Kurt Hummel was not a crier. He was not, he was not, he was not.

At least that's what he was telling himself as he leaned against the side of the building, trying to control his breathing. He could feel the tears dripping down his cheeks as he frantically wiped them away. There really was no use for tears. They wouldn't change the news he had just received.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He had to get up. He had to go do something. Anything. Eyes still closed, he reached for the bag he had flung when he had all but collapsed on the sidewalk. His fingertips had just reached the strap when he felt a pull, heard the scuff of a shoe, and his eyes flew open.

"Oh, fuck," groaned the shadow on the ground. Kurt could barely make out the outline that lay before him.

"Are you okay?" he asked quickly, nearly forgetting his own problems.

"Yeah, nothing serious, but I think I should be the one asking you that," replied the man who slowly stood up before him. "What are you doing out here in the dark? You could get attacked by- by a wild animal or something!"

Kurt snorted at the man's concern. "A wild animal in Lima? What are you, new? But I'm fine, thank you very much, just enjoying the fresh air."

"Ouch, the defenses are up," replied the other man, putting his hands up apologetically.

"Sorry, just a bad day."

"How 'bout I buy you some coffee? It can fix pretty much everything."

Not this, Kurt thought bitterly before nodding. "Sure."

For reasons that he was unaware of, he found himself letting the man help him up. He dusted himself off, attempting to sling his bag over his shoulder with what little dignity he had left. Getting closer to the light of the coffee shop that the two were walking towards, Kurt was able to finally see the man walking beside him.

The light hit upon his face just right, highlighting his cheekbones and the curls breaking loose from the slight amount of gel that was in them. Kurt had to admit that this stranger was attractive. And damn, his eyebrows were awfully triangular. His eyes, which Kurt noticed were almost hazel or maybe amber, flicked over toward him.

Kurt looked away instantly, pushing the door open and entering the familiar shop.

A few minutes later, he leaned back against his chair, coffee in hand.

"So, are you going to tell me your name, oh mysterious one?" he asked with a smirk.

The man blushed instantly, a boyish charm to his face, and looked down at the coffee in his own hands.

"Blaine," he blurted, "Blaine Anderson."

"Nice to meet you, Blaine Anderson. I'm Kurt Hummel." Silence fell over the table for a moment as the two stared at each other momentarily before Kurt picked up the conversation once more, obviously grasping for the other man to say something, "So, Blaine, tell me about yourself."

Looking somewhat startled, the man- Blaine- floundered slightly for a moment before responding.

"I'm twenty-three, I work at the music store downtown and give piano lessons. Sang on the streets for a stretch while in school, was a fun time. Graduated from NYU and I hope to go back to New York someday... soon. Ohio's fine but it isn't for me. I grew up around here though and I went to high school at Dalton Academy."

"Ooh, Dalton," Kurt exclaimed, leaning over the table, "So I can presume you were a Warbler?"

"Blazer and all."

"Hm, those were some nice blazers," he replied, allowing himself to think back to Sectionals his senior year. They had competed against the Warblers, wouldn't he remember this man? Looking at him now in the coffee shop, he thought that he must have some memory of him. He wouldn't forget someone like this.

"Holy crap."

"What?" asked Blaine, slightly surprised by the exclamation.

"I remember you! You had that one solo... whoa. You were good."

The other man looked at the table sheepishly, "I have a slight confession. Well, that makes it sound bad, but it really isn't-"

"Oh just say it already!" Kurt prodded impatiently.

"I already knew who you were. At least, I thought I knew. And I was right, so kudos to me!" Blaine continued, eyes smiling.

Kurt couldn't help but laugh. Blaine was just so damn charming. A loveable blabbermouth, he would even say. He was so upbeat about everything. But, then again, he was about one hundred percent certain that he had not gotten the news that Kurt had just received.

"So, there's no need for me to introduce myself?" he finally replied, snapping himself out of his reverie.

"Hey now, don't just assume I'm a stalker. All I know is your name and where you went to high school! ... Yeah, that does sound a little creepy," Blaine allowed, rubbing the back of his neck as he laughed.

"Well, it is a bit stalker-esque," Kurt admitted in response, "But, I suppose I can humour you. I'm Kurt as you, of course, know. I'm twenty-three as well and recently graduated from NYADA. Just got back in town and I'm going to be working at good ol' Hummel Tire and Lube!"

"Okay so we were practically neighbors in college and never crossed paths at all?! That's really weird! You don't have to answer this, but... why are you working at a car shop if you graduated from a performing arts school? And it's not like you can't sing-"

"I had other plans, but life got in the way," Kurt all but sighed, looking down at his coffee, "Maybe I'll go back to New York someday. I mean, I would love to."

Blaine peered up at him through thick lashes, with eyes that Kurt could feel himself falling into.

"Is that why you were upset? Life getting in the way?"

Once again, Kurt was forced to tear his eyes away from Blaine's, not wanting to stare.

"Wow, what a mood killer."

Blaine's head snapped up instantly, a look of remorse spreading across his face.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" Kurt replied, laughing slightly at the other man's discomfort.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"It's fine, Blaine! But you know what, I don't think I should answer that today. Might ruin the moment. Actually, how about this? If we're still talking a month from now, then I'll tell you. Sound like a plan?" he asked, pausing to take a sip of his coffee.

What the hell was he doing? Jerking some poor man around? Eh, what the hell, what else did he have to do? Not like this Blaine guy would stick around that long anyway. No one ever did.

Even as he thought that, he wanted it to be different. He wanted to get to know Blaine better.

"Only a month?" the man across the table responded suddenly, "I think I can manage that."