Lemons and summertime

Lemons and summertime

And apples…

Cinnamon.

Blaine couldn't get the taste out of his memory. Never before had he had such a dream that was filled with so much feeling, taste, and texture. Not even his dreams of Sunshine, which were more frequent since his break up with Kurt, contained vivid details.

Normally his dreams would replace the taste of Michael's lips with the taste of Kurt, something that Blaine was familiar with. It seemed that his imagination had reached new levels when it came to his dreams of Mike Chang and it scared him. He wasn't ready to grow that attached when he knew that the very idea was hopeless.

He didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing that Mike spent the rest of the week performing on and off communication with him. On one day Mike would respond with a single word response to Blaine's attempt to start a conversation, but then the next day Mike would respond or bother to start a conversation himself.

Mike Chang was confusing again, his flighty actions showing inconstancies with everything the two of them had established. The lack of continuity pained Blaine a little more than he would admit to even himself.

Blaine at first sanctioned this stand-offish behavior as a good thing. Blaine felt the seriousness of what was first deemed as a rebound crush becoming something much more than that. But he also abhorred it. He realized after his first decision about the situation that it was more of a hindrance than anything. His dreams and thoughts were more focused around Mike. Blaine wondered what Mike was doing, what he was thinking, and why he was being so distant. He also tasted lemons and cinnamon apples in his dreams though the tastes did not last on his tongue like the first time he dreamt of them.

Like the crazy and "jumping-to-the-wrong-conclusions-to-save-his-own-heart boy he was, Blaine had chalked all of the reality of his "dream" to his susceptibility to imagine things with great detail. Like Sunshine. Sunshine was an imaginary friend he remembered like a real friend. The kiss with Mike was a dream that he had while he was still half awake and so all of the smells of the Chang residence had been provoking texture and taste. He was very much a skeptic of reality, turning logic into illogical with one stream of thought.

Sometimes he would dare to dream that Mike felt the same attraction. That he possibly felt the tension every time their shoulders brushed, or their eyes met. He was on one of these crack-day dreams when he decided to text Mike a couple of days before the trip.

-Is it cool if I invite Kurt?-

-Are you sure you want to do that?-

-Of course! Kurt is my friend!-

-Blaine, he is your ex that you clearly aren't over. If you are thinking about getting back together with him I don't think a road trip is your best bet.-

Blaine allowed himself to think for a moment that Michael was jealous but quickly shoved the hope aside and realized that Mike was probably just concerned about how Blaine would feel about his ex coming along.

-What makes you think that?-

-He can come if he can contribute.-

-Okay.-

That was the longest conversation the two of them had had since Blaine went to Kurt's house.

The latter was no help at all; though he claimed he wanted their friendship back he was mostly unresponsive. Whenever the two of them had time to talk, Kurt would be distracted by his phone.

Kurt Hummel had made a habit of plugging his phone into charge every afternoon and every night before bed, making sure never to be away from it as well. When Blaine had asked him about this curious habit Kurt shrugged it off and muttered about beating a Tetris record.

I guess Tetris is funny if he laughs at it all the time.

It was when Blaine had to beg Kurt to go the road trip with them that he was certain something was up with Kurt and his Tetris playing ways. After Kurt did his usual criticizing remark about Blaine's new hairstyle ("Seriously Blaine, I don't know why you have suddenly decided that you like to wear your hair like some hippie person that showers regularly.") Blaine dived right into the subject.

"I can't charge my phone in the car!"

"Kurt, you could just not use your phone that much and that battery will last longer. "Common sense, Kurt. Common sense.

"But-"

"I'm sure whoever this Tetris person is will be fine if you don't text them every second."

"Tetris will be upset if I spend time like that with you, my ex-boyfriend. Tetris seems like the jealous type."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing and seeing: The little excited crack in Kurt's voice when he mentioned the possibility of jealousy and the way he blushed deep red. Kurt Hummel had a boyfriend.

"Tetris can join us."

Kurt's face went from rosy to pale in an instant and his reply was a very curt shake of the head.

"Fine, let's cut through all the Tetris talk okay?" Blaine felt incredibly awkward now, talking to his ex about the latter's new boyfriend. "You have a boyfriend don't you?"

"No! Not my boyfriend." And again, to Blaine's surprise, Kurt went timid. His eye-line went straight to the carpet beneath their feet. "We both decided that it was too soon to jump into anything like that."

"As in he is a closest case?"

"Yes and no. He claims that he is ready but…" Kurt trailed off and shrugged, his eyes not looking at Blaine and instead finding interest in his bedroom window.

"Who?"

"I can't tell you that."

Blaine decided to let it slide.

"I hope you will some day. So will you come?"

Kurt hesitated, taking a short step back and shaking his head. He opened his mouth to respond but a small chime came from his phone, which was in his hand as usual.

"Kurt Hummel," Blaine said loudly, causing Kurt to fumble and drop his phone. "I need you to go on this trip with me.

"Why, why do you need me there?" Kurt shouted just as loud.

"So Michael can see that I am completely over you!"

They were both quiet after that, the echo of their shouting still remaining in the air. Kurt's eyes were wide and his mouth was dropped open in awe. A second later his mouth closed in a smug smile.

"No." Blaine stated flatly, his face going as expressionless as he could get it to be.

"You like-"

"No"

"Mike Cha-"

"Don't, just don't." Hearing someone else say something so true, though a little bit understated, about him was making it all final and unchangeable for him. "He's straight."

"Oh Blaine, nothing is impossible when it comes to lo-"

"It is impossible," Blaine said in a tone barely above a whisper. All of his emotions seemed to have drained from his body, leaving him numb, as the cold slap of reality hit him. "I can't believe in fairy tales, Kurt. That method has already failed me too many times. " Blaine sighed and closed his eyes. He pictured a laughing Sunshine, the sun caught in his black hair and the smell of wild flowers surrounding him.

"You really like him, don't you?" Kurt said in an equally quiet voice.

"Honestly?" Blaine looked up at Kurt, already begging for an apology for what he was about to say. "Ever since I have met him he has been this little post-it note stuck to the back of my mind. Something about him just stuck out to me. I think I've always liked him a little more than reasonable." He sighed and retreated to the edge of Kurt's bed. "Ever since I was ten years old I dreamed of the boy that I wanted to be with and…" Blaine used the edge of his sleeve to wipe away a tear, "I think it's everything going on right now that has got me focusing on the doomed unrequited crush I have for Michael Chang. He just seems so familiar to me, like he is designed after that boy I dreamed up."

"Well-"

"But how much do I even know about him? I've spent so much time with him and I don't even know his favorite color." Blaine folded his arms and pouted. "I'm very confused."

Kurt's phone chimed again, but he didn't move to check it. Instead Blaine felt the mattress next to him move as Kurt sat next to him. "You remind me of me. My entire sophomore year was spent being in love with a boy I hardly knew. I even went and got our parents together out of the hope that he would fall in love with me, like some cheesy romantic novel."

"Finn?" Blaine blurted out when he made the connection. "He doesn't seem like your type."

"No Blaine," Kurt said with a smirk as he patted his friend on the back. "You're not my type."

"Oh gee, thanks!" Blaine rolled his eyes and wiped at his cheeks again, his lips tugging up in a little smile.

"My point is," Kurt stopped patting his shoulder and let his hand rest there as a sign of comfort. "Get to know the boy. You never know, he might be a closet case"

"Michael? I doubt he would hide something that important."

"He does have amazing color coordination skills."

"He did have a girlfriend."

"A girlfriend who is so obvious a slasher."

"Hmm?"

"A girl that likes slash, you know? Guy on guy action." Kurt chuckled and a little blush showed in his cheek as he leaned back on his hands. "She asked me to make out with him."

Blaine's mouth dropped and he slowly turned his head to stare at Kurt. "And?"

"Oh, I said no of course," Kurt replied simply, waving his hand with nonchalance.

"How could you do that? Was Michael willing to do it? How could you pass that up?" He couldn't pin point what he was more aggravated about: that Kurt had the chance to tell him what Mike tasted like but passed it up or the Tina never considered him an option. Thought his attraction to Michael wasn't purely sexual attraction he had his urges that stirred in him ever since he saw Mike bend back until his shoulders touched the ground. So god damn flexible.

"I wasn't going to have my first kiss be shared with my friend's boyfriend!"

Blaine flinched, knowing how bad it was to be called "My friend's boyfriend" or even worse: "Kurt's boyfriend." Like that defined who he was and his name was nothing but mindless trivia in Kurt Hummel's life.

"But he was willing to do it?"

"I don't know," Kurt sniffed. "I didn't ask. Mike really isn't my type."

"Of course he isn't."

"Smart, really smart. He is good looking enou-"

"You can't deny that."

"-But I can't get with a guy who is just so…brainy."

Blaine found himself rolling his eyes again, though it did gladden him that Kurt wasn't someone else who saw the value of Mike. His own thoughts about how special Mike was felt private and personal to him. "You realize how shallow that is right?"

"Says the guy who sang at the gap to a guy he went on two coffee dates with."

"That's not the point," Blaine said hurriedly. " Mike is more than just smart and, believe it or not, the fact that he is a bit intellectual doesn't mean he will treat you or make you feel stupid. He can tease but he isn't snarky or pretentious."

"Like you?"

"And you."

"My superiority is well supported," Kurt placed his hands in his lap and raised his head high.

"Kurt," Blaine said with an annoyed groan. "Say you'll come with us?"

After a pause Kurt nodded. "It's not just going to be the four of us right?"

"Tina is coming and maybe Mercedes."

"Aha!"Kurt grinned. "That's nice; you're all inviting your exes!"

"Oh yes, this is a "come-back-to-me-and-see-how-wonderful-I-am" kind of road top. We schemed it together the way you three obviously schemed to break up with us around the same time. If our seduction doesn't work we are starting a band called "The Ex-Boyfriends." I have a feeling we're going to make it big."

Kurt squinted his eyes and raised an eyebrow, his chin rising and proving his obvious skepticism.

"Wit and sarcasm, skills I am still developing."

Kurt hummed a response of understanding and leaned down to pick his phone back up, thus ending the discussion.

()

Blaine had managed to sneak into his house before they were about to leave, making sure to grab enough clothing, leave a note for his mother, and take a certain book of fairytales away with him.

He had also found himself inviting another friend whom had just had a break-up fight with his girlfriend. Wes wasn't exactly anyone's ideal road trip companion, but Blaine felt pity for his friend and asked for permission to invite him as well.

And so Wes, Blaine, and Kurt waited at the Hummel-Hudson home for the other three to come, Mercedes having decided to skip out on the "hell ride!"

Mike drove up to the house driving a large, white van, Sam sitting in the passenger seat with a big, excited grin on his face. Tina was sitting in the seat behind them, her arms folded and a glare set for Wes.

"You didn't tell me that she was coming," Wes hissed angrily.

"Oh really?" Blaine said, smirking.

"It must have slipped our minds," Kurt nudged Wes and chuckled lightly. "Come on, Wes."

Sam and Mike clamored out of the van and hurried up the walk to assist the three of them with their bags.

Blaine felt his stomach flip around as Mike glanced up at him while he lifted one of Kurt's many suitcases up. The glance, though brief, had hope stir within him. As soon as Mike turned away the hope dissipated. It seemed as if Mike was back to his old ways; being a distant friend.

"Who is driving this disaster first," Kurt said after he directed Sam toward his other suitcase.

"That would be me," Mike replied with a small smile and a quiet voice as he reached for Blaine's duffle bag.

"No, I got that," Blaine stated just as quietly and reached down to pick it up. Their hands met and they both fumbled over the handle until Mike's hand was closed over Blaine's. "I got it," Blaine repeated, not daring to look up out of fear that Mike would see how much their touching was affecting him; the coarseness of Mike's palms and yet the softness of his fingers fully engulfing Blaine's hand and sending a sort of eager yearning though his stomach.

"You don't know where to put it," Mike replied, a hint of his teasing tone returning.

"Then you should show me," Blaine raised his eyebrow expectantly as he finally looked up at Mike.

Mike nodded and moved his hand away. Blaine followed him to the back of the van and helped pushed the bag into the back.

"That wasn't hard," Blaine smacked his hands together and turned to walk back. Before he could get far Mike had a hand on his shoulder and was turning him around. The warmth of his grip on Blaine's shoulder was so familiar. He felt dragged back into his dream for a second, expecting a "surprising" kiss before he could stop himself.

"Did you need a bag to keep up front with you?" Mike's words were fuzzy at best as Blaine licked his lips, remembering the lemon, and cinnamon apple taste that he had conjured up. It wasn't until Mike shook Blaine's shoulder did he jump back into reality.

"Um…I'll probably be sitting near the back anyway," he gulped and moved himself out of Mike's grip. "Thank you though," he forced a grin and backed away before turning around completely, walking back to Kurt and a sulking Wes.

"We'll stop by a gas station before leaving Lima," Mike explained to the rest of the group as he put the van into drive. "So you guys can pick up snacks and stuff."

"Guys and girl!" Tina announced, raising a gloved hand with pride.

"Tina and her men," Sam called back in a laughing tone.

"I'm not her ma-"

"Shut up, Wes," Blaine and Kurt hissed before Wes could finish his bitter muttering.

"As the only girl of this group of rebellious road-tripping teenagers I request-no-I demand that this row of seats in the middle of the van belongs to me and me alone. And I get my own bed," Tina's hand formed into a fist, as if she were trying to express her superiority.

"Mercedes didn't come, but her diva drama sure did," Kurt said in an obvious stage whisper.

"I heard that!" The gloved fingers snapped. "I'm going to give you all hell!"

"Sounds like fun," Blaine muttered, not in the mood for playful banter. Most of his attention was pulled by Mike sitting in the driver's seat, his arm stretched while his fingers fiddled with the AC. Blaine could see a white chord coming out of his pocket and extending toward his ears. Glancing up to the review mirror, Blaine saw Mike's look of concentration as he listened to his iPod. His lips were moving silently as his eyes searched from car to car in front of the van.

I can't believe he is doing Spanish homework. Finding himself as increasingly annoyed with Mike, Blaine rolled his eyes and leaned his head against the window next to him. He wanted to shout at Mike, not just because he was doing homework, but also because of the way he had treated Blaine since he had stayed the night at the Chang-Evan's residence.

He had half a mind to lighten his confused load by shouting at Mike until he got answers and when they pulled up the gas station he was in that mindset. But he stopped himself; knowing it wouldn't be the best way to start a trip.

As Blaine filled a cup with coffee he couldn't help but watch where Mike went. He stared out of the corner of his eye while Mike looked carelessly through the section of audio books near the front counter.

Blaine made his way over and inconspicuously paid for his coffee before turning to Mike. "I doubt you'll find Spanish 101 in there." He quipped as he stepped around the other side of the audio book rack.

"Good thing I'm not looking for it then," Mike shifted his gaze to the other end of the shelf, Blaine followed, determined to continue conversation.

"What are you looking for?"

"Nothing, just browsing, killing time while everyone else does whatever they need to do. Sammy is taking a few minutes to smoke behind the store as well."

Blaine peered out of the gas station windows before taking a drink of his cold and bitter coffee. Sam was already heading toward the van. Kurt and Tina were leaning against the van and discussing something while Blaine could see the outline of Wes' stiff hair through the window showing that he had remained in the van.

"I didn't know that he smoked."

"Blame my father, who has been known to smoke every now and again," Mike's voice was leveled and lacking his normal cracking of good-humor as he continued to flip through the CDs. "He preaches but he doesn't practice."

"I think a lot of people do that."

"Never said they didn't."

"Snippy much?"

"Sorry. Stressed." Mike looked up at Blaine and flashed an apologetic smile before looking back down. Blaine, eager to have a little more time alone with Mike before he realized that everyone else was ready, decided to pick up a random case and read it aloud:

"A young woman finds herself trapped in the mental prison of her love for an older man. Will she ever escape her unrequited love for her master until his wife is deceased? Or will she quicken the process herself."

"Sounds like badly written fan fiction."

"Sounds like heterosexual nonsense!" Blaine said with a flip of his hand before putting the book back down.

Silence followed after that and Blaine, losing his grin quickly, leaned forward on the shelf and muttered. "Everyone is done now."

Mike looked up again, meeting Blaine's gaze and not looking back at the van to confirm Blaine's words. "I know, I'm still looking," he smiled and flipped over a few more cases. The warmth of friendship was returning to Mike's eyes. You are so confusing, Michael. "Your hair…"

"I actually like it this way," Blaine said proudly and ran a hand over the top of his curls, though they were still stiff with a little bit of hair gel that he applied that morning.

"Kurt isn't giving you any trouble about it?"

Blaine was about to open his mouth to respond but Mike cut him off.

"I'm done," Mike stated, putting the last case down. "Did you get everything you needed?" He could feel Mike's eyes scanning over him. Blaine gestured to his bland coffee.

"Uh…yeah, gas station coffee," Blaine said with a frown as he swished the cup around. To Blaine the drink sloshing around in its cup sounded as bitter as the drink tasted, each tilt to the side making a dull splash against the sides of the cup.

"It even sounds bland." Mike said with a light laugh.

Blaine looked up at him, his mouth parting in slight awe. "Yeah, exactly."

When they approached the van Blaine was ready to climb into his seat only to see Sam in it, talking animatedly to Kurt about something that the latter was only feigning interest in.

"Sam, it's time to go," Mike called as he pulled his seat belt on.

"No!" Kurt yelped as Sam started to stand up. "Stay back here. You can tell me more about the Avatar language."

Blaine glared at Kurt and defiantly turned to sit next to Tina. She stuck her foot out over the seats next to her and shook her head. "Girls only, Blaine."

"Michael," Blaine said with a sigh, he could feel heat burning the back of his neck as he looked down at his shoes. "Can I sit up there with you?"

"Absolutely," Mike said after a beat of silence through-out the van.

Blaine grudgingly stepped out of the van and reentered the front seat.

The two of them sat in silence, secluded in their own box in the front of the van and completely closed off from the others. Who even builds a car like this? Blaine thought to himself as he looked back over the joined front seats. The back of the van had two sections. One was occupied totally by Tina and took most of the width of the car, leaving a little walk way to the side so there was room to get to the back seat, where Sam, Kurt, and Wes now sat.

"Where did you get the van?" Blaine asked as he leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling.

"My mom," Mike smiled calmly and pulled down the visor to block the morning sun. "She convinced her boss to let her borrow the company van. She kind of left out the part that her son would be taking it." He chuckled and put a finger up to his mouth to signify that his words should be kept secret.

Blaine nodded. "Do you have this tendency to be rebellious too?" He grinned over at his front seat partner. The latter's response was a little chuckle and a wink.

He looked away to hide his blush and lowered himself so the only thing in his view was the glove box and airbag in front. He studied the grey, bumpy texture in front of him with determination. But something else caught his eye as he was about to study the clasp of the glove box. A very smug Kurt was watching them, a teasing smile growing as he realized that Blaine had caught him. He sent one of his flashy winks to Blaine before looking back at Sam.

Blaine's eyes darted over to Mike, who seemed to jerk his head to look out the driver's side window just in time. Did he see that? Oh god, he probably suspects that I have a crush on him now. Oh god, oh god, oh god.

"Kurt…he is just a tease," Blaine muttered pathetically. He instantly regretted saying those words. "I mean…" Not that I'm trying to hide anything from you either. Why did I just say that? He'll just get more suspicious about my feelings for him

"I guess you're just easy."

"Excuse me?" Blaine said loudly so the rest of the group went quiet to see what the sudden outburst was about.

"To tease," Mike said in a low voice. "You're just easy to tease," He smiled over at Blaine, though the smile was clearly forced and tight-lipped.

The atmosphere shifted them back into silence

"Can we get some music here?" Tina shouted as she threw a piece of paper from her sketch book up to the front seat.

Mike fumbled and shoved his iPod over to Blaine. "There is a cord in the glove box that hooks it up to the sound system in here." He mumbled, his mood obviously not improved by Tina's diva attitude, though the simple smile on her face proved that she was just joking around.

Blaine leaned over to plug in the iPod and whispered. "You know she is just kidding right?"

"I know," Mike stated; his eyes fixed in a glare as he looked at the road ahead. Blaine rolled his eyes and looked over the settings for the stereo, not quite sure what he was supposed to do. After a few moments Mike's hand had lightly pushed his shoulder back and started fiddling with the right knobs and buttons. "That should work."

With an audible 'hmmph' Blaine pulled the iPod and searched through the wide variety of Spanish audio textbooks and music. He finally came across something he was sure Tina would like.

Boys and girls of every age

Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

A loud squeal came from behind them. Blaine turned around to see that Tina was clapping her hands enthusiastically. Sam had a smile on his face and was singing along already while Kurt and Wes just looked confused.

Come with us and you will see

This, our town of Halloween

"It's not even Octobe-"

"Shut up, Wes!"

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

"This is September!"

"You think you're clever, Wes. But you aren't."

The rest of the song continued like this: the bickering between Tina and Wes, the confusion of Kurt, and the goofy, loud singing of Sam. Blaine enjoyed every moment of it, laughing almost the entire time. He would dare to take a look at Mike every now and then to see that the music and opportunity to laugh at Wes and Tina's feud did not lighten Mike's eyes or give him a smile.

As the next track started Blaine lost his happy feelings, seeing that Mike's weren't existent. He was angry at Mike for bringing him down and angry at himself for letting it get him down. He wanted to shout again. He wanted to punch Michael in the arm. Or smack him…yeah smack him for having Nightmare Before Christmas on his iPod.

Blaine looked down at the sleek green iPod –is green his favorite color then?- and glared at it, taking all of his angry thoughts out on it, like it was telepathic object that could read his thoughts and transfer them to Mike next time he dared to listen to his Spanish homework.

He looked up at the stereo system, ready to give it the same mental treatment, but saw something interesting. There were three sets of volume control above the hook-up for the iPod, all three of them were turned up to the same setting but he noticed that each one had a small label over it: Back, Front, Master. Back seat, front seat, master volume. See Mike? I'm not completely stupid when it comes to your precious tech shit.

Without really thinking he reached forward and moved the 'front' dial until it was turned all the way down and the front seat was spared from the loud blaring speakers. The music was still playing in the back of the van but the sound seemed somewhat weak to the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears.

"Michael?"

"What?"

"Did I do something wrong?"

Pause.

"What do you mean?"

Breathe in and breathe out, Blaine.

"I really don't like the way you are treating me," Blaine finally looked up at Mike. The latter was still staring at the road ahead but his hands were moving over the steering wheel in light enough motions that the van didn't jerk around under his nervous twitching.

"I'm no-"

"Don't lie to me Michael. First you act all friendly and happy when I go to you and Sam for help and then you pretty much put me on the back shelf when I go to see Kurt. Hell, you didn't even ignore me that much when we were only sort of friends," Blaine looked up at the rearview mirror to see that Kurt was trying to look at them. He quickly knocked the mirror up so it was facing the ceiling. "I'm sick of this back and forth with you."

"I-"

"It's pretty ridiculous that we have such a promising rela-friendship and every time I feel like we are finally going to cross that 'now-leaving-awkward-town' bridge you go and push it back somehow. Or am I the one pushing back?"

"I don't think-"

"And don't give the bullshit about you being 'shy' this time, because we have known each other for a while now and that won't work for currency."

"It's-"

"And I really just-"want to be close to you. Get over you. "-want to be your friend. So will you please tell me if I am doing anything wrong so I can fix it?"

Blaine had tried to keep his voice low as he spoke, not wanting the rest of the group to hear his teenage angst story. He glanced back to see that the four of them seemed too distracted by the music to understand what was going on in the front seat.

"Blaine," Mike started with a sigh. "I'm upset that you invited Kurt."

He didn't think that he could suffer whiplash from turning his head quickly until he whipped his head around to stare at Mike. "Why?" Oh my god, you're jealous! Please say you are jealous. His heart was still pounding in his ears, though this was not accompanied by the clammy and pale face of confrontation. He could feel his face redden as he waited for Mike's answer.

"This is a trip for friends and teenage rebellion, like one of those classic 90s movies, not for getting back together with an ex. You know that never works out that way."

"Oh," Blaine pushed himself back in his seat. It was a splash of reality in the face awake him from the hope of jealousy and he mentally kicked himself for getting them so high, even if it was just for a few seconds. "But you started this whole thing before I even thought about inviting Kurt."

"I didn't want you going over to his house, I didn't think you would be able to handle it," Mike let out a big sigh and muttered his next sentence. "It's clear you aren't over him and I'm just trying to protect you."

Blaine felt his anger returning. "There it is again, Michael. What makes you think I am "clearly"not over, Kurt." He furrowed his eyebrows and stared over at his "conversational" partner.

"Noth-"

"I'm sick of this, Michael."

"You were muttering his name in your sleep, okay? I heard you." Mike wasn't looking at him. In fact his head was turned away completely. Blaine assumed this was because he felt embarrassed for having heard Blaine's sleepy mutterings.

"Why would I do that?" Blaine asked more to himself than to Mike.

"Great, now you are going to have some life changing realization that you should keep pursuing Kurt. I knew I shouldn't ha-"

"Shut up. I told you I am over him. I'm completely over him. I guess," Blaine shrugged and mimicked Michael by looking out his own window, "it was just familiar." He placed a finger over his own lips and closed his eyes, remembering the lemon apple taste. His finger traced up to his cheek to feel the warmth of Sunshine's kiss again.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," Blaine grinned over at Mike. "Kurt even told me that I was never his type. No way am I chasing after that." He laughed loudly and his heart warmed as Mike laughed along with him.

"He doesn't know what he is missing then."

Well, what does that mean? Blaine decided to let the obvious compliment go and reached to turn up the volume again, only to find that Mike's hand was reaching for the same dial. They laughed and swatted at each other's hands until Mike became the victor and turned up the dial. The mood was much lighter and though Blaine still felt all of his secret feelings for Mike choking him, there was now a little more room to breathe.

()

After they had listened to Nightmare Before Christmas five times over, Tina finally gave up on the soundtrack and asked for some different music.

Blaine obliged her request and scrolled through Mike's selection again, every second or so he would glance up at Mike to see if he was still smiling. Mike did seem unable to stop doing just that, he even tapped the wheel though the music had stopped playing. Blaine chuckled and looked back down at the options.

Finding the Album and Artists too selective, Blaine decided to take a look at Mike's playlists. Instead of finding a wide selection there was a single playlist titled simply with the letter "M."

"Oooo! What's this?" Blaine said loudly, holding up the iPod above the head so the group could see what he was talking about. "A mysterious M playlist."

"Um...no-"Mike made a grab at the iPod but Blaine was already pressing the play button.

When the moon fell in love with the sun

"It's just a playlist I made the other day. It doesn't have any theme or anything."

"We get it, Mike."

All was golden in the sky

All was golden when the day met the night.

Blaine wasn't too worried about Mike's babbling on the subject. Instead he focused on the words of song. They struck at him for some reason. Perhaps it was the way it all sounded so peaceful and gave him just the right feeling in his stomach, like a happy memory returning and reminding him of all the good and gracious things in life. He leaned back and continued to listen in peace.

The lead singer's voice was strong and smooth, his pop-rock tones blending so well with the plethora of sounds coming from the background. It all gave him the feeling of being in summer and in love, mutual love.

When the sun found the moon

She was drinking tea in a garden

Under the green umbrella trees

In the middle of summer.

When the moon found the sun

He looked like he was barely hanging on

But her eyes saved his life

In the middle of summer

"Summer," Mike sang quietly, his eyes still fixed on the road. Blaine smiled over at him and nodded his head slowly to the beat.

The next song was quite different. The woman's voice was accented with a hint of defeat and hopelessness. Her words full of unrequited and pushed-aside love.

So you're gone and I'm haunted

And I bet you are just fine

Did I make it easy to walk

Right in and out of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover

Goodbye, my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Why can't you just let me be?

"Wow, Mike. That is super depressing," Tina said with a frown.

"It's A Fine Frenzy. I'm a fan. Deal with it."

As the songs continued Blaine found that they did have a theme, unlike Mike had told them, all of these songs were about love, whether unrequited, abandoned, or returned. Each song seemed to dig deeper and deeper into the issues of love and it made Blaine feel dramatically wistful. He would have considered it more dramatic if Kurt's cell phone wasn't constantly going off.

The weather seemed to join along in the melancholy as clouds started to build over them. The rain started to pour just as "Some Where Only We Know" came on and once again, Mike moved to change it only to have his hand smacked away by Blaine.

It would have struck Blaine as odd that Mike would have this song of all songs on his playlist if he hadn't been already distracted by the raindrops hitting against the windows and the memories of Sunshine flooding back to him again like they always did when he heard the song.

"I'm hungry!" Sam roared with a yawn, as he stretched his arms out wide.

"We'll get food when we get to Pennsylvania, which will be soon," Mike replied.

Soon was an understatement. Not long after Mike's proclamation they found themselves quite stuck in a long line of cars.

"I think it's a toll road," Mike said, sitting up in his seat to see past the cars. "Yes, this is the toll road, I didn't know that it would be so full."

Flashing lights gave away that the toll booths ahead of them were busied with cops. I hope we didn't just run into a weather car wreck…or something worse. Blaine tired to peer past the cars in front of them to get a better view as well.

He was about to ask Mike if he could see anything at all when a strange gurgling noise came from the car speakers.

God damn you half-Japanese girls you-

"Oh my god! Restart the song! I love this song!"

"Ugh. My phone is about to die. Does anyone have a car charger?"

"Shush, Kurt. Just listen."

Mike shook his head and laughed as he reached over and started the song over again for his friend. Sam unbuckled himself and pushed his way up to the front behind Blaine and Mike. He reached frantically over the seat to turn it up all the way and, much to Mike's laughing protest, started the song over again for the third time.

To Blaine's pleasure Mike started to move as Sam started to sing, each drumbeat getting its own move from the former.

El scorcho!

God damn you half-Japanese girls

You do it to me every time

Oh, the red head said you shred the cello

And I'm jello, baby

But you won't talk, won't look, won't think of me

I'm the epitome of public enemy

Why you wanna go and do me like that?

Mike's smile grew as he sang the higher pitches of the next line and pushed open his door.

Come down on the street and dance with me

He rolled out of the door and popped back up quickly, getting weird looks from the drivers around them. Sam quickly followed suit and opened up the door next to him and toppled out with less grace. Then, to everyone's surprise, Wes scrambled out as well. He was singing the song at the top of his longs along with Mike and Sam.

Mike swung himself on the door and looked at Blaine.

I asked you to go to the Green day concert

You said you never heard of them

How cool is that?

"Come on, guys, the cars aren't even moving!"

"It's raining!"

"Clothes aren't meant to be used and abused!"

Blaine didn't need telling twice as he pushed open his own door and found himself facing a car of girls, all giggling ferociously at Sam, who was now playing a drumbeat on the hood of the van. Mike danced in the little space he had between cars, getting a few cat calls from the friendlier car drivers. Blaine, enjoying the mood, was simply leaning against his car door, unsure about the lyrics so not daring to risk it.

Soon Tina clamored out and started to sing as well. Kurt, however, remained near the edge of the car, bouncing his head back and forth, smiling and enjoying the wild performance before his eyes.

Mike came around next to him. He was still dancing with his own original style when he leaned up against the car next to Blaine, looking at him with a sort of puppy-dog expression.

And then my heart (He placed a hand over his chest and began to move his fingers to the beat of the music, mimicking a beating heart.) stopped (his fingers stopped moving instantly) listening to Cio-Cio San.

Fall in love all over again. (He began to fall but stopped himself with a twirl, causing the girls to roll down the windows and cheer.)

Mike disappeared behind the van, leaving Blaine with a huge grin and a blush until his senses came back to him. Before he could fully regain composure and before he could glare at Kurt for being so smug, Mike was back.

How stupid is it? I can't talk about it

I got a sing about it and make a record of my heart (He grabbed Blaine's hand and yanked him forward so his hand was pressed over the left side of Mike's chest)

How stupid is it? (He pushed Blaine back gently and turned to Kurt, who was biting down on his knuckles trying not to laugh too hard. Mike flipped over so his back was arched so his face was upside-down. He held his hands up and pointed to one of his wrists.)

Won't you gimmie a minute. (With a grin, Mike continued to sing as he spun back to Blaine.)

Just come up to me and say hello (Mike made a quick gesture of ripping his own heart out and shoving into Blaine's face.) to my heart.

"Hello heart," Blaine said with sarcasm. Mike beamed and was on the move again.

How stupid is it? For all I know you want me to

And maybe you just don't know what to do

Blaine watched eagerly as Mike danced in all the possible places he could, gathering so much attention that other passengers were joining in with the singing, random dancing, and honking of their horns.

Sam came around then, his eyes looking to Mike and his smile wide as he tried to pull some of his own cheesy dance moves. Mike glanced over at Sam and shook his head, as if he were about to speak. But the movement of the cars next to him stopped his potential speech.

"Cars are moving!" Mike called out, twirling his way back to the driver's seat. Everyone ran back to their cars.

When Blaine and Mike were in their seats again Mike continued to sing:

I wish I could get my head out of the sand

'Cause I think we'd make a good team

And you would keep my fingernails clean (He held up his fingers and glanced at them for a second before looking up at Blaine with an adorable determined look on his face.) but that's just a stupid dream that I won't realize.

'Cause I can't even look in your eyes without shaking (he began to shake violently, a dopey expression slapped over his face.) and I ain't faking.

(He pointed a finger at his chest and stopped moving.) I'll bring home the turkey if (He moved his finger to poke at Blaine's chest) if you bring home the bacon.

Blaine felt a grin stuck to his face as Mike moved his finger and started to focus on the road again.

I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting

I think I'd be good for you and you'd be good for me.

They repeated the song several times as they approached the toll booth at a slow and steady pace. Blaine was still living in the clouds, his eyes closed and his feet moving to the beat of the song. His brain hadn't fully rationalized everything that had just happened.

Though his clothes were soaked and the smell of wet clothing surrounded the air in the van, the atmosphere was like taking in drinks of warm milky, hot chocolate and smelling cinnamon and lemons.

Even Tina and Wes, who had mysteriously disappeared during their little charade, were actually talking to each other. Tina even bothered to turn in her seat to face him.

"I can't believe we just did that," Sam said as he stretched again. His blonde hair was flopped over his eyes, leaving him with just a mouth and nose.

"I can't believe we don't do that all time."

"Yes we do."

"Oh right, glee club."

Author's Note:

Songs Mentioned:

When the Day Met the Night-Panic at the Disco

Almost Lover- A Fine Frenzy

El Scorcho-Weezer