Blaine made his way into the coffee shop that Monday morning and told Bella at the counter that he was ordering his usual, along with a drink for someone named Kurt. He asked her to hold the order until he came. He then made his way to the far corner, pulled out his laptop, and began working.

His schedule had been hectic since classes started a couple weeks ago. Between that, his time at the hospital„and the extra time he spent volunteering, it was like he couldnt catch a break. Blaine looked forward to his quiet mornings away from school and the apartment. The time he was home was spent with his girlfriend. Blaine loved her, but he still needed time alone.

And the coffee shop seemed to be such a good place to spend time. He knew everyone that worked there. On mornings when the shop was empty, Bella would talk to him, and it felt good to talk to someone who didnt know him as well. She had nothing to judge. And then there was the boy that showed up a week ago. 

Blaine had never seen him before. It was like he came out of nowhere. All of a sudden he showed up every day. He was alone. He walked in, sat down with his cup of coffee, and like Blaine, enjoyed his time alone. Sure, Blaine usually took the time to catch up on homework, but this stranger just took the time to get lost in his thoughts. He had noticed Blaine. Every once in a while, Blaine would catch his eye and they would both look away, embarrassed. But there was something about those blue eyes...

He felt humiliated that Saturday, when he had made it obvious by looking at his table and seeing Kurt there with his friend. Girlfriend? He didnt know, nor his business. It was better to leave than linger. Why had Kurt confronted him? What did it matter to him? He didnt know Blaine. Even so, the gesture sparked something in Blaine that brought him to this moment, buying Kurt a drink.

It made Blaine smile, as he watched Kurt approach the counter. Bella glanced in Blaines direction and he gave a slight nod. Bella than asked, "Kurt?"

"Yes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"One moment," she made a drink and handed it to him. "On the house," she smiled.

Kurt turned around and caught Blaines eye. "More like on you," he said, marching over to Blaines table and setting the cup down. He dug into his bag and found his wallet. He began fumbling through it.

"Dont even bother," Blaine warned him. "I will walk away and leave that cash on the table for someone else to find."

This time, Kurts eyebrows nearly reached his hairline, "No, you wouldnt. Who does that?"

"Me," Blaine shrugged.

Hesitating, Kurt placed his wallet back in his bag and sat down. "What are you? So far, Ive collected that you buy coffee for strangers, and leave money on the table for strangers... Whos that generous to people they dont know?"

"I know you," Blaine replied. "Your name is Kurt, you really like coffee, and you enjoy spending time in your own mind." 

"Thats creepy," Kurt said quickly.

Blaine chuckled, "No, its not. I watch you sit by yourself drinking coffee every day, and you told me your name. It hardly counts as creepy. Its just a matter of observing. Youve observed that Im generous to strangers, and I like coffee so were even."

"Youre weird," Kurt commented.

"Also a good observation," Blaine replied, taking a sip of his drink. "I could also guess that you look about twenty. How accurate is that?"

"Your streak is over. Im twenty-three," Kurt nodded. "What are you, like, eighteen?"

"Your better at facts than guesswork," Blaine laughed. "Im a year younger than you."

"Twenty-two," Kurt concluded.

"See? Better with facts," Blaine noted. 

"Youre insane," Kurt said.

"Thats not a fact," Blaine shook his head. "If it were, I should be tested instead of testing."

"Testing?" Kurt asked curiously.

"Im in medical school. If Im going to be a doctor, Ill have to deal with insane people. I cant be the insane person," Blaine took another swig from his drink and stared at Kurt.  

"Blaine, twenty-two, medical school, kind to strangers, likes coffee and weird," Kurt counted on his fingers. "Well, now that I know six things about you, were halfway to being best friends."

"Not unless I knew six things about you," Blaine reminded him. It surprised Blaine how easy it was to carry a conversation with him.

"Kurt, twenty-three, likes coffee, sits alone," Kurt counted. "Shoot, Im behind. Okay, I just moved here from Ohio, and Im currently working at a diner to pay rent."

"My number seven is that Im also from Ohio," Blaine said. "Westerville. My number eight is that I went to Dalton Academy and pretty much led the Warblers to every show choir competition."

Kurts jaw dropped, "Lima, McKinley High. I was in the New Directions. We competed against the Warblers more than once. If you are only a year younger than me, that means weve competed before."

"Ah, so were natural enemies," Blaine snapped his fingers. "Darn, there goes the "twelve facts and were best friends" rule. I cant be friends with you at all." He rose from his seat.

"Would you stop," Kurt grabbed his arm and pulled him back down, laughing. "I almost transferred to Dalton, which means we would have been a team, so I think that cancels it out."

"Almost," Blaine winked. "Your number eight is telling me why you almost transferred and changed your mind."

Kurt hesitated, thinking his answer through. "I was bullied. I really wanted to go, but we couldnt afford it. My dad was offering to pay for tuition with the money he had saved for his honeymoon, because he had just gotten married, but i couldnt do that to him. He just had a heart attack, and he really needed the time away from everything. He runs a car shop, so its stressful enough. My step-brother and I ran the shop for a while, and I just accepted that high school was going to be miserable."

"I lost count," Blaine admitted.

"What?"

"You just told me, like, ten things," Blaine smiled.

"Im opening up to you, and thats all you can think about!" Kurt huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.".

"Im sorry," he apologized. "I really wish things had worked out for you. We could have been friends by now, and Id know a lot more than fifteen things about you."

"Im just glad to finally be away from Lima," Kurt said.

"Whyd you stay so long?"

"I wanted to go to NYADA, but I didnt get in," Kurt paused, before he said, "I went to community college for a year, and then my step-brother died... It was really hard on my family, and I couldnt leave. I stayed behind and helped my dad run his tire shop for a while. He knew how unhappy I was though, and finally told me I had to come here. So my boyfriend and I packed up one day and just came here."

"Oh," Blaine replied. It was so much to take in. What could he say? It wasnt like he knew Kurt. He didnt know how Kurt would handle what he said, or if hed say something wrong.

"Im sorry. I ramble when Im nervous," Kurt blushed.

"Dont be nervous," Blaine gave him a small smile. He reached out and touched Kurts hand. His skin felt so soft, so smooth. Blaine glanced up and met his eyes. To his surprise, Kurt smiled. "Why are you nervous?"

"I dont know," Kurt shrugged, pulling his hand away from Blaine. "I dont really know, and Im sitting here telling you all of my problems... Maybe you think im weird."

"Ill add it to my list of things I know about you," Blaine joked. When Kurts expression remained serious, Blaine said, "Look, I dont know you any better than you know me. You obviously seem to have a lot on your plate. If you just want an outsider to vent to, Im your guy. You can come sit here every morning, and I will listen to how terrible your last meal was or about a fight you had with your boyfriend... Whatever you like, without judgement.."

"Why are you so interested?" Kurt questioned.

Blaine shrugged, "You seem like a decent person carrying a burden. You know Im a sucker for helping strangers, so I want to help, if thats what you need from me."

"Im hardly a stranger anymore. You know too much," Kurt took a drink of his coffee. "Wed be best friends if I knew a little more about you."

"Now whos curious?"

"Spill," Kurt said.

"Do you have anywhere to be?" Blaine asked. Kurt shook his head, and he said, "Good. Come with me." He grabbed Kurts hand and led him out the door. On the sidewalk, he let go of Kurt and began walking, in hopes that Kurt would follow. 

"Should I be that trusting?" Kurt asked. "What if youre taking me somewhere dangerous?"

"I didnt poison your drink, did I?" Blaine asked, as Kurt took a drink.

He stared at the cup in his hands and said, "I dont know... Im starting to feel a little funny."

"Thats the nerves we talked about. Come on," Blaine urged, and to his delight, Kurt followed. They headed down the sidewalk and Blaine said, "Ive been in New York since I was eighteen. I know this place like the back of my hand."

"I wanted to come out of high school," Kurt said.

"But you didnt get in to NYADA, I get it," Blaine nodded. "I wish I could have gone to a place like NYADA. Music is something I hold close to my heart, but my parents wouldnt approve."

"Its your life," he commented.

"I know. My brother, Cooper, is an actor. My parents are so disappointed in him. My dad was about ready to disown him the day he came home with his first gig. " Blaine led Kurt through a busy crowd. People pushed in between then and Kurt reached for Blaines arm. "My parents are strict. They expect the best and its intimidating. Theyve had this goal set for me for years, and they made sure I applied to NYU."

"Good choice," Kurt released his tight grip on Blaines arm, as the crowd thinned.

"So I decided that I was going to medical school. Theyve planted the idea in my head for years that performing is a far-fetched dream, and Ill never be good enough. I need to have a future thats set in stone," Blaine said.

"Well, medical school is certainly more promising than Broadway or something," Kurt stumbled on the side of a curb and Blaine caught him. "My dads always encouraged me to follow my dreams though. I really want to get into Broadway, but fashions also a dream of mine. Im thinking, now that Im so far from NYADA, I really want to get into fashion."

"That helps your job search," Blaine smiled. "I wish I could have done something like that. But thats not the plan, and Im so far into it, that I dont know if i can change my plan now."

"You can always change your plan. Youre young," Kurt said. "You have plenty of time to discover who you are."

Blaine hesitated, unsure how much he should tell Kurt. There was so much he wasnt comfortable mentioning yet. He finally said, "I dont mind medical school. At least I can help people, and thats what I really want."

"But if youre not satisfied," Kurt continued.

"My girlfriend is looking for work on Broadway. Shes a really excellent performer/ Shes been auditioning for shows, and its really exciting for her. Its nice just watching her get the chance to live her dream," Blaine said, changing the subject. He wasnt sure it was something he wanted to talk about anymore.

"My glee club and I came to New York for Nationals my junior year. My best friend and I snuck into the Gershwin Theater and got a chance to sing on the stage. That was an incredible feeling. Broadway has always been her biggest dream, and that was the best moment of my life," The memory brought a smile to his face.

"Wanna do it again?" Blaine grinned. Just the thought of doing something unpredictable and daring sounded tempting to him.

"What?! No!" Kurt exclaimed. "Blaine, I was lucky I didnt get arrested for breaking into the Theater, I can not do that again."

Blaine continued to grin at him. It sounded like an incredible opportunity. Blaine was so used to being uptight all the time. He wanted the chance to let loose a little. "Come on, if youve done it before, you know how to get away with it again."

Kurt hesitated, placing his hands on his lips. "Blaine," he said.

"Kurt."

"No."

"Please?" Blaine gave him the best puppy eyes he could muster, and he could see Kurts own eyes melting before him. It worked. 

"I cant believe were doing this," Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Yes!" Blaine exclaimed, dodging toward the curb and hailing a cab. "You are officially my best friend."

Kurt paused, his expression frozen. He studied Blaine for the longest time, and then he smiled. "Ill take it," he said.

When they reached the Gershwin Theater, and Blaine stared at the front entrance, he started to regret suggesting this. "You know, we could get in to a lot of trouble for doing this. Im pretty sure my parents would kill me if I got arrested and blew my entire future just for this."

"Relax, Blaine, youre too uptight," Kurt nudged him with his elbow.

"I dont even know you. This could be a setup," Blaine suggested.

"Its not a setup! I wouldnt have time to plan a setup in the time that Ive known you," Kurt shook his head. "Come on, just go." He gave Blaine a push, and Blaine slowly reached for the handle.

"Its unlocked?" Blaine asked.

"Sure, people have to get to the box office," Kurt pushed him forward. "When my friend and I came in, we made it right to the stage and sang with no problem. The security guy was totally cool with it."

"What if he doesnt work here anymore? What if hes mean now?" Blaine raised an eyebrow.

"Well deal with it when we get there," Kurt said, still hovering behind Blaine.

"If we get arrested, we will no longer be best friends," Blaine said, pulling the door to the main hall open. It was eerily quiet, and no one seemed to be around at all.

"Come on," Kurt took his hand and ran down the aisle to the stage.

"This is insane," Blaine laughed.

"Hey!" a thunderous voice yelled from behind them and they froze. "What are you doing in here?"

Clearing his throat, Blaine gave the man the saddest eyes he could muster and said, "Im so sorry, sir. Its just that... my friend has a terrible disease, and hes been so sick for so long. This is the first hes ventured out of the hospital in quite some time. Its always been his dream to..." Blaine let his voice falter. He bowed his head, before he continued, "Hes always dreamed of singing on a Broadway stage, and we dont know if hell ever be able to now... We just thought - "

"Hmm..." the man hummed, and Blaine stopped talking. He continued to look as distressed as he could. Meanwhile, Kurt squirmed behind him, like he wasnt sure how to react, since he was suddenly diagnosed with a terrible sickness.

"Are you messing with me?" the man finally asked.

"Would it change your answer if I was?" Blaine said bluntly.

He continued to eye them suspiciously, but he couldnt seem to make up his mind. Finally, he said, "Ill give you ten minutes, but if youre not out of here by then, Ill make you leave."

"Thank you," Blaine smiled. "This means the world to us."

"You are the craziest person Ive ever met," Kurt laughed, as Blaine pulled him toward the stage.

Thank you," Blaine said. "What do you want to sing?"

"It was so thrilling to sing a song from Wicked last time, that I think I want to sing Defying Gravity," Kurt smiled. "But we dont have any music, and i might sound terrible without it." He reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He stood there a minute, looking for something. And then, the song began to play. Setting the phone on the edge of the stage, he smiled at Blaine and began singing, "something has changed within me, something it not the same."

He motioned Blaine to join him, and for a moment, Blaine couldnt. He was mesmerized by the angelic sound of Kurts voice. His eyes and his sweet face had been one thing, but to hear that sound come out of his mouth was haunting, in a good way.

Kurt finally took Blaines hand and dragged him to the center of the stage. Blaine stared out at the empty seats and felt overwhelmed. This was something he couldnt do. He had been told countless times that hed never make it to Broadway, or to have a music career. Being on that stage felt like a dream and Blaine felt his throat grow dry. He couldnt do it.

Taking a step back, he shook his head, and Kurt snatched his phone off the floor. He stopped the music and asked, "whats wrong?"

"I..." he paused. "This was a mistake." Blaine made his way to the edge of the stage and took off down the aisle in a hurry.

He heard Kurt call his name but continued out the door.

Blaine walked by the coffee shop the next morning. He paused by the window and glanced in. Kurt was sitting at his usual table, and Blaine hesitated. Part of him wanted to go in. The part of him that felt something flutter in his stomach every time he looked into those blue eyes. That morning he spent with Kurt had been something completely different. He had never done anything like that before, and it made him feel so alive.

But the other part of him, the one that knew this charade was too good to be true, made him take several steps away from the window. He couldnt be with Kurt. He knew his limitations. He knew that, despite the desires he tried so hard to hide, his feelings for Kurt would never work. He had a girlfriend. He had his life planned out. he never should have skipped his class to fake a silly dream on a stage. It would be wrong to let someone he hardly knew step in and ruin this for him.

He had to stay away.

Friday came, and Blaine finally returned to the coffee shop. He had tried so hard to fight the desire to return all that week, but he couldnt anymore. He had enjoyed his morning with Kurt, and Blaine couldnt leave him hanging any longer.

"Hi," he said, sitting down at Kurts table.

Kurt jumped, startled by the action. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

"Im sorry for running out on you the other day," Blaine said, staring down at his drink. "Ive just got a lot on my mind, and its been a weird couple of weeks... Can I make it up to you?"

"You dont have somewhere to be today?" Kurt asked.

"I usually volunteer at the hospital on Friday mornings, but I can make an exception. I want to make it up to you... I already missed my class Monday morning, I planned on making it a sick day with you, until I ran out." He reached out across the table and grabbed Kurts hand. When Kurt looked up at his touch, Blaine said, "I like you, Kurt. I dont know you that well, but I think we could be friends."

"I could use a friend," Kurt admitted sadly.

"Then, as my friend, can you understand that Im dealing with a lot right now, and I might need space sometimes?" he said into those blue eyes. Blaine felt his nerves kick in, but he forced himself not to look away.

"Sure, Blaine, I understand," Kurt nodded. "I also understand that your time volunteering must be important to you. Im not going to keep you from it." He reached into his bag and pulled out a pen. "Come here," he pulled Blaines hand closer and wrote down his phone number.

"You know, I could have just let you put that in my phone," Blaine suggested.

Kurt shrugged, "were taking things slow." He smiled and placed the pen back in his bag. "Ive got to get to work anyway. Id like to spend more time with you... Call me when youre free. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat or something, but only if youre ready to."

"Thanks, Kurt," Blaine said. "Ill see you later."

"See you, friend," Kurt smiled.