They left him there, lying on the ground at the bottom of the hill. That's where Kurt found him, when he emerged from under the bleachers where he'd fled. The noise had stopped about 20 minutes ago, but Kurt had to be absolutely sure they were gone. Then he ran back down the hill, stumbling once and almost falling, to get back to Blaine. It was really bad. Kurt felt himself crying, the tears rolling uncontrollably as he rolled Blaine gingerly onto his back.
"Blaine? Blaine! Oh please, please," Kurt begged, although he wasn't sure who he was talking to.
Blaine's nose had bled all down his chin and soaked the collar of his shirt, and his right eye was swollen shut and already bruising a deep purple. Kurt held Blaine's face between his hands, leaning in to make sure he was breathing.
Oh please, please let him be breathing.
Blaine's left eye cracked open and Kurt felt him rest a weak hand on his shoulder.
"You came back," Blaine said, so quietly that Kurt's heart almost stopped.
"Why did you do that? Why would you let them think- why-"
"Because I had to. Because it's the truth, Kurt, and I couldn't let them hurt you."
"You can't do this," Kurt could hardly speak, he was so upset, "Blaine, it will change everything. You can't ruin your whole life for me."
"But I think you're beautiful."
Blaine started to cough, and Kurt rushed to help him sit up so he wouldn't choke.
"We have to get you to a hospital," Kurt said, "they could have broken something; you could have a broken rib."
Blaine nodded.
"Okay," he grimaced, "will you take me though? Will you stay with me?"
"Of course," Kurt said.

***

Blaine was out of school for almost a week. He missed the French presentation, but Kurt did just fine on his own, and he handed in Blaine's notes for his half of the project. Every day after school, he drove to the hospital to visit Blaine, sometimes picking up coffee, sack, or magazines to help beat the boredom Blaine felt being cooped up all day.
Now, on the last day before he was discharged, Blaine was waiting for Kurt, who should be arriving any minute. He thought about the first morning he'd woken up here, in this hospital bed. Kurt was asleep in a chair beside him, his head in his arms resting on the foot of the bed. Kurt's dad, Burt, who Blaine had met exactly once, was asleep in a recliner in the corner. Blaine wondered where his own parents were, then remembered that they were on another trip- California this time, maybe?
Just then, Kurt jolted awake, looking a little frantic.
"Hey, are you ok?" Blaine asked, his voice raspy.
"Am I- am I ok?" Kurt asked incredulously.
They looked at each other and began to laugh the uncontrollable, hysterical laughter of relief. Burt cleared his throat from the corner, raising his eyebrows at their helpless giggling.
"Blaine, it's good to see you with your eyes open. Kurt's told me a lot about you; how are you feeling?" Burt asked, slowly getting out of his chair and stretching his arms over his head.
"I'm- well, I'm definitely achy, but I think I'll be alright, thank you, sir," Blaine said, suddenly feeling pretty awkward.
Burt put his hand on Kurt's shoulder and smiled at them.
"Glad to hear it. I talked to your parents briefly last night when the hospital called them," Burt said, his face darkening slightly as he remembered.
"They've decided to stay at their conference, since the doctors told them you're in stable condition. They'll be back in time to pick you up when you're discharged."
Blaine nodded; he hadn't expected anything else. Suddenly, he had a thought-
"Sir, what did they tell my parents about- about what happened?"
"We told them you and Kurt were victims of a prank that got way out of hand," Burt replied kindly, "and whatever else you tell them is up to you. But, uh, Kurt told me what really happened out there, and if you want to go to the school board, if you want to go after them, I will have your back every step of the way, kid."
Blaine felt his eyes welling up at the unexpected kindness and support.
"Thank you, really, thank you so much, sir. But I don't think I remember- I mean, I couldn't tell exactly who it was, and I- I don't think I want to press charges. Can you understand, sir?"
Burt looked sad, but he said, "Yes, I can. But you have to make me a promise. If you're going back in to that school, you boys have to look out for each other, ok? You stick together, understand?"
"Dad," Kurt broke in, "Blaine doesn't have to be stuck with me if he doesn't want to-"
"I want to," Blaine said quickly, "I mean, that is I-"
Burt cleared his throat and gave Kurt a final pat on the shoulder.
"I'm going to go see if I can hunt down some coffee. I'll be in the waiting room when you're ready, Kurt," he said, turning to leave with a smile.
"Kurt, I'm so sorry," Blaine started, "I should have talked to you, I should have-"
"Stop, please, it's not your fault, none of this is your fault. I mean, I wish you had talked to me, but I understand. It's okay," Kurt said, tentatively reaching out for Blaine's hand.
Blaine took Kurt's hand in both of his and looked into his eyes.
"You're right, Kurt. I should have told you. I should never have hidden behind anonymous texts, I should have been braver."
Kurt looked baffled, then the realization dawned on him.
"That was you? The whole time, all the messages were from you?"
Blaine looked sheepish.
"Oh, right. Yeah, that was me, too. I'm afraid your admirer is just...me. Are you disappointed?"
"What? Blaine, no, of course I'm not disappointed! All this time, all those sweet things you said... you really meant it?" Kurt asked, feeling giddy.
"Yeah, I really did- every word," Blaine said.
Kurt had thrown his arms around him perhaps a little less gently than he should have, but Blaine hadn't minded one bit.
That was almost a week ago, and now Blaine was definitely ready to get out of here. His bag was packed, and it was almost time for Kurt to appear in the doorway to drive him home. Blaine didn't know what was going to happen next. He didn't know where he was going to fit or how people would treat him when he got back to McKinley, but he knew as long as he had Kurt, it was all going to be ok.