Blaine was wrong. Something could—would bring him down.

He and Kurt curl up on the couch with a movie in, not really paying attention, but talking in soft voices about themselves and each other and what this will mean for them... And they seem to be on the same page. They like each other. A lot. They want to spend time together and get to know each other and yes, kiss, but they don't want to rush things.

A pleasant feeling has settled into Blaine's stomach and he feels so utterly content, with Toby curled up on the floor by Kurt's feet and Kurt not at all minding when Blaine curls into his side instead of reaching out to hold Kurt himself... Everything feels perfect.

Then his phone rings.

Blaine sighs and reaches into his pocket. It's Sharon, from the shelter. “Hello?” he says, shooting Kurt an apologetic look. Kurt just waves him off.

“Hey, kid, I uh, just wanted to let you know first...” she says, sounding tired. Blaine feels the dread swirling inside of him and hopes she isn't calling to say what he thinks she's going to say. “There really isn't any way we can afford to keep the shelter open another month. We can't get public or state funding and I just can't finance it myself anymore and...”

“How long?” Blaine croaks. Kurt senses that something's wrong and turns off the TV, rubbing Blaine's arm comfortingly.

“About a week, before we have to start getting rid of animals...” Sharon sighs. “I know it sucks, Blaine, but we've done all we can. I know you care about the place so much—I wish there was a way, but I just don't see any.” Blaine nods, knowing she can't see him.

“Yeah,” is all he can say. His voice is thick with remorse. He sniffs and blinks quickly, not wanting to start crying in front of Kurt. “I uh, I'll still come in, this week. So I'll see you then,” he tells her.

“Thank you, Blaine,” Sharon says.

“Yeah.” Blaine hangs up, dropping his phone and covering his face.

“What's wrong?” Kurt asks, his arms around Blaine's shoulders instantly. Blaine shakes his head and sniffs, trying to regain his composure and failing miserably.

“They uh... have to start closing down the shelter in a week,” he admits. Kurt blanches.

“A week?” he repeats. His article wasn't finished. There wouldn't be enough time to write it and find a paper that would publish it—one that was well-known enough to get it any attention—in just a week. He feels like a failure. The only thing he could've done to help and he couldn't even manage that.

“Yeah,” Blaine says, voice scratchy. He clears his throat. “I um... Sorry. I should go,” he says, getting up from the couch. Kurt stands too and pulls him into a hug.

“I'm sorry,” he says. Blaine just nods, taking a moment to hide his face in Kurt's soft shirt, away from the reality of losing the only good thing in his life.

Well, not the only good thing. Not anymore, he thinks as Kurt presses a kiss into his hair.

“It'll be okay,” Kurt promises, not knowing why he's saying it when he can't have any way of knowing, and all signs point to it not being okay. Blaine nods, wanting to believe him, but not quite being able to ignore the truth. “Call me?”

“I will,” Blaine says. “I... sorry for... ruining,” he gestures to the couch and the blank TV screen.”

“Nonsense. Nothing's ruined. I had a great time today,” Kurt assures him. Blaine manages a smile.

“Me too,” he says. Kurt takes his hand and squeezes it, walking him to the door. Blaine turns to leave and Kurt pulls him back, not yet releasing his hand, to give him one last sweet kiss for the road.

Blaine smiles as best as he can and leaves with a soft, “Bye.” Kurt locks the door behind him and turns back to his living room, where Toby is now tucked into the spot on the couch that had been warmed by Kurt and Blaine's bodies. Toby had been plenty of company before, but Kurt can't help but feel like the place is too empty without Blaine.

He tucks his legs up next to him as he sits on the opposite end of the couch and he rubs his eyes, wishing there was more he could do.

He feels a soft nudge at his arm and looks up to see Toby looking at him expectantly. When Kurt drops his hands from his face, Toby climbs up into his lap and nuzzles Kurt's face, purring softly. Kurt laughs gently. “Are you trying to cheer me up?” he asks, scratching behind Toby's ears. Toby licks the lip of Kurt's nose, and he genuinely laughs, kissing the top of the cat's head. “Thanks.”

It does help. Toby helps, even when he's being a cockblock. He makes Kurt smile, he keeps him company, he helped him get Blaine.

Kurt can't stand to let the place that kept Toby safe, the place that gives Blaine his happiness, be destroyed. There has to be a way.