The night was young but the quietness of the piano bar had led them to believe that everywhere would be sleepy and pleasant. The karaoke bar they ventured to next was anything but sleepy.

It was tacky but everyone seemed to love the place. Large groups of friends were drinking and laughing loudly, no one caring if the duets or solos were sung in tune and the place was packed. Kurt and Blaine weaved their way through the bar after getting a drink, creeping close to the stage where a couple of girls were singing 'I Will Survive' very loudly, seeming to forget they had a microphone. People were singing along with them, trying to help them out as they forgot the words were on the screen below. It was infectious and Kurt soon perused the list of songs and put down his name.

"You're singing?" Blaine asked in surprised when Kurt returned.

"Yeah," Kurt shrugged, "I thought, 'why not?', you only live once and life's too short to stop and think all the time. You should sing with me."

Kurt's face erupted in a smile so wide and hopeful, his eyes twinkling with fresh happiness, knowing that he was young, carefree, with his whole life ahead of him with new opportunities coming his way that Blaine couldn't deny him. He nodded in agreement.

They watched as others sang and Blaine kept the drinks coming so by the time it was their turn on stage they were merry, all trace of nervousness gone, with only a warm buzz of happiness in their stomachs. As they approached the stage Kurt realised it was the perfect song for such a great night. With one simple squeeze of Blaine's hand as they stood with microphones in the other hand, they started singing.

It's been a long time coming since I've seen your face

I've been everywhere and back trying to replace

Everything that I had 'til my feet went numb

Praying like a fool that's been on the run

Blaine was nervous, never singing with anyone when playing the piano and although it was his own personal sanctuary pressing along the keys, to sing with someone else was scary. He watched Kurt as they sang and his voice got a little louder, his shoulders moved slightly as the beat got faster and the lights of the bar went rainbow coloured.

Heart's still beating but it's not working

It's like a million dollar phone that you just can't ring

I reached out trying to love but I feel nothing

Yeah, my heart is numb

But with you

I feel again

Yeah, with you

I can feel again

Yeah

There was a soft smile between them before the bar erupted and joined in with the boys, bouncing and waving glasses in the air.

Woo-hoo

I'm feeling better ever since you know me

I was a lonely soul but that's the old me

It's been a long time coming since I've seen your face

I've been everywhere and back trying to replace

Everything that I broke 'til my feet went numb

Praying like a fool just shy of the gun

Heart still beating but it's not working

It's like a hundred thousand voices that just can't sing

I reached out trying to love but I feel nothing

Oh, my heart is numb

There was such a quiet smile on Blaine's face that Kurt just knew he was singing his truth, telling him what he had been afraid to say before. The night had been perfect, just like a date but Kurt knew Blaine was married and so not available.

But with you

I feel again

Yeah, with you

I can feel again

They broke into two parts, Kurt singing whilst looking to Blaine to keep in time and feeling so much bigger than before.

But with you

Blaine: I'm feeling better ever since you know me

I feel again

Blaine: I was a lonely soul but that's the old me

Yeah, with you

Blaine: I'm feeling better ever since you know me

I can feel again

Blaine: I was a lonely soul

Kurt stopped singing, his voice trailing away as the song became quieter and Blaine was left to sing the last part on his own, still staring at Kurt.

I'm feeling better ever since you know me

I was a lonely soul but that's the old me

A little wiser now from what you've shown me

Yeah, I feel again

Feel again...

The song finished and for a moment they forgot their audience who suddenly erupted in applause and cheers. They came off the stage to be replaced by another and the applause was soon for someone else. Everyone wanted a good time, Blaine and Kurt along for the ride. They wandered to the bar in search of another drink.

"You sounded amazing," Blaine said close to Kurt's ear in an effort to be heard. They found stools by the bar, sat and ordered new drinks and Kurt smiled.

"I'd forgotten how much I missed performing," Kurt said wistfully looking at the girl that occupied the stage now. She was nervous but her confidence grew as the audience cheered and she laughed.

"You should do it more often," Blaine said, "It suits you and there's nothing like singing with everything you've got- all heart, all soul, no lies."

Something in what Blaine had said sat uncomfortably in Kurt's stomach as he looked at Blaine. Blaine was smiling at the girl on stage, almost singing along and Kurt watched him until it got a little too much. The stage seemed to get louder, the crowd more excitable and Kurt stood up, moving his stool back with a scrape along the shiny floor.

"What's wrong?" Blaine said his eyes wide in surprise as he took in Kurt's agitated state.

"I think I need to go home," Kurt said and he knew it was sudden but he felt overwhelmed and started to walk out of the bar without allowing Blaine to respond.

"Kurt, wait," Blaine shouted after him at a run but Kurt didn't stop and it was only as he got a hundred metres from the bar that Blaine caught up with him and stopped him by the arm. "What are you doing? Where are you going?"

Kurt turned unsure why Blaine was here but his chest heaved with the effort of breathing.

"I had to go, I'm sorry, I'm probably just tired," Kurt said and Blaine was even more confused.

"I thought we were having a good night?" Blaine said quietly.

"We were, it was a great night Blaine, perfect actually but now I have to get home," Kurt said simply. A single drop of rain pattered on Kurt's head making the need to go more urgent. Blaine felt it too and looked to the sky.

"It's raining," Blaine said.

"I know, see you soon," Kurt said, using the time Blaine was distracted to carry on walking.

"Kurt," Blaine said walking quickly to catch up with him, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Blaine," Kurt said finally giving him a reassuring smile, "I'll see you soon."

Blaine seemed to deflate and Kurt noticed and with one last smile he turned to go. As Blaine watched his retreating back, the rain pelted harder but he hardly noticed. Kurt got quicker then turned a corner and Blaine remained. He wracked his brain for something that caused the change, thought over to what he had said but could think of nothing then just an echo of a phrase from Kurt's own mouth: 'a great night, perfect actually'. It had been perfect, Blaine knew. He had sung with Kurt, had laughed, shared his favourite place, all with someone that wasn't his wife. Then he realized.

It was like a fire in his belly at the thought he had let his guard down so easily, that Kurt could see how he felt but suddenly the thought that Kurt might believe it was all a lie or that he was messing with his feelings, was too much. He ran.

He went the way he assumed Kurt had gone and was just about to stop, running out of breath when he spotted a dark figure going up to the High Line: arguably the best view of New York and completely quiet at this time of night. Blaine was careful to keep his footfall quiet but his breath hitched at the purple sight before him as the walkway continued after its shrubbery. Kurt turned at the slight noise and opened his mouth to say something when he realized Blaine was coming closer.

"You followed me," Kurt said when Blaine came close enough. "Why?"

"You need to know," Blaine said, "I'm sorry Kurt I should have said before."

Kurt looked confused but said nothing. The light that seemed to emanate from one of the small trees caused Blaine's eyes to glow molten brown in his earnestness.

"Tonight," Blaine started again, "Tonight was perfect."

There was something more; Kurt knew Blaine wanted to say more, so he waited. Blaine's nerves set in, his fingers twitched in panic and Kurt continued to wait.

"I couldn't say before, I wouldn't say before, but I think you're amazing. You sang beautifully tonight, you sketch and create amazing designs and I…" He faltered, took a second to look at his fingers twisted together and breathed again.

Kurt came closer, so close that Blaine could see all the shades of blue in his shining eyes. Blaine gasped.

"What do you want to say?" Kurt asked.

"I don't know," Blaine said, the image of his father, stern and unfeeling flashed before his eyes, so disappointed in the thirteen year old boy that had admitted he might find boys attractive.

Blaine's gaze hovered over Kurt's face, taking in his beautiful eyes, his cherry red lips inches from his own and the light pink tint of his cheeks in the light rain.

Kurt thought he saw a flicker, something that Blaine wouldn't admit and he came even closer, giving Blaine time to pull away, to deny that he felt the same but he didn't and Kurt pressed his lips against Blaine's keeping his eyes open. Though Blaine's eyes widened slightly, he soon relaxed into the kiss, and closed his own eyes to really feel. It was like those lips made him feel alive in ways he hadn't known could be achieved by a single kiss. His hand came round to grip Kurt's jaw, to keep him tethered to him, to bring him closer and he could feel Kurt's lips changing to a smile. As they continued to kiss, Blaine tentatively licked Kurt's bottom lip, licked his way into his mouth and deepened the kiss.

Kurt hummed in response which caused Blaine to moan, a moan that seemed to rumble in his chest. Blaine could feel Kurt's hand on his back, his fingers stroking the strong muscles he found there until Blaine parted from him, his breath taken away.

"You kissed me," Kurt breathed and just one look at his kiss-swollen lips and his darkened eyes showed Blaine he enjoyed it. "You're married to Quinn."

Blaine nodded. He looked ahead, along the High Line and nodded his head towards the walkway, suggesting silently that Kurt follow him. Kurt did and then Blaine stretched his hand behind him invitingly and Kurt took it, his heart swirling with the need to feel more, to believe what was happening was real.

Blaine led Kurt part of the way until they stopped at a bench that appeared to be half created, its strips of wood held up on one side only. The view of New York was spectacular, the hint of purple over the walkway seeming to emanate too from the Hudson River in front. Flashes of light looked like mini-suns ahead of them. Blaine sat down, invited Kurt to do the same and put one leg up so he could hug it closer to himself. It looked such an incongruous pose with what had just happened, Kurt could only look.

Blaine stared ahead, looking at the lights reflected in the water and Kurt eventually did the same, time to calm his beating heart until Blaine was ready to explain more.

"My marriage is a sham," Blaine suddenly whispered, even now when no one was near. Kurt looked at him in the purple glow. "We both see other people and I'm gay."

Kurt felt like laughing. He wanted to say: 'duh!' but thought better of it.

"We got married for convenience, both our parents wanting it so much, mine hating the thought that I might still be gay. We love each other but not like that. I've known her all my life." Blaine finally turned to Kurt and smiled slightly, the thought of his friendship with Quinn and how much he had needed her over the years really had kept him going.

"So what was tonight?" Kurt asked. "A date?"

"I didn't intend it to be," Blaine said, shaking his head. "I really do want to get to know you, I really do want to be a partner of some kind. I just got a little carried away."

"I don't understand how anyone can get married when they don't want to, how does your dad have so much power over you?"

"I don't know, gosh this is such a long story," Blaine said closing his eyes in pain at the memories.

"I'd like to hear it," Kurt whispered, touching Blaine's hand where it rested on his knee. Blaine opened his eyes to find Kurt's eyes staring back, full of warmth in that gaze of blue.

"I told him I liked boys when I was thirteen," Blaine started, thinking back to that warm day when he'd come home from middle school to talk to his mom. "I was talking to my mom about a guy I'd become friends with and I supposed I gushed a little too much. My mom smiled, indulged my conversation but when my dad came home from work, she shut me up pretty quickly. Dad looked a little confused but didn't say anything, the only indication that he suspected anything was his sudden desire to help build a car with me. He'd never shown any interests in spending a lot of time with me but after a few weekends of working on it, he finally asked me about my friendship with his guy at school. I innocently told him that I thought he was attractive, I mean I was kind of musing out loud really, hadn't even thought I might be gay but he pounced on my admission quicker than a cat on a mouse. He said I wasn't to see this kid anymore, wouldn't have me turning gay and that was all that was said."

"That's horrible," Kurt muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. He'd heard stories of people coming out, others finding it hard but it never ceased to make him feel extremely lucky that his dad loved him no matter what.

"I guess I knew from then on that I couldn't share it with either of them. My mom didn't seem to mind but she was so determined to be a subservient wife, I knew she would agree with my father in everything."

"So you became straight?" Kurt asked, a little incredulously.

"Well no but I just didn't date," he said, "Anyone. It was easier."

"So you didn't come out? That was it?"

"Well I came out to Quinn," Blaine said, "I mean I've known her since I was little, my parents have dinner with Quinn's parents. We grew up together. She knows me better than I know myself."

"How did she react?"

"Oh she was really supportive, always has been. I guess it was our little secret for years and she let me ramble on about boys I liked at school or famous guys I had crushes on and she would tell me everything. I was the first to know about Puck and Finn and when she was pregnant with Beth. We've been through everything together."

"But now you're free, now you're an adult why are you still tethered to your dad? Why don't you escape him? If he's a bigot, stupidly blind to who his son really is, why stick around?"

"I don't know," Blaine said honestly, "I guess it was easier. I didn't really know what to do with my life and dad made it clear he wouldn't support me at college unless it was a worthwhile degree so I followed his footsteps, made finance a career knowing that I would get a job with him. I didn't hate it before, thought maybe my dreams of playing the piano were foolish and young, things you brush aside when you grow up. I guess I didn't realize how much it would hurt to stop believing."

Kurt felt his heart ache for Blaine, for how much he had given up just for the approval of a man that would never be happy with who he really was.

"How did marriage to Quinn happen?"

"After she got pregnant, Beth adopted, Quinn's father insisted she concentrate on her studies, apply to Yale to study law. I think she experimented, tried to find herself there but when she returned home things were different. Her father expected her to marry quickly and anyone she brought home wasn't suitable. She was round my house one evening when she blurted out that it might be easier if we just got married, just shut them all up and lived our own lives. For some reason I thought it was the greatest idea ever, though Quinn had said it flippantly. She thought it through and a week later, after a particularly bad argument with her father, she agreed to marry me. We were 21."

"But you see other people?"

"Well Quinn does," Blaine said, smiling ruefully.

There was a beat of silence, and then Kurt returned the smile.

"Rupert?"

Blaine nodded.

"But you don't see other people?"

"I have done but I guess the dates don't last long and I get scared. The thought of my family finding out scares me. I can't let myself get too close."

"And me?" Kurt whispered, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"You," Blaine said smiling sadly, "You are the only exception."