A/N: I apologize for any grammatical errors in this if there are any. This chapter was a doozy and I went back and forth as to whether I should split it. Also I really tried to post this on Valentine's Day for obvious reasons, but unfortunately, school prevented me from doing that. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 18

XO

oOo

Friday, 14 February 2025

Kurt was used to being alone on Valentine's day.

It was a common occurrence. Even when he was married. Blaine forgot the holiday frequently, and when he did remember the occasion he was lucky enough to receive a card or a bouquet of roses from his ex. Every year as the holiday came and went, and Kurt became more and more aware that the inevitable was about to happen. Blaine asking him for a divorce. Yet somehow it still blindsided him. Broke him.

But now that he was single, he almost felt relief when he woke up that day. While he was dreadfully alone, he didn't have to deal with the disappointment of being forgotten. Instead, he could stay at home in his pajamas enjoying the start of his weekend knowing he didn't have to worry about any deadlines for the next couple of days.

It was the text from Rachel the day before that threw a wrench into his plans.

Callbacks. Tomorrow night. 8 pm. No excuses.

Kurt replied to Rachel with a simple "yes, ma'am". Her mothering side was definitely starting to emerge, even in text format. Not that it was much different than the "normal" Rache.

Kurt clutched his arms tight around his body once he exited the cab outside of his apartment that evening after work. He had opted to go with a red sweater with little white polka dots and teddy bears and black hearts, a pair of constricting, black skinny jeans, and Doc Martens for the occasion. The lightweight sweater, which was on top of a simple black turtleneck, didn't do him any favors when it came to keeping warm thanks to the seemingly perpetual winter. Every couple of days, the weather seemed to be warming up, only to dip down into icy temperatures. All he could think of was how badly he could use a beach vacation every time the cold evening air bit at his exposed face.

As Kurt hurried to the front doors of the building, he paused at the sight of a man approaching him in the encroaching twilight. There was no mistaking the burly silhouette of the man with whom he was so familiar now.

He had scarcely seen Dave in the past three weeks and he wasn't expecting to see him as forlorn or with as much stubble as he did. The grocery bags he was carrying seemed to only accentuate the hidden burden that seemed to weigh him down.

"Hey stranger," he said in a friendly tone to Dave after waiting patiently for his advent as he bounced on the balls of his feet, his hands shoved into his pockets.

In the shadows, Kurt could see a furrowing of his distinguished brows at the greeting and, then, upon seeing Kurt, a smile instantly graced and softened his features. His eyes, however, still held a certain sadness to them. Kurt couldn't help but wonder if it had to do with the holiday. Dave's break-up with Travis was only two months ago so it was probably still fresh for him. Spending the holiday alone, especially after a breakup, was painful. He knew that first hand.

"Hey," Dave said, stopping in front of the doors to greet Kurt. Kurt noticed Dave's lip quirk up as it so often did when he was amused and he noticed a certain sparkle return to his green eyes, which were glasses-less that evening. He looked Kurt up and down and Kurt realized that he was shivering in the cold evening air since the sun began to dip below the horizon. The blackness crept across the bathing to two of them in a violet hue. "You wanna go inside? You're shaking like a leaf."

"Yes, please," Kurt agreed as he grasped the door handle that was a frigid as an icicle and pulled it open. He held it for Dave who muttered a "thanks" as he ambled in with his bag, glancing behind him to make sure Kurt was following. Unlike Kurt, he was not shivering, as he had opted for a more practical, layered look with a denim jacket, over yet another zip-up hoodie (gray this time), and a dark green and red plaid flannel that he could see peeking out at the collar.

"I haven't seen you in a while. Is everything okay?" Kurt's voice was laced in concern and as they stood in front of the elevators. Dave turned to look at Kurt as he hit the up button.

"Yeah," he said, with a slight frown that contradicted his suddenly cheery voice, as if confused by Kurt's worry or perhaps wanting to ease it, "I've just been writing a lot. Time seems to get away from me most days."

"Oh, that's great," Kurt said cheerfully. He licked his dry lips as he rubbed his arms, which were starting to warm up.

"I just… Thought maybe I did something wrong," he finally confessed.

Dave flinched as his lips parted in surprise.

"Not at all," and then he laughed in a way that sounded apologetic, "I'm sorry if I made you think that. I don't know why you would think that."

Kurt let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding as he thought about the last time he spent time with Dave, clinging onto him as they skated in the park. He couldn't remember a day where he had that much fun, except maybe the snowball fight. And he was supposed to be mad at Dave at the time. It seemed like he had a lot of fun when he was with Dave. He would be loathed to lose that.

"I guess I've gotten so used to seeing you, it felt weird… Not seeing you?" Kurt cringed at his ineloquence. It was hard for him to get the words out sometimes when he was talking to Dave, especially while staring at his eyes that were so expressive. It made it hard to concentrate.

Dave broke his contemplative gaze as the doors to the elevator chimed open and allowed Kurt to enter first. Seemingly unbothered by the number of bags he was carrying, Dave lifted them to punch the 6 and 7 buttons with his thumb seeing as he was closer to the buttons.

"So," Kurt asked, staring at the grocery bags. He considered his next words carefully. "Did you have any… Special plans tonight?" A myriad of thoughts flew through his head at the same time. 'Was Dave making dinner? What did he buy? Could he be cooking for someone? Did he have a date?' being just a few.

"No, just some necessities," he said as he gave the bags a little shake. "I've been so cooped up that I didn't realize how low I was getting on food. Just made a quick run to the store."

"Oh…" Kurt said feeling the relief flood through him. He was surprised by the emotions that accompanied the thought of Dave sitting at a table by candlelight with some faceless, nameless body. He imagined him reaching across the table and taking this empty, husk-like figure's hand and his stomach burned. Maybe he just needed some Alka-Seltzer after eating his spicy curry for lunch.

"Would…" The door chimed for his floor and the doors opened. He remained standing in the elevator next to Dave, "Would you like to do something tonight?"

Dave's eyebrows raised rather comically as he blinked at Kurt.

"I'm sorry?" Dave said with an amused laugh.

Kurt grimaced internally upon hearing the words that spilled from his mouth. The way he worded his question made it sound like he had something "Valentine's-y" in mind, but still… He couldn't help but feel slightly wounded by Dave's bewildered reaction.

"Rachel and Finn!" He blurted out just as the elevator doors began to close again. He swung his arm out to stop it from closing. The limb connected with the surface a little too hard and he felt a pain radiate throughout his hand. He hissed, his cheeks going red with embarrassment as he shook it out. The pain dissipated quickly. Thankfully.

"I was going to go with them to this bar we went to in college. It's called Callbacks. It's on 95th and Amsterdam if you want to meet us there?"

Dave contemplated the offer briefly before giving him a small nod.

"Yeah, sure," Dave said, fiddling with the many bags and moving them all to one hand. Kurt found himself distracted again and had to mentally shake the image of a strong bicep under the many layers of clothing that held all of the bags.

"I could do for a little break from writing. I'll be there. What time?"

"8 o'clock," he said before adding, "I head over with you, but I'm going to their apartment first. Rachel wanted to show me the progress on their nursery."

"Yeah, no worries. So I'll see you in a couple of hours then."

"Yeah," Kurt said, exiting the elevator. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too," Dave said, his smile soft as the doors shut between them.

Dave entered the bar at exactly 8. He always prided himself on being punctual and it seemed that he arrived there shortly after Kurt, Finn, and Rachel. It was easy to spot Kurt through the crowded venue. He was hands down the most well-dressed person in the tiny bar. He wore a red plaid suit jacket with satin lapels over his black turtleneck that accentuated his nearly translucent skin. He practically glowed from the twinkling, multicolored fairy lights draped from the ceiling. The only part of Kurt's ensemble that made him appear more casual was the pants, turtleneck, and Doc Marten's that he had not changed out of from earlier.

Dave slipped through the crowd, bumping into people here and there as he made his way to the tall table that his friends snagged. It probably helped that Rachel was very pregnant and could have been offered the table. Finn was taking her jacket off for her, revealing a flowy maroon top underneath that cascaded over her belly, before he helped her climb into the chair.

Dave was halfway to the trio when he noticed Kurt turning his head towards the entrance, looking around as if to see if he arrived yet. His eyes scanned the crowd with an air of concern. Eventually, their eyes met and his face broke out into a wide smile. Kurt vacated and pushed in the chair he was about to occupy and Dave felt a warmth spread through him. The thought of going to a bar with Kurt, today of days, had filled him with trepidation, but all of his doubts seemed to disappear at the sight of the man.

"David!"

As soon as he was at arm's length away, he found Kurt suddenly and unexpectedly in his arms, greeting him in a tight hug. For a moment, it felt like Kurt had hit him with enough force to knock the air out of his lungs as he struggled to catch his breath. He was so taken aback by the sudden contact that he forgot he had his own set of limbs that hung at his sides. Eventually, he returned the hug.

Rachel and Finn turned their heads at the commotion, eyebrows raised at the sight of the two locked in an embrace. As he pulled away from Kurt, whose cheeks were flushed, he finally felt like he could breathe as he let out a chuckle. He looked down, feeling suddenly self-conscious, but not soon enough to miss the look that Finn and Rachel exchanged.

"Hey, Kurt," he said, his hand on his friend's should. "Finn, Rachel…" he said acknowledging the two behind Kurt with a smile which they returned almost mischievously. He turned his attention back to the man next to him when he felt a tug on the jacket he was wearing and raised an eyebrow at Kurt.

"One of us is going to have to change," Kurt said, his eyes twinkling like the lights above them. For just a brief second Dave was confused before he realized he wore a black and red plaid jacket.

"Oh, shit… You're right," Dave laughed at the realization that they unintentionally wore color-coordinated outfits.

"Well at least someone dressed for the occasion," Kurt said pointedly as he turned around to Finn who was wearing a dark brown leather jacket. The man shrugged nonchalantly.

"Blame Rachel, she buys most of my clothes." Rachel nodded looking proud of herself. Then she squeezed Finn's arm lovingly.

"That just means we will have to go on a shopping spree then, you can use more color in your wardrobe."

Finn groaned, before turning to Kurt, "See what you did, Kurt? Come on let's go grab some drinks."

Kurt smiled, "Yeah, sure. What would you like to drink, David?"

"I'll just have whatever they have on tap. Thanks," he said, finally letting his hand drop from Kurt's shoulder.

Kurt nodded before joining Finn.

"We'll be back," Kurt said brightly before disappearing through the tables with his brother whose head bobbed above everyone's in the crowd.

Dave stood there awkwardly for a moment before pulling out a chair at the table furthest away from Rachel. He assumed that Kurt would want to sit next to his best friend. Though part of him wished he sat next to her so he wouldn't feel the need to squirm under her pensive gaze from across the table. She had an almost triumphant-looking smile on her face. He was acutely aware that this was the first time the two of them had ever spent time alone with each other… Ever. The only thing he could think of was all the times he had thrown a freezing slushie in her face.

"So, Kurt tells me you're working on a book?" Rachel asked, striking up a conversation. She seemed genuinely interested and he looked up in surprise.

"Yeah, it's pretty slow going though," Dave chuckled. Rachel nodded with an understanding and sympathetic smile.

"I could understand. Every day I consider writing my "The Life and Times of Rachel Berry" Autobiography, but couldn't imagine the time and effort it would take. After all, I will have this little one to take care of soon, and between that and work," Rachel sighed, "I guess I will just have to wait for my inevitable, heart-rending, and poignant biopic."

Dave stared at Rachel incredulously, judging by the small amount of time he had spent with her in the Glee Club his junior year of high school, he could tell that she wasn't joking.

"Right…" Dave said, not sure what he should say in response to that.

"Finn told me that you were a sportswriter before. A successful and popular one too. What made you want to quit?"

Dave sighed. He honestly wondered that everyday considering how slow his progress on his book was going.

"It didn't make me happy. The success didn't matter to me. I needed to do something meaningful with my life and writing about guys throwing a ball around wasn't doing that for me."

Rachel seemed taken aback by this answer, which wasn't a surprise considering his past. To the people he went to school with, he would probably always be some meathead bully. He knew he shouldn't let it bother him, especially since the only one responsible for his behavior in high school was himself. He let his actions, today, speak for himself instead.

Rachel's expression changed from incredulity to understanding. Like something clicked into place for her.

"Kurt always speaks so highly of you. I won't say I wasn't dubious about whether you had changed your ways or not, at first." Rachel smiled kindly before reaching across the table to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. "But I can see that now, and I'm glad that you and Kurt are friends. I hope we can be too, eventually."

Dave didn't have a chance to reply, not that he would be able to come up with one, as Kurt and Finn returned to the table. They were both looking at their joined hands as they set four drinks on the table.

"Trying to steal my girl, Karofsky?" Finn asked with a smirk as he slid back into his seat. Kurt sat back in his as well, his eyes lingering on their hands even longer than Finn. He slid his hand out from under Rachel's and took his beer instead. Rachel sat back in her chair and swatted Finn's arm lightly.

"You worried that a gay man could, Hudson?" Dave said, raising an eyebrow. A noise next to him made him turn his head. Kurt had snorted into his drink and had to set his drink down before he could spill it.

"You good?" he asked, patting Kurt on the back. Kurt nodded, still snickering.

"Well," Rachel said as she primly smoothed her shirt over her rotund belly. "I don't know about you but I am ready to sing some karaoke."

Finn groaned. And Kurt rolled his eyes. Dave looked in between, clearly missing something. They were at a karaoke bar, after all, and considering how he was with three former Glee Club members, he assumed they would be all about it.

"What?" Rachel said innocently but changed her tone to one of exasperation when Finn and Kurt stared at her pointedly. "I haven't performed in months, okay. You all get to drink and I can't! What am I supposed to do? At least let me have my fun."

"And here I thought we were going to have a nice, low-key evening," Kurt said, folding his hands neatly on the table in front of him.

"Then one of you come up with me!" Rachel begged. Standing from her chair, she went over to Kurt and pulled on his arm.

"Oh no… No, no, no," Kurt said, pulling his arm away from her grasp. "I'm not about to embarrass myself in front of all these people."

Dave frowned, astounded by Kurt's response.

"What are you talking about, you're a great singer," Dave blurted out. All three of them stared at him, bewildered by his outburst. Rachel quickly turned to her husband, however, as Kurt continued to stare wide-eyed at him. His cheeks seemed to pinken from the compliment.

"Please duet with me, Finn." Rachel pouted, before whispering something in Finn's ear. Finn leaped from his chair before Rachel could pull away and he grabbed his wife's hand.

"Wish me luck," Finn said, appearing flustered by whatever Rachel had said to him and she giggled, pulling him with her to the stage.

"What was that all about?" Dave said, turning to Kurt who was taking a sip through his tiny red straw.

"You'll find out in a second."

Dave sat back in his chair as he raised his beer to his lips. Before he could even take a sip, he froze, hand suspended in mid-air as murmurs and gasps began to spread throughout the bar. Even the people who weren't paying attention to the impromptu performances before turned their heads. Some people nudged their friends standing next to them who then turned to look towards the stage in curiosity as well. Several people began to cheer and applaud as Rachel stood on stage. She was already glowing from her pregnancy, but on stage she was radiant. She made her way to the pianist, who seemed just as dumbstruck by her presence as the rest of the patrons. Rachel whispered in his ear, and Dave wondered if the poor man could even play the piano considering how he could barely tear his eyes from her. Rachel took the two microphones off the stool and she handed one to her husband. Finn was watching her with so much love and adoration in his eyes off to the side.

"Hello," Rachel said beaming. The crowd catcalled and she seemed to bask in the cheers.

"What is happening right now?" Dave leaned into Kurt, his shoulder bumping the other man's, so Kurt could hear him over all the noise.

Kurt turned to give him a bemused look.

"You don't know?" he cocked his head.

"Know what?" Dave asked. He was interrupted by Rachel who began to speak into the mic.

"Thank you, you're too kind." Rachel motioned with a wave so the crowd would stop in their adulations.

"You continue to defy all gay stereotypes, don't you, David?" Kurt asked patiently. "Rachel's a broadway performer."

"Are you serious?" Dave turned to watch her on stage. She was clearly at home, basking in the limelight.

"And no one was going to tell me she was famous?"

Kurt laughed.

"I'm surprised she hadn't already. That might be a new record." Kurt took a sip directly from his drink this time.

"As you may already know, I'm Rachel Berry, and this is my husband, Finn." She motioned at Finn who gave a small wave. He didn't appear nervous at all either. Just proud to be standing next to his wife, supporting her in any way he could. Or perhaps thinking about whatever she had whispered to him earlier.

"My friends and I have been going to this bar since college and I have always felt so at home here. That being said, I wanted to sing a song with the help of my husband this Valentine's Day."

"This song is… Probably the first song I ever sang with my husband, gosh… Fifteen… Sixteen years ago. And it's the song that made me realize how I wanted to sing all of my songs with him."

Finn gave her a warm smile that she returned with a beaming one.

"Anyways… Thank you so much, and Happy Valentine's Day." She smiled graciously as the crowd began to cheer and clap once more. She nodded at the pianist, who jumped in surprise from her even acknowledging him, and placed his hands on the keys. A high, tinkling range of notes began to resound from the instrument. Rachel raised the microphone to her lips as she joined in with the melody from the piano, her voice rich, like caramel, as it filled the now silent room.

"If I should die before I wake, it's 'cause you took my breath away, losing you is like living in a world with no air."

As Rachel lowered her microphone, Finn raised his. There was no fear in his voice. He was probably used to singing with his wife at home or even from when they were in Glee Club together. It was obvious their voices complimented each other, and their chemistry was palpable as he sang to her.

"I'm here alone, didn't want to leave, my heart won't move it's incomplete, wish there was a way that I could make you understand…"

Dave stared in awe at their talent as well as the crowd's reaction to them. He turned his head toward Kurt when he felt the man's arm brush against him and realized, almost disappointedly, that Kurt merely moved forward in his chair to rest his chin on his hands. He was just as mesmerized by his friends on stage, if not more so.

"But how, do you expect me to live alone, just me? 'Cause my world revolves around you, it's so hard for me to breathe."

Finn and Rachel's voices joined as one into a perfect blend of harmony and melody, Rachel's higher tone complementing Finn's lower one. Dave, however, had stopped watching the two's performance. Instead, he watched Kurt mouthing the words to the song from the corner of his eye, and he found himself wondering how he would sound singing it. He watched the cute way he bobbed his head along with the lyrics so that the little strand of hair that had come undone from his coif swayed back and forth. His blue eyes sparkled, obviously so happy to be watching his friends on stage. But there was a hint of sadness under the enjoyment. Dave could tell how much he missed singing. How much he wanted to be up there. He never understood since the day they went to the diner why Kurt gave up performing for fashion. He was so incredibly talented back then. He wondered how much he could have improved by now.

"Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air…"

His gaze must have lingered on Kurt too long because Kurt gave him a curious stare. Dave almost looked away, to busy himself with his drink, to watch the Berry-Hudson's on stage singing their hearts out, but he couldn't bring himself to turn his head away from Kurt.

"Got me out here in the water so deep… Tell me how you gonna be without me…"

"What is it?" Kurt asked shyly. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," Dave said, shaking his head and feeling embarrassed for being caught studying Kurt. "Your face is… Fine," he finished lamely before taking a giant gulp of his beer, finishing half the glass in one go.

"Oh…" Kurt said, sounding disappointed, if not insulted, by the description.

"I mean… It's more than fine. That wasn't what I meant."

"I walked, I ran, I jumped, I flew… Right off the ground to float to you."

"Oh…?" The amused look on Kurt's face only grew as he carefully took a sip through the straw, his eyebrows raised. Dave hoped Kurt would forget the last two minutes if he was honest about what was really on his mind.

"Why don't you want to sing?" Dave said, motioning his head to the stage where Finn and Rachel had now joined hands and were belting out the lyrics to the song.

Kurt seemed to shrink in on himself.

"I just… Don't do that anymore," Kurt said dismissively.

"Sing?" Dave asked carefully, afraid Kurt was going to get upset with him for pressing.

Kurt licked his lips as he stirred his drink so that the ice swirled around in the dark liquid.

"No, I will always love singing. I just… Haven't performed in a long time."

"How long?"

Kurt sighed.

"Senior year of high school."

"You're kidding," Dave said in a hollow tone. "That's a shame." He turned his head back to Rachel and Finn who were now standing directly in front of each other, separated only by Rachel's baby bump. Rachel, with her hand on her husband's chest, all but belted out the following line and sustained the note.

"...You took my breath, but I survived… I don't know how, but I don't even care…"

"Why?" Kurt asked, almost scoffing.

"Because people are missing out on hearing your voice," Dave said seriously as he turned back to Kurt.

Kurt's lips parted like he wanted to ask Dave a question. When he didn't, Dave continued.

"I remembered you performing in the assemblies, and the Cheerios, and that one performance that Santana dragged me to." He rested his hand on Kurt's forearm. "You're really good, Kurt," he said earnestly, wanting Kurt to believe his words. "I can't believe you ever stopped performing. Especially when you seemed to enjoy it so much." He let his hand fall back into his lap and Kurt's eyes followed it. "Even if you didn't make a career out of it, that doesn't mean you should stop."

Kurt stared into his drink. Dave hoped the words were sinking in.

"No air, no air…"

"Blaine was the star," Kurt said with a voice so small that Dave could barely hear him over Rachel and Finn's singing. Dave's head whipped to look at Kurt, a sudden bout of anger washing over him. When he saw Kurt, he saw so much sadness in his smile.

"What…?"

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause and Dave turned his head to see Rachel and Finn bowing together, attached at their hands. Dave didn't realize they had reached the end of their song. Rachel was beaming, obviously very happy to have a little impromptu performance for so many of her fans. Finn beamed, looking very proud of his wife, despite her already being a successful singer, though pleased that he could perform with her as well.

"You should…" Dave trailed off as he turned to look at Kurt only to see his chair vacant beside him. "Kurt?" he called, he saw the briefest glimpse of red slip through the crowd. He looked down at the table to see that Kurt's drink was empty, which was strange since Kurt had been merely sipping it before.

Dave realized the applause had died down and Rachel and Finn were no longer on the stage but beside it. A few girls who appeared to be fresh out of college were standing in front of Rachel, no doubt asking for her autograph. Finn stood next to her protectively, though the exuberant girls seemed to gush as they conversed, they did not appear to be crazed fans. He wondered what the chances were that Rachel could have inspired them to be performers themselves. Like Kurt had inspired him to become a better person.

Dave couldn't shake the ire that filled him at Kurt's words. 'Blaine was the star…' Did Kurt really stop performing because he thought he couldn't hold a candle to his ex-husband? He had never heard the man perform, but he doubted anyone could sing or dance as beautifully as Kurt.

"Where did Kurt go?" the sound of Finn's voice drew him from his reverie. Finn had pulled Rachel's chair out and she climbed back into it, looking the same shade as her shirt from being flushed with excitement.

"I have no idea?" Dave said, as confused as them. "I think he went to get another drink?"

"Already?" Rachel asked in surprise.

"Damn, guess someone had a long week," Finn said over Dave's shoulder. He turned to see Kurt with a new glass in hand.

"Maybe I did," Kurt said tersely.

"Kurt you need to go up there." Rachel pleaded. "It was so much fun, you would love it. Please?"

Dave sat between the two, feeling incredibly uncomfortable as Rachel seemed unable to sense Kurt's tone or thought she could change his mind.

"Are you kidding?" Kurt balked.

"Go on after you? The Broadway star?" Kurt scoffed as he set his drink on the table. He began to roll his sleeves up, seemingly hot under the layers of clothes. Dave just noticed how Kurt seemed more flushed than when he vacated his seat and he had to wonder if the refill Kurt brought back to the table was the only drink he had while away.

"No one wants to sing after you, Rachel. Look." He motioned towards the empty stage. The long-haired pianist was no longer sitting at the piano, but was enjoying his own drink and probably happy to take a break.

"Oh, please, Kurt." Rachel said, waving him off. "You're amazing, and even if you weren't nobody cares about that, this is a karaoke bar."

"Well… Thank you for that encouraging sentiment…" Kurt looked from Rachel to Finn, and finally Dave. His eyes seemed to stay on Dave the longest and he took a shuddering breath in.

"Come on, Kurt. They're gonna love you," Dave said encouragingly, placing a hand on Kurt's shoulder and giving him a squeeze and a gentle shake. He said it soft enough that he doubted Finn and Rachel could hear him over the patrons from the other side of the table. He could see the fear in Kurt's eyes, and despite his calm countenance, Dave could feel a sense of ire inside him. It was only directed at Kurt's ex, however. He wanted to have some words with the man who seemed to dim Kurt's fire. "You know there will be at least three familiar faces to look at if you're nervous."

Kurt seemed to consider his words, before giving him a small nod.

"Fine... " Kurt relinquished, turning to Finn and Rachel. "Just so you'll stop bugging me." Kurt began to turn away, but then faced Rachel once more, his chin pointed forward. "But so help me, Rachel Berry, if they laugh at me I get to name my niece or nephew."

"Deal," Rachel said bravely without a second's thought.

"Wait what the hell?" Finn gawked at her, "What about Van Halen Hudson?"

"When was that abhorrent name even a consideration?"

Not wanting to be a part of their argument, Kurt rolled his eyes and walked away, practically stalking to the stage.

"Good job supporting your brother, Finn."

"You shouldn't force Kurt to sing. You know how he feels about it since he didn't get into NYADA."

"Wait, what?" Dave asked, overhearing their conversation. "Isn't that the ritzy performing arts school?"

"Yeah, and it's where Rachel went," Finn pointed out. Rachel almost looked guilty for that.

"Why the hell couldn't Kurt get in?" Even though it had been more than a decade since Kurt would have applied for college, Dave still could help but feel enraged that they wouldn't consider Kurt.

"Your guess is as good as ours," Finn said, seemingly very protective of his brother. "He should have. There was no reason why they shouldn't have accepted him."

"Kurt's range is even better than mine," Rachel said, which was high praise from her, even if she and Kurt were technically family.

"So what does Kurt's ex have to do with…" As Dave turned his head to look at Kurt, he stopped talking and felt like his heart stopped too. Kurt was chatting amicably with the pianist, who was giving Kurt a beguiling smile as he pushed his flowing locks behind his ears. He didn't seem that much older than the girls who had asked Rachel for her autograph. Whatever words were being exchanged between Kurt and the man, Kurt seemed to be appreciating the attention. He was blushing even harder than before, and he toyed with the microphone in his hands. What seemed like an eternity later, Kurt turned to the center stage, his eyes darting around nervously. There were a few enthusiastic whoos from the crowd from both men and women and Kurt smiled shyly.

"Um… Hello…" Kurt said into the microphone. The sound inside the building seemed to die down somewhat, but there was still a smattering of conversations.

"My name is Kurt and I am up here against my will, thanks to my lovely sister-in-law Rachel, who you already know." He emphasized the word lovely as he stared at Rachel with a saccharine smile. She blew a kiss at him and the people who turned to look towards their table laughed.

"I guess I will get on with my song so you can all get on with your lives, but… This song is for Rachel and my wonderful brother Finn, who are expecting their first child and… Well… It will be their last Valentine's Day alone so… What are you even doing here right now when you can be at home doing whatever it is straight couples do on Valentine's Day?" Numerous laughs erupted throughout the crowd, including one from Dave. Kurt looked at Dave like he had been able to pick his laugh out of the hundred or so other people. Despite his apprehension, Kurt was still so charming and seemed comfortable enough on the stage, though he still radiated with nervous energy.

"Anyways… I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day."

Kurt turned his head to the pianist, giving him a little nod, and he began to play a resounding yet soft melody that echoed throughout the room. Kurt gripped the microphone in one hand and closed his eyes as he waited for his time to come in. Dave saw his chest rise and fall and it was like Dave could feel Kurt's adrenaline in his veins. As the music paused, Kurt opened his mouth, and his voice filled the room.

"Your love is bright as ever… Even in the shadows…"

From the first note Kurt uttered, Dave felt like he had been punched in the gut, and, much like the lyrics to Finn and Rachel's song, the air in his lungs seemed to escape him. He didn't know how the man could be better than he was in high school, especially having not performed in years. He had only sung one line of the song and Dave was already enchanted.

"Baby kiss me… Before they turn the lights out…"

It was like Kurt couldn't bring himself to open his eyes. Like he would be facing their judgments, their expectations. But Dave couldn't imagine how they could have anything to judge, except maybe Kurt's lack of self-confidence, which seemed to be growing by the second.

"Your heart is glowing… And I'm crashing into you…"

Finally, Kurt opened his eyes. Dave could tell he was getting into the song from the way his voice seemed to move up and down effortlessly with every note. Dave leaned forward in his chair, resting his arms on the table as he watched with rapt attention-every move Kurt made, every blink of an eyelash, to the way he raised his free hand when he was really feeling the song. Dave couldn't look away.

"Before they turn the lights out… Before they turn the lights out… Baby love me lights out…"

Kurt closed his eyes once more, only this time his face scrunched up in a way that could only be described as adorable. He hit the chorus with a crescendoing note which caused the room to practically vibrate.

"In the darkest night hour…"

Dave looked around at the others in the bar who were just as invested in the song like him. He could see Finn and Rachel from the corner of his eye. Finn had his arm wrapped around his wife and he could tell Rachel was very emotional, as she held her hand to her lips and her eyes were sparkling with tears as she watched her friend perform. There was an enormous amount of pride on Finn's face as he wore his lopsided smile and bobbed his head along with the music. Dave didn't have the same musical education and training that they did, but he knew one thing… Kurt wasn't good… He was incredible.

"In the darkest night hour…"

Kurt repeated the line like an echo, except with more flourish this time in the notes he sang, expertly nailing all of the runs. Kurt held the note out, but it didn't seem to take him any effort. Everything he did on stage seemed so natural, so second nature. How he could have gone this long without performing astounded him. Dave couldn't help but feel grateful that he could be there to watch him sing.

"I'll search through the crowd…"

Kurt opened his eyes as he belted out the words. Both of his hands held the microphone and he stood in such a commanding stance that seemed to stir something inside Dave. It was at that moment that Kurt's eyes found his that Dave felt as if his heart was hammering against his rib cage, ready to burst out.

"Your face is all that I see… I'll give you everything… Baby love me lights out…"

Dave felt his mouth go dry as he stared at Kurt's eyes, twinkling from the lights on the ceiling and the emotion in the lyrics. He tried so hard to keep the unwarranted thoughts at bay… But a myriad of emotions seemed to flood his nervous system, zipping across his synapses like some sort of high-speed ping pong game. All of which pointed at one very obvious fact.

Kurt was fucking breathtaking.

It felt like an ice bath washed over Dave as that same familiar feeling returned to him. The unease he felt when he took care of Kurt when he was sick, when he caught him while ice skating before he fell on the ice. He knew what it was in reaction to. He couldn't bring himself to think about it. He thought about Valentine's his junior year and the pain that quickly came after.

He was afraid.

Afraid of falling for Kurt all over again. Or that he already had.

Dave didn't hear the next part of the song as he robotically stood up from his chair and made his way to the bar without any explanation to the duo sitting next to him, whose eyes he could feel on the back of his neck as he made his way to the bar.

"Baby, love me lights out…"

Kurt couldn't remember the last time he felt like this. There were so many eyes on him watching his every move and all he felt was unbridled joy. It's like no time had passed since the audition that made him never want to perform again and now. But now there were no expectations of him. It was a karaoke bar, after all, it was meant to be fun not the Tony Awards. But he could tell from the looks on everyone's faces that he was doing at least a halfway decent job.

"In the darkest night hour… In the darkest night hour…"

As he got to the climax of the first chorus in the song, in some strange happenstance, he managed to find Dave's face among all of the others.

"I'll search through the crowd…"

It took everything within him to keep the tremble out of his voice upon seeing the look on Dave's face. Even with his brother, looking so proud, and Rachel, about ready to burst into tears, he couldn't tear his eyes away from Dave's.

"Your face is all that I see… I'll give you everything… Baby love me lights out..."

Kurt wasn't sure if Dave was even blinking… If he was even blinking. He couldn't stop staring at Dave's kind, encouraging smile, the warmth in his green eyes that, from so far away appeared the same color of the dark ale he was drinking. There was so much admiration in one look it made him feel like he was choking, which was the last thing he needed while he was on stage. He didn't know what to do with the amount of awe that Dave bestowed upon him. It made him want to cry. That someone could look at him with that amount of adoration… Amount of…

Before Kurt could finish the chorus Dave stood suddenly, vacating his seat and Kurt felt his heart clench. Though he continued to sing, he watched Dave push through the crowd towards the bar. While his first thought was his well-being, his second reaction was one of disappointment. After all, Dave was the one who swayed his decision to perform and now he was at the bar talking to the handsome bartender.

Somehow, Kurt managed to tear his eyes away from Dave as he continued to sing as though nothing happened.

"You can turn my lights out…"

"Can I get another beer please," Dave said to one of the bartenders behind the counter. As the man turned around, Dave was able to see just how handsome he was, with his eyes as dark as his beard and his umber skin.

"What'll it be handsome?"

"Um…" Dave stammered, flustered from the compliment. "Why don't you give me your favorite."

"Well, I'm a Smirnoff guy myself. How does a Coke with Smirnoff vodka sound?"

"That'll be fine," Dave said quickly. He could still hear Kurt's voice behind him.

He felt sick.

"I haven't seen you before." The man said as he began making his drink, pouring the clear liquid into the larger end of the jigger and pouring it into a glass filled with ice.

"No, it's my first time."

"Hopefully not your last," the man said, smirking at him. Dave gave him an upturn of the corner of his mouth that he hoped with suffice as a smile.

"See your Valentine's Day isn't going too well…" The man pointed out as he cracked open a can of Coke and filled it to almost to the brim. He topped it off with a lime wedge before sliding it over to him. "Here, this one is on me."

"Oh, thank you, but I'm okay," Dave laughed, though it sounded hollow in his ears.

"Well, in case you didn't notice, I'm flirting with you in a very obvious way hoping you would give me your number. Although, I get off in an hour if…"

"I'm flattered, really," Dave said, cutting him off. He felt horrible about it too. Here was this man flirting with him and all he could think about was the brief amount of eye contact with his friend that filled him with so much electricity, it shook him. "But I think you're a little young for me."

"Well, you don't seem too old for me," the man said hopefully. Dave shook his head as he slid over a ten-dollar bill.

"Sorry," Dave said, grimacing. As attractive as the man was, he was long past his stage of one-night stands and couldn't imagine stringing along someone ten years younger than him. "I hope you have a good night.

"Damn," he said with a disappointed sigh, but with a smile added, "You too."

"To be fair," Dave said, turning back around, "if I was ten years younger, I am almost positive I would have said yes."

The man chuckled to himself.

"Good thing I was an engineering major. I'll start working on that time machine then."

Dave laughed.

"Good luck with that," he said good-naturedly, and with that, he turned back around, drink in hand, and began walking back to his seat when he froze.

Kurt had reached the middle of the song and had turned to the pianist as he sang, his voice sweet like honey. The pianist smiled along. He may as well have hearts in his eyes. Dave felt his stomach drop, hard and painful like an anvil on his foot. Kurt… Smiling at him, his cheeks flushed, eyes twinkling, a look so often reserved for him being directed at this… Stranger, albeit handsome one.

'Maybe if you stayed in your damn seat he would be looking at you like that,' Dave thought as he exhaled a shuddering breath.

Why was he feeling this way all of a sudden? Kurt was his friend, he tried to remind himself. He had shared a shake with him, cooked for him, took care of him when sick, played in the snow with him, went ice skating with him…

'Everything couples do,' the little voice in the back of his head said, betraying him.

"Our love is like XO… You love me like XO… You kill me boy XO…"

Dave squeezed through the crowd and once he reached the table with his drink, Kurt's eyes found his once more, and his face instantly brightened. Dave smiled back encouragingly, all of his doubts disappearing as suddenly as they came. He could do this. He could be a good friend and support him and eventually any feelings he thought he might have would go away.

"You're all that I see… Gimme everything... Baby love me lights out…"

Once the final note had finished reverberating through the room, raucous applause erupted equal to that of Rachel's. He joined in with the rest and even threw in some cheers for good measure. Kurt blushed, eyes wide before smiling infectiously at the crowd. Giving a little curtsy and a wave, he all but scurried off the stage. The applause soon died down and Dave sat back down in his chair. Kurt appeared seemingly out of nowhere, with several pairs of eyes following him, and a few people even patting him on the back before he reached the table. Dave could tell that he was visibly shaking as he climbed back in his chair.

"Kurt that was incredible." Dave was the first to say in awe. Kurt looked away in embarrassment, though Dave had no idea why. He had no reason to be embarrassed by that performance. Perhaps he just wasn't used to being in the limelight anymore.

"It was amazing, Kurt," Rachel said with a sniffle. There were tear streaks on her face.

"Sorry," she added as she dabbed her face with the square napkin that her drink had been sitting on. "Hormones. Oh, who am I kidding, it was all you Kurt. I blame you for this." Kurt laughed, rubbing her arm soothingly.

"Dude, I can't remember the last time you sang like that," Finn said in amazement. "Maybe we should come here more often."

"Thank you, but I think that is enough excitement for me for a while."

"Is this for me?" Kurt asked, turning back to Dave. He slid Dave's drink towards him before Dave could say otherwise. He could tell Kurt was already starting to get tipsy.

"Um…" Dave said, watching as Kurt took his drink and take a drag through the straw before he could stop him. Instead, he just smiled in amusement at Kurt.

"Yeah," he said with no desire to correct him, "Thought you could use it after that."

"Oh, thank you," Kurt said, his eyes glazed slightly, probably more from the alcohol than Dave's unintentional act of kindness.

"That pianist is pretty cute," Rachel said coyly. He hadn't been the only one to see the moment between the two men. Dave ducked his head, staring at the ring of condensation that was left by his appropriated drink.

"He was, wasn't he?" Kurt asked, looking back towards the stage. A brave woman had gone up to sing this time and was talking to the man. He couldn't imagine how anyone could follow Kurt or Rachel. Dave was pleased to see that the pianist seemed to be enamored with just about any person who came up to request a song.

"You should ask him for his number," Rachel pointed out, taking a sip of her Shirley Temple.

"Oh, no," Kurt said quickly. Dave glanced up and saw Kurt looked frazzled at the suggestion. "I'm… I'm just way too busy with work for dating and… I'm enjoying being single right now after being married so long," Kurt added fairly unconvincingly.

"Rache, leave him alone," Finn said good-naturedly, before giving his brother a sympathetic look.

"Alright, alright, I'm just saying… He's cute."

"Maybe I should grow out my hair, then," Finn joked, and Rachel laughed, putting a hand to his chest. Dave smiled at the playful squabble between the two but drew his attention back to Kurt, and the noise that was coming from his direction. He had drained the rest of that glass too and was sipping noisily through the straw before setting it down.

"So…" Kurt began. "You seemed to have a nice conversation with the bartender."

"Oh," Dave began, suddenly wishing he hadn't gone up there; hating that Kurt witnessed the exchange between the two. "Yeah, he, uh… Offered to pay for my, I mean, your drink."

"That's nice of him," Kurt added, smiling tightly.

"He also asked me out after."

Kurt glanced at him up and down. His smile grew but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I said no obviously," he added quickly. "He's way too young for me."

"Oh, that's too bad," Kurt said, not sounding disappointed for him at all.

"Kurt," Rachel said, interrupting their conversation. "I think we are going to head home. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning."

"Yeah," Kurt agreed as he stood from his chair, wobbling slightly. He grabbed Dave's shoulder before he could fall on the table behind them and Dave grabbed his waist to steady him.

"You alright?" Dave asked in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kurt said, his unfocused eyes staring into Dave's. He let go of Kurt's waist tentatively.

"Yeah, I think it's time to go," Finn said behind Dave. "Here, Kurt," he said, squeezing between the two. As he hooked an arm around Kurt's waist and took Kurt's arm to wrap around his own.

"I can walk, Finn, thank you very much," Kurt said rather petulantly. Dave saw Kurt glance back at him before Finn began to drag him away. He let Rachel squeeze past him before following her out of the crowded bar as well.

He didn't miss the innocent smile on her lips as she followed her husband and brother-in-law out of the bar.

"Come on, Kurt," Finn said as the taxi pulled up. Turning to Rachel he said, "Probably be a good idea for us to go with him. I don't want him to end up in New Jersey or something."

"I can take him?" Dave pointed out in a laugh. "We live in the same building after all. Besides, Rachel said she needs to get home."

Finn appeared dubious, but that was expected considering Kurt was his family.

"Are you sure? He's a handful when he's drunk. How many drinks did you have anyway?" he asked, turning his attention back to Kurt, who held a finger to his lips dramatically.

"It's a secret."

"Alright, so too many then."

"I'll have you know, Finn Christopher Hudson..." he began, poking Finn in the chest sharply. Finn mouthed "ow" before rubbing the spot. Dave couldn't help but snort. He had never had the pleasure of seeing Kurt drunk before. It was pretty amusing.

"I only had two rum and cokes, whatever it was Dave got me, and two shots when I went to the bar." Kurt's mouth turned into an "o" shape, before he said in a whisper, "Wait who said that?"

"You did," Finn pointed out, and Kurt gasped dramatically. "I'm gonna give you to Dave now."

"Dave?" Kurt asked excitedly, clapping his hands together as Finn passed Kurt over to him carefully. Kurt's legs were especially wobbly. As Dave went to take him by his waist once more, Kurt wrapped his arms around his middle, instead, in a tight, side hug. "Dave's here? I love Dave!"

"Alright," Dave said, his voice cracking. He felt his cheeks heat up in the cold air at Kurt's unfiltered words. "Now I know you're drunk." He freed himself from Kurt's grasp. Kurt pouted as he plopped onto the seat in the back of the cab. Dave had to manually put each of his legs in.

"Thanks, dude, we appreciate it," Finn said appreciatively, as Dave shut the door after telling the cab driver to give him a second.

"No problem," Dave said, "I can have him text you when I get him back to his apartment."

"Yeah sounds good."

"It was nice hanging out with you, David," Rachel said genuinely. "Hopefully we can all do it again sometime."

"That'd be great," he said. He heard a noise behind him, and he turned around to see that Kurt had pressed his forehead and hands against the window giving them all a morose face like he was sad to be left out of their conversation.

"Alright, I'm gonna get this one home, I'll see you guys," he said as he walked to the other door and climbed in.

"You're so warm," Kurt said to Dave, who was guiding him down the hall to his apartment. Dave's strong arms were around him and he couldn't help but inhale the smell of his cologne mixed with the smallest amount of alcohol. "You smell good too."

He listened to Dave's deep chuckle that he felt rumbling through his body.

"Well, I am glad you approve of my personal hygiene."

"I mean it," Kurt said with a slur. He looked up at Dave and his scruffy face, wanting so bad to reach up and feel the course stubble under his hand.

"Here we are," Dave said, interrupting his thoughts as he placed Kurt against the wall to keep him upright.

"Where are your keys?" Dave asked him. His eyes had drifted close and Dave's voice sounded far away. Like in a dream.

Kurt managed a shrug and he felt himself relax, sliding down the wall.

"Mmm… So sleepy…"

"Whoa," Dave said hastily and Kurt felt large hands gripping his waist and pulling him upright. He felt the hands patting his jacket down followed by the sound of jingling metal. Dave slipped his hand into his inner pocket. Kurt couldn't help but giggle and squirm away as his hand brushed his side. He opened his eyes, the lids heavy, but he saw Dave shaking his head in amusement.

"You're so weird," he said, leaving his side momentarily to put his keys in the door and opened it, removing the keys.

"You like it," Kurt murmured. He felt himself being pulled away from the wall.

"You certainly keep me on my toes," Dave said gruffly. Kurt allowed himself to be pulled into his dim apartment. Dave flicked on the lights causing him to screw his eyes shut.

"Sorry," Dave apologized and flicked the lights off once more, allowing the lights from the city to illuminate the room instead. "Here, I'll turn on your kitchen lights instead."

Kurt plopped down on the couch and leaned back into the cushions waiting for Dave to return to his side. He could see a light turn on through his eyelids, but not nearly as bright as before. He heard a sound coming from the kitchen—the sound of cabinets opening and closing followed by a clinking of glasses and a trickle of liquid. Kurt heard the footfalls as Dave returned to him.

"You okay?" Dave asked gently. Kurt opened his eyes to see Dave setting a glass of water and plastic bowl on the table and then added, "In case you get sick."

"Thanks," Kurt said smiling at Dave. What did he do to deserve him?

"Do you have your phone," Dave asked him. Kurt slipped his hand into his pocket and handed it to Dave clumsily. Luckily, he did not have a code to put in to unlock it, but a fingerprint lock. He didn't think he possessed that amount of brainpower while drunk. He unlocked it and handed it to Dave. "You want me to text Finn and Rachel?" Dave asked, sounding surprised that Kurt would trust him with his phone.

"Please," Kurt asked. He was feeling hot in his jacket and turtleneck so he slipped his jacket off and threw it over the back of the couch. He kicked his shoes off and laid down on the furniture, getting comfortable. "Should be at the top of the messages."

"'Kay," Dave said. Kurt listened to the sound of the keys tapping on the screen followed by Dave setting his phone down on the table coffee. "I text him and let him know I got you home okay."

"You're so sweet," Kurt murmured, looking up at Dave.

"You're gonna make me blush," Dave said wryly, he moved away from the coffee table so he could squat down and be level with Kurt. "You gonna be okay?"

"You're leaving?" he asked sitting up. He didn't want Dave to leave. He wanted him to stay with him. Like when he was sick. He remembered how it felt falling asleep in his arms. How it felt leaning against him in the taxicab as they drove back to their apartment. He felt safe.

He felt…

"Yeah, you should get some rest," Dave licked his lips. He looked uncomfortable, which hurt Kurt considering how comfortable he felt. "But you can text me if you need anything, okay? Even if it's in the middle of the night."

"'Kay," he said dreamily as he snuggled deeper into the cushions of the couch.

"It was good hearing you sing again, Kurt," Dave said softly. There was an overwhelming amount of emotion in Dave's voice. Kurt felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder. "You should do it more often."

Kurt sighed, listening to Dave's voice as he closed his eyes. How it comforted him. He wondered what he would sound like if he sang… If he could sing… He didn't know… He should have asked Dave to sing with him, like Finn and Rachel.

"Maybe… But only if you ask nicely."

"Deal," Dave said and Kurt sensed him stand up. He listened to Dave's footsteps as they made their way to the front door.

"Night, Kurt,'' Dave said before Kurt could hear the door shut and as he finally succumbed to sleep. The last thing he saw in his mind's eye being Dave's kind, handsome face smiling at him through the crowd.