"Did your father tell you that Alana is coming into town tomorrow? He said to make sure you begin courting right away. It's important to the family business that you begin a family straight away."

Blaine groaned at his mother's words. Why did he have to marry Alana? It's not that there's anything wrong with her. In fact, she and Blaine were wonderful friends, have been since they were four. It's just that Alana was-well she didn't have-but she did have other-she was a girl.

"Blaine? Are you listening?" His mother's features were turned down and her serious tone caused Blaine to internally panic. Did she know? They could not find out about him. But there was no way she knew he was gay. They were very secretive about it.

"Yes mother I understand." What would he do? He had to talk to Henry. He would know what to do. Henry always knew the right answers. Beautiful Henry with his strong arms and wicked tongue would help him.

Blaine was worried that Kurt would fall through the window of the bus he was pressing his face so hard against it.

"Kurt, I know you're excited but that cannot be sanitary," Blaine said, his fingers reaching out at Kurt's hair, but terrified to touch him. Kurt only laughed and Blaine noticed the way his breath fogged the glass. His breath couldn't do that anymore, seeing as he was dead.

Being here with Kurt was playing with fire. He couldn't do this to himself; he couldn't do this to Kurt.

He jumped when he heard Kurt inhale sharply, his hands flying up for no reason, ready to assist, but Kurt was just taking in the sights. He sat back next to Kurt and relished in that fact that he was on a bus. It was his first time; he didn't really need to take one since he could materialize wherever, whenever.

He looked up to see a boy watching Kurt with curiosity. He was smaller than Blaine, and probably only 15, and yet Blaine was flooded with jealousy. It wasn't fair that he felt this way about Kurt. And it wasn't fair that he couldn't seem to keep away from him. Blaine didn't care that he would be heartbroken, he only worried about Kurt. He had been heartbroken before, but he'd do it all over again if it meant a moment with Kurt.

Kurt jumped out of his seat when the bus came to a screeching stop. He stepped over Blaine and began to hurry off. Blaine watched him, not even noticing he was still sitting instead of following him. Kurt turned with raised eyebrows, and Blaine realized he was staring at his ass. He hoped Kurt didn't notice. Instead he followed Kurt off the bus and onto the streets of New York City.

"She's coming tomorrow?" Blaine shook his head in disbelief and let out a sob. He knew his time with Henry would have to end. He just didn't realize it would be this painful.

"So, what does that mean for us?" Why did Henry have to ask that? He knew the answer.

"Henry, we can't see each other anymore. Ever." Henry nodded solemnly and reached out for Blaine. He couldn't resist those arms holding him. At least they had today to be together.

"I don't want to lose you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Blaine could feel Henry's desperation wrap around him and he wanted to badly so change his future.

"I know, it's the same for me. Before you, I was drowning. You made me realize who I truly am."

"Why can't we run away together?"

"You know I can't just abandon my family. It wouldn't be right. It's bad enough Cooper refused the family business, maybe if he had manned up I could go with you, but I'm all they have."

"Please, I love you." Blaine didn't miss the way Henry's voice cracked, but he knew he couldn't be with him. He was to marry Alana, forget Henry, and take over the boarding house. That was it. It's all very simple.

"I'm sorry." Blaine disentangled himself from Henry and left, eyes down; he didn't need Henry to see his tears. He couldn't stand another second with Henry; otherwise he would probably give in and agree that they should run away together. Take the trek all the way to the west or something.

Blaine was so distraught that he didn't notice Alana peeking into the barn-he didn't know she had come early to surprise him and heard the entire exchange. He didn't see the look of horror and disgust that was etched on her otherwise flawless face.

Kurt tugged on Blaine's hand as they entered Central Park. The look of wonderment and happiness on Kurt's face was enough to make Blaine melt into a puddle of happiness.

Blaine watched Kurt's fingers curl around his when he saw some street performers. How Kurt was able to feel him was still a mystery; not that Blaine was complaining. Kurt's hand was warm and soft, and a little sweaty considering it was the middle of summer in New York. How Kurt was wearing skinny jeans was beyond him. Blaine might have been dead for 200 years, but he still remembers how uncomfortable being hot is.

But again, Blaine was not complaining. Kurt's ass looked perfect in those jeans, not to mention his arm muscles showing just under his button up shirt. Blaine really needed to stop. This could not be good. If Kurt knew he was getting feelings for him, he'd be frightened away. And Blaine didn't want to risk losing Kurt, not after finally finding someone who made him feel so complete.

Blaine was curled into a ball on his bed. His heart was breaking and the only way to keep himself from falling apart was thinking about his mother. He did not want to see her disappointed in him. He'd go to the ends of the earth to please her.

There was a knock on his door, timid and feminine, and he knew it was his mother's.

"Blaine darling, Alana has arrived early, why don't you come out and greet her?"

"I'll be right there." Blaine groaned and rolled off of his bed. He was sure his eyes were red from crying, but it didn't matter anymore. He could just tell Alana he was helping the cooks with onions or something.

"Blaine? Did you see the way he jumped over him? And then the other one was playing with fire?" Kurt was practically walking on clouds and Blaine couldn't help but let his heart swell. His laughter was contagious and soon Blaine was laughing along with him.

"Kurt, did you want to go to the zoo?" Kurt was about to nod, but then his eyes lit up and Blaine could see an idea forming in his mind.

"Maybe another time, I told my dad I was feeling sick and I don't want to come back smelling like a monkey." Kurt looked around to make sure no one was watching him talk to empty space, "I'd really like to go to the New York Public Library."

"Blaine! It's so good to see you!" Blaine held Alana in his arms and tried not to cry. This was his fate. He had no choice. He had no idea that Alana had just spoken to his father, and he was clueless as to what they were planning for him.