Blaine had always dreamed of this moment. This was it – this was his time.

He walked out of the closest subway to his new apartment, fresh out of high school, eighteen, his whole life ahead of him, with such promise and possibility oozing out of him. He always assumed that music would play in his head as he emerged from the subway station, that everyone would know he was here but as he was nearly pushed up the steps and his nose hit by the acrid smell of the city, where someone had pissed on the side of the steps – well it wasn't what he expected.

This had been his first grocery trip in this new city, first time on his own after his parents had settled him into his apartment and helped him vaguely unpack his belongings. He was excited as he said goodbye to his family, knowing that everything lay ahead of him but as he opened the door to the tiniest apartment he had ever seen and took off his shoes, he felt a tad disappointed. Maybe it didn't begin until classes started.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and he took it out to reveal a message from Kurt, which caused his face to erupt in a grin instantaneously.

All arrived and settled yet?! – Kurt

Just got my first pint of milk in New York baby! – Blaine

Free for your first visitor? – Kurt

Always :) – Blaine

And he was always free for Kurt. Kurt, if he was completely honest had been the main reason for his application to NYADA earlier this year. It was a renowned, prestigious institution, the reason for many a Tony but although Blaine craved the limelight and loved performing, he only wanted to be where Kurt was. Kurt who had been his best friend through their time at Dalton and Kurt's senior year at McKinley. Kurt who was the love of his life, who he had loved and lost on a simple friend request from someone that definitely wasn't worth it. Kurt and Blaine had discussed their future and it had never entailed such heartache and need for forgiveness.

For Blaine had tried so hard to earn Kurt's forgiveness and while they remained friends – Kurt being gracious and allowing him to ring at least once a week – no further commitment had been made. They had met and sung together at Christmas and Valentine's Day, had smiled slyly at one another and hooked up but nothing had come of the sweetness and the friendship. Kurt had assured Blaine he had forgiven him but there had been no mention of a reconciliation, no mention of rekindling their relationship beyond the casual get-together and Blaine was left forever wanting more.

After the wedding, the infamous hook-up and the need for more, Kurt had returned to New York and lived his life again, seemingly without Blaine. He had gone exclusive with Adam and although Kurt rang Blaine often, helped him with his NYADA application and the audition process, there was no mention of anything further. Blaine felt like Kurt was a passing ship and he was desperate to get on the dock again.

Kurt sounded excited as soon as he heard that Blaine had been accepted and would be renting his own tiny place that his parents would pay towards as long as Blaine got a part-time job. Kurt rarely mentioned Adam during their telephone conversations but Blaine knew they were permanently together, knew from casual conversation with Rachel that Adam was practically living with them now and they seemed pretty cosy. Blaine only felt a pang of pain whenever Adam was mentioned.

Blaine was always happy to see Kurt, always pleased to hear from him and he started opening the box full of mugs for coffee and start his coffee machine whirring in anticipation for his first visitor.

Kurt arrived soon after and was immediately hugged by Blaine, as they hadn't seen each other for a few weeks. Kurt looked taken aback as he parted from Blaine to take a look tentatively around the tiny place Blaine was renting.

"It's nice," Kurt mused as he wandered, "Rent must be a fortune and you couldn't swing a dead cat in here but it's cute," he finished and turned towards Blaine smiling.

"I like it," Blaine whined but smiled and started making coffee.

"Looking forward to classes starting soon?" Kurt asked as he checked out the view from the window.

"Yeah, really excited for it all to start actually. I wasn't expecting so much noise and dirt here," Blaine said, pouring milk and handing Kurt a mug. Kurt giggled.

"Yeah it can be pretty busy but amazing, you'll get used to it. The city never sleeps."

"Maybe I should get a roommate," Blaine was saying as he looked out over his view too. "I can see myself getting lonely here."

"Yeah might be an option although you barely have space," Kurt laughed, "You can always come round to see Rachel and me, you'll never be lonely."

Blaine noticed the casual omission of Adam and felt his stomach fly at the thought that they might not be as together as he thought.

"Are you all prepared for the start of the new year?" Blaine asked.

"Yeah I think so, I mean you're never prepared for everything but the classes are great and I've got my first audition next week, so I'm busy prepping for that."

"Wow Kurt, that's so exciting," Blaine bounced and Kurt looked fondly at him. He had loved their telephone conversations but nothing could beat seeing Blaine all bubbly again face-to-face.

Kurt tried to wave him off, already thinking he probably wouldn't get the part and deciding to ignore the feeling of complete adoration that washed over him at Blaine's excitement.

"Hey I almost forgot, I brought cakes!" Kurt said rushing to his satchel and opening a box of goodies. "Here's to your new place and your first night in New York Blaine," he said as he handed him a cake and smiled. Blaine gulped. He was finally here, the place of dreams and standing next to the man he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.

"Here's to a new year," Blaine said, tapping his cake on Kurt's and smiling.

xXx

It's a few days later, after Blaine had traipsed the city for some kind of part time employment to finally find a job as a barista a few hours a week, that Kurt comes for coffee. Blaine is rushed off his feet but as soon as Kurt comes in there's sunshine and Blaine realises that he's done for and he needs to wise up.

"Hey," Kurt says bounding up to the counter once it's his turn, "May I have a grande non-fat mocha please?" He winks, clearly enjoying the fact that he's giving Blaine his order, knowing full well it's been memorised for three years.

"Coming right up sir," Blaine says, playing along. They only have time for a little conversation so Kurt doesn't hesitate in inviting Blaine to dinner tonight at their place, say around 7? Blaine nods and smiles then Kurt whizzes out of there and Blaine serves the next customer while he wonders whether Adam will be there too.

xXx

Blaine arrives just before seven, armed with a plotted plant and wine and Kurt grins widely at the plant as he ushers Blaine in.

"A plant?" he asks comically, "We've lived here for a year Blaine; we don't need a plant that Rachel can accidentally kill."

"Hey!" Rachel exclaims from the kitchen as she chops vegetables, "I heard that!"

Blaine and Kurt both laugh and as Blaine places the wine and plant on the kitchen table there is an awkward moment where Blaine is unsure how to proceed. How do they go on as friends? They seem to hesitate in the middle, hovering between hugging and kissing on the cheek and as Kurt takes Blaine's jacket, he kisses him a little too slowly on the cheek. Blaine's eyes are wide as he decides to suddenly talk to Rachel about his upcoming classes and all the class information he has received. He has already noticed Adam isn't here.

"So what's for dinner?" Blaine asks pleasantly as Kurt opens the wine and Blaine realises that he may never have this. They have such a nice set-up, so friendly and welcoming, Blaine realises he wants to live here with them both and feel comfortable again, feel like he belongs.

They laugh and joke as Kurt and Rachel warn him about the different teachers and their expectations, while sharing a wink indicating they're winding up eager-to-please and naïve Blaine, who will do anything to fit in amongst the new freshman. Dinner is nearly ready and Blaine and Kurt have set the table. There is a wonderful moment when Blaine hasn't folded the napkin correctly, maybe accidentally on purpose, and Kurt chastises him, nudging him in the side and Blaine tickles Kurt, causing him to giggle and Rachel to look at them carefully. Then there is a knock on the door.

There is a moment of silence. Awkward silence where Rachel looks at Kurt, knowing full well that he has forgotten his other guest and that he now needs to answer the door. Kurt realises this soon after, where a fleeting look of apprehension shows itself on his face, and he opens the door to find a waiting and grinning Adam.

Adam was here after all and Blaine tried to plaster on the smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes and he knew it. Rachel noticed.

"Hey Rachel," Adam says as he enters properly, kissing Kurt a little too fiercely and Blaine looks away awkwardly. As he walks towards the kitchen, Adam's eyes alight on Blaine and his smile falters a bit.

"Blaine," he says coming forward, "Nice to see you again." And he extends his hand in greeting and Blaine looks down at the offending hand and shakes noncommittally. He's so polite, despite his knowing of his past relationship with Kurt, that Blaine can't help but admire him.

They eat quietly, Rachel trying to fill the awkward silences with idle chit-chat and Kurt sending fleeting glances from Blaine to Adam. Adam seems confident, despite knowing that Blaine broke Kurt's heart but Kurt looks constantly worried. Blaine feels guilty then, looking at Kurt's expression of fear, so desperate for everyone to get along, that Blaine is determined to make it all better.

"So I hear you're in a glee club here?" Blaine asks conversationally and Adam instantly describes Adam's Apples and their love of singing and goofing around. Kurt smiles at Blaine in appreciation of the effort he knows he is making and listens intently to Adam and his grin gets wider. Blaine realises then that he has started to lose. Blaine may have a friend in Kurt but Adam is getting his heart. Blaine's heart breaks as he listens.

Conversation is improved after much wine and Kurt seems to relax as his cheeks grow warmer. They decide to watch a movie and Kurt is awkwardly placed between Blaine and Adam. Blaine deliberately keeps his distance and Adam is close but not too close. As the film progresses, Adam seems to sink closer, so his head is practically resting on Kurt's shoulder, though his eyes remain open and Blaine tenses. He remembers all those times Kurt and him would snuggle on the sofa during a movie, either fall asleep curled into each other or creep closer, only to fall into kisses and making out. Blaine decided to leave early.

"Are you sure?" Kurt asks, suddenly worried, his eyes wide from the sofa as Blaine stands.

"Yeah, I'm sure, got work early tomorrow," Blaine lies and Kurt nods slowly, knowing that he is lying but letting it slide. "It was nice to see you again Adam," Blaine says kindly and he kisses Rachel on the cheek before he leaves. Kurt suddenly rushes up and says he'll walk him to the door.

As they stand awkwardly at the big sliding door, Blaine goes to hug Kurt, though it lacks warmth. Blaine always wants more but is never sure how much to take.

"Thank you for making an effort with Adam, Blaine," Kurt says sincerely, "I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Blaine shrugs and he really wishes Kurt wouldn't. "I'd better go," he says indicating the door.

"Yeah, see you soon?" Kurt asks and Blaine nods, trying to smile but failing. Then he is gone and Kurt hesitates at the door before he turns to see his new boyfriend on the sofa.

xXx

And Blaine does see Kurt – quite regularly actually. Despite different years, they have a few classes together and Kurt seems to always pop into the coffee shop for a drink while Blaine is working. They discuss lessons together, songs they sing, dances they perform and Blaine really appreciates having a sophomore or two, to help with the process of settling in. He makes friends easily and seems to always be out enjoying new college life in this great city but he still comes home to an empty apartment while Kurt returns to Adam. Blaine doesn't see Adam all that often but when he does, it pains him anew to see Kurt relaxing with someone else, to see Kurt's smile at someone else's touch or his eyes roll as he is massaged on the sofa after a stressful dance rehearsal. He chats with Adam quite often, finds out more about him, where he is from, what he loves to do and Blaine finds himself enjoying the guy's company and realising that under different circumstances, Adam is exactly the kind of guy that Blaine would be friends with. Kurt sees them become tentative friends and is clearly quite eager for it continue, despite the awkwardness at his two worlds meshing at the start. Blaine realises he has moved on, and as he sees him happy, talking away to Adam about a particularly crazy teacher who has them working twice as hard as anyone else, Kurt's eyes are lit up and animated, just like they used to be when talking to Blaine.

Life continues, work carries on and Blaine puts his heart and soul into performing and seeing friends, including Rachel, Kurt and Adam but life always seems to fall short of his expectations. The fact that he knew Kurt had forgiven him, actually made things worse. Blaine was left wondering whether their discussions of their future together while at high school, was just a pathetic dream and wish. Through all the misery and heart ache, after the valentine's hook-up and singing together, Blaine still hoped that one day, one bright sunny day, they would miraculously come together again and life would be right. Blaine would look over at Kurt's serious expression as he read his latest issue of Vogue and he knew he always wanted those glasz eyes and clear complexion in his life, his heart melting again at his high giggle and his dimple.

Blaine was determined to be there for Kurt, through thick and thin. If he couldn't be the best boyfriend, he would be the bestest friend and be there until the end. Kurt would just have to see eventually, as the fog around Adam cleared and Kurt realised, Blaine would still be there and would always remain. Kurt would see soon.