Blaine's eyebrows furrowed. "I thought you knew; I'm Sophie's teacher."

"O-oh." Kurt blinked. "I- Things have been hectic at work, I haven't had a chance to look at her paperwork." He shifted nervously. "When did you start here?"

"I was sort of a last minute hire on, actually. The husband of the teacher they originally hired was reassigned to Connecticut and they asked me to take over." Blaine bit his lip before continuing. "You aren't mad, are you? I mean, I know I didn't leave on the best terms. And, hey, didn't you have to give a reference? How did you not know?"

Kurt blushed guiltily. "I've had Leigh handle all that recently. I know we can't talk long because you have to get to class, but would you- I mean, you don't have to-"

"Kurt, would you like to go to dinner one night and catch up?" Blaine asked, cutting off his stumbling reply.

"I would like that a lot." Kurt smiled and then bit the corner of his lip as he bent slightly to look Sophie in the eye from her perch in Blaine's arms. "Now Sophia, I want you to be good at school today, okay? Listen to Blaine and no throwing things," Kurt told her sternly.

"She didn't drop the habit?" Blaine asked, wincing slightly.

Kurt sighed. "No. I'm going to kill Finn one of these days." He booped Sophie's nose. "I'll see you in a couple of hours, okay, kiddo?"

"Don't worry, Kurt, she'll be fine." Blaine smiled at him.

"I know she's in good hands with you." He stood there awkwardly for a moment before clasping Blaine's arm, squeezing his bicep gently. "It's good to see you again, Blaine."

888

When Kurt returned to pick up Sophie a few hours later, he and Blaine set up a time and place to meet. They still saw each other most mornings when Kurt dropped off Sophie but moments for long talks were few and far between. Finally, Saturday came around and they met at a restaurant that Blaine's mum had said was fabulous the last time she and his father had come to visit. They settled at the table, both too nervous to say anything.

"So how's Sophie doing in school?" Kurt asked, hating the awkward silence.

"Good, she's doing really well. I think it helps that she's familiar and comfortable with me."

Kurt smiled. "I really am glad you're her teacher. I was pretty worried about putting her in school with a bunch of strange kids and adults."

Blaine nodded. "I think she would have done okay but it definitely helps that I'm there, I think."

Kurt chuckled. "Well, that's one way of putting it." He took a deep breath, biting the corner of his lip for a moment before continuing. "Look, that night... I was out of line and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have, I guess, attacked you like that. You said no and I should have listened." He reached out, resting his hand on Blaine's on the table. "But I need you to understand, I wasn't doing it just because I was drunk or vulnerable. It wasn't like before, when I kissed you. I was telling the truth that night; I would have much rather stayed at the flat with you and Sophie, watching the ball drop on Times Square."

Blaine just stared at him, his brow scrunched. Kurt started to pull his hand back, thinking that perhaps he was wrong. Blaine grabbed it before he could move away, flipping his hand so that he could link their fingers together. "No, wait. I just, I'm thinking."

Kurt squeezed gently. "I've thought a lot about this, us, my feelings for you after you quit." He caught and held Blaine's eyes. "I want us to be friends again, at least."

He took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. "Kurt, you have no idea how many times I picked up the phone to call you and just... didn't. I wanted to talk to you, to tell you how much it hurt not to talk to you, to let you know how much you mean to me." He ran his thumb over Kurt's knuckles idly as Kurt inhaled sharply."I hated that we weren't talking because we used to be kind of close, you know? I missed our morning talks over coffee and all the short jokes, even." Kurt grinned, biting his lip. "I just, when something happened, like when I got a job performing at the park this summer, all I wanted to do was call you and tell you. I even pulled up your contact information but I just chickened out."

"I saw you in the park," Kurt told him. At Blaine's shocked look, he explained, "Leigh told me I should go because it would be fun and we saw you perform. Sophie tried to run on stage," he said with a laugh. He glanced at Blaine through hooded eyes. "I- I heard your songs. That second original one, that was mine, wasn't it? I saw a paper called Kurt's Song when I was taking care of you when you got sick and I recognized the notes when you began playing."

Blaine blushed. "Oh, you heard that? Uh, yeah, that's, that was your song." He lifted Kurt's hand, not saying anything until he looked up. "I meant what I said. The story isn't over."

Kurt cleared his throat, blinking against the sting of tears. "I wanted to call you too, you know. I must have thought about doing it a dozen times a week but I didn't think you would want to talk to me after what I did. And not just when Sophie learned a new word or something, but when something funny happened at the office or I had a bad day, I wanted to call you and tell you about it. You always knew the right words to make me feel better." They were forced to separate their hands as the waiter came over with their food but not before Blaine squeezed Kurt's fingers one last time, smiling at him reassuringly.

They made small talk throughout the meal, Kurt telling Blaine about the replacement nanny who had had been forced to let go, how she did well with Sophie but couldn't manage it at the level Blaine had, hadn't been able to really get Sophie to eat and Sophie hadn't seemed that fond of her anyways. She had lasted all of three weeks before Kurt had let her go, albeit reluctantly. Blaine relaying his adventures in job hunting and going into more detail about how he had wound up at Sophie's school, the principal calling him two week prior to the beginning of school and telling him if he wanted it, the job was his, provided he could make a lesson plan in a week to be turned over to the board for review.

When it was time for them to leave, Blaine glanced at the cheque and pulled out his wallet only to have Kurt snatch the slip of paper, glaring slightly at Blaine.

"Kurt, no, I asked you out, I'll pay," Blaine protested, trying to grab it back and getting his hand smacked in the process.

"No, Blaine, I'm paying." When he opened his mouth, Kurt reached out and clasped his hand. "Please, Blaine, it's the least I can do."

Blaine stared at him for a moment, his eyes searching before he nodded, patting Kurt's hand. "We'll get through this, you know," he said as Kurt placed his card on the tray.

"The awkward phase?" Kurt asked, a smile pulling at his lips.

"Yes, that," Blaine chuckled.

"Well, I've always subscribed to the theory that if you point out the awkwardness, it will go away," Kurt replied loftily.

"Well, here's to hoping, then." He cleared his throat. "Kurt, there's something I want to say before we go any further."

"Sure."

Blaine looked up, searching Kurt's eye for a moment. "I want to take this, this thing between us slowly. We kind of rushed last time, did things in the wrong order and it turned out badly, to say the least." Kurt looked down, blushing. "But I want to try again, if that's okay. Slowly rebuild our friendship and see where it takes us."

Kurt looked up, nodding. "I'd like that, Blaine, I'd like that a lot." He signed off on the cheque when the waiter brought his ticket over and they were walking out of the restaurant when Blaine stopped him.

"Would like you to get coffee with me tomorrow?"

Kurt fidgeted nervously. "I don't know if I'll be able to find someone to watch Sophie..."

"That's fine, bring her along. Maybe we can go to the park or something instead." Blaine smiled at him.

"Are, are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure." Blaine started walking again, getting away from the front of the doors into the muggy night air. "I mean, if you want to."

Kurt nodded. "That would be good." He checked his phone reluctantly. "I really should get going, Jen's watching Sophie." He made no move to hail a cab though, slowly walking next to Blaine.

Blaine stopped at the corner, turning to face Kurt. "So, coffee and the park tomorrow then?" he asked as he leaned over to hail a cab.

"Sounds great. Three o'clock okay?" Kurt watched as Blaine opened the door for him and he stepped down the curb.

"That's fine with me." He hesitated for a moment before leaning in and kissing Kurt's cheek. "Goodnight, Kurt," he murmured as he stepped back.

"Goodnight, Blaine."

888

Kurt was practically floating as he knocked on the door to his brother's flat. Jen opened it a moment later, a half asleep Sophie on her hip, and smirked. Kurt took his daughter before following Jen inside. "What's so funny?"

"Your face, Kurtsie. You're smiling like you just won the lottery," she informed him, gathering up Sophie's things.

Kurt scowled at the nickname. "I told you not to call me that. And I think I would be more shocked looking if I won the lottery, considering I've never played it."

"Whatever, dude, you look really happy," Finn said, coming around the corner and handing Jen a glass.

Kurt leaned in to give him a hug before doing the same with Jen. "Yes, well, it was a good night. Thanks again for watching Sophie for me, Jen, I really appreciate it."

"Hey, I helped!" Finn said indigently.

Jen let out snort. "You got home five minutes ago, don't even try."

Finn just rolled his eyes, ducking down to give Sophie a kiss before moving aside to let Jen do the same as Kurt shouldered her diaper bag. "That's all right, Jen, I knew he didn't really have much to do with it."

She laughed as Finn let out a huff. "Whatever, bro, see if I watch your kid again," he groused. Kurt rolled his eyes at the empty threat as they exchanged goodnights and he headed back down to the cab waiting to take them home.

888

At two fifty eight the next afternoon, Kurt and Sophie entered the agreed upon coffee shop. He spotted Blaine sitting in the far corner, a cup of coffee and a book in front of him. Kurt stopped to get his coffee order and something to drink for Sophie before going over to him. Sophie let out a squeal when she saw Blaine, squirming out of her father's arms and running over to him.

"Baine, Baine, Baine!"

Blaine closed his book and stood just in time to scoop Sophie up, laughing as she threw her arms around his neck. "Hi there, Miss Sophie," he cooed, hugging her back. "You would think she would be sick of me after seeing me all week," he commented as Kurt sat down, having walked over in at a more sedate pace.

"Aw, she just missed you, I think." He flashed Blaine a smile.

"I missed you, Miss Sophie," Blaine informed her warmly.

"Miss you!" she chirped, settling in his lap when he sat down.

"I missed you too," Blaine said, peeking at Kurt through his lowered lashes.

Kurt smiled slightly. "Even though we had dinner last night?"

"Even after getting dinner last night." Blaine blushed, shrugging. "I went from seeing you nearly every day to not speaking to you. It was difficult to adjust to."

Kurt reached over, patting his hand. "I know, it was the same for me. But let's talk about less depressing things for now."

They talked about nothing for a few minutes but eventually Sophie began fussing, wiggling around in Blaine's lap until Kurt suggested they head to the park. She slid down, pulling on Blaine's hand until he stood and then repeating the process with her father. Even after they walked outside, Sophie was still demanding, asking first for Blaine to pick her up, then switching to her father, then back to Blaine. Kurt checked the time, deciding it wasn't too late before pulling out a small container of crackers and offering them to Sophie.

She immediately quieted, taking a cookie and telling him, "Tank you."

Kurt smiled, looking up in time to see a look cross Blaine's face. "What?"

Blaine shook his head, letting out a little chuckle. "I was just thinking about that time at the airport when I pulled out the crackers."

"Well, they worked so well," Kurt said, blushing slightly and hoping the redness would be attributed to the late summer heat. "Much better than my dried fruit."

Blaine let out a peal of laughter, shaking his head. "The fruit was a good idea, though; I remember she really liked it."

"So did Finn," Kurt grumbled, rolling his eyes before holding out the container so that Sophie could get another cookie. "Delia couldn't stop talking about you for weeks after that visit. She-" He hesitated, glancing at Blaine briefly. "She thought we were together, back then."

"Really?" Blaine couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.

Kurt nodded. "Apparently we're just blind or something." They made it to the park then, Sophie pulling Blaine off to play while Kurt took up residence on a bench with Sophie's diaper bag and Blaine's satchel, which he had handed off at Kurt's insistence.

He watched as Blaine chased Sophie around, his muscles flexing under his well fitting light blue polo as he lifted her up, carefully spinning her before setting her down so that she could stumble away from him, giggling. Even the dress shorts he was wearing cupped his ass nicely and Kurt forced his gaze up. Even though he wasn't technically Blaine's employer anymore (except in the roundabout way of him being Sophie's teacher), he still felt as though he shouldn't be, well, gawking at Blaine.

Sophie eventually got distracted by some other kids and Blaine walked over to where Kurt was seated, sitting a slight distance away as he tried to catch his breath, his face red from exertion and the heat. Kurt chuckled as Blaine plucked his sweaty shirt from his body, trying to get a little cool air circulating.

"Do you want a wipe?" Kurt offered, gesturing to Blaine's sweaty face.

He laughed. "What, do I smell?" He sniffed himself and pulled an exaggerated face. "Oh, I can see why you would offer!"

"Hey, I was just trying to be nice. Now you can sit in your sweat, mister," Kurt told him, trying his hardest to remain straight faced.

"Aw, why are you so mean?" Blaine pouted, looking at Kurt with these huge puppy eyes until he broke, laughing and pulling out Sophie's wipes. He watched as Blaine took one and ran it over his face and neck quickly, Kurt admiring the lines of his jaw and the way the blue of the shirt complimented the dark tone of Blaine's skin. They talked as time flew past and when Kurt's phone beeped with a text, his eyes bugged at the time.

"Oh, god, we've got to go soon, it's almost dinnertime," he said, his fingers flying over the phone as he typed the reply. He looked at Blaine as he tucked it back into his pocket. "Can we do this again sometime?"

Blaine smiled brightly. "I'd love to. I know you go to print next week, so when would be good for you?"

Kurt couldn't help but feel a little touched at the fact that Blaine remembered when the magazine went to print, even though it hadn't been that long ago, but sighed as he remembered the luncheon he had to attend. "I have plans next weekend, but what about the weekend after? I'm free then."

"That's Labor Day weekend, isn't it?" Blaine frowned when Kurt nodded. "I can't do it then."

Kurt's face fell slightly. "Oh." Two weeks with only seeing Blaine when he dropped off Sophie at school didn't feel like enough for him after the long separation.

"I'm sorry, I have some friends coming in from out of town. It's kind of a tradition."

"That's fine." Kurt smiled, standing and brushing off the back of his pants. "Maybe we can get coffee the next weekend you're free?"

Blaine stood as well, grabbing his bag. "I'd really like that. I'll see you tomorrow?" At Kurt's nod, he leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek, a shy smile on his face when he pulled back.