Back in New York

"Ahhh...back in the lap of luxury, Kurt, how was Christmas?" Seb asked.

"It was great seeing the folks. Carole is doing well. Finn and Rachel are still dancing around each other, neither brave enough to make a commitment. Burt walked in on Blaine giving me a blowjob, and Blaine's parents got divorced. How was your Christmas?" Kurt asked.

Sebastian sat there a bit stunned, staring at Kurt.

"Way to bury the headline, Hummel. Let me get this straight: Burt Hummel walked in on Blaine giving his baby boy a blowjob --and Blaine's still standing? Wait....where is he? Do I need to send flowers?" Seb smirked.

Blaine walked in the door to the apartment, suitcases in hand. He looked tired and happy.

"Let's just say...he thought I needed cheering up," Blaine said, smiling at Kurt.

"I still don't know why you didn't come with us, Sebbie. We had a great time. Kurt and my dad got me a sled for Christmas! We went sledding every day on the hills over by Eisenhower Park. It was great."

"Glad to hear it. I found a wonderful, lonely boy and we spent the holidays celebrating. You might want to avoid the sofa in the lounge until I get someone in to clean it, though," Seb said, his trademark smirk a welcome sight. They had both missed Sebastian and his snark was like home now.

"Hey, Seb, can you help bring that last suitcase into our bedroom, if you don't mind," Kurt called in from his room. After a small complaint, he heard Seb walking towards the room. Just as he turned the corner to the doorway, both Kurt and Blaine ambushed him, throwing their arms around him and smothering him with little kisses all over his face.

"What.....what's this all about?" Seb asked, blushing like fury and looking bewildered with a sweet smile on his face.

"You walked under the mistletoe, Sebbie. What did you expect?" Kurt giggled.

"Aww. I missed you guys," Seb admitted, grinning. "Let's celebrate...I want to go dancing."

"Okay, we can do that," Kurt agreed after getting a nod from Blaine.

"There's only one thing. I want to know what you truly think, so don't hold back, okay?" Seb asked.

"Sure," they both agreed.

"I asked Trent to come with me because I didn't know when you were coming home. If you are uncomfortable, I can go out with you guys later," Seb explained. "I'll just step back into the living room and you can talk it over, okay?"

"Sure," Blaine said, turning to walk into his bedroom, Princess following.

"What do you think, Kurt?" Blaine asked. He was not sure how he felt about it himself.

"It won't hurt to try. We've seen him once in a while over the past year, and you knew he and Sebbie are friends. I'll go if you want to – we can always leave if you feel uncomfortable," Kurt said, "I think it will be fine if we're in public and you only have eyes for me on the dance floor anyway, baby."

"I'll go tell Sebbie, you get dressed."

~*~

"I thought it would get crowded, being so close to New Year's, but this is crazy. I don't know if there's room to breathe on that dance floor," Kurt observed. Blaine grinned.

"The better to be close to you, my dear," he said in his best wolf voice.

Kurt giggled. They stepped onto the floor, having finished a drink each, club soda with cranberry and a twist.

"Seb said he and Trent would be here soon," Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear as he looked at his cell.

Kurt nodded and slid his hands down to grip around Blaine's waist, pulling him in tight to fit between several other couples. They got smiles from all sides as they started to feel the rhythm and move together. All those days under the strict and watchful eye of Cassandra July made dancing like second nature to Kurt now. Blaine found Kurt's every move to be sensual, as if he was making love to the music – and worshiping Blaine's body. Blaine moved in back of Kurt, placing his arm around Kurt's waist to hold him steady as he ground into Kurt's sweet ass. He couldn't actually hear Kurt moan, but the vibrations were clear enough. Kurt pushed back, giving some more friction as they moved to the beat.

During the second dance, Kurt spotted Sebbie coming across the floor, his hand clasped tightly to a tall man with big blue eyes. He was thin and seemed a bit lost, holding on to Seb with his knuckles white. It took Kurt a moment to realize it was Trent. Kurt put a hand on Blaine's shoulder and leaned close to his ear.

"Sebbie's here with Trent, baby. Just tell me if you get to feeling anxious," Kurt shout-whispered. Blaine's stomach lurched, but he grit his teeth and breathed deep. He could maintain. Kurt was here and he had visited Trent a few times with Kurt and Sebastian.

"Kurt! Blainers, Happy New Year," Sebastian shouted above the noise of the crowd. Trent was behind him, eyes wide. He seemed reluctant to dance at first, but Seb was whispering in his ear and running a hand down his arm. It was like magic because Trent lost the scared rabbit look and blushed a little before he put a hand to Seb's shoulder and Seb placed his on Trent's waist and they started dancing. Blaine smiled at the transformation. In spite of the history between the two of them, he didn't hate Trent. They had been good friends and Blaine understood mental illness more than most young men his age.

Kurt distracted his boyfriend from watching the other couple when he started to rub closer to Blaine's ass, sliding around him and putting his arms around his neck. The music was slower now and almost everyone on the dance floor was pasted to each other, heads on shoulders and arms around bodies as they all seemed to sway to the loud music together.

"You okay?" Kurt asked and Blaine smiled at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I got a little bit of a lurch there at first, but I think I'm going to be fine now," he whispered in Kurt's ear. "They look good together, don't they?" Blaine observed.

Kurt turned to see and was surprised to find that Trent was no longer pale and hesitant. Seb was holding him close and he actually looked as if he was enjoying himself. Seb would say something in his ear and Trent would smile. Once he even giggled.

Kurt had held a big resentment towards Trent for what he had done. In his head he understood that Trent had been ill, he knew about the hallucinogenic drugs in the second bottle of whiskey – but Trent had still given it to Blaine. Kurt wanted to forgive Trent, he felt he needed to as much for his own sake as for Trent's, but deep in his heart he knew he would always have that little kernal of anger.

Blaine saw Kurt's mind was uneasy, he was staring at Seb and Trent and Blaine knew that although Kurt had made peace with it he was still harboring that bit of anger. He sighed. He really wanted this to work.

"Hey, baby, look over here at me – I'm starting to get a little jealous of your eyes on Sebbie," he whispered, then put out his tongue and licked Kurt's ear. Kurt jumped.

"Blaine!"

Blaine ignored Kurt's agitation and pushed his hips forward, holding Kurt's ass in his hands so he could grind against his body as they danced. Kurt's attention wasn't on Seb or Trent anymore. He put his hand on Blaine's neck and gently pulled him close, kissing his temple and snuggling his boyfriend's cheek into his chest.

"I only have eyes for you, Blaine. No distraction could keep me away from you, my love," Kurt whispered. Blaine hummed in contentment. The song ended and the bass on the next song was loud and they could all feel it in their bones as the tempo sped up. Blaine took a deep breath and shook his hips, delighted when Kurt shimmied his shoulders right along with him. They danced the night away, having a wonderful time.

During a particularly loud song, Kurt had his back to Blaine and when hands went around his waist to pull him in closer, he realized they weren't Blaine's hands. He was pretty sure that Blaine's skin was not black. The hands were strong but gentle and he turned to see who his new dance partner was.

"Unique!" he shouted. He hadn't seen her in a few years, but she was as beautiful today as she had been in high school. Her grin made him smile back, so happy to see someone from his old glee club. He threw his arms around her and kissed her cheek.

"Kurt Hummel, you are just sex on a stick, and I want to eat you up, sugar. What are you doing here?" she asked, smiling at Kurt as Blaine came up. He was grinning and Kurt knew immediately that he had seen her first and put her up to taking his place as Kurt's dance partner. Kurt took Unique's hand and led her to a less crowded place in the back of the dance club. He found a table and offered her a chair. Blaine and Kurt sat down and took a breather.

"Blaine and I have been going to college here for a few years. Our roommate is here somewhere...." Kurt looked for Seb and pointed him out to her.

"Sebastian Smythe is your roommate?" she asked.

"Yeah, we share an apartment in Manhattan. He's going to Stoney Brook. I'm at NYADA and Blaine is excelling at Tisch," Kurt enthused, winking at Blaine.

"Oh...that is so cool. Do you see Mercedes there? Or Rachel?" Unique asked.

"Yeah, we have a few classes together. What are you up to?" he asked.

"Actually, I'm transferring to Julliard. I was in California, just...you know...living the dream. I had auditioned for NYADA and Julliard, but got turned down to both. I went to LA with friends and got a call last month. A slot opened up and they asked me if I wanted to come in next semester. How could I say no?" she smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I'm still trying to wake up from the dream!"

"Oh, that's wonderful, sweetheart. I'm so, so proud of you," Blaine said, giving her a hug.

"Thank you," she said, looking around the dance floor.

"Would you like to dance?" Kurt asked after silently asking Blaine and getting a nod from him.

"I thought you'd never ask!" she smiled and got to her feet, taking his hand. They threaded their way through the crowd and began to dance, Kurt grinning as Unique shook her hips. He had missed her, one of the few people from high school that he liked but had failed to keep up with.

Blaine sat at the table and watched Kurt dance, happy he was having such a good time. Besides, he could see Kurt move better from here. Since he was taking dance from Cassandra July, his dancing was amazing. He was the sexiest thing on the dance floor. Blaine closed his eyes for a moment, they burned when he got tired. He opened them after a few minutes to try and find Kurt on the dance floor, but his eyes fell on Trent instead.

He was still dancing with Seb, although Blaine had seen him dance briefly with another man earlier. His eyes had been on Trent all evening when the couple came into view, but now he turned his attention to Seb. What Blaine saw there made him catch his breath. He'd seen Seb dance with men before, knew he was a flirt and took home men when he found them attractive. Blaine had seen him with Rudy, the man he most often dated and he and Kurt had speculated that they might end up being a couple – but what Blaine saw now was enough to make him blink his eyes to be sure it wasn't a trick of the light. He knew it wasn't the alcohol because Blaine didn't drink.

Seb was staring at Trent like he hung the moon. He was smiling and his eyes never left Trent's face, his hands holding him close even though this was a fairly fast dance and most, if not all, of the couples were dancing apart. It was as though they were unaware of anyone else in the room. Blaine studied Trent, seeing the same look in his eyes. It was a look of hope and expectation maybe, and his hands never left Seb's sides or his shoulders. Seb reached up and pulled Trent's head down to rest on his shoulder and kissed his hair, tugging him closer as he whispered something into his ear. He was rubbing his back at intervals when he wasn't touching his neck or waist.

The song was almost done and Trent pulled back away from Seb and said something, a serious look on his face. Seb took Trent's face in his hands and kissed him for a long time, the two of them almost melting together through the last notes of the song.

Blaine was still sitting there, his mouth ajar when he realized Kurt was standing behind him, glancing around to see what had caught Blaine's attention. Then Blaine could see it cross Kurt's face when he realized what was happening. His hand went to Blaine's and he sat down quickly, looking at his boyfriend.

"Did you see that?" he asked and Blaine nodded.

"Yeah, its been going on all during the dance – do you think they're already a couple or did this just happen tonight?" Kurt asked rhetorically.

"They come here a few nights a week," Unique said, looking over to see Trent and Seb leaving the dance floor to sit at a table, holding hands.

"Like that?" Blaine asked.

"Like what? They come here, have a few drinks – although I don't think its alcohol – and dance for a while, then they leave. Always together. Why?" she asked, curiosity all over her face.

"Because he's our roommate and he never told us," Kurt said, leaving it at that. No sense in going into any intimate details.

"Oh...well, I wouldn't hide that cute boy under a bushel if he was mine," Unique said, smiling. "Oh, there's my ride. I came with a few friends from school. Here, this is my number. Call me and we can go to dinner, it was so nice to see you boys tonight. We New Directions alumni need to stick together, don't we?" she laughed.

"Thank you for the dance, I had a great time. It was good to see you, too," Kurt smiled. "We'll have to go find a friendly karaoke place and get the whole New York gang together, right?"

"That would be great, Kurt. Bye, Blaine," she said, leaning over to kiss each cheek before leaving.

Blaine and Kurt just sat there, looking at each other, a bit stunned.

"Well, knock me over with a feather..." Kurt said.

"Yeah. And you didn't see the whole dance. Wow," Blaine said. The band was coming back from their break and Kurt leaned over to speak quietly to Blaine.

"Are you okay? You look a little dazed. Do you want to go home? Its getting late, baby," Kurt offered. Blaine looked okay, but the lights were dim.

"No, I'm fine. I want another dance with you before we leave," he said, looking back into Kurt's eyes and smiling. He took Kurt's hand and kissed his knuckles. They were in a booth at the very back of the club and it was very dark. He licked Kurt's finger and slid it into his mouth, sucking as he swirled his tongue around the tip and smiling when Kurt's other hand went down to adjust his jeans. His heart was pounding and he stopped looking at anyone else.

"Blaine...." he whispered and stroked the golden cheek before taking back his hand and placing his lips on Blaine's sensuous mouth. Blaine moaned into Kurt's mouth as they kissed.

"Yeah...let's go home," he said and took Kurt's hand to get up.

"Oh! Sorry, we were just coming over to talk. Are you leaving so soon?" Seb asked. Neither Blaine nor Kurt had realized he was there.

"No, sit," Kurt said, waving a hand at the two spaces on the other side of the booth. Seb allowed Trent to get in first, then slid in next to him.

Neither Blaine nor Kurt could think of a thing to say. Finally, Trent cleared his throat.

"Was that...Unique you were dancing with, Kurt? From Vocal Adrenaline?" he asked.

"Ah...oh, yes it was. She transferred to McKinley a few months before we transferred to Dalton. We got to know her when Rachel and I gave her those silver shoes – the ones she wore when she sang "Boogie Shoes" at Regionals," Kurt said, babbling on because he had no idea what to say at this point. Silence fell over the table once again.

After a long three minutes, Trent spoke again.

"I'm so sorry. Sebbie thought it might be a fun night, so I agreed to come but I'm afraid I'm only making you uncomfortable. I apologize..." Trent said with tears in his eyes. "I think I'll call a cab."

Blaine and Kurt exchanged looks and Blaine put out a hand to touch Trent's arm.

"No, don't go. Yes, it is awkward, but I don't want you to leave. Can we get another round of drinks and maybe...just talk?" he suggested. Seb put an arm around Trent's shoulder for a moment and gave him a hug.

"I think that would be nice. Is it okay with you, Trent?" he asked.

"Ah...yes, for a few minutes, but I don't want to insinuate myself into your lives," he said, looking across the table to Kurt and Blaine. His face was flushed red and he was looking down.

Seb snapped his fingers at the bar girl and asked for a round of drinks when she came over. None of them were drinking alcohol that night.

Slowly, the four men began to talk, first remembering some of the choir competitions and other safe subjects. Then it seemed a bit weird again.

"If I can ask, Trent, were you able to graduate from high school? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to – but I was hoping you did. I remember you as being so bright," he said, a thin smile on his face. He nodded encouragement to the shy man.

"Yeah, I did. I was able to do the rest of my schoolwork from the hospital. I had tutors from Dalton, so I was allowed to graduate with my diploma issued by Dalton Academy," he said.

"I'm so glad. Are you thinking of going to college?" Blaine asked.

"I'm starting Stoney Brook in January. Seb helped me apply and they allowed me to enter as a transfer student since I had a year of college classes at the hospital," Trent said. "Seb told me all about what you two were doing. Congratulations of winning the showcase last year, Blaine. I'm sorry Kurt missed it, I have heard you play Moonlight Sonata and I know you were perfect," he said.

They went on discussing school and other safe subjects for over an hour, easing into the comfort of days gone by. It almost seemed like the days at Dalton with the friendships they had shared. Almost.

"Its getting late, we need to start for home," Kurt said, covering a yawn. Blaine giggled.

'Okay, Mr. Gay Bar Superstar. Time for sleep," Blaine said, drawing his fingers through Kurt's hair.

"We need to get home, too. Ready to go, Trent?" Seb asked.

"Yeah, let me use the restroom and I'll be right back," he said. Seb got up to let him out of the booth.

"Seb?" Blaine said when Trent was out of earshot.

"Ah...there's something I've been wanting to discuss with you guys," Seb said, not looking either of them in the eye.

"What the fuck?" Kurt said. Kurt never used swear words.

"I wanted to say something, but I just had no idea how to bring it up!" Seb defended himself. "I was just visiting him, you know, like a friend. I knew he needed somebody to talk to and both of you said you'd forgiven him. I didn't mean to fall in..." Seb stopped. His face flushed red and he put his head down in his arms. "Oh, my god. What can I say now?"

"How about the truth?" Blaine suggested.

"Damn it. I don't know what to say....I was just being his friend and then I realized one day couldn't sleep because he was all I could think about. Then I felt guilty because of what happened....sorry, Blaine....and then I was just...? Oh, fuck. I am so confused now. Will one of you say something?" Seb looked at Kurt, then Blaine.

"Ah, this is kind of...sudden?" Blaine asked.

"Not really. Its been going on since you were in Lima when Burt had the accident at the garage, so – about eight months?" Seb offered.

"Okay...." Kurt said. "Do you love him, Sebastian? Does he love you?"

"Oh, my god, yes. I do love him. And its been tearing me up inside. I don't want to be disloyal to you, you're my best friends. You know I was there for you...." he didn't know what to say.

"I know. Seb, your loyalty is not in question here," Blaine said and Kurt nodded agreement. "We want what is best for you."

"Oh, you don't know how glad I am to hear you say that. I've been feeling so bad the last months, like I was doing something wrong. So, its okay with you if I date Trent?" Seb asked, ducking his head as if he thought they might hit him.

"Seb, we want you to be happy. If Trent makes you happy – then you have my blessing," Blaine said, stroking Seb's cheek to make him look in his eyes. "Honest."

"That goes for me, too. You have been the most loyal friend to us, how could we not want you to have the life you deserve?" Kurt said.

"Is it...is it okay with you if Trent comes over then? I promise, we will be respectful," Seb said, looking hopeful.

"Seb, its your apartment! You can do anything you want to do. You don't need our permission," Kurt said.

"I feel like its all of ours. Since the first day, I never felt any different, so I want your input. We can try it for now and talk about it?" Seb asked.

"Of course," Blaine said.

Trent came walking back towards the table and the conversation turned back to plans for the evening.

"Okay, we'll see you at home," Kurt smiled, turning to Blaine to help him on with his coat. Seb and Trent exchanged looks and Trent smiled.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Blaine, I want you to tell me why you feel that way," Dr. Castile said, giving him an encouraging smile. She had been his psychiatrist for four years and they usually had an easy relationship. He trusted her and she found she had a genuine fondness for the troubled boy – now a man. She treated many people, but Blaine had been such a challenge from the start, then his kind and sweet nature showed itself about the fourth month of his therapy and she had never wanted a patient to get better more than she wanted it for Blaine Anderson.

"He raped me, Dr. Castile, I'm supposed to hate him," Blaine mumbled, his head in his hands as he felt the exasperation filling him once again. He was beginning to feel his breathing being restricted and closed his eyes, thinking about waves washing on the shore. That didn't help at all and he went to his picture in his mind of Kurt's smile. He gasped a little and Dr. Castile got up from her chair and walked over to the door. She opened it and looked out at Kurt, giving him a smile and snapped her fingers at Princess who followed her into the room. She closed the door.

"Princess..." Blaine sighed, wrapping his arms around her and breathing into her silky red fur. He put his forehead on her shoulder and waited until he was calm again.

"Sorry. Thank you," he said automatically. It had been months since he'd needed to have Princess in the room with him during a session.

"Can we go back to the discussion, Blaine, or is it too much?" she asked.

"No, I'm okay. Well, I'm supposed to hate him and now I've seen him twice with Sebastian. I agreed that Trent could come over, so I .....well, I can't go back on my word, can I?" he asked, but she knew it was a rhetorical question.

"Who told you that you were "supposed" to hate Trent?" she asked.

Blaine blinked his eyes and looked at her. He didn't know. Wasn't it just proper?

"Blaine, what are you thinking?" the doctor asked him.

"I don't know the answer. Society? If someone does something terrible to you, isn't hating them the logical thing to do?" he asked.

"Is it?"

"I think so...?" he sounded very unclear and tightened his grip around Princess. She was used to this, but he was holding her too tight and she flinched.

"Oh, sorry, girl..." he apologized to his dog and let his muscles relax.

"Well, do you hate him then?"

"No. I mean, we were really good friends. I can remember going into his dorm room – Trent had a single – and then drinking the whiskey. The next thing I remember was that Kurt was there, except that I've already told you that it wasn't Kurt. I remember the panic in the room, and it wasn't just from me. I think Trent was panicking, too. Then I remember waking up in the hospital and my backside hurt."

"Okay. So, you agreed to drop charges if he would seek treatment in a hospital, which he did. Was that your idea or someone else's?" the doctor asked.

"Mine. My dad and Papa Burt wanted him to go to jail. Kurt didn't say, but that was because he wanted to do some kind of harm to him. I could see it in his eyes. He was so angry. I think he's still angry, but he's letting go of it, too. I just couldn't believe Trent...Trent! Of all people would hurt me. And even now, I don't think he meant to do me harm. I think he was...." Blaine stopped talking and hid his face in his dog's fur.

"Blaine."

"I think he was in love with me. He used to follow me with his eyes and I knew he felt like that. I was in love with Kurt and I didn't want to hurt Trent, but...well, Kurt has always been it for me. I thought everyone understood that. Trent didn't, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I should have just told him that, maybe I made him think he had a chance."

"Blaine, we've been over all of this. What might be more helpful is to ask yourself if you do actually hate Trent or if your feelings are not that precise. You are the one that knows how you feel, not what your perceive society expects you to feel. Okay?"

Blaine sat still for a moment, gathering his thoughts and absent-mindedly stroking Princess.

"I don't hate him, I am positive of that. If nobody else were involved, I would just want to make friends with him again."

"If nobody else were involved, Blaine?" Dr. Castile asked.

Blaine's eyes watered. Was this what was holding him back? Was this what made him feel so confused and upset and anxious? Oh, my god, he thought: This was the crux of the whole matter. It wasn't him that hated Trent – he was terrified of disappointing Kurt.

"Ah, I think you've just found your answer. Or at least the question you need to ask yourself, haven't you?" she said in a soft but supportive voice.

"It's Kurt. I don't want to disappoint Kurt," Blaine burst into tears and Princess licked his face, pressing her body into his chest as she had been trained. He held her close and cried into her fur once again. "I don't want Kurt to be angry at me for forgiving Trent."

Dr. Castile sat quietly while Blaine composed himself. She offered him the box of tissue, but he'd already retrieved his handkerchief from his pocket and was wiping his eyes.

"I need to talk to him. Do you think we should do it in here, or on our own?" he asked his doctor. Kurt was often invited to join them when certain issues came up and Dr. Castile had found that very useful. She rarely saw a couple who appeared so bonded, even more rarely a gay couple given that being out and together was sometimes more difficult in today's society. She liked Kurt and was glad Blaine had such a strong person to lean on, but they didn't fool her. She had known from the beginning that Blaine was the stronger of the two and Kurt had taken on that role when Blaine needed him. More and more she was seeing Blaine return to what she saw as his natural role in their dynamic.

"I suppose that depends on how comfortable you are with it. Kurt has my number if he feels the need to have me involved, so I want to know what you want to do," she asked Blaine.

"I think I'll talk to him first. Then is it okay if he comes with me to the next appointment?" Blaine asked.

"Of course, Blaine. Call me if you need to, otherwise I will see you in two weeks. Okay?"

"That sounds good."

~*~*~*~*~

"We need to talk."

"Sure, Blaine. Did everything go all right in session today? Or did you want to talk about something else?" Kurt asked, slipping Blaine's coat on his arms before settling it around his collar, stroking his cheek for a moment before letting him help with his jacket.

"Let's get some lunch and go sit in the park. I know there's snow, but its pretty warm for January," Blaine suggested.

"Sure, that sounds fine," Kurt smiled at his boyfriend.

Sitting on benches in the small park, Princess lying on the warm cement and taking a nap while her master and Kurt ate the sandwiches they got from the corner deli. Blaine took a long drink of his water and looked at Kurt.

"Okay, Anderson, spill," Kurt said, hoping he was ready for anything.

"Its about Trent," he started and saw Kurt take several swallows of his own water.

"Okay...what about him? Do you want to ask Seb not to bring him to the apartment any more? I know it will be hard, but we have to thaink about your...."

"No. Just hear me out, okay?" Blaine interrupted. Kurt stopped talking and gave Blaine his full attention. He was well aware of how long it had been since he'd had to bring Princess into a session, and he was worried. He told himself to just listen and then react. He knew he could be strong for Blaine – he'd been doing it for a long time now.

"No, I like seeing Trent and Seb together. I just don't...oh, shit," Blaine swore. He closed his eyes to try and regroup, taking a breath and reaching for Princess, but she was asleep so he just left his hand in the air. A warm hand took it and then he was in Kurt's arms.

"Blaine, baby, its okay. You can tell me anything. Just start at the beginning and I will listen without judgment until you're through. Okay?" Kurt said in his softest voice. He kissed Blaine's temple and brushed the curls from his eyes, looking into the troubled hazel depths. He felt Blaine relax in his arms.

Blaine explained how he didn't feel any animosity towards Trent any more, how he had known about Trent's crush and felt a bit of responsibility for not correcting that impression. He explained how he felt almost an obligation to hate him, but just didn't have that emotion in his whole body for Trent. He was worried that Kurt would find Blaine's feelings to be some sort of betrayal to Kurt, given how angry Kurt had been for so long. Blaine just let it all out and Kurt took it in silently. He wanted to speak, but held his tongue until Blaine was done.

"And so, Kurt...I don't want anything like this to come between us. I am comfortable with having Trent in the apartment and I just want to know where you stand because I think you were always far angrier with him than I was," Blaine concluded. He lifted his head from Kurt's shoulder where he had been resting it and looked into his boyfriend's eyes.

"Oh, Blaine....sweetheart. I don't know where to begin. You are the love of my life, and to think I've been causing so much turmoil for you....oh, baby," Kurt's eyes turned to liquid and tears began to roll down his cheeks.

"Kurt, it isn't your fault, I just didn't want to disappoint you...I really don't mind if Trent comes over if it makes Sebastian happy. C'mere," he said, kissing the tears from Kurt's cheeks. "We should have talked about this a long time ago. I'm so sorry," Blaine whispered, burying his face in Kurt's neck. They stayed that way for a while, just breathing the same air and holding each other.

"Hey, its getting a little chilly. I guess we better get going home. Its my night to cook," Blaine said, searching Kurt's face to make sure he was okay.

"All right. Here, Princess. Get up you lazy old dog," he laughed as she stood up and shook herself before wagging her tail and walking beside Blaine.

"I have forgiven Trent, too, Blaine. I think after all this time – and that you have forgiven him – I can do it. He was ill and now he is on his way to recovery. It might be good for all of us to sit down and talk a little, make sure Seb and Trent both know we're okay with him being there. I think holding on to the anger just made me tired, you know?" Blaine said. Kurt smiled back and they took hold of each other's hands and walked the rest of the way home.

~*~*~*~

"Trent? I'm so glad you were able to come tonight. Kurt and I made a special dinner," Blaine said, taking Trent's jacket and hanging it up in the closet by the door. Trent's smile was hesitant but there.

"You did? Honest, Seb and I can go out if you're having a dinner party, I didn't mean to intrude," Trent said shyly, his eyes not meeting Blaine's.

"No, we cooked this for you, Trent. Please, come with me," Blaine said, taking his arm and walking into the dining room. Seb was standing there, a smile on his face that reached his eyes when he saw his boyfriend.

"Please, have a seat," Kurt offered, indicating a chair next to Sebastian's. Trent sat down, murmuring thanks.

Kurt served the salad first, then the lasagna with garlic bread before they said much more than words about the weather or how delicious the food was.

"Trent, we .....well, Kurt and I....wanted to tell you that you are welcome here. I know its Sebbie's apartment, but he asked us if we were okay with you being here. It was very kind of him to include us, and we appreciate it. We talked it over and Trent, we do want to see you here. You were one of our best friends at Dalton and we are willing and anxious to put the incident behind us and rekindle our friendship if you are willing. So, how about it, Trent? Can we all be friends again?" Blaine asked, his eyes locked on Trent's.

Trent just sat there, his mouth open for a moment before he closed it and took a breath. Tears were in his eyes as he looked from Blaine to Kurt and back.

"Yes, oh....if we could? I have missed you so much. I know I've apologized, and I mean that from my heart. I never meant to hurt you, Blaine. Or you, Kurt," Trent started.

"No, we want to leave all of that behind. Start a new page, Trent. We won't ever mention it again, and I think we will be good friends. Now, I have a little something here..." Kurt began, opening a bottle, the cork popping as he poured golden liquid into flute glasses.

"Ah, I don't drink.." Trent said quietly.

"It's sparkling apple cider. We don't drink, either," Blaine whispered.

When everyone had their drink, Seb picked up his glass and smiled at each of his friends. "Here's to good friends, may we be together for the rest of our lives."

"Here, here!" the other three shouted, clinking their glasses together and drinking it all down.

The rest of the evening went well, talking over what they were doing in classes, how their holidays went, new year's resolutions. When it was late, Blaine whispered to Kurt that he was tired and they said goodnight.

"I'm glad we're friends again, Trent. I missed us, you know?" Blaine said, holding out his arms to his friend.

"I missed us, too, Blaine. Thank you, so much. I promise to do everything in my power to be worthy of being your friend." Blaine hugged him tight, lying his head on Trent's shoulder for a moment.

"Good night, Kurt. Thank you for everything. It's good to be back in the fold," Trent said softly, hugging Kurt when he held out his arms.

"Good to have you back," Kurt said and brushed a kiss across Trent's cheek.

~*~*~*~*~

"Sebbie, did you know that's what was going to happen tonight?" Trent asked as he snuggled close to his boyfriend in bed an hour later.

"I guessed it. They came to me yesterday and said they wanted to have you over for dinner. I could see they had been talking and both were very emotional, so I figured that was what was going to happen. Are you okay with it?" Seb asked. He felt very protective of Trent, knowing how fragile he still was. He felt like he had a lot in common with Kurt in that respect.

"I'm okay...just stunned. From the first moment you and Kurt came into my dorm room that night I knew I had lost the one thing I needed most in life – all of my friends. And I knew it was my fault. To have that returned to me? Oh, Sebbie...its a dream come true. And I think I owe it all to you," Trent said, holding close to Seb. "And to know that both Blaine and Kurt forgive me? I can't wrap my head around that."

"Trent, darling boy...I don't want to minimize what you're feeling, but I might have a different take on that. To forgive you wasn't a sign that they condoned what you did, it was something they both needed to do to stop hurting their own hearts. You were their friend and carrying all that animosity around every day was getting to be too much of a burden. I think they want the friendship back – and to stop hurting because of what happened. They still care about you, Trent, or they wouldn't have had this meeting. They wanted you back in their hearts because they know that no matter what happened that day – it is gone and done and they want to move on with the best possible life. Trent, that life includes you as their friend," Seb said, very seriously. He looked into Trent's eyes.

"The bottom line is: they wanted to have their friend back, Trent. They wanted you," Seb whispered.

Trent's eyes were locked on Seb's and he finally understood. Now he was not only relieved and thrilled that Blaine and Kurt were back in his life, but that he now had Sebbie and that made life worth getting up every day.

"I love you, Sebastian," Trent said, snuggling into his waiting arms. Seb kissed his head and held him tightly. Trent may just be the answer to his prayer after all.

"I love you, too, Trent."

~*~*~*~*~

"Blaine, are you okay?" Kurt asked. He thought the evening had gone well, but wanted to check to be sure.

"Yeah. Like a piece of our life puzzle has fallen back into place. I can say that tonight was like a huge sigh of relief," Blaine said, smiling a quiet little smile almost to himself.

"We've been through a lot, but we always seem to land on our feet, don't we?" Kurt asked.

"Only because together you and I are strong, Pooh-bear. Apart we might not be as able to face life – but with you in my corner, I just know I'll end up on top. We belong together."

"Yeah, we always have. Did I tell you how brave you were out there, baby?" Kurt asked.

Blaine blushed and kissed the tip of Kurt's nose. "It just seemed right."

Kurt kissed Blaine back, touching his lips softly to Blaine's. "It was right, my little Piglet. It was the right thing to do," he whispered, "but how could that surprise me? You always know the right thing to do. I'd be lost without you, you know."

Kurt sounded so emotional, Blaine began to worry a little.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah...I'm...no. Blaine I can see you getting stronger and better all the time and I'm so grateful. I worried about you so much and now I can see you being well. Its all I ever wanted – for you to be well again, to be healed from all the things that have beaten you down. I could never protect you from life, Blaine...and I'm sorry. I don't know if I was ever enough..." Kurt confessed.

"Oh, Kurt. You are more than enough, you are all I've ever wanted. I knew even when we were little kids that you were strong, why do you think I took your hand that first day in the kids theatre?" Blaine asked, rolling over on his side and propping himself up on his forearm so he could see Kurt's face.

"Because you could see I needed a friend. I was still reeling and numb from the shock of my mother dying. I needed you, Blaine, and there you were," Kurt said, searching Blaine's eyes to see if he understood.

"No, Kurt. I took your hand because you had something in you that I could feel. Of all the kids in that room, I knew you were the strongest person there and I needed your strength. Yours. I have never been strong, Kurt. I have spent my life being afraid of my own shadow, feeling like my biological family didn't love me. But I knew after that one day that you loved me. Even if you didn't know it, I did."

"I did love you – from the first day. When I felt your warm hand holding mine, I was hopeful that you would never leave...but when you didn't run from Rachel Berry..well...." Kurt said.

Blaine shouted out a laugh and dissolved in giggles, Kurt joining him until they were holding their bellies in pain from laughing.

"Okay, you win. If we can take Rachel, you know we're both strong. And together we can do anything. Now, let's get some sleep. I'm exhausted," Blaine said, leaning up to kiss Kurt in a deep emotional kiss packed with all of his feeling and all of his love, and Kurt returned it.