Like A Firework
Epilogue
Life without Blaine was awful. Kurt had grown used to having someone to talk to at all times; someone to turn to when he needed comfort and to make him laugh when he needed it most. He had loved knowing that Blaine was there for him, all caring and adorable and sexy and himself, a side that most people never had the privilege to see.
All of that was gone now, essentially because of Kurt's selfishness. Originally, he had justified the decision he had made between Blaine and his ultimatum. But sitting on his couch two weeks later, he failed to see how it made any sense.
In hindsight, it was easy to recognize that Blaine was the greatest thing that could have happened to him at this point in his life. And he had stupidly let him go.
"Idiot," he muttered to himself. A few people turned to look as he passed them on the streets. Thankfully he was almost home, where he could wallow in self-pity and regret with the company of a gallon of vanilla ice cream.
Just after unlocking the door to his apartment, his phone rang.
"Mercedes," he greeted.
"Hi boo," she responded. "How are you on the heartbreak scale today?"
Kurt sighed, flopping onto his couch. "About an eight. I thought it was supposed to get better with time, not worse."
"Well whoever wrote those rules clearly never dated Blaine Anderson."
"He's not easy to forget about."
"I hear he has a birthday coming up. Some friends of mine are planning on going to his show out here tomorrow night then out with him to celebrate. They invited me, I just wanted to check with you first to see what you thought of me going."
"I don't have a problem with that, Mercedes."
"You know…" she started, and he knew that tone of voice. It was her "I have an idea you're not going to like" voice.
"What?"
"You should join us."
"Um," Kurt scoffed. "You live in California."
"That's what airplanes are for."
"I don't have money for that."
"It's on me."
"But the music thing."
"Haven't the past two weeks of misery taught you anything?"
"I have…"
"You have run out of excuses is what you have," she retorted. "Book your flight for tonight and I'll you. See you!"
Kurt couldn't even bring himself to argue. As he sat there stunned at what had transpired, the reality of what he was doing hit him.
He was going to see Blaine. He was going to make it right.
Blaine dragged his feet back to his dressing room. Not even the flowers and sweets his friends had sent for his birthday could cheer him up. He felt guilty for the quality of performance he gave to his fans, but what could he do? It was impossible to find the motivation to go on stage every other night when his inspiration had taken himself out of his life.
His tablet alerted him to a video message. From Kurt.
His heart was in his throat as he pushed play and the gorgeous face he'd missed so much filled the screen.
"Hi Blaine. I know you're busy, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm finally facing my fears, thanks to you, because you're the one person worth doing that for. I miss you so much. Mercedes said a bunch of you are going out tonight, so have fun, and give her a big hug from me. Oh, and Blaine? Happy birthday to you…"
Blaine blinked in awe before pushing the replay button again. And again.
Kurt's message made him hopeful and lifted his spirits in a way that nobody else had been able to do in the last two weeks. Maybe they stood a chance if Kurt really was willing to try for him.
He hauled himself out of his chair and to the backstage area, ready to perform. He knew tonight's show would make up for the lackluster performances he'd been giving. Because he had a reason to perform again.
The stage was dark and Blaine chugged half a bottle of water as he clutched his guitar in one hand. The wild crowd was cheering and chanting and waiting impatiently on him to come out for an encore. The show had gone so well, his new songs well-received, and his old songs inviting the audience to sing along, a phenomenon that still gave him goosebumps. It was a particularly fun show because he could hear his friends in the crowd, shouting louder than everyone else.
His last song was an acoustic number, one he had written about Kurt after the night they had met. It was special to him, especially after the way their relationship had progressed, and he loved being able to strip down and sing with his heart on his sleeve. His acoustic songs were some of the ones his fans loved most, probably because they could feel his emotions coming through. This one was different, though. It was the first song he'd written that felt like something real. Something important.
The lights came back on and he ran back out on stage, sitting on a stool with one toe still touching the ground, and positioning the mic in front of him.
"Thank you all for coming out tonight. Here's one last song. It's called 'Like A Firework.'"
He started playing with his eyes closed, letting the music wash through him and consume him, and he played his heart out.
Toward the end of the song, his eyes found a particular spot near the front of the stage and he was sure he was dreaming, because there was Kurt, in all his brilliance, a wide smile on his face and tears in his eyes.
He had to concentrate not to stumble through the chords and to remember the words, and for the remainder of the song, his gaze never left the beautiful man who he had never expected to show up.
When he played the last note, he couldn't get his guitar off quick enough, running to the front of the stage and squatting down in front of what he was sure must have been a mirage. Everyone was watching carefully, cameras snapping pictures from all angles.
"You're really here," he breathed as he reached out to touch Kurt's hair.
"I am. You were sensational tonight."
"I can't believe you did this for me."
"You better believe it."
Blaine took Kurt's face in his hands and leaned in.
"They're going to know," Kurt warned. "Everyone is taking pictures and it'll be everywhere tomorrow. We won't be able to hide anymore."
Blaine wasn't afraid any longer, though. "If you're sure about this, I don't want to hide anymore."
"I've never been surer of anything."
"Then let's do it."
Kurt closed the distance between their mouths and gave him a kiss that conveyed his honesty and commitment.
The sound of fireworks booming in the distance made them both laugh.
"Let's do it."