The human starts packing things up around the campsite and Blaine watches him curiously. The man seems to have problems with the tent and Kurt goes to help him. Suddenly Blaine feels very lonely. He watches as that little family struggles to pack the tent while laughing. He doesn't understand why they are laughing. That one time he went camping with Sebastian's family everyone was yelling at each other and he was tied to a tree by a leash ‘for his own safety'.

Soon Kurt comes back and sits next to him again. “Sorry, my dad is useless with camping gear,” he says laughing.

“I heard that,” the man says angrily and Blaine cowers. Here it goes, yelling.

“Because I said it out loud,” Kurt sticks his tongue at the human and yet again laughs, his whiskers shaking slightly. His dad laughs too. Blaine is confused. “You know what, I will go find some clothes for you, okay? Mornings are getting colder and colder with each day so you can't be walking in nothing but boxer briefs,” he starts talking to the dog hybrid and moments later leaves again.

Why is everyone leaving Blaine?

As soon as the hybrid starts wondering what he has done wrong so nobody wants to be friends with him anymore, Kurt comes back. He is carrying some clothes and Blaine frowns when they are extended to him. He doesn't understand what Kurt wants from him.

“Do you want to put these on? This is the clean change I brought just in case,” the cat hybrid says. “It will keep you nice and warm.”

“You think he understands?” the man asks and comes closer.

Blaine starts freaking out inwardly. He doesn't know how he is supposed to act. What if he does something wrong and they leave him in the forest or beat him up?

“Blaine, please, lift your hands up,” Kurt says and when the dog hybrid doesn't make a move Kurt's dad takes his wrists gently and tugs them up. Blaine starts whining uncontrollably. He is scared and his body is aching.

Suddenly his arms are put into something, his head is pushed through some hole, and before he knows it the soft material is covering his body. The man releases his wrists and Blaine lowers his arms inspecting what has just happened to his body. There is something on it. Or he is in something. It's such a weird sensation and Blaine releases an excited bark when he realises that it feels good. He feels himself getting warmer and every little move makes the material massage his skin.

“I take it he likes his new hoodie,” the human says and Blaine barks again. He understands the word ‘hoodie' – it's something Sebastian likes wearing. Which means… it must be clothes! For the first time in his life he is wearing clothes!

“How about the sweatpants?” Kurt asks to get Blaine's attention. “Lift your legs for me?”

Blaine doesn't understand so he doesn't move but this time when the man takes a hold of his right leg and raises it up a little he doesn't struggle. He patiently waits while Kurt puts his leg through some hole in the pants, then his other leg, and also when he is told to stand up and the same material is pulled up to cover him up to his belly button.

Blaine touches all over his clothes and yelps when his hand slips into something. He takes it out but then puts it back in gingerly. He can't get in deep, only to his wrist but it radiates warmth so Blaine keeps his hand there. He can't believe his luck when he finds the same ‘hand cave' on the other side.

His tail is wagging and it catches the others' attention. “Look how happy he is,” the human says. “Think he would be okay with some shoes as well?”

After those words Kurt disappears for a bit and comes back this those things that people put their feet into. Both Kurt and his dad (still confusing how a human can be a father to a cat hybrid but Blaine's mind doesn't linger for long at that fact) are wearing them so Blaine is wondering why they need another pair. His eyes widen when Kurt squats in front of him and it hits him – those are for hisfeet! He was not only allowed a hoodie and pants with ‘hand caves', he was also getting those feet thingies that the man just called shoes. Maybe it was his birthday. Sebastian always got stuff during what he called a birthday.

His feet are placed into the shoes and secured with laces to make sure they stay where they should be. With some words of encouragement coming from Kurt and the human, Blaine takes a few tentative steps. His feet feel restricted but for once walking doesn't hurt. There is a gentle bounce when he is walking but he doesn't feel branches or rocks anymore, just a flat surface of the shoes. He can't believe he is allowed such luxury.

Kurt helps him sit down again and the man leaves. Blaine takes in his own appearance. Everything except his head is covered in clothes. As if reading his mind Kurt throws the hood over his head. Now he is all covered in warm clothes. It's the best day of his life.

“My dad will bring you something cold to put on your eye, it should help with the swelling,” Kurt says watching his face intently and Blaine wonders if his face is dirty.

Sebastian's father always yelled at him if he got his face dirty. And Blaine always did because whenever he was around he wasn't allowed to use his hands for eating. Dogs eat with their snouts only, he always said. Dog hybrids didn't have a snout like real dogs but eventually he accepted that he was to eat straight from his bowl when the man was around.

Blaine's memories were interrupted by the human who returned with a colourful bag. “Brought a bag of frozen veggies. It should help until we get him to the doctor,” the man says and soon the bag is on Blaine's face.

It's cold and wet but it helps with the pain so the dog hybrid relaxes and allows himself to enjoy the feeling. Kurt takes over the bag and the man walks away again.

“Dad is finishing up with packing things up and soon we'll be ready to go.”

Kurt talks to him so much. Blaine is not used to that. Mostly only commands would be thrown his way and from time to time some praises or scolding. Now, even though Blaine doesn't know the meaning of the words Kurt is using, he can feel that it's neither commands nor praises, nor chiding. He is just… chatting. A strange thought crosses his mind – Kurt is treating him as if he was more of a human than a dog. He doesn't know how he should feel about it but he likes the other hybrid's voice so he just sits there enjoying the sound.

Soon they are interrupted by the not-so-soft voice of the man and not long after Blaine finds himself in the back of the metal cage. It's not as nice as Sebastian's but the hybrid doesn't mind; he doesn't like them no matter what they look like.

Kurt sits in the back with him, leaving the front seat empty. Blaine wonders if Kurt always drives in the back or if he noticed his uneasiness and decided to keep him company. The cat hybrid has been so kind to him that he wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter.

“It's a two hour long trip so you can take a nap if you want,” Kurt suggests when they start driving.

 Sleeping sounds like something he would enjoy a lot so Blaine lowers his head on Kurt's shoulder, gives his neck a few licks, and slowly dozes off.

He wakes up when the cars stops somewhere. He feels disorientated for a moment until he smells Kurt and relaxes. Memories come back one by one and he knows he is safe where he is now. Kurt notices he is awake and smiles at him. Blaine smiles back.

They all get out of the car and walk to some building. That's where Blaine tenses up because it looks like…

“… a hybrid clinic,” Kurt finishes the sentence that the dog hybrid has not paid the attention to.

He doesn't want to go there, he hates clinics. The doctors are always very rough. They get him naked, make his asshole slick, and stick some long glass thingy inside for a couple of minutes. They put thin metal things in his arms that sting like hell. They put a ball in his mouth and lock it so he can't bite even though he never bites anyone. They don't care when he yelps in pain or whines in fear.

Blaine doesn't realise he is crying until he is pulled into the clinic and Kurt wipes his tears away. “Shh, it's okay, no need to be scared, it will be okay,” he says softly but Blaine can't stop crying. “I'll bring some tissues from the bathroom, be right back,” he says and Blaine is left with the human only.

“I'll go talk to the receptionist, Blaine, I‘ll be over there,” the man says and walks away leaving a miserable Blaine to sit by himself.

Blaine remembers how Sebastian's mother would go talk to the lady behind the counter and then not long after he would be tortured. Kurt's dad is probably discussing how to hurt Blaine. The hybrid starts shaking with sobs.

“Hey there,” he hears a female voice and sees a woman approach. “What got you so upset?” she asks sitting in front of him. He doesn't answer. “Oh your eye must hurt… Are you afraid of your appointment with the doctor? My son Finn doesn't like them much either. I have to bribe him with video games.”

“He can't speak,” the man comes back and sits down next to Blaine.

The woman looks up at him. “Excuse me?”

“He can't understand human language and he can't speak,” the man says.

The lady's mood changes from friendly to hostile in mere seconds. “How could you do something like this to this poor boy? You think just because he is part dog he doesn't have the right to be treated like human? Let me tell you, I know many hybrids who are smarter than most people are. If it wasn't for disgusting people like you, hybrids could do great things for our society.”

“Listen–” the man begins but the woman doesn't let him finish.

“No, you listen. If you wanted something you could treat like a dog you should have gotten yourself a dog, not a hybrid. Are you hitting him too?” she asks pointing at Blaine's eyes.

The hybrid stops crying, he just winces at the angry voice and looks up hopefully at Kurt who is coming back. “What's going on, dad?” he asks and sits down.

Blaine immediately moves closer to him, feeling the need to have the hybrid's strong protective arms around him. He might have brought Blaine to the clinic but the dog hybrid trusts him to defend him from the lady.

Kurt wraps one arm around Blaine's shaky body and starts wiping his face clean of tears, careful not to hurt his sensitive skin around the injured eye.

“Dad?” the woman asks confused, her anger subsiding a little.

“As I was about to tell you before you interrupted,” the man says, “we have found Blaine in a forest this morning. He was wearing nothing but boxer briefs and was all bruised. My son Kurt tried talking to him but he could only bark his name apparently.”

“Oh my god, I'm so, so sorry,” the woman says. “Geez, I'm so stupid…”

“You seem very passionate about hybrid rights,” the man says. “I don't like being yelled at but I forgive you since I hate hybrid abusers as well. Blaine here didn't do anything to deserve such life.”

The woman nods. “Believe me, I know. I see so many abused hybrids at work. Poor things are helpless against their owners.”

“Exactly. And the world is not much more accepting either. I fought hard for Kurt to be allowed to attend school but when the last year ended I pulled him out due to bullying. He is starting a new school after the summer holiday. Hopefully it will be better there for him.”

“Mr. Hummel? The doctor is ready to see you,” the receptionist says and when Kurt and his dad stand up Blaine remembers why they are there. Kurt's gentle hands have distracted him from his thoughts up until now. As he walks into the examination room all trembling, he can feel the tears coming back.

“Good morning, Burt,” the male doctor says smiling widely. Blaine wonders what he is going to do to him. “Kurt, long time not see. Been healthy recently?”

“Yes, doctor Martinez,” Kurt says proudly. “Taking my vitamins daily.”

“Very well done, Kurt,” the doctor says and then looks at Blaine. “And who do we have here?”

Blaine squeezes Kurt's hand hard and tries to hide behind him.

“It's Blaine,” Kurt says. “We found him in a forest this morning.”

“Hello there, Blaine,” the doctor says. “How are you feeling today?”

“He doesn't know human language, doc,” Kurt's dad informs him. Blaine wishes they would just begin the examination so he wouldn't have to suffer the waiting. “Could you examine his injuries and maybe run some tests to see if he needs any medication?”

The doctor nods. “Of course. Do you think he might have any broken bones?”

Kurt's dad is the one to respond. “Doesn't seem so. He doesn't have any swellings expect for his eye and he moves just fine, I think only his bruises are preventing him from walking properly. But I might be wrong,” he says.

“Alright, let's start then,” the doctor says and looks directly at Blaine again. “Blaine, can you be a good boy for me and sit on the examination table?”

Never letting go of Kurt's hand Blaine sits on the table whimpering silently.

“I need to expose his upper body to see the bruises,” the doctor says and Kurt moves to remove Blaine's clothes. The dog hybrid whines but doesn't struggle. He is soon shirtless.

“Don't worry, we will give you your hoodie back when this is over,” Kurt tries to assure him.

“Perfect, thank you, guys,” the doctor says and puts a pair of medical gloves on. “Let me see your face first…”

And so the examination begins. Blaine is close to tears yet again as the doctor touches his face and soon moves to his chest. When his tears start running down his cheeks, Kurt's dad walks up to him and takes his other hand, awkwardly patting it. He doesn't know if it is from the support he is getting or because the doctor is gentle but soon his tears stop. He knows that much worse is yet to come but at that moment he feels a little better. If his new friends hold his hands through everything maybe he will make it out of there alright.

“I have good news,” the doctor finally retreats. “Internally everything seems in order. I don't see any signs of internal bleeding so luckily we will only have the bruises to take care of. I'll prescribe you this great ointment, it heals bruises very quickly.”

“That's great, thanks, doc,” Kurt's dad says. “Can you run an ordinary examination as well? Wanna be sure we don't need anything else.”

The doctor nods and puts something in his ears. There is a long weird tube with something hanging from it. Blaine has never seen it before. He squeezes his friends' hands as the doctor approaches, rubbing the metal bit of the snake-like thing.

“Shouldn't be cold now,” the doctor says and Blaine watches with wide eyes as the thing is coming closer and closer to him and finally touches his chest. He tenses up but quickly relaxes when he realises that it doesn't hurt. “Calm down, Blaine, I won't hurt you, nothing to be scared of,” the doctor speaks softly. “Just need to listen to your heart and lungs.”

The doctor places the metal thing all over his chest and then moves to his back. “His lungs are perfectly fine but his heart–”

“What's wrong with his heart?” Kurt asks worriedly.

“It's beating like crazy so I can't tell much,” the doctor says. “But, the beating seems strong so I think there are no problems with it. He is just scared.”

“You are doing very well, Blaine, good boy,” Kurt praises him and Blaine smiles at him. Kurt thinks he is a good boy!

“Now, let's take your body temperature, Blaine,” the doctor says and Blaine's breathing hitches. He hates it. He doesn't want to have that slick thing in his ass, the same ass that clenches even at the thought about it. “Open your mouth,” the doctor says holding something in front of his mouth.

Blaine doesn't do anything so the doctor pushes his bottom lip down and the dog hybrid opens his mouth. Some long plastic thing is placed under his tongue and the doctor makes him close his lips. Blaine squints his eyes and looks at the thing in his mouth. Nobody forces him to get naked and there is nothing in his ass. He already loves this doctor.

“Why does he look so amazed by a simple thermometer?” Kurt asks. “He must have gone to examinations before. He understood where we were going when he saw the clinic.”

“Yeah and freaked out,” his dad points out. “He must have some bad memories about clinics.”

“From what I've seen and heard from you, Blaine has been treated like a dog his whole life,” the doctor says. “And the only way to take dogs' body temperature is–”

“Oh, okay, I get it,” Kurt stops him, his cheeks reddening a little.                                                        

At that time the thing in his mouth beeps and makes Blaine jump a little. The doctor takes it out and takes a short look. “It's a bit higher than it should be but I don't think it's something that needs treatment. Must be his body's reaction to the bruising,” the doctor says and moves to his table to bring something. This time Blaine recognizes it and releases the hands he's been holding, now making tight fists, protecting his fingertips where he knows this device would cut.

“Last thing, I need to run a blood test,” the doctor says and sees fear in Blaine's eyes. “If you can sit patiently through this I will give you a treat,” he says pointing at the cookie jar on his table.

When Blaine doesn't react the doctor's face falls a little. “He probably doesn't understand what that means,” Kurt says. “He does understand some phrases and acknowledges them. Maybe he wasn't given treats by his owners so he doesn't know he should be excited about them?”

“It's possible,” the doctor agrees. “If we showed him… um… Kurt, how would you feel about me taking your blood sample?”

“What are you trying to achieve here, doc?” Kurt's dad asks suspicious.

“I think that taking Kurt's blood sample and giving him a cookie would show Blaine that he would get a reward for behaving,” the doctor explains.

“That's a good idea,” Kurt nods. “Can we do that, dad?”

The man nods and Blaine watches as the doctor takes his little weapon and approaches them. He puts his hands in the ‘hand caves' and growls at the doctor. Can't he see that Blaine doesn't want this?

He is surprised when Kurt extends his hand and the doctor takes it, not paying attention at Blaine. He watches as the doctor cleans the hybrid's finger, places the weapon on his fingers, and moments later there is blood coming out of it. Kurt doesn't show any discomfort as the doctor takes some samples and puts a bandage on the bleeding finger. What surprises Blaine even more, the doctor opens the cookie jar and extends it to Kurt. The hybrid takes one and then takes a bite.

It smells so good and Blaine can't help but look at Kurt with envy. He always liked the smell of cookies. He is wondering if he would be allowed to have one if he acted as bravely as Kurt.

“Blaine, can you give me your finger, please?” the doctor asks him and Blaine contemplates his choices.

He can obey and maybe he will get a cookie or he can stay stubborn and he will be manhandled and forced to endure the pain anyway except with no chance of getting the reward. He releases his fists and extends his left hand for the doctor. Kurt immediately grabs his right hand.

“Well done, thank you, Blaine,” the doctor says cleaning up one of his fingers.

The dog hybrid closes his eyes, he doesn't want to see the procedure. The doctor pinches his finger a lot. Blaine doesn't understand why he is taking so much time so he opens his eyes to see what's going on. When he sees his finger he can't believe it's real – there is a little bit of blood but the doctor wipes it away and puts a bandage on it.

“All done, you did very well, Blaine,” the doctor praises him. How can it be done if he didn't feel the pain? The hybrid doesn't care about the answer, all he cares about is the cookie jar that is now in front of him. “You deserve a treat after being such a good boy.”

Blaine looks inside the jar like a pirate looks inside the biggest treasure chest. Kurt lets go of his hand and Blaine gingerly pulls one cookie out of the jar. He inhales deeply, enjoying the smell. He is about to take a bite when he realises it might be a selfish thing to do. So he carefully breaks it into four pieces and offers them to the others.

“No, Blaine, it's all yours,” Kurt's dad says, shaking his head. When Blaine doesn't pull his hand back, he takes one piece, smiling at him. “Thank you, Blaine.”

Kurt and the doctor each take a piece and thank him. Blaine notices they have left him the biggest piece. He puts it into his mouth and keeps it there until it becomes moist from saliva and then chews it. His mouth fills with sweetness he has never experienced before. He wonders if the doctor will want another blood sample.

“Okay, I have the blood test results,” the doctor says. “His owners must have neglected him mentally but physically they took care of him. Also, I can see that he has been given medication to stop his sexual urges. Some owners do that to prevent awkwardness of their pets masturbating or for whatever other reasons.”

“He's been neutered?” Kurt's dad asks.

The doctor shakes his head. “I haven't seen his genitalia so I can't tell you for sure but I assume, since he's been given temporary medication, neutering hasn't been performed on him. The medicine stops hybrids from getting aroused for three to four months.”

“Alright… anything else we should know about?”

“No, I'll just give you a prescription for that ointment,” the doctor says and removes his gloves sitting down.

“Doctor Martinez?” Kurt speaks up, “what should we do with Blaine? I mean, if we can't find his owners how to we get him better… mentally?”

“First of all,” the doctor says while writing something, “I hope his owners are not looking for him because I wouldn't want him to go back to them. Secondly, I highly suggest a hybrid therapist. You could of course try to teach him that he is not an animal and with time he could even learn English if you work on it but in a case like his I think a specialist in this field is required. I could give you a card of my friend who's worked with abused hybrids for over twenty years now.”

“I'll take that card,” Kurt's dad says, “in case we don't find his owners. If he is to stay with us, I'll make sure he is taken care of.”

“Very well,” the doctor says and gives him some papers.

Kurt helps Blaine back into his hoodie and they leave the clinic. On their way to the car Kurt's dad stops. Both hybrids look back at him.

“I think you both deserve ice-cream,” he says with a smile.

Kurt gets all excited and while Blaine doesn't understand what's going on, he feels excitement bubbling inside him as well.