As If It Was Easy

Chapter 18

"I'll be fine! I'm fine!" Blaine repeated.

"I'll be okay." Elizabeth whispered.

He could see the repeated images of her dying in the same hospital bed. Then he saw Blaine getting beaten to a bloody pulp by that same Jack kid.

He jumped up, ripping away from Blaine.

"Kurt...?"

Kurt tried to catch his breath, failing miserably and humiliatingly. Blaine sat up next to him, slowly taking in his form.

"Kurt..."

Kurt closed his eyes but as soon he did, he could feel the images resurface. When he screamed, Blaine panicked.

"Kurt!"

Eventually, the taller boy's eyes shot open. He clamped his hands over his mouth. At first he didn't move, unsure if he was back in reality. That was, until Blaine put his hands on Kurt's shoulders from behind. He flinched from initial shock but slowly relaxed into his touch.

"B-Blaine...?" Kurt whispered.

"Yes..." Blaine whispered back. "It's me... Are you okay? What happened?"

Kurt shook his head laid back down beside him.

"Just hold me..."

Blaine watched him for a moment before doing what he was told. He was behind Kurt with his head nuzzled into his shoulder.

**********

"So... Jack?" Kurt said.

"What?" Blaine questioned.

"Are we just not gonna talk about what happened?"

"There's nothing to talk about..."

"You said he would come back-"

"Anyway-"

"You can't just 'anyway' this! He hit you!"

"And I hit him!"

"No, you tried to hit him and missed. Then he hit you again! And you... you weren't doing the best afterwards..."

Kurt's eyes wandering over to Blaine's hands which were slowly forming into fists again.

"Hey, calm down, okay? Just try to tell me who he is...? It's obvious you have some sort of history with him.."

"I don't have to tell you anything!" Blaine snapped. "Stop asking!"

Kurt recoiled.

"Why haven't you told me about your dream?Why am I always telling you everything here? I'm the badass! I'm the one who's supposed to protect you a-and stuff... You don't protect me! You don't take care of me! I take care of myself!"

"Blaine..." Kurt tried.

"You know what? I..."

Blaine was getting worked up, suddenly feeling the anger surge through his body. He stood and stared into Kurt's eyes for a moment before melting back into consciousness.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Kurt watched, confused by the sudden change.

"I'm sorry..." Blaine repeated. "He's one of the boys..."

"Uh... what boys?"

"The boys that beat me up before prom!"

"I beg your pardon?"

Blaine sighed again.

"Look, I love you, okay?" Kurt said. "I'm not gonna let them hurt you. We're gonna get through this."

"He's stronger than I am. He doesn't hesitate... He's hard core. He's got no family, no friends and no patience."

"Blaine..." Kurt whispered. "Just calm down. I don't think you're ready to talk about this right now..."

Blaine closed his eyes and nodded. He watched Kurt take his hand and begin to pry his fingers apart because they they had formed into fists yet again. Once he was done with that, Kurt gave Blaine a quick kiss and moved away from him.

***********