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Kurt diligently stayed awake this time, making sure not to miss his stop. He was so embarrassed that he missed it the first time he couldn’t let it happen again, especially if Blaine was coming to meet him in Fort Wayne.

He quietly thumbed through his issue of W magazine before he became bored reading through the numerous ads hocking women’s bags and horrible beauty products that should not have seen the light of day, much less be published in a fashion magazine.

He examined his phone, quickly checking it for the time.

8:47AM

Only another hour or two, he thought to himself. It felt like he spent too much time on the train these days. Not that he wasn’t thrilled with the outcome and the look on his lover’s face when they met in Lima or in New York, but he had come to dread these long train rides to see Blaine.

Long distance relationships are so hard, Kurt thought. Mr. Shue said that they’d be hard and almost every couple that was together at the end of the school year knew that these long distance relationships were an inevitability, but in this time where he didn’t have enough sleep and was looking outside at the boring landscape of Indiana, he wanted to hit himself over the head for selling short what Mr. Shue had said.

He pulled out his phone, eager for an ear to listen in on his dilemma. He weighed his options carefully. Rachel wouldn’t be helpful, Tina couldn’t understand his side of the story, Mercedes would still be asleep, Puck would be, well, Puck, and he didn’t want to talk to Finn since their last meeting in New York made him think too much about that painful night with Blaine.

He scrolled through his contacts and landed on the one he was looking for.

Santana Lopez.

Kurt hit the call button, hoping that she’d be awake.

Ring, ring, ring.

“Well, if it isn’t one of my fellow gays,” Santana said snarkily into the phone as she laughed. “What can I do for you this early in the morning? I hope it isn’t a booty call. You and I both know there are all kinds of barking up the wrong trees going on here.”

Kurt squirmed. He liked Santana, but she was a force that he never could feel fully comfortable around. “Uh, no. I know we talked a few weeks ago, but I wanted to see how you were doing and also get your advice on something,” he said sheepishly into the phone, praying that she’d be understanding.

“Things are fine with me. Kentucky is the worst, but I’m cheering and going to class for free, so that’s great. But what do you need, Pasty Prince.”

Kurt was slightly taken aback, but he’d come to understand that being friends with Santana required a certain level of thick skin for all of her nicknames. “You and Brittany have been in a relationship for longer than Blaine and I. How do you manage? We’re really struggling but I feel like you’d give me the most realistic advice out of everyone from New Directions.”

Santana sighed. “Yes, I know. Rachel is a mess, as always, and Tina and Mike broke up earlier this school year. Obviously, I’m your only hope.”

“Obviously,” Kurt said cautiously.

“I’m not going to lie. Things aren’t always kittens and rainbows with Britt and I. We had a fight last week that really tested us. I won’t go into detail primarily because Brittany somehow thinks Lord Tubbington was conspiring against her and I don’t even want to think about that reality, but in the end we love each other. I know she’s perfect for me; she always has been and always will be. I want to marry her, have babies with her, and hell, have the Lesbian-American dream with that crazy woman. Also, we have lots of ladylove time, whether in person or on the Internet. That never hurts.”

Kurt paused thoughtfully. He and Blaine tried to keep their intimacy levels up despite the distance, but he figured it couldn’t hurt to do more of that. He certainly wouldn’t complain. But he was touched at Santana’s out-of-character, candid discussion about her relationship with Brittany. Not long ago, they were “secret girlfriends” who hadn’t come out yet until Finn ruined that one for her. He loved Finn as his brother, but that was a moment that he thought Finn acted like a complete idiot. After a moment in thought, he continued quizzing Santana.

“How often do you see Brittany, Santana? Louisville is close, right?”

“It’s about 4 hours, 3 if I’m driving. But we see each other at least every other weekend. It’s not easy and it’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.” Santana paused. “Look, I know how much you love Blaine,” she said frankly. “You need to take every chance you get to show him how much you care because I know he’ll do the same for you. In terms of this relationship, this rough time will pass like the blink of an eye. If you guys are planning on being together forever, which I’m guessing you are since Brittany thinks you’ll somehow have unicorn babies together, this short time of struggle will seem like nothing in the future and in the grand scheme of life. Plus it’ll make your relationship stronger in the end.”

Kurt was amazed. Santana normally was stand-offish, but her advice really struck a chord. “Wow. I mean, thanks Santana. I wasn’t expecting you to be so, uh, nurturing.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it, Hummel. I’m not a pansy but I let my lady know what’s up when it matters,” she said, quickly reverting to her normal self.

“Well, thanks Santana. Truly. I appreciate it,” Kurt said.

“It’s nothing. As the only members of the Gay Squad, we gotta look out for each other. Don’t be a stranger,” she said as Kurt heard the phone line go dead.

As he watched yet another farm pass through his line of sight, he let Santana’s advice marinate as he pressed his forehead against the cool window. He knew what he told Blaine, about everything being okay, was going to be true. They really would be okay.

I’m getting closer, he texted Blaine. You should leave soon. I love you. And appreciate you. Now and always.

Kurt set his phone aside and picked his magazine back up, waiting for the minutes to pass until he could see Blaine again.