In the end Kurt didn't tell his agent that he had decided to audition for the second lead in a relatively new production on Broadway. The show had done a year on Broadway as well as a national tour and it was ready to come back again with a new rejuvenated cast. The second male lead was a unique part, not romantic but the 'friend' character, important in the development of the main characters. Kurt couldn't help but think and hope that he had chosen probably the most suitable part, if only someone would give him a chance.

He was automatically given a first audition and he knew it was often difficult for the average hopeful to even get a foot in. It still didn't dawn on Kurt that they might be impressed with his existing career until he showed up and immediately heard the whispered mutterings from everyone in the room.

There was the usual four sat behind the table, peering at the sheets ahead of them, checking who was next and what to expect, then looking up sharply, clearly intrigued to what the model Kurt Hummel looked like up close and personal. The main casting lady, a fierce looking woman who looked like she had been doing this for too long, cocked her ear to the guy sat next to her who was whispering quickly. He was obviously impressed that Kurt was here, even if she was not. There were a few dotted around the room, the stage dependables who weren't directly involved in casting but knew the production better than anyone. They managed to speak to the people next to them while barely moving their lips. Despite their subtleties Kurt knew he was being spoken about, his presence causing a shift in the atmosphere that was different to the young hopefuls that had been before. It only caused his nervous butterflies to twirl and flutter more quickly in his stomach.

"Hi I'm Kurt Hummel," he said, unable to keep the tremor out of his voice, "I'm here to audition for the role of Ethan."

"Go ahead Mr Hummel," the lady said, looking a little less severe now she had spoken to the guy next to her, "When you're ready."

Kurt took a steadying breath, after quickly giving his sheet music to the man at the piano and he closed his eyes in preparation.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game

And he was through with it all. As he saw the casting group assembled before him he knew this would be no worse than being peered at and prodded when modelling. They treated him like a specimen then but now he was doing what he wanted, striving to live his dreams.

Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
And you won't bring me down!

I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!

Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!

He stood up taller, lifted his face slightly, his nose upturned, his eyes searching the light above as if it would shine down only for him.

I'd sooner by defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you won't bring me down!

Kurt had practiced the song with Rachel, had been able to reach the high-F with no problems in rehearsal but now as it approached, he saw the expectant faces and nearly panicked but he stayed his ground, his feet firm beneath him.

I'd sooner by defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you won't bring me down!
Bring me down!
Ohhh ohhh ohhhh!

He reached the note and stayed there long enough for the fierce casting lady to raise an eyebrow. She was visibly impressed. There were murmurs around the room amidst the open-mouthed expressions that a man had been able to reach such a high note. There was a sudden applause and smiles along the table of four.

"Thank you Mr Hummel," the guy said, clearly a producer, "We'll be in touch."

"Thank you," Kurt said and he took a simple bow and left the room.

"That's fantastic Kurt," Blaine exclaimed as soon as he heard that Kurt had got a second audition. "I knew you would."

"Well I think it's probably because of my name," he said shrugging as if the news was nothing.

"No Kurt it's because you're perfect," Blaine said, squeezing his side as they stood in the kitchen of Kurt's apartment cooking dinner. It felt like their plans were finally coming together. Despite Blaine's initial apprehension that he would just be taken as a singing model, he seemed to thrive in small piano bars across town that recognised his talent and admired his hard work showing he knew he had to start at the bottom. "Your voice is perfect."

"Thanks, they certainly seemed impressed," Kurt said warming to the idea that he was superb.

"Tell the truth," Blaine whispered near his ear, a delightfully teasing lilt to his voice, "You blew them away and you know it."

Kurt smiled and shrugged one shoulder slightly. "Perhaps?" Blaine laughed.

Santana walked into the apartment then and seemed in a foul mood, whatever happening during the day causing her to take out her anger on the two people that she saw first as she came into the apartment. Especially two guys that reminded her that she was currently single.

"Urgh," she said, not attempting to cover her disdain at their close proximity and the clear love that oozed out of their pores. "Please try to erase all the gay love dust that seems to be floating around here." Blaine looked a little sheepish but Kurt just rolled his eyes.

"Good evening to you too," he said. Her eyes seemed to find a pile of clothing near the sofa that clearly didn't belong to her or Rachel so she walked over to it and picked up the first top.

"And do we need a discussion about this?" she said, revealing the top that clearly belonged to Blaine.

"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.

"Why do we have a pile of Blaine's laundry on our sofa?" she said, clearly annoyed.

"Sorry I'll put it away," Blaine said, walking over to the pile apologetically.

"No," she said, placing the top almost behind her back as Blaine tried to take it, "You're not getting my point. Why do you have a pile of laundry here? Where do you actually live now Blaine?"

Blaine didn't know what to say. He looked from Santana to Kurt, wondering what his defence might be when Kurt spoke for him.

"Santana, don't be so rude. It's none of your business where Blaine lives or where he stays. I seem to remember you live here without real permission and at least Blaine is welcome."

Santana pursed her lips and Blaine had a sinking feeling in his stomach. This was just the beginning.

"Oh he's welcome here," she said in a tone that suggested he wasn't really. "I just don't get why you don't make it official, why he doesn't move his stuff in permanently and start paying rent. Of course it might be because he's a commitment-phobe and that would be too much of a big deal," she said as if Blaine wasn't there. She didn't wait for an answer, her comment left hanging in the air until she went behind her curtain to her bedroom.

Kurt continued with the dinner, not really looking at Blaine until Blaine walked back to the kitchen after placing the top on the pile again.

"Kurt?" Blaine said, touching his side gently.

"Don't worry about San," Kurt said without looking up and madly stirring the sauce, "She's just angry at something else, I can tell. She always takes it out on us. Maybe someone threw up on her on the subway."

"Kurt," Blaine said, his fingers becoming more insistent along Kurt's firm side, until Kurt was forced to look at Blaine properly.

"We never discussed it," Blaine began.

"No Blaine because we never needed to," Kurt said smiling slightly, hating to see the worry in Blaine's eyes. "You asked to stay here when we came back from Italy and I know you need time. Just ignore Santana, you can stay as long as you like."

"But I should go back."

"Only if you want to," Kurt said, now taking the plates out to serve the pasta.

"But I don't want to," Blaine said, this time taking Kurt firmly by the waist, forcing him to stop and look at Blaine's earnest expression and twinkly eyes.

"What?"

"I don't want to go back," Blaine said, smiling now, "I've been going back to my apartment sometimes during the day to get clothes and other things and bringing them back here a small amount at a time. I don't want to go back there."
"Why?" Kurt asked, already hoping he knew the answer.

"Because I don't have anything I love there anymore," Blaine said, inching a little closer, "There's no Kurt there."

"There's a Kurt here," Kurt said, feeling a little silly for saying the statement but already feeling a little lost in those eyes of warm honey.

"I know," Blaine said, smiling at the lovely sentence, "That's why I love it here. Would you mind if I stayed here permanently and paid you rent?"

Kurt never gave him an answer but Blaine supposed the kiss that made even his toes tingle meant yes.

At Kurt's second audition he read lines with another hopeful using a scene from the musical and sang 'Being Alive' - another number that had those watching him silent and awestruck. He was asked how the production would affect his modelling career and he answered confidently that his dream of Broadway would always come first. They seemed please with his answer and said they would get back to him.

In the meantime, both Blaine and Kurt had been invited to the GQ Man of the Year Party which swarmed with men and had an abundance of alcohol. It was the first party that both Kurt and Blaine had attended since they had been forced to become public about their relationship after leaving Italy. They had been spotted eating out numerous times, their photo snapped and a little mention every so often, the gossip columnists commenting on their relationship as if they knew the finer details. For once Blaine wasn't worried about what they wrote but this party represented their first official outing together, one where they would be forced to deal with prying eyes and inquisitive stares from people in the business, people who knew who they were and what they were about. Kurt had insisted that they didn't have to go.

"Oh we have to go, I know that much," Blaine had said.

"But we really don't," Kurt said.

"Yes we do," Blaine said, taking Kurt's hand, "We need to still their voices."

"If you're sure?"

"I'm sure."

Blaine hadn't really factored in the appearance of Sebastian at the party, not aware that he would have an invitation. Sebastian was actually the first person to come up to them both as they stood by the bar sipping their first drink.

"So you two love birds finally made it," Sebastian said smirking, "I thought the photos might have scared you away from public appearances."
Kurt stared at him, realisation dawning.

"You had a hand in the Italian photo?" he whispered.

"Oh yes, that was a personal favour, I don't need you to thank me though," he said smirking, "All the publicity was bound to make your careers soar."

Blaine was seething next to Kurt and unable to speak.

"Oh yes, it did wonders for our relationship too," Kurt said not a hint of sarcasm and Sebastian was a little surprised.

"Still going strong then?" he said laughing, "I would have thought Blaine here would have gotten a little bored by now. You never were one for a regular relationship Blaine," he said poking his side, "I'm still around if you need a little something extra, shall we say." He leant in to whisper closer to Blaine's ear which seemed to help the ticking in Blaine's veins to finally cease.

"No," he said loudly, "I don't think I'll be needing you anytime soon Sebastian."

"Well you know where I am when the day-to-day gets a little boring," Sebastian continued.

"I think actually that time of my life where I settled for mediocre sex and meaningless conversation is now passed and if I could I would completely erase it."

Blaine and Kurt took the opportunity to leave the temporarily stunned Sebastian and walk over to Tabitha who they wanted to speak to about the possibility of another photoshoot together. Kurt's phone rang.

"Oh," Kurt muttered, "I better take it outside," he said to Blaine who nodded. After a minute he followed Kurt outside to hear the last few sentences of their conversation.

"That's fantastic," Kurt was saying, "Thank you so much for this opportunity, I won't let you down."

Blaine quirked an eyebrow, already confident he knew the answer to his unasked question.

"I got the part!" Kurt said jumping up and down once he had finished the call. "Look out Broadway here I come!"