I can't believe this story has almost 200 reviews. Thank you all so much! I read and appreciate each and every one.
The songs are in the footnote and I don't own the characters.
Thank you for reading!
XXXX
"Thank you, everyone. We will announce the new council members next Friday at the End of the Year Showcase. Seniors please have your song selections to me by this weekend." Wes looked down at his list of reminders, then around the room as he addressed the group, taking in a long breath. "Good luck to all of you on your finals next week. To those of you we are leaving behind, the Warbler legacy is in your hands – make us proud. To those of us who are graduating, best wishes as you move on to your next adventure." Wes took another steadying breath. "As for me, I just wanted to say thank you for letting me lead you this year. These four years have been some of the best years of my life. And you guys are the best friends anyone could ask for, as well as some of the most amazing people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Thank you for a wonderful year, Warblers."
For the last time, Wes banged his gavel to call the meeting to a close.
XXXX
"It's a fun night," Blaine explained to Kurt as they made their way back to the dorm. Almost everyone's parents are in town Friday night, so we put on a showcase for them. Then on Saturday, everyone moves out, graduation in the afternoon, and everyone goes their separate ways." Blaine looked sadly at his boyfriend. That was the part that both of them were dreading, a whole summer with Kurt in Lima and Blaine in Westerville. It hurt to even think about, so they both tried to avoid it. They still had a week and a half together before the time of leaving arrived, they would try to savor every moment.
XXXX
Blaine burst through the door and tackle-hugged his boyfriend to the bed.
"I got it!" he shouted, giddy and bouncing. "Kurt, I got it!"
"What, Blaine?" Kurt laughed, trying to breathe with Blaine's arms wrapped so tightly around him, his weight pressing Kurt into the bed.
"The appointment, Kurt."
Kurt's head was spinning. "Appointment?" he asked, his eyes laughing at his boyfriend's enthusiasm. "What appointment?"
"I'm going to be one of the Trinity advisers next year," Blaine said triumphantly.
Kurt's face lit up. He wrenched one of his arms free from under Blaine, curling it around his neck. "That's amazing, Blaine!" He pulled Blaine in for a lingering kiss.
"You know what this means?"
Kurt's eyebrows shot up in askance.
"I get to have my own private room," Blaine said lowly, letting the words drip from his tongue like molasses.
"Oh" was all Kurt could manage before Blaine's mouth covered his, his boyfriend's hands running the length of his body. Apparently Blaine was quite excited about this development and Kurt couldn't help but find it exciting as well. Blaine finally lifted his arm and let his bag fall away to the floor, centering himself over Kurt and letting his full weight rest on Kurt.
"Urmm...ummm...Bwain." Kurt's words were garbled against his lips. Blaine leaned back for a moment. "Did you lock the door?"
Blaine was across the room in a flash, clicking the lock and toeing off his shoes, landing back on Kurt just seconds later.
"Where were we?" Blaine laughed, eyes fiery as he grasped Kurt's wrists and held his hands over his head, lips diving below his collar and latching onto his neck.
Kurt sighed contentedly, letting Blaine take over. Kurt loved the feeling of Blaine on top of him, kissing him into the mattress. Blaine dragged his lips up to meet Kurt's, capturing his eyes.
"You know what else this means, Kurt?"
That we can do this whenever we want without risk of interruption, Kurt's brain supplied him.
"No, what?" he teased coyly.
"You and I can have a place of our own, our 'home' without anyone else intruding," Blaine said sweetly, brushing a piece of hair across his boyfriend's temple.
Kurt swooned, liking Blaine's answer even better than his own.
Kurt tipped his chin up, receiving Blaine's lips against his own. Soft and firm and there, like that was where they belonged.
"I love you," Kurt said, sliding his hands onto Blaine's cheeks to hold him in place so Kurt could just look at him.
"I love you, too."
Kurt huffed as Blaine rolled off of him onto the bed, turning on his side to face Blaine, winding their hands together between them. They scooted close until their noses bumped and all that they could see was the other boy's eyes. They lost themselves in their stare.
XXXX
"He's not here?" Kurt questioned, confused and frantic, eyes falling heavily on James.
"No. But he was."
"He's not answering his phone."
"Turned it off. Said he was going to get out of here for a while. Said you would know where he was."
Kurt thought for a brief moment.
"Okay. Thank you, James." Kurt turned quickly, swiftly moving down the stairs and out to his car.
By some unfortunate circumstance of the universe Kurt's final had taken the entire class period and when he finally was able to turn on his phone, a message from Blaine made his heart sink.
"Kurt...uh...I went to your room, but you weren't there...um...please call me or come by my room when you get this. I just really need to see you right now. Okay... bye."
Kurt pushed through the door of Lulu's heading straight toward the corner booth, finding Stacy sitting next to Blaine, his head resting on his forearms on the table. Stacy slid out from beside him as soon as she saw Kurt, letting Kurt slide in next to Blaine and wrap his arm around him. He felt Blaine trembling.
"Hey," Kurt said soothingly. Blaine slipped one of his hands under the table where Kurt met it, locking them together as Kurt continued rubbing circles into his back.
"They make me so mad sometimes." Blaine sounded defeated.
Kurt smoothed Blaine's hair, running his hand down the back of his neck. He wasn't positive, but something about the way that Blaine said 'they' like he was spitting out acid lead Kurt to believe he knew precisely which 'they' he was talking about. Kurt tightened his grasp on Blaine's hand and waited for Blaine to elaborate.
After several minutes that seemed like both an eternity and a blink, Blaine raised his head to look at Kurt. He let out a heavy breath. "You can't come to the wedding." His voice cracked, holding in a sob, his eyes flitting back to his hands.
Kurt was speechless, a soundless 'oh' pinned to his lips. He continued rubbing Blaine's back, until their eyes met again.
"It's okay, Blaine," Kurt soothed, trying to hide his own disappointment.
"No it's not," Blaine roared.
Kurt jumped at his forcefulness.
"Fuck, Kurt, I'm sorry." Blaine smoothed his thumb across the back of his boyfriend's hand. "I'm really upset. I really wanted you to be there with me. And it's not like I can just not go, it's my sister's wedding and, ugh, this is just so messed up."
Kurt looked softly at Blaine.
"I wanted to be there with you, too." Really, really wanted to be there.
"God, I just hate them so much sometimes. Why do they do this to me? Why do they have to be like this? It's like they go out of their way to make me unhappy." Blaine sounded angry now, tension growing in his body. He was not going to cry over this, he just was not.
"What happened?"
"Apparently my mom agreed to have you come without bothering to mention it to my dad. When he found out, he said that they can't have any guests staying at the house the weekend of the wedding because they will too busy to entertain guests."
Kurt listened intently, watching the frustration twist Blaine's face.
"That is, of course, all code for 'I don't want my gay son's boyfriend staying here'," Blaine snarked in a mocking tone.
Kurt could feel Blaine's upset radiating off of him. He hated the way that Blaine's parents made him feel.
"I so sorry, Blaine. I really wish that they didn't make you feel this way."
"I'm just sorry that you got sucked into it. I hate myself for letting them hurt you." I should have known better, Blaine told himself.
"I'm fine, really Blaine."
"No, you're disappointed and you are trying to be strong for me. I know how much you were looking forward to this."
Kurt had to agree. "Yes, I was, but seeing you upset is the worst part for me."
Blaine leaned his head against Kurt's shoulder. They shared a long deep breath, accepting their fate.
"You're really okay?" Blaine asked, staring off into the distance.
"Yeah. I am sure that there will be lots of other weddings."
Blaine turned his eyes to Kurt again. "I want you there. You know that right? It's not my choice," he said genuinely.
"I know, Blaine. I know."
XXXX
"So, I just got of the phone with Blaine," Caitlin said, trying to hold in her disgust as she walked into her parents' kitchen.
"Oh, that's nice honey," Lydia replied, never lifting her eyes from the vegetables she was slicing.
Caitlin leaned over the edge of the island across from her mother.
"I called to see how finals were going and he said that he thought they were going really well, but he sounded really upset."
"Oh, that's too bad," Lydia cooed, chopping quicker than before.
Clearly this was getting her nowhere, so Caitlin decided to go in for the kill.
"Why did Blaine just tell me that you uninvited his boyfriend to my wedding?" Caitlin asked, her voice thick with accusation.
"Oh, we didn't uninvite him, sweetheart, we just said that he can't stay here at the house," her mother explained.
"Does Blaine know that?"
"Not sure," Lydia said feigning nonchalance.
"And you don't care," Caitlin accused under her breath, blood boiling. Her parents could be so selfish sometimes, so caught up in their own desires that they failed to see the impact that their actions had on others.
She charged forward.
"Can you imagine what the Hummels must be thinking about you right now? Can't you see how this makes you look?"
"The Hummels?" Lydia asked in confusion.
Caitlin rolled her eyes irritatedly. "Kurt's parents."
"Oh, yes. I'm not sure why I would worry too much about their opinion."
"Don't you get that Blaine loves Kurt. Don't you understand that Blaine cares about Kurt's parent's opinion. He wants Kurt and his family to like us, but you are making it near impossible. Blaine was so hurt on the phone, not just because of what you did to him, but because it upset Kurt and made us look bad to Kurt's family."
"Well, I certainly didn't mean to make Blaine upset, but your father said that we simply cannot have guests during the wedding."
Yes, blame this on him when you were the one who made the call, Caitlin seethed internally. You are such a puppet sometimes. Can't you think for yourself?
Caitlin knew she should hold her tongue, but when it came to Blaine she was never good at staying silent. "What are you going to do some day when it is Blaine? What are you going to do when it is Blaine getting married instead of me?"
"Now Caitlin, dear, there is no use getting upset about such things."
"Why? Because you think that it will never happen? Blaine turns 18 in a couple of months, Mom. He can run off and get married whenever he wants after that."
"Yes, but Blaine is too sensible to do such an impulsive thing."
"It's not impulsive if you are in love and you think that your parents are never going to support your decision."
Lydia's calm exterior was beginning to fray. "Why are we even discussing this?" she snapped.
"I know you love Blaine, Mom. I understand that you have a hard time accepting him, but if you and Dad don't get your acts together you are going to lose him. You are embarrassing him, you are making him feel unwanted, and once he is no longer dependent on you, you are not giving him much of a reason to want to stick around." Caitlin was angry and it showed.
Lydia's eyes had glazed over, her mind elsewhere and Caitlin realized she might as well give up.
Before she turned to go, she added, "And just so that we are all clear. This is my wedding and I want Kurt there, so I am going to do whatever I need to do to make that happen. I will respect your wishes not to have him staying here at the house, but if this was a thinly veiled attempt to keep him from coming, then it has failed. I just hope that he hasn't already made other plans for that weekend."
XXXX
"Kurt...Kurt."
Kurt grumbled, his body heavy with sleep. He tried to open his eyes, and finding only darkness he moved his hand to his face.
"No, just leave it on." Kurt recognized the voice immediately.
Kurt shot straight up, feeling the other body move quickly out of his way so that they didn't collide. He shook his head furiously, realizing that there was material obscuring his vision. A hand grabbed him by the elbow and helped him up from the bed, leading him across the room.
"What the hell is going on?" Kurt demanded.
"Shhh... just come."
Kurt heard the door open and they stepped out into the hall, Kurt's heart pounding.
"What time is it? And why am I wearing a blindfold?"
"It's a surprise," the voice said softly. "And it's the middle of the night, which is why you have to be quiet."
The other boy lead Kurt down the stairs.
"Here, put on your shoes," he said as they reached the back door.
"You have my shoes?" Kurt nearly shrieked, voice higher than usual.
The other boy just laughed, helping Kurt slip his feet into his loafers, then threading his arm through Kurt's to lead them out the back door of Trinity Hall. They walked for what seemed like a long time before Kurt heard another door opening and felt warmer air drifting across his skin. He immediately recognized the sound of loafers clicking on the tiles of the main hall.
A few hallways, turns, and stairs later, Kurt knew exactly where they were, the smell of old books mixed with leather and history hitting him as his companion pushed open the large doors. Kurt could sense that there were other people in the room, he could hear them breathing, though no one was speaking. Kurt lowered himself onto the couch, grinning widely when he took in the scent of the body next to him, turning immediately to look at him even though his eyes were covered.
"You may take off your blindfolds now," the voice said.
Kurt pulled the fabric from his eyes, looking up to smile at the boy who had been leading him. David smiled in return.
"Congratulations!" Wes began brightly, smiling at the captives. "You three have been selected as the Warblers Council for the 2011-2012 school year."
Kurt looked excitedly at the two pairs of hazel eyes beside him, both boys grinning furiously. Blaine reached his arms around his boyfriend and friend, pulling the three of them together into an excited hug and leaving his arms resting on their shoulders when they pulled back.
"We must say that we are very happy with the choice the Warblers have made. We know we are leaving the Warblers in excellent hands. Between the three of you, you have an immense amount of talent and experience," David beamed, eyes moving from one boy to the next.
"The Council has a lot of responsibility but we have no doubt that you will be able to rise up to meet the challenge," Thad added.
"Kurt, you are being offered the position of Manager. Jeff, the position of Historian. And Blaine, you will be the Head of Council. You get to wield the gavel," Wes said, proudly. "Do you accept your positions?"
The three boys accepted, grinning and nodding enthusiastically.
"We will announce your positions officially this evening at the Showcase. But now it is time to celebrate," Wes smiled. The three current Council members turned toward the head table each picking up two glasses, handing one to each of the new Council members.
"To the Warblers!" David said, raising his glass
"To the Warblers!" The other boys raised their glasses.
"Cheers!" Thad clinked his glass against Blaine's, the other boys following suit until their glass had bumped against each of the others. They all took a sip, Kurt and Blaine taking the opportunity to steal a glance at each other out of the corner of their eye.
An hour later, positions and responsibilities explained, they made their way back to Trinity Hall to wake the other sleeping Warblers, each of the new council members carrying a large binder. Blaine carrying two.
"Where are we going now?" Kurt had asked as they walked.
"End of the year breakfast," Blaine said in explanation.
Kurt raised his eyebrows in question.
"It's a Warbler tradition," the five other boys said in chorus.
XXXX
The Warblers returned to campus as the sun was coming up, dragging their bodies, tired from finals and having been awoken in the middle of the night, back to their rooms for a couple hours of sleep. The day passed quickly, everyone busy packing the contents of their dorms and getting ready to move out. Parents started to trickle in as the day progressed, Burt, Carole, and Finn arriving just before the show was about to begin. Kurt and Blaine greeted them happily and ushered them to the seats that they had saved for them before joining the Warblers where they watched from the sidelines of the stage as the actors and musicians of Trinity presented their pieces from the year. Finally it was their turn to take the stage, opening with Teenage Dream before moving to the side and letting the Seniors have their turn.
David stepped to the front, addressing the audience, "I would like to dedicate my song tonight to Jessica. You're my angel and I love you, girl."
Girl you're my angel,
You're my darling, angel
Closer than my peeps you are to me, baby
Shorty you're my angel
You're my darling, angel
Girl you're my friend when I'm in need, lady
David worked the stage, moving forward to sing directly to his love as several other Warblers kept up the beat in the background.
Life is one big party when you're still young,
But who's going to have your back when it's all done?
The rest of the Warblers started to sway side to side from where they stood at the side of the stage.
But the feeling that I have for you is so strong,
Been together so long that this could never be wrong
The audience started to get into it as well, moving with the music and smiling at the obvious adoration being shared between the young couple. Blaine smiled fully at Kurt, who returned his knowing look. "I'm so happy for them," Blaine whispered. "Me, too," Kurt replied. "I can't believe they're getting engaged tonight."
Well girl I surrender, thanks for giving me your love
The audience applauded heartily as the song came to an end, David's family and Jessica rising to their feet. David made a heart with his hands directing in to his girlfriend as he moved back.
After the other Seniors had their time in the spotlight, the Warblers retook the stage. Kurt and Blaine sang True to Your Heart and Blaine finished with Dynamite. Then the Council stepped forward, introducing the new Council members to the group and handing over the gavel to Blaine. The Warblers and audience applauded loudly.
In his first act as the Head of Council, Blaine introduced the last song.
"If there are any Warbler alumni in the audience, please stand to be recognized and join us in song."
Kurt's mouth fell open in surprise when a large number of men in the audience stood. Blaine gasped, finding in the audience a pair of eyes he was not expecting to see. Kurt followed the line of his boyfriend's sight, not sure what Blaine was seeing as they returned to the group for their final song together.
When you walk through the storm, hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
The haunting melody echoed through the space, all of the voices joining together in harmony without a lead, quieting everyone as they let it wash over them.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown,
Walk on, walk on,
With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.
The audience stood in applause as the Warblers embraced, tears sliding down some of their cheeks, holding on fiercely to each other and the memories that they had made together.
"Once a Warbler, always a Warbler," they told each other.
When they finally stepped down from the stage, wiping tears, they moved to greet their respective families. Kurt and Blaine walked toward Kurt's parents, but they had only made it a couple of steps when Blaine was grabbed from behind by two arms wrapped tightly around him.
He spun to meet the eyes of the offending party. "Caitlin!"
"Hey Blainey Bear!"
Blaine hugged her fiercely. "Oh my god, Caitlin! What are you doing here?"
"Our parents are driving me crazy, so I thought that I would take a little drive and see what my favorite little brother was up to," Caitlin smiled. "And I'm so glad that I did! Congratulations, Blaine! I'm so proud of you!" She hugged him again.
Kurt surveyed the siblings with a giddy smile, watching as his boyfriend was wrapped up by a slightly shorter, feminine version of himself. When they pulled back, Blaine caught the smile on his boyfriend's face and turned his sister to face Kurt.
"Caitlin, this is my boyfriend, Kurt Hummel." Kurt beamed, he was quite sure that he would always enjoy being introduced that way.
"Of course," Caitlin said, unlatching her arms from Blaine and wrapping them around Kurt. "I figured as much given the way the two of you were looking at each other, then when they announced the new Council, I thought 'uh huh, I knew it!'"
Kurt returned the hug, saying, "It's nice to meet you."
Caitlin stepped back, looking at her brother and saying in a voice too loud to be a whisper, but softer than before, "You weren't kidding when you said he was cute!"
Blaine blushed to the tips of his ears, as Kurt smirked at him, blushing himself.
"Hey, guys! Congratulations!" Burt said as he approached the group, clapping Kurt and Blaine both on the shoulder, then wrapping his arm around Kurt's, pulling him into a sideways hug.
"Thank you, Dad!"
"Thank you, Mr. Hummel!"
"Yeah, that's really awesome, Kurt!" Finn added.
"We're really proud of you, sweetheart!" Carole said, squeezing Kurt's hand. "Both of you," she added, smiling at Blaine.
A moment of silence passed as the Hummel clan noticed the girl standing next to Blaine. Realizing his negligence, Blaine sprung into action introducing his sister to the group.
"We were going to take the boys out for some dinner, care to join us?" Burt asked Caitlin.
"I would love to," she enthused.
"Great! Are you boys ready?"
"Yes," Kurt nodded. "I'm ready."
"I'll be ready in just a minute," Blaine said, eyes flitting across the room. "There is someone I need to say 'hello' to first."
XXXX
"Hey, Blaine!"
"Hey, Mark! I didn't expect to see you here." They leaned together to share a friendly hug.
"School got out last week, so I am home for the summer. I caught up with Wes and he said that he would be handing the gavel over to you tonight, so I thought I would stop by."
"Oh, well thank you for the support."
"How have you been? You look like you are doing well." Mark smiled as his eyes flew across the room to the group Blaine had just left.
Blaine followed Mark's eyes, taking in his beautiful boyfriend chatting happily with his sister.
"I'm really good. It's been a great year. How about you?"
"It's been a great year for me, too. I love Princeton. I was selected for the Tigertones. Met a wonderful man."
Blaine smiled. "Glad to hear that things are well for you and that you are still singing."
Mark returned the smile, an emotion running behind his eyes that Blaine couldn't quite read. They stood together, the air heavy for a moment before Mark spoke.
"You sure have come a long way from being that broken, scared little boy with the devastating hazel eyes and enormous talent who walked through those doors two years ago. I told Wes when I left last year that he would be handing that gavel over to you and I'm so glad that I got to be here to witness it. I am so glad that you are happy and thriving. I'm so proud of you, Blaine."
Blaine was overcome, truly not expecting such lovely words to come out of the mouth of someone, who, despite being someone Blaine wouldn't soon forget, Blaine expected had completely forgotten about him the moment he stepped off Dalton grounds.
"Thank you so much," Blaine managed.
"You are completely welcome. I knew you would go far, Blaine Anderson."
Blaine looked back over his shoulder, realizing that Kurt was now eying him suspiciously.
"Come on," Blaine said urging Mark to follow him, "let me introduce you to my boyfriend."
Blaine and Mark crossed the room.
"Well, hello Mark," Caitlin said as they approached.
"Hello, Caitlin. Nice to see you again."
Mark! Kurt's eyes flew wide in shock, his mouth immediately dry, ice running through his veins. He sized up the man smiling brightly at his boyfriend, his stomach turning sour. This was the ex-boyfriend? But he was gorgeous. Kurt thought he was going to be sick.
"Mark, this is my boyfriend, Kurt." Mark extended his hand and Kurt met it, still eying him, insecurities he didn't even know he had bubbling under his skin.
"Nice to meet you, Kurt."
"You, too," Kurt replied, trying for confidence, but not quite attaining it.
Blaine settled between them, taking Kurt's hand in his, threading their fingers together and looking at him reassuringly.
"We are heading out for some dinner, care to join us?" Burt asked, receiving a look of horror from his son.
"Thank you, sir, but I have to be heading home. You all have a good time," Mark declined gracefully, turning to Blaine. "Nice to see you again, Blaine."
XXXX
Halfway through the meal there was a lull in the conversation and Caitlin took her opportunity to change the topic.
"So Kurt," she began, gaining his attention, "have you made other plans for the weekend of the wedding?"
Kurt looked from sister to brother and back when he found only a questioning stare on Blaine's face.
"No. I don't have any other plans."
"Great," Caitlin looked to Burt and Carole, "I apologize to you both, and Kurt, for any upset this whole situation has caused. It was never my desire for Kurt to be uninvited to the wedding. I really don't understand the things my parents do sometimes. They are not bad people, but they can be terribly immature and thoughtless. They are steadfast in their beliefs and awful at accepting things that don't go the way that they want. They can be quite ignorant and misguided." Caitlin let her words settle in the minds of the stunned faces that surrounded the table. "That said, I would very much like for Kurt to be a guest at my wedding and I am hoping that one of you would be able to accompany him to Hunting Valley that weekend. We can put him up at the hotel where the rest of our guests are staying free of charge. But I assume that you wouldn't want Kurt staying in a hotel alone."
"You assume correctly," Burt said evenly. He paged through his mind, "The weekend of the 25th correct?"
"Yes."
Burt turned to Kurt, "I'm sorry son, but I just can't take off that weekend on such short notice."
Kurt, Blaine, and Caitlin deflated.
"Kurt, I don't know how you would feel about it, but I could accompany you if you would like," Carole offered. The three brightened. She turned to her husband. "Kurt and I could drive up Friday night after I get off of my shift. I don't work that Saturday. Maybe I can call up my friend Alicia and see if she would be available to get together. I haven't seen her in forever."
Kurt looked to his dad for confirmation, and when he nodded said, "That would be wonderful! Thank you so much, Carole! And you, too, Caitlin."
"See I knew that there had to be a solution!" Caitlin said brightly, a smile taking over her face.
Kurt was practically vibrating with excitement as he looked at his boyfriend. Blaine's face was covered in a smile, too, his heart happy and grateful for the two amazing women sitting at the table.
XXXX
By the time that Caitlin dropped them off at Dalton it was nearly 9:30. The boys walked toward Trinity until Caitlin was gone from sight, then doubled back, making their way to Blaine's car and climbing in the backseat together.
"You okay, babe, you seem...distracted?" Blaine asked, his arms encircling his boyfriend.
"Yeah," Kurt sighed, petting at Blaine's hair.
"You're thinking something. Tell me."
Kurt looked into Blaine's eyes, his heart immediately quickening its pace. Kurt's mind was fighting with itself. It is our last night together for two weeks and this was all you can think about. It was so stupid and Kurt knew it, but he couldn't help himself. He looked away.
"It's Mark."
"What about Mark?" Blaine wondered, internally chastising himself for putting Kurt in that uncomfortable position.
"The way he looked at you Blaine. I just... you always made it sound like your relationship was no big deal, like it wasn't serious."
"It wasn't serious," Blaine confirmed, trying to quell the onslaught of emotions he could feel coming.
"But he has a part of you, Blaine. He was your first boyfriend. Your first date. Your first dance. Your first kiss that counted. He was all those things to you. Those things that you are to me. And I'm jealous. I'm jealous because he gets to have those parts of you." The words flew from his mouth in a tidal wave, quickly crashing onto Blaine.
Blaine placed a soft finger under Kurt's chin, raising Kurt's blue eyes to meet his own. Blaine locked their eyes together, willing Kurt to hear him, to really listen.
"Kurt Hummel, I love you, more than I have every loved anyone or anything in my life. If I could go back and do it all again, I would have never dated Mark. I would have waited for you so that we could be each other's first everything. But I didn't know. I didn't know that you were just around the corner." Blaine wanted to kiss him right then, but he held back and continued. "We have shared so many firsts already, and I intend to share many more with you."
Kurt soaked in Blaine's words, feeling the emotion starting to well up in his eyes.
Blaine leaned closer, brushing their noses together.
"You are amazing. And I wonder every day how I got so lucky as to have you as my boyfriend. You are my high-school sweetheart. You are my first love. You are everything to me."
Feeling his eyes mist, Kurt grabbed Blaine's face, one hand along each cheek, holding him still so Kurt could look at him while the emotions ran over him.
"I...I..." Kurt tried, but emotion stole his words before he could form them.
Blaine placed his hands along Kurt's cheeks, feeling Kurt shiver at his touch.
"I know," Blaine said simply.
Their hearts pounded, their minds emptying. They were totally lost in each other, hearts aching in their chests with want of closeness, but lacking the time. A simple kiss would not suffice, this was far bigger than even the best kiss. So they just stared, trying to understand the magnitude of the connection they shared.
XXXX
When they finally went inside, they found the Warblers congregated in the common room. Just a moment after they arrived, David walked in behind them, a huge smile on his face.
"She said 'yes'," David announced, excitedly.
Everyone cheered, embracing their friend.
"I can't believe you are getting married," Thad commented, echoing the thoughts of the group.
"Well, it's going to be a very long engagement," David explained. Excitedly adding, "I can hardly believe it either."
"We're so happy for you," Blaine offered, taking his boyfriend's hand and squeezing it, stealing a look at him as the congratulations continued. Their eyes locked, happiness and hope in their consuming stare, the weight of the air between them whispering maybe someday that will be us.
As the night drew on, the atmosphere of Trinity Hall turned contemplative, the air heavy with 'goodbye.' Everyone had their doors open and people were going room to room, spending time with friends before the inevitable end that came in the morning. As the evening became morning the Seniors started to close their doors, knowing that they should get some rest before graduation the next day.
After they had made their rounds, Kurt and Blaine fell into Blaine's bed together, James no where to be found. They lay on their sides, facing each other, arms and legs entwined, staring once again.
"Next year is going to be absolutely amazing," Blaine said, hardly able to believe their good fortune.
"It really is," Kurt agreed, equally astonished.
"I can't believe that I'm not going to see you for two weeks," Blaine sighed, running his fingers through Kurt's hair. Kurt's eyes fluttering closed for a moment just to savor the warmth of his touch.
"I know, I can't believe it either," Kurt said sadly.
They stared at each other, trying to memorize the nuances of the other boy's face.
"I miss you already," Blaine said as he nuzzled their faces together, finding his niche in the crook of Kurt's neck.
They held each other close, feeling the rise and fall of the other boy's chest, his warm breath on their skin, the press of his body. They worked their lips together softly. They begged time to move slowly.
When James returned, Kurt kissed Blaine on the tip of the nose and retired to his dorm room to find Patrick still awake. Patrick and Kurt talked long into the morning hours about the events of the year, thanking each other for their friendship and companionship, saying their goodbyes.
The next morning was flurry of activity as the contents of the dorm rooms made their way into the hundreds of cars parked haphazardly all over campus and Kurt found himself standing in another empty room not quite ready to leave.
When the cars were loaded, the young men of Dalton put on their uniforms and made their way to say goodbye to some of their own.
As Blaine sat next to his boyfriend, taking in the pomp and circumstance of another graduating class, he let the year replay in his mind. It had started off pretty well, he was selected as the lead singer of the Warblers, everyone knew him and liked him. He had good friends and good grades, he couldn't complain. Things were so much better than the year before.
Then, on a random November day when he was running late for a performance, he had been stopped on the stairs by a boy who changed his life. He almost didn't stop, late as he was, and unsure about whether the random "excuse me" was even meant for him, but there was something about Kurt's voice that spoke to him and made him turn before he really knew what he was doing. A moment later he was grabbing the boy's hand, impulsively and instinctively, wondering what had gotten into him. Blaine knew from that very first conversation that Kurt needed someone like him, that he could be someone to Kurt. He never expected to fall so hard and fast. He didn't know how much he needed Kurt. Yet here he was seven months later, his junior year behind him, sitting next to his boyfriend of four months, the man he loved, having so much to look forward to.
He turned his eyes to Kurt, seeing his boyfriend similarly lost in thought. Feeling Blaine's eyes on him he turned and smiled. Kurt rested the back of his hand on Blaine's thigh and Blaine covered it with his own, locking their fingers together.
Before they knew it, they were standing behind Blaine's BMW trying to will their bodies apart. There were far too many people around for them to do any more than wrap their arms around each other and breathe together. The time had come much too soon.
"I love you," they whispered with shaky breath, clutching at each other with strong hands.
"It's only two weeks."
"We'll talk every day."
"We can text any time."
"And Skype."
They made all of the promises, but it didn't make it any easier. They knew it would not be the same as having each other there in the flesh.
When Blaine slid behind the wheel there were tears streaming down his face, he knew exactly how painfully he was going to miss Kurt. He had felt that pain every time Kurt had gone home for the weekend. But this, this wasn't a weekend, this was two whole, long weeks. And unlike Kurt, Blaine wasn't going to a place where he was happy, he was going to his own personal hell.
XXXX
Thank you for reading! Reviews always appreciated.
In the next episode: Caitlin gets ready to say "I Do"
Songs:
Angel – Shaggy
You'll Never Walk Alone – Roger and Hammerstein's Carousel
FYI - I am headed out of town on vacation at the end of the week and I am unsure whether I will be able to get out another update before then or not. If not, I will be back updating near the end of the month.