Chapter 13

The air in the car on the ride to the airport was heavy with unspoken words. Blaine focused on the road, trying to keep the tears forming in his eyes from spilling down his cheeks. Kurt was quiet with the realization of the fact that he was leaving. Leaving Lima…and leaving Blaine.

After an emotional visit to Rene's gravesite where Blaine observed Kurt as he talked with his son, they had returned to Kurt's childhood home and were welcomed by Burt and Carole.

As he had settled in bed for the night, waiting for Kurt to finish his moisturizing routine, Blaine recalled the poignant moment at the cemetery where he had opportunity to address the child after Kurt introduced the doctor who rescued him.

Earlier…

"Rene," Kurt spoke softly. " I want you to meet someone very special to me. Someone who was with me that night. Someone who I truly believe you already know…because you sent him to me."

Kurt extended his arm, waggling his fingers to invite Blaine to join him in addressing his son. "Come, Blaine," he uttered, "meet my son."

Blaine approached Kurt, placing his hand in Kurt's outstretched hand. With bowed head, he spoke. "It's wonderful to meet you, Rene. I feel like I know you because your Daddy talks about you all the time. I want to let you know that I am your Daddy's friend and I care so much about him. Sometimes he cries because he misses you so much, but then he tells me stories about you and starts laughing and smiling. And guess what? I saw some pictures and you have dark curly hair, just like me! Your Daddy likes to pull on my curls. Did he do that to you? Maybe I'll just pull on his hair and see how he likes it – I bet you already tried that, huh? Well, I'll keep trying and let you know. Rene, please know when I say that I promise to take care of him, I will really do that."

Kurt was in awe at the ease with which Blaine spoke to Rene. He only wished they could have known one another. He was sure they would have been buddies.

Blaine stepped back to give Kurt a private moment to say good-bye. Kurt blew a kiss toward the grave, turned to leave, then stopped to look one more time. "I love you Biggest, Rene."

The next morning…

Now they were on their way to Columbus. They were able to catch a few hours of sleep after Kurt finished packing and they had indulged in another session of languid lovemaking. The miles rolled by quickly and time escaped them as they prepared for the inevitable parting.

They had already decided that Blaine would drop Kurt off at the curb, not wanting to draw out the good-bye. Blaine pulled over, put the car in park and jumped out to retrieve Kurt's bag from the trunk. Kurt still hadn't exited the car when Blaine deposited the bag on the curb. He leaned over to look in the car window and could see that Kurt was sitting silently, eyes closed behind his Ray Bans. He tapped on the window, but Kurt didn't move.

"Oh, baby, you're breaking my heart" Blaine murmured to himself, while shaking his head. He waited patiently and still no movement. He reached to open the door and bent into the car. "Baby. Time to go," he was said quietly.

No response.

He stooped to Kurt's level. "Kurt, you know you need to go. You know that this is hurting me as much as you are hurting. I promise I will be in New York in a week. Please, say something."

"I'm going to miss you so much. Blaine, how will I sleep without you?"

"You are strong, Kurt. You have an exciting life in New York with a job you love. Michael and everyone else misses you and they need you to guide them to get ready for Fashion Week. It's your dream, Kurt. Now go live it."

"How do you always know the right thing to say? How are you so perfect?"

Cars started honking and Kurt just knew he had to move. Blaine helped him from the car. Adjusting the lapels on Kurt's coat, he grasped them to gather Kurt to him for a final embrace. Before the sob could escape, Blaine kissed the taller man, hugged him again while whispering to him, "This isn't good-bye, my love." One final press of his lips to Kurt's, then he led Kurt to the automatic door, nudging him forward. He stayed still while watching Kurt move towards his gate. Right before he entered the security area, Kurt turned to see Blaine standing behind the glass doors, not having moved since he helped Kurt through the doors. Blaine lifted his hand to offer a wave when he saw Kurt turn. Kurt smiled and waved before turning to present his ticket and ID as he entered the checkpoint.

After exiting the airport, Blaine stopped on the side of the road to catch his breath and let the feeling of loss wash over him. He had to make Kurt go….it was so hard. He wanted to chase after him, hop on a plane to New York. His heart felt like it was shattering in his chest, but the tell-tale vibration of his cellphone in his pocket brought him quickly back to reality. He already knew that it must be the hospital. As he pulled back onto the freeway, he was grateful for a busy day to keep his thoughts occupied, but was already worried about going home alone at night with no Kurt to lay with him.

Kurt sat in his first class seat on the plane with his arms wrapped tightly around himself as he made a valiant attempt to control the wild fluttering of his heart as it seemed to crash, rebound and crash again within his chest. His heart beat with the thought of the man he just left in Ohio. He was thankful there was no one sitting right next to him as he was sure he would frighten someone with the occasional shiver as his body reacted to his mental anguish. He tried to sleep to forget and was able to nap intermittently during the flight. As soon as he landed at JFK, he took his phone off of airplane mode to check his messages. He had 9 voicemails since he last checked right before take-off; all work-related, he was sure. He checked his text messages before listening to his voicemails and he found what he was looking and hoping for.

"I trust you are back in New York now. I miss you so much, beautiful, and can hardly concentrate as I am trying to read patients' charts. All I can see is you. Please let me know that you arrived safely. And let me know when it would be convenient for me to call. I need to hear your voice."

Kurt didn't hesitate. As he moved through the airport to find Andrew and go to his car, he hit the Call button to try to ring Blaine right away. On the fourth ring, he head a breathless Blaine answer, "Kurt?"

"Blaine, I just landed and saw your message. I miss you so much, I don't want to leave the airport. I want to turn around and come back."

"Oh, baby, you know you can't do that. I want you to go to your office and get all your work done so we'll have lots of time this weekend when I come."

"You're right, but I don't know how I'm going to be able to focus on work now that I've heard your voice again. It makes me realize all the more how much I would rather be there with you."

"Kurt, you can call me at any time. Unless I'm in surgery, I will always pick up your call."

"Are you sure? I can call you whenever?"

"Yes, I want you to promise me that you'll call if you start to feel low. We are going to make this work, Kurt."

"You don't know how much that means to me, Blaine. And I want you to call me if you need to talk to me or just hear me. I'm here for you, too."

Kurt heard the soft beep on an incoming call and looked to see it was Michael. "Blaine, I have a call coming in from Michael. I don't want to hang up…."

Blaine interrupted him. "Kurt, I have to go, too. Dr. Bradley is standing in my doorway, waiting for me to finish so we can go visit a patient of his. Go ahead and take your call. But, Kurt, call me later, OK?"

"OK," Kurt exhaled. "I'll talk to you tonight, then?"

"Yes, tonight, my darling."

Three days later…

Kurt paced in his office, his phone held to one ear by his right hand, coffee sputtering from the cup in his left hand as he tried to drink and talk. Michael stood at Kurt's desk, trying to get a sense of who Kurt was addressing. Kurt grimaced and started to shout into the phone, "You cannot do this. It's too late! I have to have the lavender version now. Today. No excuses." And he dropped his phone to the desk and sunk into his custom-made chair. Head thrown back, he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to contain the oncoming headache. Michael silently pulled out a desk drawer, found two ibuprofen, poured a glass of water and cleared his throat to get Kurt's attention. Kurt opened one eye and saw that Michael was offering relief from the throbbing pain in his head.

"Blaine called a half hour ago. I told him you were on the phone with a supplier and he insisted that I not interrupt you."

"That's the second time today he's called, isn't it?"

"No, it's actually the third. He knows how busy you are, though."

"Michael, please let me know when he calls again. I don't care what I'm doing." Kurt looked right at Michael to make sure he understood. Michael dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"But go ahead and try to get him on the phone now," as Kurt reminded himself. "I told him I would always answer his call." And he remembered that he hadn't talked to Blaine for two days except through hurried texts as each man was engulfed with their duties and obligations of their jobs.

"He's not answering," Michael said, handing the phone to Kurt so he could leave a message.

"Blaine, I am soooo sorry," Kurt apologized in his most endearing tone. As he finished the phrase, the enormity of the lack of contact hit him full force and his voice broke as he muttered, "Please call me. Please." He hung up before Blaine could hear him cry. Tears streamed down his face. Between the exhaustion and the ache in his heart, he just let go.

"Why don't you let me call Andrew and you go on home, Kurt," Michael offered. "It's after midnight and we've got to start early again in the morning. I'll call Andrew to pick you up in 10 minutes."

Kurt looked skeptical, raising an eyebrow as Michael's suggestion, ready to protest.

"Really, you should go. I'll close up here."

"Michael, you really are a jewel. Would you have Andrew prepare my chamomile tea for the ride home? I'll just go wash my face and grab my coat." Kurt made his way to his private bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. He stared at himself in the mirror and saw red, puffy eyes. But mostly what he observed was an emptiness in the depths of his eyes that he hadn't see since the death of his son. When did he lose contact with himself, he thought. Just when he was starting to feel alive again and allow himself to feel love again, he was already spiraling back into his workaholic mode within a short three days. He needed Blaine to help center him. And he admitted to himself that he was the one too busy to take Blaine's calls. Blaine continued to try and Kurt allowed his business life to take priority. Not losing focus on his face in the mirror, Kurt realized that he had been so unfair to Blaine. It had only been three days and he hadn't spoken directly with Blaine the past two days. Dear sweet Blaine who was always giving. Giving of himself to others. Always giving to Kurt.

Kurt pulled himself together after the short period of inner reflection and vowed to keep calling Blaine until he talked with him. Grabbing his coat as he left his office, he stopped by Michael's desk to tell him good-bye, then pushed the button to call the elevator.

Andrew was waiting at the car, poised to open the door as soon as Kurt was near enough. Once Kurt was settled, Andrew pointed out the mug of steaming tea, then closed the door and made his way to his driver's seat.

"Long way home tonight, sir?" he inquired.

"Yes, Andrew. Around Central Park. I want to relax and enjoy my tea."

"Yes, sir."

Soft music, classical piano, soothed Kurt as the tea and the music combined to have the desired effect of relaxing him. He pulled out his phone to try Blaine one more time and still no answer. The call went straight to voice mail. He didn't leave a message.

The rich tones of the piano concerto reminded him of Blaine's home and the baby grand piano that he had yet to confirm whether Blaine played. But he strongly suspicioned that Blaine was an accomplished pianist and made a mental note to ask.

Andrew alerted Kurt to the fact that they were close to his penthouse and gave him time to finish his tea and gather his things. He jumped out to get the door for Kurt and was asking Kurt what time he should be there in the morning when he heard Kurt say, "I'll call you when I'm ready tomorrow, Andrew. Have a good evening."

"Thank you, sir." Andrew watched to make sure Kurt entered the building safely before he drove away. He was quite fond of his employer and always made sure to look out for him.

Kurt pushed his way through the building's doors and was greeted by Jerry, the late night doorman.

"Hey, Mr. Hummel," Jerry stopped Kurt before he got to the elevators. "There was someone here to see you about 15 minutes ago. I told him that I didn't know when you would be back."

"Did he leave his name? I'm not expecting anyone. Who would come by so late, Jerry?" Kurt wondered.

The swoosh of the doors caused Kurt to glance back over his shoulder and froze.

"Oh my stars! Blaine?! Are you real?!" Kurt was babbling. He couldn't believe that Blaine was right here, in front of him, in this penthouse building.

"Well…." But before Blaine could respond, Kurt had rushed over to him, hugged him while dotting kisses all over Blaine's face, cheeks and lips. His tongue was darting out, tasting to see if it was really Blaine.

"Blaine, Blaine, I have missed you," Kurt purred. "How are you here?"

"Hi, baby," Blaine giggled as Kurt licked his face. "Happy to see me?" he asked with an impish grin.

"Are you kidding me right now? Blaine Anderson, answer me," Kurt pulled back, stuck out a hip and waited.

"I had to check on you, Kurt. I couldn't get through to you on the phone and I got concerned. I just missed you and needed to see you."

"Oh my gorgeous man, you make me so happy!" And with that, Kurt latched onto Blaine's arm and led him to the elevator that would take them up to his apartment. The door had barely closed when Blaine shoved Kurt against the wall of the elevator. Pressing into him, he planted his mouth on Kurt's to kiss him with a proper greeting. Neither man could hardly breathe as they were afraid to break the physical contact they had been craving since Kurt had left Ohio. Blaine strategically placed his right leg between Kurt's two legs and let Kurt feel his need. His cock, hardened with desire once he laid eyes on Kurt, throbbed with anticipation as he grinded on Kurt's thigh. Kurt rolled his hips to match Blaine's rhythm and both men were quickly heated and panting through their kiss.

The 'ding' of the elevator caused them to reassess their situation and Kurt backed out, dragging Blaine by his coat, still kissing and letting Blaine guide them as Kurt backed down the familiar hallway to his room. Blaine didn't have time to take in any of the plush surroundings of Kurt's place. He only had eyes for Kurt and desire for Kurt's delectable body. Kurt shoved open his bedroom doors and practically fell into the room as Blaine was pressing harder and harder into their kiss. Kurt placed one hand between them and pushed slightly to separate them. Blaine whined in protest, but the whine turned into a low moan as Kurt sunk to his knees and mouthed Blaine's crotch. The hot breath further aroused Blaine and he threaded his fingers through Kurt's hair, pulling Kurt flush so he could get some friction. Kurt reached to remove Blaine's belt, unzip his slacks and pushed his slacks and briefs to the floor. He raised his head to be greeted by the delicious sight of Blaine, waiting for Kurt to perform his magic. This was the start of a night of reacquaintance. Two men. Two bodies. Two hearts.

Lying in bed, awaiting daylight, Blaine held Kurt. He never wanted to let this man go.

"I love you, Kurt," he silently breathed to himself, ready to admit his feelings for this man.

'I heard that," Kurt softly chuckled. "I love you, too, Blaine Anderson. I love you."

And they made love, tender and sweet, until the sun's light brightened the room and shone on two sleeping men, snuggled into each other, holding each other as though they were one.