Disclaimer:

"Glee" belongs to Ryan Murphy

"Dalton" belongs to CP Coulter

AN: Reed is a runaway in this drabble ^.^

Reed struggled to keep his eyes open in the darkness. The alley was cold and wet, and he was huddled near a dumpster. He pulled his hood up over his head and drew his knees up to his chest. A few tears rolled down his cheek mixing in with the falling rain. He sniffled and sneezed.

Can't fall asleep Reed, he urged himself. You might not wake up.

But the darkness was growing on the outskirts of Reed's vision. His breathing quickened to keep up with his heart, which he could hear beating in his ears. A pain was growing in his chest. His head lolled back. I don't care anymore.

With that last thought, his eyes drifted shut.

Shane shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked quickly along the dark sidewalk, dance bag slung over his shoulder. With his bike in the repair shop, he had to walk home in the pouring rain. Not that he didn't like the rain - he just didn't like it when he was in it.

Shane felt the rain seep through his jacket and he shivered. He smiled at the thought of dry clothing and his warm bed in the room that he and Blaine shared.

Suddenly, he heard a sneeze coming from his right. Shane knitted his brow together and stopped. There were buildings on his right with closed doors and windows, so where had the sneeze come from?

He looked back, where he could see the opening to a small alleyway. He frowned and jogged towards the spot. He stepped into the alley, his eyes scanning the darkness. Some trash bags, a dumpster…wait, was that a person?

Shane strode forward towards the figure and knelt down. It was a boy, who looked to be his age, or younger. Dark reddish-blonde curls framed his face. He looked like an angel to Shane. His lips were blue, and his skin was paper-white, eyelids closed gently. He reached a hand out and gently touched the boy's face. He didn't respond. Shane frantically moved his fingers to the boy's throat. He found the pulse point and he relaxed slightly when he felt a feeble heartbeat.

Shane pursed his lips, a few tears coming to his eyes as he drank in the vulnerable figure. Finally, he reached and scooped the boy up in his arms. He fell limply against Shane's chest. Shane didn't noticed the boy's eyes flicker open for a second at the feel of a warm body, but they slid shut again.

Shane quickly strode out of the alley. The boy was very light, almost too light for someone his age. Shane felt as though he could break if he wasn't careful enough.

In his frantic state, Shane reached his home within a few minutes. He shared it now with his mother and Blaine - his father had moved out after finding out both of his sons were gay. He kicked the door in a frenzy until his mother answered. "Shane, what in the world - ?"

Marlene stopped at the sight of the limp boy and held the door open. Shane hurried inside and shoved open the door to his and Blaine's room. Blaine looked up and gaped at Shane. Shane set the boy gently on his bed. Marlene followed and felt the boy's pulse. "Oh my...Shane, get me some extra blankets."

Shane nodded obediently and began to leave the room, sparing one last look at the now shivering boy. His heart went out to him, and he hoped desperately he would live.

It was three sleepless days and nights until they were sure that the redheaded boy would live. Shane stared down at the body that was snuggled under his blankets. The boy's lips were now a healthy pale pink, and his skin was a bit rosier. His chest rose and fell evenly, unlike the past few days where he was in a restless, murmuring sleep. Shane, Marlene, and Blaine had kept a constant vigil at his side, making sure he didn't slip away from them.

Shane reached down and stroked some of the curls back from the boy's face. His skin was warm. Shane smiled.

The boy stirred and mumbled something. One eye slowly blinked open. Shane sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hey, wake up…"

Both eyes opened now and Shane was faced with what he thought was the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his entire life. His eyes were chocolatey, with deep swirls of golden caramel. The boy looked at him curiously. "…wha? What happened?"

His voice was chiming, like a small silver bell's. Shane smiled. "How much do you remember?"

"The a-alley, and…nothing a-after that."

That was a lie. He could remember the feeling of Shane's body against his own, and his voice coaxing him out of his restless sleep. The first voice that had sounded as though it actually cared about him.

"I found you. You've spent the last three days unconscious. You had a deadly case of hypothermia, but my mom and I took care of you." Shane grinned. "She says you should rest for at least one more day."

"O-okay. Who are - ?"

"My name's Shane!"

"I-I'm Reed."

Reed. It fell easily off of Shane's tongue, smooth and sweet. Jeez stalker, slow down, he chided himself. He woke up only a minute ago.

"Where am I?"

Shane snapped back to reality. "Oh, my house. Well I guess you know, cuz, you know, where else would you be?" Shane looked down in shame at his running mouth.

A giggle erupted out of Reed and Shane glanced up. Reed was smiling and his cheeks were rosy.

"You could stay with us!" Shane blurted out.

"What?"

"Stay with me and family. By the looks of where we found you – " Shane pursed his lips, wondering if he should go any further. " – it doesn't look like you have anywhere to go."

Reed flinched, the memories of the past month flooding into him. Wandering the highways, meager meals, barely keeping it together. Shane noticed the flinch and attempted to backtrack. "Sorry, that was really insensitive. I seriously don't ever think, ever. It's always talk, talk, talk, before think, think, think."

Reed felt himself relax at Shane's blabbering. "It's okay. And yeah, I really don't have anywhere to go." His eyes flickered around the tiny room, hoping to find something to distract himself.

There were two beds in the room, one of which he was in. There was a dresser and a small couch, along with a mini-refrigerator. The carpet was a deep blue oriental, which flowed nicely with the blankets and cushions. There were curtains hung across the edge of bed, to give the occupant some privacy if needed. It was very comforting.

Shane smiled gently. "I'll ask my mom. In the meantime, I think you should get some sleep."

Reed yawned at this statement, and Shane laughed. He reached out and ruffled Reed's curls. "Yeah, go to sleep. I don't have anything to do right now, so I'll stay here."

Reed nodded. "Okay…" He snuggled down under the sheets and closed his eyes, smiling as Shane pulled the blankets back up. He felt a couple of fingers brush his cheeks and he opened his eyes. Shane had settled himself in a chair in the corner, a book in his lap. He looked up and caught Reed's eye, smiling comfortingly. And for the first time, Reed felt cared for as he slipped away into his dreams.