Blaine is true to his word: he does give Kurt an adventure.

Over the next two weeks Blaine takes Kurt to all the places he loves in New York, to all the parks and sights and coffee shops and clothing stores; brings him to his work whenever he can and whenever Kurt can be of help with his sessions. He teaches Kurt how to cook so they can make dinner together, shows him how to use the Internet and the television -- both things that are very much overwhelming -- and when he has to go to work alone one day, he tentatively suggests that Kurt could go out with Tina, to talk about clothes and fabrics and anything else.

Tina herself has no objections to getting to know Kurt better. Apparently she loves meeting new people, especially friends of a friend, and so Kurt has lunch with her one day when Blaine is at work. He goes to Tinas and Mikes apartment, and Tina makes them Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The food is good, but the conversation is a bit awkward at first, since Kurt cant exactly talk about where hes from and why hes staying in New York, not honestly at least.

He is good at coming up with plausible stories that wont make people think hes insane, but its still... awkward. Its not like he particularly likes lying.

Theyve exhausted the common pleasantries way too soon, the air quiet and uncomfortable between them, when Tina looks up from her salad, biting her lip.

"Kurt," she says, pushing a crouton around on her plate. "Can I ask you something a bit more... personal?"

Kurt blinks, his own hands freezing above the table. "Um," he stutters, "sure?"

Tina places her utensils down. "Remember that prince costume you were wearing the first time we met?"

Kurt swallows roughly but nods anyway, practically feeling how his skin breaks out in a nervous sweat. Here it comes, the one question he cant answer. He still remembers the confused and concerned way Blaine looked at him the first time they met, and though Tina seems nice, he really cant expect her to be as understanding and patient as Blaine.

Tina leans closer to him, her long hair almost falling over her plate. "Can you tell me how you made it?" she says urgently. "Please? It was so amazing, and I havent been able to stop thinking about it ever since, and if you have any tricks for making something like that and you wouldnt mind sharing them..."

Kurt blinks again and then laughs out loud, his shoulders relaxing. "What do you want to know?"

Tina is nice. Shes witty and funny, sometimes perhaps a bit too judgmental, but she loves to talk about her work, about anything really, and something in her passion reminds Kurt of Rachel in the best possible way. She shows Kurt second-hand stores even Blaine doesnt know about, and introduces him to a few people she knows from the theatre - like Elliott, who works in the costume department as well and has an amazing sense of style. Kurt has to sketch down countless of new ideas only after meeting him for the first time, and sometimes he cant help but wonder if this couldve been his life, had the universe been different -- if he would be making costumes for others from the scratch as well, sewing individual feathers into a dress until his fingers were sore and almost bleeding, and still loving every minute of it.

Tina and Elliott, and even Mike, whom Kurt bumps into every now and then, are all wonderful, and with them Kurt has something to do when Blaine cant be with him. He still spends most of his time with Blaine, though, just because Blaine is... well, Blaine. Blaine knows about Kingleysia, knows more about Kurt than anyone else, and is quickly becoming Kurts best friend. But with all these new people in his life he can have more adventures and doesnt just end up sitting on Blaines couch for days, reading magazines or books, even though he enjoys that as well.

Kurt feels... freer in here, in some odd way. He doesnt know the city that well, not yet, but he does know several people who do, and that means he can go almost anywhere he likes, can take his time exploring everything.

The same doesnt work in Kingleysia where he has schedules and official meetings and not enough time for himself. His life isnt so confined and measured in here, or dictated by different regulations and the needs of others. And New York itself is amazing -- pushing and pulsing around him as if its breathing everything in and talking to Kurt. Its easy to understand why Blaine and everyone else talk about the city as if its a person, with its own character and rhythm.

Its easy to understand why Rachel thought this would be a good place for his adventure.

Kurt no longer wakes up in the mornings disoriented or wishing that he was back in Kingleysia. Instead he smiles at the cracked ceiling above him and wonders what new experience will wait for him today. Of course he misses his family and his friends -- his hand still unconsciously presses against his brooch at least three times a day, hoping to feel something, some sense of warmth or magic to let him know that Kingleysia is still there.

But the brooch stays cold, and theres an adventure waiting for him.

Its a sunny morning on a Friday, and Kurt is standing in Blaines small kitchen, measuring coffee beans. He has quickly developed an addiction to coffee, even though he almost spit it out of his mouth the first time Blaine urged him to try it. But that drink is damn addictive. Kurt has no idea how he has survived in Kingleysia without it.

The coffee machine is a lot easier to handle than the television. Kurt is usually awake before Blaine, the sunlight from the big living room window waking him up at dawn, so he has started to make coffee every morning as a small thank-you for everything Blaine has done for him. Hes learned how Blaine takes his coffee by now - normally black with a bit of sugar, sometimes all that plus a dash of cinnamon -- and every morning when Blaine wakes up and smells the fresh coffee, the surprised and soft smile on his face makes Kurts insides flutter in the most peculiar way.

And as long as Blaine gives him that smile, Kurt will happily make coffee for him in the mornings.

He has just poured the fresh coffee into two mugs, into a plain white one with a school crest on it that Blaine uses and a bright blue cup Kurt has been using for several days already, when he hears the soft padding of Blaines feet from the living room. In Kingleysia Kurt was used to waking up alone in his room at the castle, with only the distant sounds of the servants doing their morning chores to keep him company. Its somehow more comforting to know that he has actual company.

"You dont have to do that, you know," Blaine comments, his voice still gravelly and deep from sleep, but Kurt can clearly hear the smile in it.

"I know," he replies with a grin as he looks over his shoulder. "But I want to."

Blaine is standing in the middle of the living room, blinking his eyes sleepily in the bright morning light. His curls are pointing in every direction and falling over his forehead at the front, and theres even an imprint of a pillow crease on his cheek. Hes only wearing a thin tank-top and a pair of pajama pants that are hanging low on his hips, their legs obviously a bit too long for him with the way they cover his feet. His bare arms look wiry and strong, the muscles and angles of his body clearly visible, and Kurt swallows roughly, his cheeks feeling warm all of a sudden.

Blaine looks so soft and comfortable, so welcoming and... familiar in some odd way, and out of nowhere Kurt gets the urge to close the distance between them, to bury his hands in Blaines curls, pull him against his own body and just kiss those lips of his, that mouth that smiles at him every morning in a way that makes Kurt feel like theres actually something special and magical about him that only Blaine can see.

And thats...

Its too much, way too much, and Kurt turns back to the coffee, his blush burning his whole face. He has no idea where that urge came from or what it means, but he knows that now that he had it, it refuses to go away, even though hes not even looking at Blaine anymore.

He has felt the need to touch Blaine before, feels it every time he sees the sadness in Blaines eyes or hears the way his voice gets quiet and unsure when he talks about love, and even thats odd in itself. Kurt is not a tactile person. He loves hugging his dad and can easily accept the casual pat on the shoulder from Finn, but he doesnt initiate touches. With Blaine, however, he feels like hes always reaching out to him, always ready to touch his shoulder or knee or arm or back, and when Blaine was upset after his break-up it felt completely natural to hold him in his arms.

But kissing. Hes never felt the urge to kiss Blaine before. And all those strange feelings he has, the butterflies in his stomach and the warmth he feels in his chest whenever Blaine smiles... It would be so easy to say that its love. That somehow Kurt Hummel, the prince of Kingleysia, is falling in love with Blaine Anderson, a music therapist from New York City. Except it makes no sense, because Kurt is not in Kingleysia anymore and love doesnt work the same way in here as it does back home. Blaine doesnt believe in true love, hes said it himself, and falling in love with him is just impossible. Theyre from two different worlds.

How can you fall in love with someone who cant love you back the same way? True love doesnt work that way. Its all about reciprocity, so people can be truly happy. Thats what Kurt has been taught his whole life.

He stares into the brown liquid in his coffee cup. He can almost sense Blaine walking around the living room behind him, pulling the curtains back and opening the window to let some fresh air in, and Kurts heart constricts painfully in his chest. He has no idea whats going on. It makes no sense to him, and for the first time in his life he realizes how complicated and messy love and everything related to it can actually feel like.

"Cinnamon this morning?" Blaine calls out, the smile still evident in his voice. "Or just sugar?"

Kurt startles from his thoughts and grabs Blaines mug. The coffee must be lukewarm already, but at least its not scalding. Kurt learned the trouble with scalding coffee the hard way.

"Cinnamon." He takes a better hold of the mug. "I thought that since its Friday you could use some--"

He turns around, only to bump right into Blaine, who was standing a lot closer than he expected. Both of their eyes widen in surprise, and the mug in Kurts hand hits Blaine right in the chest, the coffee sloshing over the mugs edge with the movement and soaking the front of Blaines tank-top immediately.

"Oh my god!" Kurt jumps back, quickly putting the mug back on the kitchen counter and reaching for the paper towels. "Oh my god, Im so sorry, I didnt see you there and I thought you were in the living room, Im so sorry--"

"Its fine, dont worry about it," Blaine says, taking the paper towels from Kurt and dabbing his shirt with them. "At least it wasnt burning hot?" he adds, flashing a smile at Kurt.

The brown stain is stark against the gray fabric, and Kurt barely manages to stop himself from trying to dry it as well. He has a vision of his own hands against Blaines chest, separated only by the thin and wet layer of the tank-top, and can practically feel his blush deepening.

What on earth is wrong with him this morning?

Blaine frowns down at his shirt for a moment and then looks up, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, I was going to wash this shirt today anyway. At least now Ill really get it done."

"But you just took that shirt out yesterday," Kurt blurts out. Blaines eyebrows go up in surprise, and Kurt quickly backtracks. "I-- I pay close attention to clothes. I mean, to your clothes as well."

"Oh." Blaine blinks, his eyebrows dropping back down again. "Well, I can still wash it today." He touches Kurts arm briefly, the touch sending shivers down Kurts whole body. "Really, dont worry about it. Its just a shirt."

"You shouldnt talk about clothes like that in my presence," Kurt jokes feebly.

Blaine lets out a laugh. "Sorry", he says and steps away from Kurt, raising his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Ill go change, and then we can have breakfast and talk about what plans we have for today, okay?"

"Okay," Kurt replies.

Blaine turns around and starts walking back towards his bedroom, throwing one last smile at Kurt over his shoulder. When he reaches the doorway hes already pulling the tank-top over his head, revealing even more skin. He apparently doesnt even care that hes still in clear view, the motions of his body casual and natural, relaxed in a way thats miles away from the way Kurt himself is feeling right now, and Kurts mouth goes dry at the sight.

Blaines back muscles look taut and strong, flexing with the movement of his arms as he pulls the shirt higher, his sun-kissed skin almost glowing in the morning sunlight coming in from the window. Kurts own body feels like its on fire as his eyes follow the way Blaines shoulders taper down to his tiny waist, contrasts and lines Kurt could spend hours drawing, and he just-- He just wants to touch, wants to ask Blaine to stop right there, wants to have the permission to walk up to him and let his hands explore every inch of Blaines body.

Blaine disappears into the bedroom, and Kurt stumbles backwards, the small of his back hitting the kitchen counter. Hes-- He has never felt like this before. Of course he has looked at some of the men in Kingleysia and thought that they looked handsome, has blushingly read the few books about sex and the physical side of love he managed to find in the castle library when he was a teenager; but he has never felt this need, this want, this overwhelming desire to be so close to someone that theres nothing between their bodies, not even air.

And its not just Blaines body, its not just his angles and skin and curves, as lovely as they are. Its everything about Blaine -- the way he laughs at Kurts jokes, the way his long fingers move over the strings of his guitar, the way his eyes light up when he talks about his job and the kids he works with, the way he tries so desperately to help everyone and make everyone else happy that he almost seems to forget his own happiness in the process. Its the way Blaine smiles at Kurt in the mornings when its just the two of them sitting on the fire escape, or the way he grins at Kurt when theyre at the community center surrounded by singing kids.

Its the way he makes Kurts heart beat faster and louder whenever theyre together, and the way Kurt misses him when theyre apart. Its the aching feeling of being finally home.

But it cant be. Its impossible.

---

"--and then Rosario suggested that we should just cover the tear with a different fabric, as if no one would notice a stretch of different fabric shining through at the back of the costume. I almost threw my pair of scissors at her, if you can... Kurt, are you even listening to me?"

Kurt startles from his thoughts when Tina waves her hand in front of his face. He almost drops the second-hand scarf in his hands -- a beautiful delicate thing with tiny pictures of birds and skulls crisscrossing across the dark fabric, the whole pattern looking like something abstract and nonsensical when seen from afar -- but it only slips across his fingers a little until he manages to close his hand around it, careful not to stretch the fabric.

The confused thoughts about Blaine and true love scatter immediately, pushed to the back of his mind again.

"Sorry," he says, flashing a small smile at Tina. "I was thinking of something else."

Tina tilts her head in question, her expression worried. "You looked like you were in a whole other world for a moment there. Everything okay?"

Kurt unconsciously touches the brooch on his chest, the golden surface still and cold beneath his palm. "Yeah, everythings fine," he lies. "Just got lost in my thoughts. Are you going to get this scarf? Because you should."

Tina purses her lips. "Mike says I have enough scarves already."

"How dare he!" Kurt gasps. "You can never have enough scarves."

Tina laughs. "Youre absolutely right -- but we did promise that we would save money for our honeymoon." She takes the scarf from Kurts hands and folds it gently. "And Im afraid getting the honeymoon of our dreams with my husband is more important to me than a pretty scarf. Even though it is exceptionally pretty," she adds, mournfully glancing at the scarf one last time.

Kurt coos, placing his hand over his heart. His inner romantic loves it when Tina talks about her fiancé. "Tina, that is so-- You two are really it, arent you?"

Tina shrugs, but Kurt can tell that shes blushing. "We wouldnt be getting married if we didnt think we were." She moves on to the next rack, her hands sliding over the coats in it. Kurt likes the way Tina touches clothes -- appreciatively, as if theyre works of art. "I mean, who knows what will happen in the future," Tina goes on, "but for the last five years he has been the love of my life, and I cant see that changing anytime soon."

Kurt smiles, following Tina through the store, breathing in the sweet, musky scent of old clothes and accessories. "How does Blaine feel about your marriage?" he cant help but ask, looking away so Tina cant see his expression.

"Hes been really supportive and happy, of course." Tina stops and turns to look at Kurt, narrowing her eyes. "Why? Why do you ask? Has he said something?"

"No, nothing," Kurt rushes to say, "just, I thought-- with his attitude towards love and so on..."

"Oh." Tina blinks her eyes once. "Hes talked to you about that?" she asks, and then immediately shakes her head, her shoulders slumping down. "What am I saying, of course hes talked to you about it..."

Kurt fiddles with the cuffs of the coat right next to him in the rack, swallowing against the uncomfortable lump in his throat.

Tina sighs. "He wasnt always like that, you know." She is looking at something behind Kurts shoulder, her eyes somewhere far away.

Kurt freezes. He thinks about Blaine clinging to him, barely able to speak through his tears, remembers the words I wanted to find my true love whispered against his chest. "He wasnt?"

Tina shakes her head again. "No, he was... He was a lot like me, actually, when it comes to love. Like us, I suppose." She lets out a small laugh. "All hopeful and believing, singing about his feelings and wearing his heart out on his sleeve. He was so impulsive and overdramatic sometimes that it wouldve been so easy to call it foolish, but somehow Blaine always made his grand romantic gestures seem thoughtful. You havent known him that long, have you?" she says, finally looking at Kurt.

"Not that long." Kurt presses his hand against his brooch again, more in a gesture of nervousness than anything else, his thoughts running in circles at the mental image of Blaine doing some sort of a grand romantic gesture -- serenading his true love in public, or shouting their name from the rooftops. It doesnt actually seem that far-fetched. "Even though it sometimes feels like Ive known him for-- for a longer time."

Tina shrugs and starts riffling through the coats again. "Hes a lot more careful these days. A lot more... reserved." Her hands stop at a dark red blazer, something Kurt could see Blaine wearing. "I think you might be good for him, though," Tina adds, her voice purposefully nonchalant.

Kurt frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he seems a lot more open when hes with you, for starters." Tina flicks her hair over her shoulder. She lets go of the blazer, sliding it back into the rack with the others and turning to face Kurt again. "I havent seen him smile like that in..."

She trails off, a worried furrow appearing between her brows. Shes quiet for so long that Kurt starts to feel uncomfortable, shifting on his feet and glancing around the store. Theyre practically the only customers there - there is an older gentleman with a worn-out suit going through the ties and bowties near the back, and a small group of teenage girls is gathered around a table full of old records, but other than that the store is completely empty. Even the cashier seems to have disappeared into the backroom for a moment.

"Tina?" Kurt ventures. "Im kind of expecting a full sentence to emerge at some point."

"I was just trying to remember the last time I saw Blaine smile," Tina replies, the furrow on her forehead deepening. "Really smile, I mean -- hes Blaine, hes almost always smiling in one way or another, but its been a long time since I saw him... beam the way he used to. With his eyes all squinty and his eyebrows doing that weird pointy triangle thing?" She makes a vague gesture near her own eyes, turning to look at Kurt. "Have you seen him do that?"

Kurt blinks, surprised, but-- "Y-yes?" he tries, going through the catalogue of Blaines different smiles he has in his head, and honestly, when did he even start collecting them like this? "Ive seen him smile like that. I think."

"Exactly!" Tina points at him, something almost scary or manic in her eyes. She really does remind Kurt of Rachel sometimes. "And I saw him smile like that as well, on that day Mike and I bumped into you for the first time." She drops her hand. "I hadnt seen him smile like that in... god knows how long. Not after... Well, after that one time we went to sing karaoke and--" She shakes her head, as if suddenly realizing what shes about to say. "Never mind. Anyway, thats why I think youre good for him," she finishes.

Kurt blinks again, standing carefully still in case Tina starts pointing at him again. Her finger did come scarily close to his nose.

"Because you make him smile for real," Tina adds, turning away with a shrug, her hands already reaching for the coats again. "I cant remember Nathan ever making him smile like that," she mutters under her breath.

"Not Nathans biggest fan, then?" Kurt cant help but ask.

Tina shrugs, a sharp movement of her shoulders that makes her long hair bounce a little. "Hes alright as a person. I just dont think he and Blaine are right for each other. I dont think Nathan really cares about anyone or anything."

"You must be glad that they broke up," Kurt says, his voice coming out a little brittle. The words ‘broke up still feel strange in his mouth, like something he still cant quite understand, but not as strange as Tina casually trashing Blaines ex-boyfriend when even Blaine himself hasnt said anything mean about Nathan.

Next to him Tina freezes. She turns around slowly, her upper body staying unnaturally still.

"What do you mean, ‘they broke up?" Tina asks, drawing out the words, her eyes narrowing.

Kurt raises his eyebrows in question. "That they broke up? Isnt that the correct expression?" he asks, suddenly wondering if the words mean something different in different dialects. He knows from experience that talking to people from different parts of Kingleysia can sometimes be very confusing, and he never thought to ask Blaine if the same is true for New York as well.

"Kurt, please dont start with that attitude right now." Tina points at him again, her expression severe, and okay, no dialect problem then. "How long have they been broken up?"

The weird part is that Kurt doesnt even have to think about his answer; apparently smiles are not the only thing about Blaine he has memorized. "Over two weeks by now? Yeah, itll be three weeks next Monday."

Tina takes a deep breath. Her eyes are blazing, hands clenched into fists, and Kurt automatically takes a step away from her. The teenage girls burst into loud giggles on the other side of the store, but Tina doesnt even react.

"Were leaving," Tina says after a moment, turning on her heels and walking towards the entrance. Kurt hesitates for a few seconds and then follows her, keeping a careful distance between them. He can handle Rachel Berrys dramatics just fine, but those of Tina Cohen-Chang are still completely new to him.

---

They reach Blaines apartment just as Blaine himself is putting his key into the lock on his door, guitar case on the floor next to his feet and a crinkly paper bag clasped in his hand. He looks up when he hears Tinas thundering footsteps, his face immediately breaking into a smile, and oh, there it is again, that grin that makes Kurts heart do all sorts of funny things.

"Hey, you two!" Blaine greets them, pushing the door open. "Youre right on time -- I bought some extra croissants from the bakery on my way home, so we can share if-- Tina?"

Tina marches up to him, stopping only when she almost knocks Blaines guitar case over. "Did you and Nathan break up?" she blurts out, leaning into Blaines personal space and staring right into his eyes.

Blaine startles, the paper bag falling from his hand and hitting the floor with a small thud. "W-what?"

"Did you and Nathan break up?" Tina repeats, her voice going slightly softer at the look on Blaines face.

"How did you find out about that?" Blaine asks, his shoulders tensing, and Kurt can tell from his expression that hes closing up again, pulling away.

"Thats my fault," he pipes up, stepping closer. Blaines eyes snap to him. "I mentioned it to Tina when we were out shopping. I-- Im so sorry, Blaine. I wasnt thinking, and I assumed Tina knew about it already," he rushes out.

Blaine opens his mouth a few times, looking between the two of them. "Its-- Its fine," he says eventually, running his hand through his hair. "Can we... Can we just take this conversation inside? Please?"

Kurt swallows. Its obviously not fine, judging from the way Blaines expression has closed off. Even Tina seems to realize that her harsh approach wasnt probably the best idea, and when she steps into the apartment she touches Blaines arm for a moment, as if in apology. Kurt comes closer, bending his head to meet Blaines eyes.

"Blaine," he says in a low voice, hoping that Tina doesnt hear them, "Im so sorry, I didnt mean to overstep or anything -- we were just talking about something else and I accidentally let it slip and..." He bites his lip, searching Blaines face. He looks overwhelmed and surprised more than anything else, but its obvious hes not exactly happy about this turn of events either. "Do you-- Do you want me to leave you two alone?" Kurt asks, glancing towards the apartment. Tina is sitting on the couch, fiddling with her handbag.

Blaine sighs, his hand going to his hair again. "No, its... You dont have to go. You might as well be present for this." He bends down to pick up the paper bag, now even crinklier than before, and hands it to Kurt before taking his guitar case. "I had completely forgot to tell her about me and Nathan, what with everything else going on, and..."

He looks troubled, and Kurt instinctively reaches out, only hesitating for a moment before he touches Blaines arm, letting his hand linger for a few seconds too long.

"Im sorry," he says again.

Blaine shrugs, and then gestures for Kurt to step inside.

Tina looks up from her hands when they walk in, her eyes immediately settling on Blaine. She doesnt stand up, but she straightens her shoulders, her expression worried.

"Are you alright?" she asks Blaine, ignoring Kurt as he drops the paper bag on the sofa table and retreats to the other side of the room.

Blaine places his guitar case on the floor. "About the break-up, you mean?"

"Yes. He wasnt mean to you or anything? Do I need to kick his ass?"

"Im fine." Blaine crosses his arms over his chest. "It wasnt like... It wasnt like the last time. Nathan was really nice about it, like I told Kurt." His lips twitch with a small smile. "Im okay, really. No ass-kicking needed."

Tina purses her lips, looking at Blaine intently. "Good. Im glad that it... wasnt like before." She pushes herself up from the couch, combing her fingers through her long hair. "I guess Im just wondering why you didnt tell me earlier. Why I had to hear about it from Kurt, and not from you."

She blinks her eyes quickly, and Kurt suddenly realizes that shes close to tears, her hands shaking on her sides.

"Tina..." Blaine starts, stepping closer, his hands falling down from his chest.

"Because I wanted to help," Tina says, her voice quivering. "I know that you and I dont have the same kind of friendship that you and Sam do, and I know that I cant fill his place now that he went back to Kentucky, but I... I was so worried when Kurt told me you had broken up. You need to understand that."

Blaine closes the distance between them, placing his hands on Tinas arms and rubbing them up and down. "Hey, hey, of course I understand that," he says softly, bending down to look into Tinas eyes. "And you have no reason to compare yourself to Sam, okay? You are two completely different people."

Tina takes a deep breath. "So it wasnt because Ive been a bad friend to you or something?"

Blaine immediately shakes his head. "No. Definitely not. Ive just been so busy with work and showing Kurt around the city--" He glances to Kurt, giving him a small smile, and Kurt smiles back at him, ignoring the warm flutter in his heart. "-- and I was upset at first, of course I was. I still am, if I think about it too long. But Im good now. Honestly. It wasnt like Connor. You dont have to worry about me so much, Tina."

Tina gives a smile, her hands steady again. "You really are okay, arent you?" she wonders out loud. She huffs out a soft laugh, ducking her head. "I was right. He is good for you."

Kurt freezes, his hand stilling where hes been playing with his brooch.

Blaine frowns in confusion, the gentle smile still on his face. "Who is?"

"Never mind." Tina shakes her head and wipes a few stray tears away from her cheeks. "Im just babbling. Im glad that youre okay." She narrows her eyes playfully. "But that doesnt mean Ive forgiven you for not telling me."

Blaine laughs, squeezing Tinas arms one last time. "Fine, I guess I deserve it." He takes a step back. "Are you staying for croissants with me and Kurt?"

Tina looks to Kurt, and something in her expression makes Kurt swallow roughly. She looks considering, but he cant tell what shes actually considering and whether its something good or bad.

"I think I should get back to Mike," she says slowly, still keeping her eyes on Kurt. "We sort of had plans for tonight. Oh, but wait--" She swirls around to face Blaine, clasping her hands under her chin. "Have you had the break-up nightclub yet?"

"No...?" Blaine glances to Kurt as well. God, its so weird to be the third wheel in the room and still feel like Blaine is doing everything he can to include Kurt - meeting his eyes even when hes talking to Tina and bringing him up in conversation even though theres no need to. Its making Kurt feel as if Blaine really does see something magical in him, something no one else can see, something that makes him look at Kurt again and again.

Its not exactly helping his feelings.

Tina claps her hands. "Excellent! This Saturday. Ill text you the details." She grabs her handbag from the couch and then points at Blaine. "And you have to bring Kurt as well, okay?"

"I... Okay?" Blaine follows her to the door. "Are we okay?"

"Yes, Blainey-days." Tina leans in and pecks Blaines cheek. "Show up on Saturday with Kurt, and were completely okay."

She winks at Kurt, her grin softening into something almost thankful for a quick moment -- and then shes gone, walking out as fast as she marched into Blaines apartment. Blaine blinks after her, closing the door and slowly turning to face Kurt. He doesnt look troubled anymore, but he does look quite confused.

"Blainey-days?" Kurt cant help but ask, hiding his grin behind his hand.

Blaine groans. "Dont ask. She came up with that nickname during our freshmen year, and she still pulls it out whenever I least expect it."

Kurt snorts quietly, pushing himself off the wall and taking a few steps towards Blaine. "Im... Im really sorry that I told Tina about your break-up," he says again, wringing his hands.

Blaine waves his hand in the air. "No, its fine. I mean, its not fine and I shouldve been the one to tell her, but... Dont worry about it. Tina can get a bit overdramatic about things like this, and I was just surprised when you two showed up like that." He runs his hand through his curls. "I guess it all still turned out alright."

"Rachel can be just as overdramatic," Kurt offers, shrugging his shoulders. "But still. I am sorry," he insists. He doesnt want to hurt Blaine, not even accidentally.

Blaine looks at him and smiles. "Apology accepted." He moves to the couch and picks up the paper bag, carefully opening it. "Croissants?"

"Sure." Kurt walks over and sits down next to Blaine. The croissants are obviously from the bakery Blaine showed him last week, the one that made Kurts mouth salivate a bit too much than is appropriate for a prince, and Kurt ducks his head with a smile when Blaine offers him the biggest croissant. "Thank you. Now can you please tell me what on earth a ‘break-up nightclub is before I start imagining the worst possible ideas?"

Blaine lets out a laugh. "Its just the tradition of going to a nightclub after a break-up. I think Mike came up with it years ago?" He takes a bite of his croissant, carefully eating and swallowing it before he goes on, even brushing away the crumbs on his lips, and somehow Kurt finds his manners completely endearing. "Its basically just loud music, lots of dancing, and lots of alcohol, if you want to get drunk."

"Oh. So like a party?" Kurt doesnt really understand how a break-up can be a reason for a party, but maybe thats how things work in New York.

"Like a party," Blaine repeats with a smile.

Kurt looks away, his cheeks heating up. Tina says that she hasnt seen Blaine really, genuinely smile in a long time, but to Kurt it feels like all of Blaines smiles are more or less real. Theres nothing fake about them -- Blaine seems to smile whenever he feels happy or bashful, whenever hes laughing at one of Kurts awkward jokes or wants to comfort someone or make them feel better. He smiles when hes proud of the kids he works with, or proud of Kurt for understanding how some New York gadget works, or...

Kurt really is cataloguing Blaines smiles, isnt he? God, hes hopeless.

Blaines bumps Kurts shoulder with his own, misinterpreting his thoughtful expression for nervousness. "Dont worry. Nightclubs can be a lot of fun in the right company."

Kurt gives a small smile and takes a bite of his own croissant. He cant be falling in love with Blaine. It makes no sense, not when their worlds are so different, not when Blaines beliefs about love seem so confusing and different from his own, not when they are literally from two different worlds and Kurt has his responsibilities to Kingleysia.

There is a small piece of croissant stuck on the corner of Blaines mouth, and Kurt almost reaches out and wipes it away with his thumb. He wants to lean in and kiss Blaine, chase the salty and greasy aftertaste of the croissant on Blaines lips, wants to feel Blaines smile against his own.

Despite everything, it still feels a lot like falling.