Well, seeing as my A/N were nothing short of novel sized last time, I'm keeping this short. Thank you to EVERYONE who has left a comment AND for those lovely people on tumblr – you know who you are. You're all wonderful.

I REALLY REALLY hope you like this one. I MAY (oh dear) have sobbed a little writing this at the end. It wrote itself pretty quickly so PLEASE let me know if you spot any inconsistencies.

Please enjoy ...

"I'm never going to get a chance am I?" Kurt huffed out, throwing himself down on his bed. It was unfair. He had serious talent, talent that New Directions knew was going to help them win competitions. Yes, he wasn't utilised as much as he felt he deserved but he was still valued as a very important part of the team – even Rachel Berry had deigned him key to their winning Nationals.

"You will, it'll just take time," Blaine said quietly, wishing he wasn't having to have this conversation. It was strained to say the least.

"Oh and what's time going to do?" Kurt snapped his head around, frowning deeply, "because the way I see it, they just think I'm some diva without substance."

"Kurt..." Blaine pushed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. Kurt was dramatic, Blaine knew this and it was something he found exciting but with that passion and drama came over-reaction and exaggeration of the highest kind.

"Don't 'Kurt' me. I know I can hold a solo, I give a good audition so there must be some reason why they don't want me. I'm not so insecure to think I'm not good enough- I am. I just think they're threatened by me."

Blaine groaned, toeing closed the door and lowering himself onto the desk chair. Kurt wouldn't look at him- it wasn't a good sign. His palms began to sweat.

"They're not threatened Kurt, come on, get real."

He knew it was the wrong thing to say before the words slipped from his mouth but there was no way to claw them back in. He held his breath.

"Get real? Are you serious Blaine because if you are then I have no idea where you've been for the past six months."

"Look, I was just-"

"You were just sticking up for them that's what," Kurt bit back, smoothing his hair pointedly, "and I guess I should have expected it."

Blaine's chest clenched. "Come on that's not fair."

Kurt's eyes were on him, beady and sharp. "What's unfair Blaine is being overlooked regardless of how much effort you put into something."

"It's not the effort Kurt... it's maybe just..." He trailed off, scared to end the sentence.

"What?" Kurt asked, his voice harsh, "what is it I'm doing so wrong?"

Blaine breathed in deeply. "Maybe your style is just something The Warblers can't work with."

Kurt remained silent for a second. His brow furrowed and hands clasped themselves together tightly. "Then maybe I'll leave."

Blaine felt sick. "Kurt you're not leaving, come on, you're part of the team-"

"I don't want to be part of the team every single day and blend into the background with every single performance Blaine. If you saw what we were like in New Directions you'd see what a team is. We gave each other time to shine but here the only person who gets the spotlight is..."

Blaine felt his heart hurt. You. He knew the answer but Kurt didn't say it, he didn't need to. Anger bubbled deep down inside and fuelled his foolish words.

"I didn't realise I hogged your spotlight. I'm so sorry for being chosen. I'm sorry for believing we could actually focus on the right things like healthy competition and forget the petty things like who wins or who gets to parade around at Regionals. Guess I've been looking at things all wrong."

Kurt sucked in a breath. "What's that supposed to mean?" His cheeks were flushed not out of desperation and embarrassment teamed with a hefty surge of anger and irritation.

"Us. I thought we were better than that. Thomas and I managed it last year so I thought-"

Kurt felt it sharp in his chest, the stab of jealousy and petulance. He could barely hold back. "Well if Thomas is so mature and perfect why don't you go ask him to be your god damned boyfriend? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to be your knight in shining armour seeing as I'm so incapable of living up to expectations."

"Kurt-"

"No. It seems he has something I don't and if he can cope with being pushed into the back at every turn then that's great, lets all bow down to his greatness because I'm obviously missing the point."

"Kurt you're overreacting." Blaine could believe it was happening. He felt frantic, his eyes wide and pleading but inside, his stomach burned with frustration. Why wasn't Kurt listening to what he was trying to say?

"Blaine Thornton, don't you tell me I'm overreacting. I'm allowed to be angry," Kurt spat, pushing himself off the bed and striding over to his wardrobe. He yanked off his tie and threw it in. "This school is so hypocritical. You're all about tolerance and embracing difference yet we all parade around in uniforms pretending. I've seen The Warblers strut and dance and I've seen you climb on more furniture than I ever thought possible during a three minute song but oh no, when I get up there and try to impress you all with a talent I know I have... I'm too dramatic. Wes didn't tell you to tone it down when you were out there, front and centre at Sectionals dancing and playing up for the audience."

"Kurt that's not the point. If the song is adaptable for acapella and for a group arrangement then the soloist has free reign and the Warblers love to get into the song and move with the music but they can't do that with a soloist who wants to sing alone."

"Oh I'm greedy, that's it. I'm so very sorry."

"Kurt, you signed up for the Warblers. You knew who we were when you joined and now you're complaining about that fact. I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of this."

"Because, Blaine, I've been trying my whole life to find people who'll listen and who'll appreciate-" Kurt couldn't talk any longer. He felt his throat catch and covered his face with his hands.

"Kurt-" Blaine tried, climbing out of his chair to reach Kurt's side. He let his fingers rest lightly on Kurt's shoulder. Without a second's hesitation, Kurt shook him free.

"No. Blaine. I'm angry and you're not listening. I don't need you to comfort me, I'm perfectly fine."

That was the last straw. The rims of Blaine's eyes stung along with the back of his throat as he felt his heart beat in his ears and fingertips.

"You know what Kurt? I'm trying here and you're behaving like a kid. I can't help that I was the one they chose. I'm trying to explain to you the possible reasons why you might have missed out and you're not listening to me."

"I don't want to listen to it, it's pompous and annoying. The whole system is. I may as well go back to McKinley where people actually appreciated me."

"Go then!" Blaine shouted, now incapable of holding back, "if you're so unhappy here then go!"

Kurt's eyes flashed dark. "You know why I can't leave," he hissed, pushing past Blaine and sitting stiffly on the edge of his bed. "I thought I loved this place. Maybe not."

"Well if we're such a let down Kurt then I think you should consider it. You can leave us pompous assholes behind and find your spotlight somewhere else."

"I bet you'd love that," Kurt retorted, causing Blaine to wince.

"If you think that then I don't know what we've been doing these past few months. If you think I want you to leave then you don't know me and we have major problems Kurt."

With a shaky breath, Kurt raked his hands over his face and threw them down on the bed beside him. "I'm angry."

"No shit," Blaine frowned, turning away.

"I'm taking it out on you."

"Big time."

"You're not listening to me though Blaine."

"Ditto."

Kurt felt the tears rise. He knew it was inevitable and knew he'd said so much he simply didn't mean at all. He clenched his shaking fingers and felt his shoulders slump.

"Maybe I'll look into going back."

Blaine choked back tears. He couldn't listen to those words. It'd gone way further than it should have and he'd been unfair, he hadn't listened but Kurt hadn't either and they were both far too angry and blinded by it to see the reality of what they were saying.

"If that's what you want," he stuttered out, unable to look at Kurt through fear of falling apart. The desperation shuddered inside.

"I think you should leave."

Silence reined for a matter of second but Blaine nodded. Distance was a good thing because matters had already gone way beyond what they should have. It was touching upon dangerous ground and neither wanted it to go any further. Without another word, Blaine grabbed his blazer and left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Kurt didn't move for five minutes straight. His heart was pounding, ears ringing and eyes stinging painfully. The tears didn't come immediately, instead his heart hurt and threatened to beat down his rib cage.

Pavi chirped soulfully and in a way which Kurt was sure echoed the melancholy in the room. It took a matter of seconds for Kurt to pick up the cage and carry it to his bed where he lay down beside it. He watched as the little yellow bird hopped to the closest perch and sat still with a quick ruffle of his feathers.

"I'm an idiot," Kurt choked out. It was then that the tears fell, hot and instant down his cheeks, pooling in dark circles on his expensive sheets. "I'm such an idiot."

It wasn't easy to lie still as his limbs felt cold and empty so the natural reaction was to curl in on himself into the foetal position and tug his knees to his chest. As he did so, Pavi pecked gently at the bars. Kurt responded by reaching out a tear stained finger and poking it through the bars to rest ever so lightly on Pavi's feathers. The little bird flinched a fraction but rested into it. In a while he began to scrape his beak slightly on Kurt's finger. It was then that Kurt choked on his own tears, bringing his hands to his face and pressing both into his pillows. His heart was breaking.

Blaine barely made it into his room before his legs gave out. He didn't bother to move further into the dorm, instead chose to sit on the floor by the door, his knees drawn up to his chin tightly. He lowered his forehead down to rest and sighed painfully. His hands were still shaking involuntarily from nerves and awful adrenalin. It was a mess and the very first time that Blaine found himself realising how quickly he could lose Kurt. It was that simple in a way, arguments were often the cause of break-ups and relationship failures, they were the catalyst to air underlying problems and if anything was illustrated by the fight they'd just had, it was their ability to say things they truly didn't mean.

He could feel the pain in his chest at every heart beat, pulsing through to his weak fingers and coursing a sickness through his body. He had never even considered how it'd feel to lose Kurt or be without him since they'd met. They'd been firm friends immediately, their relationship turning to close friends then to tentative admirers, then to nervous teenage lovers than now to boyfriends. It was the usual path but it still seems so fragile regardless of their solid foundation. 'Nothing is forever' his father used to say. Blaine felt a single tear tip from his eyelashes at the realisation that his father just might be right.

He needed someone to talk to. Thomas was off the cards. Before he knew what he was doing, Blaine had typed in Sylvie's number and leaned against the wall to steady his shaking body.

"Blaine, darling I'm so happy you called!"

The tears ran warm down his cheek at the sound of her voice.

"Grandmother..." he choked out, unable to even hold it together for a second.

"Sweetheart what is it? Are you crying? Has someone hurt you?"

Her voice was fused with concern but controlled as always- Sylvie wasn't the panicking kind.

"No. I'm not hurt... I just," Blaine stuttered, his voice cracking, "I just needed to talk to somebody because I've made a mess of things."

"Sweetheart, where are you?" she asked soothingly. It felt as if her arms had extended down the phone line and wrapped him up tightly.

"In my room. On the floor."

"Ok darling. Listen to me. Go close the door and sit on your bed. Turn on the lights and get a glass of water. You hear?"

"Yes." He did as he was told and eventually fell onto his bed with a handful of tissues.

"Are you on your bed?"

"Yes."

"Now," she cooed, "tell me what all of these tears are about."

He explained, not avoiding a single detail. He told her all about how he and Kurt were together now and happy, about how they'd spent every day together and had grown to be so close and so good together. He didn't scrimp on any details of the past day or two, ending with the fight they'd just had.

"Blaine darling," she said eventually, sighing on the other end, "I wish I was there with you because I know how it feels. It hurts doesn't it?"

"Mmmm hmmm," he sniffed out, unable to talk without sobbing.

"I know, I know," her voice drifted down the line, warm and comforting, "but I'll tell you a story shall I?"

"Please."

"Your grandfather and I had been dating for a while. I was a bit of a wild child back then and he was the same, we were both full of life. We were very much in love and giddy with it. It was in the middle of Summer when we both went to a rally. I don't even remember the cause but we were both so passionate about it that neither of us cared about the consequences, we ran with our passion. There was a group of us, all as silly as each other but high on life. I wanted the role and signature speaker. I fancied myself a revolutionary and had such high hopes even though my parents did not like it one bit. In those days, ladies were advised to uphold the greatest form of etiquette and decor and I rebelled at any given moment. George and I were both so similar that we campaigned for the same position. I was so prickly about my right to a voice back then and when he got the role I was so angry with him that we argued well into the night and broke up for an evening. With the exception of your grandfather's death, I don't think I've ever cried so much over him. He was my world and the possibility of losing that feeling and that connection... well, it broke my heart."

Blaine swallowed and took a breath. "What did you do?"

She chuckled lightly. "I fell asleep and he came to wake me. He couldn't bear to sleep on an argument. I'd written him a latter and posted it under his door. That was, um, the night your Auntie was conceived," she muffled with another laugh.

That made Blaine smile. He sniffed, wiping roughly at his eyes. "What should I do?"

"Well darling you both have things to say and by the sounds of it, you've always been very honest with each other so my only advice is to face it head on. Wait until emotions have calmed and go to find him."

"I'm frightened," Blaine said quietly, hating the sound of the words, "I'm scared that what he said is true, that he'll leave and that he really does hate it here. I didn't even think that he was unhappy here. Do you think I've made it worse for him and made it hard for him to leave?"

"No sweetheart. Don't think like that. It's easy to, I know, but Kurt cares a great deal for you. I saw that the second I met him and I know you too. Darling you're one of the most caring and open hearted people I know and I am not simply saying that as your grandmother. I'm so proud at who you've grown into and Kurt is lucky to have you in his life. Do you love him?"

Blaine's lip trembled. "If I said yes would you tell me I'm too young to understand what it means?"

"Never. Love doesn't depend on age darling. If you love someone, you love them, it's as simple as that. The way you talk about him has painted a picture for me with such vibrancy and life. You can't do such things about someone you don't love."

"I never thought I'd be so frightened to lose somebody."

"Ahh well, that's the reality of it. You can love with every part of you and place your heart in someone else's hands but the risk of it breaking is always ever present. The trust must be there and I know that you trust him. It's easy to say words you don't mean in the heat of a moment, that's normal, but the test is how you move forward."

"Thank you," Blaine whispered gently, "you're the best."

"Blaine darling, you're wise beyond your years and stronger than you give yourself credit for but everyone needs a sounding board at times. I wish I was there to give you a cuddle, even if they aren't the most grandmotherly hugs one could give. Wipe your eyes, straighten yourself out and go find him."

"I will."

"Send me an email to let me know how it goes. I'm good with all of this technology malarkey now. You'd be proud. If you need me at any time, even during the night, you know exactly where I am my dear."

"I love you," Blaine rushed out, followed by a small sob, tears escaping again. He wanted a cuddle, he wanted one badly but knew that he had to man up and take a deep breath. He could be strong and mature about it all.

With the best will in the world, Blaine attempted to leave the room but fell asleep soon after, curled in a ball in the dark on his bad with a tissue in hand.

It was dark when he woke up. He pushed his hand through his looser hair, groaning as his neck creaked.

"Wes?" There was no answer and a smoothed duvet still visible on the other boy's bed. He was with David, no doubt working on Warblers stuff into the early hours. It didn't take long to change, choosing to wear loose navy lounge pants and a grey sweater. It was beginning to grow cold, even though Spring was in bloom, and Blaine felt himself shiver. He wasn't sleepy anymore, he didn't want to close his eyes again and leave himself alone with his thoughts.

Kurt was worth it. He was everything. Blaine thought back to before he met him and how lonely he'd been. He was comfortable with himself and was happy in himself, however, he hadn't realised the whole other side to life, the side that enables you to share in experiences and allow another to see your soul. It'd been both terrifying and exhilarating for Blaine to be able to actively love someone, something he'd dreamed about doing for so long. He slipped his feet into thick socks and went in search of a warm drink. Every step felt laboured however.

The corridors were dealthy quiet, only the odd sliver of light under a random student's door. Blaine could hear his own breathing and knew that he was still saturated with emotion, even his breathing was awkward. It was the worry that had begun to take over and threatened to plague him. The questions lingered: what if Kurt leaves? What if he decided I'm not what he wants? What if he has realised he's made a huge mistake? The list grew long as Blaine turned the corner into the kitchen. He didn't bother switching on the light, instead reached for the kettle out of habit, nearly dropping it when a flicker of light came from the corner of the room.

He squinted, his eyes still dazed with sleep, and blinked, revealing Kurt perched on the bench with a mug in his hand. He was dressed in pale blue pajama bottoms with a dark navy blue sweater. His eyes were red and hair seemed slept on. Blaine was rigid to the spot, he stood, kettle in hand, and was sure he stopped breathing.

Kurt gasped, his grip tightening around the scolding mug. Blaine looked... sad. His despondency was obvious from the lack of strength in his shoulders and the way his lip curled unhappily. Neither moved, the air growing thick in an instant.

Blaine kept staring. He couldn't process the feelings firing desperately through his body, causing his heart to beat faster and palms to sweat. The need to pull Kurt to him and never let him go was so overpowering that he found himself placing the kettle on the table and walking forward. He watched Kurt place his steaming mug on the bench with shaking fingers. Even through the darkness, Blaine could see tear tracks, shiny and randomly snaking down Kurt's cheeks, some even reaching his neck. It hurt more than he could deal with.

He stopped a metre from Kurt, the nerves taking over. He glanced down at his feet and took a deep breath. His grandmother's words echoes in his mind, wise and experienced. She was right. This was worth fighting for and they had to talk. The prospect of not being together was not an option... that's if Kurt felt the same.

Blaine watched as Kurt's lip trembled. He could bear it. In seconds Kurt's arms were looped around his neck, pulling tight, and his own were wrapped hard around Kurt's waist.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I was an idiot. I'm so sorry Blaine. I didn't mean any of it. I'm just so sorry. I can't believe I said some of those things to you. I'm sorry."

Blaine felt the dampness against his shoulders and then the snug feeling of Kurt's knees trapping him in place against the counter and his legs enveloping him in so that he couldn't escape. Every touch was a little frantic.

Blaine breathed in, memorising the way Kurt smelled, how his scent caused pitter pattering feelings to tingle all over reminding him exactly how good they were together. The position they were in could have been awkward but it wasn't- not at all. They fitted together.

"I'm sorry too. I should have listened. I should have let you tell me how you felt but instead I went on the defensive. I'm so sorry I told you to go. I didn't mean it. I really really didn't mean it," Blaine whispered into Kurt's shoulder where his breath was warm and muffled. "Kurt I don't want you to leave."

"I didn't mean it. I'm not leaving. God no. I was stupid. So stupid. I promise I'm not leaving." Kurt's voice wavered, shaking as he spoke and prompting his arms to clasp Blaine harder. He could barely breathe but it didn't matter. The warmth flooded his heart and caused tears to escape his own eyes, hot against Kurt's neck.

"I love you," he murmured faintly, masked with tears, "do you know that?"

"Of course I do. I do."

"I want you to be happy here," Blaine sighed, "I don't want you to think we're pompous assholes. I want you to want to be here and not feel forced into it."

"Blaine, I am. I love it here," Kurt breathed, "yes, there are elements I don't like but nowhere is perfect. Kids don't throw you into lockers here. They don't toss you into dumpsters. You're here. I'm safe here. Nowhere is perfect and I told you I was a bitch sometimes. I told you and warned you and you said we'd be ok."

Blaine kissed Kurt's jaw, sliding his arms free and looking into Kurt's eyes. They were wet and widened with emotion. "We're ok, right?"

Kurt nodded quickly, fresh tears falling. "I hope so. I need us to be ok. I don't want to feel like that again. That was so stupid."

"Yea," Blaine sighed, closing his eyes as Kurt's head tipped to fall onto his shoulder, "we can't let that happen again, ok?"

"No, it can't."

"We talk and if we argue... we argue but we never do that. We never say those things to each other. We're better than that. I never want you to think that I don't want you more than anything because I do. I can barely believe how much sometimes."

"I love you. I never thought I'd be able to say that to anyone. I never thought anyone would say it to me. I love saying it."

Kurt pressed a small kiss to Blaine's cheek, his hands knotted in his hair, holding on.

"We need to talk about everything. Do you want to sleep first?"

"No," Kurt said sharply, tightening his grip in Blaine's hair, his other arm wrapping quickly around Blaine's neck, "No. I want to stay with you. Can I stay with you tonight?"

Blaine leaned back, a small smile on his lips. "You don't even need to ask."

"We can talk for as long as you want. I'll bore you to sleep. I want to tell you everything and explain everything. I feel so stupid."

Blaine's fingers acted naturally, reaching out to wipe away a stray tear from Kurt's cheek. "We were both idiots but it's our first fight. I'm not going to lie and say it didn't scare the hell out of me. It did."

Kurt's breathing hitched. "I cried for hours. I thought you'd hate me for what I said about Thomas and your performances."

"Ok," Blaine sighed, "let's go." He took hold of Kurt's hips and helped him down off the counter. As Blaine turned to walk, he felt a hand clasp hold of his own and spin him around. Kurt's eyes were shining in the dark. Blaine was sure he could see his soul. Without warning, Kurt kissed him, his hands clinging onto his shoulders hard following his persistent lips. Blaine was sure there'd be bruises there in the morning but it didn't matter, it felt right to pour every single ounce of passion into making everything ok again. They were worth it.

Now, where are those tissues?

I honestly hope this wasn't too melodramatic. I channeled my inner tortured teenager... ;)