Author's Note:

So, this is the last chapter of this story! I really want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read, favorite, alert, and especially review! You guys have no idea how much reviews mean to a writer and how much it helps in the process. So thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts. Please let me know what you think of the end.

Chronologically speaking, my Caught follows this story. So if you haven't read it, go check it out!

As always, I don't own Glee, but many of the words in this story are owned by them. And as always, you know which ones they are.


Running Away, Prom

"Go on a date with me tonight. You and me at Breadsticks," Kurt asked over the phone, though it sounded far more like a demand to Blaine's ears.

"Breaststicks Kurt? It's a school night, I've got Warblers practice and homework…"

"Don't you miss me?" Kurt's voice suddenly got high, and Blaine knew he had hurt his feelings.

"Of course I miss you, Kurt, I miss you every minute of every day I don't see you. It's just," Blaine hesitated. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was hurt him. He reminded himself that now that they were apart he needed to make more of an effort. He had to start taking risks and letting him in. He shared everything with Kurt, except his pain, and it wasn't going to be enough forever. So instead of making excuses of rehearsals and homework he tried to tell Kurt the truth. "I'm just…a date?"

"Yes Blaine, a date." Kurt said with exasperation. "You know, those things where two people who really like each other and sometimes kiss go out to a restaurant, at night, and share a meal? I mean, I haven't really been on one, but I hear they can be wonderful."

Blaine sighed. He wanted desperately to go out on a date with Kurt. His only fear was the same as always. Someone would see them together and tell his father. But Kurt wasn't going to hide away forever and damn it, he didn't want them to have to. So he agreed, and Kurt nearly screeched his ear off on the other side of the phone.


The dinner had been going fantastically. Kurt was dressed to the nines and his hair was perfectly coiffed. He looked gorgeous, and Blaine had been staring at his delicious lips all night, lamenting that they were not returning to Dalton after this date where he could get a good taste of them. Their meals had been delicious as well, and their plates had been cleared away. Blaine had stayed quietly vigilant throughout the meal, but he had yet to see anyone that he recognized. It took time, but he finally relaxed.

Suddenly, Kurt held his hand out on the table, holding it open. "Give me your hand," he said nervously.

Blaine glanced down, hesitating for only a second before placing his hand in Kurt's. Kurt covered it with his other. "Blaine Warbler…" Blaine noticed Kurt's adorable face was slightly flushed as he took a deep breath and his face lit up with hope. Blaine's heart raced a little. "Will you go to junior prom with me?"

Blaine couldn't hide his shock. "Prom?" And then the memories returned.

"It'll be the social event of the season," Kurt said encouragingly, but he could tell Blaine's mind had drifted and he panicked. "You don't want to go to prom with me?"

"No, no, of course I want to go with you, it's just…" Kurt pulled his hands away upset. No excuses Blaine, he thought, it's time. Let him in. He took a deep breath. "Prom." The word was heavier than the weights he lifted in the gym. It held so much pain in it. So much hurt. He couldn't tell Kurt everything. But he could tell Kurt something.

"What about prom Blaine?" Kurt was upset, and Blaine knew he had every right to be. He lowered his eyes, shame pouring over him. He was sure Kurt thought that Blaine didn't want to be seen in such a public event with him. And although his fears of them being discovered were always on the surface, Blaine forced them away. That wasn't what was important now, he'd deal with that later on his own.

His stomach tied in knots as he thought back. It had been a horrible period in his life and he always tried to put the memories behind him, although it was never possible. "At my old school there was a Sadie Hawkins dance." Blaine glanced up at Kurt briefly, but it was too hard and he looked away, his eyes growing distant. "And, I had just come out. So, I asked a friend of mine, the only other gay guy in the school. While we were waiting for his dad to pick us up, these three guys, um," The memories poured in and his brain told him to stop, but his heart told him he needed Kurt to know this. He found it very difficult to find the right words to describe what happened to him and his friend that night, but he finally finished. "Beat the living crap out of us." He looked up into Kurt's shocked and dismayed expression, and he was sure of only one thing. What happened when he returned home from the hospital to his father's anger was a story he never wanted Kurt to hear.

Kurt's eyes were full of love and sorrow when he heard the story from Blaine. "I'm so sorry."

But Blaine hadn't told Kurt for his sympathy, just his understanding. "I'm out and I'm proud and all that," he assured Kurt, "this is just a sore spot," he mumbled.

Kurt's face though grew excited and mischievous. "This is perfect. You couldn't face up to the bullies at your school so you can do it at mine." Despite everything, Kurt's optimism made Blaine smile, and he was forced to remember every reason he was willing to take the risks with Kurt. "We can do it together." Blaine took a sip from his drink and he marveled briefly at the similarities between Kurt and Nick. Despite their wisdom, they both still had a certain naiveté that came from growing up with hope, something that Blaine had lost long ago. Kurt must have suddenly realized it himself, because he continued. "But I have to say Blaine, if it makes you feel uncomfortable at all, we'll just forget about prom. We'll go to a movie instead."

Blaine looked at him in wonder. Kurt was willing to sacrifice so much for him when he had been so selfish and so distracted by his own needs. His heart was overwhelmed. "I am crazy about you."

"So, I'll take that as a yes?" Kurt said slowly and slyly.

There were going to be more things in the future that he wouldn't be able to give Kurt. But he could give Kurt this.

"Yes," Blaine conceded and Kurt squealed in delight, shooting out of his seat. "You and I are going to the Prom."


Blaine sat on the couch, legs crossed and arms folded. While he loved Kurt's outfit for prom, the truth was, it scared the hell out of him. It had been hard enough for him to agree to go to prom, and even harder to settle the deep set fear in his stomach that something was going to go horribly wrong. Kurt's kilt only added one more thing to stir the pot and like Kurt's father, it made him extremely nervous. Things like this had a way of making local news. And if that happened, his world would be over. But that was his issue, not Kurt's. Blaine Anderson did not back down from his choices, and he lived with the consequences of his actions. He would never make a decision to let his problems come in the way of Kurt's happiness.

"Just give him a minute," Burt said to Blaine after Kurt stormed off upstairs. "He'll come around."

"No he won't, sir. No offense, but Kurt is the most stubborn boy I know. Once he has something in his mind there is no changing it."

"That's definitely true," Burt nodded. "But going to prom with you matters more than what he wears. He'll realize that."

"Dude," Finn said turning to Blaine. "What did Kurt mean, about what you've been through? I thought things at Dalton were cool?"

Blaine looked at Finn and panicked. He looked to Burt, who was staring at his newspaper but was clearly listening intently for Blaine's response. He started to sweat. He was angry at Kurt that he had brought that up in front of Burt and Finn. His secrets were his alone to share, and he had no desire for Kurt's brother and father to know about his personal life. "I'm going to go talk to Kurt."

Blaine slowly climbed the stairs to Kurt's room, where he found the door open and his boyfriend studying himself sadly in the mirror. He leaned against the doorway. "Kurt." His voice was soft, his eyes dark.

"I know Blaine," Kurt said rolling his eyes miserably watching himself and Blaine in the mirror. "What matters is that you're there with me, not what I wear. So if you want me to just wear a regular tuxedo, I'll just wear a regular tuxedo."

Blaine shook his head. "What matters is that I'm there with you, so please. I want you to wear what you want." His tone was dismissive and his face was grim. His eyes were distant though transfixed to Kurt. This wasn't the argument he needed to have.

Kurt must have realized that and he turned to Blaine, concerned. "Then what's the matter?"

Blaine glanced into the hallway, then stepped in the room and shut the door behind him. He kept the space between them. "Kurt, you know I'm a private person."

Blaine's voice was soft and Kurt answered in kind, nodding. "Of course."

Blaine's stomach twisted and he bit his lip as he struggled for the words. "You know I don't…easily…talk about my past…or my family," his voice caught in his throat and his eyes cast downward. "I don't tell people things."

"Like about being bullied?" Kurt whispered, taking a step forward.

Blaine nodded. "Yes, like about being bullied. Now, I realize that I need to start letting you in. But I can't do that if I can't trust that when I tell you something, it stays between us."

Blaine saw Kurt nod, then his eyes open wide. Recognition flooded over the boy and he nearly ran to Blaine. "Oh my god, Blaine, I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about it! I was angry that you were all ganging up on me. I shouldn't have said what I did about the dance in front of Finn and Dad." Kurt went to hug Blaine, but Blaine stopped him.

"This is important to me Kurt," he said with tears in his eyes. "Really important. I need you to understand that."

Kurt looked at him with the blue-green oceans that Blaine loved to get lost in. He nodded firmly. "I understand, Blaine, truly I do. I'm so sorry." Kurt went to hug Blaine and Blaine took him in his arms, holding him tightly, never ever wanting to let go. Prom terrified him, for so many reasons. But he didn't want to run away anymore. So he would face this with Kurt, and he would hope that the evening was everything that Kurt imagined and more.


Blaine picked up Kurt for prom at the Hummel house, looking extraordinarily dapper in his simple black tuxedo. As much as Kurt's outfit worried him, he had to admit that his boyfriend was the most beautiful man in the world. Kurt's smile lit up his face, as did Burt's and Carole's. He allowed himself one moment of envy, to dream of having a family this happy for their son's first prom with a boyfriend. Then he put it behind him. He was proud to be able to give this moment to Kurt and to his Dad. He happily took the hundred pictures that Carole had in mind, together, separate, with Mr. Hummel, with Carole, standing, sitting, even one kissing. When they posed on their way out the door, Blaine couldn't help but stare at Kurt adoringly.

"You look amazing," he blushed.

"You've said that a few times tonight," Kurt answered with a grin. "Not that I tire of hearing it in any way."

"I'm so happy to be able to make your dreams come true," he told Kurt, eyes sparkling. "And I'm so grateful that you care about me enough to make mine come true as well."

The two finally made it out the door with hugs and kisses from Burt and Carole, and they drove straight to McKinley. Finn had gone earlier to pick up Quinn, and he knew they were stopping by Breadsticks for a pre-prom meal. They had invited the pair, but this was a very special night for Kurt and his family, and they had agreed to spend the time before Prom with them.

Blaine had forgotten one thing about Prom, and that was that the entire night was rocking out with music. As soon as he heard New Directions and the band playing when they arrived, the fears that had crept up on the drive over settled and he lost himself in the music. He still had doubts about being at McKinley, and seeing Karofsky here with Santana didn't help, but he and Kurt agreed to just stay in the back. They hadn't talked about it, but it seemed they hadn't needed to. They danced standing next to each other during the fast songs, but during ballads they just watched. Kurt was cognizant of Blaine's concern of stirring the pot, and no matter how hard Blaine tried, in those quiet moments, his fears quickly resurfaced. It was then that he looked around. He noticed the eyes on them, the whispers in their general direction, even some pointing. But no one said anything directly to them, and both boys took that as a good sign.

Blaine's time to sing came and he squeezed Kurt's hand as he went up on the stage. He had sung in front of these kids before, when he crooned to Kurt in the courtyard with the Warblers, but this was performing and he lost himself in it. Everything left his mind except the pure joy of singing and dancing. He forgot about the whispers, and the stares, and the fact that he wanted to dance with Kurt but was scared, and he just grabbed the mic and rocked the house. He could see Kurt dancing in the back and it made him smile even more as he put on some extra sexy moves just for him. They may not be able to satisfy their passions on the dance floor like others could, but there was always after prom, and he was going to use this number to his advantage.

When he finished he raced off the stage and back to Kurt's side. "Well?" he said wiggling his eyebrows, breathless and flush with exhilaration.

"You were so amazing Blaine that you caused a riot!" Kurt laughed.

"What?" Blaine's face scrunched with confusion.

"You didn't see? No of course you didn't, you lose yourself completely when you perform. Finn just got into a fight with Jesse, Rachel's date. Punched him right in the face after a pretty intense shoving match."

Blaine looked surprised looking around the room then back at Kurt. "Is Rachel ok? Your Dad and Carole are gonna flip."

Kurt looked at him with mischief in his eye. "Guess that means they won't be paying too much attention to us. I don't think that I will ever get over the things you do with microphones. Good thing I'm not the jealous type or I'd think you like them better than me."

Blaine looked at him, delight in his eyes, trying desperately to keep his hands off his boyfriend. "First of all you are the jealous type and second of all, that microphone stand doesn't hold a candle to you."

"Aw, Blaine, you say the most romantic things," Kurt said sarcastically.

"Yeah, well, get used to it. I've got plenty more where that come from," he joked.


They waited for the Prom King and Queen to be announced. Neither was happy when Karofsky won Prom King. Blaine knew that Kurt was rooting for Lauren for Queen, and now that Karofsky was King, he did as well. He thought maybe Lauren would kick his ass.

"And now, your 2011 McKinley High Prom Queen, with an overwhelming number of write in votes is…Kurt Hummel."

It took a moment. It took a moment for the name to register in Blaine's ears, and travel to his brain. It took a moment for him to turn to Kurt and see the look of shock on his boyfriend's face. It took a moment for that shock to turn into humiliation as a single clap broke the silence in the gymnasium. And it took a moment for Kurt to run out of the room. So much could happen in a moment, Blaine thought.

"Kurt." He ran after him, he didn't care what anyone thought; the only thing that mattered was Kurt. "Stop, Kurt." He followed him out the door that slammed behind him and he followed him into the hallway as Kurt ran and cried. "Stop, Kurt, please," he called.

"I've never been so humiliated," Kurt sobbed as he ran.

"Just stop, come on," Blaine begged. Kurt finally hit an empty part of the school and he turned to Blaine, tears running down his face. The sight was devastating to Blaine.

"Don't you get how stupid we were?" Kurt yelled. "We thought because no one was teasing us or beating us up that no one cared. Like some kind of progress had been made. But it's still the same," he covered his face, unable to go on.

Blaine didn't know what to say. He had seen the whispers, the looks, the pointing. He had the dread the entire night of the wrong person seeing them. He knew that there were people who cared. He knew that people who hated them for loving each other were still out there. Soon enough, he would be going home to one. But none of that mattered to him now. The only thing that mattered in this moment was making everything ok again for Kurt. "It's just a stupid joke," he said quietly, knowing that it didn't make a difference. Kurt's heart was broken, and he had no way to fix it.

"No it's not. All that hate, and they were just afraid to say it out loud. So they did it by secret ballot. I'm one big anonymous practical joke," Kurt's tears flowed even more heavily as he pushed past Blaine. Instinctively, Blaine grabbed Kurt's tuxedo sleeve and pulled him back to him.

"Don't walk away from me Kurt." Blaine's eyes were desperate to make things better. "Please," he begged. "We can do this together."

"Together?" Kurt yelled, his voice getting high. "This isn't about you Blaine, they didn't crown you Prom Queen. You think I didn't notice how afraid you were all night to even touch me?"

Kurt's words stung like a knife and he let go of Kurt's sleeve. He wished for just second that Kurt understood everything. "Kurt," he started. He had let Kurt down all night.

"God, I'm sorry Blaine. I didn't mean that. I mean I did, but you were right." Fear and humiliation and panic plagued Kurt's feature and he nibbled on his nails and paced. "I'm not going back in there," he said pacing the floor tears finally abating. "No way." His eyes darted back and forth, glancing briefly at the hallway back to the dance.

Blaine watched him for a minute then walked over to the lockers. "Come on try to relax," he urged as he sat down himself against the locker. Kurt was too worked up and continued to pace. Blaine watched him for a minute. He recognized the caged look in Kurt's eyes, he'd been here before, hurt by what others had done to him, pacing the floor weighing his options. The shame, and the fear, and the sadness always caused him to make the wrong decisions at first. Nick had talked him down plenty of times at Dalton. At home and at his old school, he'd been on his own. But it was much harder to watch someone else go through it, especially someone he cared about as much as he did Kurt. He understood one thing. He had to get Kurt to talk. If Kurt could talk himself through this, he would find his answer.

"Would you at least sit down," he tried again. Kurt said nothing, continuing to walk the floor. "Do you want to go? We don't have to go back in there."

That was what Kurt needed to turn back around and Blaine knew it. Blaine was the runner. Not Kurt. It was what the one thing that he admired about Kurt more than anything else in the world.

"Wasn't this prom supposed to be about redemption? About taking away that lump you had in your throat from running away." Blaine closed his eyes and looked away. Kurt didn't know that his lump would never go away. "If we leave all it's gonna do is give me a lump too."

He looked back at Kurt. "So what do you want to do?" he asked quietly.

Blaine watched as Kurt looked down the hallway and contemplated his options. When Kurt made his decision, he couldn't have been more proud of anyone than he was of Kurt in that moment. "I'm gonna go back in there and get coroneted." Blaine's heart swelled with admiration as Kurt walked toward him. "I'm going to show them that it doesn't matter if they are yelling at me or whispering behind my back, they can't touch me." As Kurt knelt down beside Blaine he leaned forward. "They can't touch us or what we have."

Blaine reached over and touched Kurt's cheek. "I want to kiss you right now," he whispered.

"Then do it," Kurt whispered back.

Blaine closed his eyes, not allowing himself to look around to make sure no one was watching. He very gently leaned forward, and kissed Kurt softly on the lips. Kurt returned the kiss, neither doing more than just brushing the soft surface, but it was enough.

Blaine then reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of tissues, letting Kurt take one. As Kurt dried his tears, he got up and brushed off his tuxedo, watching as Kurt took a deep breath. He held a hand out and smiled at the most remarkable boy in the world, offering every ounce of strength and courage he could muster. "Are you ready for this?" Kurt grabbed his hand and pulled himself up. Together they walked back to the gymnasium, and Blaine let go of his hand as they reached the door. "I'll be out there for you," he said.

As Kurt made his way inside alone, Blaine went looking for the only person he could think of who could help them. He passed Artie and found her in the hallway outside her office, heading back to the gymnasium. He jogged up to her and he fell in stride with her as she walked back to the dance.

"Coach Sylvester, do you mind if I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.

"Sure, Porcelein's Boyfriend, what can I do for you? Porcelein ok? I heard about what happened."

Blaine nodded. "He's ok and I'd like to keep it that way." The two walked inside the gymnasium and they both took a minute to see Kurt crowned. When the crowd cheered for him, Blaine smiled.

Sue stopped and placed her hands on her hips. "What do have in mind?"

"You work for the local news station right? A story like this would be a hot one," Blaine said knowingly, indicating toward Kurt.

"That's true, Boyfriend," Sue said thoughtfully.

"Keep it off the air," Blaine said strongly. Sue looked down at him, considering. "Please," he implored her.

She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed slightly. "I'll do what I can," she promised. She glanced over to where Kurt was gone from the stage and searched him out. "Looks like your boyfriend might need a little help," she advised him with a nod in Kurt's direction and a twinkle in her eye. As soon as Blaine looked over, she disappeared.

Blaine made his way forward and watched as Karofsky and Kurt walked off the stage and onto the dance floor. The girls started singing and he saw David walk away from Kurt and leave him by himself. Kurt looked around, once again horrified, and Blaine rushed over. He had done the best he could for Kurt tonight, damn whatever consequences there might be, and there was no way he was leaving Kurt on that dance floor alone. "Excuse me," he said and Kurt turned to him surprised. "May I have this dance?" He reached a hand out to him, nervous, but sure. Right here, right now, this was where he belonged.

Kurt looked around at all eyes on them, and he turned back to Blaine, smiling with relief and love. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes you may."

Blaine took him in his arms and they danced, tentative at first, then with growing confidence. Blaine thought back to his Sadie Hawkins dance at school and all the dances he had been to since, at the country clubs and the base, forced to dance with everyone's daughter. As Rachel and other members of the New Directions joined in, followed by everyone else at the school, he felt the lump in his throat lessen. It wasn't gone yet, not by any means, but this was one obstacle he had faced and survived. And if he could do this with Kurt by his side, maybe in time he could face everything else as well. Taking their pictures, dancing together, singing Dancing Queen to Kurt, he felt freedom outside the safe walls of Dalton for the first time. Summer was coming, and it was going to be both wonderful and terrifying at the same time. But he knew one thing. With Kurt by his side, he was done running away.


Author's Note: Thank you all again. Reviews are love. And for those of you reading Way Out, I now have all my time to concentrate on that. So update soon! Thank you hiatus for making me not have to hurry!