Scars and Stones: Chapter 1 (Klaine)

When will this hell end?

Blaine felt the punches crash into him, each one more agonising than the last. He could hear the jeers and curses thrown his way, each one tearing at his heart. He'd done nothing to these people, why couldn't they just leave him alone? All his life he'd stayed under the radar. Even when everyone thought he was straight, people would leave him be. The jerks had him cornered in the alleyway. Three on one; Blaine stood no chance of winning this fight. Blaine looked at all three of his tormentors, one by one. Brock Damon, a stocky, dark haired boy with piercing eyes was flanked by Nathan Bridges, the tall quarterback who had once been one of Blaine's only friends. Before he came out that is. The third boy, Dean Young, was standing above Blaine, who had slumped to the floor.

Dean Young had made Blaine's life hell ever since Blaine joined the school. From his first day, Blaine had been slammed against lockers, been locked in cupboards and been called names. However, Dean had taken bullying to a whole new level. Blaine had been beaten up and foul mouthed by him, and Dean had even threatened to kill him. Blaine had no one to turn to. He had tried in vain to let the school know about what was going on, but every time he did they would come back with the 'We're sorry's and 'Insufficient evidence', meaning he had to fight his battle alone. His parents tried their best to be supportive, but Blaine kept most of the bullying a secret.

With all the strength he could muster, he tried to hold up an arm to defend himself. It was kicked away easily, causing the bullies to jeer.

"That's right, you can't fight back, can you? 'Cause you're a girl!" The boys (sometimes Blaine couldn't believe that these people were kids) smirked at one another. Blaine, looking up from the ground, tried to retort, but the pain caused him to be raspy.

"I'm… not…a…girl." This made his peers laugh hysterically. Dean moved, noticing something on the floor. The other two glanced at the object in confusion, but as soon as they realised their next mission, they grinned evilly. Dean stood up, holding the sharp stone in his hand, turning it over and over.

"You know, I think she's confused. Maybe if we gave her a reminder…" Blaine felt his blood run cold. They wouldn't be that cruel, right? He tried to reason with himself. However, as they advanced on him, he knew that they wouldn't stop. He attempted to crawl away, but his limbs were so exhausted and enflamed, he just couldn't. Blaine felt Dean lift up his blood-stained shirt, and he felt the sharp, dead stone skim his skin gently. It was a matter of time before the pain would become more intense. Dean was toying with him, and he knew it. Blaine looked up at the other boys, trying to catch Nathan's eye.

"Please, Nath. Don't let him do this." Blaine pleaded. Memories of their friendship ran through both boys minds; Playgrounds, soccer fields, sleepovers, and laughter whizzed by in a flash. Nathan avoided his gaze, looking anywhere but at Blaine.

"Don't call me that" was all Nathan could say. Dean laughed harshly.

"You hear that? He made his choice. The right choice. He knows that queers have to be taught a lesson." Blaine knew that was the end of the conversation, as he braced himself for the torture he couldn't escape. He couldn't stop the tears flowing. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate.

Kurt sat transfixed, staring at his boyfriend. Blaine finished recounting his tale, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Kurt, jolting out his shock on seeing Blaine's expression, reached out to hold his hand. All he wanted to do was hug and kiss and comfort Blaine, but he didn't want to smother him. Blaine gladly took it in his, pressing a kiss to Kurt's knuckles.

"You have no idea how happy I am that I met you." Blaine stated, looking into Kurt's watering eyes. Kurt's own tears fell, as he moved to wipe Blaine's from his cheeks.

"When… when were you found?" Kurt asked, being careful not to press Blaine too much. Blaine swallowed deeply, tears still falling freely.

"Two days later." Blaine scrunched his face in pain at the memory. Kurt watched him fearfully, heartbroken at seeing Blaine break down, knowing there was nothing he could do to change the past.

"What happened to them?"

Blaine took a deep breath before answering.

"Nothing. I told the police who did it, but the guys denied it over and over. Even Nathan. I had to look him in the eyes, knowing he was lying. He put on a perfect façade. He was sort of glazed over, like he didn't even know who I was. Like I didn't exist. All those years of friendship and it ended like this." More tears spilled from his eyes.

Kurt scooted closer to Blaine, wrapping his arm around his boyfriend. He didn't ask anymore questions. He didn't need too. Blaine leaned into Kurt's side, resting his head on his shoulder. Kurt rested his head on Blaine's, hugging him to him. He couldn't even comprehend what Blaine had gone through. Kurt understood the fear and humiliation, but no one had ever betrayed him the way Blaine had been betrayed. He could almost feel the hurt radiating from Blaine.

"Kurt…" Blaine whispered softly, after a few moments of silence. Kurt looked down.

"Yeah Blaine?"

"If…if I showed you what… what they did…would you freak out?" Blaine asked tentatively. Kurt looked at him. Kurt had never seen Blaine shirtless. Even when Kurt had been at Dalton, Blaine was never one to walk around the dorms in anything that would reveal too much skin. Blaine was one for covering up, not dressing down.

"Of course I wouldn't. Are you sure you want too?" Kurt was a little frightened about what would be revealed to him. Not because it would repulse him, not at all, but because he knew once he saw the scar, it would hit him how much Blaine had been through, how much it had hurt him. Blaine breathed deeply.

"Yeah, I want you to see it." Blaine took one of Kurt's hands, and pressed it to the hem of his shirt. Taking his cue, Kurt slowly pulled up Blaine's shirt. Slowly, the shirt slid up Blaine's body, until the scar was revealed. Kurt's breath hitched as he saw it. He had imagined what it may have looked like, but his imagination could not have prepared him for this.

There, plain as day on Blaine's skin, was a red 'F' shaped cut. It wasn't just a cut, it was a gaping wound. The edges of the scar were dull as they began to heal around it, but the basic shape was still evident; the raw, ragged red screamed against Blaine's olive skin. Blaine had begun to cry even harder by now, watching Kurt's reaction. Kurt was stunned. How could anyone have done this to Blaine? Sweet, brave, adorable Blaine who had never hurt anyone in his life?

Kurt looked up at Blaine, tears streaming down his own face. Blaine looked away from him, suddenly ashamed and embarrassed.

"It's the ugliest thing ever." Kurt slowly and soothingly ran a finger over the wound, letting it glaze over Blaine's skin. He then leaned down, pressing a small kiss to it. Blaine looked back at Kurt, astonishment clear on his face.

"You're beautiful Blaine. Please don't forget that." Kurt let Blaine's shirt fall down, as he pulled him in for a hug. Blaine tugged Kurt into him, clinging to him like his life depended on it. Kurt held him, feeling Blaine's sobs finally let rip. Kurt felt each convulsion through his chest as if each one were his own. He threaded his fingers through Blaine's hair, while rubbing soothing circles down his back. Kurt held Blaine to him for what felt like hours, until Blaine spoke up, his sobs subsiding.

"I've… I've never shown anyone else it before. Apart from the doctors and my parents, no one else knows that its there. Even Wes and David don't know about it." Kurt rubbed a hand down Blaine's back reassuringly.

"I know it was really difficult for you to open up to me like that. I'm so sorry for what happened to you. I wish I'd known you then. I wish there was something I could do…" Blaine reached up to Kurt's face, stroking his soft cheek beneath his thumb.

"Kurt, you've done so much already. Just knowing you, and loving you is enough." Kurt smiled, and Blaine smiled back. No matter how painful both their pasts were, in that moment all they saw was their love for one another. They would never let anyone touch them, or what they have, ever again.