"I'm sorry sir but your card has been declined." The cashier told him, looking none too impressed.

Blaine sniffled a little, not because he was sad but because he was stuffed up to the point his nose was numb. He looked down at the cough syrup, package of new underwear, and throat lozanges, and then looked back up at the snotty little man across from him. "Try it again."

"Sir." The cashier said, grabbing the items Blaine was trying to purchase and setting them below the till, "I've tried three times. Sorry..." No you're fucking not you little snot, "... but I need to help the other people in line."

Blaine shoved his hands in his coat pocket and slunk away angrily. He thought it was just a fluke when he had tried to fill the tank on the motorcycle earlier and the card was declined. In that case he had just drove off with the attendant running after him yelling in some language he didn't understand. Now he knew something was wrong with his card. Maybe he had spent so much he had reached the limit? He didn't think so... he tried to use it as sparingly as possible. If it had been reported stolen he knew he would have been facing some store managers right now instead of being allowed to leave. No, something was wrong with his card which meant he had no money.

No money meant no food, no gas for the motorcycle, no booze, no cigarettes, and no desperately needed cough syrup.

It was coming up on Christmas holidays too, and getting colder all the time. Even with the blanket and the clothes he piled on top of himself at night, he was still freezing half the time. Now he wouldn't even be able to get to the drive-in and back to school because he only had another day's worth of gas left. He needed a solution and he needed it now.

"Anderson!" Blaine spun around in the locker room after gym class to face Beiste who was holding a key out to him. "My record shows you haven't turned in your football gear for the off season. Get it put away in the football storage room!"

Blaine took the key and grabbed his gear out of his locker, grumbling as he lumbered over to the room because he really needed to blow his nose and this was an inconvenience to being able to do that. He unlocked the door and dragged himself inside, hanging up his gear in the appropriate number spot. Then he stopped and looked around.

The storage room had a pile of mats laying in the corner. That would make a good bed. McKinley was heated, and he needed to be here anyway. He could shower and go to the bathroom with a real flushing toilet....

He drove to the drive-in at lunch, packed up what he could, and on the last bit of gas, drove back to McKinley. He used the key again to put his stuff away in the storage locker behind a bunch of pylons and nets, and then gave it back to Beiste. The lock was simple enough that he could break it with a bobby pin.

He had a new place to stay now. One with heating.

He had to make sure of course that his stuff wouldn't be found, or him for that matter, so the first evening at McKinley was restless. He had gotten back into the storage room with no problem once he found a hair pin in one of the girl's bathrooms, and then broke into Coach Beiste's office where he found the original key and bent it until it would be unusable anymore. She would have to replace the key before she got back into the football storage room.

All the while he had been extra quiet, worried about janitors finding him. Thankfully though, McKinley didn't have a lot of money to pay janitors and he discovered that they left earlier than the basketball team students did.

And then he was free.

He had a whole school to himself once he was sure the staff was home. The doors to the outside locked, but there was no security system besides that, leaving him free to wander the halls, steal food from the staff fridge, and go through student lockers to find new(er) clothing to wear.

He even found someone's stash of pharmaceuticals. Cough medicine, tylenol, antihistamines, and even Nyquil.

After a couple nights on edge, he had no problem sleeping. The storage room even had a plug in it for some reason that let him charge up his phone at nighttime and he set his alarm early enough that he could shower, go outside for a smoke, and then be ready when the first teachers showed up - making it look like he was outside waiting for them to arrive so he could get in.

"What's your family doing for Christmas?" Kurt asked him, handing him a decoration to put on the choir room tree.

Blaine shrugged up his shoulders. "Nothing that I know of."

"No... family get togethers or trips or anything?"

Blaine shook his head, "Nope... none of that for me." He was hoping enough food would be left in the staff room and the home ec room for him to feed off for the two weeks actually. He might need to start rationing.

"Oh..." Kurt looked down to the floor for a moment, hanging over another decoration mindlessly before looking back to Blaine, "You could always have Christmas with us."

Blaine looked over at Kurt and arched an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Why...?" Kurt mouthed and then tilted his head just a bit to the side, "Because you should be able to celebrate Christmas... not... I don't know... do nothing."

Blaine shrugged up his shoulders again, "I've been alone most Christmases Kurt. When I was younger I was off in boarding schools while my folks travelled. As I got older, they did the same and left me with my nanny at the time."

"But you had Christmas with us last year...."

Blaine remembered. The smile lighting Kurt's face as he delighted in hosting everyone and feeding everyone. The sparkle in his eyes as Blaine opened up the gift from him.

"And... it was great an' all.... but..." Blaine looked away. But he only wanted one thing for Christmas this year, and Kurt didn't seem interested in that anymore.

"Just think about it... please?"

Blaine nodded towards the tree, "Fine... I'll think about it."

Really there was nothing to think about. He had no more access to money - which meant he couldn't pay for the gas to get to Kurt's house, or get anyone any gifts, but he didn't want to outright say no to Kurt either. He was never very good at saying no to him.

That seemed to appease Kurt though, well enough that he dropped the subject and turned his eyes on Rachel and Finn, kissing under some mistletoe that Mercedes was holding above them. Blaine held back his urge to gag.

"Best Christmas ever!" Rachel announced when they had finished sucking on each other's faces.

Yah. Right.

So apparently there was a homeless shelter not far from McKinley.

At least that's what Blaine got out of the meeting Coach Sylvester had dragged him, Kurt, and Artie to. She forgave them for having no talent and otherwise screwing up her campaign - as if she hadn't done that on her own. Then she asked them to carol at the homeless shelter she was helping out at to busy herself this season since her sister kicked the bucket.

A shelter meant food lines, which meant Blaine would at least be able to get one meal a day if he walked the hour and back from the shelter each day. He would have to prop open a door at McKinley to make sure he could get back in, but at least he knew he wouldn't have to starve over the holidays.

"You look pretty sick man..." Artie noted up to Blaine when they left Coach Sylvester's office.

Blaine shrugged up his shoulders, his go-to response. "Jus' a col'"

His stuffed up nose was making it hard for him to make all the consonant sounds.

"Sure you shouldn't go home?"

Blaine shook his head. He was home as far as he was concerned anyhow. He just needed to outlast this stupid cold and he'd be fine.

Without warning, Kurt's hand was on his brow. It had been so long since Blaine had been touched by Kurt that he froze in place and compared notes with his memory. Kurt's hands were just as soft as ever.

"You're warm." Kurt declared, pulling his hand away and looking at Blaine accusingly.

Again Blaine shrugged and continued walking down the hall. "'m fine."

"No you are not. I know a fever. You have one!" Kurt stammered as he kept up beside Blaine.

"You're ova' 'eactin." Blaine said, and then turned his head to cough into the crook of his elbow. God, that was ill timed.

"Let's go to the nurse's office..." Kurt insisted, reaching to take Blaine's hand which Blaine drew away.

"Said 'm fine!"

He sped up his walking to get away from Kurt and Artie. He was fine. He wasn't a hundred percent, but he was fine. At least he would be... once he found some more medicine. He tried the nurse's office a couple nights ago actually, but of all the places you think you'd find medicine, it wasn't there. He did however now have a collection of those tongue depressors he air drummed with when he got bored in the evening.

Blaine thought they would forget about it by the time glee club began, but as soon as they were in their seats and Rory was singing a melancholic rendition of Blue Christmas, Kurt leaned over and put his hand on Blaine's forward again. Despite jerking away, Kurt seemed to get a read and hissed over, "You're hotter than before!"

Blaine smirked, "Always been hot babe."

That got Kurt to roll his eyes and shut up for awhile, but as soon as Blaine began coughing he had Kurt's eyes back on him.

He had never been so glad for Mr. Butthead's arrival in the choir room as he distracted Kurt from looking at him with the announcement that the glee club would be featured on a PBS holiday special. Hip-fucking-hooray.

As soon as practice ended, Blaine made off quickly so Kurt wouldn't try and nurse him again. He wanted Kurt's touch, but not like that.

He also didn't want anyone calling his house. His parents hadn't come looking for him yet, and he wasn't going to serve himself up to them by having the school call their house to tell them he was sick.

Blaine spent part of that night snooping through more lockers looking for more medicine, with no success, and then retired to his makeshift bed early. At the very least he could get a decent sleep.

In the morning he had an extra long shower, enjoying the steam and how it cleared him up just a little bit more. His head felt sore though, so he finished off the rest of the tylenol he had and got ready.

Another day, another depressing Christmas song - this time courtesy of Rachel, and another bit of drama as Sam walked off after having a disagreement with Artie. Truth be told, Blaine wasn't completely paying attention throughout the whole ordeal. He was focused on looking healthy so no one bothered him about it.

So when glee practice ended, Blaine was already ready for sleep. He had worked so hard to keep his illness hidden today that he now had fatigue on his list of symptoms. Everything from holding in his coughing, to applying vicks up his nostrils to keep the appearance of breathing normally.

He went straight to sleep that evening.

Only three more days of school before holidays. He could hold out until then at least.

"Please Blaine. I need your sultry tenor to help me." Rachel pleaded beside him by his lockers.

"Ugh... fine." Blaine agreed, slamming his locker closed and wishing he hadn't. That sound of the slam made his brain feel like it was being tossed around inside his skull, but it was that or have to listen to Rachel nag incessantly. She wanted to show Artie that she could do cheerful Christmas melodies and wanted Blaine to duet with her this afternoon.

"Oh this will be sensational!" Rachel trilled and strutted off. God... someone should make a mute button on that girl.

Blaine managed to get through this day much the same as he had the last. When it came time to sing in glee club though, he hesitated. His muscles ached and his joints all felt like there were tiny daggers being shot through them, but he couldn't let anyone know how awful he really felt, so he got up and began singing with Rachel, forcing his body through dance moves that seemed nearly impossible then and there.

And then it was all black.

He heard a mulling of voices around him and over him and Blaine wondered if he was finally dead and wouldn't have to worry about his family or housing situation anymore. However, as he slowly regained some consciousness, he realized he was still in McKinley, and now on the cold choir room floor. The voices began to separate in his head, which felt like he had fallen directly on it from the way it was pounding, and he recognized Kurt and Mr. Schuester as the main ones.

"He's beyond burning up. We need to get him to the nurse." Kurt insisted, and, oh, Blaine felt the soft flesh of Kurt's hand on his forehead once again. When did he get so cool to the touch?

"Nurse's hours have been cut back. She's only here in the morning. I'll get his parent's number from the office and have them come pick him up."

Parent's number.... pick up.... Blaine forced himself to sit up and wailed lowly at the shock of pain that went through him when he did that. Kurt tried to get him to lay back, but he was a flailing mess of limbs as he tried to get away. "No! Not them!"

"Blaine... Blaine... shhhh..." Kurt was trying to calm him down but he wouldn't be calm. If he had one instinct right now, it was to run. He had to get out of here before his dad....

"Dude... what's... wrong with him?" Finn's voice... coming from somewhere.... Blaine wasn't sure because he had found Kurt's eyes and found himself focused on them. So blue... and calming....

No! He had to get away!

Another failed bout of trying to get up and getting away - along with words he didn't even register saying, and he was again laying back on the ground. The voices had merged again and he couldn't make out anything aside from knowing they were talking. Talking about him. They would surrender him to his parents.

Why couldn't he get away?

A bit of his consciousness reminded him that he was sick, and that he was probably too weak and feeble. He was trapped in himself.

Then he felt himself being picked up and moved. Strong arms.... more than two? Was he really that big? No... maybe he was just imagining things.

Then he was laid down again. A hum of an engine, and someone talking to him. His parents? Oh god no....

He wasn't sure how much time passed, but in the span of time between being in a vehicle and waking up, he heard bits and pieces of conversation around him from different people.

".... Restraining order violated...."

".... been on his own for almost two months...."

".... don't have the right! He's my...."

".... pneumonia complicated by...."

".... official court order...."

".... intravenous antibiotics...."

".... found in storage room...."

".... lucky we got him...."

He didn't know how long he slept, or what happened while he slept, but when he came to, he was still in pain all over. That was the first thing he noticed. His muscles, joints, and definitely his head were all sore. He didn't even want to try moving.

The next thing he noticed was that he was in a proper bed - with a pillow and everything. After weeks of using a balled up shirt as a pillow, having a real one was definitely a luxury.

He opened his eyes but immediately shut them again. Too much light. Too damned much. It felt like it was boring a hole through his head and he whined.

"Blaine?"

He knew that voice...

"Kurt?"

Footsteps, then a switch sound. "I turned off the lights. You want to open your eyes again?"

Blaine tentatively opened one eye a sliver apart to make sure it really was dark and then opened both eyes. Where was he? This wasn't his room... or Kurt's....

"You're in the hospital. You have pneumonia. Real bad too...."

Blaine turned his head slowly, so as not to upset his all too delicate brain, towards Kurt's voice in the darkness. He could hear Kurt walking back towards him, and then, as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could see the boy sitting down in a chair beside him.

"Don't tell my parents... don't tell them..." Blaine immediately started.

"I.... didn't...." Kurt whispered, reaching over to set his hands on one of Blaine's. "But..."

"No...no...no..."

"Blaine. How long have you been out on your own?"

It was like a shot through the heart. He had been so careful... at least he thought he had. Stupid sickness.

"I brought you here and Dad and Carole, they went to tell your mom... and your dad was there and drunk and yelling about how you've been gone for weeks and your mom was crying about it and now there's police involved...."

Blaine whimpered. He wanted to say something, argue, or at least jump out of the bed and run off - but he knew it wasn't happening. He saw some kind of needle taped to his wrist and connected to an IV - that at the very least would hurt like a bitch if he made a dash for it, not to mention how badly his whole body hurt.

Kurt was quiet, just gently stroking his hand, and before Blaine knew it, he was asleep again courtesy of that soothing touch.

When he awoke the next time, Kurt was still there, but slumped back in the chair and dozing. He watched Kurt sleep for the first time in much too long. Watched the way his nose would wrinkle up occasionally and how his brow would furrow as he dreamed.

He missed it.

Blaine also noticed that his fever was gone. He had a fever for so long he must have been getting used to it because now that he was rid of it he felt a thousand times better. His body still ached, but at least his head didn't feel so pressured.

Eventually Kurt did wake up and when he did, he smiled at Blaine when he saw he was being observed.

Blaine smiled back. "You stayed."

"I had to..."

Blaine looked to Kurt curiously, who expounded on the statement.

"Your dad and mom came here... Your dad had to be escorted out, and your mother was freaking out and only talking in Tagalog so no one understood what she was saying. She was making a big scene and eventually they escorted her out too. I told the doctor I'd watch over you to make sure that they wouldn't try to sneak back in or anything."

Oh... so it wasn't because he was worried or anything....

"You've got everyone so worried Blaine... even Santana."

"Really?"

Kurt nodded. "She wanted to come visit to make sure... and I quote... her boy got the best care possible. Her dad is a doctor and so she got him to make sure you were double and triple checked over."

"Am I going to live?" It was half a joke, and half serious.

Kurt squeezed his hand, "Yes. You have pneumonia... which on its own is usually treatable by rest and antibiotics.. but the infection got into your blood and could have caused meningitis or septic arthritis or any other number of problems - but we got you here in time to have antibiotics pumped through you and it seems to be clearing up."

"Oh."

"Oh? OH?" Kurt wrinkled up his nose, "You have everyone, especially me, scared all to hell and all you say is 'oh'? Damnit Blaine."

"Sorry?" Blaine offered, unsure of how else he could respond to that.

"How long were you living in McKinley?"

Blaine shrugged, "A couple weeks..."

"And before then?"

"In an old concession booth at the abandoned drive in movie theatre... until it got too cold..."

Kurt shook his head and looked up at the ceiling, "Why wouldn't you tell someone? We would have helped... I would have made sure you were alright..."

"I don't want to be anyone's pity project."

Kurt looked back to him, tears wetting his lashes, "So it's better to have us worry? What if you hadn't fainted? What if we hadn't caught it and you had been alone all during the holiday? Do you think it would have been fair for anyone to find you dead in the school from blood poisoning?"

"But..."

"Do you ever think about anyone other than yourself?!" Kurt snapped.

Blaine shut his mouth and looked at Kurt. How could he explain why he did the things he did? No matter how he wrapped his head around it, there wasn't an explanation he could give that he knew Kurt wouldn't be able to counter.

"I was... so... scared..." Kurt whimpered and laid his head down on the bed. Carefully, Blaine lifted his hand, wincing slightly at the feeling of the needle plugged into his wrist moving with him, and set it on Kurt's head.

"I... I'm sorry."

Kurt sobbed for a couple more minutes and then pulled himself together, taking in a few deep breaths to settle himself and then sat back up and rubbed the tears off his face. Blaine let his hand fall to the spot where Kurt had been crying, absently fingering the wet spots from the tears.

"My dad is fighting right now to have you come stay with us."

Blaine blinked a few times, "What? Why?"

"Because he... I... none of us can stand the thought of you going back to your house... even though the police have moved your dad out, your mom can't care for you and if she let your dad back once, and let you run away without reporting it for so long, she's not really fit to be your guardian."

"But..."

"And I would just feel so much better if you were with us..."

"Kurt..."

"Please Blaine. Just say it's okay. Tell me it's okay."

Blaine looked at Kurt's pleading face, still streaked red with tears. "Okay."

The smile Kurt gave Blaine then made it worth it. It was worth putting aside his pride and his discomfort.

"How long... am I going to be in the hospital for?"

"Doctor said another day for sure, just to make sure the sepsis is completely gone, you're hydrated enough, and for him to get you started on some oral antibiotics to clear up your lungs.

"And then... home with you?"

Kurt nodded, "That's the plan. Dad and Carole are getting the necessary release signatures right now...."

"And then what?"

"And then..." Kurt reached over to gently stroke his hand again, Blaine relaxing immediately with the touch, "... we'll figure something out."

After a lengthy lecture about how smoking makes all sickness worse, and how he should quit, Blaine was allowed to leave the hospital.

He had tried walking on his own, but his body was still too weak and he begrudgingly accepted a wheelchair to get him to Kurt's waiting car - Finn in the driver's seat.

They stopped at a pharmacy so Kurt could pick up his prescriptions and some other "Hummel tried and true remedies". Blaine waited in the car with Finn, who told him they had the guest room all set up for him, and Blaine's mother had even let Burt and Carole pick up some of Blaine's things to make it roomier for him while he stayed with them. Blaine just tried to stay awake. He had been in and out of sleep so much over the past couple days as his body worked to heal itself, and his doctor warned him not to stress himself out too much because on top of everything else, his weakened immune system was vulnerable to taking on other illnesses very easily now - so he needed to focus on getting better and nothing else.

He did doze off though, and when he woke up it was because Finn was carrying him into the Hummel-Hudson home. He frowned and gently bit his lower lip. This was beyond embarrassing. He managed to mumble a thank you though to the giant teenager when he was set down in the guest bed, and looked around.

One of his guitars was there, so many of his books, and the few pictures he had kept in his old room, all of which were of Kurt.

Kurt had, thankfully, gone immediately to make some chicken soup for him, which meant he didn't have to see him be carried by Finn. Blaine didn't know if he could have stomached that.

"Hey kid." Burt greeted him as he slowly entered the room and went to sit on the edge of the bed. Blaine tried to push himself up to greet him properly, but a warm, strong hand set itself on Blaine's shoulder and gently pushed him back to laying down. "Don't get up. Kurt would kill me if I let you get up."

"Thanks..." Blaine uttered.

"Just so you know... I'm disappointed that you didn't come to us for help when you needed it... but I get the whole... trying to make it on your own thing. However, now that we all know, you're expected to stay here and do whatever Kurt tells you to get better. I've got temporary guardianship of you, so do my family a favour and make it look like we're doing good by you."

Blaine chuckled weakly and nodded, "Yes sir."

"And... just as a warning. I know my son. He can be completely intolerable when he's playing nurse, but he does get you better, so best just to let him care for you."

Blaine nodded against the pillow, "Okay."

"Good. Now... get better." Burt patted him on the shoulder and then sat off the bed and walked out, just as Kurt was coming in with a tray.

"Lunch!"

Blaine made a grunt of acknowledgement, even though all he really wanted to do was sleep. Kurt helped him sit up, putting pillows behind him and on either side to keep him upright before he began spoon feeding him despite Blaine's protests he could do it on his own. After he had eaten up the soup and then let Kurt administer his antibiotics, Blaine was allowed to lay back down and sleep.

If he hadn't been so weak, the whole nurse routine might have been a huge turn on.

For the next few days, Blaine gradually got better. Kurt was always there at his side when he was awake, even skipping out on the PBS special Artie was directing in favour of making sure Blaine had company.

They didn't talk about their relationship, and Blaine managed to redirect the questions Kurt had about his self imposed homelessness. They time was spent mostly watching reruns of Friends, playing cards, and reading to one another.

Blaine found out his credit card had reached a limit and that's why he hadn't been able to use it. One of the family lawyers had come to visit and, among other things, explained that to him. The state of Burt's guardianship was explained (Temporary for a month, then will be reevaluated), and he was also told that both his parents were now facing charges (His father for violating the restraining order and his mother for child neglect since she didn't report him missing). Blaine didn't say much to the lawyer in response. What could he say?

The only thing he did ask was if he would have any room on his credit card to buy the Hummel-Hudson's Christmas presents since he would be with them during Christmas. The lawyer told him that he would make it happen.

So Blaine focused on healing up, if only so he could convince Kurt that he could handle going on a shopping trip prior to Christmas.

Kurt was skeptical, but also wanted to go shopping, so when Blaine demonstrated that he could walk up and down the stairs ten times without fail, Kurt acquiesced and they went shopping. Blaine was able to make his purchases, and otherwise spent the time sitting outside stores while Kurt shopped.

He needed a nap when he got back.

Throughout the holidays, friends and Hummel-Hudson family came and went. The glee club friends were especially happy to see Blaine up and about, and more than once he hugged without warning.

Brittany had teared up and promised him that she'd take better care of her prettiest of ponies, while Santana told him that he'd better get better because she didn't want to give up any more lady loving time trying to console Brittany.

The whole thing was just weird for him. After he had been beaten a few years ago, no friends had come calling, no one had hugged him, and the most he got from family was his father yelling at him that he had brought it on himself for being gay.

The extended Hummel-Hudson family was also, more than friendly. He got kisses on the cheek, huge hugs that, on more than one occasion, had him smothered in giant breasts, and so many compliments.

"It's a shame you and Kurt can't have kids together because they'd be just so adorable!" Crowed one aunt, causing both him and Kurt to blush profusely.

Then, on Christmas day, he was awoken by Finn's stomping through the hallway and declaring that it was Christmas and they needed to open presents. Kurt groggily appeared in his doorway a few minutes later, still rubbing his eyes and complaining about his brute of a step-brother. They went downstairs to the tree, where Finn was already organizing the presents into piles for everyone. Burt and Carole came from the kitchen with coffee, and finally, after much prodding by Finn, every settled down to unwrap their gifts.

From Finn, Blaine got a variety of new guitar picks ("Wasn't sure what kind you used dude."), and from Kurt he got a lot of new clothing. When he opened Burt and Carole's though, he began tearing up and held it back to them, saying no, no, no... he couldn't.

Burt pushed his hand back, and shook his head. "No kid. It's yours. Never think you can't come here no matter what."

Blaine looked at the housekey. Such a simple gesture, and yet, it meant so much. He had a safe place.. a safe place he would be accepted and cared for.

"Thank you..."

Burt and Carole both gave him hugs, thanking him in return for the gift cards he had gotten them for... well... everything he could think of. Restaurants, theaters, stores - he wanted to pay them back but didn't know exactly what they needed or would use.

He had bought Finn some dancing how-to videos, which he hoped Finn would use. God knows the boy could use any help he could get.

And for Kurt... well...

"Blaine... you... I...."

Kurt looked up from the card which stated not only did he have a year subscription to Vogue, but that he had a star named after his mother.

"Dude! I did that for Rachel." Finn chimed in, looking over Kurt's shoulder.

"I got the idea from you actually Finn." Blaine admitted.

"Wow... no one has ever taken one of my ideas seriously..."

"It was a good idea." Blaine affirmed.

"A very good one..." Kurt whimpered through his tears as he showed Burt and Carole the card.

Blaine smiled warmly across the room at Kurt, watching as he traced his mother's name on the card that affirmed she was now a star.

Kurt might not believe in heaven, but at least now he knew his mother would always live on in the name of a star.