In the handful of days that theyve been back, Blaine has shown complete disregard for winter by refusing to wear a jacket or even long sleeves when he goes outside. Therefore, Kurt was completely unsurprised when Blaine sneezed into his dinner.

"Youre not going to class tomorrow." Kurt announced, placing his plate in the soapy sink. The runny nosed boy glanced up from his germ infested pizza crust. "Im taking you to the doctor."

Blaine, too, abandoned his chair to help with the dishes. "And why would you do that?"

Kurt sighed, handing Blaine a cup for him to dry, "Because, Blaine, youre clearly sick."

He sniffled indignantly. "I am not." Upon Blaines proclamation, Kurt stopped scrubbing the plates to fix Blaine with one of his legendary glares. If only life worked like it did in the movies, hed thought, staring at Blaine and waiting for him to sneeze or cough or convey any symptoms of severe illness just so hed be right. "See anything you like?" Blaine asked, smirking but not looking away from the dish rag.

"Youre sick." Kurt explained.

"Youre crazy if you think Im going to the doctor tomorrow." Blaine retorted, drying his hands on the dish rag.

Kurt took the stack of clean cups and began stacking them in the cupboard. "You know youre going." He closed the wooden cabinet.

Both boys began heading to their respective rooms. "Youre wrong!" Blaine called over his shoulder.

"You know Im never wrong." Kurt said, before disappearing behind the door of his room.

Blaine, knowing he was defeated, shouted across the room, "youre impossible, Hummel!" Then, like a child he slammed his door and settled on his bed with a handful of cough drops and prints for his photography final.

"You dont have to hold me up, I can walk on my own." Blaine complained, shrugging out of Kurts support. Through his surgical mask, Kurt mumbled some remark that was snarky by nature. "And take that damn mask off, youre making me feel like an Ebola patient."

Kurt slipped the mask to his chin so he could speak uninhibited. "I dont want to get sick." He declared, then he put the mask back on his face.

"Then just stay away from me." Blaine grumbled, grabbing his cigarettes and stumbling towards the fire escape, like a wounded fawn. Kurt had to grab his cold hands onto Blaines feverish biceps to hinder his motion. Again, he made garbled sounds under his mask. Blaine simply stared back at him, waiting for Kurt to give in. Blaine went to the doctor, Kurt can take his mask off. Theyll be even.

Understanding Blaines implications, Kurt eventually pulled the mask off. "You cant smoke." He confiscated Blaines lighter, because with that he could always buy more cigarettes. Kurt learned that the hard way. Without his lighter, things become too complex. "Theres no way Im letting you go to class this week. And dont even think about going outside, especially without a jacket." As he spoke, Kurt was moving around the apartment and garnering things for Blaine— pillows, blankets, sweaters. "You need to rest." Blaine allowed himself to be maneuvered to the couch and tucked into layers of blankets. "I dont want to see you off this couch, unless you are seconds away from pissing on yourself, and I mean like blatter might explode, mere seconds. Let me know if you need anything." With his head propped up by well-fluffed pillows, Blaine was starting to see some positives to the flu.

The rest of Blaines week was spent on the couch. Throughout the day, he either slept or watched movies on his laptop, rarely ever leaving the couch. Kurt had offered helping him to his bed, since it would be far more comfortable, but Blaine liked knowing who was in the apartment and when. He also spent large margins of time watching the door. And working Kurt to death. It was his own fault for taking Blaine to the doctor and having the flu isnt easy, so hes earned it. While he does feel bad enough for Kurt to try to muffle his coughs when he knows Kurt is sleeping, he doesnt feel bad enough to minimize his requests.

Kurt had come in from rehearsal Wednesday night, soup in tow, only to be assaulted with a litany of requests. "Can you bring over another box of tissues?" Blaine stipulated. Kurt conceded, dropping his bags by the door to go and retrieve one of the many Kleenex boxes stored in the bathroom.

"Here." He dropped the box on the coffee table, replacing the empty one. "I also got you some more soup for dinner and a cup of tea."

"I dont like tea." Blaine replied, milking his illness for all it was worth.

Kurt pursed his lips. "Drink it anyways, itll make you feel better."

Blaine pouted, but agreed. "Can you also get me a glass of water?"

"Sure." Kurt sighed, turning to go to the kitchen.

"Wait, no I change my mind. I want orange juice."

"Great, orange juice it is." It was evident how irritated Kurt was. He was tense, holding his jaw set and trying not to snap. Blaine loved it.

"Actually, no, actually wait, hang on..."

"Blaine. Orange juice or water?" Kurt curtly demanded.

"Both, please." Kurt huffed, but Blaine just fixed him with a snotty grin.

"Fine." Begrudgingly, Kurt clomped over to the kitchen to do Blaines bidding. He needed to calm down. Blaine had dug himself a hole and now he was crawling right up under Kurts skin. That couldnt happen.

10...... Just breathe, Kurt reminded himself.

9....Blaine is sick, its not his fault.

8... Although, if hed worn a jacket...

7.. Everyone told him to wear a jacket.

6,5,4. He never listens. He just assumes he knows whats best, but he doesnt. God, hes such a petulant little child. When will he grow up?

3..... Breathe, stay calm.

2..... Hes sick and he needs help.

1. Roommates fucking suck.

"Okay Blaine, heres your water and your juice." He placed the cups on the table. Then he whipped out the spoon hed placed in his front pocket and stuck it into Blaines soup. "And, your medicine." Blaine crinkled his nose and Kurt could practically hear his complaint before he even opened his mouth.

10. 9. 8...

"You have to take it, doctors orders." Blaine slouched more, if that was even possible. "Blaine, just take it."

He pouted, but drank the small cup of cough syrup anyways. "My last condition, Kurt, is that you read to me."

"No, Blaine." Kurt deadpanned.

"Please? Im just so lonely all day, sitting here, with no one to talk to." It was almost inhuman the way Blaine rounded his eyes, turning them into pools of honey. People shouldnt look like teary eyed puppies ever. "You can pick what we read."

Kurt softened, but still held his ground. "I have to study."

"Ok, I understand." He lamented, sadly turning his face into the couch cushions.

Solidified with guilt, Kurt looked over him and considered his options. Blaine is such a manipulative little shit. Kurt left to retrieve his notes from his school bag. "Charlemagne, King of the Franks, laid the foundations for modern France and Germany."

Blaine sat up to see Kurt sitting on the edge of the coffee table, a spiral notebook in his hands. "What are you doing?"

"Well, you said I could choose what we read. I picked my history notes. You still interested?" Blaine nodded eagerly, adjusting his pillows so he could comfortably sit up and listen, but also eat his soup without spilling it on himself. "Alright," Kurt sighed. "Where was I..."

It was nice for Kurt to leave the apartment and go somewhere other than work or a lecture or rehearsals. When Rachel had invited him to meet with her in the campus coffee shop, Kurt had jumped at the chance.

"I need to get out more." Kurt groaned.

Rachel laughed, "what are you even talking about? Youre always so busy, like, are you ever home?"

"Yes! I mean barely, but when Im there its as if time is standing still. And, I swear, everytime Blaine coughs I get older and angrier."

"Aww, is Blaine sick?" Rachel cooed, grinning with joy over the prospect of Blaines red nose and helpless eyes and sniffles.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Ive somehow gotten myself stuck as his nurse."

Rachel shifted excitedly to the edge of her seat. "Like his nurse-nurse?" She winked both times she repeated the word.

"Youre winking; why are you winking? And you look crazy; what do you mean by nurse?"

"I mean, like, you take care of him and cook him dinner. Then, maybe you would rub Vicks into his bare chest before giving him a sponge bath and the one thing would lead to another..."

"Rachel Berry! Are you implying that I am— I would— Rachel, you sound like Santana! Im appalled."

She giggled, "oh my god, Kurt, youre blushing."

Kurt covered his hands over his warm and rosy cheeks. "I am not blushing!"

"What are you not telling me? Did something happen in Ohio?" Quickly, Rachel glanced behind her. Deciding it was safe, she leaned closer to Kurt and stage whispered. "Did you two have sex?"

Her friend looked mortified. "At my parents house? Are you crazy?"

She shrugged, seeing no fault of her own. "Look, I just see so much tension between the two of you. Like raw, open, sexual tension. Pure lust."

"Who taught you how to use words?"

"Something is bound to happen between the two of you and I thought this trip would be, you know, it."

"Well it wasnt."

"Are you sure?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, "yes, Im sure."

"Not even a moment, just one little tiny moment?"

He paused, biting his tongue. His mind flipped back to the parked car in Pennsylvania and the way Blaines hand made his hand warm and he didnt want to let go. He didnt want to tell Rachel about that. Or when they shared the bed in the hotel. Nor the time when he nearly kissed Blaine on the sidewalk blanketed in snow. And most certainly not all of the obscene thoughts he had about Blaine and his stupid mechanic hands. "No, there was not a single moment."

"You hesitated."

"I was reflecting back on the trip to assure there were no moments so I could answer you honestly."

"Then why dont I believe you?"

"I dont know, Rachel, its not my fault you werent there as a first hand witness."

Suddenly, she was very solemn. "You know I cant go back there." She tucked her hair over one shoulder and took a sip of her coffee, just for something to do.

"Im sorry, Rachel," Kurt, too, turned his attention to his drink.

"Well-" Believing that was all Kurt had to say, Rachel started speaking.

"But, I think you need to get over this. Its been over a year now and everyone else-"

The instance Rachel deciphered what it was exactly that Kurt was referencing, she began gathering her things. "I think I should be going." She proclaimed, putting on her scarf and rising.

"Rachel, please?" Kurt gestured for her to sit back in her seat. Reluctantly, she did. "Im not trying to be mean. I just think its time for someone to be honest with you." She shifted in her seat and turned her head to face outside, but at least she stayed. "You cant avoid Ohio forever, its where you grew up."

"But going back makes it so much more real." Rachel demanded. "When Im here, its easy to pretend that hes just over there. Not gone, just not where I am. But, if I go there and hes not home, waiting for me..." Then Rachel was crying and people were staring at them. It looked to them like Kurt was dumping her.

He reached out and held her hands. "But, you know who will be there? Your parents and Finns friends and his parents, who also love you and know what youre going through. God, Rachel, Carole is there. She asked about you while I was home. She misses you and worries about you; she wants to help. You guys can help each other, even. Or I can help, he was my brother."

"What do you want me to do, Kurt? I think about him all the time. Sometimes I cant get out of bed, because then I have to go and face the world without him in it and it hurts."

"We all hurt, Rach. A few weeks ago, Blaine came home early and I had to sit in the bathroom for hours with the shower running so he wouldnt know I was crying. But you have to fight the pain and keep going. Finn wasnt selfish, he wouldnt want you to be like this."

"Like what?"

"Alone, Rachel."

She started to argue, but gave. In. "So, what are you suggesting I do?" She demanded once more.

"I think you should start dating."

Rachel drew her hands back from Kurt, crossing his arms over her chest. "Kurt, I really dont think a boyfriend is what I need right now."

"I dont mean a serious relationship or anything, just go on a few dates. Keep it casual. Maybe even have some casual sex," she scoffed. "Or dont, I just think it might be fun, and I know it would be good for you. Youre ready and you need to be happy in all aspects of your life."

"I am." She defended.

"Really? When was the last time you had human contact?"

"I was just holding your hand."

Kurt rolled his eyes, "pretend Im not human."

She glanced outside to think for a moment. "I high-fived Tina yesterday."

"Dorm mates also dont count." Rachel opened her mouth again. "Neither do dads or your mom or whatever youd consider your relationship with Beth to be."

Rachel sat and thought for awhile, opening and closing her mouth many times. "Oh! The cashier over there kinda awkwardly caressed my hand when I was paying.

Kurt hummed, "that could be interesting... Go talk to him."

"Are you crazy? Hes not even that cute."

"Who cares? Youre just talking to him, not having his babies."

"I dont know..."

"Rachel, I will not allow you to live vicariously through me and Blaine, partly because there is no me and Blaine. Also, because its ridiculous."

She pouted, but combed her fingers through her hair anyways. "How do I look?"

"Like Rachel Berry, the greatest ever."

Rachel smiled and rolled her eyes at him. "If I do this, you have to be nicer to Blaine and give my ship a chance."

"Rachel, go before I call him over and embarrass you."

"Okay, alright, Im going."

Once home to the smell of Vicks and soup, Kurt willingly humored Blaine and all of his whims.

"Hey, you want me to read you something?" Kurt offered, once the sick boy was satisfied. Of course Blaine looked shocked, but he still nodded and smiled. It was an effort; Kurt was making an effort because he cared and it made Blaine dizzy and a little nauseous but in a butterflies sort of way. "Okay, then make room." Kurt lifted Blaines feet off the couch, sat down, then placed the blanket wrapped feet back on his lap. This led to further shock from Blaine.  

Wiggling his feet, he peered up at Kurt. "What are we reading?"

"Oh, just a French poem."

"For school?" Kurt shrugged and mumbled noncommittally. "Well, lets hear it."

"Okay, here goes.

Ma mignonne,
Je vous donne
Le bon jour;
Le séjour
C'est prison.
Guérison
Recouvrez,
Puis ouvrez
Votre porte
Et qu'on sorte
Vitement,
Car Clément
Le vous mande.
Va, friande
De ta bouche,
Qui se couche
En danger
Pour manger
Confitures;
Si tu dures
Trop malade,
Couleur fade
Tu prendras,
Et perdras
L'embonpoint.
Dieu te doint
Santé bonne,
Ma mignonne."

Blaine clapped when Kurt was done. "I like it. I dont know what it means, but you speak pretty French and I like it."

"Basically, its saying, like, get well soon so you can eat a bunch of sweets."

"That is my motivation." Blaine chuckled. "How apropos that your teacher assigned a poem about a sick kid the week I get sick."

"Well, it isnt exactly for school." Kurt confessed.

"Ah, so the truth comes out."

"Its called For A Sick Young Girl. Even though youre a boy, I thought you might like it."

"I did. Whered you find it? You never struck me as a poetry type."

Kurt shrugged, folding the piece of paper it was written on back into his pocket. "My mom used to read it to me whenever I was sick." He made a promise to himself to later return the poem back to his box under his bed. A box full of things from his mom, next to Finns box. "So anyways, you want me to read this?" Kurt asked, changing the topic and reaching for the book Blaine had been reading when hed come home.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Its not that good and we both might fall asleep, but yeah sure."

Of course Blaine did fall asleep. Gently, Kurt freed himself of Blaines feet and wrapped them tighter in the blanket. Sleeping, Blaine appeared so young and at peace. He wasnt whining or coughing or giving Kurt demands. He was just being and Kurt wanted to kiss him for it. Obviously he didnt. Kissing Blaine in his sleep would be weird and unfair to Blaine and Kurt still didnt want to get sick. But it was Blaine and maybe this was his only chance, to just to get a taste of what its like. Kurt brushed back the hair on Blaines forehead. His face glowed quietly in the lamp light.

"Give my ship a chance." Rachel had said.

Instead, Kurt ran his hand across Blaines forehead one last time, then he turned the lamp off and headed to his bed.