Everything seemed to go back to normal. Kurt and Blaine rang at least once a week to catch up on news and Blaine made a point of visiting and talking to Burt twice a week too. Kurt relayed stresses from Vogue and Blaine explained the new Glee dynamics and politics since they were no longer competing. Kurt was preparing for NYADA, completing his final weeks at Vogue, trying desperately to save money he didn't really have and Blaine was there, at the end of a phone. It was comforting.

Kurt had found he didn't really know how to be single again. Rachel was there, living her life, flitting around NYADA and with Brody and Kurt found himself alone most evenings, designing to keep himself busy, practicing songs and checking out online chat forums. He found it increasingly difficult not to ring Blaine more than once a week and soon he was ringing every other day, then each day, trying to come up with inane reasons why he would need to ring.

Kurt helped him over the phone with his application to NYADA and they discussed audition songs and outfits. Nothing serious was ever really discussed, no mention of their ending was alluded to and it always left Kurt wanting more. Blaine was ever hopeful but determined to give him space and Kurt couldn't take the plunge.

A possibility glimmered in the distance when Blaine discussed performing Moulin Rouge's Come What May as his audition piece. Kurt loved that song and he knew that Blaine would do it justice but Blaine had said he was worried that it would be funny to sing as a solo.

"Would you practice it with me?" Blaine asked timidly, "I mean over the phone."

There was an awkward pause when Kurt thought this through, a horrible sudden pain in his chest. He wanted to sing but what if…

"Okay," he heard himself say; "I take it I'm Satine?" he laughed.

"Blaine laughed to ease his nerves, "If you don't mind. I'll put you on speaker. Can you hear the music?"

"Yes," he said, once he realised Blaine couldn't see his nod through the telephone.

Kurt could suddenly hear Blaine's voice, softer than usual, almost nervous, worried.

"Never knew I could feel like this, like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss, every day I love you more and more."

Blaine's voice gained confidence and every line seemed more meaningful to Kurt, who sat their listening intently, so grateful that they weren't on Skype.

"Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing? Telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change; winter to spring, but I love you, until the end of time." Tears appeared in Kurt's eyes as Blaine sang the chorus, promising to love him, 'come what may' and he almost forgot to take his cue.

"Suddenly the world seems such as a perfect place, suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace." Blaine joined him for the next part, the smile evident in his singing.

"Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste, it all revolves around you."

They sang the rest, becoming more and more dramatic as the song continued, declaring their love for each other just like Satine and the hopeless writer but although Kurt felt himself get lost in the drama, he couldn't complete the song. He felt betrayed. It wasn't true after all and all the times they had sung this song together in the car, felt like a mockery.

"I will love you," Kurt sang, as the song finished, "Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place." Blaine continued the rest of the chorus, on his own. The show must go on and Blaine was a consummate performer.

"Kurt?" Kurt could hear the trepidation, the tears threatening to fall.

Kurt couldn't speak, didn't know what to say, thought it best to ignore what had happened.

"You sang beautifully Blaine but I think you're right, it's more of a duet and NYADA will want a solo."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Blaine said quietly, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. It's a great song."

"Did it bother you to sing it with me? It used to be one of our car favourites, didn't it?"

"Yes it was and no it was fine to sing with you, just painful I guess."

"I'm sorry Kurt, I really am."

"I know Blaine, I do know, I just can't get past it. I don't know how, I guess I hate it all if I'm honest."

"What do you mean?"

"I hate that I can't see you, hate that I miss you, can't sleep without you, hate that you're all I think about. I just hate and I'm tired."

Blaine said nothing. What was there to say? He missed Kurt, would jump on the next plane to New York if there was even a chance they could patch things up again but he didn't want to push. He had been happy with friendship because he knew he didn't even deserve that lovely morsel.

"I'm sorry Blaine, I'm just rambling, moaning about nothing. The song was great; let me know what you decide and how the audition goes. I'd better go dishes to do and things."

"Oh, ok Kurt. I'll let you go."

"Goodbye Blaine."

And Blaine couldn't hear it, he'd promised never to say it and it couldn't be what he thought. He rushed to continue before Kurt hung up.

"Kurt wait! Don't hang up, don't say goodbye. Just, wait."

"Ok…" Kurt sounded curious but tired.

"Can I visit? Before the audition I mean. Go through songs, secondary applications that kind of thing. If I'm overstepping, just say but I could really use your help and…"

Kurt paused, thinking. He knew if he stayed that the line would be easier to cross, that he would be even more confused but he couldn't help it.

"Okay, that'll be nice. You can stay on our air bed."

"Great Kurt, that'll be great!" There marked the return of the optimistic and excited puppy. "I'll let you know fight details when I book. Thanks, Kurt. I'll let you go now. See you soon." And Blaine hung up before Kurt had a chance to say goodbye again.

Kurt sank lower in the chair and sighed. What had he done? A weird buzzing started in his stomach and he couldn't escape the feeling he was done for and that he wouldn't mind one little bit.