Chapter 1

A/N: Back in the day I was a huge Klaine fan (especially with Season 2 Blaine and the Warblers) and I've recently re-found my love for them. I'm not sure how active this fandom still is, but I couldn't get this fanfiction idea out of my head. Its AU, but with lots of cannon plot elements. Hopefully that's not to confusing. I'll try to make the differences clear in the story, but to start off Blaine is two years older than Kurt, and they didn't meet in high school. Jesse and the New Directions also didn't meet. Finn is still alive, but he and Rachel are broken up and he won't play a large role in the story. Also its set in 2018 instead of cannon timeline (mostly so I could include Hamilton references).

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.

"Home sweet, home," Rachel called out perkily as she slid open the door of their Bushwick loft, pulling her pink suitcase with her. Kurt trailed behind her with less enthusiasm, a knot twisting in his stomach. Two years ago, Kurt never could have imagined wanting to stay in Lima, but now returning to New York meant returning to memories that he'd rather not have. Unfortunately, Rachel noticed his gloomy expression. "Are you going to be okay while I'm at work this week? I mean classes don't start until next week and Santana won't be back until then either, so you'll be here alone all day-"

"I don't need a babysitter Rachel," Kurt cut her off, sounding harsher then he intended.

"I didn't mean it like that Kurt…" Rachel's eyes held a sorrowful expression and Kurt immediately felt guilty. "I'm just worried about you. Spencer," Kurt flinched a little at his name, "he turned you into a ghost. After you broke up with him you just…"

Kurt knew what she was thinking, but didn't want to say. He had fallen apart last fall. He probably wouldn't have left his room if Santana hadn't dragged him out of there every morning. And he definitely would have failed his classes if Rachel hadn't insisted on walking to class with him, even when her classes were on the other side of campus and forced him into practice rooms and sang half of duets until he final joined in. Kurt sighed, pulling her into a hug, "I know, but I'll be okay, I promise. I'll pick up some shifts at the diner, so I won't be at home all day. And thank you…for everything."

Rachel clung on to him. "Of course…that's what friends are for," she murmured.

When Kurt finally pulled away, it looked like Rachel wanted to continue the conversation, but before she could Kurt declared, "I'm exhausted and I'm sure my clothes are wrinkling. I'm going to unpack then go to bed," walking off before she could protest.

As Blaine packed up his messenger bag at the end of the day he couldn't keep the grin off his face. He'd been beyond nervous to start his new job – a lead role in an off-Broadway show and his first major role since graduating from NYADA in the spring, but even after the first rehearsal he could tell it was going to be amazing. The plot of a recently engaged lesbian and her estranged bisexual little brother (Blaine's character) reconnecting as they both struggle to come out to their conservative Catholic family was heartfelt, and the director – a young rising star in the Broadway world – was brilliant.

Blaine was torn from his thoughts by a tap on the shoulder. He glances up to see the petite brunette who plays one of his character's love interests. "Um hi, its Rachel, right?" he says.

"Yes, its Rachel, Rachel Berry. Given our obvious vocal chemistry and the steamy romance between our characters, I was wondering if you would like to get dinner and you know…get to know each other better…" she says flirtatiously her hand lingering on his shoulder.

Is she really hitting on me by talking about our "vocal chemistry?" Blaine wondered."Um… I'm really flattered, but I'm actually gay," Blaine said with what he hoped was a sympathetic smile, but probably came off as a grimace.

"Oh…I probably should have guessed…" Rachel replied awkwardly, smile faltering, "Then what about getting dinner as friends…since we're going to be working together," she said, recovering her bright smile.

"Yeah, that sounds great. What about tomorrow after work?" Blaine was glad she'd taken the rejection well, that could have been awkward.

"Tomorrow it is!" Rachel responded before bouncing off cheerfully.

"… so, while I always imagined by professional debut would be as the star in a revival of Funny Girl or Evita or maybe Oklahoma I realized that this is better, originating a new character. People won't be comparing me to anyone else, just appreciating my talent for what it is," Rachel rambled on over dinner.

Rachel is intense…Blaine thought. Not necessarily in a bad way, it's just a lot to take in. She reminds me of Jesse. The conversation flowed more naturally once Rachel stopped talking about her career ambitions and they began gushing over favorite musicals and pop icons. When Blaine mentioned they that he grew up in Ohio and sang with the Warblers, Rachel practically squealed with excitement. "What are the chances!" she exclaimed, "It's probably for the best that you graduated before we competed against the Warblers, I probably would have hated you as the talented lead singer of our rival." Rachel pauses for a minute, then suddenly blurts out, "Was it hard for you, growing up gay in Ohio?" her eyes big and serious. Blaine just gapes at her, surprise by this suddenly serious turn in the conversation. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry its just…my best friend, he's gay and we went to high school together and I know it was so hard for him. I wish I had done more, I mean I sang this one duet with him when he was lonely, and I tried to get my boyfriend to beat up his bully, but I just wish…" the words come tumbling out with remarkable speed and sincerity and Blaine feels a sudden rush of affection towards Rachel.

"It was hard," Blaine says bluntly with a grim smile, "I actually transferred to Dalton after the bullying at my first school got too bad. But once I got to Dalton I had friends that showed me that I could be happy, proud of who I am. You seem to care a lot about your friend, just make sure he knows that. That's what matters most."

Rachel grasped his hand from across the table, then as suddenly as she had started the conversation, she switched back to talking about her favorite movie musicals. The stayed at the restaurant until the waitress pointedly asked, for a third time, if they were ready to pay. When Blaine finally headed back to his apartment he felt as if he had know Rachel for months instead of merely a few hours.