I know your insides are feeling so hollow

And its a hard pill for you to swallow…

Love me today, dont leave me tomorrow

Yeah but if I fall for you

Ill never recover

Love Somebody by Maroon 5

Kurt lay there, soaking in the warmth of the overheated bath and the steam, closing his eyes against the pain and sinking every so often into the water. It was nice to be fully submerged and he almost hated coming out nearly an hour later. His skin had pruned and the water turned nearly cold, but he sat on the toilet seat, wrapped in a large towel until he could face drying his body and attempting to do something with his hair. Everything was slow, but eventually he came out of the bathroom wrapped in his own dressing gown, grateful that he had remembered to pack it.

He couldnt believe, as he stared at himself in the mirror, just how low he had been brought down at the hands of another. He looked so weak and pathetic, his eyes hollow, set in a face of pain that he was almost disgusted with himself. He thought back to his first dreams of the city, how high his star was going to ascend, how successful he would be if only he tried. His first year had been awesome, looking back. Rachel had been the fantastically fabulous best friend that he needed to push himself to achieve his goals, but meeting James had changed him, he realised. He hadnt noticed, but looking back he became quite happy to stand in James shadow, achieve smaller dreams in order to watch James shine. He had no idea what he wanted to do now, how to really get out but he couldnt perform. The idea of returning to normal, pretending again, felt too big and insurmountable. Life with James had killed the dream.

Just as he was trying to work out what new dreams might look like there was a soft tap on the door.

"Kurt? I was just checking if you were ok. Do you need help changing?" Blaines voice was so gentle and caring, Kurt felt himself well up again and he shook his head at his silly behaviour. It was a shock to have someone care that much, it made him feel that he was worth just a little bit more than he had been led to believe. He opened the door slowly, smiling shyly as Blaines concerned face came into view.

"If you dont mind?" Kurt said. "I dont think I can bend."

Blaine nodded and helped him find some pyjamas. He changed him carefully, slowly and once he saw Kurt struggle to unclick the lid of his product, he helped style his hair. It was nice to feel slightly human again and he stood in front of the mirror, he was still battered and bruised, but a lot less damaged.

There was a timid knock at the door and Ruby peeked her head around. "We were going to order pizza, if you fancied it?" Kurt looked a bit confused so she clarified. "Would you like some?"

"Thanks, thatll be great," Kurt said quietly. Ruby smiled.

"Cool, anything in particular?"

"Oh, anything will be fine," Kurt started to say, then something switched… It was his turn now. There was no need to be so timid; hed been pushed around enough.

Ruby was turning to leave when Kurt stopped her. "Actually, I dont like anchovy."

She turned to face him and smiled. "Understood."

"Are you okay?" Blaine asked and Kurt suddenly noticed he was ever so gently stroking his arm by the elbow, in rhythmic patterns. It seemed that even Blaine hadnt realised hed been doing it.

"I will be, I think," Kurt said. Blaine was close, but instead of it being menacing, it was comforting, like he belonged there; Kurt felt a little more at ease.

"Lets get back in there then," Blaine said, indicating the living room. "We dont want them to decide which movie to watch as well as which pizza to order."

The evening was sleepy. Tessa was subdued, obviously, after a talking to from Ruby and Blaine. After that, she asked no more questions, said nothing about the events of the day. She side-eyed Kurt every so often when she didnt think he noticed and would throw a concerned look at Blaine, but Kurt was grateful for her silence. They watched Kurts choice of The Sound of Music without grumbling and laughed and sang along when theyd had a few glasses of wine. Blaine was a reassuring warm presence next to him on the sofa. He deliberately gave Kurt his space and though they werent touching, Kurt knew he was near and it soothed him. Kurt felt the day catching up on him and though he was tense his head eventually slipped and as he closed his eyes, rested on Blaines shoulder.

"He looks absolutely shattered," Tessa said after a while, her eyes taking in Kurts sleepy pose. "What has that fucker been doing to him? How long has this been going on?"

"I dont know," Blaine whispered. "Too long."

"Do you want help taking him to bed?"

"No Ill manage. Is it still okay if he takes your bed?"

"Yeah, Ruby and I are about to see way too much of each other," Tessa joked, giving Ruby a cheeky wink. Ruby rolled her eyes.

"Swap places?" she asked Blaine with obvious panic, but he only laughed.

"Ill take the sofa."

He started to lift Kurt, careful not to hurt his ribs further and despite the shock and the physical violence of the day, Kurt curled into Blaine, wrapping his arms around his neck securely. Blaines heart clenched at the sight, but he took his job seriously and led him carefully to Tessas bedroom. As he was preparing to wrap Kurt carefully within the duvet, Kurt whined, his arms searching the warmth he had found earlier in Blaines embrace. His eyes remained closed, fresh pain on his face and Blaine couldnt leave him. Still fully clothed, Blaine went under the covers and lay next to Kurt on the double bed. As if the distance offended Kurt, he came closer until Blaine could envelop him in his arms fully and Kurt relaxed.

The day had been long and tiring, but Blaine couldnt sleep. The thought of James hitting and kicking Kurt, so beautiful, so innocent was just too much. Occasionally his jaw would tense with the need for justice, but sometimes the idea that anyone could hurt him was just too overwhelming. Kurt woke occasionally in the night, startled by a close presence or the ticking of a clock and he would thrash until he realised where he was. Blaine would sooth him, stroke his hair and murmur that he was ok until Kurt realised he was or very soon will be.

---

Blaine woke before Kurt and extricated his limbs as Kurt had clutched him tighter during the night. He watched him sleep for a few peaceful moments before padding out gently.

"Did you sleep well on the sofa?" Tessa was mocking him already as she stood by the coffee pot, sipping coffee in her oversized pyjamas, her hands hidden inside her sleeves. She laughed.

"I didnt make it to the sofa."

"I can see that." She raised an eyebrow.

"Its not like that," Blaine said, pouring himself a coffee. "He didnt want me to leave. I slept fully clothed."

Tessas face looked pained.

"God, Blaine I know," she said, all seriousness. "I know Kurts not ready for that."

He nodded.

"When do you plan on killing James though?"

"What?"

"You do want to do some serious damage to that fucker, right? Who wouldnt in your position?"

"What do you mean?"

"You love him, its fucking obvious."

He stared for a moment then sighed—heavy and annoyed.

"Is it that fucking obvious?"

"Im afraid so," she said, as if she was diagnosing a serious illness. "I dont think Kurt knows though. He just needs someone to care, and come on, anyone would be better than that douche."

Blaines jaw tensed at the mention of James again and his back straightened.

"Will Kurt press charges? What will happen?"

"I honestly dont know," Blaine said. "I mean I know what he should do, but I cant make that decision for him. I cant even imagine what I would do in that situation. I just need him to be safe."

Kurt padded into the kitchen, his footfall so quiet that Blaine wasnt sure how long he had been there.

"Kurt, how are you? Did you sleep ok?" Tessa asked and Kurt blushed slightly at the thought.

"I think so."

"Coffee?"

Kurt nodded.

"What do you want to do today?" Blaine continued.

"I need to call my dad. I dont have anyones phone number without my mobile and I need to explain that I wont be going back to the musical."

"Really? But you love that show, you cant quit."

Kurt was sad at Blaines tone and Blaine felt instantly guilty.

"Its not what I wanted. I loved being a part of it, but I cant face going there everyday to rehearse like nothings happened. Its not me anymore."

"So youre quitting?" Tessa didnt mean it to sound like a judgement and she instantly regretted the question when she saw the hurt on Kurts face.

"Tess…" Blaine warned.

"No, I didnt mean it like that," Tessa started again, coming closer to Kurt in order to indicate her truth. "I just cant help but feel that youre letting him win."

"What do you mean?" Kurt barely spoke, his face pale, his voice taking on a ghost like quality.

"Youre not pressing charges, youre quitting your job. Hes winning. That piece of scum is winning."

Kurts eyes were wide and almost afloat with tears, too shocked to let them fall. Tessa stood her ground.

"I know I dont know you well and I know that what you went through yesterday was truly dreadful, but I hate that youre letting him win. I hate that hes really beaten you every which way he can."

"Stop, Tess! Stop!" Blaine shouted, pressing her arms so she was farther away from Kurt, who finally blinked and let the tears fall. She said nothing, took nothing back and waited for Kurt to speak. He stayed silent.

"Dont listen to her Kurt, dont…"

Tessa cut Blaine off, speaking softly, coming forward to hold Kurts hands.

"Dont let him win, Kurt."

She waited quietly, her eyes wide and imploring and he took a shaky breath.

"I dont know what to do."

Tessa took that as an invitation to carry on and she led him to the sofa.

"Ill support you whatever you decide to do and I know Blaine will, but when you think about it, just remember that he tried to squash you, tried to push you down. You shouldnt let him succeed. Do whatever you need to do to feel like you again."

Kurt nodded, his gaze to the floor, his mind elsewhere and Tessa took that as her cue to leave. Blaine couldnt be angry with her anymore, but she smiled sadly at Blaine as she left the apartment and he mouthed a thank you.

Blaine let Kurt sit in silence for quite a while, but after a few minutes he saw the hand on Kurts thigh and touched it ever so gently, so as not to shock him. Kurt barely registered it so Blaine started to stroke in circular patterns.

"Do you think Im weak?" Kurt asked, avoiding Blaines eye.

"What? No, of course not!"

"I feel weak, I feel like all the fights been driven out and I cant do it anymore."

Kurt rested back, his head on the sofa and closed his eyes. Blaine got a chance to properly look at Kurts bruised face, his cut lip and he felt something swirl in the pit of his stomach. This poor guy had suffered in the most horrible of ways at the hands of someone who professed love, only yesterday.

"What do you want to do?"

"I want him out of my life and I never want to see him again."

"Okay."

"I want to feel like I can make my own decisions again, I want to leave that show not because hes won, but because I want to start again somewhere else. I dont want the memories anymore, of the good times or the bad. I want to know that my dad doesnt blame me for all of this, that my mistakes wont make a difference."

"He couldnt blame you. Why dont you call?"

"I will. I think Ive decided."

"Decided?"
"Im not going to call the police. If he leaves me alone, if I can get my stuff without any trouble then Ill drop it."

"I think youre very brave."

Kurt was surprised. "Im not brave."

Blaine clutched Kurts hand a little tighter.

"Yes you are Kurt, god youre so brave. I couldnt do that, I couldnt let him get away free."

"He took a part of me already, he doesnt deserve anymore of my time or energy. Im worth more than that."

"Yes, yes you are."

"I havent forgiven him, Im just not letting him take anymore."

"Go call your dad and Ill make coffee."

---

Blaine had deliberately given Kurt his space and simply placed his coffee and the phone on the side table in the bedroom and touched his shoulder gently. His fingers pressed, just there, just to let him know he was near. To Kurt, the bed had never felt so big.

Kurt stared at the phone for a while, easily remembering his fathers number, but thinking of how to start such a horrible topic. He swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Hello?"

"Dad."

"Kurt! How you doing, kiddo? Long time no hear."

Kurt wasnt sure how to answer, instantly thinking of just saying he was fine. He hesitated too long.

"Kurt? Is something wrong?"

"Dad…" he suppressed a sob, which caused it to be much louder.

"Kurt, where are you? What happened?"

"Im staying with a friend, Dad. Im no longer with James."

"What happened? Are you ok?"

"He hit me."

"What?" Burt shouted and Kurt could hear him stand and knock something over. "Where? How bad? Have you called the police?"

The questions were endless and Kurt didnt know which to answer first.

"He punched me and kicked me. I think I might have broken a rib, but Im okay."

"Shit Kurt, youre so far away…"

Kurt could hear the cogs in his mind working overtime, thinking of ways that Kurt could come home, could get help or how Burt could go to New York.

"Have you called the police? When did this happen?"

"Yesterday. I dont have my phone because he took it and locked me in."

"Why that little… Kurt, Ill get a flight out as soon as possible. How can I contact you? Are you safe? Where are you now?"

"Dad, your heart…"

"Dont start Kurt, Ill be out there as quickly as I can. Where are you?"

"Im staying with Blaines friend Tessa. Im safe, James doesnt know where I am."

"Good, whos this Blaine?"

"A friend I met a few weeks ago. He lives in the opposite apartment to the one I shared with James. Hes been looking after me. He got me out of my apartment."

"Well I need to meet this Blaine then, seems I owe him a lot."

It was the first time he had really thought of all that had happened and the amazing debt he owed Blaine hit him like a freight train. He owed Blaine his life.

Burt brought him out of his reverie. "Call the police Kurt. Call the police."

"I cant, I just want to forget," Kurt whispered.

Burt sighed, but seemed to want to say more.

"Well talk about it later. Im sure Ill be there rather late, but Ill let you know. Give me Blaines number and the address youre at and Ill contact you to let you know which flight Im on."

Kurt did that quickly, checking with Blaine who was in the other room.

"Is that Blaine? Put him on," Burt demanded as soon as he had taken down all the information.

Kurt asked quietly, secretly giving Blaine a look of apology. Blaine smiled with understanding, only too happy to reassure if he could.

"Hello Mr Hummel, this is Blaine."

Burt smiled. "I hear you rescued my son, got him out and safe?"

Burt made it sound much more heroic than Blaine remembered. There was just the harshness and the evil of all thatd happened, the desperation to get Kurt out, the need for him to be safe and sound.

"I couldnt stand back, sir…" Blaine started.

"Cut out that sir business, youre family now." Blaine flushed at the instant acceptance. "I have your number and the address from Kurt and Ill contact you when I know what my travel arrangements are. Im coming to New York as soon as possible. Is there a possibility that James could find him?"

"I dont think so, he doesnt know where Tessa lives."

"Good. What about the police? Kurt says he doesnt want to do it, but youve got to persuade him. That James needs to know he cant do that. What made him go crazy anyway? Why did he hurt Kurt like that?"

"I think James got a little jealous, noticed that Kurt was spending more time with me and my friends."

"Youve been inappropriate with my son?"

"Oh, god no," Blaine said, mortified, "I wouldnt do that."

"Good. I mean not that it would be an excuse for James. No one treats my son like that. Ill call soon. Thanks for looking after Kurt, Blaine."

"Its what anyone would have done in my situation."

Blaine handed the phone back to Kurt, who was watching intensely. Kurt finished the conversation, took down a few numbers of friends and promised his dad he would answer the phone if he called.

"Thanks," Kurt whispered, after the call. "I know my dad can be a little… adamant about things."

"He obviously loves you very much," Blaine said kindly. "Hes looking out for you."

Kurt nodded as if to say that he knew. He sat down on the bed gingerly as if still in pain.

"Are you ok?"

"He wants me to call the police, to press charges. I know."

"Its natural for him to want justice, Kurt. What James did was wrong."

"You think I should do it?"

"It doesnt matter what I think Kurt, its your choice and Ill support you no matter what. You have to believe that." He sat down next to Kurt, clutched Kurts hand as it rested on his legs. His earnest warm honeyed eyes imploring Kurt.

"I do."

"Then you have to do what is best for you. I think it may become necessary for you to ask the police for advice, I dont know if James will ever fully leave you alone. If you want to be truly free you might have to call them and get help."

Kurt nodded sadly. He just wanted to escape, run away and sleep.

"But Ill go with you; Ill be with you for as long as you need me."

Kurts breath hitched at the simple loving statements, the declarations of support and help.

"Thank you, Blaine. I dont know what Id do without you."

There were just a few minutes where Blaine stroked his thumb over the delicate skin on Kurts hand, and the world seemed to stop for a moment. Kurt felt like he escaped his body.

"Will you sing for me?"

Blaine was a little surprised by the request, but he complied, walking Kurt to the bed to tuck him under the covers for a nap. Kurt watched as Blaine sat at the end of the bed, rubbed his feet to bring back some warmth and Kurt snuggled deeper and lower, so only his head was showing atop the duvet.

Take my mind and take my pain

Like an empty bottle takes the rain

And heal, heal, heal me.

Take my past and take my sins

Like an empty sail takes the wind

And heal, heal, heal me.

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

Take my heart and take my hand

Like an ocean takes the dirty sands

And heal, heal, heal me.

Take my mind and take my pain

Like an empty bottle takes the rain

And heal, heal, heal me.

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

Blaine hummed until Kurts eyes fully closed and he was asleep, where there were no monsters, no horrible men to hurt and crush. Blaine watched him sleep until he looked a little more at peace and he crept out, hoping that he really would start to heal.