Walking into the Berry house took Blaine's breath away. The place was amazing. Even with bare sheetrock on the walls, the interior glowed under the light from the gorgeous fixtures hanging from the ceiling. "Kurt…" he breathed. "It's beautiful!"

Kurt beamed. "Thank you. It's starting to look closer to how I remember it."

"You remember it?"

"Yeah." Kurt nodded. "I used to come here all the time."

"You did?"

"Mhm. Hiram and LeRoy had parties here all the time, and they taught lessons here, too. Piano, vocal, and a lot of 'social' lessons."

Blaine grinned. "Sounds exciting!"

"It was! Even with Rachel here before she ran off to Broadway, it was a lot of fun. I was here at least once a week. I even remember they had a woman that would be here sometimes. I think her name was Beth. She was sweet." Kurt stared off into space for a minute. "Anyway, do you want a tour?"

"I'd love one!"

So, Kurt took him all over, showing him the cabinets that were set to be installed, stained a beautiful mahogany that complimented the cool granite countertops. He showed him the new black, white, and red tiles he'd had installed in both bathrooms, the built-in bookshelves in the living room, the chandelier in the dining room, and the built-in desks in the office upstairs.

When they walked into the master bedroom, Blaine's eyes were immediately drawn to the red yarn sticking out of the floor. He cocked his head to one side, walking over and giving it a gentle tug.

"That was there the first day I walked through the place, and I haven't been able to wiggle it loose yet," Kurt explained.

Just like the yarn around my parents' door frame. Weird. Should I tell him? Blaine fell to his knees on the floor beside the yarn, staring at it for a moment. Then, he looked up at Kurt, begging him to come over with his eyes.

Kurt, somehow—though he didn't understand how—could read the need in Blaine's eyes, and he came over, falling to his knees beside Blaine and taking his hands. "What's wrong? Something is bothering you."

For the second time that evening, tears began to well up in Blaine's eyes. "I-I have to tell you… That-that song tonight… I remember…" He fought to get the words out. "When we sang together tonight, those words... In-in high school, we disappeared."

Kurt nodded, his cheeks damp. "I faded into the background."

"And then, in LA, I felt like life was passing me by while I was waiting to get a job."

"Me, too. In New York. I was trying to write, but the words wouldn't come. I was watching everyone live their lives carefree, and I was stuck and stressed. Alone."

"I felt forgotten."

"So did I."

"But then, when I came home, it didn't take long before I found you, and it was like I was whole again. Pulled out of the darkness. I was visible again." I felt like you saw me.

"I felt that, too." I felt that with you.

Their breath was hot and heavy between them as they leaned in closer, their eyes locking on each other's lips. When they were a hair's breadth away, Kurt suddenly pulled back.

"I can't. I can't do this with you," he said softly. "Not-not yet. After Ryan… I know it's been a few weeks since he called but I… When he called, he pulled me back further into that darkness I found myself in when I came back here. I need to get back to that clarity before we do this. Because I-I want to. I just… Not to you. Not yet." I want you so badly, but I'm still so scared you won't want me.

Blaine nodded. He was bummed, but he understood. He knew needing to be in the right place. Gingerly, he reached down, fingering the red yarn. I've wanted you for so long. I can wait. "I've been seeing this, too, at my parents' house. I think it means something."

"Maybe."

The boys were silent for a few moments, holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. Then, wordlessly, they got up, and Blaine followed Kurt back downstairs. They didn't talk for a while, letting the emotions they'd just shared dissipate so they could speak freely, happily again.

"Will you please let Tina do a story on you and this house? You've done an amazing job, and you deserve to be recognized."

"I dunno… I kinda wanted to keep it just for me and my favorite people to enjoy."

"We still can. It's just a few pictures. I bet I can convince Dad to let you take the photos, too."

"Will you write the story?"

"Tina would do it better. I promise to get you an early release of it."

Kurt smiled. "Fine. I'm counting on you to make all that happen."

"I will. Promise."

"Then, the story is a go. You have my permission."

Blaine bounced on his toes, hopping up and down. "That's awesome, Kurt! I can't wait to see all your hard work shine!" Then, he grinned. "You know, I'm very handy. Great with a nail gun and a sawzall. Anything I can help with?"