After Blaine wakes up, the only sound he can hear is Kurt’s shallow breathing. He’s surprised that he’s still sleeping, looking so peaceful… He could still hear his voice say the words, “My father was in a coma.” He wondered if there was something wrong with the wiring in his brain because the only reaction that Blaine seemed to pick out of hundreds was to kiss Kurt’s trembling lips. Sleeping next to Kurt is similar to his very first night in the hospital afterwards The Event, when he was pumped full of so many pain medication that he couldn’t feel his hands or his skin and his brain was several steps behind everything that was happening. Blaine compromised that the reason he couldn’t feel one hand was because Kurt was lying on it. It was tucked so neatly underneath his slender partner’s frame that he couldn’t even bear the thought of removing it and disturbing the slumbering brunette beside him. He wanted so much to reach out and graze his fingertips fleetingly over every single one of his twenty ribs. He wanted to place his palm over Kurt’s sternum and feel the heartbeat of someone sleeping. But Blaine wanted to respect Kurt, he knew he hadn’t respected him in the slightest since he arrived and basically invaded his privacy and sanctuary. He wondered if picking the fragile boy and walking him to his room would be too forward, romantic, or just strange. Blaine closed his eyes again and just took a deep breath. Something about Kurt threw him completely off course and he would despise it but it feels far too amazing sleeping next to someone. Eventually, Blaine simply drifts back to sleep, listening to the shallow breathing of Kurt Hummel beside him, for the first time in his life he feels safe. The second Blaine wakes up for the second time, he removes his arm from underneath Kurt’s side and it feels like a billion bees are stinging his veins and his blood has been filled with shards of glass. He winces and completely misses out on the opportunity to watch Kurt wake up. Blaine watches Kurt blink slowly several times before the fog cleared. He is so enraptured by this one person, so completely bewildered and filled with a sense of longing that he misses the look in Kurt’s eyes. He looks ashamed, appalled, and frightened as he instantly pulls the covers over his body. The only thing Blaine registers is the cool air the hits his exposed skin. Kurt recoils from the hand that Blaine doesn’t remember placing on his forearm. Blaine slinks away from him slowly, desperately wishing for a way of here. Every breath he takes seems to be laced with the scent of his shampoo.
“Kurt… I-I’m sorry.” Blaine manages to whisper in a small voice. This only makes Kurt moves even further away. After a forever long time of simply watching Kurt’s expression shift to embarrassment ever so slightly.
“Blaine, I’ve never… I’ve never…” Kurt stammered as his ears turned a delicate shade of pink, which Blaine found adorable even given the circumstance.
“Done anything remotely close to last night or had someone so completely mentally and emotionally unstable staying with you?” Blaine asked, restraining himself from reaching across and taking Kurt’s hand. Kurt cracked a small smile and Blaine saw his grip relax slightly.
“The former," Kurt answered, taking a deep breath. “And we just…”
“Rushed into every single thing that involved physical contact?” Blaine offered, allowing a small smile in return.
“Well, I’d say so, yeah. For one, I don’t even know who you are, really.” Kurt said, looking at Blaine with another one of his small, jerky nods. Blaine wet his lips and took a deep breath.
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“I’m Blaine Anderson.” Blaine told him with a guarded expression on his face. Kurt fidgeted slightly; he should really feel self-conscious about being naked and covered in, well. Blaine seemed to sense what Kurt was thinking and smiled warmly. “Forget about that for now, why don’t we both shower? Not at the same time, of course, I mean I’ve already freaked out enough by attacking your face like an absolute basket case… I mean, who does that to someone who just admitted something completely serious and worrying like their father… God, okay, I’m just going to shut up now.” He grinned widely as Blaine rolled over, away from him. But Kurt’s grin fell when he saw the thin scars that covered and crisscrossed all the way down Blaine’s back, the word “fag” carved over and over... He quickly retreated and scrambled out of the bed, grabbing his clothes. He had had Karofsky bully him, but it was never… He all but ran to bathroom before he managed to cover his mouth and cover up the sobs that racked his entire body. Kurt quickly turned the water as hot as he could and let the water cascade down his body. He doesn't even remember washing himself or covering up with a towel or getting dressed back into his pajamas until he sees Blaine, with his shirt and boxers back on. Kurt can practically smell his shampoo and general Blaine smell from here.
"Blaine... I-Your back..." Kurt frowned, looking at his own bare feet. He hears Blaine exhale from across the room.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Blaine replies and when Kurt looks up Blaine's expression is completely masked and hard. Kurt takes a deep breath.
"Take your shirt off." He whispers, the request making Kurt blush slightly.
"Why?" Blaine inquires, looking confused now.
"I want to see it, properly." Kurt says, closing the gap between them and sitting on the couch. Blaine closes his eyes and turns, pulling his shirt over his head. He is so appalled by the sight and he knows that he will never get the image out of his head of Blaine being held down as someone carved this into his back... Kurt slides his arms around Blaine's middle and holds him close, the raised scar tissue soft against his cheek. "I am so sorry." Kurt whispers, over and over.