~~~
One hour earlier � �

"Will you go out with me, Kurt?" Blaine asked, his arms still wound around his waist. �

"No," said Kurt, immediately regretting what he'd just said. "I mean … I'm sorry Blaine, but you need some time to get over Jermaine, you need some time to come to terms with his condition. You need space, Blaine." �

"But you - we …" said Blaine tears springing in his eyes. �

"Yes, we kissed, but before�you broke up with Jermaine, before his accident, and before I saw how much he still means to you." �

"But-" � "Blaine," Kurt said "Look, I really care about you, and when you are ready to be in a relationship again, believe me I'll be there and I will say ‘yes' whenever you ask me … but you need space and time, okay?" �

"I really care about you too ..." �

"Well, good - so we'll give it time, okay? You should know that saying ‘no' to you is killing me inside, but I know it's the right thing to do, Blaine. I'm sorry." Kurt insisted, prying himself from Blaine's grip and walking away, glancing back only to have his heart pierced taking in the broken look in Blaine's eyes. �

~~~ �

He knew Kurt was right - he needed space. He was still processing Jermaine's accident really, the fact that Jermaine could be gone in a matter of months. He loved Kurt and it really hurt being turned down, but he understood why, he knew that it wasn't good to jump into a relationship after just getting out of one. It didn't stop him wanting to be near Kurt though … he just wanted to lie in Kurt's arms and have him tell him that everything would be okay, that Jermaine would get better. He just wanted to kiss Kurt and never stop … he'd felt so much in those two kisses. They had made him feel special - Kurt made him feel special.

~~~

Meanwhile

Kurt had retreated to his room and was pacing the floor. He'd done the right thing, he knew that, but if it was right why did he feel so crappy for doing it? This was what was best for Blaine - for them. Blaine needed to be completely over Jermaine before they got together, it was only fair to the both of them. �

'It was the right thing, Kurt' �

‘I know but-‘ �

‘No buts, it was the right thing.' �

‘But that kiss … I want more kisses. I need to feel him next to me, kissing me, holding me - whatever, I need that. He's the one.' �

‘I know, but he needs to grieve, needs to process what has happened in the past few days.' �

‘I know you're right.' �

Kurt quickly dialled Rachel's number. He needed to talk to somebody instead of trying to battle with his own subconscious. �

"Hey, Rach?" said Kurt when Rachel picked up. �

"What's up, Kurt? Are you okay, you sound kinda sad?" �

"Blaine asked me out!" Kurt blurted. �

"What? Kurt, that's great!" she screamed down the phone. �

"I said ‘no'." �

"Huh? Why?" �

"He's not over Jermaine, he needs some time … I know I'm doing the right thing but I don't want this." he said, tears pooling in his eyes. �

"Oh. Ssshhhuuussshhhh Kurt, it's the right thing to do. It might feel horrible now, but when he's ready, and you're actually dating it will be worth it and you'll be glad you did this." �

"You should have seen the look in his eyes when I left him. He looked so small, so broken and fragile. I hate that I did that to him …" �

"Kurt! It was the right thing to do - he knows it, you know it." �

Kurt paused for a moment and nodded sadly to himself. �

"Aw Rach, what would I do without you?" �

"Worry yourself into oblivion? … Look, I'm sorry sweetie, but I really have to go… you'll be okay?" �

"Yeah - uh … yeah, I'll be as good as I can be. Bye, Rach … love you" �

"Love you, too."

Kurt hung up the phone. He just hoped that Blaine was okay …