Chapter 8

It was only a week later when Kurt got the news. Even though his spies on the upper levels had told him he was a shoe in, he was still surprised when his boss called him in and told him he would be flying to Italy for two weeks.

It was only later that he realized that the first person he wanted to call about the news was Blaine.

He rushed back to his building that evening and didnt even bother stopping off at his own apartment to drop off his bag, heading straight to Blaines.

Kurt knocked loudly on Blaines door, and it was opened moments later by Blaine wearing an expectant expression. "Hey, youre late tonight. Long day at work?"

"They gave me the job, a really great job for a show next week. Thats why Im late; they called me in to tell me!"

Blaine pulled Kurt into the apartment and into a great hug. "Thats great, Kurt!" Kurt tried not to be disappointed when he pulled away a second later and ushered him into the kitchen. "Whats the job?"

"Ill just be a representative for my company at the show, but Ill be right in the middle of it all; an up  and coming designer, all the preparations and parties!"

"Thats great, Kurt," Blaine said sincerely, giving him a huge smile.

Kurt tried to reign in some of his enthusiasm as he watched Blaines reaction. He seemed so genuinely happy for Kurt, but that didnt help him enough.

"Oh, theres another thing," Kurt added, looking closely at Blaines face to gage his reaction. "Its in Italy. Ill be in Florence for two weeks."

Kurt couldnt help the hope he felt in his chest at Blaines deflated look.

"Oh," Blaine said, sadly. "Ill really miss you, Kurt. Itll be weird not having you over every night." Kurt felt a thrill at the words, before Blaine added, "But youre only leaving next week, so Ive got some time before Ive got to let you go."

Kurts insides fluttered as Blaine gave him a wink, and started talking about all the great things was bound to experience. But Kurt could only think that this trip couldnt have come at a better time. Every day he was finding it harder to be around Blaine without revealing his feelings. While his excitement over the trip was so strong only moments before, there was a tight feeling that was slowly but surely taking over his chest at the thought of leaving Blaine behind.

The bright lights of the fashion show were blinding as Kurt leaned back in his seat, not allowing his face to show the incredible excitement he felt as the models walked down the runway. So far his trip had been incredibly successful for his company; his efficient nature and easy knowledge of the incoming trends had certainly impressed. He knew that his boss was going to be thrilled.

But the car ride back to his hotel was long, and with his thoughts allowed to wander for more than a minute, they returned to where he had tried to keep them from for the last two weeks.

Blaine.

Though his trip had been so full of amazing sights, food, and fashion, the glamorous parties that Kurt had lived for in the past couldnt hold his focus. He had passed on the shows after party, choosing to catch up on the sleep he had missed the night before in preparation for the show.

The car dropped him outside his hotel, and he thanked the driver before heading inside. By the time he finally reached his room, Kurt barely had the energy to finish his night time routine.

He couldnt help the sigh that escaped him as he finally pulled himself into bed. With his mind finally calm, he allowed his thoughts to drift to Blaine. He thought of what Blaine might be doing at that moment, taking a moment to work out the time difference between them. His mind brought up a picture of Blaine returning home from work, his hand on his baby bump as it so often was these days, moving around his apartment, maybe wondering what Kurt was doing, maybe missing Kurt as much as Kurt was missing him.

Despite all the beauty in Florence, it just didnt hold a candle to what he saw in Blaine.

Kurt turned his pillow and put his cheek to the cool fabric.

When he fell asleep his dreams included a kind-eyed man and a child, a small replica of the man, running through the streets of Florence, just out of his reach.  

By the time his plane left the ground three days later, after the final closing statements and goodbyes, Kurt knew that it was inevitable.

He hadnt meant to, but hed started falling in love with Blaine and there was no going back. The last two weeks had seemed an eternity without the simple ease of Blaines company. Kurt thought back over his fathers words and knew that he had to do. And so Kurt did it.

He thought of telling Blaine of his feelings, of finally admitting how he couldnt stop the thoughts of them together from rushing through his head without boundaries; holding Blaines hand, tracing Blaines shoulders, kissing Blaines lips. He thought of what would happen if Blaine could not accept him. How he would have to return to his feelings of simple friendship and force himself to stop the traitorous thoughts he knew hed have to overcome. Then he thought of what would happen if Blaine felt the same way.

Blaine, with his child, his first priority, and how that would affect their relationship.

Kurt continued thinking as the plane flew steadily closer to home, and by the time his plane had landed, Kurt knew that his path had been set.