A few weeks later they were prepping for Blaine's single to be released. Kurt was trying to get him on a daytime show to perform the song live and start getting followers. So far he had nothing but he didn't worry. When his chance presented itself he'd take it. They managed to get two more songs done but only demos. Blaine didn't like the one but Kurt did. Blaine was still unsure that Sideline should be the first single but he'd suck it up. He couldn't help but agree the song came out good.

Blaine had started looking for his own apartment also. The pay from the studio was a lot better than the coffee shop and he was bringing in more of a steady income. He started a savings account and put his money in there instead of his room. He trusted Kurt but a break in could happen anywhere.

The one thing that unnerved Blaine the most was Leo. He was constantly coming around the studio. Blaine even said he had met a great guy the other week and they had been going out for drinks but Leo didn't care. He didn't believe him. Part of it was a lie. Kurt was the guy he was going for drinks with but Leo couldn't know. Blaine saw a huge change in Kurt's behavior when Leo would come around. He grew tenser and didn't speak as much. When they were at his apartment though Kurt wouldn't stop talking. It made Blaine feel better and he felt like maybe he could follow Rachel's instructions and get him away from Leo. But then...Kurt and Leo's anniversary came around.

Kurt had been primping all day. He was all nerves at work and didn't bother with Blaine too much. He said he was nervous that his plans wouldn't go through properly. He just wanted a good day and he feared that Leo would be too tired to go out or they would end up fighting like always. Blaine wished him a good time and went to the coffee shop where he was to play that night.

The crowd started to grow every week as they found out he had been signed to a record company. His boss had even given him a raise in the past week. Blaine got ready to play and saw Kurt walk in with Leo. His heart jumped in his chest. Kurt was here! But his shadow was too.

Blaine sat down on the stool and strummed his guitar. He was tuning it along the way. When he decided he was happy he turned the mic on and started to slowly play.

“Your eyes have been my weakness since I met you. I see a thousand different colors and I can't hold back the feelings for you. I want to hold you, I want to love you but you have somebody else at your side. He's the shadow that won't go away...even when the sun goes away there he is pulling you from me...”

Blaine looked out at Kurt who was smiling at him. Leo was behind him with his arms wrapped around Kurt's waist.

“You need to lose him before you lose yourself. I can't stand to see you hurt anymore. I just want to know you're safe...I just want to make you happy. I'm happy living in my memories but I'd rather make some new ones with you but your shadow won't go away,” Blaine sang. Kurt was looking at him thoughtful. Blaine looked up to see Leo's steel gaze on him. Blaine finished out the song and took a drink of his water. Just then, Kurt walked up to him and got his attention.

“You should do Sideline...”

“Not now Kurt...” Blaine said.

“Come on! Let them hear the first single! Leo hasn't heard it yet.”

“I'm not going to sing it Kurt...”

“Fine...look...we're going to need to go. We can stay for one more song though,” Kurt said smiling.

“Okay...I'll see you later.”

Kurt walked away and he started to play his next song. It was a cover of another song that Kurt had gotten the rights for Blaine to sing it on his CD. It was one he related to quite well recently. When he got to the chorus he looked at Kurt.

“And I will make sure to keep my distance. Say 'I love you' when you're not listening. How long can we keep this up, up, up?”

Kurt clapped excitedly as he finished the song. He watched Kurt and Leo leave and sighed. The rest of the night went smoothly. When he finished he packed up his stuff and made his way to the apartment.

When he finally walked into the apartment he threw his stuff down in his room. He walked into the kitchen and went to the fridge. A bottle of beer stared him in the face. He contemplated taking it and drinking it. He slammed the fridge door closed and walked into the living room. He sat down on the couch and sighed. He decided he would wait up for Kurt to get back and then he'd talk to him.

When the front door opened Kurt walked in slowly. His eyes were red and bloodshot. Blaine stood up and got a full view of Kurt. His shirt was untucked and his hair was messy. Something Kurt would never allow. Kurt looked small as he walked towards Blaine. He stopped and Kurt looked up at him more. Then Blaine saw it. The little bruise was forming on his left cheek. That side was all red but the bruise was starting to take over. Blaine's jaw dropped and Kurt's hand flew to his face.

“I need to go...” Kurt said pushing past Blaine. Blaine grabbed Kurt by the arms and turned him around. He watched Kurt flinch and realized that may not have been the best thing to do. Kurt's usually shining blue eyes were replaced by stormy blue eyes that held nothing but pain. Blaine let him go and Kurt broke down in more tears.

“What happened?” Blaine asked.

“Nothing happened...”

“Bullshit.”

“Blaine...”

Blaine reached up slowly and cupped Kurt's face. He ran his thumb gently over his cheek and watched as a tear fell down his cheek. His thumb brushed over that and Kurt burst into tears. Blaine pulled him closer and Kurt held him tightly. Blaine rubbed his back soothingly.

“Shh...it's okay.”

“Bl-Blaine...?”

“Yes?”

“He hit me...”

“Leo?”

“Yeah...he called me upset that I hadn't invited him to the dinner. I went to see him and we fought it out.”

Blaine feared the worst had happened at the end and his fears were proven true. He moved Kurt to the couch and sat him down. He held him as Kurt explained what happened.

“Basically, everything came out and when I told him to go fuck himself...he...he hit me...”

Blaine held him tighter and felt himself cry. He wanted to go after Leo and hit him for what he did. He moved back and looked into Kurt's lost blue eyes.

“Has he ever done this before?” Blaine asked.

“No...I mean we've gotten verbal with each other and said some nasty things but this went far...”

Blaine looked down into his eyes and smiled lightly. He looked down at Kurt's lips. He wanted to press his own to them so badly. The next thing he knew lips were pressed against his in a needy yet loving kiss. Blaine closed his eyes instinctively and wound his arms tighter around Kurt. Kurt moved and straddled his legs and deepened the kiss. For the first time in two years he felt alive. He felt the sparks in the kiss and he tried to deepen it.

Kurt pulled away first and looked down into his eyes confused. Kurt's eyes widened in shock and he jumped off Blaine and off the couch completely. He stood up and paced the room. He ran a hand through his hair and looked at Blaine sadly.

“I'm so sorry Blaine...I shouldn't have done that...”

“It's okay...”

“No! It's not! I have a boyfriend! And you work for me!”

“I know...all I am is somebody you work with and you don't mix work and love...” Blaine said hurt. Kurt gasped and he crossed his arms at Blaine.

“You know I don't mean it like that!”

“Sure...” Blaine said. He stood up and walked over to Kurt who looked at him scared.

“Leo can never know about the kiss...”

“I don't talk to Leo so your secret is safe with me,” Blaine said. Kurt nodded and walked away form him to the hallway leading to the master bedroom.

“Blaine?”

He turned around to look at Kurt. Kurt was crying again and he looked even smaller at this point.

“Yes?”

“I think it'd be best if you got your own place now...”

With that, Kurt turned and walked down the hall. Blaine's heart fell in his chest. The heartbreak grew worse as he moved to his room. He should have never gotten his hopes up. He should have known he would only be shot down. He heard Kurt's door shut and he sighed. He closed his door and leaned back against it. He slid down the door letting the tears finally flow freely. He curled up there just letting it out. Eventually, he got up and laid in the bed and fell asleep.