Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all your awesome reviews! You are all such amazing readers!

I have a cold at the moment so I'm feeling pretty lousy so I'm sure there a few mistakes in here and I apologize for them. Again there is no captain-ally so all mistakes are mine.

I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much for all support.

Chapter 3: Little by little

Kurt eyed the large moving track warily as it backed up to the house. The rest of his belongings had finally arrived from Lima, including his beloved piano that had belonged to his mother. The truck came to a halt a few meters away from his house and he sighed in relief. Two hulking men jumped out from the front cab and walked around the edge of the truck. The pulled open the truck doors and secured them so they couldn't close.

"Where do you want all this?" One of the men- the one with thick, bushy moustache- asked.

"Everything can go into the living room," Kurt said. There wasn't much but they were all big items that Kurt couldn't fit into his car.

The men nodded and set to work. Kurt watched, not needed and could only cringe as everything was taken into the house. The men were taking out the last item- the piano- when Blaine's car pulled up. Kurt's eyes widened with surprise. He had mentioned to Blaine over coffee that he was expecting the rest of his things and Blaine had made a comment about coming around to help. Kurt hadn't really expected him to show.

Kurt stepped out of the way as the men moved the piano and waited for Blaine to come to his side.

"Wow," Blaine breathed as the piano passed. "She's beautiful."

"Yes," Kurt smiled. "She sounds stunning too. It belonged to my mother."

Kurt jerked his head in a gesture of Blaine to follow. They stepped into the house and Kurt watched as the men grunted, wiping their foreheads.

"Anywhere in particular?" the younger of the two men asked.

"Over there," Kurt said, indicating to a part of the living room he had kept bare just for the piano. Blaine looked at the other items Kurt had delivered while the men moved the piano. Finally, with a loud grunt they were finished.

"Thank you very much," Kurt said sincerely.

"No problem. Have a good day," they said and left quickly, not eager to be asked to help move anything else.

"Looks good," Blaine beamed with approval. "I can't wait to hear you play."

"If you're lucky," Kurt said playfully. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I came to help you decorate," Blaine grinned, spreading his arms wide. "And help you move anything you might need."

Kurt blinked with surprise but smile pleasantly. "Thanks. I don't really know where to start though."

"How about this?" Blaine suggested, tapping a large wooden entertainment holder. "Where do you want this to go?"

"Downstairs," Kurt said, smirking at Blaine wince.

"Right," he said hesitantly and squared his shoulders. "Shall we?"

Kurt snuffed his laughter as he watched Blaine face plant into the couch cushions with a muffled groan. "Why is everything you own so heavy?"

"You offered," Kurt reminded him, padding to the kitchen to get them a drink.

"And I stood by my offer," Blaine said, lifting his head. "But back then I could feel my limbs."

"You can rest now," Kurt chuckled, taking a glass of water to Blaine. He handed the drink to Blaine who gave him a grateful smile before sculling it down. "and as my undying thanks, I will cook you dinner again."

"You made me dinner last night," Blaine pointed out, sitting up.

"And you helped me today, it's only fair," Kurt shrugged, taking a seat beside Blaine. "I really don't mind. Unless, you don't want to-"

"No!" Blaine cut him off and his cheek flushed a rosy pink. "I want to have dinner with you. I just don't want you to go to too much trouble."

"It's not," Kurt assured him. "I'm used to cooking dinner for two."

Blaine cleared his throat. "For you and your girlfriend?"

Kurt snorted. "No! And it would be boyfriend." He was surprised to see Blaine's face light up.

"No boyfriend then?" Blaine asked.

"No," Kurt shook his head.

"Either. No boyfriend," Blaine rambled.

Now it was Kurt's turn to look surprised. "You're gay?"

Blaine laughed and Kurt felt his heart sink before it lifted again. "Wasn't it obvious?"

Kurt chuckled lightly too and his heart fluttered. Blaine was gay, just like him.

"I made dinner for my dad and I," Kurt said. "It was either that or take away every night."

"You just lived with your dad?" Blaine asked.

Kurt nodded. "I wanted to go to New York after high school but my dad got sick so I stayed in Lima with him just to help him out."

"That sucks. Is he any better?" Blaine asked hopefully.

Kurt looked down at his hands, twisting them nervously. "He passed away 6 months ago. It's why I moved."

Blaine face fell and he looked horrified. "Oh Kurt, I am so sorry."

"No, you didn't know," Kurt gave him a weak smile.

"I'm sorry. What about your mum?" Blaine asked.

"She passed away when I was nine," Kurt said quietly.

Blaine closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. "Kurt-"

"Don't worry about it Blaine," Kurt said softly. Hesitantly he reached out and laid his hand over Blaine's. At this, his friend looked up and they locked eyes. "Really, it's fine."

Blaine nodded but he still looked upset. Kurt didn't like seeing the expression on his face so he quickly changed the subject. "So, what do you want for dinner? I make the most amazing pepper crumbed chicken."

This earned a small smile from Blaine. "Sounds delicious."

Kurt nodded and jumped up, padding to the kitchen to find the recipe. Blaine watched as Kurt manoeuvred around the kitchen. Even though he hadn't known the pale man for long, he could tell that Kurt was deeply upset by the passing of his parents, especially that of his father. He wondered if there was more to Kurt moving than just his father's death. He hadn't mentioned any friends, even over coffee, or any siblings. He bit his tongue though, not wanting Kurt to feel cornered or pressured into telling him anything.

Blaine watched with awe as Kurt's long fingers danced over the ivory keys. The house was filled with the sound of beautiful music. Blaine decided he could watch Kurt play all day. He looked so beautiful that Blaine could only stare. Eventually Kurt's fingers slowed until the came to a stop and the last note faded.

He looked over at his shoulder and smiled at Blaine who clapped quietly.

"That was beautiful," Blaine said in awe. "No wonder you're a music teacher."

Kurt chuckled and joined Blaine on the couch again. "It was a no brainer really. Just like it was with you and art I'm guessing."

"Yeah," Blaine laughed. "There was never enough room on the fridge for my drawings." They laughed together before falling into a comfortable silence. "I suppose I should get going," Blaine said eventually.

"I'll walk you out," Kurt said. They walked slowly out of the house and even slower to Blaine's car. He was surprised when the curly haired man pulled him into a hug, giving him a squeeze.

"See you soon," Blaine promised, pulling away.

"Soon," Kurt agreed with flushed cheeks.

He waved as Blaine slid into his car and waited until he could no longer see him before slipping back into the house. It was quite without Blaine, the house seeming empty. Kurt always remembered the house full of sound and fun. Looking back his parents made sure that he would have good memories of his mother in her final moments in life. Now though, the house was quite, two thirds of their occupants gone.

A wave of loneliness passed over him and he fought back the tears that welled shockingly fast.

No, Kurt thought angrily. I'm not alone. I have Blaine. He's my friend. He wants to be my friend. He's not like everyone else. I'm not alone.

It worked slightly and the tears cleared but he couldn't stop the lingering loneliness. He was still grieving and he had to stop himself from picking up the phone and calling Burt's phone. Wanting to escape these thoughts, he hurried to the bathroom to take a long, hot shower.

Blaine opened a new page of his sketch book and picked up a pencil. He made himself comfortable before his hands began to fly across the page. It wasn't hard to conjure up the image, it so fresh in his mind. The lines began to take shape and he hummed the tune Kurt had been playing under his breath.

He had thought about it all the way home and as soon as he had stepped into his one bedroom home he had gone straight to his sketch pad. He was in no rush, the image of Kurt at the piano wasn't going to leave his mind any time soon.

What Blaine loved most about that memory was how happy Kurt looked playing. Gone was the sadness that had been present and had been replaced with what Blaine suspected to be the real Kurt. Blaine loved music, having been a part of his glee and dabbled in playing musical instruments. He didn't feel that he was as talented as Kurt was and could happily listen to him all day.

He stayed in his living room, sketching away until he was working on the final details of Kurt's expression. He only put it down when he was happy with the basic and he could work onto it tomorrow. He stood, stretching his hand above his head before lowering with a sigh. He padded to his bathroom and smiled, his thoughts on Kurt. Already he couldn't wait to see Kurt again.

What did you think? happy reading everyone :)