The next morning Kurt woke up alone. He wasn't sure if the night before had even happened. He looked around, and saw his clothes piled in the floor where he had left him and the faint smell of sex in the air. He laid back against the sheets and began to stretch his muscles. He couldn't keep the smile off his face. Beside him his phone started buzzing, he reached to grab it and noticed he had several text messages. Before he could check them, he noticed the folded piece of paper that was laying under his cell phone. He opened to find a note from Blaine.

Kurt,

I am sorry I had to go. Last night was amazing. Please don't forget about me. I will always watch over you. I love you too.

All my love,

Blaine

Kurt held the note to his chest and fought back the tears. Last night was beautiful and he would always remember Blaine, he hoped Blaine knew that. He couldn't forget him if he tried. After Kurt collected himself, he started to check through his messages.

From Rachel:

Kurt! You disappeared with a very attractive man last night. I need details! Call me!

From Finn:

DUDE! For real man? You just take off with some guy and leave us hanging? Call me! Or Rachel.

From Nick:

We didn't mean to eavesdrop, but we couldn't help it. Clean towels and wash clothes are waiting for you in the bathroom. Hope you had fun (and that you were safe)

From Jeff:

GET IT BOY!!!!! Glad to see Mr. Sexy Kurt Hummel is back!

From Isabelle:

Kurt, I know you probably are still mad at me. But I have a job opportunity for you. Please call me when you can. I miss you my friend. J

Kurt decided to call Isabelle back first; he needed a job before his hands needed answers. Though each text made him laugh harder than the one before it. When Isabelle answered Kurt could tell she was in a flurry of activity at the Vogue.com offices. He could hear her finishing up her current conversation before saying hello to him. He waited patiently.

“I quit.” She said simply.

“Wait? What?” Kurt replied.

“I quit, I am branching out on my own. And I need you Kurt. I want you to design for me. Please say yes. I have already looked at a tiny office to rent. It's only three rooms, but it is plenty big enough for me and you and a modeling station. The salary will be slightly less then Vogue.com starting out, but I promise if you stick with me, I will make sure every A list star will be wearing your designs in a couple of years.”

“Isabelle, I don't know what to say.” Kurt said tears of happiness already forming in his eyes.

“Then say yes silly!”

“YES YES a million times yes!” Kurt knew he would be an idiot to turn down this opportunity.

“I will send you the information about the office and then we will set up a time to meet. I am excited about this and I know you won't let me down.” Isabelle said before hanging up the phone.

Kurt jumped up from the bed, threw on some clothes, and ran into the kitchen where you knew he would find Nick and Jeff. There they were sitting at the kitchen table drinking their coffee. They both had smiles on their faces and looked up at Kurt. They were expecting to hear all about his awesome sex he got last night, they were not prepared for the news about already finding a job. They jumped up in excitement and decided this needed celebrating. After Kurt left the room to call Rachel so she would stop texting him, they began texting all their friends. They were going to throw Kurt a party.

Kurt spent the rest of the day texting his whole group of friends and his family to tell them about Isabelle's offer. The calls to his family took longer because he had to explain the whole Adam situation; he was surprised that Finn actually kept his mouth shut for once. Burt also mentioned that he could kick Adam's ass if Kurt wanted him too. Kurt told him he would need to get in line, but Finn and Nick could handle it on their own, if needed.

He also started looking at apartments that were close to the address Isabelle had sent him from the office. There were a couple he thought would be in his price range and made a note to check them out first thing on Monday. Kurt thought about Blaine, and really wished he was around to tell him his exciting news. All he could hope is that Blaine was looking down on him, and he knew. That gave Kurt some comfort.

By midafternoon, he needed a shower and a nap. He took his time in the shower, letting the water loosen his muscles and the heat relax him. After the shower and blow drying his hair, he curled into the bed. It still smelled faintly of Blaine, and that was enough to lull him into sleep.  He was asleep for almost 2 hours when he was awoken by his special ringtone for Nick.

“Dude, I live with you now. You don't need to call me, I am literally right now the hall.”

“Well I am down at the bar. You have an hour. No questions. Just get dressed, do your hair, and come downstairs.” Nick  hung up before Kurt could even think fast enough to respond.

Kurt entered from the back room, the scene before him took him completely by surprise. The only customers in the bar were his friends.

Finn, Puck, and Mike were sitting at the back bar. Rachel and Tina were of course up the piano looking through the song catalogue. Jeff and Nick were behind the front bar smiling at sharing glances at each other. Even Mercedes and Sam were sitting at both getting reacquainted with Santana and Brittany. He couldn't help but smile and be thankful yet again that he has so many great friends. It didn't take long for Finn to notice Kurt's presence.

“Hey little brother. Congrats on the job and getting some ass last night” He said wrapped the smaller man in a hug. Kurt always felt safe in Finn's hug, his brother always had his best interest at heart and he was glad every day that he manipulated Burt into meeting Carole. It was worth it. Finn released him, only for him to be attacked by everyone else.

Kurt spent so much time in high school feeling unloved. And here now, were his friends from high school showing him just how important he was. Just how loved he was. Just how safe he was. He couldn't help but let his thoughts drift back to Blaine, but he quickly pushed them away when he noticed Isabelle walking in through the door. He ran to her and wrapped her into a hug.

“Thank you Isabelle, I cannot thank you enough.”

“The pleasure is mine Kurt, I assure you. I have been thinking about branching out on my own for awhile, and losing you gave me the courage. So really I should be thanking you!” She hugged him back just as fiercely.

At that moment he heard Defying Gravity come over the speakers. He smiled to himself, Rachel always knew him the best.  He sang his heart out on that stage, and he left it all on the line. Everyone in the room was mesmerized by Kurt. Everyone of course had heard him sing a million times, but his emotions were raw tonight. Of course, they all thought it had to do with Adam. Only Nick and Jeff exchanged glances, they saw how Kurt looked at Blaine. They knew.

After the song was over, Kurt went to greet Sam and Mercedes. He was amazed that they had made it to New York so quickly. After hugs, and exchanges of how everyone was doing, Sam let it slip the real reason why they were there. Sam had finally landed a modeling contract and he was doing a shoot in New York over the weekend. It was just good timing. Kurt laughed at the use of the words ‘good timing.'

Kurt felt good, he drank a little alcohol, sang more songs by himself and with Rachel, he even did a group number of ‘Friends in Low Places' with Finn, Puck, Mike, and Nick. Nick and Jeff had finally decided to open the bar to public around 11:30. Kurt seemed to be having a good enough time. People started filling inside, after all it was a Friday and Friday nights were always good money nights. Kurt didn't let the involvement of strangers ruin his fun. He was actually having a good time. He only let Blaine interrupt his thoughts in between drinking and singing, so he kept drinking and singing.

Kurt was sitting at the bar chatting with Jeff and nursing another drink when a familiar song started drifting from the karaoke bar. He figured Rachel was trying to get his attention again with one of his favorite songs from high school. His voice needed the rest so he decided to ignore her. Then a voice came drifting through the speakers that set every nerve in Kurt's body on fire.  He looked around trying to find the source of the voice.  Whoever it wasn't standing on the normal karaoke stage, suddenly his eyes landed on the piano in the corner, and he saw him.

Dug my way out, Blood and fire
Bad decisions, Thats alright
Welcome to my silly life

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss "no way, its all good", It didnt slow me down
Mistaken, Always second guessing
Under estimated, Look, Im still around

Kurt got up from his seat at the bar to get a closer look at this man. He had never seen him more beautiful than he was in that moment. The glow around him was magical, and his voice was truly the voice of an angel.  Everyone else in the bar seemed to have the same opinion. Conversations stopped. The only thing that could be heard was the song.

Pretty, pretty please
Dont you ever, ever feel
Like your less than Fuckin perfect.
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
Youre fuckin perfect to me.

Youre so mean, 
When you talk, About yourself, You are wrong.
Change the voices, In your head
Make them like you Instead.

So complicated, 
Look happy, Youll make it! 
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game.
Its enough, Ive done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons, Ive seen you do the same.

Oh, Pretty, pretty please
Dont you ever, ever feel
Like your less than fuckin perfect.
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
Youre fuckin perfect to me.

The whole world stares so I swallow the fear, 
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer.
So cool in line and we try, try, try, 
But we try too hard, its a waste of my time.
Done looking for the critics, cause theyre everywhere
They dont like my jeans, they dont get my hair
We change ourselves and we do it all the time

Why do we do that? Why do I do that?

Pretty, pretty please
Dont you ever, ever feel
Like your less than Fuckin perfect.
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
Youre fuckin perfect to me.

Youre perfect, Youre perfect
Pretty, pretty please
Dont you ever, ever feel
Like your less than Fuckin perfect.
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
Youre fuckin perfect to me.

When the song was over, Kurt couldn't help but stare. Blaine stood up from the piano, straightened his bowtie and stepped down. Him and Kurt met halfway from the piano to the bar. All of Kurt's friends had turned to watch this mysterious man, and the pull he seemed to have on Kurt. None of the regulars to Niff's Place had seen him around before so they were all curious as well on whom this man was.

When Kurt finally got within touching distance to Blaine, he closed the gap as he flung himself into Blaine's arms. The entire bar erupted in cheers, except for Kurt's friends who just sat staring.

Blaine started to fade out, and Kurt knew he was losing his chance.

“Stay. Blaine. Stay. Stay with me forever.”

“Okay.”