The next morning Kurt woke up more refreshed then he was expecting. He lay in bed for a few minutes, watching the sun come in through the window before he started to stretch his limbs.  He let his mind drift to Blaine, and his beautiful honey eyes. The way his lips curled slightly before he let himself smile completely. The way his thumb always found Kurt's knuckles.  The way his curls had laid perfectly over his forehead. The way when he was around Kurt felt safe, connected, and warm. 

‘Ugh, stop it Kurt. Get yourself together. You have bigger things to face today. First stop, finding a new place to live.' Kurt thought to himself.  He stretched his long limbs and enjoyed in the burn in his shoulders and back. He had phone calls to make and an ex fiancé to confront, he didn't have time to stay in bed as much as he wish he could have.  He didn't want to face the day, but he was Kurt Hummel. He was always expected to be the strong one. The one that soldiers on.  The one who never gives up. The one who is the rock for everyone else. Where was his rock?

When he walked out of the bedroom, Nick and Jeff were sitting on the couch waiting for him. How they managed to stay so quiet was beyond Kurt. He gave them a soft smile.

“Good morning you two” Kurt managed before finally giving into what they wanted. He sat down in between them, and allowed them to hug him. He giggled at the two men, Kurt could complain about life all the wanted to right now, but he had some amazing friends. No man is a failure who has friends.

“What do you need us to do?” Nick asked softly.

“Well I guess I am going to go home and pack my stuff. Confront Adam. I could use your help packing.” Kurt hated asking for help, but living with Adam for the last 4 years had resulted in them accumulating a lot of stuff and he knew there would be issues with what he wanted to take. However, Kurt just wanted out, he was done with the relationship. Let Adam keep it all or give it away. He just wanted his clothes, hair and skin care products, his sketchpad, and his extensive music collection.

“OK we can do that.” Jeff nodded.

“And…”

“You don't even have to ask” Nick said, “that guest room is yours as long as you need it.”

Kurt laid his head on Nick's shoulder and took comfort in his friends trying their best. At just that moment he heard his phone beeping from his jacket pocket, he was surprised he still had any battery left. When he fished the phone at out of his pocket, he had a single message.

From: Adam

We need to talk. I love you.

Kurt took a deep breath staring at the phone. Let's get this over with, he thought to himself. With an unspoken request Nick and Jeff let go of Kurt and allowed him to stand up and return back to the guest bedroom, or his bedroom now he guessed. He wasn't sure what he was going to say to Adam, but he knew it was over. He didn't want to hear the excuses, or the lies, or the apologies. He wanted to gather his stuff, what was left of his pride, and move on. He pulled up his Favorites and pressed Adam's name. Their smiling faces filling his phone's background, Kurt closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see it.

“Kurt, omg, I didn't think you would call that quickly. Listen I am so..” Adam quickly rushed out in one breath.

“Look Adam, I am going to make this quick. What I saw yesterday I can never unsee, I can never forget or forgive. Nick and Jeff have told me that I can stay with them until I figure out my next move. I am going today to pick up some of my stuff. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't be there when I got there.” Kurt rushed out almost must as quickly as Adam had talked.

“Look Kurt, it was a mistake. It didn't mean anything. You are my everything, I am so sorry.”

“Please just don't be there in a couple of hours.” Kurt said before pressing end. Kurt let the finality of his comments sink in. He had spent the best years of his life loving and living with Adam. He was his first boyfriend, his first everything. He felt like he had grown up with Adam even though they didn't even meet until he was almost 19. He knew needed to call Rachel and Finn, but telling them would make it official and he just wasn't sure he was ready for that no matter what he said.

There was a soft knock on his door, and Jeff peeked his head in. “Hey, we talked to Mike. Him and Tina said we could borrow the truck. So I am going to walk down and pick it up now. I didn't tell them what was going on, I wasn't sure if you wanted me too. But they send their love.”

“Thank you Jeff. Do you guys mind if I take a shower and borrow some clothes?” Kurt hated being so needy but he had to get out of his skinny jeans and tight Henley tee.

“Yeah, I am sure I have something that will fit you. Hop in the shower and I will have Nick look around.” Jeff reclosed the door while Kurt ran his hands through his hair. The day old product was making his hair sticky and nothing like his usual style.

He walked down the hallway to the rather large bathroom, and smiled at the kindness of his two friends. They had already laid out extra towels and a washcloth for him along with his favorite bodywash. How they always managed to know what he needed was beyond Kurt, but right now he just was thankful for them.

Kurt didn't want to take up too much time in the shower, but he let the warm water run over his body. He let himself enjoy the warmth and the scent of his bodywash. He decided to let his hair go natural today, which was rare for him, but without his products it is not like he could get it to his normal high standing coif anyways. When he exited the bathroom Nick had laid a pair of jeans and a plain tshirt at the door. Along with a pair of Doc Marten's that Kurt instantly recognized as his own, he had let Jeff borrow them a few months ago and never got them back. Kurt couldn't help but giggle at the irony.

He dressed quickly and finished towel drying his hair, he was surprised that his hair was somewhat cooperating today. It didn't look Kurt Hummel perfect but it wasn't too bad. Nick and Jeff were waiting in the kitchen with Kurt's favorite Chinese place just right down the road.

“You guys are being too good to me.” He smiled at his friends.

“Kurt, we are always here for you. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't have finally decided to go try to make this work nor would we have opened the bar. We owe a lot to you, and in your time of need we are going to be there for you.” Nick responded.

“Plus we never liked Adam.” Jeff said nonchalantly. Nick elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a sharp look. “What?!? We didn't.”

Kurt couldn't believe his ears. He was under the impression that everyone had liked Adam and the idea of them as a couple. He had never heard otherwise.

As they sat around and ate, Kurt learned a lot about the true feelings of his friends where Adam was concerned. Jeff explained that the first month they had opened the bar, he overhead Adam talking with some of his work friends about how he thought the bar would fail. Nick told Kurt that in their second year out in New York, they thought they had spotted out with another guy but they thought for sure it couldn't be him so they didn't pursue it. They even told them about how Rachel and Finn had talked with them about Kurt and Adam's engagement. Rachel always thought Adam was below Kurt, she hated the Adam's Apples. Rachel wanted Kurt to get out and try new things and was supportive of their relationship because she thought it would never last. Of course, Finn said and did whatever to keep Rachel happy. He loved Kurt, but if Rachel said she didn't like Adam then he didn't like Adam. It was much easier that way. They all saw the way Kurt looked at Adam, so they never said anything, but they weren't too happy about the engagement. Kurt was shocked to hear all this news.

“You became someone totally different when you were with him. You stopped being Kurt Hummel and you became Kurt and Adam.” Jeff let Kurt know, he didn't want to hurt Kurt anymore then he was already hurting. But Kurt was handling the break up better than Jeff had ever imagined.

“Isn't that what you do when you are a couple? I mean hell, you guys named your bar Niff's Place!” Kurt tried to defend himself.

“Yes, to a certain extent. But we never stopped being ourselves. At least we don't think so.” Jeff said exchanging a look with Nick.

The more Kurt thought about it, the more it let it sink it. They were right. He so badly wanted someone to love and to love him back; that he had given up a lot for Adam.  He stopped pursuing his dream of his Madonna covered band because Adam had laughed at the idea. He had stopped making his own clothes after Adam made the comment that this was New York, everyone bought everything. He had stopped singing top 40 hits around the house after Adam told him that countertenors were better suited for showtunes.

Nick and Jeff left Kurt to his thoughts as they drove the short drive to his former apartment, which still took 35 minutes in New York traffic. When they arrived Kurt was thankful to realize that Adam had respected his wishes and left the apartment. Where Adam went Kurt wasn't sure he cared, but he had assumed wherever he was Chandler was with him. They were inseparable at work anyway, but Kurt had never felt threatened. What he was not prepared for was that Adam had collected all the pictures of the two of them from around the apartment set up on the table right inside the door. So Kurt couldn't help but be slapped in the face with all the old memories. He looked at each picture with tears forming in his eyes.

There was one from the day they first met right after the first Adam Apple's performance Kurt ever watched. One from their second date at the Chinese place Kurt just ate from that morning. One from their 6 month anniversary when they saw Wicked together. One from their 1 year anniversary where they celebrated with friends in Las Vegas. One from their first night in the apartment together. One from opening night of Niff's Place. In all of them arms were around each other, smiles as big as the moon. Just looking at the pictures, Kurt would have never seen the cracks beneath.

 Nick and Jeff let him have his moment, as they waited inside the living room looking around nervously. They had both been here so many times and it had always felt like a second home to them. Now they were uncomfortable, this was no longer Kurt's place. They knew Kurt was being assaulted by memories right now, and they weren't sure how to handle this. Adam was Kurt's first boyfriend, first love, and first heartbreak. This would be a new experience for everyone involved.  They knew Kurt was strong and he would handle this with dignity, but they also knew he would fall apart eventually. And when he did they would be there to help him pick up the pieces.

Within a couple of hours, Kurt had packed up enough clothes and supplies to get him through the next few weeks. Nick and Jeff being there helped him stay focused and he didn't allow himself to get caught up in the memories that were haunting this place. Every time he picked out an outfit, he remembered the first time he wore it and what him and Adam were doing. Every time he glanced at their bed he saw Adam and Chandler.

By lunch time they were back at Niff's Place, Jeff serving up some lunch and getting ready to open the bar for that night. Nick had other errands to run so it was just Jeff and Kurt.

“Man, if you need anything promise you will let me or Nick know. That is what we are here for.”

“I know and I appreciate it, but I am fine. Really.” Kurt said between bites of Jeff's amazing chicken salad sandwich.

For the first time that day Kurt let his thoughts wander to Blaine. He wanted to know what he was doing, what his story was, but he knew he would never know. Blaine was gone. Adam was gone. Kurt was alone. Kurt made the commitment to himself right then that he would not dwell on what he didn't have. He was going to focus on what he did have, which wasn't much right now, but he wasn't going to let it get him down.

As if just thinking about him could summon him, Jeff and Kurt heard the bell ding above the door ding. They both looked up to see Blaine standing the doorway. Without even thinking, Kurt jumped down from his stool and ran into Blaine's arms. Jeff thought Nick had locked the door behind him, but he must have been mistaken. He decided to give the two men some alone time so he made himself disappear in the back to organize the liquor bottles, yet again.

“I thought I would never see you again.” Kurt couldn't pry himself from the arms of the slightly shorter man. He breathed in his scent, but he couldn't quite place it. It was almost like lilac, and raspberry, and man.

“I couldn't stay away.” Blaine whispered. He turned his head slightly so he could pepper kisses along Kurt's neck.

Kurt turned into the kisses and allowed his mouth to be captured by Blaine's. They melted into each other. Blaine had this calming effect on Kurt, like nothing he had ever experienced. When his mouth was on his, every problem slipped away, every nerve was calm, every thought forgotten. All that mattered was him and Blaine. Kurt knew he couldn't allow himself to get caught up in this feeling. It wouldn't last, but even now with Blaine's tongue exploring his mouth it did not matter. All that mattered was Blaine.

They stood kissing until they were both breathless and lips were swollen. When they parted Blaine looked absolutely wrecked. Kurt's face was a crimson color and his eyes were an amazing shade of dark blue. They stood staring at each other, the world around them no longer important. Nick had chosen that moment to return from running his errands. He wasn't paying attention and almost ran right into Blaine's back.

“Oh excuse me.” Nick shifted his packages from his right hand to his left, he extended his hand to Blaine. “We haven't properly met yet. I'm Nick, one of Kurt's oldest friends.” Kurt could see Nick's discomfort but appreciated the effort he was putting into being nice.

“Yes Nick. I know you. I'm Blaine. Thank you for watching over Kurt last night. He needs friends like you and Jeff. “Blaine answered in his melodic voice. He ignored Nick's hand and went right in for the hug.

Nick was caught off guard but he accepted the hug without complaints. He could see the smile in Kurt's eyes, a look he hadn't seen in quiet sometime. He didn't know who this Blaine guy was, and how Kurt knew him but if Kurt trusted him then Nick did too. Blaine had already made a better first impression than Adam. After the hug, Nick went into the back to look for Jeff.

Kurt and Blaine took a booth near the front; the bar didn't open for a couple of more hours so they knew they were done with the interruptions. They opted to sit on the same side of the booth so they could be close to each other. Kurt couldn't explain it, but he wanted to be near Blaine.

 He was suddenly overcome with flashes of Blaine and him together. In their first apartment, at their wedding, adopting their first child, the first day of kindergarten, the first day of high school, graduation, retirement, traveling, and countless times of making love to each other with words of love on their lips and their flesh on fire with lust and passion.

The flashes gave Kurt goosebumps and Blaine pulled him closer.

“I know what you are seeing, and I see it too.” Blaine whispered in his ear. Having Blaine's breath on his ear and on his neck was doing nothing to help his goosebumps.

“But how can that be?” Kurt asked afraid to make eye contact with Blaine.

“I can make the decision. I can choose to be human again Kurt, but you have to ask me too. I cannot do it alone. ”

“I cannot ask you to do that.” Kurt was panicking. He couldn't ask Blaine to do that. He wouldn't ask Blaine to do that. It was such a ridiculous thought. Kurt hadn't even been single for 24 hours. He had been in a steady relationship for 6 years.  He wasn't over Adam yet, that wasn't possible. Blaine did make him feel like a teenager finding love for the first time, but he could just be confused. He couldn't take the risk of falling in love again and it ended badly, especially with that is at stake for Blaine.

“I'd give up forever to touch you.”

“You cannot quote Goo Goo Dolls to me, this all too surreal.” Kurt laughed. Blaine knew immediately what he needed to break the tension, and it worked.

“I knew you would like that, but I am also being serious. I thought if I truly loved you I could let you go, but watching you sleep last night I knew I couldn't. You say the word Kurt and I am yours forever.”

Kurt just shook his head, he couldn't do this. “Can we just have today?”

“Yes, Kurt. Whatever you wish.”

Nick and Jeff picked that moment to reappear.

“We are sorry to interrupt guys, but Tina has spread the word and Rachel has been blowing up my phone. Will you please call her back?” Jeff threw his phone in Kurt's direction.

Kurt caught it and saw the 13 missed calls from one Rachel Berry. Kurt laughed to himself and made eye contact with Blaine, asking silently for permission to be excused. Blaine nodded. Kurt slid from the booth and went to step outside to call Rachel with some privacy. He knew Rachel would take the news as hard if not harder than he did. She was always sympathetic to his pain. He also had no doubt that her and Finn would be on their way to Niff's as soon as they found out the news, probably with Mike and Tina in tow. He wanted to spend time with his friends, he really did. But he wanted to spend time with Blaine before it was too late.

Rachel answered the phone in the first ring and started to blast Jeff out for ignoring her calls and taking so long to call her back.

“Rach, it's me.”

From that point on it was flurry of explanations, I'm sorrys, Oh Kurts, it's fines, I'm fines, thank yous, and no it's oks. Kurt left out the part about Blaine knowing it would be too much for Rachel to process on top of everything else. Besides what exactly would he tell her? Oh yeah by the way Rachel, an angel fell last night to help me realize my worth. Oh and I am in love with him. And he is asking me to ask him to give up his wings and be with him forever. Yeah that would go over very well. So Kurt decided not to say anything.

While Kurt was outside on the phone with Rachel, Nick and Jeff were getting to know Blaine. He had sense enough to know he shouldn't tell them the whole truth. So he told them that he fell in the river last night, Kurt saved him, they got to talking, and they only had today together before he had to go  back home. They of course asked where home was, and Blaine just smiled and answered “Up North.”

They offered him lunch, which he graciously accepted even though he didn't need it. Nick was worried about Kurt getting involved another relationship especially one that had the potential to be long distance, but he figured having a rebound couldn't hurt. But he knew by the look on Kurt's face that this wasn't just hooking up for him. He had seen Kurt's in love face before, and this was even more intense than that. Kurt had looked at Adam with affection, Kurt looked at Blaine with admiration and like he was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen.

After Rachel promised to not come out to Niff's until that night and Kurt promised he was okay with Nick and Jeff taking care of him he finally got her off the phone. When he walked back into the bar, Blaine was still in the booth where Kurt left him. Kurt noticed he had a full plate of food sitting in front of him, and he silently thanked his friends for being so great yet again. He slid back into the booth next to Blaine.

“So today” Blaine smiled.

“Today. We have today.” Kurt smiled back.