Week 4 Day 2

Kurt had fallen asleep in his room the day after nearly drowned, wishing that he could see Blaine. He was grounded for a week for not being home after curfew and almost scaring his parents to death.

He came home late that evening after a long day in the hospital. They kept him for the day to make sure he didnt have any side effects from the lack of oxygen to his brain. It left him a long time to ponder what had happened the night before.

His greatest memory was laying on the sand in Blaines arms. They stayed there for almost an hour before help finally came to get them out of the pouring rain. Blaine kept telling him not to move in case he had broken a rib during the CPR, so Kurt remained still while Blaine whispered comforting words into his ear. Youre going to be okay Kurt. I wont let anything happen to you ever again. I promise.

He didnt remember much after arriving at the hospital. He knew Blaine had ridden the ambulance over with him, and Kurt also remembered the look on Blaines face when they told him that Kurt was fine and he didnt have any broken bones.

As soon as they reached the hospital he was rushed into the ER and separated from Blaine. When he finally woke up he was greeted by Carole and Burt. Blaine was nowhere to be found.

He figured that he had to go home to make sure his grandmother never found out about him being with Kurt. He wanted so badly just for him to be there holding his hand, but he never came to the hospital all day to see him.

He learned that Burt and Carole had been worried sick about him after he didnt arrive home at curfew. He felt awful. He had been irresponsible with Blaine, just falling asleep like that. He learned that the storm started at about three in the morning and he hadnt arrived at the hospital until 4:30am.

When he first woke up that morning in the hospital, he hardly remembered anything that happened the night before. But as soon as he did, he began to cry. He really didnt know why he was crying so spontaniously, but he just couldnt stop. It must have been the overwhelming fact that he had been so close to dying. Those few moments when he thought he knew he was going to die were the worst of his life. He hoped he never felt like that ever again.

He still didnt know what he would do to pay Blaine back for saving his life, and being there for him when he needed him most. Although Blaine said he already paid him back, Kurt still felt like he owed him something.

He never told anyone exactly what he and Blaine were doing when they fell asleep. No one really asked him. All they knew was he had fallen into the water, and Blaine had pulled him out just in time to give him CPR.

They also told him it was a miracle that the CPR even worked, let alone left him with no broken ribs. They said that Blaine had pulled him out at just the perfect time, because his heart hadnt stopped completely yet. He wouldnt even let himself think about what would have happened if Blaine had been too late, and his heart had stopped…

The hospital finally released him that evening, just in time for him to get home and sleep in his own bed. As soon as his bed hit the pillow, he was out. And that was when the dream began:

It was the same thing as what had happened the night before. He fell into the water and couldnt get air. He kept pushing and pushing but something was keeping him from coming to the surface. He was waiting for Blaine to save him, but he never came. He didnt know why he wasnt coming this time. The harder he struggled for air, the farther down he sank.

He started hearing screaming. But it was a woman screaming. When he finally sunk all the way down to the bottom of the ocean, he saw a body floating a few feet away from him. He was just about to see who it was when he felt something pull him back to the surface…

Kurt woke up shaking and sweating. He looked around and saw that it was light outside but the clock said it was only 6:30. No one would be up yet but he knew he wouldnt be able to get back to sleep.

He changed out of his sweaty pajamas and tip-toed downstairs. To his surprise, Aunt Annie was sitting on the couch knitting.

"What are you doing up so early?" Kurt asked surprised as he stood in the entryway of the living room.

"Maybe I should ask you the same thing," she said not looking up from her knitting.

"I had a nightmare, and I couldnt get back to sleep," Kurt finally said.

"Was it anything you want to talk about?" Aunt Annie asked before Kurt shook his head. She sighed and looked up at the boy. "I couldnt sleep either, really, I havent been able to sleep for weeks now..." The old woman patted to the cushion next to her on the couch, "Come sit."

Kurt slowly wanted over and sat next to her. "What are you knitting?" He pointed to the fabric in her hands.

"Just a sweater. Knitting is actually one of the only things I can still do." She looked around for a moment and handed Kurt a basket of yarn. "Here, make yourself useful and separate the yarn for me."

Kurt looked down at the basket and saw that there were dozens of different colors knotted together. "Okay…" He said hesitantly before taking the yarn.

"Youre a doll," she said smiling and then went back to her knitting. "Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah, just a little tired," he said, unraveling the yarn.

"You gave us a quite a scare, Kurt. Carole and your father were terrified when they got that call from the hospital."

"I know, Im sorry," Kurt said apologetically.

"What were you doing out there at three in the morning?"

Should he tell her about Blaine and him? "Umm…Blaine and I were looking out at the stars. He knows a lot about them actually. He says he says he used to want to be an astronomer. I know he still does though, I dont know why he doesnt want to go to college…" Kurt quickly stopped after he realized he was rambling. "Then we accidently fell asleep."

She paused before starting again, "And how the hell am I supposed believe that was all that happened?" She said with a grin on her face. She knew. How did she know?

"Fine…Promise you wont tell anyone?"

"Kurt, I dont even know if I will remember this conversation by tonight." Kurts eyes were still questioning. "I promise, this conversation will stay between us."

Without anything to lead it up, the words just slipped out, "We kissed."

Aunt Annie stayed quiet for a few moments before responding, "And?" Kurts eyes became questioning again. "Kurt, I really dont believe that one kiss tired you out enough to fall asleep."

"Okay, we kissed for a while, you happy?"

"Very," she said going back to her knitting.

Kurt smiled and went back to his yarn separating duties. "But I havent even heard from him since he saved me from drowning that night…" He said quietly.

"Hes a very brave boy, isnt he? It must be awful being who he his and having to live with his grandmother the way she is… It must be even harder to visit a boy at a hospital where everyone already knows him and his grandmother. Maybe…he didnt want anyone to know that he was out that night. Especially that he was with a boy?" She looked at him and raised her eyebrows.

"I guess…But he hasnt even tried to call me."

"Where is your cell phone?"

That was a good question. He didnt remember ever getting his phone back. Or getting his bag back for that matter. "Umm…"

"Well, he called," Aunt Annie said, "Many, many times. I finally caught the phone ringing the fifth time. Finn and his damn music…"

"What did he say?" Kurt said quickly.

"He just wanted to make sure you were alright. He started getting really frantic by the last message-"

"He left messages?" Kurt cut her off.

"Yes…"

Kurt jumped off the couch and darted to where the answering machine was sitting in the kitchen. He saw that the red button was blinking and pushed it without even skipping a beat. As soon as the automated message ended Blaines voice filled the room.

"Hello Ms. Annie? This is Blaine Anderson and I was wondering if Kurt was okay. Could you please call me soon. Please tell him he left his bag and phone back at beach. I got it and Ill bring it to him when he comes home from the hospital. Bye."

There was a beep and the second message began.

"Its Blaine again. Is Kurt alright? I cant go down to the hospital because too many people know me there…and I wasnt exactly allowed to go out last night. Can you call me when you get the chance? Im really worried about him. Okay, bye."

And the next one.

"I know I have been calling a lot. Its just I really want to know if Kurt is okay. I really care about him and I told him everything was going to be okay but…I dont think I would be able to live with myself if something happened because of me. Okay, bye. Oh, and this is Blaine. Blaine Anderson."

The last one almost broke Kurts heart.

"Ms. Annie? Please pick up… If you see Kurt could you tell him that I miss him? I mean—last night—when we kissed I—wait no—pretend I didnt say that—crap. Sorry, forget I said that either… And it wasnt his fault we fell asleep. He fell asleep first and I couldnt bring myself to wake him up—Stop talking Blaine—I mean…Just call me…Bye."

As soon as the last message finished he ran into the living room and grabbed the phone.

"What do you think you are doing?" Aunt Annie asked.

"I need to call him. I need to tell him Im okay." Kurt said dialing the phone.

"Kurt, its only six in the morning. He is probably sleeping. Just wait a few more hours and hell be over to see you in person on his way to his lifeguarding."

"You told him to come over? But… Im grounded."

"Well, you need your stuff back, and your parents said you couldnt leave the house. The front porch is technically still the house."

Everything finally clicked in Kurts brain. Thats how she knew…

"So you knew, all along? Why didnt you just tell me?"

"I wanted you to trust me. And I still wont tell anyone." She stopped her knitting and looked up at him. "He cares so much about you, Kurt. Try to have the best time with him this summer while you can. Dont be scared to fall in love. I let my fears get in the way once, and lost so much. I dont want to see that happen to you."

Kurt nodded at the woman. Even though she was sick, she was still very wise, "It wont," he said. "I promise."

They shared a moment of smiles before Aunt Annie began again, "Now come back and help me with this yarn," she said patting the wicker basket sitting on the couch.

Kurt gave her another smile before sitting down and taking the yarn in his hands. When he looked up he realized the old woman was staring at him.

"Is everything okay?" Kurt asked trying to get Aunt Annies attention, which snapped her out of her gaze.

"What? Oh, sorry. That happens sometimes. I was just thinking of how much you look like my son." She said nonchalantly before going back to her knitting.

"Where is your son?" Kurt asked, even though he knew the answer. He felt like something was off.

"Vietnam," she said casually before lifting up the sweater she was knitting. "How do you like it? Im sending it to him once its finished." Kurt didnt know what to say. Should he tell her that Vietnam had been over for years and that her son was never coming home. If he told her it might risk another episode.

"I think it looks great but—maybe you should make it a little heavier. I heard the nights are really cold over there."

She gave him a large grin and tapped his arm, "Youre probably right. But I can only make it thicker if you can get the knots out of that yarn."

"Im going, Im going," Kurt chuckled before going silent. He didnt want to make her relive her sons death over again. Having someone you love die once must have been hard enough. Kurt didnt know what he would do if he had to relive the passing of his mother. No, he was doing the right thing.

So, they sat in silence for the next few hours making a sweater for a boy who would never come home.

After many hours of waiting, the doorbell finally rang. "Ill get it!" Kurt yelled as he swiftly rushed to the door from the living room. He opened the door and saw Blaine standing on the porch with his red trunks and a black T-shirt.

"Hey, I—" Before Blaine could say anything more Kurt through his arms around Blaines neck and held him there. Blaine tensed for a moment before relaxing into Kurts arms. Blaine dropped the back he was holding and put his arms around Kurts waist.

"Thank you," Kurt whispered before pressing his face into the crook of Blaines neck.

"Its no big deal. I was on my way anyway."

"Not just now, but that night…caring for me, saving my life, everything."

And they stood like that for a while, just hugging. Kurt felt like he really needed someone to hold on to after the traumatic event that took place just two nights before. But there was really only one person he wanted to hold on to. With Blaine, he felt like he would be safe.

"Im sorry I didnt come see you. I really wanted to, but my grandmother and I know a lot of people who work at the hospital. She doesnt know anything about it right now, but they might have called her, or word could have spread…"

"I understand," Kurt said into his shoulder, hearing the guilt in his voice. "I dont blame you, Blaine, you need to know that, okay?" Kurt said once they broke the hug. He knew Blaine blamed himself for everything that happened. "None of what happened was your fault."

"But, I—" Blaine tried to begin before Kurt cut him off.

"No, it was a freak accident. It was no ones fault."

Blaine sighed and handed Kurt the bag of stuff they left at the pier before the ambulance took them away. "I dont think much was ruined from the storm. Everything seems to still be intact."

Kurt smiled at Blaine and responded, "Thank you. And Ill still text you this week. My dad just said Im not allowed out of the house so I can slow down and rest. And then next week we can do something together? Maybe go on a—" Kurt hesitated for a moment. What if he didnt want Kurt like that? What if he wasnt ready to be romantic?

"A date?" Blaine finished Kurts sentence, which made Kurt blush as he nodded.

"We could go to that seafood restaurant down the street. I heard they have excellent lobster…and oysters," Kurt said grinning.

"Sounds great. But…"

"But what?" Kurt asked confused.

"Its just…my grandmother has lived around here since she was a kid, so everyone knows her. We may have to go somewhere a little more…private, I guess?"

A private date with Blaine did sound nice. But the thought of what they could do on this date sounded even better…

"Kurt?" He didnt even realize that he had zoned out into his own thoughts.

"What?" He said snapping back into reality.

"I was just saying that Ill talk to you later and," he looked around for a few moments like he was checking for something before quickly giving Kurt a kiss on the cheek, "Bye."

Kurt blushed even darker before waving goodbye and going into the house. As soon as he shut the door he fell back slid down to the floor. He sat there for a few moments and touched his cheek gently.

Every moment he was with Blaine made his heart flutter. His heart would skip a beat whenever he heard his name. And whenever they kissed, he felt like the world could be on fire and he wouldnt care. Was that what it felt like to be in love?

He didnt know if it was love. But whatever this feeling was that lingered inside him, he never wanted to let it go.