Hi, Blaine. I dont know how busy you are, but do you want to go out to dinner tomorrow night? Let me know.

Setting his phone in his pocket, Blaine got up and walked over to Flynns locker in the makeshift school hallway. Leaning against it, he took several deep breaths. He wasnt going to reply. There was no way he was going out to dinner, not with him.  Too much damage had been done between them, and he wasnt going to attempt to fix that now...

"Are you okay?" Rachel leaned against the row of lockers next to him. Why was she always trying to play the good guy after Blaine had been rude to her during their scenes?

"Yeah," he said shortly. "Just annoyed with someone. You dont know him, its no big deal."

Biting her lip, Rachel seemed a little nervous. Changing the subject, she slowly said, "you did a great job today. You really are a good actor, Blaine."

"is this your way of trying to continue your friends mission of being my friend?" Blaine slammed the locker door shut.  His temper rising. She was up to something. There was no way she was acting this nice for no reason.

"What do you mean?" she asked timidly.

Sighing, he informed her, "Kurt was making it his mission to help me. I dont know why. He insisted that I need a friend. The kid even showed up at my coffee shop a couple times last week."

"And now that hes gone, you think Im continuing his work," Rachel started, nodding.

"Where did he go?" Blaine asked. It was odd that Kurt would make it his goal to befriend Blaine, when he wasnt even going to hang around.

Not that Blaine cared.

"He went home to New York. Hes a student at NYADA there. I just wanted him to come here and see the set, not realizing hed make a mess of things in such a short time," she smiled uneasily. "Im sorry he was so much trouble."

Blaine let out a dry laugh, "hes not much more trouble than you. I can see why the two of you are friends."

"Hes just over-protective," Rachel shrugged. "Thats probably why he was trying to be nice to you."

"Why would he feel the need to protect me?" Blaine was thrown off guard.

They both glanced at the crew bustling around them.

Hesitating, Rachel motioned him to follow her. She led him down the hallway and into an empty room. Ushering Blaine inside, she shut the door behind them and, turned back to look at Blaine., "I think Kurt could tell that you seem distressed. Kurts been hurt enough in his own short life to feel like he needs to make sure no one else is hurting," she said.

"Im not hurting," Blaine argued. "Im perfectly fine."

She tilted her head sideways, studying his face. Blaine tried to harden his expression, so she wouldnt see anything that might hint he was anything but okay.

"I dont know about that, but I know Kurts not convinced," Rachel said, continuing to study his face.

Forming his hands into fists, Blaine felt himself shaking. He snapped, ‘Look, I said Im fine. You and Kurt dont know anything, so I suggest you stay out of my business. You can tell him that too."

Swinging the door open and took several steps away from look. Looking close to tears, she quietly said,. "Its nothing you have to worry about now anyway. its not like youll see him again." 

"Good," said Blaine.

She stepped back into the hall and said, "Ill see you tomorrow, Blaine."

Blaine didnt want to admit that it was nice having someone worry about him for a change. Most of the time, he had to put on a smile and act like nothing was wrong. If there was any sign of weakness, the media drew attention to it, and terrible rumors always started. 

But Kurt didnt seem to care about rumors. He didnt even seem to care that Blaine was a big television star. He had said in the coffee shop that he was interested in helping Blaine. Just Blaine. That was something no one had ever showed him before. Was he wrong to push that away from him? Should he have accepted Kurts help?

Logging on to twitter later that night, Blaine found his private message to Kurt after their first meeting. He sat there, staring at it for a long moment.

Was Blaine brave enough to accept Kurts help? Was it a mistake trying to contact Kurt again? Had he let his guard down too much by thanking Kurt for the coffee? Did it even matter now that Kurt was in New York? They could just let it go and act like nothing had ever happened.

It wasnt that simple. Maybe Kurt was right, he did need help.

Feeling foolish, he began typing...

You know, I had to buy my own coffee today.

As soon as he had hit the send button, Blaine wished he hadnt. He wasnt thrilled about showing any sort of fondness toward Kurt. It wasnt even that he liked Kurt. He just liked that Kurt was willing to treat him like a real human, despite how rude Blaine had been to him before.

Aw. Did you miss me today, Blaine?

He had replied, and Blaine wasnt sure why his stomach had flipped at the sight of Kurts name on his computer screen. He certainly didnt miss Kurt, and he had to make that clear. He said:

Hell no. It was just weird not seeing you there. 

This was a bad idea. It was a terrible idea. Blaine should have just let the whole stupid thing go. He didnt need Kurt treating him differently. He  liked being alone. He had purposely isolated himself from people for so long..

Why was he seeking attention from Kurt now? He didnt need it.

If you change your mind and decide that you did miss me, you can always text me. I hate talking over twitter. Please feel free, because my offer to be your friend still stands.

Staring at the phone number on the screen, Blaine buried his face in his hands and moaned.

It was too much, too soon. He wasnt that desperate for a friend. He never should have messaged Kurt at all. It was giving him the wrong idea, and Blaine had told himself before that he wasnt giving in to him.

Not going to happen, Blaine said.

That was the last Blaine contacted Kurt. He spent the next two weeks isolating himself. every time Rachel tried talking to him at work, Blaine found a reason to make a snide comment and make her walk away angrily. She never mentioned Kurt again, and Kurt hadnt messaged him on twitter. It was how Blaine wanted it to be.He never should have made himself vulnerable to Kurt, and now everyone around him was suffering with his attitude.

"Rachel, told me you missed work yesterday," Blaine was welcomed at the coffee shop that following Tuesday morning.

"What are you doing here?" Blaines eyes widened.

Holding out a cup for Blaine to take, Kurt said, "lets go for a walk. I dont feel like sitting in here today."

Blaine hesitated. Being in the coffee shop was one thing, but he wasnt sure he wasted to head out in to public with Kurt. "I dont know..."

Glaring at him, Kurt grabbed his arm and yanked him out the door, "come on, Anderson."

They worked there way down the street toward the studio. Blaine took a sip from his cup and said, "how do you know my coffee order anyway?"

Kurt smiled, "I asked Tony."

"Oh," it was all he could say.

They walked in silence for a couple minutes, Blaine glanced  at Kurt from the corner of his eye, who seemed to be observing the scenery around him. Blaine finally asked, "why arent you in New York anyway? Arent you supposed to be in school?"

Kurt stopped in his tracks, "Blaine Anderson, how did you know I was a student in New York?"

Feeling his face grow hot, Blaine turned away from him. "Lucky guess," he said. "You just seem like the type to... do that."

"Go to an arts school in New York?" Kurt questioned.

"Sure," Blaine shrugged.

"Did Rachel tell you?" Kurt placed his free hand on his hip, his eyes glowing with curiosity.

"Im not answering that. You never answered my original question," Blaine replied. He began walking down the street again.

Biting his lip, Kurt quietly said, "okay, yes, I had school," Kurt ran after him. "But summers almost here, and Rachels really trying to convince me to move out here over the summer. She begged me to come back and stay a little longer."

"So what about school?" Blaine asked. 

"I took a few days off," Kurt simply said. "Like you took the day off yesterday."

"Rachel talks too much," Blaine said bluntly.He was hoping to distract Kurt, so they could avoid this topic, but Kurt was determined. His determination drove Blaine crazy.

Kurt laughed, "tell me about it. Whyd you skip?"

Blaine shook his head, "Too personal."

"What is personal about that?" Kurt asked. "Unless you were seriously ill or something, or it was a family issue."

"No," Blaine said too quickly. He cleared his throat and said, "I mean, its nothing like that. I just... had a bad hangover, and I knew working would have been too much."

He wasnt convinced. The concern is his eyes was enough for Blaine to know that Kurt wasnt going to drop the matter. "Is everything okay at home? I mean, was there a reason for this hangover?"

"No problem at home. I live by myself," Blaine was growing agitated. He didnt want to get so personal with Kurt. Why was he telling him anything at all?.

"Youre okay though, right?" Kurt said slowly.

They had reached the studio, and Blaine gave Kurt a nasty smile, "looks like youre out of time. You cant go any further. Dont worry about it."

"Do you want to come out to dinner with me and Kurt tonight?" Rachel followed Blaine out to his car in the back lot.

"Why would I do that?" Blaine swung the door open and climbed inside the car.

Leaning against the door, Rachel said, "Ive officially joined Kurts mission."

Slapping his forehead, Blaine let out a groan. "Why?" he asked. Kurt was difficult enough to deal with. He didnt need Rachel getting involved.

Bending over the open window, so her face was less than foot from his, Rachel gazed into his eyes and replied, "because I realized how much your absence impacted me yesterday. Youre always at work early, and you always work hard. Youre the kind of person that would only miss if something was wrong."

"And you were worried?" Blaine rolled his eyes.

She shrugged, "not worried, just concerned."

"Isnt that the same thing?" Blaine started the engine, hoping shed get the hint that this conversation was over.

"I dont know, but will you please do this?" Rachel pleaded. "Its not like were gong to sit there and make the conversation about your well being. We just think you could use a night out."

Was it too much? Was it a bad idea? Blaine wasnt sure he wanted to befriend them. if he was better off alone, he wasnt sure how well hed be able to handle a normal conversation with someone.

Gripping the side of the door, Rachel batted her long eyelashes at him. "Please. If you dont enjoy yourself, we wont do it again."

Sighing heavily, Blaine hung his head. As much as he didnt want to give in, it didnt sound like a terrible idea. As long as things didnt get too personal, it would be fine.

He nodded, "okay, get in the car. Well go pick him up."

Jumping up and down excitedly, Rachel clapped her hands together and said, "Thank you!"  She ran around the car and climbed into the passenger seat. Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number and waited. The moment he picked up, Rachel rambled, "Kurt, hey! Blaine said yes! Were going out to dinner, so well be by to pick you up in ten minutes... Okay, see you then! Love you!"

"You are far too happy about this, you know that?" Blaine raised his eyebrows at her. "Why are you so happy about this?"

"Because Its going to be fun, Blaine," Rachel smiled.

"I thought I drove you insane," Blaine mumbled.

"Oh, you do. I think I drive you insane too, but it might be good for us. We can get to know each other a little better," she smiled.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to Rachels apartment and Kurt flew out the door. He climbed in the back seat and said, "Im ready."

Once they reached the restaurant, Blaine came around and opened Rachels door for her. She smiled gratefully, and Kurts eyebrows nearly reached his hairline. He led them inside and they made a seat, Rachel sliding into the booth next to Blaine.

"I havent been here yet," Rachel soaked in her surroundings. 

"I used to come here with my family now and then," Blaine said casually.

Kurt looked up from his menu and replied, "used to?"

Hiding behind his own menu, Blaine said, "we dont get out much anymore... Im so busy with the show and Coopers so busy with his movie." He began acting like he was very interested in the menu. He had already said too much. They couldnt get that personal.

"I miss my family at home," Rachel admitted. "My dads want to come out and see me, but its a matter of finding time. Im lucky Kurts here to see me."

"Its not so bad out here," he gave half a smile.

A silence fell over the table and Blaine continued to stare at the menu. He didnt want to say much more, afraid hed slip and say something hed regret.

It wasnt until their food came that Rachel said, "You know, considering your brother is an actor, itd be really fun to have him as a guest star on the show."

"Um... what?" Blaine dropped his fork.

"Yeah, itd be great for the show. I know the producers are all about making the show big. If we had both of you on the show, we could really get this thing off on the right foot."

"I dont think thats a good idea," Blaine dug into his salad without another word.

Rachel and Kurt exchanged glances and Kurt asked, "why not?"

"Because Coopers too busy with his movie," Blaine looked up from his plate and saw a sympathetic look in Kurts eyes. "What?" he asked, growing agitated.

Kurt folded his hands in his lap and quietly said, "nothing."

"Just tell me," Blaine banged a fist on the table.

"Youre not going to want to hear it anyway, Blaine," Kurt retorted. When Blaine continued to glare at him, he said, "I was going to ask if everything was okay between you and your brother, but I shouldnt. Its not my business."

Blaine didnt respond. He knew what Kurt was thinking. He wanted to know more information than he needed to, and Blaine wasnt going to give him that information. He was understanding that Blaine didnt want to tell more about himself than he had to.

"Youre finally respecting boundaries," Blaine said, easing his tone. "thank you."

Kurt nodded.

"It was just a suggestion," Rachel reached over and took Blaines hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Im sorry if I pushed boundaries by suggesting it."

Surprised, Blaine pulled his hand away and paused. He saw the sincere look in Rachels eyes and said, "I... its okay. Its fine, really. Its not like theres a problem between Coop and me... Hes honestly just busy."

Rachel began discussing her plan to bring her dads out to LA, and Kurt listened intently. Blaine kept to his food and only contributed a little to the conversation. It was a different side of Rachel he hadnt seen before, hearing about her family, rather than her glee club for a change.

Blaine did his best to remain civil, not to take anything she said in a negative way. However, Rachel and Kurt seemed to be careful about what they said to him. 

"Im going to use the ladies room before we hit the road," Rachel excused herself. "I asked Marcus to pick us up so you dont have to go out of your way to take us home, Blaine."

Alone, Kurt and Blaine gazed at each other. Kurt shifted uncomfortably. "Im glad we did this," he finally said.

"It was fun," Blaine said lazily.

"Will you let me do you a favor?" Kurt asked. He had a hopeful expression on his face that made Blaine feel uneasy.

"Hmm?" Blaine reached for the checkbook the waitress had just dropped off.. 

Taking it from his hands, Kurt pulled the check out and skimmed it. "Will you let me buy your dinner?" Kurt gave him a small smile. "I do still want to continue to make sure someone does something nice for you. This is my mission, not Rachels mission."

"Only if you let me buy your coffee tomorrow," Blaine replied. Once he said it, he wasnt sure if he was giving in to Kurt too much. However, he couldnt change his mind now.

Kurts smile widened. It was like he had been waiting for Blaine to make a move like that. Nodding, he squeaked, "that would be lovely, Blaine. Of course you can."

"I mean, if you dont want to come tomorrow. Its not like we have some weird commitment. You dont have to be at the coffee shop every day. Its not the only place you have to - " Blaine was trying to back out of it.

"Blaine," Kurt interrupted. 

"What?" he gulped.

Laughing, Kurt said, "I want to come. Trust me, its okay."

Noticing Rachel walking back toward them, Blaine said, "Ill see you tomorrow then."