Long Time Coming

by CrazedLunatic

When Blaine gets accepted into Harvard, Kurt and Blaine find out exactly how hard it can be to maintain a relationship when they discover how much their dreams conflict. Sequel to What Brings Us Closer Together. AU.

16. Chapter 13

"What do you mean, you can't stay? DJ or AJ or whatever is coming to meet us about the room." Blaine sputtered two and a half weeks later. He had been sitting down and anxiously watching the time since Adrian's friend was supposed to be coming soon. He'd been under the impression Wes was taking a shower to look presentable for the possible roommate but, really, who was he kidding? He should have known Wes better than that. "We need to both be here."

"A girl is a girl. I could care less. If you like her, give her the room. If not, we'll find someone else. Dad already gave us rent money in case and said to use it on food if we find a roommate." Wes said, tugging on jeans over his boxers. "Oh, crap. There's a hole in them."

Blaine wrinkled up his nose. "Do you have to walk around with only boxers?"

"What? Don't you like my bod?" Wes winked before pulling a t-shirt over his head.

"Wes, are you really leaving?" Blaine whined. Wes had complained for three whole days and suddenly gone quiet about it. He really should have seen this coming.

"Yep. Someone's car broke down and they asked me for a ride."

"A girl?" Blaine scoffed.

"The girl, Blaine." Wes pulled on a wind breaker over his t-shirt and went to his mirror, checking out his hair.

"I hate you so much." Blaine groaned, messing his hair up as he walked past Wes to leave.

"You can stand to be social with someone that isn't me or Hot Boy for long enough to decide if you want to live with her. You'll survive." Wes said, clearly not caring what Blaine wanted.

"It would be different if it was legit. You just want to do it because it's one step closer to getting in her pants." Blaine scoffed. "Fine, fine. Go. But if you don't like her and I invite her to move in, it's your damn fault."

"There is no like and not like. There is only to fuck or not to fuck." Wes said, grabbing his keys. "I'll be back in about two hours… three if I get lucky."

Blaine rolled his eyes as the door closed.

It opened back up right away. "Get it? Did you get it? That was a good one, wasn't it?"

"Wes, go." Blaine sighed, shaking his head as the door closed again.

Maybe it's a good thing Wes won't be here, Blaine thought to himself. After all, if Wes liked—sorry, wanted to fuck— her, then she may have declined the offer. They really had no other option, though. This had to work. Wes might have been okay with his parents paying part of their rent but Blaine wasn't. Blaine didn't like to rely on people. Look where it got him—No. Not going there. Not today.

He made his way into the living room to straighten up but of course it was perfect already. He'd been cleaning almost obsessively since summer had begun. He had always been sort of a neat freak (when time allowed), but he wasn't sure what exactly was making it worse now. Was it not trying to think about how angry he was at Kurt for everything they'd ever gone through (and how angry he was that he was so immature)? Or was it nerves about starting his new internship in three days? Or could it have been the fact that they needed a roommate? More than likely, though, Blaine was just a wreck.

He was a wreck, truth be told. However he would have taken the anger that had replaced the sadness and emptiness any day. He did feel bad that his temper was shorter when it came to Wes, but he couldn't really help it. And, as Wes so cheerfully and loudly pointed out every time Blaine was rude, he was only treating Wes that way because they were bros—which Blaine took to mean 'You know I'll still love you know matter what you do' but whatever.

He wandered into the kitchen to wash their lunch dishes when he got a text.

We may be a little early. Is that okay?

Sure, Blaine typed out to Adrian, opting to shove the dishes in the dishwasher and close it. At least she wouldn't be able to see the mini mess.

Not five minutes later, he heard Adrian's familiar knock.

"Hey-lo." Adrian said, stepping in when Blaine opened the door. "Ready for Monday?"

"No. You had orientation today. How was it?"

"Easy peasey." Adrian promised, putting on a wide smile. "This is AJ."

"Hi." Blaine forced a cheerful smile and waved at the pretty blond girl that was standing next to Adrian. "I'm Blaine Anderson."

"AJ Johnson. Well, my name is Alicia but everyone calls me AJ. I kind of hate my name." The girl, AJ, smiled nervously. She looked at Blaine and then spoke again. "My other roommate got kicked out of Harvard so I'm moving. I don't have enough money to pay for my current one… You're not going to get kicked out are you?"

"I hope not." Blaine laughed.

"He's really sweet." Adrian reassured AJ and then looked at Blaine. "And he likes to read. See? You two have stuff in common. And his roommate is really funny."

"Mostly he tries." Blaine added. "He's a lot more likely to get kicked out than I am."

The girl's eyes widened.

"I'm joking. He jokes a lot and likes to have fun, but he's very serious about his schooling." Blaine said. "Do you… want to see the house?"

"Sure." AJ smiled.

"Hey, I'm going to use the restroom if you don't care." Adrian headed down the hall, although Blaine was pretty sure he was really just trying to get Blaine and AJ together alone.

"This is really nice… and clean. I'm surprised."

"I try to clean. When I have time. My roommate… well, if I throw a fuss he'll clean." Blaine laughed.

"Do you like your roommate?"

"We've been best friends since we were fourteen, so a tiny bit, I guess." Blaine shrugged one shoulder.

AJ stood and took in her surroundings as she talked with Blaine.

"You'd get the big bathroom and that bedroom right there." Blaine said. "You can have it if you want it."

Please. Take it. Someone needs to take it, Blaine mentally added.

"Great. Okay." She smiled at him nervously. "Adrian says you two are nice and you seem nice enough, so okay."

"Great." Blaine said, forcing a smile and heading down the stairs with her. He turned the corner to greet Adrian again, pretty sure he heard her say, "I am seriously moving in with the hottest guy at Harvard. Oh. My. God."

"Did she…?" Blaine whispered.

"Oh boy." Adrian shook his head.

"Does she…?"

"I didn't tell her." Adrian shrugged.

"You know what? I don't even care. I just need a drink." Blaine mumbled as AJ looked around the living room and hall.

Adrian snorted, sitting at Blaine's kitchen table. "I see you've been obsessively cleaning."

Blaine wandered to the dishwasher, kicking it so that the door would open.

"That is full. How do you two go through that many dishes?" Adrian gasped.

"Well the dishes are Wes' responsibility. So I wait until it's that full before I just do it." Blaine shrugged.

Adrian let out a loud laugh. "You can come do mine if you want. Maybe we should start studying at my place instead of in public."

"You just want me to clean your house." Blaine rolled his eyes, closing the dishwasher and putting it on rinse—running it through rinse before putting in the soap would probably be necessary since Wes liked to not clean his dishes off before putting them in the sink.

Adrian grinned.

"So… What have you been up to?" Blaine asked, sitting by him at the table.

"Nothing. Gary went home for the summer so I'm bored out of my freaking mind. So bored that I painted my dressers."

"Why didn't you go home?"

"I didn't leave to go back every holiday." Adrian shrugged. "Thanksgiving and Christmas suffices for me. Why didn't you?"

Blaine gave an uncomfortable laugh.

"Enough said." Adrian looked up when AJ wandered in.

"I can't believe two guys live here and it's this neat. It's amazing." She said again.

"Yes well we know they're clean." Adrian stood. "Are you going to move in?"

"I'll buy you an ice cream from Dairy Queen. I'll buy you one a week for a year." Blaine said from the table.

"A girl never says no to ice cream." AJ smiled at him. "Sure, I'll move in. Are you sure I don't need to meet your other roommate, though?"

"Nah. He trusts my judgment." Blaine smiled back.

"Great. You've got my number. Just text me in the next few days and I'll come over so we can decide bills and whatnot?" She asked.

"Sounds good." Blaine nodded, waving his phone. "Talk to you later."

"Alright. See you later, Adrian." AJ waved and showed herself out.

"'I'll buy you ice cream for a year?' Are you that oblivious to what that sounded like?" Adrian asked, tilting his head.

"Huh?"

"You don't talk to girls much, do you?" Adrian actually laughed.

"No. Kurt does." Blaine shrugged and then blinked. "Did."

"He's not dead." Adrian said.

"Yeah." Blaine sighed. "Well, hey, thanks for finding me a roommate. I appreciate it."

"No problem." Adrian stood. "I better get going. I have a date tonight."

"A date?"

Adrian cringed. "Don't ask who. I'm a terrible people pleaser. It's the worst thing about me."

"Who?" Blaine asked, perking up.

"Please don't." Adrian cringed more, looking away.

"No." Blaine gasped. "Harry?"

"Fuck, it's worse than Harry." Adrian moaned. "Daniel."

"Wait. Daniel's gay?" Blaine asked, eyebrow arching.

"Has anyone told you that you're one of the most oblivious people ever? " Adrian teased. "It's kind of adorable."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "He's seriously gay?"

"Yeah and he asked me out. It was sweet."

"Do you like him?"

"No. He was so nervous and proud of himself, though, that it was hard to say no." Adrian cringed once again. "He's just so quiet and boring."

"You've never even worked on a project with him. You don't know. He may be exciting." Blaine shrugged. "What if he's an escort? What if he grew up in a freak show circus?"

"Right." Adrian rolled his eyes this time.

"You never know. It's the quiet ones you have to look out for." Blaine grinned.

"Yeah. I suppose you're right." Adrian laughed.

"You might like him." Blaine said, tone more serious. "Give it a chance. Especially if he was that sweet."

"I know. It's why I'm going." Adrian shrugged one shoulder. "Besides, he's kind of cute. He's cuter out of school attire."

"And it is summer." Blaine pointed out.

Adrian nodded, grabbing his phone off of the kitchen table. "Call or text me tomorrow. We'll go running or go to the soccer field. If you want."

"Yes, please." Blaine groaned. "I'm tired of reorganizing my books."

"I get up early so call whenever. Talk to you then."

"Good luck! But not too much luck. You shouldn't on the first date!" Blaine called as he left, shaking his head when Adrian let out a loud laugh and said something that sounded a lot like, "Right."

Blaine looked down at his own phone, checking his text messages. Of course there was none because it wasn't like he had a boyfriend to text him, Wes was out trying to get laid, and David was probably off with Mercedes. And as if he had family to call.

"Guess I'll organize my closet." He sighed, standing and going to his room.

It was going to be a long day.

***LTC***

It had been three weeks since Kurt's graduation and he had finally made the big move from Lima, Ohio into Quinn's small apartment right in the middle of New York City. After unloading everything Kurt had brought with him from both his Lincoln Navigator and Burt's truck, his dad spoke.

"Are you sure that's everything?"

"Yes. We both checked twice." Kurt nodded, looking at his father.

Burt let out a deep breath, looking back at Kurt. "I'm proud of you, kid."

Kurt felt himself smile. "Thanks."

Burt put his hands in his pockets and walked onto the balcony, looking down. "It's so loud. I don't know how you're gonna get any sleep at night."

"I'm sure I'll get used to it." Kurt watched Burt.

"I guess you'd have to." Burt chuckled, stepping up to Kurt. He put one hand on Kurt's shoulder and then pulled him into a hug. "You made it, Kurt. You're in New York."

Kurt hugged his father back, taking in a deep breath, trying to not think about how the last time he'd moved out Blaine had been there with him. It was scarier moving out alone. Quinn was there, of course. His friends and his aunts were close. But it wasn't the same. Not at all.

"You can always come home, Kurt." Burt said gruffly into Kurt's unstyled hair (they'd been moving stuff, after all). "You won't, but… you know you can."

"I know, Dad." Kurt whispered, fighting tears.

"I'm gonna miss you, kid. When am I gonna see you again?"

"I already told you I'd come in July. I have to go to the Warbler Ball for charity for Alzheimer's." Kurt reminded him before sighing. "Once a Warbler, always a Warbler."

"You still gonna go to that thing?" Burt looked surprised.

"Yeah. I mean it is for charity… and Alec said he would go with me since Blaine and I clearly won't be going together as planned." Kurt nodded, looking down. "So I'm going to go."

"Well good for you." Burt nodded.

"I'll come again before the school year starts." Kurt added. "And we can Skype."

"I can't figure out those computers." Burt pulled back, waving his hand in the air. "Maybe you can Kype with Carole."

"Skype." Kurt laughed, wiping his eyes.

"That." Burt chuckled. "If you want to talk to your old Dad, you'll have to pick up a phone. Don't do that texting junk either. You and Finn and Blaine kill me with that. And then Blaine corrects it and sends it back before sending his answer."

Kurt let out another laugh because Blaine had always done that to him too.

"You scared?"

"Terrified." Kurt admitted, taking a deep breath.

"Going after dreams are scary." Burt nodded. "But you'll be fine. And you can…"

"Always come home." Kurt finished. "But I won't."

"You'll be happy. You've always been better than Lima, Kurt." Burt pulled Kurt in for another hug. "But we're all going to miss you a hell of a lot."

"I'll visit." Kurt promised. "I'll visit on every holiday and on long weekends. I'm going to miss you all too."

Burt tightened his grip on Kurt. "You've got the extra credit card."

"Yes. For emergencies. And the cash which I promise to not touch unless I absolutely have to. But I'm paying you back for anything I buy as soon as I have a real job." Kurt nodded, taking another deep breath. This was it. His dad was about to leave. He was about to be on his own. So this is why Blaine had sat alone a lot for two days before leaving for Boston. This was terrifying.

"If you need anything, I'm a call away." Burt pulled back, tightly clutching his keys. "Carole and I both. Your aunts are a ten minute walk way and they're expecting dinner with you tonight."

"I know, dad." Kurt's voice was soft.

"We'll be seeing you in a few weeks?"

"Yeah." Kurt nodded.

"I'll see myself out, bud. I know you've got a lot of unpacking to do and I'm sure your friends want to catch up." Burt hugged him one last time. "I love you, Kurt."

"I love you too, Dad." Kurt hugged him back. "Call me when you make it home so I know you made it back alright."

"I'm going to miss you acting like the parent." Burt sighed a bit, pulling away.

"Don't worry. That's why we have phones and… Kype." Kurt forced a grin.

"Bye, Kurt." Burt gave a sad sort of smile.

"Bye, Dad." Kurt stood, watching Burt leave. He heard Burt say a goodbye and then went to the open box. On the top was a card—a graduation card from Blaine, which he had received the morning of the fashion show.

He hadn't gone to see Blaine on his and Alec's trip two weeks before. He'd wanted to, but Alec had caught him trying to leave. And sure, maybe it had been a stupid idea anyway. What, was he going to just show up and hope Blaine was there? Hell, Blaine had been planning to move back to Ohio for the summer—with him. So, what if Blaine was in Westerville with Wes? He knew David was still in New York so he couldn't be with David's family.

He opened the letter. More than an entire month waiting for some kind of interaction from Blaine, anything.

And all he gets is, "Congratulations on graduating—B."

And it wasn't even in his handwriting. It was stupid Times New Roman.

Kurt closed it and tossed it back into the box. He had more important stuff to do than to dwell on Blaine.

Even thinking that hurt more than he'd even admit.

***LTC***

"No." Wes said the second the front door opened.

"Oh. My. God."

Blaine, who was on the couch, looked up. "What?"

"This is your roommate?" AJ asked at the same time Wes asked, "Please tell me this isn't her."

"This is AJ." Blaine chirped. "She's in the sciences too."

"No. Her name is Alicia Johnson. Her name is Alicia." Wes sneered. "She is in the Biochemistry program."

"Is that…"

"My partner." Wes said shortly.

"O… Oh." Blaine looked between the two. "Well she already signed the lease, soooo…"

"Can we have a moment, please?" Wes asked before forcibly dragging Blaine out of the room. "I have told you her name a gazillion times! You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Blaine yanked his arm free. "Newsflash. I don't listen to you talking about girls period. If I did, I would go crazy. I told you her name was AJ."

"You did not."

"I did so." Blaine scoffed. "You don't have to fuck her, Wes. It's okay."

"I cannot live with her. She is rude and obnoxious."

"She seems really nice and quiet." Blaine argued. "You just can't stand the fact that she is on your level intellectually and she's a girl."

"Cut the crap. Get rid of her please." Wes whined. "I can barely handle study group and classes with her. I cannot and will not live with her. Make her leave."

Blaine walked out.

"Thank you, Blaine." Wes sighed in relief.

"Can I help you bring your boxes up?" Blaine asked cheerfully, going straight up to Alicia.

"Traitor." Wes huffed.

"Hey, I'm not exactly happy about this either."

"Well what kind of person gets a house without knowing who will be living there?" Wes scoffed.

"The same kind of person who lets their roommate pick a new roommate without meeting them?" AJ challenged.

"I had important things to do."

"Trying to get into Jenna's pants? How's that working out for you?" AJ smiled sweetly.

"The paperwork has already been sent to the landlord, Wes. Now shut up and grab a box." Blaine moved past Wes to carry a large box up the stairs. He then added in a falsely cheerful voice, "Maybe after we can play games to get to know each other."

"I will trip you and make you fall down those stairs, Anderson." Wes called after him. He then looked at AJ, cringing. "Don't talk to me and I won't talk to you."

"Is it really that hard to be around someone who won't sleep with you, Wes?"

"You tell me, Alicia." Wes smirked.

"Don't call me Alicia." She glared. "You know everyone calls me AJ."

"It's your God given name."

"One, her parents gave it to her. Not God. Two, you refuse to call anyone their real first name. The first person you meet that wants to be called a nickname and you do this?" Blaine came back down, grabbing another box. "Just shut up and carry a box up the damn stairs, alright?"

"No need to get testy." Wes glowered, picking up a box. "Just so we're all clear, I am not happy about this."

"Never could've guessed." Blaine made his way upstairs behind AJ.

"Are you sure this won't be a… real problem?" AJ asked Blaine.

"Don't worry. He's leaving in an hour anyway." Blaine reassured her as Wes came in.

"Thank God." Wes muttered under his breath, sitting a box down. He fell silent when he saw Blaine's glare. "Sorry, Blainers. Sorry, Alicia."

AJ huffed a bit before stalking out of the room.

***LTC***

Kurt had finally unpacked everything. Not that his bedroom was big enough to hold much, but everyone had to start out small in New York City, right? Eventually he'd have a big house to fill and design but for now… Well, his small apartment with Quinn would have to do.

He had a few hours to himself which meant he was able to call and check in at home. His excuse was that his dad had forgotten to call Kurt and say he'd made it back safely but really… Carole and Melody were his family too and he already missed them bother. Even more than he'd thought he would.

He had barely sat down at his computer after connecting a Skype call with Carole when he heard a loud shriek.

"Hey, Mellie!" Kurt waved excitedly, smiling at her.

"Hey, hon!" Carole laughed, sitting Melody on her lap.

"Hey, Carole!" Kurt smiled. "Did Dad ever make it back? I assume he forgot to call."

"He did." Carole nodded and rolled her eyes fondly. "I even reminded him this morning but I guess he still forgot."

"You know, if I'd forgotten to call him after driving across states, he'd kill me." Kurt pointed out, laughing.

"Yes, well, that may be an exaggeration but he'd definitely get onto you." Carole said. "He made it back really late last night, though."

Kurt nodded. "How are things? Since… yesterday."

"Things are good. We've been working on our alphabet today." Carole said. "We have through G memorized."

Kurt gasped. "Oh, wow! That's a lot, Melody. Can you show me?"

" E!" Melody threw her hands in the air and cheered.

"Want to try that again?" Carole laughed.

" E!" She repeated, this time looking annoyed.

"Like I said, we're working on it." Carole smiled, ruffling Melody's hair. "Tell Kurt where we had breakfast this morning."

"Bean Pole!" Melody squealed.

"The Lima Bean?" Kurt asked.

"At the Bean Pole!" Melody huffed.

Kurt snorted.

"And we got a blueberry muffin." Carole said. "And the nice lady gave Melody a free ice cream…. At eleven in the morning… which is probably why she's so rowdy and energetic."

Kurt had to laugh at the expression Carole sent him through the screen. "How nice of her."

"Yes. I'm starting to think that nice lady doesn't like me very much." Carole shook her head. "Mellie, quit squirming. You're not a roly poly bug."

"Am so, mommy." Melody argued.

"Roly poly bugs don't have arms and legs." Kurt pointed out.

Melody then proceeded to pull her arms into her shirt and pull her shirt down over her knees, stretching her shirt out. Kurt resisted the urge to cringe because it was such a cute shirt. How did his sister have such cute clothes, yet treat them like they were from Walmart? "Melody roly poly bug too."

"Well I hope nobody squishes you or feeds you to a lizard or bird." Kurt shrugged one shoulder.

Melody's eyes widened and she straightened out her shirt. "I'm a girl again."

Kurt laughed loudly.

"How is Finn doing?"

"I saw him last night. He and Rachel." Kurt said. "He seemed very… Finn. I think he was a little upset Rachel didn't want to get pizza instead of pasta."

Carole rolled her eyes.

"He seemed happy, though. I think he likes New York. He was cheerful, pointed out stuff to me."

"And Rachel?"

"Annoying and amazing as ever. I don't know how she manages to pull the combination off so well but she does." Kurt answered. "She's driving me nuts with the wedding planning. I saw her for a total of three hours and know more about what goes into a Rachel Berry wedding than anyone would want to know."

Carole laughed again. "Well at least they're both excited."

"Yeah, yeah." Kurt nodded.

"How do you like it? I know you haven't been there too long but is it everything you thought it would be?" Carole asked.

"Almost everything." Kurt frowned a bit and then smiled again. "I like it. I'm excited to start at Parsons. We went and looked around again yesterday. When Alec gets here in a few days we're going to try to find our classes."

"Do you two have some together?"

"Yeah. We have four together I think." Kurt nodded. "I saw Eric for a split second I think."

"Right. He went up a little early for work." Carole nodded. "You didn't get to talk to him?"

"No. It may not have been him, though, I guess. I'll ask when I see him in a few days. I'm helping them move." Kurt explained. "I'll be glad when Alec gets here. It's kind of weird being with Rachel and stuff when I'm used to him, I guess."

"I'm sure you'll feel more at home with them again soon." Carole reassured him.

"You're right." Kurt nodded. "And I still haven't seen Mercedes yet but I'm getting dinner with her and then also dinner with Taylor and Paige… I'm supposed to have dinner with them every night for the rest of my New York life apparently." Kurt laughed.

"You don't mind." Carole smiled at him.

"No. It's like Dad away from Dad." Kurt laughed again. "Plus, they make me laugh. I think Taylor is hoping Quinn and I will get into a big fight and I'll want to move out. But Paige told her if they're getting a kid, they're getting their own and not Dad's."

"Do they want kids?"

"No. Taylor's kid is her bookstore and Paige's is their dog."

"PUPPY!" Melody squealed Kreacher hopped on the bed. "HI, PUPPY!"

Kreacher yipped, putting his paws on the keyboard.

"And Kreacher loves it here." Kurt said. "He enjoys passing delivery boys in the hallways… Most of them are cute, so I enjoy that too."

"The only young boy I ever see is Melody's playmate." Carole said. "I'm okay with that, however."

Kurt snorted. "I'm sure Dad is okay with that too."

"Oh, Burt." Carole shook her head, smiling. "I'll take care of him, you know?"

"I know you will." Kurt said. "But I'm still going to call and harass him about eating and resting… for good measure."

"I expected no less." Carole looked down as Melody slid down the floor and rolled out of the room. "Between you, Finn, and Blaine being gone, I don't know what she's going to do."

"Oh, she'll be fine. You should be worried about you and Dad." Kurt teased.

Carole laughed.

"Hey, Carole, I better get off of here. I need to get ready before I go out with Mercedes." Kurt said after glancing down at his clock. "And I need to feed Kreacher too."

"Alright, hon!" Carole nodded. "Have fun."

"I will. Thanks." Kurt smiled. "Tell Dad I said hello."

"I will." Carole promised. "You call again soon, okay?"

"I promise." Kurt smiled and waved before signing off. He then looked down at Kreacher who stared at the computer, clearly confused. Then again, Kreacher was only used to Kurt and Blaine Skyping together.

"Alright. Let's eat and go potty, Kreacher!" Kurt hopped up, placing his laptop on his desk. "If you beat me to the bowl I'll give you a pretzel."

Kreacher yipped and ran excitedly towards his bowl, tail wagging.

Kurt had an hour to take care of Kreacher, take a shower, and make himself presentable by New York standards before meeting Mercedes.

It would be close, but he was pretty sure he could do it.

***LTC***

"What… is going on?" Blaine asked, coming into his house a week later. He looked down, seeing packed bags.

"SURPRISE!" David yelled, running out of the kitchen.

Wes, who was sitting on the coffee table, grinned.

"Oh, God. If this is another intervention I'm going to kill you both." Blaine threatened.

"Relax, Belle." David chirped. "We're aware that your orientation went well but that you don't start the real work until next week."

"Bummer. That means you'll be home, bored, with nothing to do!" Wes joined in, and Blaine could see this was scripted. Something… Something had been planned.

"Never fear, though. We, your best friends, have that covered." David grinned also.

"That's why I called my dear old Mum and Pop—."

"Mum and Pop?" Blaine arched his eyebrow.

"And had them call a good old friend Tom—."

"The only Tom we know is in Harbor Springs. He keeps the keys for the… summer houses." A grin slowly slid across Blaine's face. "Michigan. We're going to Michigan?"

"I knew that'd get a real smile out of him." Wes hopped up. "We're leaving in half an hour and we won't be back for a week. Your bags are packed. Long enough for you to make sure you have everything you want or need, for us to pack some food, and for me to take my car for a quick oil change."

Blaine plopped onto the carpeted ground, sitting cross legged and pulling open two of his old backpacks. "For real? We're going to Michigan?"

"We know you're doing a lot better than you were the last time I was here." David sat by him. "But we figured you might be even happier if you got away for a while. Everyone knows that Harbor Springs is your happy place."

"I'll be back as soon as I can." Wes grabbed his keys and headed for the door, ruffling Blaine's hair on the way.

"So… the roommate situation…" David snickered when Wes closed the door. "I can't tell if it's sexual tension or if he really can't stand her."

"I don't know. He thinks with that head a lot." Blaine snorted, looking through his packed belongings. "But she hates his guts, David. She asked me how legally binding a rental lease was."

"Well he should have been here when she came." David shrugged. "And she should have wanted to meet both of you before signing anything."

"I feel a little bad but she's been here a week. Watching them go at it is so funny." Blaine laughed. "I feel worse for Adrian because she vents to him five times a day."

"Who is this Adrian?" David winked.

"He's my partner in classes. We hang out a lot, though. He runs, plays soccer, he's funny… We get along well." Blaine explained.

"And he's also gay."

"It's nothing like that." Blaine promised. "It's too soon for me to even start thinking about new relationships… And we're really just friends. He's attractive but I don't look at him and want to kiss him or anything."

"Well is there anyone you have your eye on?"

"No." Blaine sighed a bit, zipping up the last bag. "I sent Kurt a graduation card."

"Why?" David frowned.

"Because he made a big achievement. Because now his dreams can maybe come true. Because I would have felt bad if I hadn't. Any of those, I don't know." Blaine rubbed his forehead.

"Did he respond?"

"He sent an email. The first sentence was just him thanking me but then he went on about wanting to talk, so I deleted it. Wes went into my trash and read it, though. I'm pretty sure he texted Kurt later…" Blaine bit his lip.

"Don't respond." David instructed. "If you respond, you'll get upset again and—."

"I'm still upset. I feel better but I still feel like my heart's been ripped out of my body. There is no upset again." Blaine interrupted.

"I know but—."

"Don't worry. I'm not going to respond. Not yet at least. I'm not ready." Blaine looked down. "I feel like I'd have a breakdown if I saw him or heard his voice… I don't think I could handle it."

"It gets better." David sighed as the front door opened, patting Blaine's leg.

AJ came in, looking confused. "Oh. Hi."

"Hey, AJ." Blaine smiled brightly. "How was work?"

"Work like." She smiled back. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Wes and I are going to Michigan with my friend David. David, this is AJ."

"So you're the one that can't stand Wes." David held out his hand. "I'm David and I sympathize with you entirely."

"I'm not a bad person. He's just an obnoxious asshole who thinks he can have any girl he wants without repercussions and who thinks he can get his way no matter what the circumstances are." AJ said.

"Yep. He's a manslut." David nodded.

"Manslut?" Blaine asked.

"I would agree with that statement." AJ said as Wes came in. Her smile faltered a bit and then say said, trying to sound very composed, "Hello, Wes."

"Hey ho, Alicia."

"Her name is Alicia. God knows he calls everyone else nicknames but she hates it and so that's all he'll call her." Blaine informed David.

"It's like elementary school flirting. Are you going to pull her hair, Wes?" David grinned.

"Ha no." Wes said. "Did you two pack the food?"

"I thought about it really hard but then I decided you should do it." David said.

"And the trip is for me, so I figured that was a get out of jail free card." Blaine added.

"You three can take some of the cake I made." AJ offered.

"And get poisoned?" Wes coughed, clutching his throat.

Blaine, at the same time, groaned and said, "It tastes like heaven."

"I apologize for his behavior. He doesn't know how to act around a lady." David said.

"Oh he knows how to act around them when he thinks he'll get in their pants." AJ scoffed.

"Did you say something about cake?" David's eyes lit up.

"I'll get you some." AJ laughed and stood. "Do you want some, Blaine?"

"I just ate but I'll get one for myself for the road." Blaine grinned, looking excited.

"I liked you before but now I love you." David's grin grew as AJ went to the counter.

"Wes can still have some if he'd like to." AJ said, more at him than to him.

"I don't like cake." Wes sulked.

"Oh, Blainers." David shook his head, accepting the plate that AJ was holding out for him. "Approach this with humor. Otherwise they'll probably drive you insane."

"Oh, don't worry. I think it's hilarious." Blaine laughed. "Wes keeps calling me Traitor."

"This cake is amazing." David gasped. "I think the only cake I've had that's better is Kurt's."

Blaine's head shot up, mostly out of shock more than anything. He then frowned.

Don't think about Kurt. Think about other things. Michigan. The lake. School. Anything but Kurt.

"But this is a very close second. Mercedes won't make cake." David continued. "If I want it, I have to buy some from the store."

AJ laughed. "Do you go to Harvard?"

"Oh, no. I'm their friend. I live in New York. I just drove here. We're going to Michigan together. Wes here has a summer house." David said. "I go to med school."

"I wanted to become a doctor but I didn't like the idea of getting sick all the time. I got into two medical schools but turned them down to do BioChemistry."

"So… you two are both… in BioChem?" David let out a laugh. "Meaning you probably see each other every day all day now."

Blaine pushed David out of the way as a shoe flew past their heads.

"I'm sorry. You two have to see the hilarity of the situation." David laughed. "No? Really?"

"Have you lived with him?" AJ asked dryly. "It's been a week and I want to commit a felony."

"He grows on you." Blaine went over, ruffling Wes' hair. "My big Asian friend."

"I will gut you in your sleep." Wes threatened as Blaine pressed a kiss to his face.

"I like him. He's a sweetheart." AJ said.

Blaine grinned and plopped on Wes' lap.

"Everybody loves Blaine. He's like a puppy. Wait until you see him drunk. His drunk dancing and singing is hilarious." David laughed. "But when both of them are drunk together, it's bad news bears. That's when you want to move all breakable or valuable items, hide out in your room, and hope for the best."

"You seem to have experience."

"David is the DD." Wes remarked, completely unbothered by the fact that Blaine was still sitting on his lap.

"Are they really that bad?"

"Yes. But we don't really get drunk anymore." Blaine said. "Well, he does sometimes. But it's manageable if it's only one of us." He then added, "We haven't burnt down the house yet."

"How comforting." AJ looked at them, clearly anxious.

"It's more funny than destructive." David promised. "Wes, go pack."

"You say that like you automatically assume I have nothing packed although we're hitting the road in half an hour… well, we should be leaving now but somebody didn't pack the food… " Wes shook his head.

"I'm sure you haven't packed to leave too, though." Blaine said. "You're just predictable."

"I suppose I have to give you that one." Wes agreed, poking Blaine's side until he stood.

"He's really not so bad." Blaine told AJ as Wes went upstairs, whistling loudly.

"Well I'll believe that when I see it."

…

Blaine woke up early the next morning, confused. He remembered falling asleep, he vaguely remembered something about being woken up and needing ID, and past that… not a whole lot of anything.

He curled up, realizing he was in a bed with someone. But… why was he in bed with someone? He didn't remember crying the night before and Wes only slept in his bed when he was crying.

What… had he done?

He rolled over quickly, sighing in relief when he realized it was just David. They were in a hotel.

"Quit moving." David mumbled, stretching out.

"Where are we?" Blaine whispered, looking around as seeing Wes on the second bed, sprawled across it.

"Canada." David yawned.

"What?" Blaine shot up. "Canada?"

"We saw a sign and made a last minute decision of our last minute trip to go over the border. You fell asleep near Michigan."

"And I got in this bed how?"

"You walked to it. Stumbled, really. You really need to stay caught up on your sleep." David yawned. "In a few hours, we'll start driving again. There's a big tourist area and… we're gonna…. Take you."

Blaine watched in amusement as David covered his face and fell back asleep. He then hopped out of bed, grabbing one of the two hotel key cards on the table and leaving the room. It wasn't the nicest hotel but clearly they were only staying a few more hours anyway. He wandered through the halls, trying to not look at the couple having (loud) sex against the ice machine and the two twin girls who looked eerily like the creepy girls in The Shining.

All he wanted to do was find the breakfast buffet (all hotels had them, right?), eat some toast and eggs, and listen to people chatter until he heard someone say "Eh?" He was probably stereotyping but oh well.

He had been sitting alone and silently eating his food for ten minutes when he felt someone sit next to him. He looked up, alarmed, only to see it was Wes. David, still half asleep, sat across from them.

"Heard anyone say 'Eh?' yet?" Wes asked eagerly.

"That is stereotyping." David huffed.

"I haven't yet but I've been waiting for it." Blaine laughed.

"Is the food good?" David asked after rolling his eyes.

"Horrible."

"Beggars can't be choosers." David sighed and went to stand in line.

"Canada, eh?" Blaine grinned.

"Yeah I don't know. We saw a sign on the highway, got in the lane, and voila." Wes laughed. "We've never been out of the country before together. It'll be fun. If we get bored, we'll go to Harbor Springs. Are you disappointed? If you are—."

"No!" Blaine said quickly. "This will be cool. I'm glad you packed my camera."

"I got a picture of the entrance signs for you."

Blaine's eyes lit up excitedly. "Awesome! Thanks!"

Wes laughed again. "So you're happy?"

"Yeah." Blaine nodded, and he truly was. In that moment at least. It was hard to judge whether he would feel happy in a week but the good days were coming more often than they had before.

"Good. That's the point of the trip." Wes smiled, stealing some eggs off of his plate. "You're right. These are disgusting."

Blaine laughed, nodding. "I know, right? And I haven't even gotten to hear anyone say 'eh.'"

"Let's ditch this joint." David came back up, stuffing a sausage in his mouth. "I just took an extra sausage and this fat kid is glaring at me."

"On to Toronto!" Wes cheered, standing.

Blaine finished his orange juice and hopped up. "Can we listen to One Direction?"

"No." David and Wes said together. "No."

"You know, if you listen to a song all the way through… they're not that bad."

"They were bad in 2012 and they're still bad today." David protested. "The answer is and shall always be no."

"Fine. I'll just listen to it on my iPhone and sing along loudly." Blaine chirped, pulling his phone out of his pocket as they walked towards their room to get their bags. He began to sing out loud. "You don't know-ow-ow you're beautiful, oh oh oh, that makes you beautiful!"

"Nice voice!" Someone called from above them.

"Thanks!" Blaine called, giving David and Wes a confused look. "Do you think that was God?"

"Your voice is good, Blainers, but it isn't that good." Wes snorted, nonchalantly pointing to someone sitting on a stairwell. "I think you were lead soloist for too long. It went to your head."

"Can we get some alcohol tonight?" Blaine asked.

"Oh no. No no no." David said automatically. "No way, Blaine."

"Sounds like an excellent idea." Wes grinned.

"If you two get wasted in Canada and get arrested, what the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Text a picture of me being arrested to your dad so he can show the whole church congregation on Sunday?" Blaine smiled sweetly.

"Oooh, that'd be good." David agreed. "That would be really good."

"Operation Embarrass Blaine's Father Mission is a-go." Wes declared, unlocking their hotel room door so that they could all go in. "Gentlemen, this is going to be the most exciting trip of our lives!"

"Yeah… Don't think David's getting back up." Blaine said, pointing to David who had plopped on his bed and fallen asleep. "When do we have to be checked out?"

"A few hours… Want to see if we can hear someone say 'Eh?'"

"Do I ever." Blaine walked right back out the door.

…

"This drink is like really, really, really, really good." Blaine said, sitting Indian style on their bed and downing half a bottle of 'the blue one' as he had been calling it because, let's be honest, he'd been too excited to read the bottle before his first of three and he wasn't really in a state to read anything at the moment.

"Why couldn't we drink in a bar?" Wes whined, taking a drink of his Vodka.

"Because we're out of the country and I can't even figure out how to get my phone to work here to call for help when you two get arrested." David took a drink of his own beer before swiftly reaching over and straightening Blaine's bottle which was about to spill. "Slow down with that stuff. It wasn't cheap."

"I'd—I'd spend my whole life savings on these bottles." Blaine let out a content sigh. "But I can't just transfer it on the computer. I could… do that before, you know? When Kurt and I had our accounts joined. But this bank doesn't let you. Well screw that, guys. My old bank was awesome… awesome applesauce."

Wes let out a loud laugh. "What's your middle name?"

"Badass." Blaine stated before downing the rest of his bottle. "Refill!"

"Not yet." David laughed. "You're going to make yourself sick, Blaine."

"It's worth it because this is the best I've felt since spring break." Blaine stumbled off of the bed and bent down, fishing another bottle out of the bag. He looked in the corner of the room, confused, and then dramatically pointed. "Whassat?"

"What?" David looked.

"PULL OUT IRON!" Wes ran over, pulling it down. "IT COMES OFF!"

"Surf! Let's surf!" Blaine cried, stumbling over and nearly tripping over David's shoes.

"Uh, no." David said, rushing over and pulling it up.

"Yes!" Blaine demanded, pulling it back and nearly knocking a lamp over. "s'mine. I found it."

"It belongs to the hotel." David corrected.

"Finders keepers, Daviel." Wes said, ducking when the ironing board almost hit him in the head.

"Surf's up!" Blaine ran out of the room.

"Blaine, for the love of God—." David ran out of the room but by the time he made it, Blaine had already ridden the ironing board down a flight of stairs.

There was a loud "BANG!" and then Blaine exclaiming, "That was totally awesome!"

"Me next!" Wes said, running down the stairs. "Me next, me next!"

"Prepare to have your mind blown!" Blaine ran up the stairs to join David.

"Bla—."

"Down the mother hen, David." Blaine said before leaning over the bannister.

"Alright." Wes said excitedly as he reached the top of the stairs. "If I fly threw that window I just want you to know that Blaine, I think you have an awesome ass and David, you've got an awesome smile. I am not gay but you two are some very attractive mother fuckers."

Blaine fell down laughing.

David sighed. "Last words for your mother?"

"Tell her that I hated her baked chicken. God, it's gross." Wes said before lying on the ironing board and letting himself go. "SHIVER ME TIMBERRRRS!"

Blaine rolled onto his stomach, not even able to make noise because he was laughing so hard.

"God, you two together and drunk is too much." David sat down, patting Blaine's back as he began to cough.

"Guys. Slight problem." Wes said, inching up to them.

"What? David asked, going to look over the banister. "Oh my God."

"So… Blaine… got your credit card?"

Blaine stood shakily and bent over the banister, looking as well. "Holy shit. Wes, did you go through the wall?"

"In my head's defense, that wall was very poorly made." Wes said before hiccupping.

"Hold on, guys. I'm getting a picture of this for Facebook." Blaine said, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. "This is the best trip ever!"

"Says the one with the credit card." David sighed as the hotel manager walked over, mouth dropping open. "We can explain."

"He did it." Wes said, pointing to Blaine.

"Hey, bro-man-dude, can you move? I'm trying to take a picture." Blaine asked offering a sweet smile.

"Out. Now. Get your stuff and get out." The man said, face reddening.

"Sir yes sir!" Blaine saluted and turned to go back to the room. "Wonder why he's so grumpy."

…

"WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BAKEY!"

Blaine groaned two mornings later, pulling the blanket over his head. He'd been hung over the whole previous day (was he really surprised after the amount he'd drank?) and had wanted to sleep in but apparently that wasn't going to happen.

But maybe if he resisted, maybe if he didn't sit up…

"I said," Wes cleared his throat. "WAKEY. WAKEY. EGGS. AND. BAKEY."

Apparently not.

"Not hungry." Blaine mumbled into the mattress.

"It's more of an expression." David laughed. "Sit up."

"Mmmmhno." Blaine nuzzled his pillow. "Nice pillow."

"At least open your eyes." Wes shook his shoulder.

"No." Blaine moaned.

"Fine." Wes said, setting something by Blaine. He felt shaking, but not like someone was trying to wake him up. Like something was scared. Something… little. And hairy.

"What the—." Blaine sat up quickly, looking down.

"It's a puppy." David said as if Blaine needed the clarification.

"What? What did you do to it?" Blaine gasped.

"It was raining out and someone left it alone in a box." David admitted, frowning. "We were going to just call the police but then Wes had an excellent idea."

"That idea was that you need a puppy." Wes supplied. "You two are both in fragile states and who better to take care of a puppy than a puppy himself?"

"What is it? I mean, what type?" Blaine asked.

"A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever." David said. "I googled it. Look at her big eyes."

Blaine looked down at the puppy, which was still shaking. He then reached down, petting it in an attempt to comfort it. He had fallen in love with it already. "I don't really… have time for a dog."

But I want it, I want it, I want it… He mentally added.

"You've got two roommates. Surely we'll be in and out enough to let it use the bathroom and feed it. Besides, girls love puppies. I'm sure Alicia—."

"AJ." Blaine corrected. He lifted the dog, looking under it. "And it is a she."

"Would be more than willing to help." Wes finished without correcting himself. After all, who didn't want to be called by their given name, right?

"Can you even take a dog over country borders?" Blaine asked warily.

"I mean, it's not like people carry around doggy birth certificates." Wes snorted.

"Well we should probably take her to a vet." Blaine said, carefully lifting the tiny puppy up and surveying it closely. "She has cuts too. Oh, you poor thing."

"Told you." David coughed, nudging Wes. "Ten dollars, bro."

"I need to quit making bets on Blaine. He's too unpredictable." Wes sighed.

"Did you really think I'd turn her down?" Blaine looked up, almost offended. "Look at her little face."

"No. I said that you'd opt to not take her to a vet. I think she looks fine." Wes rolled his eyes. "It's just a cut."

"She could have hypothermia. You said she was out in a box in the rain." Blaine said slowly, sitting the puppy on his lap. "I'm going to look up vet offices and have her looked at."

"Should we tell the hotel?" David asked, sitting down by Blaine and gently petting the puppy. He then shot a look between Blaine and Wes. "All we need is to get kicked out of another one."

"No. She's been silent the whole time." Wes said as Blaine scrolled through the internet on his phone, deciding to not acknowledge the last comment. "Any time she's made noise, it's been really quiet."

"Hi, yes. I need to schedule an appointment for a puppy… I don't know how old she is. My friends found her outside in the rain in a box… She's a…" Blaine looked to David.

"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever." David said slowly enough so Blaine could repeat it with him.

"Yeah… Perfect… Thank you." Blaine said cheerfully, hanging up the phone. He then frowned. "Poor puppy."

"You should name it Winnie." David said, petting it still.

"And I'll call it Weenie." Wes let out an immature laugh.

"If you call my dog Weenie I'll kick your Asian ass." Blaine threatened.

"Awww." Wes cooed. "My dog. Blaine's in love."

"Winnie it is?" David asked, rolling his eyes at Wes.

"Sure." Blaine nodded, laying back and setting the puppy on his chest. "You're so tiny."

"Just like you." Wes grinned again.

"I know where you sleep." Blaine glared.

"You don't dare go in my room in case I've got a girl in there." Wes waved his hand in the air. "That's not a very good threat."

"I know where you keep you music collection. I share a bathroom with you and have access to hair bleach. I know how to add butter to your food to make you gain weight. I—." Blaine began.

"Basically," David interrupted. "He is implying he can make you sorry and lately he's been testy, so don't mess with him."

"What he said." Blaine carefully sat up. "We have to be there in an hour so I'm going to shower. Can I trust you with the puppy?"

"We had it for two hours while you slept. I think we're capable." David said.

"Yeah. I know the whole Chinese people like to eat dogs and cats thing is a thing, but my mom wouldn't teach me how to cook dog." Wes teased. "Plus, I'm fonder of Pomeranian meat."

"Speaking of Chinese things," David interrupted. "We need to stop by Ohio so your mom can make some seaweed. That stuff is so good."

Blaine stood. "Wes, David's uncle tried to get you to eat some squirrel and you nearly cried when you saw him shoot it."

"It's just inhumane." Wes snapped. "Don't bring that up, alright? I still have nightmares about it shrieking as he put it in the boiling water."

"That would be lobsters." Blaine blinked at him. "And I'm pretty sure you've never seen lobsters made since you're highly allergic to seafood."

"Whatever. You Americans are weird with your animal killing habits, alright? Can't we just stick to cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets and one turkey a year for Thanksgiving and then some ham for Christmas? Thank you for traumatizing me, Blaine. I greatly appreciate it." Wes huffed.

"You're Amercian." David snickered. "I can't tell if you're joking or not but either way, it's kind of funny."

"Yeah, no seaweed for you, Pocahontas." Wes snapped.

"Why did you just call me Pocahontas?"

"Because it's the first thing that came to mind."

Blaine just shook his head, walking into the small bathroom to take a shower.

For as much as he missed Kurt, there was one thing he knew for sure. He was handling life okay without Kurt… not enjoying, but handling.

Blaine wouldn't have been able to cope with losing David or Wes.

And there was no maybe to that.

***LTC***

"Burt has called every day since you got here asking if one of us has checked in with you." Taylor said right as Kurt made his way into her and Paige's apartment.

"How do you always look so cute?" Paige whined. "I bet even your pajamas are fashionable."

"Of course they are." Kurt said, giving an impish smile. It slowly faded as he sat at the table.

"Did you have fun with Rachel and Mercedes today?" Paige asked.

"I guess. It's still kind of weird because I haven't seen them much except for holidays." Kurt admitted. "But it was fun. I got to see where they go to school and work… and Finn's here, so I got to see him."

"I didn't know Finn was here!" Taylor said.

"Yeah. He and Rachel are getting married soon and then he'll be here permanently. He's mostly been in Ohio saving up money. He got a job after he graduated OSU last year and he helps at the garage a lot." Kurt explained.

"How do you like your apartment?" Paige asked eagerly. "It already looks so much nicer than mine and Taylor's and we've been here for months."

"I like it. I still want to do some stuff to it, though… Providing Quinn is alright with it. She spends most of the time with her boyfriend so I barely see her." Kurt kind of shrugged.

"So you've had a lot of time to yourself?" Taylor asked. "Is it a nice break after the fashion show and everything?"

"Not really. I keep thinking about the break up." Kurt sighed.

"Have you talked to him yet?" Paige sat down by him.

"I tried for a long time but he hasn't been answering… He did send me a congratulations card. All it said was 'Congratulations on graduating.'" Kurt frowned. "I sent an email and got notification that it was opened but he never responded."

"He just needs time." Taylor said.

"If it's meant to be, Kurt, it will." Paige added. "But either way, you'll be okay."

"What if I'm not?" Kurt asked, sighing. "What if he doesn't take me back? What if he was my 'one' and I ruined it?"

"Blaine's a good person. He's just heartbroken." Taylor reassured him. "Maybe you should try to visit him? Maybe if he sees you, you all can talk… Maybe not make up, but just… get your feelings out there and find a nice starting point?"

"Because that worked well for me." Paige scoffed.

"Yes well Blaine's probably a bit more reasonable than I am." Taylor shrugged. "Plus, it eventually worked, didn't it?"

"She has a point." Paige said.

"You should go see him!" Taylor clapped her hands together. "Come on. I'll be heartbroken if he's not at Thanksgiving. He always sneaks me food early because Annie actually lets him steal more than one little piece. I feel like he's the male version of myself."

"No, dear. He's a lot cuter than you." Paige teased.

"Oh, come on. Andy likes him so much because he reminds him of me." Taylor argued. "He told me so. Kurt, you have to fix this. Thanksgiving depends on it."

Kurt's frown grew.

"She's kidding!" Paige wrapped her arms around him and patted his head. "Sweetie, she's teasing."

"I know. It's just that I don't want to have Thanksgiving without him. Or Christmas or even Fourth of July." Kurt sighed. "Only I don't know how to fix what I did or how we would even work if we got back together. I ruined it. But even if we got back together, what would make me magically be able to handle not living with him?"

"I don't think you need to be thinking about getting back together." Paige said gently. "I think you have a long way to go before that happens. You both handled things the wrong way. You bought need to accept your part in the break up, you need to talk about your feelings, build a friendship, and start from the beginning. You can't just go back from what you did. As much as you might want to, you can't… I know. It sucks."

"How am I supposed to even get him to talk to me?"

"Well you can do one of two things. Let him decide to come to you and wait or take it into your own hands and keep trying until he finally talks back." Paige sighed. "You may get a few apples thrown in your face."

Taylor looked up at the ceiling, whistling, when Kurt looked over at her.

"Or, even worse, a hot fudge sundae." Paige scowled.

"You threw apples and sundaes at her?" Kurt gaped.

"There is nothing worse than a woman scorned." Taylor said. "But to be safe, don't corner Blaine in a grocery store or an ice cream parlor."

Kurt groaned. "Do you think I should go and talk to him?"

"That's your decision, Kurtsie." Paige said.

"But Paige and I wouldn't have gotten back together if she hadn't borderline stalked me." Taylor shrugged one shoulder. "And you'd make an adorable stalker."

Kurt forced a smile. "At least a fashionable one."

"It might take time… but if you think he's the one, take that time. Time apart from your relationship is pretty nonnegotiable with the circumstances… but you can work on that until you talk to each other and work on rekindling the friendship." Paige said.

"So you think I should try to talk to him?" Kurt asked for clarification.

"I think that I can't tell you what to do, sweetie. But if you want to talk to him, then try to make it happen. All you can do is try." Paige kissed the top of his head and then added, "Just… make sure there is nothing edible or drinkable around."

"However," Taylor cleared her throat. "You know Blaine. And only you can judge when it's too soon. If he's unreceptive, back off. Forcing the situation will only make it worse which means it'll be longer before you two can talk it out."

"How am I supposed to know when it's too soon?"

"When he throws groceries at you." Taylor snorted, ducking when Paige went to jokingly smack her upside the back of her head.

"If it looks like you being there is hurting more than annoying, you should probably abort mission." Paige said, pulling Kurt's attention back to her.

"But don't leave angry. Don't turn it into a fight." Taylor added. "No matter how mad he is or what mean things he says, you have to be impossibly sweet."

Paige arched her eyebrow.

"Because it drives them crazy." Taylor said. "Ugh. When we were fighting like that it was great when she'd argue back. But when she didn't, that's what made me think, 'Oh maybe she's not as much of a heartless bitch' as I thought she was."

"Taylor!" Paige exclaimed.

"Oh, you know I wasn't really feeling that way." Taylor rolled her eyes. "Point is, once he starts second guessing what a horrible person you are, he'll probably either want to fuck you—which will either end in a relationship again or never seeing each other or it will make him want to just 'clear the air' which is basically a really long way of getting back together. Don't listen to her, okay? She had one girlfriend before me and they were like 14 or 15."

"Oh and you had so many girlfriends before we met a few years later? Sweetheart, no." Paige shook her head. "You just can't stand that for once, it's me that Kurt can relate to because I'm the one that did the big fuck up. Sorry, sweetie. You may be part of the Hummel family now but the ability to fuck stuff up—that's genetics."

Kurt stared at them.

"But the great thing is, Hummels are great at fixing their fuck ups." Paige said. "So, Kurt, you will be fine. You're just going to have to learn patience. If it's worth it to you, and it's meant to be, you'll get back together. If not, at least you will know in your heart that you really tried to make it work."

"And then what?" Kurt asked, looking between them.

"You find someone else and have a chance to start fresh." Paige frowned.

"Or you join a cult and start worshiping cats. There are great websites I can give you to—."

"Taylor, shut up." Paige rolled her eyes. "Kurt, I am so sorry I brought her into your life."

"Do they have cults that worship dogs?" Kurt asked.

"I will find some especially for you." Taylor hugged him tightly and ruffled his hair. "Because you're my favoritest nephew ever."

"I'm your only nephew." Kurt pointed out.

"The odds were ever in your favor." Taylor said dramatically.

"She's been rereading the Hunger Games again." Paige sighed, shaking her head. "She keeps dramatically explaining how she's leaving me for a three way relationship with Katniss and Peeta. It was funny the first few times but the more she says it, the more I'm convinced she believes it."

Kurt laughed loudly, feeling himself beginning to cheer up.

Maybe they were both right. It was worth it to at least try to fix what he and Blaine had—even if it meant building back up from the beginning. He wanted to. He wasn't sure if he was ready quite yet but really, when was he going to be ready for something like that?

It probably wouldn't be a blissful experience, sure. But if it were a step in the right direction… it would be worth it.

Kurt knew they weren't ready to date at the moment. There were too many discrepancies over why they'd broke up, they had communication issues, and Blaine had his trust issues. There were countless things that needed to be worked on before getting back into a relationship. And his aunts were right. It would probably take a lot of time.

But all Kurt had was time and if he and Blaine made it work… it was worth all the time in the world.

…

"Uhm…. Blaine?"

Blaine, who had been running with Adrian but was now walking with him the second day back from his Canada trip, looked confused.

Adrian nodded towards Blaine's small house. Kurt was there.

Kurt was there.

Blaine blinked, looking again. Yes. Kurt was still there.

"Do you… want me to stay?" Adrian asked, looking like he wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do. "Or… get rid of him? Or something?"

"It's fine." Blaine said, feeling his stomach knot up with nerves. Feeling blood start to rush through his veins as he became angry. Feeling his heart falling to his stomach because Kurt was still so beautiful, damnit, and it wasn't fair because Blaine had been doing so well. He had been doing so well and now here Kurt was and Blaine just knew… just knew he was going to be back at square one.

This is why he'd been ignoring Kurt's calls, messages, and emails since April. And now, all these weeks later, and Kurt was forcing him into contact. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. He'd thought offhandedly what he would do if he ever ran into Kurt like this. It hadn't prepared him for it, though. Any words he thought would be good left his mind completely.

Instead, he just stood at the end of the driveway, staring at Kurt as Adrian left.

"Blaine…" Kurt approached him, looking as anxious as Blaine felt.

"No." Blaine shook his head. "Don't."

"I came to—."

"I don't care why you're here." Blaine was surprised by how soft his voice was. "Just don't. Go."

"I'm not leaving until I say what I need to say."

"Then say it to the front door." Blaine moved past him.

"Can I please come inside? We should talk, Blaine. I need to talk to you." Kurt pleaded.

"You just talked. And now I'm going inside. Bye."

"Blaine, please!" Kurt was surprised at how desperate he sounded.

Blaine halted.

"I made a mistake. I… I made a huge mistake."

Blaine turned slowly to look at Kurt, not speaking. He wasn't feeling bad for Kurt. He was pissed at him. Pissed at him for just showing up, making Blaine see him, making Blaine think about the break up.

"I ran out after you left that day, Blaine, but you were gone. And I tried to call you but you didn't answer. You didn't answer my texts or emails so I backed off because I thought it was what you wanted but I can't do that anymore. I'm sorry I had to come this way but I don't know how else to talk to you. I just want to talk!" Kurt sounded like he was about to cry.

"I didn't want to talk so you decided to come up here and force me to?"

"That isn't fair, Blaine." Kurt stepped onto the porch across from Blaine. "Can't we work on—."

"You ruined anything there was to work on. I was ready to work on it and you—you—." Blaine took a deep breath, his fist balling at his side.

"Please just let me talk."

"No! You don't get to come here and do this to me! You don't get to play the victim, act like you want to work on things when you never gave me that option!"

"You never talked to me!"

"You want to talk, Kurt?" Blaine asked, stepping closer. "I'll talk. You think you can waltz in here and talk me into taking you back because you made a mistake. It doesn't work that way because you gave up on us, Kurt! You s-said you were going to spend the rest of your life with me and then you—you fucking told me that we—that we were over! No! You can't come back in here and say you want me back! I couldn't eat! I couldn't sleep! I had to force myself up every day for three weeks to go to school! You aren't doing this to me again, Kurt. I think you need to leave!"

"I drove all the way here. I'm not leaving until we talk!"

"Fine. Let's talk about this. I dropped out of college to take care of you! I sat by your bedside before they fixed your lung. I watched your chest for two hours before you went back to surgery just to make sure you took one more breath. I was the last one to leave before the surgery, the first one to your bed after! And for that whole night I watched your chest too—just in case! Do you think I slept any for like four days? Because you're wrong if you do. I fed you, I dressed you, I carried you, I made sure your took all of medicine, I sat up every night after your coughing fits in case you needed me. I gave up my apartment, my family, my life. Everything I knew without one hesitation, Kurt. To be by your side so I could take care of your sorry ass. I drove hours to UK from Cincinnati for classes and work to be with you. I worked my ass off, Kurt, to get caught up praying—just praying that I'd get into any law school. I dealt with your melt downs over your design classes. I dealt with your sarcasm, your immaturity, your constant obliviousness to anything around you. You treated me like shit, Kurt! You never appreciated me! I was there! You never appreciated me, you never thanked me, you never saw past anything that didn't directly concern you!"

"I did so thank you! I did apologize! I did appreciate you!" Kurt whimpered, feeling worse with each word. "I hate how this always gets brought up!"

"Well this is me telling you how I feel. That's what you wanted, right?" Blaine asked. "I feel like you act like a selfish little boy because you never think of anyone but yourself."

"Then why did you leave UK?"

"Because before your attack you were different! Because I loved you and you asked me to stay! Because I would have done anything for you!" Blaine felt angry tears springing in his eyes. "I would have given up my life for you, Kurt. If I had been in that alley when those men attacked you, I'd gladly have taken every punch! If I could have been there when Karofsky was bullying you, I would have taken every slam into the locker—every name—even that awful kiss. In a heartbeat. If someone walked up right now with a gun, I would throw your ass to the ground and take a bullet for you. I would have given everything for you..." As he spoke, his words went from screams to barely audible whispers. "And you wouldn't have cared. You probably wouldn't even notice."

"Don't be ridiculous. Maybe it was really rough after my attack but before you left it was good, Blaine. I was going through a hard time and— Please. I love you. Come here. Please." Kurt whimpered, reaching out and touching Blaine's hand.

Blaine yanked his hand back roughly, stepping back. "Don't touch me!"

"Please…. I'm sorry. I w-want it, Blaine. I-I'd give up anything too. I want t-to hold your hand. I want to t-touch your hair and h-hug you and k-kiss you. I want y-you. I want you back, Blaine. P-please. You're all I want. You're everything to me."

"I'm nothing to you! Not if you could throw me away like that. Right now you just feel bad. And you should. You should feel bad because I didn't just lose you. I lost a family. Your family took me in as their own and I felt like I belonged. And then you just rip away the most important person in my life—you—and the only family I felt like I belonged in." Blaine spat. "Did you ever stop to think about why I'm here Kurt? Because Harvard Law is down there! See that white rooftop? That's my classroom building, Kurt! That is the school that I worked my ass off to get into! That is one of the most prestigious schools in the whole goddamn world. But what do you see?"

Kurt looked away, unable to see the hurt in Blaine's hazel eyes.

"You see something in the way of your happiness. You saw Harvard as competition. Something to pull me away from you, something keeping you from more Blaine time. I did my time when you were eighteen and half alive, Kurt. I put my whole life on hold for you when you were in the hospital, half alive and barely breathing. In bed at home, unable to move more than a few inches at a time. That is when I put in my time! You already decided you were going to Parsons and you just wanted me to wait around, or transfer to a school in New York, or maybe you didn't even factor me in at all."

"I told you to go where you wanted!"

"What, as long as it was on your approved list? What did you want?" Blaine exclaimed, angrily wiping his eyes. "I chose the school I wanted!"

"The way you—"

"This was your time to step up!" Blaine interrupted. "I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was six. I never stood in the way of CCAD, I told you that you couldn't go to any other grad school than Parsons. Would I have rather have you right by my side? Uh, yeah. But I wanted you to be happy, okay? I wanted you happy and healthy and I know that Parsons will make you happy! But you—you couldn't handle the distance. The one time I could have used support, you were too worried about your feelings! You have your dad, Carole, Finn, your grandparents, your aunts, Alec, Rachel, Mercedes… I have David and Wes. That's who I have. David and Wes. You've got all of these people but I had three… and now I don't even have you."

Kurt didn't speak, looking at Blaine with teary eyes.

"The important thing here is that I tried to go after my dream and you tell me you can't take it anymore. It's too hard. It's too hard to let me do something that makes me happy. You didn't care that I took seven classes for three semesters to get caught up after dropping out to take care of you so I could get into a good law school. I got into Harvard and I loved it but you think the distance is too hard to deal with because you wanted to see me more, be with me more. Phone conversations aren't enough. Why can't I be happy? Why can't you take my feelings into consideration for once?"

"You're trying to turn it into me being the bad guy! You're not taking my feelings into consideration either! And you weren't when you went away the way you did!" Kurt began to cry. "It was both of our faults! I may have ended it but there was a reason. We weren't communicating about anything, Blaine. I was sick of crying over you, over what we've become since you left! I am very proud of you for making it! I want you to be happy! But how could we be happy with our relationship the way it was?"

"You're defending yourself. Why are you here?" Blaine exclaimed.

"I want to work on things. I want to see you. I miss you, Blaine. I wish you'd give us another chance… I love you."

Blaine gave a sarcastic smile. "Well I wish I had never taken time off of school to stay with you. You should have fucking gone to New York for your undergrad degree because clearly I can't make you happy. Maybe if you had left in the first place, we wouldn't be going through this and I wouldn't have to feel like I'm dying!"

"Please stop saying things you don't mean! You don't mean that!" Kurt cried.

"Kurt, you should leave because if you don't I'm going to say something that I 100% mean."

"Just say it and maybe we can get everything out there and we can work on—."

Blaine wiped his eyes. "You promised me time and time again that you'd never leave me and I trusted you. I thought there were three people I would always have—you, David, and Wes. But you lied, Kurt. What you did hurt more than what my parents did because at least I always knew it was coming from them. But you… I had no idea it was even coming. I'm so stupid that I wanted to even work it out with you… Now I just I wish I had never met you."

Kurt's heart stopped. It really did.

"I think you should go. I can't, Kurt. I can't." Blaine whispered, looking down at his shoes.

Kurt stepped up, pressing a kiss to Blaine's cheek. He then leaned in, whispering in his ear. "I am so sorry that you feel that way. I'll give you time but I'm not backing down."

Blaine pulled back and choked out, "Go."

Kurt walked back to the driveway and turned his eyes on Blaine.

"Just go." Blaine said, trying his hardest to sound composed when Kurt could literally see Blaine's world crumbling around him… again. "Please."

"I'm sorry." Kurt whispered before going to his car.

Blaine turned, slamming the door shut and sliding down it. He put his hand over his mouth, letting out several loud sobs that shook his entire body.

"Blaine? Blaine, what's wrong?"

Blaine, who had expected the house to be empty, looked up as AJ dropped down by him. All he could do was shake his head as he sobbed.

"Did someone die? Are you hurt?" AJ asked. "Who was that shouting?"

Blaine didn't speak.

"Calm down. Calm down, it's okay." She said, patting his head hesitantly. They didn't know each other very well yet, but she wanted to comfort him somehow.

He stood, stumbling towards his room.

AJ bit her lip and picked Blaine's iPhone off of the end table where he had put it before going on his run with Adrian. She then flipped through his contacts, pushing Wes' name.

"It's… not Blaine. It's AJ… If you're not waiting for a class, I think you need to come home." AJ said. "It's Blaine."

***LTC***

"I can't believe you went to see him." Alec said two days later, setting boxes down in his bedroom. He and Eric were on their last day moving into their new house just outside of New York City. Well, really, Eric was on their last day moving because Alec stopped Kurt every time he got a chance to talk—and every time he got a chance meant every time Eric was busy getting more boxes off of the truck or out of Alec's car.

"Where do you want this one?" Kurt asked as Eric walked in with a bigger one.

"There is fine." Alec waited until Eric had left before whispering, "So what happened exactly?"

"Alec! Just because I'm older and have bigger muscles doesn't mean I have to do it all!" Eric poked his head back in. "The Kurt and Blaine drama will still be there when the last load is in the house."

"Yes, father." Alec gave a sweet smile, making no move towards the door once Eric went out.

"I already told you." Kurt sighed, leaving to get another box. "I didn't really leave anything out."

"I just feel bad for both of you. And when in the hell did you decide you wanted him back? I'm your friend. You're supposed to tell me these things."

"Everyone keeps telling me to leave him alone and give him time, but I want to make it right." Kurt said. "I didn't tell you because you've already told me to not go see him."

"Well now that you did it anyway, I want to know what happened." Alec said. "Was there any moment where he looked like he wanted to get back together?"

"No. He went back and forth between pissed and hurt. When I left, I felt like the biggest asshole in the whole world. But… some of the things he said… I kind of don't think it'll ever…. I don't know if we'll ever be able to forget this and move on." Kurt frowned.

"You know he didn't mean those things he said." Alec said gently. "Especially about your…"

"Attack. It's okay. I told you, you can talk about it." Kurt grabbed a box that Eric handed him.

"Can you talk about it in fifteen minutes?" Eric huffed.

"God, go take a break. I'll finish." Alec snapped.

"Fine. It'll make up for the fifty you've taken over the last three days while I've worked." Eric snapped right back.

"Love you." Alec called as he hopped off of the U-Haul he was unpacking.

"Love you." Eric muttered.

Kurt looked down when Alec bumped Eric's shoulder but still caught the beginning of Eric's smile. How come his and Blaine's tiffs never ended with smiles and nudges?

Because you and Blaine don't snap at each other until you both explode.

"Sorry. He's stressing out." Alec apologized. "He's not been sleeping well. It's going to take him a while to get used to the noise."

"You don't have to keep apologizing." Kurt said ad then gave a teasing smile. "Plus, it's you he's getting short with. He even bought me an extra cookie at lunch."

Alec rolled his eyes. "He likes you…. Probably more than me today."

Kurt laughed a bit.

"But anyway. Back to Blaine."

Kurt resisted the urge to sigh. He'd been thinking about the big altercation with Blaine since it happened, but thinking about it was different than talking about it. Talking about it was exhausting.

"But, really… You want to get back with him?" Alec asked.

"I love him. I never stopped loving him." Kurt put down the boxes he had grabbed out of Alec's car and sat on the ground. "I've never wanted to be without him. I just hate… how it is." He paused and then corrected himself. "How it was, I guess."

"Alright." Alec sat down next to him. "But you broke up for a reason. What makes you think now all of a sudden you can just… start again and be okay? And don't say you'll be closer. You both are going to be too busy to travel."

Kurt frowned. He hadn't even thought it through completely himself. He didn't know how anything would ever work but that didn't mean he didn't want to try to take steps to… to what exactly? Be Blaine's friend? Get back together with him?

He just missed Blaine.

Honestly, it would have meant the world to him to just have a civil five sentence conversation with him. Because now their whole situation felt hopeless.

Kurt hadn't only given up his boyfriend. He'd also given up his best friend. Realistically, Rachel and Mercedes were his friends but they hadn't been close close in four years. Alec and he were very good friends. In fact, if you didn't count Blaine, Alec was probably Kurt's best friend.

Blaine, however, had been his best friend. They did everything together, laughed together, cried together, had fun, were sad, everything.

He couldn't even count the times he wanted to tell Blaine how he felt about something break up related, to get advice from his best friend, only to remember he no longer had one.

"I'm not trying to upset you… I'm just trying to get into your head and see your reasoning behind the whole thing." Alec watched Kurt.

"I don't know if there is any reasoning… I love him but I don't think it would work if we got back together. I just… right now, I can't stand how we ended. I never should have done it that way. There were things I should have done first, things I should have said ages ago when it was such a problem. Before it got this bad." Kurt sighed. "I feel really bad about how things turned out… but Blaine is at fault too. It's not just me. He has to know it. He shut me out for more than that big fight. He wasn't telling me what was going on with his life. I get being busy but we still should have been a priority. I feel like everyone thinks I'm the bad guy because I'm the one who broke it off but nobody understands what I'm feeling or what I went through. I was really… sad. I'm still really sad. I miss him and I wish things could be back to normal between us, like before he left for Harvard. And I wish that I had been able to handle it better. I really do. But I couldn't."

"The sucky thing is that…" Alec trailed off. "Never mind."

"No. What?" Kurt asked. "It's okay."

"I…. I think you two are too afraid to talk about what you really want because you don't want to upset each other, but it ends up getting way out of hand." Alec tried to explain. "And I think if that weren't the case… that you two would probably be together today."

"I can see how you'd think that."

"I also think its bullshit he was going to propose." Alec admitted.

Kurt's head shot up. What did that have to do with anything?

"He wasn't ready. Just because you want to get engaged doesn't mean he should run out and buy a ring. If he had proposed, you would have been stupid to accept it." Alec shrugged. "Sorry, that's how I feel. If he wants to pull the ring card, that's bullshit. He either would have proposed too soon and hated you for it in the end or he would have just had the damn box for ages."

Kurt frowned. "He didn't mention the ring when I visited."

"If he had his heart in proposing, that would have been the focus. Not taking care of you back then. It's kind of dumb to bring back a bunch of stuff from years ago when he could have brought up how you didn't talk about your true feelings about him leaving."

"It's not him leaving. It's how he left. Without any regard to how I would feel." Kurt protested. "If he had been up front I could have been ready for it. But he was just mean doing it that way. And his friends knew. His friends knew but not me? It's not like they came first but it was like he… trusted them and not me. That kills me. Maybe I shouldn't have been jealous but… who wouldn't be?"

"This is the kind of stuff you two should be arguing about. Not stuff from high school." Alec frowned. "Sorry, Kurt. Maybe it's not my place to say this stuff."

"I asked. Don't apologize."

"The point is that you're right. You're both at fault in your own ways. If you two are ever going to get together, you've got serious shit to work through."

Kurt sighed. "I know … and I know it's unrealistic that we get back together… at least now. But I do truly feel like he's the love of my life. I truly did want to marry him and have kids with him."

"But he didn't want it yet." Alec pointed out. "Which is something else to think about when you tell yourself you want to be in a relationship again."

"My aunts were talking about how we wouldn't just… get back together. It's going to have to be gradual." Kurt explained. "And that is great but at this point, I don't even see how that can happen. It's so frustrating."

"He'll come around enough to talk it through." Alec sighed. "I don't know how long it will take, but he'll eventually want to talk about the break up. You two were together too long to just… break up the way you did. You're both hurting and you both need to hear each other's thoughts… And I'm sure when that happens, you'll have more of an idea how to go about things… you may even decide it's not repairable."

Kurt scowled. "It has to be."

"Good attitude." Alec stood and picked up the box he'd been holding. "It'll be alright, Kurt. Don't dwell on that visit… Hopefully by the time you see him at that charity thing, it'll have blown over a little bit."

"Oh my God. I'll have to see him next month for that." Kurt groaned. "I should have thought of that before I went to see him, shouldn't I?"

"Nah." Alec whispered tiptoed into the bedroom so they could sit their boxes down. "Look at that goober sleep."

Kurt snorted.

Alec smiled a bit and left the room with Kurt, closing the door. "We'll sit the other boxes in the hallway for now. If we wake him up, he may kill us. I'm too cute to die."

Kurt forced a smile. "Was that the last of the boxes?"

"Yeah." Alec nodded. "Thanks again. We both really appreciate your help, Kurt."

Kurt's smile grew. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're here. Rachel's already getting on my nerves with all of the wedding planning and her auditions coming up and blah blah blah."

Alec grinned. "Well I promise to not talk about wedding planning because Eric and I are lazy and I suck at acting so no worries there."

Kurt laughed. "Thank God. Maybe that's why I like you so much."

"Are you okay?" Alec tilted his head, watching Kurt.

"I feel better than I did in some ways and worse in others… but I'm glad I went to see him regardless. I just…" Kurt trailed off momentarily. "I don't know how to explain it."

"Do you want to try?" Alec asked.

"I didn't know how I would feel going to see him. Ever since graduation I knew that I wanted him to be at all of these big moments. He wasn't there and I think it really hit me that he wasn't just back in Boston at school. That we're over and he won't be there when I start Parsons or get my first real job… I don't want him to miss my things and I don't want to miss his." Kurt looked down. "It sounds silly but the thought of him not around for big things or holidays or even small things… I just… I don't want to be without him. I don't want to have to miss him. I want him to be with me always."

"That doesn't sound silly, Kurt." Alec said gently. "That doesn't sound silly at all."

"Yeah?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah." Alec nodded. "That's how you're supposed to feel about the love of your life."

And the love of his life is exactly what Blaine was.