The next morning was relatively uneventful. Once again, Kurt woke up to Tash's knees between his ribs. He threw her off on instinct before climbing out of his bed and somehow stumbling to his feet, ignoring her loud protests from where she had landed on the floor. Together, they made breakfast in the kitchen before avoiding Tash's couch for once in favor of cuddling on Kurt's bed while listening to the soundtracks of every musical they could think of right then.

After finally leaving the bed around noon, they improvised a quick dinner and returned to Kurt's room to make a plan for the day. College would start the following day and who knew how much stress they would have and when they would find time to explore the city again?

Excitement and nerves settled in at the thought of finally starting their new lives as college students in New York. It was only hours away and none of them could really focus on tourist sights in the city at that point. So they decided to just walk aimlessly through the streets, have a look at their universities' locations and maybe take a walk through Central Park.

When they'd done all that - they had been pleasantly surprised at finding that their colleges weren't that far from their apartment, even when they walked - they just sat down in the park for a bit, taking in the warm September evening. Tash had her head on Kurt's shoulder looking rather thoughtful over at the people enjoying the last rays of sunlight.

"Tomorrow we'll be college students. I mean, technically we already are. But tomorrow we'll have to get up early and be there in time and finally get our schedules and whatnot. I don't know what's more prominent, the part of me that's terrified at the very idea because I'm just some girl from an admittedly very small town in Indiana playing grown-up in the big city, or the part that's so excited and greedy for the new experience that I can hardly breathe thinking about it," she mumbled into Kurt's shoulder, voice barely above a whisper. He still heard her nonetheless.

"I know what you mean." Kurt sighed, staring off into space, lost in his thoughts. "I wanted to come here so badly for as long as I can remember, especially since we've been to New York for Nationals. And even though I didn't get into NYADA I'm still here and I'll be a student at Parsons and do something I love. In the city I feel I belong in. It's kind of surreal and it scares me so much because what if I can't make it here and all my dreams have been nothing but just that?"

Tash gently patted the shoulder her head wasn't currently resting on, trying to reassure him. "I'm sure you'll make it, Kurt. If the way you dress yourself is any indication, you'll have no problem fitting in in the fashion world. We should look at this from a positive angle. We'll make it and we'll freaking own this city and whoever dares to get in our way won't know what hit them!"

Kurt laughed at her, feeling the tension leave his body and leaning his own head against Tash's. "I guess you're right. I'm still nervous thinking about tomorrow, though. Do you think there's a way we could stop at the supermarket, get way too much ice cream and eat all of it while watching Moulin Rouge? I need something to distract me."

"Do I mind? Of course not! In case you've already forgotten, tomorrow's my first day, too. And you've been leaving out a main ingredient for the perfect distracting evening," she laughed into his shoulder before finally raising her head and making to stand up.

"And what would that be?" Kurt asked, accepting the hand that was offered to him as he stood up from the bench they'd been sitting on. His legs felt a bit numb from the almost two hours they'd spent just sitting there and looking at the park.

"Why, the tissues, of course. We're talking Moulin Rouge, Mister."

They grinned at each other before heading home doing just that. After crying his eyes out for a good half hour and a Skype session with a very frantic Blaine who refused to believe that the tears still on his cheeks just came from watching a sad movie for the first twenty minutes of their conversation, Kurt crawled into his bed, feeling exhausted. He made sure that he'd set his alarm before sinking down into the pillows, passing out the minute he closed his eyes. No thought of the next day crossed his mind until he woke up.

XxxxxxxxxX

It took him the whole of five minutes after shutting up his alarm to realize that today would be his first day at Parsons. Granted, it was just orientation week, but still. In less than a week he'd be having his first classes and he'd finally really start his new life in New York.

Kurt still didn't know what to make of the weird mixture of excitement and dread he felt but figured that it would probably be best to start by getting up. After he'd made his bed his gaze fell on his phone and he reflexively checked it for any texts from Blaine. Especially after the Chandler incident it had become a bit of a habit for Blaine to text him good morning every day, though he'd mostly refrained from that the last few days because he hadn't wanted to wake Kurt, knowing he'd probably fallen asleep with his phone next to his pillow.

But today was special and Kurt couldn't deny that his heart fluttered a bit knowing Blaine had thought of that. Once he'd opened the message he had a hard time holding back the sob that wanted to build in his throat.

Tue 4 Sep (06:15)

Good morning, love. Have a nice day and text me all about Parsons! Love you, Blaine

He was about to text back when there was another one.

(06:30)

And don't forget: Courage!

This time Kurt couldn't suppress the wet chuckle, blinking rapidly to hold the worst off. He had no intention of attending Parsons with a blotchy face, especially not on his very first day. Once he'd calmed down enough to not be in immediate danger of breaking down in tears, he texted back, putting his phone down and heading for the shower rather than waiting for a reply. He could use a bit more time to make sure he really wouldn't cry at whatever sweet, loving message Blaine would come up with now.

(06:36)

I love you too, Blaine. Only if I get to hear all about Glee club! Love you, Kurt

(06:37)

As if I could ever forget that. You're what gives me courage.

Kurt was surprised when he returned to his room after his shower and there was still no reply. He didn't want to sound like the clingy boyfriend who panicked when his texts weren't answered immediately but he had to admit that it worried him a bit.

Maybe Blaine had also been in the shower - the thought sent a chill up and down his spine - or he'd made breakfast or something. It was pretty early, after all. Or maybe he was already on his way to McKinley, depending on whether he'd accepted Burt's offer to sleep at the Hudmels' during the school week or not. It would shorten the ride to school significantly, but Blaine could be stubborn. Though Kurt didn't know why he'd insist on driving home with his parents always absent and the fact that he practically lived in Kurt's house anyway.

He didn't get to ponder further possible reasons because Tash chose that exact moment to make a terrible racket in the kitchen. Remembering the state she'd been in the last time he'd seen her before she'd had her morning coffee, Kurt hurried in the tiny room to make sure she was still alive and their apartment wouldn't burn down.

After helping his roommate out from under the mountain of pans and pots she'd manage to bury herself under somehow they made breakfast together, Kurt carefully avoiding giving Tash anything even remotely dangerous to do before her coffee had kicked in. They sat down on Tash's couch once more, rambling about everything they'd learned about their colleges so far and what they expected from orientation week. When his phone finally announced that he had a new message, Kurt had almost forgotten about Blaine not answering his text in all his excitement.

(07:30)

I love you so much. I wish I could be there with you and we could experience all of this together :( I'll make sure to let you know if anything exciting should happen. Love you, Blaine

(07:31)

I think you've got it wrong. You're the one giving me courage.

Kurt could feel himself tearing up again but before he could react, Tash had already reached over and wordlessly pressed a box of tissues into his hands. He let out a noise somewhere in between a snort and a sob and accepted them with a nod to show his appreciation. His roommate just grinned at him sleepily, returning to her coffee, eyes glued to the TV.

It took Kurt a few minutes to finally calm down enough to actually write a reply and by the time he was already halfway out the door. He'd wanted to walk to university on his first day to enjoy the city a bit more and he wasn't too sure if it was a good idea to text someone while trying to make your way through the heart of New York City.

(07:55)

Wish you could be here, too :( Everything you're involved in is exciting enough for me :) I'm heading out now so I probably won't be able to answer for a while - I don't want to be run over by a cab or something. Love you so much, Kurt

(07:56)

NO. YOU are the one giving ME courage. No arguing that. You can't win because you said it first and I have proof of that.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Kurt headed down the street in the direction of his new school. He'd be a college student entering his university for the first time in less than an hour. It was still difficult to wrap his mind around that fact. He'd probably meet at least a few of the people he'd be spending a lot of time with over the next few years.

What if everyone there was better dressed than him? What if he made a complete fool out of himself by thinking he was fashion-forward and knew what he was saying only to be proven wrong? Sure, his designs had obviously been good enough to get him into Parsons and he knew every issue of Vogue by heart that had appeared within the last ten years or so, but that didn't mean that the others couldn't be more talented than him. Dear God, what if he would end up working for H&M?!

Kurt's mind went into overdrive and the fact that he had spent the last four minutes waiting at a traffic light nervously shifting on his feet didn't really help matters. He could really use Blaine's reassuring hand in his or his soothing words in his ear. Since he couldn't have either, he settled on pinching himself and concentrating on the fact that he was fabulous and knew fashion like no one else. He got into Parsons and he would make it there and be a star and live in New York together with Blaine.

He kept listing all the reasons he deserved to be a student at one of the most prestigious colleges concerning fashion in his head, why he deserved to go to the same university Marc Jacobs had been to. He could do that. He was Kurt Hummel, for goodness' sake. Nothing and no one would stand in his way to fame. He would make it.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, he arrived in front of the building he'd be calling his second home from now on. Swallowing hard, Kurt tried to push all his fears and insecurities to the back of his mind to open himself up to the new experience. There was nothing to be afraid of. He could do that.

The vibration in his pocket effectively ruined his concentration but he found he didn't mind when he looked at the screen, probably grinning like a maniac.

(08:40)

I really hope you didn't get run over by a cab. You should be there by now so good luck. And aww, I love you too. So much. I miss you already, Blaine

(08:41)

What do you mean, proof?

(08:42)

I know you and I know what you're thinking. You are brilliant and fabulous and everyone in that building will envy your talent soon enough. Now take a deep breath and get in there. I love you and I know you can do anything!

Kurt did as he was told. After composing a quick reply, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Blaine was right, he was Kurt Hummel and he was goddamn fabulous and he would show the world. Now.

(08:45)

I didn't. Though it's probably a good thing I didn't text while walking. Thank you, I really appreciate it. I love you too and I miss you so much it almost hurts, Kurt

(08:46)

You didn't really think I deleted that text, did you? And have you seen my locker before you transferred?

(08:47)

You know me too well :) Thanks for the support, I could really use that. I love you, too. I can do anything as long as I have you by my side (figuratively speaking).