Blaine raced up and down the halls of McKinley, calling out for Kurt. He slammed his way into each of the bathrooms and locker rooms, but still couldn't find him.

It was when he was making his way to his motorcycle that his phone buzzed.

I just need some time alone. -K

Blaine kicked the front tire of his motorcycle and sat down on the curb. Those asses. Did they even realize or care about how this would affect Kurt? With their heads stuck so far up their rears, obsessed with creating some demented version of a play that Kurt knew and loved better than anyone else he knew, they didn't realize how that one little comment could set him off.

And now Kurt had run off to sulk and wanted to be alone.

"Fucking... fuck!" Blaine punched his fist down and then yelped. He had forgotten, at least for that moment, that he was sitting on a curb and his fist hit the concrete. Wincing and hissing, he tucked his hand into his stomach. "Damnit..."

Sometimes he just did things without it going through his brain first.

Sometimes... it was better when he didn't even have to think.

With a sigh, he flexed out his fingers and looked down at them. His knuckles were all bleeding, but it was just the surface that was scratched up. He had had worse. Much worse.

He grabbed his helmet off his bike and strapped it on before straddling over his bike, kicking up the stand, and starting it up. In seconds he was racing off towards the old, abandoned Lima Drive In.

It was a place he remembered his brother taking him to when he was younger and Cooper had just gotten his lisence. Blaine had been able to watch the movies while Cooper found girls from school to make out with. Win-win really.

But the drive-in had gone out of business years ago and now the giant screen was half collapsed in on itself. The old concession was boarded up and vines and bushes had grown up all around it.

The only thing that was the same was that it was a giant space out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees. Something about this huge gap within nature appealed to Blaine. This is where he came when he needed to get away. It was a hiding space where no one could really hide.

After parking his motorcycle, he went to the boarded up concession booth and pulled back a board where he kept a stash of cigarettes and vodka. Mom could figure things out on her own for one night. He needed to relax. Since they had come back, he had given up weekend sleepover at the Hudson-Hummel house since there would be no one at his house to take care of his mom if she needed it. He barely got any time with Kurt between school, football, glee, and home - and now Kurt wanted some alone time when he was free.

So to hell with it. Blaine drank the rest of the vodka that evening, and smoked the remainder of the cigarettes he had until he was blissfully hazy inside and couldn't feel anything except the tingling in his fingers and toes as he laid back on the ground and stared up at the stars above. The absence of thoughts in his head was so welcome. This is what being dumb must feel like, he thought to himself, so wonderfully free of thought and worries. Dumb people always did seem to be much happier in life... blissfully ignorant they were called.

Not that he considered himself a genius. He couldn't kick a stupid habit he knew he should never have picked up, he lied to his boyfriend about it, and he got himself into more trouble than he knew what to do with. The problem was that he regretted it. He wished he could be one of those guys who were able to never worry about what they had done. No... instead he was always left regretting what had come out of his mouth or how his body moved to fight without him thinking about it. He worried about getting good marks because he was sure his dad wouldn't pay for any college... even though he had no clue about what he would do in a college, so he needed scholarships. Blaine feared losing Kurt over something so trivial as smoking, so he lied to keep him... and all that stress? Well that's what had him smoking in the first place.

And drinking now too. Fuck. Just like his father.

He glanced over to the bottle as he thought that. His brain was starting to allow thoughts in and the bottle was empty. That wasn't good. He moved to sit up, intending to see if he had any other booze stashed in hiding places he had around here, but the motion made his stomach turn and instead of getting up, he was leaning to the side and losing all his lunch and the contents of the bottle on the ground.

And then, he passed out on the ground beside it.

It was a buzzing in his jacket pocket that woke him. It had actually gone off many times, but he had ignored it as he rolled on the grass, trying to sleep off the migraine in his head. Eventually though, the buzzing from the phone got more insistent than the buzzing in his head and he blearily opened his eyes to the light, pulled out his phone, and saw that he had several missed calls and texts from Kurt - all questioning where he was.

He sent back a single text.

Sick. Sleeping it off. Will be in later. -B

It didn't take but a minute to get a response, even though Blaine was trying to fall back asleep after rolling away from the stinking puddle of vomit from the night before.

Oh Blaine! I didn't know! Do you want me to pick up your work? I can make soup for you! -K

Blaine smiled and then let his lips fall back, finding even the effort to smile hurt and sent shocks of pain up into his temples.

It's fine. I'll see you later babe. -B

He checked the time. Lunch. He had really slept. If he dragged himself up now, he might be able to make the last couple periods, and he definitely couldn't miss football this afternoon. Beiste would have a hissy fit, and that was just scary.

So Blaine slowly pulled himself together, getting back on the bike and slowly making his way back to McKinley. He kept his speed down since every bump in the road made his brain feel like it was getting bruised inside his head, and instead of going straight to class when he got to the school, he went to the locker room to shower up. He could smell himself, and that was always a bad sign. His particular odor today was a blend of grass, alcohol, cigarettes, and barf - not something he was likely to get Kurt to cuddle up against.

He tossed his clothes, except for his jacket, into the garbage and broke into a few lockers before finding some clothing that fit him. This was how he usually got himself new clothing. He couldn't be bothered to shop for himself much anymore. His dad had always commented that the clothing he picked for himself growing up made him look faggy - so now he just took clothes off other kids. If anyone had noticed, or suspected, they didn't say anything about it. He didn't know, much less care, what those he took from did for clothes once their gym class was done. Their problem. Not his.

His head was still pounding, so he made his way to his locker where he kept Tylonel on hand. Swallowing a few, he cringed in pain as the class bell rang and students started filing out of classrooms and filling up the hall around him.

"Blaine!" Kurt called out, rushing towards him.

Blaine tried to weakly smile at Kurt, but the pain again shot through his temples when he tried. Kurt must have seen it, because in the next moment he had a hand placed on Blaine's back and was looking carefully at Blaine's face.

"You don't look so good... you should have stayed home..."

Blaine shook his head once, stopping when that made his brain feel like it was getting sloshed around in his skill much too forcefully. "No... I'll be fine. I'd rather be here... with you."

Kurt smiled that sweet smile of his and put all his work into his locker, closing it and Blaine's at the same time. The sound of it closing made Blaine tense up, but Kurt's hand slipped into his and began leading him down the hallway.

"Where we goin'?" Blaine queried - though he had a hunch.

"Nurse's office. You are clearly not well enough to suffer through Chemistry."

Blaine groaned softly. He really didn't want to miss another class, but he did feel horrid. He had drank way too much and hadn't drank at all in awhile, making his hangover extra awful.

Kurt led him in, explaining to the nurse, who was actually present for once, that Blaine needed to lie down since he was feeling poorly, and then led him to one of the beds in the back, helping him lay down and very carefully drawing a blanket up and over him like a child.

"Don't.. need to do this..." Blaine protested, though weakly.

"Too bad..." Kurt murmured, setting the back of his hand against Blaine's forehead to check for a temperature. "Feel fine.."

"'am fine."

Kurt rolled his eyes. Blaine wasn't going to be able to play this off like he thought he was going to be able to.

"Well honey, let's have a look at you." The nurse announced as she came in with a kit. Blaine whined softly and Kurt squeezed his hand.

"I'll stay."

She checked his temperature, his vitals, and his lungs. She wouldn't be able to diagnose a hangover would she?

"Hmm... well he physically looks alright. Could be a migraine..."

Kurt nodded and Blaine inwardly sighed in relief.

"Mom... can't drive..."

"What's that sweetie?" The nurse asked as Blaine murmured. He thought he was making sense, but obviously what he was saying wasn't clear to them.

"His mom can't drive. She's blind. She can't come pick him up." Kurt explained. Thank goodness for him.

The nurse nodded. "Well, he can stay here until the end of the school day and hopefully the rest will let the migraine fade. If not, maybe you could take him home Kurt?"

Kurt nodded right away, and then was shooed out to class by the nurse so that Blaine could sleep.

And did he ever sleep.

He didn't even remember falling asleep. Just one minute he was in that tiny back room at McKinley looking at the clock which read 1:05pm, and the next he was opening his eyes and saw that it was now 3:55pm. His head felt a lot better though, though the reminder of the ache in his head was still there, making it feel a little numb around the edges.

"Hey."

Blaine looked to his side and saw Kurt there, sitting in a chair. He sat himself up and allowed himself to smile over, and was pleased to find he actually could smile again.

"Hey. I feel a lot better. Thanks."

"Well what kind of a boyfriend would I be if I didn't take care of you?"

"Still a damn fine one?" Blaine suggested.

Kurt laughed and stood up, holding a hand out to Blaine, "Of course. You're obviously feeling a lot better, though I got us excused from glee club and booty camp, and you from football for the day. Come on. I'm taking you home."

Blaine sighed. He had come all the way to school to do nothing but sleep more. Oh well. At least he got Kurt out of the deal.

They left his motorcycle at the school and Kurt told him he'd pick him up tomorrow morning so he didn't have to worry about transportation. Blaine was still feeling groggy, so he dozed off and on for the better part of the ride there while Kurt hummed softly. When they got to Blaine's house, Kurt rushed around to the passenger side door to help Blaine even though he really didn't need the help. He wasn't about to refuse getting his boyfriend's arm around his waist though, so he went along with it.

"Blaine?! Is that you!?" His mother called out the instant they were inside the door. He sighed. He'd forgotten about her.

"Yes mom."

Kurt held him still as his mother made an appearance in the doorway to the kitchen, "Where were you? You didn't come home last night! I was so afraid!"

Blaine was lucky his mother was speaking in Tagalog, or else he'd probably have Kurt's eyes questioning him immediately. He responded in English though.

"I'm fine. Kurt's here. He's taking me to my room. I'm feeling a little ill."

He saw the corner of her mouth twitch when he mentioned Kurt. She would always appear pleasant, always be pleasant, but he could always see those little motions that indicated she was not as comfortable as she let on when it came to her son's boyfriend.

"Okay.. okay... Just.. okay." She sighed and dipped back behind the corner, out of sight. He knew she would ask more later, but with Kurt here, she wouldn't stick near them for long.

Kurt looked to Blaine and Blaine nodded. They were free to continue to his room.

Blaine crawled up onto his bed when they got to his room and patted the space beside him invitingly, joined by Kurt not a moment later.

"Are you really feeling better?" Kurt asked, rolling onto his side to look at Blaine intently.

"Mmmhmm." Blaine admitted, rolling to face Kurt. "We could make out... or..." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, "...more."

Kurt laughed and shook his head, "Yep. You're definitely feeling better." As he stopped his laughing, he looked at Blaine steadily, "Anyhow... about.. yesterday..."

Blaine pursed his lips and turned up his nose as he reflected on the day before. It made him angry to think about still. "Assholes."

"No... Blaine... they were right. You blew away your audition. You'd be the perfect Tony and they'd be fools not to cast you as him."

Blaine looked at the sincerity etched over Kurt's soft features and both his eyebrows went up in mock shock, "You're serious?"

"I am."

"No. I only auditioned because you wanted me to help fill some roles and that's all I'm willing to do. I have way too much going on right now with school, football, glee, and the occasional court thing still. I am NOT taking Tony away from you."

"But -"

Blaine pressed a finger to Kurt's lips to silence him. "No buts."

Kurt sighed against his finger and the feel of his breath on Blaine's skin went straight down to Blaine's cock. He curled his lips into a smile and winked playfully at Kurt, "Now let's talk about cashing in that blowjob you promised me."

"I just... I can't believe this." Kurt stammered as Blaine walked with him down the halls.

Kurt had just told him that not only had Mercedes gone diva on them at booty camp two nights before and quit glee club, which Blaine had to skip out on to get groceries for his mother who had made him promise to return by 11 every night, but that Rachel now intended to run against him for class president.

"I was unopposed... now there's Brittany and Rachel. Rachel was supposed to support me in this. Finn doesn't even know who to vote for."

"Why the hell would she do it?" Blaine asked.

"She thinks Mercedes will get cast as Maria. Mercedes did kind of blow the callback audition out of the park... but even so... she just wants to pad her NYADA application. I could make a real difference at this school Blaine... I have so many ideas and want to make this place better for everyone."

"If you'd let me I'll -"

Kurt snapped his fingers at Blaine in a crude, albeit effective, means of silencing him. "You'll stay out of it. I'm just venting. I don't expect you to do anything about it."

Blaine grumbled but nodded to Kurt.

He still intended to do something, though he was already trying to figure out what to do about Santana's interference with Brittany. Brittany, who aside from cooking class, wasn't hanging out with him anymore.

In fact, there wasn't many in glee club he was on friendly terms with right now. He had never gotten along with Santana, even less now. Puckerman always saw Blaine as a threat to his top badboy status, even though Puckerman was a poser more than anything. Finn just seemed constantly irritated by Blaine. Rachel was constantly pulling shit like she was right now. Mike and Tina were friendly enough, but he was hardly close to either of them. Sam he was suspicious of. Mercedes had become increasingly avoidant of glee club members in favor of being with her new boyfriend. Quinn had started coming back to glee club - hair blonde again and dressing like a preppy girl again for some reason Blaine hadn't yet determined. Whatever the reason, she wasn't under the bleachers anymore, which meant that Blaine had to tolerate the company of the other skanks while he smoked.

Artie. Artie and Blaine had always kind of accepted one another - at least until he asked Blaine to be Tony. Out of sight of others, and without anywhere to escape, Blaine had probably put a huge strain on their relationship yesterday when he had cornered Artie.

"Kurt WILL be Tony."

Artie seemed to understand Blaine completely given the amount of fear in his eyes and the rapid nodding of his head. Regardless, Blaine had kept him pinned in that corner for a few extra seconds to stare him down just that extra little bit to ensure they had an unspoken agreement.

It was a wonder anyone in that choir room didn't snap on one another in any instant given how much venom they had between them all. Blaine was just one of many cogs in the cycle of drama there. Through Kurt he knew all the gossip - from who dated who, who cheated on who, and who had argued with who. Mike was probably the most innocent of the group, and even then, he had stolen Tina away from Artie - so he wasn't exactly perfect either.

"Did you ask your brother what he thought about her running?"

"Hmm..." Kurt hummed with a nod, "He doesn't support why she did it, but he doesn't know how he'll vote because she is his girlfriend after all."

Blaine rolled his eyes. That was one pairing he never did understand. Finn must have the patience of a saint to put up with Rachel.

"Look. Artie is putting up the cast list!" Kurt suddenly snapped, pointing over the announcements board down the hall.

Blaine's hand was grabbed and before he knew it, Blaine was being dragged down the hall and had to break into a sprint to keep up with Kurt. His lungs burned even from that little bit of effort, but he wasn't going to let it show, so he just tolerated the pain until they got to the board.

Mike was already there, cheering as he had gotten the role of Riff, and Santana was nodding with a smug smile as she had been cast as Anita. Blaine could see Kurt holding his breath beside him as he walked up to the board.

Tony ...... Kurt Hummel

"OhmygoshBlaineIgotthepart!" Kurt exclaimed without pause as he jumped into Blaine's arms, who grinned as he held onto the boy while he looked down the list.

Officer Krupke ...... Blaine Anderson

Good. As it should be. Looking down the hall he gave Artie a small nod, who gulped in response and wheeled away. He shouldn't be so afraid. He had done what Blaine wanted, so he had nothing to fear now.

Whatever.

Rachel approached the board then, holding her breath as she came close to the board and when she saw her name beside Maria, she exhaled. She didn't have the all out explosion of emotion Blaine thought she would have. She just looked down the hall and then back at the board again solemnly.

Then it hit Blaine.

Kurt playing the lead with Rachel meant Kurt would have to be romantic onstage with her.

Yuck.

Could be worse though, he thought, it could have been him having to be romantic with her.