Kurt walked down the road with a skip in his step, rushing down the muddy words as the rain started to pour. He was on his way to the Andersons’ place, where his family and friends were already waiting. The success of Blaine’s interview today and his overall affect at the Capitol had put a smile on his face. Maybe there was some hope.

But nothing could overshadow the small tingling in the back of his mind and his smile faltered. The games were to begin tomorrow. Tomorrow, Blaine would be rising out into god knows what type of arena. He would be hurt, bloodied, maybe killed…

Shaking his head quickly as if the dark thoughts could fall off, Kurt managed to bring the smile as he knocked the door of the small stone cottage which was Blaine’s home. Is Blaine’s home, Kurt tsked to himself and let himself him in at the a call from within told him to get out of the rain.

Kurt shook his brown hair out, droplets flying around. Looking up he said with a smile, “Hey everyone! Wait what…” Kurt was shocked to see everyone solemn. Mrs. Anderson was crying softly as was Lea and Brittany, everyone else with stony and sad expressions. “Why are you crying?”

“Because Blaine’s going to his goddamn death tomorrow.” Mr. Anderson snapped, but then ran his hand over his face, and movement so much like his son, “Sorry Kurt it’s just…”

Kurt just stared, confused, something bubbling deep inside of him.“But he’s been doing great. The interview, the opening ceremonies, the score…. Blaine’s coming back. Why are you crying?” He asked, his voice shaking softly.

“Kurt sweetie…” Carole began soothingly.

But her stepson shook his head violently, saying quietly, voice quivering. “He’s not dead yet.”

“Son, the odds aren’t good… You know Blaine. He can’t...” Burt said softly.

Kurt looked up at the group huddled in the room, swimming in their tears and sadness. Their surrender, his blue eyes flashing but shining in the dim let. Curling his hands into fists, he shouted, “HE’S NOT DEAD YET!” Covering his hand with his mouth to stifle a sob, he spun on his heel and tore out of the small cottage, slamming the door behind him with a crash.

“I’m sorry Mr. Anderson he’s usually not this…” Burt apologized.

“Stop stop Burt. It’s okay. This has to be tough on him.”

“I should go get him, he’s going to catch his death in that rain.” Burt said, moving to follow his son.

Carole stopped him before explaining quietly, “Leave him for a bit. He’ll be back soon. He needs some time.”

Burt nodded, before taking a seat, wrapping his wife in his arms.


Outside, the rain poured in sheets as Kurt blindly ran, ignoring the freezing droplets against his skin, plastering his clothes and hair down. He didn’t care what it would do to the fabric, whether he would catch a cold, or whether anyone was following him. All that was in his mind was the picture of a laughing boy, with dark curls falling lightly across his forehead, hazel eyes sparkling, rosy cheeks, a silky contagious laugh, and soft lips spreading into a smile as they bent down to kiss his own…

Tears slowly mingled his with the rain, and Kurt was surprised that the keening voice he heard was coming from his mouth. He sobbed painfully, gasping for breath and feeling the painful tug of loss savagely tearing at his heart as the knowledge of what he was going to watch on a giant screen tomorrow came crashing down on him, almost pushing him off his feet. Oh, Blaine, he thought with a sob, I can’t lose you. Not now, not like this.

After a while, Kurt calmed, feeling the rain pour down harder, shivering slightly. He drew in a shaky breath, and found himself in the meadow. Their meadow. The tall tree still stood strong, its branches whipping around in the strong wind, but still standing strong. And as the thunder rumbled and lightning cracked and the rain came down in sheets, Kurt opened his mouth and did the only thing he could do at a time like this. He began to sing.

I let it fall, my heart,
And as it fell you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me

My hands, they were strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet

But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew.
All the things you'd say
They were always true, always true,
And the games you play
You will always win, always win.


And I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
While it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard them reading out your name,
your name!

Kurt’s voice cracked softly as he choked out the next verse, thinking of the times he and Blaine had shared in this meadow, where everything was right. Where no one could harm them.

When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together
Nothing is better

'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew,
All the things you'd say,
They were always true, always true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.

Straightening up, Kurt shouted up to the dark sky, which continued to empty out its tears and anger like the boy standing beneath it.

And I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard them reading out your name,
your name!

I set fire to the rain
As they threw you into the flames
And I felt something die
'Cause I knew that could be the last time, the last time!

Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn…

Kurt trailed off at the end, letting out another sob and he sank down at the roots of the giant tree, curling up in on himself, imagining Blaine’s strong warm arms around him, keeping him safe again.

A hand reached down and pulled him to his feet, looking up slowly, Kurt stared numbly into not hazel eyes, but warm brown ones.

“Let’s go home bro.” Finn said softly.

Kurt allowed himself to be led away by his stepbrother, climbing to his room and stripping off his soggy clothes, and sinking into bed, and falling to sleep, dreaming of blood and hazel eyes.