Ive walked these miles but Ive walked em straight lined

Youll never know what was like to be fine

Im wasting my young years

It doesnt matter

Im chasing old ideas

It doesnt matter

Wasting my Young Years by London Grammar

It started slowly but Kurt edged away and spent more time with his friends. After rehearsals that week he spent most evenings with Rachel and Santana knowing that James was out performing and probably wouldnt be back until later, if he returned at all.

"Do you miss us that much lady lips?" Santana said lovingly as she plopped herself into a perfect pose on their sofa. "Youve been here every night this week, even when were not in, which lets just say is completely crazy." She widened her eyes at Rachel as if to say beware the lunatic. Rachel smiled a little but turned her concerned face towards Kurt.

"Seriously Kurt, isnt James at home some nights?"

"Yeah he is after work, but hes normally so tired we barely talk and its just nice to have some company," he said defensively. "But if youre going to be a bitch about it," he said, turning to eye Santana, "Then I can leave you in peace."

"No, no dont be silly," Rachel said quickly rubbing his shoulder to placate him, "We love having you here but maybe you need some hobbies or something for when James is out?"

"New friends?" Santana quipped perfectly serious. Kurt rolled his eyes and mumbled thanks. "Or a new boyfriend that treats you right," she said and Kurt and Rachel sat a little further back as if to take her in a little better. Rachel gestured a cut-throat action to prevent her from continuing, but Santana stormed ahead.

"I mean Im not saying anything you havent noticed already Berry," Santana said, "Hes hardly around and hes cold and horrible when he is. I suppose I can see the appeal, if you like skinny jeans and the Peter Pan look but hes a little skinny even for your tastes granny pants." She seemed to be talking to herself but she finally turned to Kurt as if she expected a perfect reply.

"San, weve been through this," he said tiredly, getting up to help himself to tea from the kitchen. He watched the kettle boil while he continued to speak. "I love James, were just finding it hard at the moment. Hes busy at night and Im rehearsing during the day, we just have no time together. Itll improve soon."

"When?" Santana said, standing now so she could lean perfectly on their bookcase, facing Kurts back. "Come on Kurt hes a loser, you deserve better."

"Santana!" Rachel nearly screeched, coming closer to join the action. "You cant say that."

"And why not? You said yourself, Kurt deserves better."

"So youve been discussing my private life behind my back?" Kurt said, turning to face them, his face one of hurt and anger.

"And why not? Youre family, thats what family does," Santana said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Kurt it wasnt like that," Rachel tried to placate him. "We just worry about you."

"Well worry about yourself," he sneered, suddenly grabbing his jacket and walking to the door. "You two have no idea what maintaining a relationship involves outside of high school and when you join the grown up club of responsibility let me know." And he stormed out, leaving Santana and Rachel open-mouthed. They gave each other a look.

"Defensiveness," Santana said, looking not even a little worried, "The first sign of realising mistakes. It wont be long until theyre apart. We just have to wait."

"Santana," Rachel said, sighing and walking back to the sofa sadly, "I really do worry about him. If we force him to stay away hell have no one."

"Thatll be his issue, hell come back when he knows we were right."

"Why do you think hes with him in the first place?" Rachel asked after a while.

"He likes the Peter Pan look?"

Rachel smiled and then shook her head.

"Do you sometimes get the impression that theres something more going on?" she asked and Santana raised an eyebrow in question. "You know, like how James goes from hot and cold, how he seems to love Kurt one minute then ignore him the next. One time I saw him look so angry at a bitchy comment you made that I thought he might have hit you if it hadnt been for Kurt changing the subject and letting it slide."

"He should know my comments by now, the bitch hides the love, you and Kurt always get it."

"Exactly but that was an overreaction wasnt it?" Rachel continued. "You dont think he might be violent towards Kurt?"

Santana looked a little shocked by the question, it never having crossed her mind and a steely expression took over her face.

"If he is then he better beware," she said, "No one messes with us."

And they vowed to be there for Kurt no matter what and especially if he didnt want them there.

---

Kurt should have known that once he started relying on people outside of James that it would look suspicious but he couldnt help it. It had been nice to spend so much time with Rachel again, warm company that he could relax with and chat about things he loved. It was easy affection and even with Santana there he had grown to love the bitchy comments and the fierce kind of love she displayed for others. He hadnt thought it was anything more than spending time with friends whilst his boyfriend was out but looking back he had been there too often, depending on them too much. He felt even more isolated as he let himself into his apartment and noticed that James hadnt yet returned from his performance.

Kurt hung up his jacket and made tea staring into the world outside his window and realising he had yet to get curtains that would afford them a little privacy. He took his tea into his bedroom with the idea that he might go to bed early but sitting up against the headboard after changing into sweatpants and a t-shirt he realised he wouldnt be going to sleep anytime soon. James wasnt really the problem, he was sure, it was just they didnt spend any time together any more. Kurt thought of ways they could have a date night soon or how he could make a special effort when he noticed a little light appear in the bedroom opposite. Blaines bedroom.

He hadnt thought of Blaine much since the other day when he had introduced himself. James hadnt mentioned him either but Kurt knew he had been annoyed that someone had seen them fight and had become friends with Kurt, even over the way. It felt strange that he had a sort of friend that he didnt really know but already knew so much of his situation. Looking at him now, through the apartment window, he could see that Blaine had obviously just had a shower, his curls loosely wet and unstyled. He looked carefree and unblemished in his onesie, obviously ready for bed, and apart from the beat of music, Kurt couldnt hear anything else. Blaine was sorting himself to get to bed but as he was moving around the room he was moving to the music, which Kurt was starting to decipher as Beyonces Crazy in Love. Blaine suddenly stopped in the middle of his room and moved his ass like he just didnt care, twerking with fervour and Kurt burst out laughing. He couldnt help himself, he came closer to the window and watched as Blaine continued to twerk until he got to the end of the song. Out of the corner of his eye, he eventually saw Kurt and he stopped abruptly, frozen to the spot.

Kurt felt instantly guilty that he had been watching him and he blushed as Blaine blushed but the thought that Blaine might close his curtains made him rethink his idea of returning to bed. He waved instead and twerked in return, making Blaine smile widely, embarrassment suddenly gone as he opened his window slightly and replayed the track. Blaine indicated that Kurt join him and although he felt a little silly to start, Blaine soon turned up the music which put Kurt at ease. They twerked away until they stopped amidst fits of giggles and breathlessly, Kurt clutched at his chest and indicated that Blaine needed to stop too. Blaines grin was wide as he stopped the track.

Kurt couldnt remember the last time he had laughed that hard and he didnt want the conversation to end but didnt really know how to carry it on when Blaine was clearly getting ready for bed and James could return at any moment. Blaine seemed to understand as his breathing returned to normal and he looked around the empty space behind Kurt. He picked up the card he had used before and wrote quickly.

James at home?

Kurt shook his head. Blaine nodded in understanding and wrote again.

Fancy meeting properly for coffee tomorrow?

Kurt blinked. He had just twerked in front of this guy, Blaine had witnessed a domestic argument and he had seemed to care, but the thought of meeting him was a little scary. He briefly wondered what James would think if he knew about it and then thought what the hell? He nodded and smiled, causing Blaine to quickly scribble his number on the card, which Kurt instantly typed into his own phone. Kurt text Blaine to give him his number too and Blaine indicated he had received the message when he got the beep.

Its Kurt :)

Hi Kurt! What time are you free tomorrow?

I rehearse until 2 tomorrow as its an early start so I could meet you then?

Sounds good, will James mind?

Kurt was taken aback. It was that obvious that James disapproved? He knew James would hate it, and Kurt would have to say he was meeting another friend for coffee, but as long as they managed to see each other before James performed in the evening, Kurt was sure it would be ok.

Best not mention it, but itll be fine.

Kurt could see that Blaine was a little concerned but he brushed it off and smiled.

Gonna head to bed now, got an early start. Great twerking though ;)

Ive got fantastic competition now ;) Goodnight Kurt.

Goodnight Blaine.

There was a loud bang as the door was opened loudly and Kurt looked up in surprise. Blaine noticed too.

"Kurt?" James shouted as he entered the bedroom, "Oh there you are. Performance was shit, Claire forgot a line and the lights didnt go on my spotlight in time for the finale song, so I looked like a right douche. Theyre calling an emergency rehearsal tomorrow afternoon so Ill be out from about 2. Dont you just hate it when people let you down, like really make you look bad?" James was fuming, tightly wound and nearly shaking with pent up anger. Kurt took pity and hugged him close and though James tensed, hating the physical affection, he eventually settled and relaxed.

Kurt could feel James smiling against his shoulder, his back to the window. Although Kurt thought their conversation was finished he could see Blaine through the window, not able to really decipher the expression on his face. He looked directly at Blaine, smiling as James clung unusually closer and Blaine waved sadly and closed his curtains, leaving Kurt to be the dutiful and ever patient boyfriend.