Kurt felt like he was in a frenzy to find a job fast. Rent needed to come from somewhere. He begrudgingly asked his father for a loan and his father happily obliged. "You don't have to pay me back, son," he said.

"No, Dad. I need to make my own way. I'll pay you back when I have the money. I don't know when that will be, but I'll get it, I promise."

"I'll give you the money, but think of it as a graduation gift. I'm so proud of you and I know New York City is expensive. I want you to have everything you need, so just take the money. I don't wanna hear another word about it, Kurt."

Kurt sighed into the phone. "Okay, Dad. Thank you."

"One more thing. I know you've got a line up of interviews this week, but I want you to think about something."

"What's that?"

"I know you've got a Master's Degree and all-"

"-Not yet. I'll have it on Saturday," Kurt correct. "You'll be able to make it, right? Graduation? Ten o'clock?"

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world. The whole family'll be there Carol and I are checking into our hotel on Friday evening, but that's not what I was going to say."

"Okay, shoot."

"Even though you have an advanced degree, there is no shame in taking a job for the money, no matter how lowly it may seem to you. I mean, I'd appreciate it if you weren't a stripper or a prostitute because that's not something I want to be worrying about, but if you were, I'd still love you." Burt started rambling to backtrack what he was trying to say in case Kurt was considering becoming a prostitute. Burt was one of those father's that knew how hard Kurt's life was and wanted to support his son in any way possible, be that monetary or emotional. Kurt was his pride and joy and he'd never stop loving him. To love Kurt was to love the memory of Kurt's mother and to forget or dismiss either one was to spit on the other. He'd have none of that. Kurt was his son and he'd love his son until that day he died. He was adamant about that and he didn't care who knew it. More than once he'd marched with Kurt, hand in hand, at a gay pride parade, holding a sign that read "Proud Political Father for Gay Rights." Carol, his step mother, and Finn marched that day too. She wore a shirt that read: My gay son planned my wedding/ He should have one too. Finn's sign was one that Rachel made for him. It was covered in glitter and read: Gay= Happy/ Happy= what I am to have a gay brother. And to think, Kurt was once frightened the very people who did this for him, would hate him.

"Dad!" Kurt interrupted. "I know what you're trying to say. Don't worry. I'm not going to start stripping or go-go dancing or selling myself under highways. Although, I appreciate the sentiment. I know what you mean. You're saying that even though I'll have my master's degree, if I start slinging hash at a diner so I can make rent, I shouldn't be ashamed."

"Exactly. You know what it's like to have to work hard and you're a man now, so that means that working hard for a living is part of the deal. You're a Hummel. Hummel men don't get pushed around, remember? Hard work and thriving is in our blood. So don't let anyone get you down, even yourself."

"I got it. Thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome. How fast do you need the money? Can I wire it to you, or can you wait to get it when I see you on Friday night?"

"I can wait until Friday."

"Okay then. I gotta go. Press conference. Tell you're brother and Rachel I said 'hi.'"

"I will do that. Love you, Dad."

"Love you too, Kurt. Don't worry about too many things. Things will fall into place when they're supposed to."

"Thanks."

Kurt took his father's advice and immediately went down the street to a corner store to buy a newspaper. He figured if businesses were desperate enough to pay for a Help Wanted ad, then they'd be quick to hire. The interviews he had lined up for the week were for Middle and High school guidance counselors. His dad was right. He needed something to pay the bills and he needed it now. If he got one of those guidance counselor positions then he'd still be broke until the Fall and he desperately wanted to not be in debt. He bought four different Newspapers and brought them all back to his apartment. He took out a highlighter and circled the ones that seemed promising enough to be able to pay his bills for the time being. He looked over at the clock and saw that it was time to go. He took his newspapers with him and put them in his briefcase. He quickly looked in a mirror to make sure that his attire was perfect interview clothes and not too overdone.

On the train, he was happy for his graduation gift from the professor he was a TA to because it was a metro card with a $100 limit. He also gave him a frame for his degree and an NYU sweatshirt. Mr. Jones was a practical man and was counted on to be the one to give Kurt something of use.

His advisor, associating Kurt with coffee because he always had one in his hand when he came to see him, gave him a gift card to his favorite caf� along with taking all the other graduates in the department out to a fancy dinner, which Kurt couldn't make because he had to work at the call center. So his advisor gave him an extra gift certificate to that particular restaurant for $50.

The call center workers and runners were the most thoughtful. They gave him an envelope of gift cards and cash that ranged in prices. Kurt teared up when he got this gift because he knew how little everyone made there and how most of them were volunteers, but they all thought about him long enough to want to give him something. Five of the cards were for Whole Foods grocery store and there were a couple metro cards in there that totaled $30. The cash amount totaled $40 and three of the gift cards were Visa gift cards that totaled $75. There were several others, but he didn't see himself using them anytime soon because they were for stores and since he didn't have a job, he had no need to be buying clothes or electronics.

He went to three different interviews back to back that day at two middle schools and one high school. They all went well. He hoped to get the job to the second school. It was as a guidance counselor at the Harvey Milk School. After that he took a train into Times Square and headed for one of the off Broadway theaters at 1:00.

His first stop was to answer an add that he found in the paper for a ticket agent to work in the box office at an off Broadway theater. He walked in and everything in the lobby looked like utter chaos. There were boxes everywhere and only one person that seemed to be bustling around. He could hear construction workers in the auditorium and he had no idea who to talk to.

He started with the guy trying to hustle the lobby into something that resembled a lobby.

"Hey, who are you? We're not doing press right now," a portly man in a white t-shirt and suspenders stated. He picked up another box.

Kurt looked down at himself. He was dressed like a business man without the blazer. "Um. No. I'm not a reporter."

"Then what are you doing here?" His voice had a thick accent like he was from New Jersey or Staten Island.

"I'm here about the ad in the paper for a ticket agent."

"What's you're name?"

"Kurt Hummel."

"You got a criminal record?"

"No."

"You an actor?"

"No, Sir."

"Musician?"

"No."

"When can you start?"

"I'm sorry?" Kurt thought he heard wrong. Was this guy hiring me based on those questions alone?

"You deaf? When can you start?"

He widened his eyes and shook his head minutely to get a grip on the situation. "I-um. As soon as possible."

"Great. Welcome aboard. It pays twelve bucks an hour. Come with me. We'll bang out your paperwork and you can get started."

"Now?"

"You got somewhere better to be? I need someone now." The man looked around at the mess of boxes. "Like yesterday, now. You can't start right now, you can walk yourself back out."

"No. I can start now," Kurt hurriedly stated.

"Great. I'm Ned Sterling. I run this theater. Call me anything, but Sir or Sterling, and you'll be out on your ass." He put his box down and gestured as he turned away from Kurt. "Follow me." Kurt immediately traversed around the boxes and followed Sterling. "I turned away five people already today. Everyone's a friggen actor or musician in this city. I don't need people that are gonna ask me to leave for auditions whenever their friggen agents call. I need workers. I need people who will do what I say when I say it. You got that?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. You do that and you'll do just fine. I run a business- what did you say you're name was again?"

"Kurt, Sir. Kurt Hummel."

"As I was saying. I run a business, Hummel. Broadway may be about lights and magic, but all that crap is for the customers. People like us bust our asses so that everything runs smoothly. If everything runs smoothly, all the customers will see is magic and promises and shit. The only promise you'll see is a paycheck if you do your job, got it?"

"Got it." Kurt was able to see why Sterling had no workers. They probably were either all artists or fired or left because this guy was an asshole. But Kurt wasn't about to complain. This guy just gave him a job on the spot. He could deal with assholes. He dealt with them often. All he had to do was keep his mouth shut and do what he was told. He could do that.

Sterling led him to an office that was also littered with boxes. The entire hallway was lined with boxes just like the lobby. Everywhere he looked: boxes. He didn't know what was in them, but he had a suspicion that his entire job today would be to move as many as possible.

When all the paperwork was done, Sterling suggested that Kurt lose the briefcase and tie. He showed him a locker he could have and Kurt also took off his button up along with his tie. That left him with his slacks and undershirt.

"Tomorrow come in wearing clothes that you're not worried about ruining. Your shirt and ties are only for performance nights. Right now you'll be doing grunt work until we're good and ready. You can start with the boxes in the lobby. If they're labeled with an S, P, or L bring it to the auditorium; if it's got a B, M, or A, put it in the hallway. If it's got an O, it goes in my office. Whatever doesn't have a label can be stacked and left in the lobby. It's for the costume department and they'll come pick it up whenever they get their asses in gear. Friggen rookies, they are. They had their shit delivered here instead of at their homes or offices. Anyway, that's where the boxes go. Clear?"

"Crystal. O, office; M,B,A hallway; S,P,L auditorium; everything else, lobby."

"Good. You listen. I like a guy, who listens, Hummel. Now let's get to it." After they hashed out Kurt's hiring paperwork, Sterling left Kurt to his own devices and went into his office to make some calls.

By five o'clock, Sterling had hired one other guy on the spot, like he did Kurt, and one woman. Between the three of them, the lobby was completely empty with the exception of the boxes that were neatly stacked for the costume department.

"Okay, kiddos," Sterling said at five o'clock. "Dinner. Even you, Pepper. I know I hired you an hour ago, but I'm going to dinner and I don't need to be paying you to sit around and wonder what to do while I'm gone. So let's get some food."

Sterling took Kurt, Pepper, an apparently timid woman in college, and Kelly, a man in his late thirties, to a nearby deli and bought them all dinner. He may have been an asshole, but at least he seemed to know it and want to do some good by his workers.

When Kurt sat down, He realized how much he had been exerting himself and it felt good to relax. Hauling boxes as fast as possible for hour hours straight would do that to a person. He checked his phone and had two missed calls. One was from Vin, and another from Rachel. Vin called on his lunch break and wanted to say hello and Rachel was on her break from Rehearsal and wanted to gush about it. Then he saw he had a text from Blaine. He smiled.

B- I got the job! The pit director called me earlier to tell me I got the position.

K- That's great! Congrats!

B- Thank you! I want to celebrate, but I have a show tonight. Hey! Do you want to go? My band's playing tonight.

K- What time?

B- Ten.

K- Um. Sure I think I can make it.

B- Awesome! See you then!

Kurt called Puck and left a voicemail. "Want to go to a concert tonight? A friend is playing." His second call was to Vin, who picked up immediately. "I can't talk long, but I wanted to call you back."

"Oh, okay. You busy?"

"I little. I got a job. I'm on my break right now."

"That's great! What are you doing?"

"Ticket agent at an off Broadway theater. I'll tell you more later."

"You sound tired."

"Not really. I have a job. I should be so lucky." Admittedly, Kurt was a little tired, but he didn't want to admit it in front of his boss. He'd only been working four hours, but it was four hours of labor that he wasn't used to in a long time. Lugging boxes was not something he made a habit of. He did feel a little bad that he wasn't as enthused to talk to Vin, but that was only because he couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't have time for a normal conversation and there were people around too. "I'm sorry, Babe. I'll call you later. I just wanted to tell you that I got your call."

"Are you okay? You don't sound good. I'm worried."

"Yeah. I'm good. I'll talk to you later."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Okay. I'll be up late, so call me anytime."

"I won't call too late, but I'll call." They ended their call and Kurt pocketed his phone.

Kurt ended up calling Vin back when he was getting ready to see Blaine's band. Blaine had sent him another text with the address of the bar he was playing at. Puck agreed to go with him. Vin was concerned about the way Kurt spoke on the phone earlier, but Kurt explained it was because his boss was right there and he couldn't really talk. Kurt, however, was much happier to talk to Vin in private. They chatted about Kurt's interviews and Kurt complained about Sterling, but admonished that he was just happy to have a job for now. Vin talked about school that day and some of the interesting things that happened with his students. He said that he had a student that reminded him of a younger version of Kurt and his name was Lee.

"I've started standing in the hallways and making excuses for myself to inconspicuously follow him around. He's picked on quite a bit and it's starting to get to him. He's gone to the counselor, but she knows nothing, no offense Babe-"

"None taken. My high school guidance counselor didn't do much either. Anyway, continue."

"So, I sort of took it upon myself to look after him. You know, him being part of the family and all." Part of the family was a phrase that Kurt had never heard until he got older. He learned it was a phrase that was code for He/She is gay like us. It gave a deeper meaning to the term Gay Community.

"That's noble of you."

"Nobility has nothing to do with it. It's basic and civil rights, you know that. You went through it like the rest of us did."

"Yeah, I remember."

"I guess, since meeting you, I see what you meant when you told me that protecting and helping these kids are your calling. I became a teacher because instructing was something I was good at and I liked science, but now I have a whole new admiration and love for my job. I want to be as powerful a figure in these kids' lives as you will be when you become an educator. I'm sure all those kids you spoke too at the call center will remember you for the rest of their lives."

Kurt felt that he should feel proud and be smiling, but instead, he felt modest. This was something that he knew already. He'd had many people praise him and he'd come to feel that notoriety isn't what he sought. He felt it was his duty to help others. It went back to how he felt he wasn't there for Dave when Dave needed someone the most. He ignored helping one person, so now he had to atone for that by helping the many. "I'm proud of you, Vin. I think it takes bravery to help others. Now I feel guilty for taking you away from Lee. You may not be there for him next year."

Vin was silent. Obviously this wasn't something he thought of and was now taking it in.

"I'm sorry, Babe. I didn't mean to put it that way."

"No. You're right. I won't be." His voice seemed bummed out and deep in thought. "I guess I have more to think about than I thought, huh?"

"No one ever said picking up and leaving everything behind was easy." There was a pause. "You know… you don't have to move in. If your students mean that much to you. I won't be upset with you. I'd understand. You can live here the whole summer and then we'll go back to visiting each other on vacations and long weekends. We'll both be in the school system, so we might have the same vacation schedule and everything. Or we might be on opposite schedules so we'd have one week in New York and one week in Vermont together. Twice as much time as we have now." Kurt was trying to be supportive because Vin is always so supportive of him and he didn't want to be selfish by assuming he could have everything he wanted.

"I can't do that, Kurt. I want to be with you. I want to be near you as much as possible. I-" he stopped himself. "I miss you. I know I left yesterday, but, shit, Kurt…"

"What is it?" Kurt furrowed his eyebrows in concern. Vin was sounding distressed.

"I just don't get how I'm the only one who feels physical pain when your not around. Missing you hurts. I don't want to miss you anymore."

Now Kurt understood. Vin thought that Kurt didn't feel for him as strongly as he felt for Kurt because Kurt never expressed how much he needed to be around Vin. Vin was very open about how Kurt made him feel; he never told Kurt he loved him, but he made his feelings known. Kurt had always been more reserved. "I'm sorry, Vin. I think I've somehow mislead you on how I feel. I thought you knew, but I guess I didn't make it that obvious. I want you here just as much as you want to be. But here's the thing, I used to people leaving me. I'm used to people coming into my life, dazzling me and making me believe that a long term future is what's going to happen and then they up and leave with no clues as to why that happened or why I wasn't good enough to make them want to stay. I'm crazy about you and it sucks when you're not here. No buts, Vin. It just sucks. I don't know how else to say it. You seem to want the best for me and I've never had that. I was always the one to sacrifice in a relationship and the fact that you are more than willing to up and leave your life to join mine, blows me away. I just want you to know that I'll support whatever decision you make because you've done the same for me." There was silence again after Kurt's big speech. "Vin?" Kurt asked. "You still there?"

"Uh, yeah," Kurt thought he heard a sniffle. "Sorry. I… God, I wish we were having this conversation face to face. I'm sticking with the plan to be there. No regrets. I'm going to be with you."

"Are you okay, Vin?"

"Yeah, Kurt. I… I'm crazy about you too." Kurt smiled, but he was concerned for Vin. He felt that Vin was holding something back. He didn't know what, but there was definitely something not being said on Vin's part. "I can't promise you forever because I can't predict the future, but you're- you're amazing and I don't know how anyone could think you were enough. You're more than enough. You're perfect."

"I'm not perfect."

"You're perfect to me."

Kurt smiled again and realized that he had stopped trying to get ready and was sitting on his bed in his boxers. Puck popped his head in Kurt's room without knocking and asked if he was ready to go. Kurt shook his head, but Vin heard Puck's voice in the background.

"Oh. I'm keeping you. I'm sorry."

"No! Don't think that. It's just Puck. We're going out tonight. There's a band playing live at this bar in Brooklyn. It doesn't matter what time we show up."

"It's okay. I'll let you go so you can finish getting ready. You and Puck rarely hang out together outside of the apartment, so go. Have fun."

"You sure? I can talk and get dressed."

"No. Really. It's fine. I…" Vin sighed and Kurt knew there was something Vin was trying to say, but wouldn't. He wondered what was so hard for Vin to say. "I miss you. I'll see you in a couple weeks."

"I'll talk to you before then, you know."

"Yeah. Okay, go. Before Puck gets antsy and leaves without you."

"Okay… Goodnight, Vin."

"Goodnight, Kurt."

Kurt felt bad when he ended the call because he felt that there was something wrong. He didn't want to leave it that way.

Puck peeked his head in again while Kurt was putting on the outfit he picked out. "Hey, is this a gay bar?"

"No. Why?"

"Just wondering if I'd have the opportunity to mack on the ladies."

Kurt chuckled breathily. "Yeah, Puck. You do that."

"Sweet. You almost ready?"

"Almost."

They left fifteen minutes later and when they arrived at the bar, Blaine's band had already started. Puck and Kurt ordered a couple drinks and Kurt said he was going to get closer to the stage. He found a table for two pretty close to the stage and sat down alone. Blaine was off to the side at the keyboards, but Kurt was straight in his eye line. It took exactly ten seconds for Blaine to spot him and he smiled as he sang back up vocals to the song. He was clearly happy that Kurt made it.

Kurt smiled back and looked at the rest of the band. He recognized Nick on the drums and Jeff on the bass guitar. He assumed the lead sing on the lead guitar was who Blaine mentioned as Matty.

"These guys aren't half bad," Puck mentioned when he sat down at Kurt's table.

"Yeah. They're pretty good. I thought you'd be macking on the ladies by now."

"I got all night. We never hang out. How'd you hear about these guys?"

"A friend. The guy playing the keyboards is a bartender at Jericho. He knows Santana."

"Santana? Lopez?" She lives in the NY?"

"Yep. She looks good too. She's still with Brittany."

"Woah. Nice. We'll have to get together with them sometime. New Directions reunion." Three songs later and Puck spotted some chick he thought was hot. They disappeared almost instantly and Kurt was impressed at how quickly Puck worked.

By the time Blaine's band took was taking a break, Kurt had had three drinks. Blaine hopped off the stage after talking to his band mates for a moment. He went over to Kurt and sat down. "This seat taken?"

Kurt smiled. "By you." He batted his eyes, but not to be flirtatious. "You guys are good."

"Thanks!"

"How come you don't sing lead. Matty's good and all, but you're really good too."

"I do sometimes, but it's his band and he likes to sing lead. Every now and then I sing. I'll sing one when we get back up there."

"Congrats on getting the pianist job! That's so amazing!"

Blaine beamed and tucked his head down bashfully. "Thank you. Now my dad can finally shut up about my major being a waste of money."

"You're really talented, Blaine." There was a moment where Kurt caught Blaine's eyes and they stared before Kurt spoke again. "Can I get you a drink to celebrate? You said you wanted to go out."

"Um… I'm not sure I'll have time, but if you don't have anything to do in the morning, we can get drinks after our set is done." Blaine sounded hopeful.

"Uh. I have to work in the morning. Got to be there by eight and it takes me almost an hour to get home from here."

"Oh. One drink then? We only have a few songs left before our time is up and it'll will only take like fifteen minutes to clear our stuff into Matty's van."

Kurt smiled. "Sure. I think I can manage to stay out long enough for that."

Blaine was about to say something else when Nick came up to them and put his hand on Blaine's shoulder. "We gotta start again. Hi, Kurt."

"Hey!"

Blaine turned back to Kurt. "Gotta go."

"I'll be here."

Blaine got up and went back to the stage with Nick. Blaine resumed his palce at the keyboards and Matty started singing a song that Kurt knew. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he checked it. It was from Puck.

P- Don't mean to ditch you or anything, but I'm taking this hottie back to our place.

K- No worries. I can make it home on my own. Have fun with what's her name.

P- Becca. Her name's Becca. Or maybe Bella? Whatever, she's hot and she'll be gone by morning.

K- You're a slut.

P- I'm the man : )

Kurt pocket his phone again and resumed watching Blaine's band. Matty announced that they'll be playing two more songs and introduced the members of the band. When he got to Blaine, he made a special introduction saying that Blaine was going to be singing the next song.

Blaine got up and switched places with Matty. Matty sat at keyboards and Blaine put the guitar strap over his shoulder.

"This is a song we've been working on that I wrote called Last First Kiss."

Nick started out first on the drums making it sound like a hard jazzy song with a rock and roll/blues twist. Kurt immediately started swaying his head to the beat. It was one of those songs you couldn't help, but move to even though it was a slow ballad.

Then Blaine started strumming the electric guitar and leaned forward to the microphone.

We might have met His children

Maybe it's been a couple weeks

I don't even know anymore

Cause you have that effect on me

And now I'm feeling like forever just showed up at my door

I've got a little piece of heaven

That's all mine to hold on to

Kurt stopped sipping on his drink. He was almost frozen. He was so impressed with Blaine's voice and stage presence. He heard him sing yesterday, but seeing the crowd react the way they were and watching Blaine do what he did best made Kurt really awe at him. He was so good at this.

What I'm trying to say

In my own simple way

Is that I want you to be my last first kiss

I want you to be my last first kiss

My heart, yes it's finally found

My heart, yes it's finally found

Someone I can't live without

It was only a second, but Kurt saw it, Blaine glanced at him. He smiled because it was flattering for the lead singer in a band to catch someone's eyes.

I wonder what you're thinking

whenever you not around

Any secret I was keeping

I want to tell you right now

And when I dream about tomorrow

I've got you on my mind

Blaine was purposely trying not to look at Kurt. If he was honest, and he wasn't trying to be, the song was inspired by Kurt. It wasn't one hundred percent about him, but his thoughts on the porcelain man was definitely in there. Blaine knew that Kurt had a boyfriend and didn't want to get in the middle of it, even though the crush was there, so he forced himself to keep his eyes away from Kurt. Subconsciously he would slip, but once he realized he was looking at Kurt, he would turn his eyes away again.

I am hopelessly devoted

Just want you in my life

What I'm trying to say

In my own simple way

Is that I want you to be my last first kiss

I want you to be my last first kiss

My heart, yes it's finally found

My heart, yes it's finally found

Someone I can't live without

I promise you

Nothing new

Is gonna come around changing my mind

Nothing new

Only you on my mind

What I'm trying to say

In my own simple way

Is that I want you to be my last first kiss

I want you to be my last first kiss

My heart, yes it's finally found

My heart, yes it's finally found

Someone I can't live without

The song ended and Kurt was still staring. His heart was beating hard and a smile played at his lips. He started clapping and watching Blaine go back to the keyboard as Matty announced their last song.

It's nothing, he told himself. He had a good voice and he's talented. It's nothing. This is a showmance. That's all, a reaction to a talented person in the spotlight. You don't have a crush on him. Vin; not Blaine. Vin. VIN; VIN; VIN. It'll go away by the time he sits down with you. Now, if only he could believe his own words.

Their set ended and Blaine helped his band mates clear out their gear. By the time Blaine came back, Kurt was nervous. His heart fluttered. Goddamn, heart. Don't do that! Beat normally, you stupid thing. It's Blaine. Just Blaine.

"So, how about that celebratory drink?" Blaine asked with a grin.

Kurt's heart jumped again. Damnit, Kurt thought. "Sure!" I could use one… or five. They went up to the bar and Kurt ordered four shots. Two shots of Whisky and two shots of Patron.

"Woah!" Blaine exclaimed. "You trying to get me drunk?"

I'm trying to calm myself down. "No. Whisky is a broadway tradition and Tequila is just for fun."

"No Midori Sours?" Blaine joked.

Kurt laughed. Fuck, that wasn't that funny. Stop it, Kurt! Vin, remember? Vin, not Blaine. "That's not all I drink."

They each took one shot glass of Whisky and clinked their glasses. "To Broadway. Or, off Broadway." Blaine smiled.

"To you," Kurt said. Fuck, shut up and take the damn shot! Kurt was tired of having to self correction himself in his head. He threw the drink down his throat and swallowed. He saw Blaine wince as it burned on the way down and Kurt thought how cute Blaine looked when he smiled back at him.

"Thank you," Blaine responded after clearing his throat.

"For what?" Kurt asked.

"You're the only one who gets it."

"Gets what?"

"This," Blaine emphasized and raised the empty shot glass. "All my friends, they don't get how big a deal this is for me. To be in the orchestra of a show. It's off Broadway, but that's still huge, you know?"

Kurt's face softened and his heart calmed down. He wasn't nervous anymore. Suddenly all his worries weren't on himself. They were on Blaine feeling grateful that someone was there for him. "I do know. You're really talented, Blaine. Everyone should be proud of you, no matter what you do."

Blaine's face held gratitude and affection. He put the empty glass down and grabbed the other one. He raised it like he had the other one. "To you."

"To me?"

"Thank you."

Kurt smiled the same way Blaine was and handed Blaine a small container off the bar. "You forgot the salt."

Blaine smiled wider, feeling something passing between them that he knew would go unspoken. He put his glass down gently, licked the back side of his hand and sprinkled a little salt on it. He watched Kurt do the same and flicked his eyes away after realizing he was staring at Kurt's lips and tongue as if in slow motion.

They clinked glasses, licked the salt of their own hands, took the shots, bit into a lemon each.