friends for three days. Maybe Im faking it all and Im secretly plotting to kill you.

‘I just know, Blaine shrugged, ‘and besides, only cats fake a friendship and secretly plot to kill you.

Kurt smiled at that and after a few minutes of comfortable silence, he wrote down: I really had a fun time with the Warblers today. I think they liked me. Well, Nick and Jeff certainly did because they taught me how to do that side-step thingy.

‘Oh they did. They told me that theyd love to see you back, Blaine smiled, ‘and you could join us in a heartbeat when you get your voice back, that side-step was amazing.

You think? Kurt wrote.

‘Of course, Blaine exclaimed, ‘Your rhythm and coordination were perfect, much better than some of the others.

Kurt shook his head with a smile. No, silly. Do you really think I could join you... when I get my voice back?

‘Kurt, I promise you that the moment you get your voice back youll be accepted by the Warblers, Blaine said, ‘they all loved you, so if you want to come and see us practice some more, youre always welcome.

Kurt grinned. Id love to.

‘What did you think of the songs? Train and P!nk are pretty fun and up-tempo, right? Blaine asked.

You sounded amazing during both songs. They are absolutely perfect to make your audience dance and sing along. You will win the competition for sure. Kurt smiled.

Blaine pointed at Kurt. ‘You will come and support us, right?

Kurt nodded excitedly. Of course! I wouldnt want to miss it for the world! Ill be on the front row, holding up a sign that says "GO WARBLERS!"

‘Hopefully, Blaine smiled, ‘Oh, you could be our new mascot! I need to find one of those mascot costumes.

DONT YOU DARE, BLAINE! Im not wearing one of those sweaty mascot costumes!

‘Please? Blaine pleaded, falling to his knees in front of Kurts feet and looking up at him with his big brown puppy eyes. How could Kurt resist that?

Kurt sighed. Okay, fine! Ill think about it!

‘Yes! Blaine exclaimed, doing a little victory dance in the middle of their room and making Kurt grin widely.

Honestly, Kurt would do anything for Blaine. He would wear the costume just to see the smile on Blaines face, and he loved making Blaine smile more than anything else.

*****

Saturday arrived and Blaine was pacing the floor, almost making Kurt seasick.

Blaine, you will be fine. Kurt wrote down and smiled at Blaine.

‘But what if he doesnt like me, Kurt? Blaine asked, coming to a stop in front of Kurt.

Everyone who has ever met you likes you, silly. Stop worrying.

Blaine sighed, looking down at the floor. ‘Do you like me? he asked hesitantly.

Of course I like you, Blaine. If you werent going on a date with Jeremiah, I wouldve gone with you.

‘Really? Blaine asked.

Definitely. Hey, could you maybe drop me off at the library?

‘Uh, sure, sure, Blaine stuttered, ‘Its on my way to the Lima Bean anyway.

Kurt grabbed his bag and walked up to Blaine, who opened the door for him. ‘After you, mister Hummel.

Kurt smiled and walked out into the hallway. He waited for Blaine before they both made their way to Blaines car.

The ride to the library was quiet in Blaines black Volvo, with only the music from the radio breaking the silence between both boys. Kurt was staring out the window, watching Westerville roll by, while Blaine was tapping along to the rhythm of the song that was currently playing.

Blaine was loudly singing along to the radio by the time they slowed down in front of Limas public library, making Kurt smile and mouth along.

‘Here we are, Blaine said, turning the volume of the radio down and watching Kurt get out of the car before continuing hesitantly, ‘Ill go then. Message me when you want to go back to Dalton, okay?

Kurt nodded before waving at Blaine and turning around towards the entrance of the library.

Blaine stared at the way Kurt swiveled his hips as he walked up the stairs to the library. He drove off when Kurt disappeared through the glass doors and made his way to the coffee shop where he and Jeremiah were going to meet. He slowly became more fidgety and angsty as he drove through Lima and he was practically shaking when he got out of his car a few minutes later.

It was around two oclock when Blaine sat down at a table with a medium-drip in his hands. He felt butterflies in his stomach, his heart was thumping and his mind was in overdrive. He hadnt had a date in ages, and he was really looking forward to spending time with a guy other than Kurt.

He nervously looked around and checked his phone almost every two minutes. He watched couples walking in and out of the shop and he felt jealous when that one girl wrapped an arm around her boyfriends waist and pecked him on the cheek. He fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth, eventually counting the squares on it too and it took him a solid twenty minutes of patiently waiting for Jeremiah before he typed out a quick text to him.

2:23PM. To Jeremiah: Hey, Im at the Bean... Did you forget about our date? Im waiting for you X

He kept thinking positively, despite the fact that he was worried Jeremiah forgot about their date, or worse, that Jeremiah decided that he didnt like him after all. Maybe Jeremiah was trying to buy a gift for Blaine and he forgot the time or maybe he was stuck in traffic and forgot his phone at home...

Time passed slowly and Blaine hopefully looked up whenever the door opened, only to avert his gaze again when he saw it wasnt Jeremiah who walked in. He sighed softly while he traced the outline of his phone, occasionally unlocking it while doing so. Soon Blaine found himself staring at the 3:00PM that showed on his screen. He had been waiting for Jeremiah for a whole hour now and Jeremiah hadnt even texted him to tell him he forgot or that he was going to be later. Annoyed, Blaine opened his messaging app again and texted him.

3:01PM. To Jeremiah: Well, that was a fun date. Ive waited an hour for you and now Im sick of it, go find yourself another date.

Then Blaine sent Kurt a message since he promised hed let Kurt know how the date was going.

3:02PM. To Kurt: He stood me up...

3:02PM. From Kurt: Youve been waiting for him this whole time?

3:02PM. To Kurt: Yeah.

3:04PM. From Kurt: And he didnt call or message you? What an asshole... Do you want me to come over?

3:05PM. To Kurt: Yeah, if you dont mind of course.

3:06PM. From Kurt: I dont mind at all. Ill be there in 10 :)

Blaine looked around the room, seeing couples play footsie under their tables or sharing sweet kisses over their shared milkshakes.

He thought about the day hed have all of that: a boyfriend he could kiss wherever and whenever he wanted to, a boyfriend he could talk to endlessly while they were sitting on the couch together, a boyfriend he can be crazy with and dance around the house with all day long while they laughed and kissed...

He was pulled out of his daydreams by his phone buzzing beside him. His eyes widened a little bit as he read the alarmingly short message.

3:32PM. From Kurt: Help

Blaine quickly gathered his things and left the coffee shop, not caring about the looks people gave him as he rushed out so suddenly. He glanced around the parking lot when he heard loud laughter and he heard someone saying: ‘Youre still a little baby, Hummel, accept it.

Blaine looked in the direction where the voices came from and saw a group of people gathered in the alleyway.

Yeah, Ricky! Tell him! another guy yelled.

Blaine ran towards the alley, only coming to a stop when he could see Kurt in the group as well. A jock was holding his wrists in a vice-like grip, trying to keep him still while Kurt frantically tried to pull himself free from the jocks strong hold.

‘Let Kurt go, Blaine said, as fiercely as he could for Kurt. He couldnt show Kurt that he was afraid, he needed to protect Kurt as best as he could.

The jocks laughed loudly. ‘Or what? Are you going to kick our shins? You cant beat us!

‘No, but Ill call the cops on you, Blaine threatened with a smirk but it quickly vanished when everyone turned to him and the biggest jock, Blaine assumed that was Ricky, let go of Kurts wrists.

‘Oh yeah? Ricky took something silvery out of his pocket and flicked it open, revealing a knife. He stepped closer to Blaine, ‘Are you sure about that?

Blaine swallowed almost audibly when Ricky traced the blade along his neck, down to his collarbone, and then down to his ribs. He heard some shuffling and swearing behind Ricky and he glanced at Kurt, who was being held back by the other jocks to prevent him from protecting Blaine.

Blaine watched Kurt and tried to reassure him with just the look in his eyes. He gasped for air when Ricky suddenly jabbed the knife into his chest and he felt a burning pain in his lungs. It hurt when he tried to breathe but the excruciating pain really began when the knife was twisted before it was pulled back out. ‘You deserved that, Ricky said, smirking down at a bleeding Blaine, I caught you by surprise, didnt I?

Blaine fell onto the concrete and whimpered. He could see Kurt staring at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, fear showing clearly on his face as he struggled harder against the hands holding him back.

‘Relax, guys, let Hummel go. Weve done our job here, Ricky said and the moment Kurt was free, he ran towards Blaine and kneeled by his side to press a hand firmly to Blaines bleeding chest.

‘Kurt? Blaine asked, wincing as a pang shot through his whole body.

Kurt nodded vigorously, repositioning himself so he could lay Blaines head on his lap and still put pressure on Blaines wound. He carded the fingers of his free hand through Blaines hair, a tear running down his cheek. The jocks were already long gone, so it was only them now. Only they mattered right now. Blaine had been staring at him that whole time, a small smile on his face.

‘I... protected you, he said, taking a small pause in-between his words to try to take a breath, still gazing into Kurts eyes. He reached up and rested his hand on top of Kurts, scrunching his nose up in disgust as he felt blood, ‘Im... bleeding really... bad, am I?

Kurt couldnt hold his tears back anymore, letting them roll freely down his cheeks. He nodded shakily as he stroked Blaines cheek softly and watched him lean into his touch ever so slightly.

Kurt felt sick, seeing Blaines face going paler and paler as the seconds passed and he hated it that he couldnt call out for help to save his own best friend.

God, what am I going to do without him? If I was just strong enough to tell him that I love him... It might be my last chance, Kurt thought as he saw Blaine close his eyes.

‘You wont lose me... Blaine whispered as if he had read Kurts mind. He slowly blinked his eyes open again, ‘Promise... Im strong. He tried to chuckle but stopped himself when another pang shot through him, even more painful than the last.

But what if I lose you? I wouldnt survive it, Blaine, so you better not die on me today. I love you, Blaine. Youre my best friend and I love you, dont leave me alone.

Kurt nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching up into a small smile and Blaines did the same right before he closed his eyes completely. Kurt sniffled and leaned down to press a kiss to Blaines forehead, a silly little way to let Blaine know how Kurt felt about him.

And that little pressure on his forehead was the last thing Blaine remembered before everything went black.