Since the whole of Saturday was skipped from the point of view of studying, Kurt and Kate had a lot of catching up to do schoolwork-wise. And that meant more than just a study-Sunday. The next few days went by very quickly, without time to have a movie-night, or a nice, lazy cup of coffee, or eat anything else than take outs. They didn’t really have time to sleep in either, as Kurt usually preferred, not even till 8:30.

It was Thursday afternoon when they first had an opportunity to really talk. And even that started out as the meeting of two exhausted strangers, or estranged friends trying desperately to reunite.

“I have a question for you, Hummel!” Kate burst through their doors. “And don’t you dare laugh at me. I kept thinking about this whole week, and never had the chance to ask, and I’m in desperate need of a deep talk, on whatever topic, I just want to feel like a normal Humanities student again.”

“Okay, baby, calm down. Sit down, I’ll take your scarf and fedora, I’ll bring you a cup of coffee, and by the time I get back you’ll be able to breathe properly, and I’ll answer whatever it is you want to know. Does that work?” Kurt hoped Kate would react well to the motherly tone.

“Yes. Thank you. Don’t be long or I might fall asleep.”

Kurt smiled lovingly at the girl. Gosh, he’d do anything to make her happy and comfortable.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

And true to his word Kurt was back with the piping hot beverage in no time.

“Okay, spill. What’s on your mind?”

“Do you think we are looking for qualities in our partners that we ourselves don’t have?” Kate took his time articulating the sentence, wanting to capture exactly what she was curious about.

“Wow. Talking about out of the blue...”

“I told you. This has been playing on my mind, and I guess I have an idea, but I wanted to hear a voice outside of my own head.”

“Yeah, I can see why you’d need that.” When Kate mastered a threatening look, Kurt quickly added. “And I appreciate it that you wanted me, sweetie.”

“And, what do you think?”

“Kath, instead of giving you my answer, can I ask you something?”

“That could work.”

“If we believe people are drawn towards what they are not, then do you think our preferences change with our own changing personality?”

“I guess that’s more than natural, yeah.”

“And can you see a tendency in guys you’re attracted to? I mean something that’s common in most of them?”

“I see what you mean, Kurt, but that would mean that I wanna figure out myself by looking for features in the others. But I sort of already know who I am, and I was just wondering if men in my life serve a purpose, you know, balancing me out, or something.”

“And what would you say, what are you like?” Kurt knew Kate, he did. But this conversation never came up, and he found this idea of Kate’s self-assessment fascinating. He wanted to hear what the girl thought of herself.

“Well, you know, I think the only thing that’s stable in me is that I’m not at all stable. I’m very comfortable with being without labels, without categories. I usually operate on an emotional level, and act on that. You know? I don’t like to overthink things about myself, because that usually leads to finality. And I don’t like things set in stone. I like to experiment, I like to leave windows and doors open.”

Kate drifted off at this point, and Kurt’s mind was reeling with their shared memories. He had to admit, Kate was pretty accurate when talking about herself. All Kurt knew was that in the years he’s known Kath the girl proved more about her character with deeds than words. She rarely thought about herself, in fact she seemed stuck in a pre-adolescent phase in this aspect. Her self-awareness was almost completely lacking. Apparently not completely, but she didn’t care much about her looks or what conventions dictated, she wasn’t strict on rules if she felt emotions needed to override them. She was kind and caring, and had her heart open all the time. Something she must have brought from the big loving family she left to come to college. And something else Kurt attributed to the big family… Kate was very perceptive of people around her. And of those layers that even they themselves couldn’t admit. That was probably why she was freakishly good at reading Kurt. Which made their relationship uniquely comfortable. No other person had that talent, and Kurt didn’t make it easier for newcomers either.

Kate spoke again, her tone showing that she was more thinking out loud than editing her thoughts.

“Kurt, I think in many sense I’m the polar opposite of you. And I adore you, and don’t take this the wrong way, I really do think our relationship is perfect. But can you imagine being with a guy who’s like me? Cause I certainly can’t imagine being in love with a guy who’s like you.”

“First of all, Kath, that’s the most I’ve heard you speak about yourself in the years I’ve known you. And second, I guess you just gave yourself an answer, sweetie. If you feel like you’re my polar opposite and you don’t see my type appealing at all, and believe me, I take no offense to that, then you’re certainly not attracted to things you’re not. Or the things you seem to lack.” Kurt sort of consciously avoided answering the question Kate asked him about who he could or could not be with. Kurt did not know the answer to Kate’s question.

He knew what he thought his own most important personality trait was, and it was the polar opposite of what he thought Kate’s was. He needed freedom but within a certain framework. He needed categories and labels, but only for his own use. He didn’t want anyone to force those on him, and he didn’t want to force any of those on others. That was just the way he operated.

And Kate? She was just the opposite. She felt trapped within frameworks and labels, and thought them absolutely redundant. And it worked out fine between them. Neither wanted to change the other. And neither envied the other.

And yeah, Kurt knew, that in this sense a guy similar to Kate would never be a good match for him.

But so many things in Kate made Kurt wish she had a male counterpart. She was sensitive and impulsive and free, and loving. And Kurt yearned for all that in his life.

So, yeah, in a sense he had his answer. Opposites don’t attract, when it comes to the core of your personality. He wouldn’t insist on the other’s main trait to be exactly what Kurt thought his was, but the two shouldn’t clash. He looked for someone who could balance being free and being in control.

But he also knew Kate’s initial statement held some truth. Kurt regarded himself strong, but he knew he often needed reassurance. On all sorts of things in life. And he knew he’d love a guy who was strong enough to be there for him as well. Not that he wanted a man made of steel. Everyone has their insecurities. It’s just it’s so nice to witness when somebody shows their strength in more than one ways, and has enough of it to care for someone more insecure.

Kate seemed satisfied for now.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She said to Kurt’s conclusion, and seemed pensive for a few moments, and then quickly moved on.

“Okay, now that I have that off my chest, we can go at a normal pace with catching up. How was your week, Kurt, honey?” she said with a smile and big, curious eyes.

“It was good. You know, busy, but good. Nothing grand, no tests, no presentations. How was yours?”

“Mediocre, I guess. Lots of reading…”

“Yeah.”

“Have you talked to Blaine lately?” Kate changed the subject again. Abruptly. Again.

“No, not since the trip. But hey, I have great news. I met David a few times, we talked about their play, you know, the one I told you about when we got home on Saturday. And I’ve been working on some sketches, and showing them to David, and he loved them. So I guess I’m gonna be involved. Which would be great, ‘cause David took me to one of their rehearsals, and introduce me to everyone. They are the most amazing, most fun, most creative, most hard-working bunch I’ve seen.”

“And Blaine wasn’t there?”

“No, he had classes, or something, he was gonna meet them later. Anyways, I was freaking excited. You know how I always told you that high school wasn’t really challenging enough for me, and that I longed for the intellectual and creative college air. And it never came, or not really. I mean I had a few great courses, but in general, it wasn’t anything special. And these guys, gosh, they are amazing! It’s just how I imagined my college experience to be like, you know? Challenging but fun, with interesting people and constructive debates…”

“Oh right, I totally forgot! Did you talk to Blaine about the Pride thing on the hike?” Kate remembered Kurt being hesitant concerning Blaine, something they couldn’t talk about in the past few days, so she needed to know. “Did he explain himself?”

“Yeah, we talked about it on the way home. In the car.” On the way back David rode with Blaine and Kurt, while Kate was in the other car with Cooper, Anthony and Mary. “I can’t really recall how it came up, but yeah, we talked about it. It was really interesting, actually, because in the end, it turned out we are pretty much on the same page, he just said it in a way I felt he was being offensive.”

“Or you were the one being overly defensive.” Kate suggested.

“Well, yeah, I guess.” Kurt admitted.

Both of them were aware that Kurt had a well built, often hindering defense mechanism. The times when he had to face discrimination and bullying (because of his sexuality, or his taste, his style) on a daily basis made him take that sort of treatment for granted. It didn’t matter that it was years ago… okay, that’s not true. Kurt has changed over the years. But it was a very slow process. And he still often felt like every statement, every comment was aimed against him. So he became very sarcastic, and yeah, overly defensive.

Now he had to admit, like in so many previous cases, he was too quick to judge Blaine’s words.

“He said he has nothing against Lady Gaga, he loves her, in fact, it’s just he thinks she provides a platform to talk about gay rights that not everybody is comfortable with. I mean not every LGBT person. And I guess he kind of has a point.”

“You think?” Kate asked smiling, raising her eyebrows.

“Okay, okay, you just have to see where I’m coming from.”

“Oh, I know that, sweetie, don’t be angry.”

Kate knew that Kurt associated Lady Gaga with the terrible high school years in his head. She was the one getting him through some of his worst days, and Kurt always felt Gaga had a huge part in starting some of the most crucial conversations about gay rights and equality. So, yes, Kurt adored her as an artist, but more importantly, he adored Lady Gaga for speaking up on certain topics.

“And he said something similar to the religious thing as well. That in previous years Prides acted very harshly against Christian initiatives, and even though he himself is not a church-goer, he felt like it’s a bit too much to exclude religious people from the Pride, since it communicates a bad message. And I totally agree with that, of course. We talked a little about the controversial issues in church, and certain religions, but all in all we agreed on pretty much everything.” Kurt thought back to their conversation, and whether he left out anything that Kate would find interesting, but he couldn’t think of anything else.

“I see. So you guys didn’t really fight.”

“No, of course not.” Kurt started to become suspicious. Where was this heading?

“Then how come you haven’t spoken to him in almost a week?” Kate blurted finally.

Kurt couldn’t help but laugh out. Kate was clearly obsessed with the boy she found so handsome. What Kurt didn’t realize was that Kate had no selfish, or personal interest in the matter at all.

“Why would I? I mean I guess we’ll talk about the play and costumes once my sketches are presentable…”

“I don’t know, you just seemed so cosy on the trip, I thought you’d spend the whole week texting back and forth.”

“I couldn’t text him even if I wanted, I don’t have his number.” Kurt said simply.

“What?”

“What? I don’t have his number. It never came up.”

“I have his number.” Kate said nonchalantly. Kurt’s eyes widened in shock.

“How?”

“He asked for it when we ran into each other before the trip. I was coming back from the showers, and he said he talked to you, and in case we’d want anything I should have his number. I just thought it was long after he snatched yours.”

“Well, no. He didn’t ask for mine…” Kurt said, trying desperately not to sound disappointed.

“Oh, come on Kurt, it’s no biggie.”

“A minute ago you were even surprised we didn’t spend the last few days texting, now you’re telling me it’s no biggie?”

“Exactly.” Kate was pretty sure Blaine wanted to have her best friends number, and it wasn’t out of indifference that he didn’t ask for it. “But if it’s so important, here, I’ll give it to you, I‘m sure he won’t mind.”

“Kath, I’m not going to text him out of the blue.”

“Then don’t. It wouldn’t be totally random. Tell him to join us on Saturday.”

“For what?” Kurt seemed puzzled.

“Well, if I’m not mistaken you invited some of your old friends over, so I guess… for a party?”

Kurt totally forgot about that. The week was so hectic, and so many new things happened that he totally blocked out his weekend plans with the McKinley reunion. Santana, Rachel, Finn, Sam and Mercedes promised to gang up and visit Kurt on the first day of Spring break, which was this coming Saturday. They wouldn’t stay for long, just a couple of nights, and at the time Kurt arranged everything he was so looking forward to it. Now, with this final week before the break, he didn’t even know where his head was. But now that Kate mentioned it, his excitement re-surfaced.

“I don’t think we should put Blaine into that mix.” Kurt answered Kate finally.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Kurt. He’d love them. It’s such a great group of people, I think he could handle it.”

“I’m sure he could, I’m just worried it wouldn’t go so well with the others.” Kurt heard himself, and waited for Kate’s reprimand. Honestly he didn’t know why he was fighting this so much. Certainly not because the McKinley guys would have a problem with anyone. They were the most open, most compassionate people he knew.

Anyway, Kate’s sarcastic response never came. She let that one go, but reasoned some more nevertheless.

“Tell him to bring David then. I’m sure everything will be fine, but that way you both have some safety. He won’t end up alone in a corner, and you can relax as well. Here, that’s his number.”

Kurt looked into Kate’s eyes, unsure of what to do. He then looked down at the device held out to him, and back at the girl’s face again.

“Pride Blaine? Really? That’s how you added him to your contact list?” Kurt shook his head a little, as if he was really appalled by this. Kate, however, knew he was just trying to effectively end the conversation. What else could she have written as a name at that point?

Kurt took out his own phone and saved Blaine’s number.

And the two of them continued to catch up, never mentioning Blaine, the McKinley guys or Saturday again that evening.

But Kurt couldn’t get rid of the idea Kate planted in his head. About inviting Blaine over. He felt it was the least he owed Blaine for sharing so much with him, and taking such an effort into explaining himself to Kurt and everything.

Finally, after taking an early shower and going to bed surprisingly early compared to the other day that week, Kurt decided it was better to get the texting over with. He kind of knew he’d do it eventually, and thinking about it and Blaine all night was the last thing he wanted.

However, he was still uncertain about the whole party-thing. He felt like Blaine had his reason not to ask for his number, and not contacting him all week. But when he though back to the hiking, his insecurities disappeared, and he set his mind on sending a message to test the waters. He didn’t want to start with the invitation right away. Understandibly.

From Kurt:

(8:17)

Hey, Baline.It’s Kurt.I got ur number from Kath,hope that’s OK.Dunno if David said anything about the sketches…ur actors are great,btw mr.director. ~ k

As soon as he hit send, a wave of exhaustion rushed through him, so he put his phone on the nightstand, it was on silent, and lay down on his bed, to rest his eyes while Blaine answered.

It didn’t take more than mere minutes for Blaine to answer.

From Blaine:

(8:19)

Hi!Yeah,David went on&on about the costume designs,said ur amazing.Can’t wait to work w/ u.Sorry i couldn’t make it to rehearsals.this week’s been craaaaazy! –B

Yeah, you can say that again... Kurt smiled looking at the screen, because that pleasant feeling suddenly came back from last Saturday. The feeling that he knew what to think about Blaine, that they were okay, and Blaine was okay. In fact, he was more than that. Blaine was a good guy, and Kurt felt a certain amount of relief every time he had some proof of that.

He didn’t feel exhausted anymore, and was almost convinced by Kate’s arguments now, but still wanted to wait. With the invitation, that is.

From Kurt:

(8:24)

It’s OK,know what u mean.Btw,went by a building near Cocoa on Tue&saw an exhibit. by photography majors.Looked 4 ur pics but found none.is it not ur thing? ~ k

When there was no quick answer like to the previous text, Kurt started to feel anxious. He hated that he was so easily effected by something so little as minutes passing by waiting for a reply text, but he couldn’t help it. When he thought about it, his rational self said not to worry. But looking at his phone at 8:27, and 8:41, and 8:50 again, and being unable to concentrate on anything else meanwhile, well, that just said something totally different. Did he offend Blaine with his assumption? Or did he go too far and asked something too personal? Or did Blaine not want to discuss something so sacred over texts?

Well, a few more minutes later there was an answer, but after reading it, Kurt felt it might have been better to fall asleep without one.

From Blaine:

(8:54)

Yeah, those were some of my friends’.I didn’t enter the contest this year. Had too much on my plate.

Wow, that was unexpected… Kurt had no idea what happened. Was that change of tone deliberate? Or was Blaine just simply dead tired? Or, and a previous thought came to Kurt’s mind, was Blaine bipolar? None of it made sense.

And the most painful part about it was that Kurt immediately lost that feeling of certainty concerning Blaine, and the boy’s attitude towards Kurt.

But Kurt wasn’t the type to be able to sleep after an answer like this. So he composed another message. Hoping that the change of topic might do the trick.

From Kurt:

(9:02)

David told me the rehearsals were going great,& ur starting with choreography soon. I’m sure everything will be amazing!ur Rosalind is my new muse : )� ~ k

Once he sent it, he realized he made a rookie mistake. He didn’t ask anything in the text.

And immediately as he realized this thought had even entered his head, he mentally facepalmed himself. What? I don’t want to give him excuses to write me! I want him to text me, ‘cause I’m nice and easy to talk to. Plus, I didn’t ask anything in the first text. Okay, this is ridiculous…

The next two hours were torture. Pure torture. Kurt was exhausted, but couldn’t sleep. There were no replies from Blaine. Nothing.

And Kurt hated that. He hated to wait for replies from anyone, but this situation frustrated him even more, because one, he really thought they bonded over the play, and the hiking and what not, and second, because he let himself be talked into this by Kate…

Well, no, actually scratch that. He didn’t. He did this all by himself. He, in fact, went against what Kate told him to do. He hasn’t invited Blaine over for Saturday. He wanted to be clever and cautious, and look what that lead to…

Kurt wanted to scream into his pillow with frustration.

When he couldn’t think of any other solution, he decided the following. He would text Blaine one more time. About the invitation. He’d get it off his chest. Because he was certain that was the only thing keeping him up. The fact that he already planned to ask him, but was somewhat hindered… And after that he’d turn off his phone. And go to sleep. Finally. So he set to work, and composed what Kate suggested he should.

From Kurt:

(11:13)

Friends from high school r coming to visit me this Sat.I think you’d love them.Want 2 come over 2 hang out w/ us?U can bring David as well.Good night,Blaine. ~k

And with that, Kurt turned off his phone, and yes, a certain amount of relief, and an almost lethal amount of exhaustion he hugged his pillow closely and let himself be drowned in deep, and much needed sleep.

The next morning he woke up feeling much better. His memories of Blaine’s texts and non-texts were among his first thoughts, but he was okay. Now, that he was well rested.

He turned on his phone, and a few seconds later it vibrated in his palm.

The time of the text showed that Blaine composed his reply late last night.

From Blaine:

(1:42)

Yeah, that sounds good, thank you. I’ll ask David, and we’ll get back to you. Is that okay? Good night.

Now what the hell should I do with you, Pride Blaine? But that was Kurt’s last thought on the matter, he pushed it all aside for now.