I'm not spying. I'm not spying. I'm not spying. Blaine thought to himself, as he sat on the front bumper of his car, peering out of the corners of his eyes. Zach had Kurt in an embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around the slender boy, Kurt snuggled comfortably against Zach. He watched closely as they broke apart, expecting a kiss to be stolen from one of the boys. It never came. Instead, Zach put his hand on Kurt's shoulder and walked away.

He locked eyes with Zach for a few seconds just before he opened his car door. Zach's expression had changed from when he walked to his car to when he looked at Blaine. It went from hopeful to disappointed. Blaine didn't understand this, but felt the tears coming anyway. Had Kurt found someone new already? he thought.

He put his head in his hands trying to steady his breathing, but only found the hot tears running down his cheeks. Before long, he felt a hand on his should and he jumped, jerking his head up. He saw the most beautiful face staring wearily at him. He couldn't look away, he couldn't move, but still, as much as he felt he didn't deserve it, Kurt's hand came up and cupped his cheek. Blaine closed his eyes, letting out a long awaited breath, and nuzzled into Kurt's hand. When he opened them, Kurt was still staring; this time his face was pained. Kurt took his hand back.

They gazed into one another's eyes and before Blaine knew what he was doing, he was jumping toward Kurt and wrapping his arms tighter around the brunette boy than he ever had. "I'm sorry," Blaine cried. "I'm so sorry." He said it over and over. He couldn't stop saying it.

"I know," he heard Kurt say as he continued to hold tight. "I know." Kurt said it as many times as Blaine said he was sorry.

He didn't know how long he had hold of Kurt, but when he finally released him he looked into his eyes, touching his face like it was the first time; memorizing every crease in his near perfect skin and his smooth, plump lips, and then back to his eyes. Blaine saw something that looked positive to him…what was it…? Finally?

He couldn't stop himself. His lips were on Kurt's. Blaine kissed Kurt hard, desperate to show him with a kiss how much he loved him, how much he missed him, how sorry he was. For a second he could taste him. The familiar taste of mocha latte lingered in his saliva. God I missed this. Fuck, I love him so much.

Kurt leaned back and Blaine opened his eyes to see shock on Kurt's face. "What's the matter?" he asked. Isn't this what you wanted?

"Do you want to come inside?" Kurt asked after having touched his lips.

"Okay."

They went inside and sat the island in the kitchen. Kurt got them both water and they began talking. Blaine now knew that kissing Kurt was a mistake on his part. It hadn't felt like one. Kissing Kurt never felt like a mistake to Blaine, but based on Kurt's response, he knew it was something he shouldn't have done so he apologized. "So nothing's changed then?"

Blaine watched as Kurt's eyes lingered on Blaine's and then he moved to reaching into his bag on the floor. He pulled out a single disc in a clear case and when he put it on the island, Blaine looked at it wide eyed. He knew exactly what it was and what was on it. "How did you get that?" he asked quickly.

"Trent. He saw me in the coffee shop today and gave it to me."

What was Trent doing in this neck of the woods and why was he giving the disc to Kurt. Never mind that! Where did Trent get a copy? James swore it would go away. I'll kill him. I swear to god I'm going to kill him. Kurt doesn't need to see this. "Why?" Blaine said through his teeth. He hated that disc. It was that very disc that changed everything.

Kurt exhaled noisily. "He was mad at Thad for making it and wanted me to find some sort of peace or perspective."

"And have you?"

"I haven't watched it yet. I just got it."

Blaine couldn't look Kurt in the eyes. His breathing became heavy. Tell him. Here's what may be your last chance. Tell him now. Tell him everything. "Kurt I need to tell you something," he blurted out with a tone of fear.

"I know."

He spoke quickly, thinking that if he gave himself time Blaine would either chicken out and not talk or Kurt would throw him out before he had a chance to explain what he felt he needed to. "No. It's really important that I say it because it's something that I should have said a long time ago."

"No," Kurt interrupted. "I know." He emphasized the word and in that second, Blaine understood. "I know what happened. I know you were drugged. Trent told me."

Blaine eyes welled. "He told you?" Blaine didn't know whether to be grateful for someone intervening because this might be the reason Kurt is talking to him now, or annoyed that Kurt had to hear it from someone else.

Kurt went on to explain the coffee shop and Blaine was trying not to cry because he suddenly started to hear Kurt apologizing. He doesn't need to apologize. He didn't do anything wrong. Despite his thoughts, Blaine kept focusing on swallowing the rising lump in his throat because he'd been waiting so long to hear say that he knew the truth.

Blaine missed Kurt so much. He felt that now that Kurt knew the truth, they could move forward. Kurt, after all, wasn't yelling, or crying, or making faces that made Blaine feel disgusting. He appeared caring, and concerned, and…strong. Stronger than I ever think I've seen him before. He got this being around Zach? He pushed Zach from his thoughts because he didn't want to know if Zach was making Kurt a better version of himself. "C-" he licked his lips and started again. He was fidgety. "Can we just-" he paused, "be done with this part? Can't we skip it? Fast forward to the part where I'm standing in the rain with a radio over my head and apologizing until you take me back?" He knew he had no right to ask Kurt this, but needed to. He needed to know if he would ever have a chance with Kurt again. Blaine felt pathetic for thinking and acting the defeated way he was, but didn't know how else to be. He was in love with Kurt Hummel and if not for that stupid party in Crathern Hall, Blaine would BE with him. He was not ready to throw away the love he had with his first love, with the one he felt was his true love.

"No." Kurt said it softly, almost soothing, not harsh.

Blaine closed his eyes, finding it harder to hold back his tears. He was sure Kurt could see the gloss in his eyes. He sniffled. "Is it because of Zach?"

"No," he emphasized.

"I saw you with him today."

"I know you did. I'm sorry if that hurt."

"Are you two together?"

"No."

"Do you want to be?" The words were out, forming a question, before Blaine had a chance to process them in his mind. The wait for Kurt to answer was agony. Blaine kept tossing the idea between of Kurt answering yes or no in his head.

"Not in the romantic sense," he finally answered.

Blaine took in Kurt's answer before asking another question. If not in a romantic sense than…? "In a s-sexual sense?"

"N-No! Zach was there for me when no one else knew how. He treated me like a person who needed to get past this and breathe, than treat me like someone who could break. I wasn't a doll to him. I was real and he was a friend. He is a friend. You can hate him for what he did a while ago, but he's been nothing but supportive since then. He screamed at me to get out of my own way and talk to you."

He wanted Kurt to talk to me? Why? Zach looked so inviting and warm hugging Kurt. That wasn't a comforting, warm hug, that was a romantic hug. Then Blaine thought of how many times Blaine treated Kurt as if he would break and felt guilty. Is this what he'd wanted all along? "So he's not trying to make you his?"

"How many times do you have to be told? He's straight."

"Oh." Blaine didn't have another question to ask so he stared at his glass of water that he hadn't touched.

After was seemed like too long of an awkward silence, Kurt asked "How was your weekend with your Dad?"

It's the reason why I'm here mostly, Blaine thought. I wanted to thank your dad for snapping some sense into my father. I wish I was more excited to talk to you about how amazing it is with my Dad now, but I'm kind of focused on you, right now. He ended his diatribe In his head and answered. "We talked a lot. It was great," he answered with no enthusiasm.

"It doesn't sound great."

"Forgive me. I'm a little preoccupied. I'm not really focusing on my relationship with my father right now."

"Maybe you should."

Blaine rubbed his neck. "I've always wanted a dad like yours and now that I'm getting one, I can't help, but think about the last piece missing in my life."

"Blaine…"

"Why?" He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Why can't I kiss you?" He tried to cover Kurt's hand with his, but Kurt flinched his hand away and grabbed his cup pretending like he meant to. "Why can't I touch you?" We're supposed to be together. I need to feel you, to feel you with me on this thought.

Kurt stuck his tongue between his teeth before speaking, looking Blaine directly in the eyes. He put his glass down and touched the disc that still sat between them. He slid it in Blaine's direction. "That's why." He shook his head as he thought, pursing his lips. "I haven't even seen it and it's all I can think about. When I was in New York, I stayed up late crying and thinking about how much I missed you. Then, after talking to Trent and then seeing you… I thought being in your arms again would somehow fix everything. But it- it just didn't, Blaine. There's still only you in here." He covered his hand with his heart. "But I can't forgive you with a flick of a switch. YOU broke up with ME. You acted like I was nothing and then we were nothing. Just like that. You still cheated. It still hurts."

"But I -"

"I know. And I'm so sorry that it happened to you, but Trent told me the effect Ecstasy has on people and it didn't force you to have drugged out sex with James. You had other options. You had choices and you chose to be with him."

I'm going to kill Trent for shoving his nose where it doesn't belong. Blaine sat with a straight face, but tears streaming down his cheeks and running off his jaw line, some continuing down his neck.

"I can't forgive that right now. Maybe over time, but I'll need time in order for that to happen."

"Okay," Blaine agreed instantly as he nodded his head. "I can do that. I'll do anything. I know I have to earn you to deserve you. Just know that I'm going to work really hard to make us okay again." What else could he do, but agree? The ball was in Kurt's court and Blaine had to do anything it took to prove to Kurt that he was willing to make everything back as it was, not just the same, but better.

"I know you will. I want us to work, Blaine. I just need time."

That sounds promising. Hopeful even. I can work a comment like that. "Does that time include space too?"

"For now. I'll let you know when I'm ready to spend time together again."

"Okay." There was a minute when Kurt and Blaine stayed silent and just stared at each other, watching the words "I love you" and 'I'm sorry' flicker in both their eyes. Blaine stood up, knowing that there was nothing left to say for now and spoke calmly, hoping Kurt would see how he was trying to be strong. "Walk me to the door?"

"Sure."

They got to the door and Kurt opened it for Blaine. "How was Nationals?" he asked before stepping over the threshold, not really wanting to leave.

Kurt semi smiled with closed lips. "We took home a third place trophy."

Blaine made the same face at Kurt, genuinely happy for him. "That's great. Really great. I'm ecstatic for you."

"Thank you."

His face went back to somber, knowing he had to leave now. "I love you, Kurt."

"I know you do." He gave him a reassuring half smile. "I always knew."

Blaine tucked his lips in his mouth for a moment while he stared into Kurt's eyes and swallowed the again rising lump. He leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Kurt let him without flinching for backing away. Remember this, in case it's your last, Blaine thought. "Bye."

"Goodbye, Blaine," Kurt said softly.

Blaine walked to his car and drove off, but not before waving with a halfhearted smiled. We'll be together again. I know it. He still loves me, even though he didn't say it out loud, I'm sure of it. The way he said that I was still the only one in his heart, that has to mean something right? He drove off with renewed confidence that everything would be alright eventually. He just had to be patient enough to wait for Kurt and he had to somehow show Kurt that they could be better than okay again. They could be great. In the mean time, Blaine had to find Blaine again. He'd spent far too long being depressed and lost. He felt that if he started to act like himself again he could woo Kurt all over again. He had some ideas on how to do that.

First stop… Burt's tire shop.

Blaine drove the twenty minutes to the other side of town to the tire shop and just caught Burt Hummel closing up. He hopped out of his car and the sound of the car door shutting got Burt's attention.

"Blaine," Burt greeted. "You're not going to get Kurt back by getting through me, if that's what you're trying to do."

"No. No. Mr. Hummel, I'm here because I want to thank you. You knew I broke Kurt's heart, yet you went and spoke to my father anyway. I went home last weekend and honestly, it was the first time I've been home since I came out to them that I was able to relax around them. My sister came home, my brother and father weren't arguing, my mother didn't need to defend my dad, my dad sat and talked with me, and I mean really talked. He didn't say ONE THING about trying to make me something I'm not. I don't know what you said to him, but thank you. You didn't have to intervene at all, but the fact that you did… I- I don't know what else to say besides thank you."

Burt took his baseball hat off for a second and rubbed his balding head before putting the cap back on. He felt that he should say you're welcome, but the boy standing in front of him was not the same person he commanded to come to his house and have his son coddle to sleep. This was another boy entirely. He was Kurt's ex-boyfriend. Yes, he helped Blaine to have the beginnings of a relationship with his own father, but now that he was looking at him, he was having a hard time remembering what it was that made him feel like he was one of his own sons.

"Well, that's all I guess. I don't want to take up anymore of your time. Please, just know that I could never say thank you enough for what you did for me and my family."

Burt was still silent, so Blaine turned back to his car. "Blaine, wait." He turned around again. Burt was unlocking the shop door. "Come inside. I think I have a couple sodas in the fridge. We'll talk."

Blaine went inside and sat in the break-room with Burt and two open diet sodas between them. Blaine used this time to tell Burt everything, even the things that may not have been his business to know. He told him about the weekend with his family in great detail, including the part about having a hard time enjoying it because he was too busy moping about Kurt. He told him about the party and being drugged by the freshman. He told him about James and how Kurt has hated him from the start and how James was the one Blaine cheated on Kurt with. He told him about Thad filming it and James blackmailing him and why Blaine agreed to it, despite now knowing how stupid he was for trying to hide it all. He told him about Kurt punching him when Kurt found out and Finn beating up James. He told him about his jealousy of Zach and how even though Kurt insists that Zach is straight he gets a weird vibe from him and doesn't believe that he isn't into Kurt and that deep down he's afraid that Kurt will fall for him. He told him about talking with Kurt today and how now more than ever he knows he has to prove himself to Kurt. He rehashed how he feels about Kurt and how Kurt is the only one he has ever and will ever want in his life.

Burt listened to all of it, never interrupting or judging; he just listened. By the end of it, over an hour had passed. "Wow. I really missed out on a lot. I didn't realize how much Kurt keeps in me the dark with things."

"In his defense, he didn't know about half of it until today."

"You really want him back?"

"Without a doubt in my mind."

"And you know what you did was wrong."

"I'd die before doing that to him again."

"Do you think you're better for him than this Zach kid?"

Blaine was stumped there. He didn't have an immediate definite answer. "I don't know who he'd be better off with. For all I know, there could be someone out there that is three times better for him than Zach and I combined, but all I know is that I would do anything so see him smile again and I would do more to be the one that causes that smile." he sighed. "I just want him to be happy and I know how it was before all this happened. We were happy. We were better than happy. If we could get back to that…" Blaine trailed off.

"I don't know what to tell you, Blaine. I can't dictate who Kurt does and doesn't date. I can't have a preference either. I don't try to change him if he doesn't try to change me. Part of that includes who he chooses to be with. If he chooses you then great, but if he chooses Zach then I'll support that too. I won't throw a tantrum and tell him that he made the wrong choice because I want curly headed grandchildren."

Blaine chuckled in-kind. "I wouldn't expect to you. Thank you Burt. You don't know what letting this all out has done for me."

They said their goodbyes and Burt even clapped him on the shoulder on his way out. As Blaine drove off, he pressed play on his Ipod, feeling exponentially better about his day.

Second stop, the Warbler council. If he was going to prove to Kurt that he has changed and can be the person he fell in love with again, then he has to be able to be in a position for Kurt to see him. He had to convince Wes and David to let the New Directions back into the show.

When he arrived back at school he ran, with a little more bounce in his step, to Wes' room. David was always in Wes' room so there was no need to find David. He knocked on the door and David opened it. Blaine could see Trent sitting on Wes' bed.

Blaine was tempted into smiling, then he realized that Trent was the one who told Kurt about him having other options and ruining what should have been them making up. Focus. You're not here to yell at Trent. Kurt. You're here about Kurt. "Can I talk to you two? It's important."

"If this is about Kurt, can it wait?" David asked. "Sorry, Dude, but Trent just went back to his room and none of Thad's things were there. He called Student Services and they told him that Thad is no longer a student here."

"Why?" Blaine asked as he stepped inside the room. David shut the door behind him and Blaine took a seat at Wes' desk.

"Don't know," Trent began. "The school can't release that kind of information to other students."

I bet I know who does know, Blaine thought. "I'll be back." He stood up. "I have to talk to you two when you have the chance. Tonight. It's really important." He left the room and headed up to the third floor. When he reached the stairwell, he heard Trent calling out his name and running up to him.

"Blaine wait!"

I'm hearing that a lot today, he thought. "What?"

"I saw Kurt today."

"I know. I did too. You beat me to the punch. Thanks by the way," he added sarcastically. "You were a HUGE help in the explanation department."

"He should know what happened and you weren't in any rush to tell him. I got so tired of listening to 'he won't listen. Kurt won't give me a chance to explain.' You should be thanking me instead of being bothered."

"In case you didn't know, it was none of your business. It wasn't your place to tell him."

"You're not the only one who cares about him, okay?"

Blaine found his anger raising quickly "You're not his boyfriend!"

"And neither are you, thanks to your healthy libido."

His voice raised. "You have no idea what happened!"

"Yes I do! I saw the video and I know how you ended up with James!" Trent shouted back

Blaine stopped shouting. "You know how I ended up in my room with James?"

"Yes. I saw you with him. Frankly, I'm surprised no one else noticed it. You two were kind of hard to miss."

"What happened?"

"You passed out on a couch and James stumbled over to you. He'd been stroking the piano for a while at that point because people got tired of going around him and then getting mauled by his hands. I knew immediately that he was high and I knew it was Ecstasy."

"How?"

"Long story. The point is, I knew. Anyway, he saw you and went over. He knelt down and tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't so he decided that he was going to carry you up to your room to put you to bed."

"That doesn't sound like him at all."

"I know, but he was being uncharacteristically gentle with you. Nothing like the jerk he is around Thad."

"Thad isn't a prince either so…"

"Oh, I'm aware. Believe me, I'm aware. Anyway, he went to pick you up, bridal style, and that's when you woke up. You asked what he was doing and he said that he was trying to carry you to your room so you can sleep."

"You said you already were sleeping, blah blah blah. You called him Kurt a few times, which I thought was weird, but then you said you were going to bed. You fell down the second you stood up and James insisted that he help you to your room. You two left together and that's when I saw Thad following you out. I asked where he was going and he said he was going to go to bed. I went with him up to our room and he started digging around our room for something and when I came out of the bathroom he was gone."

"So that's it? He helped me to my room? Yeah pretty much. No seduction involved as far as I saw. He was just being nice. You may want to think about if you have feelings for James before you start messing with Kurt's head because clearly your subconscious wanted him."

"I. Do. NOT. Want. James." Blaine said, his anger returning.

"I'm just saying." Trent put his hands up in defense.

"If this is you trying to psych out the competition, you should disqualify yourself because you're in WAY over your head."

"Why? Because you've been such a great boyfriend?"

"You know what? Before all this shit, yes, I was. So great, in fact, that Kurt had no idea that guys like you even had an interest in him. You didn't standa chance then and you don't now. He still loves me."

"He seemed pretty cozy with that beautiful blonde earlier today."

Blaine cringed inwardly. He wouldn't let Trent ruin what confidence and strides he made today with mind games like the one he was trying to play with his last comment. Trent was his friend. Or used to be. What happened and when did Trent decide he'd let it all go for a chance at Kurt? "And there's reason number two that you'll never get him. Kurt has formed an emotional attachment to Zach. There's nothing you can do to trump that. As a matter of fact, even if you were better looking than him, I don't think you'd stand a chance. So, between the man he loves," he gestured to himself, "and the guy he's attached at the hip to… best of luck." Blaine had never been happy to talk about Zach before, now he was glad to be able to use their attachment to one another for something. He stomped off up the stairs, leaving Trent behind.

He reach James' door and knocked hard. "Who is it?"

"Blaine. I need to talk to you." The door opened. Before James had a chance to speak Blaine interjected. "Where'd Thad go?"

"I told you I'd make that video go away."

"Kurt now has a copy. Trent gave it to him. I don't call that making it go away."

"The only want Trent could have gotten a copy is if he went snooping on Thad's computer before he left. I made sure of that."

"Where did Thad go?"

"Our dad's are lawyers. I told my dad what happened because he knew I was drugged. After Thad sent Kurt the clip, I punched him in the nads and then told my father the rest of the story. He wasn't happy about his son's sex-capades being documented and got a hold of Thad's father. They made an arrangement that Thad destroys any and all proof of that ever happening, leaves Dalton, and never contacts me, you, or Kurt in anyway ever again. So, today, while everyone was in class, he vacated the premises. In exchange, Thad doesn't go to jail."

"Why is that bastard not in jail?"

"Because if he goes to jail, he'll go to trial and that video will not only be seen by a lot of people, it will make headlines. Would you rather that?"

"No." Blaine thought for a second. "I think I need a favor," he said, as something dawned on him. "How would you feel if the New Directions were invited back into the benefit concert?"

"Um. No. You see my face? My cheek is still yellowing. Explaining this away to my father and getting him to believe me was something else entirely. That Finn kid sure has a protective thing for Kurt."

"He's Kurt's brother and I swear Finn isn't like that. I don't know what came over him, but that's not him really. He won't go after you again."

"Still no."

"James, you said that you'd do anything to make this right. I need you on board with this."

"Not at the risk of my safety. I've been here less than three months and I've been hit so hard in the face twice that I've bled both times."

"Both times you deserved it."

"I'm sorry. I can't help you."

"Yes you can! You have to. Please! Finn won't go after you anymore. If I hit you again, you can have me expelled. I need this."

"You mean, you need an excuse to have Kurt near you?"

"Yes. You said you'd do anything. Your safety isn't in jeopardy. Please?"

"If I say yes, will you do something for me?"

Blaine thought for a second. If it were anyone else asking that question he would have answered immediately. "Maybe. What is it?"

"A date. One date and I'll agree to tell Wes and David that I want the New Directions to come back."

"A date?" Blaine asked incredulously. "Once again, you somehow find a request that completely defeats the purpose of what I want you to do."

"I didn't say I wanted a kiss at the end of the night."

"You wouldn't get one anyway."

"I just want a date. And actual date where I escort you to dinner and a movie."

Blaine thought it through. In all honesty, what he was asking didn't sound so bad. Except the part where he'd be on the date with James. "No kissing?"

"Not unless you wanted to."

"I don't."

"Then no kissing."

"And no funny business either. If I agree, there will be no hand holding or cheesy yawning so you can put an arm around me during the movie."

"Of course. Just you and me and friendly conversation during dinner and silent, no touching during the movie." James smiled a genuine smile. One that Blaine noticed held no devilishness. He's serious, Blaine thought. He actually wants a serious date with me.

"I'm going to regret this, I know it." James smiled bigger. "Fine. One date with dinner and a movie. I'm in, but you have to tell Wes and David soon…like by tomorrow soon."

James looked like whatever emotion was just below giddy. "Yep. You got it. I'll tell them in the morning."

"When is our date?" Blaine tried not to cringe at the word.

"Saturday?"

"Yeah. Okay. I'm free." Blaine couldn't believe he was agreeing to this. "Saturday it is then."

"Start thinking about where you want to eat. You pick dinner and I'll pick the movie."

"Fine, but no chick flicks. I'm not into seeing romantic comedies with you."

"Do I look like a chic flick kind of guy?"

"No. I read you more as an action/thriller type."

"Nailed it." James smiled.

Blaine sighed in defeat. "Okay. I'm going down to Wes and David to tell them that they have to agree to let the New Directions back in the benefit concert and that if your safety is a concern, you see no problem with letting them back in."

"See you around."

"Yeah. See you." Blaine walked away before James shut the door. I'm an idiot. At least he's not blackmailing me this time… "At least it's not cheating."

He walked briskly back down to Wes' room, happy at least with the new development in his news. Wes opened the door this time. "You look happy. Haven't seen that look on you in a while."

"Not quite happy yet, but getting there. Satisfied is a better word. I talked to Kurt today. He said he needs time, but I'm still the only one in his heart and he wants us to work."

"That's great!" David chimed, knowing more about the Kurt/Blaine saga than Wes.

"Yeah. So, now I need a favor."

"We can't let the New Directions back," Wes decreed.

"How'd you know I'd be asking that?"

"How else are you going to see Kurt?"

"If James is the problem, I already talked to him and he doesn't care that the New Directions come back. I know none of the guys will try anything and Finn won't go after anyone. I swear."

"Well, James would have been the lynch pin if we hadn't already invited Crawford Country Day into the mix."

"What?" Blaine exclaimed. "Their glee club is horrible."

"Kate is in their glee club," Wes reminded Blaine.

"Yeah, Kate's band is awesome, but their all girl glee club is so bad. There is a reason they don't compete."

"I can't renege on the request."

"Then don't. Cut back on their set list time. Give Katie's band two songs, their glee club one song, and let them in on the group numbers. That will leave the New Directions two songs and one feature. We have one big group opening number and one big group closing number, the Warblers get two songs and two, maybe three features. It will all work out. Besides, how cool would it be to have this giant wall of sound for a huge group number?"

Blaine had a point. Wes and David eyed each other, having a silent conversation. David shrugged like it seemed to be a workable idea to him. Wes turned back to Blaine. "Let us talk about it. We'll let you know in the morning."

"Fair enough. I gotta go. Thanks for listening." Blaine got up and went to his room down the hall and collapsed on his bed. It had been a tiring day, but well worth all of his efforts. He was getting somewhere. Admittedly, this was the best day he had in a couple weeks and he didn't even have Kurt back yet. Yet, being the key word, he thought. He got up and hopped in the shower, cleaning up and getting out fairly quickly.

He dried off and pulled on a pair of boxer briefs and decided he was too tired to do anything so he'd turn in early. No sooner than Blaine set his alarm clock and settled in his bed, his phone rang from his bedside table. He collected it and saw that Kurt had sent him a text. He smiled, though he remembered how they left it. He became nervous because Kurt did tell him he needed space. He opened it. Kurt wanted to go for coffee! He sent a reply that he'd meet him. His breath caught when he read Kurt's reply text:

K- I love you.

B- You have no idea how happy I am to read that. I love you too.

Blaine put the phone back, knowing Kurt wouldn't send a reply, but for the first time in weeks, Blaine felt like he was truly able to breathe. That night was the first night since before the party in Crathern that Blaine slept a full night's sleep and dreamt sweet dreams that allowed him to wake up rested.