Kurt is the only one who knows about Blaine. He'd stumbled across him during his first week in the new house. Well it was a new house for them, but was over a century old, renovated and improved with all the modern conveniences a modern family could want but barely need. The attic room was to be Kurt's bedroom, it was furnished thanks to his own hard work and Finn's help but bare, apart from the presence of a boy.

Kurt was carrying up the last of his things when he saw him. A boy with unruly curls dressed in a striped button up shirt, rolled to the elbows and dress pants sat at the window staring listlessly out onto the street. He wasn't grey or white like you'd expect a ghost to be, he was in vivid colour, the honey of his skin and the golden hazel of his eyes shone just as it would if he were alive but he just didn't seem solid, Kurt could just about see through him. Kurt dropped his box of knick-knacks immediately and the boy turned, stared right at him looking panicked and terrified before abruptly fading into nothing. Kurt ran from the room in an instant.

He didn't go back to his room until after dinner, something told him he was being ridiculous, that he was probably just imagining things and that even if he wasn't this... ‘spirit' or whatever looked far from malevolent. He picked up more of his stuff and transported it up the back staircase, half expecting to see the boy at the window again but the room was empty and cold. A chill filled the air and it was eerie and disconcerting. Thoroughly freaked out Kurt just wanted to turn out the lights and bury himself under the sheets.

He hauled himself and the last of his boxes into the room, piling them neatly in the corner to unpack another day. Exhausted he padded over to his bureau, pulling out soft cotton pyjama pants and a long sleeved t-shirt before pulling his sweaty tank off and staring at himself in the full length mirror. Pale he thought with a grimace, stupid baby fat he frowned poking at his stomach.

"Don't worry angel," a voice sounded next to him, soft and deep and gentle. Kurt stared at his startled, wide eyed reflection in the mirror "you're beautiful". It was so honestly whispered, breathless and filled with awe. Suddenly the boy flickered back into existence less than a foot to Kurt's left like someone had just flipped a switch and he appeared. Kurt screamed hurrying to cover himself and the boy squeaked stumbling back, knocking over ornaments and a lamp in the process.

"Oh my god!" The boy? ghost? hallucination? exclaimed. "You can- hear me you're not supposed to see or hear me, what - that's not fair you only see me when I want you to - why?" The boy rambled and paced until his eyes landed on Kurt, backed against the wall desperately trying to cover himself. "OH!" He said panicked and Kurt thought that maybe if he were a little closer and a little less transparent he'd be able to see the boy blush. "I wasn't going to- you have my word I swear I wasn't watch- Oh hell I was about to leave o-or at least turn away but-"

He huffed, frustrated and looking anxious, scared of what Kurt might do. "I'm so sorry, I'll leave you now." He stared solemnly down at the ground, large eyes glowing in the warm light. His head raised and his eyes met Kurt's and he slowly whispered "but you really are quite beautiful" before beginning to fade.

"Wait stop!" Kurt called, tugging on his shirt and breathing a sigh of relief as the honey eyed boy began to blend back into focus looking painfully earnest and hopeful. "Quite beautiful you say?" Kurt spoke timidly, blushing scarlet as the boy grinned at him. "V-very pretty" he stammered bashfully, following Kurt at a distance to settle on the bed "j-just breathtaking".

A heavy silence fell upon them, still and uncomfortable. Kurt was sitting on his bed next to this... apparition who may or may not have just been planning to spy on him. He shifted nervously and the boy moved to stand again "I'm sorry, l-let me introduce myself I'm Blaine, Blaine Anderson.

.oO0Oo.

Blaine Anderson is seventeen years old and dead. He's not a ghost he's adamant about that he's just lost somehow, after he died he just didn't fade completely like he was suppose to. He had been that way for just over ninety years. Died of neglected Pneumonia. Kurt had asked why he was still around and immediately regretted it, it took him a while to realise it but the truth was that dead or not Blaine was lonely, had been in life as well as death.

Blaine had his theories and so did Kurt but no amount of speculation or time spent pondering solved Blaine's predicament. They moved on, beyond their first meeting which was... awkward to say the least, and spoke as if they were old friends.

Days wore on and weeks past, Blaine accidently short circuited the entire house out of excitement when Kurt first showed him his laptop. Movie marathons were also a new concept and the first time Rachel and Mercedes came round for their bi-monthly sleepover Blaine was invited. Obviously the others couldn't see or hear him, Blaine didn't want them to, but Kurt could. Kurt could see Blaine perched right at the end of the bed leaning close to the TV in interest. He could hear Blaine muttering to Kurt over the sounds of the movie, snorting involuntarily at his indignant squawks and outrage because "Kurt she does love him! Kurt, you can see it in her eyes! Nooooooo Christian come back!" As it happens the first movie marathon was also the first time Kurt saw Blaine cry and he found himself hoping he'd never see it ever again.

School started up again and Kurt came home to find Blaine waiting for him everyday without fail. Blaine knew when Kurt had had one of his good days and when he'd had one of his bad days and sadly the latter was always more likely.

One day which started like any other, Kurt came crashing into his bedroom and did something he'd never done before. He told Blaine to go away, to leave, to disappear. Blaine was hurt but Kurt was shaking, sobs wracking his entire body as he curled into himself on his bed. "What happened angel?" Blaine begged and Kurt told him reluctantly, sniffling and hiccupping throughout. A threat and a stolen kiss and Blaine was unimaginably angry. He was stunned into silence and he could feel tears burning behind his eyes, devastated that he couldn't do anything to comfort him, couldn't have been the one to give him his first kiss instead.

There were a lot of things about the modern world Blaine still didn't understand but he did understand his feelings towards Kurt. But no one wants a ninety something dead guy for a suitor. "I'm so sorry Kurt" he settled on his words resignedly, trying to placate the object of his affections the best he could.

"Why do you even care?" Kurt replied sharply "you're dead".

"That's right, I am dead but do you know what Kurt? Death doesn't mean you stop caring, that you don't feel crushed and angry and scared when you see the person you love's heart break right in front of you!" Kurt's breath hitched and he blinked bleary eyes up at Blaine. "I'll just go then". He muttered sadly.

"NO WAIT! Please don't leave me". And Blaine could never refuse him, he just curled up behind him pushing his shaking fingers through his hair but without being able to feel the soft tendrils of hair or smell his sweet shampoo; wrapping his arms around him without feeling the warmth of his body; tracing patterns on his wrists without feeling the satin like skin; kissing him without feeling the soft plump skin of his lips and the warmth of his contented breath.

Kurt felt everything. Warmth instead of the cold chill he had expected to experience. But he couldn't feel Blaine, not exactly, he could feel where he touched him the warmth along his back and the delicate brushing through his hair, hearts and swirls ingrained into his skin, but it wasn't solid like he could turn around and see Blaine without also being able to look straight through him.

Blaine's warmth enveloped him, made him feel safe and loved and he drifted calmed into unconsciousness when he felt the faint press to his mouth. "Mmm ‘ove you" He mumbled and in his dream riddled state he hoped that if Blaine had breath to give he'd be sighing against his neck and replying likewise.

.oO0Oo.

When Kurt woke up late on Saturday morning Blaine was gone. It wasn't unusual for Blaine to disappear for an hour or two so at first Kurt didn't think anything of it. Until he was getting ready for bed and there was still no Blaine. He slept restlessly that night.

The next morning arrived and Blaine still wasn't there. Kurt subtly searched the house for him, top to bottom, bottom to top but he was gone. Kurt couldn't even sense him, it was like Blaine had just suddenly stopped existing. Kurt began to panic. Blaine and Kurt had been best friends for months and not a day had passed when they hadn't seen each other for at least for an hour or two. So he tried to rationalise and worry and rationalise and worry until being sensible and neurotic started to blend into one mindset that sent his head spinning. Kurt cried himself to sleep that night realising that his theory that maybe Blaine just didn't want to be seen right now wasn't true, because he had the distinct feeling that Blaine was not just invisible but gone.

A week passed and Kurt still had hope but he was angry. There was no warning, no inclination that he was simply going to fade and not come back and Kurt needed him. Blaine was the only one he could run to when everything fell apart, when he didn't feel like being strong anymore and even though he couldn't hold him in his arms and kiss away the tears he did everything in his power to make Kurt feel loved and cherished.

Another week past and Kurt just missed him, missed his smile and his hazel eyes and unruly dark hair. He missed his laugh and his voice and the very ‘proper' way he used to say things, old fashioned and so Blaine. It wasn't the same without Blaine's kindness and strength lifting him up on the darkest days, without Blaine's energy and enthusiasm making him grin from ear to ear. The other's started to notice, saw Kurt pining for something or someone that they'd never even seen him have in the first place. Because they hadn't seen him, had never met him and if they had they'd be devastated too.

Days blur when you're missing someone and time drags until your mind throbs and your chest aches with the emptiness that starts to seep into every crevice of your body. Kurt knew his father was worried could tell by how much he insisted on checking on him. Carole fussed with him, motherly concern permanently etched into her brow whenever Kurt was near. Even Finn knew that something was up but there was nothing he or anyone could do. If Blaine was gone, if he had left or it had been his ‘time' then nothing would bring him back.

It was late on a Friday evening when Burt Hummel hauled himself out of his favourite arm chair and into the hall to answer the door to some one who thought it appropriate to be knocking incessantly on his door at this time of night. Kurt was only vaguely registering the sounds, staring lifelessly when he heard the voice, soft and deep and gentle like it had been the very first time he'd heard it, like it had always been.

"I-um good evening sir sorry to disturb you but i-is Kurt at home?" Kurt was out of his chair and standing stock still in the entryway before his father could even reply. Blaine was there, at his door, his dad could see him, and Kurt could see him. But best of all he couldn't see through him, no more transparency, just pure, solid, real Blaine. God it was heaven to see him again, in flesh and bone and blood.

"Blaine!" Kurt yelled running to the door and ignoring his dad as he grumbled to himself and shuffled back towards the lounge. "Kurt" Blaine breathed, cheeks stained red from the cold, his body shivering lightly. Because he can feel now, Kurt thought, he can feel the wind and rain and the heat of the sun. "You're a-".

"Alive yeah I-"

"How? You - why?"

"Because I love you".

Kurt's breath hitched, eyes filling with tears as he stood inches away from the one thing he thought he could never have "I've been looking for you forever Kurt, and then I found you and fell in love with you. I thought I could do it, love you from a distance but I can't, I couldn't spend the rest of my days on Earth without touching you, or holding you, or kissing you".

"And if you don't need me like I thought you did, o-or you don't - don't want me then that's fine I'll leave, try and make the most of this second chance, this second life but without you I'll never really be alive".

"I love you too" Kurt whispered "And I think I have ever since I caught you trying to catch a look".

Blaine laughed nervously eyes big and brimming with shock and awe. "Be my boyfriend". Kurt blurted out.

"But I-I should court you". Kurt laughed until he realised Blaine was actually deadly serious. "Fine take me out on a date sometime but right now, say you'll be mine and that you'll have me as yours.

"Y-yes, of course Kurt yes".

Kurt stepped out onto the porch wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck holding him tight as Blaine gripped his waist letting out a shuddering breath. Blaine stared at him, unable to believe that this boy was finally his "You're cold".

"Mhmm" Blaine hummed his eyes bright "That's new and weird. I've burnt myself too many times to count. I have to remember to eat and drink now not to mention certain er bodily functions that require attention, hormones and stu- don't give me that look Kurt I may have been dead for ninety odd years but that doesn't make me any less of a teenage boy".

"Horn dog" Kurt giggled.

"You have no idea" Blaine countered playfully, tugging Kurt in closer and grinning at Kurt's gasp.

"My where has my gentleman friend Mr Anderson got to?"

"Mr Anderson discovered the internet but also spent forever practically senseless and then spent nine months with a beautiful boy he couldn't touch".

"You can touch me now" He uttered with a twinkle in his eye.

"I can" Blaine replied breathlessly, bringing up a hand to stroke at Kurt's rosy cheeks.

Blaine could feel him, feel the heat of Kurt's skin and feel him shiver in the night air. God he could smell him, sweet like vanilla and jasmine with just a hint of musk. He was intoxicated with it, dizzy and reeling from the bombardment of Kurt, Kurt, Kurt.

"So kiss me Blaine"

And so he did.