They are nestled into each other; legs intertwined like their heartbeats, skin-caressing skin, and sticky bodies thrown into a liminal state of being awake and sedated. It's amazing.

"I missed you" Kurt utters into Blaine's neck, a delighted smile gracing his face.

Amber eyes brimming with unadulterated life gaze down at him, canopied by dark lashes. Kurt receives a smile in return. A beautiful smile, filled with love and adoration. One he denies to admit wanting, missing.

"Love." Blaine simply says.

His cheeks flush and his skin shimmers in the afternoon sun. In this moment, they are like dust in a sunbeam. Suspended from the weight of the world and spiraling in gleeful liberation, more than they actually are, but glittering all the same.

Kurt remembers feeling like this a lot. He remembers the weeks of endless sex and kisses. However, it's been a while since he's felt this...buoyant. Not to say he hasn't been happy, but happy and alive are two very different things.

Leaning down, he places the most light and tender kiss to Blaine's chest, just above his pulsating heart.

And that's when the mood shifts.

The sky turns dark and wave of anxiety rockets up Kurt's spine. The walls seem to deform, concaving and squeezing till it seems the oxygen is being vacuumed away. The floor feels slanted and a wormhole births in his gut.

"Kurt." Blaine says, calling his attention immediately.

His eyes, no longer gold and brilliant, darkened with fear. His cheeks become sallow and the vibrant sunshine instantly disappears. The world is dull and constricted.

Suddenly a flame ignites on Blaine's cheek, only to have more of his skin follow. Red and orange flames snake their way across his chest, devouring and devouring. Eating at his body with animalistic hunger.

"Blaine!" Kurt yelps.

He's paralyzed, he can't move. Still embraced in Blaine as his love begins to be consumed. The fire continues inching and inching, burning until Blaine's eyesight turns dark.

Soon his arms are alight, but the flames do not touch Kurt. His chest ablaze, but not Kurt. Blaine is being swallowed whole.

And just like that, the embers are shifted away by the wind. Ash is dematerialized and Kurt is alone, naked and exposed.

***

With a startled breath he shoots up from the bundle of blankets, sweat caking his skin and chest huffing with fright.

The world is normal. The atmosphere stiff and tangible, just like always.

Fatigued he lays back down, a pounding headache now lining his eyes.

Without reason or understanding Kurt begins to cry, sob, alone in his bed. He is unable to determine heads or tails; which is hard when you don't know what's better: dreams or life?