Don’t let go.

Wrong place, wrong time, the police said.

It is my fault, Cooper cried.

Don’t let go.

He’s still in surgery, the nurse assured. I promise we’ll let you know when he’s out.

Tick tock.

Don’t let go.

“Hey Quinn, I know it’s three am and I’m sorry to wake you. I’m not opening tomorrow.

“It’s Blaine. He…

“At Mount Sinai. He’s in surgery.

“Yeah, you can open. You’ll have to call Puck.

“Yes, I’ll text you when I know anything.

“No, I’m not okay.

“Thanks, Quinn. I love you too.”

Tick tock.

Don’t let go.

“We were out of milk.”

“Cooper—”

“We were out of milk and I texted him to pick some up on the way home. Because I wanted cereal.”

“D-don’t do this. Don’t…”

“If I had just waited.”

“If I had made him leave earlier…”

“If…”

Tick Tock.

A nurse approached them. “He is still in surgery. The bullet grazed a major artery and he lost a lot of blood. He needs a transfusion. Mr. Anderson, do you know if you’re a blood type match for your brother?”

“I am, yes.”

“Good, will you come with me please?”

“Yeah. Kurt—”

“Go. I’m fine.”

Cooper hurried after the nurse, leaving Kurt all alone. All alone and waiting.

Tick tock.

“He made it through surgery fine. Two centimeters to the left and the bullet would have been a fatal shot to the heart. He is very lucky. They're putting him in room 209 in the ICU. He should wake up sometime in the next three to five hours.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

“He hasn’t stopped talking about you, Kurt. Since I’ve gotten back. I don’t know anything that’s happened in his life in the past two years, but I know everything that’s happened in the past week with you.”

“I don't know why he never told me about you. Or his parents. I don’t know much about his past, except that he has been in New York since he was 16.”

“Ohio… Ohio isn’t his favorite thing to talk about. Our parents weren’t thrilled when Blaine came out at thirteen. And I wasn’t there to support him. I was in college and I was traveling and I wasn’t there. I wasn’t there when he came out. Or when he had to switch schools because of bullying. And I wasn’t there when our parents died. I vowed I’d never not be there for him again. I promised him…”

“You’re here now.”

Tick Tock.

“He is the one who convinced me to take the job in Niger. Even though he’d be alone again and I would be gone for three years. It was an amazing opportunity for me, and Blaine saw that. He is the most unselfish person I know.

“He is going to make it, you know that right, Kurt? Blaine’s a fighter. He’s going to be fine.”

Tick tock.

“I was dreaming about him when you called. He told me not to let go… never let go.” Kurt couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. All that he had been keeping inside came bursting forth and he sobbed into Cooper’s shoulder.

Tick tock.

“Shouldn’t he be awake by now?”

Tick tock.

“The police say they caught the guy who did it. He was just trying to rob the place. He said he never meant to pull the trigger. But when Blaine walked in, he got spooked. Then he just ran.”

“It has been ten hours, doctor. Why hasn’t he woken up yet? You said a three to five and it’s been ten!”

“Mr. Anderson, all bodies are different. They heal in their own time. Be patient.”

“He’ll wake up, Cooper.”

Tick tock.

“How long was I out?” Kurt asked groggily, sitting up in the chair.

“About four hours.”

“Have you slept at all?”

“No.”

“You should.”

“I can’t.”

Don't let go.

“When Blaine was a kid, about 7 or 8, he was in the backyard climbing this huge oak tree. I was about 17 at the time and I was supposed to be watching him. Mom and dad were on a business trip in California, I think. I had invited my girlfriend over and made Blaine leave us alone. He fell out of the tree. I heard him screaming. He broke his arm. A compound fracture, where the bone broke through his skin. I have never been more terrified. Amanda called the ambulance.

“I… he was in so much pain. I tried to be strong for him. On the ride to the hospital, I held his hand the whole time. But when they took him into surgery, I broke down. I was inconsolable. My parents took the red eye and got there the next day.

“That was the longest twenty-three hours of my life, the worst twenty-three hours of my life.

“I’m terrified now, Kurt. I’m scared out of my mind. What if…”

“Stop. Don’t do that. You said Blaine’s a fighter. You said…” Kurt was crying again. He grabbed Cooper’s hand tight. “Don’t let go.”

Tick tock.

Cooper went for a walk to clear his head and find something to eat. Kurt called Quinn again to update her and ask her to open again the next day.

Ending the call, Kurt collapsed heavily onto the chair next to Blaine’s bed. He reached out to lightly brush the curls from Blaine’s forehead.

“When my dad was in the hospital, I sang to him. I think he liked it because when he woke up he said he heard me. So I’m going to sing now. And don’t judge me. I haven’t sung in a long time, so my voice is probably rusty.”

Kurt cleared his throat and began to sing softly, leaning over so his head rested against Blaine’s chest.

I will not take my love away

When praises cease and seasons change

While the whole world turns the other way

I will not take my love away

I will not leave you all alone

When striving leads you far from home

And there's no yield for what you've sown

I will not leave you all alone

I will give you what you need

In plenty or in poverty

Forever, always, look to me

And I will give you what you need

I will not take my love away

He finished brokenly, closing his eyes as fresh tears rolled quietly down his cheeks.

Suddenly, he felt a hand shakily run through his hair. He looked up quickly and found himself staring into the huge golden eyes he hadn’t seen since Thursday.

“Blaine!”