Kurt ignored the shouts of his various co-stars and Rachel as his jaw clicked shut and he stood up, practically running off stage and through the back, out into the cold New York air. He stood against the wall, hands on his knees, gulping in the air to steady his heart and burning lungs. How dare he? How dare Blaine turn up after all this time looking so devastatingly handsome and just stare at him as their eyes met. The rational part of Kurt knew that Blaine probably had no idea who the stars were when he got the job and didn’t have any ulterior motive but Kurt wasn’t one for thinking straight, particularly when faced with his ex-boyfriend. His gorgeous ex-boyfriend.

Rachel burst through the door and Kurt groaned, he really didn’t want to deal with her right now.

“What’s wrong Kurt? You stormed off and didn’t even tell-“

“Blaine” He gritted out.

Rachel leant down, confused. “Blaine? Blaine who?”

Kurt looked at her, his best bitchface on. “Who do you think?! Blaine Anderson.”

Rachel’s eyes widened and she gasped, looking back to the theatre. “Oh. Oh my God. Kurt, can you carry on? Do you want me to talk to Christophe? I’m sure we can get another pianist.”

Kurt shook his head. “No. This had to happen sometime and I can’t get him fired, we promised to respect each other.” He stood up tall and took a deep breath, reaching his arm for Rachel to hook hers around. They took a deep breath and strode back through the door, back into the theatre.

Blaine sighed and scrubbed a hand through his hair as he watched Kurt run out of the theatre, what had he expected when he’d gone for the job? Of course he knew who was starring in the show, he’d followed Kurt’s career since their breakup, quietly gaining information from Burt about how well he was doing in college to watching as he rose through the ranks and became a star, what he’d always wanted and deserved. He still missed Kurt, he’d never gotten over his porcelain-skinned ex and this still deep passion for him had spurred him into going for and getting pianist for Moulin Rouge. Impulse issues, they’d be the death of him. In about 10 minutes if the look on Kurt’s face as he strode back through the theatre, his arm linked with Rachel’s as they headed towards the director’s office and studiously ignoring him was anything to go by.

He sighed and shuffled his sheets, ready to shove them back into his messenger bag and get the hell out of dodge. As he turned he saw Santana coming towards him and steeled himself for the Latina’s wrath. Instead she opened her arms and rushed over, hugging him tight.

“I’m so happy to see you.” She whispers and squeezes him tight.

Blaine gets over his shock and hugs her back, grinning at her as she stepped away, his glossy black hair swinging over her shoulders. “So you’re our pianist. Typical you get a job that’s so close to the word-“

“Glad to see you haven’t changed, Santana,” He cuts her off, laughing but the smile slips off his face quickly. “Well at least for the moment. I’m probably about to get fired.”

Santana shakes her head and smiles. “Nah he won’t do that. Now, as much as I love that you’re here. Why are you here?” She puts her hand on her hip and raises her eyebrow at the younger man.

Blaine groans and sinks down onto the bench, busted. “I went for the job as pianist and got it. Yes, you’re as observant as ever, I got it knowing Kurt was starring. I miss him ‘Tana, I know it was stupid but I couldn’t help it.”

Santana laughed then sat down on the bench next to him and put her arm around his shoulders. “Well you’re not exactly known for your big, dramatic displays now, are you?”

Blaine glared at her, a smile twitching the corners of his mouth then she kissed him on the cheek, stood and walked back on stage, winking as she left.

Kurt stormed into Christophe’s office and he looked up at the interruption. “Christophe how did you find the pianist?”

Christophe looked at him confused and moved the paper reading the new pianist’s name, information and references in front of him. “He came very well recommended, Kurt. He’s a graduate of CSU, he’s worked as a musician for several singers, released his own album-“

“I know what he’s done Christophe and he’s a fantastic musician, I just want to know what he’s doing here.” Kurt shouted, his voice going higher and higher.

Christophe stood and walked around his desk, wanting to calm Kurt down before he lost his star. “He went for it and got it Kurt; he’s here the same as every other actor and musician here. He’s got a job to do just like you.”

Kurt snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “Santana told you the story about me singing Blackbird right?” He waited as Christophe nodded, shocked by his change in demeanour. “Did she tell you about the Warblers?” Again Christophe nodded. “And the guy who sat, enthralled, realising he wanted me as more than a friend?” Another nod. “That’s him!” Kurt shouted, pointing towards the stage.

Christophe’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped open. “He’s your ex? Kurt I promise I didn’t know! He wanted the job and he’s perfect, just what we need. Kurt we can’t replace him and I don’t want to. Can you work around this past you two have?”

Kurt’s shoulder slumped and he bit his lip, looking at Rachel and then back at Christophe. “Fine, I can do it and I know how good he is, he would be perfect.”

Christophe sat back down behind the desk and clapped his hands happily. “Perfect!”

“Kurt this is great! Maybe you two can work out your past, maybe even get back together!” Rachel said by the door, squealing and bouncing on her toes.

“No.” Christophe said and both Kurt and Rachel looked at him, smiles slipping from their faces.

Kurt raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Christophe laced his fingers together and made a peak with his index fingers, resting his chin on them and spoke clearly and authoritatively. “You can’t screw the pianist, Kurt. I don’t care about your past; you can’t sleep with him or date him. I won’t have this show ruined by a relationship between the star and the music. What happens if you break up or one of you feels differently? We’d lose the best pianist we could find and the show is ruined. I’m sorry Kurt, but no.”

Kurt’s mouth dropped open and Rachel looked between them, torn between begging Kurt not to sell his soul for the show and telling him another love would come along someday and that the show was everything they’d ever wanted. Slowly Kurt nodded, keeping his eyes to the floor, effectively promising Christophe his heart and soul for the show.

Christophe nodded and shuffled his papers, going back to what he was doing. Kurt walked out of the office and down the corridor to his dressing room. Rachel went onstage to get Santana, Blaine’s curious gaze following them as the women ran backstage again.

Santana burst into Kurt’s room, panicked by what Rachel had told her. “Kurt? What’s going on? What did he say to you?”

Kurt gasped, sobs rising in his body, choking his throat. “I can’t fall in love.”

“What?” Santana shrieked.

Kurt’s arms crossed, holding himself as tears ran down his face. “He said I couldn’t go near Blaine and couldn’t fall in love. It would ruin the show.”

Santana looked at Rachel who rushed to her friend’s side and wrapped her arms around him. “Bullshit!” The Latina yelled. “He can’t do this to you Kurt!”

“He can!” Kurt yelled back. “He can ruin me; he can ruin this, all of this. You, me, Rachel, Blaine. He could ruin everything. We’re just actors, we come and go, he’s a powerful producer, I have to do as he says.”

Santana’s heart dropped, realising the truth and she rushed to Kurt. Wrapping her arms around him from the other side as he collapsed completely. “Shhhh todo va bien. Nos va bien, mi amigo.” She whispered into his ear, slipping into Spanish to soothe him.

Kurt sniffled. “It’s not like I wanted him back, but being forbidden to…” He trailed off, another sob wracked his body and Santana and Rachel exchanged knowing smiles over his shoulders.