“Kurt Hummel?”

Kurt stepped up onto the stage, extremely aware of the dozens of eyes upon him. More students had shown up to the glee auditions than Kurt expected, and it did nothing to calm his nerves. Kurt stood at the mic and took a shaky breath.

The golden-haired boy who’d called his name gave him a calm smile, nodding for him to continue.

“I’m Kurt Hummel. And I’m auditioning for role of glee club member?” Kurt meekly joked. His audition at the Winter Showcase had become somewhat legend at NYADA. Kurt nodded to the band, and the band began.

--

The song started slowly, picking up a little when the drums kicked in. It was a familiar tune, but it was softer than the original version. The song choice was a surprise to Blaine; it wasn’t what they’d settled on a few days earlier when Kurt came to visit him at work. In fact, the song choice wasn’t really very Kurt, yet the mellower tempo made the song suit quite well.

Blaine sat in the back of the theatre, having traded shifts with a coworker to clock off early and surprise Kurt after his audition. He sunk into his chair and closed his eyes, waiting in anticipation for Kurt to begin.

You and I know I had to leave

 And the harbour lights, I cannot see

 But you were my rock never my stepping stone.

Kurt’s voice was just as effortless as Blaine remembered it. The boy was born to sing. He opened his lids slowly and rested his gaze upon Kurt with sad eyes, he knew this song.

I held my tongue, I turn on my heels

 I couldn't look back.

 I want you to know,

That you were my rock never my stepping stone.

You were never a stepping stone.

A heavy but silent breath moved past Blaine’s lips. He closed his tender hazel eyes once more, retreating into himself, letting in only that sweet voice, a golden light in the silent dusk that had found residence in his heart.

We both know I cannot come home.

 The water rose faster than I could run.

 All my love has bruised my grieving bones.

 Forgive my sins for I haven't found God

 And I don't know when I can trust my heart

 But you were my rock never my stepping stone.

You were never a stepping stone.

 You were never a stepping stone.

The corners of Blaine’s mouth curled up in a smile, but his eyes were filled with tears that mirrored Kurt’s as Kurt finished the song. Blaine was grateful that he’d come in late and was squeezed into the back behind the students who had come both to audition and to watch. He knew where that song came from within Kurt, a bittersweet place where they both held their first love, deep within themselves, impossible to wash away but impossible to mend. Kurt always performed best when he had his whole heart behind it, Blaine knew. But he also knew that this wasn’t a performance meant for his ears.

Before Kurt returned to his seat, he was gone.

--

Kurt’s legs practically gave out as he collapsed between two of the other glee-hopefuls that had finished their auditions. They gave him approving smiles and returned their eyes to the stage for the next performance.

One pair of eyes, however, did not leave the boy. A pair of striking blue eyes. They belonged to a sculpted face, fringed with blonde hair, complimented by a confident grin. Kurt was too tense from his performance to notice them. However, even as the golden-haired boy announced the next name, they did not stray.