Your Heart Outside Your Body

The Theft

The anthem played, and then the faces flashed in the night sky that was visible through the canopy of trees. Kurt, Finn, and Blaine were positioned at the edge of the forest, the vast expanse of meadow only twenty yards away. Finn was peering up at the sky. "Only two down today," he said. "It's weird to see it from here."

Blaine looked up as well. "Hope our faces aren't up there after this."

"Cheerful thought, Blaine," Kurt said. He was determinedly not looking up, but perched on a low pine branch and tying the bag up in a tree. "There."

"We ought to have a way to mark this so we can find it again," Finn said.

"Any suggestions on how we can do that so we can see it and they can't?" Kurt asked sarcastically.

"Dude, you're cranky when you're hungry."

"No, I'm cranky when my ribs hurt and I'm trapped in arena where everyone is trying to kill me."

"We're not trying to kill you," Blaine said.

"Right now."

"Wow. You are bitchy."

Kurt sighed and eased himself down the tree. "Let's stop arguing about my supposed mental state. The bigger question is, if we get turned around, how do we make sure we're getting back to the same spot we started?"

"The mountain's right over there," Finn said. "Right across from us. That at least gets us in the right direction. I think that's the best we're going to do, Kurt. Besides, if this goes right, we'll have a lot more stuff."

"And if it goes wrong, we'll be dead," Kurt said by way of agreement.

Finn frowned and stretched. He wandered off into the woods for a moment, leaving Kurt alone with Blaine.

"Kurt?"

"Mmm?"

"Listen." Blaine shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know what's going to happen tonight. I mean, we're taking on the Careers. That's big. And I know Finn and I are trying to just be optimists about it, but I know you're right, too. And I just want you to know that this morning, in the woods? Before the rain?"

"The kissing?" Kurt said, glad that the darkness hid his blush.

Blaine nodded. "The kissing," he said. "That was real for me."

Somewhere deep inside, something in Kurt leapt up in joy. "It was real for me, too," he said.

Blaine took a step closer. "Can we? Just once more?" Kurt nodded, and Blaine slipped his arms around him and pulled him close. Both of them were filthy and sweaty and completely ungroomed, but Kurt closed his eyes and let the kiss transport him out of the arena, just for a second.

"You know, if I was another tribute, I could have killed you right now," Finn said crossly, emerging from the woods. "I'm not trying to be a jerk, but could you guys be a little careful?"

"Sorry." Blaine pulled away, and then brightened. "But at least it will play well in the Capitol."

"Oh my god," Kurt said, his hand going up to his mouth. "I've completely forgotten about the cameras. My dad saw all of this." Finn frowned. "What?" Kurt said. "He can't kill Blaine." The joke fell flat.

"No, that's not it. I was just thinking," Finn said. "Unless there's a death tonight, the cameras are probably on us, aren't they?"

"Probably," Blaine said. "We're taking on the Career pack. Why?"

"Well, it's just you said you sing, and Kurt and I sing. So if the cameras get us, it might stand us a shot at getting sponsors, right? Some sponsors like that sappy sort of stuff. And it could be, like, a last thing for our parents to see."