"Mercedes can I borrow you?"

Mercedes, who had been dancing with Anthony, paused and turned out of his arms to find Kurt waiting for a reply, bouncing from one foot to another and worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Erm, sure. Anthony, why don't you go get us some drinks?" Mercedes suggested. Anthony agreed, with a friendly nod at both Kurt and Mercedes, before heading off in the direction of the bar. "What's up, Kurt?"

"I know that, erm, I know that I haven't exactly been open with you in a while and I've kept things from you, even though we're supposed to be really good friends, but I kind of need some advice and I know that you'll know how to handle this. You won't hate me for asking, will you?" Kurt babbled.

"Kurt, I could never hate you. I don't mind that you haven't been open for a while, I understand that you're uncomfortable opening up, but just know that I'm here whenever you need to talk," Mercedes assured him. Kurt smiled slightly, but still looked nervous. "If you're really uncomfortable then you could go and talk to Blaine."

"I can't talk to Blaine," Kurt stated.

"Why not?" asked Mercedes.

"Because it involves him," Kurt clarified.

"Ah, right. Spill!"

"So, he came as my date. My best friend date kind of date, I think," Kurt began.

"Uh huh."

"And we slow danced."

"Yeah."

"And we were really close."

"Mhmm."

"And I really wanted to kiss him."

"Oh…"

"But I can't."

"Why?"

Kurt didn't respond for a moment, as if thinking about the actual answer to that question.

"Because of Alex."

"Kurt, honey, you're not with Alex anymore. He can't hurt you anymore," Mercedes argued.

"No, it's not that. It's just that, I'm so broken. I still have nightmares and I still cry myself to sleep sometimes and I'm still scared, but Blaine has made everything okay. And I'm kind of scared that he's going to think that I'm just crushing on him because I see him as a hero or something and I'm also kind of scared that I'm not good enough for him and that I'm just a charity case to him and I'm also kind of scared that he won't like me and that he'll be really awkward with me and I won't be able to talk to him like I do now and that I'll be alone," Kurt explained, taking a gasp of breath at the end of the long speech.

"Okay, first of all, Kurt, it's understandable that you're still the way you are. This takes time to get over. You're doing so well and I know that you'll get over it one day, even if that day isn't soon. But you know Blaine. Blaine will listen to you and understand you. I'm sure he would understand if you explained that this isn't about him being your hero or whatever. He most certainly does not see you as a charity case; he never has done and he never will. He cares about you and you know that. You know that he would never see you as not being good enough. And as for the last one, that's just a risk you've got to take. If you ask me, I'm 99.9% sure he's into you, if the way he looks at you and talks about you is anything to go on, but even if he wasn't, he would never stop being your best friend or leave you alone. He would never abandon you and, if I know you and Blaine, I know that things wouldn't be awkward," Mercedes replied.

"And what about Alex?" asked Kurt.

"Alex is in the past now, Kurt. I think you still need some more time to get over him, but at the end of the day, he's an ex and he can't affect your relationship with Blaine. Alex is in the past, but Blaine is in the present and the future. One day, you're going to be completely over him. You might never forget him, but you won't hurt the way you do now. One day you're going to move on with your life and the only way you're going to get to that point is by letting in people to love and to love you," Mercedes answered.

Kurt watched her, his eyes glossed over slightly. "You always say such smart things," he chuckled.

Mercedes giggled. "I just try my best. I wouldn't take it too seriously - I mean look at the amount of relationships I've been in – but I would do anything for you and I am prepared to do anything to make you smile."

Kurt smiled at her, as if to grant her wish and she wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Now, do I get a dance with you before you're dragged off by your knight in an expensive tux?" Mercedes joked.

"Anything for you, my dear. Though I don't think I should keep you for too long; Anthony's starting to look a bit green eyed," Kurt jested back.

"Oh please. He knows you're gayer than the fourth of July," Mercedes said.

"Yeah, well, he seems pretty jealous. He must be into you," Kurt replied. "Have you kissed him yet? Is he your boyfriend?"

"Oh, Kurt Hummel, am I the kind of girl to kiss and tell?" Mercedes giggled, swaying in time with Kurt.

"Yes, you are now. Come on, tell!" Kurt urged.

"Fine, if you really want to know. He kissed me earlier, when he came to pick me up for the wedding. He told me I looked beautiful and gave me a flower and kissed my hand. It was super sweet. And then he kissed me and he told me he was really glad that I asked him to be my date," Mercedes told him. "As for boyfriend, we've not really talked about labels, but I know that I really want him to be my boyfriend."

"I'm so happy for you," Kurt whispered against her ear, holding her slightly tighter.

"I'm so happy for you," she repeated. "I've missed this; I've missed us. I know you might not be ready for it yet, but do you think Blaine would mind if I dragged you away for some shopping and maybe a sleepover. I've missed gossiping with you. Rachel Berry sucks at being you. All she ever talks about is herself and moans about Finn and asks if they should get back together. Not to mention how horrific shopping with her is. I swear we went into too many children's shops and there are only so many animal sweaters I can handle in my life."

Kurt chuckled as Mercedes ranted, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. "Yeah, I've missed us too. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that."

"I just missed you an awful lot," Mercedes whispered as the song came to an end.

"I missed you too, boo," Kurt replied. The song ended and Anthony came back clutching drinks and waiting patiently for Kurt to leave so he could continue to dance with Mercedes, although he was too polite to actually ask. Kurt got the message, and with another hug and a promise to arrange a sleepover as soon as possible, Kurt hurried off to find Blaine.

When he found Blaine, he was alone, just as Kurt had been when Blaine found him. He was sat at an empty table, sipping a glass of coke and staring straight ahead.

"Blaine!" Kurt exclaimed when he got close enough for Blaine to hear him.

Blaine nearly jumped out of his seat at the sound of Kurt's voice, but managed not to spill his drink and looked up to meet his friend's gaze. "K-Kurt, hi," he stammered. "Find Mercedes okay?"

"Yeah, but her date wanted her back so I guess I had to give her up eventually in order to not neglect mine," Kurt replied with a grin. Blaine smiled back, almost nervously.

"It's okay. It's your dad's wedding so you're allowed to do what you want. Plus, I'm really glad that you're getting to become close with Mercedes again. I know she makes you happy," Blaine said.

'Not as happy as you make me,' Kurt thought, but he didn't say it, thinking it might be a bit too forward. Instead he just said, "Would you like to go outside for a few minutes? It's getting a little stuffy in here."

"Sure," Blaine answered, before downing the last of his drink and standing to follow Kurt. Kurt lead them to the back door and opened it, thankful when he didn't find some couple making out or more in the space behind the building. They were silent for a moment, simply allowing the cool air to refresh their skin.

"Thanks for inviting me to come with you," Blaine said, finally breaking the silence.

"Thank you for coming," Kurt replied. "And for holding my hand and dancing with me." When Kurt said it like that, he realised it sounded a lot more couple-y than he'd thought.

"That's what best friends do for each other, right?" Blaine said. The music could still be heard through the thin doors, the slow melodies continuing to play as the night drew on and people grew tired of the upbeat dance songs. "Would you like to dance again?"

"Pardon?" Kurt asked, not quite sure he'd heard correctly.

"Well, you rushed off last time and it was really hot in there. Plus, it's nicer out here; not so many people gawking," Blaine clarified.

"I, erm, yeah, okay," Kurt muttered.

This time, Kurt took the lead, placing one hand on Blaine's hip and entwining the fingers on his other with Blaine. Blaine's hand rested gently on his shoulder and they moved together slowly, not really caring that they weren't particularly dancing very well. The didn't speak again for a while, the silence comfortable, and Kurt was sure if he spoke, it would come out as merely a squeak.

"Dancing is my favourite," Blaine admitted. "I love singing, I really do, but I think I love dancing more. It's a way to have fun, to let yourself just get lost in music, to not care about what anyone thinks, to express feelings or to connect with someone. I know most people probably think that's stupid, but it's just the way I see it."

"I don't think that's stupid. In fact, I know exactly what you mean. Although I tend to refrain from embarrassing myself at parties such as this by busting my moves, I like the idea of using dancing to express yourself. I remember, when I was really little, my mom and me would dance all the time. Usually to my The Little Mermaid soundtrack, but I remember it always made us both happy," Kurt said. "I remember I asked her once about why princes and princesses always dance in movies and she said something about how it helps them realise how much they love each other. She told me, one day, I would be the prince, dancing with someone I really care about." Blaine ducked his head, avoiding Kurt's eyes. "And I guess I am dancing with someone I really care about," Kurt continued. 'Of course he cares about you; you're his best friend,' Blaine reminded himself in his head.

"I really care about you too," Blaine whispered.

"Blaine, I need to talk to you about something," Kurt mumbled. Blaine looked up again, meeting Kurt's eye as they continued to sway side to side. He raised an eyebrow and waited for Kurt to continue. "It's just that... erm... what I really want to say is ... I need to know... I want..." Kurt was struggling with his words and Blaine could see the confusion and annoyance in his expression.

"Kurt, hey, Kurt," Blaine said, moving his head slightly so that his face was directly in front of Kurt's their noses barely an inch apart and their eyes meeting. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

And with that, Kurt ignored all of the worries he'd had previously and did what he'd been wanting to do all night.