“You’re up early,” Rachel noted as she sipped her chamomile tea. Kurt poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat next to her at their small kitchen table.

“I’m covering for Adam,” he said between spoonfuls of cereal. “He has a call back and I need the money.” Rachel nodded in understanding and returned her attention to the morning paper, no doubt scanning it for any new adventures to be had over the weekend. Kurt finished his cereal in silence, placed the empty bowl in the sink with the promise to wash it out later, and then headed off to work. He chose to fore-go his routine coffee this morning as the last thing he wanted right now was another reminder of the life he left behind and that’s exactly what the coffee was. It was a connection to the endless hours spent drinking coffee and talking nonsense with Blaine, to the pure joy those times represented, even before they were anything more than friends. Kurt pushed the thoughts of Blaine from his mind and set to work.

The day shift was always better than the night if you wanted to lay low and not do much. There weren’t as many patrons so there weren’t as many tips, but there also was less of a chance that people would notice his distraction. There was a lot of time during the day shift to just hang out with the other members of the small, independent theatre and just…do nothing. Which, it turned out, was exactly what Kurt needed right then. He needed to be distracted; to talk to someone whose very presence didn’t remind him of what he’d left behind. No, his fellow bartenders represented instead the new life he was starting and as the afternoon drew on and the night began to fall Kurt felt himself beginning to feel happy again. He even managed to smile convincingly well into the small hours of Sunday morning.

When his shift ended at 2 Kurt bade his coworkers farewell and left the small theatre for the overwhelming grandeur of Manhattan late at night. This part of the city was almost quiet when it got to be this late. Lights flickered on and off from all different angles, illuminating Kurt’s path, which he took at a leisurely stroll despite his absolute exhaustion. He let his mind wander off into the expanse of the city as a light breeze began to wind its way through the tunnels and alleys formed by skyscrapers. His phone buzzed in his pocket, no doubt a message from Rachel inquiring into his whereabouts, and he dug into his pocket to fetch the device.

The message indicator flashed a staccato rhythm, impatiently waiting to be seen and dealt with. It clashed drastically with the calm flow of Kurt’s walk and he hastily opened his inbox. There was, as expected, a message from Rachel. A simple “Are you coming home soon?” she sent no doubt because she wanted to go to bed but couldn’t bolt the door until Kurt’s return. He didn’t even bother to reply, as he was less than a minute from their building and he would probably get there before his message. There was also, however, a message from Blaine. Kurt stopped just inside the entry to the building and hesitated a moment before opening the message. Not that he feared what it might contain, but because he’d been trying to avoid the longing ache that currently went along with the very idea of Blaine.

“Hey.”

That was it? Kurt wasn’t sure whether to be happy or disappointed. The two hadn’t been in contact since their skype date two days ago as Kurt hadn’t wanted to take up any more of Blaine’s precious time, not to mention the fact that Kurt could barely make himself function, let alone pretend to be happy so that he could talk to Blaine. He stared down his phone, the electronic glow emanating from the small screen casting a ghostly light on his face, as he made his way up the stairs and to his apartment.

What could he say to Blaine? He couldn’t tell him of the absolute horror the past few days had been, and he certainly didn’t want to burden him with mundane tales of bartending. He had no idea what Blaine had been doing the past few days, that much was evident by the fact that Rachel had known about Pippin before he had. Because Rachel spoke to Finn almost ad nauseum, even when Finn should have been working. Work! Blaine had been doing some work for Finn on Saturday mornings, he could ask about that; it shouldn’t cause any unneeded burden about Kurt’s current predicament, and it wouldn’t make Blaine rehash any strain caused by school or rehearsal. It was perfect, really. The only logical response.

“How was work?”

Blaine would be asleep by now, so Kurt plugged his phone in to charge and left it to go get ready for bed. He wouldn’t be getting a reply until at least 9 or 10 so Kurt went about his nightly routine and retired, hungering for sleep with an entirely undignified desperation.

At just before 2 he was ripped from sleep by the sound of his phone ringing loudly, far too close to his ear. He checked the caller ID and cursed under his breath as Rachel Berry flashed across the screen.

“What?” he answered, grumpily.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Why must Rachel always be so bubbly? It was tiring.

“I’m sleeping.”

“Well, fine, but I wanted to let you know that I have rehearsal all day today so don’t try to call me because my phone will be off.” Kurt groaned.

“…You called to tell me not to call?”

“That’s right.”

“And you didn’t think a text message would suffice?”

“Well, I had to make sure you got the message.”

“Goodbye, Rachel.” Kurt hung up before she had a chance to respond and pulled a pillow over his face.

Before he could even try to fall back asleep his phone was ringing again. He shouted into the pillow and removed it, getting into full-on bitch mode before he answered Rachel’s second call – until he noticed the caller ID flashing Unknown Number. Confused, he answered quickly.

“Uh, hello?”

“Kurt Hummel?” an unfamiliar female voice asked, their tone was confident and no-nonsense.

“Yes?”

“I’m calling about the part you auditioned for on Friday. Call-backs are being held tomorrow from 10 until 4 at the same location. Your presence is requested. Please dress in clothes that you are comfortable dancing in. Thank you.”

Before he had a chance to reply the woman had hung up. It took a minute for what had just happened to process his still sleep-hazed mind, but slowly it began to sink in. He had a callback. He had a callback. For a show. In New York City.

Just as that thought began to take root in his mind, his phone rang for the third time that afternoon.

“Hello?” he answered, not bothering to check the caller ID.

“Are you mad at me?” It was Blaine. Blaine, who was just the person Kurt wanted to talk to most at the moment. Well, he wanted to hug him, to celebrate with him, but he would settle for talking.

“Why would I be mad at you?” Kurt asked, confused as to where this was coming from.

“I haven’t heard from you since Thursday, I thought you were avoiding me.” Kurt couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m not mad,” he assured Blaine, “I didn’t want to bother you if you were busy.”

“Oh,” Blaine felt a little stupid for assuming the worst.

“You actually have amazing timing – guess what!”

“What?”

“I got a call back!” The excitement Kurt felt was undeniable and Blaine could almost see the smile that played on Kurt’s lips as he spoke. “I mean, it’s just a callback, I haven’t got the part or anything, but still.”

“That’s amazing, Kurt! A callback is a big deal, don’t sell yourself short! You should go celebrate with Rachel or something.” Blaine flinched a little at the thought of Kurt celebrating anything with anyone who wasn’t him.

“She has rehearsal all day, but it doesn’t matter because I’d rather just talk to you – if you’re not too busy?” The insecurity had slipped out before Kurt could manage to stop it. Blaine flinched again at the idea the Kurt thought he was too busy for him.

“I’m never too busy for you,” Blaine replied quietly, sincerely.

They spent hours talking – first via cellphone and then, in an effort to keep the bills from skyrocketing, over Skype. They talked about everything and nothing, they laughed and joked, it was casual and easy, just like before the separation. Blaine filled Kurt in on the latest gossip, and gave him an update on Finn and their other friends, while Kurt told Blaine about his horrible audition experience and Rachel’s show. Everything was starting to get back to normal, and Kurt was happy, but the conversation would inevitably have to end and then the lonely ache would return. Both boys promised to be better about making time – a phone call every night, a skype date at least twice a week, no excuses.

The next few days were a blur for both Blaine and Kurt, but they kept their promise and managed to talk for at least a few minutes every day. It was getting easier to continue on without Kurt and, though he still missed him terribly, day by day Blaine was re-learning to live without Kurt by his side. When Kurt had called, all flustered and filled to the brim with excitement, to inform Blaine that he’d gotten the part – a national tour! – Blaine was incredibly supportive, though he noted that this meant no Thanksgiving trip back to Lima.

“Oh. I didn’t even think of that,” Kurt replied, crestfallen. “I was really looking forward to that, but you’re right.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Blaine offered.

And figure something out they did. When Kurt pointed out to Rachel that she, too, had to stay in the city for Thanksgiving she merely shrugged it off, replying matter-of-factly that Finn would be coming in to town, since he could take the time off and she could not.

Kurt almost knocked Rachel over as he tore to retrieve his cellphone so that he could call Blaine.

“Come to New York,” he said, breathlessly excited, before Blaine even finished his greeting.

“What’s wrong?” Blaine, mistaking Kurt’s rushed statement for distress, was panicking.

“No, no,” Kurt laughed, realizing his mistake, “for Thanksgiving.”

“Ooooooooooooooooooooh!” Blaine replied, relief replacing the panic rapidly. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said, joyous at the thought of finally reuniting with Kurt.

“If your parents cause trouble tell them that Finn is coming, too, so it’s not like you’ll be alone,” Kurt suggested, knowing that getting Mr. Anderson to allow Blaine to visit his boyfriend in New York might be a bit of an ordeal.

“I will. And if they say no I might just do it anyway; what are they going to do, tell me I can’t go to college?” Kurt laughed, but he wasn’t entirely sure that Blaine was joking.

That conversation had been nearly a week and a half ago but Blaine kept replaying it in his mind; the pure joy and excitement that Kurt’s voice held at the idea of Blaine coming to New York had all but ended whatever lingering fears there were of a Blaine-less New York life.

But of course nothing was ever easy, not for them.

Four days before Blaine and Finn had planned on taking off for New York Blaine sat at what was supposed to be the last rehearsal before break. He was visibly distracted and fidgeting the whole time, staring down the clock and willing the second hand to move faster. He hadn’t been paying attention to whatever pep talk they’d been given until a piece of paper was waved in front of his face by Tina.

“Hello? Earth to Blaine! Take one of these,” she said, handing him the stack and going back to her own copy. Confused, Blaine separated a sheet from the rest and passed the rest on.

NEW REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

“No. No no no no no,” Blaine muttered to himself, reading over the dates listed.

November 20, 21, 23, 24 – Dress rehearsal. Mandatory.

Kurt was going to kill him. Like, hop on the first bus to Ohio, knock on Blaine’s front door, and kill him dead. He’d been really looking forward to Thanksgiving – they both had. Kurt wanted more than anything to show Blaine his life in New York, and Blaine wanted to be there, to be part of that, and just to see Kurt again. The break from all the chaos of Lima would have been an added bonus. But now Blaine was stuck here, forced to attend rehearsals for a show he suddenly had no desire to be in with a group of people who, though he loved, he loved a whole lot less than he loved Kurt Hummel.

Blaine was dreading their nightly phone call. Kurt could tell that something was wrong from the moment he answered. He tried not to push it, waiting for Blaine to tell him what was going on, but when it became evident that Blaine wasn’t going to come clean without a little help, Kurt pushed.

“What’s going on?” Kurt asked, interrupting some mundane story Blaine was telling about Sue and her latest anti-Glee club assault.

“Nothing,” Blaine replied, a little too quickly.

“Liar.” Kurt heard Blaine inhale deeply.

“I can’t come to New York for Thanksgiving.” That was not what Kurt had been expecting to hear. He had been expecting trouble with rehearsal, issues with school, a rejection from a college, anything but that. “I’m so so sorry, Kurt, but they just scheduled a bunch of rehearsals that I can’t miss. I’m sorry.” Blaine voice was pleading, but Kurt barely registered it.

He wasn’t coming.

He wasn’t going to be there for Thanksgiving.

Kurt was stuck in New York with his step-brother and his girlfriend and Blaine wasn’t going to be there. Wasn’t going to be there to make jokes with, to wander the streets with, to make the whole Finn-and-Rachel experience tolerable. All the plans he’d been making evaporated. No Thanksgiving Day parade, no evening strolls through the park, no act-like-obnoxious-tourists day.

“Stop apologizing, I get it,” Kurt finally said because, really, he did. Wasn’t the reason he couldn’t come home rehearsal? He couldn’t fault Blaine for doing the exact same thing that he himself was doing.

“I almost quit on the spot,” Blaine said.

“Don’t you dare,” Kurt replied almost instantly, “don’t even joke.”

“I’m serious! I had a good 30 second debate with myself over if you’d hate me more if I canceled our Thanksgiving or if I quit the show. I see I chose correctly.” Kurt laughed.