Kurt took the rest of the weekend to think about everything, but mostly about Blaine. All day Sunday, Kurt spent the time he was locked in his room scrolling through all the text messages Blaine had sent him in the last month or so. Every flirty text; every 'I miss you' text sent twenty minutes after Blaine had left the house; every random story that Blaine just had to tell Kurt about; they were all there. And Kurt couldn't help but smile as he read them while something fluttered inside him the same way it had when he'd first received the messages.

Then there were the two text messages that Kurt had been ignoring. One was sent Saturday night, long after Kurt had cried himself to sleep, and one Sunday afternoon, both from Blaine, both begging for Kurt to call him. Both caused a knot to form and tighten in Kurt's gut. Because Blaine was pleading with Kurt as if he'd done something wrong, and he hadn't. If anything, Blaine should have been rewarded for his concern, not thrown out of the house without an explanation. But there wasn't an explanation Kurt could offer, especially when he had been caught off guard. There wasn't anything he could say to distract from the fact that Blaine had seen the bruise on his cheek; that somehow through all the effort that Kurt went through to hide that part of his life from Blaine, Blaine had gotten a glimpse.

So Kurt was now with two choices. He could run from Blaine. He'd done it to Rachel; he could do it to Blaine, couldn't he? He thought back to the first time Rachel had seen a bruise on his arm. The panic that vibrated through his body was overwhelming and he stuttered through her questioning glance. When she questioned him again on after a different bad day, Kurt knew that he couldn't keep explaining away everything. He could tell her the truth and blow up his entire life, or he could avoid the situation again by pushing her and his friends away and getting by with just himself to rely on. Because pushing her away seemed easier than hiding every bruise and cut. Then, things had only just started to get really bad and looking back on every bad day and Kurt knew he'd made the right decision. If he'd tried to hide the proof of the situation, someone was likely to find out.

But things were different now. Yes, he'd had a bad day and Blaine had seen the bruise, but it had been the first bad day in months. Uncle Tim was hardly around unless it was a Sunday and Kurt could manage those. He was certain there would be more days, but while he once could tell you they'd be three times a week, now he struggled to tell you exactly when the next one would occur. If he could get himself and Blaine past this one time, they could go back to what they were, they could go back to being boyfriends and nothing would change.

It came down to how safe Kurt felt he needed to play. If he wanted to prevent Blaine from ever seeing another souvenir of his bad days with Uncle Tim, then he'd have to push Blaine away despite how much it would hurt them both. It was cowardly, but it was the only way to guarantee that his secret would be safe. Or he could take a risk. He always thought about the risks he took in regards to Blaine and it turned out to be worth it each time. With the risk came happiness. Without it he was nothing but alone.

So laying in the dark on the verge of sleep Sunday night, Kurt made a decision. He reached over to the night stand and grabbed his phone, sending Blaine a text. It offered nothing in terms of reassurance for Blaine, only echoed the last words he'd spoken to him before he kicked him out of his house.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Blaine was already at his locker when Kurt entered the hallway the next morning. He approached Blaine slowly, cautiously; as if Blaine might see him and remember what an ass he'd been on Saturday and run away. And Kurt wouldn't have been able to blame him one bit.

"Hey," Kurt said hesitantly as he came to stand next to Blaine. He didn't fiddle with his locker because he didn't want any distractions when he spoke to Blaine.

"Oh, you're talking to me now," Blaine said.

Ouch.

"I deserve that," Kurt said, "Blaine. I-I was out of line Saturday."

"Yeah, a little," Blaine said the sting in his words less, but still evident.

"No, a lot. Blaine, I—I just panicked and I wasn't thinking and I was incredibly rude. I'm sorry."

"Why were you panicking?" Blaine questioned.

"Because I've never been someone's boyfriend before," Kurt said, hoping if he didn't bring up the bruise on his face, Blaine would forget about it, "And if you haven't noticed, I haven't really been anybody's anything in a while, so I got a little freaked out."

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to, Kurt," Blaine said a slight whimper in his voice not going unnoticed by Kurt whose heart ached at the sound.

"But I want to," Kurt said immediately, "And I'm sorry for the way I acted on Saturday. And if you forgive me, I'm going to make it up to you."

"J-just tell me when you're freaking out 'c-cause I've never been anyone's boyfriend either. "

"You haven't?"

"No. So if we're going to panic, let's do it together."

"Deal."

"You don't have to do anything special to make it up to me either."

"Yes, I do. Because, you see, there is this Valentine's Day party and I'd really like it if my boyfriend would take me." Kurt said. The way the word boyfriend rolled off Kurt's lips brought a smile to his face, as well as Blaine's.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Kurt said, "But you've got to promise me one thing."

"Name it."

"Don't tell Rachel," Kurt said but immediately saw the flicker of something in Blaine's eye, like maybe everything wasn't as solid as he thought it was. So he quickly added, "I want to surprise her."

"I already told her I wasn't going so that shouldn't be a problem."

"You weren't going because of me?"

"No singles allowed. I-I didn't know..."

Kurt launched himself at Blaine, wrapping his arms around his neck holding him tightly, glad when he felt Blaine's arms wrap around his waist. It was easy to forget why he'd been so scared before when Blaine held him close. This was the only place in the world he ever wanted to be.

"Well you're going, and so am I," Kurt said as the warning bell rang, "And now we're going to be late."

"I'll see you in English," Blaine said with a smile.

"I'll see you in English," Kurt repeated and leaned over and kissed Blaine on his cheek.

It wasn't often that either boy showed such intimacy in the middle of the hallway, but this time felt different. This time there were no quick glances to make sure no one was looking. This time, for Kurt, was about showing Blaine that he was ready for this. For them. And he didn't care who knew it.

It had been years since Kurt had been to Breadstix. The last time he'd been there, he was almost certain, he was with Rachel and her dads just after his dad died; when Uncle Tim had yet to become a monster. He stood next to Blaine's car as the other boy rummaged through his glove box for something. From where he stood, Kurt could hear the music that came from inside; he felt the bass as it vibrated off the walls.

And suddenly, he was terrified.

Despite the constant reassurance from Blaine that those Kurt used to call his friends would accept him back with open arms, Kurt couldn't help but feel guilty from everything he'd done to them; most importantly, to Rachel.

Because as much as he wanted the understanding of all his friends, it was Rachel's acceptance he wanted, no, needed the most. She had been his best friend and he tossed her to the side without a word. Kurt knew that it hurt her more than anyone else when he isolated himself from everything and everyone he loved. And Kurt knew that was because they were most than just best friends, they were family. He'd abandoned his family and that realization made the pang of guilt in his chest grow ten-fold. He couldn't change what he had done, but he was here now. And he was hoping with everything that he had that at least Rachel would be able to forgive him.

Kurt felt something warm encompass his hand and he looked down to see Blaine's fingers entwined with his own.

"You're freaking out," Blaine commented.

"Just a little bit," Kurt said trying to smile.

"I told you Kurt—"

"I know. But it doesn't change what I've done."

"We don't have to go in there Kurt," Blaine said, "I know I wanted to but if this makes you too uncomfortable we can just go somewhere else. No one is expecting me to be here."

"No," Kurt said taking a deep breath to center himself, "I need to do this. I want to do this. But if everyone one hates me you'll still be here right?"

"Absolutely," Blaine said leaning over and placing a kiss against Kurt's cheek.

"Then let's go," Kurt said taking a step towards the building, his hand clasped tightly around Blaine's.

While Kurt could always appreciate a grand entrance, he was not at all prepared for the one he made when he walked into Breadstix with Blaine at his side. It felt almost planned that the music would stop as he crossed the threshold; that suddenly everyone and everything was quiet and all eyes were on him. Kurt fought the urge to run; he held tightly to Blaine's hand allowing the feeling of his boyfriend's warm hand keep him planted where he stood. His eyes scanned over the restaurant. There were tables and tables of people he didn't know. But next to the stage were a group of tables full of mostly familiar faces. He heard he gasp before his eyes even found her. But when he did, her eyes were wide and her jaw slightly open. And even from a distance he could tell that there were tears in her eyes. In an instant she was out of her chair and disappearing behind the door to the women's washroom.

"I'll be right back," Kurt said untangling his hand from Blaine's and making a beeline towards the washrooms.

No one said a word as Kurt pushed the door to the women's washroom and found Rachel bent over one of the bathroom's six sinks. Kurt stood silently just inside the door and could only watch as the tears rolled down Rachel's cheeks. But he needed to say something. Even if he couldn't tell her anything, he had to be the one to speak.

"Rachel—"Kurt started.

"No," Rachel shouted turning towards him, her index finger pointed in his direction, and he could fully see the hurt and anger in her eyes, "You don't get to do this. You don't get to just waltz back in here and talk to me like that Kurt Hummel, it isn't fair."

"I know, Rachel. I'm sorry, I just—"

"Why?" Rachel asked, "After all this time you owe me that. You owe me an explanation and not that crap that Mr. Shuester told me. Because I didn't believe it then, and I don't believe it now. I want the truth Kurt. I want to know why you tossed us, why you tossed me to the side and pretended like you didn't know us, like we didn't mean anything to you. I want to know why I lost my best friend."

Kurt could feel the tears welling up in his own eyes as he watched fresh tears fall from Rachel's eyes leaving wet trails down her cheeks. She wanted an explanation and he knew that he couldn't give it to her. He couldn't tell her the truth without telling the secret he'd been holding inside himself for so long. But he wished he could. He only now could hope that she could accept him back into her life without an actual explanation, but a promise to one day tell her everything. It was all he would be able to offer at the moment.

"Rachel," Kurt started, "I-I can't tell you why I did it. Not really, not yet. But I want to, someday, maybe after we graduate. B-but I'm here now. And I've missed you so much. You deserve to hear the truth, and I promise you that one day you will, but can you accept this as my apology, at least for now. I'd really like to have my best friend back."

Rachel was quiet except for her sniffling nose as she struggled to get her crying under control. Kurt watched her anxiously. She could not forgive him and walk out of that bathroom. He deserved it if she did. And the longer Rachel stayed quiet, the longer she just stood there without any deciding emotion on her face, the more certain Kurt was that she would leave him in the ladies room of Breadstix and he would have to crawl with his tail between his legs back to Blaine and beg him never to leave his side. But then he saw it; so incredibly tiny that he would have missed it if he wasn't so desperately searching for it. The corner of Rachel's lips lifted upward just the tiniest bit until it morphed into a giant, Rachel Berry, smile right before she launched herself into Kurt's willing arms which wrapped around her so tightly as if he didn't hold on tight enough, she would float away.

"Don't you dare leave me like that again Kurt Hummel," Rachel whispered as she cried into the crook of Kurt's neck, "do you hear me? Don't you ever. I can't take it."

Kurt responded only by squeezing Rachel a little tighter against him and whispering "I'm sorry" against her hair.

When Rachel pulled away her eyes were red and puffy, but she was smiling.

"I probably look terrible," Rachel said walking towards the mirror wiping what was left of the tears from her face.

"You look beautiful," Kurt said honestly.

"Well I haven't been this happy in a long time," Rachel said throwing a smile in Kurt's direction, "I guess that outweighs the puffy eyes huh?

"I'd like to think so," Kurt said, "We should probably get out of there. I'd imagine a long line of girls waiting for the boy to leave the bathroom so they can powder their nose."

Rachel laughed then launched herself back into Kurt's arms holding him tight. Kurt wouldn't be bothered one bit if they just stayed like this. He'd missed this so much.

"I got into NYADA," Rachel said still clinging to him.

Kurt felt a new round of tears gather in his eyes. Since before they were even teenagers, all Rachel and Kurt had dreamed about was going to college in New York and then living there. Rachel would be the star of the Broadway stage winning Tonys and being the star she was destined to be. And Kurt would be there right alongside her, designing her outfits for galas and award shows while making a name for himself in the world of fashion.

"I got into Parsons," Kurt told her.

Even now, saying that sounded so strange. Like it was still nothing but a dream. But that was the light at the end of this terrible tunnel wasn't it? Going off to New York and doing everything he'd always planned. Making something of himself so that he could look back on these years and know that things were better than they once were. And now, despite everything, he would be able to do it with his best friend by his side. The entire dream seemed to be coming true now. There was no more settling for only parts of it.

"I'll wait until tomorrow to begin discussing our New York living arrangements," Rachel said removing herself from Kurt.

"You're really forgiving me for everything just like that?" Kurt said cautiously. He needed to make sure this wasn't a dream or a joke that Rachel was playing. He needed to make sure that the thing he'd thought about the most over the last year, Rachel being his best friend again, was actually happening.

"Of course," Rachel said grabbing onto Kurt's hand, "You're still my best friend. And you'll tell me one day right? Now I think your boyfriend and the rest of our friends are waiting for us."

Kurt nodded silently in response to Rachel's question then let her guide them through the door and back into the restaurant.

Once they were bath with the others they found that the party had continued on without them; except for Blaine. Blaine was standing exactly where Kurt had left him leaning against one of the decorative railings that divided the restaurant into sections. Kurt smiled at Rachel who moved back to join the curious eyes of New Directions, before heading over to Blaine.

"Hey," Kurt said as he approached Blaine from behind, his heart fluttering when Blaine turned around at the sound of his voice with a smile on his face.

"Hey yourself," Blaine responded, "Everything go okay?"

"Everything went just fine."

"I told you it would," Blaine said.

"This doesn't mean I'm going assume you're right about everything."

"I'll remember that," Blaine said laughing, "So you don't need me to hide you in the corner all night?"

"Not all night," Kurt said with a smirk, "But thank you for offering."

Kurt leaned in and pressed a kiss to Blaine's cheek which shifted beneath Kurt's lips as Blaine's smile grew in response.

"Rachel's staring at me like if I don't get you back over there she's going to poison me."

Kurt laughed and turned his head to look at his friend who was watching them with anticipating eyes then turned back to Blaine, "She'd never do that, you're her male lead. Plus, I'd have to stop talking to her if she did that and I don't think she'd do that to herself."

"I'm glad you two made up," Blaine said smiling.

"Me too," Kurt said reaching down and tangling Blaine's fingers with his own, "Now let's go because now I can feel her glare burning into the back of my head."

Both boys laughed and Blaine followed Kurt toward the New Directions table.

If Blaine was upset that he spent most of Sugar's party alongside Kurt, mostly quiet as Kurt became reacquainted with his friends, he never showed it. And the truth was he wasn't bother in the least. Because the entire time Kurt was talking to Tina, his hand was firmly in Blaine's occasionally skimming his thumb across the skin of his hand. And while was talking to Brittany about Lord Tubbington, his arm was around Blaine's waist. And most importantly, Kurt had a smile on his face the entire time. So there was nothing to complain about, especially when a slow song came on and Kurt tugged his hand, led him to the dance floor, wrapped his arms around his neck and swayed them to the music. It's perfect and everything Blaine hoped the night would be.

The first thing Blaine noticed when he pulled into Kurt's driveway afterward was there was a silver Civic parked in the driveway. He'd never seen the car, or any car for that matter, at Kurt's until now. He knew that Kurt's uncle worked over nights and was hardly home at the same time Kurt was. Blaine could see from inside the car that the light over the kitchen table was on and assumed someone must be home. Blaine glanced over at Kurt was taken aback by Kurt's appearance. All the blood seemed to have drained from Kurt's face; his eyes were wide and his jaw slack. His gaze directed towards the house.

"Hey, are you okay?" Blaine questioned and his voice seemed to knock Kurt from his concentrated gaze of the house, but he still looked shaken, scared even.

"Ye-Yeah," Kurt managed, "M-my U-uncle's home. I wasn't expecting him for a long time."

"Oh, well we can just hang out in your room then. We won't bother him."

"No," Kurt countered, his voice higher and louder than he had intended, "He-He doesn't like me having people in the house. He doesn't exactly know you come over almost every day; or at all really."

"Oh."

"Yeah," Kurt said removing his eyes from Blaine and placing them back on the dimly lit house while he tried to keep his voice steady , "s-so I'll call you tomorrow morning about our lunch-s-slash-study date okay?"

"O-okay, yeah that's fine," Blaine said leaning in to kiss Kurt goodnight, but was met with only air because Kurt had burst from the car and was already heading up the driveway, never glancing back.

Blaine pulled out of the driveway slowly, watching as Kurt disappeared into the house. Behind the curtains of the picture window, Blaine could see the shadow of a tall man standing what looked like the kitchen table. Another shadow, Kurt's, was joining the first as Blaine put the car into drive and took off down the street.