“Are you hungry for some specific type of food, Kurt, or would you like me to cook something?” Blaine asked.

“Ah, Blaine, I hate to break this to you, but no matter how well appointed your dorm room is - you dont have a kitchen in here,” Kurt snarked.

“I have a mini-refrigerator and a microwave!” Blaine retorted. “I even have a toaster oven if you want a steak,” he added.

“As tempting as that sounds, I think we might be a little more satisfied with take-out. What sorts of restaurants do you have around here?”

“Theres a Jewish delicatessen, you know you had their matzo ball soup the first night. There are the old standbys: Chinese, Italian, Mexican, pizza, burgers. If you want to get more ethnic, we have Ethiopian, Moroccan, French, ah.....Polish?” Blaine thought of in just a few minutes.

“Oh, Polksi! Do they make Pirogies?” Kurt asked, his mouth watering with the suggestion of that food of the gods.

“Yes, they do. Russian with cheese and potato are my favorites, but they have ground mushrooms with sauerkraut, spinach with feta, and onions with cheese and potatoes.”

“Yes.”

“No, Kurt...I meant which kind?” Blaine asked again.

“Yes to all of them. Can we get a variety? I love all of them!” Kurt grinned, so hungry now his stomach was growling.

“Okay, Ill ask,” Blaine offered.

“Can I order?” Kurt asked sweetly.

“Order anything you like, I guarantee nothing will go to waste,” Blaine offered.

“Ah..it can be expensive, Ill just get a little of my favorites,” Kurt said, not wanting to ask for too much. He was on a budget.

“No...order the best stuff. I want to try all your favorites!”

Blaine gave him a look, then smiled and dialed the phone number hed looked up. He handed the cell phone to Kurt.

“Hello,” Kurt spoke in Polish and grinned when the woman spoke back in the same language. “Yes, I wanted a variety plate of pirogies. Yes, some of each. Add to that some buraczki, and you have mizeria? Ah, good. How is your jagnięcina z grilla? Oh, your own recipe, handed down? Perfect! Well, of course then. Dinner for two. Yes, to be delivered. Candelaria Hall, Dalton Preparatory School. Have the delivery man call when hes here, well come to the door. Thank you, too, Grandmother. Ha! Of course I knew you were a grandmother! You sound just like mine, and Im homesick. Well, thank you. Bless you, too.”

“You speak Polish?” Blaine asked when Kurt rattled off his choices in that language, his eyes twinkling.

“Yeah, my grandma was from Lublin,” Kurt said.

“What on Earth did you order?” Blaine asked.

“Ah...the pirogies of course, then a warm beet salad, some cucumbers in sour cream with dill, and grilled lamb. She promised me the lamb was her familys recipe. I called her Grandma and she laughed, asking me how I knew. I just thought she sounded like my own grandmother and I was homesick. I know shes going to send the best food – get ready for the best feast youve ever had in your life,” Kurt grinned.

“Well, that was amazing. You are full of surprises,” Blaine said.

“My grandma was the best cook in the world and my mother inherited that from her – the ability to cook. She taught me everything I know about cooking,” Kurt said, a faraway look in his eyes.

Blaine sat down next to Kurt and placed an arm around him, bringing him close.

“Youre homesick, Kurt?”

“Yeah, I guess I am a bit,” he admitted, wiping away a tear as he thought about his dad. He knew he would be less of a burden if he was gone, but he was beginning to have second thoughts. He missed his dad with an ache he hadnt thought possible. Blaine snuggled Kurt closer, letting him hide his face in his neck. He kissed Kurts hair and heard him sigh. They stayed cuddled together, each missing their parents, until the cell phone rang. Blaine left to go pay the delivery man and returned with sacks of steaming hot food, its aroma wafting all over the dormitories.

Kurt opened the small containers one at a time, constructing the plates into art before they sat on the bed with trays, eating the wonderful comfort food. Kurt moaned at the taste, claiming it was every bit as good as his grandmothers and it would make them both so fat they would have to be rolled out of the dorm.

“Its good to see you smiling again, Kurt,” said Blaine, nudging his friends shoulder and putting a piece of the grilled lamb into his mouth.

“This food is amazing! Im never ordering Chinese take away again,” Blaine shouted. Kurt just giggled, his face happy and his eyes filled with joy. Blaine hoped he could be that way the rest of his life.

It wasnt until they had served and eaten all of the tasty dishes that Kurt found a small paper bag at the bottom of one of the sacks. It had a note that read,

“In honor of your own Polish grandmother, may God bless Her and You.”

Kurt removed a square of tin foil and unwrapped it. Inside were small tan squares of candy, each wrapped in colorful cellophane.

“Krowki!” Kurt crowed. “Oh, Blaine...this woman is a saint. I used to have Krowki when I was little and wed visit Grandma. She made it specially for me.”

Blaine smiled and took a piece of the candy, popping it in his mouth.

“Oh! Its caramel. Oh, but more...spicy? Creamy? Something is different from the way Ive had it. Maybe its just fresh. Its delicious, Kurt. That woman must love you!” Blaine laughed and took another piece.

Later that night, Cooper let himself into his brothers dorm. He found Blaine with his arms wrapped tightly around Kurt, the two of them sound asleep.

“Oh, Blaine, you look so sweet,” Cooper whispered, “I hope you know what youre doing.” The doctor changed the IV medicine and let himself back out, being very quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping boys.

Dawn broke over a snowy landscape, the rays of the sun shining on the glittering snow. It had snowed all night, blanketing the city in celebration of Christmas Eve.

“Oh, I guess I fell asleep here, Kurt. Im sorry. I didnt disturb your rest, did I?” Blaine asked, rubbing his face to try and wake up.

“No, I was comfortable. I see your brother was here, though. He changed the IV and left a note it looks like,” Kurt said. Hed been awake for about twenty minutes, just enjoying being held by Blaine – even if it was accidental.

Ill be by to pick you up at ten. Be ready to go. ~Coop

“Do you think I might be able to get into the shower today?” Kurt asked. He didnt mind washing up in a basin, but he hated having dirty hair.

“If you dont mind me helping you?” Blaine suggested. He wasnt sure if he was supposed to let Kurt use his prosthesis and crutch without talking it over with Cooper first.

“Please?” Kurt asked, a pleading smile on his face.

“Sure. Here, let me go run the bathwater and Ill be back,” he said.

Making his way to the large bath, he set out a bathmat, several thick Turkish towels, and a fluffy robe. When the tub was full, he went back in the dorm.

“Ready?” he asked and Kurt held out his arms. Blaine picked him up, noticing that he was still light as a feather, and took him into the bath.

“Ah...well, if you can take off your clothes...” he hesitated, not sure how to address this without embarrassment on both sides.

“Its okay. If you can just help me get out of the shirt – undo the safety pins and all, then I can get my briefs off. Are any of my own clothes, ah, salvageable?” he asked.

“I had to throw them away. There was just so much blood, Kurt. Im sorry. I can get you new clothes, though. Okay?” Blaine offered.

“No, its all right. I have another pair of jeans in my backpack,” he said.

Blaine helped Kurt into the tub, making sure the IV site was well away from getting wet.

“How about I wash your hair, then you can soak for a while,” Blaine said and Kurt smiled. He hadnt been pampered like this in a long time.

Blaine took a glass and scooped water, pouring it over Kurts hair as he leaned his head back. When it was thoroughly saturated, he squeezed out some shampoo and rubbed it into Kurts chestnut hair, scrubbing his scalp gently. Kurt practically purred. Blaine was sitting on a low stool beside the tub, shirt off as he rinsed the shampoo from his new friends hair, then washed it again.

“Oh, that feels so nice,” Kurt cooed, loving the feel of Blaines fingers in his hair. The noises he was making were beginning to affect Blaine. He shifted again on the stool, starting to feel uncomfortable. Kurt was leaning back with his eyes closed, enjoying the warmth and relaxing for a few moments. While he was able to wash his hair in the showers at the country club or other places he had been able to sneak into, it had been weeks since hed been in a bathtub.

Sitting up to finish washing, Kurt noticed that Blaine looked decidedly nervous. Upon closer observation out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a certain bulge below waist level of his new friend. Blushing deeply at being so unaware of Blaines comfort, Kurt quickly finished washing and rinsing.

“If you could just...ah, help me out, I can get the rest I think. Well, I need help with the shirt with this IV and all, but I can get the rest.”

“Sure, let me just....” Blaine helped Kurt to get out of the tub and sit on a chair in front of the low vanity. He was sitting on one of the Turkish towels. “Ill just wait for you out here. Call if you need me, okay?”

“I will. Thanks, Blaine. I really appreciate it,” Kurt offered. He struggled to get himself dry and into the clean briefs and track pants that Blaine had loaned him. He was glad not to have to try and shimmy into his skinny jeans – hed gained some weight since being here.

He was able to reach the sink and brushed his teeth, happy Blaine thought to set his personal things from his backpack here. He washed his face with his special soap and dried it, but his brush and comb werent there. He could do that later.

“Blaine?” he called, not wanting to disturb the boy, but unable to help himself. He just wanted to have his prosthesis back so he could be independent again. It was grating on his nerves being helpless like this. He hadnt felt so trapped since hed lost his leg at the age of nine. He had gone through rehab and physical therapy to learn how to live without his leg and he had learned quickly. There wasnt much he couldnt do. Having to depend on someone else for every movement was driving him a bit crazy.

“Yes? Oh, here, I can get you back to bed,” Blaine offered, picking him up carefully and walking back into the dorm room.

“Can I...can you just put me in a chair or on the sofa? I think Ive had enough of lying down for a long time. Im used to being up and moving,” Kurt said.

“Sure. There, comfy?” he asked, settling Kurt on the sofa by the front window looking out on the fields behind Dalton.

“Yeah. Thank you so much. I feel like a real person again. What time is it?” he asked.

“Nine. We have an hour before Cooper gets here. Do you mind if I go get ready?” Blaine asked, setting the pitcher of water down on a table next to Kurt with a clean glass.

“Oh, by all means, Im good. Ill need to brush my hair, but otherwise Im ready.”

“Back in just a few,” Blaine smiled and set his iPod close so Kurt could listen to it.

Clean and dressed, Blaine stepped out of the bathroom ready to go. He looked over at Kurt and grinned.

“Want some help with your hair?” he asked.

“Nobody touches my hair!” Kurt snapped before he thought, then ducked his head. “Sorry, my hair is a sore point with me. The kids at school used to tease me about it so much, I got really defensive. Yes, if youd like to, I could use some help. Its hard to do with this IV in my arm,” Kurt backed down.

Blaine came close, kneeling beside the boy on the sofa to reach and gently brushed the beautiful chestnut hair into a styled coif.

“Tell me about the kids and your hair,” Blaine said quietly as he worked.

“I was nine when I started having chemo and radiation. I thought the nausea and stomach pain were the worst things that could happen to me. Until I woke up with all my hair lying in tufts on my pillow. When my friends came to see me, they all had this awful look in their eyes. Their parents would come with them to visit me, and I could see them avoiding looking in my eyes most of the time, like I was already dead and they were just waiting for me to lie down,” Kurt said, barely above a whisper.

“When my hair all fell out, it was worse. Then they not only avoided my eyes, but they couldnt seem to look at me at all. Like I was some sort of freak that wasnt allowed in public. Dad got me one of those hair pieces...you know, the ones that people donate their hair? Locks of Love? I thought it was okay, until I went back to school and the boys stole it from me and put it in the urinal. I wore a bandanna after that,” Kurt said, his eyes moist from the memory.

Blaine sat down on the sofa next to him, gathering the smaller boy in his arms. He wished hed been there to protect Kurt from all that hurt.

“Come here,” he coaxed, pulling Kurt practically in his lap as he held him tightly and kissed his hair. “I wish I had been there. I wish I could have taken that hurt away from you, Kurt. Im so sorry that happened to you...” he murmured, stroking Kurts cheek.

Kurt rested his temple on Blaines shoulder.

“I wish I had known you back then, too,” he whispered and closed his eyes.

Cooper walked in to the room without knocking once again, this time not surprised to find the two boys cuddling together. They pulled away from each other reluctantly and Kurt sat up straighter.

“Well, my private patient, lets see how youre doing,” Cooper said, stethoscope at the ready. Kurt leaned forward as Coop pulled his shirt up to listen to his lungs and heart, then tapped on his chest a little.

“You have some congestion, probably from lying down in bed for so long, you lazy thing,” Coop said, grinning at Kurts surprised face.

“Ah..yeah. I do feel like I have a cold or something going on now that you mention it,” Kurt finally said.

“Cough,” Cooper directed. Kurt coughed a bit which triggered a coughing session that lasted for far too long, his lungs starting to burn and his throat to tighten. He finally finished, eyes wet with tears as Blaine rushed to get a damp cloth to wipe his face.

“Okay, well, that shook some of it loose. Ill get you some cough medication to take instead of the pain pills. It has codeine in it, so it will do the same thing, just work on the cough, too. You are starting a bit of pneumonia I think. Have you had that before?”

“Yes. I have had it seven or eight times, what with all the surgeries and things. I get over it fairly quickly,” Kurt said quietly, not looking at Cooper or Blaine.

“I want you sitting up in a chair for most of the day now. Lets see that wound,” the doctor said, helping Kurt to take off his track pants. He took off the bandage, letting it sit in the fresh air for a while, then inspecting it.

“Looks like its healing. Im switching you to oral antibiotics. You need to take these on schedule, all of them even when you think youre feeling better, okay?” he said. Kurt nodded. He was well educated in the taking of antibiotics.

“Im not going to need to flush this any more.” Cooper mentioned as he looked closely at the progress of the infected stump. “Ill wrap it in a loose dressing, and Blaine – if you could change it once a day that should do fine. Now, lets have this IV out!” Cooper said and Kurts grin reached from ear to ear. The doctor pulled out the venous catheter, wrapping it in a plastic bag and setting it in his bag to dispose of at his office. He asked Blaine to hold pressure on the gauze over the place hed removed the IV for a few minutes to stop any bleeding.

“I think youre going to be fine as far as the infection and pneumonia goes. Just be careful to stay warm and have plenty to eat. I know that Blaine is the pet of every restaurant owner on this side of Westerville, so youll stay fed. Right, Squirt?” Coop laughed at Blaines blush.

“The next item on the agenda: your prosthesis. This is serious, Kurt. Part of the reason your wound got so infected is that the prosthesis doesnt fit you correctly. There are friction blisters and bedsores all over your stump and it wont heal if you dont get a new one. When did you last have a proper fitting?”

Kurt just sat there, a brooding stare on his face. Blaine startled when he turned to look at his friend. He hadnt seen that blank-emotion frown since the first time he met Kurt in the restroom when he pulled his knife.

“I dont remember,” Kurt said. “It doesnt matter anyway, I dont have the cash to get a new one, so what good would a fitting do me? All I need is some padding and Ill be just fine. If you could please return my property to me, I can be on my way. Dont think I”m not grateful for your help in getting me back on my feet. I am. I will pay you back, I never take charity without returning the favor as soon as I am able. Now, where is my leg?”

Kurts tone was menacing and it might have scared Blaine if he hadnt just had the boy nestled in his arms an hour ago. He recognized this as a defense mechanism and he briefly wondered how often Kurt had to rely on it to get by every day. His arm went back around Kurts waist and he tugged him closer. Kurt stopped and stiffened up in Blaines grasp, a small whine escaping from his throat unbidden.

Blaine didnt even think, he just leaned forward and took Kurts face in his hands.

“Its okay, Kurt. Youre safe here. Ill keep you safe, I promise,” he whispered. Kurt closed his eyes and leaned his forehead into Blaines chest, trembling with nerves as the boy rubbed little circles in his back. “Youre okay here, Ill keep you safe. I promise,” Blaine said one more time before Kurt melted into his chest, his arms around Blaine as he tried to get his heavy breathing under control.

Blaine looked up at his brother, an astounded look on his face. Cooper nodded his head, not quite as surprised as Blaine at the turn of events.

“Ill just get Kurts prosthesis and be back in a few minutes. Well try to fix the padding so he can come with us to our house for dinner. Give me about half an hour, I need to go back to my office to get some padding and that cough syrup, okay?” Cooper said, putting his coat back on and slipping out the door. Blaine nodded at him, a dazed look still on his face as he stroked his fingers through Kurts hair.

“Its okay, hes gone. Are you all right?” Blaine asked gently. Kurt was still curled into his lap, face buried in Blaines chest and his breath rough and scratchy.

“Oh, Blaine...Im so sorry. I didnt mean to be so ungrateful to your brother. All he has done is to help me and I repay him by snapping his head off. Can you forgive me?” Kurt got out, his face a wreck from crying bitter tears.

“Theres nothing to forgive. You were scared, and youre right. It is your leg and you have every right to have it. Cooper was just concerned that it is hurting you. Hes a doctor and sometimes all he can see is how to help someone his way – he kind of has blinders on when it comes to seeing a situation from another point of view,” Blaine tried to explain. Hed had years of Coopers attempts to make things right by his standards instead of listening to the person involved. It was an uphill battle, but Blaine knew it was just the way Cooper was.

“I know he didnt mean to push my buttons. Im too sensitive, Blaine, and I …..........well, Ive had to rely on just myself for so long. Its hard to let someone else in. Thank you for coming to my rescue once again. Youre becoming quite the knight in shining armor for me,” Kurt smiled.

Blaine blushed a little. “Well, I might have overstepped. I just...I could see you felt you had your back against the wall and I....well. Lets say Ive been in that position, too many times. It was just instinct to try and help.”

Kurt turned to face Blaine, shifting his weight to try and sit back on the sofa beside Blaine instead of where he had been in his lap.

“And sorry about climbing on you like some lap dog. I really dont know how I managed this,” he said, looking at his position, a surprised expression on his face.

“I think that was my fault. I sort of grabbed you and...well...” Blaine blushed once again.

“Thank you, Blaine,” Kurt whispered and leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on Blaines lips. The boy froze, not knowing how to respond. Hed never actually kissed another boy, much as he had dreamed about doing it. Kurt pulled back to see how his kiss had affected Blaine and seemed to like what he saw because he came back to do it again. He let his lips brush against Blaines mouth again, relaxing them as he ghosted them over the soft warmth he found. Blaine didnt pull back, so Kurt moved slightly, enjoying the pressure and the small noise that came from Blaine.

The third kiss, Blaine kissed back, loving the feel of Kurts flesh as it touched his own. Just as he was getting the gist of how to do this, Kurts lips parted a bit and his tongue traced the plump part of Blaines lower lip. Blaine took in a breath, a little skittish but more than willing to keep on kissing this beautiful boy. They kept on kissing, no words or other motions, just keeping their lips together as they explored each other.

“Oh...” Blaine finished when Kurt stopped to get his breath.

“Oh?” he asked, studying Blaines face.

“Ah, I never...well, I always meant to, but...there wasnt the opportunity and I just...” Blaine babbled on, finally just closing his mouth to keep from embarrassing himself any longer. He just sat and looked into Kurts blue-gray eyes.

Kurt reached up and touched his finger to Blaines lips to quiet him.

“I know, Blaine,” he said and kissed his cheek.

Blaine sat back, his arms still around Kurt. The smaller boy shifted his weight to snuggle tighter against Blaine and relaxed into his embrace.

Blaine coughed, grasping at straws to think of how to proceed from here. Truth be told, he just wanted to keep kissing Kurt, but that was probably unrealistic.

“I want to help you, Kurt, but I dont really know how. Cooper s right – you do need to get that leg fitted properly. Tell me how we can help. Okay? I want you to stay here until youre well,” Blaine said softly, trying to convince Kurt of his devotion to this idea.

Kurt didnt say anything. He just looked at Blaine, his eyes looking dark and distrustful.

“Kurt,” Blaine said a little louder in his enthusiasm to make the boy trust him, believe him. “Kurt, I meant every word that I said. You keep telling me that Hummel men take care of their obligations, right?”

Kurt nodded.

“Well, the same can be said of Anderson men. If I give you my word that I will keep you safe, then I will do that to the best of my ability, come what may. I am only as good as my word, Kurt, so please let me prove it,” he finished, the look of yearning on Blaines face, the need for Kurt to just give him this chance was overwhelming and Kurt found himself wanting to believe Blaine with all of his heart. He took a deep breath and pulled away from the warmth of Blaines side.

“Okay. I do trust you. I dont know why, but I do. My stars, I need to have someone in this world to trust and you just....you feel like the right person. Ill let you in, Blaine. Please, for the love of God, dont let me down.”

Kurt collapsed against Blaines side once again, finally letting his guard down, letting the tears flow. Blaine took out his clean handkerchief and blotted the tears from Kurts cheeks.

“Kurt? I think its going to be okay. Ill do my best, and thats all I can do. I think well be okay together,” he said softly and once more kissed the beautiful boy.