The third time they meet, Kurt can’t sleep.  In the next room, Rachel is talking animatedly over the phone about her latest show.  He listens to her soft laughter and wonders how she does it – how she talks so easily

with the one person that’s caused her so much pain.

He rolls over to check his own phone, groaning when the realization that it’s already almost four o’clock in the morning becomes clear.  “Damn…”

And then, much to his surprise, his cell stars ringing.  The number is unfamiliar, and he never answers those, but he has nothing better to do.

“Hello?”

“Kurt?  Kurt, is that you?”

The voice slams hard against his system, lifting him like a wave and slamming him right back against the earth. 

“Kurt?”

“Blaine.”  He hates how desperate he sounds, but it’s been six whole months since he’s heard that voice.

“I need you, Kurt.  Please…”

He rolls out of bed.  “Where are you?”

Blaine spits out his address, surprising Kurt with their proximity.

So close.  All this time…

“I’m sorry.  I just…I need you.”

“Hush.  Don’t apologize.”  He pauses long enough to take a deep breath.  The truth burns his tongue – a burden ever since that night at the bar. 

“I need you, too.”

He hangs up with a shaky breath and slips on an old pair of flip-flops.  He doesn’t bother with his hair or his outfit because he needs to hear Blaine’s voice and see Blaine’s face and lose himself in Blaine’s eyes

and nothing else matters.

When he bursts out of his bedroom, Rachel jumps from her place on the couch, eyes wide in guilt and confusion as she clutches the phone to her

chest.  “Kurt?  What are you…?”

“Can’t talk.  Need your car.”

She frowns.  “Where are you going?  It’s almost four in the morning!”

He grabs his coat.  “To see Blaine.”

“Blaine?”

“Anderson.  He needs me, Rachel. I have to go.  And tell Finn I said hello.”

Casting the phone a longing look, she shakes her head.  “Blaine Anderson?  Kurt, you know he’s…”

But he’s already out the door.