Author's Note: I know it's long, but PLEASE read before you start reading the chapter!

First of all the song used in this chapter is a mash-up of "Unchained Melody" and "You're My Soul and My Heart's Inspiration" by the Righteous Brothers. To get to a video of it with lyrics, just add watch?v=62xdmYfvnWs to the YouTube url. Message me if you have any issues.

Also, thanks to the new brilliant ability of putting covers on stories, I have made one for Bad Connection :) Here's a link to the bigger version on my Tumblr, just remove the spaces: kenna7elefant . tumblr post / 24505377991 / this-is-the-cover-i-created-for-my-story-bad

~.~.~.~

The more time went on, the more I began to wonder how I'd ever doubted Blaine would be a good soul mate. He now walked me to every class, despite the fact that sometimes we had to run to avoid being late. He was getting increasingly comfortable around my family, now good friends with Finn, and Glee Club was going very well.

We didn't want anyone to know that our relationship had recently become romantic yet. We still hadn't gone beyond just kissing, no make out sessions or anything, and I was perfectly happy with that. Anything physical with Blaine was risking his comfort – I knew for a fact that he was still very scarred by what his father did to him, physically and mentally, and I didn't want to push any of his boundaries.

Karofsky was still a huge issue, of course, but Blaine was now making every effort to keep me away from him. It made me feel guilty, really, that he felt like he had to do that for me. I could tell it was taking its toll on him.

But for now, much happier things occupied my mind: my dad and Carole had announced that morning that they were getting married, and I had been designated wedding planner. They wanted to tie the knot soon so they could have a fall wedding, which in my opinion was perfect because Carole looked great in autumn colors.

"Obviously we're going to have two best men," Dad was saying as we discussed wedding arrangements at the dinner table. "Finn, that means we're both gonna have to learn how to dance."

"And we want Blaine to be a groomsman," Carole announced happily. Blaine stared at her in shock.

"You're a part of this family now, kid," my dad said warmly.

"Uh, th-thank you," he stammered, grinning nervously.

"I've been looking at this house on Whitman Avenue," dad continued. "I like it a lot, it's got four bedrooms so Kurt and Blaine won't have to share and a section in the basement I can use as an office. It's also close to the tire shop and still in the McKinley district. The guy said it's ready to move in, we're all gonna have a look at it tomorrow."

The wedding was scheduled for next week, so we had a lot to do in Glee Club. Mr. Shue and Rachel were choreographing a musical walk down the aisle, or in this case dance down the aisle, having already picked out the perfect song. I made sure they wouldn't have Blaine dance with me in the number, and in the end we managed to work it out. The whole display was quite extravagant and I was really happy with it, even if I wouldn't be dancing with my soul mate.

Presently I was standing at my locker during fourth period, thinking about flower arrangements for the tables. I'd forgotten my math book and had gone to get it, figuring I'd be safe from Karofsky since the hallways were empty.

The heavy footsteps approaching me proved me wrong.

He didn't push me into my locker like he usually did, but somehow what he did do was so much more terrifying. He came up so that he was standing directly behind me, my hand freezing in the act of pulling out my textbook, his hot breath washing over my neck. I was completely still, eyes wide and heart pounding.

"What're you doing, Hummel?" he practically purred in my ear, if someone like Karofsky can purr. It really made me angry, because Blaine was the only person allowed to be close to me like this, to talk to me like that. The thought gave me enough courage to turn and face the hulking figure.

"I don't want you near me," I told him. I meant for it to sound menacing, but my shaking voice ruined the effect.

He said nothing, just studying me, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. Slowly he reached up with a paw-like hand, jabbing a finger roughly into my chest. He dragged it down my shirt, tracing torturously down my abdomen to my navel, where he let it fall.

I was trembling, barely able to breathe because this was all so wrong. I was Blaine's and Blaine's alone, yet here Karofsky was, treating me like I was his to do what he wanted with. The scariest part was that he could, because there was nothing I could do about it.

"You haven't told anyone about our little incident last week, have you?" he asked, voice low and dangerous. I meant to make some witty remark, but it got lost in my throat and I settled for shaking my head. "Good, 'cause if you do, I'll kill you."

And then he was walking away, keeping his beady eyes on me until he was gone.

My mind felt numb, unable to process what happened. I stood unmoving; the only thought in my head being that Blaine could never find out about this. He would be in danger if he did, because I knew for a fact that he would try to go after Karofsky. Putting Blaine in danger was worse than a two hundred pound jock threatening my life.

I could feel Blaine panicking on the other end of our Connection, obviously alarmed by my sudden fear.

Practice for Broadway, Hummel, I thought determinedly. Act. Keep him safe.

I forced myself to relax, pretending it had been nothing more than a locker shove, something I was all too used to. He seemed to believe me, calming down, and I sighed with relief.

I shut my locker and went back to class, forgetting all about my textbook.

~.~.~.~

The second I walked into English the next period my eyes locked with Blaine's, going to sit beside him at the back of the room.

"What happened?" he asked quietly as the rest of the class filed in.

"The usual. Nothing serious," I replied as nonchalantly as I could. "Just scared me is all."

There was a strange discomfort that came with lying to your soul mate, as I was now discovering. It made my insides writhe with guilt, a voice in the back of my head begging me to tell Blaine the truth. The voice ordering me to keep him safe was stronger, though; if I told Blaine he would try to defend me and either get beaten up or thrown back in juvie.

I saw Blaine glance around for a moment, then scoot his desk closer to mine. I gave him a questioning look, but then he was holding my hand under the table.

I raised my eyebrows, surprised to see him being affectionate in public. Granted we were at the back of the room where no one could see, but still, this was a huge step. Blaine gave me a small, reassuring smile, which I returned.

Thank you, I mouthed. He squeezed my hand briefly, the comforting warmth exactly what I needed at the moment.

~.~.~.~

It wasn't easy keeping things from Blaine, but as far as I could tell he didn't suspect anything. He still walked (and occasionally ran) me to every class and I avoided leaving the room whenever I could, successfully keeping my distance from Karofsky.

I realized after about a day that not only was I lying to Blaine, I was also breaking a promise I'd made him. I'd vowed to tell my father if the situation with Karofsky got worse, which it certainly had, but I hadn't said a word to him.

But it didn't matter; they didn't need to know, at least not until after the wedding. What I needed to focus on now was the fact that Finn and Dad both needed to dance with Carole and neither of them had the slightest idea how.

I enlisted Blaine to help with this, the four of us in the choir room after school. After I showed my dad the basic steps, Blaine practiced with him and I moved onto Finn. We were just squabbling about shutting the door when Karofsky saw us form the hallway.

"Who's that?" my father asked suspiciously as the jock walked away, no longer dancing.

"No one," I said quickly. "Just some jerk."

"Tell him, Kurt," Finn said quietly, surprising me. He hadn't even seemed to notice what Karofsky was doing to me these past few weeks.

"Tell him or I will," Blaine added.

"His name is Karofsky," I said defeatedly. "He's been harassing me all year."

"There's something else," my dad said. "There's something you're not telling me."

I glanced at Blaine, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"He threatened to kill me."

The flood of emotion from Blaine was sudden and potent, so much that I felt lightheaded. I'd felt this before firsthand, the strong instinct to keep my soul mate safe, but it felt fresh and terrifying every time. I didn't even notice my father and Finn leaving the room.

"Blaine!" I gasped. I felt the familiar tug to be closer to him, to protect him somehow. I knew the only reason he hadn't left the room yet was because he was torn between beating Karofsky and staying by me. I took advantage of his indecision, running to him and holding him back in case he chose the former.

"Blaine, please," I begged as he tried to get by me, gripping his arms firmly. His frantic eyes met my wide, desperate ones and he relaxed slightly in my hold.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked quietly. His voice was so betrayed and sad, eyes shining with tears as he stared up at me. I bit my lip, overwhelmed by guilt.

"I knew you'd go after him, I didn't want you getting hurt," I said honestly. "Or thrown back in juvie."

He examined my face, tears welling up in my eyes, but I was too afraid to let go of Blaine to wipe them away. My knuckles were white as the gripped his leather jacket, but I didn't need to worry, because after a moment he took me into his arms. My hands immediately latched around his neck, burying my face in Blaine's shoulder so that the smell of leather filled my nose.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, definitely crying now.

"No, I'm sorry," he murmured, his piercings cold against my skin as he laid his head against mine. "I should've known something was wrong." I pulled back to kiss his cheek before laying my head back down.

"Why can't they just give us a break?" I wondered.

At that moment my father and Finn reentered the room, both of them out of breath. Blaine and I drew back.

"He tried to go after Karofsky," Finn explained, Dad plunking down in one of the chairs. "I held him off, but he's still pretty pissed."

"Like hell I am," he panted. "No one threatens my son. Especially not some thug. I'm gonna go to the school about this, but believe me, I want to do much worse."

~.~.~.~

The next morning we had a meeting with Karofsky, his parents, and Principal Sylvester (I wasn't quite sure how she became principal, but I decided it was best not to question it). We had decided for Blaine's safety that it was better if he didn't come, but as Karofsky continually denied ever having gone near me, I wished he were there.

It was looking rather good for us, though. Ms. Sylvester was definitely more supportive than the slightly homophobic Figgins, and Mr. Karofsky was on our side too.

At one point, I considered telling them what happened in the locker room. It could be considered sexual assault and definitely would've gotten the jock expelled, but then Karofsky gave me this look. He was scared, confused, and I knew I couldn't out him like that.

In the end it was a victory. Karofsky was expelled – I wouldn't have to walk the hallways in fear anymore, or at least not more than anyone else in Glee Club, which was a luxury I hadn't had since middle school. As soon as I told Blaine he enveloped me in a bear hug, right in the middle of the hall where everyone could see, making my heart soar.

For the first time in a while, things were starting to look up.

~.~.~.~

Things were going quite well for Kurt Hummel. It was the day of the wedding and everything was going according to plan, I hadn't even seen Karofsky for three days, Blaine was actually happy and we were both safe for a change…in short, I felt on top of the world.

I was currently in the dining room before the ceremony, empty except for a few staff setting tables. I meandered around, adjusting flower arrangements here and there, everything looking great.

"We've come a long way," said a familiar, happy voice behind me.

"We certainly have," I agreed, straightening a fork on the table before looking up to meet Blaine's eyes. My jaw dropped.

Blaine looked amazing. He had cut his hair the day before (finally) and it was now gelled into a neat part, creating a very dapper effect. All of his piercings had been taken out, his well-fitted suit perfectly accenting his figure. He looked nothing like the juvenile delinquent I had Connected to, and yet he'd never looked more like himself. It was very…sexy.

"You look perfect," he told me, stepping closer and slipping his hands out of his pockets.

"Speak for yourself," I said a little breathlessly. Blaine smiled and stepped in front of me, so close that our lips were a whisper's distance from each other.

The air seemed somehow charged with something that had never been there before – it was a kind of pull, a desperate need to kiss now, despite the staff meandering between the tables or the fact that the wedding would begin in a half hour. I could feel my heart accelerating, Blaine's shallow breath washing over my face as we leaned in -

"Uh, guys?"

Our heads snapped up at the sound of Rachel's voice, my cheeks reddening. She was in a knee-length red dress, her hair pulled back and trying to hide her smile.

"I should um…I'll just…" Blaine said awkwardly, blushing and looking down as he slunk out of the room. I sighed sadly, longingly as he disappeared around the corner.

"You okay?" Rachel asked, stepping closer. "You and I haven't really had a chance to talk since I found out you were Connected…"

"I'm fine," I assured her, albeit unconvincingly. "Just…a little sad."

"I'm here if you wanna talk about it."

I sighed heavily.

"It's just…you have it so easy," I said eventually. "With you and Finn, everything is so natural. Blaine's amazing, but…he's not even going to touch me tonight. Not with all these people here. I've always known that being gay and all, physical contact would have to be kept to a minimum in public, but I just want one night with my friends and family where I can show off my soul mate."

It felt like a huge weight was being lifted off my chest as I said that. I could finally get rid of that nagging feeling that something was off, now that I'd acknowledged it.

"Well, it's only a matter of time before that changes," Rachel said comfortingly, placing a hand on my arm. "Just watch – in no time, Blaine's going to realize exactly what he's got, and then he won't be able to keep his hands off you ever again."

"Thanks," I muttered, smiling gratefully. "I guess I'm just jealous that you and Finn will be dancing tonight without giving a second thought. It's going to be a while before I get my first dance with Blaine."

"Well, you never know," she said with a shrug. "If he doesn't dance with you tonight, you can bet that I will."

"I'm honored," I chuckled. "Now come on – we've got a wedding to attend."

~.~.~.~

All of us were waiting outside the doors to the room where the ceremony was about to begin, trying to stay quiet in our excitement. I caught Blaine's eye across the room and we exchanged smiles, but we had to stay in formation while we waited for our cue.

The music started, slightly muffled by the wooden doors, and Finn waited for a few counts before entering, Rachel following close behind. They started singing "Marry You", and shortly after I went out with Quinn on my arm, joining in and dancing down the aisle. We were followed by Sam and Mercedes, then Mike and Tina, then Santana and Brittany. Blaine came out last, dancing with Carole's younger sister Joanne, who was Carole's maid of honor. Puck wheeled Artie out, who was waving streamers.

The display had a nice effect, all of the girls in dresses of different styles but the same shade of fiery red, the boys in suits with orange flowers in the lapels, matching the ones in the girls' hair. The wedding guests certainly seemed to enjoy it, Mr. Shue among them in the pews.

My dad danced in wearing a tux, making me laugh as the others continued to sing, giving Carole a grand entrance. She looked stunningly beautiful, of course, seeing as I'd helped her pick out the dress, positively glowing with happiness as my father led her down the aisle.

The ceremony was short; to make sure everyone remained conscious the whole time. My dad gave a beautiful speech that made me cry.

I couldn't see Blaine because he was standing behind me, Finn and Joanne on Carole's side, and I wanted desperately to turn and look at his face. This might be us someday, after all – standing across from each other at the alter, exchanging vows with tear-filled eyes. I sincerely hoped it would be.

~.~.~.~

At the reception I sat at the long rectangular table in the front of the room, Blaine on my right and Dad's empty chair on my left. He was currently on the dance floor with Carole for the first dance, and doing a very good job, I might add. My lessons had definitely paid off.

The evening was very interesting. People kept coming up to the head table to congratulate my dad and new step mom, but then they'd ask who Blaine was, none of them ever having seen him before. We stuck to the story that he was my friend from school that came to live with us because of his situation at home, which wasn't really untrue.

At one point nearly everyone was on the dance floor, Blaine getting food and leaving me alone at the table. I wanted to dance with Mercedes just for fun, but it was a slow, romantic song, so naturally she was in Sam's arms. Even Quinn had busied herself talking to Artie, so I just watched the couples turn on the dance floor. I wished I were up there with Blaine, getting my first real dance.

"Kurt?"

I glanced up at the sound of Blaine's quiet voice, standing beside my chair. He looked a bit nervous, then held out his hand to me.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked.

I couldn't stop the wide grin spreading across my face as I nodded, taking his hand and letting him lead me to the dance floor. I recognized the song as a Righteous Brothers medley, the classic humming beautifully in the background. Blaine and I effortlessly fell into step, our movements perfectly in sync.

Oh my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time…

"I can't believe we're doing this," I whispered giddily as we spun slowly. "I thought you weren't ready…"

"I'm trying to me," Blaine replied, his eyes locked with mine. "You deserve it, Kurt. I'm yours, and you're mine; they can see that if they want."

…And time goes by, so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine…?

The other people in the room seemed to slowly disappear as we danced, Blaine's eyes drawing me in so that I could see nothing else, just like when we Connected. He pulled me closer, my head resting on his shoulder, and I let my eyes slip closed. I sighed contentedly.

…I need your love

I need your love

Godspeed your love

To me…

"I'm sorry it took me so long," Blaine murmured, his breath tickling my ear.

"For what?"

"For me to see that you're the best soul mate anyone could ask for."

He meant it, too - I could feel it. With all of his heart he meant it.

…Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers sigh,

"Wait for me, wait for me

I'll be coming home, wait for me"…

"I'm sorry too," I said quietly. "For judging you, for not helping you sooner, for ever doubting that you were everything I could ever ask for…"

"Believe me, Kurt, you're long past forgiven," Blaine laughed gently.

…Oh my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time…

"I've been looking for you – waiting for you forever," Blaine whispered. "Waiting for someone to save me, to care about me."

"I thought you said you didn't think you'd ever Connect," I recalled.

"I didn't, but I hoped. This has always been my greatest dream, Kurt. To be safe, in the arms of someone who's as devoted to me as I am to them."

Tears sprung to my eyes at Blaine's words and I gently kissed his neck, unable to help myself. I felt so honored to be able to make that dream a reality, words couldn't express it.

…And time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine…?

"Thank you so much, Kurt," Blaine said slightly tearfully. "You changed my life, you changed me; I just wish there was a way for me to repay you."

"You don't have to repay me," I laughed softly. "You already have. You changed me too, for the better. Just keep being you. That's all I ask."

…Oh I…I really need your love

Godspeed your love

To me!

"There are honestly no words for how much you mean to me," Blaine muttered. I was about to say something in response when the singer on the track began speaking. Evidently we were listening to a live recording, containing a kind of poetic, spoken interlude.

"Baby," the crackly recording began, "I can't make it without you. And I'm…I'm tellin' you, honey; you're my reason for laughing, for crying, for living, and for dying."

I pulled back to look at Blaine, no longer spinning. Our eyes locked and we just knew that we had, indeed, found the words we both needed.

We moved forward at the same time, our lips meeting in the middle in a gentle yet passionate kiss. The singing picked up again and the song grew into a beautiful crescendo, my arms winding around Blaine's neck and his pulling me closer. Our mouths moved slowly against each other, warm and deep and perfect.

Baby, I can't make it without you!

Please, I'm begging you baby

If you go it will kill me, I swear this!

You know I just can't make it…

Later I would look back on this moment and realize it was just like an old movie, except that there were no gays in old movies, but at the moment all I could think about was the fact that this was the best kiss, the best thing I'd ever experienced. I could feel every ounce of adoration Blaine felt for me, giving it all right back to him in the sweet, powerful gesture. Our tongues slid against one another's, memorizing each other's mouths, doing things no one else would ever be allowed to do. An intense, warm feeling built up in my chest, fueling my actions and making me realize how indescribably incredible the boy in my arms was, threatening to burst out of my ribcage.

It felt like love.

…You're my soul and my heart's inspiration

You're all I've got to get me by

You're my soul and my heart's inspiration

Without you baby, what good am I?

What good am I?

~.~.~.~

I was in an unbelievably good mood for the rest of the night, Blaine's hand clasped in mine for the majority of the time. We hung out with the New Directions and my family in turn, everything seeming five times better than normal. Blaine even got talking with Puck and laughed, actually laughed, loudly and uncontrollably. He was smiling so wide his eyes crinkled, seeming to light up the room. It was the first time I'd ever seen him like that, and it made me ridiculously happy.

"Did you sneak some champagne or something?" I asked him once his fit of laughter died down.

"If I did you'd probably know," he pointed out. "Is it really that unusual for me to be this carefree?"

"Yes," I answered immediately, making him laugh again.

It was rather awkward to explain to my relatives that yes, Blaine was my soul mate, since we'd told them otherwise earlier that night, my drunken Aunt Mildred claiming she'd known the whole time. Otherwise, though, the evening was flawless. My dad and Carole were so beautiful together and Finn even danced with me to "Just the Way You Are" to apologize for not being there when Karofsky was going after me. It was sweet and meant a lot, even if he had come around a little late, because honestly Finn always came around a little late.

Towards the end of the night, right before people started leaving, Rachel got up on the stage between songs and took the mike.

"Would Kurt and Blaine please come to the stage?" she asked, a mischievous grin on her face as the rest of the New Directions assembled behind her.

Blaine and I glanced at each other, both of us completely clueless. We eventually got to our feet and met them on the stage.

"We thought this would be a fitting song for you two to sing together," Rachel said into the microphone, smiling at Blaine and I. Next thing I knew she was forcing the mic into my hand and scurrying off to join the rest of the New Directions behind us. Finn handed Blaine another microphone and they all began to sing.

I recognized the song immediately, notorious for being one of the songs we sang with no rehearsal at Sectionals, after our set list was stolen. I felt myself blush as the wedding guests watched, shooting a questioning glance at Blaine, silently asking, "Are we really going to do this?"

Blaine's face split into a grin, and without hesitating at his cue, he began to sing, "I saw her today at the reception, a glass of wine in her hand. Oh I knew she was gonna meet her Connection…"

He looked so at home on the stage, doing the cutest little dance, his sparkling eyes never leaving mine. It was amazing how much he'd transformed over the past month, from broken and dejected to put-together and happy. My heart warmed as he sang his part, and soon after I joined in.

The song was extremely fitting, me singing the female part and Blaine the male, though he hit all the falsetto notes with me. The line "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find you get what you need" certainly reflected our relationship thus far, the smiles never fading from either of our faces the whole song.

It was by far the most fun I'd had in a long time. I was surrounded by friends, family, and singing a duet with my soul mate – what could be better?

Blaine and I threw our hearts into the song, along with the rest of the glee club. Mercedes was belting out her famous vocal runs and the wedding guests were loving it, dancing enthusiastically with their respective Connections. When it came to an end, Blaine threw his arm around my shoulders and planted a kiss on my cheek, everyone applauding us.

I knew that I would remember this moment forever.

~.~.~.~

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