Kurt woke up with a smile on his face as he turned over in bed and enjoyed the gentle morning light filtering through his curtain and warming his skin. Spring was on its way, meaning he was busier than ever with school, but it also meant that there were days like this when the weather was actually becoming sunny and pleasant.

He got up from bed and opened the curtains, looking at the busy New York street below, even at this time on a Saturday morning people were already out in force. He caught his reflection in the window and saw that he was still smiling. It wasnt hard to figure out why, hed woken up from a very agreeable dream of Blaine, made all the better by realizing that he was going to see Blaine that afternoon.

They had only been officially dating for about a month, but it seemed like longer than that because of all the time spent together leading up to their first date. He wished Mercedes were in town, he could use a good sit down with her so he could gush about Blaine. It was hard sometimes to have his best friend so far away; even if Mercedes did spend part of her time in New York, it wasnt enough. He had friends at NYADA despite the fact that Aaron still seemed to have a personal vendetta against him, but Kurt hadnt realized how lonely hed been until he met Blaine.

He could only imagine how lonely Blaine felt. In all the dates theyd been on and time theyd spent together hed come to realize that Blaine really did only seem to have one friend, and was friendly with a man that ran the fruit cart outside of his apartment. Sometimes when Kurt thought about how cold Blaines life must be he felt a sympathetic shiver. Because of that he felt it was his responsibility to bring as much sunshine into Blaines life as possible.

Theyd had a wonderful past few weeks together seeing each other nearly every day, coffee dates and dinner dates and Blaine had even met him for lunch at school once to meet some of his classmates. Last night, theyd gone to the symphony and Kurt had enjoyed watching Blaine as much as hed appreciated the music. Blaine seemed to transform when he listened to music: his face soft, his eyes bright and his body relaxed. Hed been so full of energy afterwards that Kurt could only laugh and think of how much Blaine had opened up, how different he was from the cold young man hed first met.

Every goodbye was a kiss now, Blaine would stand close and hold Kurts arms or cup his face and Kurts heart would beat against his chest as Blaines lips moved against his own. Every kiss made him shiver down to his toes. When they broke apart, Blaine would rub the pad of his thumb over Kurts lips or just smile up at him through dark lashes and Kurts stomach would leap. Kurt always knew that when hed fall, hed fall hard, and falling for Blaine was the greatest feeling in the world.

Kurt went to his little kitchen and started some coffee, already planning out what he was going to wear on his date with Blaine that afternoon. His phone pinged with an incoming message and he leaned against the counter, enjoying the smell of freshly ground coffee beans as he read. It was from a classmate that Kurt really only knew from his relationship with Aaron so he was surprised to be hearing from him.

Have you heard from Aaron lately?

Kurt scrunched up his brows. Why would anyone think he was keeping tabs on Aaron these days?

No, not since the Broadway Ball. Kurt texted back, he really didnt want to be dragged into any more drama with Aaron; he was going to keep this conversation short.

He wasnt at school for the past few days. Didnt know if youd seen him.

Kurt thought back to the past week at NYADA, and it was true, he didnt really remember seeing much of Aaron, which frankly was fine with him at this point. Still, it seemed that his friend was worried about him.

Sorry, he and I arent in contact anymore.

Ok

Kurt waited for more information but nothing else came in. He couldnt help but wonder what was going on with Aaron; they had been friends at one point, and Kurt didnt hold anything against him. He shook his head and decided he needed to stay out of this, Aaron had plenty of friends who could look out for him. Friends whod turned their back on Kurt after the break-up, yeah, hed let them take care of whatever was going on.

Kurt poured himself a mug of coffee and didnt think about Aaron again as he eagerly counted down the hours until he got to see Blaine.

That afternoon, he met Blaine at Central Park. Kurt had heard that there was a student concert happening, and after seeing Blaine at the symphony, he really wanted to listen to more music with him. Kurt brought a blanket and a basket of food and started laying everything out; it was still kind of chilly for an outdoor concert, but Kurt had thought to bring an extra blanket for them to wrap up in.

Blaine watched him intently as Kurt set everything up for them. Kurt looked up and smiled at him, Blaines eyes were warm and his lips tipped in a smile. He took a step forward and started to reach for Kurt, but then held a hand up as he started to cough into his elbow.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked. "Is it too cold out here?" He knew that Blaine seemed to be perpetually cold, but he planned on taking care of that by sitting very, very close to him.

Blaine just shook his head and took the step forward he needed to reach Kurt; he wrapped his arms around him, hands resting on Kurts lower back as he pulled him in close. "This is lovely," Blaine said in a whisper.

Kurt closed the space between them and brought their lips together. He melted against Blaines firm chest and brought his arms up around his shoulders as one of Blaines hands moved slowly up his back to cup the back of his head.

"Dont… mess up…"Kurt panted as he kissed Blaine. "My… hair…"

"I wouldnt dream of it," Blaine murmured and broke the kiss with a grin, taking a tiny step backwards but still holding on to Kurt.

Kurt brushed his thumbs under Blaines eyes, there were dark circles there that had become more pronounced in the last week or so. Blaine was always happy and energetic when they were together recently, but he didnt look like he felt well. "Are you sure youre feeling alright? We dont have to be outside if youre getting sick."

"I dont get sick."

"Blaine," Kurt said sternly.

"Really. I dont." Blaine smiled and leaned in to press another soft kiss to his lips. "Sometimes when Im with you I cant believe this is happening," he whispered. "I dont deserve someone like you."

Kurt smiled, taking in Blaines golden eyes, his kiss-pink lips and the dark curls poking out from under the beanie he was wearing. "I think you deserve so many good things, Blaine."

Blaine bumped his forehead off Kurts and grinned before grabbing his hand and pulling him down onto the blanket with him. He sat so that Kurt fit perfectly between his legs, his back leaning against Blaines chest. Kurt reached over for the extra blanket and they wrapped themselves together in it as the musicians started tuning their instruments.

They ate the finger foods Kurt had packed and Kurt leaned his head back against Blaine as they listened to the music. They talked a little about Kurts projects at school and a custom accessory he was making for a customer online, everything sweet and light between them. Kurt curled their fingers together over his stomach where Blaine was hugging him close. Kurts heart squeezed happily in his chest, it was moments like this that he wanted to last forever.

"How was your trip to London?" Kurt asked in what he hoped was a nonchalant way. Blaine hadnt talked about his London trip at all, and even though it was weeks ago and Kurt really was dying to know. Before hed left, Blaine had said he was close to finding something hed wanted for a long time, and he hadnt mentioned it since. Blaine was so relaxed this afternoon that Kurt thought it might be a good time to try this subject.

"Fine," Blaine answered, and Kurt couldnt see his face to tell what he really meant.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

Blaine shifted behind him a bit. "No. Not yet."

"Any leads? I know its important to you… Whatever it is."

"A stone," Blaine answered and then was quiet for so long that Kurt thought he wasnt going to say any more. "It belongs to me, but Cooper… lost it. Ive been looking for it for years."

Kurt nodded as he mulled over this new information. "Was that the reason you two had a falling out?"

"It was a big part of it," Blaine said, Kurt noticed that his posture had stiffened against him and he was nervously playing with their fingers.

Kurt turned his head to look at him. "We dont have to talk about this."

"No, its okay," Blaine answered, kissing the tip of Kurts nose. "What do you want to know?"

"A stone?" Kurt asked, going for an easier question than pursuing information about Cooper. "Like a gemstone?"

"No." Blaine shook his head. "Its… its called a heartstone. They are… rare. Its hard to explain." Blaines expression was difficult to read, he was looking at him with such intensity, almost as if he expected Kurt to react to this information in some grand way.

"Huh," Kurt said, leaning back against him, thinking. "A heartstone?"

"Have you… heard of that before?"

Kurt shook his head. "No, but I hope you find it, Blaine."

Blaine just nodded against him, and as they continued to listen to music, his posture slowly started to relax again.

Kurt made a mental note to look up what a heartstone was later.

After the concert, Blaine helped Kurt pack up his things. "I had a very nice time," Blaine said, kissing Kurts cheek. "How busy are you with school work tomorrow?"

Kurt smiled at him. "I can make room for you I suppose, arent we going to grab some dinner now though?"

Blaines smile faded a little. "Im going to have to cut our date short."

"I thought you were free for the rest of the day?"

Blaine sighed and chewed his lip and Kurt could tell he was deciding if he was going to explain something or not. "Something came up."

Apparently he wasnt going to explain.

Kurt nodded, but an uneasy feeling was settling in his stomach. It wasnt that he thought Blaine was avoiding him or not being honest, but there was just something off about his expression. Kurt just wanted the whole truth and Blaine always seemed so good at dodging and weaving away from certain subjects.

"Okay," Kurt said, trying not to show his disappointment. "Will I talk to you later this evening?"

"Of course." Blaine always made a point of calling him before bed, a habit Kurt had grown quickly fond of.

They walked to the Subway station together where Kurt kissed him, letting his hands pull him close, and his fingers press against Blaines back. When they broke apart, Blaines cheeks had more color in them and his eyes were sparkling. They said goodbye and Kurt stood with his hands in his pockets as he watched Blaine leave.

He chewed his lip as an idea started prickling in his mind. You should follow him. Kurt ignored the thought, he wasnt that kind of person. He didnt trail the man he was dating. Still… once the idea was in his head, he couldnt silence it. He could see for himself, once and for all, what was going on with Blaine.

"Kurt you are so going to regret this," he mumbled to himself as he gripped the picnic basket he was carrying and quickly made his way down the stairs to the subway station, making it just in time to see which way Blaine went. He swiped his metro card and followed a little ways behind him, getting in a different car than Blaine had, but close enough so he could still see him through the little door windows. This was such a bad idea, what was he doing?

The train stopped several times, people getting on and off, until he finally saw Blaine moving towards the doors. They opened and Blaine stood aside for a dad and his kids and then exited himself. Kurt followed behind him, every step he took, he almost turned around; he shouldnt be doing this, but something was drawing him forward. The need for answers. The desire for the rest of the story he knew Blaine wasnt telling him. His heart was starting to belong more and more to Blaine and he just needed to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who this man was that he was falling for.

Kurt followed a few yards behind Blaine block after block, almost losing him once when they got to a place with so few people Kurt had to hang back. Every step he took, he felt more guilty and embarrassed that he was doing this, but hed gone this far and his stubborn side wouldnt let him stop now.

They were in a part of the city Kurt had never been to; it was old and run-down and even seemed colder somehow. He continued following until Blaine reached the ruins of an old church, crumbling gray stone walls and the ceiling sagging in the one corner that even still had a ceiling. Kurt could imagine what this place must have looked like in its glory days and it would have been beautiful, but it was sad and forlorn now. It even seemed dangerous to walk through, like it could fall down on top of you at any moment.

He stood behind a half crumbled wall and watched as Blane went through a wooden door. Kurts heart was racing by now. What kind of place was this? And why would Blaine be here? His guilt over following Blaine was overrun by worry, nothing good could be happening in a place like this.

He hurried forward, opening the door Blaine had gone through, to find a narrow hallway that led… nowhere. Kurt walked to the end, there were no doors anywhere, yet Blaine wasnt here. It was as if hed suddenly disappeared.

Kurt swallowed deeply and was considering calling Blaines phone when he took a step forward and heard the ground creak; the halls floor was made with stone, except for where Kurt was standing, it was made of wood. He looked closer and saw that it was a hatch. He moved to the side and knelt down to pull it open; he noticed there was a keyhole, so as Kurt tugged on the handle, he just hoped it wasnt locked. Thankfully, it did open with some effort, and Kurt found himself looking at a staircase leading down into darkness. If he didnt know that Blaine had to have just gone this way, he probably wouldnt have had the nerve to go down there. As it was, he felt propelled forward, hed come too far to turn back now and he really was growing concerned for Blaine.

He held his phone high for light and looped his basket over his arm so he could let one hand trail against the cold stone wall as he made his way down. At the bottom was another short dark hallway that smelled of dirt and moss, a thick, old wood door at the end.

Kurt took a deep breath and tugged the handle but the door didnt budge. Kurt took a step back and raised his phone to get a better look. He gasped and his heart leapt in his chest, just barely holding back a shout of fear. There on the door was a gruesome looking creature carved out of iron, grisly and snarling with sparkling red eyes that seemed to bore into Kurt. Kurt swallowed uneasily. Hed seen this creature before, hed sketched it in his sketch book.

Kurt clenched his jaw, thoughts tumbling around in his head as he tried to figure out how this was possible. With his heart racing, Kurt raised his hand and let his fingers run over the cool metal of the creatures face. A shiver ran through him. He jumped back and let out a shout of surprise as a voice he didnt recognize shouted at him through the door.

"I know youre out there!"

Blaine hated that he had to cut his time with Kurt short, but he really needed to talk to Felix. He hopped on a train and then hunched his shoulders against the cold as he walked the rest of the way to the church.

He and Kurt had been going out for a little while now and Blaine hadnt yet found the courage to ask Kurt about his heartstone. In fact, he found himself thinking about his heartstone and his worries less and less as Kurt filled more of his thoughts. Then, this afternoon it had just come out. He hadnt actually asked him about the stone, but he had mentioned it and the word hadnt seemed to mean anything to Kurt.

He honestly couldnt decide if he was disappointed or relieved. He took a breath and it seemed to rattle in his chest. He covered his mouth with an arm as a cough shook his body. He was glad Felixs place was always so warm, he was ready to be out of the cold.

He used his key to open the trap door and then walked down the hallway without using a light, he knew the path well. He rapped on the door with the pattern Felix liked him to use and was soon greeted by the sound of Felix unlocking his locks.

Felix opened the door and smiled at him, but as he ushered him in, his smile started to slip. "You are looking more and more like your name Blaine son of Ander. Thin. Are you ill?"

Blaine rolled his eyes. "I dont get sick."

"You look like you are about to topple over."

"I just need to warm up, Felix. Maybe some wine?"

"Mmm, yes. That does warm the bones."

Felix grabbed some mugs and the wine and set them out on the table. "I didnt expect you today," Felix said, pulling out the cork.

"I was with Kurt."

"With your boy, as usual." Felix smirked.

"He isnt a boy, hes a gown man." Blaine said, ignoring Felixs teasing expression. "And I mentioned the heartstone to him."

Felix looked up from the wine he was pouring, eyebrows raised. "And?"

"And... nothing, he-" Blaine paused in his explanation as Felixs hand shot to the air silencing him.

"What was that?" Felix said under his breath and the hairs on the back of Blaines neck stood on end.

Felix moved swiftly and smoothly, especially for a man of his girth, to a cabinet behind him and pulled out a shotgun. Blaine stared at him in surprise, hed never seen Felix with a weapon before.

Felix stepped from behind the table and walked to the door, leveling the gun with what would be about chest level for an average man. "Theres someone out there," Felix whispered and Blaines heart sped up.

If someone was here without Felixs approval it really couldnt be good. How could they have even gotten here? The trap door was locked and… Blaine groaned. Hed been so intent on seeing Felix, he hadnt locked it behind him. Whoever was outside that door—it was Blaines fault.

Felix pumped the barrel of the gun, ready to shoot the person who was on the other side of that door before they had a chance to try and get in. Blaine let out a low breath, he didnt like violence, but hed used it himself when needed and was having a hard time thinking of a way to convince Felix not to use it now.

"I know youre out there!" Felix called.

There was beat of silence and then a familiar voice came through the door.

"Blaine? Are… are you there?"

Blaines heart leapt to his throat and suddenly he felt sick. He sprinted forward without even thinking about it, putting himself between the door and Felixs gun without a moments hesitation. He lifted his hand and the gun flew out of Felixs hands without him even having to touch it. "Its Kurt!" Blaine said, raising his hands up in surrender as Felix swore under his breath and grabbed the shotgun off the floor. "Please, Felix, dont shoot."

Felix immediately lowered his weapon. "I could have shot you!" He said angrily.

"You could have shot him." Blaine swallowed hard, his breathing still too fast. Hed almost just stood there while Felix shot Kurt. He turned to the door, trusting that Felix wasnt going to use the gun, and leaned his head against the wood. "Kurt?" He called.

"Blaine! Are you okay?"

Blaine straightened up, yes of course he was okay, besides the miniature panic attack hed almost just had. He turned back to Felix in question.

"Yes, yes. Let him in. Ive been wanting to meet your boy anyway."

"Hes not a boy," Blaine mumbled under his breath as he started to unlock the many locks on the door.

As soon as he saw Kurt standing there, expression worried and fingers twisting together nervously, all the air left Blaines lungs; he immediately rushed forward and wrapped Kurt in a tight hug. Kurt seemed to stiffen in surprise, but then he wrapped his arms around Blaine as well. "What the hell are you doing here, Kurt?"

Kurt took a step back to look him in the eyes. "I… um… followed you?" Kurt said lifting his shoulders. "I know I shouldnt have, it was wrong. But I… you left so quickly this afternoon and I just want to know what is going on with you and then when I saw where you were heading I got worried. And Im sorry." Kurt ran his hand across his brow and sighed in frustration. "I messed up."

Blaine was at a loss for words, he was beyond surprised to see Kurt here, but he wasnt angry. In fact, it felt strangely right to finally introduce Kurt to this other side of him. His pulse was finally slowing from having Kurt a breath away from a danger that Kurt didnt even know hed been in.

"You followed me?" Blaine said, trying to understand that. He was seriously distracted today, normally no one would be able to trail him without his knowledge.

"Im sorry," Kurt repeated.

Blaine shook his head, trying to think of how to explain this place and how to introduce him to Felix. Felix! Blaine turned around to see no sign of the shotgun, Felix must have put it away, Blaine spotted him at a cupboard pulling out a third mug.

"Come in come in," Felix called with a smile. "Lock the door behind you."

Blaine motioned for Kurt to enter and then locked all the locks. When he turned back to Kurt, he was standing in the center of the room taking it all in. The low ceiling and the golden lights on the walls, all the furniture and cabinets made of wood, the odd trinkets and bottles on the shelves. Blaine couldnt help but smile at the wonder on Kurts face, and his beautiful eyes were almost green in this light.

"What is this place?"

"Its my home!" Felix spoke up happily.

Blaine moved to stand next to Kurt, taking his hand. Kurt looked down at their clasped fingers and then back up to smile at Blaine in relief. "Youre not mad at me?"

"No." Blaine shook his head. "Im not." He wasnt either, hed been keeping things from Kurt for so long, and slowly his secrets were coming to light. It felt like a weight off of his shoulders. "I guess I had this coming with always being so secretive."

Kurt squeezed Blaines fingers and smiled as Blaine nodded towards Felix, "Kurt, this is my friend Felix."

Both Felix and Kurt beamed at each other before Kurt dropped Blaines hand to extend it to Felix to shake. "Its nice to finally meet you," Kurt said, and Felix laughed and pumped his hand.

"You have no idea how much Ive wanted to make your acquaintance, young man. Blaine speaks of little else."

"Felix." Blaine murmured and he could feel his cheeks heating up.

Felix ignored him. "Kurt. German for bold counsel and honest advisor," Felix continued. "It is a genuine pleasure to meet you."

"You know what my name means?" Kurt asked, arching an eyebrow, but he still seemed a little on edge as he shuffled his weight back and forth on his feet.

Blaine sighed and shook his head. "Its a thing Felix does, he always seems to know what everyones name means and then he repeats it ad nauseum." He placed his hand on Kurts lower back, hoping to reassure him. This all had to be strange and unexpected for Kurt.

"Dont be rude," Felix said, but he was still smiling. "Have a seat boys, Ill pour some more wine."

Blaine pulled out a stool at the table for Kurt and then sat next to him.

"You called me your friend when you introduced me," Felix said as a broad smile covered his face and he passed out mugs of wine.

Kurt looked back and forth between the two of them. "When I asked him about friends, he told me about you." He took a sip of his wine and seemed to start to relax.

"He pretends not to need anyone, you know," Felix said, leaning his elbows on the table and talking only to Kurt. "But it is good to know he thinks of me as a confidant."

"You dont have to talk about me like Im not here," Blaine muttered, but both Kurt and Felix just continued on.

"So you…live here? Under the ruins of an old church?"

"Why not? I like my privacy and it is cozy."

Kurt nodded, looking around again, and his eyes landed on what could have been a shrunken head on Felixs shelf. "Right." He glanced at Blaine who smiled encouragingly at him. "So, Felix," Kurt said turning back to him. "Felix who knows what everyones names mean. What does Felix mean?"

Felix put down his mug as if in surprise. "You want to know what my name means?"

"Of course."

Felix smiled so broadly he was practically baring his teeth. "Its Latin meaning happy, lucky or fortunate."

"Thats a good name."

"It is! Thats why I picked it for myself." Felix was still beaming as he sipped some more wine. "You know, in all the years Ive known Blaine, he has never asked me that?"

"Are you kidding? How could he not?" Kurt glanced at Blaine reproachfully.

"I just… I never actually…." Blaine rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. How was it that Kurt and Felix had just met, but he felt out of place? Kurt and Felix both laughed and Blaine chuckled with them. It wasnt actually so bad that Kurt and Felix were getting along. "It is a very fitting name though, Felix. You chose well."

"Thank you my friend." Felix lifted his mug and tapped it against Blaines.

"Okay, there are so many questions I have to ask," Kurt said, watching them. "And are there many places like this, hidden homes under the city?"

"More than you might think."

"You two do business together?"

"Felix often knows buyers and is a collector himself. He also sometimes makes trades for me that I wouldnt be able to make and hes trustworthy." Blaine explained.

"And there is no one better at acquiring items than Blaine, so it is always exciting to work with him," Felix said, going to top off Kurts mug, Kurt putting his hand over it to politely turn him down. Felix was a heavy drinker and it didnt seem to faze him much and he always thought others should drink as much as he did. "The only thing I havent been able to help Blaine find is his heartstone," Felix added and Blaine shot him a glare.

"You know about that?" Kurt asked. "He only just mentioned it to me."

"The question is." Felix leaned forward again. "What do you know about it my boy?"

"Felix, dont," Blaine warned.

Kurt just looked back and forth between them, puzzled. "Nothing really. I know that his brother lost it and that Blaine has been looking for it for years."

"Cooper didnt lose it," Felix said, taking a swig of wine, and okay maybe his drinking was affecting him more than Blaine guessed, his tongue certainly seemed to be loosened. "The bastard stole it and then hid it. What was it? Nearly 20 years ago now?"

"Felix, thats enough," Blaine warned him sternly. He was always careful not to mention exact time frames to Kurt, the math wouldnt make sense, plus Felix seemed on the edge of telling him everything.

"Cooper is a piece of work, taking your heartstone with no regard to the fact that it puts your life in danger to not know where it is."

Blaine stared at Felix incredulously, until it clicked; Felix wasnt drunk, he was acting like he was as an excuse to give Kurt information.

"Danger?" Kurt focused on that detail like Felix must have known he would. "How does that put Blaine in danger?" He looked at Blaine and he could see worry behind Kurts eyes.

"Its nothing." Blaine said, getting up from his stool. "I think were going to go," Blaine said, giving Felix a pointed looked.

"But…" Kurt looked back at Felix again who shrugged at him, apparently realizing hed pushed his limits. Kurt got up and started following Blaine, but before he got to the door, Kurt stopped and turned back to Felix. "Wait! I had another question for you."

Felix glanced at Blaine briefly, "Sure, what is it?"

"Its about your door knocker? What is that thing?"

Felix didnt answer but instead looked at Blaine to say something.

Blaine furrowed his brow not wanting to talk about it, but answered the question. "Its a Dontizu." Kurt just continued to look at him in confusion and Blaine sighed and continued. "A Dontizu is an ancient creature that feeds off the life force of others. They are vicious and deadly."

"Why would anyone have that on their door?"

Felix spoke up now. "To ward them off! It is an old superstition that a Dontizu leaves alone dwellings with their image on it. I dont know if it works, but it doesnt hurt to try. And Ive never had one here, so…" He winked.

"Okay…" Kurt seemed even more confused, but Blaine just tugged on his hand as Felix followed them to the door to lock it behind them. They said goodbye and Felix reiterated how nice it was to meet Kurt and then they were back on the surface walking through the old church ruins.

"Felix certainly is a character," Kurt said as they continued to hold hands. "What did he mean about you being in danger? And what about those Dontizu things, he doesnt actually believe in them, does he?"

"He does. So do I," Blaine answered, his throat dry, nervous about Kurts reaction, but knowing there was no need to deny what he hoped to one day explain in full to Kurt. "Theyve been around for centuries, they are what many folklores are based on. Wendigos. Werewolves. Hell hounds."

"Right… but theyre still just folklore."

Blaine stopped and looked Kurt in the eye, he licked his lips and took a deep breath. Maybe if Kurt could understand this part of the story, it would pave the way for Blaine to confide more. "There are things in the world that are difficult to explain, things most people dont even know exist. Dontizu are one of those things. I dont just believe theyre real, I know they are."

Kurt stood with his mouth open for a long moment and Blaine held his hand, internally pleading that this wouldnt be something that pulled Kurt away from him.

"But theyre magical creatures, right?" Kurt finally said.

"Yes."

"So youre saying you believe in magic?" Kurt was looking at him helplessly, like he was trying hard to understand.

Blaine sighed and lifted Kurts hand to his mouth and placed a soft kiss to it. "Please dont think Im crazy."

Kurt cleared his throat and shook his head before speaking, and when he did, his voice was cautious. "I dont think youre crazy, Im just having a hard time understanding this... You think magic is real. That mystical creatures exist."

"Yes. There are other magical things as well…" He trailed off and watched Kurts face, wondering how much to say.

"Like what? This heartstone of yours, is that meant to be magic too?" Kurt wasnt mocking him, he just seemed genuinely perplexed.

Blaine nodded, "Yes." His chest started to tighten, Kurt wasnt buying it. And why should he? Hed probably never seen anything that would suggest to him that there was magic in the world.

"Right." Kurts face that was normally so easy to read was a blank canvas and Blaine didnt know how much he might be freaking out.

"So… I…" Kurt used his free hand to rub down his face and didnt finish his sentence, he seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Come here." Blaine tugged on his hand and led him to a stone wall crumpled low enough for them to sit on. They sat next to each other and Blaine took a deep breath. Hed gone too far to turn back now. "Do you trust me, Kurt?"

"Yes. I do, of course I do." Kurt answered quickly even as he tried to smile.

"Okay then…" Blaine let go of Kurts hand and got off the stone ledge to kneel on the ground. There were traces of snow in the shadows that still hadnt melted even though the day had been fairly warm. Blaine held his hands over the snow and didnt look at Kurt, worried about his reaction. Instead, he watched the snow as it started to break apart and lift to the air, individual snowflakes floating and swirling like mist in the wind. Blaine stood as the snow rose and continued to spin around until it was a small harmless cyclone of snowflakes dancing around him and Kurt.

This was easy magic, but Blaine rarely used magic anymore these days and he knew Kurt was watching so his heart was pounding heavy against his ribcage. The snowflakes started sparkling silver and catching the sunlight looking more like twinkling glitter than snow, it was actually quite beautiful. Blaine caused the snow to float and spin for a moment before he let them melt and fade away and he was left standing on a patch of dead grass with no snow around them anymore. He steeled himself and finally let himself glance at Kurt.

Kurt was sitting ramrod straight, his eyes wide and startled and a hand over his mouth.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked tentatively and sat back down next to him, taking it as a good sign that Kurt didnt flinch away. Or maybe he was too much in shock. Kurt stared at Blaine nearly unblinking.

"Oh my god. H-how…?" Kurt asked from behind his hand.

"I may have… a little bit of magic," Blaine said and smiled at him, hoping to come off reassuring.

"You…" Kurt lowered his hand, but his face was pale and his eyes still round. He stood up abruptly from the wall. "I have to go."

"Kurt please-"

"No, I have to go. Now."

"Okay," Blaine answered gently. "Okay, I understand."

Kurt nodded and grabbed his picnic basket that he was still carrying around from earlier in the day and then turned on his heels, not exactly running away but walking very quickly. Blaine wanted to chase after him, but he knew that wouldnt help. He would give Kurt time to process what just happened and then talk to him again soon. It would all work out, it would be okay. Blaine sat back down on the wall and started to cough again, worry filling his chest. Please let it be okay.