Blaine looked up at the sound of grass crunching under light feet, and he saw Kurt scampering toward him, this time in a green dress with a white bow in his hair. Relieved that hed come back, he held his arms out, feeling Kurt jump into them. Kurt laughed into his hair, tangling his fingers in the dark locks. "Blaine." He said, sliding his hands down to his cheeks and squishing them. "Im so happy to see you. I thought about you all last night... and I dreamed about you!"

Feeling his heart skip a beat, Blaine held onto Kurt as he curled up in his arms and reached for their book. "What were we doing in your dreams?"

Kurts cheeks brightened to a soft pink, an adorable flush that made Blaine want to kiss those round cheeks. "You were holding me... you were saying the sweetest things. You stroked my hair and kissed my nose and chin, and you hugged me so tightly. It was so warm in your arms. I couldnt stop giggling because you made me so shy with nerves." Holding his hand up to his mouth and hiding a quiet laugh, he looked up and batted his lashes at Blaine, "Did you dream of me?"

Blaine, who was still speechless and tongue tied, managed to shake his head. At Kurts concerned expression and tilted head, he smoothed a blond lock that had fallen across his pale forehead, "I dont dream."

"Oh, but, you must." Kurt whispered, his eyes becoming shiny. "Dreams can be so breathtaking. I like my dreams... Sometimes I dream of my maman and then I get anxious for her to come home, and sometimes I dream of my fairytales. I was very happy when I dreamt of you." Looping his arms around Blaines neck, Kurt looked into his golden eyes, "One day youll dream of me, and Ill stroke your cheek like this-" he ran a soft hand over Blaines cheek, which made him hold his breath, "-and Ill kiss your nose like this." He pecked Blaines nose with his lips. "And then youll wake up and want to see me, like I did this morning."

Blaine had forgotten how to say anything, just concentrating on holding Kurts little body. Wiggling against Blaines chest, Kurt purred and rubbed his cheek against Blaines. "Would you like to come to my home tomorrow?"

Blaine was shocked by the question, and he pushed his mouth to one side of his face. Kurt smiled at his confused expression, "You could have dinner with my daddy and me, and you could sleep. We could watch movies and snuggle. I like snuggling." Nuzzling under Blaines chin just to show him how much he liked it, he rested his cheek on Blaines chest.

"Would you read to me over there?" Blaine asked quietly. "I like when you do that."

A small smile curved Kurts lips, "Sure. Ill do anything that you like." Laying a soft hand on their book, Kurt chirped, "Would you like me to read to you now? I could read two chapters to you... just because I like being with you so much."

Blaine nodded, and Kurt flipped their book open to the place they left off. Wrapping his arms around Kurt, Blaine laid his chin on his shoulder and watched him point his finger at the first word. "In a little village not far from the Beasts castle, there lived a beautiful girl. Her name was Beauty, and everyone admired her. But she was very lonely. You see, she didnt have very many friends because she felt different. But still... she hoped to meet someone someday."

Kurts finger slid up to a picture of a pretty girl sitting in a field of flowers, picking one of the roses. He turned the page and murmured, "One day her doting father left her to sell an invention in the fair, but he didnt come home for hours. She worried about him, so she decided to find him."

Turning to another page, Kurt said, "Shed never been very far from home, so she was very scared. She came across a dark castle deep in the woods. She wondered if her father had gone there for shelter, and she went inside to look for him."

He pointed to a picture of the girl wandering around a castle, her hands curled with nerves. "The Beast, who had locked her father up only hours ago, was very angry about her intrusion. He roared at her to leave, and she was very frightened. She cried at his feet to let her father go. He was surprised by her beauty, so he told her he would let her father go if she would stay with him. She said yes, and he let her father go and locked her in the dungeon. She was happy her father was safe again, but she cried with fear of the Beast."

Kurt closed the book and looked at Blaine again. Blaine wanted to hear more, not sure if he was so enthralled with the story or the sound of Kurts voice as he read. He was very taken with the story, lowering his tone every time they came to a scary part, and speaking much faster during happy scenes. It made Blaine smile with humor. "One more chapter... please." He pleaded, and Kurt wrinkled his nose with delight.

"Not yet." Kurt said, giving the book to Blaine and touching his cheek. "Im happy you like it. Its my favorite love story." Happily sighing, he leaned closer to Blaine and kissed his cheek. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Blaine nodded, frowning when Kurt scrambled from his arms. Spinning around, Kurt noticed the sour look on Blaines face and blinked a few times. He knelt down by Blaines legs and cooed to him, "We wont be apart for long." Cuddling against Blaine, he whispered, "But Ill miss you."

"I dont like being away from you." Blaine muttered, holding onto Kurt.

Kurt lifted his head and smiled, "You can dream of me." Closing his eyes, he kissed Blaines lips, "Goodbye." He hurried away from Blaine and ran down the sidewalk, leaving Blaine reaching out for him.

Stepping out of the hot shower, Blaine reached for his towel and quickly dried himself off, running it over his damp chest and between his thighs. He threw it aside and shook out his dripping curls. Going up to the wide mirror, he stared at himself, his skin dark with a Filipino tan and his eyes wide and bright with gold specks flashing in them.

He shoved his hair off his face and touched his cheeks, his sharp cheekbones, his pointed chin. He briefly remembered when hed been pale and very thin, only a few months ago. How different he felt when he looked in a mirror, how hed wanted to hide from himself. He remembered smashing the mirror in his bathroom, the agony when he saw himself as Finn tore the drape away.

Lifting his hand to see the tiny scars where the glass had pierced his palms, he traced one of them with his finger. It didnt hurt anymore. He closed his fist and turned back to his clothes, picking up a gray shirt. He pulled on his clothes and left the room, heading for the bedroom.

Opening the door, he stopped moving and leaned against the wall, watching Kurt, who was still bundled up in the blankets. His tiny hand was resting above his head, his fingers slightly curled. He had his cheek squished to the pillow, his pink lips parted and his lashes laying on his cheeks. They fluttered with every breath he took.

Smiling at how beautiful he looked, a pale body on the white bed, his rosy lips the only streak of color, Blaine peeled off the wall and went to him. He bent over him and kissed his lips. Kurt sighed and rolled a little closer to his warmth, curling up against the part of his chest that was pressed to the edge of the bed. A tiny smile tugged the corners of his mouth, making his dimples pop.

Blaine sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing gentle circles on his small back. "Honey..." he slid his fingers under the blankets and stroked Kurts naked skin, so soft and warm. "Sweetheart, open your pretty eyes."

Batting his lashes, Kurt sleepily mewled and tightened his ball, burrowing into Blaines stomach. Blaine softly laughed and slid his arms under his light body, scooping him up. He laid him against his chest, feeling his head loll. "Look at you... so beautiful."

His pale lids lifted, revealing a pair of glittery eyes. "Blaine." He whispered so softly, reaching up for Blaines face. Patting his cheeks, he cooed and squirmed.

Blaine quirked a crooked grin at him, "I wanted to know if you would show me Paris today." At Kurts surprised expression, he shrugged, "I want to know everything about you."

Kurts little mouth fell open, "Id love that, Blaine!" Sitting up in Blaines arms, he wrapped his arms around him, "I have so many places I want you to see. We can get breakfast at my favorite café and then we can go to the boutique."

"I picked out a dress for you." Blaine nodded at their dresser, "Youre pretty in pink."

Slipping from Blaines grip, Kurt scurried over to the sundress and held it up, "Oh, I love this one!" He tugged it on and turned around so Blaine could tie the bow in the back, then he searched for a pair of panties in the drawers.

After he was dressed, the two of them went downstairs, and Blaine called for a taxi that showed up ten minutes later. The drive into town was quiet, Kurt watching out the windows while Blaine was busy playing with his hands. The taxi stopped when Kurt pointed out a tiny shop with a sign in the window that Blaine couldnt read.

"This is my favorite place to have breakfast." Kurt told him, following Blaine out of the taxi. He hopped to the ground and reached for Blaines hand. "The food is amazing."

Blaine held onto him as he skipped into the café, the smell of cinnamon and coffee making his mouth water. There were few people at the tables, which was a relief to Blaine. Kurt went up to the counter and said something in French, tapping his chin. He murmured something else, then turned to Blaine. "Do you want coffee and a muffin?"

Blaine nodded, and Kurt translated for him. They were given their food a moment later. Carrying it back to a table, Blaine set it down and pulled Kurts chair out for him. He sat down in the other chair, still eyeing the tiny café. Kurt munched on his muffin, "Do you like it here?"

Taking a sip of his coffee, Blaine turned to Kurt, whose eyes were wide with curiosity. "Yes." He said, surprised that he was actually comfortable here.

Kurts eyes softened, "I knew you would. Theres still so much to see! I spent most of my childhood in this area, but the middle of Paris is too beautiful to not see. Thats where the big buildings and designer shops and Eiffel Tower are."

"What about... your home?" Blaine asked quietly, needing to see where Kurt slept when he was young. "With your aunt."

Kurts smile widened, "If youd like to see that, we could." Stirring his tea, Kurt lifted it to his mouth and took a few sips. "Blaine... Im happy youre here with me."

Blaine laid his hand on top of his, sliding his fingers through Kurts. After he finished his coffee, he gave what was left of his muffin to Kurt, who happily nibbled it. "Do you want to go see other things?" Kurt murmured once he was done, scooting out of his chair.

Blaine got up with him, putting his hand at his waist. They left the café and walked down the sidewalk, Kurt softly humming to himself. They turned a corner onto a much quieter street, this one a narrow road with no sidewalk wrapping around it. It was a little more rundown, graffiti spray painted on the sides of the buildings that blocked them in. There was a strong odor of decaying garbage wafting from somewhere.

"The alleyways are right over there," Kurt said softly, noticing Blaines disgusted expression. He pointed to a darker area, the buildings so close together that itd be hard to squeeze two people in there. Kurt looked away from the alleys, his face a little paler than before. "But the boutique is up ahead... and so is Keegans house."

"Keegan?" Blaine repeated, looking at the houses that were close by. They all seemed ready to collapse, none of them taken care of.

Kurt didnt answer him, walking just a little faster as they passed by one of the alleyways. Blaine looked down it, seeing nothing but gravel and a dumpster. "Honey... wait. You might hurt your ankle if you step on one of these cracks." Grabbing Kurts hips, he tugged him back to his side, "Whats the matter, baby? Are you upset?"

Kurt shook his head, glancing down that alley again. "No... Im fine."

Blaine looked at the alleys again, "Are you afraid of the alleyways?" Something in Kurts expression changed, a sudden worry. He nipped his bottom lip and tightened his grip on Blaines hand. "Sweetheart, look at me. I would never let anything hurt you. Besides... no ones back there."

Kurt made a quiet sound and he squeezed his eyes shut, so Blaine held onto him tighter, "Kurt... Kurt... shh. Calm down... youll panic yourself. Ive never seen you so afraid."

Kurts bottom lip trembled, and he cracked his eyes open, but he pressed himself against Blaines chest. "Thats where..." his voice broke, "where it happened."

"Where what happened?" Blaine smoothed Kurts hair.

Kurts wide eyes turned to the alley again, and he took a deep breath, "Where Everett was killed." He stepped away from Blaine and went toward the alleyway, but Blaine quickly caught up to him and pulled him close again. He knew no one was around-that was obvious-but he still didnt like Kurt being in the alley.

Wandering over to a crack in the ground, Kurt glanced around as if to check something, "Everett was standing here when Karofsky hit him."

Blaine winced at the name, and a brief image, one of a boy crying out under Karofskys hard hand, flashed in his mind. He held onto Kurt tighter. "I was standing right there." Kurt said, nodding at a spot only a few inches away.

Blaine realized how close hed been to Karofsky, and he felt a sharp pain in his gut at the thought that Karofsky could have easily grabbed Kurt instead. "Keegan was holding onto Everett, but Karofsky was too strong."

Leaning against the wall, Blaine watched Kurt as he kept looking around, his eyes very distant. He wondered if he was seeing the scene over and over in his head. He went back to Blaine, holding onto him as if wanting protection from something that wasnt there. "Karofsky threw Everett down, and then he ran away." Kurts eyes followed the ground of the alleyway over to the opening to the main road, as if he was seeing Karofsky running away right at that moment.

Kurt left his arms again and walked out of the alley, and Blaine kept at his heels. Wrapping his arms around himself, he went up to a house that was stuck between two others. It was yellow, a small rectangle that didnt look very comfortable. Most of the paint had chipped off, and the steps up to the porch creaked under their feet.

It took effort to open the door, but Blaine eventually shoved on it. A wall of dust hit their faces, and it was hard to breathe. After they went in, Kurt stopped in the doorway, looking at the paintings and pictures hung on the walls. The paintings were beautiful, all of them flowers, with light strokes forming every petal. The pictures were of Keegan, and in each of them he was with someone else. He looked about seventeen in the pictures, bright eyed and grinning happily. It was a side of him that Blaine hadnt ever seen.

He was with a little boy in most of them, a blond haired boy with rosy cheeks and big, blue eyes. Keegan was always holding Kurt, protectively standing over him. In the other pictures he was with a red haired boy, a boy with a full face, darker skin, and freckles. He had chocolate eyes with golden specks glittering in them. He looked about Keegans age, and he seemed very happy with him. His smile was playful, teasing, as if he had some secret joke on his mind.

"Is that Everett?" Blaine quietly asked, and Kurt glanced at the picture he was staring at.

"Mm hm." Kurt nodded. "He was very handsome."

"Hes beautiful." He turned to another picture, one of Everett pinned to a tree and laughing as Keegan hovered over him.

"He loved to laugh." Kurt wiped a smudge of dust off the picture, "He was only ever serious when Keegan let on how much he loved him." Padding away from Blaine, he paused by a painting of a flower, "He was an artist. He liked to paint flowers. He never said why, but he always made them look so beautiful." He turned to Blaine, "Keegan said that Everett was very shy at first, but then he blossomed and became very witty and humorous."

Blaine followed Kurt over to a staircase, and they walked up the squeaking stairs. The house was very tiny, and the ceiling nearly brushed the top of his head as it caved near the stairs. There were two rooms upstairs, a bedroom and a bathroom. Kurt tiptoed over to the bedroom, poking his nose inside.

The bedroom was nearly bare, the bed low to the ground and very thin and lumpy. There was only a dresser in the corner, and it had nothing on it. Blaine swallowed thickly, having never realized what kind of life Keegan lived. Hed always seemed so perfect and put together, too beautiful to have nothing but a mansion to sleep in. He was startled by what he had hidden.

Kurts voice was suddenly shaky, "Keegan carried Everett in here after Karofsky left. His legs trembled so much that he nearly collapsed a few times on the way up. He laid Everett down on his bed. Everett was barely alive by then, but he kept trying to soothe Keegan. Keegan kept saying that hed make it better, hed get him help, but he knew there was nothing they could do for him."

A single tear rolled down his cheek, and Blaine reached over to wipe it away. "Everett said that itd be okay, hed be happy and meet someone who could tell him he loved him every day." Kurt walked over to the bed and touched the flat pillow, sitting down by it. "The last thing Everett ever said... was that hed never told Keegan he loved him... but that he did... very much."

Blaine raised his head, "He never told him he loved him?"

Kurt shook his head, "He was very nervous about men... and having his heart broken." Pulling his knees to his chest, he wrapped his arms around them and laid his chin on them. "He asked for a kiss... and Keegan started begging him to not say things like that. He was so desperate... he was sobbing in Everetts arms. He kept calling him Evie... it was a sweet name he gave him." He had to pause to catch his breath, more tears rolling down his cheeks. "Everett stroked his hair and pleaded for a kiss, and Keegan kissed him." Hiccupping very softly, he closed his eyes, his fingers twisting in the bed sheets. "He died in Keegans arms... and Keegan laid with him for hours... crying and whispering for Everett to come back to him."

Blaine felt a tear at his lashes, and he realized that a few others had escaped. He went over to Kurt and bundled him in his arms, gently rocking him. "I sat down next to Keegan, and he put his head in my lap and asked me not to leave him. I stayed there with him while he cried... but I knew my aunt would worry if I didnt come home so I had to leave the next day. I went back as soon as I could and I..." his voice broke again, so Blaine pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Its okay, sweetheart." Blaine murmured, brushing his hair with his fingers. "You can cry in my arms."

Tears fell from Kurts eyes like rain, and he collapsed against Blaines chest. "I found Keegan on the floor... hed poisoned himself. I brought him back by splashing his face with water... and got him to the hospital before the poison reached his heart. But he didnt want to be brought back. He realized what he meant to me, though, and he promised he would stay alive for me. He was like the big brother Id never had... he was my best friend. I-I couldnt let him go."

Blaine nuzzled him with his nose, trying to soothe him, do anything to ease the harsh memories. Kurt sniffled and rubbed his cheek against Blaines, "Keegan became very depressed for months. He wouldnt come out of his house, and he stopped taking care of it." Kurt looked around the room and paused on the dust caked on the dresser and the worn blankets. "Nothing made him happy. It took him a very long time to come out in public, and hes still getting better, but hes not the same. Everett was his true love... Keegan said so himself. He was always a romantic."

Shaking his head, Kurt whispered, "He thought we were safe that night. He never would have taken us back there if he had thought we were in any danger. Hes never stopped regretting that night, and I know he hates himself for it. He was always so careful and loving to both of us." His eyes filled with more tears, "Am I a bad person for saving him the night he tried to poison himself? I know he just smiles for me... but hes really miserable. He didnt want to be woken up."

"Kurt." Blaine was shocked by Kurts question, as hed never heard anything like it from Kurt. "Honey... no. Come here." Holding onto Kurt tighter, he rocked him against his chest, wiping his tears with his thumb. "You did a good thing by saving him. Keegan loves you so much... I can see it whenever he looks at you. He is happy, baby. Its not just a face he puts on to settle your nerves. Hes happy to be around you."

Kurt wiped his leaking eyes, "I try to understand him, but its too painful to even imagine being without you."

"Shh..." Blaine rubbed Kurts back, "What Keegan feels... for Everett... is the most horrific pain that I can think of. If I lost you..." he shook his head, stopping himself from finishing. "Hes very strong. But, Kurt, you make it less painful for him. He loves you so, so much."

Kurt pointed at Blaines wedding ring, "Keegan gave that to me. He said he wanted me to give it to you on our wedding day." He ran his finger over the words, "He was going to propose to Everett the night he was murdered."

Blaine rubbed his wedding ring, imagining it on Everetts hand. He would have smiled and teased Keegan about his proposal, and then he would have kissed him and let him slide it on to his finger. They would have been happy together, married soon after that because they loved each other too much to wait.

He looked up at the empty room again, at how dreadful it seemed, so dull. He suddenly saw Keegan laying in this bed, his head against the pillow and tears rolling down his cheeks. The sound of his own crying was probably his lullaby every single night. He turned his head and saw a window, just a small one, in the wall. It was dusty, but Blaine managed to see through the cloud. Around the other houses was a perfect view of the very alleyway that haunted him, that probably killed him every time he saw it. Then he noticed a blanket on the floor, in a pile underneath it. He probably used that to cover it, but it had fallen off while he was away.

Blaine stood up and went over to it, picking it up and hanging it back over the window. Sitting back on his heels, Blaine thought for a few seconds, but his decision wasnt a hard one to make. "Kurt... sweetheart. Look at me."

He turned around and met Kurts blue gaze, "Do you want... to ask Keegan to live with us in America? My house in California has three bedrooms... one for us, one for the babies. He could have the other one. He could learn English... I could get him a job with the Warblers."

Kurts mouth fell open, and he put a hand to his lips, "Blaine... you wouldnt mind?"

Blaine shook his head, "Of course not. I know how much you care about him... and how much he loves you. I cant leave him in a house that destroys him every day."

Kurts cheeks turned bright red, and he hopped up from the bed. Hurrying over to Blaine, he jumped into his arms and held him as tightly as he could. Blaine wrapped him in his arms, holding him so close. "I would love that very much." Pulling slightly away, he kissed Blaines lips, "Thank you for being the best husband ever."

Blaine smiled at him, kissing him again, "Its not a problem, my little love. I like Keegan."

Sniffing again, Kurt tucked his head under Blaines chin, "I love you so much, Blaine. Youre very kind to me."

"I love you, too, beautiful thing." Blaine squeezed him, "Youre so precious to me."