Chapter Five

It turned out you could get a lot of kissing done in sixty minuets, especially if you went over the time limit. The lip-locked pair didn't end up pulling apart until shortly after ten forty-eight and it wasn't due to coming to their senses. What did stop them for good was a much-needed wake-up call, which came in the form of an awkward moment. During their very long make-out session, they had stopped, whenever things needed to be cooled down and that ended up being part of the reason for starting on over time. But when the last sprint came, that was no longer the case and the heat between them was risking to rise. Blaine, in his eagerness, his lips busy kissing Kurt's neck, rolled over and he felt something, something hard.

Kurt noticed his pause and flashed him a worried look. "What? Am I... doing something wrong?" Kurt whispered.

"No I felt... well. Your hard on..." Blaine admitted sheepishly.

Kurt blinked at him, it was true he had started to feel slightly aroused by how tightly entwined they where, but at their angle, it wasn't possible. Then he felt Blaine shift his weight and Kurt let out a small cry of pain. "Shit! Blaine you're right on my wrist, you felt the brace..." he pointed out.

Blaine quickly sat up in horror and released Kurt's wrist from under him, what where they doing? How had things gone from, let's be mature and step back, to them almost dry humping on his bed? The answer was clear, they were young, hot and bothered, and could only attempt to be responsible for so long. Of course it could have been worse, they had managed to keep their clothing on. "I guess that's a sign we should stop..." Blaine admitted softly. "Please tell me I didn't hurt you that bad?"

Kurt leaned over and gave Blaine a quick peck on the lips to assure him. "No... We needed it, honestly, serves me right, I suppose. Also my pain meds have worn off or it wouldn't be that bad... fuck.." Kurt groaned as he put his left arm down carefully on the bed. He laughed, it seemed pain or large surprises cause his usual clean language to slip, not that he cared really.

Blaine took hold of Kurt's left wrist gently and knelt down on the bed to kiss it, even when he was kissing Kurt's brace and not his skin. "I'm really sorry..."

"Blaine, forget it... I guess you should drive me home." Kurt sighed.

Blaine began to whine at the idea, but Kurt held out his phone and the clock on the screen showed it was already eleven. "Not until you take more pain killers, do you have any with you?" Blaine insisted.

Kurt was tempted to lie and say no, but then, Blaine might resort to a pat down search and he had no desire to test their control to that level. "Yes.. In my pocket, which you are not... oh my god Blaine." Kurt muttered in surprise as Blaine ignored his protests, rolled Kurt over and fished the package of pills out of his back pants pocket with amazing precision. "You little..." Kurt grumbled as he sat back up and scowled at Blaine.

"What?" Blaine said innocently as he handed Kurt his glass of pop to wash the pills down with.

Kurt chose to ignore him and thus deny Blaine any more satisfaction over his momentary infringement. He hoped that when they were forced apart they'd behave better, though in all honestly, Kurt really was mourning the prospect already. "Wait, I was suppose to sing you a lullaby Blaine... but at this rate, I'll crash before we make it home and I'll loose the chance." Kurt reminded them both.

Blaine grinned at Kurt and put the now empty glass away, "Oh don't worry about that..." he began to reply.

"No." Kurt said firmly. "You will not deny me that, Blaine, we've given up enough. So lie back on this bed and let me serenade you."

Blaine complied and came to lie on the bed next to Kurt, who remained sitting, wrapping his arms up so his chin rested on his knees. "Okay, but this could be dangerous... what if we fall asleep?" Blaine pointed out.

Kurt sighed, "Maybe you're right..." Kurt pouted.

"Leave it to me, I'll get you home, even if I have to carry you." Blaine insisted.

"But Blaine...." Kurt began to argue.

"No buts, no coconuts Kurt, I promise I'll see that you get on that plane and with plenty of time for us to have a tender moment. Sing to me, even though we've spent the whole day doing just that, I hope I never tire of hearing your beautiful voice, Kurt." Blaine urged as he brought his hands to rest under his head.

Kurt flashed Blaine a sassy smile; it had taken him a long time to come up with a song that could top Blaine's lullaby from the night prior. He wasn't sure if he'd succeed but Kurt wouldn't allow himself to go there. This was the final gesture he could make; their next move would to have be their second to last parting of ways. The instant that reality hit them, no matter what they tried to do to save them the pain and trouble, Kurt knew he'd miss Blaine with every bone in his body and that scared him. Kurt kept his voice soft as he began to sing, to avoid waking his parents and thus getting him in trouble. It worked very well with the song in the end.

To where he ended up singing in very slow in a half whispered voice and it made it that more soothing.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder
Some starless night
Just in case you feel you wanna hold her
You'll have a pocket full of starlight

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder
Some starless night
And just in case you feel you wanna hold her
You'll have a pocket full of starlight (pocket full of starlight)

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocketr
Save it for a rainy day

For when your troubles start multiplyin'
They just might
It's easy to forget them without tryin'
With just a pocket full of starlight

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

(Save it for a rainy day)
Save it for a rainy day

Blaine's eyes felt heavy at the end of the song; so much emotion was pressed upon him, making it impossible to get up. The song was breath taking, and the result, was that neither Kurt nor Blaine had the energy to stir when it was over. "Kurt..." Blaine began when he yawned. "I don't want to let you go..." he whispered.

Kurt let out a sigh and he rolled over and snuggled up to Blaine, pressing his face in Blaine's neck, breathing him in. The plan was for Kurt to allow himself another moment and move away, but the medication was making him drowsy and his eyes began to flutter shut instead. He only allowed himself to drift off because of Blaine's promise; little did Kurt know Blaine was crashing himself, under the strain of it all.

"I just... don't want this day to end..." Blaine sighed. He heard no response and Blaine noticed Kurt was asleep in his arms and it felt so right, so much that he made the bad mistake of giving into to the temptation. Instead of waking Kurt, so he could drive him home, or at least lifting him up, Blaine got more comfortable and before he knew it, it was too late, the both of them fell asleep, tightly in each others arms, refusing to let go.
__________________________________________________________________________

Kurt was suddenly woken up by the sound of his cellphone, but when he moved to retrieve it, he felt a heavy weight upon him. His eyes opened and in the darkness, he saw a blurry dark figure beside him and Kurt squinted his eyes as his mind began to wake up, but he was still feeling groggy. Then he saw the thing was moving and Kurt remembered, it was Blaine, had he fallen asleep? What time was it? Then he remembered his phone was still ringing. It was probably his dad calling to ask why wasn't he home yet Kurt figured. Kurt managed to untangle himself from Blaine's embrace, which he hated to do, but then, he had fallen asleep. Kurt answered his phone and let out a loud yawn, not being prepared for who was on the other line and how pissed they were. "Hello?" he croaked.

"KURT HUMMEL! WHERE ARE YOU?" Rachel's voice bellowed through the speaker.

Kurt was startled into becoming wide awake at her piercing voice and he wasn't the only one, Blaine eyes snapped open and he sat up from the bed in panic at being awoken so violently from a deep sleep.

"What! What's going on?" Blaine shouted.

"Rachel?" Kurt asked in shock.

"Yes it's me! Where are you? Do you even realize what time it is?" Rachel raged.

Kurt didn't know the time, but he was about to in a second when he heard Blaine gasp. Kurt turned to look at him and saw sheer panic.

"It's 9am!" Blaine shouted.

Kurt' s eyes widened and he joined Blaine with his panic attack. "Oh my god! Oh my god! Blaine! We fell asleep!" Kurt shouted.

Blaine somehow felt guilty and frantic at the same time, he had promised Kurt he'd get him home and then he had broken that promise, even when it wasn't on purpose he couldn't help but begin to spiral down into self hate at the realization. "I'm sorry Kurt! I can't believe I..." Blaine began to stutter off.

"...Don't bother! We don't have the time." Kurt cut him off. Kurt mind was racing; he hated to be rushed for anything. He tried to calm down and think through their options, but it was no use.

"Kurt!" Rachel shouted.

That did it and his annoyance towards Rachel's persistence snapped him out of it fully and got on track. "Yes I'm here sorry! I'm just having a panic attack..."

"I can hear you... and Blaine I assume?" Rachel commented.

"Yes, I'm still at his place, we fell asleep and before you even bother, nothing happened. It was an accident. Okay so we need to be rational here, there's still an hour and Blaine's house isn't much farther from the airport than mine... so it's not that bad." Kurt began to tell himself and Rachel.

"How could it have been an accident if you have your luggage with you?" Rachel questioned.

Kurt swore under his breath, there was always a catch. "Crap, it's still at home!" Kurt blurted out in frustration.

During this Blaine was trying his best to be helpful, by changing into a fresh pair of clothes and went to find something for Kurt to borrow. Because even when they were pressed for time, he knew Kurt would want to wear something fresher and less wrinkled. Sadly there was time for little else, Blaine barely bothered to try to tame his tussled bed head. After he put the clothes for Kurt on the bed in front of him, he went in search for his car keys. Only he didn't get too far with the treasure hunt, Blaine and Kurt weren't the only ones in the house to be rudely awoken.

The door to Blaine's bedroom swung open to reveal his mother, Jennifer Anderson, still dressed in her night attire and she did not look amused. Blaine froze in mid step at her arrival and even Kurt, who had been blabbering on to Rachel over the phone in distress, fell dead silent. "Blaine, your father and I would like a word with you..." she stated.

Blaine flashed her a pleading smile, but it did little to help. Blaine turned to Kurt and gave him a helpless look. Kurt just sighed and mouthed 'go, but be quick.', Blaine nodded and followed his mother out of his bedroom and into the hall, racing behind her down to the living room, where Blaine's father, Brandon Anderson lay in wait.

Kurt watched him go and sighed, as if on cue Kurt heard his phone get a text message. "Rachel calm down! Blaine and I will head off in a second. That's my dad, look I'll call you back!" Kurt pleaded.

"You better." Rachel grumbled and hung up the phone.

Kurt looked at the text and sighed.

Why are you not home and your luggage still is?

Kurt chose to call him instead of sending a text back and his dad picked up instantly. "Dad! I'm sorry I fell asleep by accident, I'm at Blaine's and we just woke up!" Kurt began to ramble.

"I'm not amused, Kurt." Burt stated.

"Neither am I." Kurt groaned, there was no time for lectures, for him or Blaine. While he talked to his dad Kurt set to multitasking to compensate. He placed the phone down and put it on speakerphone and he quickly changed into the outfit Blaine had graciously set out for him. "There's no time for this dad! Look, I know I'm asking a lot... but can you bring my stuff to the airport? I'll have Rachel meet up with you to get it. You can scold me over Skype all you want when I make it back to Bushwick." Kurt said.

"Fine, we'll leave this for now, I'll get going, but don't whine to me if I miss something." Burt grumbled.

"It's already packed, thanks and bye!" Kurt assured him. With the phone call over Kurt set to fixing up his hair to the best of his ability, only because Blaine hadn't returned yet. He began to tap his foot; they didn't have the time, why did this have to happen to him, or them rather. There wasn't even time to think on how he had slept in Blaine's arms that night.

During all this Blaine had the task of facing his parents, which he did the moment he walked into the living room and found his dad there. Blaine sighed, he wanted to make them understand it was just a big mess up, but he and Kurt needed to get going and fast.

"I'm not in a good mood this morning, Blaine." Brandon started.

Blaine sighed, "I'm sorry! I had every intention on driving Kurt home last night but... we fell asleep!" Blaine snapped in defence.

Jennifer sighed, "That's no excuse, Blaine..." she warned.

"I know, I know and I fully expect to be punished but... for the love of god can it please wait?" Blaine pleaded.

"Blaine! We need to go!" Kurt's voice shouted from Blaine's bedroom.

"I know! Hold on!" Blaine shouted back.

"What's this all about Blaine?" Brandon asked.

"It's Kurt... he, I met him a few days ago, he's going to college in New York. His flight back leaves in an hour and we fell asleep. I know it's asking a lot, but please let me go for now so I can drive him there! We barely have enough time to make it!" Blaine begged in alarm.

"Why didn't he drive here himself if it was so important?" Jennifer asked, her voice not sounding judgmental.

"He sprained his wrist so he can't drive! Mom, dad, I'll come straight home I promise... but there's no time."

Kurt chose that moment to come racing down the stairs, he hated to interrupt their family meeting, but they were cutting things too close. He felt very awkward and embarrassed as he stepped into the room but he still broke up their conversation. "Uh hi... I'm sorry but... I need to borrow your son, I know I have no right to but... my flight." Kurt began to ask in desperation.

Jennifer exchanged looks with her husband and whatever silent conversation they were having seemed to have reached a decision. "Just go, but come right back here Blaine, you hear me... this isn't over." she told the pair.

Blaine reached out and hugged his mom and dad quickly as Kurt made a dash to the front door. "Thank you!" he shouted as he ran out after him and to his car in a flash.

Leaving Blaine's parents to watch him dart off and out the door, Brandon came to stand beside her and sighed. "Did you think when we woke up today we'd be faced with our son suddenly having a boyfriend. One that spent the night?" he asked.

Jennifer turned to look at him, it was true that her husband still was at odds with his son and his sexuality, but she was surprised by the comment. "No... I came home to find them in his bedroom. But... I don't think they meant it to happen, I mean their panic just now was the proof."

Brandon nodded in agreement, "But it doesn't make it forgiveable and before you bring it up: I would still think that even if he had been with a girl."

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Oh don't you start..." she warned. _____________________________________________________________________________

The drive to the airport was hardly silent, though neither Kurt nor Blaine were talking at the moment. They didn't know what to say, but as always, Rachel chose that moment to call and thus, become a third wheel without being physically present. Only this time, Kurt welcomed the interruption because it forced him to deal with the situation, instead of closing himself off. It sucked, he wanted proper time to prepare himself from having to say goodbye to Blaine, at least for the time being. Now he had nothing of the sort and the hard truth was choking him, keeping his words at bay.

"Yes Rachel?" Kurt asked weakly as he finally bothered to answer. He quickly switched the phone to speaker so Blaine could hear her as well, not wanting to leave him out of the conversation.

"Your dad called, we're going to meet up to get your luggage, and he'll get here just before you do. So I'll have barely enough time to get it through the airport. Now tell it to me straight, will you make it in time?" Rachel asked.

Kurt glanced at the time and made a silent equation in his head, "Yes, I think so, but just barely. Rachel I'm sorry... I never expected any of this to happen." Kurt muttered.

"It's completely my fault, I promised Kurt I'd get him home last night... then I went and fell asleep, I'm such an idiot." Blaine grumbled from his spot in the drivers seat.

"Blaine, stop, this isn't helping, we're both to blame." Kurt argued.

"I totally agree on that, but then, mistakes are bound to happen." Rachel added.

"That is an understatement, anyway I'll call or text you when we arrive." Kurt assured Rachel.

"Good, get here and quick." Rachel replied and hung up again, leaving Blaine and Kurt to figure out what to say.

"We're not going to have any time to..." Blaine began.

"Don't say it Blaine, I know already, I'm not finding this very calming." Kurt stopped him in annoyance.

"Don't shut off already, these are our last moments alone. So let's not waste them... just let up a bit, I have to keep driving." Blaine requested.

Kurt cracked a bit of a smile at Blaine's attempts at humour, Kurt took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he forced himself to remain calm, for his and Blaine's sake and their relationship. "Really, would more time help? Or would it only make it worse? We have no choice now so, well... there's no helping it. Blaine, while I wouldn't want this, it's been like this from the start. Nothing that's happened between us, well no... That's wrong, I mean the time frame we met... it's not something I would have asked for... but, now that is has... I'm glad it did, our being separated aside because you make it worth while." Kurt began to explain.

Blaine felt his heart begin to ache, why did he have to find someone this amazing, only to be forced to give him up. "I am not good with crying and driving at the same time, Kurt...." he warned.

Kurt laughed and Blaine joined him and they let the release be their much needed therapy session. "Sorry... I'll try to be less... dramatic. Just, don't beat yourself up over this, okay Blaine? Because I'll have none of that."

"I'll certainly try, I don't want to break anymore promises if I can manage." Blaine chuckled.

"You're a nice bed mate Blaine, I know we didn't have time to... enjoy it, but even with the rude awakening, I feel very rested." Kurt announced.

"We ended up sleeping together... in a sense, it was nice, it felt.. Right. I think that's why I fell asleep so easily. Having you in my arms, so close, hearing your silent heart beat, it was very soothing." Blaine admitted. "Not to mention your lullaby..." he added with a smirk.

"Don't word it like that to anyone, especially your parents."

"There's no way I would! I just wish I had a better internal clock so we could have woke up with more time to savour it, yah know... have some sleepy cuddles."

"It's probably for the best we didn't, I mean, remember we agreed to hold back? If we let ourselves slip this easily, well then, what's the point of everything we decided last night?"

"You're right, as usual." Blaine sighed.

"I take no pleasure in that." Kurt teased. "So, think we'll make it with any time to spare?" Kurt asked all of a sudden.

Blaine glanced at the clock on his car, it was still very touch and go because it all came down to traffic and it being the day before the holiday was over, the roads were very packed. "I don't know... if you miss the flight, can I offer to buy your new ticket?" Blaine offered.

"You can pay for half, let's make this equal." Kurt insisted. ______________________________________________________________________________

There turned out to be no need for that, by some miracle they made it on time, but barely, so Blaine didn't bother to find a parking spot. Instead he took them to the temporary unloading area, where Rachel was already anxiously waiting. Kurt jumped out of the car and Blaine ran up beside him, coming face to face with Rachel Berry in the flesh.

"Oh my god finally! Let's move it, Hummel." Rachel urged as she tugged on Kurt's sleeve.

Kurt looked at Blaine and began to whine, "Rachel! Have a heart! Let me say something to Blaine before we go!" he begged.

Rachel stared at him but she could see the pain on the pairs face and she let out a sigh in defeat, she glanced at her watch. "Fine! You have two minutes and not a second more so get to it." Rachel warned and she took a few steps to the side, but didn't go far.

Kurt leaped into Blaine's arm without warning, but Blaine was ready for him and caught him hard. They clung tightly to each other, not wanting to let go. "This is too hard." Kurt cried out.

"I know, how am I supposed to let go, Kurt?" Blaine sobbed.

"I'll do it for you in one minute." Rachel announced from her waiting spot.

Kurt ignored her comment and Kurt leaned back and looked in Blaine's eyes, god he wanted to kiss him so bad, he knew they were supposed to remain friends. Also it was Lima and PDA of any sort was not wise, or safe, but this time, Kurt didn't care. Everything in his mind and heart was filled with Blaine and that bypassed reasoning. So he leaned forward and kissed Blaine, for a mere second, but the fleeting contact told so much, in that little kiss. "I'm going to miss you... so much." Kurt breathed.

"I'll miss you more." Blaine whispered back as he felt tears stream down his cheek.

Kurt felt his heart skip a beat; he didn't like hearing that, because it might end up being true. But there was no time left to agonize over the comment, or call Blaine out on his ill timed wording, he didn't want to feel guilty, not yet. "This isn't the end Blaine, it's only the beginning..." Kurt began to say.

"Time's up! Look I'm really sorry boys, but Kurt, we have to go... now!" Rachel said as she rushed up to Kurt and began to pull them apart, using all the force she had in her small body.

Blaine and Kurt refused to release their hold on their hands as they were separated. "You have to let me go, Kurt." Blaine insisted. "So you can take me back... in a month, whatever we are by then." he added.

Kurt nodded and finally let go of Blaine's hand and let Rachel pull him away; he took once final glance at Blaine's figure, still in the same place. "I'll call!" Kurt shouted at him. He then turned and began to run, away from all the pain that was surround him and he ended up passing Rachel.

"Kurt!" She called after him.

Kurt made it to the check in area and Rachel almost crashed into him, she was too out of breath to be her normal dramatic self, but even if she could, she wouldn't have. The pain on her friend' s face was very visible and she knew there were no proper words of comfort she could give, when Kurt wasn't ready to hear them. Instead she simply stood beside him as they went through security and headed onto the plane, they had made it in the end, but for Kurt, it held no consolation.

Blaine didn't have any chance to stand there as he tried to pick up the pieces of his broken heart, no, it hurt but his heart was still intact, he reminded himself. He needed to keep it whole so he could give it to Kurt when the right moment arose. He suddenly heard loud honking from cars beginning to pile up behind him.

"Get a move on, son." A man from airport staff insisted.

Blaine nodded and got back in his car and drove off, he wanted to put it into park and sob out all his remorse, but he had to get back home and to his parents. So he kept driving and put up a barrier around his heart, clogging up the emotions in his body, he was sure they'd be released later like a flood gate, but for now, he was numb to it.

Seated in their spots on the plane, Kurt's face was red and blotchy as he fought to keep the tears back. Rachel handed him a tissue and he thanked her softly. It was almost for the best that he and Blaine hadn't had time for anything else, or it could have hurt even more. However, this didn't make the pain Kurt was feeling now any better. This was why the decision not to commit to anything too serious was a good one, the fact that it hurt this much, even after only four days into knowing each other, was the proof.

"Hey, are you okay?" Rachel asked softly.

Kurt looked up at her and sighed, "No... But I'm glad I'm not." Kurt admitted.

"Why?"

"Because if I were okay, then it wouldn't mean as much. If it hurts this much to leave him behind... then... maybe it's worth it all and that makes me want to move past this pain. To whatever the next stage will be." Kurt explained.

Rachel gave Kurt a loving smile and reached out for him and Kurt took the offer for comfort, which showed how vulnerable he was at that moment. Kurt rested his head on her shoulder and Rachel wrapped her arms around his shoulders and just let him cry on her shoulder, softly, in muffled sobs. ___________________________________________________________________________

I said I'd call... but I can't, not yet.

I understand, I'm the same way

How could it hurt this bad? We're not just friends...

No, we're friends who want to be more. But we need time...

I know, we have to detach ourselves a bit.

I still want to see your face, hear your voice, Kurt.

I want that to, I think by the time I'm back home, at the loft; I'll be ready to call.

Good. Have a safe flight Kurt.

Did you get in trouble?

Yes, but I'll save the story for your call.

Miss you already, by so much Blaine.

No regrets, okay?
__________________________________________________________________________

Kurt was proud of himself that for the remainder of the flight he recovered enough to begin to look to the bright side of things, however small they were. Walking back into his apartment, with his clothing back in their rightful place, made Kurt feel at ease. As he looked around his home, in his new hometown, where he was living his dream, he reminded himself of the many things he did have. Come tomorrow he'd be back at NYADA, having no time to mope around and be overcome with grief and separation anxiety. Kurt knew he had to keep strong, there was no point in giving up the will to live for the next month, the world didn't stop when he was no longer in Blaine's company.

Rachel, having finished putting her bags in her side of the loft, came over to where Kurt was standing. "It's nice to be back." she declared.

Kurt smiled at her and he wasn't just putting on a brave face for her sake, or his own. "Yes, it really is." he agreed. Kurt sat down on his bed and was happy to see Rachel came to join him and they smiled at each other. "Am I being totally pathetic?" he suddenly asked her.

Rachel smirked at him and ran a hand through his still semi messy hair. "No, at least, by teenage standards, definitely not. You miss him, that's nothing to be ashamed of; you remember how much I missed Finn when we first came here. You refused to let me mope around and I'm going to return the favour. Besides, it's different for you, Blaine will answer any calls you make." Rachel teased.

Kurt chuckled lightly, "I'm sorry you didn't get to meet him properly." Kurt told her.

"Well so far I think he's dreamy and you two are adorable, even after such a touching scene. Will I like him?" Rachel pressed.

"Oh yes, too much probably, I know you'll hit it off right away." Kurt answered.

"Good, I can't wait to meet him." Rachel said with excitement.

"It's a bit early for that." Kurt pointed out.

"Yeah right, I bet you two already have plans to meet up the second we go back for Christmas." Rachel said.

"We might..." Kurt smirked.

"I'm so happy you have a boyfriend, Kurt! Even if long distance will be hard for you." Rachel squealed.

"He's not my boyfriend, Rachel."

"Are you serious? Why not! You can't tell me that's not what you want! I was there Kurt, I saw it in your eyes." Rachel demanded.

"It's not that simple, we decided we need to take a step back, for both our sakes. Everything's been happening so fast. We need to figure things out, so we're just friends, well no... Not exactly. We're friends who want to be more, that's how we decided to word it. Who want to give long distance a try at a less...demanding level, before we move to the next one and fully commit. It's not ideal and yes, it might be a bit crazy... but then, that's our call to make. I love you Rachel but, this isn't about you, it's about me and Blaine." Kurt explained.

Rachel just sighed but her body language was playful. "Fine, be it on your own head. Now I'll leave you in peace, so you can call Blaine, like I know you want to. Just, let me say hi to him at some point tonight? Since I get the feeling he'll be around a lot from now on, if not in person." Rachel said.

Kurt nodded, he felt no urge to argue with her anymore, or try to deny he didn't want to talk to Blaine already. "Thanks, I think I'll offer to give him a tour of this place and I'll be sure to include you in it, so don't worry." Kurt informed her.

Blaine Anderson was sitting in his bedroom because, like he guessed, he was now grounded. He had kept his word and came straight home so his talk with his parents could continue. It had taken a lot but Blaine was pretty sure he had convinced his parents Kurt sleeping over had not been intended, or that they hadn't done anything incriminating during their night together. Blaine wasn't naive, he was sure his parents suspected they had gotten up to something, and they had, making out for over an hour wasn't innocent by any definition. But they hadn't had sex or anything that intimate and to his relief, his parents said they believed him and Blaine in turned believed them. But he also knew he wouldn't get off Scott free, so he took his punishment in stride. Blaine was grounded for the week, having to come home straight after school or Warbler practice, thankfully his parents realized he had commitments with glee club he couldn't just abandon, not with Sectionals around the corner. Afterwards Blaine began his solitary confinement in his bedroom, it wasn't like he had any desire to go out anyway. What surprised him was that when he explained what had happened with Kurt over the last few days and a rare event occurred, the Andersons had a family talk, about relationships. Sure, Blaine could tell his dad was awkward with some of the subject matter, but he didn't run off. Instead, Blaine got some good advice, that he couldn't allow himself to silently close himself off and self-inflict himself with pain was never the answer.

Blaine heard his phone ring and made a dive for it, not bothering to hold back his extreme reaction. He knew who it was without looking and he felt his heart begin to race even before he hit the reply button. "Kurt!" he shouted.

"Oh how I've missed your voice, how sad is that?" Kurt said on the other end.

"Let's not go down that road, Kurt, it won't do us any good." Blaine warned.

"Right sorry, well first let me say something I've wanted to since we parted. I'm not happy with your final words to me." Kurt surprised him.

"What did I say?" Blaine asked in shock.

"You said you'd miss me more Blaine, think how that could make me feel..." Kurt began.

"Oh god I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking straight! Can you cut me some slack?" Blaine pleaded with a quiet groan.

"I'm not sure, if that's how we're going to start this... whole long distance thing, even as friends... remember, it's not a contest. I don't want to hear that one of us is going to hurt more than the other right from the start. Bad move... it makes me think you don't think I care as much." Kurt pointed out.

"Kurt... I didn't mean..." Blaine whined.

"I know you didn't, that's why I'm willing to forgive you, but not before I brought it up." Kurt said.

"See, I'm not perfect, what can I say to make up for it?"

"Just... try to remember, just because I'm here, and not in Lima, it doesn't mean it won't be any easier, for me, okay?"

"Noted, and I won't forget it, sorry." Blaine promised.

"Good, then let's forget the whole thing, or put it behind us. How are you... what did you parents end up saying when you got home? How bad is your punishment?" Kurt began to ask, not giving Blaine the chance to answer any before he went to the next one.

"Kurt... you're rambling..."

"Sorry."

"I'm grounded of course, for the week." Blaine answered.

"That's a bit extreme." Kurt muttered.

"Maybe, but I wasn't about to argue with them." Blaine added.

"I don't like it, now you have no choice but to stay home alone, which could lead to you waiting on my every word..."

"Kurt, stop that! You're making me sound like some clingy fan-boy..."

"Aren't you?" Kurt teased.

"Not finding this very funny."

"Sorry, how about that, I suck at this too." Kurt moaned.

"Any ideas what we should do now?" Blaine asked.

"Well, I'm going to try to make it up to you Blaine, to help through your imprisonment. Text me your schedule, like when you go to school, come home, etc.. Wait... what about glee club? You're getting ready for Sectionals?" Kurt said.

"Yeah, I still get to go to Warbler practice, I'm on the council and am the lead singer, and so my parents couldn't go that far. I'll text you the details later, try to do the same, even if your itinerary is a lot more scrambled. I'd love it if you'd talk to me, over the phone, Skype, texts, whatever you can manage. Just don't let me being grounded be the reason, okay? Let it be my charming appeal." Blaine insisted playfully.

Kurt laughed, he was glad their usual playful banter was just as strong over the phone, but then, they had done the same thing back when they both in Lima already. They could make this work, or at least Kurt would try his hardest to make that a reality. Come tomorrow when his usual fast pace life continued it might turn out to be different, but Kurt wouldn't allow himself to give up before trying, Blaine was worth too much. "Do you still have use of your computer?" Kurt asked.

"Yes and my phone, which is amazing, so really, being grounded for a week isn't so bad." Blaine answered.

"I thought you might want a virtual tour of my humble abode, well mine and Rachel's." Kurt explained.

"Oh yes please! Let me log on right now!" Blaine said in excitement.

Kurt laughed as he did the same and opened up his laptop, he looked in the reflection of the still black screen, checking that he was decent enough, when he remembered something. "Oh by the way, thanks for the clothes." Kurt said as he turned his laptop on and looked at the grey sweater he was wearing.

"You're welcome, I just wished I had something of yours.... oh wait..." Blaine stopped.

"What?" Kurt asked.

"You left your own clothes here, was that on purpose?" Blaine asked.

Kurt laughed, "No, I wish it was, I just... wasn't thinking when I left them. Really Blaine, don't be too happy about it, those pants are really a tight fit..." Kurt warned him.

"Are you saying I couldn't squeeze into them?" Blaine scoffed. "I'm doing that right now!" Blaine said with determination as he retrieved Kurt's discarded outfit from his bedroom floor.

"Don't I get to watch the show?" Kurt teased.

"Not after the comment about my chubby thighs." Blaine grumbled.

"Blaine I said nothing of the sort, don't put words in my mouth!" Kurt said.

Blaine was busy trying to slip Kurt's pants on his hips, after quickly disrobing, and not makes any grunting noises to betray what a challenge it was proving to be. "Kurt! How can you even move in these things?" Blaine muttered under the strain, but he pulled them over his hips and zipped them up at last. They were tight, more than he normally chose to wear, but he relieved to see not to the point of cutting off his circulation.

"When it comes to fashion, comfort has to be compromised, you get used to it though, and the visual effect, I hope make up for it." Kurt explained.

"On you they do, me... not so sure." Blaine muttered.

"Turn Skype on so I can judge for myself." Kurt requested.

"In a sec, there's the shirt still..." Blaine said as he brought Kurt's shirt over his head and pulled it down over his frame.

"You're changing into my outfit completely?" Kurt asked.

"I want us to be even, because I know you haven't changed out of mine yet." Blaine explained as he came over and clicked on the Skype icon. True to his assumptions when Kurt appeared on his screen, his accusation was proven to be true. "Hi." Blaine said as he came to lie down on his bed in front of Kurt on his laptop.

"Hi yourself, you look very sharp in my clothes Blaine." Kurt declared.

"Right back at you." Blaine said playfully.

Kurt stood up and came to balance his laptop with his right hand, but he kept the screen on his face at first. It felt so good to see Blaine's handsome face again, even when they had been apart for only roughly three hours, but he had expected that. He began to scurry over to the front door and Rachel, who was trying her best to not listen into his conversation, flashed him a curious look. "Okay, let the tour begin, I'm starting at the front door, and so it's like you're really here. Wait I'm going to open the door up and walk through." Kurt said cutely, but then, with his one good hand busy, he met a hitch in the road, the answer was to turn to Rachel. "A little help if you could, Rachel?" he asked.

Rachel could hear Blaine laughing through the computer as she came over and opened the door for Kurt, shaking her head. "How can you be this cute over a computer?" Rachel muttered as she walked over to the kitchen.

"All questions must be held till the end of the tour." Kurt stated in a fake sounding voice, like he was a true tour guide. "Ready, Blaine?" Kurt asked as he stepped through the door and out onto their front floor.

"Just start." Blaine laughed.

Kurt chuckled and he moved his hand so his laptop now looked forward, making sure Blaine had the proper viewpoint. "Now I'll spare showing you our neighborhood, because, it's... not very quaint, so moving right along." Kurt began as he stepped inside and gave Blaine a long panoramic view of the apartment from one side of the room to the other. When Rachel came into view she started to make poses like she was a model at a photo shoot and Kurt rolled his eyes at her antics. "Show stealer!" Kurt hissed at Rachel.

"Like you wouldn't pull the same thing!" Rachel point out.

Kurt ignored her comment and just went on with the tour. "So here's the wide shot Blaine, so you get the basic idea of our set up. That's my side of the room on the right; Rachel's is on the left. Too bad you couldn't see what we started out with, which was literally nothing. It's pretty impressive by that regard... first impressions?" Kurt requested.

Blaine sat up on the bed as he inspected the room, it was hard to get a proper look through a web-cam but he gave it his best. It was very roomy, nothing like that the usual New York apartment would be at first thought. "Where are you guys again?" he asked.

"Bushwick, why?" Kurt answered.

"Well I have no idea where that is, but... I'm getting it's quite a distance from Manhattan?"

"It's in Brooklyn, about a forty-minute J train ride away, again why?"

"Kurt stop, the place looks awesome! I was trying to figure out how you could afford such a roomy place but now I have the answer; location." Blaine explained. "How did you find so much... stuff to fill it up with?"

Kurt laughed, "It was a struggle, but then, you'd be amazed how much stuff you can find being sold on the street. That and second hand discount stores, garage sales, flea markets and craigslist adds. It might not match or be cutting edge designs, but considering our budget or lack thereof... I'm quite proud of the end result." Kurt stated, finding no need to hide his pride in his voice.

"I agree with you." Blaine said.

As Kurt continued with the tour Blaine listened with interest, he could see a lot of Kurt in that place and it made him smile. Of course it also made him want to be there with him, in that loft, that much more and he fought to keep his longing in check. He didn't want to be a mood breaker to their easy rapport right now. "There is one thing I notice though... even without proper walls, you managed to add privacy." Blaine pointed out. "If only by using fabric..."

"Where are you going with that comment?" Kurt asked, half teasing.

Blaine began to blush and he could hear Rachel's laughter off out of view. "Don't tell me you didn't think of that already! I mean before I came into the picture, I know you say you haven't been dating but... honestly..." Blaine grumbled, then Kurt joined Rachel with her laughter and he pouted. "Shut up, the both of you." he whined.

Kurt made himself stop; he wasn't being very nice to Blaine, so he turned to look back at Blaine. "I'm sorry, I'm being a jerk..." he admitted.

"I wouldn't go that far. Show me your side of the room." he told Kurt.

Kurt obliged him by waltzing over to the right side of his room and showed him his bed, nightstand, and everything else tucked away in the corner. "I did have privacy in mind Blaine, for the record. Because Rachel has had a suitor come a courting so far, not to mention her ex-boyfriend showing up at our doorstep, or he wasn't at the time. Wait... Rachel, sorry, should I put my foot in my mouth about your love life?" Kurt called to his roommate.

"YES! At least until I get to meet Blaine!" Rachel shouted back in annoyance.

Kurt smirked, "Sorry that's all the gossip you'll get about Ms. Berry for now."

"Take me to her, I want to say hi." Blaine urged.

Kurt did just that but he didn't need to go very far, Rachel, it seemed was lying in wait for getting to be properly introduced to Blaine Anderson, even if it was through a computer. They met half way in the middle of their apartment and Kurt laughed at her eagerness. "Rachel, he's gay remember?" Kurt teased.

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Kurt." Rachel teased back. She gave Blaine her best welcoming smile and Kurt brought his laptop up to her eye-line. "It's nice to finally 'meet you' Blaine." Rachel said as she made air quotations when she said the words 'meet you'.

Kurt smirked at her, "Rachel this is Blaine Anderson, Blaine, this is Rachel Berry." Kurt told them both.

"Nice to meet you Rachel, I'm really sorry for what a pain in your side I've been. Stealing Kurt away from you and hogging him for the last few days. I'd say I'm sorry... but I'm really not. In fact, it's hard not to envy you and your living arrangements right now." Blaine admitted sheepishly.

"Oh well I could try to list all of Kurt's faults and little annoyances I've come to notice after living to him, but you'd just shoot them down I bet. Or Kurt would get all... is 'bitchy' too rude a word?" Rachel said.

Kurt rolled his eyes, "My, aren't we being cheeky...." Kurt declared.

"Which one of us?" Blaine asked.

"Both, look can we sit down on the couch? My arm's getting tired and I only have one good one left." Kurt whined.

"I thought you said it felt better..." Blaine pointed out as he started to get worried.

"I was being sarcastic Blaine, but I still want to sit down." Kurt assured him.

"Allow me, Kurt." Rachel said as she took the laptop out of Kurt's hand and walked over to their couch and seated herself. Kurt just sighed, he figured it was best to let her get her way before Kurt tried to save Blaine's digital image from her clutches. Really the idea of his best-friend and his almost boyfriend, since he knew no matter what they said, they were more that than mere friends, getting to know each other was far too enjoyable. He watched as they began to chatter away, telling themselves about each other, oh yes, a bond was already starting to form; at least Blaine would be welcomed, whenever his first visit was. Kurt walked over to the fridge and got a drink, before heading over to join them. "Having fun?" he asked as he came to sit down beside Rachel.

Blaine, who was right in front of them, Rachel having placed the laptop on their coffee table, beamed at Kurt. Until he saw him take off his brace and flex his wrist very carefully, the pain on his face alarmed him. "How's the wrist? Did I hurt it more than you lead on when I rolled over on it?" Blaine asked.

"Ooh, I wanna hear how that happened." Rachel chimed.

"Hush you, um... it's just sore, so don't worry Blaine. Honestly it feels better, I have to remember to make an appointment after class tomorrow." Kurt muttered.

"Honestly, its not like personal injury is anything new at NYADA Kurt, I've seen plenty. This one girl landed really bad and ended up with a sprain ankle that was so bad, she had to drop out of dance class for a whole semester. You got off pretty easy, considering who you fell on." Rachel explained as she gestured to Blaine.

"That's true, I'm fine Blaine, stop with the sad eyes." Kurt insisted.

"If you say so..." Blaine hesitated.

Rachel chuckled, she patted Kurt's knee affectionately and stood up from the couch. "Well I'm going to go do some grocery shopping before it gets too late. So I'll leave you two alone for your Skype date." Rachel told them.

"It's not a date, Rachel." Kurt grumbled.

"We're not dating." Blaine added.

Rachel smirked at then, "Right, keep telling yourselves that." she called as she left the loft.

"I like her." Blaine stated.

"More than me?" Kurt teased.

"Kurt, she's still a girl for one thing and well... you're... you! So what do you think?" Blaine asked.

Kurt laughed, "I think this is the start to an... Interesting long distance... whatever this is." he declared.