This should go without saying by now, but I own nothing.

AN: This chapter was so incredibly painful to write! I'm sorry for what the characters are about to say to each other. But as painful as it was, it was worth it to set up the epic ending to come.

Over the next few weeks, Kurt and Blaine had little time to sneak away to be alone, but they made up for it in other ways. If one of them sang, hummed, or even whistled a few notes from the newly finished "Come What May," the other was never very far away. Secluded hallways or empty rooms became perfect places for stolen kisses and a few moments of bliss before they had to return to reality.

Glances exchanged during dinners when Blaine played also became more frequent, but still went unnoticed by anyone else. Except Rachel, it seemed.

"What? You think I wouldn't notice?" she teased. "You two are so obvious, it's a really wonder no one else has noticed."

"I'll have you know we've never been caught sneaking around the castle," defended Kurt.

"Don't jinx it!" warned Blaine.

"And what about all the time you've been spending with Finn?" asked Kurt.

"He's been helping me grow and trim the flowers for the wedding," she explained candidly. "He's surprisingly good at it."

"I remember him telling me about that now," said Blaine, recalling one of their casual conversations. "I run into him around the palace a lot. We stop to talk, and he shares whatever snack he happens to have on hand."

"That is so typical of Finn," Kurt laughed fondly of his brother. "He does always have something to eat."

"And you two are always singing that song of yours!" said Rachel pointedly. "Don't try and deny it. Kurt sings it so much I probably know it as well as you do." Then, she tone softened. "But don't think for a second I mind. It's a beautiful song. Part of me wishes I had something so special."

"We could write you something, too," Blaine started meekly.

"Don't be silly, Blaine. It wouldn't be the same. Besides, I'm getting my dream come true, remember? A lifetime of performing. Living in the palace. It's all I've ever wanted," she said earnestly.


"Blaine, I need to ask you something," Kurt confided in him one night.

"I'm listening," Blaine replied.

"My parents have noticed how much I sing 'Come What May.' They love the song, and they know how it makes me feel. …But they think it's about Rachel," said Kurt carefully. Blaine felt slightly annoyed, but that was to be expected. Rachel was supposed to be Kurt's fiancé after all, what were they supposed to think? "And they want to use it at the wedding."

"What?" was all Blaine could manage to ask. The fact that their song would be used at Kurt's wedding to someone else was just too much. Hurt and rage built up inside of him.

"I know," Kurt said quickly. "I didn't, don't, want to use it, but what am I supposed to do? They think Rachel and I are so in love we have our own song! And the fact I go around singing it all the time hasn't helped."

"Well maybe if you'd been a little more subtle about it, maybe this wouldn't have happened!" Blaine accused.

"You were the one who told me I should sing it whenever I missed you. Which happens to be just about all the time, for your information!" huffed Kurt.

"This is our song, Kurt! Our song!" Blaine cried. "Singing it at your wedding to someone else is going way too far! This wasn't part of the plan!"

"None of this was part of the plan!" Kurt cried back. "I just wanted to put an end to everyone's problems by getting married. By taking a wife, I won't upset the kingdom, and I can take over as Sultan for my father. I can't marry a man because the kingdom won't allow it. Trust me, I'd do it if I could, but I can't."

"That's where you're wrong, Kurt," Blaine said gravely. "There's no law against two men getting married. The precedent only exists because we've never had a Sultan who wanted a husband before. You could change that! Don't marry Rachel, marry me instead!"

"I can't do that, Blaine! You know that!" Kurt cried. It caused him immense pain to refuse something he wanted more than anything else, but he knew he had to put his people and his future before everything else. "There are dangerous people out there who won't accept it, and I can't risk upsetting them for the safety of everyone in the kingdom."

"They'll be upset no matter what!" Blaine pointed out. "They'll hate you anyway because of what happened to the old maharaja. You know what I think? It's not the kingdom or its politics that's keeping us apart. It's you."

"Me!" Kurt shouted as tears fell from his eyes. He was to upset and hurt to care. "You knew what you getting into from start, Blaine! So if you can't handle it, you can leave anytime!" He stormed out of Blaine's room, slamming the door behind him. He didn't hear Blaine's sobs over the sound of his own as he walked sullenly back to his room.