It was 6pm on Friday and they would be leaving in an hour for Connecticut.  How was he even still packing?  This is so unlike him; however, work was extremely demanding that week due to deadlines for the Spring 2013 line.  He rushed around the apartment making sure he had everything.  Facial products? Check.  Hair care products? Check.  iPad, cellphone, iPod, camera, and chargers?  Check.  The perfect outfits?  Of course.  “Okay,” Kurt said out loud to himself.  “I have everything. Wait, where’s my wallet?”  Kurt panicked for a minute until he remembered that he left it on the kitchen counter.  He picked up his bags and went to the living room to wait. 

“Cheesus Kurt, we are going to be gone for 3 nights.  You look like you packed for a two week vacation!”  Finn exclaimed looking at the mound of bags Kurt just brought out of the room compared to his one packed gym bag and Rachel’s Louis Vuitton carry-on sized bag. 

“Oh shut up Finn, it takes a lot to be as fabulous as I am.  Besides, all of my clothes are neatly laid out and not stuffed in the bag.  That is how things get ruined.”

“Whatever dude, we are renting an SUV with 6 people; I don’t know where we are going to have the room for all your stuff and everyone else’s.”

“We will figure it out, don’t we always.”

“I think I know why he packed so much.”  Rachel inputted cutely.  “He wants to make sure that he impresses Blaine.  That’s why he spent an extra half hour getting ready to drive for four hours.  Everyone else is in lounge wear and he is still dress to the nines.”

“Oh please, Rachel.  I am always dressed to the nines.  I do not wear lounge wear outside of the house. Ever.  This is not People of Wal-Mart.  Also, why would I need to impress Blaine?  He’s a friend.  I don’t need to go out of my way to impress a friend.”  Even as he said the words he knew that they weren’t completely true.  He did put a little extra effort into his appearance that day.  Normally for a trip that long he wouldn’t have worn skinny jeans that were that skinny.  Yes, he was attracted to Blaine.  But he wasn’t ready and didn’t want anything besides friendship.  He had to put those other thoughts he had about him on the backburner.  Maybe one day he’d be ready; but not yet.

“Uh huh.  Right.  That’s what we’ll go with then.”  She responded with a roll of the eyes.

“Well let’s get going and see if everyone else is ready.” Finn said breaking the awkward silence the followed after the two stopped talking.

“Knowing Santana there’s not a chance.”  Kurt said picking up his bags and heading towards the door.

While the girls rushed to finish packing Blaine stared into his closet.  He already finished packing, making sure he had his best clothes packed.  He needed something to wear now.  He really wanted to impress Kurt.  There was something about him, something that he couldn’t quite put his fingers on, but he was quite smitten with him.  He was starting to crush and crush hard.  They hadn’t been able to spend any time with Kurt this week.  He was working from sun up to sunset.  So he was fully planning on taking advantage of this weekend. 

He settled on a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, polo and his best bowtie.  It was too hot to wear any of his other outfits.  He topped the outfit with his favorite pair of pink sunnies.  He took one more one look in the mirror before grabbing his bag and went to go see if the girls were finished – yet. 

When he joined the girls in the living room he saw that they were dressed down.  They both had track shorts and t-shirts on. 

“Oh lover boy, I see that you got dressed up.  Trying to impress someone are we?”

“No! maybe - yes.”

“Aww Tana our dolphin loves our unicorn.”

“Yes he does love.”  Santana says as she gives Brittany a quick kiss.  Blaine was trying his best not to turn beat red.  Just then he heard a knock at the door.  Thank God a distraction.

“Coming!”  Blaine yelled as he quickly walked away from the girls.

“Hey guys.”

“Hey Blaine, are you guys ready to go?”  Finn said looking into the apartment.

“Yea, let’s go.”  Brittany said picking up her bags and heading towards the door.  When they get into the hallway Kurt and Blaine look nervously at each other and everyone else.  Everyone else was dressed down, almost in their pajamas and he a Kurt we both dressed in their best.  Did Kurt dress nicely for him too?  ‘No, he always looks nice Blaine, don’t read into it.  But God, Look at him in those pants.’  He thought to himself as they headed towards the elevator.

“Enjoying the view there Blaine Warbler?”  Santana said slyly into his ear so no one else could hear. 

“Maybe.”

“Goodness Kurt, did you have to pack so much shit?  There are six of us and you probably have more stuff than all of us.”  Santana yelled in frustration as they tried to load all of the bags in the CX-9 they rented for the trip. 

“Oh please, no I didn’t.  I have three bags.”

“A bag per day! Come on we go through this every time.  Every fucking time!”

“Oh calm your happy ass down Satan.  We will make it work.  We always do.”

After about ten minutes of finagling the bags around the six friends were finally seated and ready to leave.  Kurt made it work, but only because Rachel had to have her bag and pocketbook on the floor of the front seat with her (Kurt didn’t really care about that.  She was the shortest person there and she got the most leg room.) 

“For that chaos Hummel you and Warbler get the backity-back.”

“Ugh fine!”  Both boys were actually glad that they were going to sit with each other; they could spend some time getting to know each other.  Kurt knew that Britt and Santana were going to fall asleep and being in the back Rachel and Finn wouldn’t be able to hear them over the music.   Kurt was right, before they even got to the Connecticut border, the girls were asleep.  He looked over at Blaine is who busy picking through a bag of gummy bears.

“What are you doing?  Don’t you think it would be easier to just pour them in your hand?”

“Of course that would be easier Kurt; but, I only eat the red and white ones so I have to pick them out.”

“Are you serious?  You are so weird.”

“Oh please, the red and pink are the only candies worth eating out of pretty much every candy.  Unless its Starbursts of course, then every color except for yellow are edible.”

Kurt started to laugh.  “You are a strange man Anderson.” 

“Says the person who doesn’t even eat candy.  Who doesn’t eat candy?”

“Someone who cares about their health, Blaine.”

“Oh please.  Here have one, you know you want one.” Blaine said playfully as he tried to shove a green gummy into Kurt’s mouth.

“Oh my God stop Blaine.” Kurt said trying not to laugh.  “You just get through telling me how the red and white ones are the only one worth eating and you try to shove a green one in my mouth?”

“Well you didn’t think I was going to share those did you?”  Kurt rolled his eyes and let Blaine throw the green one in his mouth.

“Oh my goodness, you’re right.  These do taste terrible.”  The boys laughed and continued in conversation.  Over the next three hours they talked about friendly topics.  Nothing too personal, neither of them wanted to have a conversation like that with their friends sitting in the car.  Not that they didn’t already know pretty much everything about Kurt, it was more due to the fact that Kurt did not want to open himself up.  He liked Blaine, he was becoming a good friend.  They had an instant connection, like they knew each other their whole lives.  Kurt just knew that if he let his walls come down he would end up walking down a path he wasn’t ready to take.

Blaine on the other hand, was already walking down that path.  Every time he looked at Kurt his heart would beat a little faster and his stomach would do flips.  He began to fantasize about him.  Every free moment he had been lost in thought about Kurt.  From what Santana had told him about Kurt, he knew that he had been through a lot in his life.  She wouldn’t tell him what exactly, for obvious reasons.  She also told him that the Kurt that he met is not the whole Kurt; a love struck Kurt is on a whole other level.  Blaine knew he wanted to be the one to bring him back up to that happy place which she told him about.  He knew about the walls that he had put up to protect him from the pain he felt.  He also knew that they last person he let his walls for broke his heart.  She refused to tell him anything else; he needed to be one to get Kurt to trust him enough to allow those walls to fall.

Blaine was so excited he thought he would die right there on the spot, from a heart attack.  They were getting ready for the day.  Today is the day.  The day he was going to meet Mercedes Jones.  He feels kind of ridiculous knowing that his friends are friends with her and that is why he is there.  He cannot fanboy out in front of them.  That would be too embarrassing.  He heard Kurt yell out to him from the bathroom.  “Make sure you look amazing, you will be photographed tonight!”  That’s just great now he’s even more nervous.  He is; however, glad he showered first, Kurt took forever in the bathroom. 

Blaine was secretly grateful that they roomed together.  It would only make sense so they don’t have to get another room seeing as the other friends were couples.  This would give him time to get to know Kurt a little more without really talking to him.  He could see his mannerisms and hopefully learn a little more intimate tidbits about him like what side of the bed he sleeps on.  That answer is the right side, which he thought to be perfect, because he was a leftie.  It was like a match made in mattress heaven. 

“Uh Blaine, you have been staring into the mirror for like five minutes are you going to finished getting dressed or what?”  Blaine shook out of his trace to see an amazingly dressed, as always, Kurt staring at him.  His hair was perfectly styled and clothes perfectly pressed.  He looked absolutely stunning; he was probably – no absolutely, the most handsome man Blaine had ever seen. 

“Oh – er – yea sorry, kind of got lost in my thoughts for a second there.” 

Kurt couldn’t help but to stare.  Blaine was definitely the most perfect man he had ever met in his life and he is sitting there on the bed in nothing but a towel.  His abs were perfectly toned, just the perfect amount of chest hair covering the perfect olive toned skin.  He felt an unfamiliar yearning for him, a feeling he hadn’t felt in quite a long time.  Kurt had to shake those feelings off.  He is not ready for that right now.  Blaine is just his friend, his amazingly handsome friend.  “Well hurry up, we are supposed to meet everybody in the Casino of the Earth in 20 minutes.  You know Santana, any excuse for free alcohol.”

“No problem, excuse me, I’ll pop in the bathroom and be right out.”  Blaine grabbed his clothes and walked quickly into the bathroom.  He decided to step out of his box as far as his clothes went tonight.  He optioned for a pair of dark washed skinny jeans cuffed at the ankle, and a well fitted t-shirt, and a pair of matching Doc Martins.  He knew Kurt would be surprised by the designer of his plain colored, expensive, t-shirt.  He re-wet his hair and ran just enough gel through to insure than his curls would not friz. 

When he stepped out of the bathroom Kurt was sitting on the bed skimming through an issue of Vogue.  “Oh finally-“ Kurt began as he turned around to look at Blaine “you, you’re wearing one of my shirts.” 

“But of course, I was shopping the other day looking for the perfect outfit to wear tonight and I came across you’re line.  I didn’t want to be over the top tonight so I bought this shirt.”

“Blaine, you look great tonight.  That shirt looks like it was designed for you.”  Kurt said using this as an excuse to check him out.  The t-shirt was just fitted enough that you could see the outline of his muscular shoulders, chest and back.  But not super, stripper tight.  He looked amazing.

“Why thank you Kurt.  Come on, if we take any longer Santana is going to start.”

“Oh God no.  Come on.”  Kurt grabbed his hand and they ran out the door towards the elevator.

After quite a few watered down free drinks, some of them cashing out their winnings, others counting their losses six pm came.  It was time to make their way through the crowd lining up at the doors of the arena.  There had to be well over a hundred fans already lined up, most likely general admittance floor tickets.  Security led escorted the six friends through the crowd to the last door on the left and through a private security check point.  They were then led up to one of the private VIP boxes at the top of the arena.

As soon as the door was opened the friends were instantaneously smothered with hugs by one Quinn Fabray and Sam Evans.  “Oh my goodness, I am so glad you guys are here!  I am so sorry we couldn’t see each other earlier, today as been complete chaos.  I missed you guys so much.”  Blaine stood there while the friends exchanged hugs, kisses, i-miss-yous, and shrieks and giggles.  He looked over at Kurt and the ear-to-ear smile that was covering his face was absolutely beautiful.  “And you must be Blaine.”  The beautiful blonde said to Blaine holding out her hand. 

“Yea, that’s me.  It’s quite a pleasure to meet you.  Thank you for all of this.”

“It’s not a problem.  A friend of these guys is a friend of mine.  Hey – Sam!  Come meet Blaine, Santana and Britt’s new roommate.”

“Oh hey,” He held out his hand “Sam Evans, great to meet you we’ve heard a lot about you.” 

Blaine let out an awkward laugh.  “Uh thanks, I think.”

“Oh no it’s all good.  Don’t worry.”  Sam smiled and turned back his attention back to the conversation he and Finn were having. 

Quinn went to go reminisce with her friends and whispered into Kurt’s ear, purposely loud enough for Blaine to hear “He’s cute.”  He tried hard to hear if Kurt said anything in reply, but he heard nothing.  He wasn’t sure whether he should be happy or disappointed with Kurt’s lack of response. 

The lights soon dimmed and they all took their seats.  They looked at the sold out arena and for a moment five of the friends grabbed each other’s hands, squeezing tightly with a slight squee of excitement for their friend. 

The first act was an up and coming R&B artist named Dijon.  “Hey guys, doesn’t he look like Matt from sophomore year?”  Kurt shouted to his friends as he leaned over Rachel who was sitting to his right.

“Oh Kurt!  He does.”  Rachel giggled.

“I wonder what happened to him anyway.”  Finn shouted back.  They all shrugged their shoulders and sat back to enjoy the rest of his number.  As Kurt sat back in his seat and accidentally (maybe) let his hand brush Blaine’s hand ever so lightly.  Blaine shuttered at the unexpected contact.  He looked over at Kurt who was seemingly oblivious and watching the concert.  He was starting to like Kurt; he just wished Kurt could see it.

Blaine didn’t realize that Kurt wasn’t oblivious.  He was fully aware of Blaine’s smitten look.  Kurt had been watching him out of the corner of his eye; a skill he developed during his days at McKinley.  Blaine didn’t know it but Kurt was developing feelings for him as well.  Only in Kurt’s case he was terrified.  He had sworn off even the idea of love and to have this perfect man thrown into his lap was almost too much.

“Ladieeeees and Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Mercedes Jones Spectacle Tour.  Make some NOOOOISSSSEEE.”  The crown went wild as Mercedes came up through the floor of the second level of the stage. She started her set by belting out a note that would have made Aretha proud.  Blaine could barely contain his excitement.  He looked over at Kurt.  In Kurt’s eyes you could see the pure love and adoration he had for his best friend.  He smiled to himself and went back to enjoy the rest of the show.

In what only seemed like a few minutes security came to escort the group backstage.  Blaine had to use every ounce of self-control he had when he saw that they were being brought through a door labeled ‘Mercedes’.  They all sat on the couches in the main sitting area of her changing room.  Blaine sat silent while the other seven friends excited gushed over the show with each other.

“Blaine what’s wrong, you’re so quiet.”  Kurt asked, making sure to make eye contact.

“Oh, uh I’m okay, just really excited and nervous is all.  I don’t want to make a fool of myself.”

Kurt laughed a hearty, belly laugh.  “Oh, you’re not going to fanboy out on us are you Anderson?”  He stated grabbing his hand. 

“I can’t make any promises.”  Blaine laughed.  He heard the door opening and Kurt’s hand slip off of his.  Everyone jumped to their feet as Mercedes entered the room.  The room was filled with screams, tears, hugs, laughs, and emotions. 

“Oh my goodness guys, let me breathe.  I missed you too.  I will be back in New York in a month.  Sorry it took so long I had to shower first.  I smelled like Brett.”  The friends laughed hysterically as Mercedes eyes moved over to Blaine.  As Mercedes walked over to him Blaine held his hand out for her to shake, but instead he drew him into a warm embrace.  “You must be Blaine!  Kurt won’t stop going on and on about you!”  Blaine was star-struck and tongue tied. 

“I- um – its –uh an honor to meet you!”  Mercedes couldn’t help but to laugh.

“Oh boy, no need to be nervous around me.  If these guys like you we will be friends before you know it.”  Blaine turned beat red and just smiled.  “You are too cute Anderson.  Hey Kurt come with me for a few minutes.  Help me pick an outfit for the club appearance.”

“Of course my love.”  Kurt runs over to follow Mercedes as she goes to the back room. 

Once the door is shut Mercedes wraps her arms around Kurt and gives his the tightest hug Kurt may have ever had in his life.  “I miss you so much.  You would think I would be used to being without my best friend by now, it’s been years.”

“Oh Cedes, I miss you so much too.  I’m living with my step-brother and crazy town Rachel.  I love them, but you know.  I live next door to Brittany and Santana who is absolutely psychotic.  And I have to do it without you.  You have always been my rock.  Now I am stuck in crazy town.”  By this point they were fighting back tear so Mercedes quickly changed the subject.

“So, Kurt, what’s up with Blaine?”

“Uh- nothing.”  Kurt said as he looked down at the floor.

“You know I can see through you right.  I have gotten a lot better at knowing your feelings over the last nine years.  You like him.”  Kurt looked up at her and slyly grinned.  “You totally do.  It’s about time you got a new boyfriend.  I hate seeing you so, so not yourself.”

“I know Cedes but I just can’t. You know how everything hurt me. I can’t let that happen again.  I refuse to let myself be hurt by anyone again and I live next door to him.  What if it doesn’t work?  Or what if he doesn’t even like me?  I can’t set myself up for failure”

“Oh please.  I have known him for five minutes and I can tell he is crazy about you.  He’s always hot.”

“You have no idea.”  Kurt blushed.

“What do you mean by that?”  Mercedes raised her eyebrows at Kurt.

“Well earlier he took a shower first and was supposed to be getting dressed while I showered and dressed.  When I came out he was sitting on his bed just in a towel staring off to space.”

“Ooooohhhhh, I can tell by that t-shirt he has sexy body hiding.”

“He does.  I thought I was going to pounce on him right there.”

“Do it Kurt.”

“What?”

“Give yourself another chance and happiness.”

“Maybe.”

“Ok well – help me find an outfit.”

The night and the next day flew by for Blaine.  After the dressing room they went up to be seating at one the cabanas and the nightclub at the hotel pool.  They went up before Mercedes and sat down.  When the paparazzi saw the cabana filling and being covered by security all hell started to break loose.  “Just smile.”  Kurt leaned over to him to say.  Blaine just smiled and sat as close to Kurt as he could.  The bottle service came in and brought in 2 bottles of the new Vodka which Mercedes was the face of.  Mercedes came in and it was just one big flash of white light to Blaine. He heard fans screaming outside the cabana, the paparazzi swarming.  Mercedes people just told them to smile and drink. 

The next day all of the friends spent the whole day together.  Blaine and Mercedes clicked right away.  Across the board it was like Blaine was there his whole life.  He fit right in with the group and was having the time of his life even though most of it was spent in a hotel room.  He was saddened by how quickly all the time went. 

That night they said their tearful goodbyes because Mercedes, Sam, and Quinn had to get back on the bus to head to the next city.  The remaining six friends went up to their rooms to get some sleep before they had to leave in the morning.  They all walked back to their rooms in silence.  When Blaine and Kurt entered their room Kurt went into the bathroom first to shower and get ready for bed. 

Blaine took a long hot shower.  He had such an amazing weekend.  He met and started to become friends with one of his idols, he has been getting to know Kurt better, and he thinks that Kurt may be starting to like him back.  When the water finally started to turn cold he stepped out and got dressed.  He exited the bathroom and he saw that the room was dark silent with Kurt lying in his bed.  He tiptoed to his bed and quietly got under the covers so as not to wake him up.  Only Kurt wasn’t sleeping.  Blaine heard him sniffling into his pillow.  He pulled off the covers and laid down besides Kurt.  Kurt was slightly surprised by the sudden closeness, but he was definitely grateful.  He let Blaine put his arm under his head and pull him in close.  Kurt snuggled into the crook of his arm. 

The boys said nothing to each other as Kurt’s tears slowed to a stop and left him with tear stained cheeks.  The two friends slowly fell off to sleep.