Kurt is already in the kitchen making coffee by the time Blaine stumbles downstairs the next morning. Figuring out how the coffee machine works was one of the first things Kurt did when he arrived yesterday, but now he cant seem to find another mug. Offering coffee to the guy you had sex with last night is common courtesy though, right?

Especially when--

Kurt glances at Blaine, seeing him rummaging through his coat pockets with his brows furrowed in concentration. Especially when the sex was absolutely mind-blowing. Blaine was passionate and enthusiastic but still somehow incredibly sweet and caring, and Kurt cant remember the last time he had sex that was that good. Hes probably never had sex that good.

Kurt gives himself the permission to trail his gaze over Blaines body in the kitchens soft morning light. Theyre both wearing clothes by now, layer upon layers in the chilly cottage, but Kurt can still remember the lines and contours of Blaines naked body from last night -- his arms and thighs, the faint dusting of dark hair over his sunkissed skin, the birthmark on the nape of his neck that Kurt couldnt stop kissing at one point. And he can also remember how Blaine stared at him when he himself got undressed, the wonder and lust in his eyes when he pulled Kurt closer and didnt seem able to let go.

"A-hah!" Blaine exclaims suddenly, breaking Kurt away from his thoughts. Kurt blinks his eyes and quickly focuses his gaze. Blaine is holding a pair of thick-rimmed glasses that he places on his face with a triumphant grin. The glasses make his eyelashes look even longer, and seriously, how is that fair in any way?

"Better?" Kurt asks with a smile.

"Much," Blaine agrees, fishing his phone out of his pocket and placing it on the kitchen table. "Apparently I somehow managed to get rid of my contacts at some point during the night, even if I can remember seeing clearly when we were..." He makes a vague gesture with his hand, grinning.

"Oh. I see." So Kurt wasnt imagining those stares. He can feel his cheeks turning red again and looks away, damning his pale complexion. "Coffee?" he asks over his shoulder.

"Sure," Blaine says. He turns around and grabs a mug from the shelf on the wall behind him. "Were you looking for this?"

"Ah, yes." Kurt takes the mug with a sheepish smile and pours some coffee in it before handing it back to Blaine. Blaine nods his thanks, and Kurt can see his eyes moving appreciatively up and down Kurts body for a moment until he looks away again.

Yep, those stares last night were real. And they are definitely doing wonders for Kurts slightly bruised ego.

They stand in awkward silence for a while, both of them sipping their coffees and avoiding each others eyes. Kurt glances at Blaine again over the rim of his mug, and god, is this really what it feels like after youve had sex with a complete stranger? This weird mixture of excitement and hope without any regrets? Kurt doesnt know if he should thank Blaine for the nice time or ask him if they could do this again or...

Except they cant do this again. Hes leaving today. Right.

"So when do you have to get to the airport?" Blaine asks suddenly, as if he read Kurts thoughts.

"Oh, in a few hours," Kurt answers, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Im all packed up, though, so--" Hes interrupted by Blaines phone buzzing on the table, and he instinctively reaches out for it and glances at the screen. "Devon," he reads out loud and then realizes what he did. "Im sorry, I didnt mean to--"

Blaine smiles and takes the phone from him just as the buzzing stops. "I should... call back," he says awkwardly, gesturing at the front door.

"Oh, right. Of course," Kurt stutters out, fumbling for something more to say. He wants to say more, wants to get to know Blaine better, but he knows their time is ticking out. Besides, perhaps the Devon who was calling Blaine is someone more special, or perhaps Blaine is a... manizer, for the lack of a better word. He was almost surprisingly eager to have sex with a complete stranger last night. Whatever it is, the morning sun is definitely revealing that this is not an ideal situation in any way.

"Well," Blaine says, straightening his back as he pulls on his coat. "It was nice meeting you, Kurt Hummel. And, um..."

Kurt laughs, trying to ignore how hollow it sounds. "Dont worry, Im not going to fall in love with you or something."

Blaine stops, his eyes widening. "Well that was blunt."

"Just trying to make this less awkward than it already is," Kurt teases and is rewarded with Blaines bashful smile. "Its just that I know myself. I know Im a hopeless romantic at heart, but Im also very practical, and falling in love with you, what with everything going on in my own life and with you living on the other side of the Atlantic... Its not going to happen. Trust me."

Blaine considers the words. "Alright. Thats... Right. So no exchanging phone numbers and calling you back?"

Kurts traitorous stomach swoops at the idea of hearing from Blaine again, but he quells the feeling and shakes his head firmly but politely. "Nope. Nothing like that."

"Right," Blaine repeats with a frown, looping his scarf around his neck with absent-minded movements. "But what if-- What if I want to call you back?" he blurts out.

Kurt freezes for the second time in less than twelve hours. His heart starts fluttering inside his chest as he looks at Blaine, at the suddenly nervous expression on his face and the way hes playing with his scarf. "I--" he starts, not really knowing what to say.

"Sorry," Blaine interrupts hastily. "Forget about it. You did say you werent going to--" He cuts himself off and shakes his head, not meeting Kurts eyes.

Kurt looks at him, his heart in his throat. He woke up this morning with Blaines naked arm wrapped around his stomach, gel-free curls tickling his shoulder, and he honestly cant remember the last time hes felt that content. But this is a mess; getting involved with Blaine would be a huge mess, and Kurt doesnt think he can handle something like that right now. Not after his latest relationship and not with all the work-induced stress hes under.

He still hasnt managed to come up with anything to say when Blaine finally looks at him, a polite mask over his usually so expressive face.

"Well, Ill get going then," he says, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Like I said, it was nice meeting you, Kurt. You..." He hesitates, the politeness cracking away. "You are definitely the most interesting man I have ever met," he confesses, his eyes suddenly softer. "And if-- If your flight happens to get cancelled or something," he continues in a quieter voice, the raw hope in his words making Kurts whole chest constrict with emotions, "Im having dinner at the pub with some friends tonight. Youre welcome to join us if... You know. If you want to."

Kurt swallows roughly.

"Thats all," Blaine finishes. "So just... Goodbye?"

"Bye, Blaine," Kurt manages to choke out in a low voice. It feels weirdly wrong to say those words.

Blaine gives a small smile, waves his hand a little, and then walks out of the kitchen. Kurt can hear the front door open and close, a gush of cold air rushing into the cottage as Blaine leaves. Kurt stands still in the kitchen, refusing to watch out of the window to see Blaine walk away.

---

Kurt makes it all the way to the airport before he decides that maybe he can handle a mess right now after all. He still has almost a week of his holiday left, and when he thinks about Blaines soft smile and the touch of his hand, he knows he would much rather spend those days with Blaine than alone in New York.

A few hours later he watches as Blaines face breaks into a wide, excited smile when their eyes meet across the small pub, and Kurt knows he made the right decision.

---

They both drink a bit too much that night, and Kurt wakes up the next morning with a pounding headache and a disgusting taste in his mouth. He blinks his eyes slowly open, staring at the cottage ceiling until most of last night comes back to him and he registers the soft snuffling sound coming from the person lying next to him. Blaine is asleep with his head resting on Kurts shoulder, his fingers wrapped loosely around Kurts arm, skin against skin. His lashes are fanned over his cheeks, his eyes moving underneath his closed eyelids, dreaming of something Kurt can only guess at.

Kurt cant help but smile, and he brushes a few curls away from Blaines forehead. Blaine shifts on the bed at the movement, stirring awake and slowly opening his eyes to meet Kurts gaze.

"Morning," he says in gravelly voice, his lips turning into a lazy smile.

Something in his voice stirs more memories in Kurt, and he can feel his shoulders tensing. "Oh my god," he whispers in horror. "Did we have sex again last night?"

Blaine laughs, sleepy and rumbling. "What?"

"Did we have sex?" Kurt repeats, mortified. "Because if we did, I-- I dont think I remember it. Oh god." He rubs his hand over his face. "New Years resolution: never drink English beer ever again."

Blaine lets out another laugh, petting Kurts chest. "We didnt have sex, dont worry."

"We didnt?" Kurt peaks at Blaine between his fingers, pausing in confusion. "Wait. Why didnt we?"

"Call me old-fashioned, but I dont have sex with guys who are practically unconscious," Blaine says, his voice full of good-natured laughter.

"Unconscious?" Kurt exclaims, his hand dropping down again. "God, Im honestly never, ever, drinking anything again. That must have been a sight," he mutters, playing with the frayed edge of the comforter nervously.

Blaine cups his face and leans in for a kiss, his lips curving in a soft smile against Kurts. "You looked gorgeous, just like you always do," he says earnestly.

Kurt huffs out a disbelieving laugh and kisses Blaine again, stopping short when the sound of a phone buzzing nearby interrupts them. Kurt breaks the kiss, glancing around until he notices Blaines phone on the bedside table and reaches out for it.

"Sophie," he reads out loud from the screen, cringing as soon as he does it. "Im sorry, I did it again."

Blaine gives a soft smile and takes the phone. "I better call back."

He stumbles out of bed, naked save for his boxer-briefs, and Kurt stares shamelessly at the movement of his muscles under his skin. Blaine notices him staring and grins at him, leaning down to kiss his forehead.

"When Im done," he says in a low voice, "we should go out for lunch and get to know each other."

Kurt meets his eyes, feeling a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh?"

"Weve already slept together twice and had sex once," Blaine points out, "and Im running out of reasons why we shouldnt go out on a proper date. Arent you?"

He kisses Kurts lips one more time and then backs out of the bedroom with a smile on his face, grabbing a robe from the dresser on his way out. Kurt stares after him, listening to the racing thump th-thump of his heart, his own smile still lingering on his lips.

When its put like that, any reasons Kurt might have had start to feel completely ridiculous.

---

The restaurant Blaine takes him to is fancy but not too fancy. There are families with small children sitting at the corner tables, the comfortable chatter of conversation never stops around them, and when Kurt carefully tastes the wine he ordered, he has to admit that this is probably his new favorite restaurant. The food is delicious, and for a while he and Blaine just talk about general things: the dishes they ordered, the movies theyve last seen and the TV shows they watch. When they get to their favorite books, Blaines eyes suddenly light up like a Christmas tree, and Kurt has to ask.

"Ive been wondering this ever since we met," he starts, "but what is it you actually do for a living?"

Blaine smiles. "Im a book editor."

"Ah." Kurt points at him with his fork. "That explains the excitement on your face when we started talking about literature."

"You got me," Blaine shrugs, still smiling.

"Are you a mean editor?" Kurt teases, already imagining Blaine sitting in his office with his glasses perched on his nose, surrounded by books and manuscripts. It fits him, somehow. It fits the careful way Blaine talks and how Kurt has sometimes noticed him running his fingertips over the books in Coopers cottage, appreciative and almost reverent.

Blaine scrunches up his nose. "Id like to think Im a supportive editor. If the writer Im working with has earned it," he adds and winks.

Kurt snorts in amusement. "Isnt it really hard to become a book editor?" he asks.

"It is," Blaine nods, "but my whole family is kind of in the publishing business. My dads a writer, and my mom was a well-known editor for the publishing house Im working for right now. Its nepotism, I know it is," he admits, looking down in obvious embarrassment, "but Im doing what I love and what Im good at, so--"

"Im not judging you," Kurt says, reaching over their table to squeeze Blaines hand quickly. "Im sure youve earned your job with your own merits as well."

Blaine looks back up, giving a smile. "Thank you."

Kurt strokes his thumb over Blaines knuckles one more time and then pulls his hand back. "I remember Cooper saying that he works in advertising when we were discussing our home exchange," he mentions. "Does he work for publishers as well?"

Its Blaines turn to snort. "No, Coop is-- Hes the black sheep of the family. He has no interest for literature whatsoever. But Im more interested in you," he changes the subject, narrowing his eyes playfully at Kurt. "I remember you saying last night that you work in fashion."

"Mmm, I do," Kurt says, swallowing the bite he has in his mouth. "Im actually an editor for Vogue Dot Com."

"Woah." Blaines eyes widen almost comically. "Vogue Dot Com? Thats... Wow."

"Yep," Kurt replies, preening a little. He has worked hard for his position, and he does take pride in what he does. "So Im an editor as well, just a different kind of an editor."

"Thats amazing," Blaine enthuses. "I bet youre just wonderful in your work -- I mean, the outfits you wear and the way you carry them shows you definitely have the eye for something like that."

"Thank you," Kurt says, smiling.

"What about your family then?" Blaine asks offhandedly.

Kurts shoulders tense immediately, his knife making a screeching sound against his plate.

Blaines head snaps up at the noise. "You dont have to tell me if you dont want to--" he hastens to say.

"No, no, its fine," Kurt interrupts, forcing his shoulders to relax and placing his utensils on the table. "Its just... I wasnt expecting the question, thats all."

Blaine tilts his head, his eyes soft but curious, not expecting anything but still ready if Kurt wants to share. Kurt huffs out a breathless laugh, shaking his head.

"Okay, here we go," he starts, taking a deep breath and not meeting Blaines eyes. "I have my dad, who owns a garage back in Ohio, where Im from, and whos been my biggest supporter since childhood. Hes married now, to my step-mom Carole, and I also have a step-brother named Finn who works as an elementary school teacher. Theyre both amazing, and I do consider them my family, but my..." He pauses, swallowing. "My mom died when I was eight."

He chances a look at Blaine. Blaines smile has fallen away from his face completely, and he looks paler, something unreadable shining in his eyes, his utensils trembling almost unnoticeably in his hands.

"It was tough," Kurt continues, looking away again. "She understood me better than anyone and I loved her so much, like any kid loves their mom, I suppose -- and then she was gone, just like that. I cried for months, and my dad was honestly worried that I would never stop crying and he would have to take me to a child psychologist or something."

Kurt lets out a choked-off laugh at the memory, and suddenly Blaines reaching over the table, his hand gripping Kurts tightly. Kurt squeezes back and takes another deep breath.

"Anyway," he continues, "one day I just... got tired of crying. Crying wasnt going to bring her back, and I realized that the best way to keep going, according to my eight-year-old logic, was to be as strong as I could and not cry all the time. So I... never cried again."

Blaines hand twitches in surprise. "Never?" he repeats in a quiet voice.

"Well, I did feel like crying when the bullying in high school got really bad and when my dad was in the hospital," Kurt admits, "but I always swallowed the tears and kept going. Believe me, I do know how unhealthy that is now that Im older, but I... I just cant cry anymore."

"You cant?" Blaine asks, a little incredulously.

"I cant," Kurt repeats. "I try and try, but the tears never come. No matter what." He looks up, meeting Blaines gaze and mustering up a fleeting smile. "Hows that for a confession?"

Blaine squeezes his hand again, his smile small and comforting. "Well, maybe we balance each other out then. Because I cry all the time."

Kurt snorts unwillingly. "You do not."

"I do." Blaine straightens his back, his smile widening a little. "Almost every day."

Kurt laughs, the bad memories moving to the back of his mind again. "Blaine, you honestly dont have to be this nice. Its fine."

"It happens to be the truth," Blaine counters. "Do you really think I would confess something like that just to make you feel better?"

"I have a feeling you would," Kurt teases.

Blaine pauses, his mouth open. "Okay, I would," he concedes, "but I really am telling the truth. Do you have any idea how often Cooper has taunted me about my compulsive crying?"

"Blaine..." Kurt starts laughing again.

"No, its true -- a good book, a birthday card, one of those advertisements with puppies, and I bawl my eyes out." Blaine nods seriously. "I weep."

"Stop it," Kurt gasps out between his laughs.

"Im a major weeper," Blaine finishes, grinning like an idiot. "Or a major bawler, whatever works best." He shrugs.

Kurts laughter echoes through the restaurant for a long while after that.

---

"Thank you for this," Kurt says when theyre sitting in Blaines car outside the cottage some time later. Kurts lips are still tingling from the kisses they shared outside the restaurant, and Blaines hair isnt as gelled as it was in the morning because Kurt has been running his fingers through it. "I had fun," he adds, grinning a little.

"Youre not going to invite me in, are you?" Blaine asks with a small, lopsided smile.

Kurt can feel his grin fading. "Blaine... Im leaving in a few days. For real, this time."

"Right," Blaine says. He turns to look out of the window at the snowy fields, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm against the steering wheel.

"That makes this complicated," Kurt continues, trying to meet Blaines eyes. "I really like you, Blaine, and I like spending time with you, but... I dont want to get in too deep. I cant do it, not when Im leaving so soon. You know that."

Blaines fingers still, and Kurt can see him swallow roughly. "Alright."

"Hey..." Kurt reaches out to cup Blaines cheek and turns his face back towards himself. "Im sorry, but I just... You do understand why Im doing this, dont you?"

Blaine sighs but nods. "I do. I do, I just-- Nevermind. I get it. Its not like I should let myself get in too deep either."

Kurt gives a small smile and leans over the center console to kiss Blaines lips. Blaines eyelids flutter shut at the touch, and he kisses back with only a hint of desperation. His hand brushes lightly against Kurts arm, as if he wants to hold on but is trying not to.

"Drive safely," Kurt whispers against his lips, pecks them one last time, and then leans away, getting out of the car.

He knows Blaine is watching him as he walks over to the cottage, so he turns around at the door and gives a small wave. Blaine waves back from the car, and Kurt can barely make out his resigned smile through the car window and the heavy snow that started to fall during their drive over, but he smiles back anyway.

He gets inside the cottage, closes the door behind himself and immediately leans against it, letting out a deep sigh. His treacherous hands are twitching against the door handle, wanting to open the door and run back to Blaine, but he clenches them into fists and keeps himself in check. He knows hes doing the right thing by not letting things get too complicated, but somehow it still feels wrong.

Inviting Blaine in probably wouldnt have felt as complicated as this.