The chatter of dozens of shoppers was merely white noise by the time they reached the food court. After an hour and a half of window-shopping, the two were famished. It was easy to forget how big the mall was when one lived in a tiny, separate world—a world for two.

The food court was a particularly crowded area of the mall; after all, it was just past noon on a hot and sticky Tuesday in late June in Lima, Ohio—it wasn't as though there were many attractions to visit. The couple was forced to search for a while until they spotted a table for two in a corner. They quickly settled into their seats.

Kurt wrinkled his nose. "These tables are filthy."

Blaine laughed, and, snatching a few napkins from the silver dispenser, he began to sweep the crumbs and dirt off of the cream tabletop. He tossed the trash into a nearby receptacle without even leaving his seat. Kurt clapped dramatically, and Blaine bowed, flourishing his hands.

Then he sighed. "So what are you hungry for?"

Kurt glanced around at the various vendors along the walls. Chinese, no...Japanese, no...pizza, no...Chinese, still no...He scanned one wall, rejecting all of the choices there, and then shifted his eyes to the next one. No, no, no—He stopped. Perfect.

He turned back to Blaine. "How about wraps at Trop—" His voice trailed off. Blaine was gazing at him quite peculiarly� with an odd half-smile lighting up his face.

"What?" demanded Kurt, instantly self-conscious. "Is my hair alright?" His hand automatically reached for his head, but Blaine caught it mid-air and guided it back down onto the table."Your hair is perfect," he murmured, his smiling widening, "just like the rest of you. Sorry if I freaked you out, it's just...sometimes, I get so lost in you. And I love it."Kurt blushed deeply, but he squeezed Blaine's hand to reciprocate.

They sat for a moment, simply taking each other in, until Blaine broke the silence. "So what do you want from Tropical Smoothie?"

Kurt bit his lip. "Hm...Jamaican Jerks are good...oh, but they make your breath smell bad, no...Popeye's isn't bad—ugh, the last thing I need is spinach in my teeth...I'd get Turkey but the dressing will go straight to my thighs...I guess...I'll get a King Caesar." He looked a Blaine, who was once more watching him with an amazing expression.

"Is any decision ever simple for you?" He chuckled when Kurt stuck his tongue out at him. "I'm afraid to ask, but what kind of smoothie would my King Caesar want?"

With a smile, Kurt replied instantly, "Kiwi Quencher." At Blaine's impressed look, he elaborated. "It's been my favorite since I was ten."

Blaine laughed again. "A King Caesar and a Kiwi Quencher, coming right up." He stood, leaned forward to kiss Kurt lightly on the forehead, and said, in a deep tone, "You man the fort, I'll go find provisions." He then turned and left, leaving Kurt giggling behind him.

Blaine entered the line behind a woman and, behind her, a pair of preteen girls. One glanced over her shoulder at Blaine, and quickly turned back, stifling snickers. She nudged her friend in the arm.

"What?"

"Sh!"

"What?" the second girl whispered.

The first girl also spoke in dulcet tones, but was still loud enough for Blaine to hear (though he feigned deafness and looked away). "The guy behind us is totally supermegafoxyawesomehot."

The second girl stole a quick peek back at Blaine, and then whipped back, giggling profusely. The two continued to snigger until they ordered, paid for, and received their food. As they walked away, Blaine winked playfully at them. This caused their giggles to intensify, and they sped off.

He sighed. They would never know.

Blaine approached the counter and asked the rather large man behind it for a King Caesar wrap, a Buffalo Chicken wrap, a Kiwi Quencher, and a Rockin' Raspberry. While he waited, he glanced over at Kurt, who was making origami figures out of napkins. Blaine felt himself losing touch with the sights and sounds around him as he observed Kurt. He was so soft, so light, so sweet, so beautiful...so perfect.

And he's mine.

Blaine felt like flying.

"Dude, I said here's your food!"

Blaine was back, feet firmly on the ground. He apologized and sheepishly took the bag from the large man. He stepped back toward Kurt.

His stomach hit the floor.

Three big guys encircled Kurt, who, as far as Blaine could tell, was still seated. All three wore green letterman's jackets. Blaine's heart stopped beating.

These were the assholes who nearly kicked the life out of him at his old school.

For being gay.

And now they had surrounded Kurt.

Blaine broke into a run, the food bouncing in the bag in his hand. He screeched to a halt on the opposite side of the table. Four pairs of eyes looked up at him in surprise. One pair looked absolutely terrified.

After a tense silence, the biggest of the three green-clad boys spoke.

"Hello, fag."

"Hello, dumbass."

The words were out of Blaine's mouth before he could stop himself. Kurt blanched even further.

Dumbass smiled, looking mildly impressed. "You've grown some balls since I saw you last, princess. Not that you need them..." The other two bullies, looking very much like moss-covered boulders, chuckled sycophantically.

"Leave. Now." Blaine was shaking. Both fear and anger coursed through him, and he balled up his fists.

"Now, now." Dumbass smiled. "There's no need to be rude, Twilight Sparkle. We were just getting to know Kurt here—I mean, he's like family after all..." He placed a hand on Kurt's quivering shoulder.

WHAM!

Blaine decked Dumbass across the jaw, sending him reeling backward. His companions cracked their knuckles menacingly, but before they could take a step, Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and ran, abandoning their food, abandoning their table, and abandoning all pretense of strength.

They ran past dozens of staring eyes and several screams of shock. They ran through crowds and stores, ignoring shouts of protest and angry shoppers. They ran until they reached Blaine's car in the parking structure. They collapsed against the door, panting, and Blaine began to sob.

Kurt let Blaine fall into his arms and cry into his cashmere sweater. He had guessed by their exchange of words that Blaine knew the three from his high school -before Dalton.

He must have been so scared.

Kurt realized then what Blaine had done. He had swallowed his fear, his shame, his hurt to protect him, Kurt, from them. Kurt felt a few tears trickle down his face.

Now it was his turn to protect his boyfriend.

"I love you," he whispered into Blaine's ear.

"I love you, too," Blaine hiccupped, "so much. I saw them and I thought they were going to...I thought...you..."

"Shh..." Kurt quieted his pained rambling. "It's okay. I'm okay. You're okay. We're okay."

They stood there for a long while, just holding each other, until Blaine was calm enough to hand Kurt the keys. Before he could walk over to the passenger door, Kurt caught him in a passionate kiss.

"I really, really love you, my white knight."

Blaine chuckled. "I love you, too, King Caesar."