If Blaine could sit and read for the rest of his life he would be content. If he could sit and strum his guitar for the rest of his life he would be content. If he could sit and something completely and wonderfully mindless and comfortable for the rest of his life he would. As it was…

He tore his eyes from the essay was attempting to write, blinking a few times to try and clear the glaze settling on his sight. His mind felt as if it were full of smoke, every time he gave his head a shake it just whirled things around a little more. Despite the tonne of coffee he had drunk in the past two hours, he'd gotten through about a fifth of the week's assignments and was already lagging. It just wasn't happening. He dropped his pen on the paper in front of him and leant back against his headboard, sighing deeply.

Blaine hadn't been able to think straight since his encounter with Kurt. It had been a week since then. A long drawn out week. Honestly, if the rest of his time McKinley was going to drag as this week had he had no hope.

The mouth watering scent of something delicious came wafting up through his half open door, warm and familiar, and by the way it coaught in his throat, probably Mexican. His nose twitched, lips pulling up at the corners. It was just him and Coop in the house at that moment, his brother obviously downstairs cooking something divine and himself upstairs attempting to make a hole in his humungous pile of homework. He looked down at his paper again, grimacing at how little he had written. Oh well, he could try again tomorrow. Maybe he'd even head to the library and try and knuckle down. He moved his things to his dresser and slipped on a pair of blue fluffy slipper socks (that in his brother's opinion, made his feet look like the cookie monsters) and left the room, sliding down the wide varnished banister as usual to save energy. When it came to it, Blaine was pretty lazy at heart.

He was correct in his assumption; Cooper was stirring a big pile of chicken smothered in spice around a wok.

"Fajita's little bro?" he said without turning from the stove. Blaine hummed in reply, slipping onto a stool at the breakfast bar. "If Dad gets in early he'll have to get his own. I ain't doing shit for that man" Blaine groaned.

"Coop seriously it's not that big a deal. I like McKinley, honestly" well it was semi true. He did like McKinley. Maybe Kurt had something to do with that.

"That's not the point Blainers" he tapped the wooden spatula on the side of the pan and grabbed a handful of chopped peppers, chucking then in and flipping the mixture carefully. "The point is: he didn't ask you if it was okay. He's gone too long thinking he can make decisions on our behalf" he paused for a second, staring icily at the wall in front of him. Blaine inhaled deeply.

"I know you're still sore about-"

"Sore?" his brother snorted "Blaine he forced me out of acting school. He's the reason I had all that financial trouble. You think I'd be struggling as much as I am now if he hadn't forced me into a stupid fucking teaching degree?" he carried on cooking, throwing things into the wok a little more forcefully than was intended.

"But you guys made up right?"

"We made up because Mom made us make up. We made up because he decided he couldn't control what I did with my life. I'm not going to let him do the same to you as well Blaine. Not a chance. Grab some plates." He took the wok off the stove as Blaine moved to grab a couple of plates. "The fact that he's three days late in getting home is enough proof that he doesn't give a rat's ass about what we do anymore."

"He said it was unavoidable."

"Did he?" his brother asked, sceptical.

"Well his secretary did" Blaine muttered. His brother had a point.

"Exactly. He couldn't even call himself. Should speak for itself" he shook the chicken and veg into a bowl and moved that and the plate of tortilla wraps over to the dining table. Blaine placed down the plates he had grabbed from the cupboard…just as the door slammed. Both boys exchanged a surprised look and Cooper wiped his hands on a damp cloth before moving around to the kitchens wide entrance.

And in walked Mr Christian Anderson.

Cooper stiffened instantly, hands balling into fists at his side. Blaine swallowed. There was a moment of confusion on both men's parts as their father tried a smile and failed miserably. Cooper inhaled deeply, smiled brightly and held out his arms. "Dad! Hey!" Mr Anderson placed his briefcase down on the floor and moved forward to give his eldest son one of the most awkward hugs Blaine had ever witnessed. And that was saying something seeing as neither of them had gotten along for a fair few years now. He had to force himself not to physically cringe. Blaine stepped forward just as the men pulled away. Silence fell.

"Erm, I'm sorry we didn't make enough food we didn't think you would be home" he said, barely more than a whisper. His father replied in a barely disguised icy tone.

"Not a problem. I ate on the plane over. I was intending on heading straight up to bed. Your mother not home yet?" he didn't even turn his eyes in his younger son's direction as he strode back into the hallway and hung his black knee length coat up on a hook by the door. Blaine glanced at Cooper who was staring down at the floor, unmoving. He raised a hand and touched his brother's arm, waking him up from his daze.

"Erm no, she said there was a delay on the flight and her friend said she could stay a couple extra nights to save the trouble of waiting around." At least their mother had called them herself. It seemed they weren't the only ones avoiding Mr Anderson by the way she talked.

As if he thought nothing amiss, the man came sauntering back into the kitchen and paused when he saw how stiffly both boys stood.

"Something the matter boys?" he tacked a laugh onto the end but his face soon fell at the look of anger on Coopers face.

"Actually there is" the older boy stepped backwards and leant his elbows behind him onto the breakfast bar. "Why did you make Blaine transfer?" A faint glimpse of panic flashed across his father face, and it didn't go amiss by Blaine, who wasn't sure whether he wanted to be here or not. His father shrugged.

"It's easier. Blaine will do well wherever he is. No point paying for something he doesn't need."

"And that's the only reason?" Cooper quipped quickly.

"I can't remember any other motivation no. Now if you'll excuse me" he turned to leave but Cooper barked a laugh and brought him back.

"Always the coward to back out of an argument. Nothing's changed has it" the look of sheer disbelief on Cooper's face seemed to trigger something in their father. He stood his ground.

"I don't know what you're on making accusations-"

"Who said I'm making accusations, huh?"

"I will not have you talk to me like that young man"

"Well then own up! Why did you make Blaine transfer? From what I know he was fine at Dalton"

"Just drop it Cooper. I'm warning you" the tension in the air was tangible, both men stood braced a few metres apart. Blaine watched on, silently.

"Warning me against what Dad?" the room went silent as each of them acknowledged just what Mr Anderson had been implying. Blaine began to scratch at his forearm, flashbacks of various similar arguments pounding through his mind one after the other.

"Stop, Cooper. Just stop" there was a quiet insistence in his fathers voice that demanded authority. However it seemed Cooper was beyond caring. Blaine began to step backwards in an attempt to slide out of the scene unnoticed but Cooper chose that moment to turn and beckon him forward. He gulped again.

"You can't threaten us anymore. If you do I'm taking Blaine out of here" he said it with a stern and steady voice.

"You're not taking him anywhere" his father intoned.

"You think your threats can stop me? Nu uh dad I'm not sixteen anymore. I won't let you hurt me and I won't let you hurt Blaine. Now tell me why you sent Blaine to public school or we are leaving right now." Blaine stepped up behind his brother, heart pounding at the look of rage on his father's face. Things could turn pretty nasty pretty quickly if this wsn't resolved within the next few minutes. Knowing their father however, that wasn't going to happen; fear began to bubble up in Blaine's stomach. He continued to scratch at his forearm

"I have told you my reasons. There is nothing more to it. Now I'm going upstairs. I'm not finishing this conversation. Goodnight." Cooper scoffed and threw his hand up frustration as their father fixed him with one last stern glance, eyes meeting Blaine's swiftly before he turned on his heel and made his way upstairs.

"Coop…" Blaine murmured, laying a hand on his brothers shoulder "he's being a douche just drop it. Let's eat" he steered the older boy towards the table and sat down in his own place. His brother deliberated for a second, and then fell down into the chair, resigned. After a couple of minutes silence, in which they both considered what had been said Cooper spoke up.

"I'm so done with his bullshit Blaine. So done."

"I know. But I'll be out of here in a couple o' years. Then you won't have to worry"

"He can do an awful lot in a couple of years Blaine, and you know It." he sighed around a mouthful of fajita. Blaine chewed his lip thoughtfully. "You know… I meant what I said" he looked up to meet his brother's soft gaze "you could come and live with me." Blaine smiled.

"And how exactly would I get to school Coop?" his brother sat thinking and chewing for a moment and then placed his fork down.

"I'll move down here" Blaine almost choked.

"No, no way Coop. I'm not pulling you away from LA for something I've been dealing with for years. No way"

"No look. I'm not really getting anywhere am I?" he sat a bit further forward in his seat "You said so yourself. I could get a job down here, maybe a teaching job and you could come live with me." He was actually being serious. Blaine was stunned.

"…seriously?" he asked

"Seriously"

"I don't know…"

"Let's just see how the next few days go alright and then we'll see" Blaine nodded and went back to wrapping his fajita. What a remarkable turn of events.

The week had passed with dreary contemplation on Kurt's part. Surely he should feel lighter, accomplished in what he had done? Apparently not. In fact, since the incident with Blaine his heart had felt heavy in his chest, his emotions implacable and his mind a whir of worry.

He and Blaine sat and ate lunch together every day. Most days they sat in comfortable silence. Kurt would ask how he was, Blaine would answer. Blaine would return the question; Kurt would answer and then they would settle into eating without comment. He didn't mind of course, but he'd wanted to get to know Blaine and all he seemed to have discovered was that the boy was far more fragile than he had first thought. The shyness maybe wasn't just a product of moving from such a small school. It was an act of self defence. And Kurt knew. Kurt knew it every well.

Maybe it was the look on Blaine's face every time Kurt sneaked a glance when the other boy was unawares. The way his shoulder had continued to droop. The smile that lit up his face, only to disappear entirely the moment Kurt turned away. It was extremely disheartening.

He'd texted the guy a few times, only short conversations, nothing they hadn't talked about face to face, just the general. In a way it was infuriating. The school load didn't help either. Three weeks in and he was already burdened with a pile so big he didn't think a bulldozer would be able to plough through it. He was up past midnight every night, and the lack of sleep out of worry and stress was beginning to show. He had woken one morning, drooling onto a half finished equation for Math and not even bothered to do his morning facial routine as he fell into the shower, and stumbled through the door with a haggard look and a flask full of coffee, hair falling limply across his face. Luckily he was an eager student and had time to fix himself up before the majority of his peers appeared at the doors of the high school. He may be struggling, but he wasn't going to let it show. He was good at that.

However, with the insomnia setting in, the insecurities began to creep back into his life.

For instance, instead of his quick retorts to the various jocks who apparently didn't appreciate good fashion sense, he just ducked his head and walked on by, chancing glances in windows as he passed only to grit his teeth and keep moving. He would never go as far as to change his image but the temptation had always been there. There were many things that Kurt Hummel didn't like about himself, and it seemed in an attempt to help Blaine, his own self esteem was slipping.

That, hopefully, is about to change he thought as he thundered down the stairs and threw the door open with a grin.

"ELWY!" he threw himself into the visitors arms with a squeal of glee. The other boy laughed, so familiar and warm.

"Kurt" came his muffled reply "please don't kill me"

"Sorry!" Kurt stepped back and regarded his friend. "You got taller" he acknowledged.

"No, you just got shorter" the Welsh accent dripped heavily from his words. The over large glasses, the beanie from under whish unruly hair spilled unceremoniously. It was all so Elwy. Burt appeared at Kurt's elbow, also grinning. "Mr. Hummel!" the other boy exclaimed, reaching out a hand "it's good to see you!"

"How many times Elwy, it's Burt!" he shook the boy's hand.

"One more time at least. The rents say hi, they'll be round later, just settling into the hotel." Kurt grinned, unable to keep the joy from bubbling up over his lips. He grabbed Elwy and pulled him into the house and up the stairs to his room. "I cannot believe you're here urgh this is going to be such a good year I can feel it" they both fell down onto his bed, Elwy pulling off his coat and dropping it onto the floor, also removing his hat and letting his hair fall across his face. Kurt grimaced "I see you haven't done anything with your hair since we last saw you"

"Leave the hair alone. I'll have you know it's a great one with the ladies back home. I got the best looking hair in Denbighshire."

"Yeah, I'm sure" Kurt rolled his eyes.

Elwy was a very old friend of Kurt's. Four years ago, Mr and Mrs. Williams had turned up on their doorstep, a thirteen year old Elwy in tow. They were new in the neighbourhood, just wanting to make friends. Elwy and Kurt had been shy around each other at first, but it wasn't soon after an incident involving a burst fuse on the microwave and a very shocked and blackened Elwy that they really hit it off. The family hadn't actually stayed for long, about a year or so, but in that time the two boys became as thick as thieves. Elwy was the first person Kurt had ever come out to, and in response that other boy had replied "yeah, I have a confession too. I'm sexually attracted to Han Solo" and from that point onwards they vowed never to lose touch.

And they hadn't. Kurt had even spent a month over in North Wales last summer, relishing in the British weather. However, no matter how beautiful Snowdonia was, it didn't make up for the chavs.

Elwy was lucky enough to be chosen as one of four winners from the UK to come over and study for a year on US soil. It meant him re-sitting his A levels (yeah, Kurt had no idea about the UK schooling system) but it also opened a hell of a lot of opportunities. And Elwy was seriously considering studying at a college in the states anyway. He was staying with a host family along with the three other winners, and would be attending McKinley with him until the end of the year. Then he was set to spend a month here with Kurt and then he was headed back to Wales until he figured University out.

"You're welcome here any time. Have you met your host family yet?" the other boy nodded, glancing around.

"I like this room. It's a lot lighter than the basement."

"We needed the space with…ah; here he is" Finn came trundling up the stairs and poked his head into the room "Finn, you know Elwy"

"You can call me El seeing as you won't be pushing me into any more lockers. hopefully" he held his hand out for Finn to shake. The taller boy smiled guiltily.

"yeah I'm sorry about that man. Those were some darker days." Kurt face palmed, but Elwy just laughed "where were you from again?"

"I'm erm, from Wales. I'm Welsh"

"What, is that in England?" Kurt snorted.

"Careful there Hudson"

Elwy rolled his eyes in a good humoured sort of way. "No, it's next to it. But still in the UK. We have our own language and everything" Finn stared at him in awe. Kurt had to hold back a laugh.

"Wow dude do you speak it?"

"ydw" he replied and then added "that means Yes" Finn's face lit up with comprehension. He turned to Kurt

"Puck's coming over for a Halo tournament. You can join if you want"

"I'm good" Kurt replied

"Cool man, see you later" he nodded towards Elwy and then exited the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

"Halo?" the Welsh boy queried. Kurt slapped his arm lightly.

"Shut up. It was never as good as Battlefront."

"Nothing's as good as Battlefront. I'll take the 501st any day"

"Coming from the same guy who told me he was sexually attracted to Han Solo"

"Oh come on its Harrison ford! Tell me you wouldn't?"

"Okay I see your point"

"I knew you would!" both boys grinned at each other. Kurt heaved a sigh and then leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the other boy. "I've missed you so much. Skype just isn't the same as having my nerd here with me"

"I know, I know. Well I'm here now. Anything interesting happen since the beginning of the year and now?"

"Not really. Rachel is just as much a diva"

"As per"

"But her fashion sense is much better now I'm at the helm of her wardrobe"

"I was actually wondering about that" Kurt arched an eyebrow, the beginnings of a smile beginning to show.

"Oh?"

"I just thought, seeing as I'm here in the US now, I could maybe mix things up a bit. Start anew if you get me" he bent down and rummaged around his bag before pulling out something shiny and silver. Kurt squealed.

"…is that what I think it is?" he was practically jumping up and down in his seat.

"As part of the competition" Elwy started "we each get two grand to spend on anything we liked. The rents are keeping me supplied with money throughout the year; God knows they're rolling in it since my Taid passed. Soooo" he held up the card "I'm free to spend as much as I want as soon as I want"

"NO FREAKING WAY!" Kurt snatched the card from Elwy's hand and kissed it "does this mean you're giving me permission to give you a make over?"

Elwy seemed to hesitate for a moment before closing his eyes and letting out a breathed "yes" Kurt threw his arms around the other boy

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Urgh we have to get to the mall asap, you need a new outfit for Monday and then I'll take you across town and we'll get your hair sorted, and oh my god-"

"Alright" Elwy snatched the card back and placed it carefully back in his wallet. "I'm free tomorrow. You can spend all day on me. So" he continued, swiping the hair out of his face and falling down onto his back. "how's everyone else at McKinley? Mercedes still crushing on you?" he said with a snort. Kurt hit him with a pillow.

"No, of course not. I think she's with Sam, they had a bit of a thing over the summer."

"Sam…?" Elwy questioned

"New guy last year. Tall, blonde, kinda hot."

"Ah. What about Tina? Artie?"

"Were a thing for a bit but then they broke up."

"Right. So it's just as crazy as ever"

"Honestly you should come join Glee! You sound awesome and we could do with some raspy singer songwriter flare in the mix." Kurt pushed out his bottom lip.

"Maybe. But more to the point, what about you?

"What about me?"

"How's your love life going?" Kurt's heart jumped into his throat. He chewed his lip. Should he tell him about Blaine? He wouldn't go into details of course, but Elwy was his right hand man, he knew everything. He'd feel wrong keeping it from him.

"Erm, well there's this guy…" Elwy threw his hand in the air in triumph, just as Kurt's phone buzzed on the nightstand. He rolled his eyes and turned his phone over. It was a text from Blaine "speak of the devil…" Elwy leant forward to read over his shoulder.

"hey, I was wondering if I could call you?"

Kurt's brow furrowed. Elwy was speaking to him but he wasn't really listening. He was typing out a response as he turned back to his friend "hey, sorry I have to take this. I'll be back in a sec" he smiled as well as he could in his panic and moved into the corridor, closing his bedroom door behind him to keep out prying ears. He took a breath and waited. Seconds later his phone was ringing in his hand.

"Hey, Blaine, what's up?"

Blaine was shaking as he dialled Kurt's number after the other boys reply had come through, pacing around his bedroom. The memories of his father's violence that had come flooding through his mind during the altercation earlier hadn't stopped at dinner, but somehow he had found his phone in hand on his way to doing something stupid. And so he had sent Kurt a text. Even with all the hoping, he was still surprised when he received a reply almost instantly. He held the phone to his ear, running his other hand through his gel free hair. It rang twice before Kurt's voice came drifting through the receiver.

"Hey, Blaine, What's up?" it was only then that he realised he didn't have a clue what he was actually planning on saying,

"I-I-I just" he stuttered, breath picking up as he tried to ward off a panic attack.

"Blaine, tell me what happened"

"Dad and coop had an…argument and I don't know I'm just panicking and I didn't want to do something stupid and-"

"Okay whoa okay calm down, take some breaths. Follow me. In and out. In and out" Blaine followed his instructions, standing stock still in the middle of the room. "Okay good. Where are you right now?"

"My room"

"You're on your own?

"Yeah"

"Go open a window and sit by it. Cool down a bit" he did as he was told, pushing his bedroom open as far it would go and perching on the edge of the frame. The night sky was clear, stars popping brilliantly against a charcoal backdrop. He breathed deeply. "Better?" Kurt asked on the other end of the line. He was about to reply, but when he opened his mouth he found his throat blocked with emotion and instead of the intended "yes" all that escaped was a dry sob.

"Hey Blaine, no don't cry come on" he had to clap his hand over his mouth to stop any more sobs echoing across his backyard from where he was sat, but even with his hand as a barrier for the sound, it didn't stop the silent tears from cascading down his cheeks.

"I'm fine" he managed

"You're not though urgh I wish I could be there. You mentioned Cooper, could he help?"

"He's…he's out, getting drunk. Left about an hour ago" he almost laughed at how pathetic he must be making his family sound.

"Oh Blaine" he heard Kurt sigh. Blaine took another breath, feeling a familiar sort of calm settle over his limbs as he eyed the closed door to his bathroom. His hands ceased in their shaking.

"I'll be fine. I'm okay now" he spoke, voice a lot steadier.

"Are you sure? I'm not busy right now"

"No Kurt its fine. I'm going to shower and sleep" a lie "I'm okay" a lie "you should go. I don't want to keep you" a lie.

"I don't…if you're sure." There was a moment's silence "you don't have to be alone" Kurt added in a quiet voice. So quiet in fact that Blaine almost didn't hear it, but it sent daggers into his heart.

"I'll…be fine. I'm tired. I'll see you Monday"

"O-okay. Call me if you need anything else kay?"

"Sure"

"Kay. Night Blaine"

"Kurt?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you" he thought he heard a chuckle on the other end but he could have been mistaken. His signal was never good inside the house.

"No problemo Mr dapper pants. Go sleep"

"Goodnight" he hung up and dropped his phone onto the floor, standing and making his way into his en suite. The same quiet desperation that had kept him rooted to the ground during Cooper's argument with his father was now urging him onwards, taking control of his limbs without his consent. Some tiny voice in the back of his mind was yelling at him to turn around, to close the door, to get away from here. Another part of his mind however, was urging him onwards, whispering venomous motivations in his ear. And in the end the bad always outweighed the good.

Blaine pulled his tools down from the bathroom cupboard and agonized over them for a moment, his mind still at war with what little sense was left in his body.

But with only the small tug of equivocation, he took a breath and continued to make a canvas of his wrist.

When Kurt turned back to his room, he found Elwy half in, half out, a confused look on his face.

"What was that about?" he asked, frown lines wrinkling across his head "sounded serious" Kurt shook his head and motioned for Elwy to re enter his room, pulling the door closed behind him.

"The guy I mentioned earlier was having a few issues at home. I said he could call me if he had any trouble"

"Whoa slow down Hummel, forward much? Honestly, and I thought I was bad" he rolled his eyes.

"I found out about it all by accident, and you know me I don't like seeing people sad. It makes me sad. And sadness does nothing for my complexion. So I offered my services if ever he needed them. Simple as" he snapped, setting to work putting his freshly ironed laundry onto hangers and into his sizable wardrobe, humming along to a random tune, whilst trying to disguise the worry in his stature.

"Always the compassionate one aren't you"

Kurt scoffed.

"Well it's better than you. At least my efforts are well intentioned."

"But you want to get into his pants"

Kurt flushed scarlet, the annoyance at Elwy's previous words beginning to show.

"I do not. No, I don't. Why would you say that? Nu-uh. Absolutely not. No" he kept his face hidden in his wardrobe, refusing to fall into the trap his friend had laid for him. Now he considered it; yeah he wanted to know Blaine, yes he wanted to be friends. And yes he was utterly gorgeous but did he really want to get in that deep? It sounded horrible when he thought over it but it wasn't that he didn't want to help Blaine – he did. What he was having trouble with was the dawning comprehension that Blaine…might not be good for him. Hadn't he already noticed how his confidence had slipped since the boy's arrival? He was putting everything into helping Blaine. And they weren't even close friends yet. Not like he and Elwy were. Which is exactly who he should be talking to about this right now.

He rotated on the spot, regarding his guest with a thoughtful expression. "You can't judge me for what I'm about to say okay?" he started, laying down the shirt hanging over his arm and sinking back down onto the bed. He mused for a second, chewing on the inside of his cheek. How did he talk about this without sounding like a complete asshole? Well, it was Elwy he was talking to, he'd had his fair share of douchbaggery moments over the past couple of years. He took a breath.

"Blaine's awesome okay? He's funny, sweet, sassy when he wants to be" the memory of what he had said to Rachel that day flickered across his mind and he had to hold back a smile. "And not to mention kinda hot. But I don't know…" he paused

"Is it the problems he's having?" Elwy supplied

"Yes…and no. I said I'd help him out and I'm willing to, don't get me wrong. But I don't want to be back in that place I was sophomore year you know? I've worked a lot at myself since then and in a way I can already…"

"Feel yourself slipping." Elwy sighed and patted Kurt's knee. "It's not like I can tell you what to do but if you're going to help this guy then it's gonna be pretty hard not to get that deep if you get me?"

"It all sounds a little familiar doesn't it" Elwy scowled well naturedly. Kurt and Elwy had history, both struggling with similar problems and finding comfort in each other. They were twin pillars, standing under way too much weight but that mutual understanding that neither of them could crumble lest everything should crumble above them. They found a happy medium in which to support each other. They met half way. They'd disagreed on numerous counts, but it seemed it was what they clashed on that brought them together. Kurt looked over his friend again, this time taking in the outfit choice. From the khaki jeans to multicoloured vest, he hadn't outgrown the look at all.

"If I may, you're looking very…Varsity. I like it." he nodded in appreciation until Elwy slapped him across the head "hey!"

"Don't change the subject!"

"Okay sorry" replied Kurt, fixing his hair back into its normal composed state. "jeez is this what I get for a compliment? Lily got you good" he added, smirking. Elwy blushed.

"I…Lily is not what we're talking about here…"

"But you won't deny it? You're so into her it hurts."

"Well moving over here isn't exactly going to help that is it?" he looked glum as he picked at the fluff on his jumper. Kurt regarded him with a sad smile.

"Maybe when you get back you'll both have a different outlook on things? You both need time to mature and get to know yourselves a bit better before you can dive into…" he trailed off, thoughtful.

"What?"

Kurt shook his head. "Nothing I just…El, you know when you met Lily you said it was like an aura. It was just something different and that was why you fell for her?"

"Kurt is this about-"

"Shut up a second" he stood again, pacing around the room in a familiar pattern. "I just…I spend so much of my time watching other relationships pan out. God knows Glee is full of them. I've lost track of who anyone is into anymore. What if I…" he stopped, cocking his head to the side "what if I'm afraid the same is going to happen to me? Finn and Rachel have broken up too many times to count. I'm a romantic, Elwy" he stated, dragging out the A. "I don't want any of this awkward "I like you, you like me, okay yay let's date"crap. I want to be wooed. The flowers, the compliments…" …and would Blaine do that? He almost added, although apparently his speech was lost on Elwy who just shrugged. Kurt rolled his eyes.

"I think whatever your motivations in this you're gonna end up regretting saying this stuff and pushing that idea away. Just look at Padme and Anakin. You know how hard they tried to pull away from each other but in the end it was their struggle that brought them together" Kurt crossed his arms over his chest. Was this seriously coming from Elwy's mouth?

"Elwy Dafydd Williams, are you actually talking sense?" his friend shrugged and pushed himself up

"I dunno man but you're gonna have to try harder to fool me that you're not in this for more. I'll see you later?"

He was right he supposed, he was talking himself out of something that was inevitable. All he hoped was that if he did happen to sink too deep, it wasn't into a pit he couldn't escape.

A sudden idea struck Kurt as his friend was shouldering his way out of the door. A way to see if he could get some more out of Blaine, and a chance to see if he really did feel anything more than friendship was on the horizon. "Hey El?" the other boy turned back "you remember Breadstix right?" he nodded "what about dinner tomorrow night? I'll bring Blaine along" Elwy smiled knowingly and nodded again, raising a hand in farewell.

No sooner was he alone; he turned back to his phone and typed out a message

"Hey, fancy meeting up at Breadstix tomorrow evening? I have a friend I want you to meet" he hit send and lay staring up at the ceiling, waiting for a reply. When one didn't come through within ten minutes, Kurt slid out of the room and went to make himself supper.

However, when he returned to the room two hours later and there was still no reply, he began to worry.

He only hoped Blaine hadn't done something he would regret.