February 22nd, 1919 - Düsseldorf, Germany

Kurt

The wedding went without any major mishaps. Bryan didn't pass out; likely thanks to Kurt purposefully leaning his cane on Bryan's foot every time he started to sway. The girls were well behaved after Kurt gave them a good glare for trying to talk during the vows. Even the loud growl from Noah's stomach from fasting all day didn't ruin anything; judging from the crowd's reaction, people had found it rather adorable.

All in all Kurt was happy with the results. The only thing he couldn't shake was the impulse to glance at Blaine every other minute, but it wasn't his fault the man was so distracting. He kept telling himself to ignore Blaine but the feeling of being watched would creep back up and cause shivers and goose bumps and damn if that wasn't distracting.

Sighing, Kurt limped over to the reception hall, keeping an eye out for Blaine among the crowd of people milling about.

Not finding Blaine among the crowd, Kurt continued into the hall. The room was decorated simply in wine and cream; tulle was draped in half circles on the white plastered walls of the old building. Tables were set on the far side of the room, covered in wine red cloth with cream napkins at every seat. A small arrangement of roses was placed in the center of each table. One wall of the room had tall windows and double doors that led to a small courtyard, which was decorated with some Chinese lanterns Lena had found. On the opposite wall was a long table covered with platters of food. The smells wafting through the air making Kurt's stomach grumble.

Kurt navigated his way through the people already gathering around the food, and caught a glimpse of Quinn who was standing with a tall, blond man that Kurt didn't know.

"Quinn!" Kurt called, moving towards the woman.

She grinned when she caught sight of Kurt, before placing a gentle hand on her companion's arm and whispering something into his ear. "Yes, Kurt?" She asked politely, but Kurt could tell from the sharp look in her eyes that he should make it quick or face her wrath later.

"Sorry to interrupt." He gave both of them an apologetic smile. "Do you know where Blaine is?"

Quinn's eyes lit up. "Oh, yes!" She leaned up onto her toes to look over the heads in front of her. "I left him with Elsa a few minutes ago- Oh, there he is." She pointed to a table in the far corner where Blaine sat alone, looking rather nervous.

"Thanks." Kurt sighed, giving them both a quick nod as he moved to Blaine's table.

Blaine was sitting alone, scanning the crowd around him and smiling nervously at everyone that passed his table. He looked like a lost puppy just hoping for some attention and his entire being seemed to light up as soon as he caught sight of Kurt coming towards him. It was adorable how he sat up taller, thrummed with excitement and smiled in a way that made Kurt's heart swell.

"Hi." Blaine looked at Kurt with his big hazel eyes; yep, he was definitely a puppy.

"Hi." Kurt chuckled and sat gingerly on the chair to Blaine's right. He rubbed at his sore leg, ignoring Blaine's sudden interest. "So, what did you think of the wedding?"

Blaine jerked from his thoughts snapping his head up. "It was nice, I was completely lost but I think got the gist of it." He grinned. "Something along the lines of your sister and her husband-"

"Lena and Noah." Kurt supplied, as he continued his circular motions on his muscles.

"Lena and Noah," Blaine mimicked, blushing slightly. "Well, that they said some heartfelt vows somewhere around the time you were tearing up and they must have said ‘I do' since there wasn't any uproar."

"Well, there almost was." Kurt murmured, glancing over to the bar where some men stood waiting for their beers, one of which was Bryan.

Following Kurt's gaze, Blaine looked over to the bar, one of his thick eyebrows raised in question. "Oh?"

Kurt gave Blaine a crooked grin and beckoned him closer whispering in the other man's ear. "It has nothing to do with Lena and Noah, but between you and me, Bryan was tanked."

Blaine's eyes widened then turned confused. "Wait, who's Bryan?"

"The other groomsman."

"So, that's why he was swaying on his feet!" Blaine laughed, looking back towards the bar for a moment then back to Kurt, a small grin on his face. "And why you kept leaning your cane on his foot."

"Someone had to keep him in line." Kurt grinned wolfishly.

"Remind me to stay sober around you." Blaine joked, eyes shining.

Holding back a laugh, Kurt smiled. "I would love to see you try and stay sober at a German wedding."

Blaine studied Kurt, gauging his comment. "Is that a challenge?" He asked, leaning forward and crossing his arms, a cocky grin growing on his face.

Kurt sat motionless, stunned by the sudden change in Blaine's demeanor. "I'm sorry?" He uttered, instantly cursing himself for how breathless he sounded.

"I asked if that was a challenge." Blaine repeated, his smile turning a little feral, but his eyes were full of laughter.

Clearing his throat Kurt sat a little taller. "You honestly think you can stay sober?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Leaning back in his chair Blaine let his head fall back. "It can't be that hard."

"Oh, it can." Kurt snorted, glancing around the group of people. "Germans know how to party and that means we know how to drink."

"Englishmen know how to drink." Blaine pouted.

Kurt flashed Blaine a reassuring smile. "Oh, I have no doubt but you haven't met my family." He shrugged. "We live for a good brew."

"So, are you planning on drinking tonight?" Blaine asked, watching groups of people walk happily towards empty seats to eat their meals.

"I don't think so." Kurt chuckled, gesturing to where Noah and some of the guests had already broken open the liquor. "Someone has to keep all of my family in line. Hence the reason you should, unless you have a reason not to."

Blaine grinned. "Last time I drank was with some old trench mates- and long story short, cheap whiskey isn't always the best thing to drink on an empty stomach."

"Well, I can assure you that the liquor isn't cheap and there is plenty of food." He assured him, watching Blaine smirk from the corner of his eye. "So, are you hungry?"

"Starved." Blaine whined, looking a bit sheepish. "I haven't eaten in a while."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. "And how long is a while?" The other man mumbled incoherently, fidgeting with his cuff links. "Sorry, I didn't catch that."

Blaine looked up at Kurt through his think lashes, a blush growing on his cheeks. "A few days." He whispered for only Kurt to hear.

"Please tell me you are exaggerating." Kurt pleaded, wondering how the man wasn't passed out in front of him from hunger.

"No." Blaine said weakly. "I was sleeping most of the way so it wasn't so bad, and I had a snack on the train."

Standing up, Kurt held out his hand for Blaine. "Come on; let's go get some food in you."

His breath caught at the look that Blaine gave him. His curls were beginning fall out around his face and he wore a goofy grin, which made his eyes shine with happiness. He looked so young and handsome at that moment, Kurt could just see the man that was hidden to him in that trench, with all the blood and mud gone. This was the real Blaine, no masks to hide behind, and the thought took his breath away.

Blaine's warm hand slid into Kurt's own, jolting him from his thoughts. He held on tight to Kurt, but didn't use the assistance that Kurt was offering. Instead his lopsided grin just grew as he squeezed Kurt's hand in his larger one. Blaine's hand was warm and callused against Kurt's, and the contrast between hard and soft felt perfect, like they were made to fit together.

"Well, shall we?" Blaine asked his eyes flitting around Kurt's face, starting from Kurt's eyes and working down and freezing on his lips.

Clearing his throat, Kurt grinned as Blaine's eyes flashed back to Kurt's. "Yeah." He breathed. "Let's go get you some food." Tugging on Blaine's arm Kurt led them towards the table.

Watching Blaine eat was something Kurt had never known could be so amusing.

One second Blaine is eating daintily with manners that could put Kurt's own to shame, the next he's eating like a wild man. It was one of the oddest things.

When the two of them had settled into their seats Blaine had begun to pick at his food moving the different dishes around to inspect the contents, while making some very interesting faces.

Not wanting to seem like some crazy person watching Blaine play with his food, Kurt started eating, enjoying the comforting tastes of well-cooked food from his childhood.

Chancing a glance through his lashes, Kurt smiled when he saw Blaine mimicking his actions. The man was following Kurt in what he was eating, making sure he was eating them the way it was intended. It was extremely endearing to see how Blaine hesitantly took small bites of the food testing them on his palette before he made a face and a noise that was far too sinful to be making in public.

Kurt stiffened when he heard the first of many satisfied groans leave Blaine's infuriatingly gorgeous mouth. Shifting a little in his seat, Kurt suddenly felt like his skin was too tight and the temperature in the room had risen for some insane reason.

Feeling the heat on his cheeks rising as Blaine let out another blissful sound, Kurt quickly turned his attentions back to his food trying to ignore the sounds escaping the British man's mouth. All to no avail. Blaine just kept going, and Kurt was just about ready to scream in frustration until the sounds stopped.

Kurt glanced up from his plate and the sight before him nearly made him drop his fork. Blaine was no longer eating delicately, oh no, he was eating like it was his last meal. He was shoveling food into his mouth at a pace that was more acceptable for a hungry animal rather than humans, but here Blaine was hunched over his food, scarfing it down and by the looks of it hardly even chewing.

Taking a quick look around him, Kurt checked that no one was watching Blaine's sudden change, knowing that if his father saw, the conversation that they had earlier would be brought up quicker than Blaine could devour the rest of the contents on his plate.

Sighing in relief that he and Blaine were being ignored for the bride and groom, Kurt turned his attention back to Blaine, who was lost to the world, in favour of the food in front of him.

Kurt chuckled, placing his fork down for a moment to wipe at his mouth. "Hungry?"

Blaine froze, his fork midway to his mouth and glanced up at Kurt. "Sorry?" He asked, confused.

"I asked if you were hungry." Kurt smiled fondly, watching Blaine sit up and place his fork down gently.

The other man began to rub at his knees, his eyes darting from his lap to Kurt in rapid succession. Leaning forward, Kurt grabbed at the knee closest to him, stilling Blaine's movements. Holding his breath, Kurt waited for Blaine to do something but all the British man did was stare at Kurt's hand on his leg.

"It's fine Blaine. I'm sure that I would be doing the same if I hadn't had something solid in my stomach in two days." Kurt chuckled, earning a slight smile from the man beside him. "But you might want to slow down a bit there, Tarzan."

Blaine laughed, looking up from Kurt's hand. "Tarzan?"

"You have been kind of eating like a jungle man." Kurt shrugged, pulling his hand away from Blaine. "And your hair, when in a natural state, is rather ‘wild.'"

"My hair is never like that in public." Blaine defended, giving Kurt a playful glare. "And I usually have impeccable table manners." He assured Kurt.

"Well, that is yet to be seen." Kurt joked, picking up his fork to continue his meal.

They ate in silence for a while, Kurt chancing looks at Blaine, as the other man ate quietly, looking around the room as things began to get a bit more rowdy.

The party was getting into full swing now. Noah and Lena were dancing in the open space with their friends, both smiling and their hands were clasped in a vice grip refusing to let go for longer than needed. They were sickly sweet together stealing kisses whenever they wished, and basking in the attention they were receiving.

Smiling Kurt continued to look around at all of the happy faces, noting that many of the party goers were now holding pints of beer, and laughing boisterously over the sounds of the band. Hearing a familiar laugh, Kurt strained his neck to catch a glance of his father talking with some distant relatives over a pint.

Shaking his head, Kurt looked back at a content Blaine who was now leaning back in his chair rubbing his full belly.

"Looks like you enjoyed your meal." Kurt laughed.

Blaine chuckled, rolling his head to smile at Kurt. "Loved it." He mumbled. "But you may have to roll me back to your house afterward; I don't think I have the energy to move."

"That isn't going to happen." Kurt snorted. "At least not in that outfit, it took me two days to get it to fit Joshua."

Humming, Blaine sat up rolling his shoulders. "I guess I will just have to find a corner to sleep off all this food."

"Or you can just sit back and relax a bit." A familiar female voice said behind them.

Kurt nearly jumped out of his skin, turning his neck so quickly that it cracked. "Jesus Christ Lena!" Kurt hissed, sending a terrified Blaine an apologetic look.

She grinned. "Sorry, I didn't think I was being that quiet." She said placing a gentle hand on Kurt's shoulder as an apology.

"Yes, well, with this noise, I would be surprised if anyone heard you sneaking up on them like that." Kurt grumbled, sending his sister a fond smile. "So, what do we owe the pleasure?" He pushed his chair out so it would face Lena.

"I wanted to see where my brother ran off to." Lena said glancing over from Kurt to Blaine with a radiant smile. "And we kind of got off on the wrong foot, didn't we? We should be properly introduced. I'm Lena, Kurt's younger sister." She smiled, offering her hand to Blaine.

Grinning, Blaine took her offered hand. "Blaine Anderson."

Kurt froze as her eyebrow rose, a slight flicker of confusion showing on her face from Blaine's answer as she put on one of her perfected false smiles and turned to Kurt. ‘Anderson?' She mouthed.

Panicking, Kurt did the only thing he could think of to get her away from Blaine so he could explain properly.

"Let's dance!" He practically shouted, grabbing Lena's hand as he sent Blaine a quick glance over his shoulder in apology, trying to relay to the very confused man that he would explain later.

"What the hell was that about?" Lena hissed, as Kurt pulled her close for a waltz.

Kurt looked anywhere but at his sister's fuming face. "Nothing, I just wanted to dance."

"His last name is Anderson." She whispered quietly for only Kurt to hear. "That is not a German last name."

"Really?" Kurt said condescendingly. "I never noticed."

"Kurt." Lena whined, as she stepped on his foot on purpose.

"Ow! Lena, stop acting like a brat!" Kurt spat gaining some looks and chuckles from the other couples dancing.

Ignoring them like the pro Lena was, she continued on her interrogation. "Who is this man, really?" She asked, watching Kurt's face for a reaction, and when she didn't get what she wanted she continued. "I mean he has an English name, Kurt, English."

"I don't see what the big deal is-" Kurt argued.

"The big deal is," Lena hissed, looking around quickly and finally noticing that they were gaining attention, leaned in closer so only Kurt could hear her. "You and I both know he wouldn't have been let into the service with a name like that. At least not in the German Army."

"What are you trying to say?" He growled, sending Lena an angry look.

"I'm saying that you are not telling us something."

"Now isn't the time, Lena."

"And when is?" She exclaimed, her voice hitching as they continued to sway to the music.

Sighing, Kurt watched Lena's face lined with worry and traces of anger. "Lena, please just drop it for now."

"Kurt-"

"Lena please, I promise I will tell you everything." Kurt begged. "But now is not the time."

Groaning, she settled her strong hazel eyes on Kurt. "Fine, I'll drop it, but only if you tell me one thing."

"Fine." Kurt mumbled, glaring at his sister.

"Can you tell me one thing?" She asked leaning her head on his shoulder and continuing as he nodded against her hair. "He isn't German, is he?"

Kurt snorted. "What gave it away?" He mocked, earning a swat on the back of his head.

"Stop being a smart ass!"

"Only if you stop being so dense!" Kurt countered, laughing when Lena stuck out her tongue. Kurt rolled his eyes as they stopped swaying to clap for the band before a more upbeat foxtrot started. Pulling Lena back in, Kurt led them around the floor thankful that Lena was willing to help take some of his weight off of his bad leg. "So, what's it like being Mrs. Puckerman?" Kurt asked, trying to move the subject away from Blaine.

Lena grinned, her eyes becoming dreamy. "Like a fairy tale."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. I know Noah and he is nothing like a fairy tale prince."

"No, not for you." She smiled wolfishly, her eyes looking past him at the others dancing around them. "Your prince has crazy curly hair, a dreamy smile, an English last name, and he is so charming."

Kurt blushed, leading his sister around the dance floor. "What is with that goofy smile you have plastered on your face?" The smile grew as Lena nodded to something happening behind him.

Raising an eyebrow Kurt looked behind him scanning the crowd for what Lena was gesturing to until his eyes landed on one of the most adorable sights he could ever see.

Further out on the floor was Anna, smiling from ear to ear and laughing as Blaine spun her in circles. Bringing her back into his arms they swayed to the music, Blaine smiling at something the young girl had said.

"I think you may have some competition." Lena laughed.

"Sorry?" He asked, as he guided them closer to the band, which Kurt would deny to his death that he was actually moving to get closer to Blaine and Anna.

"I said, I think you have competition." Lena repeated, giving a knowing smile as Kurt led them closer to the other couple.

Humming, Kurt continued to watch Blaine dance with his younger sister. He looked so happy as he span Anna again to the beat of the music. A giggle from Lena made Kurt glance towards her cheeky face, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I was going to say that Anna seems pretty smitten with him." She grinned mischievously. "But, I think you have her beat."

"Oh, shut up." Kurt mumbled, trying to hide his blush as someone tapped on his shoulder.

Pausing, Kurt turned to see a red faced Anna her smile radiant and contagious. "Do you mind if I cut in?" She asked, doing her best mock-curtsy.

Chuckling, Kurt followed suit as he bowed. "By all means, but watch out she likes to stomp on your feet." He whispered the last bit to Anna who giggled and assured him that she would be alright.

Kurt watched fondly for a moment as his two sisters danced around the now full dance floor. When he looked around the room for Blaine, he instead caught a glimpse of Quinn dancing with a tall blond man, her cheeks flushed from laughing and dancing and her skirt twirling perfectly around her legs.

"Are you looking for me?" Blaine asked, as he wandered into view holding two glasses of punch, holding one out to Kurt.

Accepting the glass, Kurt nodded, feeling the blush rise in his cheeks, and gestured for Blaine to follow him back to the table they had vacated earlier.

Kurt placed his glass on the table, gingerly sitting down in the chair he had occupied earlier.  He tried to hold back a wince as he extended his left leg and started to absentmindedly rub at the wounded flesh.

"How did that happen?" Blaine questioned suddenly, nodding towards Kurt's leg as he took a sip from his glass, and sat in the chair to Kurt's left.

"Umm, is that a trick question?" Kurt teased, rubbing a little harder at the sore muscles of his thigh.

"No." Blaine chuckled, placing his glass next to Kurt's on the table. "Well, it wasn't meant to be."

Kurt chuckled. "Well, long story short, I got shot." He began, grinning at Blaine as he rolled his eyes at the obvious statement. Kurt sighed and told the short version of his escapades in the trenches, looking up at Blaine through his thick lashes when he was done.

The other man sat quietly his eyes trained on Kurt's face, his brows furrowed in thought.   "What?" Kurt asked, knowing the man was fighting himself to not to say something.

"Did it hurt?" Blaine asked quietly, flinching as soon as the words slipped through his lips. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"It's fine, Blaine." Kurt assured him, squeezing Blaine's knee for a moment. "And yeah, it did." He laughed; of course it hurt, Kurt thought sarcastically, he had metal embed itself into his flesh. "It hurt a lot actually, but I don't remember most of it. I guess that is a blessing of sorts."

Blaine nodded, suddenly glancing out towards the dancing guests as if he was retreating back into himself. "So, you're doing better now?" He asked absentmindedly, as he turned back to Kurt worry etched on Blaine's handsome face.

"Much." Kurt smiled sweetly, hoping that Blaine would be satisfied with his answer.

"Good." Blaine grinned, rubbing his hands together as he turned a bit more to face Kurt properly, leaning his head on his hand. "So tell me, what have you been doing since the end of the war?"

Arching an eyebrow, Kurt grinned. "It's not very interesting."

"I wouldn't say that." Blaine grinned like an excited puppy. "I know for a fact that I will find it very interesting."

"I doubt that." Kurt snorted, but despite it all Kurt told Blaine everything that had happened to him since he had returned home. It was odd for him to have someone sitting beside him, hanging on every word that crossed his lips when most of the time people would ignore his ramblings about the shop.

Yet here sat Blaine, smiling like Kurt was the most precious thing he had ever laid eyes on, humming at all of the right spots in Kurt's story. The way Blaine's hazel eyes twinkled with happiness, made Kurt's heart beat way too fast and he was sure that Blaine could hear the pounding of it from his close proximity, but the man said nothing if he did.

Winding down on his story, Kurt blushed suddenly noticing that he was talking with his hands, something he had tried to stop for years but despite everything it was a quirk that he couldn't shake. With a final shrug Kurt smiled at Blaine. "So, that's all that really happened, like I said, nothing exciting."

"You were right, it wasn't very interesting." Blaine teased, rubbing at the thick stubble on his chin.

"You are incorrigible." Kurt breathed, swatting lightly at Blaine's arm.

"You know you are the second person to tell me that." Blaine said, shrugging his shoulders as he drifted in thought.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Only the second?" He asked, fighting a smile as Blaine clutched a hand to his chest in mock offense.

"You wound me, sir!" Blaine said dramatically, clutching his hand tighter over his ‘wounded' heart.

"And everyone calls me dramatic." Kurt chuckled, shaking his head at Blaine's antics. "So Blaine." Kurt asked, watching as Blaine relaxed in his chair smiling sweetly at Kurt. "What about you? I told you my story, I think you should tell yours."

Kurt could see Blaine go stiff for a moment. "There is nothing to tell." Blaine said stiffly, suddenly finding the people hoisting Puck and Lena into the air in chairs more interesting than their conversation.

"I'm not asking for everything, Blaine." Kurt said quietly, smiling as Blaine tilted his head to signal that he was still listening even though his eyes were glued on the scene in front of them. "I'm just... curious, I guess."

Sighing, Blaine looked at Kurt, his face torn. "I'm not ready to talk about the war." Blaine began. "And well, my life since the war hasn't been anything to smile about."

Kurt only nodded to Blaine's poor attempt at trying to change the subject, the man had to learn early that Kurt was as stubborn as a mule so he needed to get used to not ever winning an argument.

So, with a huge sigh and a mumble of "I warned you" Blaine began to weave the story of his life since they had last seen each other.

"My father and mother met me at the station, when I got home. She looked horrible, which I guess was to be expected; her oldest son was dead, and I was nothing like what I used to be, so that must have been a surprise for her. But that wasn't why she looked so tired; it was because my father was dying. He looked horrible, he was always an intimidating man, but I just remember he looked like if I would touch him the wrong way he would shatter." Blaine paused, his eyes suddenly moving from where he was staring at the far wall to where Kurt was sitting beside him. "Mother was so distraught about Cooper dying but my father was heartbroken. I know he was upset that it was Cooper and not me."

Kurt tried to keep his tears from falling. He felt horrible for moments earlier gushing about how his father was so happy to have him home, while Blaine's wished that he was the one that was killed.

He flinched when he felt Blaine's hand on his cheek wiping at the traitorous tear that escaped. "I'm sorry." Kurt mumbled, wiping at his own eyes when Blaine pulled away.

"You have no reason to be." Blaine assured him, giving Kurt a small sad smile before he continued his story. "Anyways, he died of the Spanish flu about two weeks ago. My mother sold everything after that, she told me she was going off to help out a relative who has polio. I decided to go visit some old mates from the war, find myself." He chuckled. "But instead, I trek halfway across Europe."

Kurt tried not to let his disappointment show on his face as he gave Blaine a smile. He didn't answer the question Kurt had floating in his head all day, and he couldn't keep it in anymore, he just had to know. So despite his better judgement, Kurt blurted out what he needed to ask.

"Blaine. Why are you here?"

Blaine

Blaine couldn't help but avoid eye contact with Kurt, turning his head slightly to the left where he could vaguely see some enthusiastic couples twirling about to something more upbeat and energetic then he remembered. He knew that he couldn't just lie to the other man, because knowing how dismal Blaine's luck was it would eventually end up doing more harm than good in the long run, but on the other hand he didn't feel like he could tell Kurt the straight truth just yet, so here he was stuck in an agonizing dilemma in a room that suddenly gotten way too hot.

"Uh..." He started lamely, feeling Kurt's bright eyes resting on his face. Blaine was trying rather hard not to flush under the gaze which was a feat in itself but then his hands started to twitch. His fingers trembled and spasmed as he reached up to rub the back of his neck and tug at the now too tight collar utterly embarrassed that he couldn't force anything else out, other than loud raspy breathing sounds.

"Blaine?" Kurt leaned in further and Blaine could smell the lingering sent of greasy and heavy German food and beer, the distinct fragrance of the perfumed soap and a little something that was uniquely Kurt.

"Blaine, are you alright?" The German man's voice dropped to a low, almost whisper as his eyes scanned the room for any eavesdroppers while his opened palm hovered dangerously close to Blaine's knee.

"Is it something you ate?" He asked in all seriousness. "Because you know I did warn you about eating so fast."

Blaine choked back a laugh, shook his head and turned to look at Kurt whose face was contorted into a seriously concerned expression. Immediately Blaine felt terrible for making him worry.

"No, no, I'm good!" He gave Kurt a small uneasy smile and allowed his eyes to dart off to the side and all the attractive people floating about the makeshift dance floor seemingly ending the conversation for now.

He could feel Kurt pull away leaving the small space between their bodies suspiciously cold and somewhat unreceptive. From his peripheral vision Blaine could see Kurt sigh and shoot him a small frown before turning his head to look in the same direction. It was obvious that Kurt was still looking for an answer and it made Blaine feel even more guilty because he knew that this talk was far from over and that he could only stall the inevitable for so long. So until then Blaine would have to sit in this unbearable silence with Kurt, looking on hopelessly as Noah twirled his bride around and around the room.

"Your sister does look beautiful." Blaine looked back to his right and then jerked his head in the direction of the dancers from which peals of laughter reached them. Kurt nodded nonchalantly with his eyes darting between family and friends before they landed on Quinn. She looked almost radiant in under the lights as the skirt of dress swirled around her shins as she danced lithely around her partners kicking at the air and allowing them to pick her up. These men, for the most part, seemed overly uniform and bland with wide shoulders and attractive square jaws but no distinguishing features.

"Did... did you..." Blaine trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck again until the skin was a bright enough red to match the blush on his face. He could feel the familiar pull in his gut and the brief rush of panic before Kurt shifted slightly to his left and tilted his head questioningly. A small encouraging smile crossed those thin lips, as if the German knew what Blaine was about to say but was decidedly not going to make this any easier.

"Yes?" Kurt drawled, seeming very intent on watching Blaine chew on his lip and nod in the direction of the dance floor, while trying to look as clueless as possible. It wasn't really working because of the laughing which only made Blaine blush harder and wring his hands together, trying to breathe deeply.

"Would you like to dance?" The words came out in one long rush of air sounding almost unintelligible but Kurt seemed to understand because his cheeks flushed slightly while he smiled and nodded. In response, Blaine almost fainted and had to take a moment to collect himself or risk embarrassing both of them in front of Kurt's extended network of family and friends.

"Well, are you coming or am I going to have to dance alone?" Kurt asked with a smooth tone, somewhere in the midst of Blaine's panic Kurt had gotten to his feet and was now standing in front of the other man with a sly sparkle in his eyes.     

Blaine nodded, his chapped lips twitching upwards into a wide smile as he placed his hand down on the table top and slowly pushed himself up onto his feet. Kurt helped him, reaching out to grip his forearm and pulling him towards the dance floor. People were vacating the area in bright clusters, chatting and laughing as they moved their way towards the punch table. The band was moving about setting up equipment and instruments for another set, something more lively and modern then what Blaine remembered.

"So, you know how to actually dance, right?" Kurt asked as they wandered closer, walking side by side but no longer touching. "Please tell me that whatever that was before was just for Anna's benefit."

"Yeah, sure. I mean it's just like swaying side to side, right?" Blaine couldn't help but chuckle at the horrified look Kurt was giving him as the German skidded to a halt and grabbed at Blaine's left wrist, tugging him back.

"I'm sorry, what!?" Kurt seemed about ready to turn back to their seats but Blaine tugged his arm and started to walk forwards, forcing the other man to follow as he continued to laugh.  

"I'm just kidding, Kurt, calm down. I'll let you know, I can do a mean Grizzly Bear." Kurt grimaced but seemed to settle down after that, allowing himself to be pulled towards the dance floor. People were returning, almost skipping as they brushed past with their bright smiles and the last remaining sips of punch swirling around the bottom of their glasses.

"Just so you know, no one does the Grizzly Bear anymore." Kurt scoffed. They were now standing at the edge while the centered was filled with guests partnering up and scouting out sections where they could go crazy and not worry about smacking into the couple next to them. The band members were moving back into place.

"What do you mean?" Blaine tried to look affronted by placing a hand on his chest as he gasped but it wasn't very effective as he couldn't seem to shake the smile still tugging at the corners of his lips. Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on, that style died years ago. Get with the times."

The trumpet started up, loud and striking against the soft haunt of the clarinet and low thump of the drums, which was followed up by the strumming of cords and tickle of piano keys. Then the trombone player stepped forward and a powerful penetrating timber burst forth, gaining momentum until all the instruments came together to create something so bubbly and commanding that it made Blaine's knees shake.    

Everyone was swinging around them with their arms flailing and legs kicking in every direction, while the music seemed to flow through them. Quinn was across the floor in the arms of other man, smiling and laughing as they kicking simultaneously in the same direction before twirling their bodies.

Blaine pulled back a little, turning to glance at Kurt, who looked as equally unsure as Blaine felt. He looked over at Blaine and gave him a shaky smile making it obvious that this type of dancing wasn't what he was used to. For a brief second, Blaine thought of grabbing Kurt's arm turning back, afraid that this might be just a little too much for the other man's leg. He didn't get a chance to before Kurt was grabbing his arm and dragging him into the fray.

"You think you can handle it?" Kurt gave Blaine a dry look and spun around, kicking a leg out while pushing his arm into the air. For a dance that was supposed to look so sporadic Kurt made it seem almost graceful. He was light on his feet and fast with the moves, swaying his hips and jumping lithely as if gravity didn't affect him. Blaine was in awe. He couldn't seem to move so he stood there amongst the dancers like an idiot, doing a particularly a good impression of a blockade which was earning him some very dirty looks from people who would knock into him. He received an especially brutal glower from the tall attractive man with perfect blond hair dancing with a giggling Quinn who flashed him an apologetic grin.

Kurt was only a few feet away swinging his hips side to side while tapping the point of his left foot out in front of him, thin arms following the sway of his body. He paused in his movements to look up at Blaine questioningly before a smug smile crossed his impish face. He danced his way back to where Blaine was standing like a statue and grabbed at Blaine's forearm tugging him further into the fray with that devious glint in his eye.

"Figures." He joked. "All talk and no dance."

Blaine stepped back looking insulted, his hands flying to his waist in a gesture reminiscent of his mother, while Kurt seemed entirely too pleased with himself.

"I hope you're ready to eat those words. Now stand back and be amazed."

This new style of dance was insanely different than what he was used to or remembered, and it made Blaine painfully obvious that to the fact that he too seemed outdated in this world of lavish parties, champagne and dancing. He tried his best to copy the moves of those around him and seemed to be doing a pretty decent job if the approving look Kurt was giving him was any indication.

It became easier with movement and soon Blaine was feeling pretty proud of himself as he jumped, kicked, and swayed to the loud music that seemed to work its way deep into Blaine's bones. It was exhilarating to let lose all this pent up anxiety and Blaine couldn't stop smiling like a moron as he shimmied closer to Kurt.

"Guess I was wrong." Kurt practically shouted over the sound of trombones and trumpets. "You're actually pretty decent."

Blaine's smile widened, watching as Kurt's face seemed to grow red as they moved in closer, to be actually able to hear each other and not have others listen in.

"What can I say, I'm just a natural?" Blaine joked, swinging an arm out and crossing his left leg behind his right, grinning brightly as Kurt repeated the action while rolling his eyes. He snorted loudly. "Really now? Last I remember you were falling into my shell hole."

Blaine let out a strong laugh, throwing back his head as he kicked his leg to the side with the beat before doing it again with the opposite leg. "Oh, you're shell hole. I didn't realize that you had claimed it. How rude of me."

Kurt seemed as if he couldn't stop smiling as he snickered behind his fist before swinging his body around, kicking out and then spinning around again to repeat the same action.

"Yes. How rude indeed, always dropping in unannounced." He added.

"What can I say? It's one of my many talents." Blaine reached out and grabbed at Kurt's arm, pulling him in closer and watching delightedly the expression of shock that crossed Kurt's face. He spun the German man around twice and then back out to his side again. Kurt still seemed stunned as he faltered in his next kick. He was watching Blaine closely with those beautiful, wide, blue eyes and his mouth hanging slightly open.

"Really decent." He muttered loud enough for Blaine to just make out what he had said. "Who do I have to thank for such a wonderful dance partner?"

Those words felt like an immediate punch to the gut, that seemed to draw the air out of Blaine's lungs and for a brief moment he wavered. He paused to try and breathe in deeply, but nothing seemed to be working. Kurt was now standing by his side with a panicked look. The music had died down by now and a flurry of out of breath people were making their way off the dance floor, bumping into and apologising to the two men left remaining alone.

"Blaine. Blaine! Are you okay? Oh god, please say something!"

It seemed like a lifetime before Blaine could breathe again. He smiled weakly at Kurt waving his hand about in front of his chest before letting it rest on the other man's shoulder.

"I'm okay just a little winded. Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Obviously I'm getting a little too old." Kurt didn't seemed reassured, his lips pulled tight into a thin line, but he didn't say anything as he helped maneuver Blaine back to their table. People parted ways when they saw them approaching with pitied looks on their flushed faces, obviously they didn't look so good.

Blaine was still holding onto Kurt's shoulder, almost leaning on the German before remembering that Kurt might be worse off than him. He pulled away slightly, disappointed at the loss of the heavily breathing body that had been tucked into his side but noticing that the other man was rubbing absently at his thigh.

Sitting down, Blaine could feel the colour returning in his face as he tugged at the bowtie that suddenly felt even tighter then before against his throat. Kurt flopped down heavily into the seat next to him, his face still a little flushed as he reached out to the delicately etched glass cup that had been filled with champagne earlier. He downed it with one go, a few drops escaping down the corners of his lips. Blaine watched them intently as they made their way down the man's chin before being distracted by the way Kurt's Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed.

"Hey, can you help me out here?" Kurt was placing the glass back down, reaching up with his other hand to wipe at his chin before anything could stain his shirt. He tugged at the right lapel of his impeccably tailored jacket, trying to pull it off but was hindered by the fact that he couldn't seem to move his hips without wincing. Blaine stuttered, hoping that the flush from the exercise on the dance floor masked his flush of embarrassment at being caught looking where he shouldn't be.

"Yeah, of course." He reached out and pulled at the sleeve while Kurt shimmied his way out of the jacket before pulling it into his lap and folding it.

"Thanks, it's just so hot in here." Blaine nodded in agreement as he reached out and took a small sip from the glass of water sitting in front of him. Kurt sat fiddling with the material in his lap, running his fingers over the slightly wrinkled fabric as he looked around trying to wave down a waiter. It was almost awkward between them and Blaine didn't like it.

"My brother taught me to dance." He started, absentmindedly swirling the water around. Kurt turned to look at his companion, a little surprised at the turn of events but he didn't say anything, eyes wide and fingers stilling.

"You see, I didn't have many friends when I was a kid and I wasn't close to many people so it was really just Coop who was there to teach me everything I needed to know." His words were soft and he couldn't look Kurt in the eye. A sad little laugh escaped him as he took another swig of water. "I mean, he taught me how to shave."

Kurt nodded slowly while pushing his jacket to the side, hanging it off the back of the chair to his left before laying his hand down on the table top to push himself up. In a half crouch he reached out to grab at the glass of liquor sitting untouched in front of Blaine. Bring it to his lips as he stood stock straight, Kurt chugged it back for some Dutch courage, something Blaine was very  familiar with, and then looked down at Blaine.

"Come on, let's get some air." He reached down and grabbed Blaine's shoulder tugging him to his feet. Blaine let him do it, blushing as he followed the man like a lost puppy through the maze of people and tables towards the French doors propped open a sliver to let in some cool, fresh air.

The backyard to the hall was structured cleanly with a rusty coloured brick wall running alongside the sidewalk and the alleyway but was partially hidden by a line of bare trees which followed it, hiding the garden from prying eyes. There were clusters of rose bushes which cornered the small patio built from stone slats which backed off the doors to the reception room, there  a few wire chairs sat alongside the building, unused and covered by snow. A thin path made from those same slats led throughout the garden, splitting off to where a gate was situated between the building next door and the brick wall which led to the back alley. Peeking out between the skeleton branches of the some of the trees was the top of a white building, half hidden by the dormant vegetation and tucked into the very edge of the yard.

Kurt rubbed at his forearms with his shaking hands, while shuffling his feet, the heels of his dress shoes clicking at the stone cobbles underneath them.

"Sorry, I guess it was colder than I thought." He smiled sheepishly. Blaine rolled his eyes and shrugged off his jacket and throwing it around Kurt's shivering shoulders.

"Don't go freezing to death on me." He joked, feeling warm as he watched Kurt snuggle into the coat with a pleased smile on his attractive face. 

Blaine slipped his hands in the pockets of his slacks and walked off down the path, pausing to wait for Kurt to get himself together and follow. Through the almost floor to ceiling windows of the hall a soft light illuminated their way towards the back corner and the building that Blaine had made out earlier. It was a gazebo, Kurt pointed out, he chattered on and on about how in the summer this place became popular, particularly amongst the neighbourhood, to have weddings where everyone would bring baked treats and decorate the outside with streams of paper lanterns.

It was obvious that this place was a focal point of the community and Blaine could almost see it alive with laughter and flowers, with the soft glow of those lanterns emphasising the stars above. A soft whine of music made it way towards them as they reached the small out building and climbed the stairs. They were hidden away from the windows of the building where soft laughter interrupted the sad strings of waltz, their only light coming from the large moon that hung low and the thousands of tiny pinpricks of light that dotted the night sky.

"Wow." Whistled Blaine as he walked a lap of the room, his eyes glued to the night sky. Kurt stood quietly in the center fiddling with the buttons on the jacket while watching Blaine move quietly about. "Didn't think I would ever see them this clear again."

"Are they bright in England?" Kurt questioned, his voice quiet and timid and the breath leaving him a white cloud of steam.

"In the country, I guess. Never really been out there much, more of a town boy you could say." Blaine smiled at Kurt, as he walking closer to the other man.

"Kurt. Would you dance with me?" He asked and watched as Kurt blushed a bright rosy red all the way to the tips of his adorable ears. This wasn't an innocent invitation like before and they both knew it. Blaine was asking Kurt to waltz with him, alone and away from the prying eyes of anyone else. The implication was obvious.

The wait for a response was the longest moment in Blaine's entire life. He was nervous and afraid that maybe Kurt would laugh at him and say that he didn't feel the same way or call Blaine a freak for suggesting they do something too intimate for two boys. Facing down guns and shells was nothing compared to those five seconds he couldn't breathe as Kurt pondered the question before shyly nodding.

Blaine let out a large breath and pulled Kurt to his chest gently while his right hand, numb from the cold, slid to rest against the dip in Kurt's lower back. He cradled Kurt's left hand in his as the other man lightly placed his opposite hand on Blaine's shoulder, his thumb rubbing against his collar bone.

The music that drifted out to them was quiet, almost indecipherable from all the other noises around them, but they danced along to it, making up the tempo as they went. Blaine had never been happier in his entire life than he was in that moment holding this beautiful man in his arms. Watching Kurt blush and smile, while feeling the nervous beat of his heart against his own chest and knowing that Kurt had said yes and that his didn't think Blaine was a freak.

"Screw decent. You're a fantastic dancer." Kurt murmured against Blaine's shoulder as he followed Blaine's lead, spinning slowly around and around with long strides.

"What did I tell you? I'm naturally talented." Blaine snickered into Kurt's ear, feeling the way the man shuttered against him from the small action. Kurt's cane had been left lounging against the side of his seat at their table and considering just how enthusiastic their dancing had been earlier, it wasn't all that surprising that Kurt's leg had just decided to give out causing Kurt to crash down against Blaine. Hard.

"Oh, damn. Are you okay?"

It was almost comical. Kurt was trying desperately to push himself away from Blaine, embarrassed to high hell but forgetting that his leg wasn't going to hold the weight of his body while Blaine was clinging to him, grunting at the unexpected added weight that had all but blindsided him but realizing that if he let go Kurt would crash to the ground.

"Yeah. Kurt just stop moving or else you're going to hurt yourself." Blaine wheezed out, hoisting Kurt up and fully into his arms where Kurt could get his good leg underneath himself. If he could hoist a wailing, flailing Trent over a trench wall to avoid a mustard gas assault then he could hold up Kurt no problem.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry. Oh god, this is mortifying." Kurt was trying to cover his face as he steadied himself against Blaine's body and Blaine held him in place. Blaine chuckled in to the collar of Joshua's jacket while rubbing his hands up and down Kurt's back, in what he hoped was a comforting motion.

"You must think that I'm pathetic. I can't even hold myself up right." Blaine hummed soothingly his right hand sliding up to cup the back of Kurt's neck; supporting the back of the German's head and forcing him look at Blaine.

"No Kurt. I think you're perfect." He whispered, before pushing their mouths together.