The previous night the boys decided to sleep over because the next day was Blaine's 10th birthday. They were sure they would stay up until midnight to celebrate it using movies to keep them awake. They passed out during Finding Nemo, at 10:27 pm.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Kurt bounced all over the bed. "Time for school! Time for school!"

"Mmph- Nemo just 5 more minutes…" Blaine mumbled. Kurt flopped down onto the bed and curled up next to Blaine.

"Nope, can't letcha." Kurt whispered real quietly. "And you promised you'd let me dress you!"

"Noooooo," Blaine groaned and flipped onto his stomach, whining into his pillow. "Nmph mrf maeforz."

"No more makeovers? I live off making you perfect."

"I already am perfect, you know it." He said, flipping back over.

"Course you are." Kurt said and kissed the top of his head. "But you promised."

"Gahhh fine."

"And I'm seeing your room today."

"Grrr."

"Promise is a promise."

"Uh-huh."

"A PROMISE IS A PROMISE!"

"Okayyyy, gosh." Kurt and Blaine laughed and flopped back onto the bed. "How about, for my birthday, you make me a promise."

"What's that?"

"It's- well…" Kurt sat up and looked Blaine dead in the eyes.

"What is it?"

"There's something I need to tell you…" Blaine wasn't dumb. He knew why the boys teased him and mocked him every day of his life for 5 years and counting. And they were right, of course, but why was he tortured for this? "I'm gay."

There was a moment of silence. Kurt told Blaine he was gay 2 years ago. Suddenly something in their friendship had changed, they could feel it. Like a different bond had formed. It was a sudden feeling of understanding they both felt. Never again would they ever be alone because they would always have each other.

"But that's not the secret." Blaine began to sob. Kurt's eyes flashed at the sound of his cry. Blaine got up and walked over to the mirror. "I just hope you don't think of me differently…" He removed his shirt.

Bruises. Big black, green, yellow bruises and covering his skin. Scars up and down his shoulder blades. A giant black circular burn from where a cigar had been pressed down on his skin.

Mom, what do I do about this one?

My best friend so hurt. If you could just see him… The scars are from broken glass. He's never let me near his home or family. And he's been hiding this from me for 4 years.

And what has he done to deserve this? The boy I know is perfect. Why would someone dare touch him. He told me it all stopped. My best friend torn apart.

My little boy met a new friend just the other day

On the playground at school

Between the tires and the swings

But he came home with tear-filled eyes

And he said to me, "Mommy, Anderson lies"

"He did this because he knew ever since I was 4 that I was gay." Do you hear me? You fucking brat you'll wish you were dead you worthless little shit! "Kurt, please don't hate me I know I- I- I lied to you. I deserve thi-"

"Don't you dare talk about what you deserve! You don't know a damn about what you deserve!" Kurt's eyes were red and tears were pouring out of his eyes as he looked at the boy with golden eyes. "You know what you deserve? The moon, the stars…"

Well I just brushed it off at first

'Cause I didn't know how much my little boy had been hurt

Or the things he had seen

I wasn't ready when I said you can tell me

And he said

"-and you don't deserve this! How could anyone do this to you." Kurt got off the bed and gently touched the scars on his back. "I d-don't understand." At the base of his back, a long cutt barely scabbed. From a pocket knife. "No. No no no…"

"Kurt, it's oka-"

"You- you- I…." Kurt placed his finger over the stabbing wound. "I'm so so sorry." Kurt broke off into a fit of sobs.

You good for nothing- he grabbed me by my hair, removed my tie and tied it around my mouth. He kicked me into the corner. As I sputtered for breath, he started his rounds. Filthy- dirty- disgusting- waste of air!

"You also promised a long time ago I could tell my dad."

"What? No, Kurt. No!"

"Yes, Blaine, please-"

"If he knows you know he'll kill me!"

Blaine lies to the classroom

Blaine lies everyday at school

Blaine lies to the teachers

As he tries to cover every bruise

Mom, he's not just my best friend.

I love him.

"What if I went to school tomorrow and you weren't there?" Kurt finally asked. Blaine looked down at him with quiet eyes.

Through the wind and the rain he stands hard as a stone

In a world that he can't rise above

But his dreams give him wings and he flies to a place

Where he's loved

Concrete angel.

"Please, Blaine. It'll be okay I promise." Blaine was frozen. "I promise, okay?" He nods.

I promised he wouldn't get hurt any more and he won't. But I'm scared.

Help me, momma.

"Daddy?" Kurt calls.

"Ready for school?"

"No. Not today."

"What's up bud?" Burt looks up to see Kurt with puffy eyes. "What's going-" Kurt quietly steps aside and Blaine steps forward from the shadows of the hall. Burt freezes for a minute to take it all in before rushing towards the boy. Blaine flinches as if expecting a hit when Burt holds him in his arms, crying onto his shoulder.

"Blaine- like my own son… Don't you worry no more it all stops now." Burt lets go of Blaine and runs to the phone. "Yes Andersons. A-n-d-e-r…"

"Blaine?"

"Yah Kurt?"

"You mad at me?" Blaine pulled him into a hug.

"You saved me." Blaine began to cry. "I had a sister when I was 5. Y-you saved me."

"And I do think of you differently now." Blaine choked but Kurt smiled. "You are so much stronger than I thought you were." Weak- pathetic- Useless- it all faded away.

Dear Coop,

We're gonna be okay now.

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound