It had been a perfect day. The photo was framed and they stood in a pose fitting two men in the prime of their lives, physically they were both astounding. Crisp black suits, both tailored and tight with bright bowties to accentuate the colour of their eyes. Two completely different colours, two different people with so much in common, now merged and made one.

The weather had been bright and sunny, no clouds in sight, no wind to speak of and Blaine and Kurt had never looked more happy or more attractive. Impeccable suits, perfectly coiffed hair and bright cheery eyes told everyone around them that Blaine and Kurt were the happiest, luckiest couple they had ever met. No one could be jealous, no one could deny that they were perfect together and would have many years of perfect wedded bliss ahead of them. Or so they thought.

Kurt looked at the photo one last time as he packed his final bag, thought momentarily of taking it with him but it was too painful, such a reminder of what they used to feel and be. He placed it face down on the side table and zipped his bag.

No one had been surprised after two years of marriage when Blaine and Kurt announced they were to adopt and had been on the waiting list for what already felt like months. People were excited for them, had seen them interact with Rachel and Finns children, knew they would make excellent and caring fathers and all they had to do was wait.

Eventually they got their wish in the form of one little Chinese girl they named Lily. She was a year old when her family had decided that they could no longer afford a girl in the family with the one-child policy. They now had a son and had no need for a girl. The thought of anyone being able to do that made Kurt angry but as he picked up Lily for the first time, he realised it was their gain and he was the luckiest guy. As Blaine stood with his arm around Kurts waist and his finger encased in their new babys fingers, he had never been happier. It was this memory that caused a lone tear to fall down Kurts face before he breathed in deeply, took a final look around the place they had once called home and walked out the door for good.

---

"Hes gone," Blaine said calmly, on the phone to Cooper that night as soon as he had returned home from school. Teaching seven year olds was tiring but add on parents evening and Blaine was exhausted. He hadnt heard from Kurt during the day, no text to ask about dinner, so Blaine assumed they would get take-out now that he had returned. Slipping off shoes and laying back on the sofa, the silence turned worrisome and he called out to Kurt to find only silence.

"What do you mean hes gone?" Cooper asked, "Gone to the shops? Gone to a bar?"

"No Coop, gone," Blaine said calmly, like he expected it all along, "Packed his bags, turned over the photo frame of us on our wedding day, left a note. Hes gone."

"Well shit…" Cooper said, "What did the note say?"

Blaine stared at it again, such simple script, such simple words that told Blaine nothing.

"Im sorry, I cant."

"Oh."

Blaine shook his head and bit his lip in an effort not to cry on the phone. He had done that so many times since it had happened, he was a little surprised he still had tears left to cry. He slumped in his seat.

"Im coming over," Cooper said and there was a rustling on the other line.

"You dont have to do that," Blaine said pathetically, not giving him a reason.

"Dont be silly squirt, this needs serious music therapy and alcohol and a definite plan of action," Cooper said confidently, more shuffling and a clink of his keys and he was obviously out the door. "On my way, see you soon."

With the phone call ended Blaine finally had time to look around the empty apartment. Kurt had taken a good selection of clothes and his basic toiletries but not much more, though the apartment wasnt the same without him. Blaine had thought the place was devoid of love before, now he had never felt more alone.

---

"Blimey you look rough," Cooper said as soon as Blaine answered the door. Blaine stood back, let Cooper enter and he dragged his feet to the sofa where his too long sweat pants dragged along the floor. Kurt used to think it was adorable now he would be sure to tell him off.

"Whats been happening? Why did he leave?" Cooper asked immediately, opened a beer and sat back, expecting a long conversation.

Blaine gave him a pointed look as if to say really?

"Ok, ok," Cooper said, "But youve suffered too Blaine, you should be working this out together."

Blaine deflated again, his shoulders slumped, his fight all gone.

"Hey dont give up," Cooper said, "If there was ever a couple in love it was you two, it was sickening actually. You had everything."

"But we lost it all," Blaine said quietly, the admission the first time he had acknowledged that things had been very wrong for quite a time.

Cooper didnt know what to say, missed her little giggle just as much as he knew Blaine and Kurt did. How could you say it would get better when the worst had happened? When no happiness seemed possible?

"Why now? Why did he leave today?"

Blaine thought back to the last time he had seen Kurt. He had got up so early this morning that he only had time to kiss Kurt briefly on the cheek and be gone before a long day at school. Kurt rarely spoke of his work anymore, rarely asked about Blaines day; life just continued. But the night before had been lonely.

They stayed in the same bed merely as a formality now, no sex, no touching had happened for a very long time. It seemed both of them had forgotten how to feel, only numbness surviving. It was easier that way.

But Blaine had been restless, had got up in the middle of the night unable to sleep and considered getting warm milk. His eyes alighted on his guitar in the corner of the room and he played quietly, softly plucking on the strings so as not to disturb Kurt.

Let me hold you

For the last time

Its the last chance to feel again

But you broke me

Now I cant feel anything

When I love you,

Its so untrue

I cant even convince myself

When Im speaking,

Its the voice of someone else

You cant play on broken strings

You cant feel anything that your heart dont want to feel

I cant tell you something that aint real

Oh the truth hurts

And lies worse

How can I give anymore

When I love you a little less than before

Oh what are we doing

We are turning into dust

Playing house in the ruins of us

Running back through the fire

When theres nothing left to save

Its like chasing the very last train when its too late

You cant play on broken strings

You cant feel anything that your heart dont want to feel

I cant tell something that aint real

Well truth hurts,

And lies worse

How can I give anymore

When I love you a little less than before

Let me hold you for the last time

Its the last chance to feel again

Blaine looked up as he finished playing to find Kurt watching him by the door, leaning on it for support. He had watched it all and silent tears had been falling down his face. Blaine was startled. It had been Blaine that had cried for all these months, never Kurt.

"Youre awake," Blaine stated, "Sorry, I didnt mean to wake you."

"You didnt," Kurt said, "I was awake."

Blaine nodded. It wasnt unusual for either of them to have insomnia. They would often meet in the kitchen in the middle of the night, almost acknowledge each other then return to bed. No sleep was ever gotten and definitely no solace accepted or offered. Both looked older now, bigger bags under their eyes, lines where none had been before.

"You still sing beautifully," Kurt said, as if he had forgotten.

"Thanks."

Blaine placed the guitar on its stand in the corner of the room and got up to go back to bed, Kurt following behind.

Nothing was said but as Blaine turned round so his back was facing Kurt, his usual pose for sleeping, he heard a rustling of the sheets. Kurts cold arms snaked around his waist and clung on tight without saying a word, just for a moment, a simple squeeze then the arms were gone. Blaine was surprised into silence but later as he finally drifted off to sleep he thought he could hear a whisper, a ghost of a song:

Let me hold you for the last time

Its the last chance to feel again