“How long has this been in there for?” He tried the power button fruitlessly.

“It was running out of charge last time I checked it, which was about a week before...” Blaine's voice trailed off.

“Okay, charger?” Blaine pointed to the closet and watched Kurt rummage around until he heard him utter a victorious sound and return to the desk. He plugged the charger in and set the cell to one side. He returned his attention to the box.

“The envelopes are just letters from Alex. You can read them if you want, there's also a couple of old journals in there.” Blaine rubbed the back of his neck slightly uncomfortably, trying to work out why the hell he trusted Kurt to look at the stuff he had kept hidden so far. Kurt took a moment to consider Blaine and the letters.

“I don't want to make you uncomfortable Blaine. This is obviously very personal for you. Before I go any further with this do you mind if I ask you something?” Blaine looked directly at Kurt and Kurt tried not to focus on the fact that he could see the wall through Blaine's eyes. Blaine simply nodded.

“Did your parents know you're gay? I mean if this stuff was hidden there must have been a reason.” Blaine blinked a couple of times wondering how best to answer Kurt. He wasn't one hundred percent ready to discuss the time spent locked in his room, the bruises. He didn't really want to talk about how his father had driven Ales to breaking point, pushing him right into another state. Blaine hadn't really admitted to himself just how bad things had gotten – admitting it to Kurt was too much right now... made it too real.

“Yeah they knew. They didn't want to know about it though.” Kurt gave Blaine a scrutinizing look. He knew there was more to this, but it wasn't his place to push Blaine. Hell within the realms of normality Kurt shouldn't even be having this conversation with Blaine. Once again the absurdity of this washed over him and he picked a letter up trying to distract himself from the very real possibility that he could well be finally losing it. The envelope had been decorated intricately with the New York skyline. Kurt took a moment to appreciate the precise detail in each building. He flipped it over and carefully removed the letter, setting the envelope gently on the desk. He unfolded the letter and began to read the typed print, acutely aware of Blaine stood watching him.

Blaine,

I realise we've only been dating for a week, but I just thought I'd tell you how handsome you looked today. The minute you walked through those doors I was lost. You should wear your hair like that more often

You are amazing, every time you speak it's like you really have something important to say, and I just love that.

I suppose I'd better go and finish this chemistry homework, but I'm thinking about you. Like always.

Alex.

The signature at the bottom was untidy and flourished, a little black heart had been doodled in the bottom corner of the letter.

“I get the feeling he was really into you.” Kurt smiled mildly up at Blaine, who seemed to be in another world entirely right now. He nodded almost imperceptibly and seemed to return to this world.

“Yeah, he spent a while trying to get me to go out with him. I was still trying to work out what being gay meant and just wanted to keep my head down, not draw any attention to myself you know?” The look in Kurt's eyes told Blaine that Kurt knew only too well. Blaine seemed to think for a minute before speaking again.

“Would you... I mean, do you think it'd be weird if you read the letter – out loud I mean. It'd just be really nice to hear them.” Kurt was slightly taken back by the request but nodded non – the – less. He reached into the box for another envelope. This one had the London skyline etched on it. Kurt itched to ask about the significance of this, but figured this was probably intense enough for Blaine. So he slid his finger gently into the envelope and unfolded the letter, taking in the first few words before taking a breath and beginning to read.

Blaine,

I know you're mad at me right now and you have every right to be. But I know you're hiding something. I shouldn't have pushed you to tell me, I'm just worried about you. I care about you so much, I hope you know that.

Anyway, I heard a great song today. My Mom was playing it in the car and it just reminded me of you and that time Wes shouted at you for jumping on the furniture – Oh wait, that happens everyday! I can't wait to hear you sing again – I may have to join the Warblers just to hear you sing. Of course the first time they hear me sing I'll be out on my ass!

David's throwing paper at my head. I think that's his way of telling me to stop writing. Text me soon. I miss you and you only left an hour ago.

You can't stay mad at me forever.

Alex.

Kurt finished reading and looked at Blaine. He wasn't sure what to say. Blaine was staring at the letter as if hoping he could get lost in it.

“I feel like I'm prying here, are you sure you want to relive this?” Blaine looked at Kurt like he had just realised he was there.

“Um... yeah 0 maybe we could look at some of the other stuff though. It's just...intense.” Kurt nodded, carefully replacing the letters in their envelopes. He peered into the box thinking once again just how strange this was, it was a thought that seemed to stick in his head, reoccurring every few minutes. He noticed a clear wallet that seemed to contain a selection of tickets. He pulled it out looking to Blaine for confirmation.

“Oh, I loved looking through that even before.” Kurt smiled and extracted a few tickets. The first was a concert stub, he read the title out loud.

“Fairy Dust? OK, that's one I've never heard of.” Blaine was laughing, his eyes crinkling adorably.

“Oh God, that was fantastic.” When Kurt continued to look confused Blaine elaborated.

“It was Alex's sister's band. They gained quite a local following – it was one of the first places we went together. We ended up covered in glitter and bubbles. The music wasn't really my style, but I didn't really go for the music you know?” Kurt grinned.

“Yeah, I remember going to a concert with one of my friends back in school, Green Day!” Kurt pulled a face. “Not really my thing, but I wasn't there for the music either, I was just hoping Jake would notice me.” Blaine cocked his head to one side realising he really wanted to get to know more about Kurt. He smiled knowingly.

“I once performed 'When I get you Alone' at the Gap only to be rejected.” He watched Kurt's eyes widen at the mention of the song.

“Yeah I know. But I thought I loved the guy we were singing to.” Blaine shrugged casually and looked around his room. Everything seemed so alien to him. It was familiar, but kind of fuzzy. He suddenly wished he could spread out on the bed with these things and really get to know Kurt. He had known him barely an hour, but he knew he was hooked. He hadn't been aware that Kurt had been watching him thoughtfully. Kurt took a breath before speaking.

“Blaine...” He stopped talking as he heard the front door slam shut. Blaine looked stricken.

“Don't let them see these.” As quick as he had spoken he was gone. Kurt didn't know what had happened so he gathered Blaine's most prized possessions, hastily putting them in the closet and busying himself with Blaine's books as he heard Mrs Anderson's footsteps on the stairs.

“Mr Hummel?” Kurt tried to look less than guilty as he looked to the doorway where she stood, impeccably turned out as always, all bar the red rimmed eyes and distinctly less than happy expression on her delicate features.

“I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut your time short today.” Marissa Anderson's eyes swept the room tentatively coming to rest on the cork-board filled with memories.

“No problem Mrs Anderson. Just call me when you want me to come round again. Is something the matter?” Kurt noted the tense way she was holding herself and took a step toward her.

“Oh just my husband, he's insisting on having people to the house as though nothing, as if...” A tear leaked from her bright green eyes as she lost her composure completely. In an instant Kurt was holding her while she sobbed into his shoulder. He rubbed her back soothingly and held her until the cries quieted, he kept his hands on her shoulders even as she pulled away.

“I think it would be beneficial for both you and Mr Anderson to attend a councilling session. I can speak to him myself if you'd like?” Kurt kept his steady gaze on Marissa while she sniffed her way to an answer.

“No. I'm afraid Frank doesn't think much of councilling. I think he would say something regrettable. Thank you though.” Marissa touched a hand to her brown wavy hair and recomposed herself. She fixed a watery smile on Kurt and stepped into the hallway. Kurt nodded taking this to be his dismissal, he turned back to her before he left.

“You have my card, contact me if you change your mind.” Kurt shook her hand and headed out of the house. As the large white panelled door clicked shut behind him Kurt tried to wrap his mind around his morning. Even now, just minutes after it had happened, Kurt found himself questioning the whole experience. It sounded crazy, he was confused and in dire need of someone alive to talk to. He couldn't tell anyone about Blaine of course, but he needed to know he wasn't going crazy. So Kurt slid into his car and decided to head over to Rachel's. Mercedes was good but Rachel might appreciate the drama of this whole thing even if she did try to have Kurt committed. He would try to phrase it as a 'what would you do if...' sort of question and hope to God Rachel would just accept it as another of their play/production planning chats. It's official, Kurt thought. I'm screwed.