“Nobody said it was easy

Oh, it's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be so hard

I'm going back to the start.”

*

Kurt picked up the picture of him and Blaine at his junior prom. His eyes misting as he looked at how happy they both looked. Kurt carefully placed the picture in the box on top of everything that reminded him of Blaine. Slowly he closed the lid and tapped up the box. Moving the box to the back of his and Rachel’s storage area, his unshed tears finally started to flow.

“Kurt it’s time-“ Rachel stopped as she saw him crying. Kurt slumped, slowly sliding down the wall, Rachel coming to sit beside him. Silently pulling him into a hug.

“No one ever said it would be this hard…” He whispered into her shoulder. Their plans for the night forgotten.

·      A year later *

Blaine looked around transfixed at the size of it all. New York. He had finally made it. He couldn’t believe that he was starting at NYADA this year.

He had been walking around the city all day going from one apartment to the next. Each place was great but the price wasn’t in his range. Looked like he would be in the dorms this year until he made some friends. But the one thing he wanted to find in this city was the best coffee shop. He had only been here for a day and he was already missing the Lima Bean. He waited at the lights and crossed the road and entered the first coffee shop he came to.

Kurt had been set on coffee duty. Isabelle didn’t make him do it often but this time he had volunteered. They were talking about a new fashion line and Kurt just didn’t want to hear Mandy suggest one more thing along the lines of brazier he had jumped to the task to collect the coffee’s. Isabelle giving him a sympathetic look as she told him to take his time. Opening the door to the New York Street would never get old to Kurt he loved the size, the sound even the smell. Walking leisurely he headed towards the usual coffee shop. He passed shops on his way and stopped at some to glance at the displays in the windows. At one of his stops Kurt was looking in the window of a coffee shop admiring the little gifts they had set up in the window. Just as he was about to walk away, something caught his eye. He was standing there clear as day waiting in line. His hair wasn’t as gelled so some curls had escaped and he was unconsciously pushing them out of his vision. Before he knew what he was doing he was walking into the shop standing in the line, three people away from him. Blaine. Kurt saw Blaine order his coffee and go and wait by the window seat. Kurt knew he had been staring to long, this was confirmed when the cashier asked him for his order.

“Medium Drip” He said without thinking. He was suddenly overwhelmed with how long it had been since he had said that and he shivered.

“Name?” The girl asked. Her head cocked clearly wondering if he was a bit thick.

“Kurt. Spelt with a K.” He said handing her the cash and moving to the side to wait. Soon enough he heard Blaine’s name being called. Kurt quickly turned his back so that Blaine would realize it was him. Kurt could swear he felt Blaine brush past him on his way to get his coffee. It’s all in your head. He told himself sternly. Cautiously peering over his shoulder he saw that Blaine had returned to the window seat. A newspaper in his hand and a pen sticking out of his mouth. Kurt stifled a laugh at the familiar expression on his face.

“Kurt!” Blaine’s head whipped up suddenly looking over to the counter where Kurt’s name had just been called. Kurt grabbed his coffee and turned around just to see Blaine’s eyes fixed on his.

The coffee shop was small. But it smelt nice and Blaine just really wanted to sit down. The wait for the line wasn’t that long and he also managed to grab a window seat. He had just got comfortable when his name was called out. He got up quickly rushing to the counter so that he didn’t loose his seat. He narrowly missed a guy who was reading some of the flyers on the wall. He grabbed his coffee and headed back to his seat unfolding the news paper an gnawing on his pen while he tried to find any apartments that were in his price range.

“Kurt!” The name pierced through his entire being the pen falling from his mouth as he gaped. He shut his mouth quickly. There are probably heaps of people with the name Kurt…But what if it is? Blaine looks up just as the man grabs his coffee. The man turns around and looks right at him. Blaine feels his throat close up and his hands start to sweat. When he finally looks up Kurt is standing at the other end of his table.

“May I?” He asks gesturing to the seat opposite Blaine. Blaine just nods. He doesn’t have the breath or courage to speak to Kurt yet.

“Hi…” Blaine looks up to see Kurt looking at him with those blue eyes and a shy smile on his lips. Blaine looks down again, his eyes filling with tears.

“Kurt-“

“I know freaked me out when I saw you too.” Blaine has to smile at that. A few tears escape and Kurt frowns.

“Blaine why are you crying?”

“I don’t know” He says quietly “I haven’t seen you in a year and this is all a bit much.” Blaine can see Kurt visibly restrain himself from reaching for Blaine’s hand. Kurt stayed silent. Just looking at Blaine. Blaine was doing the same. Familiarizing himself with Kurt’s features. Kurt opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. Blaine couldn’t handle this anymore and got up leaving the news paper on the table.

“I’m sorry…Kurt I just I can’t I-“ he said backing away quickly so that he could cry in peace. As son as he was outside he took a deep breath and let his tears fall silently.

“Excuse me?” Blaine turned around to be faced with Kurt again. Blaine opened his mouth to say something but Kurt didn’t give him enough time to say what he wanted to say.

“You’re new here. Let me show you around.” He said grabbing Blaine’s hand in a vice grip.

“Kurt-“ Blaine stuttered.

“Let’s just go back to the start.” He said sticking out his hand. “I’m Kurt.”

“Blaine…”