Blaine didn't say anything during the walk out of the theatre and David seemed totally oblivious to the almost tangible awkwardness between his companions. That or he was a really good actor. Kurt couldn't decide.

"You know where Per Se is, correct?" David asked as they left the theatre.

Kurt nodded quickly, "Of course, I've gone there on a couple of dates." He immediately regretted it as the words came out of his mouth but there was an infuriating lack of response from Blaine.

"Great. We'll meet you there then. Blaine… do you remember where I parked?" David asked, checking his watch. Blaine smiled a little and nodded,

"Yeah, level C. Just follow me and try to keep up." David scoffed slightly and made a joke about having trouble keeping up with Blaine's ridiculously short legs. He waved to Kurt before flinging his arm around Blaine's shoulders in a carefree manner and started towards the entrance to the parking garage.

Kurt glared at the back of Blaine's head. Even though he knew it was petty and ridiculous he'd hoped for at least some flicker of emotion from Blaine. Maybe there actually was nothing between them and that moment in the changing room was a fluke? Kurt shook his head a little and rushed off to track down a taxi.

Kurt was waiting when Blaine and David arrived. The host smiled at them and led the two men to the table where Kurt was, deep in thought. "Mind if we join you my fine fellow?" David asked in a feeble attempt to make a joke. As they sat down Blaine's eyes flickered over to Kurt then quickly moved to the man who was pouring some water for them. When asked what to drink Blaine murmured something about water being fine for the moment.

Silence engulfed the table. David had this cheesy grin on his face like he was expecting something to happen but nothing did. Kurt didn't know what to say and Blaine hadn't even made eye contact with him so there was basically no potential for conversation there. Besides, what would Kurt even say? 'So, what have you been doing since I closed my computer on you during your freshman year? Are you seeing someone?'

They settled for focusing on their menus before venturing into chit-chat. When the waiter came to take their orders they gave them quickly and efficiently and then reverted back to their original awkward silence.

Finally David was brave enough to break the quiet, "It's still a little crazy to see you up on stage like that."

Kurt turned to look at him with a surprised expression, "How so?"

David laughed a little, "Well, the last time I saw you, you were up on stage singing with your Glee group. It's just amazing to actually see your leap from there to here."

Kurt smiled sweetly at the taller man, "It really isn't that amazing. I love what I'm doing. I'm actually terrified because they're starting to think about casting for the touring group and that means I might have to start all over again."

"I'm sure you'll meet the challenge head on." David replied and Kurt gave him a close lipped smile and a small nod.

Silence fell once more.

Next it was Kurt's turn to be brave and break the silence, "What have you been up to?" He was making it his goal to not look at Blaine or, in all honestly, refer to him unless he had to. The question had been posed as such that it was open-ended enough that whoever wanted to answer it could.

David was the first to take the bait, "Working mainly. I got a job in Chicago with a PR company and I've been making fairly good money."

Kurt smiled a little, "So, did you marry Charlene like you always said you would?" David rolled his eyes a little at the sound of his old girlfriend's name and Kurt heard a slight "Ugh" from Blaine's direction.

"No. I am seeing a woman in Chicago but we're still nowhere near serious. Still in that weird stage where I sit up at night after going out and wondering if it would be pushing it to call her the next day and ask for another date."

Kurt laughed a little, remembering how he'd gone through the same thing with Blaine in the start of their relationship. He wondered a little if Blaine was thinking about those times too because he went a little still across the table from Kurt. Kurt chuckled a little and went on to ask, "Cute… Did you come up to visit then?"

David shrugged his broad shoulders, "Basically. Blaine was saying something about being a little lonely and lost- don't give me that look," Kurt glanced at Blaine who was sporting a rather incredulous expression at David, "it's the truth."

Blaine almost bit out his next few words, in the most polite way possible though. "It's only been two months. Give me a break. I've been living in Connecticut long enough that the city is basically swallowing me up."

Kurt couldn't stop himself from asking, "So you stayed in Connecticut after finishing Yale?"

Blaine glanced up at Kurt and held his water glass daintily and calmly between his fingers but the look in his eyes held something completely different and almost turbulent. "I've been there ever since. I think I've only gone back to Ohio maybe three times."

"What are you doing?" Kurt asked, suddenly feeling like his throat was closing up on him. The question held so many meanings to Kurt.

"For a while I taught English in a public school in New Haven and also did singing and guitar lessons on the side. All that time I was working on my novel. It was published about five years ago and I just published my latest one last month." Blaine answered plainly, taking a sip from his water glass. Kurt's attention immediately zeroed in on Blaine's lips against the crystal.

David jumped in right afterwards, "And he's been lecturing around the east coast too. I went to one that they held at the Chase Auditorium in Chicago last year and it was amazing. He did this entire thing about gay rights and the media. I was very impressed. I never realized how well-spoken he was. At the end everyone jumped to their feet and applauded."

Blaine couldn't hide grin so instead he settled for an uncharacteristically self-deprecating comment, "They were applauding because they were thrilled that I was done and they didn't have to listen to me anymore."

David looked aghast at his friend and clapped him on the back of the shoulder, "Nonsense! The woman next to me kept raving about the part about how the public has embraced gays in soap operas. She couldn't believe the wonderful detail you went to about those. Made me wonder if you were actually sitting at home watching As the World Turns."

Blaine grinned at David in a way that made Kurt's heart turn, "No, Verbotene Liebe is more my style. I've found I have a bit of a crush on the guy who plays Christian." David laughed uproariously at the comment and Kurt was able to manage a grin.

Kurt nodded a little, more to himself than anything else. That sounded like something Blaine would do, not watching the soaps, but giving lectures about gay rights sounded very much like the person Kurt remembered to be Blaine. It bothered him a little that he hadn't heard about Blaine's novels though. He wondered if they were any good. They probably were doing really well since he was able to live in the apartment complex. That brought him quickly to his next question, "So, why settle down in New York? Seems you had something really good going on in Connecticut."

Somewhere in the back of his mind a sixteen-year-old Kurt was waving his arms and shouting like a lunatic, 'Please! Say it was me! Please!'

Blaine contemplated his napkin for a moment before saying, "A… complication came up and I needed to get out so I contacted Carrie, one of my roommates from Yale, and she let me stay with her for a while. After about a month I decided I needed a change of scene and she and Chance helped get me my apartment." The expression on Blaine's face when he faltered with his words at the beginning reminded Kurt of the first day he met Blaine.

"It really… pissed me off."

Kurt couldn't help but wonder what Blaine was holding back.

"Well, I hope you like New York." Kurt offered awkwardly and Blaine gave Kurt the ghost of a smile.

It was then that Kurt realized there was something missing from Blaine. His shoulders were at a little less regal of an angle and his brief smiles weren't as vibrant.

What had happened?

Kurt couldn't have been more relieved when their food arrived a moment later. They kept up pleasantries throughout the meal. David coerced Blaine into telling a story about a couple of his students involving the piano at his small home in Connecticut at his cat.

It was then Kurt realized something else. Blaine lit up when he talked about those kids. Kurt didn't really like kids and he couldn't understand what motivated Blaine to want to be around them… but he apparently liked it.

Kurt demanded that he pay for their dinners, it was the least he could do. David put up a valiant fight but Blaine cut him off with an annoyed roll of his eyes, "Don't try. He's rather tenacious when it comes to who pays for dinner. It's one of the things I learned all those years ago." Kurt would have probably retorted with something sharp and snappish but the host came for their ticket at that moment and the chance never came up again.

Not much else was said until they were back outside, waiting for a valet to bring David's car around.

"I can't believe you actually drove a car into New York." Kurt commented. Even he didn't have a car and he lived in the city.

David laughed slightly, "I've never been a fan of taxis. I don't like other people driving for me. Would you like me to give you a lift to your apartment? It's a little out of my way but I don't mind-"

Kurt cut him off, "No, it's quite alright, I'll call a taxi. I don't want you driving on these streets more than you have to."

David grinned at the young star, showcasing his perfectly white teeth. A moment later the valet pulled up and David fished his keys from his pocket and tipped the young man a considerable amount. "Well then, Blaine, I will be by tomorrow afternoon and you can take me to meet Chance."

"Looking forward to it." Blaine pulled David into a hug and then David slipped into his car and jostled his way into the heavy traffic.

Silence fell once again and this time it seemed almost palpable. The valet came up to Kurt's elbow and asked, "Would you like me to call taxis for you sirs?"

Blaine and Kurt both nodded and the man stepped forward to call two different vehicles. Before Kurt knew what he was doing he raised his voice to get the man's attention, "Only one will be necessary. We're going to the same building."

Blaine opened his mouth to protest but Kurt whirled around to face his ex-lover. "Well, what's the use in taking two different cars if we're going to the same place, unless you have somewhere else to go at eleven at night?"

Blaine took a visibly steadying breath and forced a smile, "Fine. We'll share a taxi."

Kurt felt ridiculously happy over his small win.

When the taxi pulled up Blaine slid in first and was followed by Kurt. By the time he'd closed the door Blaine was already giving directions and the cab quickly slid into traffic. Kurt crossed his legs primly and stared out the window. It was nice to see David again…

"Yes, he was rather excited when he told me about the dinner." Blaine responded, startling Kurt. He hadn't realized he'd said that aloud.

Kurt turned to look at him but his companion's attention was out the opposite window. Kurt felt a small frown form on his lips. This boy had not only been his best friend but also his lover. There had to be some small connection between the two of them. He wanted to say something to make Blaine look at him and he hated himself for being so passive and unsure. Those were two things Kurt never was.

After a stretch of silence Kurt turned to face Blaine bodily and said, "I like how you've grown out your hair. It looks very good on you. But you still look and sound the same to me."

Blaine's shoulders tensed a little and a moment later he turned to meet Kurt, a question in his eyes, "You've changed." He replied after a moment of thought. "You've obviously grown into your body and your voice very well. But you hold yourself differently."

"How?" Kurt realized they were in dangerous territory right now, but he refused to turn around. He was going to make Blaine look at him and realize-

"You seem more self-assured now, like you know who you really are now. You're a long way from the person who said goodbye to me." He looked back out the window as the taxi driver pulled up to their building. Before Kurt could pay Blaine was pulling a wad of money that severely overpaid the price of their ride and told the cabbie to keep the change.

Blaine slid out without another glance to Kurt and Kurt quickly followed. The way Blaine had said those words obviously meant he had more he wanted to say and Kurt was determined to get it out of him.

He pursued Blaine to the elevator and got in the same lift as him. Once the door closed the Blaine and Kurt had pressed the numbers to their floors (Blaine lived two floors below Kurt apparently) Kurt turned to Blaine, his heart pounding.

"What do you mean a long way? I'm still me." Kurt demanded.

Blaine took off his glasses to wipe them carefully, "I just meant you grew up and I'm glad to see you're doing so well now."

"But?" Kurt knew there was a but coming.

Blaine chose his next words carefully, "I wish I didn't have to deal with the feeling of being steamrolled by your success."

Kurt bristled a little and noticed they were about to arrive at Blaine's floor. "You're upset of my success?"

Blaine snorted and rolled his eyes contemptuously as the lift slowed to a halt, "Never! I was the one always rooting for you to succeed in one way or another. I know I failed at that sometimes, take the advice I gave you after your first audition with the Warblers. I know I could have been better but I always wanted to be there for your successes and I hate that I wasn't there. Now I see you standing on stage and I can't help but feel anger towards you."

The doors opened and Blaine stepped out, but Kurt wasn't about to let him get away that easily. He put his hand to the door edge to stop them from closing, "So, you're saying that you hate me?"

Blaine whirled around, fire in his eyes, "I could never hate you Kurt! I fucking loved you. I'm angry that you pushed me out of your life when something came up that you didn't think you could handle and that you refused to talk to me about. If you had told me what was wrong I would have tried to do everything you wanted. I would have put our relationship on hold 'til you thought you were ready. But you push me away completely and refuse to let me into anything. God, I would have even settled for just being your friend if that meant I would have still been able to cheer you on."

Kurt felt numb almost. Never had Blaine spoken to him like that with so much anger and frustration. He didn't know that Blaine was humanly capable of that.

Then, like a flip of the switch all the pent up emotion was gone and Blaine was back to his cool, calm demeanor. "Goodnight Kurt. Thank you for the dinner. Send my best to your father." After that he turned on his heel and walked to a door down the hall a little and let himself in without so much as a glance over his shoulder.

Kurt let go of the door and slumped against the marble lining the walls. He didn't realize that the lift had moved until the cheerful ding of the doors opening broke him from his thoughts and propelled him into his apartment.

Inside was dreadfully still, not a single living thing moving except him.

He still felt a little numb as he settled on his bed, shoes and all. A moment later his cellphone went off and he answered it with a generic, "Hello?"

"Hey bud! Haven't heard from you lately, Carole and I were getting a little worried." The voice of his father seemed to snap him out of his trance. Kurt had the presence of mind to laugh a little,

"Sorry dad. It's been absurdly busy. Though, since tourist season's winding down a little so I should be getting a little more time to myself."

"Well, that's good. I don't want you overworking yourself. I'm sorry to be calling so late, but I figured this would be the best time to catch ya."

Kurt smiled a little and before he knew it the words were out of his mouth, "Dad… what did you honestly think when Blaine and I broke up?"

Burt was silent for a moment before asking, "Honestly?"

"Isn't that what I said?" Kurt sighed, a little annoyed.

"Okay… honesty… Well, I was a little surprised and pissed at him on principle, but mainly surprised. As your father it is my purpose in life to hate any guy who comes into your life. You're my son so I'm supposed to be protective of you. I liked Blaine, he had a good head on his shoulders and he called me sir and met my eyes when he shook my hand. That's the sign of a really mature young man. Plus, I liked the idea that your first boyfriend was going to Yale, showed you have good taste in the people you see."

Kurt was a little thunderstruck. He hadn't realized that his father had liked Blaine that much. When they had been dating Burt rarely said more to Blaine than 'Have him home by eleven' or 'Did you see that game yesterday?'

Burt's voice broke him from his thoughts, "Why all the sudden interest, I thought you were over him?"

"I was-am. It's just. I met up with a friend from Dalton and Blaine was with him and we all went to dinner."

"Wow, what a coincidence! How is he?"

"Blaine?" Kurt mentally hit himself, who else would his father be talking about? David, the kid he never met or knew existed until this moment in time? "Really well. He's published and has been doing some lectures lately."

"Really? What's he writing?"

Kurt then realized that he didn't actually know. "He didn't say."

"Well, I'll have to look into it."

Kurt realized his conversation was drawing to a close, "You do that dad. He told me to tell you he gives you his best." By now he was on autopilot, not really registering their conversation. He felt drained and all he could see was Blaine's face as he yelled at him.

Burt chuckled a little, "Thank him for me and when you see him again tell him I'm glad to hear he's doing well. And Kurt?"

Kurt toed off his shoes and leaned back against his headboard, "Yeah dad?"

"I'm glad you two are talking again, but be careful, I don't want him to hurt you again. 'Specially 'cause Carole hid my shotgun a while back." Kurt winced a little at the tone in his father's voice.

"Yeah. Thanks dad. I'll call you soon. Love you." He quickly hung up and threw his phone to the side where it skittered across the sheets and landed somewhere on the floor on the other side. With a groan Kurt rolled onto his side and curled into a ball.

He woke when he heard a shuffling at the end of his bed. Kurt turned slowly and there was Blaine from ten years ago sitting primly at his feet. "My dad thinks you'll break my heart." Kurt told him, suddenly ten years younger himself.

Blaine laughed and Kurt felt like it was the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard. "I promise I'll never do that to you."

Kurt beckoned to Blaine with his pointer finger and Blaine complied, laying his head over where Kurt's heart beat in his chest. He took Kurt's hand and kissed the back of his knuckles and after a beat of silence Kurt asked, "But what if I do it to you?"

Kurt's eyes opened slowly and he was staring at his white spackled ceiling once more.

God, Blaine really was messing with his mind and the bastard didn't even know it.