Darren walked slowly around McKinley, making sure every single detail was imprinted in his mind. There were lots of places and classrooms that were never showed on the screen, or at least not fully. He had just found a wonderful study room on the last floor when his phone – well, Blaine's – buzzed.

Darren smiled when he saw the text was from Wes. Unconsciously, he really, really wanted to meet the Warblers. He wanted to know what they were like outside of the Warblers' Hall, what stuff they discussed, if there was any drama, if Jeff and Nick were together or what – Riker and Curt seemed to believe so, as they liked to call themselves "the longest running couple in the Warblers' history".

There was no way it was true. And Kurt and Blaine were much more adorable anyways. I'm such a fanboy...

"Hey, are you coming back to Dalton on Monday ? Because we need to rehearse for Thad's birthday party. -W"

Well, shit. Darren rubbed his eyes with his free hand and tried to think as fast as he could. He knew Chris and Blaine had figured something out. And the doctor had given him a letter excusing him until Wednesday, in case he didn't feel better.

But... he couldn't stay at Kurt's eternally... right ? Blaine and Chris had probably planned the Death Threatening Thing to happen soon, like on Monday or Tuesday, since New Direction was leaving on Wednesday evening... but then, what if something went wrong when switching back ? He shivered and sat down at the closest desk. He looked back at his phone and decided the best course of action was texting Kurt.

"Hey – sorry to disturb the rehearsal – Wes is asking if I'm going back to Dalton on Monday, because there's a rehearsal for Thad's birthday party, do you know anything about it ? What do I do ? -D"

He pressed the "send" button and stared at the device for a long minute before realizing what the wallpaper was actually showing. The picture was a little blurry, but you could see two hands – one long, with thin fingers, the other smaller but larger – placed to form a heart, some sign you normally do by yourself during a concert or something. Only these were Kurt and Blaine's hands.

"Awwww, my God, they're absolutely adorable...", he sighed, "And now I'm talking to myself. Out loud. Ah. Ah. Echo ? Eeeeechoooo ?"

He drummed his fingers on the table, opening the phone's photo gallery. There was a folder named "Kurt :D" - he chuckled at the cheesiness - one named "Warblers" and the other "Random". Deciding to leave the best part for the end, he checked the Warblers' pictures. They had obviously been taken during various rehearsals or parties and featured some of the boys out of uniform. Darren laughed at how different from their alter-ego they actually were. Jeff, for example, seemed to be extremely shy, and only wore dark clothes. One picture titled "blackmail" was one of him and Nick sleeping on each other on a couch.

Darren cursed under his breath when he realized he had no way of keeping that picture or sending it to the other world without surely causing some sort of weird paradox or something.

He ran through the whole folder before going to back to what interested him most. He looked at the first of the 362 pictures of Kurt, taken apparently unbeknownst to him. He was in his Dalton uniform, laughing, eyes shut tight and nose crinkled. He looked a lot like Chris those times he finally let go and cracked up. Darren smiled and clicked the "next" button. There came a series of photos of the two of them making faces at the camera. Judging from the background, they were at a cinema, probably killing time before the movie started. The last picture made Darren "awww" in a high pitched voice. Kurt was kissing Blaine's cheek, having visibly turned his head at the last minute, and the black-haired teen bore a surprised expression.

The phone buzzed before he had the chance to see the next one – which is just bad luck, really.

"You are supposed to sing lead, the song is So What... But the party is in two weeks, you'll have plenty of time to rehearse later. -K"

"I mean, Blaine will. After you switch back. Tell Wes you're staying at my place because you still need to be taken care of. -K"

"Ok, thank you. Are you sure your father won't mind ? -D"

"No, don't worry. He despises Blaine's parents so much already I'm sure all I'll have to say is that you'd be alone at your place and he'd beg you to stay. -K"

"That bad, uh ? -D"

"You have no idea. Where are you by the way ? -K"

"Study room, third floor. Everything alright ? -D"

"If you could come back, it would be nice. -K"

Darren frowned, typing "on my way" quickly before running to the nearest stairs.

He slowed his pace once he approached the choir room though. He only heard quiet voices and soft music, but no singing. He walked in, immediately spotting Kurt sitting at the piano. He sat down next to him and wrapped his good arm around his waist protectively. Kurt looked up with tear-filled eyes and buried his face in Darren shirt, who caressed his hair soothingly.

"Blaine ?"

Darren looked up at Mercedes, who looked just as drained as her best friend.

"Can you take him back home ? He knows the song by heart already..."

Darren nodded gravely before looking around. All of New Direction – except for Sam, of course – were gathered in small groups, hugging each other. None seemed as shaken as Kurt, though.

"Kurt ?", Darren asked

The younger boy looked up and gave him a simple nod.

"You'll be okay driving, man ?", Finn asked

"Don't worry, I've driven in a worse shape than this."

He mentally slapped himself. Sure, I have. Blaine hasn't. He simply shook his head at Finn's questioning look and got up, taking Kurt's hand in his and leading him out.

"N-no, Darren, the parking lot is that way...", Kurt said in a broken voice

Darren looked at him, surprised.

"B-but... wait, how... uh ?"

Sense of direction ? Nope, Darren had never heard of it. Kurt chuckled at the older man's confused expression, which actually reassured him. If he can still laugh, there's a way to make it better...

"I was sure we'd arrived from that side... I mean, everyone always leaves the choir room that way !"

"When we go to class, yes. Not when we go back to our cars."

Darren let out a long "aaah" in understanding.

"Hey, Darren ?"

"Yes ?"

"Can we... not go home ?"

"Where do you want to go ?"

Kurt looked down, biting his lower lip.

"I wanna go see my mum."

Blaine hurried up the stairs as fast as his bruised body allowed him to, listening to the others chatting cheerfully. He passed his hand through his hair, ruffling it, trying to look like the pictures of Darren he'd seen on the walls. Good thing he'd agreed to have the gel taken out of his hair after shooting the scenes.

Blaine opened the door to his apartment quickly and walked in, the others following him. He threw his jacket in the general direction of the sofa, wincing as he imagined the look Kurt would give him.

He walked to the kitchen, forcing a big bright smile on his face.

"Beer for everyone ?"

A chorus of "yes" came from the living room. He had just opened the fridge when he heard footsteps coming closer. He looked up and sighed in relief when he saw Joey and Lauren. At least he knew their names and a little about them. The look they were giving him was a little frightening, though.

"What ?", he asked, anxious

"Darren Criss, you are an idiot", Lauren said, sitting down

"A complete moron, even", Joey added

Blaine repressed another sigh. So it's not because I'm me. Or, not me. Well, not him.

"That's extremely nice of you to say, guys."

He took out several beer bottles, handing them to Joey. Not easy to carry so many with a casted wrist.

"Mia told us", Joey said, his voice softening

Blaine looked up in alarm. Told what ? About Chris ? Or just the breakup ?

"Look, guys, it's -"

"No, Darren, we know, okay ? Joey told me about your freak out after the boyfriend incident."

Blaine glared at the other boy in disbelief – he was quite proud of his acting skills for that one.

"Sorry man, but I wasn't going to keep it to myself."

"Who else knows ?"

"Apart from me and that waiter you scared the hell out of ? Just Lauren. Well, and Mia."

"You mean you told her -"

"No. I did not tell her that you called me because you were drunk out of your mind and unable to find your way back to your apartment, who do you take me for ? But you freaked out to her too."

Blaine frowned. Whaaat ? Lauren shook her head.

"She said you were on the edge for two days until the rumors were officially denied."

"I was just mad at Chris for not telling me -"

"Oh come on. You could sell that to the others, but it's us, Darren."

Blaine pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What do I do ?", he asked

Joey and Lauren exchanged an exasperated glance.

"Well first of all don't let him go on dates with any hot dudes..."

"He just told me today !"

"What ?"

"I didn't know until this morning..."

It was the absolute truth, after all. Lauren frowned.

"Is he coming back here, after ? I mean, to sleep ?"

"He said he would, but maybe -"

His phone went off, Single Ladies filling the room. Blaine blushed as Joey and Lauren laughed.

"Speak of the devil - hello ?"

"Hey, I just arrived at the bar... everything okay by you ?"

"Yes, yes everything is fine."

"Are you sure ? I can still cancel you know..."

"Nah man, I swear, don't worry, it's okay."

"So... you're not mad at me ?"

Blaine chuckled.

"No, I'm not. Well, just a little. But it'll get better."

"Just text me if you have any questions, okay ? Or, like, look it up on the internet..."

"Sure, I'll do that. Have a good time, Chris, don't worry about me."

Lauren got up and started dancing around, Joey looking at her. Blaine hung up just when Joe Walker entered the room.

"You promised us some beer, Hobbit. Oh, you guys are here too... were you discussing the giant pink elephant in the room or ?"

"Obviously, yes !", Lauren answered, smiling

Blaine blushed, and looked at Joey.

"Dude. Not cool."

The other man just shrugged as Joe walked closer to Blaine, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Man. I need to teach ya' a thing or two."

Blaine rolled his eyes.

"First of all – talking to your friends about things is usually nice. Especially since we know you so well and you were so obvious."

Lauren and Joey nodded vigorously in the background. Blaine clenched his jaw.

"Look, guys... Can we not talk about this now ?"

The three Starkids' smiles fell down at the seriousness in Blaine's tone.

"Sure...", Lauren said hesitantly, "Is everything all right ?"

Blaine smiled weakly.

"Yes, yes everything's fine, I just need some time to figure this whole thing out. I mean, you probably knew before I did, and it's... yeah, I just need some time."

The words were escaping his mouth without his brain even registering. It was like he couldn't control it.

Joey patted him on the back.

"Don't worry man, we're here for you okay ?"

"Yeah, we'll always be there, whatever happens."

The two taller men grabbed the beers and exited the room, leaving Blaine alone with Lauren.

"There is something else going on that you're not telling us", she said

Blaine swallowed with some difficulty.

"What do you mean ?"

"You seem to be... afraid of something. I know you, Darren, and you may keep your poker face on but I know there's something. And I know Joey's felt it too. You... is it because of the accident ?"

"The acc- oh ! N-no, I'm just... being a little more careful with everything, you know. With all the stuff that's going on I can't allow myself to get into more trouble."

He smiled, trying his best to make it look real. Thinking about happy memories seemed to be the solution, and Kurt's face filled his mind.

Lauren seemed to believe him, as she smiled to him in return.

"Come on, let's go back to the others."

Blaine nodded and went back to the living-room. He sat down on the couch next to Joey. Looking around, he tried to remember everyone's name.

Sitting on the floor, both laughing loudly, were Brian Holden and Joe Moses. Those two, he knew. Same for Joey, Joe Walker and Lauren. But on the other couch sat two people whose name Blaine was sure he'd never tried to remember. He wasn't even sure he'd seen the girl's face. The other man was... Dumbledore ? Yeah, looked like it. Damn, his first name was something like... Derek ?

He took out his phone and sent a text message to Chris, asking him the name of the guy as well as the one of "the girl who isn't Lauren". The answer came in quickly.

"Dylan Saunders, and the girl is Julia Albain. She's your ex, by the way. Everything still all right ? -C"

"Thanks ! Yes, all is fine. How about you ? Having fun ? -B"

"Little boring, but it might get better. Snuck to the toilet to text you. They have some nice tapestry here ! -C"

"You can't be serious. Go back, you idiot. -B"

"Oh, and... shall I tell Joey and Lauren about... our little problem ? -B"

"Ehm... I think it might be wise, but, yeah, I don't know, Darren would probably tell them. Yeah, if you feel the need to, you probably should. It might be easier. -C"

"Copy that. Now go back. -B"

"Yes, mum. -C"

Blaine chuckled.

"Texting Chris ?", Joey asked, eyebrow cocked

"Yes ?", Blaine answered

Joey rolled his eyes.

"You should -"

"Tttt ! I said we're not talking about it !"

"But I-"

"No !"

"Seriously you-"

"Joey. Shut. It."

The taller man shook his head and took a sip of his beer. Blaine figured he should probably open a bottle too so as not to look too suspicious. He winced, remembering how the last Warblers' party ended... with him drunk dialing Kurt at two in the morning and talking about how pretty his eyes were for about an hour before the countertenor gave up and came to pick him up. He had fallen asleep in the car, and then Kurt had had to call Finn to help him carry the sleeping man to his bedroom.

The hangover hadn't been that bad, since it had involved cuddling with Kurt all day. But still.

"So, Dare, how did they manage to hide your cast for the scenes ?", Brian asked

"They didn't hide it. Ehm, Blaine got into a car crash too. I mean, not because I did, it was planned long ago. But yeah. Pretty cool script."

"Does this mean you get to play the doctor with Chris ?"

Blaine blushed.

"N-no, one of the character's mother's dead, no time for that."

"... oh my God, is it Carole ? No no no don't tell me... but it is Carole right ?"

Blaine gave Julia a surprised look. A fan ?

"Oh don't look at me like that, you know I'm hooked !"

"Y-yeah, I just didn't expect your fanatism to be... that strong."

"Well if we talked more maybe you'd know."

The other Starkids who weren't listening to the conversation and talking to one another fell silent. Blaine frowned.

"Julia, we -"

"Oh, so we're on full-name basis now, Darren ?"

Blaine's mouth fell open. Oh my God, seriously. Girls. Really.

"Jules, live him alone", Lauren interjected, "You'll discuss this later. If you're going to make a mess of things, just leave right now. We didn't come here for that."

Blaine looked at her, thankful for her intervention. The room was awkwardly silent for a moment until Blaine's eyes fell on the paper on the coffee table.

"So... does anyone want some pizza ?"

Darren parked the car next to the gate of the cemetery.

"Do you... come here often ?"

"Not... not that much. I don't... I don't always feel the need to be here to be close to her."

Darren nodded and got out of the car, quickly walking around it to open Kurt's door for him. The younger boy stood still for a long minute before walking towards the entrance. Darren stayed next to the car, not really knowing if he ought to follow Kurt or not.

"Darren ?", Kurt asked gently, "What are you waiting for ?"

"I... I didn't know if you wanted me to come."

"Of course I do."

Darren took the hand Kurt was offering him and followed the taller boy down the alley.

"My father comes here more often than I do. Each of their anniversary. Her birthday. Christmas. And on the 21st of June. My mum loved the summer. She said it was the only time you could really see the world's colors. I... I brought Blaine here a week ago. He... he said he wanted to meet her."

They stopped walking once they had reached the biggest tree and turned to the left. Kurt didn't say anything until they reached a white marble tombstone reading "Elizabeth J. Hummel", her dates of birth and death, and just under it, "Someone to love, somebody new. Someone to love, someone like you."

"The Beatles were her favorite band", Kurt whispered, a sad smile spreading on his face, "And I... basically learned how to sing with their songs."

"Is... is this why you only sing them on sad occasions ?"

Kurt looked up.

"Probably. I don't know", he mumbled, "Love Me Do was what she sang to me as a lullaby. She sang Hey Jude whenever I was upset. She really had a beautiful voice."

Darren blinked at the sky to refrain the tears. He then just noticed that Kurt had stopped crying the moment they had entered the cemetery. The countertenor was smiling.

"It's so strange. When I'm away from here, I have to smell her old belongings to know her perfume, because I can't remember it correctly. But when I'm here, it's always as if it was blowing in the wind. It's... it's stupid."

Neither said a sing for a long minute.

"It's not."

"I beg your pardon ?"

"It's not stupid, Kurt. My... my cousin Joanne died when I was a little kid. She was very sick, had always been, but I didn't know it. I was too young to understand. To me she was just the beautiful girl who always wore brightly colored clothes and danced like a goddess. She baked extraordinary cakes too. Chocolate and vanilla, and more chocolate. My uncle and her lived by the sea. To this day, whenever I go to the beach, I can taste the cake in my mouth. But if there's no sea in sight, I'd have to actually eat a slice of it to know its taste."

Darren did not stop a lone tear from rolling down his cheek. Kurt saw it, and brushed it away with his fingertips. The older man smiled and looked down, only now noticing the beautiful bunch of flowers at the foot of the gravestone.

"It's Blaine's", Kurt explained, "He said... he said that he knew people usually brought lilies or roses, but that judging from what I had told him about my mother, she deserved to get something more colorful."

Darren nodded. He had always thought that this kind of habit, just like wearing black clothes at a burial or at a wake made the whole thing more depressing. Sure, those were supposed to show you're mourning. But really, do the dead ones want everyone to be that sad ? Shouldn't people express their love for the one they've lost, instead of sadness ?

"It's beautiful", Darren said

"Blaine always knows what to do. Well, most of the time. It's... when I need him the most, he knows exactly what to do. Oh God, what if... what if you guys can't switch back ? What if something goes wrong ? What am I gonna do without him ?"

Darren's eyes widened as a wave of panic threatened to spread through his body. He managed to keep some composure, however, and squeezed Kurt's hand.

"Don't worry. This time tomorrow, we'll know what Chris and Blaine figured out, and we'll be ready. Maybe by this time tomorrow, you'll be back to Blaine."

Kurt bit his lower lip and nodded gravely. Silence fell, and Darren didn't dare breaking it. They stood there for a long time, until Kurt whispered "Let's go back home.".

"Hey, hey, look – ehm, coming in a bar, there's a skeleton and aaaa... what was it again ?"

A chorus of "booo" echoed from all over the living room as Joe Moses, who had just finished his third glass of... whatever they were drinking (Blaine didn't want to know), failed to tell a joke for the forth time in a row.

It was past eleven and Blaine was worried. Chris had said he'd be back way before midnight. He had sent a text around ten thirty saying he was leaving the restaurant.

A million possibilities had ran through Blaine's head – a recurring one being "He went with Julian to his apartment and he won't be back tonight at all...". But it seemed unlikely so.

"Hey, Darren, let's... let's sing something !"

Blaine looked up at a very tipsy Joe Walker, who had been explaining to Brian – who was sober, designated driver – how they should totally do a musical about Star Wars because he would be a totally awesome Darth Vador.

"What do you want to sing ?", Blaine inquired

"Aaaaaanything. Hey, how about some Disney whatever ?"

Joey cheered next to Blaine.

"Oh yes, I love it when we jam to Disney !"

Blaine watched in panic as Joey and Joe argued for approximately ten long minutes, trying to find what song to sing, until Dylan interjected, saying that it should be some low song because the girls were asleep and they shouldn't wake them up. Joe (Moses) nodded frenetically, adding that Lauren was always pissed when she was awakened by loud noises.

Joey made some propositions, from Lady and the Tramp to The Lion King.

"Tsss, you have no taste, Joey ! Darren, help me out here, what do you think ? Pick up your guitar come ooon !"

"Yes, pick your guitar !"

Blaine's eyes widened. Guitar ? But I don't know how to play the guitar ! He instinctively brought his hand up to his mouth to bite on his fingers... when he realized something.

"Guys, I can't... I can't play the guitar with a casted wrist !"

Joey and Joe's mouths hung open for a second before they both 'ooooh'ed in disappointment.

The two men had started arguing again when they heard the front door open and close. Blaine had to resist the urge to tackle Chris in a bear-hug when he saw him arrive.

"Hey everyone !"

"Hey Chris !", Joey said, smiling widely

"Want something to drink ?", Dylan inquired

"No thanks, I've had enough wine at the restaurant."

"So, how was it ? How come you're back so early ?"

"It was... nice. But not great, just... yeah, nice. I was sort of bored. Guess picking guys who have interests so different from mine just to make sure they don't know who I am and aren't hanging out 'cause I'm famous isn't the best solution. We talked about the weather for half an hour. The weather. He could've asked me about Obama or Lady Gaga, but no. He found cumulus clouds more interesting apparently."

Everyone laughed, and Blaine felt some of the tension leave his body. He noticed Chris was carrying a small suitcase, which he led to Darren's bedroom before coming back to the living-room and sitting on the arm of the couch next to Blaine.

"What's in the suitcase ?"

"Clothes. I was out and Da-your stuff don't exactly fit me."

Blaine smirked.

"I got a text from Bradley, we're expected on set at 8 tomorrow morning. To shoot the accident. And I have a scene in my room with Cory. Oh, and they added a scene with us all leaving for Nationals, and you come to say goodbye. That's what we'll do in the morning. Short thing though, don't worry, a peck on the lips and a few hushed words because Burt Hummel is keeping an eye on us nearby."

Both chuckled.

"At 8 ?", Joey asked, "You guys have to be on set so early ? Why ?"

"We're still not done recording Pure Imagination, and there're lots of other things to do. Also ND takes an early flight, so if we want to get the lightning right, it has to be shot in the morning."

Joey nodded and then got up.

"We're gonna leave you guys alone then. You need some rest, Dare."

The other Starkids nodded their agreements and got up as well. Dylan bent down to pick Julia up as Joe did the same with Lauren. Blaine led the way out, opening the door for them.

"We'll try to hang out tomorrow night, okay ?", Brian asked, "Maybe meet at the Lonelies' Benches ?"

Blaine turned to Chris for help, trying to be as discrete as possible.

"Absolutely... if our schedule allows us to", the actor said, "It's been a while since I last went to the karaoke."

Blaine repressed a chuckle and smiled widely at Brian.

"See you then, Holden."

"Bye guys !"

Chris closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall.

"Sometimes I wish I was capable of doing one-night-stands with attractive guys I have no interest in. Other than their abs, I mean."

Blaine raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"He made it clear he wanted in my pants. Unfortunately for him, my pants did not want him."

Blaine chuckled.

"Oh, right. Well, maybe next time ?"

"There won't be a next time for this guy. I don't think there'll be a time for anyone soon", he sighed, "See ? Being famous – not all good stuff."

"Well, I guess I'm lucky then."

"That you are. And your boyfriend is super good looking."

"Totally...", Blaine said, a dreamy expression on his face, "I hope he finally decided to buy those red jeans we saw at the mall the other day. I swear they were so tight I'm not sure one of my arms could fit in there."

Chris glared at him.

"Hey, I'm the one who has to put up with Kurt's wardrobe, and I would like it a lot better if he wore normally fitted trousers sometimes !"

"Oh come on, it's not that bad... is it ?"

"Well for you it sure ain't !"

Blaine blushed and walked back to the couch, sitting down.

"Shit, I gotta clean this up..."

"Let me help you. I'll tell you about the bridges I've found nearby. We could go back to the one Mark, Chord, Darren and I went last time. Lots of people jump from here, it's... well, it's dangerous enough to work against the 'spell', I think, but safe enough that you barely risk anything. Also we've got to figure out what you're going to wear to make sure you don't hurt your wrist even more."

The Hummel-Hudson house was empty when Kurt and Darren arrived. Burt had left a message saying they were eating at some friends' house. Also saying that if they needed anything, they'd be back immediately.

"Why isn't Finn back already ?"

"He's probably at Quinn's."

"Quinn's mother lets them ?"

"Yup. She thinks a pregnancy was enough for them not to screw up again."

Kurt rolled his eyes and Darren smiled.

"Hey, you can cook great stuff, right ?"

Kurt nodded, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Can you please, please bake me something ? Cookies or cupcakes or a cherry-pie – anything. Please, I haven't had the chance to eat anything homemade in a veeeery long time."

Kurt seemed to contemplate the idea for a minute before smiling.

"Yeah, that's... that's a good idea."

Fifteen minutes later, Darren, wearing an apron, was dancing to whatever song was on the radio – it sounded like a mix of Ke$ha and Panic! At The Disco, which was extremely disturbing.

"Darren, careful, you're spreading flour everywhere !"

"Oops, sorry."

Darren chuckled and went back to his job, still shaking his hips.

"Soooo, what cupcake colors can we dooo ?"

"Whatever you want, I have tons of them."

"Really ? Like, can I have... a pink and golden one ?"

"... yeah, I guess."

"Wicked !"

"This is so funny, you're like Blaine that time the waitress brought him a double expresso by mistake. He was overexcited all day !"

"I must've fallen in a giant cup of coffee when I was a baby ! Now I can't keep myself down !"

Kurt laughed, making Darren smile. He hadn't seen any hint of sadness in the boy's eyes ever since he mentioned cooking.

They finished preparing in silence, Darren starting to clean up the kitchen while Kurt was pouring the dough in the small tins.

"Here, it's all set up. It'll be ready in twenty minutes."

Kurt helped Darren put the last few dishes and utensils in the dishwasher. He had just pushed the 'start' button when the older man grabbed his hand and pulled him against him.

"Wha-what are you doing ?"

"Come on, dance with me !"

"...on You Never Can Tell ? Really ? I'm sorry but you're gonna need to make me sniff cocaine before I -"

Ignoring his protests, Darren made Kurt twirl before placing one hand on his hips, smiling widely.

"C'm'on !"

Kurt sighed heavily before vaguely swaying his hips. Not more than ten seconds later, the corner of his lips threatened to reach his ears. They let go of each other to reenact Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace's dance, giggling all the while.

"Wow, Darren, you're a regular John Travolta..."

"Haha, very funny. I'm better than you at this."

"You've seen Pulp Fiction more than I have, I'm sure."

"Around thirty times."

"I've only seen it once. But I do believe I have more swag than Uma Thurman ever did."

"I wouldn't bet on it..."

The song came to an end, followed shortly by Dancing Queen. Darren was about to question the karma on that one, but then he realized he was in the world of a teen TV Show. Of course there were coincidences and "oh my, it's our song" and "oh look, sad moment and it's raining", all the time.

"Oooh ! Now that's just unfair !"

Darren placed one hand behind his back and bent down, offering the other to Kurt.

"If I may..."

Kurt smiled, cheeks flushed.

"... not sure if Blaine would be okay with this... it's our song, you know. Sort of. So..."

"What about Teenage Dream ?"

"It's... our other song", Kurt chuckled

"Come on, please, Chris always lets me dance with him whenever we hear this song !"

Kurt smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, it can't do any harm, really..."

Darren grinned happily, placing his hand higher on Kurt's waist than he did on Chris'. They moved along to the music, and much like at the Prom, ended up just dancing around each other, grinning, resuming the slow dancing for every chorus.

"What are you doing ?"

Both boys turned at the sound of Finn's voice, startled. Kurt's eyes widened and he lowered the volume of the radio.

"Are those cupcakes ?"

"Yes."

"You always feel better when you cook", he stated

"That's true."

Darren studied Finn's expression. He didn't look angry at their behavior. Surprised, yes. But if anything, he was relieved. And thankful. All because Kurt was smiling.

"Mercedes went back to the hospital. After the ceremony at the church, tomorrow, Sam's mother will be cremated and then the Evans will leave. I think... I think Mercedes is going with them too."

Kurt and Darren nodded.

"I think... maybe on Monday, at the school assembly, we should sing something for her."

The two boys looked at each other. What if we're switching in the morning ?

Kurt shook his head briefly.

"Yes, that's a good idea. What do you want to sing ?"

"I don't know, Rachel said you'd know what to do."

Kurt bit his lower lip.

"Can you please go get my iPod ? It's on my bedside table, maybe we'll get some ideas from there."

"Sure."

Finn hurried up the stairs.

"What are we going to do ?", Kurt whispered

"I don't know..."

"What if the guys planned to switch in the morning ?", he asked, panicking a little

"Well we'll see tomorrow, whatever's in Romeo and Juliet, and... oh, wait !", Darren stopped, hopeful, "It's like, eight hours earlier for them... Which means... it can't be in the morning for us. And I mean, they're not stupid, they'll know it must happen as... discretely as possible. And they're not jumping in the middle of the night."

Kurt nodded.

"What time did Blaine say we could look tomorrow ?"

"After the funeral. I don't know what they're -"

"Here, I brought your iPod station too."

"Thank you, Finn !"

"If we jump at 9am, it'll be 5pm for them. It leaves enough time for Darren to pick Kurt up at school and then... yes, that bridge, near Kenton is only 15 miles away from Lima."

Chris was looking around Kurt's house on Google Earth.

"This one's perfect. Just perfect."

"Write the coordinates down."

Blaine had been carefully writing the letter to Kurt and Darren while Chris was doing all the research, and was fighting with himself not to be too cheesy. But, well, it might be his last message to Kurt, after all.

He handed Chris the paper.

"Want to say anything to Darren ?"

"I'll see him on Monday, what's the use ?"

Blaine blinked, putting the message and pen down, before literally jumping on Chris, throwing his arms around him.

"... Blaine ? Are you okay ?"

"Thank you."

"For what ?"

"Being optimistic."

"Realistic. Not the same."

Kurt exited the bathroom after a shower just as Darren opened Romeo and Juliet for maybe the hundredth times since they came back from the funeral.

"Darren, look, maybe they didn't manage to do it, we don't know how it works -"

"We don't, but they do !"

Kurt rolled his eyes as he rummaged through his closet, finally settling on a simple grey shirt.

"Aaaargh, this is so frustrating !", Darren muttered

"Look, maybe you need to put it back on the shelf and then take it back every time, not just open it !"

"It doesn't sound logical at all !"

Kurt glared at him with his bitchiest face on.

"Oh right, because switching places with the character you play on a TV Show is logical ? Having my boyfriend's spirit or soul or whatever swapped with someone else's is logical ? When has this ever made sense, Darren, uh ? If you can figure out any of this shit, seriously, TELL ME."

"You think I don't suffer from this as much as you do ? I AM IN ANOTHER DIMENSION, Kurt ! Dammit, I'm talking to A CHARACTER right now, you're not supposed to exist !"

Darren threw the old book on the floor and turned around, walking towards the door.

"D-Darren ! Look !"

Darren spun on his heels so fast he almost fell down. Right there, stuck between the cover and the first page, was a piece of paper. Both men kneeled down at the same time, Kurt picking it up first. He slowly unfolded it.

"Oh my God ! It... it worked !", Kurt shrieked

Darren's heart threatened to flee his ribcage as he leaned over Kurt's shoulder to read the neatly formed words.

To Kurt and Darren,

If you ever get this, which I hope, you are standing in Kurt's room, after the funeral, on Sunday afternoon. Chris and I, as I said to Darren when we met in the dream, figured we need to place ourselves in a death threatening situation at the exact same time to reverse the spell.

Now, we have an eight hour gap between our locations. We will jump at 9am on Monday, which makes it at 5pm for you. Kurt, I'm sorry but you will have to miss your rerun of American Idol. Although I do believe it is worth it.

Chris has told me Darren knows what supplies you will need for this, and I do believe you could find most of them at my house. There is a spare key under the green flowerpot in the backyard if you have lost mine.

I miss you so, so much.
I hope everything is mostly okay, given the situation(s).
Hope to hold you soon...

xoxo
Your Blaine

PS : Chris found a bridge that's perfect for you, coordinates 40.650299,-83.646641. It's near Kenton, the one just up north from Co Rd 130.

Scribbled at the bottom of the page, with another pen, and in another handwriting, one that Darren would recognize anywhere, was a shorter message.

We said death threatening, Darren, but don't overdo it. Please, come back in one piece.
You know wood nymphs can't fix everything.