The next couple weeks were busy. It was the point in the semester when the homework seemed to be piling on and Blaine battled a couple days with minor laryngitis, which rather than provoking sympathy only seemed to bring lectures from the NYADA faculty about proper vocal health routines. In better news, Blaine had been rallying pretty well in the mornings to get his workouts from the app done right before he showered, which had the double benefit of earning him less side-eye from Mercedes and making him feel like he accomplished something before he even walked out the door.

The hardest part of the week was Wednesday-Thursday, when he really started to miss being home with Kurt, and started counting the minutes to when he'd be back at the loft again. He was trying really hard not to text Kurt every time he started to feel that way, figuring he would find it smothering. He really appreciated that Kurt was trying to give them more alone-time on the weekends, too, by scheduling as much of his time at VogueDotCom and the diner during the week as he could. This meant Kurt was working a lot of long hours, but it was worth it, he said, if their together time was really theirs.

Usually on Fridays Blaine got to the loft first and had to wait for Kurt to get out of his internship. Typically he would make dinner, but Kurt had texted him to pick up something from the new Chinese place near the loft and Blaine thought it'd be good to check out something new. While he was there, Rachel texted that she was going to be out late because she was getting drinks with one of her castmates. Blaine smiled reading the text. He loved Rachel, but getting a night of more extended privacy had its appeal. He wondered if she'd planned it that way, knowing he was basically vibrating out of his skin at this point. I'm so glad it's Friday. This week has lasted forEVER.

As Blaine was bringing the food onto the elevator, he got a text.

The magazine shoot hit a snafu. Isabelle is actually crying, I might be awhile.

Blaine sighed. Figures. He texted back, avoiding making any snarky comments about Isabelle monopolizing his date night.

I can keep your dinner warm. Xoxo

He got to the floor and brought the bags of food to the loft. He was starving, but felt like it would be rude to eat anything before Kurt got there. But then he got the next text.

You might as well eat. If this goes too long Chase is talking about ordering a pizza. I'm sorry.

Blaine scowled, annoyed. Looking around the empty loft, he now wished Rachel had been around tonight after all. At least I wouldn't be stuck all alone. He opened up the Chinese food and made a plate for himself, leaving Kurt's beef lo mein for him. He felt better when he got some food in him and texted Kurt back.

I hope they don't keep you too long, but I understand. Xoxo

Someday their roles could be reversed, he reasoned. Years from now, maybe, there'd be a time when he landed a role and had to stay late at rehearsal while Kurt had been busy on the audition circuit all day hoping for the next big thing, just wishing he'd come home to him. He indulged the fantasy for a moment. If they were going to be artists, there were going to be ups and downs, he reasoned. Maybe someday he'd come home late and Kurt would be looking to him for a confidence boost like back in high school. He smiled at the idea of Kurt needing him like that, imagining how he'd reassure him that he thinks about him even when he's in rehearsal, telling him he knew how he felt because there were times like tonight when he'd been all by himself and Kurt had been out living the dream.

It's silly to sulk over him not being here right on time. Tomorrow we'll have abs class and then most of the weekend together. I can entertain myself for an hour or two.

Finding the prospect of doing homework on a Friday night uninspiring, Blaine finished his dinner and laid out on the couch to watch Netflix. He was half-falling asleep there a couple hours later when the rattle of the loft door opening shuddered him from his slumber.

"Hey," he cooed, finally seeing his very tired looking fiancée at the door.

"Hey," Kurt whispered, hanging his sweater up. "Did I wake you?"

Blaine shook his head, pulling himself up to sitting. "Was waiting for you."

"Rachel asleep?"
"Nah she's still out with a friend from her show."

Kurt nodded, yawning.

"You should eat," Blaine encouraged, standing to go over to Kurt and give him a kiss.

Kurt smiled into the kiss. "I should. I'm so tired I can barely think." He went over to the cabinet to get a plate for the beef lo mein.

Blaine lightly rubbed Kurt's back as he put together his dinner. "I missed you," he said quietly. Kurt nodded but didn't respond except to stuff his face with a spoonful of food. Blaine sighed quietly. "I guess you've had a long week," he said. "Maybe… you should hit the sack soon."

"Definitely," Kurt muttered, taking another bite of food.

"I'd been… hoping we'd… get some time tonight." Blaine ventured. "That shirt you were wearing in combat today was pretty distracting you know. Was thinking about it the whole ride here."

Kurt chuckled. "Distracting sexually?"

"Yeah, and that senior who keeps flirting with you was definitely distracted by it too."

"Nobody's flirting with me," Kurt dismissed playfully.

"You don't even notice it," Blaine rolled his eyes.

Kurt sighed. He took Blaine's hand on his shoulder. "I know you were hoping we'd get some real alone time tonight."

"I get it, Kurt," Blaine deflected. "You didn't know Isabelle was going to keep you so late."

"Yeah, and I'm just… really wiped tonight." Kurt said pointedly.

"I kinda…figured."

"Rain check?"

Blaine nodded, kissing Kurt's cheek. "Of course. I'm sure I can talk you into messing around later this weekend though, right?"

"Heh. Yeah, you usually don't need to twist my arm there, so I'd say it's a safe bet."

Blaine grinned. "Good. Holdin you to it. I'm gonna take a shower and maybe we can take some extra time in the morning…"

"Oh no, you're not getting out of abs class—no sex until at least after that, mister."

Blaine laughed. "Aah, you caught me. So close."

Kurt swatted at Blaine's butt playfully. "I'm always on to you."

"True," Blaine conceded, grabbing a towel and heading towards the

bathroom.
"I'm almost finished, so I'll set the alarm and see you in bed?"

"Sure. Love you."

"Love you too."