A/N: Hi everyone. It's been a tough few weeks for me. Cory's death was so tragic for not only his family/friends and loved ones but for all of us fans. We all in some way feel like underdogs and his presence in real life and his symbolic heroism as Finn gave each and every one of us something better to strive for.

I thought long and hard about keeping this story going, and I came to one conclusion with the thanks to the many people who messaged me and reviewed their thoughts: the show must go on. Cory was a stand up guy who according to those around him would give you the shirt off his back, so I think I can honour that memory by continuing to write my story. He would want the show to go on as it were, the stories to be written and his memory and that of his character kept alive. So from now on, Cory Monteith as insignificant as this may seem, I write this story for you.

Finn will be involved in this story heavily, and not as half of Finchel either, but as the lovable Finn we can't help but smile at.

This chapter jumps times and points of view, but its the last of the building chapters before the depth of the story sinks in. Thank you for your support with this story, all mistakes are my own and as always I own nothing except the original characters and my own plot bunnies.

with love and support I give you chapter 4. Review if you can, the support means a lot and your opinions matter greatly.


Stand By Me


Chapter 4

Saturday had come and gone far too quickly for Kurt, but it had been a great day all in all actually.

It had begun with Kurt waking up in the strong and familiar arms of Sergio and it wasn't as strange and foreboding an act as he had originally imagined. In fact, it was comforting, and for once not in a sexual way between the two. He had awoken to Serg actually holding him against his ches,t even though it felt like friends holding another. Sergio was respecting his boundaries, not smothering him, despite knowing that they had taken a step further than Kurt had ever wanted for himself in the last 12 hours. They were attempting to be with one another, maybe exclusive was the better term, but whatever it was it had started fairly fantastically. Cuddling but in a fairly platonic fashion, smiles over breakfast, and talks of American politics and art history which Sergio was always ecstatic that Kurt found intriguing.

They had spent the day together from then on, celebrating going out in public as an actual couple, until Kurt had go back home around four to take Isabelle's Skype call.

That call went very well too. Isabelle had a very positive morning meeting with a few endorsers that promised a large spread size for their fall issues. Yes, Isabelle was well aware it was Saturday, but apparently this meeting 'couldn't wait till Monday' Besides, even though more ad space was a drag, it also allowed for more articles and spreads which made Isabelle happy. She always hated having to cut people's hard work when they ran out of space because of money. Kurt also found out that his photo shoot would be featured as well as the small spread where he modeled. Isabelle didn't miss the blush that her co-worker was sporting because of the news.

"So Kurt, what's got you in a good mood?" Kurt blanched a little and for a split second had no retort, which was more than enough for his boss' quick response. "So you don't deny it. It's a guy right? I knew it, tell me everything."

Sometimes Kurt wondered if his friend and boss was closer to her teens then Kurt was. Despite that his boss was now almost fifty, she acted about sixteen when the occasions arose. It was so hard to refuse the enthusiastic blonde, she did know him too well.

"Iz, it's nothing I swear. Serg and I are just..."

"Oooh Serg, he the hunky Eastern European one that I saw you leave with a few weeks ago? Tall, dark, and of course handsome and in my case unfortunately gay?"

Kurt laughed, " One in the same,and he's Serbian hun. Things are just...going well I guess. We had a good day."

"I'm glad for you sweetie, you need some happiness, hell we all do. Oh on a side note, I also managed to talk to Celina, she works at the L.A office, and she wants a change of scenery for a while and has agreed to take over your office position while you're on leave."

Kurt had been a little taken back at Isabelle's actions. Kurt hated not being in control of something as influential and important as taking time off work, even for such a large career tangent. He wouldn't leave his job, merely expand his horizons a little. Still, he didn't like that he hadn't decided completely and it felt like Isabelle was pushing him out the door. Isabelle sensed his hesitation.

"I'm not replacing you sweetie, you're irreplaceable, especially considering you're not only my second in command but you've also filled in for photographers before...and recently even modeled for a spread. Trust me, irreplaceable is a word I reserve for only my most amazing underlings."

Kurt laughed forgetting the earlier worry. He knew that she meant what she said, and Kurt had to admit that he had done all those things for her in the past, and enjoyed them all thoroughly. Kurt just guessed he wanted to absorb as much of the fashion world as possible and from every angle.

"I guess I'm thinking that this will be my last week, as long as that's okay with Celina, and despite you saying so, I don't think I deserve full pay while I'm off. It's not fair to those that work there. I would feel horrible getting paid to lounge in my pyjamas all day."

Isabelle had laughed but squinted at the screen sternly, "You better not! I'm expecting a full report by the end of third quarter saying that you've come up with enough design concepts to actually need seamstress help by winter. I want to show your work off before year-end, latest by spring. So Hummel, get to work, this won't be a holiday. And you'll get 75 percent no less, agreed?"

Kurt had resigned to not argue something he couldn't change. The fact was he always needed the money, because despite the savings that would allow rent payment for a few months, he would still need incidentals like fabric and sewing materials, drafting supplies and endless amounts of paper for him to throw around his apartment in dissatisfaction.

Isabelle had ended that part of their conversation with a statement that made sense to Kurt. "Honey if I didn't push you to do this, you're dream of doing so might never come true. You have the opportunity to do it, but sometimes you're so damn stubborn that you get in your own way, so this is me smacking you to do it. I'm basically..."

"...removing my head from my ass?"

"Exactly." Her smile was beautiful.

"Ass - Head removal! I have to check up on Blaine! I almost forgot! He's been sick and..."

"I don't want to know why head removal and the word ass reminds you of Blaine do I?" As Kurt turned red he cursed his constant and instantaneous blush.

"Oh shut up there is an A to C in that thought process, it's just he, well he, oh forget it. It's a long story."

"One day, I expect that story over a martini, maybe I'll wait until the dapper Blaine is back in town and I can ask him myself. Blaine was always great at stories, especially the unedited versions."

With more laughter and a more than cheery goodbye, Kurt and Isabelle cut their connection so Kurt could grab some food and drink before he got back to work for the night and then text Blaine. Kurt didn't think his good mood could get any better, but then he thought about seeing Blaine's face tomorrow on Skype and all thoughts of working on his own line, his break from 15 hour days at work, and Serg and his pleasant day spent together in good company, were all erased. Because he would get to actually see Blaine. Something he tried hard to deny was something his heart craved far more than was healthy. So he had decided that one message of friendly concern was more than enough to placate his need to control, and a compromise with his attempted newer attitude of trying to set himself free from Blaine.

Hope you're feeling better B. Can't wait to talk to you tomorrow, I've had such a good day. Love you and ttys :) - Kurt

That was a normal message right?

Unfortunately that night, even as Kurt worked slowly on his drawings on the couch, and fell asleep watching Home and Garden Television, Blaine never messaged back.

XXXX


Nor did he message back the next morning either, and as Kurt sat on his kitchen table and watched the mid afternoon hour tick by that he had waited on Skype for Blaine, Kurt finally realized that his good mood was only going to last so long. He never felt this light without another shoe dropping, and his mood blackening slightly.

Figures he'd forget. He's got other things to do besides talk to me, Kurt thought.

So he slammed his laptop closed faster than he wanted to admit and stomped away, grabbed a preemptive overnight bag, and called the people that could cheer him up right now. The line picked up almost instantly.

"Yes dear?"

"Hey Rach. Ugh I need ice cream stat."

"Say no more, I'll order the pizza too, and I'll even get one with meat on it for you and Finn."

The deep yet simple sadness and slight betrayal Kurt felt at Blaine's forgetfulness made his heart clench a little uncomfortably. He would tell Rachel and probably Finn all about what was going on in his brain, he had to talk to someone. Because right now, his sanity with regards to his feelings were tethered together by such a fine thread that he felt like it would snap if he didn't try talking it out with someone. Because this was one thing he couldn't talk out with Blaine. No Blaine had his husband for stuff like that, and Kurt, well, Kurt had just Kurt.

XXXX


Saturday 6 a.m (Seattle)

"I still can't believe you sometimes! How could you forget a detail this important!?"

Blaine started coughing the minute he finished the first sentence. The second one was garbled and a little more hoarse. The cold that he thought was nipped in the bud was obviously moving to his lungs. But honestly, this wasn't a small fuck up, Justin really needed to pay attention to shit, or he would have missed his flight.

"I fucked up honey, what can I do about it now? Grovel that you were right and I was wrong...yet again!"

"Stop, don't start with me J.J. Just don't, just stop arguing with me and finish packing the last suitcase before you forget that too."

"Blaine stop being a bitch. And fuck, stay in bed, don't come to the airport with me. You. Are. Still. Sick!"

"Fuck being sick right now, you'll never get out of here in time." Blaine was still buzzing around the apartment grabbing things and throwing them at his husband to chuck in the suitcase. "Where did you put your laptop bag, wasn't it with your carry-on? Did you forget to pack the adapter too...damn it, here it's in the wall unit."

The fight this time was warranted, and it took all of Blaine's willpower not to pull his hair out because of his husband, the man with the IQ of 154, an apparent genius in his own right had packed his bags ahead of time last night - mostly - but didn't actually check his ticket thoroughly, it having been bought for him by the company. His flight was in 3 hours...today. Not tomorrow, but today, and it took Blaine getting up feeling a little feverish at 5 a.m, and casually glancing at the tickets on the kitchen island to notice it.

Blaine was understandably freaking out that his husband may be late for his flight, subsequently making a horrible impression on the board members he was to meet up with en route, and thus starting off this apparent career jump on a bad note. How could he forget such and important...

Blaine shook his head and tried to forget it. He promised his husband that he would come with him to the airport, and that's what he was going to do. All he had to do now was calm down, forget that his husband was being a prat for five seconds because he was just as pissed at himself, and get the last of their shit together so he could get his month's worth of baggage checked. Thank god Blaine thought to print out his boarding pass already, that would save some time. Here's just hoping that Saturday traffic down the 405 wasn't too bad since it was god damn early on a weekend morning.

"This shit won't close. I'm dead, how the fuck am I..." Justin had gotten dressed casually but well and his hair was starting to fall limp on the sides. He looked frustrated so Blaine, once he placed everything else by the door, called back to him.

"Honey take all of that out on the one side. You've got five minutes, I'm getting dressed, then I'm going to repack all of that in another 5, and it will fit."

As Blaine strutted by his husband, he heard Justin scoff as he began pulling out items.

"And what make you think that you can make it fit?"

Justin was having a hard time believing all this shit would ever get into this suitcase, and then he would be late and, good god how could he be so stupid?

"Jus, I've known Kurt for over 10 years. If there's anything he's taught me, it's about fashion, what to bring, where to bring it, and how to fit way more than you need into one bag. Move over and let me work my magic."

Justin knew Blaine was speaking the truth, but yet again, there was yet another reference to the 'do no wrong' Hummels, and he couldn't help it, he felt inferior to the man who might know his husband better than him. He definitely argued with him less.

Maybe this time away will be good for them like he thought it would be, now all he had to do was not fuck up anymore and actually make his plane.

XXXX


"Okay so bags checked. Do you having everything?" Blaine felt like shit but he was trying to distract himself from that fact by making sure Justin was set to go. He was starting to feel a little nauseated now too. Great.

"I think so."

"Do you remember where you have to go when you get to Osaka?'

Blaine could vaguely remember but he wanted to keep it fresh in Justin's mind. He had another trek to make once he got to Japan, Osaka wasn't that close to Tokyo

.

"Yeah, I'm meeting one of the other board members at Osaka International, apparently his Japanese is crap so he's counting on me to be there. We're cabbing together to the train station to get a Shinkansen train to Tokyo which has already been reserved while our luggage is being delivered thanks to the company covering the bill. The train trip is another 2 to 3 hours or something. Then we hit the hotel and I die because I will have lost a day and I hope I remember pants at the meeting the next day."

Justin was flustered and tired from the abrupt wake up this morning and Blaine was faring no better, but he wouldn't let Justin know how bad he really felt. If he did he probably wouldn't even get on the plane. as sweet as that was, Blaine could see the glimmer of excitement behind his eyes, and it bugged Blaine that he couldn't go with him all over again, adding to his discomfort.

"Good, that's good."

Apparently Justin wasn't any the wiser to Blaine's sadness though. He seemed too preoccupied with leaving for customs.

"I'll be fine Blaine, I'll call you once I'm settled and safe. But I really have to go."

Sick or not Blaine allowed Justin to kiss him goodbye. There was something in that kiss thought that felt odd, but maybe Blaine was misinterpreting it because he felt like crap. Justin did hold him a little longer that he expected though and as they parted Justin's smile lit up like the north star.

"I'm going to Japan baby!" He kissed Blaine quickly again before shouldering his other bag."I'll call you honey."

And before Blaine could say much else he saw his husband wheeling his small suitcase behind him and waving enthusiastically. Blaine didn't think that Justin heard him say he loved him, and he was sure that he hadn't heard him say it back.

Now he was alone. And as much as the stupid ongoing fights pissed Blaine off, combined with the vast blur that was airport traffic, and the busy employees moving back and forth, Blaine felt like the city he called home now, was swallowing him whole.

Blaine waited at the airport until Justin's flight took off, and despite Blaine knowing that security was lengthy sometimes, and Justin's flight was probably boarding already, he had hoped for a quick text goodbye, but he never got one. Blaine guessed his phone was off already, but sent him one anyways.

Goodbye JJ, safe flight. Love you. - Blaine

XXXX


Justin was very happy about getting a window seat for this flight. However childish it may seem, flying over the island of Japan was a childhood dream to his and he wanted the view more than anything.

He had just made his boarding call, and the last of the stragglers like himself had been seated. The seat beside him was just being filled but Justin hadn't been paying that much attention to the stranger as of yet. He was looking down at his phone and at the sweet message that his husband sent him just now.

Aww Blaine, I do love you too.

He was about to message back when a smooth voice to his left interrupted him.

Justin took a second to look at the sharply dressed man taking the seat next to him. He was obviously tall, probably Justin's height, with expressive green eyes like his own, only brighter. His light brown hair was swept back in a styled coif that reminded him of Kurt a little, but his jaw was more chiseled and angular. He looked toned, like a dancer of some sort and the handsome man was wearing a smirk as he settled down.

"Ready for a long ass flight?"

Justin chuckled, well this guy got right to point.

"You know hello sometimes works better." The man fake bowed as he sat down and buckled his seatbelt as the plane began its first instructional video.

"My apologies then. Sebastian Smythe, twenty nine years young. Junior Board member of Dash Industries, New York office. Just made this connecting flight, I hate the colour orange, my favourite food is Tiramisu, I hate long walks on the beach, there's just too much sand, excited about the prospect of working with you, and I also think you're one of the most handsome men I have ever seen. Better?"

This man, Sebastian, stuck his hand out and if Justin knew what to say to such a blatant come on, he would have, but he was a little lost for words. This was the guy Justin had to work with in the coming month? He didn't know he was on the same plane as him.

"Justin Lefevbre...and uum, thank you?" Sebastian's grip was firm but warm, much different than Blaine's touch. Why was he making that comparison?

"I know who you are Mr. Lefevbre. I've heard great things, and I look forward to working with you. And you are most welcome. I just say it like I see it."

Justin had the nerve to blush egging Sebastian on.

"I know you're married as well Justin. I can call you that right? I make it my mission when working with people to read up on their file as much as I'm allowed to, to familiarize myself with the personnel. So don't twist your panties and let's just relax and get to know one another alright? It's ten hours on a plane after all."

Okay, so maybe Justin just wasn't used to the complete attention of another man, albeit handsome, that wasn't his husband. He guessed he had forgotten that he might be considered a catch to others. If anything, Justin appreciated his honesty and flattering was never a bad thing.

"Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that," Justin pocketed his phone without messaging Blaine back, " So Sebastian, I can call you that right? Tell me about yourself."

Sebastian smirked and although it seemed mischievous, there was an attractive quality to it.

"Gladly. So I grew up in France..."

This guy was gonna be an interesting person to get to know, and Justin was for some reason looking forward to it.

XXXX


Blaine was upset still when he left the airport. The ride back was slightly intolerable because it felt like his head was swimming, and his lungs were faring no better. By the time he had reached his house, parked their car in the garage, and made it upstairs, he basically threw his clothes on the floor wherever was convenient and fell onto the bed in an untidy heap.

It only took an hour or so for him to cough himself awake, prop himself up a little so breathing wasn't a problem, and settle in again.

And that's how Blaine spent the rest of his day, in an out of consciousness, ignoring food since he wanted nothing to do with ingesting anything except popping medications when necessary. He constantly felt the instantaneous drowsy feeling that came with them. He was such a lightweight with cold medications, but it helped him get the rest he needed most of the time.

As much as he stayed angry at his husband in the back of his mind, the weight surrounding his worry about his and Justin's relationship drifted from his worries as he slept, much like a passing storm.

XXXX


Sunday morning (Seattle)

Blaine awoke decently early to find that not only had he eaten basically nothing the day before, but for the first time in at least a day, his stomach was complaining about said fact quite loudly. Blaine saw this as a good sign, his body wants something as opposed to being rebellious against everything.

So the curly haired english and history teacher, as if on autopilot, shuffled groggily to the bathroom, via the kitchen to start a fresh cup of coffee. He went about his morning routine, including picking up his clothes from the day prior where he had all but flung them. He washed his face a few times, just to rid the sick feeling off of him, the one that clung to you whenever you sweat out a fever. Finally he decided to just have a shower to freshen up, and maybe feel a little more human.

It helped in fact, but his breathing wasn't what it should be despite his lungs feeling much more clear. Honestly he was just feeling lousy all in all.

His phone rang a second later and in a moment that made him smile, he thought that it might have been Justin, but that thought was absurd, he would still be over the Pacific somewhere or wait...what time was it there? Wasn't it Monday already? The full days sleep had thrown off his body clock so he couldn't be sure where is husband was right now.

The caller i.d made him smile nonetheless and forget about the time zone math his brain was losing track of. He answered genuinely happy to see that person calling.

"Hello handsome!"

"Blainey! Oh my god man how are you?!" The man on the other end was as overly excitable as usual.

"Hi Jeff." Blaine cleared his throat and let loose a cough before he could drink down a gulp of hot coffee.

"Blaine, are you sick honey? Why did you answer the phone if you're feeling like ass?" Jeff ever the mother figure sometimes, vulgar, but motherly.

"I'm okay Jeff, just got a cold. How are you and Nick, and how's little Sami?"

"We're all good man. Sami is gonna be taller than her papa soon I'm sure of it."

Blaine smiled and settled down on his bed, nestling the pillows tightly as he brought his coffee to his mouth again. He talked to Jeff for a few more minutes as they went over Justin leaving for Japan yesterday morning, Sami's excitement over her new wardrobe because she just wouldn't stop growing so fast, and then subsequently Blaine asking for the reason for Jeff's call.

"I dunno man. I just had this undeniable urge to call my captain."

Jeff forever thought of Blaine as the old Warbler captain. Even though the Warblers had disbanded their council the year after Kurt transferred to Dalton and elected captains from then on in , Jeff always thought of Blaine as their leader, even if he had never been elected as such.

"Well I'm glad to hear from you dude. I was feeling pretty shitty just now, and it's just...nice to hear from you Jeff I miss you guys."

Blaine looked to the left in bed and saw Pupbee sitting there, battered and a little worn from years of shuffling and being thrown about. The little brown stuffed toy had been symbol to of friendship with a man he held most dear, and of the childlike innocence that he held onto even now as he approached the end of his twenties. This one symbol of was what would forever remind him of the simpler days of Dalton ties and a capella Warblers. A momento of early love, and ever lasting friendships with a group of boys who were now men, but some of whom were still important to him. And maybe looking into the over sized honey coloured eyes of the toy did Blaine come to the realization that he needed some of that time back sooner than he ever planned on it, even as one of those childhood friends rambled on and on about something that he had stopped listening to a minute ago. He had something else he had to do.

"...And that's when I was like, no Nick, honey no. Lime and cotton candy pink do not go together in my world, and I don't care what Kurt thinks, he may be epic but I don't want my daughter in a room that looks like Rachel Berry's Teenage Holly Hobbit Hole..." Blaine having just walked back into his friends ramblings had to stifle a laugh as he spoke.

"Jeff, Jeff honey I love you, and that analogy was too accurate for words, but I really have to go right now."

Blaine sat straight up, a new wave of energy hitting his sore muscles and woozy body.

"Um okay. Was I boring you or something?"

Blaine giggled, actually giggled holding the toy in his hand still and bracing the phone on his shoulder as he pulled his bag out from under the bed. He was on a new mission.

"No man, never. Give my love to your husband and little one. You can tell them that uncle Blaine has somewhere he has to be. I'll call you later."

"You are even stranger than me Blaine, and definitely more random. But fair enough, call me later, and explain to me why I was so rudely hung up on."

The call ended just as Pupbee landed ceremoniously on the bed beside the suitcase. That's when he saw the message from Kurt last night that he had obviously slept through.

Hope you're feeling better B. Can't wait to talk to you tomorrow, I've had such a good day. Love you and ttys :) - Kurt

Blaine felt better and better about his plan. Now all he had to do was do it.

He checked the time, it was fairly early still, so here's hoping that he could do all that needed to be done to get his ass in gear, sick or not.

He had a date with his old life after all.

XXXX


Finn was always considered an understanding soul to those around him.

In high school, even though his best friend slept and impregnated the girl he was dating...he forgave him. When his new step brother, whom he had then just realized was one of the coolest people in the history of ever, needed to transfer schools because of bullying, he forgave himself eventually for not being the rock that his brother needed.

Finn understood that he may not always understand everything that goes on around him, and even though he may not be the most academically smart person around, he figured out that even someone like him, someone who couldn't always grasp his brothers jokes, or who seemed a little slow on the uptake with instruction, could always make good on his promise to himself to be better. Be awesome and understanding to his friends, his wife and his family.

That was where Finn Hudson found himself a few hours ago. He was sitting in his pyjamas with his wife as his step brother walked in the door of their SoHo apartment, carrying his messenger bag and looking like he wanted to punch something, cry on someone, all while singing about it. Finn knew that look. He had to go to the fridge and get the whipped cream while Rachel put in the movie.

An hour later after a long bath on Kurt's part and once the pizza had arrived and was eaten Kurt slumped back on the couch and leaned on his brother's shoulder.

Kurt could always count on Finn like this, to be the in between Rachel and him. The perfect blend of masculine and feminine, with just the right amount of empathy.

Rachel sensed that Kurt needed brother time, so before she settled in to ask him what had been bothering him, she got up to clear the garbage and get the tea and coffee.

"You gonna tell me what's eating you bro?" Finn said this as he shook the whipped cream can and sprayed a bit in his mouth. Kurt would have been disgusted with his brother's ability to eat non stop if he hadn't gotten a little on his lower li,p making him smile.

Kurt whipped it away dismissively, something that he couldn't have done when they were teens. Oh how far Finn had come being comfortable with his brother be gay.

"I can't Finn. I've never said it out l-loud before."

Finn nodded and left it alone for a second, knowing that pushing Kurt into a corner was far worse than anything you could do to one Kurt Hummel. Instead he tried being cute. He shook the can again and placed it above Kurt.

"Baby bird?" Finn smiled that lopsided grin as Kurt rolled his eyes before nodding.

"Sure why not. My waistline can handle some indulgence."

Finn smiled and fed a tiny bit of whipped cream to his brother, and then tried wiping it on his nose, making Kurt squirm and laugh a little. After swallowing a few mouthfuls of the whipped indulgence Kurt licked his lips and looked straight forward, not daring to look at Finn. He needed to tell someone, so here it goes.

"I'm still in love with him."

There was no emotion in a sentence that should have conveyed emotion. Instead it was guarded and scared.

"Who?" God Finn really?

"Santa Claus...Blaine, Finn. I'm in love with Blaine still and it's kicking my ass!"

This was where Finn's understanding came in yet again. He knew about his brother's love for his best friend, he wasn't as secretive about his affections as he thought, he never had been, at least to Finn anyway. And maybe he didn't understand how much he loved him or what had happened between them, but what he did know was Kurt, and he knew Blaine pretty well too. They had been like family for so long too, and Finn knew that somewhere in his wife's psyche that she wanted her two gay friends to be together, and Finn had agreed, Blaine would have been a natural brother-in-law. But who was he to tell people whom to love?

Blaine was married, that was an end game scenario, but somehow Kurt, one of the most moral people he had ever had the pleasure of knowing, couldn't shake something like his love for his best friend. That had to mean something right? Finn didn't know what he could say or do to help Kurt but all he knew was that honesty usually hurt less than lies, even if it's not what you want to hear.

"You should tell him that." Finn mocked Kurt's earlier position and looked straight ahead. He knew Kurt would whip around and stare at him like he was growing an arm out of his nostrils but, it was the best answer he could give him. I mean it had been years and years, and what more heartache could it cause than to just lay your heart on the line. That's how it was with him and Rachel, and it had worked. Finn wasn't hoping for Blaine's marriage to crumble, Kurt would never forgive himself, but to not be honest with who you were or what you wanted in life? Well Finn Hudson was smart enough to know that self honesty was the only answer if Kurt ever wanted to heal and move forward.

"I can't do that to him Finn. I-I just can't."

Finn took the opportunity to turn and look at this step brother. Even though Finn was a few months younger than him, he still looked at Kurt as his little brother, but he always thought of him as the stronger one.

"Don't think of it like that man. Just tell him how you feel. You may get your heart-broken but...sometimes you have to break the bone for it to heal right, or ya know leap and hope someone will catch you before you hurt yourself or something."

"That makes sense, in a Finn kinda way." Finn shoulder shoved his brother and despite the sniffles escaping him, Kurt felt a tiny glimmer of hope. A hope not for his own happy ending but for an end to his suffering. If he wanted to be happy with Sergio, he needed to let Blaine go once in for all.

"He's your best friend Kurt. He will understand. If he doesn't then he's not the man I thought he was. Besides, you're Kurt Hummel, fashionista, that's the right word right? Vogue guy and pretty epic photographer and like a part-time model too? Like, you can do anything you put your mind to. You always have."

Kurt leaned heavier on Finn's shoulder and instinctively Finn wrapped his arm around his brother.

"You really think all that much of me bro?"

Finn looked shocked. "Of course I do. And you just called me bro! I'm rubbing off on you finally dude! Honey get in here! Kurt just said bro! It's baby brother's first frat word!"

Kurt tried to struggle out of Finn's grip but it was no use. By the time Rachel came back into the room Finn had Kurt in a headlock and Kurt was pinching Finn's side to avoid his brother messing up his hair.

Rachel muttered boys aloud as she went back into the kitchen to load the dishwasher with their plates from the evening.

XXXX


That night Rachel never found out what was bugging Kurt, but she loved the fact that his brother, her husband, could forever be that person for Kurt. If she wasn't around to help, she was glad that Finn stepped up to the plate. Rachel gave herself a small inner preening over using a sports reference correctly as well.

Instead of staying the night Kurt decided that he really should head home, albeit late, but he was expected at the office at 11 in the morning and he needed to bring his summer schedule that he had made up for Celina today. He needed it from his desk drawer if he was going to run it by Isabelle before the end of the week anyways.

Since he was still in pyjamas Rachel offered to send him via cab home so he didn't have to get changed.

After a half an hour dispute over whether the cab driver would care about Kurt's less than perfect hair or attire, Kurt got into the cab wearily, but a little more contented than when he had left. Airing out his true feelings for his best friend to his brother had made him feel less hopeless, more terrified about actually telling Blaine his true feelings, but it felt like another step in the right direction. Letting Blaine go, letting Blaine go. This was his new mantra.

It wasn't a quick cab ride back to Bushwick but it was a quiet one. Kurt thought about how angry he had been at Blaine for forgetting their Skype date, but honestly Kurt was just angry at the situation, not at Blaine for having a life. Sometimes life gets in the way, and Kurt had forgotten many things before, including some calls with Blaine in the past. So he shouldn't have been as mad as he was, but he had been on a high from his day with Sergio that any small bad news had escalated. Kurt guessed everything happens for a reason, so if he was meant to be mad at Blaine if only to get his affections for Blaine off his chest to his brother...then so be it.

The climb up his stairs at midnight was just as silent as it was during the day. The noises from the other units in the loft were minimal as always, the street noise was usually all that could be heard. Kurt unlocked his door and was met by a soft glow coming from his drafting table, the single light basking the large room in a faint yellow glow.

Before he could wonder if he had left the light on himself a few things became obviously clear to him.

One, the drapes on the windows had been pulled shut, and he hadn't closed them himself earlier. Two, there was a distinct pile of luggage against the wall near the front door cupboard, Burberry luggage to be exact, which were not his, but he did like the colour. And three, there was a slight mop of curls poking out from the blankets on the couch under a blanket and propped against his large pillow.

All thoughts remaining thought of being angry at Blaine vanished. All thoughts of what Finn had suggested Kurt tell Blaine the next time he saw him flashed in his mind.

The sleeping form of his best friend on the couch, the one he wanted to jump and hug just because he was there was also the foreboding form of the heart break he would no doubt suffer once he told him of his true feelings.

But the question was should he wake him up and just tell him now? The decision was made for him a second later as he locked the door behind him, obviously startling the man on the couch slightly.

A hoarse voice looked over his shoulder on the couch, dark circles surrounded his ever expressive eyes as they lit up at the sight of his best friend. He coughed roughly and it made Kurt frown despite himself.

"Hi Angel. Surprise." His voice was so scratchy, so foreign.

Wait, what was Blaine doing here?


Finn's my boy, and he's going to keep being this epic. Review and let me know how I did. Love to you all...oh and cookies xo