Kurt wondered how long it would take for David to slip up.

He was waiting for an excuse to leave – but then again, not really. He loved David, and he wanted to stay with him…

But then there was Blaine. Kind, sweet Blaine, who had been a stupid teenager and nothing more. David was a stupid adult, and Kurt wasn't so sure he could just grow out of that.

They had slept in the same bed that night, but David made no move to touch him – he left a giant gap between them, and Kurt was grateful. He wasn't ready. Not yet.

"Do you…still love me?" David asked over breakfast.

He had cooked – bacon and eggs with a hash brown each. He even served it in bed, and Kurt couldn't help but wonder if it would last. He was concentrating far too much on the negatives.

"Yes." Kurt answered without hesitation, smiling slightly at David. "I've always loved you…that…that hasn't changed."

David beamed, swallowing the last of his food. "You'll tell me if it does change, right?" he asked seriously, and Kurt frowned in confusion. "Because I don't want to be that guy…the one in love with you while you're barely hanging on…"

Kurt was bewildered. Where was this coming from?

"David…you don't have to worry."

"You left." He stated. It wasn't accusatory – it was just fact.

"I left because I was scared…" Kurt said cautiously. "But…you've obviously…changed."

David smiled at him, reaching across to take his hand. "I changed for you. Kurt…you're my life. You're perfect…and…I don't want to lose you. So now I'm going to cherish everything with you…I'm not going to drink anymore…"

Kurt's eyes lit up, his mouth almost dropping in shock. "David…you can't change everything. I don't…I don't mind if you drink…just…" he averted his gaze. "…not to the extent that you were…"

David nodded, a small smile on his face. "We'll make this right, Kurt. We will. I promise."

Kurt nodded, biting his lip and squeezing David's hand.

"Yeah."

^.^

It took less than forty-eight hours for Kurt to realise that a tiger can't change its stripes.

It's like they were hanging from a ledge – David holding Kurt by the hand was the only thing keeping him on that ledge. But Kurt felt his grasp slipping when David stumbled home.

It could've been okay – this could've been amazing.

He didn't understand why it couldn't last.

David stumbled into the house, staggering into the kitchen where Kurt was cooking. His hands quickly wrapped around Kurt's waist, and Kurt stiffened.

He was getting a horrible sense of déjà vu.

"I love you." David grinned, pressing a kiss to the back of Kurt's neck, before letting go and stepping back.

Kurt frowned. "You're not drunk?"

David beamed. "I had two drinks."

Kurt was amazed. Maybe he could change.

"David…" Kurt grinned, stepping forward and pulling the larger man into a hug. Dave hugged him back, pulling him close and breathing him in.

"I want this to work. Please…don't doubt me."

Kurt chuckled, leaning back and pressing a small kiss on his lips.

^.^

By Thursday, Kurt was convinced that everything was going to be okay.

David was amazing – he had taken the week off so they could spend time together – and they went on picnics and went to fairs and went shopping together. He cooked for Kurt when he couldn't bothered, and they had an agreement that Kurt cleaned downstairs while David cleaned upstairs.

It was all working brilliantly.

Until Thursday night.

David stumbled into the house again – really stumbled, and Kurt just knew that he was off his face drunk. It made Kurt's blood freeze, seeing that malicious glare in his eyes.

"David…go to bed." Kurt said, the moment he saw him.

"Don't tell me what to do." He growled, stepping forward.

Kurt was amazed by the sudden change. He'd never truly understood the concept of alcohol changing someone until that very moment. Only three hours ago, David was feeding him strawberries in the park.

And now he was cornering him.

"David…" Kurt warned, but the larger man didn't listen.

He grabbed Kurt by the front of his shirt, dragging him forward and pressing a harsh kiss to his mouth.

"Don't ever fucking leave me again." David growled, throwing Kurt to the floor and immediately covering Kurt's body with his own, struggling with Kurt's shirt.

Kurt cried out, trying his hardest to fight against Karofsky. He punched him – kicked him, but it was no use. There wasn't as much room to move, and Karofsky was pressing wet kisses down his neck.

"David, David! Fuck, get off me!"

^.^

Kurt woke up on the floor.

He didn't remember much – he tried to forget – but he couldn't. Not when he was sore and bruised and stiff, each breath a painful reminder. Everything was sticky and he was cold, despite the blanket that was over him.

He didn't want to move. He didn't want to do anything except leave. He had his jeans still – they were undone and halfway down his hips, but they were there. That was a plus. He numbly patted his pocket – his phone was still there and seemed intact. Another plus.

Karofsky turned into the room, and when he spotted Kurt awake, he immediately ran to his side.

Kurt coiled away, pulling up his pants and turning onto his side and facing the wall.

Immediately, Karofsky burst into tears. "Kurt…Kurt I am…I am so sorry."

"Don't talk to me." Kurt growled huskily, his throat aching.

"Kurt, please…just…"

"You've had your chance." Kurt muttered. "You had several chances. Chances that you didn't deserve. I…I thought you had changed…"

"I did. I tried!'

"You fucked up, David." Kurt muttered, tensing his legs before sitting up, pulling the blanket securely around him.

"I'm sorry!"

"I don't want an apology." Kurt said softly, taking a deep breath before standing up.

He winced immediately. Everything hurt.

"Kurt, please…please don't leave me."

Kurt closed his eyes. He had to leave. He had to. Staying wasn't an option anymore.

"Where will you even go?" Karofsky demanded.

"I'll stay with Blaine again."

There was a tense silence, and Kurt immediately wanted to kick himself in the face. He bit his lip, eyes wide.

He wasn't supposed to say that.

"Blaine?"

He nodded timidly.

"Blaine…Anderson?"

Kurt nodded again.

David's eyes narrowed, his lips turning up in a snarl. "You spent the weekend with him?"

"He's just a friend, David…"

"Liar!" he growled. "You're-"

"David, it's nothing! I met up with him a couple of da-"

"Don't lie to me, Kurt!" He snapped. "You've been with him for weeks. Everyday you smelt like somewhere that wasn't your work…god I thought it was new cologne or some shit but I couldn't find any. You were so much happier..." His eyes were tearing up and he choked back a sob. "You were cheating on me…"

"David!" Kurt pleaded, fear and guilt rising in his throat. "It wasn't anything like that."

"You're lying!" he spat. "Where the fuck is he?"

Kurt's eyes widened. "Dave, calm down…"

"Give me your phone!" he growled, reaching out to Kurt.

Kurt jumped away, but David grabbed him and pinned him, wrestling the phone from where it was jammed in his pocket. Kurt struggled, pushing against him with all his might, but David held him down with his forearm, pinning both arms at the same time. He scrolled through Kurt's contacts, a malicious glare in his eyes.

Kurt was helpless – he couldn't believe how weak he was. Karofsky held him so easily, regardless of his struggling.

Karofsky found Blaine's details easily, and immediately released Kurt. He jumped up, dropping Kurt's phone and collecting his keys.

"David, no, come on! You can't do this!" Kurt grabbed his arm, but the larger man pushed him off effortlessly, ignoring him and shoving him hard.

Kurt stumbled, losing his footing and falling.

His back hit first, his head hitting the corner of the stairs with an audible crack.

The last he saw was David leaving the house.

Then nothing.