OMG! People, I am so sorry that this took so long. Real life got in the way. There were computer crashes and birthdays and stuff and a vacation and part of me suddenly wasn't sure where this story was going and I guess I panicked and got writers block or something. But here is chapter 7, hope you like it :)

As soon as the door to the apartment slammed shut Kurt linked his arm with Blaine's and they proceeded down the stairs and out the door of the building. Something about it just felt natural, the two of them walking side by side down the streets of New York, just like they had both imagined doing a year ago. But a lot of things could change in a year Kurt thought and it was a constant stab to his heart to think about what exactly had changed.

I wish things could be different.

He stole a glimpse at Blaine out the corner of his eye. Blaine who was totally in awe of everything and then Kurt remembered that this was new to him, being in New York. Blaine was captivated by everything from the buildings to the people to the energy of the city, his eyes big and his mouth hanging slightly open and Kurt couldn't help but wonder if he had looked the same way the first times he visited. He thought he probably had, but the newness of it had worn off a while ago. Not that he didn't still love the city and felt at home here, he was just used to it by now. But as he watched Blaine's excitement, he made a silent promise to show Blaine the city or as much of it as he could, in the time he was here.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Kurt said.

"Sorry, what?" Blaine asked, he had clearly been deep in thought.

"The city", Kurt smiled. "There is just something about New York."

"No kidding." Blaine agreed. "It's nothing like Ohio, that's for sure."

"Really? I hadn't noticed", Kurt joked and Blaine just rolled his eyes.

"I am serious, Kurt. Everything is different and I am not just talking about the obvious. You're different too, the city has changed you...", Blaine trailed off, leaving Kurt curious.

"How do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean...you've grown up, you are far from the teenager I met on that stairwell. I barely recognize you anymore...", Blaine sighed and Kurt sent him a questioning look. "It's a good thing, trust me. It just feels like every time I see you, you've changed a little bit more. I guess I am just afraid of losing my best friend...of you growing and evolving without me." Blaine lowered his eyes to the ground as Kurt watched him.

"People do that, you know. They grow up." Kurt said, before adding. "Some grow apart." Blaine stiffened and Kurt regretted it immediately. "I am not saying we will grow apart, but look at us. Just in the months we haven't seen each other...we have both changed." Blaine snapped his head up at that.

"I haven't changed, Kurt." Blaine said matter of factly and Kurt couldn't help but laugh at Blaine's serious expression.

"Are you kidding me, Blaine? I haven't seen you this confident in your own skin, ever." Blaine looked like he was about to object but before he could say anything Kurt added. "And no, performing doesn't count. We both know that's not really you up there, but some stage persona. What you do on that stage is acting, it's putting on a mask and hiding who you really are. Don't even try to deny it." Blaine raised his adorable triangle eyebrows and furrowed them for a moment, but then shrugged.

"I guess you're right." Blaine admitted.

"I know I am. Fellow performer here, remember? Or did you already forget I go to NYADA", Kurt teased, before turning serious again. "Honestly though. The only reason I know that is because I do it too. I think all performers do it as a coping mechanism. And then of course there's the fact I know you so well." Kurt smiled and bumped his shoulder into Blaine's, who smiled back and they walked a little in silence.

"I am curious to know though", Kurt said. "What inspired this massive change in you?"

Blaine was quiet, clearly thinking about Kurt's question, then he spoke.

"Sam."

"Sam?"

"Yeah...he...helped me. After we broke up he was really there for me. And he made me realize that...I had been too co-dependent...on, well...you."

"Me?" Kurt asked perplexed.

"Yeah Kurt, think about it." Blaine said. "I changed schools for you, I basically followed you around like a puppy, I left the Warblers, all my friends...Dalton, my...for lack of a better term...security blanket. I thought I was really brave at the time, leaving to follow you, it wasn't until after you left for New York that I discovered that I had only switched one security blanket for another and that it had suddenly been ripped from under my feet and I couldn't handle it, so I went and did something incredibly stupid." He sighed and shook his head, realisation setting in. "I have never really been the independent kind, I always leaned on someone or something else to get me through, to give me confidence and make me feel good enough, first it was applause that gave me that, later it was you...when you left I turned to...well, you know. Honestly, I blame my parents. Maybe if I had had that support and love from home, I wouldn't have been so insecure."

"Oh...", Kurt didn't know what to say. When Blaine explained it like that it kinda made sense.

"It took Sam to make me understand that my security blanket needed to be myself. I needed to grow and learn to feel at ease with just being me, alone...without someone else to lean on. The confidence has to come from within, not from without, you know." Kurt nodded. "And I guess that's what I have been trying to teach myself."

"It's working. I can tell and I am really proud of you, I like this new you." Kurt gave him a big smile and Blaine blushed, then he added: "Remind me to thank Sam later. All of the sudden I feel a need to send him a huge fruit basket." Blaine laughed at that.

"If you insist on sending him anything, I suggest a year's supply of chapstick", Blaine mused. "I swear that boy goes through one a day."

"Well...with lips like those, I am not surprised." Kurt chuckled and Blaine chuckled along with him knowingly, then added: "Just remember they have to be cherry flavoured, it's his favorite." That stopped Kurt right in his tracks.

"Just how close have you been to Sam's lips?" He swatted Blaine's arm as Blaine sucked in a breath, eyes wide.

"No...no no, Kurt. No. It's nothing like that. We just share from time to time."

"Share lips?" Kurt asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh my God, Kurt. I...No. Chapstick! We share the chapstick!" Blaine looked absolutely horrified. "I swear, that's all there is to it."

"Relax, I know", Kurt giggled letting Blaine off the hook. "I'm just messing with you".

"You jerk, that was really mean." But Blaine was smiling to himself.

"It was also really cute to see you get flustered like that." Kurt laughed softly. "Oh, and just so you know, I would be perfectly fine with you having a crush on Sam." Blaine raised one eyebrow at that.

"Seriously?"

"Kinda...I mean, I wasn't gonna say anything but...well...can't fault you. Been there, done that. Because...well...as I said, those lips! Oh sweet Lord." Kurt exclaimed dramatically fanning himself and it was Blaine's turn to swat at him, but then he had to concede, because Kurt had a point.

"Those lips, indeed."

"Just remember you already have a best friend, that role has already been filled by yours truly." Kurt said.

"I'll try to keep that in mind", Blaine beamed. Then they smirked at each other.

As they entered the theater district Blaine's eyes grew large again as he took it all in.

"Wow."

"Yes. Wow." Kurt smiled, grateful to have a best friend who could appreciate the fabulousness that was Broadway, then he realized something. "You are about to have your Broadway virginity taken, Blaine. You nervous?"

"With you, never." It just spilled from Blaine's mouth so naturally without hesitation that Kurt doubted he even realized what he had just said. And Kurt's heart did a little swoop at that as they entered the theater. It was just so incredibly sweet and endearing.

After finding their seats, sitting down and turning off their phones, they grew silent as the lights went down and the show began. It really was amazing, the magic of Broadway. Kurt couldn't help but glance over at Blaine now and again to see how he was liking it and was pleased to find Blaine completely enthralled with the performance.

As "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" began Kurt turned his head back to the stage. It was his favorite song in this musical after all and he wasn't gonna miss it. Little did he know that Blaine turned to stare at him right then, watching him all the way through it.

Blaine didn't care that he was missing the song. He had already heard the best version of it there was, spilling from Kurt's lips once upon a time when this...them...was oh so new and all that mattered were Warblers in blue blazers, afternoons in coffee shops and flirty duets in extravagant libraries. Before McKinley and New York. It all seemed so long ago and at the same time just like yesterday. And as he sat there in the darkness all he could think about was kissing Kurt. About being allowed to kiss Kurt. And it was maddening.

Get a hold of yourself, he scolded.

He finally decided to just enjoy the moment and allowed himself to just sit there, to drink in Kurt's presence as he was mouthing every word to the song and Blaine pictured him singing it. Again. And wished for the days when life was simple.

Things between them weren't perfect, Blaine knew that. But they were better, much better and he was happier than he had been in a long time. Feeling bold he took Kurt's hand to give it a tiny squeeze as the song came to a close and was delighted when Kurt looked up at him, smiled and squeezed back.

Yes. Things were definitely better, Blaine thought and sighed happily, hope renewed.

They were still holding hands as they left the theater, none of them pulling away and Kurt was fine with that.

Friends do this, friends hold hands and that is all we are, friends. Just friends...friends friends friends, nothing more than friends...platonic...just friends...then why do you wanna kiss him? Stop it. Think about something else.

"So...how do you feel now that you have been deflowered?" Kurt asked innocently but the glint in Blaine eye told him right away that he was gonna regret asking that question in about...3...2...1...

"Oh, like a new man, Kurt. It's changed my life!" Blaine declared loudly, making a few people turn as he looked at Kurt, a cheeky smile on his lips. "You wanna know how much?" He winked, actually fucking winked at him and it was stinking cute. But this could not be good, Kurt thought. He knew Blaine too well.

"Oh no, Blaine. Please. Don't make a scene..", he barely had time to finish his sentence, before Blaine was falling to his knees like he was worshipping the theater and declared to the whole world that he, Blaine Anderson, was no longer a Broadway virgin. This time a lot of people stopped and laughed and Kurt facepalmed, slightly mortified. But Blaine just grinned with that megawatt smile of his.

"You are so...I don't have a word for it...", Kurt sighed as he peeked out through his fingers, his face red and pulled Blaine to his feet, but he was smiling.

"I am what? Charming, amazing, irresistable?" Blaine wagged his eyebrows and Kurt rolled his eyes, but he couldn't keep a straight face.

"I was thinking more in the lines of a total dork. I can't believe you did that. I can never show my face here again, you know. You took Broadway from me, Blaine. I'll never forgive you".

"Awwww, poor Kurtie", Blaine chuckled.

"I am serious, Broadway is all that is good in this world and brings a smile to my face. You Blaine Anderson, has stolen my smile from me."

"Well, we can't have that, can we. However will I make it up to you". Blaine teased. "Maybe this will help", and suddenly Blaine was all over him, tickling him.

"Oh my God, Blaine! Stop it", Kurt laughed. "Ah!"

"Sorry Kurt, but I can't possibly stop until I am sure that smile stays where it is." Blaine continued. "I mean, what kind of friend would I be if I did that?"

"Okay okay, the smile is back!" Kurt chuckled.

"For good?"

"Yes, for good. The smile is back for good, I promise. You saved the smiles and all is right in the world. Now lets go. Please! Before I jab you in the ribs."

"You wouldn't."

"You sure about that?" Kurt smirked and two seconds later jabbed an elbow into Blaine's side, making him yelp and let go.

"Hey! Ouch!" Blaine exclaimed dramatically.

"You baby, I hardly touched you." Kurt giggled as Blaine rubbed his side.

"I can't believe you did that, not cool". Blaine was trying really hard to stay serious and failing.

"Such a drama queen, besides...serves you right and we all know that when you decide to tickle people it's at your own risk and the people being tickled can't be held responsible for any injuries."

"Is that so...", Blaine said...this time smiling as Kurt linked their arms again.

"Yup! Now...you up for a late dinner, it's only 10 pm."

"Only 10 pm", Blaine shook his head in disbelief. "If we were in Ohio everything would be closed and we would be in bed by now".

"Yes, well. This is New York, it never sleeps and neither shall we. So, you hungry?"

"When can I not eat?" Blaine asked and Kurt laughed.

"Right. Italian okay? I know this great place not too far from here."

"Of course. Lead the way, good Sir". Blaine grinned.

"Such a dork. God!", Kurt rolled his eyes fondly.

"You love it." Blaine said knowingly.

"Yeah...and you're lucky I do. Not everyone would put up with your shenanigans." Kurt gave his hand a light squeeze then and Blaine rested his head on his shoulder.

"Don't I know it." He sighed contentedly. And with that they walked down the sidewalk arm in arm, both of them silently thanking Burt for giving them just what they needed. Each other.