The next morning, Kurt woke up to incessant knocking on his door. Not sure if Tash was back by now - he hadn't heard her come in the night before - he slowly rose into a sitting position, his neck positively creaking as he moved it. The screen in front of him was black and for a moment, Kurt panicked that Blaine had logged out of Skype because he already regretted his decision to forgive him. He blindly grabbed for his phone, hoping to find- and there it was. A new message from Blaine (and, weirdly enough, one from his father as well, but he decided that Blaine's was more important and should be read first).

Sat 10 Nov (08:03)

Good morning, sunshine :) Sorry I logged out just like that but I'd been spending the night at your house and Burt and Carole woke me up for breakfast. I figured we can still talk later today? I love you, so much. - B

Kurt smiled at his phone, feeling incredibly relieved to see things more or less getting back to normal. His train of thought was all too quickly interrupted by another impatient knock on his door, followed by someone ringing the doorbell for what was surely not the first time this morning. Rolling his eyes at whoever was on the other side of the door, Kurt slowly got up, hissing at the stiffness in his joints and neck from the awkward position he'd fallen asleep in. On his way out of the room and into the hallway, he took a look at the message from Burt.

(07: 50)

Hey kiddo. Blaine seemed to be on Skype with you this morning and from the way he's grinning like a maniac I think it's safe to assume that you got everything sorted out. Since you're back to talking to people, how about you call us after lunch? I love you, Kurt. Never forget that. - Dad

Kurt was still grinning widely and wiping at the fresh wave of tears threatening to run down his cheeks when he opened the door, freezing in shock when he found all of his New York friends assembled in front of it. And they all looked pretty pissed at him.

Michelle's expression was the first to soften after she took a good look at Kurt's face. "Kurt?" she asked, in her usual gentle tone, offering him a hesitant smile.

Smiling back, Kurt opened the door wider and motioned for them to come in. Percival just raised an eyebrow at him, very unimpressed. Clearing his throat, Kurt managed to croak out an "I'm fine" and a look that hopefully expressed that he'd tell them later. That seemed to appease them enough to finally enter the tiny apartment, cramming themselves into Kurt's bedroom since the kitchen would be way too small for all of them. Kurt was just about to ask if someone else wanted a coffee and cereals for breakfast when Tash showed up in his doorway, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a bag from their usual bagel place in the other.

"Anyone else hungry?" she asked with a grin, retreating into the kitchen immediately when she was greeted with the enthusiastic cries of five starving young adults with a distinct lack of caffeine in their systems. She was back in a wink and only made herself comfortable on Kurt's desk when everyone else was served a coffee and a bagel. Kurt eyed her suspiciously.

"If you were awake and caffeinated anyway," he murmured, more to himself than actually accusing her. "why didn't you just open the door?"

Tash merely rolled her eyes in response. "It's not like they're here to see me."

They grinned at each other. Kurt was still unsure where exactly he stood with her - or with anyone currently in his room, actually - right now, but at least they were all here so they couldn't be too mad at him.

"So, Hummel," Steve started, crossing his arms and shooting him a death glare. "I hope for you that you have a good explanation as to why you've completely abandoned all of us. Not to mention Blaine."

Immediately, Kurt turned to Tash. Who else could have told Steve about his problems with Blaine? He'd only come into their little circle of friends via her and while he seemed pretty integrated, Kurt was sure Tash was still his main confidant. And source of information, obviously, even though Kurt had no idea how Tash even knew about that part. Maybe she had just guessed?

"Oh please, Kurt," she said with a wave of her hand. "Don't act so surprised. You hardly ever answered your phone these past few weeks and you actually forgot it in the kitchen a few days ago. It wouldn't stop ringing, so I answered it. And take a wild guess who'd tried to call you so desperately." She gave him a pointed glare and returned her attention back to her coffee.

"Oh," was all Kurt managed to say in response for a while. "So you spoke to Blaine?"

"Yes," Tash replied airily. "And he told me all about how you didn't really speak to him for over a week and even then it was barely superficial texts every now and then and the odd Skype call in between. He sounded so incredibly hurt I was on the verge of tears just from listening for five minutes."

The reminder of how much he'd really hurt Blaine - and not only Blaine but most likely everyone sitting here with him and his family on top of that - brought tears to Kurt's eyes as well. Determined not to let them flow until he'd explained himself, Kurt swallowed them down and prepared himself for what he had to say.

"I know. I know that I made a huge mistake - not only with Blaine, but with all of you, really - and I'm so incredibly sorry. I- I've just been so caught up in work and university and- Let's be honest, I felt inadequate, like I didn't belong here and would never make it. New York is a lot bigger than I'd imagined and I felt that I needed to work a lot harder than anyone else to live up to expectations. I buried myself in so much work I forgot about everything else and I felt weak and pathetic because I miss Blaine so much. And my family. I'm really sorry," Kurt croaked out before the tears started to run. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see their judgmental expressions. Thus, it took him by surprise when the whole group was on him a second later.

"Come on, don't be silly, Kurt," Ella cooed into his ear, nuzzling her cheek against his. "Of course you belong in New York. And in Parsons. Your designs are sooo good, you really need to stop getting down on yourself like this. And we all miss home, it's okay and it's most certainly not weak or pathetic."

"That," Percival's voice came from Kurt's other side, raspy with emotion, "and if you ever shut any of us out like that again we'll have to kick your ass until you stop being an idiot. Actually, that's what we came here for but you seem to have finally understood your faults, so we'll go easy on you this time. But it better not happen again or we won't wait so long to intervene."

"Thanks," Kurt whispered, voice thick with gratitude and tears. "I'm sure I haven't told you nearly enough lately but I really love you guys." Limbs entwined awkwardly in a slightly chaotic group hug, but none of them seemed to mind.

When everyone had returned to their own seats around Kurt's bedroom, Tash sat down on the bed next to him. "So, did you talk to Blaine?" she prodded, sympathy in her eyes. Out of all his friends here Tash was the only one who really got what it was like to have left behind someone who meant more to you than you could ever put into words. Kurt nodded meekly.

"Yes. We Skyped last night. It was the anniversary of when we first met and I didn't even notice until I saw the date circled on the calendar while cleaning up my desk. It was... hard, but we sorted it out." He grinned shyly up at them and was greeted by a sea of genuinely happy smiles.

"Thank God," Ella sighed in relief. "If you two had broken up I'd probably have lost my faith in love. Or I'd have to cling to Rowena and Tash." Everyone chuckled, the atmosphere not quite asking for outright laughter, and Tash stuck her tongue out at Ella.

"I don't know about you," Percy interrupted the companionable silence that took over. "But I think we should celebrate tonight."

"And what exactly would we celebrate?" Kurt asked, a smirk on his face.

"Having you back, of course," Steve chipped in. "That Klaine didn't broke up. And that we didn't have to kick your ass because honestly, I was a bit scared of that. I mean, you know how to use ninja swords, dude. And you have a pretty sharp tongue."

And just like that they were back to their usual dynamic, laughing and joking until their throats were sore and they felt they'd caught up on what they had missed in each other's lives over the past few weeks. Finally, Tash kicked them all out after they'd agreed on a time and place to meet that night so Kurt could call Blaine and his parents, grabbing her laptop and making herself comfortable for a call home of her own.

It didn't ring more than twice before a breathless sounding Burt picked up.

"Kurt?" He sounded so hopeful Kurt wanted to punch himself for neglecting his family like that.

"Hi Dad. Did you run to get the phone? You know that's not good for your heart," Kurt reprimanded him fondly. Some things would never change and Kurt chiding his father for the lack of care he took with his health was one of those things.

"Don't worry your head, kiddo. A little run once in a while won't kill me. Now, what have you been up to?" Kurt heard the faint rustling of fabric and the familiar squeak of the springs in their couch, telling him that his father had made himself comfortable in expectation of a long conversation. He was pretty sure that Blaine had told him what had happened over breakfast.

Deciding that he'd spare both of them the overly emotional talk Kurt skipped most of the explanation he'd given Blaine and his friends, merely talking about his classes and this morning's intervention and their plans to go out for a bit. He knew there was no need for further explanation when he heard Burt's reply.

"That's good, kiddo. Just know that you can always talk to me or Carole. I know it's not easy gaining ground in such a big city. And it's fine to be scared or insecure. But just know we're not lying when we say that you're sure to make it, son."

Kurt was pretty sure he wasn't the only one with tears in his eyes at the end of their conversation. After that he chatted a bit with Carole, who basically told him the same thing but didn't make an effort to hide her sniffles. When they said their goodbyes she merely asked if she should tell Blaine to get on Skype. Thus it came that not five minutes later, Kurt was logged in and waiting for the site to connect, impatiently waiting to see Blaine's face again. It might have been only a few hours since he'd last seen him but in Kurt's opinion, that was way too long after what he'd put them through.

"Hey there." Even through the tinny quality of the speakers Blaine's soft voice sounded like heaven to Kurt's ears.

"Hey you," he gave back with a soft smile of his own.

"God, I missed talking to you and seeing your face so much," Blaine groaned, grinning at Kurt to show him he wasn't trying to make him feel guilty. "I'm not sure I even remember what you look like without all those pixels."

"Yeah, it's not like your room is covered in photos of me. Or your locker," Kurt smirked, rolling his eyes fondly.

"And that from the man who told me half of his hallway is covered in photos that are mostly of us," Blaine shot back, sticking his tongue out slightly. Kurt giggled happily. God, he'd missed his immature dork of a boyfriend.

"Only one wall," he protested without any real fire behind it.

"But from what I've heard from Tash there's also a bunch of photos over your bed. Not to mention that your phone background is changing between that picture Burt took of us right before your senior prom and the one Tina made at the goodbye barbecue at Puck's." Kurt wanted nothing more than to kiss the smug smile off Blaine's face - he'd never willingly admit it but he found it unbelievably hot when Blaine was all confident and teasing. Still, he couldn't let him win that easily.

"Since when are you talking so much with Tash, anyway? She told me about the phone call she picked up a few days ago. How long has this been going on?" He smirked at Blaine's flustered expression.

"Well, we have been texting occasionally ever since she stole your phone during your livetexting trip to Ellis Island," Blaine admitted hesitantly, biting his lip as if he expected Kurt to be mad at him.

"I should have known she'd use that opportunity to steal your number from my contacts," Kurt chuckled to himself, shaking his head at his own naivety. "So, how often is 'occasionally' for you?"

"Um... Once or twice a week?" Blaine murmured, obviously appeased by Kurt's lack of anger.

"I bet she sent you the most ridiculous stuff to blackmail me. God, she takes photos of literally everything," Kurt moaned, praying to everyone who'd listen that his roommate at least had had the decency to hold back the video she'd made of him making pancakes in nothing but his boxer shorts and one of Blaine's old shirts while singing 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'.

"I think it's adorable," Blaine said, his voice soft and his eyes so warm the need to hold him close crashed like a wave over Kurt. "It makes me look forward to next year when we'll finally be able to live together." There was a dreamy expression on his face and he leaned his head on his hand just like he'd done when he'd told Kurt he loved him for the first time. Kurt smiled back at him just as softly and he was about to tell Blaine how much he looked forward to that, too, when suddenly-

"And you know, I've never seen quite such a heart-rendering revision of 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' over pancake batter..."

While the mood was gone, Kurt and Blaine were too busy cracking up to feel regret over it and the rest of the conversation was so much like the countless ones they'd had before that it wasn't hard to forget the drama of the previous day.

They didn't stop talking until Tash knocked very audibly on Kurt's door, yelling at him to get off of Skype and get ready because they wanted to meet the others in less than an hour. With an apologetic smile and more 'I love you's than could pass beneath the limits of cheesy, Kurt logged out and jumped into the shower, getting himself ready in record time.

***

Two hours later found Kurt in a bar in Manhattan, more than a bit tipsy and surrounded by his giggling friends. Michelle was on the verge of sleep already, her head resting against Percival's ribcage since she couldn't reach his shoulder, Tash and Steve arguing loudly across the counter about something or other and Ella busy flirting with the bar keeper and nursing her pink drink. The color made him think of Rachel and since the others had stopped listening to him going on about the incredible color of Blaine's eyes quite a while ago, his intoxicated brain thought it was a really good idea to drunk dial her.

"Heyyyyyyy Rachellllll! I havn' talked to you in foreeeeeeeeever!" he slurred into the speaker once she'd picked up.

"Kurt? Are you drunk?"

"Oh, pleaaase of course not. Jus' a lil' tip-tip-tipsy, y'know?"
"Kurt, don't you remember what you did to Miss Pillsbury's shoes the last time you were really drunk?"

"It'sss okay now though, 'cause my frens're with me. They won' lemme throw up on people's shoes, right? Perc, you wouldn' would you?" Kurt asked, wide eyes turned on his friend next to him.

"Of course not, Kurtsie," Percival chuckled, amazed that Kurt was already so far gone he could get away with that nickname. "Now give me the phone so I can tell Rachel everything's fine, okay? You go have another drink on me, little fledgling."

Kurt shot him an elated grin before ordering the same as Ella had - he was in a mood for pink beverages. The barkeeper was way too busy flirting back to even notice who ordered what and merely obeyed the order on autopilot before sliding the drink over the counter. Just as Kurt started to nip on it - and he needed to tell Rachel she was right, it really tasted pink - a tall blond guy came up to him, grinning confidently down at Kurt.

"Hey there, beautiful," he practically purred, eyes raking up and down Kurt's body. "Care to dance with me?"

Kurt shot him an elated grin. He didn't even notice his friends going silent around him, their attention turning to the two of them.

"My boyfren calls me b-b-beautiful all the time. We dance a lot, too. Did y'know that he's got the moooooost pretty eyes?" Kurt practically bounced on his feet, he was so excited to finally have found someone he could explain to how beautiful and perfect and wonderful Blaine was who didn't already know. The whole group broke out in laughter when Mr. Blondie turned around and wordlessly left behind a confused and pouting Kurt. Grinning, Tash took out her camera and subtly started to film. She knew this would be gold.

Still a bit hurt, Kurt returned to the counter. "Why did blondie jus' leave? Doesn' he wanna know how amaaaaaazing Blaine isss?" he asked Steve, eyes wide and pupils blown, fluttering his lashes innocently. He was really, really far gone already.

"I don't think that's what he wanted to know, Kurt," Steve consoled him, gently patting his back.

"Oh!" Kurt exclaimed way too loudly, obviously having an epiphany of sorts, before lowering his voice conspiratorially (but still too loud not to be heard by everyone sitting at the counter). "Y'mean he wanted t'know more dirrrrrty things? Maybe I shou'd tell'im abou' that amazin' thing Blaine's doin' with his tongue when he's rimmin' me... I don' know how he doessss it but it's reaaaaaaallllllyyyyyy amaaaaazin' I tell you..."

With that everyone cracked up until they were all crying tears of laughter, Michelle the only one to really blush and try to shush Kurt instead of getting even more intimate information out of him (rather unsuccessful. Let's just say that by the end of the night, the group left the bar with much more knowledge of the amaaaazing things Blaine could do with his hands and tongue and things that in turn got off Blaine than they'd probably ever wanted. Though Steve did make some mental notes about Kurt's very intimate knowledge of how to best go about bondage).

During the course of the night more guys came up trying to flirt with Kurt (also with the rest of them but they were way too busy laughing at the hilariousness that was a heavily inebriated Kurt to even take much notice), all of them getting turned down much like blondie. They only decided it was time to leave when Kurt started telling people what a big cock Blaine had or how good he took it for Kurt instead of waxing lyrical about his eyes or skin or hair.

On their way home, crammed into not nearly enough seats for all of them on the subway, Tash sent one of her videos to Blaine (complete with TMI, Kurt shooting down some poor guy, and drunken poetry about the beauty of hazel-honey-gold).

Sun 11 Nov (02:13)

You don't need to worry. Also, you should probably keep your boyfriend from excessive consummation of alcoholic beverages if you want to keep your sex life under wraps. Just saying, oh Mr. Huge Cock. Care to share that trick with your tongue he was talking about?

(02:35)

I know. And no, I'm not sharing. My cock and my tongue are reserved for one Mr. Kurt Hummel, pervert ;)

(02:40)

Cocky, mister (pun intended). I bet you're actually blushing madly

(02:44)

God, yes. Please keep him from the hard stuff in the future.