Kurt was on the train like agreed, all preparations made, but he couldnt do it. He clung onto the handrail in the middle of the train, his knuckles now white and he took quick furtive glances around at the people surrounding him. They looked positively bored and in many ways in dire need of entertainment but Kurt was afraid to push in case they reacted in a very different way. The train was peaceful though dull and he was about to disturb that.

He took a deep breath and felt his heart start to race but he started the music on his speaker. A few startled passengers looked up at the noise, amazed that someone had been so rude on the train but Kurt had a split second to realise that this was his chance and he should take it, if only for the new friend he had made with the honey-coloured eyes and the sweet smile. He pressed record on his phone, remained where he was and started to sing.

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

Scared to rock the boat and make a mess

So I sat quietly, agreed politely

People had noticed he had started to sing and were staring incredulously, as if they doubted the words were coming from him and not the speaker. Kurt thrust his phone into the hand of an older lady on the train who looked confused but knew enough about the device to start videoing it all successfully.

I guess that I forgot I had a choice

I let you push me past the breaking point

I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

Kurt started to get a little more confident when he thought of Blaine and how he would smile so widely at his achievement. It didnt matter that people were looking at him strangely. The lady was still recording and a few younger people had started to laugh, so remaining in sight of the phone he started to act the part.

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder gonna shake the ground

He skipped around the handrail with a beaming smile and looked up at the ceiling of the train as if he finally saw, finally understood what life was all about.

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)

Get ready cause Ive had enough

I see it all, I see it now

He started the chorus with confidence and another grin towards the phone and the people that were watching.

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire

Cause I am a champion and youre gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

Cause I am a champion and youre gonna hear me roar

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Youre gonna hear me roar

He really felt he was roaring and people laughed, loving his theatricality and confidence. No longer were people annoyed, even the initially grumpy passengers now seemed to be entertained and Kurt briefly took the phone so he could catch a glimpse of a few of his audience.

Now Im floating like a butterfly

Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes

I went from zero, to my own hero

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)

Get ready cause Ive had enough

I see it all, I see it now

People had started to join in, singing and shuffling on their feet, even the more world-weary passengers, tired after a day at work, bopped their hips in time to the music or moved their shoulders.

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire

Cause I am a champion and youre gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

Cause I am a champion and youre gonna hear me roar

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Youre gonna hear me roar

Kurt finished superbly and with a final wink to his video phone he took the device from the lady. He turned around, holding out the video so he could record himself and those behind him.

"This has been a challenge for the one and only Blaine Anderson," Kurt said, his teeth showing, he was smiling so widely. "Challenge delivered." And with a final round of applause from those gathered around him he switched it off.

Blaine beamed. He had received the instant notification on his phone and watched as he was about to start making lunch. He stood in the communal kitchen and laughed out loud at the end as Kurt had so confidently said: "challenged delivered" and smiled into the video on his phone. He text Kurt immediately.

That was awesome! Well done Kurt – Im very proud :)

You watched it! I was so nervous but the thrill as you perform in public is like no other – I seriously advise you to do it sometime.

In fact Ive just realised its my turn to challenge ;)

Ooh what shall I ask you to do… so many possibilities…

Tease! Dont leave me waiting too long, waiting makes me nervous :(

The crowd seemed to like what you did. Were they tough?

To start with, but I warmed them up! I think I confused the lady that videoed me.

She was a partaker of history – I think shell survive ;)

Seriously Kurt, I thought it was amazing and you sound beautiful. You have such an unique voice.

Is that code for girly?!

What?! No! It is higher than mine but it is perfect and you sound very classically trained. I know youll go far.

Do you just want to be a singer? Broadway? What are your dreams?

I want to sing mainly but I think performing comes so close to true singing that I want to do it all. Id love to be on Broadway but I think I just want to be heard.

I really get that. I think I want to be on Broadway but the thought of being heard when so many people have thought I wasnt worth listening to in the past… well lets just say I want to show them.

I really cant believe that people thought you werent listening to. You seem so confident when you perform, thats what I loved. When you sang Roar you didnt care what anyone thought.

I hid all the nerves – I must have been better at acting than I thought! I get nervous too Blaine, I just pretend and in that moment when the lights are on me, or everyone is watching, I become exactly what I want them to think I am.

I get so nervous when I introduce myself I almost stutter.

Then dont introduce yourself – let the music speak for itself.

I dont know how I would do that. Dont I want people to know who I am?

They will.

Blaine let Kurts text wash over him for a moment. The thought that he didnt need to tell everyone that he existed was strangely freeing.

Are you free tonight?

Yeah, why?

Go to Central Park – near the Dana Discovery Center. Your mission will become clear when you get there.

This is a challenge?

Yes, a very important one. And remember you dont need to introduce yourself, but somehow make sure you video it all.

Blaine walked the familiar paths and the Bow Bridge that was well lit and beautifully stoic as if nothing could knock it down. Blaine let the nerves vanish as he walked over the bridge, felt his confidence rise as he ascended and went over the top. The view as usual was breathtaking and he tried desperately to prepare himself to sing in public.

The park wasnt deserted but only a few people were walking or sat at benches appreciating the peace and quiet of the park, which was normally packed and too full. He knew at this time he wouldnt have an enormous audience but the act of playing, where piano keys would resonate and be clearly heard amongst the trees, would still be nerve-wracking. He took a deep breath and looked around for what Kurt must have been talking about and he suddenly saw.

The piano was mainly purple with blue swirls making it appear like magic in the dark. There was a light nearby that shone brightly over the area around the piano and Blaine took his seat in the spotlight. He knew this was what Kurt meant; this was the challenge.

His phone was ready and he got a feel of the piano keys beneath his fingers, felt along the old ivory and let the feeling of peace wash over him before he started playing.

Just as he feared the keys sound resonated through the park, so that anyone in the vicinity would hear the notes clearly. No one seemed to appear in the park and he was apparently left to start singing. He pressed record and sang: no introduction, just words and music, a live performance for anyone watching his blog.

Honey, its been a long time coming

And I cant stop now

Such a long time running

And I cant stop now

Do you hear my heart beating?

Can you hear that sound?

Cause I cant help thinking

And I dont look down

Blaine didnt realize that Kurt had pressed play almost as soon as he had started. He watched live and was mesmerized. Blaine didnt look at the screen; the only part visible to Kurt and the rest of Blaines online world was the profile of his face and the swirl of blue and purple on the piano.

And then I looked up at the sun

And I could see

Oh the way that gravity turns for you and me

The sun had set but Blaine looked up at the sky and briefly closed his eyes, his smile showing just how free and peaceful he really was. Kurt strangely felt tears prickle at his eyes. Blaine was beautiful.

And then I looked up at the sky and saw the sun

And the way that gravity pulls on everyone, on everyone

Baby, its been a long time waiting

Such a long, long time

And I cant stop smiling

No I cant stop now

And do you hear my heart beating?

Ah can you hear that sound?

Cause I cant help crying

And I wont look down

Kurt knew that Blaine was now the best version of himself, just like he had wished and he smiled knowing that even in some small way he had helped him with that.

And then I looked up at the sun and I could see

Oh the way that gravity turns on you and me

And then I looked up at the sun and saw the sky

And the way that gravity pulls on you and I, on you and I

Can you hear my heart beating?

Can you hear that sound?

Cause I cant help crying

And I wont look down

The singing finished but Blaine let his fingers continue on the keys as if he could barely take them away. He didnt notice the few people near a tree that had paused in their evening walk to listen to Blaine, to hear him play. He looked like he belonged there but eventually they dispersed after sharing smiles and went on their way.

After a while Blaine realised he was still recording and he pressed stop and decided to start walking home. Kurt soon rang.

"Kurt?"

"Blaine that was fantastic," Kurt breathed into the phone.

"You saw it all?" Blaine asked incredulously.

"Yeah just now," Kurt said, "You didnt introduce yourself but you didnt have to. Did anyone see?"

"I dont actually know," Blaine said looking around at the trees and the entwined paths. No one was around now.

"It doesnt matter, you were perfect and everyone will be able to see that online too."

"I just love that song," Blaine said, "I had it on repeat last night and I guess it sums me up quite a bit."

"Gravity?"

"Yeah how everything just continues around us, even if were not aware of it. It doesnt matter what we do, life goes on and we can choose to join the show or we can sit back and watch other people. I want to be a performer in life, Kurt. I think that song taught me that at least."

Kurt didnt know what to say. In some ways he was jealous that Blaine had realised that on his own, during the task but he couldnt feel bad. He was just insanely happy that Blaine was happy. He didnt want to ponder on how odd it was to feel that for someone he had never met in person.

"How did you know that piano would be there?" Blaine asked, breaking Kurts reverie.

"I visited New York for nationals a few years ago and loved that there were pianos dotted all over the city. I had dreams of living there one day."

"What happened to those dreams?"

"I hope theyve just been put on hold," Kurt said, "I really do want to live there someday."

"You will," Blaine said confidently.

"How do you know?"

"Because you knew that I could play in a public place, you knew I didnt need to introduce myself to be understood and to perform. Youre magical Kurt, and magic has a way of finding magic."

"You really believe in me that much?" Kurt whispered, a little in shock.

"Of course," Blaine said the smile evident in his voice, "Ive seen you perform Roar."

Kurt laughed.

"That was pretty awesome," he said, "I cant wait for my next challenge."

"Me too," Blaine said as he neared the subway. "Id better go now, get on the train to go home. Speak to you later?"

"Definitely. Speak soon," Kurt said, "Bye Blaine. Thanks again."

"Im not quite sure why youre thanking me, I should be thanking you, but Ill take it," Blaine said laughing, "Bye Kurt."

"Bye Blaine."

Kurt had the warmest feeling in his stomach as he padded to the kitchen to make his own dinner. He knew he wouldnt have long before it was Blaines bed time – the time difference suddenly a nuisance – but he let his mind wander to big glasses and slightly curly hair and a soulful voice to match as he made pasta. He smiled to himself, pleased he had such a talented and amazing friend. It didnt matter that they had never met, Blaine already knew so much about him that he felt like hed known him for years. He ignored the nagging feeling that Blaine had already made him feel things that not even friends like Rachel could induce. He just let the nice pleasant feeling wash over him as the pasta water bubbled and he smiled, remembering that gravity does indeed pull on you and me.