A knock was heard on the door making a startle run through Blaine before he gathered himself enough to invite whoever it was into his room. No one ever came to his room except for Kurt and he knew that he was at home spending time with his dad, so he was baffled that anyone had even come.

"Dad? What - I mean…" Blaine stammered as he let his book drop to the mattress and hurried to sit up on the bed. He couldn't remember when his father had been in his room the last time - or if he even ever had been in his room.

He watched as his father's eyes quickly darted around the room between his guitar and records, to Kurt's artwork on the wall. A dissatisfied grunt crept over his lips before he turned to Blaine with a sharp look.

"A colleague is bringing his family for dinner tonight so don't make any plans. You will be here," his father said in a tone that didn't leave the subject open for any kind of debate. This had been decided and it was the way things were going to go down.

"Uhm… okay," Blaine replied, uncertain why his presence was required, but knew that it would no good asking for an explanation.

"Be ready downstairs at 18.55." His father grunted and nodded at him before he turned around and left the room. Blaine was left baffled on his bed, unable to really pick up where he had left his book.

He didn't have any plans for the evening, but it still annoyed him that his father made these kinds of decisions - what if he had plans? Only a few months left and I'm 18, and then he doesn't get to decide anything anymore, Blaine reminded himself.

He crawled off the bed and walked in circles on the floor of his room a few times before he figured that he should probably take a shower. He found out some clothes that he guessed his father wouldn't find entirely inappropriate for the occasion before he took the heavy stepped journey to the bathroom.

Standing in the shower with water pouring down his face made him think of Kurt. Every part of the house reminded him of Kurt, and they had taken so many showers together that Blaine related everything in the bathroom with him. The dusty pink tiles on the walls reminded him of Kurt pressing his chest against his and his arms around him. The shampoo symbolized the way Kurt always smelled like summer rain even though he was covered in strawberry-scented soap. Even the stream of water reminded him of the feeling of Kurt's lips against his wet, slippery skin.

As Blaine stepped out of the shower he could still see the outline of the heart Kurt had drawn in the dew on the mirror after they had showered together over the weekend.

He shook his head and demanded of himself to try and think of something other than Kurt, well aware that it was definitely easier said than done. Kurt was all that was on his mind.

To Blaine's surprise the colleague of his father who came for dinner was the father of his old classmate, Trent, so suddenly he was face to face with a person he had shared 3 years of his life with, but hadn't spoken to in the last 8 months.

The dinner was awkward. As they hadn't spoken for such a long time neither of them knew how to tackle the situation, and they ended up only answering politely whenever their parents addressed them, or they stuck to keeping their focus in their plates, every now and then sending each other strained smiles across the table.

After dessert the adults declared that they would retreat to the living room, and Mr. Anderson suggested that Blaine and Trent went to his room. Blaine had no idea how to handle that, but as Trent found great interest in music too he figured they would find something to talk about along the way.

Trent had only been to Blaine's room a few times, so when he entered and saw the collection of records filling up most of one of the walls he was impressed.

They spent a long time going through his records. He told about his job at the record store in town, and Trent told him about the new additions to the glee club in Dalton. At one point Blaine mentioned the big record store in Washington and he instantly regretted. He had purposely avoided mentioning Washington all night, because talking about his time across the country would mean dragging Kurt into the conversation.

"What happened over there?" Trent asked curiously after a moment of deep silence.

Here we go, Blaine thought, feeling his stomach roll and his shirt start to itch. He searched his brain desperately for a way out of the subject, but he couldn't see anything to it.

"Nothing. I mean… I just hung out with some people, and just - forgot about everything. I found out that Gary is an asshole," he said as casual as possible. Images of Kurt lying on the grass in the sun was flickering through his mind; sunbeams were playing over his skin and changing the nuances of his hair, while he was gazing at Blaine with mystery in his multicolored eyes. Those beautiful eyes.

"Yeah. I heard about that. Uhm… I heard that - he freaked out at you because you found a girl he didn't like or something." Trent was flipping through the pages of a comic book he had grabbed from the stack next to Blaine's bed.

He was telling the truth. That was honestly all he had heard. Trent never lied, he was one of the best guys Blaine had ever met, and now that they were hanging out he was sad that he hadn't called him after he came home.

At least that meant that no one was talking about his connection to Kurt. Now it just nagged Blaine who had said that their ways had parted because of a girl - it had to be someone who knew about Kurt but wanted to help them keep it to themselves.

Linda.

"You could say that. It was a bit more complicated than that…" Blaine said, not wanting to lie to Trent.

"I didn't mean to intrude or anything. It's fine, cool - none of my business," Trent assured him hastily, the look on his face emphasizing his words.

"I - Trent, it wasn't a girl. I'm gay. It was because of a boy Gary freaked out on me," he blabbered out before he could stop himself. He had no idea how he had been so careless to let it slip that way, but now that he had it was like something heavy had been taken from his heart, making it easier for it to beat.

Trent was staring at him with mouth slightly ajar. Blaine balled his hands to fists in his lap, and didn't know if he should say something or let the words sink, when his friend suddenly spoke, nearly making Blaine jump from his spot on the floor.

"Wow… that's - new," Trent exclaimed, his voice like he was trying to collect himself and his thoughts - let the information ground and form some sort of reaction from his brain.

"Shit," Blaine mumbled to himself and let his head dump back against the bed they were sitting in front of. Now he had screwed things up with Trent and ruined his one chance to have a friend in this godforsaken town.

"So - are you like… seeing anyone?" Trent asked insecure, his eyes flickering between Blaine's eyes and Kurt's drawings on the wall. The drawing of Blaine had to be the one to really keep dragging his attention away. It was hard to figure out what was going on in Trent's thoughts, but Blaine knew that even if he didn't want anything to do with him anymore (which he probably wouldn't, Blaine was sure) he wouldn't spread it around. This was a secret he would take to the grave if Blaine asked him to, because that was just the sort of person Trent was.

"Yeah. Well… that boy Gary went crazy about. Kurt. We've been together for a while now," Blaine replied, feeling himself shrink in front of Trent. He felt so damn exposed; his entire everything was laid out for Trent to see who he truly was, no covering up. Now all he could do was answer his questions and wait for him to walk away.

"That's so cool. I'm really happy for you," Trent smiled at him, and Blaine felt his heart stop in his chest; freeze over.

He said it was cool. He was actually okay with it. Blaine felt like throwing his arms around his neck, but stopped himself guessing that would be pushing his luck a bit too far. Instead he let out a relieved sigh.

"What's he like?"

Blaine had the impression that Trent was insecure and uncertain about how personal he was allowed to get, so Blaine figured that he might as well lay it all out, and put everything out in the open.

"Kurt is… special. He's dreamy and intelligent, and has this big heart with room for everything and everyone. He's just everything - so beautiful and kind. And he's an artist. He makes me feel like… I'm flying," Blaine told, hearing his voice become hazy and realized that he had got carried away.

Trent was staring at him in awe, clearly listening openly to Blaine's tale about the reason for his happiness, and he was suddenly comfortable about telling Trent everything.

"Sounds like the perfect guy for you," Trent grinned, flashing his dimples and honest eyes. Blaine couldn't help chuckling; the fact that someone had just said that Kurt was "the perfect guy for him" and the thought that Trent didn't despise him now that he knew that he was gay made his insides bubble with happiness and a feeling of safety wrapped around him as he felt comfortable about opening up about this side of his "double life".

They spent a few hours on Trent asking about Kurt, and Blaine asking about things at Dalton after he left. Apparently people missed him, but no one had really been sure what was going on, and after his mom died none of them felt comfortable enough to be the one to contact him, because they had been unsure of how much he wanted them in his life anymore. No one at Dalton even knew that he was working in the record store either.

When it got late there was a knock on the door and Trent's mom said that they were leaving, Blaine feeling sad now that they had only just got into talking freely.

"It was really good to see you," Blaine said as Trent's mom left them to their goodbyes. They got off the floor and Trent gave Kurt's drawings one last look of admiration before he headed for the door.

"Definitely. Don't be a stranger in the future, promise? And… don't worry, I'm not gonna tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me - but I wanna meet him," Trent declared. Blaine grinned and hugged him. It felt so good to know that he had a chance of getting his friends back.

Blaine followed him downstairs and shook his parents' hands before they left. He headed for the kitchen to get a drink, feeling his father's eyes follow him around. It was odd, but Blaine had a feeling of being observed creeping under his skin.

When he was in bed he wished that he could have called Kurt to tell him about his talk with Trent. He excitedly thought of how Kurt would be ecstatic for him and eager to meet his friends. He would definitely need to introduce Kurt to Trent - maybe he would even be able to let his other old friends know about Kurt as well.

For the next week Blaine was positively glowing. He was on a high from hanging out with Trent, and from the surprise that he had called him the next day to hear if Blaine wanted to do something the following Monday. As Blaine wasn't doing anything but working and Kurt didn't have time until Wednesday he agreed.

They met at Breadstix for coffee and then they walked to the record store. Trent was eager to see what the store had to offer, and he was even more thrilled to see that Blaine was highly respected for his musical knowledge and talent.

"I was thinking about something," Trent said after they left the store where he had spent way more money than he should have. They were walking down the main street of Lima and it was getting late so he had to get on the bus to get home in time.

"Well… you said that your… Kurt, is an artist. So I came to think if you've got like some of his work that I can see?" He sounded insecure and awaiting. Like he was nearly expecting Blaine to decline his request.

"Sure. I mean… I only have a few sketches he did. But they're really amazing - and if I asked him he would either have something lying around, or he would probably just make something for me," Blaine assured him casually. He wanted Trent to see how talented Kurt was. Heck, he wanted the whole world to see his talent.

They agreed for Blaine to figure out something with Kurt's drawings for him to see. Trent's mom was working in a gallery so he had grown up with her interest for art, and as he had grown older he had taken it to heart as well. Blaine had once been to the gallery and the exhibitions were incredible - he dreamed that one day Kurt would be able to do an exhibition of his own drawings.

When the bus left Blaine started his way home. Fortunately it wasn't that cold so he decided to walk through town instead of down the side street he usually took home during the night. He passed the diner, and suddenly he was faced with Puck and some girl by his hand.

"Hey… uhm… hey," Puck stammered, clearly as surprised as Blaine was himself. He turned pale and his grip on the girl's hand seemed suddenly stiff. He scraped a little in the ground with the tip of his boot before he got himself together.

"Can you give us a minute? I'll be right there," Puck said to the girl. She received the message with a confused expression that turned sour when she glanced at Blaine. She stuck her nose in the air and released her hand from Puck's so she could strut some feet away, out of eavesdropping distance.

"Dude… I'm really sorry about what happened. I haven't talked to Kurt since New Years, and I don't think he wants to unless you're cool with it - but he's my best friend, man. He's having a really tough time, and he needs me. I'm sorry," Puck babbled out.

Blaine had already guessed that he wanted to discuss New Years again, but he hadn't expected him to rush out that way. He was probably afraid that Blaine would turn him down without even hearing him out. There was no question that he really wanted back to be friends with Kurt.

"A tough time? What are you talking about?" Blaine had honestly no idea what he was referring to and it pained him. When he was with Kurt he was as happy and dreamy as always, he hadn't mentioned anything.

"I've seen it when I'm over to hang out with Finn. When he's home he's moody and pout. I haven't talked to him because he always disappears when he realizes I'm there, so I don't know what's going on," Puck explained. He kept sending glances in the direction of the girl, but she kept pouting and looking demonstratively in the other direction.

"I… let's just call it cool from here. I'm thinking that I'll go to Kurt's place Wednesday, so maybe you could drop by," Blaine suggested. He was still a little reluctant towards Puck, but he knew that it was childish - Kurt only wanted him, and if he was to have friends why shouldn't Kurt? Not that he had told Kurt not to see Puck, he would never do that; he just couldn't erase the picture of Kurt deep buried in kissing Puck with their hands moving around each other's bodies.

"Cool. That's really cool, man. Thanks." Puck's face lit completely up by the invitation and he grinned broadly at Blaine as he reached out his arm to shake his hand.

"So… I'll see you then - and uhm… I never told Kurt to not see you. I would never tell him what to do," Blaine said a little sheepish. He really didn't want Puck to think that he tried to control Kurt. What if Puck had thought that he was controlling and demanding and treated Kurt horribly?

"I know, dude. I know," Puck said assuring and winked at him before he walked back to his date who was starting to seem extremely impatient, and not at all satisfied when Puck finally returned to her side.

When Blaine arrived at Kurt's house his dad told him that he was in the shower, so Blaine figured he would go wait for him in his room. He loved Kurt's room and found it fascinating to look at the decorations on his walls, as if they were telling him Kurt's story.

He crawled onto Kurt's bed and put on a record. The Simon & Garfunkel one that Kurt had bought for him. He loved that one, it always reminded him of Kurt and his promise of them finding a place together where they didn't have to hide. He rested his head against the poster of The Beatles next to the bed and looked around at the drawings around the room.

New sketches had been hung. Mostly the usual with animals, flowers and a variety of peace symbols - but Blaine noticed how his drawings had slowly changed to involve music too. Guitars, pianos, records and keys were twisted into the motives now, but one particular drawing caught him by surprise, and when he saw it he couldn't tear his gaze away.

The sketch was an up-close of a set of hands playing guitar. The motive was so lively that he could nearly see the fingers moving over the strings on the paper, but what truly caught him was that it wasn't just a pair of hands; it was his hands. Down to the tiniest detail with the beauty mark on his right index finger and the way his nails always were cut a bit too short so they wouldn't be troubling him when he played. Even the guitar was a perfect image of his with the scratched laquer and the tiny dots his mom had helped him painting when he first got it, to make it easier for him to learn the grips.

He never new that Kurt had paid that much attention when he played. He always thought that he just closed his eyes and sucked in his voice and the tunes. This was truly remarkable.

"Stardust! You're here early," Kurt squealed the minute he entered the room and saw him sitting in the corner. He fell onto him to throw his arms around Blaine's neck to smother him in kiss. He was only wearing a towel which quickly slid off his waist, but Kurt didn't seem to notice; he simply kept on kissing Blaine all over his face before he found his mouth and lost himself in him.

"I've missed you," Kurt muttered when he finally broke away. His hands were still placed on Blaine's face and his eyes were sparkling as brightly as the smile on his lips.

"I've missed you too," Blaine returned. He was surprised that he was even capable of forming a sentence, because his head was spinning and the butterflies that usually inhabited his stomach had woken up and was throwing a lively party.

He slid his hand down Kurt's side, over his ribs to feel his warm skin against his palm. Kurt grinned at him and pecked his lips before he got to his feet and headed for the closet. The towel was still on the floor so Blaine had a great view of Kurt swaying naked around in front of him.

Blaine was mesmerized by his view, and when it occurred to him that he wasn't even uncomfortable or embarrassed by staring he openly grinned at himself. It was thrilling to know that he had evolved so much in their relationship that he didn't feel awkward about it anymore. He wanted to look at Kurt naked forever.

Kurt pulled on a pair of briefs and a long, purple tunic that mostly seemed like a dress before he returned to the bed where he shuffled into Blaine and placed Blaine's arms around him.

"Mhm, you smell nice," Blaine mumbled hazy into the crook of his neck. Kurt giggled and looked up to kiss his chin. He started playing with Blaine's fingers and sighed, like he finally was where he had waited to be for years.

Blaine told Kurt about his visit from Trent and what had happened. Kurt was ecstatic to hear Trent's reception of the news about Blaine's relationship. His face lit up and he started talking about how proud of him he was for taking that huge step, naturally that caused Blaine to blush greatly.

Kurt insecurely suggested that it could be an opening for him to take contact to the rest of his old friends, and maybe even come out to them as well. It was clear that he was nervous to bring it up, but that he really thought it would be good for Blaine to do it.

"I don't want you to be lonely, Stardust," Kurt muttered while being very absorbed in the tips of Blaine's thumb and index finger.

"I'm not lonely. I could never be. I have you, right -" Blaine objected truthfully, even though he knew perfectly well that it wasn't what Kurt meant. It was just a lot to take in. He had felt lonely all of his life, but he had learned to live with it; when he came to Dalton he was surrounded by friends all the time, and he had grown up with Gary by his side - but he had still felt lonely somehow.

"But, lovechild… I love you, but we can't be joined by the hip forever. We both need to breathe and seek other company. We are both artists by heart; we need input and inspiration from others - so we don't strange ourselves in each other's, and out own, love for one another. You need your friends, beautiful," Kurt explained softly and turned to look Blaine in the eyes, maybe fearing that he had hurt his feelings.

It was true. He missed his friends from Dalton, and he had often feared that he and Kurt was spending too much time together. He didn't think he could ever grow tired of Kurt, but he was right; they would need space, and just because they were together they would need other people in their lives too.

"Mhm… I will definitely see more of Trent in the future, and… I'll see with some of the others too," Blaine assured him and pecked his nose before running his fingers through Kurt's still damp hair. Kurt smiled understandingly at him and shuffled deeper into his embrace.

"Also… I ran into Puck the other night."

Kurt stiffened in his arms. He was surely uncertain what to expect. Apparently he was more sensitive to the subject of Blaine's contact with Puck than Blaine had thought, so he hoped that he could take it off him.

"We talked and… we agreed that he'd come here tonight… to hang out with us. Both of us." Kurt relaxed and looked up at Blaine from his place at his chest. His eyes were shiny and his face awaiting, as if he was expecting a catch.

"I'm sorry I was such an idiot about it. It was really unfair of me. And you need friends too. So… we're good. Puck and I are good. I never wanted you to stop talking to him," he assured him and chewed in the inside of his cheek.

He couldn't stop thinking about what Puck had said about him having a tough time. He wanted to ask, but he didn't want to intrude. If it was something important, or serious, that was bothering him, he would definitely tell him. Wouldn't he?

Kurt nodded. He did know that. He just didn't want Blaine to be uncomfortable. Kurt pushed his friends aside to not push Blaine away. That was both amazing and disturbing in one time. It shouldn't be like that. Blaine didn't want them to have a relationship where one dictated what the other did or who the other talked to - even it was unintended.

"Puck said… he mentioned something about having seen that - he says that you're unhappy when you're home. Is that true?" Blaine finally asked. He was glad that he couldn't see Kurt's face. He didn't wanted to meet his eyes when Kurt realized that he talked about him with others when he wasn't there.

"Finn's started talking… about going back. He says he wants to marry Rachel and then go back. He doesn't feel like he should be here when there's a war going on over there," Kurt mumbled under his breath. There was no doubt that he hadn't mentioned this to anyone. Once again he locked up his pain.

Blaine could feel Kurt shrink in his arms. He came to think of hedgehogs who rolls themselves up when they feel vulnerable. He didn't want Kurt to roll himself up - he wanted him to stay in the open and discuss his troubled mind with him - so he could ease him. The only problem was that Blaine had no idea what to say to ease his mind.

"Oh… I - that's not good. That's terrible. Have you talked to him about it?"

Good job, Blaine, just push it onto Finn. Jerk. Blaine wanted to slap himself for that comment. If Kurt had talked to Finn he would have talked to him too. Obviously.

"You haven't seen him when he's watching the news or when he sees a newspaper. The way his gaze goes blank and he tightens his fists, as if he feels like he has run out on his buddies," Kurt sniffed, and started running his fingers up and down a fold in Blaine's polo shirt.

"I know Rachel talked to him. She's a mess over it. I also know that if she can't talk him out of it no one can."

There was a knock on the door and Puck appeared from the hall. He looked like he was afraid that he had walked in on a very intimate moment, so Blaine smiled and nodded at him in assurance that the coast was clear.

He came in and sat down. Kurt sat up and looked insecurely to Blaine who nodded at him to confirm that it was okay, before Kurt moved over to wrap his arms around Puck.

They spent the afternoon and the evening together, playing cards and laughing at random jokes. Puck told them that he had seen Quinn after New Years and she had been crushed. When she returned to the school her parents had sent her too she swore that she would find a way to permanently get out of Lima and never come back.

Somehow it was comforting. Blaine wanted her to get on with her life and do great things. He didn't want her to dwell on him, and he hoped that now that she knew about him and Kurt she would accept that she and him just wasn't meant to be.

When Puck had to leave around 10.30 they walked him down the road and snuck their hands together when they were sure no one was there. When they got back to Kurt's house his dad asked if Blaine was staying for the night so he figured that he might as well do that.

"He'll be alright. He made it this far, so I'm sure he will be able to handle one more round. If he goes. It's not sure. The other day I heard my father tell Trent's dad that they aren't too keen on shipping back those who has already been there for a long time. Like Finn," Blaine whispered when they had turned off all of the lights and were folded up around each other ready to sleep.

Kurt strengthened his grip around Blaine's arm and kissed his shoulder. He stayed silent for a long time and Blaine started to wonder he was even listening to him, or if he might already be asleep. He was holding his arm so fast that Blaine nearly couldn't feel blood in his fingers anymore.

"Let's just sleep, Stardust. We'll talk about it another time," Kurt hushed under his breath.