The Reason-The Ember

Disclaimer: Still own nothing.

A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews. They really are a great mood lifter. I have to say the first chapter of this story, is still my favorite. I worry that the rest will pale in comparison. That being said, I am enjoying continuing this story. I also know where I want the story to go, although most times I feel like the passenger instead of the driver. Well hope you all are still reading and enjoying. Oh and Fellow Kurtofsky/Karomel Fans we are trying to get everybody to tweet their support for Dave's redemption on twitter, this coming Thursday and Friday. Team Dave . The song is , What I really meant to say by Cyndi Thomson.

A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love. Stendhal

DK

Walking away, fast as he can without drawing too much attention. Shit, he still needs to grab a couple more things. What was that show his mom watched when he was a kid? Super Market sweep. Yeah that's what I'll do. I'll go running and screaming down the isles throwing shit in my cart. Might as well Dave, you made a royal ass of your self back there in isle ten, might as well seal the deal. The next rumor to go around Lima will be that you didn't runaway. You were sent away, you just escaped your padded cell, and decided to get some lovin in the cookie isle.

" Dave "Kurt calls after him. Okay what did I do to deserve this God? Okay scratch that question, but hell man give me a break already. Dave just speeds up fully tempted to just run.

Great now I'm Forest fuckin Gump. He can hear footsteps picking up their pace behind him. Kurt, a little louder this time, " Dave, wait please." Ahh Hell, he used the magic word. With a sigh he stops, gripping the handles of his cart tight. Kurt catches up to him and smiles. Torture pure torture. He's almost my height now, beautiful doesn't even begin to describe him. How can someone improve on perfection? Great, start drooling, that will definitely help the mental patient rumor.

Kurt's nervous now that he's standing in front of Dave realizing he doesn't know what to say. "Uhm"

Dave lifts an eyebrow, at a loss for what Kurt wants from him. " Fancy?"

Kurt smiles, letting the name go, for some reason it seems like an endearment. " I just wanted to ask how you were doing?" Then he takes a deep breath while sweeping his bangs back, " This is actually really awkward isn't it?"

Dave " Awkward ...no, Well not unless you count the fact that I used to be a dick to you. I just confessed to getting freaky with small guys who dress weird, and your standing in front of a condom display. Awkward, not at all." As Kurt blushes, Dave realizes what he thought was an internal rant, was very public. Classy.

Dave, "Shit, I just said all that out loud."

Kurt, watches as Dave looks down at the black and white flooring like he's searching for an escape hatch. He loses it, laughing so hard he doubles over, soon Dave is joining him.

The next Isle over Burt hears his sons laughter, followed by a deeper rumble. He pauses for a moment, then turns in the opposite direction of the sounds of merriment.

As they slowly calm down, Dave leans on the cart, " Maybe we should get out of this isle."

Kurt, still slightly breathless, " Agreed."

Walking, they turn down the next isle. Can goods, that's more like it. Unless Burt Hummel decides to beat your head in with a tin of beans. Nervously he glances behind them.

Kurt, annoyance in his tone, " Are you afraid someone will see you talking to me?

Dave, " What, no." He glances behind them once more.

Kurt, " Well you keep looking around."

That's me, Dave the king of stealth, " Uh no, " Looking at Kurt , " I'm just keeping an eye out for your old man. I mean I'm sure he doesn't want you within like 50 yards of me."

Kurt , " I'm not sure he would freak that much. He's likes your mom."

Dave stops and grabs some peanut butter, " I guess that's good." Weird " How did your dad meet my mom?"

Kurt, " When she came into the shop to put up your missing poster."

Dave whips around fast enough, Kurt jumps back, " WHAT?" Hell, why didn't Az tell him that.

Kurt, " You didn't know ?" Dave just stares back, clenching his jaw hard enough, Kurt's afraid he might be cracking his teeth. " What did you think she would do? You took so long to contact her, she thought.."

DK, " Enough, Hummel I don't need to feel like shit over this again. Az already told me what they thought. I just didn't know she put up posters." Starting to move down the isle, " Makes sense she would though." Now he knew why it felt like everybody was looking at him. They were.

Kurt, " Sorry, I upset you."

Dave, " Fancy, you ain't got nothin to apologize for."

Kurt, " So you never did answer my question, How are you doing?"

It took me by surprise

When I saw you standin' there

Close enough to touch

Breathin' the same air

You asked me how I'd been

I guess that's when I smiled and said just Fine

Oh, but baby I was lyin'

Dave, " Okay, I guess. I stay pretty busy. Two jobs and I have summer courses starting Monday. "

Kurt smiling " When are you going to sleep?"

Dave, " Well the classes are only three days a week, I'm going to try to sleep before my evening shift." Is this really happening? I'm pretty sure I'm awake and currently having a conversation with none other than Fancy. While I grocery shop, how domestic.

" Dave, Dave" Kurt said snapping his fingers in his face, " Earth calling Dave."

DK, " Sorry, other than working I spend a lot of time alone. I tend to get a little lost in my head." looking sheepish.

KH, " How often do you come home?"

DK, " Well this is the first time."

KH, " Oh. ..What about Azimio, and your mom? Don't you miss them?"

DK, " Duh, but that's just how things are. I email them and call them. I'm planning on setting my mom and me up on Skype." Kurt, grabs the cart to stop Dave.

KH, turning to face him, " You could come home, you know."

DK, " It doesn't feel like home anymore."

KH, " Azimio, told Mercedes you wont come home because of me."

Dave's eyes drop to the ground. I have to remember to thank my best friend for this later. And when did he get so close to Mercedes Jones? Maybe I can find some laxatives for when I visit. " I told you I would be gone. I'm keeping my word."

KH," Things are different now. If you really meant the apology, and um the song. Things are just different now." Dave is silent, " I mean, I'm not scared anymore. You wouldn't be bothering me."

Dave almost tells Kurt what he's thinking. No but you would be bothering me. Being near you, watching you. Knowing I don't have a chance in hell. That you don't like chubby boys who sweat too much. That although Az wont tell me, I'm pretty sure that your seeing that preppy douche. That it's killing me now to be so close to you that I can smell your cologne, and hair gel. That every time I hear your voice, my heart skips a beat. I need to tell Az that. He'll get a good laugh at my expense. Az is right, Kurt is the reason. I'm in love with him, and I die a little bit every time I see him. Being away from him, has allowed me to breathe. Before ,he consumed almost all my sanity. He was All I could think about. Even leaving I never stopped thinking about him, I just didn't ache as bad. The hurt was still there, just muted . Till this ill fated shopping trip, I'm gonna suffer withdrawal's for weeks. Damn.

Dave tries to smile and fails, " I've already paid for my summer courses. No refunds. I can't just pack up and leave either. I have people depending on me, and I cant flake out on them."

What I really meant to say

Is I'm really not that strong

No matter how hard I try

I'm still holdin' on

KH, " Do these people, Uh know about you?"

DK, " Are you asking if I'm still visiting Narnia?"

KH, " Yes, I suppose I am."

DK, " I'm not. I mean I didn't put a jumbo sign in my yard , but I'm honest with others and myself."

KH," Well that's great. Are you uhm, you know seeing anybody?"

Dave feels like running again. I'm Pretty sure any second now some chick named Jenny is gonna show up and tell me to go for it. " No, no one special. Not really a lot of free time." Sides I'm like the Tin Man or some shit, no heart. That's the one thing duct tape can't fix. Why the hell is he even asking me this? Does he want to see me with some dude for proof?

KH,smiling " Oh."

DK, what the hell, he looks happy that I'm alone . " This is nice and all, but I need to see my mom."

KH, " Of course" but he doesn't remove his hand from the cart, " I know this " pointing between himself and Dave, " Has been a bit odd, but do you want to maybe talk sometime. I have a Skype account, and we could always email. I know it's weird, but things are different. I just thought we could get to know each other more."

Dave nods, " Sure."

What I really meant to say

Is I'm dyin' here inside

And I miss you more each day

There's not a night I haven't cried

And baby, here's the truth

I'm still in love with you

And, that's what I really meant to say.

A/N : Tomorrow I will post some stuff from Kurt's POV. Wanted to get it up tonight, but alas I was forced into painting my bathroom. Night All.