Kurt looked down at the printout Blaine had given him, making sure hed parked in the right spot. Nodding, he got out and locked up. 

Looking down, he made a face at his clothes. Blaines instructions were to wear old clothes and hiking boots, if he had them. And a hat. 

Kurt sighed. What did Blaine have in mind for this meeting? 

Following the map, Kurt walked through the park, noticing a lot of people were coming and going from the same direction he was heading. 

The coastal trail was fairly steep at times, and Kurt climbed, hearing the sounds of the crashing waves nearby. Coming around a corner, there was a large flat area, edged by a cliff down to a rocky shoreline. The Golden Gate Bridge was off in the foggy distance, across the bay. 

The flat area was full of people of all ages, moving back and forth with purpose. Kurt looked down at his map. Yes, he was in the right place. 

A man nearby straightened up, stretching his back. Blaine. He was dressed in old torn jeans, a dusty black sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up, and a Chicago Cubs baseball cap on his head. He looked amazing. 

As if sensing Kurts gaze, Blaine turned his way and smiled. Kurts heart squeezed in his chest at that. No sense denying he had feelings for this man. But what were they?

Blaine jogged over, looking completely relaxed and young. "Kurt, you came. Great!" He reached out and hugged Kurt tight. 

Kurt tensed up at being in Blaines arms, but after a few seconds, forced himself to relax. It was just a friendly hug. Chill. Kurt let out a held breath. 

"Um... So whats going on here?" Kurt stepped back, waving at all the people. 

Blaine turned back to the scene, smiling. "Isnt it great? These are all people who just showed up to help. I think well finish it up in one day." 

"Finish what?" Kurt tried to make sense of what the people were doing, carrying rocks around and placing them on the dirt.

Laughing, Blaine grabbed Kurts hand and tugged him up a steep path. After climbing a little while, he turned and looked back down. "There, turn around, Kurt. Can you see it?"

Giving Blaine a bit of a glare for not just answering his questions directly, Kurt looked down at the flat area. He squinted his eyes like he was looking at a magic eye picture or something, and then suddenly he saw it. He gasped. 

"They are making a labyrinth?" Kurts voice was soft with wonder. 

Blaine nodded. "Rebuilding it, actually. An artist originally put it here about ten years ago, but vandals keep messing around with it. This summer was the worst, apparently, with every single rock thrown into the sea. But you can still make out the pattern." He glanced over to Kurt. “Something so beautiful is worth the work to rebuild it.”

Kurt just shook his head in amazement. "And all these people?" 

Shrugging, Blaine took a sip from his water bottle. "All volunteers. So, do you want to help out? If not, you can wait here. Ill be done in an hour or so." 

Chuckling, Kurt walked back down the path. "As if I could sit around watching after you told me that story."

Blaine just smiled as he introduced him to the organizer and a few people, and they got to work, hauling rocks in place. It was dirty, dusty work, but rewarding as the labyrinth pattern emerged more and more clearly. 

The volunteers kept coming, replacing the ones that were leaving. 

Blaine grabbed a couple large bottles of cold water and some sandwiches from a cooler set up for volunteers. "Kurt, lets take a break for a bit, OK?"

Kurt dusted his hands off on his pants. He was sweaty and probably streaked with dirt on his face. Oh well. Blaine wasnt that clean either. 

They hiked up the hill, finding a shady spot the overlooked the labyrinth and the breathtaking ocean views. 

"No wonder this park is called Lands End." Kurt took a long refreshing sip of his water, and dug into his egg salad sandwich. 

Blaine nodded in agreement, eating his lunch. 

Kurt kept sneaking glances at Blaine, trying to get used to his appearance now. It was a strange mix-up of the Blaine hed known originally, with the short hair and clean-shaven jawline, with Blaine later on, wearing old clothes and looking a bit messy. 

After finishing their sandwiches, Blaine sighed. "You know, my dad was in Northwestern Memorial Hospital a fair bit during the hearings. There was a lot of waiting around there. And by pure chance, I heard that the cathedral nearby had a labyrinth, outside on their grounds. I cant tell you how many times I walked it. Even when Dad was doing better, Id stop there at least once a day to walk and think."

He glanced over at Kurt. "No matter how crazy things got there, walking the labyrinth calmed me down. It always reminded me of you, of that time at Grace Cathedral." 

Kurt smiled, remembering that beautiful church, the candles and soft music. Thinking back on those early simple days when they were just becoming friends. 

Blaine looked back down at the labyrinth. "Walking the path reminded me Id get through this, and I would get back to my life here. Because being in Chicago, with my family, no longer feels like home to me."

Kurt met his eyes, full of questions, but wanting to hear Blaines side of things first. 

"Being in San Francisco, but since I was suspended especially... That feels more real to me. I was more alive. Living my life, not just the life my parents think I should. Being in Chicago, around my parents old friends Ive known forever, I felt like an outsider. So many of them are just snobs, unable to see beyond their small social circle. I really talked to people, got to know them, and there are some good people there." Blaine looked over at Kurt.

"So, is your father healthy enough to go back to the company?" Kurt needed to know. 

Blaine shook his head. "If the company wasnt such a mess, maybe. But it needs too much rebuilding. He will stay on as the head until the board picks someone else." 

"And are you working there again? Business like normal?" Kurt finally asked what he was most curious about. 

Blaine took a big breath, letting it out slowly, looking out at the view. "Nope. I quit. Im officially a bum."

Kurt laughed, and nudged his shoulder. "I think Tom would take you back, if you want."

"Well, its good to know, but Im thinking of starting a business. Ever hear of micro-lending?" 

Shaking his head, Kurt sipped his water. 

"Basically, its doing small loans for people who wouldnt normally qualify for a bank loan. Banks want collateral, perfect credit histories, things like that. Look at Tom. He wants to expand to the unit next to his, but even though hes been in business for decades, he doesnt qualify." Blaine eyes looked excited, engaged. 

Kurt grinned, enjoying seeing how passionate Blaine was about the topic. "So, you are going to give people loans out of your own pocket, then?"

Blaine shook his head. "One of my dads old friends is interested in the idea, and he knows a few other people who may be interested in investing in it."

"Wow. Thats great, Blaine. Good for you." Kurt smiled. 

Blaines expression quieted, and he turned to Kurt. "Its all because of you, Kurt. Because you were there, every step of the way. Even when I was in Chicago, I was thinking of you everyday."

"Me?! What did I do? I was just your friend, Blaine." Kurt shook his head. 

Blaine took Kurts hand in his, stroking his thumb back and forth along his skin. "You were there when nobody else was, letting me stay at your place, no questions asked. You helped find me a way to be independent. You pushed me to learn how to take care of myself, for the first time in my life. You showed me how you got through all the crappy high school stuff and just carried on. You always treated me with dignity and respect, even when I was at my lowest." 

Kurt smirked, "Except that time when I called you a Faker."

Blaine returned the smile. "I was a bit of a pompous asshole back then. You shook me out of my safe little world."

"Blaine, I helped you when you needed it. I would do that for anyone. Im so happy you are on your feet again, and your new business sounds exciting." Kurt pulled his hand away. 

Reaching over, Blaine took Kurt's hand back with a firm tug. "Im not being too clear, Kurt. What I realized in Chicago was that I want to be in San Francisco. Your San Francisco. With you."

"With me?" Kurt furrowed his brow. 

"Yes. Kurt, I love you. Im completely, totally in love with you." Blaines eyes held Kurts, his gaze steady and sure. 

Blinking, Kurt looked back at him. "Oh..." For several moments, he hardly even breathed.

Looking out at the water, he bit his lip, his heart pounding. For so long, hed never even considered the possibility of having a future with Blaine, but here he was. 

"So, how do you picture it? Being together...?" Kurts mind was a blur of thoughts and feelings. 

Blaine gave a small pleased smile. At least Kurt wasnt running for the hills after what hed said. "I was picturing buying a house, something not too far from the store. We could live in the top floor. The main floor could be the business. And maybe we could have a basement suite, or one over the garage, like Toms apartment, where we could give someone in need a place to stay while they work for me." 

"Buy a house?? Do you know what housing prices are like around here? I could never afford the mortgage." Kurt scoffed, and pulled away his hand to pick up his water bottle.

Blaine smiled, and looked down. "I actually have a trust fund from my grandpa. It would be like he was giving us the house, which I think he'd like if he were still alive. Then we could just split the utilities, taxes and upkeep. It would be a lot cheaper than what you are paying for rent."

Kurt gave a small grin. "You have thought of everything, havent you?"

Looking down the hill, Blaine smiled. "Lots of time walking the labyrinth. Lots of time in boring hearings. And I even thought of what you could do with the money youd be saving."

Kurt crossed his ankles. "Oh really? Youre telling me what to do with my money now?" 

"You could use it to get a degree. Start going part time, evenings or weekends, or online courses." Blaine smiled over at Kurt, seeing the spark of interest in his eyes.

Getting up, Blaine dusted off his jeans. "I know you need time, Kurt. Ive been away and now Im springing this all on you. Think about it. Please give us a chance. Let me take you out on dates, get comfortable together again. OK?"

Kurt accepted Blaines hand, pulling him into standing position. They were standing really close. "OK, that sounds good."

"Oh, and one more thing you should keep in mind during all this." Blaine grabbed Kurt, quickly dipping him and kissing him hard. After a few moments, he set Kurt back on his feet, looking a bit dazed. A few volunteers had seen the whole thing, and they hooted loudly. 

Blaine laughed, and waved at them. Glancing back at Kurt, he winked and headed back down to the labyrinth.

---

The next couple weeks were a blur. Blaine was a constant presence, always popping into the store. Hed resumed coming for coffee in the mornings, and flirted shamelessly with Kurt. Hed update Kurt on what was going on with the business, and ask him about his latest books. 

"Look at these, OK? Id like your opinion." Blaine pulled some papers out of his briefcase. 

Kurt looked down, realizing they were house listings. He pushed them back. "Blaine..." Kurt gave him a warning look. 

Blaine acted innocent. "What? You have a great sense of style. I simply want your opinion on the place Im going to be living in, all by my lonely self." 

Rolling his eyes, Kurt grabbed the pages back. They were both fairly close by, and Kurt could imagine them working well for Blaines purposes. "Both look good."

"But is it better to have a bigger kitchen or a bigger garage?" Blaine looked down at the papers, clearly unsure. "Kurt, will you come look at them with me? No pressure, really. I just want your opinion. Ill even buy you a fancy dinner as a thank you."

Sighing, Kurt nodded. "OK, but were only doing this as friends, right?"

Blaine nodded, his eyes happy. "Oh, of course."

---

Kurt sighed as he walked around the upper floor of the house. It was amazing, and he could imagine how great it would look with a bit of paint and full of Kurts furniture. 

Blaine was in the kitchen, and Kurt could picture him cooking up his jambalaya while Kurt drank wine with Tina, on a sofa positioned near the window that overlooked a lovely park. 

The other house was nice too, but Kurt had a better feeling about this one. It felt like home.

Turning to Blaine, he said softly, "You should get this one. The main floor will be great for the business and it will be nice to live in."

Blaine nodded. "I agree. Do me a favour and take pictures of all the rooms. It will be good to review later." He walked off to arrange the offer with the realtor. 

As Kurt walked around, he took pictures and couldnt help imaging how hed decorate things. There was a small extra bedroom. This would be great to study in. 

Kurt shook his head at the idea. Since Blaine had planted the suggestion, Kurt had often found his thoughts going to it. To take one or two classes a semester... He could probably handle it with work. He was used to intense reading already. To have the money available to pursue it...

---

-Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-A/N:

-Land's End Labyrinth: An article from Sept 15/15 about Labyrinth rebuilding at Land's End is here.