Cooper, I made a mistake.

He couldnt believe he was resorting to this, but there wasnt another choice. things had gotten too personal with Kurt, and the only other person who knew about his sexuality was his brother. He had no one else to go to.

Are you okay? 

Cooper replied after a few minutes, and Blaine stared at the message in annoyance. His brother wasnt asking out of concern. He was only asking, because he knew he had to. Now that Blaine had contacted him, it wasnt over nothing. Cooper knew he had to help, simply because it was the right thing to do.

No. Im coming over. 15 minutes.

Blaine slid his shoes on and grabbed his car keys off the hook by the door. He had to do it immediately, or he might change his mind and not go at all. This had to be done.

"What"s wrong?" Cooper asked the moment he opened the door to his younger brother. "I text you a couple weeks ago about grabbing dinner and you never replied."

"It finally happened," Blaine said, sitting down on the couch. "I told someone, and It was a mistake."

"I wish you wouldnt just come to me in a crisis, Blaine. Its a lot to catch up on," Cooper said. 

"I need your help," Blaine insisted. "I wouldnt be here if I didnt absolutely need you."

"Do you need something to drink?" Cooper asked, hovering near the kitchen. "Let me get you some water." He began rummaging in the cupboards. Pulling out a glass, he filled it and handed it to Blaine, sitting down next to him. "Okay, take a deep breath and explain what happened."

Staring down at the glass in his hand, Blaine listened to his brother. He took a deep breath and said, "My cast mate has this friend that came to set a few weeks ago. We started talking and sort of became friends."

"But it was innocent?" Cooper questioned.

"I thought so," Blaine shrugged. "Things started getting weird. We got too friendly, and yesterday i was in a vulnerable place, and i... told him. I didnt mean to ,but it happened."

"How did he take it?"

"Well, I was sort of... upset and he kissed me," Blaine said quietly. His hands were shaking. Blaine felt like a large stone sank to the bottom of his stomach. Cooper had once told him that he would support Blaines decisions, but they had never actually had a conversation about it. Until his conversation with Kurt the previous day, Blaine had never opened up about it to anyone.

"And now you feel it was a mistake," Cooper guessed.

"Yeah," he sighed. "Ive never felt this way about anyone before, and the thought is overwhelming. I chased him away, Coop. I told him to leave me alone."

"And?"

"He cried. I kicked him out, told him not to call me," Blaine ran a hand over his face. "It doesnt matter. He lives in New York anyway. Hell find somebody else. He has this friend... Elliot.""

"Screw Eliot. You cant just let this go," Cooper placed a hand on his knee and Blaine jumped, unfamiliar with the contact. "He might be angry with what you did."

"You dont think hed tell anyone, do you?" Blaine asked hesitantly.

Cooper thought about it before saying, "Its hard to tell. I dont know the kid."

"I like him, Cooper," Blaine looked up for the first time. He found his brothers eyes and held his gaze. "He makes me want to be a better person. He takes away my anger when Im around him. Its different with him. Im not sure Im ready to let that go."

Placing an arm around Blaines shoulder, Cooper scooted closer and said, "Youve been through so much, Blaine. I know youre hurting, and I think itd be good for you to have someone that makes you happy. You should talk to him and straighten this out. You cant push away everyone that makes you happy, just because its easier to hide from your feelings. It doesnt make things easier."

"Its how I got rid of you," Blaine mumbled.

"I know. Youre stubborn," Cooper smiled sadly. "I wish you wouldnt though. I care about you."

"No one needs to care about me," Blaine shrugged his arm off. "Ive done fine by myself."

"Your friend cares about you," Cooper said.

"He doesnt need to either," Blaine stood up and began pacing. "I cant make him happy, Coop. I cant even make myself happy. How am I supposed to handle someone elses feelings, when I cant even handle my own? What the hell was I supposed to do when he started crying? I couldnt apologize, give him a hug, and tell him things didnt have to be like this. I dont know how to do that."

"If you just tried - "Cooper started.

"I cant try!" Blaine yelled, chucking his water glass across the room. Glass shattered and water sprayed the floor, but he didnt care.. "I cant. Kurt is so humble and honest. Hes not afraid to speak his mind, and he knows how to care for people. He was willing to treat me with kindness while I treated him like shit. He has a big heart, and I cant give him that in return. Hed be better off with Elliot. I wish I could be better for him. Kurts been so healthy for me, but Im poison to him, and he deserves better than that."

"You know what, Blaine?" Cooper stood up. "I think you might have more of a heart than you realize."

"Why?" Blaine asked, breathing heavily. His whole body shook with rage. He was angry with himself for taking things this far. He was so upset that things had gotten so low that he came to Cooper, and now he was breaking in front of him. 

"Because you care about him. You wouldnt be so upset, if you didnt care about him. You want to be better for Kurt, and that just might make you better for him," Cooper said calmly.

"I cant do that," Blaine crossed his arms over his chest in defense. 

Moving closer, Cooper placed both hands on his shoulders and shook him slightly. "I know you can. All you have to do is try."

"iI guess I can try," Blaine mumbled.

"Just focus on it. You can do it," Cooper encouraged him.

What about the media? I dont want anyone else to know," Blaine said softly. "Im not ready for that. it was enough telling Kurt. What if people suspect?"

"Then let them talk. If youre not ready, shoot down rumors, but dont tell anyone before youre ready." Cooper ruffled his curls. "You wont have to deny rumors if you guys dont fix anything, right? Give them a reason to talk."

"I guess," Blaine blinked back tears, feeling so helpless.

"I know its hard. The medias a monster," Cooper said. "Come here," He pulled Blaine into a hug and Blaine reluctantly hugged him back. "I love you, Blaine. I know tits been rough between us, but I do care about you. Please think about what I said."

"I will," Blaine said, burying his face in his brothers shoulder. "Thank you for being here, Coop."

Blaine felt dizzy. As hard as it was to confront Cooper with a problem, because things had gotten so bad between the two of them, it did help. Coopers advice made sense to him, and Blaine knew he had to make things right with Kurt.

It was now 2:30 in the morning. He had a drink in one hand and his cell phone in the other. He considered sending Kurt a text message. He had to apologize. The longer he stared at Kurts name, the more he thought it wasnt such a good idea. But something had to be done. Cooper was right: things couldnt end like this.

Good luckon you finals, Kurtt!

He set his phone down and waited. He knew it wasnt likely that Kurt would reply, but he could hope for it, right?

Youre drunk at nearly three in the morning. That hardly counts as reaching out to me. Try again when youre sober.

"Damn, hes good," Blaine said to himself.

But when Blaine finally was sober, he realized that he couldnt do it. Maybe Kurt had a point. If Blaine only reached out to him when he was vulnerable, it didnt mean anything. Even his conversation with Cooper had been influenced under a drunken state of emotions. He had over-reacted. He couldnt just act on things, because, for a moment, he thought it was the right thing to do.

He would wait.

Kurt didnt need the extra stress during finals anyway. It was better to give him space and clear his head. 

"Youre not spying on me, are you?" Blaine asked Rachel in the coffee shop three days later. "Did he put you up to this?"

"No, but I know hes worried about you, and I think were sort of acquaintances, so Im slightly interested in your well-being, and decided to check in on you," Rachel replied, tossing her hair over her shoulder. 

"So youre spying," Blaine concluded.

"I am not!" Rachel slapped his arm. "I havent talked to Kurt in a few days. He;s stressed over finals. He called me at four in the morning the other night, and he was freaking out."

Blaine raised his eyebrow. That was probably the same night he had text Kurt at 2:30. Was Kurt really freaking out about finals or had Blaine contributed to his stress? 

He hoped not. The thought of hurting Kurt even more was enough to make Blaine feel nauseous. 

"Are you going to New York for Upfront?" Blaine asked, trying to change the subject. He didnt want to talk about Kurt anymore. The guilt was gnawing at his insides, and he didnt want Rachel to know more than she had to.

"Yes, Ive been dying to get back to the city, and I think Kurt could use the company when finals are over," Rachel beamed.

Why did everything come back to Kurt?

"Are you going?" Rachel asked curiously.

Blaine shrugged, "Well see."

It would give him a chance to see Kurt again. After having a break, it might do them some good. Obviously, being in New York would be good for the show as well. Dealing with Rachel and the show would temporarily put Kurt from his mind, and Blaine needed that. He didnt know what he was going to do about Kurt yet, so this would give him time to figure it out.

"Would you like to go as my date?" Blaine asked, surprising himself. 

Rachels mouth dropped open and her brown eyes widened. "You want me to be your date?" she asked.

"Sure," Blaine gave her a smile. "You know, public dating is one of the greatest forms of advertisement for a show. You see it all the time in Hollywood."

She leaned forward and whispered, "What about Kurt?"

"Theres nothing about Kurt," Blaine reached over and took her hand. ""Besides, its harmless."

"Were not really dating?" she bit her lip. "Because I dont know whats the deal with you and Kurt, but I dont want to hurt my best friend. If he found out, he would be so angry."

"Its just for the show, Rachel," Blaine reassured her. "We were told by our producers to do everything we can to bring the attention the show needs. You want to help it, dont you?"

"are you helping me in my first Hollywood scandal?" she asked excitedly. 

"Basically," Blaine shrugged.

Smiling, Rachel said, "okay, Ill do it. new York, here we come!"

"Hi, Blaine," Kurt said wearily into the phone that Friday.

"Is this a bad time?/" Blaine asked.

"Not at all," he replied. "Im just so exhausted from these finals that I cant even function anymore."

"Well, you managed to answer the phone, so at least theres that," Blaine said lazily.

"Are you trying to flatter me with a joke?" Kurt chuckled.

"No, not flatter," Blaine said quickly. He added, "I mean, you could use a little cheering up, right?"

"Im already happier knowing this is over," Kurt said. "Also, Rachel told me you guys are coming to the city in a few days, so thatll be nice. Ive been a little lonely all week."

"Wheres Elliot?"

"Hes busy," Kurt yawned. There was silence on his end, then he said, "you are coming with Rachel, right?"

"Yeah," Blaine told him. "Actually, I have something I want to tell you. Are you busy Thursday?"

"Not if you dont want me to be," Kurt said. "Im out of school, so my schedules a little less hectic,"

"Okay, Ill text you the details that morning."

"Looking forward to it," Kurts voice sounded considerably lighter than it had when he first answered the phone. Maybe Blaine really had brought him down over the last week.

Thursday couldnt have come fast enough. An ache in Blaines chest made him long to see Kurt, to apologize. They had spoken, but it wasnt enough. He needed Kurt to know that the kiss did mean something to him, and he wasnt going to give up on their relationship that easy. 

Can you meet me in Central Park around 7 this evening?

Blaine text Kurt the moment the plane touched down. He grabbed Rachels pink suitcase off the luggage rack for her and led her off the plane. Taking her hand, he mumbled into her ear, "this sort of thing is great for press."

Actually, can we meet somewhere else? I have something I want to show you..

Kurt immediately sent another text with an address. 

"Do you know what this is?" he asked Rachel, showing her the text message.

"Of course I do," she giggled. "I helped arrange this meeting." She squeezed his hand and whispered, "Blaine, I think theres a couple people over there taking pictures."

"Dont look too eager," Blaine shook his head at her.

"I cant help it! Ive been dreaming about being followed by the paparazzi my whole life. This is a dream come true, Blaine," she bounced on her heels in excitement."

"Dont give it away that you want them to see you. It tells them everything," Blaine pulled her along. It was enough to be seen, but they couldnt get too involved. 

They were soon on their way to a hotel, where Blaine and Rachel separated. He tossed his belongings in his room, before he went to the address Kurt had sent him. He wasnt sure what to expect, but he knew this had to be a step in the right direction.

When his taxi pulled up in front of the theater, Blaine looked at the address in his phone questioning whether or not this was right. Why was he here?

He swung the front door open and made his way inside. It was empty. "Hello?" he called. "Kurt, this isnt funny." He glanced around the entrance hall in wonder. It was a beautiful old building. He made his way around to the hall doors. "Hello?" he asked, peering inside the theater. He didnt see anyone inside. ".

"Hey, stranger!" Kurt called, walking out on to the stage. 

"What are you doing?" Blaine shut the door behind him, making his way up the aisle. 

"This was my surprise for you," Kurt told him, gesturing to the stage around him.

"Is this supposed to make me like Rachel better?" Blaine laughed, as he reached the end of the aisle. He stopped at the stage and glanced up at Kurt, who was smiling. "Honestly, shes growing on me. You didnt have to go through all this just for her."

"No, no, no," Kurt shook his head. He made his way to the edge of the stage and sat down, crossing his legs. "I simply borrowed the theater. This was the theater she made her Broadway debut in. She called her director and asked if I could borrow it on their night off. Ive met him before, and he seemed to like me well enough, so he was cool with it."

"So why are we borrowing a Broadway stage?" Blaine asked.

"Isnt it obvious, Blaine?" Kurt said.

"Uh..." Blaine glanced around him. It was nothing but an empty stage. The only thing on it was a piano. His eyes widened when he saw it. "Oh, no. Dont do this to me."

"Come on," Kurt exclaimed. He grabbed Blaines hand and helped him on stage. "Dont let this go to waste. I had connections, Blaine. You cant ruin that for me."

He laughed, "okay, fine." Blaine sat down on the bench and added, "why are we doing this anyway?" 

Sitting down on the bench next to him, Kurt said, "when Rachel and I were in glee club, we came to New York for Nations. Rachel and I got into the Gershwin theater and sang a song on the stage. It was so thrilling. Broadway had been a dream of mine for a long time, as well as Rachel. it felt so good to get on that stage and know whats out there. I felt happy for the first time in a long time. "

"That would be cool," Blaine nodded.

"Broadways not my only dream though. Im really into fashion, and I want to have a big part in the fashion industry, as well as having my name in lights," Kurt smiled.

"Youre ambitious," Blaine stated. 

"I thought about the conversation we had the other day about your dad," Kurt hesitated. "You made a comment about how you couldnt mess anything up for your brother."

""That was the rule," Blaine said shortly.

"Was television what you wanted?" Kurt asked.

Blaine stared out across the theater. He thought about the best way to answer the question. "No," he finally said. "I thought I did. Any kid would have jumped at the opportunity to be on a show, but that changed." He lowered his head, staring at his hands. 

"What changed?" Kurt encouraged.

"I didnt want to do the show anymore. I realized how much I love music," he admitted. "My dad wouldnt accept that though. He told me we were there for the show, and that was enough. Honestly, I dont think he wanted me leaving the show, because Cooper loved it so much. When things got rocky with my dad, Cooper sort of became his prized possession. I didnt have another choice."

"Why didnt you try expanding your horizons when the show ended?" Kurt asked.

This was a more difficult question to answer, and Blaine wasnt sure he could answer it. His mouth felt dry. He tried to speak and nothing came out. Clearing his throat, he tried again, "Things got complicated when the show ended... I was in a bad place. I didnt want to think about doing anything, so I did my best to stay out of the spotlight. I didnt want it... I couldnt have it."

"You dont have to tell me more than you want to," Kurt said, taking his hand and running his thumb over his knuckles. It was soothing. Blaine took a shaky breath.

"I might eventually, but not now," he shook his head.

Youve started a career again," Kurt said.

"I know," he said quietly. "I got offered the job, and I knew I couldnt hide forever, so I took it, but Im not happy. I never wanted to end up on another show. I was sort of hoping my attitude would be enough to get me fired, but Im too good for everyone. Its just a quality Ive picked up from being famous so young, so its acceptable." He gave a dry laugh. "People are so blind to fame."

"I knew there was more to you than that attitude," Kurt reminded him.

Blaine turned to look at him and smiled, "I know. Thank you."

"I knew that your chemistry with the piano was too raw, so real," Kurt took Blaines hand and placed it on the keys. "I brought you here because I wanted to give you a chance to play in front of a makeshift audience. You have to branch out from your living room someday, so why not do it in a theater."

"Isnt Broadway a little different than something like the Staples Center?" Blaine asked.

"Shush, Blaine. They both have audiences. Look," he pointed across the theater at the rows of empty seats. "Thats your audience. Picture if full of people, crazy teenagers screaming your name." 

He did what Kurt told him. The seats were filled with people. He could almost hear the screams in his head. He turned to Kurt and said, "will you sing with me?"

"What?" Kurt laughed.

"Dont take away the opportunity to sing on a Broadway stage again," Blaine struck a chord on the piano. 

"Do you know Perfect by Pink?" Kurt smiled.

"Sure," Blaine said. "Im all about those Top 40s, right?"

Kurt began singing, "Made a wrong turn, once or twice..."

Stumbling over his chords, Blaine shook his head. He had to focus. He knew Kurt had been in glee club, so he had to know something about music, but this was unexpected. His voice was so sweet, so pure. Blaine had never heard anything like it before. It brought a smile to his face that made Kurts blue eyes light up, returning the smile.

They continued to sing. During the song, Kurt pointed out to the rows of seats, reminding Blaine why he was here. It brought him a humbling feeling to be on that stage, singing to his pretend audience. It beat singing to the empty wall in his living room. This was something he wished he could do every day.

By the time they sang the last line, "you are perfect to me," Blaine had forgotten about his audience. Kurt was so close, he could feel his warm breath on his face. They held their gaze, breathing heavily. That longing feeling to be close to Kurt gnawed at his stomach once again, and Blaine leaned forward, pressing his lips to Kurts.

Kurt jumped in surprise, banging the keys on the piano. He smiled, deepening the kiss..his hands flew to Blaines waist like magnets, and he held on tightly. Blaine cupped the back of Kurts head, as he inched closer to him.

"Im sorry... I kicked... you out... last time," Blaine breathed in between kisses.

"Shut up," Kurt mumbled. 

"No, really," Blaine pulled away. "This beats my idea. I had a picnic in Central Park planned. I wanted to apologize for being a jerk. Now I just want tho thank you for this. It beats a picnic in Central Park. It beats kissing Rachel in that stupid auditorium in California, I really needed this, Kurt. I really needed to know that we werent going to end like that. Ive been such an idiot."

"No," Kurt placed his hand under his chin, pouring his eyes into Blaines. "That song we sang said everything. I like you, Blaine. You might be crazy, you might be an ass at times, but I like you. I like this Blaine right here. Youre not a bad person. If I could have this Blaine every day, Id be happier than you could imagine."

"I like you too," Blaine whispered.

"Were here, we have each other. Let that be enough," Kurt smiled sweetly.

"It is enough," Blaine said, feeling the need to kiss Kurt again. He leaned forward and Kurt held a finger to his lips. "What?" Blaine asked.

"Play me another song for a kiss," Kurt smiled.

"Kurt," Blaine protested .

"Just one more," Kurt batted his long eyelashes at him.

"Fine," Blaine said. He began to sing Somewhere Only We Know, while Kurt sat beside him with a glowing smile on his face. Blaine never took his eyes off Kurt the whole time he played. He felt like he could sing to those blue eyes forever.