Blaine felt like he couldn't breathe. His lungs were burning and he could barely see. The only thing that assured him Kurt was still with him was the fact that the other boy's hand was gripping his own so hard it hurt.

That alone distracted him from the fact that they were entirely submerged in icy, Atlantic waters.

He began kicking for the surface, fighting the suction created by the stern.

When his head finally broke through, he gasped for air and blinked furiously to clear his eyes of the salt water.

"Blaine!"

Kurt's voice was ragged, his breathing coming in gasps as he fought to put as much oxygen back into his lungs as possible.

But he was there, floating next to Blaine, clutching his hand.

"We -- We have to swim," Blaine heard himself yell.

Kurt nodded, and they began making their way through the throng of screaming people.

"Blaine there's a door!" he cried suddenly. "Well not a door -- but it looks like something -- Do you see it?!"

Blaine looked around frantically before spotting what Kurt was talking about.

"Alright, come on!" When they reached it, Blaine made Kurt climb on first to test the weight. It wasn't really a door, some sort of fixture -- and he supposed it had come off when the ship broke apart -- though how it had ended up right on this spot he wasn't quite sure.

Once Kurt was situated, Blaine carefully climbed on top himself, silently thanking God that it held his weight too.

"You okay?" he asked, breathlessly.

The brunette inched closer to him and took his hand once more.

"I'm alive." he said simply. "and so are you."

Blaine said nothing but pressed his forehead gently against the other teen's.

They could do nothing else but wait for something else to happen --- hopefully something good.

---

Blaine wasn't sure when he dozed off. All he knew was that he was so so cold, and that it was quiet.

Most of the screaming had died down.

"K-Kurt?" he said.

"B-Blaine." the reply was soft, but it was there. It was real. "I-I'm a-aw-awake." a pause. "W-Where are the b-boats?"

Blaine stared at him helplessly.

"I d-don't know."

---

Cooper was exhausted. One of the men had given him a coat and, though damp with icy water, it felt wonderful and he carefully tucked it around himself.

He'd seen the boats organize from a distance, and now could see one making its way through the floating bodies, hoping to find survivors.

He sighed and covered his face with his hands, hoping a ship would come rescue them soon.

---

"Can anyone hear me?!"

Kurt flinched at the shout, lifting his head, which felt like it weighed a ton, and looked around.

A bright light flashed in his eyes.

A flashlight!

A boat had come back. A boat had come to save whomever they could from dying in the water.

In Kurt's oppinion the other boats could've helped and saved a lot more.

When the light passed over them again, he carefully pulled himself up on this knees and waved frantically. He screamed as loudly as his hoarse voice would allow.

He thanked whatever deities existed that someone somehow heard him and that the boat made its way to them.

"They're alive! Make room!"

Kurt felt himself being lifted up into the boat by one of the officers. Another one wrapped him up tightly in a blanket.

Blaine coughed violently as one of the officers lifted him into the boat. He reached for Kurt and clung to him, only letting go to suddenly vomit over the side of the boat.

Kurt held him carefully, sighing in relief because they were safe.

They were safe and they could go to New York together.

---

In what seemed like hours later, the Carpathia came to their rescue. Kurt refused to be separated from Blaine when they reached the boat deck.

They were sitting in steerage, curled up against each other on the floor, Kurt's head on Blaine's shoulder.

"Blaine!"

Kurt flinched, and both looked around, alarmed.

Then Blaine cried out, and it took the other boy a moment to realize why:

Cooper.

Cooper was making his way across the deck, picking up speed as he neared them. Blaine launched himself at his brother as soon as he was within reach.

"Oh my God -- you're okay, you're alive," Cooper was sobbing. "Blaine I was so scared --"

"Me too," Blaine was crying. "Me too, Coop."

The two brothers hugged each other tightly before Cooper took the blanket from where it had fallen and wrapped it securely around his little brother before looking at Kurt.

"Kurt I'm glad you're okay too." he said, wiping his eyes. "I think your dad came down here earlier looking for you."

Kurt nodded, biting his lip slightly.

"Have you seen Sebastian?" he asked cautiously.

Cooper's face darkened.

"I did, but he barely got halfway down the steps to this area before he turned back. Haven't seen him since." he looked at Blaine. "I might have gotten a cabin -- I just need to clarify with one of the officers." he turned to Kurt. "You're welcome to stay with us -- unless you want to go find your dad. I'm sure he's out of his mind with worry."

Kurt swallowed his guilt and stared toward the steps leading to the first class area. He couldn't risk his father having another heart attack, but he didn't want to leave Blaine. He couldn't.

But Blaine was staring at him, smiling understandingly.

"You should at least tell him you're alive." he said softly. "We're still going to New York together, and if you still want to get off the ship together, we can, but --"

"I'll tell him I'm alive." said Kurt firmly. "but as far as I'm concerned I am still getting off the Carpathia with you when we dock. I know my father means well...but I'd like a chance at living my own life -- with you."

Blaine smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I love you." he breathed.

The brunette smiled.

"I love you too. I'll be back soon, I promise."

---

It didn't take long for Kurt to find his father, step-mother, step-brother, and Rachel. Burt had nearly tackled him when he saw him.

"Oh my -- Kurt I thought --"

"I know, Father." said Kurt, hugging him back as tightly as he could manage. "I'm alright. I'm safe."

Burt wiped his eyes and stepped back, allowing Carole, Finn and Rachel each the oppertunity to hug his son.

"We've got a couple cabins assigned to us." said Rachel breathlessly. "You're welcome to stay with --"

Kurt shook his head.

"I -- I need to tell you all something." he said, hoping they wouldn't hate him for this decision. "Father, I love you...but I'm not getting off the ship with all of you in New York." he took a deep breath. "I'm getting off of the ship with Blaine, and his brother."

Burt frowned.

"Blaine survived?"

"Yes, we were rescued together." Kurt stared pleadingly at him. "Don't say anything, please -- I know things will be hard, but -- but I'm willing to let them be that way...because I can't stand to lose Blaine."

Burt said nothing. Rachel and Finn were staring at him like he'd gone mad. Carole looked like she wanted to cry.

Kurt turned to leave, and Burt grabbed his arm, pulling him back into another hug.

"I don't understand why...but you tell Blaine he better be good to you. Understand?"

Kurt laughed and buried his face in his father's neck.

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too, son."

---

Blaine was once again soaked, clothes sticking to his body, hair plastered to his forehead as he stood out on the open deck of the Carpathia as it docked in New York.

A hand slid into his own, and he turned to smile at Kurt.

As unexpected as the whole trip to New York had been, it had given him Kurt.

And Blaine would never forget that.