Planning to return to his apartment to get ready for a set that night in a bar across town, Blaine said goodbye to Kurt with a beaming smile and an assurance that he would see him later.

"I'm so glad you're here Kurt," he said, stroking his arm affectionately.

"That's all well and good Blaine but you're leaving me already," Kurt pouted and Blaine almost couldn't resist. "I have to meet Ben's family?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"They keep asking about this mysterious best man, it's just a lunch and we'll meet up later when I've sorted myself out for tonight, I promise," Blaine said, giving Kurt his best puppy eyes and Kurt laughed.

"You win, I'll meet the new family, that's what best friends do right?"

"Right," Blaine agreed smiling and waving as he got into his car. Kurt walked to Ben's car as he waited, already apprehensive. Ben smiled a little too warmly from his car and Kurt got in.

"So where's the honeymoon?" Kurt asked conversationally as Ben drove them.

"We're planning a short little collection of trips really," Ben said, "Mainly to coincide with Blaine's tour stops. He's getting more well-known and sought after now." Ben looked proud of Blaine and Kurt felt a little bad that he wanted this guy out of the picture so easily. He barely knew him but he could already tell he loved Blaine. Kurt swallowed, determined to only feel hatred for the man next to him.

"I feel you know a little too much about me," Kurt said, laughing pleasantly, "Tell me a little about yourself." And Ben did. He explained his line of work, where he had gone to college, what his parents did, where he came from. He described how he'd met Blaine in a bar one night and after hearing him sing said he was hit with something, call it lust or love, and Kurt suddenly didn't want to hear anymore.

"I suppose you've seen all his bad habits?" Kurt said laughing. He knew as Blaine's best friend he knew practically everything about him which he could use to his full advantage.

"Oh yeah," Ben chuckled, "I mean he makes these annoying little sounds as he sleeps and he talks on and on about music and his performances when I can't sing a note." Kurt used to love hearing Blaine breathe lightly as he slept and remembered often waking early to watch him. His lips would pout and shake as he breathed and he always looked so peaceful and just beautiful. They were always cherished memories and Kurt was a little taken back that Ben thought it was a bad habit.

"He really uses every opportunity to sing doesn't he?" Ben continued, imagining he had an ally in Kurt, who just nodded. "Karaoke bars, clubs, the shower – everywhere! I've never met someone that loves their job so much." Kurt could already sense that this might be a bone of contention in the future. Ben thought for a moment before he continued.

"I've thought about all his flaws actually. We've really rushed through this whole thing, only been together six months but I just know he's it. And he sure can kiss..." Ben's voice trailed away as if he was remembering particular kisses and Kurt swallowed nervously.

"Well obviously it's been a while," Kurt whispered suddenly embarrassed at the thoughts whirring through his mind. Blaine's mouth, the colour of those lips when he had been kissed for a while, his breath on his skin.... Kurt looked out the window, hoping the slight blush to his cheeks couldn't be seen.

"I've thought about all his flaws though and actually I realised the biggest problem would always be you," Ben said after a while and Kurt turned to face Ben as he continued to drive.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he's been in love with you for years, has had you on a pedestal but I realised I could never compete. I can't spend my whole life jealous of you; you're going to be in his life forever so I made a decision not to let it bother me. I know that he may have you on a pedestal but he has me in his arms." There was such finality in the statement, as if the conversation was finished, that Kurt didn't say a word and thankfully they arrived at the hotel to meet Ben's family for the lunch.

Kurt was ushered in, introduced to all of Ben's family and ate and drank. He answered all their questions and was just grateful when it ended and he could return to his hotel room. He knew it was all a pretence, that Ben never trusted him and his family, obviously hearing so much about this famous Kurt, had been dying to meet him. Upon his return to the hotel he had a short time to change and get ready to go out to meet them at the bar later, where Blaine and others would be singing.

They arrived before Blaine's set began so Blaine stood at the bar with Kurt to chat and catch up as Ben sat with his friends.

"So what do you think of Ben?" Blaine asked, his gaze open and so hopeful but Kurt knew he had to plant the seeds.

"He's nice," Kurt said as he sipped his drink, "I just don't understand how you could be interested in someone so perfect." Kurt sneered slightly in jest and Blaine laughed.

"Yeah I thought the same, surely no lasting possibilities but yet here I am," he smiled, his eyes twinkling. He always managed to look at Kurt as if he could see everything, his very core and Kurt felt the butterflies again.

"He does let me hug him though," Blaine said quietly, looking steadfastly at his drink, "I don't have to let go straight away."

Kurt felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.

"When you and I..." Kurt began.

"Were together?" Blaine continued.

"Well yeah, did I..."

"Pull away when I hugged you in public?" Blaine asked, Kurt just nodded slightly, too afraid to look in his warm hazel eyes and find something that he'd lost. "Yeah," Blaine said quietly, "Only in public," he added quickly, "God it was great in private but I always worried you didn't want to be seen with me, that you were ashamed about how affectionate I was." Blaine looked down and Kurt wanted to lift his chin and insist he had changed, that if he was given the chance now he would hug Blaine all the time, whenever he wanted.

"I've changed," Kurt whispered, "I'm not the person I was then."

"Any relationship over two weeks that I should know about?" Blaine said with a slight smirk.

"That's not the point," Kurt said, his eyes showing his sincerity, "I'm much more affectionate now, I know what's important."

Blaine smiled like he finally believed Kurt and then leant in to kiss him sweetly on the cheek to test him. Kurt stilled at the contact then Blaine stood back, smiling and admiring Kurt's composure.

"Hey, you're on in five," someone said at the bar, patting Blaine on the shoulder.

"Right, be right there." He turned to Kurt and smiled warmly, walking to the piano in the corner as Kurt sat down next to Ben with his friends.

"Hey," Ben said, as he introduced Kurt to his friends. They seemed to have no idea who he was in relation to Blaine, just a close friend and all seemed to accept him. Kurt felt strangely insulted by this, wanting to be a force to be reckoned with but he decided to enjoy watching Blaine sing and play, a pleasure he hadn't had in quite a long time.

"Well hello everyone," Blaine said excitedly into the microphone, "I'm here tonight a few nights before my wedding day!" The crowd cheered amicably and Ben beamed. "And I'm really pleased that my best friend could make it and agree to be my best man." Blaine knew Kurt would be embarrassed at his mention but he smiled cheekily and Kurt thought he could forgive him. Ben smiled, a slight jealously behind his eyes though masked easily. Blaine sang effortlessly, choosing songs that pleased the crowd but Kurt noticed that every song he sang had a memory attached to it. 'Teenage Dream' Blaine had first sang at college when Kurt had met him at NYADA; 'Perfect' had been their car song; 'Just Can't Get Enough' was their code song for when they did the occasional hook-up, both in between dating other people or whenever they went on holiday together. Blaine seemed to link these in with references to Ben but Kurt knew they were meant for him. Blaine wound down his set list as the night wore on, choosing songs that people could sing along to or chat with friends while they listened. Ben had long since stopped listening attentively, choosing instead to talk and laugh with his friends, Blaine only background music but Kurt listened.

Well, love was kind for a time
and now it just stays and it makes me blind
This mirror holds my eyes too bright
but I can't see the others in my life

Ben seemed to sense the mood change and watched it morph into something poignant and beautiful. His eyes moved from his friend that he was talking to, to Blaine at his piano. Blaine was engrossed in his own fingers as he played, not choosing to look at anyone in particular.

Were we too young, our heads too strong

Blaine suddenly looked at Kurt as he sang that line and Kurt's breath hitched at his gaze. Ben noticed.

To bear the weight of this lovers' eyes
'Cause I feel numb beneath your tongue,
beneath the currents of these lovers' eyes

As Ben watched on, Blaine's gaze changed, shifting slightly to look over Ben's face and he smiled. Kurt didn't know who Blaine was singing to anymore but he watched, mesmerised.

But do not ask the price I paid
I must live with my quiet rage
Tame the ghosts in my head
that run wild and wish me dead
Should you shake my ash to the wind
Lord, forget all of my sins
Well, let me die where I lie
beneath the curse of my lovers' eyes

'Cause there's no drink or drug I've tried
to rend the curse of these lovers' eyes
And I feel numb beneath your tongue
your strength just makes me feel less strong

Kurt knew that Blaine meant him, in that instance. He was still looking vaguely in Ben's direction but Blaine had always said Kurt made him strong but oh so weak at times. Kurt's hands started to tremble slightly.

But do not ask the price I paid
I must live with my quiet rage
Tame the ghosts in my head
that run wild and wish me dead
Should you shake my ash to the wind
Lord, forget all of my sins
Well, let me die where I lie
beneath the curse of my lovers' eyes

I walk slow, I walk slow
take my hand, help me on my way
And I walk slow, I walk slow
take my hand, help me on my way

Kurt wasn't entirely sure if Blaine needed his help, wanted him to take him home and away but he wished in that moment that he could; that the wedding would be stopped and Blaine would come home to him and him alone.

As the piano died away, Blaine focused his eyes on his fingers as he finished and only lifted his gaze when applause was heard, some standing and whooping at the beautiful sincerity in Blaine's voice.

Blaine came to sit with them all after he had thanked the crowd and karaoke started. A girl sang first, her voice beautiful and everyone clapped enjoying the amateur performance. A waitress came over to ask for their drink orders.

"Margarita," Blaine and Kurt said together and looked at each other, chuckling.

"Blended, no salt," Kurt said pointing at Blaine.

"He wants it straight up," Blaine said smiling, pointing at Kurt as Ben asked for a beer. Once they had known each other's coffee orders, now it was drinks. Kurt suddenly remembered something.

"Two words for you," he said straight to Blaine, now completely facing him to the exclusion of Ben. "Margarita and Vesper."

"Florence!" Blaine said as they started laughing at the memory only they shared.

"Me hanging on in the rain all night..." Kurt said, holding his head in his hands as if he couldn't remember why he had acted so silly but still laughing.

"I love Florence," Ben tried to interrupt but the laughing continued.

"And the guy with the thing," Blaine said.

"'Where's my pass?'" Kurt said in his best Italian accent and Blaine seemed to find this the most hilarious thing.

"'No the pier is for fishing!'" Blaine carried the impression on, dramatically adding the arms flailing and Kurt giggled.

"'French kissing?'"

"'Fishing, fishing!'"

Ben couldn't seem to take it any longer and pressed his face forward slightly.

"You know I've always loved Florence," he said a little louder, effectively stopping the conversation as Kurt and Blaine looked at him, suddenly remembering he was there.

"Well you should go together," Kurt said simply, his smile fading. Blaine nodded.

Someone behind Ben suddenly leant over in their drunken stupor to suggest that Ben or 'cutey' as he was soon known, stand up and sing. Ben laughed and shook his head, a slight blush lighting up his cheeks.

"Oh no, no," he said and Kurt reminded Blaine that Ben didn't like to sing. Blaine laughed as Kurt took the microphone.

"Oh I get it, you want to sing?" Blaine said laughing and he grabbed the microphone.

"Hey everyone," Blaine said, "My fiancé here would like to sing you something." Everyone cheered as Ben looked up from his seated position, shaking his head fiercely and mouthing no repeatedly.

"Blaine, he doesn't want to," Kurt said taking the microphone off of Blaine and Ben looked relieved.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give it up for the vocal stylings of.... Mr Ben Wallace!" Ben looked up in complete surprise and after the applause he took the microphone tentatively. He started singing: 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' but as he sang completely off key and out of tune, Blaine looked at Kurt with an open mouth. Kurt couldn't help but smile. Knowing how important singing and music was to Blaine, it surely would be a deal-breaker if his future husband couldn't hold a tune. Blaine continued to stare incredulously.

But something happened that Kurt hadn't factored in - people started to cheer. Ben was so awful and embarrassed at his own singing it was sort of endearing and as he sang to Blaine, some people started to sing along too. Soon the crowd was laughing and joking and Blaine started to look around at the crowd and laugh too. As the song finished, Ben looking relieved, Blaine stood up to hug him proudly as if Ben had gone through all of that for Blaine.

"That was terrible," Blaine said kissing Ben and laughing, "Terrible!" They kissed for a little too long, the crowd cheering. Kurt plastered on his smile, looking around at the crowd and pretended to laugh along.