AN:I'm not too happy with this one, but I didn't want another month-long gap between episodes so you get it now before I delete the whole thing for the second time.

2x09 Silence is silver, talk is gold

It's drizzling outside when Blaine sits down at a table in the half empty Lima Bean. After the short walk, his hair is curling in the back of his neck, defying the small amount of her hair gel he uses to keep it from going full Afro. He should have just stayed in one of the common rooms and he would have if the coffee on campus served another purpose than waking you up in the morning.

Because he apparently can't live without at least one decent cup of coffee a day, he'd pulled his NYADA sweatshirt over his head after his last class was over, shoved his notes for Regionals into his messenger bag and left the school just as it started raining. The plan had been to just grab a cup and head back to school, but it's nice and dry and most importantly, quiet, in the coffee shop, so he sat down on his and Kurt's usual table instead.

Once seated, he inhales deeply, the smell of coffee in the air relaxing as usual. Regionals was fast approaching and while finalizing the set list and organizing extra rehearsal in addition to classes provided a distraction and an excuse as to why he couldn't spend as much time with Kurt as before, it was quite stressful as well.

Unfortunately for his boyfriend, Vocal Explosion voted to give the solos for Regionals to the outgoing seniors this year and a certain senior reminded Kurt of his non solo status almost constantly, because he knew his boyfriend wanted to have a competition solo.

In regards to himself, Jesse had toned it down after the new term started. Probably because he realized that it was pointless to keep sabotaging Blaine when audition invites from colleges had already been sent out.

Now, four days before the competition, Blaine, sitting at a table in the Lima Bean, is rearranging the order of the songs for what seems like the fiftieth time.

The theme for this year's Regionals competition was anthems and Blaine's really happy with their song selection. Jesse – while a jerk – sounds great singing lead on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by 'Queen'. He and fellow seniors Hannah and Kate will front 'Sing' by 'My Chemical Romance', while Jason and Tim will duet on 'Dream On' by 'Aerosmith'. They all sound amazing in his opinion but he hasn't decided yet with what song they should start with.

His current order is 'Sing' followed by 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Dream On'. Before he can change it again however, Jesse suddenly sits down opposite him. Blaine sighs because he will never trust the other boy not to cause trouble and wonders how Jesse found him.

Instead of saying anything though, Jesse pushes an open envelope toward him, which he takes as his cue to open it and read the letter inside. He pulls the letter out and quickly scans the content.

"AMDA. Congratulations, Jesse," he tells the other boy honestly, because Jesse is talented and deserves to get into a good school even if he is a horrible person.

Jesse, however, smirks.

"Yeah, about that. As of Monday, I'll be back at Carmel. You understand why I can't do Regionals with you, right? Vocal Adrenaline needs me for another national championship title."

"What?!" Blaine gapes at Jesse.

"My transfer is all done. So you get what you wanted all along. I'm leaving."

And with that he does, while Blaine stares after him, before his eyes find his set list again. He quickly shoves his papers into his bag and texts Kurt to find out about his boyfriend's whereabouts.

Twenty minutes later, Kurt opens the door of his room for him and Blaine throws his bag across the room before he turns to face his startled boyfriend.

"Can you learn Jesse's part by Saturday?" he asks while he rubs the back of his neck, feeling like he might get a headache.

"What?" Kurt asks, brows furrowed in confusion.

"That fucking asshole Jesse," Blaine explodes because he really didn't need this right now. Kurt's eyes widen because he really doesn't swear much outside the bedroom.

"He's going back to Carmel right before Regionals so he can beat us with his old team. Apparently, now that he got into the college of his choosing he doesn't need NYADA anymore," he explains then - a bit more calmly – when Kurt's expression doesn't change.

"And you want me to take over Jesse's part?" Kurt repeats and Blaine nods.

To his surprise, Kurt frowns.

"What's wrong? That's what you wanted, right? A competition solo."

His boyfriend nods but he still looks unhappy.

"But not like this," Kurt says. "Not when I didn't earn it. I don't want people to think I've only gotten a solo because I'm sleeping with the team captain."

"Kurt," Blaine soothes. "You did earn this. If I thought someone else would be a better choice I would have given it to them. This isn't me giving you preferential treatment. I think letting you take it is what's best for us as a team. But I will call an emergency meeting and put it to a vote if it would make you feel better. As long as you're ready to start rehearsing the moment the group chooses you."

"Alright," Kurt concedes and Blaine lets out a sigh of relief.

"Let's get to work then."

To Kurt's surprise, Blaine was right. For one, no one else volunteered to take Jesse's solo so close to the competition because most of the other students were involved in the school musical and secondly, no one had a problem with Kurt taking over.

The last few days leading up to the competition were incredibly exhausting because of the extra rehearsals in addition to his work for 'Oliver!', but somehow he made it through in one piece.

Now, waiting in the green room behind the stage, Kurt finally relaxes for the first time in days, while all around him last minute preparations take place. Shirts get tucked in, buttons sawn on after being ripped off in rehearsals, and make up is reapplied on sweaty foreheads.

They are in a high school somewhere between New York and Atlantic City and their green room is nothing more than an empty classroom where some mirrors have been put up. In one corner of the room, Mr. Ryan, the faculty adviser for Vocal Explosion, is ironing wrinkles out of the jackets Kurt had picked together with Santana and Hannah.

The whole group is dressed in black and white including one splash of red on the girls' outfits in the form of accessories that differ from performer to performer. It's simple so the judges will really have to focus on the music.

While Kurt is waiting for their slot - calmly compared to some in the group - his phone chimes, alerting him to a new text message. After his dad and aunt Kate, Mercedes is the next one to wish him good luck. He quickly texts her back, telling her he'll call as soon as the competition is over so his best friend can finally vent about her own Regionals. All he knows is that they lost against a group from Dalton, the school his dad would have sent him to had they had the money.

Not long after, they are called on stage and Kurt takes his place next to Jeff for their first number. Blaine sounds amazing as he always does and for a moment he forgets all about his boyfriend being distant and acting weird.

The song is over in a flash and Kurt steps out on stage, the rest of Vocal Explosion behind him for the first time. He closes his eyes for a moment and centers himself. When he opens them again, he is Kurt Hummel the aspiring performer – not the bullied gay teen who found a safe haven in New York.

Apart from messing up a few steps of the choreography there are no major hiccups and Kurt beams when the auditorium erupts in applause.

For the final performance, they stand in a half circle in the back while Jason and Tim duet on 'Dream On' in the front. He barely pays attention though, still riding his adrenaline high.

Aunt Kate – representing the rest of the family again - meets him afterward, while they are waiting for the results, video camera slung over her shoulder.

"You were amazing," she gushes. "Your dad's going to be so proud of you."

Kurt blushes because that's all he ever wants – to make his dad proud of him.

"Thank you. I just hope the judges didn't notice that I screwed up a bit of the choreography," he replies, but aunt Kate just rolls her eyes.

"So, where's that cutie boyfriend of yours? Aren't you usually attached at the hip?"

Kurt keeps his face as neutral as possible because he doesn't think that airing one's dirty laundry is classy.

"He had to stay with the group because he is captain this year," he explains instead.

There's no reason to tell her that if Blaine had wanted he could have left as well for a few minutes.

"But enough about Blaine and I. Are you seeing anyone new?" he quickly changes the subject.

Kurt tries to pay attention while his aunt tells him about her latest awful dates, but keeps checking his phone every few seconds. Vocal Explosion has made it to Nationals for the past eleven years and he doesn't want to be the reason they break the streak.

When the announcement to return to the seats finally comes, he hugs his aunt goodbye, after she promises to email him the video as soon as she has transferred it to her computer.

Blaine takes his hand as they walk back on stage and Kurt calms immediately. When they are announced the winners, he doesn't hesitate and throws his arms around Blaine. He quickly kisses him while the rest of the group jumps up and down around them before he lets go of Blaine, so his boyfriend can retrieve their trophy.

That night, after the party celebrating their win, everything goes back to normal. He and Blaine excuse themselves after a few hours before they sneak upstairs to Blaine's dorm room where they take advantage of the fact that Blaine's roommate is gone.

When he wakes up the next morning, Blaine is still asleep and Kurt borrows his laptop to check if aunt Kate has emailed the video yet. He honestly had no intentions to snoop, but when he opens the laptop and sees an email from NYU in his boyfriend's open email program his curiosity gets the better of him.

Blaine had been tight lipped about college the past few weeks and Kurt understood that his boyfriend needed time to make a decision but when he reads the content of the email he gets pissed. Because it looks like Blaine chose NYU more than two weeks ago and didn't tell him about it.

So, instead of being over the moon that Blaine's staying in New York with him, he is mad at Blaine for keeping secrets and never having time for them anymore.

Hoping that this doesn't mean that Blaine changed his mind about being single in college, he puts the laptop down and shakes the other boy awake.

"What?" Blaine groans, hair sticking up in all directions.

"Why didn't you tell me? About Tisch," Kurt asks trying to ignore how adorable Blaine looks first thing in the morning.

"Did you go through my stuff?" Blaine frowns and Kurt glares at him because so not the point right now.

"I wanted to check my emails and you had one from NYU open," he explains before he repeats his question.

"I didn't want you to think I made the decision lightly or because of you. I thought if it took me longer to tell you, you wouldn't question my decision," Blaine replies between yawns.

Kurt's gaze softens but he hasn't forgiven Blaine completely for lying either.

"Did you?" he asks because while he wants Blaine in New York, he doesn't want to be the reason his boyfriend chose NYU.

"You were a factor," Blaine admits, "but in the end Tisch just was the best fit if I want to be on Broadway."

"Alright."

"Are we okay?" Blaine asks and Kurt nods before he pulls his t-shirt over his head and gets out of bed.

Because even if they aren't one hundred per cent okay now, he's confident that they will be. They just have to.

###

"About time, Kurt. You said you'd call me after the competition," Mercedes answers his call a few hours later.

"Sorry, Cedes. I was dragged off to our victory party as soon as we were back at school."

Mercedes squeals and he waits until she calmed down before continuing. His suitcase is open on the floor in front of him and he steps over it and sits down on his desk chair while Mercedes does her thing.

"So what happened at your Regionals? You didn't sound very happy in your text."

"Three guesses," Mercedes mutters.

"Mr. Schuester didn't listen to my advice and gave all the solos to Harmony?" Kurt suggests because that seems to be the McKinley teacher's M.O.

"Close. Because Harmony already got accepted into NYU she told him to let someone else shine for once," his best friend explains.

"Did you get a solo? You totally deserve one." She really does because Mercedes is amazing. And if Mr. Schuester would take his head out of his ass he'd see it too.

"No!" Mercedes scoffs. "He gave two solos and a duet with Finn to Rachel. I mean, they aren't even together anymore and she still gets to sing all duets with him. I know he's your brother and all, but he really isn't the strongest male performer in glee club."

Kurt frowns because it reminds him that he hasn't talked to his stepbrother for a while now and really needs to do so when he gets Lima tomorrow morning.

"I'm sorry," he tells her. "I'm sure you'll get one next year. And hey, maybe next time Mr. Schuester will let you write your own songs."

"Might have even won if we had," Mercedes mutters. "But with Harmony graduating, next year will just be the Rachel show because I don't see her sharing her solos with the rest of us like Harmony did. And Mr. Schue is already grooming Sam to be the next male lead, so next year I probably won't even get to sing with my own boyfriend anymore. Sometimes I really wish I could go to your school."

"Me too. I miss hanging out with you," Kurt assures her.

"So promise me at least one sleepover while you are in town."

"Definitely," he replies eagerly. "I'm hoping that Dad will let Blaine sleep over a night or two so I can actually spend time with him but I promise to save a night for you."

They end the call a few minutes and more gossip later, because he hasn't even started packing yet and their train to Columbus leaves in six hours. With a sigh he opens his closet and starts sifting through his clothes to find the perfect outfits for his four days in Ohio.

###

After his dad drops him off at the house it's only him and Finn who are home and Kurt thinks it's the perfect opportunity for them to talk.

So, after unpacking, showering and putting on a comfortable outfit, he prepares two mugs of hot milk. Upstairs he knocks on his stepbrother's door and braves the floor covered with dirty clothes, school books and empty chips bags, when Finn tells him to come in.

"What are you playing?" Kurt asks, after putting the mugs down and Finn keeps hitting buttons on his controller.

"COD," Finn grunts, eyes clued to the screen in front of him.

"Cool," Kurt replies to brake the ice, "but I was hoping we could talk."

His stepbrother sighs but pauses the game.

"About what?" Kurt shrugs.

"I don't know. Just, you know, what's happening with you right now. We haven't talked in a while. I didn't even know you sang a duet with Rachel for Regionals."

Finn shrugs as well before he replies.

"I'm good. There isn't much going on. Just school, you know."

Kurt rolls his eyes, because Finn is a terrible liar.

"So, have you decided on a college yet?" he tries next, because all the other seniors he knows, already know where they are going in the fall.

"I'm not going to college," Finn snaps and crosses his arms in front of his chest. His whole posture screams 'I don't want to talk about it', but this is too important to just let it go.

"Does that mean you're going to work for my dad until you have college figured out? There's nothing wrong with taking time off you know," he tries to assure Finn.

"No."

"Then what is your plan? You're graduating in under two months," Kurt reminds him.

Finn suddenly sits up straighter.

"You can't tell the parents, okay? I'm not ready to tell them yet."

Kurt nods because he is definitely curious now. What did Finn do?

"I signed up for the army after my birthday. Day after graduation, I'm leaving for basecamp."

Kurt stares at his brother in horror.

"You what?" he exclaims because what the fuck? "Have you lost your mind?"

He can see Finn withdrawing right in front of him, so he takes a few calming breaths before he continues.

"Okay, sorry. But please exclaim this to me. What were you thinking?"

"I want to petition the army to give my dad an honorable discharge. He was a good man who defended his country and he deserves it," Finn replies after a few moments of silence, his expression fierce.

"And you have to join the army to do that?" Kurt asks incredulously.

"I want to," Finn retorts, voice raised. "I'm not like you and Rachel. You have your whole life already planned out but I have no clue what to do with my own. I can still go to college after I fulfilled my contract."

"But you could die!" Kurt yells because this isn't sitting in front of the TV and shooting bad guys. Finn won't have three lives or however that stupid game works. There won't be a chance to start over if he got killed.

"I could cross the street and get hit by a car," Finn challenges.

"Yes, but then you wouldn't have gone out looking to get killed!"

They haven't even been stepbrothers for two years yet, but he really doesn't want Finn to die. Hence the yelling. Because he doesn't know how else to get through to Finn.

"It's going to be okay," Finn says and squeezes his hand. Kurt hadn't even realized he started shaking.

"What about Rachel? I thought you wanted to win her back?" Finn frowns.

"I still do. We've been talking a lot lately and I think she might be ready to give us another shot."

Kurt shakes his head because could Finn have worse timing?

"Then you have to tell her. She can't think you're staying in Lima with her – at least for another year – when you are doing this. I might not like her very much, but she deserves to know before she makes any decision about getting back together."

Finn doesn't look too happy, but he nods.

"And you have to tell your mom," Kurt continues. "She's going to need time to come to terms with this. You can't just wait till graduation."

"But I..." Finn tries to argue.

"No, Finn. Tell her! You want to wait till I'm back in New York, fine, but you have to tell her."

"Fine," Finn mutters, before he perks up slightly. "I'm gonna call Rachel now."

Kurt nods and gets up from Finn's bed. Before he leaves the room, he turns to face the giant teen again.

"Promise you'll be careful?"

Finn's shoulders slump but he still smiles in Kurt's direction.

"I promise."

###

"How did it go?" Kurt asks later that night, an hour before Mercedes is due to arrive for their sleepover.

He and Blaine agreed that his boyfriend should spend his first night back in Ohio home with his dad before coming to Lima around noon the next day. His dad has allowed Blaine to spend one night, because he and Carole insist on family night on Wednesday before Kurt has to head back to New York Thursday night.

"She wasn't happy," Finn admits and flops down on the couch next to Kurt. "Basically told me what you told me."

He turns off the TV because his trashy reality shows can wait right now.

"And...?" he prods when Finn doesn't continue.

"She doesn't want to get back together. Doesn't want to do long distance for four years if I can't promise to join her in New York afterward."

"I'm sorry," Kurt tells him and pats Finn's knee. "But did you honestly see a future for you beyond high school? You don't ever want to move to New York or another big city like it and she can't imagine living anywhere else. Neither of you would have been happy."

He doesn't say all this to be mean or because he doesn't like Rachel because if she made Finn happy, he would have learned to live with her. But he honestly doesn't believe either of them would be happy if they had to live some place they loathed.

"I know. I just wanted it to work out. I do love her, you know," Finn whispers.

"I know. And if it's meant to be then maybe you can figure it out in the future," he tries to cheer his stepbrother up.

"You think so?" Finn looks so hopeful when he asks so Kurt doesn't have the heart to tell him that no, he doesn't.

"Que sera, sera," he replies, hoping Finn will be satisfied with his cryptic answer.

"Cool," Finn replies, smile back on his face. "Thanks dude."

"Don't call me ... You're welcome. I'm glad if I could help."

He leaves Finn to his video games and heads into the kitchen to prepare snacks for his sleepover. When Carole joins him in the kitchen a few minutes later, he hurries upstairs though, claiming he still has things to prepare, because he doesn't want to lie to her when she asks if he knows what's going on with her son. And he knows she will. Knows his dad and Carole worry about his stepbrother.

March 18, 9:23 am

From Harmony

Hey :D Can we meet today instead of tomorrow? Need to visit family tomorrow. – H

March 18, 9:41 am

To Harmony

Going to Lima anyway. Let me just text Kurt about the change of plans. Meet me at Starbucks around noon? – B

March 18, 9:47 am

From Harmony

Sounds great. Can I have a hint though? What's the good news? – H

March 18, 9:51 am

To Kurt 3

Kurt. Something came up but I'll try to be at your place in time for dinner. Love you. – B xx

March 18, 9:53 am

To Harmony

Nope. My lips are sealed for now ;) – B

March 18, 10:13 am

From Kurt 3

You couldn't have told me earlier? Just sent Mercedes home so I had enough time to prepare a picnic for us. – K

March 18, 10:14 am

To Kurt 3

I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you. – B xxx

March 18, 10:16 am

From Kurt 3

You better ;) And love you too. – K xx

"You are popular this morning," his dad teases when Blaine finally puts his phone down.

"I guess. Harmony asked to meet me today instead of tomorrow and Kurt isn't too happy about it," he explains as he shoves his wallet into his overnight bag.

"Bring him flowers. That always worked with your mother when she was mad at me," his dad advises.

Blaine raises his eyebrows because it doesn't happen often these days that his mother is mentioned by either of them.

"And you are okay with me asking Harmony?" he changes the subject. His dad nods.

"I told you, it's gonna be yours. You can do with it what you want."

Blaine beams at his dad before he pulls him into a hug, surprising the older man.

"Thanks again Dad. This was the best surprise ever."

His dad pats his back a few times before he lets go.

"Okay, shoo. You need to leave now if you don't want to be late," he tells him, but Blaine knows by now that his dad isn't trying to get rid of him; is just not used to showing emotions.

"And say hi to Burt for me. I'll call him about the Buckeyes tickets," his dad calls after him as Blaine pretty much skips outside, a huge smile on his face.

When he arrives at the coffee shop a few minutes after twelve, Harmony is already sitting at a table by the window and so he quickly grabs his usual coffee before joining her.

"Do I get to hear your good news now?" his new friend asks the moment she spots him and Blaine chuckles.

"Fine. Here it is. My dad got me an apartment for graduation."

"No way! Wow, that's awesome," Harmony exclaims and Blaine bobs his head.

"I know, right? It's a two bedroom, close to Washington Square Park, and I can move in as early as May," he repeats what his dad told him.

"I'm so jealous. I mean, in New York, even the dorm rooms are super expensive and I'm not really into having to share a room. Call it spoilt only child syndrome but I like to have my own space," Harmony remarks, frowning slightly.

"Well, then I'm glad that I checked whether we have to live in the dorms the first semester. And we don't. So what do you think of being my roommate? You'd have your own room," he finally gets to the surprise part of his news.

Harmony just gapes at him.

"Really? There's no one else you'd rather live with?" she asks incredulously.

"Well, unfortunately, Kurt is still in high school for two more years so I doubt his dad would let him move in with me and my friend Wes is living at his parents' place close to Julliard. But apart from them, you are my first choice," he tells her honestly.

When his dad told him about the apartment he of course called Wes first, but he understood why his friend wanted to stay in his huge bachelor pad. But even though he and Harmony haven't known each other long, he thinks she would make a great roommate. They like the same crazy things and girls aren't slobs like some of his male friends, right? And it just doesn't make sense to live alone in a two-bedroom apartment until Kurt graduates.

"In that case I'd love to," Harmony tells him excitedly. "I'll have to talk to my parents about it still, but I don't think they're going to say no when I tell them you're gay. It's okay to tell them, right?"

Blaine nods. He is out and proud after all.

He is about to tell her that she would need to cover half of the utilities and would actually save her parents a lot of money, when he spots Kurt standing by the front door, glaring daggers at them.

"Shit!"

"What?" Harmony asks and Blaine nods in Kurt's direction.

"I haven't exactly told him about this yet," he admits as Kurt gets in line for coffee.

"I can go," Harmony offers but Blaine shakes his head.

"No, stay. You'll probably see a lot of him next year if he doesn't kill me for that," he mumbles before he sits up straighter and smiles at his approaching boyfriend.

When Blaine blows him off, he doesn't really know what to do with his suddenly freed up time. He doesn't know any of the other New Directions members well enough to invite them to a trip to the mall and Mercedes made plans with Sam after he basically kicked her out after breakfast. His dad and Carole are both at work and Finn is still asleep even though it's noon already.

Because this is Lima and there isn't much to do, he packs his sheet music for 'Oliver!' and drives over to the local Starbucks. The coffee there isn't as good as the one at the Lima Bean but it is still the best Lima has to offer.

To his surprise, Blaine's car is in the parking lot and Kurt frowns because he's pretty sure his boyfriend blew him off because something came up. And as far as he knows, Kurt is the only close friend who lives in Lima. Confused about his boyfriend's sudden appearance in his hometown he peers into the window while he walks to the front door and promptly spots his boyfriend sitting with ... Harmony.

While Blaine had told him about his run in with Harmony before his NYU audition he hadn't been aware that they were good enough friends all of a sudden to warrant Blaine blowing him off for her.

They are smiling and Harmony looks like she just got the best present ever and Kurt has to admit, if she were a boy, he would be worried about Blaine cheating on him right now.

For a moment he considers just driving back home and waiting if Blaine will mention his afternoon excursion but then he squares his shoulders and approaches the front door with determination. Whatever's going on here, he's going to find out, because he had enough of being kept in the dark.

It doesn't help that Blaine looks incredibly guilty when he spots Kurt and Kurt glares at his boyfriend for good measure before picking up a well needed cup of coffee.

"Kurt, honey. You know Harmony, right? I told you I ran into her at NYU," Blaine greets him, his smile wide, while his eyes look around nervously.

"Hey, Harmony," he greets nicely, because even if he isn't too happy with his boyfriend right now, she's always been nice to him the few times they met.

"Can I borrow Blaine for a second."

Blaine follows him into the back of the shop like a kicked puppy, his eyes pleading with Kurt not to be angry.

"Alright, spill. What are you hiding?" he says, his tone sharper than planed.

Blaine winces before he starts his explanation.

"Well, I was supposed to meet her tomorrow - after I left your place- so I could ask her to move in with me, but she texted and asked if I could do today instead because she'll be gone the rest of the week," Blaine rambles and Kurt's eyes widen.

"Move in with you? Did you start looking for apartments without me? I thought you were thinking about moving in with Wes."

Blaine winces again and Kurt wishes he would just spill the beans so he could decide how angry he was going to be.

"Um, my dad got me a two bedroom apartment and I don't want to live on my own until you graduate."

So far, so good. He has no problem with Harmony moving in with Blaine. As long as Blaine's roommate isn't some hot, older gay guy or a homophobe he doesn't really care who Blaine shares an apartment with as long as his boyfriend is happy with his choice. But then he realizes that...

"When did your dad tell you?" And why didn't you tell me about it, he adds silently.

"Um, yesterday morning when I got home from New York."

"And you told her about it before you told me. Who else have you told? Don't tell me I'm again the last one to know." Don't raise your voice, his inner voice warns. He really doesn't need to end up as town gossip because he got into a gay fight with his gay boyfriend.

"I would have told you when I saw you today. I didn't do it on purpose," Blaine argues and Kurt huffs because Blaine's been doing a lot of things lately – not on purpose – that hurt his feelings.

"Well, you could have just called me when your dad told you." He knows he sounds about five when he says that but is it really so wrong to want to be the first one Blaine calls with any news. Blaine's always the first he calls unless it's something he needs to discuss with his dad first.

"Can we talk about this later, Kurt? I get that you're mad but I wasn't done talking to Harmony," Blaine actually snaps and Kurt nods because the middle of a coffee shop really isn't the right place to discuss their issues.

"Invite her back to my place. It's more comfortable and if she's going to move in with you I'll probably should get to know her better as well," he suggests causing Blaine to look back in surprise.

"What?" he shrugs. "I'm still mad and if it weren't for my dad asking questions I would probably make you sleep on the couch tonight. But right now I have a basically empty house and all the ingredients for mini sandwiches, so..."

Blaine's face falls and he takes Kurt's right hand into his own.

"Would you rather I didn't spend the night? Because I can go home after dinner."

Kurt immediately shakes his head.

"No. I barely get to see you outside of rehearsals right now, so I want to spend time with you. And this isn't me attacking you, just stating the facts," he adds quickly when Blaine makes a face.

Together they had back to Harmony who looks like she wants to be anywhere but here right now.

"So, Harmony. Would you like to move this little planning session to my house? I'd like to get to know the girl who's going to live with my boyfriend a little better," he suggests and after exchanging a look with Blaine she agrees.

Blaine's car stays behind in the Starbuck parking lot for now and after giving Harmony directions they are off to his house.

Meanwhile in New York...

"I'm not going to wear this Santana," Quinn huffs and hands the offending garment back to her friend. "I don't want him to think the wrong thing and – no offense – this screams 'you're getting laid tonight'.

Santana just shrugs and continues digging through the pile of clothing on Quinn's bed.

"Suit yourself."

When Santana heard that she finally agreed to go on a date with Nick – after he asked her again after they won Regionals – she and Brittany decided to help Quinn get ready for it. Why the two girls had to bring their combined wardrobe over to her room for it, was a mystery to her, but she was nervous enough as it was, so she didn't argue.

Now, she is starting to seriously regret that she didn't nip their insanity in the bud.

"Where is he taking you again?" Brittany asks as she holds up different dresses in front of Quinn.

"He got us tickets for 'Billy Elliot' because he knew I love dancing as well," Quinn beams.

She's been on dates before but no guy had ever been as thoughtful as Nick was. Back home, a date mostly constituted of having to cheer for the guy during a football game and ending up on a group date with the whole team afterward at some restaurant overrun with teenagers.

"Ooh, I love that one," Brittany coos. "Tana took me for our one year anniversary."

To Quinn's surprise Santana just smiles at Brittany, not even denying that they are in fact as much of a couple as Kurt and Blaine are.

"But he's still going to feed you, right? You are Quinn Fabray, you should make him work for it." And the Santana she knows is back.

"San, he waited a month for me to agree to a date. He's worked for it. And you know, I actually like him so I'm not going to act like a bitch."

Santana hums before she pulls a dress out of the pile Quinn actually deems acceptable. But...

"It's March, Santana, and I don't want to freeze my ass of."

"Pair it with a pair of black leggings and your ankle boots," Brittany suggests and Quinn quickly changes into the chosen outfit.

"Perfect," the pair declares in unison and when she sees herself in the mirror she has to agree.

By the time Nick knocks on the door, her room thankfully is cleaned up again and Brittany and Santana nowhere in sight.

"You look beautiful," Nick tells her as he hands her a small bouquet of lilies.

"Thank you."

She blushes and that isn't something she does often. And she doesn't even fight it when he offers to help her into her coat after she put the flowers in a cut of water bottle.

It can only mean one thing, and while it's scary that she likes him this much already, she is the happiest she has been in months. Determined not to screw up this date, she takes his offered hand and lets him lead her out of the door.

When Blaine tells him he is staying in Ohio till the end of spring break so he can hammer out the details of his future living arrangements with Harmony and her parents, Kurt is pissed to say the least.

Mostly because this is how things have been between them lately. Blaine does something to piss him off, acts distant and doesn't have time for him, but the moment he does clear his schedule for Kurt, Kurt immediately forgives him, hoping things are finally returning to the way they were.

And it's just ... if Blaine had told him from the start that he was staying in Ohio for the whole week, he would have been disappointed, sure, but he wouldn't be mad at his boyfriend because of it. But the plan had been for them to go back to New York together and really spend time with each other. And he isn't the only one Blaine's blowing off. He knows David is town and had been hoping that he, Wes and Blaine would hang out.

It's probably good that his dad drives him to the train station before they can get into an actual fight because there are things he is afraid he might say in the heat of the moment, he is sure he would regret later.

So, back in New York, with Brittany and Santana spending time with their parents, Jeff back home and Quinn's parents having showed up for a surprise visit, there's really just one person interested in spending time with him and Kurt agrees, a little bit out of spite.

It's not because he wants to lead Adam on, but he doesn't actually discourage the boy either. The compliments are a balm for his hurt feelings and he soaks them up whenever Adam showers him with them.

Blaine doesn't notice at first, once he is back in New York, until Kurt takes a rain check on meeting Blaine because he already made plans with Adam and it's not fair to blow off the younger boy the moment Blaine decides he actually wants to spend time with Kurt.

And to his surprise they actually get into an argument about it when they do manage to spend some time alone a few days later.

"I thought you trust me," he finds himself yelling. "So what's the problem if I spend time with him. At least he wants to spend time with me."

"Because he has a crush on you and you are leading him on instead of telling him that you are aware of his feelings and that it's not going to happen," Blaine yells back, and wow his boyfriend can look scary when he is angry.

"Well, at least I don't have to make an appointment when I want to see him," Kurt snaps because it seems that's what he has to do now if he wants to see Blaine in private.

"I'm graduating in less than a month so excuse me for being busy. And it's not like you're any less busy. Only you choose to spend your free time with a guy that isn't your boyfriend," Blaine argues, and Kurt is certain that if the whole floor hasn't heard them before they definitely have now.

"You know what. I'm not going to fight about this with you. I haven't done anything wrong. You've been acting weird and distant since the start of the semester, so you don't get to be mad when I spend time with other people that I could spend with you if you didn't avoid me for some reason."

His storm out trumps even the ones he's seen Rachel do in middle school.

Blaine feels like shit the moment Kurt storms out of his room but he knows better than to go after his boyfriend when he is this mad. What he needs is a plan to make it up to Kurt, to prove to him that he is still his number one priority and that he didn't mean to hurt Kurt when he distanced himself to prepare for next year.

Because this is what next year will most likely be like. They are going to be on different schedules because he might have classes when Kurt is done with his and might still be in bed while Kurt's at in school.

There may be weeks when they don't get to see each other at all during the week because of rehearsals, homework and the like and all he wanted to do was prepare them for that future. Didn't want them to be caught of guard.

He realizes – only now of course – that it may have been better to just tell Kurt why he was acting weird – Kurt's word – instead of driving Kurt into the arms of another guy so to speak.

The rest of the night, he searches the Internet for the perfect song to assure Kurt that he is the best thing that happened to him so far. With prom coming up it will hopefully get him out of the doghouse and get Kurt to agree to be his date.

Kurt doesn't respond to any of his text messages the next day, so he is surprised when his boyfriend actually shows up in one of the practice rooms at the time Blaine asked him to come.

"Before you say anything – can you just sit down and listen?" he asks Kurt when Kurt opens his mouth.

The younger boy snaps it shut again and sits down in the chair Blaine has put next to the piano before he nods.

"Okay, here goes..."

I never had no one

I could count on

I've been let down so many times

I was tired of hurtin'

So tired of searchin'

'Til you walked into my life

It was a feelin'

I'd never known

And for the first time

I didn't feel alone

He makes sure to make eye contact with Kurt after the first few lines and to his relief Kurt is actually looking at him, a soft smile on his face.

You're more than a lover

There could never be another

To make me feel the way you do

Oh we just get closer

I fall in love all over

Every time I look at you

I don't know where I'd be

Without you here with me

Life with you makes perfect sense

You're my best friend

You're my best friend, oh yeah

And it's true. They aren't just boyfriends, they are best friends even though Blaine has Wes and David and Kurt has Mercedes.

You stand by me

And you believe in me

Like nobody ever has

When my world goes crazy

You're right there to save me

You make me see how much I have

And I still tremble

When we touch

And oh the look in your eyes

When we make love

Kurt's blushing when Blaine looks over to him again and Blaine keeps eye contact when he repeats the chorus one more time, to make sure Kurt really gets what he is trying to say.

You're more than a lover

There could never be another

To make me feel the way you do

Oh we just get closer

I fall in love all over

Everytime I look at you

And I don't know where I'd be

Without you here with me

Life with you makes perfect sense

You're my best friend

You're my best friend

"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" Kurt asks when Blaine closes the lid of the piano.

"I wanted to say sorry for making you feel like I didn't care about you anymore. That's so not true and was never my intention. And I was hoping you'd agree to go to prom with me."

"Blaine, I was always going to go to prom with you, so while I appreciate the song, it really wasn't necessary."

Blaine swallows because he doesn't like where this is heading.

"As for the other stuff. I accept your apology but we really need to sit down and talk about what's going on here. You can't expect to just sing a song and everything is fine and dandy again."

Blaine nods because that's what mature adults do and because he doesn't want to admit that he thought a song would be enough to earn Kurt's forgiveness.

Talking about his feelings has never been his forte and though he knows that the reason they are fighting in the first place is that Blaine avoided talking about the difficult stuff, he hopes that it will take a while till they have time to sit down and really talk about next year.

2x10Prom and bad news.