As it turned out, Kurt did end up sewing the buttons onto his suit jacket. After the call to Blaine went unanswered, Kurt needed something to take his mind off of the situation. But now the buttons had long been sewn and the jacket had long been hung and his mind was back on Blaine. Where is he? Why didn't he answer? Why hasn't he called? Kurt's mind was drowning but he refused to make up scenarios in his head that would end up just deterring him from fixing this mess. If Blaine didn't pick up his call for whatever reason he would just have to try again. Kurt Hummel would not give up.

But despite this new-found resolute attitude, he did feel a little nervous. Maybe Blaine was working and couldn't be interrupted – Quinn had mentioned that her Dad's trial was getting closer, so instead of calling Blaine again he decided to be a little less aggressive and send a text. He curled up in the chair by his window where he had a perfect view of the stars - the same stars that he and Blaine gazed at on their first date. The memory made him smile and with that smile on his face he typed out his message:

Hey. It's me. I think we should talk. Our relationship is really important to me and I'm not ready to give up on us. Please call me? – K

xxxxxxx

The thing about fate is that it takes any means necessary to make things happen. It doesn't take into account surroundings or timing (or maybe it does). What is meant to be will be and there is nothing that can be done to change it. This is why when Blaine's pocket vibrated he knew that it was a message meant for him. A text message, yes but more-so a well-timed message from the universe reminding him of what he would be throwing away if he answered Jon's question with a yes.

Blaine stood a little shocked. Jon was on one knee holding a beautiful ring, which gleamed in the moonlight, asking for his hand in marriage. Any man – even Blaine – would be lucky to have someone like Jon as a husband and life partner. Blaine knew this deep in his bones. But what Blaine also knew was what his heart really felt, the vibration in his pocket served as a reminder of that.

"Blaine?" Jon's voice.

Blaine's eyes filtered back down to the ring, to Jon on bended knee, then finally to Jon's own wet loving gaze. He tried to force some sort of words out – he wasn't even sure what he was going to say – but only a visibly cold breath came out of his mouth.

"Please say something sweetheart," Jon pleaded, "because I'm dying here."

Blaine's phone vibrated again, reminding him that he had a text message, reminding him that he still had not read the message, reminding him that even-though he hadn't confirmed it, he knew it was from Kurt, reminding him that there was a reason why Kurt had texted him now, reminding him that Kurt was the one person on earth who was made for him and him alone and he just couldn't turn his back on that … no matter how beautiful and romantic the scene before him was.

Blaine closed his eyes, allowing a couple tears to trail down his cold rosy cheeks. He hitched in a breath and let out what sounded like a whimper. His voice was shaky but his heart was sure. "Jon, please stand up."

"Blaine, please, my heart can't wait any longer," Jon lifted the ring higher as if to prompt Blaine to answer his proposal.

Blaine took a careful step forward and looked directly into Jon's eyes. It was torturous but necessary. This conversation was long overdue and Blaine needed to get his point across, no matter how ill-timed it was. "Please Jon, get up. Stand up."

Something in Blaine's regard made Jon realize. Something in Blaine's tone of voice coaxed Jon to his feet and to his pending fate. In that moment Jon knew what the answer would be but he refused to believe it until Blaine said it aloud – and even then…

"Jon, I can't marry you."

Jon blinked, closing the ring box and letting his fist close around it. "It was too soon wasn't it? I can wait, sweetheart. I'll wait for you…"

"No, Jon."

"Then w-why? You love me, don't you?"

Blaine didn't want to tell him but he had the right to know. There was no other way and even though Blaine was positive Jon's heart would shatter it wasn't fair to Jon to keep this from him anymore. So, Blaine took another step toward him and placed his hand at Jon's elbow. "I do love you, Jon, but … I'm in love with someone else."

Jon had been prepared for Blaine to be caught off guard. He had also been prepared for Blaine to think it was too soon … and Jon wasn't stupid … he had also been prepared for Blaine to admit to sleeping with someone else but he hadn't been prepared for this. Blaine was in love with someone else? How? When? Who?

"What?" Jon asked.

"Don't make me say it again, please," Blaine sighed out a breath.

Jon could only stare at him trying to process what his boyfriend was telling him – trying to keep his anger contained. "I need to hear it again because right now I can't believe what you're telling me."

Blaine hugged his arms around himself because all of a sudden he was cold, really cold. "Jon…"

"SAY IT AGAIN," Jon's voice boomed into the dark night. He didn't care that there were people staring as they walked by he just needed for Blaine to say it again.

Blaine took a step back. Really, he wanted to run. He wanted to turn and run and never have to see or hear Jon again but Blaine wasn't that type of person. He had made his share of mistakes definitely and he knew he couldn't go back to fix them but the least he could do was let Jon process and vent and if that meant he was going to get yelled at, then so be it. So he said it again, "I'm in love with someone else."

"Who is it?"

"Um, you don't know him. He lives in Lima."

"Lima, Blaine? Lima? You've been there for two months and you're IN LOVE with him?" Jon began to pace because he needed to do something that didn't involve physically hurting himself or his ex … boyfriend. "You and I have been together for two years. We built a relationship and a home for two fucking years then you leave for two months and you fall in love with a stranger?"

"He's not…" Blaine stopped himself. He was sure Jon didn't want details so he simply shut up and let Jon vent because judging from his body language he wasn't done.

"Have you been fucking him too? The both of us?"

"Okay, Jon, this doesn't need to be discussed…"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED AND WHAT DOESN'T," Jon yelled and ran his fingers roughly through his hair but then suddenly stopped altogether. He stilled and looked into Blaine's eyes and Blaine could see the realization in them … the dawning that he had lost Blaine for good. Not only would he not be his husband but he would no longer be his boyfriend either. The sobs started. Jon looked like he had just had his heart physically ripped from his chest. "You've wrecked me, Blaine," he cried. "I will never ever forgive you for this."

Blaine wanted to take Jon into his arms because as much as he wanted the relationship to end he still loved him and still cared about him but he knew that if he even attempted to touch him Jon would completely lose it. So all he could do was apologise knowing that option was inadequate too. "I'm sorry."

Jon scoffed. "You're sorry. You're fucking sorry. Well sorry is not going to cut it." Jon moved toward him now, coming close enough so that Blaine could feel his breath. Jon's face was streaming tears and Blaine could see that he was trying desperately to swallow his sobs. "I loved you Blaine. I still do. With all my heart. And I was offering you my life and my future. I wanted us to be together, to build a home and a family but you threw it all away in a matter of two months for some fucking stranger you just met."

Blaine realized tears were streaming down his own face as he listened to Jon's words. His throat was dry and his stomach was rising. He felt sick. He felt like the most terrible person on earth to hurt someone as amazing as Jon. "I didn't mean for this to happen, Jon, I'm so sorry."

"That means nothing to me. If you didn't mean for it to happen you wouldn't have let it happen."

Blaine wanted to tell him that Kurt was his soulmate that their love was a force that simply could not be denied but he knew that would only hurt Jon more so he stayed silent while his tears cooled on his cheeks.

"I don't ever want to see you again so when you tire of sucking your precious stranger's cock and you realize that you've only been pretending to be in love, don't come crawling back to me because we're done."

Blaine watched as Jon turned on his heels and walked briskly back from where they came pausing only to throw the box he had in his hand far into the lake. Blaine's emotions were going haywire. He felt anger, sadness and guilt – but he was also relieved. And when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket again he just closed his eyes and let the remainder of his tears fall as he walked deep into the night.

xxxxxxx

Kurt should have been watching where he was walking but all he had been able to do all morning was stare at his phone. It had been almost two days since he texted Blaine and he still had not received a response. He thought staring at it would will it to ring but that had not been the case - that didn't deter him from staring, however. He checked his messages for the millionth time as he wandered the hallway toward his locker when suddenly he bumped into someone. The wrong someone.

"Watch where you're walking, homo," Azimio pushed Kurt back into the lockers hard, as his phone dislodged from his hand and went sprawling. "Stop watching that sissy porn and have some respect for your fellow students, gayface."

Just then Azimio's friend and fellow footballer, David Karofsky, rounded the corner and thought he would get in on the fun. "Have you been trying to put the moves on my friend here," David hissed. "Because I can make sure you never put those gay moves on anyone again." He grabbed Kurt by the collar and smashed him back into the lockers, not once, not twice, but three times and brought his knee up to make contact with his stomach for good measure. "Don't let it happen again. We have better things to do than to keep you in check."

"But don't think we won't re-arrange your face if we need to," Azimio added as he dramatically stomped on Kurt's discarded phone, shattering it.

Luckily just then, Mr. Schue came around the corner. David quickly released Kurt and Kurt slid down the lockers to the floor in a massive heap, the back of his head aching from the harsh contact with the lockers, his back already bruising, and his stomach throbbing. He curled up hugging his knees and willed the sobs to remain at bay. Do not cry, Kurt Hummel. Do not cry.

But he did cry. When Mr. Schue kneeled beside him and placed his hand on Kurt's shoulder asking if he was okay Kurt could only answer with a choked sob and once one sob had escaped there was no stopping the flurry of others. "No. No. I'm not okay."

xxxxxxx

Blaine had taken a day to collect his thoughts. After the break up on Saturday night he had checked into a downtown Chicago hotel and stayed in all of Sunday with no distractions just so that he could think. He shut off his phone which is something he rarely did – his occupation didn't lend itself to ignoring the phone but Blaine needed to. He just craved some solitude as he transitioned from being in a two-year committed relationship which ended badly to attempting to start a life with the most gorgeous boy in the world – with his soulmate. He wanted just one day for himself – one day where he wasn't anyone's boyfriend or anyone's lover or anyone's lawyer. He was just Blaine. And Blaine needed to think.

On Monday morning Blaine had come to a decision. He no longer had the problem of having a boyfriend, although he did still feel sad and guilty about Jon. Plus, his head was much clearer and his heart a bit lighter. There was no doubt in Blaine's mind what his next step was to be. He needed to talk with Kurt. He needed to figure out how they could move forward. He desperately needed for Kurt to know how committed he was, how much he wanted him – all of him, and how much he loved him. Blaine being Blaine didn't want to do any of it via phone. The only way to do this would be face to face.

Once he landed in Lima and was able to take his phone off of airplane mode he attempted to call Kurt with the purpose of asking him to meet. Unfortunately, he unknowingly called around the same time as when Azimio's foot was stomping on Kurt's phone so the connection was never made. When Kurt didn't answer, Blaine became worried that he was too late and Kurt was ignoring him. He tried again and again and again with no success. He threw his phone down in frustration and tried to distract himself by working from his hotel room, sending emails to Simon and putting some finishing touches on the case. He had mostly succeeded in distracting himself so didn't really hear his phone when it rang but when he realized that Phil Collins was singing to him via ringtone he abandoned everything and answered without even looking at the caller I.D.

"Hello?"

"Blaine?" said the female voice.

"Yes?"

"It's Quinn."

Quinn. Why is Quinn calling? Does it have something to do with Simon or Janine? Or … Kurt? "Hey, is everything alright?"

"Umm, yeah, maybe…" Quinn sounded unsure.

"Quinn? Is Kurt okay?"

"Well…"

"Please Quinn, just spit it out." Blaine stood up and ran his fingers through his curls, his heart rising into his throat as the panic began to set in.

"He's okay Blaine but something happened at school today. A couple bullies got to him."

"Where is he?" Blaine all but screamed into the phone.

"Calm down, let me tell you what happened."

"Okay, sorry. Sorry." Blaine was out of his mind with worry but Quinn was right. He needed to calm down so he could get the full story and see Kurt as soon as possible.

"He doesn't know I'm calling you okay? But one of the bullies destroyed his phone and you wouldn't have been able to contact him so I'm letting you know."

"That explains a lot," Blaine murmured. "I've been trying to reach him."

"He's unreachable in more ways than one, Blaine. His dad is really worried about him because he's just been lying in bed and he won't talk to anyone. He won't talk to him or even to me … but I think he'll talk to you."

"I need to see him Quinn," Blaine was throwing on his shoes and searching the room for his coat. "Where can I see him? How can I see him?"

"Well he's at home with his dad so you can't, Blaine. Not tonight."

Blaine closed his eyes and could feel his legs shaking. He sat back down so that they wouldn't give out on him. "Is he okay physically?"

"He has a major headache and lots of bruising but fine aside from that. I think mostly he's scared and angry and quite frankly it has a lot to do with missing you. I don't know what happened between you two but he's been miserable, Blaine. Today was just the last straw."

"I know. I really need to see him. I need for him to be okay."

"Well, if all goes as planned he should be home alone tomorrow morning. Burt and Carole work and Finn will be in school."

"God, I can't wait until tomorrow."

"You have to Blaine. It's too risky. I can give him a message though."

Blaine pressed his palm to his eyes to try to stop the tears from falling. His boy needed him and there was nothing he could do. He felt sick to his stomach thinking about Kurt lying in bed and not even having the desire to talk to his own dad. "Please Quinn, tell him that I love him and that I'll see him the second it's safe."

"Okay."

"And thank you Quinn. Thanks for calling me."

"I would never do anything behind Kurt's back but Blaine sometimes it's necessary. He needs you but he doesn't have his phone and he would be too stubborn to call you at this point anyway."

"I'm grateful for your support Quinn. Will you keep me posted if anything changes?"

"Of course. I gotta go. Burt is calling for me."

And with that, Quinn ended the call. Blaine took his shoes off and flopped down on the couch unable to put Kurt out of his mind. He scrolled through his phone contacts until he reached Kurt's smiling face. He stared into those blue eyes for a long time before he let the tears finally fall.

xxxxxxx

"Kurt," Quinn made her voice as soothing as she possibly could. She had never seen her friend like this. They had been through some rough times in their lives but never had Kurt been unresponsive to her – not even when his mother died.

Kurt was curled up in his bed. He was awake and staring into nothing but he knew she was there. He was grateful that his friend hadn't left his side but he just didn't have the energy or the desire to talk. Answering even the simplest question took a lot out of him. He was physically sore, he was emotionally scarred, but most of all he just felt empty. He missed Blaine. It had been too long since he had seen him or even talked to him and it seemed like they were fading farther apart, like it was all ending before they were even given the chance to begin.

"Kurt," Quinn spoke again. She hesitantly took his hand and was relieved when Kurt didn't pull away. He was listless and looked sad, his eyes dull and inexpressive. "I talked to Blaine," she added.

A flinch. His gaze moved to hers and immediately became moist.

Quinn's voice lowered to a whisper, "he asked me to tell you that he loves you and that he'll see you the second it's safe to."

Kurt had so many questions. Kurt had so many emotions. He thought about Quinn's words for a moment and realized that his heart was pounding in his chest and that his cheeks were becoming wet with tears. Quinn squeezed his hand, knowingly. "I called him because I'm worried about you Kurt. And I hope that you let him in because you need someone. If it can't be me or your family then I hope that it can be Blaine."

Without warning Kurt began to sob. He turned his face into his pillow in attempt to hide his emotions from Quinn but he should have known better. Quinn's hand pressed into his spine and rubbed long slow strokes up and down, soothing him. "I know Kurt. You don't have to say anything to me. I see how you were with Blaine around and you had never been happier. He's your person, I get that. He's coming okay? He'll be here tomorrow when you're alone and I think that you should let him in. Talk to him."

Kurt took in a few deep breaths and turned his face toward his best friend. "He doesn't know," his voice was broken, weak, and barely audible.

At first Quinn had no idea what Kurt was talking about. Didn't know what? About the bullying? That Kurt loved him? That… Oh … Oh!

"Oh honey." Quinn climbed up onto Kurt's bed and wrapped her arms around him as she realized the meaning behind his words. "Is that what this is all about? You're worried about how he'll react?"

"I just feel like I'm losing at life, Quinn. I'm getting roughed up at school and nobody seems to care enough to expel them. And I've fallen in love with someone I can't have. He's 38, he has a boyfriend, he lives in a different state, and he doesn't know about my anatomy … and my dad, god, if my dad ever finds out about the bullying or Blaine I don't even want to know what will happen. That on top of all my school work and Glee and the garage, I just … feel so overwhelmed," Kurt was sobbing again while Quinn held him tight in her embrace. "I can't do this anymore. I can't do school. I can't be involved with Blaine. I can barely breathe."

"Okay. Kurt. Come on. Calm down." Quinn pulled back and grasped Kurt's hand. He needed tough love and she would give it to him. She was the only one who could. "Kurt Hummel does not feel sorry for himself. In all the years I've known you, you have never given up on yourself so I'm not going to let you do that now – not when you are so close to reaching your dream of New York City and your dream of finding love – you've always wanted that and now that it's here I'm not going to let you throw it away."

"Quinn…"

"Quinn, nothing. Do you remember when I found out I was pregnant and I fell apart? I didn't talk to anyone, I skipped school, I spent days in bed crying…"

Kurt nodded. He remembered how painful it was to watch his best friend go through that and he remembered how much stronger Quinn became because of it.

"Well, you were there for me. Only you at the beginning and now I am here for you. And you are going to listen to me Kurt Hummel. We're going to fix this bullying thing and we're going to figure out this Blaine thing too."

A small smile appeared on Kurt's face. He loved this about Quinn. She was feisty and took no shit. This is exactly what he needed right now and he was grateful. "Okay," he said softly. "What's the plan?"

Quinn smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

xxxxxxx

The bruises on Kurt's back were a deep purple, which looked incredibly dark against his alabaster skin. He could see their reflection in the mirror as he carefully dried his body, being careful to bypass the matching bruise on his right side, just below his ribs. He had had bruises before, not often but they definitely weren't new to him. They had never been this bad though and seeing them made Kurt feel both uneasy and angry. The bruises represented someone's ignorance and hatred toward him, which made him feel persecuted and at the same time, alienated.

But he wasn't going to let that bring him down. Not today - because today would be special. Kurt had gotten up early this morning. He had to so Burt would be convinced that he was okay to stay home alone. He desperately needed to be alone because that was the only way he'd be able to see Blaine - and he needed to see Blaine. Kurt had done a lot of thinking and he had decided that he would not let Blaine go. No matter what Blaine had to say, no matter where he was in his relationship with Jon, no matter how much anxiety he had about his anatomy he would fight like hell to keep Blaine - because Blaine was sunshine. Blaine was beauty. Blaine was home.

He proceeded to style his hair in the vintage Kurt Hummel swoop and was grateful for the Advil Quinn had made him take the night before – that, along with her pep talk, made Kurt's head feel better so at least he wasn't dealing with that. The bruises would be covered by the fabulous outfit he had chosen and in just a few minutes the house would be empty and hopefully a few minutes after that Blaine would be at the door.

Half an hour later, after Kurt had dressed himself gingerly in grey skinny jeans and a blue Henley, he stood at the coffee maker watching the drip of his morning brew when he was interrupted by a tentative knock on the door. His heartbeat immediately began to race, his mouth went dry, and his hands began to sweat – but he forced himself to move. He just really needed to see Blaine – no matter what the cost.

When he opened the door he was met with a Blaine he'd never seen before. Blaine looked worse than Kurt felt – he was still beautiful of course, dressed in dark jeans and a red and black striped sweater – but he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Kurt," he breathed.

Just that one spoken word made Blaine emotional. "Kurt," he repeated, his voice a little broken. "I-I'm so sorry. I have so much to say to you but I first need to know how you are. Quinn told me everything and I'm so worried about you."

If it was possible to fall in love with someone a second time Kurt did. The obvious concern on Blaine's face and in his voice drove home for Kurt just how much Blaine cared for him – love aside, Blaine cared. "I love you," Kurt blurted out. "I love you so much," he said as he grasped Blaine's hand and brought him into the house.

"I love you too, Kurt," Blaine's eyes became wet as he pressed his palm to Kurt's cheek. His voice became a whisper, "I missed you so much. I've been a complete idiot these past few weeks and I need to apologize."

Kurt kissed him – like so many times before Blaine's mouth was like a magnet attracting him. His lips pressed to Blaine's sweetly. He deeply loved this man and he wanted to make it right. He needed to fix things. He needed to bare his soul and his heart – that would be the only way. Kurt knew that now. "I've been an idiot too," he said against Blaine's lips. "So let's sit down and talk over coffee, okay?"

Blaine smiled and rubbed his thumb along Kurt's cheekbone. "I would love that my gorgeous boy."

They soon found themselves seated up in Kurt's room on the love seat with coffee and smiles. Kurt's hand was in Blaine's grasp which sat in Blaine's lap. Blaine's gaze was intense yet soft and loving. He looked at Kurt like he was the most precious thing in the world – and to Blaine he was. He really was. "Before we talk about anything I want to know about the attack, Kurt. It really troubles me and makes me sad and angry that you have to deal with that."

"Hey, I'm fine…"

"Please Kurt, don't minimize it. I think you and I have agreed to start again and that means being open and honest with each other. This is important. I need to know what happened to my boyfriend."

Kurt stiffened and Blaine pressed his lips together at the slip – although really it wasn't a slip at all, Blaine thought.

"Y-your boyfriend?"

"I broke up with Jon," Blaine said quietly.

Kurt looked into his eyes and knew instantly that it was true. "When?"

"Saturday night. When you texted me we were right in the middle of it."

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? Is he okay?"

"Don't be," Blaine said. He wanted to add that the text was what saved him from doing something he truly didn't want to but he thought he would wait to tell Kurt that detail another day. "You don't ever have to be sorry for texting me or calling me – especially when you need me. And yes, I'm okay and he will be in time."

Kurt looked at him beyond the rim of his cup and softly asked, "why did you break up with him?"

The question shocked Blaine a little. Wasn't it obvious? Hadn't Blaine made it clear that Kurt was the love of his life? "Kurt," he moved closer to the boy, his hand resting on his forearm, "Jon was good for me. He was a great guy and he never treated me badly or with any disrespect. He was always kind and actually kind of spoiled me. Anyone would be lucky to have him as their partner – including me. But, honey, there is no denying that you are my soulmate and no one and nothing can compete with that. You are everything to me. I've never felt this way with anyone – not even close. We both know our attraction was instant; I just can't deny that. I love you so much and I want to give this a try. I want to be with you. I need to be with you."

Kurt hadn't realized that he was crying until Blaine wiped his tears away with his thumb. He took in a soft breath as he pressed his body into Blaine's, arms wrapping around his torso and head leaning on his shoulder. "I need to tell you something and I hope that you will still feel the same way about us once you know."

Blaine kissed the top of Kurt's head and wrapped him up in a hug, mindful that Kurt had bruises although he had yet to see them or even know exactly where they were situated. "There's nothing you could say to me that would make me change my mind about you, my gorgeous boy."

Kurt closed his eyes and prayed that Blaine was serious. He knew this could be a game changer. He knew the odds were against him but Blaine had to know and he had to know now. "Blaine, I…" He paused. He couldn't do this. He couldn't tell Blaine something that would make him run away from him. He couldn't lose him, he just couldn't.

Blaine could sense Kurt's turmoil. "Tell me, baby. Out with it. I promise my feelings won't change," Blaine cooed soothingly. Truthfully, Blaine was scared of what Kurt was going to tell him. He didn't want to lose the boy – he couldn't lose the boy. But Blaine knew that Kurt was having a hard time with this and that if he sensed any anxiety in Blaine he would clam up for good.

Kurt leaned back so that he could look into Blaine's eyes. They were comforting and calming. They gave him courage. Kurt then looked down at his fingertips stroking along Blaine's knuckles. "I … Blaine … umm," tears formed in Kurt's eyes and he desperately tried to hold them back but he couldn't. They spilled onto his cheeks, while Blaine wiped them away diligently. Kurt looked up once again into those liquid hazel orbs and realized that Blaine's regard had not wavered. They still held the same calming love they always had. So in one breath Kurt finally came out with it.

"Blaine … I-I have female anatomy."

Blaine's brows lifted as he tried to understand what Kurt was saying.

Kurt continued with a hitched breath, "which means I don't have a penis, Blaine. I have a vagina and everything that comes with it."

Blaine stared at him, his gaze unreadable for the first time since Kurt had met him. Kurt didn't know how much time had passed, maybe it was a few seconds or maybe ten minutes, but when he could no longer take the silence – when he could no longer handle Blaine's still unreadable expression, he closed his eyes and broke down into sobs.