#deppcriss

Blaine moved in when Kurt was five-years-old. Kurt overheard his parents talking about how Blaine was found in the woods by Lima’s main road, alone in the rain.

Blaine was strange, Kurt thought, but he was glad to finally have someone around his age. At school, Kurt was constantly taunted for wanting to play with dolls or have tea parties, but never Blaine. Blaine never made fun of Kurt, and although he had some anger issues, Blaine, Kurt thought, was special.

“Why are you wearing that?” Kurt asked, as they sat outside eating a piece cake Kurt’s mom had made for them. Blaine was wearing a blue costume, and Kurt couldn’t tell what it was, maybe a bear?

Blaine shrugged. Blaine rarely talked, but Kurt didn’t mind. “Well I like it,” Kurt added, smiling as he took another bite of cake.

Blaine smiled. Blaine had a funny smile because both of his front teeth were missing.

“Where are you going?” Kurt asked when Blaine suddenly ran from the table. He was back in a matter of seconds, with Kurt’s copy of The Ugly Duckling in his hands. Blaine liked to have Kurt read to him. Blaine didn’t know how to read because he was a year behind Kurt, so he wasn’t in Kindergarten yet.

“Again?” Kurt asked. It was at least the third time that week.

Blaine nodded and held out the book for Kurt. As soon as Kurt took the book Blaine rushed back to his chair and sat with his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands.

Kurt read and Blaine listened intently, skipping over a few words he couldn’t pronounce, like ‘delightful.’ “I’m an ugly duckling,” Blaine whispered halfway through the book.

“No you aren’t,” Kurt said, “See, the duckling finds a family.” Kurt showed him the picture and pointed at the duckling, who was smiling with his new family. “I’m your family now. Remember Ohana?”

Blaine nodded and smiled brightly at Kurt.

“Ohana means family,” Kurt began, “and family means nobody gets left behind.”

“Or forgotten,” Blaine finished, giving Kurt a toothless grin.