Chapter 3: Arrival

Blaine couldn't sleep that night. Kurt would be here, in London, in just a few short hours. Blaine had his plan ready. He would meet up with Kurt as soon as possible; he would wait outside the theatre for hours if he had to. Then they would talk things over, Blaine would make sure that Kurt felt better about the past; he would make Kurt smile. Then he would be able to let go at last, all would be said and done and they could leave in a more mutual way.

But what if I don't want to leave?

What did Blaine actually want from Kurt? Once he saw Kurt's smile Blaine was sure walking away would be an issue. But they could remain friends right?

Blaine's phone let out a shrill ring, his hand felt about wildly before grasping the small rectangular device. It was a text from Jayden.

From: Jayden

Where were you today? I thought we were closer than this! What are you hiding from me? Tell me when you're ready for a serious relationship.

Blaine stared at his phone screen. He was only gone for one day! Jayden wasn't the same as he was the first week they dated. He was funny then and easy-going but after that he'd just got more and more controlling, on every single one of Blaine's days off he would either text him or come round in the morning to tell him what they were going to do that day and if Blaine didn't go along with it he would be in for Jayden's bitchy side. That was never good. He'd used to look forward to spending time with Jayden but now it was just a mixture of dread and irritation. They'd been together for just over four months. Maybe this has gone on long enough Blaine thought to himself.

Blaine knew it was probably going to be difficult, he wondered how long Jayden would keep up the bitch stares before he got over it. But this had to be done and the sooner the better.

Blaine sent back a brief text. He could just dump Jayden by text; that would be mean, so he set up a meeting with him.

To: Jayden

We need to talk. Meet me at the stage door after the rehearsal.

Jayden didn't reply but Blaine knew he had got the message and would be there, he didn't need confirmation.

Blaine left his apartment for the rehearsal; it was just a quick glaze over today. They didn't have many performances coming up now that Wicked was in town as the company didn't think they could compete. This worked out just fine for Blaine as it meant he could have a lot of time to sort things out with Kurt.

After an hour of rehearsing (it was just a few scenes which weren't coming quite as seamless on performance nights), Blaine met Jayden, as planned, at the stage door. Blaine was about to begin, choosing his words carefully, when Jayden jumped in first.

"Look Blaine, I like you but you've got to treat me right if you want me stay with you. I really want this to work so I will give you a second chance. You can take me out for dinner tonight, apologise, then we can move on."

Blaine stared, shocked, his mouth hung slightly open at Jayden's words. Slowly Blaine shut his mouth before looking Jayden right in the eyes and began his explanation: "Look Jayden, you're a nice guy but you've changed recently and it's not just me and my issues. You used to be different. I don't think things will work out between us and I don't want to drag things out any longer. I'm breaking up with you."

This time it was Jayden' turn to look shocked. He had never expected this, but soon his shock turn to anger. "Fine," Jayden's voice rose, "you go out with you Princess Kurt! But don't come crying to me when he screws up your life again! Don't pretend this isn't about him Blaine!"

Jayden turned on his heel and left Blaine open-mouthed at the stage door.

Kurt was with his fellow cast members in the first class carriage travelling from Paris to London. He sat alone aside from the occasional actor who came by to give him a quick jibe. Kurt sighed when would they just accept him? So what if he played the female lead! He was also thinking about Blaine. Kurt had no idea where Blaine was currently staying and he felt sure that Blaine didn't know where he was. Kurt couldn't make up his mind whether that was a good thing or not.

He still couldn't shake the feeling of regret that the late night meeting in Paris was probably the last time he would ever see Blaine. The sensible part of his brain screamed at his that it was better this way but another part of him yearned for Blaine to hold him again. He wanted Blaine to comfort him and tell him everything would be fine. Through-out all the years and bitterness he still found it difficult not to love Blaine. Blaine had been his first love and Kurt supposed you never really get over your first. God, he wished Mercedes was here. She, Rachel and, of course, Finn were the only people from New Directions that he had bothered to stay in touch with. The rest weren't really that close to him, and it was hard to stay in contact with all the touring.

The train continued on. He heard the others laughing about something, the joke was probably on him, Kurt sighed and fell asleep.

Blaine went back to his flat and checked the time. He wished he knew what time Kurt's train was getting in. He had checked out the performance times for Wicked and it had surprised him at the time to see one set for tomorrow. Blaine had decided that if he went to see a performance then he could catch up with Kurt after the show, as well as being able to see Kurt perform again! The only problem was pretty much every show was booked up solid.

So here was Blaine desperately waiting for tomorrow. He still had no idea what he would do in the morning; he would have to find something pretty distracting to keep him from counting down the hours! Blaine was desperately excited; this was not just some rushed trip to Paris with little chance of finding Kurt, no here there was practically a guarantee of spending time with him! Kurt was staying in the same city as him for goodness sake! Even if he didn't want to find Kurt there was a good chance they would bump into each other in the street!

Blaine went to bed content. For the first time in five years his life was exactly where he wanted to be. He had finished with Jayden, in itself a huge weight of his shoulders, and soon he would be able to sort things out with Kurt. Things couldn't be better!

The next day Blaine was up early. He didn't have a performance that night as the company thought it would be pointless to even try to compete with Wicked opening night. In fact they didn't have any performances this week and only the odd one or two in the next few weeks. Blaine smiled, glad with how things had turned out.

Blaine decided that, since he had nothing better to do that morning, he may as well clean his apartment. Blaine put on his favourite CD to play; he wanted to keep himself as focussed as possible so his mind wasn't free to wander.

About an hour into his work there was a knock at the door. That's funny thought Blaine to himself as he hadn't been expecting anyone to come round today. Blaine quickly smoothed his shirt and went to answer the door.

It was Jayden. He didn't look sad or angry as Blaine might have expected if he had any idea of this situation arising. Jayden looked determined. It was etched across his face in such a way that nearly scared Blaine. As it was Blaine felt decidedly uneasy.

"Hey," Jayden said, the greeting was usually accompanied by an easy smile but today his face remained the same.

"Hey," Blaine returned Jayden's near emotionless face with an equally blank one. Blaine spoke again before Jayden had time to react, "What are you doing here?" Blaine's voice remained calm only this time with a hint of annoyance.

"You can't just break up with me Blaine and think that's the end of it. We were together for four months and you expect me just to go away the second you decide you've had enough!" There was more than a hint of annoyance in Jayden's voice. He looked angry but Blaine could tell he was trying not to show it by trying to disguise his anger with hurt. Jayden had always been such a drama queen.

"Actually," Blaine countered, "I think I can. I'm surprised you didn't see this one coming; we've been drifting apart for quite a few weeks now. You are different. In the first week we were together I thought you were really kind and caring. Then you changed, you're different now, at first I thought you would change back but after three months I realised that this was the real you, not the man who I liked." Blaine sighed, "Just go home, Jayden."

Jayden looked hard at Blaine and Blaine was slightly scared to see the determined look sweep across his face. Jayden muttered under breath so quietly that Blaine could barely hear: "I'll get you back, Blaine; we were made for each other." Before Blaine had had time to react Jayden had turned away and was marching down the stairs.

Blaine let out a long breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. He'd liked to have thought that would be the last he would see of Jayden but somehow he wasn't sure.

Blaine took a few minutes to gather himself together. After this he spent a further hour finished off his cleaning (his apartment only consisted of 4 rooms, none of which were what you could call roomy) But when the house was shining Blaine found himself, once more, at a lose end. So he decided to plan his outfit for this evening. If Kurt was anything like as fashion crazy as he used to be Blaine was sure he'd appreciate his efforts.

Blaine decided it was way too ostentatious to wear a suit so he wore his second best trousers, a white vest, a jacket and a colourful scarf. He wanted to convey the air of smart casual; he wanted to look like he cared about his appearance but didn't spend too long getting ready. Blaine hoped it looked like he'd spend ten minutes picking his outfit instead of the hour and a half it had actually taken him!

When Blaine was finally dressed he thought he may as well head out. He needed to go food shopping for the coming week and if he did it now then he would be free tomorrow to spend time with Kurt. If Kurt will actually want to spend time with you part of Blaine's brain was desperately worried about a second rejection. But Blaine tried to push this to the back of his mind. Kurt's production started in a couple of hours so this gave him enough time to go shopping, get home, unpack and be out again before the show finished.

Blaine decided against getting something to eat for himself on the way to the shops. If he could get Kurt to eat with him he wouldn't want to spoil his appetite. It could also act as an excuse, Blaine thought; to get them talking in a friendlier environment of a restaurant and catch up on what they'd missed. Blaine just hoped Kurt's attitude had changed since their first meeting.

Blaine wondered why Kurt had been upset at the time. Kurt had said it himself that it wasn't Blaine in particular that was making him cry. Blaine hoped it was nothing too serious, he didn't like the idea of a sad Kurt, he wanted him to be happy.

Blaine dragged himself out of his thoughts as he approached the supermarket. It was time to focus on shopping. However, no matter how hard Blaine tried his thoughts continued to stray away from the task at hand to such an extent that by the time he reached the checkout he realised that he hadn't got a clue as to what he had bought. But even then Blaine couldn't bring himself to notice the items passing through the cashier's hands. Blaine numbly shoved everything into plastic bags before handing over his credit card and typing in the pin.

Blaine tried to keep his pace steady as he made his way home. Rushing won't get you to Kurt any faster he thought to himself. But he had to check his pace every minute or so to see if he was going too fast. When he got in it was worse. He tried to slow himself down to no avail as he grabbed all the things he had bought at the supermarket. He didn't bother checking if any of it needed to go in the fridge and instead just shoved everything into the nearest cupboard.

He changed quickly into his pre-chosen outfit, did a quick spot-check in the mirror and rushed out of the apartment.

As Blaine walked at an unnecessarily fast pace through the streets he was too focussed on getting to the theatre to notice he was being followed.

The performance about half an hour from finishing when Blaine got there, there was quite a crowd of people. Blaine could see the stage door but with a sinking feeling he realised that most of the performers would want to avoid this crowd. Certainly Kurt would, though he was a diva Blaine had to admit to himself that Kurt would never want to make his way through this crowd.

Blaine decided, however, that he would still wait, just in case he was wrong. Blaine stood in the mix of all the other people there wishing he was taller. Blaine was incredibly short for a man and this meant it was practically impossible to be able to see the stage door over the tops of everyone else's heads. The half hour dragged by, Blaine had little to think about and he wished he had brought his iPod.

Blaine had been engulfed in his thoughts when he noticed a mass of people leaving the theatre; he craned his neck pushing himself upward with all his might, desperate for a glimpse of Kurt. But he never came out. In fact nobody exited the stage door. After half an hour people were beginning to dispatch. Blaine realised that Kurt must have gone out another way. With heavy heart Blaine started to make his way back to his flat.

It was while he was walking that he noticed a large group of young adults, all in stage make-up, Blaine edged closer.

A young lady suddenly turned round and Blaine immediately recognised her from Paris. She played Glinda in Wicked. She didn't see Blaine she was just taking a look at Big Ben. Blaine could hear her remark about its beauty. She had blond hair but it was clearly from a bottle, it was loose and hung around her shoulders in gentle curls. She was quite thin and had blue eyes, which Blaine supposed would ordinarily be called beautiful but they didn't shine like Kurt's did. Blaine walked up to her.

"Excuse me," He asked, he was slightly nervous and hoped she didn't notice.

"Hello handsome, what can I do for you?" Blaine was sure he wasn't imagining the double meaning in her words. The lady added a suggestive smile to her words only confirming Blaine's suspicions.

"Err… actually I notice you're from Wicked. A friend of mine is also in it, he's called Kurt. Do you know where I could find him?" Blaine gave her a small smile.

"Oh you want Ladyface!" The lady laughed and the small gathering around her also laughed. Blaine fought the urge to punch her. It would definitely not help the situation.

"Could you tell me where Kurt is?" Blaine pushed, trying to keep his voice calm.

"I'd forget about him if I were you, Hun. You can come with us if you want! We'll show you a good time! I'm Trixie by the way." The suggestive smile reappeared on Trixie's face.

"Thanks, I'd love to, but another time maybe. Could you please tell me where Kurt is?" Blaine was really battling to keep his voice calm now.

Trixie looked back shocked; she wasn't used to being rejected. "So you're gay? I guess I should have noticed in that scarf. If you must know Kurt's probably in the hotel across from the theatre. Though I don't know why you'd bother with him!"

Blaine couldn't take this anymore "You just shut up ok? Leave Kurt alone! I've seen you sing as he's ten times more talented than you'll ever be!"

Trixie looked slightly unnerved by Blaine's words; clearly criticism was another thing she wasn't used to. "Come on," Trixie said to the cast members collected behind her, "He is clearly not worth our time! And for the record, at least I sing like someone my own gender"

With that the Trixie and her gang left before Blaine had time to respond, some of them giving Blaine glares as they went. But Blaine didn't care, he dashed off towards the hotel Trixie had described. The hotel was a fancy five-star one. Blaine was glad, Kurt deserved somewhere nice to relax and stay away from people like Trixie. Blaine smoothed his jacket before entering, not having time for regretting not wearing a suit.

Blaine walked up to a receptionist. She was very neat, with her hair scraped from her face into a tight bun and not a crease on her uniform.

"Can I help you?" She asked Blaine, looking him up and down, clearly she was on the lookout for trouble makers. Blaine felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze but she quickly looked into his face and gave a friendly smile, as if to let Blaine know that he wouldn't be thrown out of the hotel.

"Yes, thank you," Blaine began, "I'm looking for an old friend; I was told he was staying at this hotel."

"Yes of course, I will have to check with the person in question first, can I have their name?" She looked unfazed by Blaine's question and Blaine calmed down slightly in the knowledge that she must get requests like this on a regular basis.

"Kurt Hummel." Blaine stated and the lady, Nina her name badge said, checked through her log book before finding the right name and walking towards the phone on the other side of the desk. Blaine followed slightly behind. Blaine's calm was knocked by the realisation that the ball was entirely in Kurt's court, he could decide against meeting Blaine and Blaine would have to accept it and leave. Nina looked slightly worried by Blaine's sudden thoughtfulness so he turned to look at her and resumed his polite smile.

"Can I have your name please?" She asked as she also resumed her polite mask.

"Blaine, Blaine Anderson," Blaine said slightly hurriedly as he was now apprehensive to get this over with.

Nina dialled Kurt's number with her perfectly manicured nails then held the receiver to her ear. Blaine wished he would be able to hear both sides on the conversation.

"Good evening this is reception," It was clearly a well-rehearsed line. "I'm at the desk with a young gentleman asking to see you." There was a short pause as Nina waited for Kurt's response, "Blaine Anderson. Would you like me to send him up?" Another pause this time slightly longer, Blaine bit his lip. "Yes that's fine I'll tell him."

Blaine braised himself as Nina turned towards him once more.

"He says he'll be down in half an hour. Would you like to wait hear?" Nina seemed unsurprised by the outcome of the phone call but Blaine was practically jumping for joy. He could hardly control the big grin that took over his face.

"Err… yes, of course!" Blaine tried and failed to reign in his excitement.

"You're welcome to sit on one of those benches over there if you like." Nina remained professional.

"I will… and thank you for all your help."

"You're welcome Mr Anderson. Have a good evening."

Blaine sat on the bench, his foot tapping the floor repeatedly in supressed excitement. This was it; a proper planned meeting with Kurt. Blaine started to plan a good restaurant where they could go. I'd pay for everything Blaine thought to himself. After meeting Trixie Blaine had decided that Kurt needed a good friend. It seemed like Kurt didn't have very many.

Meanwhile Kurt was in crisis. God, why did I say yes? What am I going to wear? After spending the first five minutes of his thirty minute deadline freaking out Kurt decided serious action needed to be taken. He had to call Mercedes.

Mercedes answered on the sixteenth ring, Kurt had been on the verge of hanging up and calling things off with Blaine.

"Hello?" Mercedes' voice was groggy

"Mercedes I'm sorry but I really need your help it's a total emergency!"

"Kurt do you know what time it is in America… Ok then what's the emergency? Don't tell me you don't know how to get rid of your stage make-up again, because I would only be repeating myself from before."

"No it's nothing like that! Listen Blaine is waiting for me and I don't know what to wear and I only have another twenty-three minutes to get ready!"

"Oh hell to the no! Him? Kurt seriously why? You remember him right? You haven't been brainwashed and don't remember junior year? Because I do and I also remember he was a capital J jerk! Stay away from him!"

"I know but I saw him before and he was so nice he just wants to explain. I will leave if he even tries to make a move but I don't think he would, I think he just wants to be friends. But none of this means I want to go out in a potato sack! Please help!"

"I will help. But when you get back I want you to tell me everything! Do we have a deal?"

"Yes, Mercedes thank God you're angel!"

Mercedes proceeded to give Kurt all the advice he needed. After this it took Kurt a mere twenty minutes to get ready. This was a record!

Blaine was sitting on the bench the whole time. When it was coming up to half an hour since he'd been told to sit there Blaine's mind started to worry. What if he'd changed his mind? Blaine tried as hard as he could to remain calm. Getting into a state would definitely not help the situation!

Then Blaine felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and straight into Kurt's blue green eyes. Kurt didn't smile but he didn't frown or cry either so Blaine thought he may as well just run with it.

"Hey," Blaine said, a tiny smile playing on his lips.

"Hey," Kurt said, he looked almost pleased to see Blaine. "So, what brings you here?"

Blaine was going to explain but he got lost in Kurt's eyes, he couldn't find his voice. He just sat there with his mouth opening and closing like an idiot.

"Shall we go out then?" Kurt asked, "I'd like to think, since you must have put a little effort into tracking me down, that you have something planned for the evening." Kurt's voice stayed calm and collected but there was a hint of something Blaine couldn't quite make out as an undercurrent.

"Err… yes… of course. Follow me." Blaine stammered trying to get the words out.

Blaine and Kurt left the hotel together but neither made a move to touch each other. They walked in silence to Blaine's pre-chosen restaurant, though the silence wasn't entirely uncomfortable both wanted the other to say something to break it.

When they got to the restaurant Blaine asked the waitress, who he knew quite well, for a table for two; the two of them sat opposite each other in a far corner of the room. The waitress, whose name was Sally, knew Blaine liked to be in a quiet area.

"So," Kurt was the first to speak, "since you brought me here you must have a reason. I'm not in a particular mood to play games so I'd be happy if you would just say what you came here to say then we could both get on with our lives."

Blaine nodded; he knew there was no point arguing with Kurt at this point in the evening. He could only hope to win Kurt over as the evening progressed.

"Listen Kurt, I know I'm not exactly your favourite person. I am truly sorry for what happened, and I know I keep repeating myself like a stuck record, but I really am."

"You keep saying that Blaine, but it will always remain the elephant in the room until you fully address it. You are still scouting round the issue itself." Kurt sighed; he'd heard this all before and wanted Blaine to show him something new. He really wanted to be able to forgive Blaine, but he wasn't going to be able to do that without just reasoning.

"Look Kurt, five years ago we were really close. We were more than just boyfriends; we were each other's best friends. If ever I was upset about something you would be the first person I would come to, I loved you, Kurt. I… I think I still do. Then I put my foot in it. People didn't accept us and they tried to split us up. When I was shown those pictures, I thought you were cheating on me. I was really upset about it, and I took it all out on you. I still can't believe I was stupid enough not to believe you but I had a lot of problems and peer pressure from my family and from people at your school. None of this is an excuse for the way I treated you. I tried to make it up to you when I realised my mistake but I guess the damage had already been done. There has not been a day that has gone by since where I have not regretted my actions it still haunts me.

"I went to Paris with my boyfriend. I did know you were in the stage show but my main reason for going was that I had to. Jayden is not the sort of person you can say no to and as a consequence we have broken up since. When I saw you on stage you seemed happy, so I was ready to let go. Kurt, I have never wanted anything other than your happiness. Then after the show I heard you crying, and when you said it was my fault I made it my mission to make you happy again. I was going to explain this earlier. I went back to Paris a little after our first meeting but I couldn't find you. I'm in London because I play Joseph in Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. When I heard you were also going to be in London I planned to meet you.

"Words can't describe how sorry I am Kurt. I really want to be here for you and help you get your mojo back. But I would understand if you don't want me here. I still love you, Kurt, but I love you enough to want to be friends and nothing more. I just want to help."

Kurt was crying, so was Blaine. They sat in silence for a few moments while tears streamed down their faces as all the memories came crashing down on them. Thinking about the times they had coffee together, gone on dates, kissed at Kurt's locker when Blaine transferred to be with him, Blaine appearing on Kurt's doorstep with his guitar and the biggest bunch of flowers Kurt had ever seen on Valentine's Day. How could they have let something so stupid ruin their happiness?

"I still love you too," Kurt sighed in between hiccups, "but we can't be together there's too much history."

Their drinks sat in front of them untouched. The waitress, Sally, was about to ask for their food orders but when she saw them she thought better of it.

"At least let me help," Blaine pleaded. "You're here in London for ten weeks, right? Well in that time just let me help. Let me show you I am worthy of you again. Just let me help you."

Kurt looked down at his drink, still making no attempt to drink it. He looked into Blaine's eyes, deep in thought.

"Ok, Blaine. I'll let you help. For the time in London I will let you help me. I could tell you I'm fine but I know you always knew when I was lying. We can meet up tomorrow and I will tell you everything. But for tonight I don't want to go any further with you. I need to let everything digest first. But you can have my phone number and we can arrange to meet up tomorrow."

The two of them drank their drinks in silence. When Sally came back over Blaine asked her if it was ok for them just to have drinks tonight. She nodded and left them to it.

When they had finished Blaine paid for the drinks and the two of them stood up to go.

True to his word when they were about to leave Kurt gave Blaine his phone number and Blaine gave Kurt his. At the door of the restaurant they both went their separate ways.

Blaine decided that the evening had been a good one. But he was still unaware that he had been followed through-out.

The figure, however, didn't go after Blaine when they left the restaurant.

Kurt walked through the streets, he was unsure what to think about the meeting but he was sure he would get his thoughts straight after a long Skype conversation with Mercedes who had asked him, despite the time, to call her as soon as he got back.

"Excuse me," the voice came from a few paces behind Kurt. It was polite enough but there was something slightly sinister about it.

Kurt turned around to face the man. He was taller than Kurt by a few inches, he was clean shaven but with a slight stubble than comes if you forget to shave one morning. He looked a bit like Kurt; he had blue eyes and dark brown hair. His face, however, was contorted to an expression the portrayed so much hate that Kurt had to take a step back.

"Just say away from Blaine ok Lady Boy!"

Kurt didn't have time to respond before a large fist came into contact with his face. Kurt stumbled back. Everything went black.