Fingers that have been still and limp for almost five days now.
Fingers that are now clutching Blaine’s back.
“Kurt?!” Blaine says, whisper soft.
Blaine sees the thick fringe of lashes flutter.
A low moan escapes the boy.
His eyes slowly open.
Blaine gasps, “Kurt?!”
“Oh shit, you don’t know me! Crap.”
Blaine is about to get up, but Kurt clutches his fingers tighter.
“N-no,” Kurt’s voice is rough, “I-i k-know you.”
“Kurt?”
“That’s my name yes.”
“Let me go get the nurses.”
“No---wait!”
“Kurt they said if you wake up they need to know right away.”
“I know that. Believe it or not being a doctor and all, I know these things.”
“Sorry. Do you want me to get you some water first?”
“No. I need some questions answered.”
“Okay then, let me go get Mike or Tina, they’ll be able to answer your questions.”
“No. I need you to answer these questions.” Kurt’s eyes become a little frosty.
“Look Kurt, if your dad finds out I waited even five seconds, he’s gonna kill me.”
“Ugh. My dad’s here?” Kurt tried to bring his hand to his face, but one was trapped by the IV and the other was claimed by Blaine’s hand. Blaine noticed and immediately dropped Kurt’s hand.
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t he be?” Kurt sighed, “Well I kind of hoped that Mike and Tina would have enough sense to not clue him until after I woke up.” Blaine raised a skeptical eyebrow, “You too a bullet to the back and you thought they wouldn’t call your father?” Kurt rolled his eyes, “That’s so not even the point. I need answers.” Blaine nodded, “And I’ll give them to you. I’ll make you a deal. Let the nurses check your vitals and whatever. Chat with your dad until Tina comes in to drag him back to her place. And then I will give you your answers. Okay?” Kurt narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “I don’t even know your name. How do I know you won’t just leave?” Blaine sighed, “First, my name’s Blaine. Second, I’ve been here for five days. I need answers too. I’m sure as hell not leaving now.” That seemed to be a good enough answer for Kurt because he nodded, “Alright. Fine. Go tattle to the nurses and whatever.”

Three hours later, it’s eight o’clock, and like clockwork, Tina walks through the door. Blaine figures someone must have notified her of Kurt’s waking because she doesn’t look the least bit phased as she tossed Burt a brown paper bag, swoops to kiss Blaine’s cheek, and without missing a beat, Kurt’s forehead, “Hey Kurtie, how ya doin’?” Kurt chuckles, “Fan-freaking-tastic. Remind me when they let me back in my job to have a little bit more empathy for the patients who have to be attacked with nurses and questions and really annoying fathers,” Kurt says the last part with a pointed look at Burt, who throws up his hands in surrender. “Like you were any better,” Burt accuses. Tina laughs alongside Kurt and Blaine, even though Blaine doesn’t really get the joke, “Well Burtie, hurry up and eat. My behind’s got a date with my couch.” Burt chuckles, “Sounds good. Another round of Designed to Sell?” Tina giggles, “Perfect. I might even be talked into something unhealthy.” Kurt frowns, “Dad,” he says in a warning tone.

Tina comes to his rescue, “Chill, Kurt. We’ve been taking great care of him. Oh and speaking of which, Blaine. Mike should be here in a couple of minutes with the usual.” Blaine nods and Kurt lifts an eyebrow, “The usual?” Burt chomps down on his sandwich and Tina shakes her head, “I’ll let Blaine explain after we leave.” At that moment, Mike walks in carrying a McDonald’s bag and a coke, “I come baring gifts! For you,” Everyone chuckles in response and Mike sets the bag down on the table next to Blaine, “Well except for you Kurt. I couldn’t rescue you from hospital food. For Tina,” Mike presses a kiss to her forehead, “And for you, Burt. I have a whole season of Ice Road Truckers on Netflix, ready to go.” Kurt rolls his eyes as his dad’s face lights up. Mike claps his hands together, “Well Burt, grab your coat, we need to get going.” Burt frowns, “Aren’t you staying?” Mike shrugs, “I haven’t been home in a week. Thought it’d be nice to take a shower in the comfort of my own home. Besides, you’ll be okay, won’t you Kurt?” Kurt nods, “Of course. I’ll be fine, dad. Sleep well,” Kurt pats Burt’s hand as he stands up.

Burt chuckles, “Love you, kid.” Burt leans down to give him a hug, and so does Mike. After they walk out, Tina kisses Kurt’s cheek, “Had me scared there for a minute, Kurtie.” Kurt chuckles, “Sorry T.” She laughs, “It’s fine. Eat up Blaine,” she gestures to the untouched food kisses Blaine’s cheek before leaving.

As soon as the door shuts, Kurt looks at Blaine expectantly. Blaine quirks an eyebrow, “Do you need something?”
“Answers.”
“Ask your questions.”
“You should eat.”
“I’ve eaten.”
“Really? When was the last time you ate?”
“For your information, Tina brought me a bagel this morning.”
“Yeah, about that, what’s with that?”
“What’s with what?”
“Them bringing you food.”
“Something to do with you apparently.”
“How so?”
“It’s sort of a long story.”
“I’ve got a long time.”
“You sound like Claire.”
“You met Claire?”
“Yeah, she was in here about an hour before you woke up.”
“Well anyway. On with the story then.”
“Well....how much do you remember?”
“Footsteps. An arm raising a gun. Hurling myself at a body. Feeling a warmth spread across my back. Eyes...” Kurt trails off for a second, “Those were your eyes, weren’t they?”

“If you’re asking me if I’m the one you took a bullet for, then the answer’d be yes.” Blaine avoids Kurt’s eyes, looking down at the floor. Blaine feels a rush of shame wash over him. It’s hot and boiling and Blaine suddenly feels like burrowing into the ground, just to avoid it. It should have been me. Kurt shouldn’t be in this bed. I should be. He should be up walking around, checking my vitals. Why’d he even do it? The question escapes Blaine’s lips before he can stop to think about it, “Why’d you do it? Why’d you save me?” Kurt raises an eyebrow, “Do you wish I hadn’t?” Blaine huffed, “No. No. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful for it. Really sincerely grateful. It’s just...you don’t even know me.” Kurt nods, “Why do you think I did it?” Blaine throws up his hands in exasperation, “I don’t know! I’ve been chasing it around and around in my head, trying to figure it out!”
“If that’s why you’re here, you might as well leave. If you think being here is going to answer your question.”
Blaine is shocked by Kurt’s statement, “Wha--no. That’s. That’s not why I’m here.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Can you answer my question first?”
“What was your question?”
“Why’d you knock me out of the way?”
“Honestly?”
“That’d be nice, yes.”
“Because I saw something in you.”
“You are lucky you are in a hospital bed otherwise you would be in danger of being strangled. I’m sick and tired of that answer.”
“Huh?”
“Tina and Mike and your dad. And even your niece, have all said that same exact thing! What does that even mean?!” Blaine felt like ripping his hair out. Kurt chewed his lip, “I’m not sure I can really elaborate.” Blaine huffed, “And why not?!” Kurt blushed, “Um...because you might take it poorly.” Blaine quirked an eyebrow, “Bad how?” Kurt looked down at his hands in his lap, “I’ve dealt with one too many homophobes in my life Mr. Anderson. And I realize that most people here in New York are different. But I know too well how most straight men would react to my answer.” Kurt expected Blaine to lean away. For his beautiful full lips to curl in disgust. For him to glare at Kurt. Kurt didn’t expect Blaine to grin, “Well, luckily, I’m not a straight man.” Kurt looked up at him in surprise and Blaine chuckled, “Oh come on. Please at least tell me you have a gaydar rating of 50/50. I mean I realize I’m flamboyant by no means, but really?” Kurt laughed softly, “Sorry it’s just, the scrubs. Speaking of which, are those Mike’s?”

Blaine nodded, “Uh, yeah. He’s been loaning me pairs.”
“Oh, why?”
“Well because the sweater I was wearing got dirty and my brother’s kind of busy so he can’t bring me clothes himself.”
“Why don’t you go home yourself?”
“Can you answer my question first?”
“I-uh...” Kurt trailed off and fidgeted with the blankets.
Blaine chuckled, “Come on Doc, cat got your tongue?”
Kurt’s cheeks flooded with color and it took Blaine’s breath away, “No. It’s just...it’s kind of crazy.”
“Story of my life.”
Kurt looked up with a small smile on his face, “Really? How so?”
Blaine shook his head, “That is a long story as well. But I tell you what, if you finally answer my question, I will explain.”

Kurt worried his lip before a long moment before finally deciding to answer Blaine’s question, “It’s...it’s so weird. I just...I felt this pull towards you. Like I was...”
“Tethered to me?”
“Exactly. And like...when I woke up and felt your hand in mine...it wasn’t some stranger’s hand. Even though I didn’t even know your name...it felt like...”
“Like you’d held it a million times before?”
“Y-yes. And even as nuts as it sounds. I feel like I woke up in the middle of falling for you.” Kurt blushes even deeper and refuses to meet Blaine’s eyes. Blaine reaches over to take Kurt’s hand, “It’s not nuts.” Kurt looks up, “It’s not?”
“No.”
“Why not? We barely even know each other.”
“That’s not true. I know a lot about you. I know you grew up in Ohio. I know you like clothes. I know that your best friend calls you Kurtie. I know you have a niece. I know that you have the softest hands of any guy I’ve ever met. That’s five things right there that I know about you. But that’s not why it’s not crazy.”
“Then why is it not crazy?”
“Because I’m falling for you too.”