“Kurt! Kurt, your phone is ringing!”

“Thanks Dad!” Kurt picked his phone up off the table and smiled at the Caller ID. “Hi Blaine!”

“Kurt?”

“Oh hi Nate. Why are you on Blaine’s phone?”

“I needed to call you.” Blaine’s brother sounded nervous. “Kurt, you gotta come over.”

Kurt frowned. He didn’t like where this was going. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Blaine and my dad got in a really big fight. I’m hiding in my room right now, but it sounds really bad.”

“How bad?” Kurt asked frantically, his heart racing.

“I think my dad is really hurting him!” Nate sounded close to tears. “Kurt, please! You gotta come help him!”

“I’m on my way!”

“Hurry!”

Kurt hung up the phone and ran out the door, grabbing his keys and shouting a rushed goodbye to his dad. His heart was pounding as he revved the engine of his car and pulled out of his driveway. Nate’s panicked voice was echoing in his head: Blaine and my dad.....really hurting him.....big fight......help him......help him......help him..... The ride to the Anderson home felt agonizingly long and Kurt was nearly hyperventilating by the time he pulled up in front. He jumped out of the car and bolted to the front door, throwing it open. His heart nearly stopped as he heard shouting and cries of pain coming from the floor above.

“Blaine!” Kurt screamed desperately. The shouting ceased. Kurt listened intently for his boyfriend’s voice. He heard nothing. He cried out again, hoping, praying for a response, some sign that Blaine was okay.

Suddenly, Kurt heard footsteps above him and Blaine appeared on the upper landing. He was pale. There was a bruise forming around his left eye and there was dried blood around his nose, which appeared to be broken. His hair was unruly and there was a rip in his t-shirt. Blaine stared at Kurt, stunned at his sudden appearance.

“Kurt,” he breathed. Kurt let out a strangled cry, filled with a mixture of relief and horror.

Before they could say anything else, Mr. Anderson appeared behind Blaine and grabbed him roughly, throwing him to the ground. Kurt watched in horror as Blaine fell to the ground with a sharp cry.

“Who’s that?” Mr. Anderson yelled, dragging Blaine to his feet. “Is that your fag boyfriend?!”

“Kurt!” Blaine screamed, but his father silenced him with a punch in the face.

“Please!” Kurt shouted, “please, don’t hurt him! Please stop!”

“You want him?” Mr. Anderson snarled. “You want him? Well, you can have him!” With that, Mr. Anderson turned and threw Blaine down the stairs. Kurt froze, watching in shock as Blaine tumbled down each step. Blaine threw his hands out, trying to find something to stop his fall. There was a sharp crack and he screamed in pain. His cry reawakened Kurt’s senses.

“Blaine!” Kurt ran forward and caught his boyfriend in his arms, stopping his fall. Looking up at the landing, he saw Mr. Anderson huff with disgust and storm away. He also saw Nate poke his pale face out of his room.

“Kurt...” Blaine whimpered and started to cry. Kurt hugged him tightly and gently readjusted them so Blaine was in his lap. Blaine sagged against Kurt’s body and sobbed openly, clutching his wrist.

“Shh,” Kurt murmured soothingly, rubbing Blaine’s back. “Shh, it’s okay, I’m here, I’ve got you. You’re safe now.” Blaine nodded, still crying into Kurt’s shoulder. Kurt rocked him gently, blinking back tears of his own. How could anyone ever want to hurt this beautiful boy? Kurt closed his eyes and kissed the top of Blaine’s head gently.

“Kurt, I...” Blaine choked back a sob.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Kurt responded. “You can stay at my house tonight, okay?” Blaine nodded and Kurt smiled sadly. “Oh, and Nate?” The boy’s face reappeared in his doorway. “If you want to call a friend and tell them you’re coming over, I can drive you.” Nate nodded and rushed to make the call. Kurt pressed another kiss to Blaine’s head and continued to rub his back, muttering “You’re okay, you’re going to be okay.”