The past twenty four hours had been an emotional thrill ride for Kurt, with more ups than downs and certainly a good loop-de-loo thrown in. He would have never expected Rachel to throw him a bone like getting an audition on a real Broadway stage, certainly not after he spent most of his high school life shunning her and making fun of her with the cheer girls. The only reason he had accepted her facebook friend request back then was because he knew if he didnt he would be nagged daily by the overly ambitious brunette.

He also, even back then, had to admit that she was talented. He just wouldnt have admitted it aloud.

"High school was high school Kurt. Plus I remember how you auditioned for the two little plays McKinley tried to put on and you were actually really good. Ill bet that if West Side Story had happened, you would have been the Tony to my Maria." Rachel had explained after Kurt had taken her out for a coffee before the audition to thank her profusely for giving him a shot.

Then of course there was the actual audition. Being in a lead role at SCU was easy because there was such a lack of talent that his own put him high above the rest. On Broadway though, he was just one of thousands of hopefuls. He hadnt even really had time to prepare anything.

But it turned out that it was all just a formality. With Rachel vouching for him and then proving to the director that he could hold a note, Kurt was told he was in. Just like that.

He owed that girl a lifetime of coffees.

"Oh god… I have to phone my dad…. and Quinn, and Santana and Blaine… and ohmygoshRachelthankyousomuch!" Kurt said, remembering to breath at the end lest he faint.

Rachel just chuckled and patted Kurt on the back. "I even know of a couple people that have rooms for rent out here. Not me though. I need my peace and serenity. I have a dedicated period of seclusion each day to maintain my focus."

Kurt got the information for those rooms from Rachel and got on the next train back to Ohio. He needed to pack his things and get back by the end of the week when rehearsals started.

When the life he really wanted started.

His dad and Carole were overjoyed, if not sad to find out that he was going just as abruptly as he had come. They helped him pack up the trunk he had only just emptied while Kurt made choices about how much he could actually bring. Calls were made to the people offering rooms, and his Navigator was posted on the local advertising website so he could finance his move and living needs until he got his first paycheck. It would no doubt be meager as a backup actor, but it was a start.

Calls were made to Quinn and Santana, who conveniently were having a sleepover with Brittany and Kitty. The gaggle of girls on the other end of the line barely stopped squealing in excitement when he announced his big news, and he had to promise to get them all tickets for one of the showings.

Then there was Blaine.

Kurt didnt know why he was nervous about telling Blaine his news, he just knew he was. Regardless, he picked up the phone and held his breath as the call was put through.

"Hey."

"IgotthepartBlaine!Igotit!"

Real smooth Hummel, he thought to himself. He hadnt intended to rush his words out like that, and Blaine probably thought he was verifiably crazy now.

"Oh… wow…. congratulations."

It wasnt his parents joy, or the girls giddy excitement. Blaine was a lot more subdued, and almost sounded withdrawn when presented with the news.

"Thanks. Is… everything okay?"

"Its been awhile since Ive actually heard your voice. We talk all the time online… but your voice… it reminds me youre real."

Kurts brows peaked, not for Blaine to see. "Yeah…."

"Sorry. Just had a long day. Tell me about New York."

So Kurt did. He told Blaine about the urgent way everyone moved there, as if they all had a purpose. No one just stopped (unless of course they were obvious tourists). The buildings were beautiful, as was the rare green spaces. Times square was overwhelming. There was every type of food imaginable there, and all reasonably priced.

And he had been on a Broadway stage. One that he would continue to be on night after night until the show had run its course or he got a bigger part in something else.

A small voice in the back of his head reminded him that he was being rude, blathering on as he did for over an hour about how wonderful it all was, how excited he was, and how it was going to change everything. Blaine could have set down the phone and walked away and Kurt probably wouldnt even had noticed given how quickly he was talking. Talking made it so much more real.

"If I get you a ticket… would you come see it?"

"Of course I would." Blaine responded without hesitation, proving to Kurt he was still awake and there, much to Kurts relief.

"Youd have to get your own train ticket."

"Id make it happen."

"Why didnt I meet you earlier?"

There was a chuckle on the other end, the first real hint of happiness he had gotten from Blaine since he had called. "How much earlier? A day? A week? A month?"

"Years earlier. Why werent you in my life when I was younger… before I made all the stupid mistakes I made."

"I doubt my being in your life any earlier would have changed things Kurt… I mean… youre ready to figure things out when youre ready to figure them out."

"Words from the great philosopher Blaine Anderson?"

Another priceless chuckle. "I guess."

"You should be doing something you love too."

There was a pause, then, "We life in a time and place where a lot of attention is paid to following your dreams and passions… but theres something to be said for having a stable, well-paying job with benefits Kurt… Id rather do a job I hate knowing that I can provide for the family I want than have a job I love but have to give up even having a family one day."

"It means that much to you…"

"Yeah. It really does."

"Youre a rare one Blaine Anderson."

"The same could be said of you Kurt Hummel."

"I mean it. You might not think you changed things… -"

"I really dont see how hooking up a couple times caused you to veer your life in a radical new path… no."

"You were just the straw that broke the proverbial camels back Blaine… I was burning out, I was depressed, I didnt like myself, I didnt like what I was doing… and… with you… I actually hurt when I thought you had deceived me with the whole stunt team thing… then you showed me just as easily that you cared. You didnt care about the stupid cheer thing like everyone else did…. you were the only one who was concerned about me when I got hurt and when I came back… its been a long time since anyone has seen me as anything but a cheerleader…. and I didnt even know what I was aside from it."

"I dont suppose that means I can take you out on a date now?"

Kurt smiled, twirling the cord of the old phone he was using as he considered it. Had he come far enough yet?

"Ill send you a ticket for the show."

AuntieSnix
You think I could sell Kurts man panties on e-Bay now thats hes a big shot?

KittysKorner
Why do you even have…..

Quintessential
I have a few pairs too.

KittysKorner
Explain.

AuntieSnix
He has the best underwear. Its so comfy and keeps everything packed in nicely.

Quintessential
I know right?! I stole a few pairs the last time I was in there and he was under the blanket.

KittysKorner
Why not just buy your own?

AuntieSnix
Nah. That would be weird.

Quintessential
Totally.