It was Saturday 5th of September midday when Blaine was in the supermarket shopping for snacks since Wes had claimed he would die if he didn’t have snacks while studying, and they couldn’t have that. In all truthfulness there was nothing more painful than boys being hungry while studying. They became whiny, and although Blaine liked to nibble on some sandwiches himself, it was hard to concentrate on your own work when your roommates became disruptive with their agony of not having any food. It’s what you learn when living in a dorm room at your private school full of growing boys. So being like the almost could be considered big brother to 20 or so boys Blaine was piling up his hands with Chips, Chocolate, sandwiches for himself, since he was the healthiest of the lot and lots of popcorn. When exams were over they loved to celebrate with a movie night.

It had been a while since he went to the supermarket for anything, but he never would have expected to witness somebody shoplifting. What surprised him even more was that the person behind it was just a boy; a pale boy his age. Or so he assumed. He was wearing baggy clothes, his hair was sort of falling over his forehead in an unkempt manner which was the reason why Blaine believed he was younger than what his height might have otherwise suggested, and he was wearing dark glasses so he couldn’t see what eyes he had. The boy looked to his left and his right as though searching for signs of the owner. He was standing next to the body & health department. The boy’s hand was shaking as he quickly shot his right hand out and grabbed what Blaine made out to be a bar of soap in its packet box and stashed it in his jeans.

Blaine was watching him with curiosity. There’s so much food in here, okay in all honesty most of the packet food was near the visible eyes of the colleagues working in the shop, who was too busy with their music to look around but there was some already hot and ready to go food prepared in the back and yet he takes soap? Something didn’t settle right in Blaine’s mind. He didn’t seem like the type to steal, but maybe that’s because his mother always said he saw the good in people when sometimes he should see beyond that. He was tall, but he appeared so small in those clothes. That red hoodie which had an M on it did nothing for his slim figure. It made him look way too tiny.

His skin although pale was not clean, and he did appear to smell from where Blaine was standing, but it wasn’t horrible odour like the ones you sometimes came across on the trains or buses. It was just odour from not having a shower for a few days. It wasn’t overwhelming. The boy headed down the aisle and he was just about to reach the exit door. Blaine found himself stuck. He knew he should call him out, and get him to pay for his item, or ask what the hell he was doing - but the way his shoulders were slumped in a defeated manner, and the way the boy was shivering made him stop. He looked homeless. Blaine always tried to sympathise with the homeless.

Blaine was at the counter by that point, and he had already paid for his items to the one staff that was in the shop with headphones on and seemingly uninterested in what went on. The stranger might have gotten away with it too, having no one see him but the owner or manager, a guy in a black uniform on with the nametag Mike came in and he called out to the boy “Excuse me, what do you think you’re doing? I saw you in the cameras back in the shop,”

The pale boy looked like a dear in headlights. He heard him mutter a “Sorry,” and ran.

The manager or whatever muttered “Bloody thieves,”

Blaine added another $5 to his already paid snacks and said that was his friend…he was socially awkward, and then he excused himself as he ran after the stranger. Blaine panted as he chased the boy down the street. He seemed so scared and tense, he couldn’t help himself.  Why was he chasing this guy?  He could attack him. Something told him that the boy could hardly hurt anyone in his condition. The boy was almost out of view and Blaine couldn’t have that. He picked up the speed and carefully ran his way past people and dogs and slow elderly people.

“Hey wait a minute!” He called out. The boy just ran faster. He tried to keep track of his back. He remembered the red hoodie clearly, and his shoes were almost falling apart so they weren’t hard to spot. “Sorry,” Blaine muttered in a hurry when almost bumping into a man. He was almost within reach of the boy “Wait I want to talk to you!” He tried calling out again, but he didn’t appear to hear him, a loud beep of a horn caused him to jump back as a taxi rushed by.

The boy had just turned the corner where the lights were. Blaine was panting heavily now but he kept running, the plastic bag he was carrying was a bit of an annoyance as it banged his sides. The boy stopped at some point. Blaine slowed down, not wanting to scare him off again.  The stranger was shaking. He leaned against the wall of a restaurant building and drew himself to his knee level. He was sobbing. The sound was absolutely heart breaking.

“What am I doing?” He heard the stranger ask in anguish voice as though no one was listening, and no one was, except Blaine. Everyone else walked past. “I’m not a thief,”

Blaine waited for him to notice him first, unsure how to go up to him. He seemed so….sad, lonely. It made him want to protect him. The boy looked his way then and noticed Blaine as if he could feel his eyes on him. He had taken of his glasses or they had fallen of, and Blaine saw the most beautiful eyes, green or blue, he wasn’t sure but they had widened in fear. The pale boy panicked and appeared like he was going to run again. Blaine held up his hands like a stop sign.

“No wait…please don’t run,” He couldn’t run away now. Not when he had a glimpse of those tired, red but gorgeous eyes. The stranger eyed him suspiciously and looked down at his plastic bag. He didn’t say anything. Maybe he wasn’t used to strangers Blaine figured. Blaine smiled gently, hoping it was a calming way to approach “Don’t be scared… my name’s Blaine”

There was still no answer.

“You don’t have to worry about the soap either, I paid the money for you, but I think the least I could get is a name yeah?” Blaine tried to sound as gentle as he could. He didn’t know how fragile the stranger was but from where he was hesitating to move closer, he seemed like a lost soul, or one that was struggling anyway. He looked surprised at the fact someone did something kind for him when he mentioned the soap and it made Blaine even more curious about him.

“Kurt…” The boy finally announced.  Kurt…it fit his features well. His pointy ears interested Blaine, and what surprised him even more than his brown hair although unkempt and somewhat out of place looked adorable in a way too, with the little fringe over his forehead was how young his face really was. His eyes were expressive as they looked at him “It’s very nice to meet you Kurt,” Blaine offered cautiously stepping closer. They were also the most gorgeous eyes Blaine has laid eyes on. He knew he was staring, but he found it hard not to. Those eyes…

“Please don’t hurt me,” Kurt shuffled back against the wall drawing his knees further into his chest as he pleaded, he sounding so vulnerable and small that Blaine’s heart broke for him. How could people just keep walking on by? He sat down next to the boy cautiously.

“I won’t hurt you Kurt, I can understand why you might not trust me but I was just concerned…you seem a little upset,” Blaine placed the bag next to him and crossed his legs looking at Kurt as he waited for Kurt to respond. Kurt sighed “What do you want with me?”

“Just to talk, I don’t want to assume but….why are you out here likes this?” Blaine asked steadily and tried to get Kurt to look at him. The boy was staring at his feet.

“I…”  Kurt was appearing lost as to what to say. “I won’t judge,” Blaine added with a gentle smile, he hoped that would make Kurt feel more reassured but Kurt just looked to him then and watched him for a minute. When Blaine just stayed there and waited for a response, Kurt nodded as though seeming to think he was to be trusted.

“I live here….”

“Here, in the restaurant?” The boy’s eyes flashed with anger. “If only. On the streets Blaine,”

Blaine frowned as he eyed the boy. Kurt didn’t seem like he wanted to be in this situation if the stealing of personal hygiene products made any indication.

“Would you like to tell me why you were taking that bar of soap?” Blaine asked calmly. He shot him an angry glare. “I have no money,” He snapped in a defensive way. Blaine wondered if stopping was a good idea. If Kurt attacked him, he could use his fighting skills he learned from defence classes but he really would rather not, he didn’t like hurting people even if it was self-defence but his worry disappeared when the boy whispered “You must think I’m a bad person,”

“Are you a bad person?” Blaine asked and face began to screw up. “No,” He whispered. “That’s the first time I ever…I just really wanted to be clean,” Kurt looked around them.

School kids were talking on the phone laughing while their friends walked with them, people in business suits were hurrying to work with coffee cups in their hands, women were pushing babies in prams and road workers were keeping to themselves as well, it seemed like everyone played a part. Kurt though didn’t seem to fit in any categories.

“Well if you say you’re not a bad person then I believe you,” Even though Blaine had witnessed Kurt shoplifting…he still didn’t know him well enough to judge him, and he always believed you should walk someone’s shoes before judging them. His mother always said that was going to get him into trouble.

“You just saw me stealing Blaine,” Kurt looked unconvinced and was trying to keep warm against the chilly weather by rubbing down his arm.

“Well tell me why you did it then and maybe I can understand, you already said you have no money, but I get the feeling it’s more than that,” Blaine felt his stomach rumble and decided he’d ask Kurt for some lunch soon because he was starving. Running sometimes made him feel hungry. He wondered if Kurt had eaten today. He looked so skinny. He was tempted to offer his jacket, but Kurt didn’t seem like the guy to take things from people.

“I smell…and I wasn’t lying. I don’t have any money…..I normally do surveys at the library, but sometimes money doesn’t go into my account for 28 days….and so I started to smell and I stole the soap,” Blaine never heard of such a thing. “I planned on paying back the shop when I got my pay,”

“You do surveys to get money?” He didn’t mean to sound like it was a bad thing Blaine just hadn’t thought people actually earned money from getting surveys. Kurt looked embarrassed then and he assured he didn’t think less of him for it.

Kurt played with his fingers nervously “My debit card is the only access to money I have, I don’t feel good about stealing you know. I’ve always told myself I wouldn’t come to that…and steal…but I got desperate. I  can’t go anywhere smelling like I am now, because nobody can stand the smell and they kick me out, and it’s been so cold…I just wanted to be warm and clean for one night, people don’t care about us,”

“So that’s why you got the bar of soap and for the record if you haven’t noticed I’m still here, so  I do care,” Kurt stared at his dry looking hands as though sinking this information in. Blaine sighed as Kurt went quiet “Listen Kurt, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me okay? Are there any friends that I can help you get in contact with?”

Kurt shook his head. “I’ve lost contact with my friends a long time ago,” He said bitterly.

Blaine wanted to roll up this boy and hug him and make him stay with him forever, but he knew he couldn’t do that. He wasn’t some puppy up for adoption, even if he did look cute with that ridiculous hairstyle of his and the oversize hoodie. He had a feeling Kurt didn’t care about what he looked like. He looked tired and worn out. “Would you like some lunch?” Kurt’s rose his chin up stubbornly as he shook his head. “No, thank you”

 Blaine felt he needed to beg him “Kurt…please,” He looked starving.

Kurt appeared somewhat angry as he glared at him beneath those tired eyes “I don’t want your pity Blaine, it’s my life. I need to deal with it. I just didn’t want you to judge me,” Kurt sounded adamant about that but almost like he had given up to what life had settled him for. Blaine would not let another person give up just because their circumstances are hard.  Blaine stood up, grabbing his bag with him as an example to Kurt to follow his lead.

“I’m not a person who judges. Well I’d love to get a coffee, will you walk with me? It’s warm in there, and if anybody gives you trouble, I can tell them to piss off,” He noticed the corner of Kurt’s lips twitch as though wanting to smile and Blaine wondered what Kurt’s smile looked like.  Kurt hesitated and then a cold breeze made him shiver so as if making up his mind from that breeze he nodded and stood up with a quiet

“Okay, but not for long,” Blaine felt like doing a little victory dance.

“Come on then,” He stood up and held a hand to the boy. Kurt stared at it for a long time and then eventually grabbed hold of it.

“Thank you,” He whispered as they began walking. Blaine shrugged and kept his eye on where they were going not wanting Kurt to be scared of his own fascination of his interesting features.

Blaine could count this as his good deed for the day. “No problem,” It wasn't Ohio's coldest weather yet, but it was still pretty cold for September.

As they walked to the coffee shop, Blaine randomly discussed things that had happened to him during the week. He talked about the Warblers, and he tried to describe each of the members in detail. He mentioned his classes and what teachers he liked and he found Kurt intently looking at him with an odd expression on his face, as though he can’t believe anyone would be talking to him, or that he was talking nonsense, and he wished Blaine would shut up; one or the other.

“One time we even sang in a gap store and it was horrible, we vowed never to sing in public again, worse humiliation,”

Kurt didn’t even notice that they had been standing in line when they walked in the Lima Bean and no one so far even seemed to care that he was filthy. He kept looking around as though waiting for someone to kick him out. Blaine wondered if he experienced that often. When he got to the counter, Blaine ordered 2 medium drips and 2 muffins. Kurt was playing with the hem of his hoodie while he waited with Blaine. He kept close to Blaine too and Blaine couldn’t help feel Kurt’s frightened posture next to him.

“Blaine?” The woman at the counter called and he went to get the food. When he got their order, they sat down near the heater in the back. Kurt sighed in content, but he wasn’t happy. He looked sad. Pensive, he stared at nothing but then he was staring at the food that Blaine had put on the table.  Tears were threatening to fall down his face.

“Hey…what’s wrong?” Blaine felt bad for him. He wanted to help. He reached out to grab his hand after Blaine handed Kurt’s muffin plate over and handed over his coffee. Tears began pouring from Kurt’s eyes.  “I don’t …I haven’t eaten in 4 days…” He had been staring at the food in front of him before Kurt closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his eyes were watery as he looked at Blaine “I’m so tired Blaine, I find it hard to have a reason to get up in the morning,”

Blaine felt at lost as to what to do, what to say or how to make this better. He reached over and took a hold of his hand and squeezed it. “You’re not alone Kurt, you don’t have to be,” He didn’t need words because as Kurt looked at him from that action alone, he knew Kurt appreciated his actions.

“So…what are these surveys that you do?” Blaine asked trying to cheer Kurt up as he munched on his muffin. Kurt was nibbling on his as though afraid it would disappear.

“They’re online. It’s called Survey Ohio. They send surveys every week day and sometimes you can get $1 for doing one survey, sometimes you get $1.53 or even $2.40. I can’t get a job. I’ve tried, but I have no references and no qualifications so this is the only way I can get money, they don’t send any money on the weekends though…I actually thought about being a prostitute at one time…”

Blane was listening intently as he sipped his coffee and watched Kurt do the same. Kurt’s eyes closed as he held the coffee with both his hands. Kurt broke of a piece of muffin and put it in his mouth. He watched the way Kurt’s delicate fingers seemed to soak up the warmth of the cup he was holding.

“But I …I’m not ready for sex….I’m not even sure if gay guys can be prostitutes…or where to go for that.  I remember asking one guy if he would….you know and he screamed at me, called me a whore. It was humiliating. I thought maybe I could be like in pretty woman, but instead the handsome prince comes and rescues me instead,” Kurt looked nervous as he eyed Blaine to watch his reaction.

“You like boys too ha?” Blaine grinned and Kurt’s eyes widened. “You’re gay?”

Blaine nodded. “It’s why I’m boarding at the private school at Dalton. Things were pretty bad at my old school for me, and I even complained to the faculty but you could tell they didn’t care, it was like…hey if your gay…there’s nothing you can do about it; sorry, one time though they beat me up pretty bad so my mom got me transferred. I get the feeling there’s a big story you have that’s waiting to be told,”

Kurt stared surprised at that comment. He took broke another chunk of his muffin, and a groan escaped his lips. It must have really tasted good. He actually thought the muffins were ordinary compared to his mother’s fabulous cooking, but that’s probably because he was spoilt.

They ate for a while in silence then unsure what else to say; Kurt occasionally sipping his coffee and taking bits of his muffin to put in his mouth while sometimes bashfully glancing away from Blaine when Blaine caught him looking at him.

One of the workers in an apron came over then and looked apologetically at them “I’m sorry but people are complaining about the smell coming from this area, I’m going to have to ask you to leave or change seats where there are less people,”

Blaine sent her a look that you would not consider as polite “Isn’t that a little rude?” He heard Kurt sigh and looked over who apologised to the lady and looked his way again. “Blaine its fine…I have to go anyway, and I’m sure you need to get back to your dorm,” He left his only halfway eaten muffin and hurried from the building before Blaine could stop him. Blaine saw the guarded eyes again and wondered exactly what Kurt had been through. When he got home after that unusual encounter he couldn’t stop thinking about Kurt.

Before he left the shop he called out to the woman making sure to embarrass her in front of people like she had to Kurt “I won’t be eating here again thanks to the rude hospitality, the people at maccas have more courtesy” Blaine stormed out then, feeling pleased with himself.

Where was he now? Did he have a home? I haven’t eaten in 4 days… No wonder he had looked so skinny. He couldn’t imagine not eating for 4 days. He went hungry after not eating for 3 hours let alone 24 hours.

… When will be the next time he eats again?  “I should have asked his last name,” He mumbled with a groan.

“Whose last name, have a crush on somebody?” Wes grinned grabbing a bag of chips Blaine chucked to him as he walked in the bedroom and sat on his bed groaning from the days events. Wes was Blaine’s roommate. He was pretty good on picking on things that concerned Blaine, but also knew when Blaine wanted to talk about it or didn’t want to talk about it. Blaine decided to tell Wes. If Wes had seen Kurt in his condition, he would have done the same thing Blaine had surely. Wes began munching on his chips, thanking his friend for getting him some. Even though it was meant studying, that’s why Blaine had bought one of those bulk packets. One with 24 mini ones in it.

When he told Wes what happened Wes looked at him in surprise.

“You believe him don’t you?” Wes sat down opposite him. “What do you mean?” Blaine asked in confusion. “When he said he wasn’t a bad person,”

Blaine nodded. “He seemed so helpless Wes, and when the lady basically kicked us out, it was like he was used to that,” Wes frowned. “That’s not cool,” Blaine nodded in agreement. “Nobody should feel like they aren’t welcomed,” Blaine nodded again “Exactly, but now I only know his first name,”

“Well… you can’t help everyone Blaine. I know you like to or would like to, but clearly Kurt didn’t want your help or he wouldn’t have left,” Wes reasoned and Blaine hated it when he was logical.

“There’s just something about Kurt that gets me, he looked so sad,” Blaine knew Wes was right, but it sucked. Kurt deserved a chance like everyone else.  Wes looked at Blaine with a sad expression. “Sometimes life is sad,” Wasn’t that the truth.

Blaine couldn’t sleep that night. Those eyes were the only thing he could think of. He tossed and turned wondering where Kurt might now be. Was he okay?

A couple of times Blaine thought he saw Kurt. One of those times had been in a local park. It was the end of September on a Sunday. He had been playing football with friends on a weekend they decided to go out and have fun. Exams were coming soon and they wouldn’t have much time for anything else once it came near the end of the year, so they were enjoying the freedom while they could, and did their assignments at night. He was so sure it was Kurt. He had the same clothes on, he had the same hair, and the same eyes were staring at him behind a tree as though he was watching and afraid to approach. He had to look twice just to make sure. Kurt blinked when he saw him. When he took a break, he called out to the guys “I’ll be right back,”

When he went to find the other boy, he wasn’t there. Was it just a trick on his mind? His imagination perhaps was messing with him and hoping it was Kurt. Blaine frowned and continued to stare around the park. There was an empty blanket near the tree that gave an indication a homeless person might have been there, but there was no one there.

“Blaine?” Jeff called and Blaine went back to play the game.

The second time he thought he saw Kurt was in early October when he was at a restaurant with his mom on a Tuesday school night sometimes she would come to see him instead of have him drive all the way home, since it was quite a drive. They were eating spaghetti near the door because the place was almost full, and they didn’t mind the cold so much in their nice warm coats. His mother was talking about her week at the law firm when he overheard a conversation near the door.

“Sorry sir, we don’t have any spare scraps to give you,”

“Please….I just want some water my mouth is so dry, please sir, I won’t cause trouble,”

Blaine froze, it would be rude to turn around while his mother was talking, but he knew that voice. It was Kurt’s voice he was hearing, he was certain of it.

“I’m really sorry…if it were up to me,” The guy was about to continue but Blaine managed to hear a soft voice say “I understand,” in interruption.  He couldn’t help it. He turned but the waiter that had been addressing Kurt had said his last word. All he could see was the back of Kurt as he walked on. Kurt was walking by the  open view window. He watched him with his head down shivering, and seemingly exhausted.

“Excuse me mom,” Blaine abruptly left the table, with almost rapid speed he reached the door and went outside in the chilly air. “Kurt?” He called out but there was no answer. He couldn’t see any signs of him. With a heavy sigh Blaine went back to his mother and tried to explain his sudden disappearance.

A month went by It was cold. Cold to the point it was snowing. The Warblers still practised for Sectionals next year because they wouldn’t have time when exams ended as they went on holidays. His mind still crossed over to the thought of the pale boy. So to feel better about the situation, Blaine volunteered at the homeless shelter 3 nights a week. Wes insisted that he needed to focus his mind on something else for a change other than someone he might not ever see again. So Blaine agreed because it was driving him crazy. He wanted to help. He was itching to do something good. His mother was proud of his desire to be involved in the community.

Blaine was doing night shifts, looking after sleeping arrangements. Sometimes they were scary because some homeless individuals got angry and attacked him if he had to apologise and say there was no more room. Blaine tried as best as he could to find room for everybody. He really did. Sometimes though he just got Rebecca to tell them there was no more room because he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Every bed was full that particular night, he’d been working there for a few weeks. It was late Novermber and the weather conditions were horrendous. It had been terrible weather all week, to the point it was snowing heavily in some places in Ohio. The weather forecast said it was the worse they’ve had in December weather in decades. A familiar face caught Blaine’s attention though as the evening went on. Kurt was staring at the sign that said ‘Sorry, no more beds available,’ The door was opened so if people wanted to ask any questions they could, but they were going to close it very soon.

The boy he had been trying to forget was there, and there was no way he was going to let him out of his sight again. He wore the same hoodie that was far too big on him and it was drenched. . A tree branch had snapped from the snow frightened him, He was about to walk away arms wrapped around his chest as though trying to protect himself from the falling snowflakes and to his horror Kurt had no shoes on. He heard a small sob from Kurt as he furiously kicked at the sign, wincing from the impact on his bare feet. Kurt sunk into the snow as he walked.

“Kurt!” Kurt looked up frightened by the fact someone knew him but then he saw Blaine and his fear seemed to decrease a little. He looked a little surprised to see Blaine as he stood up again.

“B…Blaine?” His teeth were chattering. Arms wrapped around himself to keep from the cold as much as he could. He had snow in his hair to.  “Don’t walk away, I’ll try arrange something for you just come in okay?” Blaine put an arm around his cold shoulders to steer him inside.

“You work here?” Kurt asked quietly when he followed Blaine inside. His nose was running from an obvious cold as he sniffed.

“I’m a volunteer…” He told proudly “Come on, it’s cold out here, I’m not supposed to let more people in, but I can’t let you go out there, here take this,” He had taken of his blazer to put it around the freezing boy. He guided Kurt in putting his long tender arms through the right places.

“Oh…” Kurt uttered in surprise as he came closer seeming relieved when his feet came in contact with the wooden floors and Blaine smiled at him issuing him to follow him with his hand. Blaine walked him up to one of his managers with Kurt beside him.  “Susie, do we have any more beds? I know we have a strict policy but Kurt’s my friend, and I can’t let him stay out there in that weather,”

“Blaine…you tried that with me once before,” Susie looked like a tired but kind woman as she sighed at Blaine and looked at Kurt. Kurt shrunk from her gaze by hiding slightly behind Blaine’s blazer. Kurt retreated himself from Blaine’s embrace but Blaine took grasp of his arm to stop him leaving. He didn’t want Kurt to think he was a pity project. He really just generally cared about him and he said so to Susie. “Please? Just look outside and tell me would you want to be out there in that?”

Susie sighed as she indeed looked out the window. Blaine had a way to get to her unlike most her other colleagues where she insisted she had her final word. She then looked at Kurt’s bare feet.

“No,” Susie admitted.

“Well?” Blaine pouted and nodded over to Kurt.  “My mother did make enough food for everyone, and I’m sure Kurt would be appreciative for anything you give him, it’s just so cold” She eyed him carefully. He gently rubbed up and down Kurt’s shoulders hoping it would warm him.

“Fine…come with me, Kurt don’t try to do anything foolish we have security for a reason okay? I have to warn all that stay here with us. I’ll get one of the colleague’s beds, but that means you don’t get to sleep on a bed tonight Blaine, for one more person there needs to be sacrifices, and we’ll find you some shoes hon” She pointed at her feet as she told them to follow “This way,”

“Thank you,” Kurt whispered unable to look anyone in the eye as he stared at the floor in what appeared shame. Blaine squeezes his shoulders that were covered in the warmth of his blazer “I’m sorry for the inconveniences,” Kurt added quietly and that made Susie stop to really look at him. Kurt seemed to feel her gaze and looked up to meet her now soften one. “It’s not an inconvenience Kurt, we like to help as much as we can, we truly do want people to know we care and that they are safe. Everybody deserves a helping hand and I’m sorry if I came across otherwise,” Kurt nodded tugging at his sleeve and keeping close to Blaine as they walked.

“And I don’t care about where I sleep, I’d rather Kurt had the bed,” Kurt looked straight at Blaine at his own comment and Blaine swore he was thinking he was insane. “Of course you don’t,” Susie scoffed. Blaine usually slept overnight on the really cold nights because his mother worried about him driving in those conditions, and he really didn’t mind because he felt he took his own bed for advantage when these people had to suffer on these thin cots. At least he had his warm Blazer on, so he didn’t have to worry too much. He also wore 2 t-shirts and a scarf. He wondered how Kurt was standing in that wet hoodie and thin baggy pants.

When he got Kurt sorted he sat down next to him. Usually he socialised with everyone, but he wanted to find out how Kurt was doing.

“I haven’t seen you in weeks, what have you been up to?” Blaine inquired and Kurt shrugged like it didn’t matter. Blaine wanted to see Kurt smile. He had yet to witness it.

“I slept in the library for a while but then the manager caught me and kicked me out. At first they didn’t even notice I was there, they had this room for teenagers which barely anyone used since nobody went in there, and it was so warm, I just stayed there, when they locked up I hid behind one of the shelves, but then one unfortunate day they noticed some crumbs. One time I had gotten a sandwich which they had been given out for free in the front and the crumb had attracted their attention, they asked me to leave when they also noticed my smell, and obviously what I was wearing,”

Blaine always felt horrible when Kurt explained his story. People just really didn’t care about the disadvantages of others. He wanted to ask if it was Kurt in the park and near the restaurant, but he didn’t know how to without sounding rude.

“Are you hungry?” Blaine asked instead trying to make a brighter conversation. Kurt didn’t say anything back but at the mention of food he looked at Blaine like he was crazy to ask that question.

“Wait here, I’ll get you some soup. You’ll love it. My mom makes the best chicken soup,” Blaine patted his knee.

“Thank you Blaine,” Kurt’s quiet response always made him feel something funny inside. He really just wanted to hug the boy and tell him he was safe.

It occurred to Blaine as he walked over to the food area that Kurt was unique. Not just by his looks either. Even though life was treating Kurt poorly, Kurt didn’t give up. He seemed to keep on fighting, and Blaine found that endearing. Yes he was in an unfortunate situation, yes he seemed miserable, but there was still something in his eyes that were lit like a firework and that told Blaine, he was a fighter and he would fight to the bitter end.