Author note: I'm so sorry for how I ended this. I'm cruel, I know. I'm also aware that the chapters are getting shorter and shorter, it's not on purpose, I swear. Pure coincidence. Also...the whole turquoise vs Dior Grey thing, is an idea I stole from another fic. I don't remember the name of it, but in it Kurt uses a turquoise pen to write hand-written letters on Dior Grey paper and I just loved that, it seems so Kurt. So I borrowed and adapted it ;)

November 30th 2017

Blaine comes barging through the front doors of NYU and almost falls on his ass as he slips on a chunk of ice on the sidewalk. He curses the weather. Should have picked LA, like Cooper suggested, he thinks, but only for a second. Kurt is in New York after all and now he has a shot at finding him. For the first time in over 3 years, he has a real chance. Luckily a pair of strong arms are there to catch him before he can hurt himself and he looks up into slightly amused green eyes.

"Slow down, killer." Sebastian laughs as he steadies him, a cup of coffee balancing precariously in his one hand. "The roads are deadly today."

"Sorry, thanks, gotta go." He manages to force out before he's off again, but at a more careful pace this time. The last thing he needs to do is break something. That would severely put his mission on hold. Behind him Sebastian is yelling after him. "Where's the fire? You know we have classes in like 5 minutes?" Blaine doesn't stop to answer. "Blaine? BLAINE?! Mr. H is gonna kill you!" Sebastian's voice trails off in the distance as Blaine rounds the corner to the subway.

He knows it's a bad idea skipping school, especially since Mr. Hennessy, the music history teacher doesn't like him as it is, Blaine doesn't know why, and is gonna have his head on a platter tomorrow for cutting class, but he needs to get home right now. This can't wait. It's too important. He just found out what could turn out to be the most significant piece of information of his entire life; past, present and future included – this news could affect it all.

Ironically he had been 10 minutes early to music history, wanting to make a better impression on Mr. H, futile as he knew it probably was this late in the game – Blaine couldn't help it though, he was a people pleaser, he wanted to be liked, so he had to try. But as he was sitting in the class room alone, the only student bothering to show up this early and bored out of his mind, he had decided to open his phone and check his neglected email. His personal email, that is. Not his school email, which was one he checked pretty much every day for school assignments and other student/teacher related things.

Only very few people had his personal email address and even fewer actually used it, it was as old-fashioned as writing a physical letter. Who bothered to email people these days when they had the brilliant inventions of phone calls or even text messaging as a substitute? Only his father. If it wasn't for Richard Anderson's insistence on stilted formality via email instead of picking up a damn phone, Blaine would probably have deleted it a long time ago.

But then there's his notifications. He's subscribed to a few booklets online. The show choir blogs are one example, the arts and crafts newsletter is another that he's not so proud of - but so what if he likes scrap-booking or making macaroni art or designing hand puppets, it doesn't make him any less of a man. The most important one had to be Kurt's Vogue column though. Passion for Fashion had been one of his guilty pleasures way back before he'd even met Kurt and ever since their meeting his interest in it had intensified. Unfortunately the blog didn't have a comment section or a way to get it touch with the writer, only a like button - so all he could do was read Kurt's words - it still made Blaine feel closer to him somehow.

When he saw the alert for Kurt's tag he had been surprised though, he could tell from the date that it had been posted last Friday and that was out of the norm, Kurt usually only updated on Wednesdays and today was Monday which was why Blaine hadn't bothered to check his email earlier. But if he had thought that was unusual, his eyes had widened comically when he read the actual update. For once it wasn't a piece on trends, but a personal tidbit about his life.

Blaine had smiled widely when he'd read about Kurt's promotion, lost in a proud haze on Kurt's behalf, until it struck him. He went back to be sure he'd read correctly and there it was, black on white...or well, bright turquoise on very tasteful Dior Grey, even the blog's color scheme was stylish. And Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God! Kurt had just told him where he was! Or where he was gonna be! Blaine had been out of his seat in seconds.

As he runs up the stairs and unlocks the door to the apartment he swings it open with too much force, making it smash hard against the wall with a loud bang. It makes his roommates who are in the middle of a heated make-out session fall off the couch with a start. "Ouch!" Jeff yells as he tumbles to the floor with his boyfriend Nick, who lands on top of him and manages to elbow him in the ribs at the same time. "Oh my God, baby. Are you okay?" Nick exclaims, quickly getting up and off him.

"I'll live." Jeff says as he rubs his side, then accepts the hand Nick offers. When he's back on his feet he turns towards the door. "What the hell, Blaine!?"

"Sorry, guys." Blaine has the decency to look sheepish. "But I'm in a hurry."

With that he storms into his room, but doesn't bother to close the door, before he grabs his Macbook from the bed and switches it on as he sits down at his desk. God, could it turn on any slower!? He taps his nails on the table, waiting impatiently – tap tap tap, tap tap tap – over and over until another hand covers his own, making him stop. When he looks up Jeff and Nick are standing beside him, so different to each other, he thinks; one tall and blond, the other shorter with brown hair. Blaine can't help but think they still somehow fit.

"Quit that." Jeff says. "It's annoying." But Blaine can tell from the tone of his voice, that his friend is kidding. Mostly. "Do you have something you wanna share with the class? Like why you're home at this hour, when you should actually be in said class?" He asks cheekily while his boyfriend drops down on the bed watching their exchange instead of engaging in it. Nick always were the more calm and reflective one of the two, maybe overly so – and that is extremely different from Jeff who is hyper-active and talkative. As a couple they were balanced though, which probably explains why Niff works so well together.

"No." Blaine answers, even if he is bursting to tell the news. "Do you?" He counters, knowing full well that they are not supposed to be home either. As the home screen comes up, he clicks the internet icon and goes to Google.

"I asked first." Jeff sits down next to the computer on Blaine's less than sturdy furniture.

"Fine, I skipped class." Blaine says as he types. "Ass off the table, Sterling."

"Ugh, you're touchy today." Jeff says, but complies with the request, instead joining Nick as Blaine keeps his focus on the screen, his back to the bed. A short time later he finds was he is looking for and begins reading.

4th of December - 11th of December.

Free Garment District Neighborhood Walking Tours:

Explore New York City's Garment District during this one-and-a-half-to-two-hour tour, led by Mike Kaback. You might visit a private showroom, a sample sale, Mood Designer Fabrics and more, all while learning about the neighborhood's historic background and importance. The tour—which starts at 10am on weekdays and 2pm on Sundays at the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and West 39th Street—is free, but reservations are required; you can make them by emailing: mikesnyctours.

Free? Yes! This just keeps getting better and better! Blaine writes down the email address planning on sending one right away. As he opens up a new document he begins typing.

Hello,

I am interested in your Free Garment District tour and I hear reservations are required. I was wondering if you could tell me if a Mr. Kurt Hummel has made a reservation and in that case what date he's signed up for?

Thank you in advance.

Blaine Anderson

He clicks send, crosses his fingers and prays. Then some suspicious squeaky sounds makes him roll his eyes. "You guys better not be violating my bed."

"You're such a cock-blocker, Blainey." Jeff whines over dramatically from the bed where he's curled up with Nick. "I mean, first the couch, now the bed. I'm getting blue balls." Blaine can hear Nick chuckle in the background and his lips twitches.

"Don't call me that. It makes me feel like a 5-year old." He drawls as he moves the cursor around aimlessly willing his email to pop up with a new email alert. "And what exactly, my dear Jeffie...is wrong with doing it on your own perfectly fine bed, in your own perfectly fine room, behind your own perfectly fine closed door, anyway?"

"It's not very adventurous, is it?" Jeff points out.

"Oh, I disagree." Another voice comes from the doorway, making the three others turn around startled. Sebastian stands in the door, red in the cheeks looking like he's just run 5 blocks. "At least with your bed, Jeff. That thing is so lumpy, the minute I put my ass down it felt like I was getting raped by Jack the Ripper." He pauses briefly, thinking it over, then continues. "Or getting fingered by Captain Hook. I still haven't decided if I liked it or not, but it sure was an adventure."

"Must you be so crass, Sebby?" Jeff complains. "And how did you get in here? The door's locked."

"Well. To answer your questions. 1. Yes, I must. And 2. That's not important." He says as he walks inside. "Anyway, if we are talking places and positions to do it, then I much prefer bending someone over the kitchen table." He adds with a glint in his eye. "Wouldn't you agree, Blaine?" Blaine chokes on air, blushing beet red from knowing exactly what he's talking about. On the bed Jeff is looking from one to the other, bewildered. The the ball drops.

"Blaine, you didn't!" Jeff yells, then he gets to his feet, placing his hands on his hips as Nick tries to hold him back. "That is unsanitary!"

"It was one time!" Blaine says trying to calm his friend down, it doesn't work.

"It wasn't just one time, Blaine. And you know it." Sebastian interrupts, smirking.

"Not helping, Seb!" Blaine groans, making him snicker, before Jeff picks up where he left off. "We eat in there!" He wails horrified.

"I was drunk!" Blaine defends himself.

"That's no excuse!"

"I'm sorry, okay?" He tries, but Jeff just ignores him going on a spiel and Blaine knows he's just warming up. "The double standards, I swear to God, you have no leg to stand on. No complaining about us on the couch from now on! And the kitchen, Blaine?! Really!? If the bed wasn't enough why couldn't you do it in the shower like normal people?!"

"Oh, we did it there too." Sebastian butts in yet again. "I don't know what you're so upset about anyway, Jeff. It's not like you're a stranger to cum in your..."

"SEBASTIAN!" Blaine, Jeff and Nick all scream at the same time. "Finish that sentence, I dare you." Jeff challenges, eyes of steel turning on him, making Sebastian reconsider his urge to elaborate. He doesn't want to get killed after all.

"Why are we friends with him again?" Nick asks.

"I ate scrambled eggs at that table this morning!" Jeff shudders as his boyfriend rubs his back soothingly.

"We cleaned up the mess! I promise." Blaine says.

"Eww, eww, eww, eww, eww! Spare me the details. I don't want to hear about it. Boundaries, Blaine! There. Must. Be. Boundaries!" Jeff is livid.

Blaine sighs and turns to Sebastian who just looks bemused. "See what you started?" The man just shrugs and sends Nick a pointed look. "Rein in your wife, would you Nicky? Before he has an aneurysm or something."

"Shut the hell up, Sebastian!" Blaine snaps, as the memory of what happened to Kurt's brother resurfaces. "You don't fucking joke about something like that, ever!" His voice may have been a little too high, because all three boys shut up instantly and is now staring at him like he has three heads. Angry Blaine is scary and not someone they come in contact with often. Not even Sebastian dares mess with him. A pregnant silence follows. Of course, Jeff is the one who eventually breaks it.

"Touchy today, isn't he?" He repeats his earlier statement to the others with a raised eyebrow, who both nod.

"I am not touchy, I'm just wound up right now." Blaine has turned back to the computer. "What are you doing here anyway, Seb?"

"Well, excuse you." Sebastian says affronted. "I'm sorry for worrying about you when you just took off this morning. It's not like you."

"Awh. I'm touched." Blaine puts a hand to his chest. "Better be careful, Seb. Or people will start to think you have a heart."

"Shut up." He mumbles. "You know I care about you." Blaine smiles. "I know." They share a look. "Okay, enough of this feelings crap." Sebastian says. "Are you gonna tell us what's got your panties in a twist or not?"

"Kurt." Blaine says and all the guys groan simultaneously.

"I thought we talked about this, Blaine?" Jeff moans as he puts his head in his hands.

"No, no. Listen to me." Blaine interjects. "I have a real lead this time." He points to the screen where the window is open on Kurt's blog. "Read it." All three boys lean in.

"What's the big deal?" Sebastian says eventually. "He just got a promotion, so what?"

"Huh, the light's on but there's no one home." Jeff states as he pretends to look into Sebastian's ear while the other boy pushes him away. "Don't you get it Seb. Kurt basically just revealed where he's gonna be. Blaine can find him! This is huge!" Jeff is bouncing up and down.

"It really is. And the tour is free!" Blaine beams and shows them the tour website. "I already emailed them for information and asked about Kurt. I should be getting a response any minute now." Just in that moment an alert comes up. "Speak of the devil." Blaine quickly clicks on it, then his face falls.

Dear Mr. Anderson,

Thank you for your interest in our tour. Unfortunately we are not allowed to give out that kind of information, but if you are still interested we are happy to inform you that there's free spots available on all days.

Best Regards,

Mike Kaback

He let's his head fall to the keyboard with a clank. "Why does the universe hate me?" All three boys look at him with sympathy.

"You are not gonna give up are you?" Nick asks.

"You can't give up, Blaine." Jeff agrees with his boyfriend.

"No, of course not." Blaine says. "I'm just not sure what to do now. This thing runs for a week, but I don't know what day he'll be there and I can't skip that much school or Hr. H is totally gonna flunk me and then NYU is definitely gonna cut me."

"Well, Sunday is a given." Nick says and Blaine nods. "Now you just have to pick a week day."

"I know. But how am I supposed to do that? This could possibly be the biggest decision of my life."

"Just...pick the one that feels right." Jeff suggests. "If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."

"Alright." He takes a deep breath, thinks it over in his head. "Tuesday." He settles on. "Tuesday it is. He usually posts on Wednesdays. It makes sense that he'll need a day to write the review before posting it." Blaine sends in his reservations for both Tuesday and Sunday and quickly gets confirmation. He feels nervous. I really hope I picked the right day. Please let it be the right day.

"Well, good luck." Sebastian says as he pats him on the back. "I gotta get going, I have a..."

"Sexy rendezvous with the glitter rock vampire?" Jeff teases.

"Yes. As a matter of fact." Sebastian smiles and actually blushes which doesn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.

"You've been seeing him a lot." Jeff states.

"So what if I have?" Sebastian's trying to sound casual but even to his own ears it comes off false.

"I think what Jeff is trying to say is..." Blaine's standing up from his chair and walking to Sebastian's side, then he starts singing. "You think he's gorgeous, you want to kiss him, you want to hug him, you want to love him, you want to smooch him..." He is quickly joined by Jeff and even Nick as they dance around Sebastian who looks less than impressed and scoffs.

"You're ridiculous." He says and rolls his eyes. "It's a booty call. That's all it is." Then he leaves and they hear the door slam.

"Wait." Nick says and looks at Jeff like he's just realized something. "Jeff?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"How did he know what our bed feels like?" They both turn to stare accusingly at Blaine who puts up his hands. "Hey, don't look at me." A beat, then... "SEBASTIAN!" Niff is out the door in the next second and Blaine laughs. His friends are hilarious.

Tuesday finds Blaine at the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and West 39th Street at 10 am. He runs down the street until reaching a small opening to a shop with a sign that says "Garment Tours." A lot of people are already gathered, more than he expected as he lines up to check in. When he reaches the counter and gets ready to sign his name, the lady behind him bumps into him, making him drop the pen on the floor.

It is as he bends down behind the small women to pick it up, that he sees a flash of gorgeous long legs and knee-high boots run by him that instantly reminds him of something. He's somehow sure those boots were featured on Kurt's blog last week. He stands up abruptly, looking around but the owner of the boots is gone and out the door before he can even straighten and turn around. Hmm. He looks back to the sheet and is putting pen to paper when a name catches his eye. There...a few rows below his own, is a name he's dreamed about for over 3 years now. Kurt Hummel is spelled out in thick black letters and beside it is a neat curvy signature. That's when it hits him. Kurt is here! He is here. I found him!

He looks around again, scanning the crowd, but finds no familiar brown coif of hair or clear blue eyes. First he waits, eagerly keeping an eye on the door, but there is no Kurt in sight and his heart sinks, when the tour starts and Kurt's still not there he joins anyway, hoping he just got temporarily distracted and will show up again eventually. Kurt doesn't. Two hours later, Blaine goes home teary-eyed and miserable. I missed him. It was my one chance and I blew it.

He cries that night.