Kurt stayed true to his words and didn't distance himself from Blaine. Since the accidental sleep over he spent at least one or two hours a day in his company. They were only hanging out in Blaine's apartment, often accompanied by Nick, Jeff and Rachel but Kurt was happy for that because he felt like he was going back to his college days, when he could just be and enjoy his time with friends without worrying about what tomorrow might bring. On the nights they couldn't meet, they were logged in on Skype, talking endlessly till the early morning hours.

One day, during the second week of their budding friendship, Kurt decided to make a bold move. The doorman at Blaine's apartment building knew him by now, so he asked him not to call Blaine that he was there. He pushed the button on the private elevator that went directly into Blaine's penthouse and a few seconds later he was standing in Blaine's hallway.

"Blaine?" He shouted. "Where are you?"

"Kurt?" Blaine ran down the stairs, taking two at the time. "What are you doing here?"

"Happy to see me?" Kurt grinned at him and took in his appearance. Blaine was wearing sweatpants that were too big for his small figure and a t-shirt with Dalton Private School for Boys emblem on it.

"You need to change." He ordered and Blaine looked at him precariously.

"What?"

"We're going out. Come on, I know your wardrobe is much better than this." Kurt said as he was walking up the stairs to Blaine's bedroom.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked warily, when he found him going through his closet.

"Do you trust me?" Kurt turned around and pierced his blue eyes into Blaine's hazel ones.

"Yeah…I guess…" Kurt laughed at his hesitant answer but didn't demand more.

"Okay. I'll take that as a yes. So, put some jeans and a shirt on, nothing fancy. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Kurt was standing near the banister on the terrace, enjoying the view of the city when Blaine appeared behind him.

"Kurt?" He spoke softly. "I really don't think I want to go out in the middle of the day…I only go to rehearsals, you know. By taxi. I don't do…"

"Blaine, I promise we're not going to wander in the city. My car is in the garage, parked in one of the visitor's spots."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. Come on. New York traffic is horrible and we have to be there in an hour." Blaine fought with himself. He wasn't comfortable with going to the mysterious location and he was considering saying no to Kurt but then Kurt smiled at him encouragingly and Blaine was a big enough fool to fall for it.

"Lead the way." He said and a joyous laugh that left Kurt's mouth was everything he needed to become curious about their trip.

The traffic wasn't as bad as Kurt originally assumed. They were stuck in a traffic jam for fifteen minutes, but except for that, the journey went smoothly. Kurt parked his car in front of a big house with a large garden. There were lots of trees in front of the house and a playground next to it.

"We have a few minutes to spare." Kurt announced. "Would you like to have a coffee?" He motioned to the opposite direction of the house where a cute little coffee shop was.

"Erm…I don't know, Kurt. I don't go to places like…"

"Blaine, would you like to have a coffee? I didn't ask you to go in there…" Kurt interrupted him for the second time that day. He did it frequently. Every time Blaine started to be insecure or ramble about the matter, Kurt would cut him off.

"I…" Blaine shifted in his seat, his eyes big and scared.

"I'll be right back, okay?" Kurt was out of the car before Blaine had a chance to blink his eyes. A few minutes later he was opening the door on Blaine's side and ushering him out of the car, giving him a cup of coffee.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let's go." He stepped into the direction of the house and Blaine followed him. Kurt entered the house and scribbled something down into the book that was near the door. Then he walked through the house to the stairs that probably went into the basement.

The house was odd. There was a big kitchen but it didn't seem like it was being used on regular basis. The living room was just a big hall with a lot of chairs and a stage. There were children's paintings on the walls and all the doors down the hall were closed. Blaine had a suspicion that no one really lived in this house. When they got downstairs, Blaine couldn't comprehend what the room was for.

"Welcome to my kingdom." Kurt told him proudly.

"Where are we?"

"In my choir room." Blaine took a better look around. There were cushions on the floor and a piano and hi-fi system in the corner. The walls were painted in rainbow colors and there were imprints of little hands everywhere.

"Sit down." Blaine turned his head into the direction of Kurt's voice and saw him sitting crossed legs on one of the pillows. He did as he'd been told.

"Why are we here?"

"Because I think you'll like it."

"And what am I supposed to like?"

"The house, the lesson we are about to teach…"

"Teach?"

"This is H&C house – Hope and Chance. It belongs to a non-profit organization that helps socially disadvantage children to have extracurricular activities. We work with kids from five to ten. When the school ends, they get on the bus and come here. Their parents, who are usually at work, don't have to pay for after school care and they also don't have to worry about them. They are safe here. In the evening, the bus takes them all home. We have volunteers that help them with their homework and we have volunteers for other activities like dancing, singing, painting or sports as well. I teach a glee club two times a week. That's where we are now. Today a group of five to seven years old kids is going to blow your mind, Mr. Anderson. You'll love them."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"They don't know you. Most of them don't have television, let alone internet connection. Those are kids mostly from single-parent families. They are tight on money but their spirits seem to be unbreakable. They don't give a damn about it. It's pretty tough on them at school sometimes, with all the other pupils with their brand new clothes and toys and electronics, but when they come here, they are surrounded with kids like them. They love it here. You're a musician; I thought you could give your expertise to them. They won't corner you, nor will they ask for your autograph because they don't have any clue who you are. You can be just Blaine in here. And ninety percent of our repertoire is Disney songs."

"Okay. I'm sold."

"I knew it!" Kurt clapped his hand and wanted to tell Blaine more about the organization when there was shouting and screaming coming from above them.

"And they are here."

"Kurt! Kurt!" A powerful voice was yelling from the top of the stairs, trying to catch Kurt's attention over other children.

"What did I tell you about yelling?" Kurt said firmly when ten kids marched into the room and tumbled on the floor.

"That we should save our voices…" A small boy said.

"Exactly. So why did you shout from the top of the stairs?"

"I have exciting news…" The boy answered his cheeks red from embarrassment of being scolded.

"Well, you can tell us now. You don't have to shout, okay? We need your voice for the spring recital. You can't lose it."

"Daddy told me we are going to visit Daddy Justin on Saturday. He said I can sing to him."

"That's amazing, Eddie. Which song would you like to sing?"

"You and Me! You and Me! Can we practice it today?" Kurt almost forgot he had Blaine sitting next to him. Fortunately, a little's girl curiosity helped him notice Blaine again.

"Who is he?" She pointed her finger at him.

"It's Blaine. He is a friend of mine who would like to teach you some new songs."

"Hi Blaine." The kids greeted him in unison, making Blaine smile.

"Hi. Nice to meet you."

"Can you sing with us You and Me before you teach us something new?" Eddie asked him.

"Sure. I'm surprised you know the song. Oliver and Company is a very old movie…"

"None of them have seen the movie. I just taught them the song." Kurt clarified the situation.

"Oh…"

"Blaine can play the piano. Would you like to sing with the piano today?"

An hour later, when all the kids went upstairs to do their homework, Blaine stayed seated by the piano and played a soft melody.

"You're really good with them." He complimented Kurt who came to sit next to him on the piano bench.

"Thank you. You were great, too, you know. They loved you."

"How did you hear about this?"

"Adam used to volunteer here. I started helping him when we got together. After he graduated from NYADA I took over his position. He didn't have as much free time anymore due to his work obligations. Sometimes he would stop by with me if he was free but he hasn't come with me lately. Most of the volunteers are college students. I'm lucky my job allows me to still be a part of this…"

"I think Eddie's daddy Justin will be very pleased by his son's singing. That kid is talented."

"Eddie's father is dead." Kurt stated coldly.

"W-what?"

"Eddie is one of the youngest kids. He's been coming here since September. I had a talk with his father in the beginning…They come from a small town in Ohio. His father had a friend. She got pregnant but she was sick, I don't know details, I just know that he had full custody of the boy when she passed away. After high school he moved out from his parents' house and rented an apartment with his best friend. Everything was alright for the first year or two, and then people started to talk and the rumors about them being gay spread. They were true. They were saving money so they could go to New York. They wanted to get married and live in a place where they wouldn't be judged. One night as Justin was walking home from work, he was beaten up. They found him in the morning, dead."

"Oh my god!"

"Peter is convinced it was a hate crime but the case was closed because there was no evidence. He left for New York with his son right after Justin's funeral. They drive back there twice a year. On Justin's birthday and on the day of his death. He works at the docks but he doesn't earn a lot. He is barely able to support his son. He is a nice guy. Eddie is the center of his universe. There are lots of stories in this house, Blaine. Some of them are really sad. We try to encourage the children to work hard at school so they could have a better future. We have pretty talented singers and dancers here. Two years ago a girl who took our painting classes had an exhibition in a small gallery in the city. I didn't know her, she was out of the age when I started here but I went to the exhibition anyway. I took Rachel and we have a sunrise painting in the living room now. Every year a few boys who joined our sport clubs in the past get sport scholarships for college." Blaine listened to him intently. He knew some people were poor but the reality didn't hit him up until now. How many talented people were out there, wasting their gift just because they weren't able to afford the proper education?

"How can I help?"

"You came. You helped a lot today."

"I can make a donation. What do you need?"

"Blaine, we're fine. I don't need anything for my glee club. I have the room and costumes for recitals. That's all I need."

"What do the others need? New canvas or colors? Maybe dance shoes? Musical instruments? Whatever. Just say the word."

"Blaine, I didn't drag you here to get money from you."

"I know. But I want to help. Please, let me help them."

"Look, if you want to make a donation, I can give you a number of our founder. You can talk to her about it."

"Okay." Blaine was satisfied. For now. There were thoughts in his mind that were bugging him but he needed to figure some things out first.

"Let's go home." Kurt suggested as soon as he realized that Blaine was being too thoughtful for Kurt's liking. He wasn't sure if he had crossed the line. Maybe he pushed Blaine a little too far from his shell. Blaine stood up and went upstairs, but instead of halting by the car he stopped in front of the coffee shop.

"Aren't you hungry?" He shouted at Kurt who was still standing on the opposite side of the road.

"A little bit."

"Do they have sandwiches?" Kurt ran across the street to Blaine.

"You sure you want to go inside?"

"Yes. No one is there and it's a small shop. I most likely won't be cornered by a big crowd." Blaine stepped into the shop and Kurt did the same.

"Hello." He greeted a barista and the girl smiled at him, a little blush on her face. "Can I have two tuna sandwiches, please?"

"Sure."

"And medium drip and non-fat mocha, as well please."

"You can sit down and I'll be there with your order in a minute."

"Great. Thanks." Blaine's charming smile made the girl cheeks even redder. Kurt just shook his head and shoved him along to the table.

"I forgot how nice it is to sit in a cafe." Blaine spoke quietly. "I should probably go out more often…"

"Probably…"

"Can I come with you again when I'm free? I'd like to see them…There are so many Disney songs they don't know…I could bring a guitar with me. What do you say?"

"I'd love that." Kurt said softly. "I don't want to force you though. I wanted to show you something new but don't feel like you have to go there now. They are used to my guests. Rachel has come with me several times but it's nothing regular. They won't mind."

"I want to, Kurt. I really, really do. I was lucky to have everything as a kid. Every child should have a chance to embrace their talent. Those kids don't deserve being treated badly at school because of their social status. If I can help with encouragement and make their days a little bit better, I'm in. I don't like sitting in my apartment and doing nothing either way."

"The small kids have their glee club on Tuesday. The older kids – from eight to ten – have their glee club on Thursday but they may recognize you…Whenever you want to come, just let me know."

"Thank you."

"I don't believe you!" Nick shouted when Kurt told him and Jeff where Blaine had spent his afternoon.

"We've been trying for two years to get him out of that damn penthouse! We even MOVED OUT! He has been in our apartment twice!" Jeff complained.

"Do you have him under a spell or what?" Nick didn't understand. Yes, Kurt was cool and Blaine liked having him around but neither he nor Jeff expected miracles from their friendship.

"I don't. You are too soft on him. You always ask if he wants to do this or that…I didn't ask. I ordered."

"And it actually worked?"

"I would say so."

"He went willingly into the café?"

"Yes. That was a big surprise for me, too."

"Why didn't you force him to go for a beer with us?"

"I didn't want to push my luck with him. He had an eventful day. Beer in an overcrowded bar didn't sound such a good idea."

"I like the way you think Mr. Hummel." Jeff bowed.

"Thank you…Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure. What's up?" Nick was curious.

"Blaine told me the last time he had an unpleasant encounter with his fans he almost had a panic attack…"

"Yeah…"

"People usually don't have a panic attack without a good reason. Did something happen to him in the past that would have triggered the situation?" Nick and Jeff shared concerned looks.

"I'm sorry, Kurt but it's not our secret to tell. When he is ready – and by the progress you've already made I supposed it will be soon, he'll tell you."

"I just don't want to push him too far."

"Don't worry. You won't. Just keep doing what you're doing."