Nathanial walked Blaine back to the coffee shop after they both finished eating their lunch. Usually, they did not walk hand-in-hand because as a gay couple, they would get dirty looks but today, Blaine reached out and entwined their fingers together as they walked. The corners of Nate's lips twitched up and he swung their hands between them. They rounded the corner and walked into the coffee shop, both smiling at Elise who was behind the counter staring off into space since the shop was empty— business around lunch time is usually pretty slow. She beamed when the two of them walked in the shop and she went into the back room to give them some privacy. Nate pulled Blaine into his arms and planted a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Have fun tonight, sweetheart."

Blaine smiled, "thank you. I'll tell you about it over lunch tomorrow?"

"Sounds perfect to me," he kissed Blaine once more. "I love you." Blaine smiled a bit more and Nate released him and walked out the door. Blaine went over to the window and watched him stride down the street. Blaine didn't even hear when Elise walked back into the room.

"You still won't say it back?"

"It's only a day after he said it. I need time!" Blaine fired back finally taking his eyes off the window.

"Boy, the way you look at him you could have fooled me," Elise snickered returning to behind the counter and dumping the rest of the stale scones in the trash.

"Well," Blaine said coming over to help her, "no one asked you."

The rest of the day rushed by much faster than Blaine would have liked. He hoped it would last a bit longer, but unfortunately 7PM was fast approaching. The shop closed at 6:30 and Blaine was taking his time to close up shop. Elise had to tell him several times to pick up the pace or he wouldn't get out on time, but that was Blaine's plan. Maybe if he stalled enough and didn't get out at 7:00, Kurt would be too impatient and just leave. That wasn't like Kurt though, he was always punctual and he always followed through on his promises; well, most of his promises. Elise realized at quarter to seven that Blaine was purposefully taking longer than usual to close shop and she doubled her efforts to counteract Blaine's.

"Jesus Blaine!" she shouted throwing the dishrag into the sink. "Taking your sweet old time won't make Kurt go away! I'd bodily shove you out that damn door at seven o'clock if you were covered in coffee or dying of a flesh wound! You are going to that dinner whether you like it or not!" Blaine paused, staring open-mouthed at his best friend. "Look," she said, her voice returning to its normal volume and tone, "I've listened to how you talk about Kurt, and I know that he hurt you. I'm not saying to get together again with him or anything, I just want you to get closure. You owe it to yourself and Nate to get that. And if it does work out and you want to get back together with him, I—"

"No!" Blaine cried thrusting himself off the counter he was sitting on and walking over to Elise. "I can't go back to him after what he did to me."

"It isn't like he cheated on you or anything, Blaine. He just broke up with you. You said it yourself, it was going to happen because of the distance. Now that you're in New York, maybe it will all work out."

"It didn't work out because he didn't try," Blaine had tears welling up in his eyes. "He didn't fucking try! I was always there for him, building our relationship and his confidence, I never stopped. Then he went and broke me. He broke me like a pair of God damn knock-off Gucci shoes!"

Elise smiled at his metaphor, "which is exactly why it's going to take more than some super glue to fix you. This closure is what you need." Blaine wiped his eyes on the back of his hand and nodded. Elise is right, she is always right. "Now get that cute little ass of yours into the bathroom and fix your hair." Blaine nodded and scurried to the bathroom.

He closed the door behind him and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He always manages to get flour in his hair and today was no exception. He turned the cold water on and splashed his face a few times, clearing his head. He toweled off and tried to wipe out as much flour as he could. He was tempted to just stick his head under the faucet, but decided against it because he had no hair gel to tame the curls when they started drying. Gel. What he wouldn't give to have a tub of that stuff right now. Thinking about it he stuff made him want to shellac his hair like he used to in school… He poked his head from around the door. "Hey Elise, do you have any hair gel?"

"Absolutely not. I've seen those pictures of you in high school!"

Damn. Plastering his curls was out of the question. Why did he care what his hair looked like? It was a casual dinner. Why did he feel the need to look perfect for Kurt? Blaine just attributed it to the nerves. Old habits die hard. He just had to make due with what he had and that was water and paper towels. Kurt would be mortified if that was all he had to get ready with. Blaine chucked to himself as he set about patting his dry curls into place. They were just about as smooth as they were ever going to be and he washed his hands. He was just about to run his fingers through his hair when Elise's voice came through the door.

"B, he's here," she whispered. He froze a moment, his heart racing a mile a minute. "Blaine?" He burst through the door, his face white as a sheet. "Oh for God's sake Blaine," she chided reaching up and pinching both his cheeks to give them some color. "You'll be fine." Blaine nodded again, taking deep breaths to slow his heaving chest. Elise nodded to him and he came out of the back and emerged behind the counter.

Kurt was standing in the coffee shop, looking around at all the chairs that were turned up on the tables. "Hey, Kurt," Blaine said as calmly as he could.

Kurt's head snapped around to look at Blaine, a smile warming his face. "Hello, Blaine. Are you ready to go?" Blaine nodded coming around the corner. Kurt looked him up and down, observing his attire. "Are you planning on wearing that apron to dinner?"

Blaine could feel his cheeks grow hot as he looked down at himself. "And if I was?" he asked, his voice raising an octave.

"I'd ask you to wear a paper bag on your head too," Kurt smiled. Blaine untied the apron and flung it over the counter. Miraculously he didn't spill anything on his black sweater or gray slacks today and he smiled at that accomplishment. "Much better," Kurt agreed.

"I still like the apron, it really brought out my eyes," Blaine said fluttering his long black lashes.

"If you say so," Kurt sighed with a delicate shrug.

"I'll see you tomorrow Elise!" Blaine called into the back room. Elise mumbled something in return, but Blaine didn't quite catch it. "Shall we?" he gestured to the door. Kurt nodded and the pair of them left the shop. Kurt thrust his hand in the air and hailed a taxi for the pair of them.

Once inside, he gave an address to the cab driver and they settled in for the ride. Blaine and Kurt sat on opposite sides of the seat, as far away from each other as physically possible in the tight cab. After a few moments of tense silence Blaine asked, "so, where are we going?"

Kurt uncrossed his legs and replied, "one of my favorite casual restaurants. We are about five minutes away."

Blaine nodded and they fell back into silence. From the corner of his eye, Blaine could watch Kurt's movements; the way he crossed his legs and rested his chin delicately on his hand. He was dressed in the same outfit he had on this morning, those pants still hugging his legs like a second skin. His eyes were focused on the city as it rushed by, a dreamy expression painted across his face. His crystal blue eyes glinted with the street lamps that lit the spring evening. The last of the orange sun was dipping below the skyscrapers and it painted the white of Kurt's face a creamy orange color, making his flawless skin glow. Blaine tilted his head as he stared at Kurt, he really hadn't changed all that much, except for just aging a few years.

"Is there something on my face?" Kurt asked without looking away from his window. Crap. Why did he have to stare so obviously? More color touched his cheeks as his brain flailed for a response.

"N-No. I was just thinking how you have hardly changed since I last saw you," Blaine sputtered.

"So I still look like a teenage boy?" Kurt inquired facing Blaine and raising an eyebrow.

"No, no. That's not what I meant at all. I was just— I mean you— You are—"

"Blaine relax, I get what you meant," he uttered a small giggle. "You still look the same too, except the hair. But I'm glad you changed that."

"Me too," Blaine replied. "That gel gets expensive when you're paying for it on your own."

Kurt scoffed, "oh please Blaine, that gel is nothing compared to what I pay for my hair to look this good," he said fluttering his hand around his head, afraid to touch it. "And don't get me started on my newest moisturizing routine."

"Noted," Blaine smirked.

The cab rolled up in front of a small restaurant and the two men got out. Blaine reached for his wallet but before he pulled it out, Kurt was already getting his change from the driver. "Don't worry about it, Blaine." He thanked the driver and he and Blaine crossed the street. They went into the restaurant and waited for the hostess. She was a spritely blonde who eyed Blaine as she approached the pair. "Table for two?" she asked flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder and blinking her lashes more than physically necessary. Blaine nodded and smiled and she led them into the dining room. She came to a small table in the corner of the restaurant away from most of the other chatter going on and left for the kitchen. Blaine hesitated, fighting the urge to pull Kurt's chair out for him like he had done hundreds of times before. Kurt removed his jacket and slung it over a chair before gracefully seating himself. Blaine took the seat directly across from him. Kurt sighed and flipped through the menu quickly before setting it down.

"That was fast," Blaine noted without looking up from his menu.

"It's one of my favorite restaurants," Kurt replied crossing his legs and folding his hands in front of him on the table.

"Do you have any recommendations?" Blaine asked, eyes flicking up to look at Kurt.

Kurt paused a moment, his tongue sticking out between his lips just like he used to when he was thinking. "The seafood medley with roast vegetables is divine," Kurt gushed.

Blaine shrugged, "sounds good to me." He smiled.

The blonde waitress came back to the table, "are y'all ready to order?" she asked playing up her southern accent. Kurt and Blaine nodded. "Can I start you off with something to drink?"

Kurt glanced at the drink menu, "I'll have an appletini." he replied looking up at the waitress.

The blonde bobbed her head as she scribbled something down on her notepad, "and what can I get you, darlin'?" she asked Blaine.

Blaine glanced at the menu, "I'll take a dirty martini up."

The waitress nodded again, recording Blaine's drink order on her note pad. "Alrighty, I'll be back with your drinks in a few," she winked at Blaine before she sashayed away.

Kurt giggled, trying to cover his mouth with his hand. "seems like you're still quite the ladies' man," he snickered.

"It's a gift," he shrugged.

"She was flirting worse than Rachel used to."

"She's barking up the wrong tree," Blaine laughed.

"You should have let me dress you, you'd never have people guessing your sexuality if you dressed like me," Kurt said smoothing his hands down the thighs of his pants.

"I don't think I could handle dressing as fabulously as you, Kurt"

Kurt mused over that statement, letting his eyes drift along the ceiling. "No I suppose not." The two of them laughed for a while before a still silence enveloped the table.

"So what have you been up to? I heard you starred in some musicals?" Blaine asked resting his chin on his hand.

"I wouldn't say starred. Where did you hear that?"

"Word travels fast in Ohio."

"That is true," Kurt conceded. "I haven't had my big break-out role just yet. I've had small roles in four shows, but nothing spectacular."

"What do you do in between shows?" Blaine inquired.

The waitress came back to the table with their drinks. She set napkins down and gently placed their martinis on the table. She pulled out her note pad, "are you ready to order?"

"I'm all set if you are?" Blaine asked Kurt.

Kurt nodded, "I will have the Caesar salad, light on the dressing."

"Caesar salad," the waitress mumbled to herself, "and what can I get for you, handsome?"

Blaine flashed her a disarming smile. "I will take the seafood medley."

"Seafood medley. Okay," she reached across the table to take their menus, lingering over Blaine much longer than was necessary. Blaine bit his lip to keep from laughing and Kurt had his lips clamped together, but his shoulders were vibrating with laughter regardless. When she disappeared around the partition both men burst out laughing.

Blaine was wiping tears out of his eyes by the time they both calmed down. "I guess you were right."

"I know," Kurt replied shortly.

"So, like I was saying before she came by, what have you been up to other than the shows?"

Kurt re-crossed his legs and settled in for the conversation. "Well, when I'm not doing shows, I have been working for an independent fashion label doing some design work."

"Oh wow," Blaine said. "Sounds exciting."

"It really is. I went to Paris for six months for some fashion shows to do some networking and to get some inspiration for designs."

"Did you like it?"

"Like it? I adore Paris!" Kurt trilled. "Oh, Blaine you would love it too. The architecture is just breath-taking and the food is exquisite. They have music all along the streets and the Eiffel Tower is just stunning!"

Blaine smiled remembering how he and Kurt used to talk of going to Paris together. He glanced down at his lap, fiddling with the napkin spread across his knees. "We used to talk all the time about going one day."

Kurt's smile fell, as if he was dreading the past from being mentioned. "I know," he muttered. "Look, Blaine. I'm really sorr—"

Blaine held up a hand. "Kurt, there is no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong." You just ripped my heart out, Blaine thought sourly to himself.

"We just grew apart," Kurt stated. More like you grew apart, the voice in Blaine's head retorted. They fell into an awkward silence again, neither knowing how to continue after the hic-up in their conversation. They sipped their drinks and nibbled on the rolls that had gone untouched until the lull in conversation. Thankfully, the flirty waitress came to the table and gave them their food so they had a reason to keep quiet. They ate half of their meal in silence.

"So," Kurt began as he skewered lettuce with his fork, "What have you been up to since we last talked? Did you graduate, how do you like New York, have you met any new friends?"

Blaine paused, not sure how to begin. Telling your ex about how them breaking up with you completely crushed your soul and your dreams isn't exactly on the top of anyone's to-do list. He pushed a piece of calamari around his plate with his fork. "Where would you like me to start?" he asked because frankly, he was clueless.

"How about school?" Kurt suggested taking a dainty sip of his drink.

Damn. Not the part he wanted to start with. "Well," Blaine reluctantly began, "I went back to Ohio after sophomore year and I decided that the whole acting thing was not working out for me."

"Did you go to school in Ohio?"

Blaine gave a bitter smile. "No. I formally withdrew from school in California and I didn't transfer anywhere."

Kurt watched Blaine as he uncomfortably recounted life post-break-up. He tilted his head to the side and listened, spurring Blaine on with positive glances and reassuring smiles. Blaine wasn't having any of it though. He hardly talked about his school failure to anyone, let alone the cause of it. When Blaine stopped talking and began eating his medley again Kurt prodded him to keep going, "so if school didn't work out, what did you do? Something with music, I assume?"

Blaine cast his eyes down at his plate, refusing to look up at Kurt. "No. I hadn't played until I came to the city. While I was in Ohio," he paused, not wanting to admit this part, "I lived with my parents and worked in my father's office." I sound like such a loser, Blaine thought gritting his teeth. He's off doing all this exciting stuff and I was a bum living off my parents. He really wasn't affected by our break-up at all… Blaine's thoughts were raging, spewing self-doubt and pessimism all over his confidence. He glanced up at Kurt, whose brow was furrowed in thought. When he caught his eye, Kurt perked right up, smiling a false smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Kurt cleared his throat, "so why did you decide to come to the city?"

Blaine felt better answering this question, "I just thought since it didn't work out on the west coast, I would try the east coast. I just decided one day I needed to get the hell out of Ohio."

"I know the feeling," Kurt laughed.

Blaine smiled too, "I love the city. It's just so full of life and excitement."

"LA wasn't exciting?" Kurt asked.

"Don't get me wrong, it is a great place to visit. It's just not my cup of tea to actually live there. Here I feel home, as cheesy as it sounds."

Kurt beamed, "this city is magnificent." He nibbled on another lettuce leaf. "I saw you playing your guitar this morning before work, does that mean you're getting back into music?"

Blaine shrugged his shoulders and swallowed the mouthful of food he was eating. "I've preformed at a few bar shows, but nothing too serious. It feels good to get back into it after so many years of neglecting it."

Kurt nodded in understanding. The silence that followed was considerably less awkward as they both finished their meals. The waitress came by again and took their plates away and refilled their drinks. They chatted about New York for a bit, the attractions, the shows, and Kurt recommended several stores and restaurants to try. Blaine felt at ease talking to Kurt like this, just casual chit-chat; none of the embarrassing stuff from his past that he hated admitting to anyone. He didn't bring up the past anymore and neither did Kurt. The waitress dropped off their check and Kurt swiped it off the table before Blaine had the chance to look at it. He began to protest but Kurt held up a hand.

"Blaine after all the times you paid for dinner, this is the least I can do," He placed a shiny credit card in the folder with the receipt and handed it to the waitress as she passed by. Blaine thanked him and sipped on his drink a bit more. "So, I see that you are close with Elise, but have you met anyone else since coming to the city?" Kurt asked.

"Not too many people, just a few of Elise's friends and people I have talked to at my shows," Blaine replied, purposefully neglecting to mention Nate. It shouldn't be awkward for him to talk about his new boyfriend with Kurt, but he felt the need to keep it to himself.

"It's strange coming to a big city at first and meeting all these new people. Are you seeing anyone?" Kurt asked arching a perfect eyebrow.

Blaine's heart skipped a beat. He was trying to avoid talking about Nate, but there was no way around it now. "Well, Elise set me up on a few blind dates with a couple of her friends but nothing really serious until Nathanial."

Kurt's eyes lit up, he looked happy? Weird, Blaine thought. He didn't expect anything to happen with him, but he didn't expect Kurt to be quite so excited with his love life. "That's fantastic," Kurt said enthusiastically, clapping his hands together. "What's he like? How long have you been dating?"

"A little over a month. You'd like him Kurt, he is really into fashion and he is a fantastic musician and writer," Blaine smiled.

"He sounds like quite a catch," Kurt replied. The waitress came back to their table and handed Kurt the receipt and his card. He signed the slip of paper and thanked the waitress for her hospitality.

Blaine didn't quite want to leave yet because he just wanted to chat with his friend some more. "So, are you seeing someone?" he asked as casually as Kurt did.

Kurt paused and his cheeks turned red. Is he blushing? Blaine questioned. "Well," Kurt began as he swirled his drink around in his glass. Blaine brought his own glass to his lips and sipped his martini. "Actually, I'm engaged." Kurt finished. Blaine's throat closed and the alcohol from his drink burned his wind-pipe. He coughed and sputtered, unable to hide his shock from Kurt who was not meeting his stunned expression. Blaine coughed and cleared his throat in a desperate attempt to regain his composure.

He wiped his mouth on his napkin and cleared his throat as delicately as he could, "that's great, Kurt! Congratulations!" Blaine exclaimed trying to sound as chipper as he could while inside he was screaming. "Who is the lucky man?"

Kurt still didn't look up from his drink, "his name's Glen."

Blaine couldn't help himself from asking one last question, "how long have you been seeing each other?"

Kurt paused, clearly uncomfortable with the question. Blaine was dreading the answer and wishing for it both at the same time. He had to know. Kurt shifted in his seat and slammed back the rest of his drink in one gulp. He set the empty glass down on the table, "five years," he said.

Blaine's stomach dropped out from under him. Five years. He bit back tears. Five years. He reached for his drink with a shaking hand and swallowed the rest of it in two big gulps. Five years. That meant that this Glen guy was the man he left Blaine for. Blaine put on the fakest smile he had ever worn in his life. "Wow, that is really nice. How long have you been engaged?"

Again Kurt was uncomfortable but this time, he had no alcohol to drink. "Glen came to Paris with me and proposed under the Eifel Tower."

Blaine clenched his jaw and yearned for a strong drink, "how romantic," he said as pleasantly as he could. This hit Blaine hard. He had planned his proposal to Kurt dozens of times over. They would graduate college and he would move to New York and they would go to Paris for a celebratory vacation. He would buy him a ring and get down on one knee in at the top of the Eiffel Tower and ask Kurt to be his forever. A pang of hurt gripped his chest, and it was all he could do not to bust out in tears. Why was this hitting him so hard? They hadn't been together for five years. He was happy with Nate. He glanced at Kurt's left hand which Kurt had been conveniently kept hidden most of the evening by folding his right hand over his left. Encircling his ring finger was a thin white-gold band inlaid with two small diamonds.

Kurt saw Blaine's eyes resting on his hand and he pulled it away and hid it under the table. "It is getting pretty late, the restaurant will be closing soon," Kurt murmured.

Blaine nodded and put on another forced smile. "I guess we better head out then." Blaine reached in his wallet and placed a generous tip on the table before following Kurt outside. They stood there for a while and Kurt slid his arms back into his jacket. He hailed a taxi and one pulled up to the curb. He turned to Blaine and smiled.

"It was great catching up, Blaine. We should do this again sometime," his smile was genuine.

"That would be wonderful," Blaine said matching Kurt's enthusiasm. "Maybe we can double date sometime?"

"A brilliant idea!" Kurt said beaming and clasping his hands together in front of him. "I'll keep in touch. Goodnight, Blaine." He leaned over and hugged Blaine around the shoulders. Blaine slid his arms around Kurt's waist, pressing his face into his shoulder. Butterflies in his stomach shuddered to life.

"See you later, Kurt," he muttered into his shoulder. They parted and Kurt climbed into the taxi and gave his directions to the cab driver. Blaine watched him go, waving at the cab as it sped away into the night.

He stood on the curb for a minute, feeling numb. He raised an arm and hailed his own cab. He flung himself down inside and spewed directions to the man behind the wheel. He wasn't really paying attention. He's engaged. Of course it was bound to happen eventually, but to the man he left Blaine for? That was an unexpected slap in the face to Blaine. Kurt's life was perfect while Blaine was barely making ends-meet and in a relationship where something was missing and he couldn't put his finger on what. Blaine wrapped his arms around himself and bit back the tears that were threatening to spill over. Before he realized where he was, the cab driver pulled over to the curb and demanded his money. Blaine thrust the bills into his hand and ran out of the cab and up to the door of the apartment complex. He ran through the lobby and up the stairs. He needed this right now. He sprinted down the hallway and came to the last door on the right. He pounded as hard as he possibly could with his fist, the other arm wrapped around his stomach, holding himself together.

"Elise," he cried "please open the door! It's me!"

There was a scrambling and the sound of running from the other side of the door and it flew open while Blaine was mid-knock. Elise saw the expression on Blaine's face. "Oh, God."