It’s the first thing Blaine thinks about when he wakes up. He stares down at his arm, his eyes running over the yellowing bruises, and sighs. Beside him Sebastian is sleeping. He looks so peaceful and innocent when he sleeps, like he isn’t capable of half the things he’s done. Blaine loves Sebastian the most when he’s sleeping. He brushes a small kiss against the tip of Sebastian’s nose, then gets up to take a shower.

Sebastian is waiting outside the bathroom when he’s done, a mug of coffee clutched in his hands. He hands it to Blaine. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he grins.

Blaine feels every part of him melt. When Sebastian’s good, he’s amazing. When he’s bad, he’s awful. But Blaine can’t let himself think about this as he accepts the coffee and feels Sebastians arms wrap around his waist, on which hangs his damp towel.

“Why are you bothering with this old thing?” Sebastian enquires, slowly sliding the towel off.

Everything is forgotten in a sweaty, lust filled half hour of love making. Then Sebastian goes off to his job as a college music teacher, and Blaine is let alone with nothing to do because he doesn’t start work until five. He showers again, then gets dressed and decides to take a walk around the city. He needs little more than ten dollars in his pocket and a good book in his bag. New York will do the rest.

After an hour Blaine ducks in from the afternoon sunshine to grab himself a coffee. He walks in to the nearest Starbucks and waits patiently in line. It’s then that he notices him. It’s Kurt. No, it can’t be. He was never supposed to see Kurt again. But there he is, sat alone in the corner, a newspaper spread out in his lap.

Blaine wonders if he should walk out or go over, but Kurt makes the decision for him. He looks up momentarily, surveying the shop without much enthusiasm. Then he spots Blaine and does a double take. He’s on his feet and Blaine knows there’s no way he can walk away now.

“Blaine?” Kurt cries, dashing across the shop.

“Hi,” Blaine replies with a smile. He could just pretend that he doesn’t have a clue who Kurt is, but they both know that won’t work.

“What are you doing here? Let me get your coffee,” Kurt offers.

“You really don’t have to,” Blaine says quickly.

“Let me,” Kurt insists. “When you leave that place and start working for Marc Jacobs, then we can talk.”

Blaine does let him. He recites his order then steps back as Kurt pays. He runs his eyes over Kurt’s slender form, taking in the expensive coat and carefully chosen jeans. They ecencuate Kurt’s every line and curve. Kurt turns back with the coffee, and catches Blaine looking. He grins. “They’re new. Isn’t the colour just perfect for this time of year?” he says easily. Blaine is relieved and they walk over to Kurt’s table.

“Thanks for this,” Blaine says as he takes the first sip of his coffee.

“No problem,” Kurt replies. “So, where’s this husband of yours, round the corner? Do I get to meet him?”

Blaine shakes his head with a small smile. “I don’t think so. He’s at work.”

“What does he do?” Kurt fires.

“He’s head of the music department at NYU,” Blaine says smoothly.

“Ooh. Sounds impressive,” Kurt says. Blaine can’t work out if he’s being unkind or not.

“Where are the others? Rachel, Finn… whatever they’re called,” he asks.

“Oh, out and about. We aren’t as close knit as you’d expect. I love Rachel to death but I’d end up killing her if we lived in each others pockets,” Kurt sighs.

Blaine laughs. “Have you been together long?”

“The band? Since high school, I guess. We used to be in a Glee club. When we graduated we decided to try and make it big. There were more than the five of us at the start, but people started wanting other things. I’m starting to think maybe they were the smart ones,” Kurt mutters.

“I thought you were really good,” Blaine confesses quietly.

Kurt instantly brightens. “Thanks. Tell that to the music producers who like to send us rejection letters each week.”

Blaine finds himself laughing again. This is nice, he thinks. It’s so easy, sitting here with Kurt. He doesn’t have to worry or think before he speaks. He knows Kurt isn’t going to flip and start pushing over tables. For the next hour Blaine forgets that he’s married. He forgets all about his life and about Sebastian - that is until his phone starts to ring.

“The husband?” Kurt enquires as Blaine glances down at his phone.

“Yeah,” Blaine sighs. “I’m sorry. I should get this.”

Kurt waves a hand to show he doesn’t mind, and Blaine gets up and goes outside. “Hey, are you-” he doesn’t get to finish his sentence.

“Where are you?” Sebastian explodes. “I got home early but you aren’t here.”

“Sorry,” Blaine says quickly. “I went for a walk, then I bumped in to a friend. We’re just having coffee, I’ll be-“

“Where? I’ll come and meet you,” Sebastian says. He isn’t hinting for Blaine’s permission. It’s going to happen.

Blaine turns back to watch Kurt through the shop window. He’s gone to the counter, probably to order them more coffee. He turns back to the street. He wants to tell Sebastian not to bother, that he’ll be home as soon as he can. He wants to protect Kurt from ever having to meet him. But Blaine knows that it isn’t an option. He reels off the address and goes back inside.

“It turns out you do get to meet him, after all,” he says to Kurt as they sit back down.

“Your husband?” Kurt says eagerly.

Blaine nods. “His name is Sebastian, by the way.”

“How very debonair,” Kurt replies. “My name makes me sound like German trucker.”

Blaine’s laugh isn’t like it was before. He’s too nervous to relax right now. He knows that Sebastian will take one look at Kurt and get the wrong idea. Or is it the right idea? Kurt likes him, Blaine knows that, and deep down maybe he feels something for this boy too. But he knows that he can’t, and it’s better to start shutting himself off now before Sebastian gets here.

A gust of wind signals the door being opened, and Blaine watches as Sebastian walks in. He marches over to the table. “Seb, this is Kurt,” Blaine announces.

Sebastian looks Kurt over, ignores his out stretched hand, and sits down beside Blaine, clutching at his arm possessively. Blaine winces it because it’s the arm that still hurts. Kurt notices all of this, but he doesn’t comment. “Can I get you a coffee, Sebastian?” he offers politely.

“No thanks,” Sebastian says, his voice all rough edges and cold steel. “Blaine and I will be leaving shortly. We have things to do.”

“We do?” Blaine blunders.

“Yes,” Sebastian says tightly. “We do.” He looks at Blaine, eyes full of meaning.

“We had better go now then,” Blaine says, taking the hint. “Thank you for the coffees, Kurt.”

“Just how long exactly have you been here?” Sebastian demands to know. His eyes notice the cups and sugar sachets scattered all over the table top.

“A while,” Blaine shrugs. He gets up. “I’ll see you around.”

“Sure,” Kurt replies. His eyes are all over Sebastian. Blaine pleads with some higher being that Kurt won’t say something before they have the chance to leave the shop.

His prayers are answered, and they leave without another word. But the look on Sebastian’s face as they make their way home tells Blaine that he’s in for it when Sebastian gets him alone.