Kurts mind was still spinning with everything he was learning about Blaine, but the most important thing right now was to help him get better, he was so obviously miserable and Felix seemed concerned for his life. A thought that made Kurt feel ill. Felix had left for his place to put together some kind of remedy for Blaine. Kurt couldnt even imagine what that might involve and he was pretty sure he didnt want to know. This meant that Kurt was left alone with Blaine in his big, empty, depressing apartment.

"I cant believe this is where you live," Kurt whispered to a still restlessly sleeping Blaine. Blaine was tucked warmly under his covers and Kurt was sitting next to him on the bed, back propped up against the headboard. "It is so unfriendly and it doesnt even seem like someone lives here. When you feel better, we are so redecorating."

Kurt glanced down at Blaine still fast asleep; he hoped that was a good thing, that rest would help him. He didnt know anything about magical illnesses, he could only hope Felix got back with the remedy soon, though from there, they just had some more difficult choices to make. The remedy alone wouldnt save Blaine, they were going to have to find the heartstone Kurt had lost.

Kurt ran his fingers through Blaines thick dark curls and sighed. "My life is much more complicated right now than it was last week. Im just a normal guy, I dont know how to handle all of this."

Blaine trembled but slept on.

Kurt scooted down the bed so he was lying next to him, he wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned his forehead against his shoulder. "I really need you to be okay Blaine." He lifted his head and pressed a soft kiss to Blaines too warm cheek. "Im still kind of mad at you for keeping so much from me and we need to talk about that and maybe fight and then make up. We have a lot to do so you need to get better."

Blaines eyelids fluttered a little and Kurt ran the tip of his finger down his nose. "Im going to get your heartstone back, I promise."

Kurt must have drifted into a light sleep himself because he was startled out of it when he heard the front door open and close. He sat straight up in bed and sighed in relief when Felix walked into the bedroom.

"Thank god it is only you."

"Who did you think it would be?" Felix asked, shrugging off the big brown velvet coat he wore.

"Well I dont know who else it could be do I?" Kurt sighed. "Im still figuring all of this out."

"Sorry. I should have told you no one who means Blaine harm can enter this apartment, not unless they are very, very powerful. He has charms and spells for protection."

"Sure. Right. Of course he does." Kurt said running a hand wearily down his face. "Did you make a remedy?"

Felix held up a blue glass vial stopped with a cork. "It wont heal him, but it should give him enough strength for a while so we can ask him what should be done next."

"I still dont understand why you wont just let me go get the heartstone. I know who took it." They had argued about this before Felix had left, Kurt wanted to leave right then and confront Aaron about taking the stone, because really it couldnt have been anyone but him.

"Oh yes, and what would I tell Blaine when he woke up and found out that youd gone off to challenge someone to win back his stone? He would skin me alive if something happened to you, heartsickness be damned!"

Kurt crossed his arms stubbornly and glanced down at Blaine. "Aaron is harmless."

"You dont know that. Aaron, Hebrew for high mountain or exalted." Felix mumbled the last part under his breath like he couldnt help himself when it came to giving out name meanings. "He could be anything, he could have been after the stone from the beginning."

Kurt didnt answer, he had a hard time thinking that Aaron was anything but a fellow NYADA student.

"Help me prop Blaine up and well let him drink this."

Kurt nodded his agreement and the gently helped Felix prop Blaine against some pillows and the headboard.

"Blaine?" Kurt called softly. "You need to wake up now, okay?"

Blaine mumbled in his sleep a little but didnt wake. Kurts stomach clenched with worry.

"You should kiss him," Felix said and Kurt looked at him in surprise.

"Is that a thing? A real magical thing, kissing someone to wake them?"

"No." Felix shrugged, "I just think itd be cute."

Kurt rolled his eyes and shook Blaines shoulders. "Blaine. I need you to wake up now. Please."

Blaine moaned and slowly blinked his eyes open, his eyelids were heavy and his eyes glassed over and it was all too apparent that he was very unwell. Kurt knelt next to him on the bed. "We have something you need to drink."

"Youre still here?" Blaine asked weakly.

"Of course I am," Kurt answered with a little smile. "You think Id leave when you need me?"

Blaine smiled softly, "Youre so beautiful."

Kurt blushed a little and cleared his throat before looking up at Felix who was watching them with an unsuppressed grin on his face.

"The remedy?" Kurt asked, holding his hand out. Felix handed it to him and Kurt uncorked it. "All of it?"

"All of it."

"It wont… hurt him will it? It isnt dangerous?"

Felix shook his head. "It shouldnt be."

"Shouldnt?" Kurt asked, his throat tightening.

"Its okay," Blaine spoke up feebly. "I trust Felix." Blaine reached his hand out for the vial but it was shaking almost violently.

"Here, let me." Kurt said, bringing the vial to Blaines lips as he tipped his head back and gulped it down. Once it was all gone, Blaine sputtered and coughed for a minute, his breathing sounding painful.

"How long will it take to work?" Kurt asked Felix rubbing Blaines back to comfort him, but before Felix could answer, Kurts heart leapt to his throat as Blaine let out a harsh shout and hopped out of bed.

"Good lord, Felix, what was that!" Blaine said, his face filled with color when it had been pallid just a moment ago.

Felix smirked. "Oh, a little of this and a little of that. How do you feel?"

Kurts heart was tight in his chest as Blaine shook his head and covered his eyes with a hand as he swayed on his feet a little. He sprang up from the bed to stand by Blaine, holding on to his elbow to keep him steady.

"I dont feel right…" Blaine looked up at Felix, "But I feel better." Kurt let out a little breath of relief when he noticed Blaines eyes seemed much clearer. Blaine glanced down to where Kurt was still holding his arm. "I cant believe you are here helping me after… everything."

"When this is all said and done you and I are going to have a long talk." Kurt said trying to hold back a relieved grin, "But for now I just need you get well."

Blaine smiled, but swayed on his feet again, so Kurt put both hands on his shoulders and made him sit back down on the bed.

"I dont really know what to do now," Blaine whispered, his voice a little gravelly.

"Oh, you should ask your boy about that," Felix spoke up.

Blaine looked up at Kurt, a little embarrassed. "I tell him not to call you that."

Kurt sat down next to him and took his hand. Blaine watched his every move as if he were afraid Kurt was going to sprint off at any moment, and considering that was exactly what hed done the last time they were together, Kurt couldnt really blame him.

"I think I know where your heartstone is, Blaine."

Blaine stared at him for a long moment as if not comprehending and then he opened his mouth to speak but didnt say a word.

"I had it. Ive had it since I was six, but I was looking for it earlier and now its gone."

"You-you had it? Since you were a child?"

Kurt nodded and watched as Blaines face lost a little of its color again. "How… how can that…" Blaine stopped and took a shuddering breath. "You dont have it now?"

"No, someone took it, weeks ago, I think—that was the last time I saw it. And Im going to go get it back from him."

"Him who?" Blaine said, still looking stunned and now Blaine knew what it felt like to be thrown more information than you could really handle at once.

"Aaron. Aaron took it, it had to be him. So Im just going to go over to his place and demand he give it back." Kurt hoped that if he stated this plan matter-of-factly that Blaine would just take it as a given and let him go.

"Like hell you are!"

Or not.

"Blaine, this sickness, it… its killing you. I have to do something."

"It isnt your responsibility to do anything Kurt. I never wanted you mixed up in this, I never… Aaron could be dangerous."

"He isnt. Its just Aaron, hes harmless."

"He didnt seem harmless at the Broadway Ball."

Kurt knew Blaine had a point there, but Aaron he could handle. A flesh and blood regular person he could handle. "Hes a bully, I know. But Ive been dealing with bullies my whole life."

Blaines face softened and he lifted a shaky hand to brush his fingertips down Kurts face. "I know you can fight your own battles, Kurt, but this isnt your battle. Ill go, I dont want you in harms way."

Kurt let out a derisive laugh and stood from the bed, "You can hardly stand on your own, you do not get to go out there and put yourself in harms way either!"

Blaine stood too, his jaw clenched as he stared at Kurt, but Kurt wasnt backing down, he just glared back.

"Perhaps you two are better off going together." Felix suggested. "Kurt can help you, Blaine, since you are feeling weak and the remedy will wear off eventually. And you, son of Ander, can be there for Kurt if Aaron turns out to have any magical resources."

Blaine huffed out a breath, but Kurt didnt budge as he watched Blaines shoulders relax, "Alright, we go together."

Kurt let out a sigh of relief, he didnt want to argue over this, he just wanted to do what needed to be done to make sure Blaine was safe. "Im good with that."

Blaines lips twitched up in a smile and he reached out for Kurts hand, which Kurt was more than willing to give him. "Thank you."

Kurt rubbed his thumb over Blaines skin, his hand was still trembling slightly-disconcerting-and took a step forward. For a moment, he ignored the fact that Felix was there, and that he was overwhelmed with new information, and that he was supposed to be upset with Blaine; instead, he leaned in so his face was a breath away from Blaines. "You just have to promise that this is going to make you better, okay?"

"Okay," Blaine breathed and Kurts heart beat faster as he leaned in to give him a short sweet kiss.

Blaines instincts were on high alert as he stood next to Kurt on the subway train to Aarons apartment. He was very aware that he was walking into an unknown situation with an unknown foe and with Kurt by his side. Kurt, who knew nothing of the dangers of magic, sweet Kurt who had somehow had Blaines heartstone since he was a child, Kurt who was risking himself by insisting on going with Blaine.

"When we get there, I need you to do what I say. I know you dont think Aaron is a danger, but we dont actually know what is going on with him, and if he has magic, I can only protect you if you follow my lead."

"Fine, I can do that," Kurt agreed, still standing close to him and holding his elbow, "And I need you to take it easy and be careful with yourself, you still arent well."

Blaine nodded, he knew he wasnt well, Kurt didnt know how much he was hiding that right now. His legs felt like rubber and his head was pounding so hard he felt like it was affecting his eyesight, and if he took a deep breath, he knew hed start coughing severely. He just had to get his heartstone back from Aaron; if he could do that, everything would work out.

He couldnt believe that, after nearly 20 years of looking, he was actually so close to having his heartstone back, it was almost unfathomable. He just hoped it wasnt too good to be true. And Kurt had had his heartstone the whole time! What did that mean? What were the chances that the first person Blaine had let in his life in years would have his stone? Blaine wasnt going to let himself worry too much about his and Kurts relationship, not right now at least. He had no idea whether Kurt would leave him after he was well; would Kurt be able to be with him, now that he was learning the truth about him? Blaine shook his head and decided not to focus on that, first things first; get his stone, keep Kurt safe.

After exiting the subway, Kurt led him a few blocks down, walking slowly, Blaine assumed, so that he didnt over exert himself. He would have protested, but he really didnt feel right and the slow pace was good for him. It had been too long since he was actually sick, not since he was a child, so he didnt know if how he felt was normal for illness or if his body really was slowly dying. It felt like the latter.

They arrived at a red brick apartment building and Kurt buzzed several apartments before someone let him in. Blaine tried to ignore the squirmy feeling in his stomach at the idea of Kurt coming here frequently when he and Aaron dated, this was no time for jealousy. Kurt walked them up to the second floor, still holding Blaines arm. He stopped outside of an apartment door.

"Are you sure youre okay?" Kurt asked him, his brow furrowed and his eyes worried.

"Do I not look okay?"

"No, you really dont. Youve gone all pale again. Maybe Felix should have come too."

"Felix doesnt do confrontations." Blaine said, shaking his head. He was glad Felix wasnt here, he already had someone else other than himself to look out for and that wasnt something he was used to.

"You really think there is going to be a confrontation?"

"Kurt, Im sick. Whoever has my stone is giving me this heartsickness, I dont think were about to walk into something good."

If it was possible, Kurts brow furrowed even deeper. "Right." He lifted a hand and knocked at the door. "What do we do if he isnt home?"

"We let ourselves in."

There was silence for a moment before Kurt knocked again. Still nothing.

"So are you going to pick the lock or something?" Kurt laughed nervously.

Blaine sent him a small smile before he held his hand over the doorknob, making it shake and rattle without a touch. Then he heard the lock click open on the inside.

"Oh," Kurt said and Blaine glanced at him to see his eyes wide. "Magic. How do I keep forgetting that?"

"You could stay out here while I go in," Blaine offered, hoping Kurt would agree, but doubting he would.

"Nope," Kurt answered and twisted the doorknob to open the door.

The apartment was dark when they entered, the air stale, and though nothing seemed out of the normal, Blaines heartbeat sped up; he could feel something in the air, something familiar and warm. Suddenly, he was so full of emotions that he hadnt felt in years and it was all too overwhelming; he swayed and almost collapsed, but Kurt was by his side, wrapping an arm around his waist and being his support.

"Blaine!"

"Im okay… I am."

"You really arent." Kurt looked at him worriedly, but Blaine didnt have a chance to reassure him, there was movement behind Kurts shoulder. It only took a fraction of a second for Blaine to spin them around so that Kurt was standing behind him and Blaine was between him and whatever was approaching.

"Whos there?!" A rough, strained voice called out and Blaine could make out the shape of a man standing in the doorway of the living room. The figure took a step towards them and Kurt came out from behind Blaines back even as Blaine tensed, ready to spring forward if needed.

"Aaron?"

A light flickered on and Blaine blinked his eyes to adjust to the light before he made out the figure of Aaron standing nearby; it was Aaron, but something was very off about him. His long blonde hair was messy and unwashed, his skin looked gray and waxy, his eyes dull and face sunken like hed lost a lot of weight too fast.

"Oh god, Aaron, whats happened to you?" Kurt asked, taking a step forward, but Blaine reached for his arm to stop him.

"Kurt wait, this isnt right." Blaine warned.

"You!" Aaron growled, glaring at Kurt with bloodshot eyes.

Blaines mind felt sluggish, he should know what was going on, he should be figuring this out faster, but the heartsickness was affecting him too strongly. He didnt have time to work out what was happening to Aaron because in that moment, Aaron moved like lightning. He grabbed a wooden baseball bat leaning against the wall and surged forward bringing the bat up and charging towards Kurt.

"No!" Blaine shouted at the same time Kurt did. He pushed Kurt back behind him as Kurt shouted again.

"Dont hurt him!"

Blaine wasnt sure what him Kurt was talking about, but he wouldnt hurt Aaron, not if it could be helped. Not unless he hurt Kurt, then all hell would break loose.

Aaron swung the bat down with surprising strength and would have hit Baine squarely over the head, but Blaine was quick; he lifted his hands and grabbed the bat, bracing himself against Aarons unexpected strength. They stood for a moment both clucthing the bat and pushing against one another trying to gain footing.

"Let. Go," Blaine said in his most intimidating voice, the one that rumbled out of his chest and made grown men cower in fear. Aarons eyes widened and he took a step back, lowering his arms and forfeiting the baseball bat.

"What are you doing in my home?!" Aaron bellowed, his whole body trembling. Kurt walked forward, placing a hand on Blaines back.

"We knocked," He answered, as if that would explain everything.

"You should have never come here." Aaron seethed and he moved forward again towards Kurt, and Blaine had had enough of that.

He spun where he stood to give himself momentum, since he wasnt feeling as strong as he normally did, and swung the bat down to hit Aarons legs, making him fall to the ground. Blaine didnt hesitate a moment, in one swift move, he was on the floor straddling Aaron, who swung up with more precision than Blaine would have given him credit for, landing a punch solidly on Blaines jaw. Blaine barely flinched as he held the bat with both hands and moved it to press it across Aarons throat.

"Im going easy on you," Blaine said, trying to remain calm even though his blood was pumping too fast and his head was spinning. "But if you try and hurt him again, I will not be accountable for my actions."

Kurt knelt down by both of them and Blaine glanced at him briefly, long enough to see the look of distress in his eyes. "Aaron, we just want the stone you took from my apartment. Give that to us and well leave you alone. Right, Blaine?" Kurts voice wavered a little and Blaine recognized him pleading with him.

"Yes, all we want is the stone." He confirmed. He didnt actually want to hurt this man, he was piecing everything together now, from Aarons distorted appearance and even all the way back to his behavior at the ball.

"I dont have a stone!" Aaron spat at them and Blaine pressed the bat just a fraction harder against his throat.

"You do." Kurt insisted his voice turning steely and in any other circumstance Blaine would have smirked at the fact that Kurt seemed to have perfected his own intimidating inflection. "You took it from a hat box in my apartment the day we broke up, I know you have it."

Aarons expression cleared, and for a moment, Blaine thought he was going to give in, but then his eyes darkened again. "Youll have to kill me for it."

"What?" Kurts squeaked the steel in his voice wavering at Aarons outburst.

Blaine huffed out a breath. "I dont think that will be necessary. I know it is here. I can feel it." He kept holding Aaron down but he let his eyes slide closed as he tried to shut out everything around him, just focusing on his hoarse breathing and the rhythm of his own too fast heart. It took a moment for everything around him to go dark but then he heard it, the double beat – his heart and then a fraction of a second later an echoing beat. He opened his eyes and looked at Kurt whose eyebrows had shot up as he slowly started rising from the floor. He heard it too.

"Ive heard this before," Kurt said quietly and looked down at Blaine. "Its your heartstone."

"Find it," Blaine pleaded; he was feeling weaker by the moment and he wasnt sure how much longer hed be able to hold Aaron down.

Kurt nodded and took a step back before turning around in the room in a slow circle, listening. Blaine concentrated, trying to make the beating of his heartstone louder but his strength was flagging. Then, Kurt turned and hurried out of the room and into the hallway beyond. He was gone for a moment and Blaine heard thumping and slamming like Kurt was throwing things around and opening and shutting drawers.

"Found it!" Kurt cried triumphantly and then… then everything changed.

The room started spinning and Aaron stopped struggling under him. Blaine looked at him and it was like clouds lifted from Aarons eyes and he looked up at Blaine in simple fear. Blaine got up quickly, but it was too much for him and soon he was crashing back down again hitting the ground hard. The wind was knocked out of him for a moment before Kurt came racing back into the room, he immediately fell to his knees next to Blaine.

"Blaine! Oh my god, are you alright?" He put his hand on Blaines shoulder and Blaines eyes caught on the red stone in Kurts hand, a red stone that was pulsing with light, and Blaines heart felt like it would beat out of his chest, but as the light started to fade from the stone, his own heart rate returned to normal. The intense dizziness darkening his sight started to fade. He looked up at Kurt then and saw that his face was white and his eyes brimming with tears.

"Please, Blaine, say something." Kurts voice hitched and Blaines heart calmed.

"Im alright now, Kurt," He assured him quickly and started to sit up, Kurt helping him.

Kurt swept the fingers of his free hand over Blaines brow, brushing the hair out of his face. "Are you sure youre okay?"

"Im fine-" Blaines eyes moved to behind Kurt where Aaron was getting up. Blaine hopped to his feet.

"Is this over?" Blaine asked, his fist balled and ready for a fight if needed.

Aarons appearance had changed dramatically, his face had color to it and his eyes looked alive again; he looked back and forth between Blaine and Kurt like he was coming out of a dream. "What – what is happening to me?" He seemed afraid and Blaine actually felt bad for him, but it was Kurt who took a step forward. Blaine stiffened, but Aaron actually took a step away from them, the fight wasnt in him anymore. "What happened to me?" He asked again and Kurt reached out a hand, placing it soothingly on his arm before turning back to Blaine.

"Blaine? Whats going on?" He asked.

"You were... sick." Blaine answered slowly, trying to work out how to explain this without giving away too much. "When you took that stone, you were angry with Kurt werent you?"

Aaron nodded.

"And by extension you were angry at me?"

"I thought Kurt had been cheating on me with you. After the ball I was sure of it."

"I wasnt," Kurt said quietly.

"Okay well…" Blaine took a step forward, "You should have never had that stone, it was… too much for you. It made you sick, I think it is part of the reason youve been behaving the way you have been."

"I dont understand."

"Well, youre just going to have to get used to that." Blaine sighed. "We are taking this stone and you will be fine now. You might need some extra sleep for the next few days but then you should be back to normal."

"Explain." Aaron insisted.

"No." Blaines voice took on that hard growl again and Aaron took yet another step back. "You will leave both Kurt and me alone now, alright?"

"I dont want anything to do with either of you!" Aaron threw his hands in the air, shaking Kurts hand off of him.

"And you need to not tell anyone about this," Kurt added.

It took a moment but then Aaron nodded. "I wouldnt know what to say anyhow."

Kurt walked back to Blaine and grasped his hand, and Blaine took the opportunity to lean against him, he still felt too weak. They turned to leave but stopped at the door when Aaron called out to them.

"Im sorry, Kurt."

Kurt raised an eyebrow at him.

"Ive been… I havent been myself."

Kurt smiled slowly at him thinking it through. "If it was the stone… there is nothing to apologize for." And Blaine fell for Kurt just a little bit harder – though he had no intention of forgiving Aaron himself.

Out on the street, Blaine began to shiver in the cold. He coughed into his fist and Kurt wrapped an arm around his back.

"I thought you were supposed to be better now?" He said worriedly and then his face lit up with an idea. "Here, take this!" Kurt held out the heartstone. Blaines heartstone, reunited with him again at long last.

"I dont think I should, not yet. Its powerful and Im still weak."

"But I thought it would make you better?"

"It is. Aaron not having it is making me better, I just need rest and then Ill be able to handle the stone."

"So… I should just keep it?" Kurt said, looking down at the glinting red stone in his hand.

"It wont harm you. It is part of me and I would never harm you. If you could just bring it back to my apartment for me, we can lock it up there."

Kurt nodded and tucked the heartstone into the pocket of his coat. He let Blaine lean against him as they walked back to the subway and as they rode home. He was silent, but Blaine could practically hear him thinking.

"What do you want to ask?"

"I still dont understand what happened to Aaron? Did he have magic after all?"

"No," Blaine said with a sleepy yawn. "He had heartsickness. Not like I did, but his anger infected him through the magic of the stone. It isnt something just anyone should possess."

"I had the stone for eighteen years Blaine."

"Mmmm… and my heart would never hurt you Kurt." Blaine leaned his head against Kurts shoulder and closed his eyes. "Even before I met you."

He felt Kurt rub a hand down his arm. "Just sleep sweetheart, Ill wake you at our stop."

"K." Blaine yawned again and fell asleep, warm and happy, swaying with the movement of the train and tucked safely against Kurts side.