Blaine lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling and waiting for his alarm to go off. He tilted his head, finding images in the fibers of the ceiling paint, a face, a castle…

A monster.

Blaine shut his eyes to rid his mind of the images of a fanged creature staring down at him; his alarm clock went off, and even though hed been waiting for it, it made his heart rate spike as he sat straight up in bed and slammed his palm on the alarm to shut it up. Hed been having nightmares again, worse than usual, his mind dredging up the most evil of his memories, red eyes glaring at him in the dark and screams of pain.

Blaine got up from his bed, swallowing deeply, and walked over to the mirror that hung above his dresser. He moved it to the side to reveal the safe in the wall and worked the combination until it opened. Inside, was the source of his nightmares; theyd gotten worse since he traded Felix for this vial. He pulled it out and held it in his hand for a moment, the heat inside warming him a little, but still making him shiver. He put the vial down on his dresser top and went to get ready for the day.

Hed had the vial for a few weeks now but hadnt done anything with it. He told himself that it was because he didnt have everything he needed for the ritual yet, which was true. It was also true that Blaine hadnt been trying very hard to get what he needed. That changed today, though; he had an appointment late that afternoon to get the piece he needed in order to finally use the heartstone remains. He should be excited, elated even, but he couldnt muster it.

Mostly he felt… worried. Worried about what he would find out, worried about where the new information he gained would lead him. Away from New York? Towards facing the truths that have been chasing him most of his life? Away from Kurt? The thought of Kurt surprised him and he pinched the bridge of his nose trying to concentrate. He chided himself; he couldnt give up on what hed been working towards almost his whole life just because of a pretty boy with a pretty smile that made Blaine feel… made Blaine feel for the first time in too long.

Blaine stared at the clothes hanging in his closet while wearing only the jeans hed slipped on after his shower. He never thought much about what he wore, but today he wanted to look nice, at least as nice as he could; he was probably seeing Kurt this afternoon and he didnt know when hed see him again after the ritual. Blaine sighed; all of his clothes were various shades of black and gray and when did he become so boring? He ended up picking out a sweater that could conceivably be considered navy, layered with a crisp gray button up underneath, and resigned himself to looking as put together as he could.

On his way out, he grabbed the vial and stuck it in his coat pocket. He wasnt foolish enough to leave it behind. He kept it in the safe at night and on his person at all other times. He may hate what it was and what it represented, but he knew he needed it. It felt heavy in his pocket, like it was dragging his whole body down. The more Blaine thought about it, the more he wasnt sure he should even meet up with Kurt today; wouldnt it be better just to fade from Kurts life like hed never been there? That thought made his chest unexpectedly tight.

Kurt was the first friend hed allowed himself in some time, he wasnt sure whyd hed made the exception for Kurt, but he had. He considered Kurt a friend and the thought of him warmed Blaines cold world. If hed been someone else maybe hed let himself have more than friendship with Kurt. He was smart, and attractive and inconceivably patient with Blaine. Still, it was a moot point now, now that Blaine was going to perform this ritual life was going to change. It had to.

Hed have one last cup of cinnamon coffee with Kurt and then close that chapter of his life. He could do that. Blaine gulped as the cold wind picked-up outside. He could do that, right?

Kurt was gathering his things after class and putting them in his book bag when Ms. Pole called his name; she walked past the other students heading out of the classroom to meet him. "Will you stay behind for a moment? I would like to speak with you."

Kurt noticed a classmate give him a sympathetic look as he passed, but Kurt just glanced back at Ms. Pole and smiled. "Of course."

She waited until all the other students had left the room before she continued. "Kurt, you know Ive been teaching here for many years… many more years than a woman my age would like to admit." She smiled and Kurt smiled back at her. He wasnt sure what this was about, but Ms. Pole liked him, he knew he wasnt in trouble. Hopefully.

"And in all my years of teaching I can remember by name the students that really stuck out to me, the ones I knew had a true sense of artistry."

Kurt nodded to show he was listening, though he still was nervous about where this was going.

"Im rarely wrong about a students potential, Kurt, and I have to tell you, I see so much potential in you."

Kurt signed in relief, this was going well. "Thank you."

"Theres a party coming up, a ball actually, in a couple weeks. Its a great place to meet and mingle with other professionals in the theater community-"

"You mean the Broadway Ball?" Kurt couldnt help but interrupt in his excitement. He knew about the Broadway Leagues Annual Masquerade, that most everyone just called the Broadway Ball, it was an event attended by the citys most elite thespians, directors, producers and other experts involved in the theater arts.

Ms. Pole look pleased, "Yes thats the one. Im very excited to be on the planning committee for the event this year."

"What an honor," Kurt said, readjusting his book bag on his shoulder.

"Oh yes yes." Ms. Pole answered, waving off his praise. "But this isnt about me. Every year, NYADA sends a select few of their students to the ball as an introduction to the kinds of people they will hopefully be working with in the near future."

Kurt swallowed, his eyes growing wide as he nodded along.

"And I was hoping youd like to attend this year."

"Yes!" Kurt answered, hardly giving the words time to leave her lips. "I mean… I would love to."

Ms. Pole laughed, "I love your enthusiasm. Ill mark you down then." She turned back to her desk, withdrawing a black and gold envelope from the drawer. "Here is your official invitation, youll need it to get in, and of course you must bring a plus-one."

"Thank you! Thank you so much."

"It is still a few weeks off so hopefully that gives you enough time to find something marvelous to wear."

Kurt clutched the envelope in his hands and bounced on the balls of his feet in excitement. "Im sure it is."

"Do you have a young gentleman friend you think you might invite?"

Kurts mind immediately flashed to an image of Blaine sitting across from him at the coffee shop solemnly sipping his coffee. Only after that thought did an image of Aarons laughing face come up. "I… Im sure Ill find someone."

"Excellent." Ms. Pole clapped her hands together. "Now hurry along, I dont want to be the reason youre late to your next class."

Kurt thanked her again before dashing out the door with a skip in his step. This was such a huge opportunity and Kurt couldnt believe he was actually holding one of the coveted invitations to this years Broadway Ball. His immediate thought was to call Rachel, she would be so excited and maybe even a little envious that Kurt actually got to attend the ball, since it was something they had talked about in the past. He knew her filming schedule, though, and she wouldnt answer a phone call right now. His next thought, of course because apparently he couldnt stop thinking of him, was to call Blaine.

Blaine might not have ever heard of the Broadway League or its annual ball, but Kurt was sure hed be excited for him. The trouble there was that Kurt didnt even have Blaines number. Hed hopefully see him that afternoon at the coffee shop, though, and maybe if he felt gutsy enough hed ask for Blaines phone number; it was time to make Blaine more than just a coffee shop friend. The thought made Kurt feel a little giddy.

After classes that day, Kurt hurried to Aroma Mocha and got there a little earlier than usual. He ordered his mocha and Blaines black coffee, stirring in some cinnamon before sitting down at their table and waiting for Blaine. It was a regular thing for them. Whoever got there first would save the table and order the others coffee, and then no matter who got there first, Kurt would put the cinnamon in Blaines otherwise plain coffee (since Blaine never could get the ratio right) and then theyd sit and talk for hours.

Kurt had started setting an alarm on his phone to remind him that he couldnt actually sit there all evening, that he did have other responsibilities. It was just that spending time with Blaine was so easy and natural. Blaine still wasnt always very open about himself, but he was warming up more and more and was always happy to talk about his interests and places hed been. Apparently, his job required a lot of travel and Kurt clung to these subjects that Blaine didnt seem to mind discussing.

Kurt opened a sketch book as he waited and started working on some costume accessories that he was going to put up on his popular Etsy page, but it didnt take long for his sketches to start taking a different direction altogether.

Kurt barely even realized what he was sketching until his barista friend walked up to his table, "Is he standing you up?"

Kurt glanced up and lifted an eyebrow.

"Isnt Mr. Gloomy usually here by now?"

"Blaine isnt gloomy," Kurt answered. She still hadnt forgiven Blaine for that time he snubbed Kurt; it was sweet of her, but at the same time, Kurt wished people could see what he saw in Blaine, that he was so much more than his seemingly melancholy exterior.

"Uh huh, and the two of you are getting close, is that why you have sketches of him all over your book?"

Kurt looked down to see hed filled nearly two full pages with drawings of Blaine. Blaine sitting in his wingback chair reading, Blaine laughing and looking down shyly. Blaine in a nice fitted peacoat that showed off his broad shoulders. Kurt blushed a little and cleared his throat. "I… um…"

"Whats that?" She pointed to the bottom corner of one of the pages and Kurt furrowed his brow looking at the strange creature hed sketched there, matted fur, dripping fangs, what almost looked like spikes coming from its back and eyes that would be red if Kurt had colored pencils on him. He knew hed just drawn it, but he had no idea what it was or why he would have such a gruesome looking creature in his head. "I dont actually know."

"So you really think Mr. Gloomy deserves a second chance then?" She asked, glancing up from the book. And Kurt couldnt help but smile.

"I really think he does."

She sighed and shook her head, "Boys," before walking away.

Kurt watched her go until his eyes landed on Blaine right outside the cafés doors. A smile immediately graced Kurts face but then it scrunched up into confused amusement as he watched him. Blaine walked almost all the way up to the door of the coffee shop and then turned and walked a few steps away. He did this several times before he just stood at the corner outside of the shop, his hand stuffed into the pockets of his jacket, as he looked down at the ground.

What was he doing?

Kurt got up from the table and then walked outside, the little bell on the door chiming behind him. Blaine was a few feet away playing with something in his pockets. Hed take it out, hold it in his hand for a moment, and then deposit it in his other pocket before nervously repeating the process. Kurt couldnt see what the object was, but that didnt seem to be the point. Blaine was clearly upset about something.

"Hey, Blaine," Kurt called softly but Blaine still started in surprise as he lifted his face to him. "Are you going to just stand out here in the cold or are you coming in?" Kurt smiled and tried to keep his tone light and teasing. Blaine was looking at him with wide eyes and a tight expression; he seemed jumpy enough to sprint off like a scared animal.

"I… um…" Blaine glanced down at whatever was in his hand before pocketing it and looking back up at Kurt. "I dont know if I have time for coffee today."

"Oh." Kurt cleared his throat to give himself a moment to think before answering. Blaine had been acting strangely for the past week, more reserved like the way hed been when they first met. It made getting to know Blaine feel like taking two steps forward and one step back.

Kurt just wished Blaine would tell him what was going on. They were close enough for that; if something was bothering Blaine didnt he know he could just say it?

"Well… I have your coffee," Kurt said, taking a step closer as people passed them on the busy sidewalk. "You could at least grab it and take it with you and we could meet up some other time." Kurt was trying to not let his disappointment show; obviously, Blaine was under no obligation to always have coffee with him.

Blaine blinked at him a few times before a small shy smile spread across his face, it made Kurts heart beat double time. "I guess if youve already ordered I could sit down for a little while." His voice was soft and warm, but hesitant.

Kurt smiled back at him and was hit by a sudden realization. All those times where it seemed like Blaine was cold or closed off, the times he shut down and wouldnt talk about certain topics, or how rude Blaine seemed when Kurt first met him, was it possible that he was just shy? Or scared? Maybe talking to people made him nervous.

There was something so open and yet vulnerable and timid about Blaines face right now that it cast their whole friendship in a new light. Suddenly, Kurt felt exceedingly grateful and lucky that Blaine had opened up to him, allowed Kurt to be part of his life, even if it was just for coffee dates. That was a good foundation to build on, and it seemed like for Blaine maybe it was a big leap of faith to let someone in.

Kurt couldnt stop himself from reaching out for Blaines hand, Blaine looked down at his outstretched hand for a moment before pulling his own out of his pocket and clasping Kurts. Kurt shivered a little at the soft press of his skin and then tugged him towards the coffee shop doors. "Well, lets get you warmed up at least before we send you on your way."

Blaine followed him without a word.

Kurt sat at the table and quickly flipped the page on his sketch book before Blaine could see his own face looking up at him from the pages.

Blaine just looked down at his coffee as if hed forgotten where he was, his eyes seemed a little red rimmed and Kurt couldnt tell if that was from the cold wind outside or if Blaine was near tears. Kurt swallowed a sympathetic lump in his throat, hoping it was just the wind and not tears, as the thought of Blaine crying suddenly made Kurt feel like crying himself.

"Are you okay, Blaine?" Kurt asked softly, his hand on the table unconsciously scooting it closer to Blaine, as if wanting to take Blaines hand. They were back in his pockets though.

Blaine looked up at him quietly before smiling and the furrow in his brow started to ease. "Im alright," he said, and Kurt just studied him for a moment. "Really, Kurt, I just… I have a lot on my mind. And I really need some coffee." He took his hands out of his pockets and Kurt saw a shiver run down his body before he closed his eyes and took a long sip of the coffee Kurt had ordered him. He hummed a little in contentment and Kurt smiled, feeling his cheeks blush.

Blaine was gorgeous, his tan skin flushed with the cold and his long dark eyelashes fluttering closed as he enjoyed his coffee. He pulled the cup away and Kurt found himself staring at Blaines plump pink lips and leaning forward a little (as if to kiss him) before he shook himself out of the trance-like way hed been staring at Blaine.

"Whats on your mind?" Kurt asked and Blaine smiled.

"Work. Always work. I… am close to finding… well, finding that thing that started me in this business in the first place."

"Thats great news isnt it?" Kurt said, hoping this meant Blaine would open up a little more and tell him what was going on.

Blaine leaned back in his chair and licked his lips and Kurt forced himself to look away, taking a sip of his own drink to distract himself. "It is good news, it is also kind of intimidating."

"Intimidating?"

"Ive been looking for it for so long and now to be so close, its a strange feeling."

"Anticipation can be that way," Kurt said with a nod, watching Blaine closely.

"If you dont mind, could we talk about something other than my work today?" Blaine asked softly, and god did he look lovely with his dark eyelashes fanning his face and a navy sweater on that made his tan skin stand out.

"Of course." Kurt leaned forward, this was his chance. "I was wanting to ask you something anyway." Kurt bit his lip and then reached in his bag for his phone. "I think it is high-time we have each others phone numbers, dont you?" Kurt still wanted to ask Blaine to the ball, but this didnt seem like the right time. Baby steps.

Blaine smiled brightly like Kurts request completely surprised him. "You want my number?" He winked and Kurts heart did a little flip-flop. "Are you trying to pick me up?"

Yes. Kurt wanted to say, but he refrained. "I guess I just think it would be nice to do other things with you, besides getting coffee. And honestly, sometimes something will happen during the day and I think youll think it is funny and it would be nice to be able to shoot you a text." Kurt let out a nervous breath; that was a little more than he had meant to say. Blaine was still smiling though so he hadnt scared him off.

Blaine reached for Kurts phone and started putting in his number and Kurt only barely stopped himself from kicking his feet under the table in excitement. "I change numbers frequently," Blaine said as he passed Kurts phone back. "But thats the number I have now and when it changes I can let you know."

Kurt sent Blaine a quick text that consisted of nothing more than a smiley face so Blaine would have his number too. "Why do you change numbers often? Are you using burner phones?" Kurt teased but when Blaine didnt answer Kurts smile dropped. "Oh… you are."

Blaine shrugged again.

"Someday, I am going to find out youre actually a spy or a secret agent arent I?" Kurt teased.

Blaine just shook his head, "Im not nearly that interesting." He was smiling more now though and didnt seem as distracted so Kurt counted that as a win.

"Well, you know as long as you keep so much of yourself a mystery, Im going to keep coming up with more and more fanciful theories."

As soon as the words left Kurts lips, he regretted them; he was just trying to tease Blaine, but Blaines face fell and he looked back down at his coffee cup. Kurt bit his lip nervously and tried to come up with something to lighten things up again, but Blaine changed the subject for them.

"What put you in such a good mood today?" Blaine asked with a small smile and Kurt squirmed in his chair a little in excitement.

"Who says Im in a good mood?"

"You can hardly sit still, Kurt."

"A teacher was able to get me an invitation to this really exclusive Broadway Ball," Kurt burst out. Blaine was right, he was in a good mood and hed been dying to tell someone.

"A ball?"

"I know, it sounds cheesy, its a big elegant ball and all the whos-who of the New York theater world will be there, its a big deal for me, just some student, to get to go."

"That doesnt sound cheesy, that sounds amazing." Blaine smiled and leaned forward, his eyes dancing with excitement for Kurt. "And you are obviously not just some student if you get to go."

Kurt blushed and looked away for a moment before he felt Blaines cool hand covering his own. Kurt looked back up and was struck with the lovely sight of Blaine looking him in the eye and smiling. "Really, Kurt, this seems huge. Congratulations."

Kurt let out a laugh that he hoped didnt sound too much like a giggle and cleared his throat before launching into how he needed to find exactly what he wanted to wear to the Broadway Ball, and how he hoped he didnt embarrass himself in front of his idols, and Blaine listened with eager attention to all of it.

Kurt kept the conversation mostly on the upcoming ball and other light-hearted topics that afternoon since Blaine seemed a little tense and he noticed how Blaines shoulders seemed to relax as the time went on and the tightness around his eyes smoothed out. He wasnt sure what was going on with Blaine, but if he was able to help him feel better even a little bit, it meant everything to Kurt. He was trying to decide if he should ask Blaine to the ball today or give it a little time, since he didnt want to scare him off, when he was surprised by a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Kurt!"

Both he and Blaine looked up to see Aaron standing next to Kurt, his hand on his shoulder and a wide smile on his face.

Kurts stomach dropped.

"How fun to run into you like this," Aaron said, "Ive never been to this little shop, is it any good?"

Kurt cleared his throat and stole a glance at Blaine before answering. "I like it."

"Ill have to start coming then, it isnt far from NYADA."

Blaine stood before Kurt had time to process Aaron and Blaine being in the same place at the same time. It wasnt right, they were two very separate parts of Kurts life.

"Im Blaine," he introduced and held out his hand.

Aaron shook it warmly. "Im Aaron. Kurts boyfriend."

Time seemed to stop for a moment as Kurt watched Aaron hold Blaines hand a bit too long and Blaine seemed to stiffen for a moment before he smiled the most insincere smile Kurt had ever seen on his face. "Its a pleasure to meet you, please pull up a chair and join us."

No no no no. Kurt thought. Dont do that.

Of course, Aaron immediately accepted the offer and was soon sitting at the table with them. Their table. Kurt and Blaines table. And oh god, Kurt had made a mistake. He shouldnt be going out with Aaron, not when he felt the way he did about Blaine. Having them both here together made Kurts sentiments on the matter acutely clear. He didnt want anything Aaron did to mess things up with Blaine, and now here he was meeting Blaine and introducing himself as his boyfriend. Everything inside Kurt wanted to blurt out, Hes not my boyfriend!

"So how do you and Kurt know each other?" Aaron asked pleasantly, but he sat down very close to Kurt and immediately put his hand on Kurts knee. His face and voice may have been casual but he was clearly trying to make a statement. Kurt didnt know what to do about it, he was going out with Aaron even if right now he regretted that he hadnt broken up with him already.

"We dont really know each other that well," Blaine answered and Kurts heart sunk. "We just have coffee together."

We just have coffee together.

Kurt chewed on his lip, wanting to protest and say something about how these times with Blaine were so much more than that to him, but he felt stuck with Aaron sitting right there. His hand still on Kurts leg.

"Thats nice," Aaron said and leaned closer to Kurt as Kurt felt his cheeks grow warm at how predatory Aaron was acting. He felt stupid for not knowing how to make right everything that was going wrong in this moment. "Oh, Kurt!" Aaron said, looking at him and squeezing his knee, "I heard Ms. Pole gave you an invitation for the Broadway Ball."

Kurt smiled tightly and glanced at Blaine who was looking down at his cup of coffee. Of course Aaron knew about that-gossip at NYADA traveled fast.

"Yes, she did, I was pleasantly surprised," Kurt said, barely even looking at Aaron, while trying to make eye-contact with Blaine.

"I guess that makes me double lucky then. My boyfriend is a staff pick, plus I get to go to the Broadway Ball with him."

Blaine looked up briefly from his coffee at that, first at Aarons face and then at Kurts before his eyes shifted away again. Kurt just sat there with his mouth open like a fish out-of-water. Hed never called Aaron his boyfriend before and here Aaron had said the word twice, plus Kurt hadnt asked Aaron to go to the ball with him and Aaron was acting like going together was a given.

"The Broadway Ball is a theater thing," Aaron continued, turning to Blaine as Kurt sat there still stunned about how far away from what he wanted this afternoon was going. "You probably dont know about-"

"The name gives it away," Blaine interrupted him with a tight smile. "And I can see that it is an honor for Kurt." He said turning to Kurt. "He deserves it." His face softened a little bit, and as uncomfortable as all of this seemed to be making him, he graced Kurt with a small genuine smile.

"Aaron and I hadnt actually discussed… um…" Kurt licked his lips nervously; he couldnt just sit here and break-up with Aaron while Blaine was watching. Aaron didnt deserve that, but he shouldnt have just assumed he was going with Kurt to the ball either.

Blaine abruptly stood from the table, his face serious again. "I should be going, I didnt have much time today anyway."

"Right… I… yeah." Kurt sighed, realizing that there was no way to salvage this right now. Aaron smiled at Blaine as he left and Kurt watched him forlornly until he got to the door. "Aaron, I just need to…" Kurt stood from the table. "Ill be right back." Kurt rushed away before Aaron could say anything and followed Blaine outside.

"Blaine!"

Blaine turned around a few feet ahead of him, holding his coat tightly around his chest and waiting for Kurt to catch up.

"Im sorry about that. I didnt expect Aaron," Kurt said nervously, wishing Blaines face would tell him something, it could be so open and expressive sometimes, but right now Blaines face was like a steel mask, showing him nothing.

"You have a boyfriend," Blaine said simply, and was Kurt imagining the distress in that statement?

"I… I mean… we go out." Kurt winced at his weak answer.

"In all the times weve talked and had coffee together you never mentioned him."

"I know," Kurt said, his shoulders slumping as he ran his hand across his forehead. "I just… I dont know what I was doing."

"He seems nice." Blaine looked away for a moment, letting out a long breath that circled like smoke in the cold air before looking back to Kurt again. "I really do have to go."

"Ill see you tomorrow?" Kurt asked hopefully, shivering a little, hed left his jacket inside, but Blaine just shrugged. "Please, Blaine, Id like a chance to explain."

"I may be going out of town, but either way, you have nothing that you need to explain to me." The reply was abrupt and made Kurt wince.

"Blaine-"

Blaine just shook his head. "Its cold." He reached out and lightly placed his hand on Kurts arm. "And youre shivering, you should head back in and I do have to go." He let his hand drop and turned and walked away leaving Kurt to kick himself for making such a mess of everything.

Blaine stuck his hands deep into his pockets and looked at the ground as he made his way down the crowded sidewalk and away from Kurt. Kurt and his boyfriend. Because of course Kurt had a boyfriend. An attractive, gregarious boyfriend, who smiled a lot, and was part of the theater world, and could rest his hand on Kurts leg whenever he wanted to. Of course.

Kurt was kind and gorgeous and funny and full of life, of course someone like him already had a boyfriend. And why did it matter anyway? Blaine didnt feel that way about Kurt. He couldnt. Kurt was his friend, and now Blaine was putting too much worth on that relationship.

Blaines hand closed around his phone in his pocket. Except Kurt had wanted Blaines phone number so they could get together outside of Aroma Mocha. And Kurt had admitted that he thought about Blaine during the day, he wanted to send Blaine texts when funny things happened to him. That thought made a warm feeling bloom in Blaines chest.

Blaine had given Kurt his phone number when just that morning hed planned on this being the last time he saw Kurt. Kurt wanted Blaine to be part of his life, and that was an offer that Blaine had found impossible to turn down. Because… because maybe he did see Kurt as more than a friend, maybe hed let his feelings go unchecked. Maybe the thought of being something more than a friend to someone as good and special as Kurt made Blaines heart flutter in his chest.

Blaine stomped that hope down as fast as he could. Kurt wasnt part of his world and was much too good for him, Blaine should have never let himself get this close. He grimaced and squeezed his phone. There was no way he was as important to Kurt as Kurt was beginning to be to him.

Blaine stopped walking as his hand brushed across the other object he had in his pocket, the glass vial radiating warmth from the inside out. He withdrew the vial and stared down at it, the red liquid reflecting warm light on his cold hand. Hed been delaying using the heartstone remains, nervous about what he would find out – but hed put it off for too long. If anything, meeting Kurts boyfriend had reminded him that Blaine wasnt like other people, and he needed to move forward with his plans.

Blaine stuck the vial back in his pocket and jumped a little as his phone buzzed. He pulled it out to see a text message from Kurt.

Kurt: Im really sorry our time got cut short today. I hope you know how much I enjoy our coffee dates. :)

Blaine sighed and closed his eyes, his heart beating faster than normal. Our coffee dates. Blaine smiled a little even as his heart felt constricted.

He didnt text Kurt back, he wasnt sure what his life was going to look like after what he was going to do today. Instead, he arrived for his rendezvous just in time, standing on the subway platform with a brown paper bag in his hand, waiting until a tall man in a green flatcap stood next to him with an identical brown paper bag; in the hustle and bustle of the train station, they switched belongings.

Blaine shrugged off his coat when he got home that evening, looking around his large and mostly bare apartment, and realized for the first time, how much this place didnt feel like a home. Blaine hadnt had a home for so long, so he wasnt sure what it was meant to feel like, but he knew it wasnt this.

Blaine retreated to his bedroom and drew the drapes closed before sitting down on the chilly floor. Now that he had everything he needed for the ritual, it was time for Blaine to find some answers. He held the vial in his hand and a dark cold feeling twisted in his stomach as he wondered again who died for him to have this. And how long ago: months, years, decades? What if it had been someone he knew… what if it had been-

Blaine shivered and choked back some tears, it didnt matter whose heartstone this had once been, there was nothing he could do for whoever they were now. All Blaine could do was what hed always done; try to save himself.

Blaine pulled a shallow copper bowl out of the paper bag hed traded for and let his fingers trace the ancient writing that was etched around the rim. He knew this language, but chose not to spend too much time reading the script; these things were always cryptic and somewhat violent and Blaine already knew what he needed to do.

He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, meditating to clear his mind of all distractions and pushing the smiling face of Kurt away several times before he felt clear-headed enough to proceed. His hands were shaking as he uncorked the vial, after all these years was he finally going to have a lead? Was he actually going to be able to find the piece of him that was missing? Blaine slowly poured the vials contents into the bowl and a slight humming sound filled the room as the red clear liquid sloshed around vibrating the copper.

Blaine drew a deep breath, this was it. Kurts face flashed in his mind, but he pushed that away; he couldnt have any distractions right now. The liquid started to shine brighter and brighter until the whole room was filled with its grisly crimson glow. Blaine closed his eyes and then lifted the bowl to his lips, quickly drinking the red liquid inside. It tasted like soil, bitter, like centuries of minerals as it slid down his throat; it burned a little too, and soon Blaine was coughing and sputtering as he dropped the empty copper bowl and it clanged and bounced against the ground.

Blaine took in a shallow, ragged breath, which only started another coughing fit, as he felt the remains of the heartstone flow through his body making him warm from head to toe. And then it wasnt warm but hot, and he was burning up. Blaine coughed again and clutched at his heart. It hurt, his chest hurt, and his heart ached and felt near bursting, and then with another shaky breath, Blaine fell over backwards, curling up on himself as his body shook.

Was this meant to hurt so much? Blaine let out a shout of pain he knew his neighbors would just ignore and then everything grew still and quiet, and even with his eyes open, all Blaine could see was black, until a pair of vivid blue eyes filled his mind and he saw a wide smile and a long pale neck and he heard a sweet, caring voice.

Blaine passed out, splayed out on his cold floor, with visions of Kurt behind his eyes.