Kurt finished up in the bathroom, not even trying to keep the delirious smile off his face. He didn't care if his boxers were wet or that he could really use a shower. What they'd done, the feelings he'd felt... it had been as close to perfect as Kurt thought it could get. And the man who'd invoked all those feelings was standing right outside waiting for him. Wiping his hands on a paper towel, he chucked it in the trash and walked out. Blaine was standing right where he'd left him, a hesitant smile on his face.

Kurt grinned shyly. "You're turn. I'll wait right here for you."

Blaine leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips, loving the sigh that escaped Kurt's mouth. "I'd like that."

After the bathroom door closed, Kurt sank back against the wall, closing his eyes. Life felt perfect right now. He had friends at his new college, he was in the best singing group in the country, and there was a man who felt something strong for him. He wasn't quite sure what yet, but it seemed since Blaine's song, their odd relationship had turned a corner. Hearing a familiar voice, he looked down the hall towards the party. Jason was coming toward him, looking concerned. He met him halfway, enjoying the slight wobbly feeling in his legs.

"Hey, what's up?" Kurt said with a grin. He knew he must look dopey, but he didn't care.

"Have you seen Colton? I've been looking for him and he's not answering my texts," Jason said, his eyes worried.

"I haven't seen him for a while. I know he was dancing with a blond guy for a while. I'll let him know you're looking if I see him," Kurt assured him. Jason was a born protector; he'd probably been a mother bear in another life.

"Thanks, Kurt. I'm glad you came, you look better than you have since you got here," Jason noted with a small smile. Then his eyes clouded with worry again and he rushed off.

"I don't know about the looking better part, but from this view I'd say you are damn sexy," a low voice drawled behind him.

Kurt turned and looked up at the man who was standing uncomfortably close. He had medium brown hair and green eyes. He had a cocky smirk on his thin lips.

"From your coloring and the colorful accessories you've obtained on your neck, I'd say you've been one busy little cockslut, haven't you?" The man continued, stepping even closer.

Every flag in Kurt's protection arsenal began waving frantically. This was not a good situation and he needed to get away, now. He quickly debated the distance back toward Jason and the party or behind this guy and Blaine, who was still in the bathroom.

"Leave me alone," he stated, looking directly into the man's eyes. He'd been accused of 'asking for it', so he knew he had to be clear. "I don't want you near me."

"I don't think so. Kurt, right? That's what your friend called you. I'm Sebastian and I'm thrilled to make your acquaintance," he said, stepping into Kurt until their toes were touching.

Kurt realized he'd been backing away when his back hit the wall. Not good, not good, he thought. Can't be trapped, that's not good. Opening his mouth to yell for Blaine, Sebastian slapped his hand over Kurt's lips so hard his skin ripped under the pressure and blood leaked into Kurt's mouth. The guy was scary strong and Kurt felt cold dread fill him. He struggled and the guy managed to keep one hand on his mouth and one hand on his chest. Please, please let Blaine come out of the bathroom, he begged the universe. Or Jason, or anyone, send anyone to help me. Opening his mouth, he tried to bite the hand holding his mouth.

Sebastian's eyes widened and filled with lust. "Ooh, a biter. I like it. I've got something else you can get your lips on," he said and slammed Kurt's body harder against the wall. He quickly replaced his hand with his mouth, shoving his tongue into Kurt's mouth. Kurt screamed around the invasion, pushing against the guy for all he was worth. He couldn't get his knee up, he felt helpless as his mouth was violated. The old feelings were filling him and he began to lose the fight. He dropped his hands and let his mouth go slack, hoping the guy thought he was giving in. It worked and Kurt tried to remain calm.

"There you go, sexy, I know you'll like it," Sebastian said, grinning at him.

"Blaine! Blaine, help me!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Almost immediately he heard doors opening and people coming to investigate the sound.

"Kurt?" he heard Blaine yell and the sound was so sweet, his eyes filled with tears of relief.

"You little slut, I'm gonna get you for this," Sebastian growled at him, his eyes narrowed, before he turned and walked away.

Someone touched Kurt's shoulder and he shrieked in fear as he turned. "Kurt, it's me. What's going on? Why the hell is your mouth bloody?" Blaine's eyes were cold with rage.

Kurt pointed at Sebastian's retreating back. "That guy. Sebastian. Kissed me. Couldn't fight," he whimpered. "I didn't want him to. He called me a slut. I'm not, Blaine. I didn't want him to kiss me," he said, sobs beginning to shake his thin frame.

"I know you didn't, Kurt. Stay right here. You," Blaine said, pointing at two girls staring from across the hall. "You two stay here with him." At his sharp tone, they just nodded, coming to stand next to Kurt, patting his back awkwardly.

Blaine ran down the hall, pure fury burning through his veins. The haunted look of fear and violation in Kurt's eyes would stick with him for the rest of his life. "Sebastian," he yelled, not clear on who he was exactly. A tall guy with sharp features turned and grinned at him before slipping into the crowd. The man's face was imprinted in Blaine's mind and he ran full out, not caring who he ran into. As Sebastian crossed the threshold of the dorm leading outside, Blaine leaped onto his back, knocking him to the ground. With a grunt, they hit the ground. Without a pause, Blaine pushed the guy over and sat on his chest, throwing his fists into his face so hard, blood immediately began pouring from the guys nose and mouth.

"Stupid motherfucker, you don't touch someone if they don't ask you to. And you especially don't touch my man," Blaine growled, punctuating each word with another punch.

"Blaine, security is coming," someone from the porch yelled.

Standing up, Blaine swung his booted foot into Sebastian's ribs. The moan of agony wasn't nearly loud enough, but he'd quit for now. He needed to get back to Kurt. He yelled a quick thanks to the guy who had warned him and sped back through the house to the hallway. The girls were still standing there, talking quietly.

"Where is he?" Blaine demanded, looking up and down the hall.

"I don't know," one girl slurred.

"He ran off that way," the other one said, pointing to the opposite side of the house. Blaine sighed and ran toward the other end, but couldn't find Kurt. Going back to the main party, he looked around for Kurt's roommate. Spotting the tall man wasn't hard and Blaine made his way toward him.

"Jason, Kurt got attacked and I can't find him. He's okay, but I'm going to go check your guys' room. If he texts you or you see him, call me okay?" Blaine said in a rush.

Jason's eyes narrowed. "Who attacked him?"

"A guy named Sebastian. Right now he's doing an imitation of a lawn ornament out front after I kicked his ass," Blaine told him, a grim, satisfied smile on his face.

"Shit, I've heard of that guy. Likes to go after small guys. Okay, I'm gonna grab Colton and we'll be there as soon as possible. I don't want him here if Sebastian is around," Jason said, looking to where he'd finally found him earlier. Colton waved with a drunken grin and Jason crooked his finger, his expression serious.

"You guys look around here and I'll check your room. Call you in ten minutes," Blaine said. Jason nodded and Blaine dashed from the house, seeing Sebastian had either left or, hopefully, was dragged off by wild dogs. Fury was still pumping through him and he kept a steady sprint going as he went to Kurt's dorm. Taking the stairs two at a time, he made it to Kurt's room. He tested the door, found it unlocked and stepped inside. A quick glance told him Kurt wasn't there. He was turning to leave, wracking his mind for ideas of where he could look when a sound made him pause. It sounded like a wounded animal, the noise piercing Blaine's heart like a dull knife. A cold brick seemed to drop in his stomach as he approached the bathroom door.

"Kurt?" he said quietly, opening the door. He stepped inside and froze, his eyes wide and his heart breaking. "Oh Jesus, Kurt, what have you done to yourself?"

Kurt was sitting on the floor, sagged against the wall. His shirt was pulled up and his pants were unbuttoned and pushed down, exposing his abdomen and hips. Blaine couldn't make sense of the different colors all over Kurt's pale skin at first. Seeing a flash of silver in Kurt's hand, he darted forward, but not soon enough. Kurt dragged the razor blade against the flesh of his stomach, moaning as blood began seeping out of the shallow wound.

"Kurt, stop, please baby, stop," Blaine pleaded, on his knees beside Kurt. He took Kurt's hand forcibly and removing the razor blade, throwing it in the sink nearby. Closer up he could see each individual slice in Kurt's skin. There were at least ten fresh ones, judging by the ones that were bleeding. There were many more that were scabbed over. And surrounding those were innumerable fine white scars. Blaine felt tears well up in his eyes and he blinked them back. "Kurt, why?" he whispered.

"It won't get out of me, Blaine," Kurt whispered, poking the bleeding wounds. "It's still in there."

"What's still in there, baby?" Blaine said, taking Kurt's hand gently in his, desperate to help.

"The dirt. I try to get it out so it won't build up in me, but it won't come out this time. Blaine, why isn't it leaving?" Kurt's dull blue eyes were glazed over as he stared up at Blaine.

"Kurt, baby, there is no dirt in you," Blaine said helplessly.

"Yeah there is. I can feel it in me. Makes me feel sick. They put it in me. I don't want them to, but it just keeps happening," Kurt muttered, closing his eyes, looking exhausted.

Blaine had never felt so lost. "Who put it in you?"

"All of them. Karofsky, Azimio, Blaine, and Seb-Sebastian," Kurt hiccupped. "I didn't want them to, but they did it anyway."

Blaine blanched at his name being included in the list. Staring down at Kurt's ripped up body in horror, he finally made the connection. He'd kissed Kurt several times and it hadn't ended pleasantly most of the times. Had he been the cause of some of these scabs?

"My god. Kurt, I am sorry," he whispered, staring down at the man he was pretty sure he was falling in love with. "I'm so sorry I hurt you."

"S'okay. Tonight was nice. I didn't know I could feel so nice. And good. You are magic, Blaine," Kurt said, giving Blaine a tremulous smile. "I just wish the dirt would get out. It always feels better when it gets out."

"It's out, Kurt, it is, you can trust me," Blaine said, rising and going to the sink. Grabbing a clean towel, he searched the cupboards for ointment and bandages. He wet the towel and lowered himself back down to Kurt. Being slow and careful, he cleaned each of the small wounds, grateful that at least they didn't look like they needed stitches. He rinsed the towel out several times, trying to ignore the pink water swirling down the sink. He dabbed ointment onto all of the cuts, even the scabbed over ones and put band aids over the worst of them.

"Come on, let's get you into bed," Blaine said, gently helping Kurt stand. Kurt wobbled and Blaine swept his arm behind Kurt's legs and picked him up. Nuzzling into Blaine's chest, Kurt sighed. Tears escaped Blaine's eyes as he looked down at Kurt, cuddled into him so trustingly. Sitting him on the bed, he helped him take off his shirt, pants, and boots. Kurt pointed out his drawer of pajamas and Blaine picked out the loosest looking pants and a baggy t-shirt. Pouting at the plain clothes, Kurt let Blaine help him get dressed. Pulling the blankets back, he got Kurt settled in and covered up.

"I'll be right back," Blaine said quietly. "I just need to wash my hands." He went into the bathroom and cleaned up the specks of blood on the floor and the bandage wrappers. Washing his hands in the sink, he stared at the silver razor blade that was stained with Kurt's blood. He wrapped it in toilet paper and stuck it in his pocket. Knowing that Kurt had obviously been cutting for some time, he realized there had to be more blades somewhere. It didn't take him long to find the small black box that was filled with silver razor blades, some loose, some still in packages. He leaned against the sink, letting the tears fall for a moment. All this time, he'd been a prick to Kurt, having no idea that Kurt was hurting himself in response. Regret, hurt, and guilt ate at his heart. That beautiful, generous, compassionate, talented man was slowly torturing himself in response to other people's acts against him. Sticking the box in his back pocket, he went back to see if Kurt was still awake. His eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly, so Blaine started to leave.

"Sing to me," Kurt said quietly before he reached the door.

"Um. Okay. What do you want to hear?" Blaine asked, coming back to sit on the edge of the bed. Kurt looked so small, so childlike in that moment.

"Anything," he muttered, reaching out and taking Blaine's hand in his.

Blaine reached over and ran his hand over Kurt's face, tracing it's shape. He opened his mouth and sang the first words that came to him.

Time, is going by, so much faster than I,

And I'm starting to regret not spending all of it with you.

Now I'm, wondering why, I've kept this bottled inside,

So I'm starting to regret not telling all of this to you.

So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know...

You're never gonna be alone

From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,

I won't let you fall...

You're never gonna be alone

I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

Kurt smiled sweetly at him, opening his eyes for a moment before letting his lashes flutter shut. Blaine kept singing, realizing he was telling Kurt the truth.

And now, as long as I can, I'm holding on with both hands,

'Cause forever I believe that there's nothing I could need but you,

So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know...

You're never gonna be alone

From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,

I won't let you fall.

When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on.

We're gonna see the world out,

I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

Blaine could see Kurt had fallen asleep, his hand going loose in Blaine's and his face relaxed. Pushing Kurt's hair back, needing to touch him, he continued to sing, tears streaming down his face.

You've gotta live every single day,

Like it's the only one, what if tomorrow never comes?

Don't let it slip away,

Could be our only one, you know it's only just begun.

Every single day,

Maybe our only one, what if tomorrow never comes?

Tomorrow never comes...

The words couldn't be truer. What if tomorrow never came for Kurt? What if he pushed his body too far? Blaine felt sick at the thought of losing the best thing that had ever happened to him. Why? Why did this have to happen to Kurt? Why couldn't Blaine have treated him decently?

Time, is going by, so much faster than I,

And I'm starting to regret not telling all of this to you.

You're never gonna be alone

From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,

I won't let you fall.

When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on.

We're gonna see the world out,

I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

I'm gonna be there always,

I won't be missing one more day,

I'm gonna be there always,

I won't be missing one more day.

He promised these words to Kurt. He wouldn't miss one more day of life without Kurt in it. He would do whatever he had to ensure Kurt's safety and happiness. Staring down at that angelic face, he knew that as long as Kurt would let him, he'd be here for him. Taking out his phone, he texted Jason, knowing it had been longer than the ten minutes he'd promised. He told him Kurt was home and in bed. Jason replied back that he was going to stay in Colton's room that night. The other man had drunk too much and was sick, so Jason would stay and take care of him. Blaine shot another text back saying he'd be staying in the room with Kurt, just in case he needed anything. Jason thanked him and promised to be back in the morning. Blaine sat there, looking at Kurt. His Kurt. His hands flexed unconsciously. He would kill Sebastian if he ever saw him again. He would hurt anyone who gave his man even a split second of unhappiness. Standing, he grabbed Kurt's jeans off the floor and found his keys. He locked Kurt's room and ran out of the dorm, not wanting to be gone too long. He found the Dumpster and threw the black box and the wadded up tissue into it. Saying a silent prayer that this would be the end of it, he hurried back to Kurt. Coming in the room quietly, he saw Kurt was looking restless, a worried look on his face. Blaine lowered himself down next to Kurt, pulling him into his arms. Kurt took a deep breath in through his nose, like he was sniffing Blaine. Then his arm wrapped around Blaine's waist and his head nuzzled closer until he was tucked into Blaine's side. A contented sigh left him as he settled back into sleep. Blaine smiled down at him for a moment.

Now came the question. What did he do? Did he tell someone? Did Kurt need to get help? He had no idea. He decided to talk to Jason in the morning. He was a trustworthy guy who really seemed to like Kurt. Satisfied that he had at least that much planned, he closed his eyes, holding Kurt closer to him, trying to wrap as much of himself around Kurt as possible.

"I'm so sorry, Kurt," Blaine whispered to the sleeping man. "I promise you that I will never hurt you again."

Kissing the top of his head, Blaine closed his eyes and let himself drift to sleep.