“Hello to you too Kurt, some things never change I see.” Blaine smiled and removed his backpack from his shoulder, resting it instead against one of the glass counters dotted around the boutique.

“Don't be cute Blaine, just tell me what you're doing here and leave. I have work to do.” Kurt regained control with a trademark snarky comment and returned his attention to the garment in front of him. He refused to let Blaine know how much his reappearance had affected him.

“The truth? I have spent the last three days since I arrived back in New York trying to track you down. The last I heard you were still singing at Bernie's, when I couldn't find you I thought maybe what happened between us had pushed you right out of New York.” Suddenly feeling self conscious under Kurt's scrutinizing gaze Blaine shoved his hands in his cargo pant pockets and wished he had shaved.

“Don't flatter yourself Blaine, I am quite capable of moving on. I don't fall to pieces just because some guy leaves me for bigger and better things.” Kurt put the swatches down carefully and turned to face Blaine, grateful that his voice sounded miraculously calmer than he felt. Blaine flinched at being referred to as 'some guy', but figured he deserved it.

“No, you're right, I should have known Kurt Hummel never breaks. Especially when there is a guy there to fix him. I hear you're dating Brett Lawson now.” He raised his eyes to meet Kurt's, searching them for any sign of emotion, but Kurt had clearly built those old walls around himself again.

“It has absolutely nothing to do with you who I date Blaine. You lost that privilege when you left.” Before Blaine could reply the door opened and two young women entered the boutique. Kurt's demeanour changed instantly. He painted a broad smile on his face and stepped forward to greet the customers.

“Good morning, welcome to House of Hummel. How can I help you today?” Kurt extended his arms in a friendly fashion, as the blonde customer explained what she required. Kurt noted irritably that Blaine hadn't moved, he was leaning casually against the counter, his arms folded as he watched Kurt.

“Okay, so we can make an appointment for you to come in and discuss in detail what you like, then I will draw up some sketches and you can choose fabrics and details before your garment is made. When can you come in?” Kurt flipped through the appointment book briskly and wished that Blaine would do something other than stare at him. He noted down and appointment in a weeks time and showed the women courteously out of the shop. He took a deep breath before turning back to Blaine.

“You must be very good, I ought to have known that though, whatever you set your mind to you always accomplish with flair.” Blaine's expression was soft, his voice quiet. Kurt balanced his hands on his hips, determined not to let his walls down, why did Blaine find it so easy to disarm Kurt, even now?

“Don't Blaine, what do you expect to happen, you just walk in here and I jump into your arms – everything Okay again after four years of nothing? What do you want from me Blaine? Tell me.” Kurt's eyes bored into Blaine, finally betraying some of the hurt he was feeling.

“I don't know Kurt, to be your friend maybe? I don't know, I just needed to see you, make sure you're alright.” He took a step towards Kurt but stopped when Kurt flinched.

“I'm fine Blaine. Look around, I have a successful business, I have a boyfriend who cares for me, I have a life. I don't know if there is room for you any more, I can't trust you any more.” Kurt didn't meet Blaine's gaze, he knew it would break his heart to see the hurt in those eyes that could still give Kurt butterflies.

“I understand Kurt, but please don't shut me out completely, just meet me for coffee please?”

“I don't know Blaine...” Kurt met Blaine's pleading eyes apprehensively.

“Please, just an hour, maybe we can be friends or you know just acquaintances. I miss you Kurt.”

“You left Blaine, not me. I missed you for so long hoping you would walk through that door and you never did. I'll think about coffee, but don't hold your breath. Write your number on here, I'll contact you.” Kurt pushed a memo pad across the counter and watched Blaine scrawl a cell phone number down in his familiar handwriting.

“Thank you.” Blaine set the pen down.

“I haven't said yes yet Blaine.” Kurt folded his arms over his chest defensively.

“I know, just thanks for not throwing me out or anything.” He picked up his backpack, heaving it onto his strong shoulders. With a small smile and a wave he turned and left Kurt's boutique. Kurt stared at the door for a few minutes, he had no idea how to feel or what to do. So he busied himself with the half finished jacket, pushing all thoughts of Blaine to the back of his mind.