Blaine was lying sideways on his bed with his laptop, like most evenings after class, chatting online to Kurt, who had just finished dinner. He had just come out of the shower, his blue monogrammed pyjamas almost clinging to his damp skin and his curls drying on top of his head. He rustled his hair comfortably as Kurt continued to message him about his day and what he had learnt. Blaine shared his photo of the day, a picture of a collection of benches, along one side of the park in black and white with an elderly couple who were wrapped so closely together they seemed to merge as one. The lady had a stick propped against the bench, her husband looking out to the world around them but nothing seemed to touch them, nothing bothered them as they sat there, against the world that was starting to leave them behind.

Thats perfection, Id love to have that when Im old and grey. Do you think well ever have that?

You and me? Or you and me?

Ha! You and me – in the future, with other people.

I guess… I hope so. They seem so together that no one would be able to tell them apart. I want that.

I think were closer to that than we were twenty years ago or even five years ago. Its exciting to be this side of history, to watch it change.

Can I skype you? Ive finished dinner now and I dont have any work on tonight.

Sure, just let me sort out my hair.

Dont be ridiculous Blaine, I dont mind. I want to skype now.

Impatient much?! Okay, okay but no laughing when I show my curls…

Kurts breath stilled in expectation and he watched his laptops picture change to include the bedroom of someone nearly three thousand miles away. Blaines brown honey eyes appeared on the screen, his face surrounded by curls, almost soft enough to imagine. Kurt gulped.

"You really didnt have to worry about that," Kurt said trying to laugh but finding he still needed to swallow. Blaine laughed.

"I know exactly what you think, I can almost see it on your face," he said.

"No, no," Kurt said clearly flustered and trying to school his expression to be neutral.

"Kurt, Im joking," Blaine said laughing. "Did you want me to ring for a reason? What are you doing now?"

"Just lying in bed, all comfy," Kurt said snuggling lower in his bed to prove his point. "Have you got any work?"

"No not really," Blaine said, "Although I should probably rehearse for my dance mid-term. Theres this one move that Ive not quite mastered, I cant seem to let go. My dance tutor always prods me in the back as I dance, saying I need to loosen up a little, relax into the move but I get too tense. I dont really know how to dance."

"Im sure thats not true," Kurt said, "But I always thought precision was important in dance. Maybe thats your gift?"

"Maybe," Blaine said wistfully, thinking of his dancing, wondering what his problem could be.

"Do you like to perform in front of others?" Kurt asked, "I always get nervous when I think of it but when Im actually performing I imagine Im somewhere else, like my kitchen or living room where I can be free or I even imagine Im someone else. Like Patrick Swayze," Kurt said laughing, "He always had it, no matter what the dance move was."

"I always like to dance when Im on my own, in fact I think Ive got all the moves." Blaine winked at Kurt through the laptop and Kurt didnt want to admit what that did to his heart. He never knew it could swoop before.

"Thats what you have to do," Kurt said, all the saliva seemingly disappearing from his mouth. "Just imagine youre on your own. Let loose and dont worry."

Blaine nodded, taking it all in, wondering how to improve the problem when Kurt suddenly got excited.

"Ive got a great idea," he said, his face lighting up. "Im not sure if I can pull it off but if I can itll be perfect."

"What is it?" Blaine said, a little apprehensive.

"Ill let you know in a few days," Kurt said smiling and coming a little closer to the screen. Blaine suddenly thought that Kurt resembled a fox and he laughed nervously. What did Kurt have in store?

"How is that even possible?" Kurt exclaimed on the phone, "I thought you would have dismantled it by now; summers over."

"It is," the guide said with a deep sadness, "But weve taken our time to take it down mainly because the weather was never in our favour. It takes such a large task force that we normally need at least two days of good weather."

"Please keep it up," Kurt begged, "Just for this week."

The guide seemed to ponder this for a moment.

"Whats it worth?" he said sneakily and Kurt was a little outraged but willing to do anything.

"When I become famous, when Im releasing my first album or singing on Broadway, Ill dedicate my performance to you, mention how you started my career. In fact," he said, struck with a sudden idea, "Remember the name Blaine Anderson because hell do it first Im sure."

The guide, who went by the name of Eric, had seen many people come to New York in the hope they would realise their dreams and succeed. Some had gone home, discovered their mistake and taken a different route but they all sounded the same: optimistic and full of beans. Kurt had explained his hopes for the future, told him what Blaine wanted to do too and he already felt he knew this kid a little. Kurt sounded a little different, more like the hope had been driven inside and he wasnt about to let it disappear again.

"Sure thing," Eric said chuckling, "Dont forget, mind."

"Yay!" Kurt shouted, "Thank you! Thank you! I wont forget I promise."

"Good," Eric said still smiling, "And I can only keep it up for a few days."

"Of course," Kurt said, "Im sure Blaine wont let you down."

"Thats my challenge?" Blaine said talking directly to Kurt on skype. He took a brief glance in the mirror in his dorm room, already noticing the colour had drained from his face slightly.

"Itll be perfect Blaine," Kurt said happily not really aware of the awkward shyness that seemed to permeate Blaines very soul. "You said yourself how you can dance when no one is around, how you let yourself be free. This is your challenge. You have to sing, in fact I have the perfect song, and you cant let me down."

Put like that, Blaine didnt think he could let him down. The thought of fulfilling the task though, taking the challenge, was enough to make Blaine want to throw up his recently eaten dinner. One look at the hopeful glint in Kurts eyes as he waited patiently for his answer and Blaine didnt realise it but he was nodding slowly, agreeing to this challenge, anything to create such a smile on Kurts face again. It was bright and his eyes shone happily and Blaine found himself smiling too that he had caused that. The challenge couldnt be that harmful if it had led to such beauty. Blaine nodded again.

"If youre sure it will be ok?" Blaine asked.

"Of course Blaine," Kurt said, "Ive had to promise youll acknowledge him when youre famous." Blaine chuckled.

"Ok," he said.

"Have you got the moves?" Kurt asked with just a hint of laughter in his voice.

"I think so."

The stage was set. The park relatively quiet especially compared to the packed summer stage when thousands of people came to listen and see all kinds of performers and music. Blaine was looking forward to seeing some next summer as he had arrived too late in New York when he started the academic year. The stage looked a little pathetic now, bare and devoid of music and colour, no movement or rhythm.

"Are you Blaine Anderson?" a guy asked Blaine when he hovered near the side of the stage for a little too long.

"Yes," Blaine said in surprise.

"I was told youd be along today," he said and he stretched out his hand for Blaine to shake. "Im Eric and I can help you set up if you like."

"Really?" Blaine said incredulously.

"Yeah sure, you look like you could use a stiff drink," Eric said, "This friend of yours normally set such challenges?" He laughed as Blaine seemed to turn a paler shade.

"You spoke to Kurt?"

"Yeah, he organised it over the phone," Eric said, "He doesnt live here?"

"No, LA."

"Wow," Eric said, clearly impressed, "But youre students?" Blaine nodded. "I could have sworn he sounded like he was living in New York."

Eric led the way, showing Blaine how to connect the basic sound system. Any band or performer would need to have brought along their own but Blaine had the cheapest he could borrow at such short notice and no props. As he stood out at the park beneath him, the stage bare and lonely, Eric patted him on the shoulder.

"Do what you got to do then kid," he said, preparing to leave the stage.

"Wait," Blaine exclaimed and Eric turned. "Would you video it? For my friend, to prove I did it."

Eric laughed. "Where did you meet this kid?" Blaine thought it would be quite a long story and smiled to himself at the strangeness of the universe. Blaine handed him his phone, showed him how to work the gadget and Eric walked off the stage watching Blaine get ready. He took a deep breath, waited for the music to start and he moved. He started slow, just a shoulder, then a hip, barely lifting his head until he started to sing.

Having trouble telling how I feel

But I can dance, dance, dance

Couldnt possibly tell you how I mean

But I can dance, dance, dance

So when I trip on my feet

Look at the beat

The words are written in the sand

When Im shaking my hips

Look for the swing

The words are written in the air

As if to prove the song was true, Blaine started to move more steadily to the beat, his hips showing how his confidence was growing. He smiled as he looked at the video phone and Eric, who was no longer the only audience member.

Oh dance

I was a dancer all along

Dance, dance, dance

Words can never make up for what you do

People started to creep onto the grass, closer to the stage to find out what this crazy kid was doing on his own.

Easy conversations,

Theres no such thing

No, Im shy, shy, shy

My hips they lie

Cause in reality, aye

Im shy shy shy

When I trip on my feet

Look at the ground

The words are written in the dust

When Im shaking my hips

Look for the swing

The words are written in the air

Oh dance

I was a dancer all along

Dance, dance, dance

Words can never make up for what you do

The brass instruments started playing and Blaine spun around, closed his eyes, like there was no one there. He twitched his hips, even allowed a little twerking and the small crowd that had gathered started to laugh. Eric was the loudest and Blaine took one look at him and smiled, carrying the rhythm, allowing himself to be taken over by the music. It was in his nature to dance and it didnt matter that he would be videoed and people might think he was silly. He looked up to the sky and smiled, thinking that Kurt had brought him this and he was thankful.

The song finished and instead of looking pathetic as the song ended, his arms resting limply by his side, there was rapturous applause and Eric switched off the video so he could jump up and yell: Hell yeah! Blaine started to walk off the stage but Eric shouted again.

"Shake that tush, shake it baby!" Blaine laughed and did as instructed, the crowd loving it even more. He hopped off stage, taking his phone as soon as he met Eric again.

"Dude that was way too cool for words," he said, incredulity on his face, "I cant believe you had the courage to do that."

"Neither do I," Blaine said laughing again, trying to catch his breath, "Kurt really is crazy."

"Crazy," Eric repeated, nodding in agreement, "But a crazy genius! Dont let go of that one."

Blaine stopped in his tracks slightly but then Eric noticed and Blaine soon carried on walking. He could never know what his words meant but Eric made Blaine think in a way he never had before. It didnt matter that Kurt was thousands of miles away, it didnt matter that they hadnt officially met, Kurt already knew his worries and fears, knew how to challenge him to make the most of himself and his future. He was the best friend Blaine could ever have asked for and he couldnt help but wonder if there was just a little something more sneaking in unannounced.

"I dont intend to," Blaine said nodding pensively and walking to the entrance of the park with Eric who kept chuckling to himself at what he had just witnessed. A few people patted Blaine on the shoulder as he walked, recognizing him from his performance but Blaine was lost in a world of blue sparkling eyes full of challenge and acceptance and a smile that made his stomach swirl.