"You look like hell, kid."

Kurt swallowed a mouthful of coffee and looked up to meet his dads concerned gaze. He wished there were better ways to hide his tiredness from his dad, because no brightening moisturisers or anti-fatigue under-eye concealers could completely disguise his bad night.

He hadnt been able to sleep again. He had stayed awake, sitting on the edge of the bed and thinking while the sun had slowly risen, his room had steadily lightened, and the birdsong had quietened to the occasional chirp. He knew he looked bad. His eyes had been bloodshot and his face pale when hed finally gotten up and took a look at himself in the mirror. He had splashed some water on his face, but had been too tired and preoccupied to care enough to attempt to conceal the dark circles shadowing his eyes and the dull complexion of his skin. Even picking out a fashionable outfit for the day had been too much for him; instead, hed thrown on whatever comfortable clothes he could find before roughly styling his hair. He was just glad it was the weekend and he didnt feel obligated to put in an effort. Of course, hed known this would set off alarm bells in his dads head, but there was nothing he could do about it.

His dad stayed silent as he made himself some breakfast, but Kurt could almost hear the thoughts circling inside his head, all of them worrying about Kurt and his health. There was nothing Kurt could say to ease these worries, so he steadily drank his way through a strong cup of coffee and waited for his dad to speak. After a few minutes, Burt Hummel sat down opposite Kurt and fixed him with a worried frown.

"I know you said you dont want to - but maybe you should go see a doctor again. Its been a while since your last visit - maybe theres a new treatment that helps."

Kurt drained the last of his coffee and sighed. "Theres nothing new - nothing that works, at least - and you know that." He wished he could give a different answer; wished he could relieve his family of the worry over his health and wellbeing.

His dad absently stirred his bowl of cereal, his brow still furrowed in worry, his gaze once again running over Kurts unusually dishevelled appearance. "I just worry about how this is affecting your health," he said. "It cant be good for you running on such little sleep all the time, and they dont really know how that could affect you in the long-term."

‘They were the doctors and scientists focusing their research on oneironautics, trying to understand the condition and to find a treatment for it. So far, little distance had been made in the attempt to find a treatment and results had only been a little better for understanding the condition. The condition had only started being diagnosed properly fairly recently and, as such, studies on the long-term implications had not yet been completed. From his dad and Caroles rigorous searches through the internet, Kurt knew that doctors were only guessing at the long-term effects by comparing it to insomnia, though the conditions were vastly different. If those guesses were correct, however, then he was looking forward to having a greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive problems. He could see why his dad was so worried. He personally tried not to think about it.

"I only want whats best for you, Kurt," his dad continued, giving Kurt an imploring look across the table, the way he had done back when hed last convinced him to see a doctor. "You know that, right?"

Pushing down the small, wavering urge to give in to his dads wishes, Kurt stood up to make himself another cup of coffee, hoping to wash down his frustrations and doubts over the issue with some more caffeine. Behind him, he heard his dad shift in his seat.

"Carole mentioned you turned down her suggestion to talk to a doctor about a new medication the other day."

Keeping his gaze fixed on the mug steadily filling with coffee, Kurt gave him the same response hed given Carole. "I dont want to return to being in an endless cycle of testing different new drugs that fail each time. Ive accepted that I have to live with my condition for now, and I would like your and Caroles support in this." Mug now full, he picked up his coffee and carried it back to the kitchen table. "I know you both mean well and I appreciate your concern, but Ive made my decision."

His dad nodded, his expression softening to one of resignation. "I just worry about you being tired while driving and going to school and doing exams and stuff. It scares me how this makes you look and act sometimes, Kurt; like a friggin zombie."

Kurt watched the coffee swirl in his mug for a moment, sorting through the thoughts in his head. "If they find a treatment that has been shown to be effective, then Ill go and see a doctor and take it, but until then Id rather just live like this. I dont want to spend my life as a guinea pig."

His dad waited until hed looked up and met his eyes before responding.

"You know Ill support whatever decision you make," he said sincerely. "I just cant help but worry." He gave Kurt a small smile. "Im your dad, thats my job."

Kurt returned his smile, feeling grateful that he had a parent who was supportive like this instead of one who thought every big decision their child made was wrong and they always knew what was best for them.

"Thanks, Dad."

Silence fell over the kitchen, but it was comfortable, unlike the stilted pauses from earlier. His dad finished his breakfast while Kurt drank his coffee and waited for the caffeine to kick in. As gratitude for his father continued to fill him, Kurts thoughts returned to the subject that had been preoccupying him for days now. It suddenly felt right to tell his dad about travelling and Blaine. Keeping something as big as that from his dad had never sat comfortably with him and now that his main reason for keeping it to himself was no longer an issue, he didnt see the point in not telling him. The problem was how to word it without making him worry again, right as he was starting to feel better about his condition.

In the end, Kurt decided there was no real way to break the news gently. He cupped his coffee mug with his hands, drawing comforting strength from its warmth. "Dad, Ive got something to tell you about my condition."

His dads face immediately paled, the skin around his eyes tightening with worry once again. Kurt quickly backtracked. "Its nothing bad - I promise! Its-" He hesitated for a bit, unsure exactly what it was. "Its something."

His dad watched him solemnly, the concern in his face not lessening any. Kurt took a sip of coffee as he got his words together. "I travelled in my dream for the first time the other night. I shared a dream with someone else."

He paused to give his revelation some time to sink in. After a moment of tense silence, his dad exhaled slowly and Kurt searched his features over and over again for some clue as to how he was taking this. The lines of concern and tightness around his mouth hadnt smoothed out any and a small part of Kurt began to fear that his dad would take back his acceptance and force him to go and see a doctor. He gripped his coffee mug tighter.

"Who did you share a dream with?" his dad asked in a low voice, his calmness surprising Kurt, who had been preparing for him to behave more frantically.

Kurt licked his lips. "His name is Blaine. Hes a teenager - must be about the same age as me."

His dads eyes widened. "Blaine?" he repeated. "You know his name?"

"He spoke to me; the second time we met he introduced himself." Kurts stomach squirmed uncomfortably at the memory of his own behaviour afterwards.

Eyes still wide with shock, his dad stared at him for a moment, looking as though he couldnt believe what he was hearing. "How many times have you seen him?"

"Just twice," Kurt replied. "Both times Ive travelled."

"And he spoke to you?"

Kurt nodded. "Yes." He pushed his empty coffee mug aside. "Its only normal for him to do that; a lot of people talk to the person they share dreams with."

Scratching at his chin, his dad nodded in slow contemplation. "Did he seem alright? Ive heard about some people not liking who theyre sharing dreams with."

Kurt opened his mouth to agree and hesitated. How could he assure his dad Blaine wasnt someone he could see himself having problems with if he had never spoken to him?

"I- I guess hes friendly enough - I mean, he came over and introduced himself - but I- um, I never actually spoke to him." He felt himself flushing, his cheeks warming to a rosy red as the shame at rebuffing Blaines friendly advances filled him. His dads eyebrows had risen in surprise again, and Kurt fumbled to explain himself.

"Id only seen him for the briefest of moments in the first dream we shared and I was so surprised to see him again and for him to speak to me that I couldnt say anything in response. Soon after he introduced himself, I woke up."

Kurt was aware he sounded defensive, but it was the truth. He had been shocked to the point of speechlessness. While it was impolite to ignore someones warm greeting and open, friendly smile, it was different being in a dream. Despite knowing about travelling, he still hadnt expected it to happen to him, let alone that he would travel into a dream with someone as at ease with the whole situation as Blaine. From the stories hed read, it usually took people numerous shared dreams to finally talk. The situation was far too extraordinary and fragile for social norms and other expected behavior to be followed.

Fidgeting with his coffee cup, Kurt waited to be chastised by his dad about manners and reminded that he could very well be sharing dreams with Blaine for years to come so he had better apologise and be amicable towards him. He was only right about one of these things.

His dad rested his elbows on the table and levelled his gaze at him. "I know you were surprised and a little bit scared of talking to this guy - I probably would have felt the same way in your situation - but, Kurt, youve gotta get off on the right foot with him. You cant allow a bad relationship to develop between the two of you. Youre sharing your dreams with him - thats something pretty special. If what they say in all of those research papers is true, then there are bits of both of you in these dreams: wishes, fears, your past and present. You could be sharing all of this for the rest of your lives - imagine how hard that would be if you didnt get along?" His dad leaned a little over the table, moving closer to Kurt, eyes searching Kurts face to gauge his reaction. "You cant afford to deliberately bring hostility into this. Im not saying you did this, but you need to be careful. It sounds as though Blaine may be trying to do the right thing; you should, too." He sat back, nodding his head a little in apparent satisfaction that Kurt understood what hed said. "Talk to this Blaine, get to know him. You never know, you may actually like him - you guys are supposed to have similar brains or something, arent you?"

With the heavy weight that had been dragging him down and consuming his thoughts since hed woken up beginning to lift, Kurt smiled. "Thanks, dad."

His dad reached over and patted his hand. "Anytime, kid."

When Blaine entered school on Monday morning he made a beeline for the lockers where his best friend Wes was standing. Before Wes could look up from the books he was gathering in his arms, Blaine flopped dramatically against the bank of lockers.

"Am I giving off this terrible, horrifying person vibe that no one has had the decency to tell me about?" he asked in lieu of a greeting.

Wes didnt even look up from where he was rummaging in his locker. "Good morning, Blaine, how are you on this fine spring day?"

Blaines shoulders sagged. "Im being serious!"

Finally looking at his friend around the open door of his locker, Wes sent Blaine a pointed look. "Youre being dramatic."

Blaine said nothing to this; instead, he swivelled round until his back was against the locker, and let his head fall back against the cool metal with a soft thud. It wasnt that he was upset at Wes for teasing him when he was so troubled by something - hed been overdramatic enough in the past to warrant it - it was that hed been re-playing what had happened in the dream so often since Friday night that he was beginning to question the person hed always considered himself to be. If he was as empathetic and attuned to other peoples feelings as hed always believed, then why did he not think the boy from his dreams may not be ready for a friendly conversation? And why had he thought it would be a good idea to sneak up behind him and then pounce on him with an introduction? He shouldnt be surprised the boy woke up.

At Blaines frown and downcast eyes, Wes slammed his locker shut and turned to face him fully. "Whats wrong? Did you finally try to talk to latte-loveheart guy and scare him off with the far-fetched sub context you read in his coffee milk art?"

Blaine sighed and rolled his eyes, unable to help a tiny smile from twitching a corner of his mouth upwards. "You know I didnt." He twisted back around to face Wes again. "And why would he put lovehearts in everyones coffee if it wasnt Valentines Day?"

Wes smiled teasingly. "Because he was still learning? Because he felt like drawing hearts with the milk for a while to alleviate the repetition of his job?"

Blaine shook his head. "Im not so sure, Wes. I swear he winked at me when I picked up my coffee."

"That wasnt a wink, I saw him adjusting his contact lens not moments later."

Unable to hold back his laugh, Blaine waved his hands in resignation. "Whatever, whatever. I did not go to the coffee shop over the weekend."

"So whats bothering you?" Wes asked, his expression shifting from teasing to serious and concerned in the blink of an eye. "Is it your parents again?"

Sobering, Blaine shook his head. "No, its not my parents. You know how I travelled in my dream for the first time a few weeks back?"

After stewing over everything that had happened in his first shared dream for several days, Blaine had decided to confide in someone about his experience. He had never been one for keeping things completely to himself and found talking about his issues with someone to be greatly beneficial for sorting it all out in his head and establishing his feelings on the matter. With his parents and doctor immediately ruled out of discussions about travelling, Blaine had decided Wes was the best person to confide in. He knew all about Blaines condition and had supported him through all of the exhaustion and side effects from experimental medication in the past. He had never failed to help Blaine turn whatever was troubling him into something positive.

Wes nodded, the concern in his eyes deepening as he tried to figure out what was bothering his friend.

"Well it happened again on Friday night. I shared a dream with the same guy, only this time I decided to introduce myself to him."

Wes mouth twisted with sympathy, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Im guessing it didnt go well."

Blaine automatically lifted a hand to run through his hair in frustration, only to drop it back to his side when his mind caught up with his arm and reminded him of the amount of gel holding his hair in its neat, slicked down style. He let out a huff instead. "He didnt say anything; just took one shocked, scared look at me and then ran off. I tried to follow him, but he disappeared pretty quickly. He must have woken up." He sighed, looking almost pleadingly at Wes. "Do you think Ive ruined any chance we had of being friends? Id hate to be in a strained relationship with the person Im sharing dreams with."

Wes was silent for a moment, his eyes darting from side-to-side a few times as he thought over what Blaine had just said. "I think youre latching onto the negative side of this far too quickly. Youve only shared dreams with this guy twice and the first time was barely worth mentioning; you cant be pessimistic already."

Blaine nodded. Hed already known this, but having Wes tell it to him somehow made it actually sink in. By having someone repeat his own thoughts it was affirmed that what he had been thinking was right and he wasnt on the wrong path. He doubted this conversation with Wes would completely clear his head of all of his worries on the subject, but it took some of the weight off his shoulders and helped straightened out the tangled mess in his mind.

"Youre overthinking things, Blaine," Wes added, giving Blaine a small smile. "Most likely, theres a perfectly reasonable explanation for what happened: maybe he is afraid of his condition, maybe hes worried about communicating with the person hes sharing his dreams with, maybe hes scared of the relationship you two may have. Until you know his side of the story you shouldnt be so worried about it, especially seeing as its only early days. Give it some time." He paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, before grinning. "Oh, and by the sounds of it you did sneak up on him; that can be pretty scary."

Ignoring this last remark, Blaine thought it all over, remembering the genuine shock in the boys eyes when hed turned around and found Blaine standing there, the uncertainty that had crept into his expression when Blaine had introduced himself. He could understand why the boy has been shocked and scared - he felt the same way - but didnt he see how important it was that they got along? Couldnt he have pushed aside his fears long enough to shake Blaines hand and say hello for the sake of making things more comfortable between them in the future? They couldnt always avoid or ignore each other, could they?

Wes seemed to read what was on Blaines mind.

"Give it some time, Blaine," he repeated. "Youll only make it worse if you keep thinking like this." He checked his watch and gently nudged Blaine so he started to walk down the corridor. "Wed better hurry or well be late, and I for one dont want to get in Mrs. Greens bad books again."

Blaine did his best to stay focused on his classes, concentrating twice as hard as normal upon what his teachers were saying and on his work, but as soon as the school day was over and he was back home he let that focus slide. Dashing up to his room, he fired up his laptop and opened the internet search browser with a determined air. Feeling a cautious mix of hope and dread, he typed his request into the search bar.

‘Oneironautic dream travelling.

It wasnt his first time doing research on this subject, hed done it before many times when hed been feeling particularly curious or anxious about it, going through page after page of results and reading anything that looked credible. The difference now was that he wasnt desperately looking for research papers or scientific articles detailing the current understanding of the science behind travelling or all the failed attempts at relieving people of these intense dreams; today he was looking for stories from fellow travellers.

Hed never read any of these real-life accounts, dismissing these posts as unlikely to tell him anything he didnt already know. Hed thought only evidence-based scientific articles were of any value to him. Back when hed been diagnosed as a teenager starting to go through puberty, as nearly all were at diagnosis, his doctor had suggested reading online posts of experiences of others with the condition and even writing about his own thoughts and feelings as a way of coming to terms with his condition and gaining a richer understanding of it. Hed never done it.

Leaning closer to his computer screen, Blaine scrolled past all the links to papers describing clinical trial results and articles on the cold, hard facts and current favored theories until he reached the blogs and forum posts. He scanned the short excerpts of the posts until he came across one he liked the sound of and clicked on the link.

The webpage that loaded on his computer was from some kind of online support group for oneironautics. The post was someone describing a particular dream they had shared with someone they travelled with frequently. The dream had been particularly distressing for this person, mostly because it had kept them asleep for almost three days. Reading through the rest of the post, Blaine guessed the author was having some problems with work because of their condition, but they appeared to find solace in their dreaming partner as they were especially understanding and comforting. Reading through a few more of the authors more recent posts, Blaine discovered the poster had a good friendship with their dream partner, one that, to Blaine, had recently seemed a bit too idealistic.

Sitting back in his desk chair, Blaine contemplated what hed just read. It appeared to be completely possible to have what he had hoped for: friendship with the boy from his dreams. By the sounds of things, forming a close friendship with a dream partner was extremely beneficial, both for managing the dreams and the condition as well as for everyday life. This confirmation of what he had always hoped to be true was all fair and good, but it wasnt much use if the boy he shared dreams with wouldnt talk to him.

Scrolling back up to the top of the page, Blaine clicked through to the main homepage of the forum and quickly found what he was looking for: a thread on travelling for the first time.

He spent the next hour reading through accounts of people sharing their dreams for the first time. As he had expected, there was an entire spectrum of experiences, ranging from meetings between the two travellers that had gone disastrously wrong to those that had gone so well it was almost movielike. He felt a little better after reading about people who had gotten off to a rocky start with their dream partner, yet had still gone on to become good friends with them. It was solid proof that he and the boy from his dreams could still have the close friendship he wished for. However, the pessimistic part of him occasionally took over and his gaze would drift back to the posts detailing how sharing your dreams with someone could be horrible - cases where relationships had turned sour and the poster now dreaded going to sleep each night. He read the paragraphs about how everything had gone wrong over and over again, making his stomach churn uncomfortably and his heart race from the fear his body was swimming in. He kept telling himself it was stupid to worry after only two dreams, but he couldnt help but focus on the worst case scenario.

Eventually, he tore his eyes away from the forum and forced himself to shut down the computer. He wouldnt do anymore research. Wes was right: he just needed to give this boy some time to get used to the idea of them sharing their dreams. The next time they shared a dream he would keep his distance. He would wait for the boy to approach him when he was ready. He would just have to hope their bad start wasnt an omen of things to come.