Blaine woke up, immediately knowing something was different. It took a few moments to remember the previous night. It seemed almost like a dream. Was Kurt really in his tiny apartment right now?

He had slept well and felt more himself as he stretched and crept quietly to the washroom. He was relieved to see the still shape curled up on the sofa under a blanket.

In the kitchen, he boiled water and pulled some food out of the fridge. He was a bit hungry.

A few minutes later, he sensed a prickle of awareness, and glanced up to see Kurt leaning against the wall, watching him chopping up vegetables. He looked a bit sleepy, his clothing rumpled and his hair sticking up a few directions. Damn adorable.

"Look at you! Cooking!" Kurt said with a smirk.

Blaine just rolled his eyes at that. "Be useful. Melt butter in this pan," he said, waving his knife towards the stove.

Kurt chuckled, and followed the directions. He grabbed a spatula and was soon moving the butter around over the heat.

Stepping to his side, Blaine moved the chopped onion and green peppers into the pan. Kurt cooked them, as Blaine poured the hot water into a French press.

A couple minutes later, they were sitting down on the sofa, each carrying a plate of food and a big mug of coffee.

Kurt took a big bite of the eggs they had scrambled with the veggies and let out an appreciative moan. "Who the fuck are you? What happened to Blaine?"

Blaine chuckled, lifting a forkful a little higher to break the long strand of melted Swiss cheese. "I grew up, I guess. Left Never Never Land."

"How are the Lost Boys these days?" Kurt said as he put his empty plate on the coffee table and held his mug with both hands.

As he chewed his last bite, Blaine had to divert his eyes away from the sight of Kurt taking a long sip of coffee. He suddenly felt a pang, remembering all those meals they had shared on the ship. That old easy familiarity. Missing his friends too.

"Um, well, Sam and Seb are still on the ship, of course," Blaine set down his empty plate too. "Um, Sam might come here in April, maybe we'll get a place together then."

Kurt nodded, his large blue eyes looking at Blaine closely. "Do you like living like a 'normal' guy?"

"It was an adjustment. I had to watch some YouTube videos to learn how to clean! A friend had to teach me how to do laundry."

"And the cooking?" Kurt asked.

Blaine shrugged a shoulder. "I was on a smaller ship last summer, a river cruise. Whenever I could, I helped in the kitchen just to learn the basics. I got on good with the chef."

"How good?"

The question surprised Blaine, and he just looked at Kurt, a bit confused. What did he mean by that? Was he implying that he was sleeping around with all the crew on that ship too?

Kurt shook his head, flushing a bit. "Fuck. Forget I said that." He jumped up, stacking the empty dishes and carrying them to the kitchen. "Look, let me do the dishes to thank you for letting me crash here, and for the food."

Blaine could hear the kitchen tap being turned on, and the clink of the dishes. He got up, ambling slowly forward. True to his word, Kurt was already scrubbing at the pan.

"Um, let me dry," Blaine said softly, grabbing a clean tea towel and standing to Kurt's right.

Just like when they cooked, they worked well together, silently. Bumping and nudging against each other a little.

Blaine felt his heart beating a bit faster. In a few minutes, Kurt would change back into his own clothes and go. Too soon, too soon.

"Um," Blaine said, as he dried the last dish and Kurt wiped down the counter. "Could we see each other again? Catch up more?"

Kurt smiled up at him. "I'd like that. I'm off Mondays. How about we go to a museum in the afternoon? I pick a different one each week. And then usually go to a potluck dinner at Rachel's after."

It was more than Blaine expected. He thought a quick coffee or something, and Kurt was suggesting a whole afternoon, and maybe even dinner afterwards. "Rachel," Blaine chuckled, "it will be good to see her again too."

They pulled out their phones to make the arrangements and update their contact information. Kurt changed back into his own clothes while Blaine put the extra bedding away.

While Kurt pulled his winter coat on, Blaine hovered near the doorway. "Um, well, it has been great seeing you again, Kurt," he finally said, feeling awkward.

Kurt gave him a genuine smile and stepped forward to hug him. "For me too."

Blaine pushed his face against Kurt's shoulder, the feelings he thought were all in the past almost overwhelming him now. He smelled the same, and still felt so good in his arms.

The hug went on much longer than it should. Blaine held on, and it was Kurt who eventually pulled back, his smile a bit wobbly and blinking fast. "Goodbye, Blaine."

Blaine sighed as the door clicked shut behind Kurt. He looked down at his phone. This wasn't it. Kurt had given him his contact details and they had plans next Monday.

...

"Andrew Levy? You worked with him?" Rachel said as she put a bowl of grapes on the table.

Kurt chuckled. She'd been pumping Blaine for information since he stepped through her door. He knew more about the past year of Blaine's activities in a couple hours than hanging out with him a few Mondays. It was nice being able to sit back and just listen. A couple of their other friends were talking about Sondheim, but Kurt was listening to Blaine and Rachel's conversation.

"He's great. So many musicians I know have talked him up, I didn't think he could live up to it," Blaine said. "But he's got me scheduled for two more gigs in the next few weeks."

"Good for you. You deserve it! You are very talented," Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Is he as good looking in person?"

Blaine groaned. "Fuck, yes. It's kind of distracting, really. Those dark, intense eyes."

"A complete silver fox. Half the guys I work with sigh about him since he got divorced," Rachel chuckled.

Kurt felt a tinge of annoyance when Blaine nodded in agreement. He felt this a few times now, every time Blaine mentioned other men. The casual way he mentioned living with Sam later, Sebastian, this music producer.

Scoffing at himself, Kurt went to the washroom. When he came out, Blaine and Rachel were still talking animatedly.

"Look, I'm tired so I'm heading home. Thanks for the dinner, Rachel," Kurt said, pulling on his coat. "Goodnight."

He escaped, wrapping his scarf around his neck as he waited for the elevator. These feelings were stupid. He needed to stop them if he wanted to be friends with Blaine.

Blaine who'd apparently turned his whole life around and was adapting just fine to New York lifestyle. He'd even shown Kurt a great Cubano sandwich place and a dive bar with open mic night Mondays. He seemed to be working all over the city, busy but thriving. Kurt had never seen him talking so enthusiastically with Rachel before.

And he looked good, his curls longer and looser, likely too busy to get them trimmed as often. Wearing thick sweaters and ankle boots with an ease that made it clear he was an Ohio boy at heart. Not some tropical flower who couldn't handle true winter. He'd tromped around with Kurt all over the city, walking miles, hopping on the subway. Never asking for a taxi.

The bell dinged, pulling Kurt out of his thoughts. He stepped into the elevator, and right before the doors fully closed, Blaine jumped in, pulling on his coat. "Why did you leave so fast like that?" he asked, a bit breathless.

Kurt shrugged a shoulder. "Just tired, and you were happy chatting with Rachel."

"But we came together. Isn't it normal to leave together too?" Blaine asked, taking gloves out of his pocket and pulling them on.

"It's just Rachel's place. Not some formal country club do," Kurt chuckled. "I'm quite confident you can find your way home from here. You seem to know the city quite well."

They got off the elevator and were soon outside her building, the cold wind making Kurt pull up the collar on his coat.

Blaine grabbed his arm to stop him from turning to go. "Are you mad at me about something? I thought things were going well between us, but then you left so fast like that..."

His big amber eyes were searching Kurt's looking for the answer. Standing a bit too close. "Things are going good between us, Blaine. Maybe too good."

Kurt cursed himself for saying that and saw the way Blaine's eyes widened. Fuck shit shit shit...

"Too good? What do you mean by that?" Blaine said softly, looking a bit hurt and dropping his grip on Kurt's arm.

Kurt sighed. "I dunno. I think I'm a bit confused, having you suddenly around so much, being in New York."

Blaine's face fell. "Oh, I've been pushing myself on you. Crowding you."

"No, no, it's been fun, really," Kurt rushed to say, stepping closer to put a comforting hand on Blaine's shoulder. "I guess I'm just adjusting to how things are. Getting mixed up with stuff from last year."

"Last year?" Blaine said, his eyes warming before they dipped to Kurt's mouth, for just a second.

Kurt scoffed, rolling his eyes. "We are friends now, but I keep having this knee jerk reaction when I hear you talking about other guys. It's dumb, I know."

"Other guys?" Blaine scoffed back. "As if I have time to date anyone. Last person I kissed was a drunk woman who was at least fifty. Well, she kissed me," Blaine corrected, grimacing. "For New Year's."

"So, you haven't had a proper New Year's kiss then," Kurt said softly. Had he moved closer, or had Blaine?

Blaine's eyes dropped to Kurt's mouth, before meeting his again. "Not this year. No."

He just looked too good to resist. Kurt kissed him, just meaning to give him a quick, light kiss. But the second their lips touched, it just felt so right, so good. Had he pushed Blaine back against the wall? Pinned him there?

Blaine was looking a bit dazed, and he was breathing harder. "Kurt. What are we doing here?"

"Fuck, fuck... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...," Kurt flushed, feeling breathless too. He moved to step back, to give him more space.

Putting a hand on Kurt's shoulder, Blaine stopped his retreat. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It's OK. But you know what happened last year. I like you too much to be in a casual- "

Kurt kissed him again, harder and even deeper than before. "I like you too, and casual is the last thing I want with you," he confessed.

Blaine closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall.

"What? What is it?" Kurt said softly.

Blaine's amber eyes seemed huge when he opened them, and Kurt couldn't look away. "What you're saying, Kurt... do you know how much I wanted to hear it last year?" Blaine shook his head. "It's a lot. I'm fucking freaking out...happy, but a bit scared too."

Kurt blinked back his tears. "I hurt you last year, so no wonder you're scared to get involved with me again. We can take it slow. Will you give me a chance? Give us a chance?" It felt like his heart was going to beat right out of his chest at any moment.

"Yes..." Blaine said, and he was the one to grab Kurt this time. His kisses were enthusiastic and made Kurt's head spin.

But even such hot kisses couldn't keep Kurt from shivering as the wind picked up. "Want to come back to my place? Um, just to cuddle and talk some more? My roommate will be around too...," he rushed on to say, wanting to make it clear that he wasn't suggesting a hook-up.

Blaine agreed and that's just what they did. Kurt made them hot chocolate laced with Bailey's and they cuddled close under a blanket with some music on. Talking long into the night about everything, more openly than they ever had before, pausing often to share lingering kisses, but stopping whenever things heated up.

Was Blaine here to stay? Would he miss being on the ship after a few more months of real life in New York, scrambling to find enough work to cover the bills, to find enough time to be together?

Kurt was excited but a bit scared about what the future would hold. This would only work if Blaine built a satisfying, happy life for himself in New York. That he wasn't staying here only for Kurt. A long-term relationship couldn't be built on just that.

As tempted as Kurt was to take things further, he eventually had to pull away. "I feel a bit bad, kicking you out this late at night. Can I give you cab fare?"

Blaine took it with grace. "No, no. I'll just hop on the subway and be home in no time," he said, getting up and taking the empty mugs back to the kitchen. He was soon bundling up in his winter coat and hat.

"Goodnight, Blaine," Kurt said, leaning in for a final kiss, unable to resist.

The kiss went on and on, neither of them wanting it to end. Kurt was half-tempted to pull Blaine towards his bedroom, stripping him out of his coat on the way.

Blaine was the one to end it, stepping back. His eyes were heated, a look Kurt knew well from last January. A look that promised hours of pleasure in his bed, being worshipped by his hands and very talented mouth.

But he seemed to shake himself out of it. "Um, yeah. Goodnight. I'll text you tomorrow. There's a Moroccan restaurant someone I worked with recommended, if you want to check it out."

"I'd love to," Kurt said.

Blaine's pleased smile as he said goodbye again as he closed the door behind him left a warm glow all over Kurt, but mostly in his heart.

This wasn't going to be easy, with their crazy schedules, but they were both willing to make it work. Maybe, by the time Blaine had to move out of his place in a few months, they could look at getting something together. The idea of living with Blaine, waking up beside him every morning, had Kurt humming to himself as he tidied up the living room and got ready for bed.

It was late, but he was too happy to settle down and sleep.

...

A/N: Thanks for reading & for all the reviews. :)

-Never Never Land & The Lost Boys: "'Peter Pan'; or, 'The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up' or 'Peter and Wendy' is J. M. Barrie's most famous work, in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel. Both versions tell the story of Peter Pan, a mischievous yet innocent little boy who can fly, and has many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by mermaids, fairies, Native Americans and pirates. The Peter Pan stories also involve the characters Wendy Darling and her two brothers, Peter's fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook." (Wikipedia) Neverland is also called 'Never Neverland' in the book.

-The Lost Boys of this fic: Blaine enjoyed his time working on cruise ships; travelling, becoming a confident performer, and making lots of friends (and friends with benefits). He's ready for more, and Sam is considering moving to New York at the end of his contract too. Sebastian still loves the life, but his job as Ship's Physician has many challenges and responsibilities. I can see him staying on a cruise ship until he's 30 or so. Maybe moving to a big city and joining a medical practice then.

-I wrote a sequel chapter. I'll post it separately as "Two is Better Than One".

-Kurt & Blaine on a Boat: If you want more of Klaine on a massive ship, check out A Drop in the Ocean. It is set on the Titanic... and NOT a Klaine redo of the movie. There's a fair bit of sexy times & Kurt is very flirty. One comment from a reader: "This was such a lovely story! Beautifully written and I loved the ending and how you tied it all together. Amazing details and a great read. :)" Sorry about this shameless plug of my own work. ;)