"I honestly dont know how any of this could make sense to you," Kurt said, running his fingers over the embossed paper of one of Blaines books. It was just over five weeks since Blaine moved in next door and they had just finished a piano lesson, which Kurt was excelling at, although he didnt like to brag.

Blaine laughed. "Its not that hard." Kurt gave him an annoyed look and Blaine pushed him softly. "Dont look at me like that."

"How could you possibly know how Im looking at you."

"You give off an aura, Kurt. A very strong aura. Its quite scary sometimes."

"Well I take that as a complement."

"Good," Blaine smiled. "I could teach you to read, if you want. I mean, look at all the books youd have right at the tip of your fingers."

"Oh my god, was that a pun?" Kurt tried not to laugh while Blaine beamed with satisfaction.

"It really isnt that difficult once you get the hang of it. Watch." Blaine reached over and found Kurts hand. Gently, he ran his hand across the book and read Kurt the first page of A Tale of Two Cities. Kurt really couldnt focus on anything but the feeling of Blaines hand holding his and the sweet sound of his voice in his ear.

"Ill have to pay you back somehow, since were still on a barter system."

Blaine pulled away and Kurt was sure hed never seen Blaine this excited. "Well, Im performing at a concert in about a month and I need a new tuxedo. And I would really love it if the up-and-coming fashion designer Kurt Hummel could design something for me. And if its too out of your way I totally understand, I know how busy you are." While Kurt was still trying to process what Blaine said, he continued, "I could pay you, too. I know making a tux is a lot more expensive than giving Braille lessons."

"Blaine, Id love to," Kurt answered, without a doubt. "And I expect a ticket for this concert so you can show off your designer."

Blaine smiled. "Deal."

The next day, Kurt invited Blaine over to his apartment to take measurements for his tuxedo. Blaine kept worrying that designing it would take up too much of Kurts time, but in reality Kurt was scrapping every design he came up with, and the only thing he had started making was a blue dress that wasnt much more than mediocre.

"Do you want anything in particular?" Kurt asked, measuring around Blaines waist as Blaine held up his arms.

Blaine shrugged. "Jacket...pants...as long as Im not going out there in my underwear."

Kurt went to his desk to write something down and before he knew it something had fallen over.

"Shit," Blaine cursed under his breath, getting on his hands and knees trying to find the dress form he must have hit while turning with his arms out. "Im so sorry."

"Blaine, its fine. Let me get it."

Kurt helped Blaine up and put the mannequin with the charmeuse dress back in its original spot.

"I didnt hurt anything, did I?" Blaine asked worriedly.

"No, still as ugly as before," he mumbled.

"What does it look like?" Kurt was taken aback by Blaines question. Blaine had only ever asked him where something was, but never to actually describe something to him.

"Its just a dress...sleeveless...tight bodice. Can I show you?" Blaine nodded and Kurt reached to take his hand. "Here," He said, lightly running Blaines hand over the fabric.

"It feels shiny," Blaine smiled. "What color is it?"

"Blue. Dark blue."

"Blue is my favorite color. Well, used to be, I guess." Kurt remained silent, not wanting to ask anything too personal, but Blaine knew what he wanted to ask. "It was a car accident when I was thirteen," Blaine murmured so softly that Kurt could barely hear him. "I was in a coma for a long time, and when I woke up there was nothing." Blaine hesitantly touched the back of his head. "I guess I should be grateful, right? At least Im still here. At least I got thirteen years." Blaine took a deep breath. "But sometimes I wish I knew that last time I ever saw blue it would be my last."

Blaine wasnt himself the rest of the week.

Kurt never really noticed how much Blaine actually smiled until he wasnt. He seemed much more tired, but Kurt thought that might be because he was constantly staying up late grading essays on Medieval music history-which all had to be electronically read to him.

That Friday Blaine was planning to stay at the school late, so he insisted that Kurt didnt need to bother walking home with him that day; hed just get a cab when he was done grading and doing paperwork. Kurt didnt think twice about it, since Blaine had already stayed late a few times before.

"I want to meet him," Rachel said over the phone that evening. They barely had any time to talk anymore, her being so busy with shows and appearances.

Kurt lounged back on the sofa and flipped through the fashion magazine on his lap. "Well, maybe if you ever decided to visit once in a while I could introduce you," Kurt said, trying not to sound bitter. "And whats your weird obsession with my neighbor, anyway?"

"Ill come over soon, I promise."

"Thats what you said last time," Kurt mumbled under his breath.

"And Im curious about this guy. You make him sound so mysterious. And I know you guys are dating so you can cut the act."

"Were not dating. I dont know how many more times I have to tell you, were just friends."

"Oh really? Would you mind if I read through some of your texts?" Rachel cleared her throat. "Dont call tonight Blaine and I are going out for pizza. Dont call today Im staying late over at Blaines. Blaines having me over for dinner so maybe I can call you tomorrow. Why yes, Kurt, all of these would be examples in the urban dictionary definition of not dating."

Kurt didnt say anything. He didnt know what to say. "You know," Rachel continued, her voice becoming sincere, "I just want you to be happy. After everything that happened and things finally ended with-"

"Dont say his name," Kurt gritted out.

"I was hoping that you had moved on."

Kurts phone buzzed and he was pleasantly surprised to see Blaines name on the caller-ID. He momentarily thought about finishing his conversation with Rachel and calling him back, but decided the sooner he could get out of this conversation the better. "Sorry Rachel, my friend Blaine is on the other line. Ill talk to you later."

"Fine, bye. And Santana says hi. Santana-"

"I actually told her to tell you to stay safe because I knew a guy who got an STD once and-"

"Goodbye Santana," Kurt said, hanging up on Santana, who had apparently taken the phone from Rachel. They still lived together, and Kurt had no clue how egos as big as theirs could live together without his mediation.

Kurt smiled when he looked down at Blaines picture on his phone. "Hey Blaine," Kurt said casually once he had switched over to the other line.

"Kurt." The way Blaine said Kurts name was like a bullet, uneven and shaky, but with so much resonance that Kurt almost lost his breath.

"Blaine, is everything okay?" Kurt asked cautiously, pushing himself into a seated position.

"I-I had just c-called a cab. I dont know w-what happened. They took my wallet." Blaines voice was so broken that Kurt could barely hear him, and he could tell that he was on the verge of tears.

"Where are you?" Kurt eyed his jacket and began trying to gather his things.

"I dont know. Im outside the school, but I dont know."

Kurt threw on his jacket and tried to stay as calm as possible. "Are you hurt?" Kurt was afraid for the answer.

"Nothing too bad. I think Im bleeding. I-I dont have any money for a cab."

"Im coming to get you. Just stay where you are." Once he was out of the apartment complex he started off walking, trying not to bring any attention to himself, but then the walk became a run, and then a full out sprint.

Kurt kept the phone to his ear as Blaine told him what happened. "I shouldnt have gone out the back door. I was counting my way to the bench and I heard voices. I started running but I didnt get far; I dont even know where I thought I was going. One person grabbed me while the rest cleaned me out."

Kurt was at the school within five minutes, his breathing heavy from running, and made his way to the back door. It was dark and Kurt was worried if hed be able to see Blaine. "Blaine!" Kurt called, hoping for some sort of response.

"Over here." Once Kurt caught sight of him he breathed a sigh of relief. Blaine was sitting near a dumpster with his arms around his legs.

"Blaine, its Kurt." Kurt kneeled down next to him on the cold concrete. Kurt noticed that some of Blaines things were strewn around him, and his glasses were broken in half. Blaine was pale and his eyes were red, and Kurt didnt want to picture Blaine crying.

"Thank you," Blaine whispered, his voice hoarse.

"Im glad you called me," Kurts voice slowly started to lose its original stability when he noticed the cut right above Blaines left eyebrow and the bruise that was beginning to appear on his jaw. "We should get you home."

"They took my key, I think."

Kurt knew that there was only one possible solution. "Thats no problem. Youre staying with me tonight."

"Are you sure I-"

"Shh," Kurt whispered, fingers lightly grazing Blaines cheek. Part of Kurt wanted to pull away, this kind of contact being much too inappropriate, but the other part-the louder part-wanted to wrap Blaine in his arms and never let him go.

When they arrived back at Kurts apartment, having taken a cab home, Kurt let Blaine change into a pair of his pajamas and set him up in his bed. Blaine insisted on sleeping on the couch, but Kurt had made Rachel sleep on that couch before, and her back was ruined for almost a week. Kurt figured it wouldnt be too bad to have a sore back himself as long as Blaine was okay.

Kurt sat next to Blaine on the edge of the bed and placed a bag of ice against his jaw. "I dont think it will leave a scar," he told Blaine, trying to adjust the bandage over his eyebrow.

"I cant believe I walked right into it."

"Its not your fault, it could have happened to anyone."

"Do you really believe that, Kurt?"

Kurt shook his head. "You dont let it define you, remember? Thats what you told me."

"But if I couldve seen them coming-"

"Please dont think like that," Kurt said shakily. "Youre okay, and thats all that matters, alright?"

Blaine nodded. "Okay."

Kurt got up to begin his search for some blankets to sleep on the sofa. "Call me if you need anything."

"Wait," Blaine whispered. "Stay with me, please." Blaine sat up and began trying to make room for Kurt on the bed.

"Ill get it," Kurt said, rushing over to pull down the sheets and fix the pillows so Blaine didnt have to. The sane part of Kurts mind-which was becoming almost inaudible as the night progressed-protested Blaines request. The part that had the most control over Kurts body, crawled into bed next to Blaine and turned off the lamp, willfully accepting that this would make Blaine happy. And Kurt wanted nothing more than Blaine to be happy.

About an hour later, as Kurt lay awake, Blaine rolled over and placed his head on Kurts chest, pulling Kurt closer to him. Kurt made his best effort not to disturb him, Blaine deserved his rest.

There was no way to deny it, despite all of his efforts to stay balanced, Kurt had fallen into the ocean that was Blaine Anderson, and he didnt see himself coming up for air any time soon.