Kurt awoke the next day, instantly missing those warm, comforting arms that he'd grown used to waking up wrapped in.

A pounding ache was immediately felt in Kurt's forehead as he remembered all the tears from last night. The starting of a headache was clearly the result of so much crying.

As soon as Blaine had left last night, Kurt had sunk back into the chair in the corner of the room and sobbed. He'd only allowed himself to cry for fifteen minutes before he packed up his things and left the theatre without a word to anyone. He knew he'd be in trouble tomorrow with multiple people but he didn't care.

The cast had invited him out for celebration drinks and Kurt had left without telling them he wasn't coming. Kurt hadn't intended on going anyway, he'd planned to spend the night with Blaine as per usual, but instead he found himself in his apartment room alone, tears a flowing constant, The Notebook on in the background. But Kurt didn't watch it. He just liked the background noise. He wasn't used to having a quiet apartment, at least not since Blaine had entered his life. Living alone had been something Kurt had become accustomed to over the years but three weeks of having Blaine around constantlyhad totally erased that.

It had been hours before Kurt had finally dragged himself to bed, not that sleep had come. Instead more thoughts had buzzed around and harassed him, becoming worse as the night drew on. Kurt knew he was tired, he was exhausted actually, and wanted nothing more than to fall into the nothingness that sleep offered just to halt his depressing thoughts, if only for a few hours.

This finally happened at around 4 in the morning but even then Kurt had a distressed sleep, waking up every hour or so and feeling incredibly lonely. He missed the safe feeling that Blaine's arms had brought him. High school was probably the only time he had ever felt this lonely in his life and that was saying something.

God, he missed Blaine already. And it hadn't even been a day. But it wasn't just that; it was the potential of going without Blaine for days, weeks, months on end. If Blaine didn't come around to the idea of Kurt's fame he'd have to live without Blaine forever and that was all too much for Kurt.

He finally got up at about 2:30 in the afternoon. He never spent the day in bed but he had needed to get some proper sleep for tonight. Unfortunately another show was scheduled for 8 o'clock. And it would hardly be acceptable if he yawned throughout the performance.

Kurt showered and ate still in a daze, annoyed at himself for being so affected by Blaine.

He felt awful. Guilt strayed in his stomach as he replayed their conversation from the night before for the thirty-eighth time. Blaine had been right. Why had Kurt thought it was okay to just walk on stage as a way of telling Blaine of his career? He couldn't have possibly told him in a worse way. Why couldn't he have just spat out the words 'I'm famous' weeks before? Surely then things would be better. But Kurt wondered if they would. These weeks he'd gotten so close to Blaine and he doubted that would've happened if he knew about Kurt's fame from the beginning. So maybe this little lie had been necessary for them to become close. But what did it matter if it tore them apart?

So many worries invaded Blaine's mind that night, rendering sleep impossible.

Had he been too harsh on Kurt? No, of course not! In fact, he'd been rather calm. Surely most people in that situation would have broken up with Kurt but Blaine could not bring himself to even consider that.

He loved Kurt and needed him in his life.

So why did it hurt so much when he merely thought the man's name?

Trust was the main issue here. Blaine had trusted Kurt and that didn't come easy to Blaine after the failed relationships he'd had in the past. He couldn't trust his parents, he could barely trust the few close friends he had back home and apparently he couldn't even trust Kurt.

And that killed him. He'd thought this relationship had meant something to the both of them but it seemed as if Blaine had been wrong.

Attempting sleep had become pointless but Blaine finally felt himself slipping into a dream at around 3 in the morning.

He didn't awake until about four in the afternoon and was surprised to see he'd slept so long. Then again, he'd been pretty emotionally drained last night.

Waking up alone felt strange. Wrong. Sad. Blaine automatically felt around for Kurt to snuggle closer before remembering the night before and sinking back into the covers, feeling overwhelmed.

Blaine had tried so hard not to cry last night. But this afternoon was a different story. As he thought about Kurt the tears welled up and he blinked them away.

He knew he wouldn't break up with Kurt. He just couldn't. But then what did he do now? He was still hurt.

Never before had Blaine felt so conflicted. He wanted to forgive Kurt, he really did, but he knew it wasn't that simple. The lies were too big, kept for too long, to just be pushed into the past. How was he to know that there wouldn't be more dishonesty in the future? How was he supposed to trust Kurt to be truthful for the rest of their relationship?

Blaine could see it from Kurt's point of view, he understood why Kurt had found it so hard being honest, but that didn't excuse the deceit.

Confusion clouded his mind as he felt for his phone, calling the one person who Blaine knew would tell him what to do.

"Hi, stranger," a familiar voice answered after a few rings. "Nice to finally hear from you." There was an almost-bitter tone thick in the man's voice that Blaine didn't miss.

"Wes, I'm sorry," he apologized, hoping his best friend would forgive him. "I have been so…" Busy didn't really fit the sentence as he'd been lazing around with Kurt the past few weeks. "I should have called. I know. Please forgive me."

Wes paused for a moment before replying. "You're doing your puppy dog eyes and pout, aren't you?"

Blaine chuckled. "You know me too well."

"Man, I've missed you!" Wes said genuinely. "What's been happening? How's London? What's your excuse for going M.I.A for a month?"

There was a pause whilst Blaine considered how to answer the question. He knew he had to tell Wes, if Blaine needed his advice he'd have to tell him everything. And he wanted to. He'd missed Wes and was keen to catch up. He just wondered how he was to word it all.

"Have you heard of Kurt Hummel?" Blaine asked, scratching the back of his neck as he spoke.

"Yeah, he's from Broadway, right?" Wes replied nonchalantly.

Blaine sighed. Was he really the only person who hadn't known who Kurt was?

"I may have sat next to him on my plane ride to London."

Wes grinned. "That's so cool! What's he like?"

Amazing. Perfection. "Pretty great," Blaine responded, wishing he was with him right now.

"So….what does that have to do with you ignoring your best friend for the past month?" Wes asked in a joking tone but there was a tiny bit of hurt still clear in his voice.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I didn't know who Kurt Hummel was?" Blaine asked. "And that after we chatted almost non-stop on the eight hour flight that we exchanged numbers and are currently dating? And I think, no, I know I'm in love with him? And he's made it pretty clear that he feels the same?"

There was a pause before Wes' laughter filled the silence.

"You mean to tell me," Wes got out between guffaws, "You were dating Kurt Hummel and you didn't realise who he was?"

This was not the response he'd hoped for. "Hey, well, you know I've never been too much into Broadway," Blaine tried to justify himself, "I mean I love it but I've always been more Top 40s."

"But still, had you not heard his name before? Or seen his face?"

"Yes, I had, both seemed familiar but he performed in New Directions against us at Regionals one time. I just put it down to that," Blaine said lamely.

Wes continued to chuckle as he took all of this in. "So when did you find out who he was?"

Blaine bit his lip. "That's kinda why I'm calling."

"Yeah?"

"I need your advice."

Blaine retold the story of last night and how he now felt hurt and upset and confused and how he didn't know what to do. Wes listened intently, never interrupting for even a second.

"And I want nothing more than for this to just go away so I can be with Kurt and for everything to be perfect again," Blaine finished, swallowing back the tears he knew were threatening to cascade down his face.

"Hmm…that's a tough one. I guess it depends on whether you're so hurt that you're willing to lose him over this. Or if you're so in love that you're able to let this go."

Blaine took in Wes' words and knew he most definitely didn't want to lose Kurt over this. He decided he was probably so in love that he'd be able to just walk up to Kurt this second and forgive him just so he could have the man back as a constant in his life.

"I think I'm willing to forgive him," Blaine said quietly, his mind going a mile a minute as new thoughts kept whizzing around. "But I was kind of rude to him last night. No, I was more than rude. What if he's mad? Or worse, hurt?"

Wes shrugged as he answered "You're mad and hurt too. Not saying that you want him to feel that way too but he has just as much to apologise for as you do."

Blaine nodded, guessing that made sense. "So what should I do? Call him? Go see him? Or should I give it a couple of days?" Blaine knew it would be near impossible to wait any longer before seeing Kurt. Their time spent apart had been more than enough already! Another few days might kill him.

"Call him as soon as you get off the phone with me. But make sure you don't say anything too meaningful across the phone, just tell him you want to meet up and talk and if it's okay to do so immediately."

Blaine nodded again before realising that Wes couldn't see him. "Yeah, that sounds good."

"Oh, and Blaine?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't come across too needy," he teased. Blaine chuckled, wishing he was with his best friend so he could push him in response.

"Thank-you, Wes," Blaine said genuinely. "Really, thank-you."

"No problem, my friend. And don't be a stranger ever again!" Wes warned.

Blaine smiled. "Never! I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"I'd like that." Wes grinned. "Good luck!"

"Thanks! Talk to you tomorrow," Blaine said before hanging up.

And that was it. Blaine needed to see Kurt and he needed to see him right now. Blaine hoped with all he had that his behaviour yesterday hadn't burned any bridges between them.

Blaine dialed Kurt's number almost frantically, only for it to ring through to voicemail. There was no way Blaine was leaving a message saying everything he felt right now so he hung up, wondering why Kurt wasn't answering. He hoped it wasn't because Kurt didn't want to talk to him.

Blaine guessed he could just show up to Kurt's unannounced but figured that might not be such a great idea if Kurt was mad. It was then that Blaine remembered: last night had been opening night; clearly Kurt would have another show on tonight.

Quickly checking the time, Blaine grabbed his jacket and wallet before flying out the door to catch a cab. It was almost 7; he'd have to rush if he was to get to Kurt before the overture began.

Blaine just imagined Kurt pacing his dressing room, still upset from yesterday. He would hate to be the reason for Kurt to be distracted before going on stage! And that is why Blaine needed to reach Kurt before the show began.

Oh, and he desperately needed to apologise. And just hear Kurt's voice and be in his presence. Was it healthy to have missed someone this much in just a day? Surely not. But Blaine didn't care.

The theatre was pretty close by and Blaine only had one stop to make beforehand. If he hurried he could just make it.

Blaine didn't think about what would happen once he arrived at the theatre. He had no idea how he'd be allowed backstage but that didn't matter; he'd figure something out.

Blaine loved Kurt, and right now nothing in the world mattered except for that.

Breathe. Just focus, Kurt told himself, staring at his reflection as he sat down and gave his temples a light massage. The huge headache had hit late afternoon and Kurt had hoped it would have subsided before tonight but so far no such luck.

Kurt knew he needed to start getting into character but he found it so hard when he still couldn't shake Blaine from his mind. Kurt hated himself for still thinking of the man, his eyes beginning to water each time Blaine re-entered his mind. He'd spent all of today thinking about Blaine and wallowing in self-pity. He just wanted for tonight to be over so he could go home and cry feely again.

He knew this feeling was his heart breaking.

Kurt tried to clear his mind for the hundredth time. He had 15 minutes until he was needed in the wings and he needed to get into the right mind frame before then.

He could feel tonight being a bad show. Kurt was a professional and he never let his personal life affect his acting. But he hadn't felt like this before, especially not just before a show. And it seemed like his focus was likely to be all over the place tonight.

Kurt had really wanted to call Blaine earlier but he knew he couldn't. He had to wait for Blaine to come back to him. If he ever did, he thought sadly.

Kurt sighed, wishing that the happiness he had felt just the other day would return.

There was a sudden knock at the door making Kurt jump. Standing up slowly, Kurt prepared to tell Janet to leave him alone but the words evaporated as he opened the door and saw who was standing there.

Blaine, looking as handsome as ever, smiled sheepishly at Kurt.

"Sorry?" he said hesitantly, watching Kurt carefully to judge his reaction. A sad smile crossed Kurt's face and he gestured for Blaine to enter the room.

Before moving, Blaine thrust a bouquet of white lilies at Kurt. "I didn't get to tell you yesterday how great you were on stage," Blaine said quickly.

Kurt's face showed surprise but also delight as he took the flowers from Blaine's hands, enjoying the brief moment where their fingers touched. "I believe the word amazing was used?" Kurt teased, falling back into his comfortable joking self around Blaine.

"Ahh, yes, that would be a much more accurate description of your performance."

"Thank-you," Kurt said happily, for the compliment as well as the flowers as he placed the lilies on his dresser.

Blaine stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him, and turned to face Kurt.

Only a moment of silence was allowed before Kurt spoke.

"Look, Blaine-" he began, shocked when Blaine cut him off.

"Kurt, I love you. And absolutely nothing else should matter."

Kurt felt a smile spread across his face at the words he'd wanted so desperately to hear last night.

"I would appreciate it if you told me things in the future but I won't hold this against you. I understand you were scared. And hell, I gave you enough reason to be, what with my hatred for paparazzi suddenly coming out the other day," Blaine smiled, trying his best to make things okay, "But, Kurt, I want to be with you. And if that means my privacy is compromised I don't even care. Because you are everything, Kurt," Blaine paused to gaze directly into Kurt's eyes, "Everything."

A tear rolled down Kurt's cheek as he tried to swallow back more. Blaine looked at him in panic. "Oh God, Kurt, don't cry! Please don't cry. I'm sorry."

Blaine wasn't sure he could deal with seeing Kurt so sad because of him again.

Kurt shook his head, smiling warmly as he pointed to his wet eyes. "Happy tears," he explained before rushing into Blaine's arms, hugging him tighter than he'd ever hugged another person before.

Right now, all Kurt needed was to be wrapped up in Blaine, feel the secure arms around him and to know that everything was going to be fine between them.

"I love you so much," Kurt whispered, "I promise I'll never lie to you again. And I…I'm so sorry for everything."

"Shh," Blaine hushed Kurt, his arms tightening around him, "I'm sorry too. It's okay, I forgive you."

Kurt nestled his head into the crook of Blaine's neck, hoping his tears wouldn't dampen Blaine's shirt too much.

Blaine held Kurt for a minute longer, placing kisses to his hair, before Kurt pulled away.

"I have to be in the wings in two minutes," he told Blaine, turning to the mirror to make sure his makeup hadn't been completely ruined. "The show must go on."

Kurt spun around to face Blaine and pointed to his face. "The make-up's fine, right?"

Blaine nodded, leaning close to whisper in Kurt's ear "The eyeliner's pretty hot."

Kurt grinned. "I'll remember that."

"So what do you want me to do? Wait here till the musical's over?" Blaine suggested.

Kurt shook his head. "No. I can imagine you found it a bit difficult to concentrate last night." Blaine smiled and nodded. "Do you maybe want to watch it again?"

Blaine's face lit up. "Really? But I haven't got a ticket."

Kurt laughed once, shaking his head. "It's fine, you don't need one. Remember, Blaine, I know someone," he joked.

Kurt held out his hand, which Blaine happily took, and led the two in the direction of the wings. On the way, Kurt stopped a burly looking man dressed completely in black.

"Carl, this is Blaine. Do you think you could maybe find him a seat for this evening?"

Carl gave him a knowing smile but didn't say anything other than "sure."

Kurt turned to Blaine and smiled. "Thank-you for…being so understanding. Just…thank-you."

Blaine's hands fell around Kurt's waist as Kurt kissed him ever so gently. And just like that, Kurt knew he'd be more than fine acting tonight.

"Break a leg," Blaine called over his shoulder as Carl directed him back through the corridor, into the foyer and then into the auditorium. He checked with a lady at the door dressed in a uniform as to the best seat free and Blaine was ushered to it.

"Thanks," Blaine said to Carl before a genuine smile was shared and the stranger left.

Blaine settled comfortably into his seat, admittedly not as centered as the previous night but still good, seconds before the lights dimmed.

Tonight he was to enjoy the show, completely worry-free.

Blaine found himself back in Kurt's dressing room after the show, watching Kurt gush to him about the evening's performance.

It felt normal again. All the tension and the pain seemed to have evaporated. Both Kurt and Blaine were just so happy to be in each other's company again, sharing kisses as often as possible as they chatted.

Kurt removed his make-up quickly and was back in street clothes, ready to leave the theatre within a half hour of the finale.

"There's gonna be people waiting outside the theatre," Kurt warned Blaine, "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Blaine nodded, taking Kurt's hand and squeezing it tightly. "Completely sure. We're together and I'm more than happy letting the world know."

The smile that Kurt felt on his lips was as wide as could be. He was ridiculously happy. The things that happened in the past didn't matter now because he had Blaine and Blaine had him. And even though Blaine knew it might be hard, he wanted them to be a couple, even in the public's eyes.

Flashes blinded Kurt as soon as he exited the stage door. Blaine noticed the crowd of fans and paparazzi straight away as Kurt began to remove his hand from Blaine's but felt it be gripped tighter. Kurt grinned at Blaine. "Are you sure you're fine with this?" he whispered, waiting for Blaine to nod and smile genuinely before beginning to make his way through the throng.

"How do you feel tonight's performance went?" someone shouted at Kurt who smiled and said "Brilliantly, thank-you."

Realising that Kurt might actually answer their questions, more reporters starting yelling over each other, making their words completely indecipherable.

One person shoved a microphone in front of Kurt's face and demanded to know who this man was standing next to him and holding his hand. Blaine looked almost scared as Kurt locked eyes with him. He squeezed Blaine's hand before turning to the reporter. "My boyfriend."

A frenzy broke out then, people asking how long they'd been going out for, what his name was and other intimate details of their relationship. It had been public news that Kurt was gay but he hadn't ever commented on his relationship status. This was big.

Kurt just grinned as he let Jeff lead them through the crazy sea of people until they were finally ushered into a waiting limousine.

"Well that was…different," Blaine said after a few moments of silence.

Kurt laughed. "Yeah, it takes some getting used to, that's for sure."

Janet and Jeff both offered Kurt and Blaine a sincere smile before turning to each other and beginning a conversation about some irrelevant topic.

Blaine had never been in a limo before so he took this opportunity to peer around excitedly. Kurt chuckled at Blaine's cute eagerness as he looked down at their two hands still linked together. There was this definiteness to their relationship and it gave Kurt the feeling that this could last. He'd never really thought about marriage or his future with another person. It was like his high school experience had instilled the fact that he would never find true love or someone he'd want to spend the rest of his life with.

But Blaine was it.

And Kurt was amazed at how sure he was of this.

AN: I kept to my promise and updated 24 hours later :) I hope this chapter makes you guys love me again :P I couldn't possibly have them fighting for too long! I think this chapter has to be my favourite so far :) I hope you guys liked it too! Thoughts? Review!

As always, thanks for reading, reviewing and story-alerting. :) You're all amazing! X