Blaine stood staring out the window. It was getting dark out and the lights of the city flickered against the looming sunset. He used to think that was a beautiful sight, but now it felt more like an ominous warning that a dangerous city was about to become even more dangerous. He'd never look at the city with wide-eyed awe again. It was an evil place full of evil people running around doing evil things. Once Kurt was well enough he'd take him far away from here. He'd buy an island of their own where evil could never find them.

"Mr. Anderson." A voice said behind him.

He quickly turned, finally seeing a doctor standing in front of him. "Yes." He said anxiously. "How is he? How is Kurt?"

'This is it. This man in the long white coat is about to tell me if I still have a reason for living. He's got the answers that will either make me cheer or make me drop to my knees. What's it gonna be doc? Give me my life back please.'

"He's doing fine." The doctor said. "I'm sorry it took so long, but we wanted to run some tests to make sure he didn't have any internal bleeding or brain swelling. Fortunately, the test all came back good. He has some cuts and bruises, as well as a slight concussion. We'd like to keep him overnight for observation, but as far as I can see, he's going to be okay."

Blaine couldn't stop staring at the man's face, this absolutely beautiful, wonderful, saintly savior who said all the right words. He wanted to kiss this man on the cheek. He wanted to lift the man onto his shoulders and parade him around as his hero. He was an angel sent from Heaven and he just earned his wings.

A relieved smile formed on Blaine's face. "He's…He's really going to be okay?" He asked, wanting to hear the nice doctor say it just one more time to be sure he wasn't dreaming. "Are you sure."

The doctor smiled back, patting Blaine's shoulder. "I'm sure Mr. Anderson. With a little rest he'll be healed up in no time."

Sam grabbed Blaine, throwing his arms around him. "He's okay buddy." He chimed. "Kurt's gonna be just fine."

Blaine hugged Sam, his worry and fear melting away and replaced with gratitude and joy. The news was better than he could have ever hoped for, and with every breath he took he felt thankful to those who made sure he didn't lose the love of his life. Mostly, he was thankful for Kurt. Thankful to love a man so strong and determined that not even Satan himself could bring him down. 'How have I gotten so lucky? That man of mine never fails to amaze me.'

"Can I see him?" Blaine asked, not really willing to accept anything but a yes.

The doctor nodded. "I'll take you to him." He said, leading him down the corridor and around the corner. He pointed to a room just to the left. "He's in there. Don't stay too long, he needs his rest."

'Sure thing doc…I'll only stay as long as he's in this hospital. After that, I'm out of here.'

He stood in front of the door for just a moment. As anxious as he was to see him, he had to remember that Kurt had just went through something very traumatic. Despite his own overwhelming feeling of happiness and relief, he should be prepared that Kurt might be feeling a little differently about it all. The physical pain enough would be difficult to deal with, but the psychological damage something like this could do to him might run deeper than any cut and darker than any bruise. He took a deep breath, ready to give Kurt whatever support he needed to get past this.

The room was dim, a small fluorescent light just above the bed illuminating Kurt as he lay sleeping. He quietly walked to the bed, looking down at the face he feared he would never see again. He gasped lightly, the scraped cheek and split lip were more injury than he wanted to see. He expected it, but seeing the actual evidence that he was really beaten made it all too real. He wasn't badly hurt, but he was hurt…and that was enough to break his heart. He reached up, brushing a stray hair from Kurt's forehead. He knew Kurt would be angry if anyone saw him with his hair not 'just right'. Kurt stirred at his touch, turning his head and opening his eyes slightly, enough for Blaine to look into his glazed baby-blues.

"Hey." Blaine said softly, smiling, rubbing his fingers gently along Kurt's hairline. "Are you going to wake up and talk to me or what? I've got a few things to say to you mister."

Kurt gave a tired smile. "Hmm, like what?" He mumbled.

Blaine took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Well, I have to say things like, I love you Kurt Hummel with every ounce of my being, and without you I am nothing." His emotions swelled again, his voice cracking as he spoke. "And I'm so incredibly proud to call you my fiancé. Every day you show me new ways to be a better man. I'll spend my entire life striving to be the kind of person who deserves to be by your side, and if I lose my way, I only have to look at you next to me to steer me in the right direction. You're my guiding light, Kurt…without you I am lost."

He felt Kurt's hand squeeze back, his weary eyes dancing as if they were watching fireworks. Blaine could tell he wanted to say something back, but he was weak and still a little dazed. "You need to get some rest now." He said. "I have to go make a call, but I'll come right back. I promise." He leaned down, tenderly placing a kiss against Kurt's forehead. "I love you." He whispered, and then left to call Burt with the good news.

Burt leaned his head against the headrest, the muscles in his body suddenly loosening from its tension. His son was alive. His reason for living has been restored. Now all that was left to do was to get to NYC and find the criminals who wrongfully thought they could mess with the Hummel's and get away with it. They'll be sorry they ever crossed paths with Kurt, and by the time he's finished with them they'll be even sorrier they hadn't ran the minute they saw Kurt coming. An eye for an eye, that's all he was looking for.

Blaine didn't waste any time getting back to Kurt, sitting vigil by his side as he slept. It was a restless sleep, with Kurt tossing and turning as he mumbled incoherent words. Blaine could tell he was haunted by nightmares, his mind probably repeating the horrifying event that would forever plaque him. How does someone erase that memory? How do they not see it flash before them every time they close their eyes? Blaine knew Kurt's pain all too well. He knew the physical and mental road to recovery wasn't going to be an easy one for him. Years after his own attack he still struggled with the fear, the helplessness, the anger. Thankfully, with the help of an understanding therapist, he has been able to stay positive and let the experience fuel his determination to fight for change. He wasn't going to let his attackers win. He wouldn't give them the power they tried beating out of him. Kurt would more than likely go through the same struggle, and Blaine was actually glad he knew enough about it to help him through it.

He dozed off, his mind and body exhausted by the day from hell he could finally put behind him. He dreamt, but unlike Kurt's they were good dreams. The image of Kurt laughing and smiling as they fixed breakfast together for the first time. Kurt playfully dancing around the kitchen as he set the table. Kurt wrapping his arms around his waist from behind as he flipped the pancakes, lightly nibbling on his neck just to tease. Wonderful memories that he knew he would cherish more now than ever. He almost lost Kurt. He almost lost the chance to make more simple joyful memories of an ordinary morning on an ordinary day. He wouldn't take that for granted ever again. Every minute he shared with Kurt was a blessing he planned on treasuring.

He woke, rubbing his sore neck from the awkward sleeping position. He instantly felt the familiar feel of Kurt's loving eyes upon him. He looked up quickly, their eyes meeting with souls connecting even stronger than ever. They were both aware of how close they'd come to losing that connection, and the words unsaid between them at that moment spoke volumes. They said a million 'I need you's' A thousand 'I want you's', an infinite 'I love you's', all in one heartfelt glance.

Kurt forced a small smile, his cracked lip stinging but not enough to stop him from giving Blaine the smile he knew he needed. He could only imagine what Blaine had gone through. If the shoe was on the other foot and it was him who had gotten news that Blaine had been hurt, he would have for sure lost his mind before he even made it to the hospital…But Blaine wasn't as easily shaken. He was good under pressure, and more than likely kept himself together, at least on the outside. He knew he'd have some apologizing to do. 'I'm sorry I stupidly went up against a group of thugs. I'm sorry I don't have better fighting skills. I'm sorry I couldn't change the world fast enough…I'm sorry I scared you and gave you worry lines.' He would make up for this misjudgment somehow, but he knew it was going to take a little more than a dozen roses and an expensive dinner at his favorite restaurant.

"Hi." Kurt whispered with a dry mouth. "You didn't have to stay all night, Blaine. You look like hell."

Blaine chuckled, glad to hear Kurt still had his sense of humor. He took his hand. "Yeah well, I look better than you." He joked, though it wasn't even close to the truth. Even with the cuts and bruises he felt Kurt's handsome face outshined his by far.

Kurt attempted to laugh, moaning low at the pain it caused. "I think the bruises add character." He managed to say with a smile.

Blaine could see the pain in Kurt's face. He wanted so badly to take that pain away. "Try not to talk or move too much." He insisted. "Are you in a lot pain? I can get the nurse if you need."

"No." Kurt said. "I'm fine. It's just a little sore." He looked at Blaine, the overwhelming concern he was showing making him feel even guiltier than he already was. "It's not that bad, Blaine. I don't want you to worry."

"I'll make a deal with you." Blaine said, shifting the blanket around to make sure Kurt was well covered and warm. "I won't worry as long as you promise to do everything the doctor says and let me fuss on you until you're all healed." He looked at Kurt, raising an eyebrow. "I know how you are Kurt. You're stubborn and you hate taking orders. You have to promise you'll let me take care of you."

Kurt smirked. "You mean you'll do whatever I want whenever I want until I'm all better?' He asked coyly. "I don't see a down side to that, so you have my promise."

Blaine smiled, adjusting the pillow behind Kurt's head. "Why do I have the feeling you're going to enjoy this attention a little too much?" He asked. "You're going to have a lot of fun being the boss of me, aren't you?"

Kurt continued to smirk, already enjoying Blaine's doting. He was sure if it went on for too long it would become annoying, but for now it was nice to have him there to comfort him. They both needed it in their own way. Kurt needed the security he felt from Blaine's loving care, and Blaine needed to feel as if he had some power to protect and heal the man he loves. They would at some point need to discuss the tragic crime that nearly tore them apart, but before the cruelty of the world and its unavoidable effect on them took precedence, they were content to simply be happy and grateful knowing together they would get through it all with even more conviction to fight against anyone who tried to beat them down.

"Blaine." Kurt said quietly, the tears of gratitude filling his eyes. "I thought of you just before I passed out. I thought of how it would feel to never see you again, to never hold you, to never touch you, to never kiss you." He swallowed hard, a small tear escaping down his cheek. "I decided at that moment that no matter what, I wasn't going to die. I would fight with everything I had inside me to live…because I haven't even come close to spending enough time in my life loving you. You weren't anywhere near me yet just the thought of you saved me. That's how powerful your love is to me, and because of it I will always feel like you're there to protect me."

Blaine had no words. There was no possible way to express the overwhelming love and admiration he was feeling. Kurt was attacked, beaten, left for dead, yet somehow in the mayhem he found a way let him be the hero. It wasn't surprising; Kurt always had a way of making him believe he was a man worthy of the cape. Whether he was or not didn't really matter. The fact that Kurt saw the Nightbird inside him was all he needed to at least strive to prove his worthiness. Blaine knew who the real hero was. He didn't wear a costume or a mask or an invisible cloak. He wore bravery and pride and kindness as he walked through this world disguised as a fair-skinned, high-pitched, small town Ohio boy with a head full of dreams and a heart full of hope. A hero for the people…an everlasting love for Blaine Anderson.

As Kurt drifted off to sleep again, he heard the soothing echo of his loves voice surrounding him. He sang quiet and tender, lulling him to a peaceful safe place only they could find...

"Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around..."