Kurt waved cheerfully as he swerved into the packed shop, spotting Blaine cleaning one of the tables whilst calling to the increasingly disgruntled queue that he would serve them in good time.

“Hi,” Blaine greeted breathlessly, giving the table one last wipe before straightening the chairs and hurrying over to the counter. “Mocha?” he asked, getting the cup ready and setting the machines.

“Please. Need any help?” Kurt offered, setting his bags down on the recently cleared table, thankful of its closeness to the counter. Blaine smiled and apologised to one extremely angry looking man for his wait before shaking his head, a grateful smile lighting up his tired face.

“As much as it might help, I know how much work you have and I heard Joan has put extra effort into this dinner. We could both do with just getting on with everything so we can relax tonight. But thanks,” he adds kindly, handing the drink to the angry man, who left without so much as a thank you.

It was that same routine every Friday. Kurt would come from his classes with his pile of homework and sit at a table closest to Blaine while he scratched away at the paper, trying to keep his eyes from straying towards the other man’s lovely arms. At least he had some inspiration.

Two hours later and Blaine was shutting up shop, Kurt was proudly putting the finishing touches to his latest idea and they were both breathing sighs of relief. The weekend was free for both of them and Blaine had surprised Kurt with a list of tourist activities to try in New York. Kurt had busted out his obnoxiously large camera while Blaine googled the cheapest options and for weeks the two had been excited to finally enjoy one weekend free from stress other than catching the tour bus on time.

“Ready?” Blaine asked, flicking off the lights in the back room as Kurt carefully folded his work into his bag. Kurt nodded, making his way outside and waiting patiently as Blaine went about his locking up as fast as possible.

“I’m so excited to actually get a home cooked meal for a change. As much as I love take out, nothing beats a nicely cooked spaghetti bolognese,” Kurt said happily as they walked towards Joan’s house. The woman seemed to have a thing for taking in lonely Ohio refugees, as Kurt had also gotten himself a weekly invite to her Friday Night Dinners – something which Blaine had told him only started when Kurt mentioned how much he missed dinners at home.

“Well I know we also have home made ice cream for dessert,” Blaine added, “She’s having so much fun with your recipes you know.”

A silence fell over the conversation as they walked comfortably to the town house where they now spent most Friday evenings. Blaine pressed the doorbell, shooting Kurt a sideways smile simply because he could (and also to see the smile he got in return), before being pulled into a hug from Joan as she opened the door.

“You’re just in time!” she announced cheerfully, grabbing Kurt and crushing him too. “Just dump your bags in the lounge and sit straight down, it tastes excellent if I do say so myself,” Joan continued her chatter as she headed back into the kitchen, the homey smell of cooking floating through to the dining room.

“She loves it now you’re here,” Blaine whispered to Kurt, “it must remind her of being back home with her family. She misses them so much.”

“I think it’s more to do with the fact that she practically raised you and is glad to see you eating a healthy meal,” Kurt replied, shooting a smile towards his friend. He admired his own ability to keep his feelings under control, not only allowing himself a chance to get into whatever the weird little family dynamic Blaine and Joan had going on, but also to find himself a companion who seemed to understand Kurt’s need for a gentle hand.

Blaine smiled lightly and took a sip of drink, his eyes suddenly looking sad. Kurt opened his mouth to wheedle a response from him but a plate full of spaghetti was placed in front of him and the moment was lost. Blaine regained his usual composure as the conversation drifted to school, work and whether the weather would settle enough for a white Christmas. It was halfway through the meal when the reason behind his sudden brooding attitude became clear.

“So, poppet, have you thought about wishing your mum a happy birthday?” Joan asked tentatively, twirling the spaghetti around her fork in an attempt to appear casual. Kurt glanced towards Blaine in time to see his expression lose all traces of the carefree peacefulness that had been there seconds before.

“Nope. Don’t plan to either.” Blaine shoved more food into his mouth and chewed aggressively. Joan furrowed her brow and placed her knife and fork on the empty plate.

“Blaine, you know she wants to hear from you. Would it hurt to send her a card?”

“Yes it would! Sending a card would inadvertently send the message that I want anything to do with them, and I don’t. Sending a card would encourage contact, something that I don’t want. So yes, Joan, sending a card would hurt a lot!”

Kurt had never heard Blaine snap like that before and Joan was the last person he ever expected to see him lose his dapper front with. He ducked his head, forever cautious with confrontation.

“But she’s your mother, Blaine, she loves you so much,” Joan reasoned, her voice steady as though she were talking to a child. Kurt figured it was the same voice she had used when she disciplined Blaine for not eating his vegetables.

“Clearly she doesn’t love me enough to fly out here to force me to talk. If she loved me as much as she said she did then she would have accepted me and my choices while she still had the chance.”

Joan sighed and appeared to accept defeat. The sounds of Blaine angrily stabbing into his pasta were clearly audible as the other two sat in awkward silence. Kurt waited anxiously until it was socially acceptable to leave.

Half an hour later, Kurt and Blaine were being waved off as they walked down the street together, the silence that had previously been companionable was now plain uncomfortable. As they reached Kurt’s apartment block, his phone rang out, making them both jump as it cut through the atmosphere.

Kurt checked the caller, Mercedes, and answered it whilst shaking his head at Blaine to encourage him not to leave just yet.

“Hey Mercedes, look, can I ring…”

“No time, listen, I have a weekend off and you know how rare they are. I’ve just got off the plane in La Guardia, I’m with James and we want to spend time with you while we can. Are you free?”

Kurt closed his eyes. This was his weekend with Blaine, and judging by that night’s dinner conversation, both of them needed it. But then he hadn’t seen Mercedes for months and was yet meet her boyfriend.

“Umm, look, Mercedes, can I call you back in like, five minutes? I just need to check something,” he looked at Blaine, who was standing unsure nearby.

“Sure, don’t feel bad for saying no though!” she added before hanging up. Kurt sighed. It would be this weekend, wouldn’t it?

Blaine looked at him in confusion. “Want me to go?” he asked, fiddling with the button on his coat. Kurt shook his head vehemently, making Blaine laugh softly.

“That was… that was Mercedes, I told you about her.” He waited as Blaine thought back and nodded in recognition.

“Mercedes who moved to LA and is always regretfully busy?”

Kurt nodded. “Well she’s got the weekend off and she’s here now. She wants to see me,” he told Blaine, not meeting him in the eye. Blaine pressed his lips together and nodded, planting a reassuring smile on his face.

“We can always do sightseeing another weekend,” he said gently, twisting the button around.

“But I was really excited!” Kurt protested, his mouth going into a pout. Blaine grinned; he loved Kurt like this, playful and completely forgetting to be shy, if Blaine’s assumptions were right, this meant that Kurt was entirely comfortable around him.

“Another time. You see me every day, you never see Mercedes. We can go next weekend.”

Kurt sighed before picking up his phone and dialling his friend’s number.

“Hi Mercedes,”

“Hey Kurt, look, I shouldn’t have just turned up like this, hell, I don’t even have hotel reservations. Don’t worry if you have other plans,” Mercedes told him down the phone. Kurt could imagine her gesticulating wildly, a comic image of her snapping her fingers popping into his head. He moved the phone from his mouth before whispering to Blaine to just go with it, to which he nodded.

“Stop, Mercedes, just hold on a second. I do have plans but I think I can do both. I was going sightseeing with a friend so you could come along if you want. Were you planning on sleeping at my apartment?”

Blaine watched as Kurt nodded, shooting glances towards him on occasion. He couldn’t help but smile back.

“Do you mind sharing this weekend?” Kurt asked Blaine, who shook his head with a happy smile. Kurt wasn’t the only one who had been excited for their tourist weekend.

Two minutes later and the plans were finalized. Mercedes would be bringing her boyfriend, James, to Kurt’s apartment and they would sightsee the whole visit.

Kurt hung up the phone and looked at Blaine with guilt written all over his face.

“I feel so bad for doing this,” he muttered, the adorable pout back on his lips.

“Hey, don’t feel bad! I’m glad you want me to meet your friends, flattered actually,” Blaine assured him, pulling him into a hug. It was just the way their friendship worked. Blaine was very touchy-feely and Kurt liked being held, no funny business, just a complete comfort around each other.

“Sure? I can cancel if you’re not.”

“Don’t, I’m excited. Really! It isn’t every day that I’m going to be able to say I met the most promising new singer in the whole of America, is it?”

Kurt laughed, pulling out of Blaine’s grasp. “You haven’t even heard her sing, Blaine,” he said, tugging his bag strap and opening the door to his block.

“And yet I trust you haven’t lied to me,” Blaine winked as Kurt rolled his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow Kurt?” Kurt nodded before ducking inside his building. He got inside as a sudden realisation crashed over him. Mercedes would see right through his “clever” disguise. To her it would be painfully obvious that Kurt was slowly falling in love with Blaine, and he would be interrogated no end about it. He would never live it down, and now all of his perfect little life would slowly fall apart all because Kurt could never have feelings for the right people. Fantastic.

Blaine knocked on Kurt’s door at eight the next morning and was greeted by a tall handsome man with green eyes and messed up brown hair. A woman’s voice could be heard shouting over the roar of a hairdryer and the sounds of someone brushing their teeth came through the open door.

“You must be Blaine,” the man said, holding out a hand. “I’m James, Mercedes’ boyfriend.” Blaine shook his hand and stepped into the apartment. He had never seen it so untidy. Suitcases and hair products were scattered around, the kitchen table was covered in pamphlets and cereal boxes and the TV was playing in the background.

James muttered a quick ‘excuse me’ before hurrying into Kurt’s guest bedroom. Blaine sat down on the sofa, avoiding the clothes that were strewn haphazardly all over it and waited patiently.

“Oh hi!” came Kurt’s voice from behind him. Blaine swivelled to see Kurt standing in the doorway to his bedroom wearing jeans and an under shirt. His hair was fluffy and completely free from product and his face was slightly pink.

“Um, hey,” Blaine replied, cursing his voice for going croaky. “How much longer?”

“Not long, I just have to do my hair and put my shirt on, why?” he replied, coming into the lounge and frowning when he saw the state of the couch.

“Do you want a coffee?” Blaine asked, smiling as he watched Kurt’s face get more and more annoyed.

“Please!” he responded, flopping next to Blaine with mock exhaustion. “I swear those two are so messy!”

“Hey!” came the indignant shout from the guest bedroom. Kurt laughed and got back up, before heading into his room to continue his preening.

It took another half an hour before Kurt had deemed his hair suitable and ushered the three of them out of the apartment with many “we’re late!” exclamations and not-so gentle nudges in the direction of the street.

“Is it really worth it now?” James asked somewhat nervously as Kurt frog-marched the group down the street.

“You have one weekend in this city, James, and I have to make sure you are suitable for my Mercedes. Plus, you both completely crashed mine and Blaine's cringey tourist weekend so yes, it is completely worth it!” Kurt practically had to shout back at him for how far ahead he had gotten. He and Mercedes were happily marching along while Blaine trailed with James a number of paces behind.

“Is he always this... enthusiastic?” James muttered to Blaine, who smiled fondly and shook his head.

“I think he knows that you both have to sort of go along with whatever he says or you'll end up in some last minute hotel for the weekend. He doesn't mean to be so intense,” he explained with finality. He was not about to mock Kurt, no way, and he gestured for James to catch up the other two, who were deep in nostalgic conversation.

Four hours later found Kurt leading the foursome back into his apartment, dripping wet and more cheerful than they had been in a long time. The heavy rain caused the subway to be ridiculously cramped and the afternoon plans of Coney Island to be cut short, much to Blaine's disappointment, although it also meant that Kurt would be cooking for them which sort of evened it out.

“Mercedes if you start chopping the vegetables I can get yours and James' room ready. Guys!” Kurt raised his voice to be heard over James and Blaine's chatter, “Could you set the table and then find a few movies for us?” He swept off to find sheets without waiting for an answer, quickly changed the sheets on his spare bed before heading back into the kitchen to help Mercedes.

They chopped in companionable silence for a while, listening to James and Blaine laughing loudly from the sitting room and sharing peaceful smiles.

“So James seems nice,” Kurt said with a wink. Mercedes grinned as she tossed some more vegetables into the saucepan Kurt was stirring.

“Isn't he perfect?” she gushed, leaning her hip against the sideboard.

“He's certainly charismatic. He's been good for you, I think. You seem so much happier in yourself. I like him,”

Mercedes seemed to hesitate, or perhaps she was simply waiting for Kurt to taste the food, before adding, “Blaine's a nice guy too.”

Kurt nudged the handle of the pan towards the back wall before looking his friend in the eye. “He's great. Why?”

“Can I not give a compliment without there being some ulterior motive? He seems nice, I'm commenting on that!” Kurt raised his eyebrows, eliciting a sigh from Mercedes. “I think you like him.”

“Well you thought right.”

Mercedes gasped and leaned closer to him. “Well that was easier than usual! Tell me more!”

Kurt laughed feebly before lowering his voice and turning away in an attempt to look busy should the man in question stumble into the conversation.

“He's kind to me, so kind, and he's just really gentle and funny and god-damn charming and when I found out he was gay it was like – I don't even know. All I can say is that I think I'm slowly falling hard for him no matter how much I try to stop myself,” he says hurriedly.

“Oh Kurt, you really have got it bad!” Mercedes teases him. “When are you going to tell him?”

“What?”

“Well he has to know! He's your best guy friend, right?” Kurt nods. “Then tell him. He likes you, whether he's attracted to you is another matter but he'll understand. Tell him.”

“Nuh-uh, no way. Do you know how long it has taken me to recover from high school? No neither do I, because I' still trying to. Blaine has come along and made it slightly easier so I am not going to screw that up for some over romanticized emotions. Its a crush and I can get over it.” Mercedes opened her mouth to counter argue but he held up a finger, “No more, I said no. Pass me the pepper please?”

“I heard Mercedes mention you're a teacher?” Blaine asked James as they clinked their beer bottles together and perched on the kitchen counter. Kurt had set them to keeping an eye on the dinner while he and Mercedes retreated into Kurt's room to discuss his latest clothing purchases.

“Yup, you heard right,” James replied.

“What grade?”

“Fourth usually,” James said nonchalantly. “It's great, a few crazies but they're all nice kids. What do you do?”

Blaine blushed a little and took a sip from his bottle. “I, erm, I work in a coffee shop slash book shop. I didn't get the chance to go to college; left home before my parents could convince me to go using their money but I'd have loved to go. Cut off my nose to spite my face I guess,” he said carefully, thinking for a second before adding, “I like my job though. I get by okay.”

James nodded. “What would you have done if you'd have gone to college?”

“I don't know. I think subconsciously ever since I was little I imagined myself doing something with young kids. I can see myself in this bright classroom reading fairy tales before home time, sticking smiley face stickers on their work so they know they've done good,” Blaine smiled, “Am I right or is that just a fantasy?”

“No! It's work so obviously there are some parts you could do without but when you get home or get to see them running to their parents at the end of the day to show them a piece of work that got a good grade then its all totally worth it,” James assured him. “You know, you can still get the qualifications you need to be a teacher. You're only what? A year out of high school?” Blaine nodded at him, interest piqued, “People take gap years, you could save your money and think about it a little more and apply to a college. Just a suggestion.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while taking careful sips of their drinks and occasionally stirring the sauce simmering in the pan before James spoke again.

“So what's the deal with you and Kurt?”

“We don't have a deal,” Blaine replied, confused.

“You sure about that?” Blaine nodded emphatically. James narrowed his eyes muttering a quiet 'huh' before falling silent.

“Why? What did you think was going on?”

James paused before sighing and continuing. “Just... Kurt, he looks at you as though he really likes you sometimes and I've heard him when he Skype's Mercedes and she seems to think he likes you as, you know, more than friends.”

“Maybe Mercedes just wants Kurt to find someone seeing as she saw how lonely he's been?”

“I don't think so. I'm not the most observant of guys when it comes to feelings and all that but even I can see that there's something more there. Just think about that,” James clapped him on the back before calling Kurt and Mercedes to help plate up the food.

The dinner passed enjoyably, Kurt embarrassing Mercedes at every opportunity, including telling a story of a broken window and a very awkward confession. By the time the plates had been replaced by bowls of ice cream the rain was pouring harder than ever.

“Oh wow, hear that wind!” Mercedes gasped as it whistled across the windowpanes. “I don't envy you Blaine, I really don't!”

Blaine laughed before actually glancing out of the window. The rain was falling in thick sheets, bouncing off the metal bars that formed Kurt's tiny balcony. He glanced at Kurt who motioned for Blaine to follow him into the kitchen before disappearing with the empty bowls.

“You are not going home in that,” Kurt said with a sigh as he turned on the taps.

“Kurt, I don't have a choice. All I have with me is my wallet and phone, I'll just get a cab,” Blaine shrugged, grabbing a towel and drying off the washed plates.

“Stay here, you've done it before,” Kurt suggested, squirting washing up liquid into the sink.

“And I was tipsy then, it was safer to stay here. I can get home perfectly safely, don't worry!”

“I'd rather you didn't drown in rain water before your next birthday, Joan would kill me. Just crash here, it's no problem.”

“And where would I sleep?”

“I have a couch or you could share my bed? I used to do it all the time with Mercedes and I can't count the number of times Finn and I fell asleep on the couch when we were both cramming for exams.”

Blaine sighed and went to protest but was cut off by a low rumble of thunder. Kurt just raised his eyebrows and smirked in satisfaction.

“It's no bother?”

“Not if you finish the washing up for me!” Kurt laughed, hurrying off into the lounge before Blaine could protest again.

Blaine was woken from his sleep by the slamming of Kurt's bathroom door and the sounds of throwing up.

“Kurt?” he mumbled, stumbling out of the double bed and following the light coming from the en-suite. “You okay?”

More sounds of puking. Blaine pushed the door open and winced in sympathy. Kurt was crouched in front of the toilet clinging onto the sides and panting heavily. His head was rested on his wrist and his eyes were tight shut. He shook his head ever so gently before screwing up his face even further.

“You need anything?” Kurt leaned his head back into the basin and threw up again. It took a moment for him to recover before asking feebly for Blaine to get him some cold water and a clean towel.

On Blaine's return Kurt was panting into the toilet again.

“Here,” Blaine knelt down and handed the water to Kurt, who took a tiny sip and smiled gratefully.

“Thanks,” he croaked. He took the towel from Blaine and dabbed at his sweaty face before taking another sip from his glass.

“Did you eat something funny while we were out?” Blaine asked softly, rubbing circles into Kurt's back as he threw up yet again with a groan.

“Must have,” Kurt grumbled through his shallow breaths. “I'm so embarrassed,” he muttered, almost to himself.

“Hey! Don't be!” Blaine reassured him, taking the towel and patting Kurt's face with it.

They stayed there for two more rounds of vomiting before Kurt decided he felt well enough to go back to bed. Blaine helped him up before tucking him into bed with a grin.

“You need anything else?” he asked, placing the glass of water on Kurt's bedside table. Kurt shook his head and Blaine got into bed himself, curling up and trying to keep his body heat away from Kurt's so as not to make him feel worse.

They lay in silence for a while, Blaine feeling his heart rate return to normal and his mind to wind down again. Wait...

Kurt hadn't been in any danger. Why was Blaine panicking enough to cause palpitations? Blaine didn’t have feelings for Kurt, he knew that. They were friends, best friends and that was all! But, Blaine thought to himself, the last few weeks Blaine had been noticing the little things about Kurt more often; the way his eyes scrunched when he smiled to say hello, the way his hand jumped to fix his hair whenever something might have put it out of place, that little snort he did when he was trying not to laugh but couldn't stop himself.

Okay fine. Blaine had to admit he had feelings for Kurt, how far those feelings went was beyond the point; nothing was going to happen. Over time Blaine would get over whatever little crush he had and would appreciate Kurt as a friend once more. He was too precious to lose and Blaine would not screw it up, no matter how much he wanted to just hold Kurt and kiss his perfect lips and stroke his hair because it had looked so great when there was no product in it that morning and obviously Kurt's hand would need holding too -

“Blaine?”

“Yeah Kurt?”

“I know this may sound weird or pathetic so just tell me to shut up at any time but, erm, could you... could you ah, maybe hold me?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Would you mind holding me, at least until I fall asleep? It's just that I've never been this sick and not had someone there to hold me, it was my mum and then my dad and then Carole and I just don't want to fall asleep alone...”

“Kurt that isn't silly.”

Blaine manoeuvred himself so that he was snuggled under Kurt's duvet, his own discarded on the bedroom floor. He wrapped an arm around Kurt's waist and squeezed his hand when their fingers laced together. Kurt nuzzled closer to Blaine's chest and they lay there spooning in the darkness. Do not think about Kurt's ass right now, Blaine, just don't. No. Don't even go there!

“Blaine?”

“Hmm?”

“You're my best friend.”

Blaine heard the sleep in Kurt's voice and sensed that he was seconds away from drifting off. His heart swelled with affection. It didn't matter that they worked better as friends, friends could still love each other, (love... that was new) and they could still be close like this.

"You're mine too, Kurt.” Blaine gave Kurt's hand a squeeze, hoping beyond hope that Kurt didn't feel his heart basically doing somersaults in his chest.

“Thank you,” Kurt murmured, barely audible. Blaine looked and saw his eyes closed, lashes fanning across his pink cheeks which contrasted with the delicate paleness of the rest of his face. Eventually, Kurt's breathing evened out and his features relaxed even more.

Blaine deliberated for a mere moment before pressing a gentle kiss to the back of Kurt's head, his thumb stroking the soft hand gripping his own. Yeah, t could safely be said that Blaine Anderson had been falling hard for Kurt Hummel, he just needed someone to point it out.

Blaine closed his eyes, falling to sleep listening to Kurt's sleepy snuffles and praying to whatever was up there that he wouldn't wake up with morning glory. That would be hard to explain away.