Author notes: This is now officially the longest multi-chapter fic I've written. My earlier record was 7 chapters. So yay! Go me! :)

Just text him. Kurt's finger hovers over the phone number that's been sitting untouched in his contacts for months. Blaine's number. After talking to his dad, he'd decided to get in contact with his long lost crush, just to hash out some things so he could finally move on - and it turned out he really wasn't hard to find. Blaine was practically listed everywhere, completely opposite Kurt himself.

He shouldn't really have been surprised though. This was the same guy who approached a total stranger on a plane, after all. Stranger Danger or the threat of stalkers didn't seem to be a concern for Blaine at all. Not even his Facebook account was private, which to be honest worried Kurt a lot. He knew first hand how Blaine could have a magnetic pull and he was absolutely sure that he wasn't the only one who'd fallen for his charm at some point in time. The difference - of course - was that Kurt was sane (more or less) – but that didn't mean everyone else were. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of some psycho getting obsessed with Blaine. Such a person would have no trouble tracking him down.

Not that Kurt should even be worrying about such things, it wasn't any of his business, they weren't even friends. Just like it wasn't his place to stalk Blaine's Facebook that first night he logged back into his own account (the poke war that followed with Elliott almost made him deactivate it again) and subsequently a few times a week thereafter. Yeah, you're a regular poster boy for sanity, his mind mocked him. He ignored it. After all Blaine kinda brought that on himself by being so open and the temptation was simply too much not to take a peek at his pictures and –cough, cough– his relationship status, which happened to be single, which definitely, most certainly, did not make Kurt way too relieved.

Blaine actually didn't use his Facebook a lot, mostly he was just being tagged in other people's posts. Blaine's friends, it seemed shared his lack of concern for privacy. Seriously, why was everything set to public?! It drove Kurt up the wall with anxiety. Especially one blond guy named Jeff was very active and tended to share a lot of intimate pics of himself and Blaine with their arms around each other - and yes, maybe Kurt had been a bit jealous until he noticed that this Jeff was apparently in a relationship with someone named Nick, not that he would ever admit to it. He had considered sending a friend request, but decided that it was the wrong approach. For all he knew, Blaine might not even remember him and just delete his request. Instead he checked if Blaine had his phone number listed and - no surprise there - of course he had. Kurt had added it to his contacts right away, but hadn't been able to bring himself to send that text. What would he say?

Somehow he didn't think that: "Hi Blaine. This is Kurt. We were on the same plane years ago and I still think about you. I don't know if you remember me, but I was wondering if you would like to meet up? Because even though I am getting married to your clone, I can't get you out of my head. I think I fell in love with you 4 years ago and never stopped loving you." Would go over well.

He sighed and put the phone back on the kitchen table. Why was it so hard to reach out? He looked at the calendar on the fridge and decided he had until the wedding to man up. They'd already set a date. It would take place on December 10th, since Kurt had always dreamed of a winter themed wedding. Everyone always did summer weddings – they were so predictable and he liked to stand out - as expected Blake had just nodded and given him free reigns to plan the whole thing. Kurt had tried to get a feel for what Blake wanted his wedding to be, but it was like the man had never even given it any thought at all, which was just plain weird to Kurt who had had this day planned out in his mind since before he knew he was gay. All he got when he asked was: "Whatever you like is fine with me, honey." And Kurt kinda wanted to shake him. He knew Blake most likely acted that way because he wanted Kurt to have everything he wanted, but the nonchalance came off to Kurt as Blake just not caring. And it frustrated him that his own fiance made him feel like he was the only one invested in their special day. It was their special day after all, not just Kurt's.

Frustrated he stood to get himself a drink as Blake entered the kitchen and went straight for Kurt's phone, left abandoned on the table. The phone that was still very much open on Blaine's contact. Before Kurt could react Blake had picked it up. Please don't notice, please don't notice, please don't notice.

"Baby, don't forget your phone."

Whew.

"Hey, who's Blaine?"

Shit.

"Um...no one." Smooth Kurt, not suspicious at all.

"Since when do we know a Blaine?"

Stay calm, you got this.

"Um, we don't. I do."

"Oh. Who is he?"

Lie, Kurt. Lie lie lie!

"Just a...friend."

"From where?"

What is this? An interrogation?!

"Way...back."

"I kinda figured that since I haven't heard of him. I meant how do you know him?"

Okay, think fast.

Then it hits him. Of course.

"Show Choir. He was the lead singer of one of the other choirs my team went up against in high school." There, not exactly a lie.

"Wow, that is indeed way back. I hope you kicked his ass."

Well. I did want to do something to his ass, but that wasn't it. No, focus Kurt!

"Um, yeah. We did. The Warblers were very dapper and traditional but their choreography consisted mostly of the two-step." Kurt smiled at the memory of the uniform clad gentlemen, all handsome...but all pretty much the same, except for their dashing front man. "They didn't have the diversity New Directions had and I think they lost on that." Because Blaine was magnificent.

"You are so nerdy when you talk show choir, babe." Blake laughed and kissed Kurt on the cheek as he placed his phone back in his hand. "Such a dork."

Kurt recoiled a bit at that. Blake never did have any interest in show choir, even though he could sing and always treated Kurt's interest in it as a weird quirk he had to put up with. Blaine would understand. No, stop it!

"Right." Kurt smiled weakly as Blake vanished into the other room. He grabbed a diet coke and sat back down at the kitchen table, staring at his phone, wishing he had the courage to send that text.

"Check this out." A flier was shoved under Kurt's nose the next day at work. He was sitting in the back, trying to wake himself up. "I saw it this morning. It's perfect for you." Elliott said.

"I'm really not in the mood." Kurt yawned and shoved the flier out of his vision in favor of his precious coffee. He hadn't slept well, he always seemed to be tired these days.

"If you would just read it, I'm sure it would grab your attention."

"Fine." Kurt sighed and picked up the flier." His eyes widened.

"Told ya." Elliott smirked. "How many drunken nights have we discussed the unexplored potential in putting a gay twist on traditional love stories. Finally someone did it. But I kinda feel like this Artie guy stole our idea." True as that was, it wasn't the reason Kurt was staring.

"I know him." He said.

"Who?"

"The director. I went to high school with him."

"Wow, small world." Elliott smiled. "This is great though, you already have an in."

"Doubt it." Kurt sighed. He had no idea Artie was even in New York. Truth be told they hadn't spoken in 4 years, even though they used to be tight. "We were in Glee club together and all of us were close, but most of us just drifted apart after my brother died." He let his fingers glide over the name on the glossy paper. "Turns out...Finn..." He could barely get the name out. "...was the glue of the Glee club and without him we sorta dissolved." Or I made it dissolve?

"Wait. I thought Rachel and Santana were in Glee club with you?"

"They were and it's true we still see each other, but...we already lived together here before it happened, we couldn't avoid one another, even if we wanted to back then." Kurt said. "But in case you haven't noticed, Satan and I never associate outside of work and Rachel, well..." Kurt smiled sadly. "We were the ones who had the closest connection to Finn and we remind each other of him."

"Oh." Elliott didn't know what else to say.

"Yeah. As long as we see each other, Finn will live on and always be fresh in our minds due to the shared memories we have." Kurt paused briefly, then continued. "It's why I can never say goodbye to her."

"I see. Well, that's nice." Elliott said. "That you have that bond, I mean." Kurt scoffed at that.

"It's both a blessing and a curse, El."

"How do you mean?"

"Sometimes the constant reminders cause me nothing but pain and it literally hurts me to be near her." Kurt sighed. "It's why I haven't seen her a lot lately. It's not just because I am busy. Some of it is avoidance and I think she knows, because she does the same to me."

"Ouch." Elliott gave him a look of sympathy.

"I don't think either of us have really healed. How long is it supposed to ache like this?"

"As long as it takes, Kurt." Elliott gave him a brotherly pat on the back. "As long as it takes." Then he vanished out into the diner to start his shift, leaving Kurt to finish his coffee and contemplate that flier.

"Romeo & Julian." He whispered to himself. He had to admit, it was clever and he had always wanted to play Romeo. This was the perfect opportunity. He knew he would never get the part in a regular version with his look, too many buff men would have him beat before he even opened his mouth. But maybe here he had a shot. He knew he had to take the chance. And maybe he could rediscover an old friendship in the process.

Slowly, he folded up the paper and made a mental note of the audition dates. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...right?

The week after found Kurt in a playhouse on 6th street. He was both excited and nervous as he was sitting in a hallway, waiting for his turn to audition. He was alone and couldn't help but eavesdrop a bit on the person in the audition room before him. Whoever it was, was doing a really powerful version of "Every day is the same without Love." Kurt was immediately drawn in by the voice, faint as it was from behind the thick door. Something about it was familiar.

"I feel I'm killing time, my life is slipping by
There has to be someone who feels the same as I
I long to find a love that's deep and strong and true
There has to be someone who wants the same things too
As soon as I find him
My world will start turning
But real love is elusive
That's something I'm learning

They say I'm very young, I'm going through a phase
And I must learn to curb my adolescent ways
There must be more to life than what my eyes have seen
But every yesterday becomes a might-have-been
I am longing
For someone to hold me
And tell me while we're dancing
What no one has told me.

All days are the same without love
When no one's beside you
Who cares if the moon seems closer
Or the stars seem brighter
All days are the same without love
But with love the days grow
Each one's an adventure
Anything can happen
No heart ever ages
Each day's been created
For you."

Kurt could tell, even if he couldn't hear everything clearly that he really meant every word he sung. There was an honest emotion to it, that made Kurt think this guy was really feeling it. He was without a doubt extremely talented and Kurt knew even without meeting this man, that if his acting was as good as his singing, he would feel privileged to act alongside him.

The guy finished the last bar and then applause could be heard. Kurt knew that was not standard procedure, the casting directors were not supposed to show any indication if they liked you or not, it was unprofessional, but he couldn't blame them, he would have applauded too. Whoever this actor was, he pretty much had it in the bag. Kurt just hoped he wasn't auditioning for the same part as him.

Murmurs could be heard and then the door opened to reveal a saucy blonde with blue eyes, wearing a skirt so short it would have made Santana proud. She reminded Kurt of a younger Quinn Fabray, a cheerleader from high school and yet another friend that he had lost contact with, they were adding up. He could easily picture this girl as a bitchy cheerleader, she had that "I'm better than you" attitude down to a T. It was all in how she carried herself.

"Kurt Hummel?" She asked, seeming rather uninterested.

"That's me." Kurt stood to shake her hand.

"I'm Kitty Wilde. Assistant to the director. We are ready for you now." She turned around and Kurt followed her in. He was just in time to catch a split second glimpse of the other guy from behind as he was let out a door on the other side of the room. Kinda short, dark gelled hair and dressed in bright colors. Kurt instantly had a short flashback to 4 years earlier, but no...it couldn't be. The odds were too low. He quickly snapped out of it and turned toward the table holding the casting directors. Or director was more like it. Only Artie was there. Huh. Unusual. Without delay he introduced himself even though he knew Artie must have recognized him.

"Hello. I am Kurt Hummel and I am here to audition for the role of Romeo."

"And what will you be singing?" Artie asked, giving no indication they had a past. I threw Kurt off a bit.

"I'll be singing "You Must Marry." Artie nodded for him to begin and he let it all flow out of him, trying to ignore how close the words came to his own life.

"For all its faults
Whatever cynics say
Marriage, my dear
Invigorates each day
How lucky you are
For somebody so young

But I'm not in love

My son, the groom
Last night I just cried, and cried

Wasted tears, mother
I'm not a groom yet!

I'm thrilled he asked
But I prefer to wait
I doubt he's the type
That I'd choose for a mate

That's just where you're wrong
It's all a game of chance
The world's full of men
Who waited for romance

I'm not in love
I cannot be his husband

You will grow to love him
As I did your father
On the day we met
He was in a state
You will have to learn to
Change your thinking about men
Why, even the Bible
Gets revised now and again.

Kurt finished and Artie stared at him for a beat longer than necessary, as if he was contemplating something. But then he just looked back down to write a note on his paper.

"Thank you. You will hear from us in a couple days." And just like that he was dismissed. As if they had never known each other. To be honest, it hurt. But he was the one who had pretty much ignored Artie, so maybe it was to be expected.

"Thank you." He answered politely and did a small bow before slipping out the door as fast as he could, feeling the director's eyes bore into his back like hot steel. Clearly, Artie was gonna pretend they didn't know each other and he was not going to get the part. He slumped down in a chair in the lobby, pouting and staring at the perfectly polished floor. It was so shiny he could see his own reflection. "Dammit." He muttered lowly to himself. A mistake he'd made years ago had just come back to bite him in the ass. Karma, he thought, really was a bitch.

"Kurt! Wait up!" Or maybe not? Artie was rolling up to him.

"Artie?"

"Listen, I am sorry about my behavior in there." He started but Kurt quickly stopped him.

"No, it's okay. You don't have to apologize. I understand."

"It's not okay." Artie insisted. "I was just really not prepared to see you. I mean, I'd seen your name on the sign up sheet, but I didn't think it was gonna turn out to really be you. There must be a lot of Kurt Hummel's in New York but then you showed up and I was...surprised."

"I bet. When I saw your name on the flier, it was a shock to me too. I considered not auditioning. I know we had a falling out." At the look Artie was giving him, Kurt backtracked. "Okay, more like I ignored you and washed our friendship down the drain. But you have to know, it wasn't just you. I cut ties with almost everyone."

"So I heard." Artie's voice was void of emotion and it made Kurt feel even more awful.

"I just...I'm sorry. I am really sorry. After losing Finn, I wasn't myself. I was mourning and I couldn't deal with it and slowly I froze you guys out, until so much time had passed that it was too late to pick up the phone." Kurt fell silent and Artie sighed deeply as he looked at his old friend. Because that was what Kurt was. A friend. Everyone in Glee club were his friends. Come hell or high water, that would never change.

"It's never too late, Kurt. So, you made a mistake, we all do. But as far as I am concerned, Glee club is for life."

"Do you really mean that?" Kurt asked, now daring to feel hopeful.

"Of course homeboy. Life is too short to hold grudges. Besides, as Finn would have said; "The show must go on...all over the place...or something." Kurt choked out a watery laugh at that and bent down to hug Artie. "I've really missed you."

"I've missed you too and just so you know. Romeo is yours, if you want it."

"Oh, you don't have to do that, I couldn't...listen, I don't want to get handed anything just because we go way back, I wanna earn it."

"Don't worry about it, this is not a friendly favor, you are practically made for what I have in mind with this play and I think I already found your perfect Julian. The guy who auditioned before you, brilliant. You would compliment each other look-wise with your striking differences and your voices would harmonize perfectly."

"If you're really sure?"

"I am. You don't know what a struggle it's been to find the right balance of voices. All the guys I've seen has had a too deep sound. Instead of complimenting each other, they cancel each other out. There's no nuances. But you bring diversity to the table."

"Oh, well. Then I accept. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Artie smiled as his assistant walked up behind him. Kurt was surprised when she jumped in Artie's lap and he wrapped his arms around her, apparently those two were together. Really? They didn't strike him as a match, but good for Artie. "Listen, I gotta go take my woman out for lunch. First rehearsal is in two weeks. I got some more Julian's too see, but as I said, I think we already got our man, it's just formality. I'll give him a call as soon as I've seen everyone and then we'll all meet up. Sound good?"

"Yeah, sure. Here, let me give you my number." They exchanged numbers and as Kurt watched Artie roll away, he felt lighter than he had in years.

The next few weeks were uneventful. Now that he'd gotten the part in the play he would have even less time for wedding planning so he had to take advantage of the free time before his schedule got even more clogged up. It was gonna be difficult to fit everything in...with 3 jobs, friends to see, a relationship to nurture and a wedding to plan.

But he quickly fell into a routine where pretty much all he did was go to work (where he tried to socialize with Elliott as much as possible to kill two birds with one stone), wrote articles, ate, planned for the wedding, kept his fiance satisfied and slept. He was already stretched thin and the rehearsals hadn't even begun yet. It was taking a toll on him, stress was a major factor, but he was determined to make it work. He was Kurt Hummel, dammit. Nothing could keep him down.

The day of their first rehearsal finally rolled around and Kurt arrived before everyone else. He was so excited for this play. He finally had a lead and he couldn't wait to meet his co-stars. Of course, the person he was most excited to meet was his Julian. Artie had texted him, that the "Every day is the same without Love" guy had indeed gotten the part and he was dying to meet him.

Slowly people started showing up and with every new person Kurt met his excitement grew. They were all so good, even the ensemble actors. With talent like that this play was bound to be a huge success. But "Julian" still hadn't showed up and Kurt was getting antsy. Maybe he'd changed his mind and they would have to cast someone else? He didn't have much time to ponder that thought before he was tapped on the shoulder by Artie.

"Julian, meet your Romeo. Romeo, meet your Julian."

Kurt turned and then everything seemed to go in slow-motion. No, it can't be? But the words out of the guy's mouth confirmed it as he breathed Kurt's name, almost reverently, or maybe that was just Kurt's wishful thinking. Wait...he remembers me? "Blaine?" It was indeed none other than Blaine Anderson standing before him. Still looking as delicious as he did 4 years ago. How was this possible? Life worked in mysterious ways.

"So I take it you two know each other?" Artie asked. "Excellent."

None of them paid him any attention. As soon as they locked eyes, Kurt knew he was in deep trouble as he couldn't tear his eyes away. They were just standing there, staring at each other. Or gazing longingly may have been a more accurate description. At least in Kurt's case, but he couldn't help it. It was Blaine who broke eye-contact first as his big golden orbs traveled down Kurt's body, taking him in like he couldn't believe he was really there and Kurt felt naked. Blaine's gaze was full of wonder, until suddenly the light in them seemed to dim or maybe that was just Kurt's imagination? Then he realized what Blaine was looking at. His ring. He quickly hid his left hand behind his back as he stared at the floor and when he looked back up into Blaine's eyes, he tried to convey with as much emotion as he could.

I'm sorry.

He wasn't sure why he was apologizing, there was just something in Blaine's eyes, that gave him the impression that he should.