Kurt did not know that that was the last time he would see Blaine Anderson vulnerable again- at least not until he was sixteen years old. Kurt's year seemed to have gone from the volatile waves of a thundering ocean, to a stable, calm blue sea. What was once a struggle to keep his emotions in check, was now a struggle to feel anything other than indifference; all because Blaine Anderson was out of his life- and Kurt knew that it was always much better to have him and hurt, than to not have him at all.

That wasn't to say that they did not run into each other on occasion, it's just that Blaine's wall that he had created to stop himself from letting others in was so well-built that Kurt very often had trouble breaking it down. But he eventually did. And that is all that mattered.

Kurt's freshman year was simply bittersweet. He enjoyed the time he had with Jeff and Nick, as they had both grown extraordinarily closer to each other, but whenever- by chance- he would pass by Blaine in the halls or possibly have a class with him, he would feel an immense amount of guilt accompanied with a pang of regret in his stomach. Kurt was in the dark when it came to the reason why Blaine had been acting so distant, for he did not know that Jeremy was influencing Blaine's actions.

He had tried apologizing countless times. It was only after his fourth attempt at an apology- taking place two months after Blaine's beating- that he had finally acknowledged how little power he had in the current situation.

Kurt walked through the almost desolate hallway, his eyes scanning the majestic corridor for a familiar face. After being rejected and ignored by Blaine after his previous apologies, he was dead set on his forgiveness.
***
"Blaine!" Kurt called as the curly haired boy appeared at the end of the corridor. Blaine's eyes flashed gold and he immediately turned on his heal. Kurt took fast-long strides towards him, gripping his arm tightly when he reached him.

With mild force, he turned Blaine around, their faces now only inches apart. Kurt took a few seconds to study his face. Blaine's bruises had almost completely faded, but the large gash on his lip he had once had was now a small, visible scab.

Blaine surprisingly spoke first, "If you're hear to say you're sorry, save it."

Kurt took a breath in, endeavouring to calm his fluctuating heart rate, "Just let me talk to you. That's all I want. Besides, you really have no reason to be holding a grudge, I mean-"

"I have no reason to hold a grudge?" Blaine began, frustration seeping through his pores, "You don't even know what else he did to me!"

"I was there, Blaine! I know what happened. Jeremy called you out, okay, but he apologized and..." Kurt crinkled his nose in surprise at Blaine's statement. "What else he did to me?" How peculiar...

"What else did he do?" Kurt asked.

Blaine swallowed hard, "What do you mean? I never said-"

"You said, 'what else he did to me.' What did he do, Blaine?"

Blaine shuddered at the thought of Jeremy sadistically wiping the blood away from his lip while sitting on the cold tiled floor.

Blaine shook his head; clearing away the traumatizing memory, and looked back up at Kurt, although his eyes and face were now hard.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, I'm pretty sure you would be aware of everything Jeremy did that night, what with the way you were following him around like a little lap dog."

Kurt's ears reddened at the last bit. He shook Blaine irritatedly, his booming voice filling the empty corridor, "What is your problem? As soon as I get a little bit close to you, you push me away! You can't keep doing this Blaine." His voice dropped and his eyes fluttered, "It's not fair to yourself."

Blaine clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding away, and his eyes focused on the floor.

"Well?" Kurt asked, one hand on his hip.

Blaine remained silent. Kurt sighed, "Okay. Fine. When you feel like acting a bit like a decent human being, come find me."

And then Kurt walked away. And Blaine stood stoically. And that was that.
***
The next few months were rough. Blaine was numb and Kurt was ignoring the situation. Blaine was focusing on partying and Kurt was focusing on school and friends. Blaine was hopeless and Kurt was frustrated. But they were both so very lonely.

And so; time passed, seasons changed, holidays arrived. Kurt spent his winter break with Nick and Jeff, skiing in Colorado with Jeff's parents. He had a wonderful time, although he spent the majority of it snuggled up by the fire with a steaming hot cup of coffee- that is until Jeff broke his leg on the Black Diamond mountain. After that it was pretty much Jeff abusing his power and saying things like, "Oh Kurt, can you be a doll and scratch my nose? I did break my leg.." or, "Hey Nick, my hands are really sore, do you think you could be a sweetie and massage them? I am a cripple..."

Other than that, Kurt was fairly content with his holidays. Blaine's winter break- on the other hand- was nowhere near as jolly as Kurt's. He spent the majority of it being aimlessly shipped off to distant relatives who struggled to remember his name.

"Wayne, right?"

"No, no. That doesn't sound right...oh, Shane!"

"Bl-Bl- Blair?"

"It's Blaine." He would respond flatly. Although, he would very often go along with it, pushing limits and seeing how much he could get away with while testing how long it took his 'family' to learn some common courtesy.
After the break, the post-holiday depression arrived in full throttle, and it had lasted right up until the snow melted around mid-March.

As the mundane routine of school reinstated, so did Kurt's shell of indifference towards Blaine. He only let himself feel on occasion; very rarely that would be, but a couple times a months he'd find himself recognizing just how solitary he was.

With the passing of May, June arrived in large volumes, bringing lush grass, blue skies, and chirping birds along with it. The Dalton boys were instantly smitten with the warm weather, throwing pool parties frequently and neglecting to do their tedious homework. Kurt, however, tried his best to concentrate profusely in class, yet Blaine grew restless and couldn't help but be even more of a nuisance in class during the commencement of summer.

Soon enough, classes had concluded, dorms were being abandoned, and summer had fully arrived. Kurt conflictingly said farewell to Jeff and Nick; happy to be going home, gloomy to be saying goodbye, and thankful for being able to see them again in a few short months- but even more thankful for not having to sleep on a bunk-bed with Jeff Sterling for the next few months.

Once everything was packed, Kurt tiredly waited outside the dormitory entrance for his father who would be arriving to take him home for the summer. When Burt had arrived, Kurt stole one quick glance at Dalton, shuffled into the car silently, and stared out the window; gazing one last time at the exasperated curly-headed boy that stood lonesomely in front of the grand school.

A few days into summer, Kurt and Burt had received a call from his Aunt Liz. To their surprise, she had been exuberantly explaining to them her engagement to her girlfriend Haley, informing them on how she would like to be married as soon as possible. Burt was happy for his sister, but he didn't want her to rush into things- he also didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a trip to New York. But at the sound of 'New York' Kurt begged and pleaded, while Aunt Liz assured and promised Burt that it's what she wanted. As soon as Burt hung up the phone- a disapproved frown on his face- he left to go pack. Kurt squealed with joy; Hummel's could be very persuasive.

Blaine's summer vacation consisted of three things; cigarettes, whiskey, and reading. Once again, the lonely boy was sent to distant relatives who lived halfway across the country. But this time he spent the summer with two older cousins who gave him eighty bucks and told him to only come back after midnight. Blaine found this easy enough at first, but as the summer progressed he became bored with the same routine of getting drunk, having intimate relations with random strangers, and re-reading the Iliad. Blaine grimaced with irritation; Anderson's could be very apathetic.

After the summer excursion, the two boy's were both relatively exhilarated to return to Dalton; Kurt wanting to catch up with his friends and focus on his hobbies, Blaine wanting to escape from his summer of neglect and to reconcile with Kurt, for it was during his departure that he had realized just how crucial forgiveness could be.

Contrary to Blaine wanting to let Kurt into his life, Kurt had built up walls at an attempt to stop himself from setting any expectations for the curly-headed boy. It was in his nature to dream and fantasize about romance, but he couldn't handle any more disappointment. Therefore, Kurt had made a conscientious judgement to avoid him at all costs- yet Blaine continued to seek him out.

It's a shame that Kurt was always awfully terrible at hide and seek and Blaine was an excellent searcher.
***
"No, Nick! We don't need him!" Kurt yelled as he delicately folded his laundry and sat down on his bottom bunk.

Nick sighed, moving closer towards Kurt, "Listen Kurt, I know that you and Blaine have some weird sexy chemistry going on, but there is really no way around this." Nick's eyes wandered to Jeff slyly playing video games underneath his blankets.

"Jeff?" Nick asked.

"Uh-huh?" Came a voice from under the blankets.

"Don't you think that Kurt is being absolutely ridiculous? I mean it is going to be for my birthday party."
Jeff threw his blankets aside, a goofy smile on his face as he swung off the top-bunk and sat beside Kurt.
"C'mon Kurt, Nick only turns sixteen once- well, not unless he gets a time machine to go back in time and celebrate his birthday over and over and over and over..."

Kurt cleared his throat.

Jeff continued, back on topic, "And there really is no one else who would be able to get us fake Ids like Blaine could on such short notice."

Kurt exhaled in distress at the sound of his name, he quickly changed the topic, "But a gay bar? Really guys? Wouldn't you want to do something a bit classier like going to see the new Meryl Streep movie or going out for some coffee?"

Jeff and Nick glanced at each other. Jeff groaned and put an arm around Kurt, "Kurt, I know you like those drama things and think that coffee is exciting, but it's going to be Nick's birthday at the end of September and if he wants to get mindlessly drunk and grind up on some strangers, then so be it."

Nick poked Kurt playfully, "Yeah Kurt, and you are one of my closest friends here and I know you want to get some fine pieces of ass," Kurt glared, but he continued, "but I promise, there is no way Blaine will be tagging along."

Kurt pursed his lips, "Whatever. I'll go, but only if Nick switches beds with me for a week. It's your turn to sleep underneath that irksome, indestructible megaphone over there."

Jeff opened his mouth in hurt, "I am not a megaphone! I'm real boy!"

"Okay, Pinocchio" Kurt teased.

Nick rolled his eyes, "Deal."
**
Two weeks later, Nick strutted into the room waving three squares of plastic triumphantly in his hand.

"Oh my god! I have them! Blaine just dropped them off!" He squealed, passing them around to the two other boys.

Kurt gazed over the ID's and crinkled his nose, "Nick, it says I'm thirty-one and that my name is Jorge."
"Mild error. Mild error. Just talk deeper, that will solve it!"

"It also says that Jeff's name is Roxy Putty." Kurt stated, unimpressed.

Jeff grabbed the ID out of Kurt's hand, "Roxy? Oh my god, I love it! That is totally a stripper name!"

Kurt rolled his eyes, "So how are we getting there? I mean, we haven't even gotten our beginner's."

Nick coughed awkwardly, "Well, Jeff and I are getting a ride with my boyfriend," Jeff's grin faded at this, but he continued, "and you're going with Jeremy and Blaine." Nick said inaudibly.

Kurt's eyes narrowed, "Sorry, didn't hear that last bit."

Nick whispered it this time, "You're going with Jeremy and Blaine."

Kurt walked over to him now, "I still did not hear you. Say it louder."

Nick inhaled sharply, "You're getting a ride with Jeremy and Blaine!"

"What?" Kurt shrieked. "Why can't I go with you guys?"

Nick backed towards the wall, "My boyfriend's car doesn't have enough room, Kurt!"

"You said Blaine wouldn't be tagging along!"

Nick cringed, preparing for Kurt to smack him, "Blaine said that he'd do the ID's for half-price if I let him go with us!"

Kurt bit his lip and furrowed his brow, "And how did Jeremy get mixed up in this, and why would Blaine even want to go?"

Nick held up his hands defensively, "Jeremy knew we needed somebody older to drive us, so he volunteered. Blaine only wanted to go as soon as I told him that Jeremy was going with you."

Kurt's porcelain cheeks flushed as his mind raced. Surely Blaine couldn't have been jealous? He pondered.

"Oh." Was all Kurt could muster.

Nick smirked now, "Yeah, so let's get a move guys! We should get ready, they're going to be here soon!"

Later that night- after the three boys had finished getting ready- Kurt, Nick, and Jeff stood in their dorm, waiting for Blaine, Jeremy, and Nick's boyfriend to arrive.

Kurt's cheeks reddened at the the thought of seeing Blaine. After all, it would be their very first encounter of the new school year.

"Freaking out a bit, there?" Jeff asked curiously upon observing that Kurt's hand was trembling as he applied his hairspray.

Kurt swallowed nervously, "No. Not-not at all," he stuttered.

Jeff inclined his head, "Oh yeah, you're not nervous one bit."

An irritated noise formed in the back of Kurt's throat, "Ugh! So what if I am? Blaine has no reason to go tonight!" He crossed his arms over his chest and sat down on his bed with a huff.

Jeff laughed and took a seat adjacent to him, "Oh, so this is a 'Blaine' problem."

Kurt dropped his head in embarrassment, "I guess it is. It's just...it's not fair for him to go when he doesn't speak to me for a year after I apologize."

Jeff's voice went up an octave as he changed his tone and spoke in a Yoda-esque accent, "Reconnect, you must. You and this Blaine fellow are destined to be together, I say."

Kurt glared at his petty attempt to make him grin, although he couldn't help but chuckle, "You are such a nerd."

A knock sounded throughout the dorm, "Oh shit, someone's here," Nick yelled, as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. He was nearly as nervous as Kurt.

Kurt's heart raced as he grabbed his black Marc Jacobs coat that was hanging on the hook.

Nick opened the door casually, although his arm was compulsively quivering. He relaxed immediately upon seeing the older boy, "Oh, hey. Jeremy, right?"

Jeremy charmingly smiled and stepped into the dorm, "Haha, yeah, that's right. Happy birthday, Nick." He scanned the area for Kurt, but nonetheless continued, "You're boyfriend legitimately just texted me, he's waiting in his car outside."

Nick looked pleasantly surprised, "Oh, how do you know him?"

Jeff smirked, "My older brother and him used to play rugby together back in high school."

Nick grinned and gestured for Kurt and Jeff to make their way to the entrance, "Kurt, Jeff, let's go!"

The walk down was mildly awkward, as Jeremy spent the majority of it ogling Kurt while Kurt kept thinking about Blaine, and Nick spent the majority of it gushing about his boyfriend while Jeff kept thinking about Nick.

When they had reached the front courtyard and the cool, crisp air hit them, Kurt looked around for the absent curly-headed boy.

"Where's Blaine?" Kurt asked uncomfortably, after coming to the conclusion that Blaine only said he was going to make a fool out of him and to get his hopes up.

Jeremy subtly cracked his knuckles, "He's coming?" Kurt was taken aback by the grand amount of disgust in Jeremy's voice.

"Yes I am. Sorry about my being late, I slept in." A familiar voice stated.

Kurt whipped his head around, only to be face-to-face with Blaine. He glanced him up and down, taking in his very alluring appearance. He wore dark, navy skinny jeans, a tight, white v-neck t-shirt, and a sheen, black leather jacket. He appeared to have reached his full adult height, and had fully grown into his muscular body. The biggest difference, however, was that his once chaotic and curly dark-brown hair, was now styled with copious amounts of gel and smoothly slicked back. Kurt mentally slapped himself for imagining the things he was thinking.

"You slept in?" Jeremy spat, breaking the brief silence, "How the hell do you sleep in? It's nine o'clock!"
Blaine shrugged complacently, although his eyes were narrowed with dislike.

"Whatever, let's get going." Jeremy ordered.

"See you there!" Nick waved as he greeted his boyfriend with a kiss. Kurt could see Jeff sulking in the background.

As the three boys made their way to Jeremy's car- Jeremy walking angrily- Blaine quietly spoke to Kurt,

"Hi Kurt." He breathed, sending shivers down Kurt's spine.

Kurt remained silent, overcome with misguided frustration at the golden-eyed boy.

"What? You're not going to say hello?" Blaine asked while absent-mindlessly licking his bottom lick.

Kurt breathed the autumn air at an attempt to suppress his rising anger,

"I tried saying hello to you last year if you don't remember." He stated, amazed at his facade of a composed exterior.

Blaine moved closer to him, causing the hairs on Kurt's back to stand up, "I do remember that, actually-"

"Okay, guys, get in the car!" Jeremy called from the inside of his black Volvo.

Kurt anxiously searched his pockets, "Oh, shoot! God, I left my ID back in the dorm!" He groaned, "I'm going to go get it."

"I'll go with you," Blaine offered.

Kurt squinted his eyes, "No. I'll do it myself."

Blaine sighed as he watched Kurt disappear into the night, but gingerly placed himself into the passenger's side of Jeremy's car.

Jeremy gripped the wheel tightly and Blaine could see his knuckles whitening, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He asked venomously.

Blaine laughed darkly, "You'd love to know wouldn't you?"
Jeremy spoke through clenched teeth, "I swear to god, Anderson, if Kurt finds out about what happened I'll..."

"You'll what? Get your cliche henchman to beat the shit out of me again?" Blaine asked with confidence.

"If that's what it takes." The older boy threatened.

Blaine could see Kurt returning through the tinted, glass windows of Jeremy's car. He leaned over to Jeremy quickly, "Just a piece of advice- you can't crash this car with me in it; you'll die too, dumbass."

Jeremy gaped his mouth to retort, but Kurt opened the door quietly and took his place in the back seat. This is going to be a long ride, all three of them thought.

When they arrived at the club and reimbursed with Nick and Jeff, the six boys made their way over to wait for entry. The line decreased quickly as the late September air grew colder. Kurt was curiously eyed by strangers while Blaine was being hit on. Soon enough, however, the boys had advanced to the front, pulling out their ID's anxiously.

The cliche bouncer sported a wife-beater equipped with an outdated mullet and a sleeve of tattoos. Kurt internally shuddered, fearing what would happen if the bouncer knew the ID's were fakes. Nick's boyfriend easily gained entrance, and Nick and Jeff followed suit swiftly. Next was Blaine's turn; the man turned over his ID cautiously, his eyes narrowed, but soon enough, he handed it back to him with an approving nod.

Blaine glanced back at Kurt worryingly, knowing full well that Kurt would naturally be nervous.

Jeremy followed Blaine's gaze, "You can go into the club, Anderson," he sneered.

"I'm going to wait for Kurt, actually. Not that I need your permission," Blaine stated coldly.

After two more strangers were authorized, Jeremy handed the bouncer his ID, the man smiled warmly at him, "Jeremy Nichols?"

Jeremy nodded enthusiastically. The man continued, "Good family, good family. Nichols are well respected around town."

Jeremy smiled again, "Why thank you, sir." Kurt could hear Blaine making vomiting noises in the background.

Jeremy waited beside Blaine as Kurt handed the bouncer his ID. He scanned it over, "Thirty-one, eh?"

Kurt's insides began to churn, "Um, yeah, well-" he paused immediately, remembering to talk deeper. He coughed at an attempt to cover it up, "Well, I look young."

The man raised an eyebrow, "Look kid, I don't know what you think you're doing, but I ain't-"

"Ain't is not a word," Kurt corrected automatically, and immediately regretted saying anything.

The man placed an intimidating hand on Kurt's shoulder, "I ain't no idiot. I know when some punk is trying to pull the wool over my... "

Jeremy gracefully leaned over to the man and whispered something in his ear.

"Mhmm, mhmm..." The bouncer responded as Jeremy continued whispering. The man gazed at Kurt curiously and continued, "Oh, okay. Wow, I'm so happy for you two."

Jeremy pulled away, another cocky grin on his face. The bouncer handed Kurt his ID, "Have fun now, you two!" He called.

Kurt stared at Jeremy as they made their way into the building, "Oh my god! How did you do that?" He asked, impressed at Jeremy's charm.

"It's a secret." Jeremy replied mischievously.

Kurt smiled, "Well, thanks. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Save me a dance." He answered flirtatiously. Blaine felt like vomiting for real, now.

When inside the club, Kurt split up from Blaine and Jeremy, looking for Nick and Jeff.

He spent the first hour energetically dancing with his roommates, consoling Jeff when Nick and his boyfriend kissed, and grimacing at strangers attempting to pick up Blaine.

He was offered alcohol multiple times, but rejected it as he had wanted to remember this night. Nick, on the other hand, went all out, drinking things that Kurt had never even heard of while dancing on random table tops.

It was only a half-hour later- after the majority of the boys had consumed alcohol- that things took a turn for the climactic.
Kurt was in the middle of dancing with Jeff, who was also sober, when Nick made his way over to them. He grabbed Jeff roughly by the waist, pulling him close to dance. Kurt laughed lightly, but sensed that things could go very wrong very quickly.

Nick and Jeff's foreheads were touching, their body's rocked in synchronization, and their arms were on each other's lower back; intensity was rising. Kurt cleared his throat, attempting to break apart the boys, as he had seen the lust in their eyes and noticed that Nick's boyfriend would be back from the washroom soon.

Jeff and Nick were oblivious as Nick leaned closer to his body, his hands exploring new areas.

"Jeff!" Kurt yelled over the pulsating beat.

Jeff pulled back from Nick instantaneously, reality sinking in his eyes, "Wait? What are we doing? You're drunk and you have a boyfriend!"

Nick drunkenly pulled him back, his hands seductively tracing circles on Jeff's chest, "That's okay! I don't even like him that much!" He explained. Kurt's couldn't pull his eyes away from the dramatic scene.

Jeff pushed him away again, but Nick grabbed tightly onto his hips, "Come on, Jeff. I want you, not him. Not him."

Jeff's face grew serious as his eyes flickered with conflict. He spoke so quiet that Kurt strained to hear, "It's wrong, Nick. We can't do this."
Nick wobbled on his feet, "What? No! You want me too, I know you do!" He spoke like a child.

Kurt cringed at the dramatic occurrence unravelling in front of him; he wanted them to be in love, he wanted them to be happy together.

Nick gently held Jeff's face in his hand, "Come on, Jeff..."

Jeff softly pulled Nick's hand away from him and shook his head, "I can't."

Abruptly, Nick's boyfriend appeared behind them, even more drunk than Nick, "What the fuck is going on here?" He slurred.

Nick groaned, "Ugh! Just leave me alone!" He turned and walked away frustratedly, his boyfriend stumbling after him, "C'mon, Nick! I didn't mean that!"

Jeff stood there stoically, the gleam of tears glossing his eyes. Kurt exhaled and walked towards him, "How are you?" He asked sympathetically. He didn't bother to ask him if he was okay, because he knew by the look on his face that he most definitely wasn't.

Jeff sighed, "I think I'm gonna turn in for the night."

Kurt nodded. Jeff smiled sadly, "See you later."

Kurt watched him walk away, his mind lingering to the previous ordeal.

Suddenly, someone's lips where on his ear as the individual spoke.

"How 'bout that dance now?" Jeremy whispered temptingly.