After sending a text to his dad about staying the night, Blaine soon returned to his place next to Kurt in the bed, under the covers and his head in that sweet space between neck and shoulder. Kurt had looked a little worried that Will might not approve or that he would think Kurt was taking advantage but Will had quickly replied that he was fine with the situation and that Blaine was due a 'fatherly chat' soon. Blaine cringed as soon as he saw the message but Kurt laughed.

"It'll be fine," he said, tickling Blaine's warm naked side. "I had to endure a similar hardship; I think dads just like to do it to embarrass us."

It was nice just lying there. Blaine had changed into a spare pair of Kurt's sweats and had kept his chest bare so as he snuggled closer to Kurt under the covers, Kurt could feel along his side with his fingers. They lay like that for a while as Blaine dozed. He had never felt as at peace as he was then and he knew that Kurt's fingers, well any part of him really, was magic and made him feel awesome.

They must have drifted off like that but a few hours later Blaine started muttering and Kurt woke slowly, not quite sure where the noise was coming from. Blaine couldn't be understood but he seemed to be explaining something and he sounded worried, like he wasn't understood. Blaine was still tucked into Kurt's side and Kurt slipped away slightly so he could see Blaine's face. He was frowning and his shoulders had started to twitch with something akin to nerves. He looked like he was preparing his body to run. Kurt was just considering waking Blaine up, when Blaine shouted and jolted, as if his body was in shock and his eyes were opened wide, almost like something had forced him to see what was in front of him. He looked petrified and Kurt instantly touched his arms lightly, facing him in the hope that Blaine would calm when he recognised him.

"Blaine? It's me Kurt," he said and Blaine's eyes roved over his face as if he was taking him in and trying desperately to calm himself. Kurt saw the moment he realised where he was and that it was all a dream and his eyes returned to normal but his breathing became heavy and he started to shake lightly.

"Blaine? You're ok," Kurt said, not sure what else to say but he stroked along his arms and tried to get him to lie down again. "It was just a dream, it was just a dream."

Kurt's words were starting to sink in, Blaine's face softening as he seemed to understand but instead of relief all he could feel was heartbreak. It wasn't a dream. If only. Blaine shook his head, hoping words would come out soon.

"No," he started, "No dream.... Real."

Kurt waited, asked no questions, just continued to stroke along Blaine's arm.

"They were there, I was there and I couldn't stop it even though I knew it was coming," Blaine whispered, looking down at Kurt's fingers, not wanting to see the worry, or worse the pity in Kurt's eyes. Kurt simply made him lie down now and he lay sideways too, facing Blaine who was calming down slowly.

"I tried to explain that I didn't mean it, that I hadn't meant to do it but no one believed me. I'm always in a court and the judge looks so harsh."

"Blaine, no one judges you," Kurt said, sitting up on his elbow so he could be understood fully, "Blaine it wasn't your fault."

"I know it wasn't really, I know I didn't mean to do it but the simple truth is that if I wasn't there, if I hadn't diverted her attention they would both be alive today and I can never accept that Kurt." The final admission, the final sentence like a nail in a coffin was Blaine's absolute truth and he finally knew that although things may be different now, he may feel happier, he will always know this one sentence to be real.

Blaine let the tears fall slowly but surely now as Kurt continued to stroke his skin. Kurt touched his face, tried to wipe the tears away but they continued to fall. He touched his neck and the rougher skin under his jaw. He circled his muscles on his chest and kissed the lovely skin on his shoulder until Kurt's kisses became more fervent as Blaine choked out a sob. Kurt knew he could say nothing, that nothing could be said to erase such pain but he could be there and as Kurt kissed faster, touches more assured, Blaine seemed to sink a little lower in the bed and sobs turned to sighs.

Blaine closed his eyes against the pain and just tried to feel. He could feel Kurt coming closer, linking his arm around his waist and pulling him closer too. He knew that he was damaged, that Kurt was so much better, so beautifully perfect but as he felt the creep of his fingers along his skin he melted allowing Kurt to take over. If Kurt was here and his and so perfect, he wouldn't say no, he suddenly felt like he couldn't live without him. His eyes still closed, he leant forward in the hope that Kurt was near and kissed what skin he could find. His lips landed on Kurt's forehead and he kissed him again as Kurt came even closer and tilted his face up to meet his lips. Kisses were soft and slow, as if Kurt was slowly trying to bring him back to life again and Blaine could feel some kind of energy buzz again under his skin to make him tingle. More desperate, more fervent, Blaine started to kiss him with more passion and he couldn't help the moan that escaped. Coming closer, Kurt could feel the desperate hardness on his thigh and he groaned in turn as if to feel that primal need could right all the wrongs. He rutted against it and Blaine let out a loud moan and he pulled Kurt on top of him, clinging on and feeling the strong muscles of Kurt's back. Kurt rutted harder and faster, chasing the noises Blaine was making, wanting so badly to take everything else away. Blaine didn't want to think anymore, there was only this, only here and now and Kurt's warm lips against his own, Kurt's toned muscles under his fingertips and his heart beat alongside his own.

There was a sudden keening noise, an arch of his back and Blaine came long and hard and it seemed to take an age for him to come down. Kurt came soon after, relaxing into it and Blaine opened his eyes tentatively as Kurt finished. He silently went to get some wipes that they had used earlier and cleaned both of them and sinking under the covers he laid there, simply watching Kurt as he eventually drifted off to sleep.

"Hey," Kurt whispered as Blaine woke a few hours later. The sun was starting to rise on a new day and Blaine would have to leave for school soon. He should probably go home first to change but it was warm here and comfortable and Kurt looked so beautiful just lying there. Kurt smiled.

"Do you want some coffee?" Kurt asked and Blaine could only nod, tears filling his eyes that Kurt was here and his.

"Hey what's wrong?" Kurt whispered, coming closer, kissing along his cheek to try to soothe him.

"Nothing, I'm just sorry for last night, for disturbing you," Blaine whispered, blinking back the tears.

"Don't be silly," Kurt said, "You never disturbed me Blaine. I worry and I hate to see you like that. I want it all to end, I want your pain to just disappear and vanish and never come back."

"It does sometimes," Blaine said, looking deep in Kurt's blue grey eyes awash with love and hope. "It does when I'm with you, when you're near." Kurt smiled sadly as if doubting the effect he had on anyone's happiness but acknowledging it nonetheless.

"Then I always want to be near," Kurt said simply before he leant in for a kiss.

Things settle into a routine for a while. Blaine spends more nights with Kurt after the inevitable discussion with his dad and he becomes impossibly closer to Kurt as if they have suffered a battle together and will be able to defeat the enemy again another day. Life continues, school and work and NYADA, and dreams are thought of and discussed. Bobby recovers and is allowed out of the hospital, his mum moving him to school for the deaf. Suddenly Bobby finds friends he never knew he could have, experiences shared and although he knows no one there that likes Manga as much as he does, he continues to go to the superhero store, to draw and see Blaine and Kurt.

It is only their three month anniversary but Blaine is determined to make it special for Kurt and to truly show him how much he means to him so he takes him to a famous Oyster Bar and Restaurant by the Grand Central Terminal.

"Is this your way of telling me you're horny and want to go further?" Kurt jokes as he gracefully tries to slurp on his oyster. Blaine nearly chokes on his and splutters as Kurt laughs.

"No," Blaine said, "I mean if you wanted to... I mean that's not why I brought you here." He sighs in defeat which makes Kurt chuckle even more.

"I know Blaine," he said smiling warmly, "I'm ready when you are, I promise we can take it as slow as you like." Blaine blushes at the thought of going further.

"There is a place I want you to see," Blaine said, looking slightly panicked at the knowledge of what he is about to do. Kurt looks intrigued and they soon pay their bill and leave.

Blaine walks him to the archways that are underneath the terminal and moves him slightly so he is tucked away in the corner of one of them and gently places Kurt's ear against the wall. Kurt looks in his direction, his eyebrows raised in confusion and question but he does as instructed and waits patiently. Once Blaine checks no one is near, he walks to the other archway and presses his lips to the stone and whispers.

Kurt knows what is said before he realises Blaine is murmuring on the stone and the voice comes out loud and clear, startling Kurt and causing him to jump back in surprise. Hearing the wonderful words, he hurries to press his mouth to the stone in reply, a big grin on his face.

"I love you too, I love you so much."