A/N: dear fucking god. Like a day after I posted the first chapter I came up with a much better title. I still think this one is brilliant (for reasons that will become even clearer in a few more chapters…hopefully) but fuck this other one is even better. I suppose that's life. Or mine anyways. But yeah, thanks to everyone who followed. Feel free to let me know what you think so far.

Enjoy
-Katie


February 1979


He was wrong. The adorable definitely did not stop at the bedroom door but Blaine quickly learned that that didn't mean Kurt couldn't get his heart pounding and his dick throbbing. It was quite the opposite actually. There was something alluring about his light, airy giggle as he fell backwards onto the bed. It was so carefree and pure like the pink flush that decorated his cheeks the moment Blaine pulled his tight briefs from his hips. He was so open and true in a way no other guy Blaine had slept with had been. Although it's not as if Blaine blamed them. One night stands or fuck buddy situations were not really the place to bare one's soul. Blaine certainly didn't. And yet, watching Kurt try to scoot up the bed, his long, lean limbs flailing like a fawn trying to stand for the first time, made him want to pounce and ravish without a second thought.

"Oof. Your bed is so squishy. It's hard to move." Other guys would have said it like it was a bad thing, something Blaine should feel guilty for to cover their own embarrassment. But with Kurt, it was a simple comment at worst. Once he had struggled his way to the head board he bounced himself a little. "Comfy though," he said with a smile.

"Yeah?" Blaine asked, crawling up the bed towards him. He still tried to keep his movements a little more coordinated.

"Mhmm. Perfect for sleeping, and snuggling, and most importantly," he now whispered, wrapping a hand around the back of Blaine's neck and pulling him in so that their lips were grazing. "For fucking."

A shiver ran up Blaine's spine and he lunged his whole body forwards into Kurt's. Kurt eagerly accepted and kissed him hard and deep. Blaine felt himself being pulled even closer as Kurt wrapped a leg around his hip, grinding their pelvises together just as if they were back on the dance floor. But they weren't on the dance floor. They were naked and in Blaine's bed and even though there was no intoxicating music, Kurt's skin, it's smoothness, softness, sweaty in parts and pink while as pale as ivory in others was even better. He moaned into Kurt's mouth, swallowing Kurt's own and began to rock with him.

He fumbled blindly for the lube in his bedside drawer, unable to tear himself away from Kurt's kiss and grasp. "I think I was right," Kurt giggled.

"About what?" he mumbled, reconnecting their lips.

"That you're new." Kurt flipped them over and sat up, successfully locating the small bottle.

"I have lube," Blaine countered.

"I see that." Kurt opened the bottle and poured a little into the palm of his hand. Blaine watched as he brought his hand down to his own dick and began stroking. "That could simply mean you lie here all day by yourself."

"Well aren't you going to be in for a shock then?"

"Yeah?" Kurt asked, smirking but leaning back down to resume their earlier kissing. Blaine also noticed the way his hand disappeared from his dick and slipped behind himself.

"Oh yeah."

There was more rocking and grinding and kissing and biting and sucking. Blaine loved feeling Kurt's body tremble beneath his fingers as he stretched himself. He trembled himself at the thought that soon he would be the one causing the stretch and hitting that spot. Blaine was so lost in the feeling and the image of what was to come that he didn't notice Kurt's hand return but this time to his dick, warm and slick. He bucked into it, biting down probably a little too hard on the apex of Kurt's broad shoulder and slender neck.

"Ready to prove your case, Mr. Lawyer?"

Blaine answered by flipping them over so he was once again on top. His legs were already nestled between Kurt's, who spread his willing as Blaine moved forward. While Kurt shuffled a pillow under his hips, Blaine placed one hand just above his shoulder and let his thumb brush back and forth over the barely visible teeth marks. He used his other to guide himself to the slick, pink pucker that continuously clenched and unclenched in want and then slowly through the first ring of muscle. He watched Kurt carefully to make sure he wasn't in pain. It was hard to read someone he had known for less than half a day but he always tried his best. He waited for Kurt to adjust, leaning down to press a light kiss to his shoulder. Kurt hummed happily in his ear. Not only did the quite rumble cause a smile of his own but it had a calming effect that made it easier for Blaine to hold still and continue his kisses inwards towards Kurt's neck. As he dipped his tongue into the hollow of his collar bone, Kurt began to rock up into him. Lifting his head to make sure Kurt was still okay, he began to thrust his hips forwards and down. Another happy hum licked at his ear and Blaine settled his mouth back into that perfect curve where Kurt's neck met his shoulder.

There was little rhythm. Another difficulty with one night stands. But that certainly did not ruin the fun. Blaine was still very much high on the clubbing atmosphere of letting his hormones find a total stranger to dance with and grope before stripping naked in his bed and fucking without a second thought. It was all adrenaline and maybe a bit of the musky cologne that drifted off Kurt's neck but whatever it was, it was certainly enough.

Blaine tilted his head and watched as Kurt reached between them and jacked himself off. The sight of him spilling onto his clenching abs, mimicking the clenching Blaine could feel around his dick and the breathy gasp in his ear as Kurt's hands gripped tighter to his back pulled Blaine right over the edge with him.

He collapsed beside Kurt shortly after, panting lightly, everything still warm a fuzzy in that way it always was after good sex that was in a way sort of strange to experience with a stranger. He didn't feel better when Kurt stood up from the bed though.

"Where you goin'?"

"Washroom?"

"Oh. Yeah, sure. Just the next door to your left."

His alarm already set, Blaine let himself drift in his haze, scooting closer to the warm spot Kurt had vacated. He didn't find himself completely content however until Kurt snuggled back into bed behind him.

"Verdict?" he mumbled.

"The jury finds the defendant not guilty."

"Is that in my favour?"

"Yes? I don't know. You're the lawyer."


January 1993


He didn't know when he had sunk to the floor but he was there. The carpet was scratchy against his naked skin. The desk leg was hard against his back. He lifted his head from where it was buried in his hands when he heard the rough slide of his dresser drawers. Kurt was rifling through them. For what, Blaine didn't know. He just watched in silence while the tears continued to stream down his puffy cheeks. He saw a smile appear on Kurt's face and then he was walking over to him, two sweaters in hand. Both were a deep royal blue with white block lettering. Kurt handed him the one that spelled out University of Notre Dame du Lac. His fingers curled tightly around the soft fabric and he hugged it close to his chest. In a way he didn't feel worthy anymore. He didn't want to taint it. There was a reason this one was his and the other was Kurt's. Kurt pulled the other, the one that spelled out George Washington University, over his head. He then reached down beside Blaine to collect his briefs and Blaine watched as he pulled them up his incredibly long and lean legs. He sat down in front of Blaine, crossing his legs and reaching his hands out to Blaine's knees. Another sob escaped Blaine's lips at the contact but the reassuring stoking of his thumbs was a welcomed comfort in his new blacked world.

"Do you want to come to bed?" Kurt asked after a long silence, his thumbs still stroking and his hands still sure on his knees.

Blaine nodded without looking up from the white crest stitched onto the shoulder of the blue fabric. Within the crest was a cross and book opened to a page which read Vita Dulcedo Spes. He was alive. His sweetness had finally returned. But hope. He had lost all of his hope. Kurt stood but he didn't move. His knees felt cold. A hand tugged on his arm. It didn't let go so Blaine climbed slowly to his feet. The hand then pulled at the fabric he held so tightly.

"B. Come on," he coaxed softly. He let go, his eyes following the sweater as Kurt took it and turned it around in his hands, bunching it up, and then placing it over his head. Blaine allowed himself to be dressed. "There. That's better isn't it? Now," Kurt began, taking his hand and pulling him towards the bed. "Are you going to work tomorrow? Does your alarm need to be set?"

"It's already set."

"Do you want to take the day off?"

Blaine shook his head. He smiled a little when Kurt rolled his eyes. "Thank-you."

Kurt just wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him close. Blaine brought his arms around Kurt's waist and let himself sink into the warmth and strength.


Blaine had never loved the Democratic General Assembly of North Carolina more. The I-85 district was a joke. Parts of it were literally no wider than the highway. Significantly long parts of it. There was no wonder it was named after the highway since it consisted mostly of the concrete road rather than a town. It was a wonder however why anyone thought it was acceptable. It was created to join several small African-American communities to create a majority-minority district. Blaine could appreciate the want for more equal representation within the government but this windy, zig-zagged, mess was not the way to go about it. They were taking it to court in three months and legal preparations always kept him busy. His mind was only pulled away from the Democrat's idiocy for a five minute phone call from Kurt offering to meet him down town for dinner after his finished work. Blaine agreed happily and buried himself back into his extensive notes until six thirty.

"Coming for drinks?" Quinn asked, popping her head in the door to his office just as he was putting on his coat.

"Not tonight. Thanks though."

"Gotta hot date?" she asked jokingly.

"Yeah, actually. Sorta. I'm going to dinner with Kurt."

"With Kurt? I didn't know you guys were back together."

"Well we're not exactly. I just ran into him again last night," he said as they walked together to the elevator.

Kurt was waiting for him just outside, leaning on one of the building's decorative columns. Quinn gave him a small wave before saying goodbye to Blaine and heading down the street to the office's after work hang out.

"Good day?" Kurt asked.

"As good as it could be I guess. I should show you this mess in North Carolina. It's like the definition of gerrymandering."

"But is it hurting anyone?" Kurt asked as they began to walk in the opposite direction as Quinn.

"It's hurting the legal foundation of this country." Kurt gave him a point look. "What? It's true. Without a legal foundation we have nothing."

"Without basic humanity we have nothing. You don't need a law to know you shouldn't kill someone."

"No, I know. It's common sense. That's what I'm saying. This… this thing defies all common sense."

"Of geometry maybe. But geometry isn't everything."

"Parts of it are just the highway, Kurt. Literally. Just the highway. No one lives on the highway."

"Well you tell'em, B."

"Oh, I will. You have no idea."

Kurt shook his head and smiled fondly at him, opening the door to a restaurant attached to one of the city's many fancy hotels. He put his work away when he set his brief case down under the table. His job had always been a touchy subject. Kurt's on the other hand was much less controversial and usually just as exciting if not more.

"So?" he asked, after the waiter had taken their drink orders. "You working on anything right now?"

"Uh, yeah, actually," Kurt said, placing his menu down and bouncing a little out of excitement in his seat. "I'm writing a musical."

"A musical?" Blaine said, a little shocked and a lot impressed.

"Mhmm." Blaine smiled fondly watching Kurt preen.

"So you've found someone to write the music."

"Yeah. Do remember Sam at all?"

"Yeah. Guitar," he nodded.

"Right so we're kinda doing it together. Because you know the lyrics are so intertwined to the story and well, it's Sam."

"That's what I was thinking," Blaine laughed. "But he's doing it."

"Oh yeah. And like he's into it. I've found people's interest tends to drop pretty quick. What are you getting?"

"Oh. Uh, I thought the burger looked good."

"Mhmm. With fries?" Blaine nodded but Kurt shook his head. "Salad."

"Ummm?" Kurt just gave him another one of his signature pointed looks, his head tilted to the side and an eyebrow raised. Blaine looked back at him quizzically. Kurt had never commented on his diet before and they had lived together. Kurt didn't let up though and then it hit him. "O-oh," he said in a kind of barely there voice, looking away from Kurt.

"Sorry."

"No no. You're right."

"Fuck, I'm sorry," Kurt mumbled with his head in his hands. He looked seconds away from banging it against the table.

"No it's fine. Kurt, it's fine." Kurt looked up at him, a wince on his face. "I need to start dealing with this. Too many fries for too many years."

"You know when you got it?"

"Yup. I randomly saw the guy on the street three weeks ago. There was no mistaking him. He was probably the hottest guy I'd ever seen. Some faces are just too pretty to forget, you know."

Kurt nodded and nudged his foot under the table. "Oh, I know."

Blaine rolled his eyes but smiled. Although it faded quickly as he continued. "Yeah, and well the circumstances of our hook up were…" Blaine shook his head. "Well anyways, I saw him and he had the sores on his face. I stopped dead. There was no mistaking them but I did the whole 'oh they're just bruises or hickeys' thing. But who gets a hickey on their forehead. Then I stood there and did the math. Trust me, you don't despise math until…"

"Until you're doing the whole 'was that within ten years' thing," Kurt finished for him.

"I just stared once I had exhausted all my options. He was across the street, smoking and talking to someone so he didn't see me. But at that point I didn't really care if he did. I was just so horrified. I've seen them before and all and I've seen people look worse along but this was the first time it was really like looking in a mirror. My skin started itching and I must have turned around to start walking in different directions like ten times. It was just panic. One. He was the only one since the outbreak. We were just plastered. I was headed to the gym but I ended up at the clinic. And then went home and sobbed."

"Wow," Kurt said softly. "That was really brave to go alone."

Blaine scoffed. "I just wasn't brave enough to tell anyone."

Kurt nodded and reached his hand across the table to hold his. It was warm and solid in grip despite being in public and despite that fact that he was sick. And when the waiter came back to take their orders and Kurt had to let go, his foot found Blaine's again and rubbed up and down ever so slightly, mimicking the lost movement of his thumb across his hand. It continued to do so throughout dinner.

After eating Kurt lead him across the lobby of the hotel and into the bar. A friend he was trying to track down for his musical was apparently one of the bartenders. Or at least he was two weeks ago. Kurt hung out with some eclectic people. They were far too much for Blaine to handle on a daily basis but he did admit that maybe on a more bi-weekly schedule they could be a nice change of pace.

To Kurt's luck he spotted him and promised Blaine he would only be a minute. He had to laugh, all be it fondly, as Kurt all but speed walked across the room and up to this guy. He was just not about to let him slip away Blaine guessed but it was quite a sight in the otherwise quiet bar.

Blaine looked around while he waited. There weren't many people and the ones that were there looked very put together, suits and ties, Rolex watches, dresses meant for the boardroom. None of them seemed to be overly enjoying themselves and yet Blaine had hunch that they would be offended none the less if they were to be disturbed. He spotted a black baby grand piano tucked into a dark corner that somehow seemed lonelier than the singly occupied booths. Drawn to it, Blaine crossed the bar to its corner. Its surface was clean but when he lifted up the key cover, the keys were covered in dust. Careful not to press the key, he swiped his finger over it. Its ivory gleaned so brightly now free of its sickly grey soot. An unexplainable amount of anger flood Blaine at the injustice of allowing such a beautiful instrument rot under a lack of appreciation. He sat down on the bench and placed his right hand on the lowest note and dragged it up the scales, letting all the keys breathe again and sing out into the depressing bar. This got everyone's attention but Blaine didn't care. He started to play. It was one of the few songs he still remembered but it was the one he would never forget. And when the cue came he began to sing as well.

Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

Blaine sang with his head down, looking at the keys even though his fingers didn't need the guidance. He looked up towards the end of the second verse, his eyes falling on Kurt as he sang "Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so." It was never a conscious plan but it felt right. It felt so right that his eyes remained on Kurt anchoring him in a way he didn't expect to need as the song went on and the lyrics turned to a boy standing at a grave. The song flowed from him in a way it never had before, tears welling in his eyes over the song that was once just pretty and patriotic but was now a glimpse into the future. Kurt held his gaze until the end when Blaine ducked his head to wipe quickly at his tears during the unexpected applause.

Blaine made his way slowly back to Kurt. He was trying to bide himself some time to regain a little composure or come up with some sort of explanation. He wasn't slow enough, still feeling like an utter mess by the time they were face to face. Kurt glanced around briefly before taking his hand and dragging him outside.

It was raining now and the cold of the January night had set in. Before it could seep into Blaine's skin though, Kurt had moved to stand directly in front of him so that their bodies were touching. Kurt brought his hands up to cup both of Blaine cheeks and slowly pressed their lips together. Soft and sweet. Free of the urgency and alcohol and hormones from the night before. This was the next verse to the song on his lips and he let himself be kissed in the rain by the boy he had always loved. He didn't know if he'd ever get to again.

"I'm dying," he whispered when Kurt pulled away, tears mixing with the rain on his cheeks. "You don't want this."