Dear Readers,

I'm so sorry it took me so long to update! I had a severe case of writers block, and the words just wouldn't flow. This chapter still isn't exactly what I'd first anticipated it would be, but oh well. If it sounds ramble-y, I apologize. I guess that's just my way of making a point? Or it's just me being ramble-y. Which I am doing right now. Anyways, enjoy!

Hugs and Butterfly Kisses,

You'reAbsurd

(I own nothing.)

Chapter 7: Parting is such sweet sorrow

Blaine sighed as he stuffed the remainder of his things into his trunk. He took a long look around the room, lingering on the intricate carvings in the bed frames, and the silky curtains that hung from the windows. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, wanting to remember exactly how the room smelled. His nostrils filled with the scent of leather-bound books and fresh parchment and spilled ink. It smelled like home. He trailed his hand along the soft, maroon sheets spread out on his bed. He would miss this room so much. The memories he had made in the past year seemed to cling to the air around him, engulfing him. He remembered all the times he and Kurt had sat on his bed, quills scratching across their parchment. Kurt always wore this look of deep concentration when he was doing homework – Blaine thought it was positively adorable. That was basically the only reason he did homework with Kurt, because to be honest, he got absolutely no work done whatsoever when he did. He'd spend the whole time pretending to be working while he was actually stealing glances at the boy, and quickly dropping his eyes whenever Kurt looked his way.

Blaine smiled. He was going to miss this room, so much. He walked to the door slowly, unwilling to leave quite yet. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, sweeping his gaze across the room once more. He shut off the light, and closed the door behind him, one last time.

Dumbledore's voice boomed through the Great Hall. He was making some speech about the seventh years leaving and how they're going to make a difference in the world and blah blah blah. Kurt wasn't really listening. Instead, he was peering moodily into his goblet of orange juice. Dumbledore ended his speech by saying how he looked forward to seeing them all next year. Kurt rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. He didn't want to see him next year. He didn't want to leave at all. Hogwarts had become his second home, and though he missed his father dearly, he didn't want to go. He pushed his plate away and stood from the table, striding out of the Great Hall and into the warm summer air. He didn't stop until he came to a tree close to the lake, squatting down beneath it. It was the same tree that he and Blaine had gone to many times before. It was their tree. Where they went when they needed a break from homework, or when Wes and David wouldn't stop bugging them, or when they just wanted to get away. It wasn't just a tree. It was a symbol of their friendship. Kurt didn't want to leave it behind. He didn't want to leave Blaine behind. He would miss him so much. So much it hurt. Kurt slid his eyes shut and leaned his head back against the tree. A few tears escaped from his eyes and he wiped them away with cold fingers. He didn't notice someone approaching him until they were right in front of him, blocking the sun. Kurt squinted up at the figure. Speak of the devil. Of course it was Blaine. Had he really expected him not to follow when he ran out? A part of him was rejoicing at the fact that he had, while another part wished he had stayed in the castle.

Blaine crouched down next to him, not fully sitting, but balancing on the balls of his feet. "Hey," he said quietly. Blaine had tried to say it casually, but Kurt knew him better than that. He could hear the underlying tones of concern and confusion hidden in the simple statement. He got up, wandering over to the lake's shore, kneeling down by the water. He selected a smooth, flat stone and flicked it across the lake. It skipped along the water's surface a few times before finally sinking with a quiet plunk. Blaine ambled over to Kurt, keeping a small distance between them. He stood with his hands buried in his pockets, waiting for Kurt to start talking. He knew if he was patient, Kurt would tell him what was wrong eventually. He didn't have to wait long.

"I'm sorry," Kurt whispered.

"For what?" Blaine asked, puzzled.

"For running out like that," Kurt answered. "I just…I'm just going to miss everything so much." He licked his lips and glanced at Blaine. His expression was soft, his eyes filled with understanding. Blaine closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Kurt in a warm hug.

"You don't have to be sorry for anything," Blaine breathed into his ear. "I'm going to miss it too. The castle, the forest, the food," Kurt chuckled at that. "…You." Kurt pulled away to search his expression. He found honesty and care and…love? Was that what that look was? Kurt couldn't tell. His stomach fluttered.

"Me? Why me?"

"You're the best friend I've ever had, Kurt," Blaine said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Why wouldn't I miss you?"

Best friends. Right. "I don't know, I just.." Kurt played with his fingers. "Was wondering, I guess," he finished lamely.

Blaine smiled a bit. "You're always so worried about things. Things you don't need to worry about." Blaine took Kurt's hand in his. "You'll always be my best friend. So I'll always miss you." He shrugged, his smile widening. Kurt put on a fake grin and looked him in the eyes. Those smoldering hazel eyes met his own.

"I'll always miss you too."

Blaine was positively beaming by now. He was so caught up in his own happiness that he didn't notice the glint of sadness in Kurt's eyes. He chattered away about all the things they could do over the summer. Kurt walked along the lake's edge with him, pretending to listen. Blaine's words replayed in his mind like a broken record.

You'll always be my best friend.

I'll always miss you.

Always my best friend.

Always miss you.

Best friend.

Friend.

Always.

The words cut into his heart, shattering it into fragments. They were friends. Best friends. That's it.

Always.

Blaine walked with Kurt by the water, pretending he didn't notice that Kurt wasn't listening to him. It didn't matter anyways. He was just rambling so there wouldn't be an awkward silence. And so he could cover up the sound of his breaking heart. It hurt so much to say those words. Best friends. Always. As in nothing more. Ever. They would never be anything more than friends, and Blaine would just have to accept that. Because Kurt didn't think of him that way. Why would he? There was nothing special about him. He was just a short little kid with wildly curly hair and a big goofy smile. Kurt was perfect. His hair, his face, his nails. Everything about him was perfect. He deserved far better than a freak with a giant crush.

So, he and Kurt were just friends. Best friends.

Always.

The Hogwarts Express wheezed to a stop at Platform 9 and ¾. Kurt peered out the window in search of his dad. He spotted him in the crowd, waving his hands above his head so Kurt would see him. Kurt waved back and grinned. He turned to Blaine, who was searching for his own parents. He had a frown on his face and his brows were furrowed in concentration. Then his face lit up in a bright smile, reaching out the window to wave to his own family. He faced Kurt again, still beaming. He engulfed him in a tight hug, laughing and spinning on the spot as he did so. Kurt laughed with him, too caught up in the joy of the moment to be sad anymore. No more school work, no more peer pressure, no more uniforms. He couldn't help but be ecstatic. Summer was here, and he couldn't wait to bask in the warm sun.

He was determined to forget about his feelings for Blaine. They were a stress he didn't need or want in his life. He and Blaine were friends, and he'd just have to get used to that. That was all he'd wanted in the first place, wasn't it? A friend? And he'd gotten one. Who was he to ask for more?

Blaine broke away from their embrace, gathering his things frantically, anxious to be with his awaiting family. "I'll see you later, Kurt," he said while picking up his trunk. "Don't forget to write! I hope we get to hang out over the summer!" He smiled excitedly at him. "I'd really like it if we did."

Kurt returned the gesture. "Of course I'll write. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't? And yes, we will be hanging out this summer." Blaine chuckled at the conviction in Kurt's voice.

"Bye, Kurt." Blaine waved his hand, and left the compartment.

Kurt noticed that his heart didn't sink quite as deep as usual at his departure.

Maybe Kurt could handle being just friends.

Maybe.

I just want to thank you all for taking the time to read this. Don't freak out - this is not how their story ends. This is merely a pit stop of their journey. Next stop - year two!