That night at BreadstiX had been great. Blaine had finally felt comfortable being somewhere other than his or Kurt’s house, not flinching at loud noises or sudden movements like he had been since the attack.
He had chatted with all of the New Directions as the night progressed. Catching up with Mike, talking with Quinn, who it turned out had grandparents that went to the same church as Blaine’s did over in California. Rachel had even drawn him into a long conversation about the various roles he had had and even his summer jobs working in theme parks. Blaine even experienced a rather strange encounter with Brittany, she was intent on getting Blaine onto her internet talk show ‘Fondue for two’ to talk to her cat Lord Tubbington.
But through the whole night Blaine’s hand never relented its grip on Kurt’s, who had spent his evening quietly watching his boyfriend bond with all of his own friends.

...

When they got up to leave, Santana pulled Blaine into a hug goodbye, having a whispered conversation only the two of them and Kurt could hear.

“You’re coming over tomorrow right?” Blaine asked in a slightly anxious voice.

“Of course!” Santana replied giving Blaine a reassuring smile as she took in his anxious expression. “Is everything alright?” She asked her eyes filled with concern.

“Urm, yeah. Yeah. I just have something I need to tell you. Both of you.” He said looking at Kurt as well.

“You don’t have therapy tomorrow do you?” She asked. “We’ll both be over bright and early then.” She said smiling as Blaine shook his head, pulling him into a tight but careful hug.

“Ok, you two had better go. We promised your parents you wouldn’t be out too late.” She said releasing him from her grip before pulling Kurt in for a quick hug. “Come on, I’ll walk you guys to Kurt’s car.” She finished leading them out to the car park.

Kurt could feel Blaine’s grip on his arm tighten slightly as the exited the safety of the restaurant and stepped out onto the parking lot.

“I’ve got you, Blaine.” Kurt said patting Blaine’s hand with his as he led him to his car careful of the ice that still slicked the pavement.

“See you tomorrow Santana!” Kurt called as she walked away and over to her own car.

...

After Kurt had dropped Blaine home, promising to call when he got home for a chat before bed, Blaine’s dad came into Blaine’s room where he had moved to the previous night.

“Hey, Kiddo.”

“Oh, hey dad.” Blaine said looking up from his iPod. “Mom still out at her book club?” He asked.

“Yeah, she called while you were out to say her and the girls were going for a meal after.” Richard Anderson replied.

“Oh, ok.” Blaine said. “Urm, Dad. I think I’m going to tell them.” He said looking up at his father. “About what happened, you know. Before I went Dalton.”

“Ok, are you sure about this Blaine?” His dad asked concern etched on his face.

“Yeah, I am. I talked about it in therapy and I think they both deserve to know. Especially Kurt.” Blaine said looking up at his dad.

“Ok, I’ll tell your mom when she gets in.” He said nodding as Blaine’s phone started ringing. “That’ll be Kurt.” He said chuckling. “Don’t stay on the phone too long, kiddo. I’ll see you before I leave for work in the morning.” Richard said ruffling his son’s hair before he left the room.

...

“Hey Kurt.” Blaine said as he answered his phone.

“Hey, you must be tired.” Kurt replied. Blaine could hear the worry in his boyfriend’s voice over the phone. “You had a long day. And you didn’t sleep too well last night.” Kurt continued.

“I guess I am a little bit.” Blaine said trying to stifle a yawn.

“I had an idea.” Kurt said laughing lightly as he heard Blaine yawning. “You always sleep best after you call me and I sing you back to sleep. So maybe I should try singing you to sleep now?” Kurt suggested.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Blaine said his eyes beginning to droop as he got comfortable in his bed. “Thank you again for today. I meant so much to me.” Blaine said in a small voice.

“It was nothing.” Kurt replied smiling. “So, what would you like me to sing?”

“I don’t mind, anything as long as it’s you.” Blaine replied.

“Ok, I know what song. Are you lying down?” Kurt said after a short pause.

“Yep.” Blaine replied immediately.

“And have you taken your medication?” Kurt asked.

“Yes mother.” Blaine said rolling his eyes.

“Good. I only ask because I care about you Blaine.” Kurt replied a smile on his lips. “Ok close your eyes.” Kurt said.

“You light the skies up above me.
A star so bright you blind me.
Don’t close your eyes,
Don’t fade away,
Don’t fade away,
Ohhh.”
Kurt sang softly into the speaker. He could hear Blaine’s breathing beginning to even out, but he know he wasn’t asleep yet.

“Yeah you and me we can ride on a star,
If you stay with me girl,
We can rule the world.
Yeah you and me we can light up the sky,
If you stay by my side
We can rule the world.

If walls break down, I will comfort you.
If angels cry oh I'll be there for you.
You've saved my soul
Don’t leave me now
Don’t leave me now.

Ohhh.

Yeah you and me we can ride on a star,
If you stay with me girl,
We can rule the world.
Yeah you and me we can light up the sky,
If you stay by my side,
We can rule the world.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.

Ohhh.
Yeah you and me we can ride on a star,
If you stay with me girl,
We can rule the world.
Yeah you and me we can light up the sky,
If you stay by my side,
We can rule the world.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.

All the stars are coming out tonight.
They're lighting up the sky tonight,
For you,
For you.”

By the end of the song Kurt could hear Blaine breathing softly on his end of the phone. Part of him hoped that Blaine had heard most of the song because of the meaning behind it.

“We really will rule the world someday Blaine. I love you.” Kurt whispered over the phone before hanging up to go and finish his skin care routine before bed and get a glass of water from downstairs.

...

“Hey, Kiddo, you’re up kind of late aren’t you?” Burt asked from his seat on the couch when Kurt came downstairs to fetch himself a glass of water.

“Yeah, I was just on the phone with Blaine, but I’m going to bed now I promise.” Kurt replied quickly. He knew his dad approved of Blaine and was worried about him after what had happened, but Kurt wasn’t sure how he would react to him being up late on the phone with his boyfriend even if it was a weekend.

“Oh, ok.” Burt said with a small smile as he nodded, patting Kurt on the arm.

“How’s he doing sweetie?” Carol asked from where she was sat on the sofa to Kurt’s left.

“Urm, ok I think. He’s just having trouble sleeping at the moment. Nightmares.” Kurt said in a sad voice.

“Oh, sweetie. I’m sure it’ll be ok soon. Just make sure he knows we all love him won’t you?” She asked standing up to give Kurt a quick hug.

“I will. That’s what we showed him today, in glee club.” Kurt said as he allowed Carol to wrap him in her motherly embrace.

“Ok sweetie, get your water and go to bed now, you look exhausted.” Carol said releasing Kurt from her hold.

“Ok, thanks. Night guys.” Kurt said as he left the room.

“It just isn’t fair.” Burt said after his son had left the room.

“I know, neither of them deserved this. But it’s happened, and we just need to be there for them. For both of them.” Carol replied reaching her and out to Burt, who took it in his.
“Come on; let’s go to bed now too.” She said as she pulled him up and they headed up stairs.

...

The next morning Blaine was surprised by how awake he felt. He hadn’t slept a full night since the attack.

He made his way downstairs slowly, his ribs were still pretty tender, but he was getting used to moving around with them now.

“Good morning.” Cristina said with a smile as Blaine walked into the kitchen, pouring him a cup of coffee and sliding it across the breakfast counter to him. “Did you sleep well? You were out like a light when I got home.”

“Yeah, I slept great actually.” Blaine smiled, “I didn’t wake up once.”

“Oh, that’s great, Blaine. How was the surprise last night then?” she asked as she surveyed Blaine over her coffee cup.

“it was really good, first Kurt and Santana ‘Pearl’ by Katy Perry to me, then the rest of the New Directions sang ‘Innocent’ by Taylor Swift. It was amazing.” Blaine smiled again.

“Well, it appeared to be just what you needed, I haven’t seen you this happy in a while sweetie.” She said smiling at Blaine.

“I know mom, and I’m telling Kurt and Santana about what happened today, you know, before I went to Dalton.” Blaine said looking at his mother.

“Your dad told me last night.” She smiled.

“Where is dad anyway?” Blaine asked. “I thought he’d be down here.”

“No, he left about half an hour ago. He didn’t want to wake you.” Cristina answered.

“Oh, ok. Kurt and Santana should be here soon anyway.” He replied looking at the clock on the wall when as if on cue the doorbell rang.

“That should be them then.” Cristina said getting up. “You go into the front room and get comfortable. I’ll let them in ok? Then I’m off grocery shopping. Is there anything you want?” She said directing Blaine towards the front room.

“I don’t think so.” He replied. “Maybe some ice-cream?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes, okay.” Cristina chuckled as she went to open the door. Finding both Kurt and Santana on the doorstep.

“Come on in you two.” She said as she opened the door. “Blaine’s in the front room, help yourselves to food and drinks, I’m off to the store so I’ll be back later.” She said ushering them in before picking her keys up from the table by the door and heading out herself.

...

Hearing his mum open the door Blaine began to feel nerves beginning to pool in the pit of his stomach.
Come on Blaine, he told himself. They’re your two best friends, they deserve to know this.

“Hey , guys!” He called when Santana and Kurt walked in.

“Hey sweetie!” Kurt said as he placed a chaste kiss on Blaine’s lips.

“Hey Blainers.” Santana said from behind Kurt, Making her way over to sit next to him on the sofa.

“So,” Blaine said taking a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you guys something, and it’s important so, just, please try not to interrupt me until I’m finished.” He said looking at Kurt and Santana in turn, who both nodded at his request.

“Ok, well you both know I went to public school before Dalton, right?” He said looking up to see both of them nod again. “Well, I never told you anything about it Santana, and I didn’t tell you much Kurt.” He said dropping his gaze again, before feeling Kurt giving his hand a comforting squeeze.

“Well, in my freshman year, there was a Sadie Hawkins dance, a-and there was this guy at school. We were friends. He was the only other openly gay guy there, and well, he invited me. The night went really well, I-I mean we didn’t do anything to attract attention to ourselves, but a-after. W-we were waiting for his dad to pick us up, a-and these guys. Th-they beat the living crap out of us!” Blaine gasped out as tears began to steadily make their way down his face. Kurt’s hand squeezed in his and Blaine looked up to see both Kurt and Santana had tears in their eyes.

“I-I we both ended up in hospital. Nate, the boy I went with was only there for the night, they broke his leg and apart from a few bruises that was it. B-but I came out of it a lot worse off. T-they broke my nose along with a few ribs and my collarbone. They also cracked my skull.” He stuttered brining Kurt’s hand up to touch the small scar on his hairline.

“I-I lost a lot of blood and was in hospital for a few weeks. I-I haven’t been back there since. Nate moved away, his parents were pretty accepting, b-but they didn’t want anything like that to happen again. He was pretty lucky. I think he’s living in San Francisco now. He had family there. H-he visited me in hospital to say goodbye. After the attack I-I just couldn’t face going back there, not that mom or dad would have let me. They made someone from the school empty my locker for me.”

“I ran, and I-I think I’m still running. T-the other night when I called you Kurt, after I’d had the nightmare. It wasn’t just of what happened last week. I-it was both. A-as soon as I was well enough I enrolled in Dalton. I felt safe there, then, then this happened, a-and all the memories I’ve been pushing back for so long have been flooding my dreams. I can’t keep running forever. Dalton’s great and I do love it there, but no one there knows what happened, except for Wes and David, but most of the guys there just think I’d just been in a car accident.”

Blaine took a deep breath, looking up at his two best friends. “Y-you two are the first people I’ve actually told this too, Wes and David found out from the Dalton admissions people, I never told them. Y-you two make me want to be brave. Kurt, you face your bullies every day at McKinley. I’m a coward; I was never brave enough to do that.” Blaine said as he broke into a fresh wave of sobs, before being pulled into a careful bug by Kurt, with Santana stroking his hair soothingly.

“Shh, it’s ok Blaine. You are so, so brave and you don’t even realise it! You are the reason I get through every day at McKinley. When we met, do you remember what you said to me? After I told you about the bullying?” Kurt asked pulling back slightly to look into Blaine’s slightly puffy eyes.

“You told me to refuse to be the victim, and that’s what I did. You gave me the courage to do that. You told me that I wasn’t alone, and that is what gave me the courage to stand up for myself. But Blaine, you never had that. When all that shit at your old school happened, Nate left, he left you alone. I know he wasn’t safe there, but neither were you. You were brave enough to go it alone, to say when it all became too much. Nothing, I’ve been through is anywhere near as bad as what’s happened to you. But Blaine, I promise you this, on my life; you will never be alone again, you have me now. And Santana too, and the whole of the New Directions. You’re safe now Blaine, you don’t have to run anymore. Okay?” Kurt asked when Blaine dropped his gaze again.

“Thank you.” Blaine choked out before bursting into a fresh wave of unending tears, and that was how the three of them spent the next hour, tangled together in a tight hug, crying over what happened. But Blaine knew he wasn’t alone anymore. Kurt was right he had people who cared about him.