Summary: Kurt's life is turned upside down after talking a stranger on the Brooklyn Bridge out of jumping. To make sure the suicidal Blaine won't try again, Kurt takes it upon himself to watch him for two weeks. But it's not easy allowing Blaine a glimpse into his life in return.

This story idea is inspired by Cecelia Ahern's novel How To Fall In Love.

Trigger Warnings: suicide attempt and talk about suicide. No character death!

SonofLuffy, LaurenEP18 and LvSammy, thank you so much for helping me with this story so far! I love you guys!

Chapter 1 - How To Hold On For Dear Life

It was almost midnight. The night was dark, cold and unpredictable and therefore mirrored Kurt's mood perfectly. There had been a storm just the night before, leaving the streets in a mess of junk that no one had bothered to clean up yet.

Kurt walked fast and steady with his hands deep in his pockets and his scarf pulled up so high his mouth and nose were hidden to protect himself against the sharp wind.

Kurt had taken a lot of nightly strolls lately. Never in Manhattan, because the city was as much alive at night as it was by daytime. New York consisted of more than just the isle of Manhattan, but people only ever wanted to see the bright city, never the surrounding boroughs supporting it.

There weren't any pedestriants on the Brooklyn Bridge. Kurt was the only one and he preferred it that way. Lately he had come to hate company. It was easier being alone.

There were only a few cars crossing the bridge, mostly cabs driving people into the city where they wanted to go out clubbing, dancing and drinking the night away. Kurt moved on. His ears were already aching from the cold and his nose was numb, but he hardly felt it.

Kurt stopped in the middle of the bridge, leaned against the railing and looked up into the cloudy sky first, trying to make out the moon or a few stars, but there were dark clouds blocking the view, not even allowing a gimpse of the night sky. He turned his gaze downward to the thick mass of darkness growling beneath him like a hungry monster lurking for its prey.

It was impossible to stare into the dark moving mass of the river deep beneath him and not to imagine how fatal a fall would be, with the brutal force of the stream knocking the breath out of one's lungs and the ice cold water paralyzing one's limbs, while the currents mercilessly drowned you. For a while he was mesmerized by the violent stream a hundred feet beneath him, until the icy wind hit him like a slap across the face, as if remembering him why he was here.

Kurt closed his eyes and began tapping a rhythm with the fingers of his right hand on the fingers of his left hand. It was a nervous habit supposed to help him fight a panic attack, but it wasn't always very successful.

Finally, his gloved hands reached forward and tightened around the railing. With firm resoluteness, Kurt turned his face towards the sky again. "Forgive me," he murmured into the night, allowing himself to linger on the agony harboring his heart.

Kurt was disturbed by a noise. He stepped back to see around the post that he was standing next to and saw a man approaching. The man's face was hidden in the shadows of his up-turned collar and flinched shoulders and he was muttering to himself while he walked against the cold sharp wind.

Kurt was annoyed. No chance to ever be alone. He wanted the guy to pass by quickly, so Kurt hid back behind the post and paid no attention to him. But the guy didn't walk by. It was just as Kurt leaned forward that he could see that the man was standing by the railing, too, just a few feet away on the other side of the post. Apparently the man hadn't noticed Kurt, because he started yelling into the night, the way you just lost it when no one could hear you.

"Fuck you! I hate you! You're the most pathetic piece of shit in the city! On the planet! I wish you'd die already, you fucking coward!"

Kurt rolled his eyes. Couldn't the guy just move on? Everybody had that person in their life who made them feel miserable and who they wouldn't mind to drop dead. If yelling helped, Kurt hoped the guy was done soon. Kurt liked his solitude. Yelling into the night had never helped him much.

"Fuck my life-"

This time there was an edge in the man's voice that startled Kurt. A hitch of raw vulnerability, almost a sob, as if he was about to cry.

Kurt caught a motion in the corner of his eye. The guy was climbing over the balustrade, fast and determined until he was clinging to the outside of the bridge, taking deep breaths, preparing for a jump.

Kurt's heart stopped beating. Was this really happening? What was he supposed to do? He leaned forward again and stared at the man and caught a glimpse of his face which was set and resolute. He was serious, he was going to end it right here and now.

"Wait!" Suddenly, adrenalin pumped through Kurt's body as he stepped around his hiding place and hurried over.

The guy whipped around, startled to see someone nearby, and Kurt realized that he shouldn't make a haste approach. He raised his hands as if to show that he was no threat.

"I'm sorry to... to interrupt," Kurt said, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Go away," the man said gruffly and looked straight ahead again, facing the water.

Kurt didn't know what to do. A few cars just passed by, but no one cared about the man who was about to jump. Kurt realized he should call the police or an ambulance, someone professional, but he couldn't get his phone out now in front of the man.

"What's your name?"

The man looked over his shoulder once again, his young face startling Kurt. The guy was just about his age, definitely in his early twenties. A few strands of dark hair curled out from beneath a black beanie and his dark blue coat was hugging his slim waist.

"Don't bother with me," the guy said in a softer tone. "Just go away."

"You can't expect me to just walk away," Kurt said, harsher than he intended. He took a step forward and the other man tensed up.

"Don't come any closer!" he shouted, his voice revealing his panic.

Kurt stopped, raising his hands again. He stood an arm's length away now. If he absolutely had to, he could grab him. "All right, I'm staying here."

The man looked up to see how far Kurt was from him and then down again, then back up at Kurt and their eyes locked. Kurt noticed that the man's olive skin was shaven and his full lips were parted slightly as he was breathing heavily. He was incredibly handsome. But the young man's eyes were his most significant feature, honey-colored and framed with thick black lashes and the most stunning triangle brows Kurt had ever seen.

His hazel eyes stared at Kurt, big and terrified, pupils so large they almost took over his eyes, and Kurt wondered if he was on something or drunk. Kurt licked his lips nervously.

"Look, you've probably just had too much to drink tonight. You don't want to do something rash." Kurt tried to sound cheerful, although he was scared shitless. The drop from this bridge was really deep and the stream was merciless. The man would be gone in a second, but the actual drowning would last an eternity. Kurt shuddered at the thought of it. "Whatever it is that's bothering you-"

"It'll pass, right?" the young man snapped and there was a mocking glint in those hazel eyes. "Tomorrow is a new day. Everything will work out. Is that what you want to say? I heard all of it before. But guess what, sometimes there's just no hope for a brighter day. Sometime's there's just no way out!"

He blocked Kurt out and focused on the water again. He was still standing on the wrong side of the railings with his feet on the narrow ridge and his hands wrapped around the iron.

Kurt stood tense, frightened by the outburst. His heart hammered each time the man loosened his grip and he dreaded him letting go completely. "I'm sorry. Please, calm down. I don't want you to fall-"

"Fall?" the other let out a bitter laugh. "I'm going to jump, no matter what you say. So please save yourself the trouble and just go away! I don't need an audience."

"Well, you've got one," Kurt replied with a snort. He knew he shouldn't get snarky, but it was his standard reaction when he was frightened and he didn't know how to talk properly to someone who was about to commit suicide. "And I'm not going away until you get off this bridge safely."

"There's no point!" the other one insisted fiercely, although a catch in his voice betrayed his resolutness. "I'll end up here again anyway. If not tonight, then tomorrow. Why not end it tonight?"

"Because I want to hear your story," Kurt offered. "I'd like to talk to you. But not here. There's a coffee shop not far-"

"You can't talk me out of it." His eyes went straight back down to the river again, staring intently at the water.

"At least give me a chance to show you that you do have other options," Kurt pleaded. "You're just tired now and you feel like you have to do this, but that's not the only way-"

"I'm sorry," it was no more than a whisper. His fingers loosened on the iron bars, his body leaned forward, away from the railing.

Kurt dashed forward, grabbed the man's shoulders and pulled him back so hard that he slammed into the railing. Kurt wrapped his arms more securely around the man's chest, pinning him on the iron bars between them, and held on tight. He waited for the other one to pull away and wondered how he would keep his grip on him, knowing that he wouldn't be able for long if the man used his strength to resist Kurt.

They both took heavy breaths. For now the young man still held on to the railing, his arms spread to both sides as he grasped for support.

Kurt buried his face in the smaller man's woolly hat and squeezed his eyes shut. The other man smelled fresh and clean, like aftershave and blueberry hair gel. He smelled alive, like someone who was ready to go out, not like someone who had been planning to jump off a bridge. He felt strong and full of life too. Kurt held on to him, determined never to let go.

"My life's a mess," the man explained as if trying to justify his decision. "Nothing can change that."

"Of course it can change. Life can be wonderful!" Kurt disagreed.

"And who are you to make such promises?" The question came out in a painfully mocking voice, yet so vulnerable underneath, as if hoping against hope that his self-proclaimed rescuer had the solution to all his sorrow.

"I- I'm Kurt," Kurt introduced himself, knowing fully well that this wasn't what the man in his arms was asking. Yet it felt right to exchange names and try and get on a more personal level with him. "I'd like to know your name."

"It doesn't matter. I don't want to become your friend," the man growled, his chest heaving up and down. "Get your hands off me!"

Instantly Kurt squeezed harder to tighten his hold on the man. "Please don't do it," he whispered and to his own shock he started to cry. "Don't do it."

The man tried to turn around to see Kurt, but he stood directly behind him and he couldn't see his face. "Are you … are you crying?"

"Yes," Kurt sniffed. "Please don't do it." He was crying harder now, sobbing uncontrollably, his arms still wrapped around the man's chest, holding on for dear life.

The man moved some more, shuffled his feet along the edge of the ledge, so he could turn his head and see Kurt's face. "Are you okay?" He softened a little.

Kurt opened his eyes and could make out the man's profile, a strong jaw and straight nose, long thick eyelashes and black curls that stuck to his forehead.

"No," Kurt tried to stop crying. He wanted to dry his nose, but he was afraid to let go.

"Do I know you?" he asked, confused, wondering why Kurt cared so much.

"No," Kurt replied, sniffing again. He squeezed him tighter, hugging him like he hadn't hugged anyone for years.

The young man was looking at Kurt like he was crazy. They were practically nose to nose as he studied Kurt's face, as if looking for far more than what he could see.

"Please, turn around carefully, and climb back over the railing," Kurt pleaded. "I'm not going to let go of you until you're back on my side."

There was an endless moment of silence in which the man seemed to ponder his options. Kurt felt his arms tense and ache, but he didn't loosen up his grasp for one second, afraid that the man would jerk free at the first chance he got.

"Tell me your name!" he half begged, half demanded. If he would lose the man, at least he wanted to know a name to tell the police.

The man said something in a murmur, but the word got caught in the wind and escaped Kurt's ears. "What was that?" Kurt asked.

The man turned his head to the side in Kurt's direction again. "I'm Blaine," he said with a shiver in his voice, which made his voice sound so different from the angry man he'd been only moments before. Vulnerable and scared.

"Hi Blaine," Kurt said over his shoulder. "Nice to meet you. The circumstances are a bit odd, but hey, this'll make a fun story for the grand children."

The man in his arms laughed weakly. "You sound optimistic."

"Yeah, but when we're telling our how we met story we should leave out your dramatic life's so pointless speech." He knew it wasn't the time to make jokes, but it was the only way he could handle the situation at all.

"But it is!" Blaine insisted, but he chuckled, and Kurt considered this a win. And still, Blaine wasn't on safe ground yet.

"Do you think you can turn around slowly?" Kurt asked in a serious tone again. "I promise I won't let go."

Blaine's body was shaking and not just from the cold. Kurt felt him go rigid in his arms. "I want it to end. It hurts. Waking up is the worst part of my day."

Kurt didn't want him dwelling on the negative, on whatever it was that had sent him here.

"I understand. But you don't want to end your life, you just want to end your pain, the pain you're feeling right now, that pain that I'm sure you wake up with and go to bed at night with. Maybe no one around you understands that, but I do. You don't want to end it all the time, just sometimes it passes through your mind, probably more often lately than before. It's like a habit, trying to think of different ways to end it all. It's a moment. If you hang in there, this moment will pass, too. You can get through this. Whatever is going on, you can get through it." Kurt said, tears running down his face, wanting to believe in his own words as much as he tried to sell them to Blaine.

"I can't change things now," Blaine said. "It's too late."

"It's never too late. It's possible for your life to change. You can do it. I can help you," Kurt said, his voice little more than a whisper, Blaine's ear was right there, at the tip of his lips.

Blaine looked him in the eyes again and Kurt couldn't look away, he felt locked in. Blaine seemed so lost. "How do you want to help me?"

It was a valid question and Kurt had no clue. But he realized he couldn't make empty promises. "Well, for one I need to get to know you, so we need to spend a lot of time together."

"Just so you know it, I won't go see a doctor or psychologist! And I'm not going to a clinic to have me on suicide watch!"

"No, you don't have to if you don't want to," Kurt calmed him down. "I'll watch out for you. I'm not going to leave you alone in this. We'll do it together."

"Okay," Blaine finally agreed. "It's a deal."

A deal? Kurt hadn't intended on making a deal with him and take on the responsibility for his life, but he wasn't going to discuss it now. He just wanted him off the bridge.

"You need to let go of me so I can climb over," Blaine said.

Dread flooded Kurt's body. "I'm not letting you go. No way," Kurt said sternly.

Blaine chuckled, a tiny one, but it was there. "Now I'm trying to get back on the bridge and you won't let me."

Kurt took in the height of the bars Blaine needed to climb, then the drop below. It was going to be dangerous.

"I got here by myself, I can get back on the bridge by myself," Blaine said, annoyed.

Slowly Kurt removed one hand from Blaine's chest, not totally trusting that he was going to keep his word.

Blaine shuffled his feet on the narrow ledge and moved his right hand to a bar further away so that he could turn to face the bridge. Kurt's heart pounded as he watched, feeling helpless.

Suddenly the wind felt stronger, the air seemed colder and Kurt was even more aware of the danger Blaine was in. Blaine angled his body to the right, twisting from his waist and preparing to swing his left foot over the water and turn to face the bars, but as he pivoted his weight on his right foot, it slipped off. Somehow his left hand managed to grab the bar he had been reaching for just in time, leaving him hanging with one arm.

Kurt instantly lurched over the railing, reaching for Blaine's flailing hand and clinging on tightly and using all his strength to pull him up. In that moment it was the fear in Blaine's eyes which terrified Kurt the most. The man who only moments ago had wanted to end his life was now fighting to live.

Kurt helped pull him up and Blaine clung to the bars, eyes closed, taking deep breaths. Kurt grabbed the back of Blaine's jacket and shoulders and manoeuvred him to safety. As soon as he landed on the bridge, they both sat down hard on the ground. Kurt tucked his head between his legs, trying to stop his head from spinning.

"Are you okay?" Blaine asked after a while, concerned.

"Yeah," Kurt said. "You?"

Blaine grimaced, the exhaustion showing in his face and body. "I don't know."

"Thanks," Kurt said after another while. "For not jumping," he clarified.

"Seemed like it meant more to you than to me," Blaine shrugged. "I look forward to you convincing me that this was a good idea. I think my birthday would be a good deadline."

Deadline? Kurt froze. Blaine had said it softly, but it felt like a warning. Suddenly, Kurt felt faint, not to mention foolish, at the thought of the deal he had agreed to. Despite wanting to take it all back, Kurt nodded nervously.

OK, this is the first chapter of the new story. This story is based on Cecelia Ahern's novel How To Fall In Love, and I used some of her scenes and storyline, but I will give it my own twist to turn it into a Klaine story. Let me know how you like it so far.

Thank you for reading!