"Peachy that was amazing like totally! Your end note was a glorified jock being hit in the groin belter! In a good way of course!" Santana was squeezing me with in an inch of my life after I had come of stage. It had been three weeks since my epiphany, and I had just audition for NYADA and I was struggling to find words to express what I was thinking right now.

"I should have used more gold...." I mentally kick myself for changing songs last minute. Phantom had lots of candles, candles bring drama instead I had just pranced around the stage in a pair of gold skinny jeans which doesn't some up my theatrical side enough.

"TRUST me when I say you were great! Carmen super bitch is not going to be able to say no to that performance.... Hugh Jackman himself would be giving you a standing O!" She swung me around quickly and as I landed on the ground fell back on stage with Santana falling on top of me screaming hard. After a moment of laughter we both trailed off to look at each other, noses touching. "Step one get in to NYADA....Check! Step two...."

"....Find a flea ridden apartment where we have to sit on the toilet to cook breakfast......Step three....."

"Get laid!!!" she giggles softly kissing my nose making me pretend to wretch in her grasp.

"Speak for yourself! I'm so off boys and apparently need to start a search for the world's best earplugs before moving anywhere with you!" I squeeze her legs in-between mine to make her sit up and angle myself up onto my elbows.

"Still not heard from Blaine?" She knows that I would have told her if I had.

"Not since I told him to take time to think about what I had said....You know this is the longest we haven't spoken for, how funny is it that one of your main people can become a nothing over night?" I closed my eyes thinking back to that night. All I wanted was to hear those four words. I love you too. What I got was jittery conversations asking me what I wanted, no indication that he wanted everything I dreamed of. That's when I said we needed space to think, I just didn't think that space would mean three weeks of nothing.

"Not nothing peachy! He's still our little bumble that gets annoyed if you mess up his gel helmet. It's just....hidden. It will come back!" she leant against my bent knees and pulled her legs up placing them gently on either side of my body.

"I just don't know any more Tan! Surely if the pictures are anything to go by he doesn't feel the same...." That was another thing plenty of pictures of a clearly under the influence Blaine snuggled up to various cute groupies had appeared all over face book. "I think it's time I stop moping about this and move on...." I never ever wanted to say these words I wanted the house, the kids the together, forever but as always life was not on my side.

"If that's what you really want ill support it but you know you're going to have to see him next week right? Coopers party can't be missed and I can guarantee that Blaine will be there. His mom would never let him here the end of it if he wasn't." she leant against her hands and watched me carefully, she had gotten really good at reading my body language in Blaine's absence that was one good thing to have come out of these last few months. We had gotten a lot closer; something I didn't think was possible. I was about to reply when my phone beeped in my pocket and I struggled to get it out forcing Santana to move from her apparently comfortable position with a 'fuck you' thrown in for good measure.

Hi floppy! So how is the next NYADA student feeling?

DALE. I couldn't help but smile, I hadn't seen him in the last three weeks either, I was respecting his feelings and waiting for him to come to me. I was kind of bummed he hadn't remembered about my audition today but he obviously had. I just hope this means we are able to talk again.

I'm not a student yet....Think I should have had more gold! The plight of being an overachiever in this day and age....:|

"Who is that? Your grin is nauseating! If your sexting as best hag i get looking privileges...." Santana's voice cuts into my subconscious and I realise I'm still staring at my phone.

"Dale....."

"Abercrombie remembered it was today huh? What a champ if only-"

"I hadn't been in love with our best friend causing me to split up with that dreamboat....." I sighed "I know tan but it was the right choice for both of us I just hope it makes sense to him too." My phone goes again and Santana glances at the screen before laughing out her reply.

"I'd say that's an affirmative batman...."

Oh but you will be young floppy! Coffee tomorrow? Usual time and place? I've missed you x

**********************

As I walk into the lima bean I see Dale sitting in the corner booth waiting for me two cups placed into the centre of the table beside a massive slice of cheesecake. I smile briefly before steeling up my nerves to go over to him, he might have said he missed me but going to meet him face to face was terrifying. I could practically picture hay bales flying through an awkward silence like john Wayne himself was sitting there. Surprisingly as Dale saw me a huge grin spread out across his face as he stood up to meet me at my chair lunging in for a hug which took my breath away as he squeezed a little too tight.

"God I've missed you!" he whispered in my ear before pulling away and sitting back down, I chose the seat opposite and fiddled with my scarf as I slipped into the leather booth.

"I've missed you too! I'm just glad you called I didn't want to intrude an-"

"Kurt its fine! I told you I understand and I do! I think that you were right I haven't hurt as much as I thought I would..." he looked at my frown before quickly continuing "NOT a dig....promise! I just- I mean that I did miss you but it was more this kind of thing....us hanging out arguing over who deserved to leave project runway, or watching you moan if I took you somewhere out doors....I missed the friend part more than the boyfriend part and that shocked me I guess. But I wanted to thank you for being honest with me, and I hope that we can get back to our friendship we had because you are one of the greatest guys out there....I could do with you fighting my corner...." He smiled softly at me and relief washed over my body at his words we were going to be friends, and I needed all the real ones I could get.

I watched him take a sip of his coffee and start telling me a story but I was tuned out watching the table.

"I'm sorry Dale....but is that for me?" I pointed at the slab of cheesecake begging for me to eat it I could hear tiny pleas of my name clearly wailing from the plate.

"Well who else would it be for...." He trailed off as I pounced on it similar to a lion attacking a wilder beast, probably without that much grace and a hint more drool. "Cheesecake fiend...." He giggled softly taking another sip of his coffee.

"I can't help it! It's like my kryptonite..... It's like your love of all films containing Sandra bullock.....Even that weird one with Bradley cooper in it...." I stuff in another spoonful of creamy cheese frosting and frown at him.

"All about Steve is a classic not appreciated in its own time!" he groans slamming his hand on the table.

"No! The goonies is a classic, beetle juice, death becomes her, grease, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW! Now they are undeniable classics all about Steve was shit....." I wave my spoon in his direction before popping it in my mouth.

"Just you wait Floppy! In twenty years I'll be sitting beside you when we hear some young twink saying how much of a classic it is and I will say I told you so...." He folds his arms smugly over his chest.

"If you still consider that a classic in twenty years I feel we may need to stop being friends....or have you committed and honey those outfits won't do your skin tone any favours...." I bark out a laugh to hide the emotions I feel at the thought of us still being friends in twenty year, heck we might even be uncles to each other's kids.

"I'm offended floppy! You know you will still finding me entertaining even when I'm 35- can we stop talking about aging please!"

"Ha-ha thirty five? You wish old man! Add another decade there.....where as I will forever be your youthful glamorous friend....Now that wasn't nice!" I pout at him as he kicks me under the table.

"Sorry but don't dig at my age! It makes me feel old!" he whines like a toddler wanting a new toy.

"Ok I promise not to point out your fossilness again- ow!" I burst out laughing then and Dale follows suit as tears stream down my face and I try to gasp for air in short gasps, causing several customers around us to get up loudly and walk away which only adds to the hilarity in my mind....

After a couple of minutes I manage to calm and take a tentative sip of my coffee as Dale sits watching me having given up all hope of my current outburst stopping.

"Are you done?" he asks seriously and I take a deep breath in and out before speaking.

"Yes! I don't know what I found so funny....." I gasp between each word still not feeling confident that I won't laugh again.

"Well apparently me becoming old and wrinkly is stand up material in the making....I'll look like golem all shrivelled body and head!" he smirks and I feel grossed out imagining that in my head. 2Serves you right Kurt!"

"Ok I apologise oh wise one! You are not old and decrepit, you are just as glamorous as anyone else......" he looks happy with this declaration and I can't help but add one last point. "Except me! Who is superior in all fashion stakes..."

"Of course you are!" he rolls his eyes at me.

"So what's on for you this week? Any life style of the rich and famous parties being catered by you?" I lean my elbow onto the table and rest my head on my hands.

"Actually it's pretty quiet just now so I've taken the next week off! There was on session lunch and that's easy enough for the boys to handle on their own." I smile listening to him talk he loves his job and is amazing at it, I know for a fact he only takes time off when its quiet because he doesn't want to leave his staff in busy spells, he is a bit of a control freak in that kitchen. I then smile as an idea pops into my head.

"How would you feel about coming to a party next week?" Dale's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he fiddled with his now empty coffee cup. "Totally platonic! In fact I could even help set you up....." I flutter my eyelids innocently at him and he groans.

"Floppy not fair! I can't refuse the fluttering! Whose party is it?" I know he's going to say yes....these questions are just a formality.

"It's Coopers! Not so much a party but a night out after a family gathering....It's at that Sleazy Pete's?"

"The strip club! The straight strip club?! Somehow I feel you won't be setting me up in there....." I look down at the table for a minute. "Unless you have an ulterior motive Kurt...." Aww crap he knew me better than I thought.

"Well to start I was going to introduce you to one of Coopers friends from LA, he's hot, got a killer body (I watched cooper do a body shot off him last year) and he works as an extra on films...." I smile hoping to placate his questioning look.

"But....." god dammit!

"But I'd also like you to be there when I see Blaine...but if you don't want to I understand. Really it's an awkward position to put you in and with our history-"

"Kurt!" he cuts me off of my rant "It's fine I'll do it!" I jump in my seat a little in happiness "BUT" of course there is a but "That doesn't mean you can ignore him all night either.....You need to talk to him! Really talk! Or nothing will be fixed"

"I know it's just......weird" I sigh and gag a little taking a sip of my cold coffee. I knew he was right I just wanted to live in denial a little bit longer.

*******************

Puck: dudes check this picture out......

Brittany" that girl looks a bit hairy...she should really shave her beard

Santana: that's a guy Brit.....

Brittany: oh well he shouldn't shave or people will be confused by his girly face

Sam: ok! What's the point to this?

Puck: look harder........

Brittany: he also has really bad pores!

Finn: OH!

Puck: I know right?!?!

Rachel: what I don't get it?

Tina: I and mike are really confused :S

Puck: just look again Cohen twins....

Finn: is this for real?

Rachel: I still don't see it? Is this a guy joke?

Puck: No Berry! Look in the background....

Tina: oh this is not good.....

Puck: it came of the guitarists twitter feed Finn its real all right!

Finn: why did you tag Kurt in this chat log? He is going to freak out!

Santana: That little shit! How can he just parade that around!

Puck: I just thought he deserved to know Hudson!

Rachel: Is that Blaine?!?!

Finn: he doesn't need to see the proof!

Brittany: does Kurt not like hairy hermaphrodites?

Sam: Britt pretty sure it's just a man not a guy/girl

Brittany: what's that got to do with being a hermaphrodite?

Rachel: what is he doing?

Sam: that's what that means.....

Tina: oh this is really really REALLY not good!

Brittany: no that's the name for a boy dinosaur!

Finn: Puck take it down now before he sees

Rachel: Does he have no standards now?!?!?!

Tina: guys he's still our friend

Santana: that isn't picking up his cell.....I'm going to cut his dick off!

Finn: PUCK!!

Puck: I'm trying! How do I erase it?

Finn: hit delete?!

Rachel: LIKE REALLY??

Santana: calm down berry he didn't do it to you!

Tina: Mike says answer your phone he will tell you how to get rid of it before he sees!

Kurt: Before who sees? Why are you making my phone go constantly? Is this an intervention for Rachel's sweaters?

Rachel: HEY!

**Sam has logged off**

**Tina has logged off**

Brittany: Kurt why don't you like boy dinosaurs?

Kurt: What? I'm confused! Let me read back the convo to see what I missed!

Rachel: no!

Finn: why we can catch you up?

Puck: SOS

**Puck has logged off**

**Brittany has logged off**

Santana: Peachy I'm coming over! Don't read it!

Finn: KURT

Rachel: kurtie?

Santana: PEACHY!!!!!

Kurt: hmmmm?

Finn: Dude do you need a hot milk chat?

Rachel: just think web?

Santana: WWBD?

Rachel: what would Barbara do?

Finn: rach shut up!

Rachel: I'm only trying to help! It's not my fault Blaine's on camera making out with some creep!

Santana: shut up yentel!

**Rachel has logged off**

Kurt: Finn its ok, Santana don't come over I'm not a baby

Santana: you sure? I'll bring a picture of his head and we can throw darts at it?

Finn: Bro I'm not taking no for an answer....kitchen five minutes

**Finn has logged off**

Kurt: I'm sure honey I just want to be alone....and make sure Finn doesn't burn down the house

Santana: Ok call me later love you long time xox

**Kurt has logged off**

**********************************

"Finn I told you I'm fine! We don't need to do this....." I'm sitting on a breakfast stool as Finn heats up a second lot of hot milk (the first being in a bowl instead of a pan and blew up over the cooker hob).

"Listen little bro you would do this for me....so I'm doing it for you!" he doesn't look up as he stirs the milk continuously sploshing it over the side of the pan and make the cooker hiss at the liquid.

"Also older by 2 months! Do I need to take over?" I ask coming up beside him to observe what he is doing.

"Yeah but your shorter.....so really your my little bro.... and don't touch a thing Kurt it's under control!" He outstretches his arm to keep me back from the bubbling mixture as her pours it into to cups and brings them over to the island and indicates for me to take a seat. "So how do you feel really?" his eyes are glaring at me in a warning to tell the truth.

"To be honest?" He nods at me to continue and takes a sip of his still too hot milk. "I think I'm relieved now I don't need to worry about having a talk with him next week... It's obvious he doesn't feel the same way about me.... So I might as well pretend it never happened right? It's not like he will be back for that long anyway...." I trail of to sip my own drink and splutter as it hits my throat "Oh my god Finn this is disgusting!"

"I know clearly this is more your area of expertise...." He wipes a dribble of soured milk from his own chin before continuing "So you're really not going to say anything to him? What if this is just his way of finding out if he likes you too?"

"Finn how did you know you liked Rachel?" I immediately see a sappy look spread across his face as he thinks about her.

"I just knew, it was like when I first saw her everything people talk about made sense to me.... I only held off so long because I was scared she didn't feel the same. But when she said she did it was like nothing else mattered.... You know?"

"I do that's exactly how I feel...... and if Blaine felt the same he wouldn't need to do what he is doing! So why waste my time and effort over awkward conversations? I should just face facts he's not interested in me why would he be?" Finn reaches out to pat my hand softly.

"Listen Blaine's a good guy but if he doesn't appreciate what he has right in front of him then he isn't worthy of you loving him! Because you are amazing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise okay?" he gives me a gentle smile that I can't help but return.

"You're a great brother do you know that?" I laugh slightly as these rare moments between us really make me appreciate him.

"I only learn from the best...." He reaches out and scoops me into one of his trade mark Finn hugs and I feel myself perk up a little instantly.