Blaine walked into the mall with Kurt by his hip, passing by other people with their hands full of pink cards and teddy bears. Hed never celebrated Valentines Day because he didnt have anyone to share it with and wasnt much of a romantic, but Kurt eagerly slipped out of his grip and peeked into every store they passed. He liked seeing all of the candies with cheesy sayings on them, and the stuffed animals with hearts for eyes. Blaine collected him back in his arms each time he was done window shopping, and he chattered to Blaine about his favorite decorations. Blaine thought he was adorable in his excitement over the romance.

Because he knew it was one of Kurts favorite things to do, hed taken him shopping, but later that evening, Blaine would make dinner for Kurt and the two of them would relax at home. He was looking forward to throwing himself down on the couch and holding onto Kurt as they watched his favorite movies. Following Kurt deeper into the mall, Blaine reached for his hand, and Kurt looked back at him and gave him a kind smile. "Thank you for taking me shopping, Blaine. This was very sweet of you."

Squeezing Kurts hand, Blaine remained silent, but Kurt didnt seem bothered by his lack of words. He never did. He skipped ahead a few inches and admired the red and pink banners hanging from the ceiling, each with an advertisement for a new perfume. They walked past several stores that didnt look like Kurts style at all, but Kurt was thrilled when they reached a Prada store that specialized in childrens clothing.

Kurt paused in front of the store and squeaked with delight at the tiny outfits in the window, "Oh, wouldnt it be nice to get outfits for the baby? Hell be so fashionable."

Kurt happily skipped into the store, and Blaine kept on his heels as he scurried over to the infant section. Going through a few of the racks, Kurt picked something up and held it out for Blaine to see. It was a pair of footie pajamas with a crown on the front and Daddys Prince sewn below the jewel. "This is so sweet!" He cooed, "And it will keep the babys little feet warm at night."

Blaine took the outfit from him, leaning against the wall as he went through more clothes. Glancing around the store, he didnt see anything that interested him, so he started to return his attention to Kurt when his eyes caught on a familiar form standing behind the cash register.

Santana was sitting at the desk, bent over her phone and looking very tired. He pushed his mouth to one side of his face, lowering his head when she suddenly lifted her gaze. Her eyes passed over him and paused, so he realized he couldnt get out of greeting her now.

Inwardly groaning, he touched Kurts back as he pulled out a blue shirt with a teddy bear on it. "Honey, Ill be back in a minute. Stay here." Kissing Kurts eyebrow, he heard a small murmur of agreement, then he slid his hand off his back and walked away.

On his shoulder, Pavarotti, who had come with them, twittered in surprise at being taken away from Kurt. He frantically patted his feet against Blaines shoulder as he spun around to eyeball his other owner.

Striding up to the cash register, Blaine muttered, "When did you start working here?"

"A week ago," Santana rolled her eyes. "The business here is shitty. But... it pays alright and I figured if Im supposed to be raising one, why not get myself adjusted to having a little brat around? What are you and Lady doing here? Finally deciding to go surrogate?"

"Kurt," Blaine quickly corrected, just in case shed forgotten his name after calling him so many other ones. "And, no. My brothers having a baby and Im taking care of him for a few years. Kurt wanted to pick out a few outfits for him. But why are you here? My brother shouldnt have turned you away for the money."

"I havent contacted him." She glared at a woman walking past with a screaming child. "Im not going to do charities unless I get desperate. And even then it will pain me."

"So, you think working here will be enough to pay for a babys life?" Blaine muttered, rubbing the nape of his neck and briefly checking for Kurt, who was still searching for the perfect outfit. "Santana, youve never been stupid. You might have been a bitch, but youre not stupid. Even I have an ego, but I know that Burts job wouldnt be enough to pay for Archers life, so Im putting myself aside and taking my brothers money. I know its Karofskys and not yours, but dont tell me that you dont care for this baby."

"Brittanys lucky that I havent left her," Santana grumbled, typing hard enough on the computer to break the keys. "Look, Im not like you, Blaine. I couldnt just... love a baby that wasnt mine... especially one thats half Karofsky."

Blaine winced at his name, "How are the court dates? Have things been settled?"

"No." She pulled her fingers away from the computer and stared at him again. "Karofsky isnt showing up for the court dates. The judge has a new date for this weekend."

"He cant win." Blaine shook his head, scrubbing his forehead, "Hell hurt the baby."

"But the judges dont know that," Santana shrugged. "And Karofskys never had a record with the police. To them, hes just an innocent victim to a slut who got pregnant. I hate to say this but Im actually on your side when it comes to Karofsky. Snix wants to punch him in the throat."

"Well, Snix isnt alone," Blaine grumbled, sticking his hands in his pockets.

Hearing feet padding behind him, Blaine glanced over his shoulder to find Kurt, who quickly came to Blaines side when he saw Santana. Kurt managed a polite smile, still unsure about the girl who seemed to dislike him, "Salut, Santana. Its so nice seeing you here."

Santana gestured at her work uniform, "It isnt my Cheerios uniform but it is a uniform. Are you buying all of that? Ill ring you up."

Kurt spilled all of the clothes onto the counter, and Santana began scanning everything with more than a bored expression. "Wait," Kurt held up his hands, "I have to get the booties that have the puppy dog faces on them! They were an absolute must!" Before he scampered away, he kissed Blaines cheek, and Blaine heard a gasp from one of the women shopping. Rolling his eyes, he ignored her and patted Kurts back, then he let him go.

Santana didnt seem bothered by it, still sliding items across the scanner. She flicked her eyes up only for a moment, but her face stretched into a frown and her hands stopped moving. She yelled at someone, "Dammit, I told you not to come to my work!"

Alarmed by her shouting, Blaine glanced over his shoulder, and the color drained from his skin at the sight of Karofsky. He was wearing another ripped up outfit, his hair sweaty and his face bright red. He looked slightly dizzy and he glowered at everyone he passed.

Karofskys dull eyes moved over the store, and Blaine panicked and hunted for Kurt. He found him behind one of the racks of bibs, mostly hidden from Karofskys view. He only hoped he stayed there. Returning his eyes to Karofsky, Blaine stiffened as he got closer, his body bigger than what Blaine remembered. His lips were dry and his cheeks were thin.

Prowling very close to Blaine and pinning him against the desk, Karofsky made a low sound, his eyes slightly widening. "Blaine... I didnt expect you to be here. Did you knock Kurt and his boy pussy up?"

Santana ignored his question, giving Blaine a few seconds to breathe, even though it was very difficult. "Where the fuck have you been, Karofsky? You missed three court dates, you ass."

Blaine turned his head, his eyes flashing over to Kurt, who had finally looked up. His eyes were huge and his lips were parted. Shaking his head at him, Blaine saw Karofsky move from the corner of his eye. He was following Blaines gaze, and a harsh smirk pulled his thin mouth.

"No!" Blaine yelled, throwing himself in front of Karofsky as he took a step toward Kurt.

Blaine felt himself get jostled, pressed up against a hard body, and then Karofsky smothered his mouth with a wet, cold kiss that made him gag. Karofskys tongue jabbed between his lips, licking his teeth and the tip of his tongue. Pushing him off, Blaine shouted again as he was shoved against the desk.

Karofsky made a low noise of frustration, his hands reaching back and grabbing at a small body. Tiny hands were hitting his hard skin, but he didnt seem to be hurt at all. "Please, leave him alone!" Blaine jerked at the sound of Kurts small squeak, and he yelled 1when Karofsky threw a fist over his shoulder and hit Kurts cheek and the corner of his mouth. Kurt fell to the ground and scooted away from Karofsky, pulling his knees to his chest. Slamming his hands into Karofskys chest to make him back off, Blaine tore out of his grip and dropped to the ground beside of Kurt.

"Hey!" Santana shrieked, running around the counter. "Karofsky, get the fuck out!"

Karofsky stumbled away from them, and he hurried out of the store. Kneeling on the floor beside of them, Santana looked at Kurt, who had his face pressed to Blaines shirt. "It looks bad. Im going to see if we have any safety kits in the back room."

Blaine stroked Kurts hair, holding him so close that he was afraid of crushing him. "Shh... its okay. Ive got you." Pulling slightly away from him and trying not to wince when Kurt anxiously grabbed for him, he checked Kurts bleeding lip. There was a cut in the bottom lip, and blood was rolling down his chin. His mouth quivered, and he held his hands up to it.

"Ouch!" Kurt cried, and Blaine gently tugged his hands away.

"Honey... honey." Resting him against his chest again, Blaine carefully rocked him, "Dont touch it... youll make it too sore. Everythings fine. Im going to make you feel better. You know Ill do anything to take care of you, little love."

Blaine was relieved when Santana returned, a safety kit in her hand. He took it from her and opened it, grabbing the first thing of cloth he saw. "Im going to wipe it. Ill be gentle." He stroked under Kurts chin, "Look at me, baby."

"Blaine, its going to need more pressure to stop bleeding." Santana told him.

More tears leaked from Kurts round, blue eyes, and he hiccupped, "Blaine, it hurts-"

"Kurt, hush, baby. Itll be okay, my little sweetheart." Putting more pressure on the cut and trying not to hurt him, he snapped at Santana, "Get my phone out of my pocket. Call the second speed dial. Its Kurts dad. Tell him were going to the hospital if he wants to meet us there."

Holding one hand to Kurts mouth and putting the other at his waist, he gently scooped him up. "Lets get you to the car, beauty. Youll be fine, I promise. I wont let anyone hurt you." He bundled Kurt up in his arms and carried him out of the store with Santana at his heels. Kurt kept crying in his ear, mewling that his lip was throbbing, and Blaine had an all new hatred for Karofsky. He wouldnt ever let him hurt Kurt again.