Prologue

Kurt looked out the restaurant window as he pulled his hand away from his boyfriends clutch. This night turned out to be entirely different than what he had planned for it to be. When Charles told the blue eyed man that he made reservations for one of their favorite French spots in midtown, Kurt wasnt exactly expecting to go there and get disappointing news. He felt his boyfriend reach across the table for his hand once more and shook his head no, looking back down at his plate and pushing it away.

"Ive lose my appetite."

Charles sighed before rubbing at his temple. "Kurt."

Kurt placed his handkerchief on the table and looked around the restaurant. He gestured to their waitress that he wanted the check and his boyfriend stared at him.

"Kurt," Charles repeated.

"I cant believe you dragged me here to say something you couldve said to me over the phone, Charlie. This is really insane." Kurt pulled his wallet out as his blond boyfriend stroked lazily at his scruffy chin. "I went out of my way getting the apartment ready, hoping that youd be coming home now but—"

"Ok Kurt. Think about how selfish you sound right now—"

"How selfish I sound?" Kurt asked, pointing his finger at his chest. "This," he said with a sarcastic laugh, sitting back against the seat. "This has to be a joke."

Charles looked around to see that they were attracting a crowd. The other patrons of the fancy restaurant quickly looked away once they realized hed turned toward them.

"Thank you," Kurt said to the waitress, dropping some cash on the table and turning to grab the beige Ralph Lauren windbreaker jacket he brought to New York with him from Ohio after high school. She stepped away to give them their space, and Charles rushed to grab his jacket and follow his boyfriend.

"Kurt, wait," Charles said as he put his arms into the sleeves of the jacket. When they got outside, he grabbed the younger mans wrist and turned him around. Kurts face clearly stated that he didnt want to be bothered, but the 20 year old pressed on. "I didnt want to fight with you, baby. Can we talk about this?"

Kurt bit his tongue so that he wouldnt say anything he regretted. "To be frank with you Charlie, I just want to head back to my apartment so that you can get the rest of your things. I have class early in the morning and tonight was a waste of my time."

Charles didnt let go when Kurt tried to walk away. "I dont understand why youre mad about this. You should be happy. Im chasing my dreams, baby. Im going to be able to give you everything you ever wanted."

Kurt looked up into the dirty blonds brown eyes. "If you opened your eyes, you would see that all I wanted was you, Charles."

He rolled his eyes and looked away, finally dropping Kurts arm. Kurt shook his head and started to walk the direction of his Lower Manhattan home. "We were fine the way we were, at least I thought so. I dont understand why you think its a good idea to leave school and chase an idea. Nothing about this is concrete."

Charles walked slowly behind him. "I dont think its fair for you to tell me what to do, Kurt. Im a grown man and this is the situation Im choosing to make. Nobody tells you how to live your life."

"You dont need to because Im not doing anything that so heavily impacts our relationship," Kurt said. He stopped walking and turned to face him. "Whenever I do something I have the both of us in mind. Weve been together for a year. Were a team."

"And to better our team, I decided that Id join this agency so that I can get a great part and help you get to where you want to be too. School isnt for everyone—"

Kurt stopped him. "I understand that. But if youre doing something for the team dont you think you should discuss it with the team instead of making it about yourself, like you always do?"

Charles looked at him.

"And I never asked for you to help me get where I want to be, Charles. I just want you to be my boyfriend. Thats all."

"Well I can be your boyfriend, and I still would love to be your boyfriend, but I cant live with you and Santana anymore. I want us to be ready for this—for any changes. I may have to leave for weeks or even months at a time, baby."

Kurt smiled. "Now we have to cover your rent because youre deciding to leave, but yet you dont see how shitty a situation youve put us in? Two college students paying the rent of a four bedroom apartment in expensive as fuck New York City…"

"No," Charles told him. He shrugged. "Im sure itll be easy to replace me. There are a lot of people looking for roommates nowadays Kurt. And were going to be fine, baby."

Kurt ignored him, facing front and walking away again. His boyfriend resumed.

"I love you, you know that. Before you know it, well be at premieres together and Ill have a place of our own where we can do whatever we want." He smiled and jogged a bit to catch up to Kurt, taking his hand. "Imagine a world where we make love to one another without Santana interrupting to ask where you put her curling iron."

Kurt led the way across the street. "Thats easy to imagine now that youll barely be around."

Charles smiled and pulled the shorter teen back into him, kissing his soft lips. Kurt tried to calm down but he was still pretty agitated, and his boyfriend could sense it.

"I love you. Everything is going to be ok, I promise. And Im sorry about this but itll pay off. Ill show you."

Kurt nodded once Charles grabbed him by the chin; the two looking into each others eyes. "Fine."

…

From Rachel:

Mom put more money in the account. Not a ton of it but itd be enough to get a place closer to our schools. Well… my school preferably.

From Rachel:

Have you been looking for places? Anything inexpensive?

Blaine rolled his eyes at the message. His back hit the lockers and he bit his lip as the kid on his knees undid the drawstrings of his sweatpants. As the boy started to blow him right there in the locker room of their Brooklyn boxing gym, he typed out a reply.

To Rachel:

How in the hell would I find anything inexpensive in Manhattan, Rach? And if I look for apartments, theyre going to be uptown. I suggesst yyou find somethig. 

Blaine pressed send without proofreading and without caring honestly. He laced his fingers into the boys hair as he looked into the aisle, making sure no one would walk in.

Sure, Blaine loved boxing. It was one of his favorite things really. But what he adored was coming to the gym and sparring with the newbies. It was easy to get them on their knees. He wasnt sure if it was because they all seemed to be curious—they all wanted to know what it was like to have a cock in their ass maybe, or if he was just that irresistible.

Maybe it was a little of both.

From Rachel:

Why do you have so many typos, grammar Nazi? And Im going to handle operation: apartment search. Our lovely grandmother wants us out of her house like yesterday. Actually, she wants you out. I just hope youre more respectable of our new place, especially if we have a roommate. A roommate or our landlord would never take the bullshit you put grandma through.

Blaine started thrusting in and out of the boys mouth. He read the message and ignored it, turning the phone off and closing his eyes.

"Just like that, kid. Yeah…"

…

Santana yawned loudly as she walked out of her bedroom. Her slippers dragged against the hardwood floor until and as she entered the kitchen, she walked straight to the coffee pot. Kurt smiled at her and looked back down at the laptop he worked at.

"Good morning to you, too."

"Wheres your asshole boyfriend?" Santana grabbed five sugars and ripped one open. "I figured hed be here so Im getting my caffeine early."

Kurt sighed at the thought of Charles. He hated himself for letting him stay over last night, but the makeup sex was so important. "Hes still asleep. I actually need to be getting ready for classes but I thought it would be best to post on the NYU boards about our new room vacancy before I leave. The sooner, the better they say."

Santana slowly turned around as she drank the hot liquid. Her eyes landed squarely on her roommate, demanding answers without speaking in only the way Santana Lopez could.

"Charles is moving out," Kurt told her in a monotonous tone.

Santana remained silent.

"Apparently hes signed on with this huge talent agency and if things take off, hell be moving to Los Angeles. So," Kurt took a bite of his banana and continued. "In order for us to get used to being apart, hes decided to move in with his sister."

"In other words," Santana finally spoke. "Hes going to be dirt poor because he quit his job and wont be able to pay his share of the rent, so hes moving out." She rolled her eyes and sat at the kitchen island with Kurt. "How did he even sign with a talent agency when he has very little talent? The boy takes a good picture, Ill admit that. Way to go. That doesnt exactly equate to movie roles."

Kurt ignored her. "Im upset about him making these decisions without consulting me."

"And Im upset about you moving someone in without consulting me," Santana said. "I dont want any strangers in here going through my things."

Kurt looked at her for a long while. She was definitely calling the kettle black right now. "How else are we going to be able to afford to stay here, Tana? Im not paying for three rooms while you pay your one as always."

She swallowed her sip and ran her hands through her hair. "Where are you posting?"

"The NYU boards. Im sure someone is looking for a roommate around the school."

She bit her lip and thought. "I can ask that really hot chick… the junior. Do you remember her name?"

"Dani?" Kurt questioned. "I dont advise you move someone in here that you like. Look what happened to me. Think long and hard about that one."

Santana shrugged. "Well. Keep me posted." She stood up and went back to her room, Property of a Wise Latina coffee mug in hand. Kurt finished typing out the ad and clicked post.

…

Two NYU sophomores looking for a roommate:

Huge 4 bedroom apartment in SoHo - $920/room per month. Near subway. Utilities included. Cable & internet ready. Laundry room in building. Security on ground floor. Must pass a background check. Please no perverts or psychopaths or people who dont know who Marc Jacobs is. In order to apply, call Kurt Hummel at (212)555-0419

Rachel finished reading the ad and turned to her brother who was sprawled out on the sofa. She cleared her throat again.

"Were you even listening?"

Blaine nodded. "Sounds great to me."

Rachel looked back at her MacBook when she realized Blaine had no idea what she was talking about. "I guess Ill read it one more time—"

"I heard you," he said, sitting up. "And from what I heard, it said Two NYU students looking for a roommate, as in singular, as in one roommate."

Rachel reread it and hummed. "But it says they have four bedrooms. They go to my school and its probably really close to the campus."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "Well I go to school all the way uptown. The least you could do is move to midtown or something."

Rachel pretended not to hear that. "This Kurt kid… I think I know him. Hes friends with Santana. Ugh, shes such a bitch. Told me to shut my Jewish trap when I asked the professor a question."

Blaine snorted.

"Anyway he seemed cool enough and he and his roommate only posted this ad a couple days ago. I think Ill call."

Blaine lay back down as his older sister dialed away on her iPhone. "Whatever. Its not like I have a say in this anyways."

…

"Oh? You answered! Hi! My name is Rachel Berry and I saw your post on the NYU boards… if I sound super eager its because I really am. I was hoping that you didnt have any other applicants interested in the spare rooms. – This is Kurt Hummel, right?"

Kurt rubbed his eyes sleepily as he sat up in bed. It was hard to keep up with the voice rambling at him on the other line. After looking at his alarm clock, he saw that it was a little after 7 in the morning.

Psychopath alert. Psychopath alert.

"You do know what time it is, right?"

It was quiet, but then the girl laughed nervously before responding. "Im sorry! I just wanted to contact you before I got started with my day. In fact, I called you several times yesterday and got no answer. Anyway, I took an extra class and my time seems so limited. This is Kurt, right? I really need a place for my brother and me—my brother Blaine."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Brother? Im sorry but we are only offering one room."

"Oh Im sorry… I didnt know—"

"And yes, sorry. This is Kurt."

"Ok," she continued. "But yes, I didnt know the fourth was being used—"

"Well, it isnt," Kurt cut in. "Its just that my current roommate and I arent one for a crowded place so we just leave the spare room open. We do occasionally use it when a friend stays over but, you know what they say. Threes a crowd. Fours not an option."

Rachel was waiting outside for her younger brother whod just started his freshman year at Columbia. He had his boxing gloves draped around his neck, hanging down over the front of his torso. His duffle bag was over his right arm. She was happy that he had boxing. It kept him out of trouble as of late, but even that wasnt enough to help him make smarter decisions. Blaine still tended to party, he still tended to have different guys in and out of his bedroom, and their grandmother deserved better than that. The pair had been living with her since they were moved from Pennsylvania around 13 and 12 years of age and now at 19 and soon to be 18, itd been quite some time. Grandma was getting older. She needed her peace. Blaine was giving her zilch of that.

"We really need a place, Kurt. He and I are well behaved," she half lied. Sure she wouldnt be an issue but Blaine on the other hand… Blaine was a different story. All in all, Kurt didnt need to know that. "He doesnt go to NYU like we do but he is in school, pre-med at Columbia University, and well stay to ourselves and not bother you at all. We wont bother you or your roommate."

Kurt rubbed his temple. It couldnt be that bad. He had seen Rachel around campus and though she had no fashion sense she did seem friendly and didnt come off as a bitch like that other roommate of his. "How about we meet this weekend and talk about it. My roommate and I will talk and maybe when you and your brother come over we can have everything settled?"

Rachel squealed as her brother jogged down the steps of their Brooklyn home. "Yes! Thank you so much. I know nothing is finalized but, but thank you. We cant live under my grandmothers roof anymore. Im turning 20 next year and enough is enough. Its just time to get out."

Kurt smiled, understanding completely how wanting to be free felt. With him being 19 himself, having that freedom he craved for so long was exhilarating and fulfilling.

"I hear you, Rachel. See you then."

…

From Charles:

I miss you Kurt. Can we do something please?

From Charles:

Let me come over today. I know you miss me too baby.

Kurt rolled his eyes at his phone as Santana walked up behind her roommate, peering over his shoulder. "I love this balcony. I had sex on this balcony."

Kurt looked up from his phone and then turned to her. He realized that she wasnt going to recant because she was serious, and slowly, the boy went back into the apartment.

"So," she said as she followed. "You say that this is Anderberry and her brother, huh? If hes as much as a drag as she is Im fucking moving out."

Kurt smiled as he sent the message. "According to her, they stay to themselves. I dont think living with her will be that bad because shes—"

"Annoying?"

"No—"

"Yes."

Kurt looked at her. "Ok maybe. But I was going to say that shes the studious type that stays in her lane. Plus, I could make her my next makeover test dummy. I work at Saks Fifth Ave for crying out loud. This is fate."

To Charles:

Actually Im interviewing a couple people for the free rooms with Santana. Were busy.

From Charles:

Told you it wouldnt be hard to replace me. :(

Santana laughed and sipped from her beer. "I hope she annoys the shit out of you the most."

The doorbell rang. Kurt looked at the Latina and smiled, taking a deep breath.

"That must be Rachel and Blaine. Here goes nothing."

"Yay." Santana pretended to be excited as the two of them walked to the door.

Once Kurt opened it, he gave a friendly smile to the two. Rachel looked semi-presentable. She had long brown hair with her bang trimmed neatly—outfit a little too loud for his liking, but he could appreciate the form fitting pink dress she wore. It was really cute. The multicolored jacket though was just… Its a no from me, Kurt thought.

Her brother had wild curly hair that was tight to his head. It looked as if you could pull a lock up and itd be five inches long but once you released it, itd be back down to an inch. He wore a black hoodie under a puffy grey vest and tight black jeans. He looked almost bored for a second—that was until he laid eyes on Kurt who stood in the doorway with a friendly smile.

"Damn," Blaine said; his eyes hungrily raking over Kurts body. He bit his lip, about to comment on the hips his gaze had fallen to when his sister intervened.

Rachel elbowed him in the gut; an action that made him begin to cough. He caught his breath and scowled at her while Kurt and Santana raised an eyebrow at the two.

"Hello! My name is Rachel Anderberry, and this is my younger brother Blaine. Its a pleasure to meet you both…" she trailed off when she saw Santana.

Great.

"The pleasure is ours," Kurt said. Santana rolled her eyes at that. The pleasure was solely Kurts. "Please come in."