Author's note: I don't know how college/university in the US work. I work in a university, and worked in the admission office for 2.5years so am basing some of this on that. Feel free to enlighten me.

Warning: This ends on 'sort-of' cliff hanger. Don't say I didn't warn you.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

He hasn't said anything to Kurt, not because he's keeping it from him, but they haven't brought college up since they talked about it before Christmas. It's different now. He's kind of worried that maybe he should have discussed it more with him, but it's too late now. He's accepted a place at OSU, but has also written a polite letter to MIT asking if it is possible to defer for a year, explaining his reasons for deciding on OSU being that he wants to stay close to his family with the imminent arrival of a new baby and moving house.

There's also the fact that he doesn't really know what he wants to do with the rest of his life, and having another year before he finally has to make a decision sounds kind of good. He hadn't put that in the letter though. MIT have accepted his deferral request on the provision that he pass all papers he takes at any other college in the interim year which is fine with him, if he ends up going to MIT then he really needs to slide into a good studying technique from the word go.

While he hasn't talked to Kurt directly, he does know Kurt nailed the NYADA audition he's expressed the opinion that he might not go even if he is accepted. He understands, but he's also kind of gutted that Kurt might give up on the place of his dreams because of what happened. Or because he wants to stay close to Lima. He knows he's pretty much doing the same thing, however his dad and Claire are moving to Columbus, and he's moving with them. There's a house waiting a building report and everything, he's seen pictures, and the fact that Claire and his dad made sure the place had a room for him just makes him feel like he's made the right decision. Now he just needs to share it with Kurt, and he has no idea how to start that conversation.

While he's been stressing about that, he's somehow agreed to go to prom with Kurt. There was a healthy does of manipulation from Claire in there which helped. He's fully aware it's his senior prom, but she'd been sympathetic about what had happened last year. Fuck. With that at McKinley, and Honey and Kara teaming up at Carmel he feels like he wants to find a mountain and study how to become a hermit. He won't though, despite the temptation, and instead has his suit hanging in his closet, freshly pressed and cleaned at Claire's insistence. He's not sure why she insisted on getting him a new suit, but he'd gone a long with it, letting Kurt and her pick ones out for him to try on. It had been worth it for Kurt's excitement alone.

LSY

He's prepared his friends at McKinley, and when Rachel and Mercedes had pulled faces at the fact that he was seriously bringing Dave, and how could he forgive him after everything he'd done he'd snapped, pulled them into the soundproof recording room and railed at them. Had they forgotten what Blaine had done to him? Did that stop them talking to him? Socializing and laughing with him? They'd both looked saddened and taken it in good grace, which had surprised him a little, because he fully expected Rachel to at least whine, but instead he'd ended up with them hugging him and telling him they were happy he was happy.

He hadn't been particularly happy though, not with them, but Blaine had shaken his head, and the fact that he'd felt a moments solidarity with Blaine of all people really should have made the others realize how shitty they were when it came to being friends. Just because they didn't see Dave to realize how much he had changed didn't mean he hadn't, and why couldn't they just trust his judgment anyway? Or accept the fact that Dave made him happy. He goes through the rest of the afternoon at school in a bit of a foul mood, shooting dark glances at Rachel and Mercedes, and while they look duly chastened he's not convinced they're actually sorry about their comments regarding Dave.

He knows part of the reason he's so upset is because of the amount of time it took him to even convince Dave to consider coming to prom at McKinley. And he knows part of the reason Dave finally gave in is because he wants to make Kurt happy. He didn't even try to convince Dave to go to his own school prom, but he's okay with that, is actually glad because he worries about the fact that Dave isn't really out at school. He forgets that fact, especially as there are only weeks to go, so it won't matter this time next month, but Dave is out to his family, to the majority of his friends, to all of Kurt's friends and so he forgets. And it's that which worries him, because what if one of Dave's friends at Carmel forgets?

LSY

"I need to talk to you."

"Okay. Wow Dave, relax, it's not… It's not bad is it?"

"No! Shit. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you, just been thinking about a lot of stuff and have wanted to talk to you about it for a while and I think I've been overthinking it because now I'm really worried about your reaction and… fuck."

"Uh, well… just tell me. You said it wasn't bad."

"Okay. I accepted a place at OSU."

"That's great! Why are you so nervous about telling me that?"

"Just… uh. I'm not sure what… we're going to be in a couple of months' time, and I've been wanting to tell you for ages, but I didn't know how to broach it."

"Well, you kind of freaked me out a little, but to be honest? I haven't given us, our relationship, a thought, past graduation. I mean I got accepted into NYADA, but you know how I feel about moving so far away right now. I just… I got into OSU, and Pittsburgh, but…"

"Have you sent out your acceptance letter?"

"No. Not yet. I've just –"

He watches Kurt chew his lip and he wonders what it tastes like. He has thoughts of course, not that he would ever voice them or act on them, because he doesn't ever want Kurt to feel uncomfortable around him, but it doesn't stop his traitorous mind providing the thoughts.

"I still don't know if I want to go. At all."

"Okay."

"I – really? My dad is really pushing me to accept a place and… I don't feel ready."

"Well… have you thought about deferral? Like asking for your acceptance to be deferred for a year? I mean, I'm sure if you wrote a letter explaining they'd at least consider it. That's what I did for MIT."

"You got into MIT?"

"Ah. Yeah," he says shyly, because he hadn't meant to tell Kurt that. That he got acceptance letters from all the places he applied to. He knows it's harder for Kurt, because there are auditions and a lot more competition, although the fact that Kurt has also gotten in to everywhere he applied means he doesn't feel as bad.

"Oh my god Dave! Congratulations!"

The energy and exuberance in the hug that Kurt gives him makes him feel warm all over and he grins, hugging him back.

"Yeah, I'll hopefully credit the papers I do at OSU over if I can, but yeah… OSU for a year. I still don't really know what I want to do, so I'm going to take the time to figure it out, plus I can still live at home and save for when, if, I decide to go to MIT."

"You'll go to MIT."

He blushes that Kurt has so much belief in him, especially when he has no real idea himself about what he wants to do and Kurt knows that. At least Kurt's dreams have always been constant, and even he knows what Kurt wants. Or wanted. He pauses and wonders if Kurt even wants that anymore.

"Do you still want to be on Broadway?"

"I… I don't know. I don't think so. But I might change my mind again. Is that a bad thing?"

"Kurt, I don't think anyone really knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives."

"Rachel does."

"Yeah well, Berry is a weirdo."

For some reason Kurt cracks up laughing, leaning into him and he realizes that they're still standing there in his kitchen, arms wrapped around each other and it feels so fucking comfortable. He's not going to draw attention to it, but he really likes the feeling that Kurt feels this relaxed around him. He knows Kurt's been going to classes with Terence, and Dave figures those are helping in a way that talking about it just haven't been able to.

"Yeah, she kind of is."

He grins and relaxes a little more, feels Kurt stay relaxed against him and he wants to do it, press a tiny kiss to Kurt's forehead, but he doesn't want to make him feel pressured.

"You're thinking too much."

"Am I?"

"Yeah, I can hear you," Kurt says, and he can feel Kurt's body shaking with silent laughter against his chest.

"I was just thinking about doing something…"

"What?"

"Uh nothing. It's stupid." Especially now that he's thinking about it even more.

"Come on, do it."

"Nah. It's alright."

"Dave, please?"

He scrunches his face up, lets out a resigned sigh and then quickly presses a kiss to Kurt's forehead. He would go for the hair but he's worried he might ruin the styling that Kurt has probably spent ages on.

"Oh," Kurt says, and he's not sure if he sounds surprised or pleased. "Oh… do that again."

He does, swallowing against the nerves and tries to ignore the way Kurt's eyes have fluttered shut.

"Um. A little lower?"

Kurt's voice is quiet and his own breath is shallow and fast and he kisses the tip of Kurt's nose as fast as he can.

"Uh, a little lower?"

He knows what Kurt wants, feels a little relieved at the almost playful thing they have and wants to keep it going. He kisses Kurt's chin and pulls back, head bent to hide his grin, knowing without even looking that Kurt's eyes are now open and glaring at him.

"Not quite that low huh?"

"No."

He's not prepared for Kurt to suddenly be kissing him; it's not soft and slow at all and his entire body is being pressed against the kitchen bench and he's glad for that at least, that it's not him pressing Kurt up against something. He likes that Kurt is taking the lead and he just grips the edge of the bench and kisses back. There's no tongue, but fuck there doesn't need to be because Kurt's lips are switching between little light kisses at the edge of his mouth and then harder hotter and he can't even believe this is happening right now. It stops as quickly as it starts though, with Kurt taking a sudden step back, eyes blown wide and lips dark-pink and shiny with spit. The sight makes him lick his own lips and he sucks in a deep breath.

"Wow." It feels like the understatement of the year, but he hadn't been expecting that at all. From the look on Kurt's face he hadn't been expecting it either. It can't have lasted longer than thirty seconds, probably not even that.

"I… yeah. Sorry. I…"

"You don't need to apologize."

"No. Yes. Yes I do… because. Because I don't want you to…"

"Kurt. Kurt." He waits until Kurt is looking at him. "I don't expect anything from you. Ever. I mean, not that I uh… making out with you is awesome, but… If you just want to sit on the sofa and watch movies then that's completely cool with me as well. I meant what I said before okay?"

A part of him relaxes as Kurt nods and then he's being kissed again, slower, gentler although when he reaches out to put a hand on Kurt's hip he feels Kurt twist away. He doesn't take it personally, the fact that Kurt has just been kissing him tells him that Kurt wants to be here, is comfortable enough with him to initiate this and that fact makes him unbelievably happy, like he's finally doing something right.

"A movie sounds good."

"Okay. That we can do."

LSY

He looks at himself in the mirror and he knows he looks good. He's just wearing a plain tuxedo this time, although without a bowtie, instead just a skinny tie in midnight blue. Nothing too extravagant at all because he knows Dave is going to feel uncomfortable enough as it is, and he doesn't need to bring extra attention to them. He's certain they're going to be a talking point tonight anyway.

He's talked with Azimio, he'd known Dave was coming because Dave had told him however Kurt hadn't known how much Dave was freaking out until Azimio had told him. That had hurt a little but he'd quickly realized that Dave didn't want to disappoint him, or make him worried, but he still wishes he'd shared his fears with him, because he's scared as well. Blaine won't be at the prom. It's senior prom and he's never been so glad that Blaine isn't in the same year as him. He wants to enjoy the night and he's pretty sure that Blaine is glad to not be going anyway because of Brittany's weird ban on hair gel.

Dave is picking him up in his dad's car, and despite the amount they've hung out they've actually never been on a date. In public. And he knows this isn't just the two of them alone going to dinner, but going to prom is a massive statement and while he's amazingly proud of how far Dave has come in the last year he's also mindful of just how much of a big deal this is.

LSY

His palms are sweating, and he knows if he wipes them on his pants again Kurt is going to give him a disappointed look, and he doesn't want that. He wants the eyes-shining-with-happiness-and-excitement look which he'd gotten earlier in the evening when he'd knocked on Kurt's door to pick him up. Things are going well though, far better than he ever anticipated. A few of his old teammates have come over and said hi, most of them not surprised he's here with Kurt and he guesses he has Az to thank for forewarning them. There are a few others which keep shooting glances his way, frowns on their faces and it's those which are making him feel nervous.

His nerves must show because Puckerman has offered him, repeatedly, a swig from a hip flask and he's refused multiple times. He doesn't want to drink, knows how Kurt feels about drinking and losing control and he doesn't want to put him through that. The glee club have been really good for the most part, particularly the guys that he used to play football with. He's pretty sure Mercedes and Rachel still don't trust him but they haven't said anything, and Mercedes had even smiled at him, although she'd looked like it had been painful. He doesn't care. He feels an arm wrap around his arm and Kurt's leaning against him, smiling up at him and he grins.

"Hi."

"Hi. So… we finally get our dance…"

He swallows the tightness in his throat and nods dumbly, unable to say anything as Kurt leads him to the dance floor. He wishes he could have had this last year, that things could be different, but he's actually pretty happy right now with how things are turning out. He links his fingers around Kurt's middle, keeping them only loosely joined and he can't help but smile when Kurt rests his head on his shoulder. They're pretty much the same height, so he just leans his head against his and enjoys the smell and feel.

There are eyes on them and he does his best to ignore them, or imagine that the eyes are at least attached to smiling faces, even though he knows they can't all be. He feels like walking out when they come to announce Prom King and Queen, but Kurt is holding his hand with a death grip and he strokes his thumb over his hand, trying to relax him even through his own nerves.

Berry's name is called out and he can't actually believe that she's won. Sure the glee club aren't quite the social pariahs they were last year, but he's pretty sure they haven't jumped to the top of the food chain in his absence. Unless it's like last year when it was just a massive joke; he's still a little annoyed about the fact that Figgins decided to read it out despite it obviously being a cruel joke. He knows now that Kurt was hurt by it, just that he hides it far better than anyone would ever guess.

LSY

"The punch is spiked," Mercedes says in a stage whisper and he sighs. Of course it is. "I think Dave might have had some."

He freezes for a second before forcing himself to relax. He can deal with this. Dave hasn't suddenly started swinging from the light fittings, seems a little more relaxed than when they first arrived but that could be for many reasons. Except Dave is meant to be driving, and he's pretty sure that Dave wouldn't be drinking it if he thought it was spiked. He sidles up beside him and takes his cup, taking a tiny sip and all he can taste is the sickly sweet cordial flavor.

"How much of the punch have you had to drink?"

"Oh. Three glasses maybe? Why? Crap. It's spiked isn't it…"

"Yep." Dave sniffs his cup with a frown before putting it down on a side table. "You don't seem… overly affected by it though."

"I'm a big guy," Dave says, shrugging and looking a little self-conscious. He can't tell if he's blushing in the lighting but he wraps his arms around him, hoping Dave can read how sincere he is as he hugs him.

"Yeah, I like it."

Dave's face definitely feels warm as he presses a kiss to his cheek and he smiles, realizing just how comfortable he feels, how far he's come in the last six months. When he pulls away and looks around he realizes that there are several members of the glee club who are drunk and he sighs.

"I think the glee club members are closet alcoholics…"

"Uh, that implies they try to keep it a secret. I'm pretty sure they aren't keeping this a secret."

"Oh god you're right. We should totally have compulsory AA meetings for them."

Dave shrugs and he looks pretty tired and he takes his hand, tugging him toward the door, waving at Mercedes so she knows he's leaving.

"Come on, let's get you home." Dave hums in agreement, linking their fingers and it's nice.

"You mind if I walk you guys to your car?" Azimio asks and instantly Kurt is wide awake. It could be an innocent request, but also he knows Azimio would probably just leave them to it if he thought they would be completely safe.

"I… yes. Thank you." He catches Azimio's eyes and tries to convey his gratitude, because while Dave might be new to being out in a small time he isn't. While he feels more confident now that he could ward off an attacker he still won't put himself in dangerous situations if he can help it.

Of course it's completely anticlimactic, and he much prefers it that way as he starts the unfamiliar car and watches Azimio get smaller in the rearview mirror as he drives away. He has to focus on driving, so he's not surprised that Dave has fallen asleep in the twenty minutes it's taken him to get him home. He pokes at Dave's rib with a finger until he grumbles awake and bites his lip when he mumbles about it being too early, instead informing him that he's home.

As he walks to the front door, guiding a sleepy Dave he's not quite sure how he's going to get home, although he knows his dad will be up waiting for him so he wouldn't feel bad asking him for a lift. He still has forty minutes until curfew though. Claire opens the door, which saves him from figuring out which key is for the house and she looks tired as well, and he's pretty sure she isn't staying up for their sake. She closes the door behind them, eyes on Dave as she frowns.

"Is he drunk?"

"No. I don't think so. Really tired maybe? He drank some of the punch, which was spiked, but he didn't seem affected, but I drove us back just in case. He fell asleep on the way home."

"Yeah, we've been having some rough nights this week. None of us are well rested."

Dave is squinting at them in the light coming from the hallway.

"Can I go to bed please?"

Kurt bites his lip in amusement, finding it adorable just how young Dave sounds and Claire is obviously the same, reaching out to ruffle Dave's hair.

"Sure, go right on up."

"Mmm…"

Dave starts staggering toward the stairs and he wonders whether he should go and make sure Dave gets his suit off…

"If you were planning on putting him to bed you might want to get to him before he falls on the bed. Once he's down he's down."

"Oh. Okay then. Right."

He catches up to Dave easily, and getting him to shrug the jacket off is straightforward enough. He's barely breathing when Dave pushes his bedroom door open, but fortunately Dave seems to be working on autopilot, fingers working at buttons and belt clasps. He turns his back, reaching for a coat hanger to put the jacket on, taking his time to smooth it out and hang it in the closet. He can hear Dave stumbling around and he's pretty sure he's trying to take his pants off while still wearing his shoes. He chances a quick look and yeah, he'd guessed correctly. Dave is wearing black boxer briefs, his pants around his ankles, shirt and tie crumpled in a pile on the floor and he looks confused.

"Sit down, I'll undo your laces."

"Hmm?"

"Just sit down Dave."

He does, sitting on the edge of the bed and he kneels, quickly undoing the laces and tugging his shoes off before removing the pants as well, trying not to think about how close he is to having his boyfriend naked in front of him. As soon as he stands Dave is shuffling his body up the bed, reaching under his pillow for a t-shirt and pulling it over his head. He's pretty sure it's back-to-front and inside-out but he's certain Dave doesn't care right now. He folds away the pants and shirt, puts the shoes in the closet and hangs the tie with Dave's other two ties before turning back to the bed to find Dave has pulled the blankets over him and snuggled down into the pillows. He leans down and places a light kiss on his forehead, brushing his hair back.

"Good night. Sleep well."

"Mmm, love you Kurt…"

He stares down in shock, wondering if Dave is even partially awake because he can't believe that Dave just said that, and he has no idea what to say in response. Fortunately Dave doesn't seem to be waiting for a response, because he's making snuffling sounds that make him sure that Dave's fallen asleep. He runs his fingers over his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, smiling as Dave's face twitches and he snuffles. He swallows.

"Love you too," he whispers.

He backs out of the room, turning off the light and feeling quietly glad that the words they've just exchanged have been said while Dave is barely conscious. Not fair to Dave perhaps but he needs time to process it all, consider what it might mean, although he's starting to think Dave has felt this way about him since the beginning.

"Do you want me to give you a ride home? Or you can stay in the guest room?"

He hesitates, and then accepts the offer of the ride home, because while a part of him would really like to stay he's pretty sure Dave will feel embarrassed enough tomorrow as it is without him being in the house.

LSY

He wakes the next morning and he feels fantastic. He looks at the clock and realizes he's been allowed to sleep in until twelve, which is unusual and then he remembers; that he fell asleep in the car on the way home and probably completely ruined Kurt's prom night. His fantastic feeling immediately dissipates and he wonders how Kurt even got home last night. Fuck. He's a shitty boyfriend.

Sitting up he looks around his room and notes his suit pants carefully draped over the back of his chair along with the shirt he was wearing. His shoes and jacket are nowhere to be seen and then he remembers the rest of the night and he flushes, his face instantly warm at the idea of Kurt undressing him. Or helping him undress. God he'd made an idiot of himself last night and Kurt had just gone a long with it. It makes him feel less shitty though and he gets out of his bed and pulls on his dressing gown before heading downstairs. On the dining table alongside a note from his dad detailing where they are he finds his phone and there's a single text from Kurt.

Hope you slept well. You definitely needed it. Talk to you later. xxx

The little kisses are new and feels all warm inside seeing them, even though going to the prom hadn't been his first choice he definitely feels like it was the right one. No more running scared. He makes himself breakfast and sends Kurt back a quick text, apologizing for falling asleep on him, but also saying that over ten hours of interrupted sleep has left him feeling like a new man. Kurt responds and he spends the next hour texting back and forth. He could invite Kurt around, or even ring him, but he leaves it as it is.

School on Monday is frenetic, everyone brimming with excitement and plans. Carmel's prom is finally happening this week, and he knows the schools stagger them so that students don't have a clash of proms if they are going to more than one. He's glad he went to McKinley's, but he's even gladder that everyone has seemingly given up on making him go to the one at Carmel. Not that he wouldn't put it past Honey to buy a ticket and trick him into going, but she's been too busy sorting out the perfect dress and shoes.

He heads for his locker, wondering if he's imagining the excited babbling falling away to silence but knows he's not when people refuse to meet his eye. Painted on his locker, in bright yellow, for the entire school to see, is the word fag. Blood roars in his ears, stomach tightens into knots and he has no idea what to do.