Chapter 1: Moving On

*Bleep* *bleep* *bleep*! The noise filled the whole room with its irritating and incessant bleeping. A bleary eyed Blaine extended an arm which felt around fruitlessly for a few moments before finding its target and shutting off the offensive sound.

Blaine looked out for his bed and was greeted with the familiar sight of his London hotel room; he'd been staying here for 7 nights now while playing the lead in the musical "Joseph and the Technicolor dream coat". With a sigh of relief he fell back under the covers in the knowledge that today was not one of his performances and as a consequence he was free to do as pleased.

After a little deliberation Blaine decided he may as well get up since he was wide awake by this time. He quickly jumped out of bed only to be greeted by his usual bout of head rush. As he stumbled slightly before regaining balance his phone went off.

From: Jayden

Hey! It's me! Since it's your day off today why don't we go and see the new musical that's on tonight at the Paris. We can get the train and spend the whole day there! :D

Love you!

Blaine sighed. He liked Jayden; they had been going out for 3 months now as he played one of the brothers in the musical they shared. Blaine yawned he was ever so tired however he knew there was nothing short of instant death that would get him out of Jayden's day trip.

Blaine quickly replied.

To: Jayden

Yeah sounds great! What musical is it?

From: Jayden

Wicked! One of my favourites! And I think there's a kid from your old school playing Elphaba! I didn't know boys were allowed to play that part! You knew a Kurt Hummel right?

Blaine stared in shock at the screen for a few moments. He was left speechless by Jayden's text. Kurt? Impossible and yet it suddenly seemed all so probable. Of course Kurt would be able to get the lead role in his favourite musical! He had always been extremely talented and he was as stubborn as a mule!

Blaine stared at the text for a good few minutes not sure what to reply. He hadn't gotten round to telling Jayden his boyfriend history yet and Kurt was the main feature of it. He stared for another couple of minutes before being brought back into the room by worried texts from Jayden.

From: Jayden

You ok Blaine?

Blaine hurriedly typed back a quick response.

To: Jayden

Sorry had to go take a shower, yeah I knew Kurt we were mates for a while.

Blaine knew he should really tell Jayden the truth or make up an excuse and not go. It had been 5 years but he still wasn't sure whether he was ready to see Kurt again, not just yet.

Oh just man up Blaine! You dated for a while sure but you've moved on from then just go and watch the show! It's not like you're there to see Kurt!

Blaine's phone buzzed

From: Jayden

Anyway I'll meet you in about an hour in the foyer and you, sir, will therefore have enough time to take me up the Eiffel Tower! ;)

To: Jayden

Sure thing! See you in an hour!

At 8 o'clock Blaine met Jayden and the two of them set off together. Jayden quickly grabbed Blaine's arm and the two off them caught the high speed train that would take them all the way to Paris.

On the journey Jayden spent much of the time talking to Blaine but it was only after the two men got off the train that Blaine realised he hadn't taken in a word his boyfriend had said. It defiantly was not because of Kurt or so Blaine told himself. He just was a little tired today that was all.

Paris was beautiful! The scenery the culture! Jayden would skip about like Alice in Wonderland and Blaine would smile at his antics. However, if Jayden had been looking a little closely at Blaine he may have noticed that the smile didn't quite make it up to his eyes or that, though he did take him up, Blaine talked little while they climbed the Eiffel Tower.

If Blaine was being truly honest with himself it was Kurt he was thinking about, well thinking wasn't really the word. Dreaming would do a lot better and so would fantasising!

Will he look different now, it's been so long. I wonder if he still has that same facial expression he does when he thinks about me… no I doubt he would think about me anymore. How could I have treated him so badly?

The realisation came upon Blaine slowly. Kurt would probably be a lot less than happy to see Blaine in the audience. Blaine even considered backing out but his curiosity was too strong. He just wanted to see those big blue eyes again. He just wanted to hold that soft hand from which the feeling of warmth radiated so strongly. He just wanted to kiss those perfect…. No! It was time to stop this right now Jayden is his boyfriend now and Kurt will almost certainly have one also. One deserved him. One who treated him right.

With a huge amount of effort on his part Blaine managed to drag himself out of his Kurt Hummel rut and focus on Jayden who was beckoning to a small caf� which had a river view.

Blaine talked with Jayden about many things that had happened to him since their last proper meeting (this did not include rehearsals or performances). They would comment on the latest styles set to be in this season. That chatted about everything really except the stage show they were set to see later. Blaine tried to keep the speculation on that front to a minimum he didn't want to drift off into more daydreams. He could not leave Jayden and the rest of the world behind for a second time that day!

Blaine and Jayden spent the rest of their day shopping and sightseeing. They chatted happily and Jayden took the opportunity to kiss Blaine as they gazed over the Paris night-life.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds; it was somehow awkward in a way that the kisses they shared had never been before.

"You ok Blaine?" Jayden asked. "You seem kind of distracted; I've never seen you like this before."

Blaine knew it was about time he was honest with Jayden. He knew his boyfriend might be a little upset but if he left it much longer then it could cause a lot of problems in their relationship. After all aren't relationships supposed to be built on trust?

"The thing is…," Blaine took Jayden's hand in his it felt nice but there was a part of Blaine, which he desperately pushed away, that yearned for another's hand.

"You asked me if I knew Kurt Hummel at my old school… well I knew him well. We dated for over a year. I suppose we were pretty close…" Blaine took his time to pick the right words before speaking again, while Jayden, sensing there was more, waited patiently for him to resume his speech. "Well… what happened was that… we split up."

Blaine and Jayden both knew there was more to be said but neither pushed the issue.

"You ok about going to see the show… because if you're not then we could just leave it," on first inspection you may say that Jayden's voice was detached and uninterested, but Blaine, having known him for some time now, knew otherwise and he also knew that he needed to go to the show. If not just for Jayden's benefit then for himself; it had been five years now. He needed to let Kurt go. Blaine reasoned with himself that if he saw Kurt happy, playing his favourite role, possibly even with a boyfriend in tow; then he would be able to let go of his feelings of something being unfinished between them and move on to other things and other people. All would be said and done and he could get on with his life in a way that he had always had a little difficulty with before.

Perhaps this unexpected trip to Paris wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Jayden smiled. He noticed how Blaine looked a little more comfortable after getting things of his chest; and he did really want to see Wicked. So what if Blaine had had a boyfriend other than himself at some point. Most people go through their lives having been together with more than one person and they normally settle down happily. All that mattered was here and now; himself and Blaine; off to see a show together.

They approached the theatre arm in arm. It was clearly a very popular show as there was what looked like thousands of people crowding in and around the theatre. All of them dressed impeccably; with ladies in long dresses and jewellery and men neatly clad in tuxedoes.

Blaine tried and failed to ignore all the talking between his fellow audience members. He knew almost instantly who they were talking about.

"I simply can't believe that a male voice will be able to handle vocals as challenging as those of Elphaba!"

"I've heard he sings like an angel"

"Still, why would a theatre company and prestigious as this use a man to play a woman's part. They must have women queuing round the block to play that part. He must be good!"

"I wonder how they will do his stage make-up. I mean it's just silly if he doesn't look the part."

Blaine blushed on Kurt's behalf and hoped desperately that Jayden was not picking up on their words. Be sadly doubted it; it seemed the whole audience had only one thing on their mind. It really wasn't making things any easier for Blaine, or Jayden.

Still Blaine thought to himself I will see Kurt perform see him happy and doing all the things he dreamed off then I will let him go one final time and just stop thinking about him. I have to move on.

As Blaine continued to wander round the room he caught some less then kind comments. Each one seemed to hurt. Like it was Blaine they were talking about. Blaine was very tempted to punch a few of them square in the face… but he couldn't do that to Jayden this was their night together.

"I can't believe this! The role is a girl's part! Why should some gay young man get the part when there are plenty of girls who could sing the vocals way better and wouldn't look like a drag queen?"

"How am I supposed to get lost in the magic when the lead role is being played by someone clearly not up to the task?"

"I'm sick of this! That part is played by a girl for a reason! A man is just plain wrong! God knows I feel sorry for that poor actor playing Fiyero; was probably expecting some pretty girl and all he gets is some gay man in drag!"

Blaine was fuming by the time they went to take their seats. They hadn't even heard Kurt sing yet and already they were judging him. A small but persistent thought came into Blaine's head.

What if Kurt isn't happy…

Blaine quickly pushed the thought aside. There were lots of people in the audience who he had heard praising Kurt's bravery and even more that were willing to keep an open mind. Kurt was an amazing singer and just as amazing performer. Kurt would win them all over, even those who mock him. Blaine knew in his heart that he was right.

Blaine quickly focused on the hand he was holding as they made their way up to their seats before Blaine could begin to fantasize about the times that he and Kurt had sung together. Blaine is with Jayden now and Kurt probably had moved on too. Hell! Kurt probably had a load bashing his front door down every morning; he was good looking and kind enough to have whoever he chose and he would get someone who truly deserved him!

Blaine gave Jayden's hand a quick squeeze as if to once again remind himself. It soon dawned on Blaine that they were walking a long way up to find their seats. Jayden continued to lead Blaine upwards until they were almost at the very back of the theatre, at which point Jayden gestured toward some seats near the end of the row. They both sat and Blaine looked towards the stage; which looked pretty small from where they were seated.

"Sorry Blaine," Jayden blushed slightly, wishing he could have provided his boyfriend with a better view. "These were the best seats I could get at such short notice."

"It's fine," Blaine smiled, "I'm surprised you could get seats at all. This show's a total sell out." Kurt's a total sell out a small voice in Blaine's head sighed.

"Well…" Jayden's previously rosy cheeks were now a deep beetroot. "I sorta got these tickets a couple of months ago actually. I like to plan ahead."

Blaine chuckled but didn't get the chance to say anything in response as the lights were starting to dim.

Kurt was amazing. Blaine didn't recognise him at first in all his stage make-up you really couldn't tell the part was really being played by a man. Kurt seemed so happy. His singing brought Blaine to tears on more than one occasion but it was so dark he hoped Jayden didn't notice.

And Kurt did convert those who had doubted him. He showed them just what he was made of and when he hit the top F in Defying Gravity it brought the whole house down with cheers. Blaine could swear he saw at one of the people who had mocked him at the beginning on their feet and cheering wildly just like everyone else.

Kurt was brought on for what felt like a dozen encores. Each cheer was louder than the one previously. And though Blaine felt a tinge of regret for letting him and Kurt split up he found he was able to let go when he saw Kurt's face at the final encore.

His mouth was a perfect smile; the sides of his mouth seemed to reach as far as the ceiling, it was almost enough to distract Blaine from his eyes. Blaine could never have forgotten Kurt's eyes even if he had tried. But seeing them here, the way they seemed to shine and the look of sheer joy in his face was enough for Blaine. It was time for him to move on. Clearly Kurt couldn't be happier, he had achieved his dream and was now doing a tour of playing him favourite character in his favourite musical. Kurt was happy and he didn't need Blaine to spoil that for him. Blaine had broken Kurt's heart once he would never try it again; especially not now. The time had come and the clock was chiming. The Kurt Hummel chapter in Blaine's book of life was finally closing for the last time.

Jayden headed for the bathroom while Blaine waited for him outside the theatre. It had been dark for a long time by now and, if anything, it had got lighter since they had arrived at the theatre. Blaine sat on the wall that was outside. He listened to the sounds of the Paris night life. It was at this point when Blaine realised there was a sound that felt out of place.

Blaine listened closer. It was nearby perhaps a mere few yards away… he wasn't alone. There was someone else here and they were… crying. Yes, they were crying. It was such a heart wrenching sound that seemed strangely familiar to Blaine. He wanted so desperately to find this person. He wanted to cheer them up. He wanted them to stop crying.

Blaine quickly got up off the wall and began to look round. The sobs continued, they were so broken like the world was about to come crashing in around that person at any minute.

Blaine started to track where the sound was coming from and soon turned a corner to where he saw a small figure. The person was bent up and curled into a little ball on the wall. Though it was dark Blaine could see the person shake from head to toe. The sobs sounded all too familiar to Blaine as he stared at the figure.

He started to move towards it; very slowly not wishing to startle the person. Who by now seemed to have sensed his presence and was slowly bringing itself together. Suddenly the figure looked up. And in the dim lamp light and through the huge quantity of stage make-up Blaine knew why he found the sound so familiar.

"Kurt…"