the Brother of my dreams

by psykogleek

Kurt was living in New York with his best friends, he was finally going to the school of his dream and had a wonderful fiancé. Life was perfect, until a dreadful phone call. Losing people you love hurt and Finn's death froze them more than a slushie. Family, friends... everything changed. Warning on screen character death, Finn is an important character in the story, slow build

1. Chapter 1

Title : The brother of my dreams

Author: Crazysnape/psykogleek

Beta readers : GayforKurt, Indinfiteness and Julie

Disclaimers: I own nothing but words

Summaty : He was living in New York with his best friends, he was finally going to the school of his dream and had a wonderful fiancé.

Life was perfect for Kurt, until a dreadful phone call.

Losing people you love hurt and Finn's death froze them more than a slushie. Family, friends...everything changed.

Some people grew apart while others got closer than they would have never imagined

NA: that Story had been written for the Puckurt Big bang 2014

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Part 1

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"Kurt? Isabella is waiting for you in her office," Rachel said.

His best friend was wearing a beautiful Versace suit. Kurt was so proud of the change he saw in her.
But then, he saw her frowning, her eyes scanning him, and she pulled a face before adding "Maybe you should change before joining her" and she turned around and closed the door.

Puzzled, he lowered his eyes and froze.

How was it possible? Pajamas. He was in his favorite pajamas, the coziest one, with the red and green stripes!

He stood up and started looking for some pants, a shirt, anything to prevent Isabella from seeing him like this.

He didn't for a second doubt that she would fire him. How could someone dress in such a horrible thing and dare come to Vogue dot com? He was about to reach for the Armani shirt lying on the chair behind the door when something shifted.

He was not at Vogue any more. No more desks, no more whispering sounds, no more high-heel clicking on the floor, no more Armani shirt on the chair.

Kurt turned around and discovered a completely different room.

Smaller, whiter.

Frozen, he tried to understand where he was, but this place was completely unknown to him. He had never been here.

BOOM!

"Ouch."

A voice sounded - wait a second, he definitely recognized that voice.

And then it hit him. Finn! He quickly turned around and barely hesitated for a second before running towards him. His brother lay on the floor. His bloody brother lay on the floor!

"Finn? FINN? Can you hear me?" His eyes were opened, but they seemed lost, Finn seemed to be staring at him, but Kurt couldn't tell if it was a conscious act or not. There was blood on his arms and from the way his leg was turned, Kurt could conclude that at least one bone was broken.

Kurt tried to remember what he was supposed to do. He had a first-aid certificate but nothing useful came to his mind, only the constant humming of his own thoughts, reminding him to"Breathe, Kurt, breathe! Finn needs you."

He shook his head, hoping to put it back straight, but it did not work. All he could see was the blood which kept on flowing. There was blood on the arms, on the legs, blood on the floor, blood everywhere.

And, the sounds, they seemed louder and louder while Kurt remained frozen, unable to act as he should, unable to even call the 911.

His phone was heavy in his pocket, and he only paused for moment to ask himself 'Since when does my pajama have a pocket?' before it started to ring.

Kurt woke up with a start, and sighed: it was a dream. No, a nightmare, a horrible nightmare, Finn was okay... then he realized his phone was really ringing and his heart stopped for second or two.

He glanced at the time: nearly two am. Who could possibly calling him at the time of the night? Hastily he reached for the phone and read the word "Dad" on the screen.

Without hesitating he picked up.

"Dad?" the silence which followed confirmed his foreboding "Hey, kiddo." His father's voice was weak, so different from his usual one, than Kurt felt his guts knot tightly together.

"Are you okay? No, do not answer that, it's stupid. Of course you are not ... What's happened? Is it Carole?"

"There was an accident..."

In that moment pictures from his dream came flashing before his eyes, and somehow he knew. "It's Finn, isn't it? He asked with a hesitant voice. "Dad!" He yelled, when his dad didn't immediately answer him.

He was yelling, he knew it, but he didn't seem to be able to stop himself.

"Yes, we are not sure how it happened... He's in the operating room. He was in very bad shape when he arrived. They ... the doctors are doing their best, but for the moment we just … have to wait. I thought you should know ... Maybe I should have waited until we have some more news..."

Kurt cut him off. "No, you did the right thing, I have to … I'm coming, I will look for a flight and I'll call you back as soon as I have an arrival time. Yes, I'm coming. I'll keep my phone within easy reach so don't you dare hesitate to call me as soon as there is news, okay?"

His dad seemed to contemplate his sons words, weighing the pros and cons, before finally conceding, and just letting his son have his way.

"Do you need money for the plane ticket?"

The simple fact that his father didn't ask him to stay in New York and go to school spoke huge volumes. Finn's state was very, very bad. As soon as he hung up Kurt got up and made a reservation on the next flight out. He was lucky enough to find a plane leaving in two hours, but he had to be fast. He quickly threw some clothes in his suitcase and headed for the door. Kurt was about to go through the door when he heard voices behind him.

"Kurt, where are you going so late?"

He turned around and cursed at himself. In his haste, he hadn't even thought about warning the girls of the night's events. Kurt glanced at the time and winced. He only had two minutes to spare.

"To make a long story short, I'm going home ... there has been ... sorry to be so blunt, but I have to catch a plane, so… there was an accident. I don't know exactly what's happened, but Finn..."

"FINN?" Rachel's shout interrupted him in the middle of his sentence. As a matter of fact, he should have seen it coming. Rachel tended to react with a lot of emotions in everyday life situations and here it was a shock so her reaction was amplified.

"Shut up, Berry, let him talk."Santana's voice resonated as she entered the room from the adjoining one. She was rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands - looking rather tired, but still as fierce as ever.

"Thank you, Santana, I don't know what happened, apparently, he was knocked over by a car. It was bad and when I spoke to dad, Finn was on the way to the operation room. I'm sorry, but I have to go or else I'll miss my plane. I'll call you as soon as I have news, promise."

And then he left.

Four hours later, when his plane landed at Columbus airport his brother had been declared dead.

The following days were blurred. He remembered helping Carole to take charge of the arrangements, he remembered seeing their friends, he remembered tears - lots of tears, he remembered Blaine being there to support him.

He barely remembered going to the airport and taking a plane to go back to his life as a New Yorker. It wasn't easy to pretend that someone was missing, and it was damn near unfathomable to imagine that this special someone would remain forever missing. Here, in NYC, there were almost no memories of Finn, do to the fact that his brother only came to visit once. One talk, and a departure hidden in the dark, and nothing.

His plane landed late in the night. Getting inside the loft was strange. When he entered, Santana and Rachel were already asleep. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. He was tired and didn't feel up to talking to any of them tonight. He was exhausted and only wanted one thing: sleep. To sleep for as long as his body would let him. As silently as possible he put his belongings in his room and headed for the bathroom. He was too tired to take a shower, so he just did a kitty wash before falling in his bed.

White.

Everything was white, so much that it hurt his eyes. The walls were white, the ceiling, the few pieces of furniture were also white. He noticed a door in the back and it was white too.

The place reminded him of something, but he was unable to say what. He had already been there. The lack of noise was horrible, it was deafening and he hated it.

"Kurt! Is that's you?"

That voice, he recognized that voice, Kurt blinked, pushing the incoming the tears away. Finn. It was Finn. He began to search for him. His brother was here somewhere and he had to find him, to see him.

And then, he remembered. He truly had come here once, the night Finn died. Suddenly, he was not so sure of wanting to find his brother. What if was in the same state as the first time around? Covered in blood… Motionless, he tried to decide what to do.

"KURT? Tell me that it's you ... I don't want to be alone anymore ... But, but if you are there ... does it mean that you are dead too? What's happened to you?"

There were so many emotions in these sentences that it hurt Kurt to hear them. It was a mix of angst, relief and strangely of weariness. How could someone dead be tired? It did not really matter, the week he had just experienced he wanted to see Finn. No, he needed to see Finn., even if it was only a dream _ because it could not be anything else. His brother was dead.

So, he finally turned in the direction of the voice and slowly brought his eyes up to him and sighed.

No blood.

Only Finn.

Finn was exactly as Kurt remembered him. All things considered, it was logical. The last time they saw each other, wasn't that long ago. They'd talked on Skype two days before the accident, but it was still strange for Kurt to see him.

He was dressed exactly like he had always been: blue jean, one of the awful polo shirts, which Kurt hid at least once a week last year when they were both still living at home,, and barefoot. His position on the sofa was weird. Kurt was used to see him completely slump on it, while now his posture was stiff, and he was sitting very straight.

"Hi Finn."

As soon as Kurt talked, he noticed that Finn was relaxing slightly, only to tense up again a second later.

"Why are you here? Did something..."

"No, I am alive, I am just … dreaming, I think?"

He stared at Finn. The boy frowned, most probably in deep thoughts, and he looked around. Kurt did the same, but nothing had changed since he arrived, it was just as white, just as cold.

"Do you think it's paradise or hell? To me, it looks like neither."

Seeing Finn's puzzled expression, Kurt burst out laughing before going closer to the couch and sitting. "Finn, you are talking to me! I don't know the first thing about religion." He glanced around him once again and added "To me, it looks like a waiting room."

The two brothers exchanged a funny glance and laughed.

Waking up was not easy. The clock rang once, and it had to ring ten minutes later, before Kurt managed to sit up in bed. It was not his usual wake-up-call, but nothing was as it used to be, ever since the day Finn died.

Kurt frowned, waiting for the pang which often followed, but it didn't come. Instead, he was assailed with flashes of incongruous' images. Images of an event that never happened and a place he never went. However, he didn't have time to dwell at length on it, since someone knocked at the door of his room. He smiled briefly and told Rachel to come in and join him. He did not have to ask to figure out who was on the other side. Santana never took the time to knock, she just came in.

"Hey, Rachel." She smiled, the saddest smile to ever cross her face, and laid next to him on the bed.

"Do you feel okay?"

She shook her head. She had always been so loud, so bright that it was awfully strange to be facing a mute Rachel.

"Rachel, talk to me. I know it's hard for you, but you know it's hard for all of us ... And, Finn would not have wanted you to close yourself off like this."

"But..."

"No 'buts', Rachel." Kurt said and gave her a stern, but loving look."So, tell me, how are the Funny Girl rehearsals going?"

And for the first time since she came in his room, her smile was bright. "Great, it's even better than I would have ever imagined, Kurt!"

She started talking about everything he missed while his stay in Lima. Then, they stood up, and began making breakfast and Rachel talked all that time. He had not been gone for a very long time, but as he listened to her it felt like months.

As awful as it may seem, getting his life back on track was not that hard.

He missed Finn a lot, but his brother had not been a key part of his New York life. Kurt shared his time between NYADA and working at the Spotlight Diner with Rachel and Santana. All while finding time to talk to his dad and Carole without forgetting Blaine, his fiancé. Their engagement was two months old, but it was still weird for him to think about Blaine as his fiancé. Something he wouldn't dare to admit it to anyone. Well, hopefully he'll get used to it, soon.

The strangest part of his life was night times. Not that he experimented with the wild New York night life. Santana often made fun of him and his new habit of going to bed early.

However, how could he not? Indeed, ever since Finn died, he'd dreamt of him. He couldn't always remember the dream itself but the one thing he was sure of was all the conversations they had. He'd never used to talk that much with Finn. In the dreams, though, they were always in the same room, a place Kurt could have sworn he had never been before, and they would talk about various things. Sometimes they wouldn't say anything; Kurt would just enjoy Finn's presence. It wasn't real, but it felt good; it was as if he hadn't really lost his brother.

The days flew, getting mixed up together until Mr. Shuester phoned them, asking for the three of them to come to Lima for a memorial in Finn's honor.

Santana and he did not hesitate a second before accepting, while Rachel thought about it before refusing, saying she did not feel ready for that yet.

The journey to Lima seemed longer than usual, and walking in his hometown felt strange. First, because it did not feel like home, and then most of the places he went to held memories. He did not realize he had so many memories with Finn here. When they were both living in Lima, it did not seem as if they'd spent that much time together and yet...

Being at home was harsh, as he had expected it. Being around Carole or his dad was hard too, same could be said about McKinley, but he also felt the pain walking on the streets, or in the park near the new house, or the mall.

There was also that stupid street where Finn threw up one night and Kurt had to come and get him at Puck's because he was too drunk to drive. It was as if every place here held a piece of their relationship and it hurt, to the point that he did not know how Carole and his dad could bear it.

His talk with Principal Sylvester was horrible. He could not believe someone had ripped up the tree she had planted in Finn's memory in the schoolyard. He had to give her money to buy another one. He did not care about the money, he would give her all the money she needed for that tree to be there but he was not able to understand why someone would do that.

It felt like someone had damaged Finn's tomb and it hurt, hard. He did not say a word about it to his dad or Carole. They both went to the small ceremony that had been done when it was planted, although Carole had hesitated a long moment before going.

At the end, the hope was to find some kind of closure the funeral did not provide. Mercedes, Santana, Mike, Puck and he were mixed up with the new glee club, Mr and Mrs Shuester (damn it was weird to call Miss Pillsbury that!), and Coach Beiste.

Becky had come, too. She said words about Finn, some were kind, but most were tactless things she must have learned by spending so much time near Coach Sylvester (who did not come).

He would be unable to repeat what had been said, but it was nice to be here, around people who knew his brother like he did not. The one thing he remembered was Puck frowning face and that Marley girl's tears.

That night, he went into Finn's bedroom with his father and step-mom. Carole wanted to do something he was not sure any of them was ready for: cleaning out Finn's belongings and putting them away. It was hard, even harder than he thought it would be.

It was as if every piece of clothes or furniture held a memory one of them was not ready to get rid of. The lamp, the jacket...

That night he slept with Finn's letterman jacket. It still smelled like him and it was nice. That night he dreamed of him, of the first time Finn came to glee club. The dream made Kurt remember what he had been thinking that first time.

He'd been happy to have a new member, but also a bit dubious. What could the captain of the Football team be doing here, among them glee club losers? At the time it was a logic question, but now he felt as if he had been insulting his brother. So when he opened his eyes he was crushed by a sense of sadness. It took him some time but he managed to get up.

As he was about to leave to head for McKinley where he would meet his friends to sing and remember Finn, his eyes fell on the football jacket. Without a second thought he took it and put it on.

Five hours later…

He could not believe it. Kurt closed his eyes and remembered the events of the day.

How could Puck dare to do that? First the lying, and then that... those robberies!

He was around the dumpster the football team used to throw him in when he first saw Puck that day.

Wasn't it strange that even dumpsters held memories of his time with brother? He was looking at all the other losers, writing on it with the head full of bittersweet memory when Finn's best friend arrived.

Puck and he never had a very good relationship.

Of course, they shared some activities, lessons and friends, but they never really got along that well. Maybe they were too different, or their past was too hard to be overcome. If Kurt was being honest with himself they never really tried.

Anyway, he was watching the graffitist when the boy arrived. As soon as Puck opened his mouth, Kurt wanted him to shut it. He remembered looking at him from the corner of his eyes and sighing before commenting.

"You are exhausting. You really don't recognize this dumpster?"

Kurt knew the tone was not very welcoming, but at that moment he did not care. He was angry to see Puck here.

If Finn used to be as nice as possible in the situation, that had not been Puck's case.

The words he used to say, the strength he put into the action... and the never happening excuse did not help his case either.

He noticed a smile on Puck face, a small one but a smile nevertheless just before he said, "Oh yeah…"

Kurt frowned up before adding, "As soon as Finn joined the glee club become a pariah, a loser and all... it all became okay."

Just like he told Carole the previous night, Finn was like superman. He tightened the jacket around him and pulled away from Puck. He did not get to go far as the other boy reached for his arm to stop him.

"Hey, leave the jacket. Seriously, I'll pay you for it. I'm sure you have a room full of mementos. I've got nothing to remember him by."

Puck's voice was like nothing Kurt ever heard before. It was a strange mix between begging and demanding… and Kurt did not like it one bit. How dare he try to buy it? That jacket was special. Kurt stepped aside and turned around to face the other boy and spat his answer. "Well, you can't have this!"

Kurt tried to set out again but Puck prevented him.

"That jacket is reserved for people who've earned it. I'm not gonna let you bedazzle it with glitter and wear it like some Project Runway shawl."

Those words brought memories back, not good one. Kurt felt as if he was back in sophomore years, except he was not anymore. He was not afraid of Puck like he used to be. He was not as small, as frail, so he got closer to the other boy and said with as much venom as possible, "What are you gonna do? Beat me up and take it from me? Throw me in the dumpster? You can't have it!"

And this time he left without being stopped.

Kurt could not believe it. How Puck could still insult him after all this time? Shaking his head, he moved toward the glee club's classroom to meet up with Blaine and Sam. Being with his fiancé would help him to calm himself. He refused to be angry now. It was supposed to be a time for remembering Finn, not for fighting.

That afternoon Santana sang and it was lovely. Finn would have liked it ... at least until she ran away yelling hysterically.

The discussion they shared in the auditorium gave him a nice feeling. Santana's intentions had been good even if she hadn't been able to go through with her ideas. Because of this, offering her the jacket was not too painful. She needed it, just as he had needed it the night before.

As he listened to Puck's song, Kurt wondered if his resentment against the boy had not clouded his judgment. Maybe Puck was the one who needed it the most. Kurt was starting to feel guilty when Santana came through the door at breakneck speed, clearly upset.

She started yelling, "Where is it, Puckerman?"

Kurt didn't have the time to understand what she meant, before Puck answered, "It's just a tree. I told Beiste I'd put it back!"

Puck was the one who'd stolen the tree? Finn's tree? But why? Why would he do such a thing? But Kurt realized he was wrong, because Santana was not talking about the tree, and in some ways this made it worse in his eyes.

"Not the tree, Finn's jacket! I went to a lay down in the nurse's office. I hung it up on the coat rack near the door for my grief siesta and when I woke up, it was gone. I know you took it. We all know you took it!"

Santana carried on getting madder with each word.

Kurt glanced around him and everyone in the room seemed disappointed and offended. The only exception was Puck who looked ... puzzled… and kind of hurt.

Hands held up in defense, he insisted, "I didn't take Finn's jacket!"

Kurt remained silent, only watching the scene taking place in front of him, as if it was played on a TV. Puck's words reflected the expression of his face.

"If we made a list of suspects, you would probably be the only one on it," Artie said in a very suspicious tone.

Santana was about to revive her accusations when Mr. Shuester cut her off. "Enough! Please. No fighting this week."

It worked; the room went calm so fast that he could even have heard a pin drop. Santana turned toward Puck one last time and, threatening him with her finger, screamed: "No me gusta!"

But before she could pick up again, Mr. Shue stopped her with one single word: "Santana." This time, she left. One by one, the others followed her, and soon only Puck, Mr. Shue and he were left in the classroom.

Kurt took a few seconds to think about it, then walked toward Puck, stopping about a pace from him and very calmly he said: "Seriously, Puck, you can keep it tonight, but I want it back tomorrow. It's Santana's now." He noticed that Puck was about to open his mouth, most probably to deny it once more, but Kurt turned and left before he had the chance to say a word.

How could Puck have dared to steal Finn's jacket? And worst, how could he keep on denying it when everybody knew he had done it. First, because his reputation spoke for him, but mostly because he was the only one except for Kurt himself to have shown any interest in the jacket.

The day had been very emotional. So that night, after a light dinner with his dad and a very silent Carole, he was relieved to head for his room. He barely hesitated a few seconds before going back to make himself some hot milk.

Once the mug ready he stared at it then, he took it in a trembling hand. Stupid. He had drunk hot milk since Finn's death, but having it in this house was harder than having one at home, in New York.

Slowly, he climbed up the stairs, and took a short break in front of what used to be Finn's room before turning toward his. There he sat on the bed, his back leaned on the headboard and, eyes closed, started to sip. His head was full of pictures and scenes from the past.

"Dude! You will never guess what happened today," Finn said while coming into Kurt's room like a shot.

"Hmm ... good or bad?"

"I'm not sure. To me it was fun, but I'm not sure Brittany and Santana enjoyed it much."

"I give up."

"Hey that's not cool, you didn't even try! But, okay, I'll tell you, but that's because I'm nice like that."

Finn was snickering to himself, so Kurt, kind of fed up with the interruption of his facial routine, demanded, "Well?"

"Sorry, well they were in the hallway, and you know how their lockers are next to each other, right?"

"So?"

"They were talking and shit, when they opened their lockers ... And guess what fell out?"

Kurt watched his brother whose lips were twitching and gave it a try. "I don't know ... some frogs?"

Finn eyes went wild and he burst out laughing. "NO! But I admit, that would have been reeaally funny! It was worse than that ... Dirt!"

This time it was Kurt's turn to open his eyes. "That's awful, disgusting, how could you say it was funny?!"

"I know that part isn't funny, but you should have seen their faces, they were like ... and then Brittany said all puzzled, "I don't even remember putting that in there!"

Then the room changed. Kurt could feel the atmosphere was different, but he didn't dare open his eyes, a bit scared of what he would see. "You know it's true."

Finn. This time he opened his eyes. The white wall, the white sofa, the white room. He knew where he was. He knew this place; when he turned his head he saw his brother. He was exactly the same as the last time he'd seen him, except that he had his jacket on. The jacket which had been the source of today's conflict.

And, he looked more relaxed, as if he was getting used to being in that strange place, out of any reality or substance.

"What are you talking about?"

"The jacket, Puck did not take it. He was telling the truth."

Kurt raised an eyebrow and asked, "Really? Then who did it?"

"Mr. Shue."

Kurt stared at Finn, trying to make sure he'd heard right. "Excuse me, but did you just say..."

"Mr. Shue, yes."

"But, why? I don't understand. Are you sure you are not mistaken?"

Finn shook his head "Nah, I saw him doing it, and I saw him again later when he took it from his purse..."

"Finn, I already told you I don't know how many times, that Mr. Shue doesn't have a purse, it's a bag, just a bag."

"Whatever, it was in his BAG and he was crying. I swear that Puck is innocent."

Kurt shrugged, not completely convinced, but decided to let it go. After all, he was with Finn and even if it was only a dream, it was still nice.

"So, that's how you spend your time here? You spy on us?" Kurt was teasing, although he knew there was a part of truth in his words.

"It's not as if I have a lot of things to do, you know? If I'm not watching that real life TV, I would be bored to death!"

Kurt froze and Finn giggled (it must be a creation of his tired brain since he'd never heard the real Finn giggle) and added, "Just saying, since you know... I am already dead."

"Yes, I know."

They remained there for what seemed like hours, then Finn broke the silence. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course." How could he have said "no" to anything his brother could ask for him? Even in his dreams?

"Can you ask mum to take good care of the glee club for me?"

"Take care...?"

"Okay, not like going to the lessons or anything; just make sure everything is ready for Nationals. You know how Mr. Shue is with organization."

"I will try, but I make no promises."

"Trying is good enough, thanks, bro."

He never got the opportunity to talk to Carole about his dreams. And, to be honest, he did not feel up to do it. She was in so much pain. Most of the time it already seemed as if she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders; he did not want to speak about that. So when his time in Lima ended, he just went back to New York, hoping to find some comfort in his new life, in his new routine.

And it worked. After a few weeks, he stopped dreaming about Finn, and it was half an emotional release, half a deception. As strange as those dreams could have been, it was also nice to be able to see him again.

After nearly three weeks of dreams without Finn, he went to bed and then he was back in the white room. This time, he did not hesitate nor wait before looking around for Finn.

Less than ten seconds later, he noticed him. For once he wasn't on the couch; he was standing two feet behind the only door of the room. Kurt knew he did not notice his arrival because he had not moved.

Frowning, Kurt tried to understand what he was doing, when suddenly the penny dropped. He was attempting to reach the handle. Kurt's heart stopped beating. He had a feeling, a bad one. If Finn opened that door, something terrible was going to happen. What? He could not tell ... So he did the only thing he could think of: he spoke.

"Hey, Finn, long time no see!"

His brother jumped, his arm fell back and Kurt's heart started beating again. He watched Finn as he turned around and looked at him with a huge grin on his face. Kurt smiled back and they embraced each other. It was good to feel Finn's arms around him again.

"Hey, Kurt! Why did you stop coming to see me? I've missed you."

"I missed you, too, so much." And they remained like that for what seemed like years, then they stepped aside, went to the sofa and sat.

Kurt took a moment to observe the room. He had been wrong; the room was not the same as it was. In truth, it was not very different. It was still as white, at least most of the room was. The only difference was the door Finn was about to open when Kurt arrived.

The change was not huge, but the color shifted a bit. The white became some kind of lovely eggshell shade. As his brother had always been kind of color blind, Kurt was pretty sure he was the only one who noticed the difference.

"I always thought that to get a tattoo of your dead boyfriend's name was kind of lame."

To say Kurt was puzzled by such a statement would be an understatement. He had absolutely no clue about where this discussion was going.

"Okay? Since as far as I know, Blaine is not dead, it should not be a problem, but thanks for… sharing?"

"Dude! I know that! I wasn't talking about you!"

"Well, try to be clearer because I still don't know where all that is coming from."

"It's about Rachel, bro!"

"You did not even say her name! How should I have guessed? So, what about her?"

"Try at least to follow, would you? You have to discourage her from that ridiculous tattoo idea! Or at least make her change her mind about putting my name; that's a stupid idea and... Je... uh, someone wouldn't like it in the future."

Kurt stared at Finn, unsure of the answer he should give him. "Okay, but you know the chances of Rachel Berry putting a tattoo on her skin are kind of low. I think it's forbidden by religion or something."

Kurt sensed his brother shifting next to him and turned his head to face him. Finn was looking at Kurt as if he was an idiot, and Kurt did not like it at all. "What? That's true!"

"Whatever, dude; promise me you won't let her do it. And, please do it. Not like you did with mom."

Kurt felt uncomfortable, then he remembered. "I did not make any promises with that one."

Finn frowned, but nodded. "Okay, but please promise me now."

As Kurt did not believe Rachel would ever want to do such a silly thing he made the promise. "I promise that I won't let her tattoo your name anywhere. Now, if she can't tattoo that, do you have any suggestions?"

Finn nibbled his lower lip, like he usually did when he was thinking hard, and then his whole face lit up. "A star, a golden star!"

"Finn! I worked so hard to make her lose that golden star habit, don't you have another suggestion?"

"No. tell her it would be just like I told her at Christmas, in senior year."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's between Rachel and me; please, just tell her?"

"Okay, I promise. Anything else?"

"Hmm ... just remember, alcohol and tattoo don't mix well, so be careful."

Watching TV while eating popcorn and ice cream was boring, but Kurt unable to switch it off. Instead, he went from the animal show with the news.

"I just had the most incredible experience of my life!

Kurt turned his head at the sound of Rachel's voice. It was exactly the push he needed since he turned off the TV without a second thought. Rachel was still speaking.

Kurt exclaimed, "Oh my god, you cut your hair!"

The young woman closed the door and slowly walk toward him before answering. "I was feeling stuck."

Then, to his huge relief, she removed a wig, and he finally breathed.

"You know Rupert is amazing, but he's got such a specific view on everything and it's not like I don't trust his vision but I feel like he needs to rebel a little bit to have more room to play." When she finished her tirade she was sitting beside him on the couch.

"So he doesn't know you are wearing a wig?" Kurt asked casually with a faint smile.

"Not at first, but I told him after the rehearsal. He really loved it and I'm gonna wear it in the show," she finished while putting the wig in her bag.

"What if he got mad because you lie to him? Or saw that you cut you hair and sent you packing?" Kurt could not help but ask. He did not understand how she could have put everything in question just like that.

She stopped taking care of her clothes and removing the pins on her hair to face him "Okay, you know what, Kurt, you've become boring. You go to class, and then you come home, and you eat all this food and watch your stories, and you Skype with Blaine, and it's not even sexy Skyping. I know this because you just go to sleep. Same thing, every day.

Offended, Kurt replied, "I change up my afternoon smoothie occasionally." It was weak, even to his own ears, so he took a huge spoon of ice cream.

"You know it felt so good taking a risk with that wig... it's like... I felt so alive! And you know what? I could have messed up everything but I didn't care! It was like I just wanted to risk it all!"

A piece of popcorn, and another one, then he asked, "What's going on with you?"

She answered without stopping to fight with her hair. "You remember in high school when everything looked so urgent? Like, if we did not go for it we would just lose our chance forever?"

She won her fight and stared at him as he said, "It was very stressful." And it was true. Why couldn't they just enjoy some peace?

"Well, I wanna feel that way again"

The silence following her words gave him time to think and he realized what was happening. He swallowed his popcorn and asked her, "Does this have something to do with Finn?"

Watching her freeze was the answer he needed, but nevertheless she explained her way of thinking. "You know, part of my grieving process is diving headfirst into life so maybe…"

Her words turned in his head and somehow he had a feeling she was right. "Alright, Rachel Berry, you got me. Let's go out and do something crazy! What do you have in mind?"

She offered him a bright smile, something he had not seen in a long time, and clapping her hands she exclaimed, "Small potatoes and why don't we break out the bottle of limoncello you have been saving up?"

Her excitement was slowly getting to him. "What for?"

She did not take a second before smiling and answering, "Anesthesia."

"Okay... I did not see that one coming. And what's the anesthesia for?"

"Get ready and I will tell you on the way, I know exactly where we have to go."

Rachel took her coat and purse while Kurt reached for the bottle hidden in one of the cupboards in the kitchen, a jacket and his wallet. Then, he offered his arm to his best friend and arm-in arm they went out.

At first, Rachel did not give him any indications about where she was leading him. She drank straight from the bottle before passing it to him. He glanced at her, then he heard, "Kurt you've become boring." And deep inside of him he realized she was right, so he drank

It burned his throat, the taste of lemon was kind of strong but it was better than a lot of the other alcohol things he'd tried before. He took another swig before giving the bottle back to her.

The limoncello went from one to the other a few times before Rachel put it in her bag. They were walking across the sidewalk, humming any songs coming to their minds when suddenly Kurt remembered he still had no clue about the place they were heading.

"Hey, Rachel, tell me now what crazy thing we are about to do?"

"A tattoo!"

That really was a crazy idea! He stopped walking abruptly, eyes wide open, and she did the same, stumbling a little. "You should have told me sooner, now I have to find what I want in nearly no time!" Kurt finished his sentence with a pout; a ridiculous pout he was sure of it. "Hey do you know what you are gonna make?"

Rachel began walking again, pulling on his arm. He followed her in deep thought. After a few seconds, he realized she did not answer him. So, he pressed the topic.

"Rachel? Tell me, tell me, tell me..." and he kept on repeating this annoying sentence hoping she would tell him just to shut him up. She didn't have to do it. He cut himself off instead, when something came to his mind.

"I promise I won't let her tattoo your name."

To whom did he promise that?

Finn.

He'd promised it to Finn. When? Why? How? He didn't have the answer to any of those questions at that moment, but he remembered that promise and Finn's grin after he made it.

Frowning, he attempted to find a way to explain that to her without being too straight. Then, an idea crossed his mind. Not any idea: a brilliant idea. He closed his eyes, smiled and said: "You know I remember talking about tattoos with Finn once."

"Really, he never told me he wanted to have one..."

"I didn't say that he wanted one. We were..." A flash of the two of them sitting on a couch, crossed Kurt's mind, so he said it, even if he did not remember where that white couch came from. "Sitting on a couch and he started talking about finding some website while web surfing... something called worst tattoos ever. He laughed a lot, talking about some of the tattoos he saw."

"What kind of tattoo?"

"Let me think about it... there were a Care Bears, holding balloon letters saying asshole, or a toaster, even a woman with tiger stripe all over her body. People are so strange…"

"I can reassure you that I don't envisage doing any of those."

"Me, neither. Finn was very talkative on that topic, accurate, too."

"Oh, what else did he tell you?"

"He said something about tattooing the name of the people you love."

Kurt noticed that her attention was getting aroused, but he didn't go into more details, waiting for her to ask.

"He did? And what did he think about that?"

"Well, he did not have a lot of positive words about it. If the truth was told, he was very against it. He said something like "Why do people would carve names in their skin? If the people are alive, better use real words and if they are dead, well that's just ridiculous, they won't see it. If I were to have a tattoo, it would be something meaningful, or something kind of secret. Not show off."

She froze in the middle of the sidewalk, nibbling her lips. "Do you think he is right?"

Kurt took a moment to think back to what he just said in his brother's name and nodded. "Maybe."

They stayed quiet and motionless in the middle of the sidewalk for two long minutes. People were brushing by them, but they did not really notice, too lost in their thoughts.

Finn's voice kept on coming to him, but the fog in his head deafened it. He tried to focus, and he was lucky enough to perceive the words even if he did not understand them. One thing was sure – it must be part of the same conversation. He glanced at Rachel; she was not so excited anymore. She was duller. That's when he realized something.

He might not be able to understand his brother's words, but she might.

Therefore he added. "I remember him saying something about a golden star? Because it was a perfect mix of you and him. I never understood what it meant." He observed her as he talked, and as soon as he finished his sentence, all trace of dullness was gone from her face. She looked completely amazing. "But you do, don't you?"

And she nodded enthusiastically, but without explaining anything. So he pressed her to. "Well, will you give me the key to this mystery, or should I stay in the dark?" He could literally see her weigh the pros and cons before she started speaking

"Do you remember when Finn didn't know what to get me for Christmas?"

Kurt frowned, thinking as hard as he could before asking, "Sophomore year, right? When you gave him a list of very expensive presents to buy you?" Kurt teased her and she blushed, but nodded nevertheless.

"I never told you what he gave me at the end, did I?"

Kurt shook his head. "No, I always thought he ended up not getting you anything, but apparently I was wrong. So what did he do?"

He observed his friend, as she closed her eyes and smiled as if she truly was reliving the scene.

"A star."

"Sorry, did I hear you right? There is up there an actual star named Rachel Berry?"

Eyes still closed she shook her head. "No, but that's what I thought, too. I remembered exactly what he told me. He said..." She wet her lips and nibbled the bottom one. She was clearly overcome by emotion; to help her he took her hand in his and squeezed it.

"He said: 'I thought about it, but then I named it Finn Hudson, because there is already a star called Rachel Berry and she's right here on Earth... and she's brighter than any of those stars up there. So I wanted to make sure that whenever she feels lonely, she can look up at the sky and no matter where I am, she can know that I'm looking down on her.'

"And you know what, Kurt? I was happy for my gift, but now that he is not here anymore, I am happier. And he was right, as so he often was. Getting a golden star tattoo is a beautiful idea. It's the perfect mix of him and me. Thanks for reminding me. Still ready?"

The pep talk worked better than he imagined. As soon as she finished her sentence, she took her hand out of his, grabbed his forearm and pulled him toward the tattoo parlor, all without waiting for his answer.

"Alcohol and ink do not go well together." Finn's voice echo in his mind, but he pushed it away: he was not that drunk.

"Let's do it, Miss Berry!"

"'It's gets better'"

Kurt turned around and stared at his brother puzzled. "What?"

Finn laughed, "Your tattoo, 'It's gets better'?"

Kurt rolled his shoulder and since it did not hurt he said, "It stopped hurting so it must."

"Great, but it's not what I meant. Get a good look at it yet?"

Startled, Kurt remained motionless. "What are you talking about?"

Finn pointed to a mirror Kurt never noticed before and, without another word, Kurt stood up and went to the mirror. He turned around and indeed he read " It's gets better"

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh no, no...

Kurt woke with a start and immediately he muttered, "A dream, it was just a horrible dream, a nightmare!" Then he felt it, the pain on his shoulder blade.

"No, no, no, NO, NO!"

"Kurt? Are you okay?"

"Rachel? Can you come here, please?" He hated when his voice was so high. His friend joined him on his bed.

"Are you sick? Do you need anything?"

"No, just, tell me I am wrong, because it cannot be true!"

"Kurt, you have to be clearer, I don't know what you are talking about," Rachel exclaimed.

"My tattoo! Tell me what it says..." And he lowered his shirt to let her read. The reaction was not long in coming.

"Oh, my... I'm so sorry, Kurt. The tattoo artist misspelled it."

The rest of the day was kind of erratic; he went back to the tattoo parlor, only to realize he was the guilty one. Indeed, Kurt had written the famous phrase wrong on the paper he'd given to the tattoo artist. After some negotiation with the man, Louis, he somehow ended up with 'It's got Bette Midler' instead.

Something that Rachel said was absolutely "genius" and "makes absolutely no sense" and a tongue pierced. Finn had been right – alcohol and ink do not mix. His day had been long, but he was happy with his conclusion and when he went to bed that night, he saw Finn; as it appeared to be the case more often than not, his bother looked happy for him. They did not share any special talk that night, but it felt just right to be together.

Slowly, Kurt was getting used to dreaming about Finn. He became a good thing. Thinking of it, it felt a bit like having the Riddle journal that Ginny Weasley had during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Well, except that Finn was not evil, and that he somehow knew things before they happened. The tricky part was that his brother refused to tell him exactly what will happen; it was mostly just strange advice, like he did with the tattoo.

And regardless of the weirdness of those visits, Kurt liked them. Going to bed early was not such a chore; on the contrary. It might be a coincidence, but Kurt realized Finn visited him more often when he went to bed early. So he did it more often, so often that he heard Rachel and Santana talking about him once.

They were wondering how to bring him out of his depression or, as Santana had said, "Damn, we have to kick Lady Hummel's butt. It hurt my eyes to watch him down like that. It's depressing me!"

They were worried, but he could help himself. If going to bed early was a means to spending some time with Finn, he would. He couldn't tell them the genuine reason, but deep down, he knew they would behave like him, Rachel just to see Finn, and Santana to have some insight into the future (for Finn too, not that she would admit it.)

It might not be healthy for him, but it helped him to feel good about himself. After the tattoo episode, or as Finn called it 'Tattoogate', their discussions were mostly peaceful. Finn did not have anything special to ask him, or tell him. They just spent time together in the white room. Some nights, a piece of furniture would appear, like a hammock, or swings and the monkey bars.

Kurt often wondered if he was the one who made them turn up in the room or if it was Finn, but he had no way to know and Finn refused to enlighten him. Those nights, instead of drawing close together on the couch, they would have fun and play like little children. They both got turns to try a handstand on the monkey bars, something neither one would have tried in reality, but what could bump into them here, in that dream state?

Then, something changed.

The childish part of the dream disappeared. Kurt was back in the cold room while Finn paced back and forth. The first night passed, leaving Kurt puzzled. He did not know what to do and he woke up more tired than he had in a long while.

Staring at his brother while he paced in an empty room for hours was exhausting. Though it allowed him to notice the mirror's disappearance, as well as change in color of the door again. This time it was flesh-colored. Kurt stared at it for such a long time that he noticed the colors lightly changing during the night. It was strange, and added to Finn's weird behavior, it gave him the creeps.

After two nights with the same pattern, he decided to step in.

"Finn, stop it!"

But it was as if his words never got through to him. "FINN! Stop it! I can't stand it anymore! What's the matter?"

This time, his brother froze in mid-step. Then, he slowly set it down and turned around, all without making eye contact with Kurt.

"Finn?"

Since Finn did not seem disposed to move, Kurt stood up and set his hand on his brother's sleeve. He felt it shiver under the light shirt he was wearing. "Hey, what's going on with you? Can I help you? Tell me... please?"

And as if it was what he had been waiting for, Finn came out of the trance he had been in. He raised his head and grinned. It was the smile that used to turn Kurt's legs to jelly when he used to have a crush on him. Pushing this memory to the back of his mind, he pushed the question.

Finn nodded and steered them toward the sofa. When they were both settled, Finn finally began speaking.

"It's mom and Puck."

Kurt did not see that one coming. Finn had not talked about either Carole or Puck in a while. However, he should have seen it coming.

"Carole? What about Carole?" Last time Kurt talked with his dad, she seemed to be doing as well as possible given the circumstances.

"She's not doing so good."

Kurt did not want to talk about that. He knew where that was leading and he really did not want to speak about the reason she was sad. He hated thinking about Finn's death. He detested it in real life, and couldn't bear the thought of talking about it with Finn himself. It felt like putting salt on a wound, but from Finn's expression, he had no means to escape it.

"It's normal, isn't it? She ... she doesn't have you anymore. She needs time. It's barely been two months."

Finn sighed heavily. "I know, but she needs..."

"What does she need? Have you seen her? Like you always do to me? Maybe it would help her?"

Kurt did not dream about Finn every night. He always wondered where his brother went when he was not with him. Apparently, not with his mother.

"No, I can't do that. I tried, at first, but she... it's not like with you or with ... Let's say it's not the same. She just cries, and it hurt."

Kurt took Finn in his arms and squeezed him close. "Is there anything I can do?"

As soon as he said it, Kurt regretted it. Not because he did not want to help her to get better, only because he did not know if he could. Still, it was too late, the words were out and it was far too late to get them back, since Finn had moved away and shouted with a grin… "YES! I'm pretty sure I know what could help her…"

"You do?" That was surprising, because except time, Kurt had absolutely no hint of what could help his step-mom.

"Yes. I know the glee club had something on the way, if only she could just see it."

"Glee club? How come?" It was the truth: glee club used to get them to overcome hard times, but the music never had that kind of effect on Carole... Yes, she enjoyed it, like a lot of people, but nothing more.

"Yes, I can't tell you why, but I'm almost certain that if only she could go to Nationals, it would, but..."

Finn did not finish his sentence, shrugging instead.

Kurt sat back on the couch and stared at Finn, frowning. After the excitement, he looked sad, kind of helpless, and Kurt did not like it one bit. So, he racked his mind for some idea.

Sadly, when he woke up, he still had none.

His day was not very good. Of course, he enjoyed his singing and dancing lessons, even if their dance mistress, Cassandra July, was still as hardcore as ever. No, it was worse because he had difficulties to focus on, other than Finn's demand.

When he arrived at Sportlight for his shift, he was more than ready for the day to reach its end. Alas, it was not to be; he had five hours to wait before getting home. He was sharing his shift with Rachel.

He used to love working either with her or Santana since, well, what could be better than working with your friends?

Now he could not stand being under Rachel's stare. On a whole his life was not bad; to be honest, it was better than most and yet, every time Rachel laid her sad eyes on him, he had that unbearable urge to dive into a sea of sadness.

With Santana, it was different, perhaps because she did not have it in herself to feel sorry for him. On the contrary, he could see she only wanted to shake him and bring him back from his supposed depression. But whatever Santana might feel about him, it did not matter at the time since it wasn't her he had to face.

He got into the diner and forced a smile on his face, as ready as possible to face the five next hours.

He went into the changing room and just as he got out of it, he heard someone shouting his name.

"Kurt? Come here my boy."

It was Latoya, the manager. She usually was around, but she never demanded to speak to them. She just oversaw and helped when it was necessary. Then, for one second, he was concerned. Had he done something wrong the previous day? He did not dwell on the question for long. Indeed, when he came closer he recognized there was something different.

He cut through the diner without losing his smile. The woman was just as massive, she was wearing her usual uniform and her dark hair was still contained in a low ponytail. He sized up her face, but her makeup was nonexistent as always... Then he knew: she was smiling. It was a beautiful vision; her smile brightened her whole being. He had worked here for nearly three months and he only realized now that he rarely saw it.

When Kurt finally joined her near the counter he felt a lot more relaxed. "Hello, Latoya, what can I do for you?"

"Kurt, this is Dani; she's gonna be working here."

Then Kurt noticed the woman beside her; long blond hair, brown Bambi eyes, and baby cheeks. She looked angelic, but then she lowered her eyes and smiled, and he changed his mind; she might be sweet, but what he saw now was a minx. Then, she said with a lovely voice: "Hello Kurt."

The woman held out her hand and he shook it quickly. He had a sudden feeling that Dani was coming into his life to stay. As soon as he let go of her hand, he turned toward Latoya who smiled at him.

"Since Carly left, we've been hand short. Would you mind giving Dani a tour and explain how everything's done? I have some phone calls to make."

Kurt nodded and she carried on: "Dani, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me."

Once Dani nodded, Latoya headed toward her office. Kurt watched her absent-minded with a smile: he could have sworn she was sort of dancing.

"Do tell, Kurt, how long have you been working here?"

Dani's question brought him back to the present and he focused on her.

"About four months. The co-workers are mostly cool, as well as the patrons. It's a good place, as well, especially if you enjoy singing."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Dani's face brightened. "I love singing! I use to be in a band. I was singing and playing guitar, it was neat. So how come it's so great here for singers?"

He did not have the time to explain; the answer came by itself. The spotlight up, the music began to play and a voice started to sing.

Ten years living in a paper bag

Feedback, baby, he's a flipped out cat

He's a platinum canary, drinkin' falstaff beer

Mercedes rule, and a rented lear

Bottom feeder insincere

Prophet lo-fi pioneer

Sell the house and go to school

Get a young girlfriend, daddy's jewel

Rachel, because it was she, was dancing around and singing with Matt the bartender, to the delight of all the patrons. Dani stared at her for a few minutes before turning Kurt's way.

"Okay, I see it now."

Kurt smiled and started the tour. He took his time, explaining everything. When they finished more than one hour had run and Rachel was about to leave, to Kurt's relief. Dani followed him for a bit, before taking charge of her first tables. It was not her first time as a waitress, which was good since soon a swarm of tourists took the diner by storm.

They sang twice each and Dani was very good. She might not get as high as Rachel but near enough, and the emotion in her voice was rare. Their shift end at the same time and Kurt could not have been happier.

They went to the changing-room together and soon Santana and Machlan, their relief, arrived.

"Bye-bye, Dani, see you tomorrow," he called as he headed for the door, but she blocked him before he could open it.

"Kurt, wait! I... just a question."

He lifted his eyebrow and waited. She looked a bit awkward. "Yes?"

"Hmm, the girl who just arrived..."

He was worn down, and he took him a moment to understand who she was talking about. "Santana?"

"Do you know her well?" He nodded, attempting to find out where it was going.

"She is very... sexy, if you see what I mean…"

""Oh gosh, I do, but please, I don't want to talk about Santana's sexiness. As you must have guessed, talking about women that way is not my cup of tea."

Dani laughed. "Got it, but I wonder: could I be her cup of tea?"

"Oh, I did not see that one coming. Well, you could be, but she has just been through a breakup. So, be nice to her. She might look fierce, but deep, very deep inside, she is kind."

Dani smiled and said, "I take good note of it." Then in the blink of an eye, she went away.

Kurt stayed motionless a minute before beginning to laugh.

"Lady Hummel? Have you finally flipped your lid?" Santana's voice made him laugh twice as hard and when he turned to face her, her nonplussed expression made things worse.

In the end, he managed to shake his head. "No, I'm great, never better." Then he slipped between his friend and the doorway.. It was time to get home; he had a Skype meeting with Blaine in less than an hour.

Luckily, the subway was on time. He took advantage of the journey to think about what Finn had said that last time. His brother was worried about his mother and his best friend. Kurt has no clue what the matter was with Puck, and he did not know how to get Carole to go to a glee club meeting. Truthfully, despite what Finn said, Kurt was not sure he would be useful. Still, he was quick to give him the benefit of the doubt.

However, when he arrived at the loft, he was still far from discovering the solution to his problem. He was still lost in his thought when he opened the door of the loft, so much that he did not notice Rachel on the couch and jumped when she called out.

"Hello, Kurt! We didn't have time to talk at work this afternoon. How are you? And who is the new girl? Is she nice?"

He went to put his jacket and bag on the coat rack near the door before speaking. "Hey, Rachel, how come you're here? Don't you have a rehearsal tonight?"

He glanced at the time and as he still had a few minutes before his Skype date, he joined her.

"No, it was deferred to Friday. Now do tell me. Who is she?"

"Her name is Dani, she is nice, and funny. Oh and she sings beautifully. Well, you are working tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Yes, I have the lunch shift," she answered with a wince. Kurt knew she did not enjoy lunch shift because people seldom asked for a song. It was mostly workers on break who just wanted to eat in peace. "Well, smile, you'll meet Dani then. She arrives a bit before I do. I believe it's around 2 p.m. Now, if you would excuse me, I have a date in ten minutes and I want to make myself a bit more comfortable."

She laughed. "Okay, say hi to Blaine!"

He started his computer and quickly took his pants off. Gosh, he loved being well dressed, but it was good to be home and relax.

The connection was on, and then:

"Hey, Kurt!"

The image wasn't perfect but seeing Blaine brought a smile on his lips. A smile that grew bigger when he noticed his fiancé was bare-chested. Such a lovely sight after a long day.

"Good evening, darling, nice view…"

"Hello, Kuuurt!" Two voices sang out from the background.

"Hi, Tina, Sam!" Raising an eyebrow, Kurt wondered why Blaine was half-naked around his friends. However when they both joined him on the bed, Kurt realized that Sam was also shirtless. Luckily, Tina was not. And her presence implied that – whatever was happening in there – was platonic.

Indeed, despite his brief bi-curious phase, Blaine was gay, totally gay. Since the discussion was clearly not going to be one-on-one with his boyfriend, Kurt decided to ask some precisions.

"So, what are you doing, guys?"

"Trying on our graduation gowns, and you know what? They are uglier than yours."

"Oh, dear, they are bright violet?"

The three of them drew wry faces. It was kind of funny to see. "No. Even bright violet would not have been so bad," Tina said.

"For you, maybe," Sam answered while elbowing her.

"No 'maybe' in that! This color his horrible for all of us, except Unique; she would pull it off like no one."

"Unique, why not? Only, she's not graduating this year, so who cares?"

The trio of them kept on talking as if Kurt was not there and he did not like it. Their Kurt-Blaine time was being siphoned by Blaine and Sam's "bromance". He cleared his throat and they all turned their attention on him.

"So the color?"

"Golden Yellow."

"Like the pants I wore for my audition?"

"No, brighter, very flashy."

"Can I see it?"

Sam jumped from the bed and came back a few second later, the robe in hand. The description wasn't quite right, it was more buttercup than golden.

"You are right, it's worse than ours. However, it could fit you, Blaine. You too, Tina, with your long, black hair. Sorry Sam, it's definitely the wrong color for you. But, smile, you will only have to wear it for two hours at the most."

"Thanks, dude, really heartwarming."

Kurt stuck his tongue out before laughing. "So, tell me about Glee club? When are you leaving for Los Angeles? Are you going to see Mercedes? Do you know what you are going to sing yet? ... No, forget about it: stupid question, it's far too early for that."

"Hey! Take it back; we know and, even better, we have started to rehearse, darling!" Blaine exclaimed proudly.

Placing a hand on his chest to prove his fake shock, Kurt said "Sorry, no disrespect to Mr. Shue, but do you have a new teacher? That doesn't sound like him!" They burst out laughing and then Sam managed to reply, "You are so mean, but I can't contradict you!"

"Thanks for your honesty; now tell me, when do you leave?"

His question cast a chill on the trio. The laughing stopped and they glanced at each other, shrugging. It was as if no one wanted to respond. Finally, Blaine turned his eyes toward the web cam and said: "We're supposed to leave in two weeks, but we're one chaperone short."

"What about Miss Pillsbury? She always comes!"

"Yes, but you know she is pregnant and the doctor said she shouldn't make long trips."

"Coach Bieste, Coach Sylvester?"

"Remember she's Principal Sylvester now, and she can't and won't."

Kurt racked his brain to find a solution, but he came back blank. "What happens if you don't find one in time?"

"We'll have to give up."

The rest of the discussion was blurred. He watched the trio joking around while participating from time to time.

When they put an end of the session it was late and Kurt hadn't had any one-on-one time with his fiancé. To his sorrow Blaine did not appear to mind at all.

Getting to bed late meant one thing: no Finn dream tonight and, inwardly, Kurt could not help but think he foolishly squandered time with his brother. Who knows how long before they met in his dreams again?

Sleep was long in coming; in the end he went to the kitchen to get some hot milk. He hadn't done it since the dreams started, but he needed it. He was standing in front of the cooker, waiting for the milk to warm, when he heard someone pulling out a chair.

"Is there enough for two?"

Santana.

Without a word, he reached for the bottle of milk and added some in the pan. "Yes, but I always thought you'd rather drink the hard stuff."

"Funny, Hummel."

Kurt smiled, and he put some vanilla and sugar in the pan. The silence hovering around the kitchen was weirdly soothing. Once the drink was ready he poured it into two mugs and sat in front of Santana.

She was wearing a panther negligée but, luckily for him she didn't forget her dressing gown so most of her cleavage was covered.

"So what's eating you, Simba?"

Kurt blinked and gazed at her, dumbfounded, and then she smirked at him.

"Come on, don't tell me you forgot your classics? The Lion King?"

"I think you watched it too many times, dear," he retorted.

"And you not enough; but don't change the topic. What's wrong? Tell it to Auntie Tana."

Kurt hesitated a second, then he shrugged. "Do you still speak to people from glee?"

"You mean except you and the sleeping chatterbox? No."

"What about Brittany... Quinn … Puck?"

Santana took a sip of milk before speaking. "Quinn seems very busy with school, trying to be someone she is not; Puck... well, didn't he state he wanted to enroll? So he maybe he is doing some army shit. As for Britt... apparently she's very busy, also; so busy that she never answers her phone. But we were not talking about me. Well?"

"I don't know; I talked to Blaine this evening..."

"And what has the Wonder Twin done?"

"Nothing! It's just that Sam and Tina were there, too..."

"Ouch, no sexy time then; that's sad, so sad..."

"So, they were there and they seemed to have so much fun… I remembered it was like that for us as well and now, not even one year later, we've lost touch. And they were on about the chaperone thing, too."

"What 'chaperone thing'?"

"Well, apparently they are missing one chaperone to go to Nationals. If they don't find one _ in less than a fortnight_ they would have to forfeit."

They drank the rest of their milk in silence, both lost in their thoughts. When Kurt started feeling sleepy, he put his mug in the sink.

"You know, if Hudson was still there he would have gone with them."

Kurt froze, considering it. "Yes, he would have. Goodnight, Santana."

"Goodnight, Kurt."

As predicted, he did not dream of Finn that night. Neither did he the next one. He had to wait nearly a week before seeing the white room again. He'd never waited this long before. Up to the point that he was starting to think he would never going back there.

He had the time to think about Carole's difficulties. He even phoned her. However, he could not tell if talking to him helped her to feel better or not. Often, he surprised himself thinking he was alive while her son was not, wondering if she held some resentment. He could not tell, only hoping she didn't.

Santana's comment about Finn gave him an idea. Hopefully, he managed to set it up during his discussion with his father Now, he was just waiting for Finn to make an appearance. He was starting to lose hope when it happened.

"Hummel be more precise with your movements! Stretch your legs, Gomer Goofmore. Okay, restart from the top. 1-2-3…"

"Great idea, bro!"

While hearing those words, Kurt sensed the moveable barre shift and he turned around: No more Cassandra, no more dance classroom, he was back in the white room_ at least.

He didn't take the time to observe whatever change might have occurred. Who cared about the color of the threshold or if the mirror was back? Finn was here and nothing else mattered. It was unusual to see him lying on the couch wearing the ugliest Bermuda shorts and a black T-shirt. He looked more relaxed than the last time they'd seen each other. Kurt got around the coffee table and pulled on Finn's legs to get some space.

"It's so good to see you! Why did you leave me alone for so long? I was worried!"

"Don't get your panties all in a bunch, it's not like something bad could happen to me: I am already dead!"

Kurt did not even hesitate a second before hitting Finn's thigh.

"Sorry, I did not mean for you to worry. I just could not come, that's all."

"Don't do that again."

"Promise, but I can't come every night, either. It's not... good for you. You needed to do others things."

Kurt did not like that for one bit, so he dismissed it and inquired, "So since you said it was a great idea, I suppose you are aware of my discussion with dad?"

The grin on Finn's face said it all. "So you think they will go? Blaine didn't know, Sam neither."

"You have been a real puppeteer."

"Hey! I did not mean to manipulate them!"

"I know, but that indirect way was brilliant. I mean, saying you would do it if you could because it would be like putting an end on something I started… Yep, just brilliant."

"They are going then?"

Finn shrugged. "I think so; at least they bought the plane tickets and made the reservation, but who knows? They might change their mind. Mom is queen of moody lately."

That was true, but she did not; they went to Los Angeles.

Forming a group was one of Finn's ideas. At first, Kurt did not think much of it. He let him blab about it because it was one of the only two topics Finn felt like talking about when they met... this hypothetical band and Puck. He didn't have much information about Puck's life at the moment so they talked about the idea of a band.

Then, Santana got that stupid job (her words not his) for an ad and it occurred to him that Finn was right. He needed to have some good thing happening to him, too.

Rachel landed the part of her dreams in Funny Girl, Santana found a job, an adorable girlfriend and a 'stupid' Yeast-I-Stat commercial. As for him, of course he had his fiancé Blaine who will join him here next year and his acceptance to NYADA, but apart from that, nothing outstanding happened.

He talked about it with Rachel, Santana and Dani (her girlfriend), and they all liked it. Santana and Dani even asked to be part of it. Well, Dani asked, Santana announced it. Rachel did not feel up for it at the moment, but Kurt did not give up on it. They still could make her change her mind.

One thing they totally agreed on: the group was not complete; something was lacking, or someone. Santana swore the missing part was the name, but her only idea so for had been the ridiculous 'Apcalypsticks'.

Kurt agreed that it was missing, but it was not the only thing. So he set up an audition for new members. And that's how "Starchild" came into their life. His audition was outstanding, maybe too much, that was why Kurt decided to refuse his inclusion in the band.

Santana said it was stupid to refuse such an obvious talent. Dani did not state it in so many words but Kurt knew she agreed with her; as for Rachel, she did not give her opinion. She only asked him to be honest with himself and own up the reason for his decision.

That night, he retired to his room extra early, fed up with the accusation he was facing. Only, once he was in his bed, he realized that this might not be the best way to avoid talking about that Starchild guy. For the fist time in a very long time, he attempted to delay falling asleep, hoping against all odds that it would be too late for a Finn night.

"Kurt, what the hell are you doing? Eliott is perfect for the band; you can't let him go!"

"Who is Eliott?"

Finn stared at him as if he could not believe Kurt would try to bullshit him. His brother did not say a word, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows. And Kurt surrendered: he could not escape that Elliott Starchild, even in his sleep.

"I don't want to talk about it, it's too late. He's gone, and I don't know where to find him, so let it go, please."

Avoiding Finn's glare, he headed for the sofa. With any luck, Finn would follow and stop looking at him as if he was a huge idiot, even If he was starting to think he had been at that point. Finn asked once again if Kurt had news about Puck and when Kurt said no for what must be the tenth time, a heavy silence fell and remained around them all night long.

Kurt had never been so happy to wake up, just as he was to fall asleep the next day.

"Hey, Finn, I am sure you know, but if you don't, I saw Elliott at the diner this afternoon. Rachel and he are now part of Pamela Lansbury! Is it great or is it great?"

Kurt did not know what he expected, maybe not an explosion, but not the reaction he received.

"Nice, not the good configuration, but it's still nice."

Kurt stared at him. "What do you mean it's not the 'good configuration'? Didn't you see us singing Roar? We totally rocked the song!"

Finn lifted his hands in a sign of pacification. "Cool, bro! I did not say it was bad, just that the set up in the band is not perfect, yet."

Unbelievable. Kurt was completely thrown off by Finn's reaction. It had been his idea from the start and... and he did not seem up to explaining his remark. Instead, he was making a face that Kurt started to match with Puck so he jumped on the couch and looked around trying to find something to say before Finn initiated the conversation.

However the room did not change except for the mirror that one time and the door whose color lightly shifted at times. He glanced at it and said, "Do you know why the door color changes?"

"It doesn't, it's still white as fuck."

Kurt looked at the door, then at Finn then back again "Didn't you notice? It's amber now. You know light brown."

Finn stared at him a second before shaking in head. "Did you have any alcohol tonight? Whatever, did you have any news about Puck?"

"No, Finn, I already told you, I don't… and before you ask, Santana and Rachel neither. Even Mercedes doesn't have any sincehe left L.A. I'm sorry."

"Why don't you call him?"

"Finn, why would I do that? Puck was your friend, not mine. We barely talked when we were in the same town. I don't think I even called him once. So I might not have his phone number..." Kurt thought about it a second before shaking his head. "Actually, I am ninety-five per cent sure I don't. Sorry."

However, Finn did not remain passive. "He is about to make a mistake, a big one. He needs that someone who will givehim a hand, Kurt. He was my best friend!"

"Okay, imagine I do call him, then what? I have absolutely nothing to tell him."

"Of course, you do."

"No."

"What about 'Sorry for wrongly accusing you of stealing Finn's jacket?'"

"Why would I say that? I still don't know what's happened to that jacket. As far as I know, he might have done it".

"I told you what happened to the jacket. Mr. Shue took it."

"Possible, but Finn you are a ..."

"I am a…?"

"A dream, I am sorry, but you are a dream and you might be wrong about that."

"Like I was wrong about the tattoo? And Starchild's name being Eliott?"

The silence following Finn's world was heavy; because even if Kurt wanted to he could not refute any of them

"Please, Kurt, call him… and you will need him, too."

"I still don't have his contact number."

"I do."

Waking up was hard that day. Luckily it was a Saturday, which meant no NYADA, and also no Rachel, who usually worked most of the day at The Spotlight, and since Santana spent the night at Dani's, he had the loft to himself.

His mind was in in fog. He did not seem able to put his thoughts straight, and only one thing kept circling in his head, a number...

555-419-4322… 555-419—4322…

He got up, took his sweet time to apply his skin care before having a gargantuan breakfast. Then, he attended to his business around the loft, such as dusting the place and tidying up, all while cursing Santana and Rachel's habit of leaving their stuff lying around when in a hurry.

However, despite his hard activity and the music blaring, only one thing remained in his head: 555-419-4322. It took him some time to recall what that number meant. It was Puck's contact number, the one Finn told him about in his dreams. He knew no one with that phone number. Could it truly be Puck's?

Every time he answered that question with a no, another part of him pushed up and asked: Yes, but what if it was? How could he meet dream-Finn again without even having tried? And something else bothered him. What happened if he did call and Puck answered? What would that mean? Up to now, he always found comfort in his dream of Finn without really considering it was actually his brother. Kurt thought it was probably some trick of the brain. But, if Puck answered… Kurt shook his head, not wanting to live with that thought.

Finn's ideas had always been right. Each bit of information Kurt got from dream-Finn – whether it was about Rachel's tattoo or Elliott's name – was true. Yet, the phone number carved in his head felt different. For all the previous events, his mind might have caught something inadvertently during daylight, before casting a different light on it during the night. But it was impossible in this case. He'd never seen that number before and if he dialled it and his brother's best friend answered, it could only mean one thing: dream-Finn wasn't just a creation of his brain. Of course, there was only one way to be sure: he had to call. So, he dropped everything and headed for his room.

Kurt picked up his phone from off the dresser before sitting on his bed. He stared at it a moment, mulling over his actions.

To call or not to call

He breathed deep and finally dialed. Listening to the phone's tones was stressful. One ring, he held his breath, two, three, four... then "Hello" and Kurt breathed. Puck, it was Puck's voice! Dream-Finn was right!

"Hello? Okay, the breathing thing is really shitty so I'm gonna hang up at three. One, two..."

Speak, Kurt, speak, damn it!

"Hi." Gosh, that falsetto voice was ridiculous, and the silence that followed did not help him to relax, on the contrary.

"Hummel?"

Kurt cleared his throat. "Yes, how are you?"

"Good enough. How did you get my number? What do you want? 'Cause I am a bit in a hurry now."

Sidestepping the first question, Kurt said, "Oh, right, then I'll keep it short: I am sorry."

"Sorry? Why?" And Kurt could hear it in his voice; Puck had no clue of the reason behind the apology.

"About Finn's jacket… I know you didn't do it."

"Hmmm... So you found it then?" Puck's voice was smug.

"No, but I accused you wrongly and it wasn't fair; so, yes, I'm sorry."

"Thank you, for your... honesty? Care to tell me who took it?"

"Mr. Shue, apparently."

"Wow, nice way to set a good example!" Puck sneered.

Kurt's heart twinged but he could not disagree. "I know. That's why I thought you should know. Well, since you are busy, I will let you do your thing. See..."

"Actually, I've some time. I just didn't feel like being scolded like a five-year-old again. Now, that I know I won't, I am up for some talking. So how did you get that number? I sure didn't give it to you..."

Kurt nibbled his lips, trying to find a suitable answer; then he shrugged and tried to be as vague as possible. "A mutual acquaintance gave it to me." Then he added in an attempt to shift the subject. "So, last time we saw you, you were talking about enlisting – did you?"

Puck took his time to talk, and Kurt understood fairly quickly that his brother's best friend didn't like the conversation's new direction. "I did, but let's say that it did not turn out as I'd hoped."

"Oh, I am sorry. Then, you are back in Lima or rather L.A.?"

Now, Kurt was curious; Lima was a nice small town, but Puck shouldn't go back to that point. He had to go forward and Lima would be a huge fail for him and no-one deserved it, not even Noah Puckerman. Perhaps that was what Finn had been talking about.

"Neither, I am actually in Poughkeepsie_"

Kurt cut him off, laughing. "Pough_what?"

"Poughkeepsie; yep, funny name. I stopped here last week. There was a nice job opportunity here so I took it. Afterwards, well, I'll see."

"Where is Poughkeepsie? If it's not too far and you feel like it, you can come here." The words fell out of his mouth before he could hold them back and strangely – and despite the embarrassing silence that followed – he had absolutely no regret.

"You want me to come... where?"

"Here, in New York. If I remember well, Santana, Rachel and I were not the only ones who liked it here. And, remember what the song said."

"Which song?"

Kurt hummed the first notes of 'Empire State of Mind' before starting to sing:

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York…"

Puck laughed. "Yeah, I remember."

"And so, you will come, won't you?"

"I don't know, dude. You're sure that's a good idea? Santana was not really happy with me, back in Lima... and Rachel..."

"Let me take care of the girls. Rachel is up really high in the sky with Funny Girl, and she just took Santana to some free dolling up. So she must be in a good mood, too. Well, as good as Santana's mood can be, but you see what I mean."

"Hmmm, not really. I'm gonna have to think about it. I'm working for at least another week here..."

"Okay, get a pen and paper – I'll give you the address. Just come, you know the door will be open."

Puck took notes, and they talked a bit longer before hanging up. As soon as the call ended, Kurt let himself fall on his bed, relieved. He'd done it; now he just had to break the news to the girls.

Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to say anything that evening. Indeed, the girls stayed out too late for him to wait up. Now that he was nearly a hundred per cent sure the Finn of his dreams couldn't be a figment of his imagination, he was even more eager to see him.

Sleep took too long to come and Finn was not there. Sunday was busy.

He worked in the afternoon and the girls slept in. But when they woke up, he realized that Dani had stayed the night. As he did not feel like talking about Puck's probable arrival in front of her, he postponed the discussion, thinking he would tell Santana and Rachel later that day, when he got back from work.

However, when he returned, Dani was still here and Elliott had joined them as well. The young man was literally gushing about the song which he'd barely finished writing for Kurt's band, so eager to show them during the next practice. And Kurt could not bear it. It was not Elliott's band! If it was anybody's band it was Kurt's; after all, wasn't he the one who'd created it? He bit his tongue and strained to smile.

He was able to smile more easily when Elliott finally left. Dani went with him when Elliott suggested he escort her because of the late hour. It was so late that Rachel dashed into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Kurt had to give up the idea of talking to her and Santana for the moment.

The next morning, Kurt was not very happy. The week-end did not go as he'd hoped – except his discussion with Puck – and spending two nights in a row without talking to Finn wasn't nice. Moreover he'd spent half of his night twisting in his bed, thinking about the situation with Elliott.

As soon as he was ready, he pressed Blaine's number, hoping his fiancé would lift his spirits up. He tried in vain, but his parting words stayed in a corner of Kurt's head: "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer."

Thinking about it the next day, Kurt joined the girls in the kitchen for breakfast, and took advantage of their presence to remind them of the rehearsal.

"Okay, ladies, remember we have band rehearsal tonight!" he happily sang, only to be cut off by Rachel.

"Kurt, I'm sorry, I just... I can't," and she got up to put her mug in the sink. Puzzled, Kurt stared at her, but before he could say anything Santana asked, "What? Wait, why?"

"Santana, don't start with me right now! They are auditioning for my understudy today, and I have to be there. I told them it was ridiculous because I'm never going to miss a performance or anything like that. But it must be in chance... right?" Kurt watched a worried Rachel moving around the loft, talking as she got ready, and he had an aftertaste of déjà vu.

"Hey, if Berry isn't coming, neither am I," exclaimed Santana.

Oh gosh, the team was rebelling; he tried to get them back on the right track. However, his "Guys, we are a band; we have to practice" went in one ear and out the other.

"Kurt," Rachel continued. "I was thinking you would understand the whole emotional stress I am under right now. I need you to support me. It's just... really hard being a star

He stared at Rachel as she slid her sunglasses up and nodded. It was déjà vu again, but, higher in the big-head scale. But he might be wrong.

"No, that song is Ms. Streisand's as long as she's on this planet. But let me tell you something – when she goes, it's gonna be my responsibility to sing it," Rachel asserted with a serious and sort of angry expression.

Kurt's eyebrows rose up and he had to tell her, "Do you know how insane you sound?" but she didn't seem to hear him and she carried on. "It was completely inappropriate to try out without telling me" she yelled, and he couldn't contradict her. But, before he could tell her what he thought of the situation or try to appease her, the door behind him opened.

"Hey, roomies, talking about me?"

Kurt flinched as Santana came in, embarrassed to be caught red-hand and said, "No. Why would you think that?" just as Rachel attacked: "Why did you audition without telling me?"

"Well, because I figured we would fight about it anyway," Santana replied; "so we might as well do it afterward. That way you might not have a chance of toppling me."

And that was the beginning of the chaos.

Each word he heard was uglier than the last one so when they headed toward Rachel's room, he stayed in the kitchen, not desiring to be part of that battle. The sound of a vicious slap made him change his mind.

He arrived just in time to hear Rachel say: "I think you should move out" and Santana answer, "I agree" as she walked to her purse to answer her mobile.

"Girls, this is crazy: we are friends!" Kurt tried to stop Santana. They didn't seem to hear, but Rachel took the time to comment: "Not really."

If he thought the situation might calm down, Santana's call proved him wrong. It was from the director and she'd got the part.

That night, going to bed early had an extra bonus: he got to escape the loft's heavy atmosphere for a while. Luckily, he fell asleep without fuss and landed instantly in the white room.

Kurt scarcely took the time to glance at the color of the door _ mandarin _ before seeking out his brother. Finn was sitting on the couch, foot on the table and he was grinning like a crazy man.

"Finn, did you see the fall out between Rachel and Santana? This is just a dreadful situation, I detest it!"Kurt knew he was losing his temper, but he couldn't help it.

And Finn's seeming calm was far from helping him. "And, they put me in the middle of it, I hate it, I hate it, I detest it! What can I say? I totally see why Santana did it and I know Rachel is blowing it out of proportion, but you know her...

Faced with the lack of reaction in front of him, Kurt stopped in middle of his outburst and said, "You aren't actually interested, are you?"

Still grinning, Finn shook his head. "Nope. Hello, dear brother of mine."

Finn's smile was catching; Kurt rolled his shoulder to lessen his stress and smiled back. "Hi, Finn, it's good to see you."

Smile never leaving his face, Finn asked, "Do you have news from Puck?"

"You know very well that I do," Kurt replied as he sat on the opposite side of the couch. "Was it because he was going to move back to Lima?"

Kurt stared as Finn shook his head once again with, if possible, a bigger grin. He was starting to be concerned for his brother. "Finn, are you all right?"

Bemused, Kurt did not know what to do: Finn was obviously in a weird mood. "Now that I called him, care to tell me why Puck needed a hand?"

Seeing that no words passed his brother's lips, Kurt was beginning to worry. What if that had zero to do with moving back home? What if it was serious? More than serious? Suddenly a horrible idea passed through his mind.

"Tell me it's not a Dave-like mistake?"

"A what?"

"Tell me he was not about to do what David Karofsky tried, that he did not think about suicide!"

"NO! Well, not that I know. It's still an incredibly stupid thing_"

"Tell me!""

"No."

"FINN! You have to tell me; I did what you wanted. Now, the ball is in Puck's court. You can't leave me in the dark like that!"

At first, Kurt thought that he was being brushed off, but then he noticed Finn was frowning, clearly in deep thought.

"Okay, he was heading to New Haven."

The answer left Kurt puzzled. "Okay... what's the matter with New Haven? Why is it worse than New York? I don't understand..."

"There is no problem with New Haven in itself. It's who is there that's the problem. It's bad for him."

Kurt frowned, still not getting it. Then, Finn continued. "It's Quinn. Quinn and Puck together – that's bad news written all over. Whatever happens to him when he is around you can only be better."

The latter days were upsetting for all the inhabitants of the loft. The bickering between Rachel and Santana didn't cool down – far from it. They couldn't share a room without throwing insults at one another.

Rachel – still high on her "I'm a star" attitude – was the worst or at least the first to attack. To say the evenings at the apartment were tense would be an understatement. Kurt had never been so happy to work the night shift at the diner, or to spend time getting to know Elliott or Dani.

Dani was as funny and sweet as she first appeared. Even better, she understood more than anyone (more than Blaine) what he was enduring at the moment.

Indeed, her time with the two rivals was hard, too. Being Santana's girlfriend, she was frequently taken to task by one or the other while working. And she had to suffer through multiple duet competitions where the two frenemies tried to crush each other.

It was a painful situation and Dani told him she was forced to listen to Santana ranting about Rachel more often than not during their time alone. As for Elliott, he revealed more of himself every time they were together. Yet, Kurt still didn't know what to do about the new member of their group.

One afternoon, Kurt was putting the last touch on his cinnamon rolls while Elliott was talking about some music store he wanted to show him. Once it was done, Kurt arranged the rolls on a plate and brought it into the living room, Elliott following closely behind. They talked for a few minutes, and Kurt cursed himself for not being able to stop his flattery.

Suddenly, Elliott became serious and said: "You know, Kurt, it might seem a little bit weird but I am so glad that we met. I mean, you are the first gay friend that I made in this city that is not crazy or just out to hook up... but I do know what you are doing."

"What's that?" Kurt asked

"I am not trying to take over your band, man! That's what you've been thinking, right? I mean... that's why we are spending so much time together, right?"

Uncomfortable, Kurt shrugged, but nodded. "You are kind of magic; I am sorry, you know? I just wanted to figure out what your deal was."

Elliott was gazing at him with an incredibly sincere expression on his face. "My deal is this: you guys are awesome; good people, talented – and you know what? So am I? So let's not be those smiling friends that back-stab each other, and let's go out and kick ass together. I mean I am part of your band."

Kurt smiled. "Yes, you are. Okay, let's immortalize this moment."

And they did. The rest of the afternoon was less stressful and a lot more fun. And Kurt realized Elliott was right: it was kind of nice to have an awesome gay friend. Now if only his flatmates' relationship could go as easily as his talk with Elliott had gone. Kurt still had not told them about Puck's future appearance, something that was getting closer and closer.

That evening, Santana and Rachel reached a height never reached so far. He tried to get them to talk rationally though it didn't seem possible. Before long, he found himself sitting on the kitchen table, watching their exchanges like a game of tennis and fighting against his desire to pull his hair out.

"We all cannot live here together. One of us has to go," a smugly Rachel said. "I paid rent for three months and I've never gotten a real bed; I have squatter's right," replied Santana.

"Kurt's got a deciding vote," declared Rachel, who looked fairly certain to gain the said vote. From Santana's answer, she agreed with her statement. "Oh I suppose that I have just to pack myself now, 'cause we all know whose side he is on."

"Right!"

However they were wrong, both of them. "I'm picking neither of you. This is ridiculous we are friends! I am not letting anything like this break us up!"

"This is betrayal, Kurt! That's exactly how friends break up," exclaimed Rachel.

"She auditioned for your understudy. How exactly does it betray you?" And, even if he could understand why she was angry at first, he did not get why she was still so fixed on it. Santana was her understudy, but in the end Rachel had the main part. She was the star as she said.

"You know what? Let me break it down for you. The all-purpose of an understudy is to HOPE that the lead got to give up! She only wins if I lose! And I can't be around all this negative energy. It is my big break and she is poisoning it."

Kurt pushed a little, hoping to help her see that Santana being her understudy did nothing to Rachel herself but could be a beneficial opportunity for Santana even without being on stage.

It did not work.

"You know what? You guys can do whatever you want in this apartment. Because I am leaving, and let me tell you something, Santana. You and I have been pretending to be friends ever since we did that stupid duet after graduation, but it's all crap. Because you and I have never been friends and never will be."

Rachel's words hurt Kurt, and seeing Santana's expression, he was not the only one.

"Rachel, no..." Kurt stated, hoping to stop her, but fat chance: Rachel, eyes filled with tears, turned around and headed to her room, clearly to pack her suitcase. Santana went to the sofa while Kurt remained at the table, feeling defeated.

A rap at the door brought him out of the haze in which the squabble had left him. Kurt jumped off the table, walked distractedly towards the loft door and pulled at it.

"Hey, Hummel, you said I should come… Here I am!"

Kurt cracked a weak smile, his eyes wide. Damn, talk about bad timing, very bad timing! He quickly sized up his visitor. Puck hadn't changed much during the last three months. However, the new stubble and nearly shaved head suited him well. He was holding a heavy duffel bag along one shoulder and his guitar case on the other. Getting a grip on himself, Kurt held out a hand in Puck's direction to help him with one of them before waving him in.

He was about to announce the newcomer when Santana looked up, caught sight of them and yelled: "Puckerman? What the hell are you doing here?!"

Kurt had time to notice how Puck's expression closed off before intervening, "Shut up, Santana, I invited him." Then he turned his attention to Puck and added, "Put your stuff wherever you want; we'll take care of it later."

"Okay, Pretty Pony, stop the chitchat and tell me what he is doing here, that jacket-robber."

As one man two voices rose.

"Hey! You told me you believed me!"/"It wasn't him, so let it go, Santana."

Puck glared at Kurt. "Hummel, you said you'd talk to them, smooth it over! Fuck, don't tell me you forgot... This was your idea after all..."

"No, I didn't forget," Kurt explained. "The situation had been a bit tense since we talked and I haven't got the chance to do it, that's it. Now let's all sit and talk."

They started moving toward the couch, but a rolling sound made them stop.

Rachel.

Her whole being brightened when she saw Puck. "Noah! What are you doing here?" She let go of her suitcase and ran into his arms. Puck hugged her back, obviously surprised by the warm welcome. "It's so good to see you, to have a friendly face in this town, rather than those two traitors!"

"Rachel, we aren't traitors, we are your friends, but you won't see it," Kurt responded.

She totally ignored him, and continued talking to Puck, as if Santana and Kurt were invisible. "I am moving out of this negative place, but we absolutely have to see each other during your stay, right?"

Puck nodded, obviously dumbfounded. Then Rachel left, not without ripping up – in front of Santana – a picture of the two of them taken at Christmas.

"Okay, what the fuck was that?" Puck exclaimed after her dramatic exit. Kurt slouched on the sofa, like he'd done many times in the white room. Then, he started to explain the situation to Puck, while Santana stormed into what used to be Rachel's room and took it over as hers.

"I thought the drama would end with high school..." Puck said faintly.

Kurt laughed. "Have you met Rachel and Santana?"

"I heard you, Kurt! Don't forget this screen is not the best sound-proof thing," Santana yelled.

"I wasn't trying to be discreet!" Kurt yelled back before switching his attention to Puck. "Are you hungry, thirsty? Need anything or are you ready for the guided tour?"

"Pee, I've got to pee first."

Kurt nodded. "How about we start the visit with the bathroom, then?" and he led Puck around the place, before going to the kitchen and starting to prepare the dinner. Then, he remembered the band was supposed to rehearse that night, something quite impossible in the present situation. He fished his phone from his back pocket and dialed Elliott's phone number. As it rang, he glanced into the fridge and began taking out things for a salad, as well as some meat.

"Hello." The sound of Elliott's voice brought a smile to Kurt's face, as often happened nowadays, ever since they'd started their relationship over from scratch.

"Hi, dear Starchild."

"Oh dear, you've got a problem, haven't you," Elliott chuckled.

"You could say that... just to let you know, practice is cancelled for tonight. Dani, you and I have to talk about the Rachel and Santana situation, and promptly."

"Something happened? I mean worse than before...? Oh, wait a second – there's someone at the door."

Washing and cutting tomatoes while holding his phone wasn't an easy task and Kurt cursed himself for not having taken his hands-free kit.

"Okay, I'm back," Elliott announced. "So… you were saying?"

"To make a long story short – Rachel moved out. I don't know where she is at the moment. Also, a friend of ours just arrived so it's better to meet another time. Sorry for the short announcement."

"No worries; I, myself, have an unexpected... visitor?" Elliott said it very softly.

"A good one or bad one?" The way his friend said it pricked Kurt's curiosity.

"I don't know yet. Just... I know where is what you lost," Elliott said very cryptically.

"What I lost... What are you talking about?" Kurt paused in his food prep to concentrate.

Elliott repeated, "Lost?" He stressed very hard on that very short word as if it would magically explain everything. Kurt thought back to the discussion and then warily asked, "Rachel?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, she is your visitor."

"Uh-huh."

"Then, we really need to talk. Meet me tomorrow at lunch… at Starbucks?"

"1 p.m.?"

"Okay. Do you message Dani or do I?"

"I'll take care of it. Bye!"

"Bye!"

Kurt washed and dried his hands before placing his mobile back in its case. Then he opened the cupboard to take out a jar of olives, but interrupted himself: did Puck like olives?

"Blaine?"

Kurt jumped and banged his head on the cupboard door.

"Fuck, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, dude," Puck said, sounding weirdly shy.

Kurt rubbed his head. "It's okay, I just… I didn't hear you come back. You were saying?"

"Asking if it was Blaine…" Probably noticing that Kurt still did not know what he meant, Puck made himself clearer. "…on the phone."

"Oh, no, it was Elliott, one of our friends from NYADA."

"Is Dani, too?"

Kurt watched Puck, astounded by his question. The other man had never seemed very interested in Kurt's social relationships.

"No, Mister Eavesdropper," Kurt smiled. "Dani is Santana's girlfriend, and my friend, too."

"Oh, okay, sorry." Puck excused himself and scratched his head, clearly embarrassed. "I wasn't straining to listen, I was here and I heard."

"In case you wondered, that's where Rachel went… Also, do you like olives?"

"Yep." Puck remained silent a few seconds while Kurt restarted his preparation. "Strange choice, if you ask me," Puck commented as he sat by the counter.

"What?"

"Well, you said she's at Santana's girl."

Giggling, Kurt shook his head. "Oh no, she is at Elliott's, not Dani."

"Hmmm, kinky. Are they..."

Kurt cut him off before he could complete his sentence. "NO! I love Rachel, but ugh, yuck! Elliott is as gay as I am so no, no, no."

"Don't get on your high horse, dude, I didn't know!"

"Good, now you do, so no more of that."

Kurt put the final touches to the salad before placing the meat on the grill and called out, "Santana!"

Keeping an eye on the steaks, he casually asked, "So do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

When Puck didn't answer, he pushed. "So?"

"No, and I still don't see why I am here. You offered, you must have an idea, don't you?"

"I told you why. A mutual friend told me you might need a hand, a place to go from the snatch. So here it is! I don't know what you can do here. But come on, Puck, it's New York!"

"Hey, I'm no one's pity project, okay? And who the fuck told you that?"

"I can't tell you who. But one thing: it's not pity. Look, when I didn't get into NYADA the first time, I was... angry and depressed and I had nothing here but Rachel. And it was the same for Santana. And look at us; it's not perfect, but not bad, either. If we did it, so can you, too. If you are interested, that is."

A barely dressed Santana arrived then, preventing any reply.

"Puckerman, keep your eyes in your sockets, and give me a hand. This isn't a restaurant here!"

Kurt glanced at Puck; the poor guy wasn't used to Santana swaggering around the loft dressed in very little. Of course, it didn't really matter before, since Rachel and he weren't interested in what she had to offer. However, Puck was, or at least his eyes definitively were.

The meal wasn't too friendly. That wasn't unexpected since Puck and he never had much to say to each other and Santana and Puck were more often bickering than talking. Despite all that, it was still calmer than the last few days were. As soon as dinner ended, Santana went back to Rachel's old room, obviously intending to enjoy the bed as much as possible. It was only when she was gone that their previous discussion was resumed.

Surprisingly, it was Puck who started. "What's your plans for tomorrow?" His back was to Kurt as he washed the dishes; Puck had offered quite politely and who was Kurt to refuse?

Kurt, who was still at the table, lifted his head to watch him. "Working in the morning, I've lunch with some friends, and then school until 6 p.m."

When Puck didn't reply, Kurt realized he wasn't very welcoming. He'd invited Puck to New York but just stated he had made no time in his schedule for him. He was fairly sure it wasn't what Finn had in mind when he asked Kurt to call Puck. Kurt nibbled his lips, trying to find a way to integrate Puck into his day.

"Why don't you join me at Spotlight?" His question hung in the air for a long time, at least it felt that way to Kurt. When Puck finished washing the last plate, he turned around to stare at him and asked, "What's Spotlight?"

"Oh, yes, you don't know. The Spotlight is the diner where I work; Rachel, Santana and Dani, too. Actually, that's where we met her."

"At what time should I get up?"

"Oh, whenever you want. I start at 6.30, so you may sleep in for a bit later. I work until midday. It's one of my longer shifts of the work week. I'll write down the directions. He paused before adding, "You can meet Dani and Elliott after and then, if you want to get a look at NYADA, you can, or just whatever, 'cause I don't think coming into class with me would be a possibility."

Puck requested some clarifications before agreeing. Afterwards, Kurt helped him to fix his bed, or rather the couch, before getting ready for the night. It was a little later than usual. Too late for Finn, too late for Blaine so he enjoyed his moisturizing routine instead and got into bed.

Dawn came too soon and Kurt was still tired, but it was nothing that a huge cup of coffee couldn't change. Before departing, he took the time to write down the directions to the diner for Puck and to entrust him with his keys.

Kurt was nervous and distracted all morning long, worried that Puck would get lost in the big city. Luckily, his concerns were misplaced; Puck eventually arrived around 11 a.m. He sat by the counter and drank a coke while scrutinizing the place. Kurt couldn't tell what he thought of it. The minute his replacement arrived, he headed to the back room to change: they had to hurry to be on time to meet the others.

Any fears Kurt might have had about the meeting went out the window in less than thirty minutes. Oddly, at least for him, things fell into place. It was as if Puck had always been supposed to be there, with them. He fit in with the rest of the band like neither Rachel nor Santana ever could, as if they were four pieces of the same puzzle.

And two days later, after a long discussion with Elliott and Dani about the future of the band, they decided to exclude the two feuding girls. They assured them they might be reintroduced should their behavior improve, but from the way things were at the moment, Kurt didn't see that moment coming any time soon.

The same night, Puck attended their rehearsal and joined in with his guitar and voice. And, this time again, he fit so easily that, after exchanging a few glances with Dani and Elliott, they opted to ask Puck if he wished to be part of the band.

To say Puck was surprised by the proposition would be an understatement, but they could all see he loved it as much as them. And they didn't have to press him much to accept. That was how Kurt found himself announcing the death of Pamela Lansbury and the birth of Wracking Dream and The Tetrad Diner at the beginning of their next gig.

Even two weeks later he still didn't know where the name came from. No, it wasn't true: he knew the reason for the dream, of diner and Tetrad, but not the remainder. And, he was not sure he wanted to learn. He realized that night they were good, the public loved them, even Santana and Rachel agreed they were fantastic. They shared an alchemy Kurt had never felt before. And once again, being together on that stage fit. To Kurt it looked like despite their never-ending and unpronounceable name, the band would live.

The drama around the band wasn't the only one they faced. Puck spent most of his first two days in New York in Kurt's company. Kurt was pretty sure they spent more time together in two days than in all three years they had known each other.

On the second day, Kurt's shift at the restaurant was with Rachel.

At first it was a bit tense, and then she noticed Puck's presence and relaxed, something that changed before she left. Kurt was at the counter preparing an after eight milk shake, when it happened. That was not his favorite preparation: he liked mint and he liked chocolate, but hated the taste of both of them at once.

Puck was sitting there distracting him when Rachel came to settle beside him without saying a word.

"Hey, Rachel," Puck said. "You're leaving?" Kurt knew he wanted to talk to her, to try to appease her worries about Santana.

"No, I am waiting for Latoya," she replied and started looking around, avoiding meeting their eyes.

Kurt finished making the drink and came back to clean up a bit. When he arrived, Kurt got two surprises: Rachel and Latoya were talking there instead of going to the office as Rachel had demanded.

"...because of the rehearsals, so eight hours instead of twenty… if that's alright with you," Rachel was saying.

Kurt glanced at Rachel; he couldn't say he didn't know things were wearing on her. She couldn't carry on working as she was. Between 'Funny Girl', NYADA and the diner, she had no time to do anything else, not even her homework. What he did not foresee was their manager's response.

"I'm sorry, Rachel, but I can't accept it. I need someone reliable, and it looks like you aren't that person anymore. I understand you have something huge coming for you, and it's great, but you have some choices to make."

Kurt tried not to eavesdrop, but it wasn't easy when the discussion took place just above his head.

"You know, I can fill in for you for a bit if you want," Puck chimed in.

Kurt raised his head when he heard Puck's offer. Rachel's expression said it all: she did not appreciate it for one bit, contrary to the manager beside her.

"And you are?" Latoya eyed Puck curiously.

Rachel, however, talked ahead of him dismissively. "Puck, you don't even live here so please don't waste her time."

"I do live here, don't I, Kurt?"

Three pairs of eyes turned toward Kurt, curious. He smiled and nodded before seeing new customers arriving. He went to take care of their order and when he came back, Latoya was gone and Puck had a smile dancing on his lips.

"Hey, Kurt, I've found a job, co-worker."

Kurt raised his hand to high-five him. "Well done!"

"KURT? How can you say that? What's the matter with you?" Rachel screeched. "I am your best friend, not Santana, not Puck!"

"Oh, so today I am 'Puck', not 'Noah', anymore," Puck commented, and Rachel didn't pick it up, focused on her reproaches.

"... They are completely consuming my life and you don't care at all!"

Kurt sighed, wishing she didn't always make a scene, but unable to stay silent. "Rachel, what are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about?! First, Santana got my part, then it's him who obviously got my place at the loft, and now my job!"

"Rachel, Puck isn't taking your... anything: YOU left the loft without notice! And if he wants to live there, Puck is welcome! We need money for the next rent. As for your job, you just asked for less time, something Latoya can't allow. Now tell me: how can he take something that isn't yours?"

Tight-lipped, she stared at him, breathing through her nose, and then she swept her hair back before speaking. "Maybe not Puck, but Santana is."

"Once again, how? Should she have told you before auditioning? Perhaps. I know it's the part of your dreams, but if Santana wasn't your understudy, someone else would be. There is always an understudy, just in case. You can't be your own understudy, Rachel! See, even Kristin Chenoweth got one… Kristin Chenoweth! And you know why? Because that's what professionals do!"

However, Rachel didn't like how he expressed his opinion. After a far from delicate grumble, Rachel grabbed her bag and left the diner without a backward look.

Approximately two days later, Blaine phoned him, very excited, and demanded that Kurt join him on Skype as soon as possible that evening because he had news, very good news. Kurt tried to coerce him into saying more since it was barely 2 p.m. and he wouldn't be able to go home before at least 6 p.m., but that was futile: Blaine wanted to be on Skype. Thus, Kurt had to chomp at the bit for hours, curious about the announcement.

When he arrived at the loft he was alone, something rather rare of late. He changed into more comfortable clothes, turned his computer on and slouched on the sofa.

The first impression he caught was the brightest smile of his boyfriend. It was contagious, and then Kurt smiled and sang, "Hello, darling, looks like someone is in a good mood here!"

"Hey, Kurt! I'm so glad you're here! Guess what?" Blaine exclaimed with so much joy that Kurt briefly wondered if his fiancé had taken some illicit substance during the day.

"You... um," Kurt tried to think of something that would qualify as incredible news but, before he could offer anything, Blaine nearly yelled: "I got in!"

Kurt beamed. "NYADA?"

With a smirk, Blaine confirmed, "Of course! New York here I come!"

"Congratulations, sweetie; I'm so proud of you!"

Blaine looked down bashfully. "Thank you." That false humility wasn't him and Kurt could clearly see through it.

"Quit with the false modesty, Blaine. Did you forget who you were speaking to?"

Blaine cracked up. "You're right, but Kurt, do you understand? In less than two months we will be together. It's going to be just as we dreamt. You, Rachel and me, sharing the loft together… It's gonna be perfect. Of course, Santana and Puck would have to find some other home, but I won't be there before at least two months so they have time."

Kurt listened as Blaine explained how their lifestyle was about to change, completely bemused by his presumption. Once he came back to himself, he said, "No, they won't."

"What?"

"Santana and Puck, they won't be leaving."

This time it was Blaine's turn to be puzzled. "But, Kurt, it was always supposed to be like that – just the three of us. At first it was four, but Finn..."

"Don't talk about Finn right now, please. As for Santana and Puck, they certainly won't leave to make a spot for you. I refuse to ask them."

It was their first quarrel since they got back together and Kurt wondered if it meant the honeymoon phase was already over. He didn't add a word, only staring at Blaine who was glowering. Then Blaine raised his head and declared defiantly, "Rachel could."

Screwing up his eyes (an obnoxious action that caused wrinkles) Kurt declared, "No, she lost that right when she left us hanging without the rent. Now the responsibility for the loft is left up to Santana, Puck and me, and, it will continue as such."

Blaine and he stared at each other defiantly through the screen after Kurt's declaration. Kurt saw in his boyfriend's eyes the minute he accepted his defeat.

He, however, didn't stay vanquished for long. "You never told me how Puck arrived there; Rachel said something about how you invited him? I never noticed any closeness between the two of you..."

"We were not." Kurt sneakily crossed his fingers, hoping Blaine wouldn't press the issue. He wasn't that lucky.

"Then, why? And, why would you rather live with them than with me? I am your fiancé."

Kurt didn't like the intonation, as if he was the baddie of the story because he didn't want to kick his friends out of their home to make a place for him. He didn't like that tone, not at all.

"You are my fiancé, Blaine, but we agreed on a long engagement. We don't have to live together as soon as you come here. Actually, it might be a good thing for you to have your own space for a while."

"Ouch, you are not being very nice tonight. Is it a Puck effect?"

"Leave Puck out of this! And why are you so against Puck right now? Wasn't he your friend last year?"

"Yes, we were, but that entire affair was weird. I never noticed any love lost between the two of you. So I am curious, especially since you are trying to confuse the issue."

"I am not confusing the issue, it's just... Finn would have wanted it, me giving his best friend a helping hand. I mean, I know they had their differences, but in the end Puck was still his best friend. As a matter of fact, I never imagined we would get along this well when I made the proposal. Anyway, do you know what you are going to do next year? I mean for the living situation?"

It was also a hot topic, but it was still better than talking about Puck and the reasons for Kurt's offer. He watched Blaine shrug as he stated, "If you are sure that living with you and Rachel isn't a possibility..." as Kurt shook his head, he continued, "I may try to get something with Sam, Tina and Artie. I'm not sure. I'll have to talk to them."

Jumping on that opening Kurt asked, "So, Tina is coming to New York as well? Why didn't you tell me?"

After that, the talk went more smoothly and ran on for a few more minutes. Then, after ending the conversation, Kurt switched off his laptop and sighed before closing his eyes to relax. Lately, talking to Blaine exhausted him; he genuinely hoped that it would become better once they were in the same city.

"I thought someone asked you to invite me here?"

Kurt jumped, not having noticed Puck's arrival.

"Sorry?"

"You just told Blainers it was because of Finn, and you told me something else. I simply wonder who you lied to." Puck's brown eyes were serious as he stared intently at Kurt.

From Puck's defensive attitude, Kurt knew he was in big trouble. His brain was kind of fuzzy when he blurted, "I didn't lie to you, to either of you."

Openly disbelieving, Puck raised his left eyebrow. "Really?"

"I ..." At that second, Kurt realized he only had one way to get out of this tricky situation.

"Finn, he asked me to do it."

"Sorry? I don't think I heard you correctly. Did you just say that Finnasked you?"

"Yes." And for the second time that evening he didn't offer any details

"When? 'Cause last time I checked, he wasn't here anymore..."

Kurt stared at Puck, wondering if it was the best way to work. Then he detected something in Puck's eyes. Despite his questions, Kurt could have sworn that Puck believed him.

So, he answered more freely. "I know it might seem strange and…" he paused, "maybe you should sit down." Once Puck dropped into the chair in front of him, Kurt continued.

"Ever since Finn died, I keep dreaming of him... no, that's not it exactly. It started before that, when he had his accident."

"You dream of Finn... Is it kinky dreams, 'cause I would bet Blaine wouldn't like that."

"NO! Yuck, it's nothing like that, Puck. We are just in this room and we talk. We talk about lots of things, things that occur in my life, or Rachel's or yours and..." Kurt cut himself off because Puck was frowning now and he wondered if he had made a mistake. Maybe he shouldn't have revealed this to him.

Maybe Puck was thinking he was crazy. Kurt knew that if the roles were reversed, he would have had some doubts about Puck's sanity. Kurt stood up and started pacing in the living room, stressing about having made a mistake.

"So you said Finn has been visiting you. That's fucking weird, but let's say I believe you..."

Kurt froze and then turned around to gaze at him. "Do you?" They gazed at each other for a while, and then Puck nodded. Kurt grinned before releasing a breath he wasn't aware of holding.

"Really?"

Shrugging, Puck confirmed, "Yes, I mean, as I said, it's weird, but you're not a liar. Tell me more about it. How is he?"

More relieved than he would admit, Kurt sat back and told him all he remembered. Puck was interested but a bit sad too. And when he asked him why Finn never came to see him, Kurt understood, even if he had no answer to give.

"Hey, you said Finn asked you to invite me; did he tell you why?"

Hesitating for a moment, Kurt pondered if it was the right idea to be honest on that, but then he realized that he owed it to him.

"He said you were on the verge of making a huge mistake…"

"A mistake?"

Kurt shrugged and added cautiously, "Something about Quinn?"

Puck jumped. "Quinn?"

"Yes, he said you wanted to go to Yale and that Quinn and you together would only have turned out bad. He felt that whatever you might do here in New York could only be better for you than going to Yale."

Something changed in Puck; he suddenly turned pale. Kurt got closer and laid a hand on him. "Puck, are you, okay? Did you eat something today?"

"It's true!"

"What?"

"It's really Finn, isn't it? It's true, he really is in your dreams!" Puck took a deep breath and stared, wide-eyed at Kurt. "I never talked about my plans to anyone!"

The rest of the afternoon was less loaded with emotion, but it was a turning point in their relationship. Sharing such a secret drew them closer than before, closer than they would have thought it possible.

And Kurt liked it.

---

last part tomorrow