Chapter 16

Kurt giggled and hugged Blaine as they made their way over to get their skates. "This is so amazing! You're amazing! Of course I'll hold your hand, it fits so perfectly!"

It soon became clear to Kurt that Blaine had booked their skating session in advance; he merely presented two tickets to the man at the front desk before tugging Kurt inside.

Kurt had been skating quite a few times, but he had never really had the time nor inclination in recent years. He was really excited by this, it was so unexpected. Kurt soon found the right size, he sprayed a little anti-odour into each one before putting them on. Though it had been a long time Kurt would never forget how to do up skating boots properly, also his wide knowledge of shoes meant that no lace could out-fox him. Blaine, however, was not so knowledgeable on the subject. Unlike Kurt he'd never been skating before but he remembered Kurt telling him once how free skating made him feel.

"Here, you are clearly incapable of doing those up, let me help," Kurt said in his this-is-not-up-for-discussion voice. He bent down, leaning over Blaine as he did so, and carefully did up the boots on Blaine's feet. Though the period of time was short, for Blaine is was amazing being so casually and unexpectedly close to the love of his life. It meant the world to him.

Blaine was unsteady at first on the ice. To begin with Kurt, unable to control his enthusiasm, skated ahead in long graceful movements, occasionally giving a little twirl much to the amusement of his watching boyfriend. Then Kurt noticed Blaine's struggling and skated over, "Sorry, it's been a while. Let me help you."

"Don't worry about it; it's nice to see you being so happy and free. I don't think I've seen you like this since high school."

Kurt gave an involuntary shiver at the thought of high school; immediately Blaine regretted his words. "Sorry, silly tactless me… Anyway, aren't you supposed to be showing me how to skate then?"

Kurt smiled and took Blaine's hand gently in his. "Ok, You need to stand up straight, you're short enough as it is and I'm going to have to crouch down to hold your hand if you keep up that unholy posture."

With difficulty, but much help and encouragement from Kurt, Blaine managed to straighten out his posture.

"Ok," Kurt continued, "Now that you're straight, no pun intended, you need to use long movements not short steps. Come on copy my movements."

Kurt was quite a good teacher; well at least he probably would have been if Blaine hadn't been so distracted by the beautiful pink flush that had taken over his cheeks. It enchanted Blaine and made it hard for him to focus on much else. This was much to the annoyance of his boyfriend.

By the time they had been skating for just over two hours, both boys were pretty hungry. So Blaine took Kurt over to the little restaurant that was alongside the rink. They feasted happily on warm cupcakes and coffee. It was heaven.

Blaine dropped Kurt back off on time to perform that evening. It was the first time in a long time that Kurt was really looking forward to performing; he'd managed to get Blaine a last minute ticket (one of the many perks of having a leading role). He'd never forget how on top of the world he felt as he belted out that final high F in defying gravity. He could feel adrenalin surging through his vein mixing with the love that was already there. Kurt felt invincible.

The next day was a day where Kurt wasn't performing for once, he'd been very excited at the prospect when he'd noticed it late last night; but he was only to be disappointed. It was almost ironic that on one of the very few days Kurt had free was one of the few that Blaine wasn't free. Kurt was going to spend the day with Mercedes but apparently she'd recently made a new friend, and he'd asked if they could go out together that day. Mercedes had offered to turn him down but Kurt didn't want that. It would be nice for Mercedes to make a few other friends as it must be difficult for her with his bus rehearsal and performance schedule.

So Kurt decided he would have to let his mind travel back in time to before Blaine had been here. It was hard to think about what he used to do with his free time then as it seemed such a long time ago; though in truth it can't have been more than a few weeks. Time was passing quickly they had already had their first week of ten and Kurt wanted to fit in as much Blaine time as possible before he left for Broadway. It seemed silly considering there was still a lot of time left; but Kurt was already thinking of their departure with dread. When they split up at the end of these ten weeks Kurt knew it would be the last time he would see Blaine, anything more would just be too much. They needed to move on. Kurt knew, since this relationship was supposed to be sped up, that really they should be moving on from chaste kisses but he still needed to respect himself. The emotional ties with Blaine were bad enough he had no desire to make them worse. They would make-out but Kurt didn't want to go any further than that.

Kurt headed down to reception, maybe a walk round town would distract him from the less than happy thoughts that were clouding his mind. It was only when he got down that he noticed Nina wasn't at reception. Kurt quickly realised today was Nina's day off, he'd completely lost his schedule since Blaine came. It was nine thirty, himself and Nina usually met for coffee at ten on her days off (they often fell on the same days as his). Kurt smiled; well at least he'd have some company today, and headed off to Starbucks.

Kurt arrived about five minutes early, so he was surprised to see Nina already at their usual table when he entered the coffee shop.

"Hey Nina! It seems like ages since we last had coffee together, so much has changed!" Kurt greeted her as he drew out the chair opposite her.

"Hey Kurt, how are you doing?" Nina returned Kurt's smile.

"I'm doing great, thanks! It seems everything is coming up my way for once!"

"Aw! Kurt! I'm so happy for you! If anyone deserves some good luck I know nobody better than you! Tell me everything that's been going on! I can tell you're desperate to share!" Nina, loved spending time with Kurt, he was like the brother she never had; they shared a lot of things in common. They had their disagreements but they got past them and were better friends because of it. They had before Kurt's recent London tour when he was working in a different musical.

"Well, basically me and Blaine are getting on so well! Yesterday, he took me to the ice rink in town and we skated together and it was so romantic, Nina! Oh and you'll never guess who the latest couple are," Kurt paused effect, "Trixie and Jayden, Jayden is Blaine's freaky ex who punched me in the face by the way!"

"Oh my God! Seriously? I thought he was gay… and that she was a bitch who nobody would ever touch with a forty metre pole, let alone date! When did all this happen?" Nina stared incredulously at Kurt.

"A few days ago, I was as shocked as you! They don't really seem very intimate to me, but you know, some couples can be quite secretive like that! Anyway, I'm not complaining; now that Trixie actually has a man in her life she's stopped picking on and has even been defending me! That can only be good news! Jayden was also pretty nice; he even apologised in a very good natured way, he even bought me flowers!"

It was at this point that Nina began to feel a little suspicious. Who really can change their personality that much so quickly? It didn't quite ring true with her. "Kurt, I'm not sure about this. Doesn't it sound a little too good to be true to you?" Nina asked, careful not to destroy Kurt's good mood.

"I know, don't worry me and Blaine had the same thoughts on the matter. The way I see it is that there is nothing that they can really do to hurt me or Blaine by pretending to be our friends. We figured it would be a pointless endeavour to try to call them out on the whole friends thing. I see no point in re-angering Trixie. This doesn't mean, however, that we're not going to be extra careful when around them," Kurt explained, he hoped Nina would agree as she held an opinion he very much valued.

Nina nodded slowly, "yes," she said, "that sounds pretty good to me. Just make sure you don't get sucked in, I don't like Trixie but even I will admit she's clever."

"Well, I am even more so," Kurt said defiantly.

"I know that, Kurt. You know how to care of yourself better than most, just don't lose yourself in all this romance, don't let your guard down, and don't screw this up. You can't get heartbroken again, Kurt, we both know you wouldn't be the same," Nina said soberly.

Kurt nodded, he checked his watch; it was only half past ten. Time really did seem to drag when Blaine wasn't there. It wasn't that Kurt didn't like spending time with Nina, it was just that Blaine seemed like a kind of drug to Kurt and being away from Blaine was torture to say the least. Kurt mentally rebuked himself, he needed to stop getting himself so tied down to Blaine.

Mercedes was sitting in a restaurant opposite Malcolm. She had met Malcolm last night when Blaine had taken Kurt off to go skating. Blaine had offered to take Mercedes too but she didn't want to intrude on their time together so she had refused. Just afterwards, however, she had nearly regretted the decision: Mercedes didn't know London at all and it was difficult for her to find something to do there. That was why Malcolm was really a God-send to her. She remembered their meeting well.

She had just turned a corner when a handsome, young and quite tall man bumped into her.

"Oh I'm so sorry didn't see you there! Are you lost?" Malcolm had asked her kindly.

Mercedes had been feeling quite low and just wanted to get back to the flat but she didn't want to be rude to the stranger who was being so nice… and was actually pretty hot! "No, it's my fault. I'm not lost but I'm new in London so I'm still trying to get to know my way around."

"A bit strange to leave a pretty girl like you all on her own, I think. I would have thought you have a whole queue behind you of men… or women wanting to escort you," Malcolm gave her a flirtatious wink, "I'm Malcolm by the way."

"Definitely not for me! You flatter me! I'm Mercedes," Mercedes smiled at him, it had been a long time since a guy had seemed so interested in her. It had felt so nice.

"You're one to be flattered. Here let me escort you as it seems that others are too blind! Where are you heading?" Malcolm asked, making Mercedes blush in the process.

She had been unwilling to give out Blaine's address but there seemed little harm in it. After all, she was sure Kurt would be over the moon if she got a boyfriend. So Mercedes told him the address and he took her arm gently and the two of them walked up to the flat.

They had got on really well; Malcolm liked all the things Mercedes liked! She was sure Kurt would also like him as it turned out that he was also a massive Broadway fan! He was her Mr Perfect, right there in front of her. With all this on her mind Mercedes didn't hesitate to accept his offer of a day out the next day, though she had fretted about Kurt afterwards.

Mercedes had been sure she had imagined his perfection, but then there he was again the next day. He hadn't changed a bit, if anything it was even better as they just picked up from where they left off. Mercedes felt so happy in that moment, she didn't even notice Malcolm's hurried texts under the table.