Blaine and Rachel's Spring Critique was upon them. Blaine wouldn't tell Kurt what he had chosen as his song, even when Kurt pleaded with him and tried to kiss him breathless to get the information. He had kept his mouth firmly shut on the topic.
But Kurt was excited to see it anyway. He loved Blaine's voice, it was one of his favourite things to listen to. Rachel was nervous too, and no matter how much Kurt and Blaine both tried to calm her down with kind words, she remained anxious.
Kurt and his relationship with Rachel was tense to say the least. He had tried to figure out a way to forgive her but he just couldn't accept what she had done. She had been trying to get on his good side for the last 2 weeks, and Blaine had even made him realize that maybe he should forgive and forget. But try as he might, he just couldn't understand her reason for doing what she did.
But Kurt had put everything behind them a few days ago, realizing that he wasn't really being fair to her. She had never known anyone with a past like his, and she had made stupid mistakes but Kurt, being told again and again by Blaine too, had known that those mistakes came from trying to help.
"Maybe you should let her explain her side," Blaine had told him when he had seen her trying to get Kurt's attention and him ignoring her completely, "maybe then you can understand why she did it."
Kurt knew his boyfriend had a point. It wasn't just about Rachel though, he was still reeling a little from what Finn had told him.
His anxiety and depression were still present and they weren't going away any time soon, it made him feel uneasy with shocking situations. And getting past things was more difficult for him because of that.
He sighed as he made Rachel her favourite tea, it was the Spring Critique tonight at Nyada and he felt like he should be the supportive friend for her, and of course the supportive boyfriend for Blaine.
He would get past it eventually.
She emerged from her early morning shower, walking into the kitchen wearily when she saw he was already there. He offered her a small smile and handed her a tea cup as a sort of peace offering. She took it with a small nervous smile of her own.
"Rach, I erm-I don't really know how to start this, but..." He said and she only raised an eyebrow curiously as she sipped her tea, "I need to get past what you did, and I guess I wanted to know why you did it?"
"Oh."
"Was there a reason?"
She looked down at her hands, fiddling with the cup while she bit her lip.
"I erm...I'm not really sure what the reason was," she started and he silently listened, "I've never known anyone who had...been through what you have...and I guess I just wanted to help. But I know I went about it the wrong way."
"I guess I was a little harsh on you," Kurt added with a nod, "but you know, you really hurt me."
"I know Kurt, and I'm so sorry."
"Well, I accept your apology," he told her with a smile, which she returned, "and I hope that you will trust me to make my own decisions in the future?"
"Of course," she said quickly, and then held her arms open, "so can I get a hug?"
He laughed a little as he enveloped her within his arms and she sighed into his shoulder.
"I missed you Kurt, I missed talking to you. And I couldn't stand that you were mad at me." She mumbled into his shirt, a little emotionally and he smiled softly.
"It's ok now," he said as he slowly pulled back from her, but smoothing his hands down her arms in a comforting gesture, "and I will be there tonight to support you. You're going to be fabulous."
"Thank you Kurt."
"You should invite Finn to come along." He said and she blushed a little with a shy smile.
"Think so?"
"Yeah, I' sure he'll be glad to go."
"Ok."
After a few hours spent talking and catching up with each other, Kurt helped her pick out an outfit for her performance, which was a very nice flowing light blue gown, which suited her really well. Her make up was more subtle than what she wore regularly, but the little bit of eyeliner she had on made her eyes stand out.
Kurt called her beautiful and she blushed.
Finn was waiting outside Nyada when they arrived, so Kurt sent Rachel in with him while he tried to find Blaine. He found him in a nearby music room, which Blaine often used for practice, going over a few notes on the piano, but Kurt didn't recognize the song.
"Hey." He said and Blaine looked up a little in surprise but then a huge grin stretched across his lips as Kurt walked inside.
"Hey you," he replied as Kurt stepped into his space for a hug, placing a kiss against his cheek, "Is it time already?"
"Nearly," Kurt told him with a smile, "are you ready?"
"Yeah I think so, just going over a couple of hard parts, that's all."
"Lets go then honey."
As Kurt led Blaine out, holding his hand gently, Blaine took a few deep breaths to calm his own nerves before they reached the room. Kurt turned to him just outside the doors and placed his hand son Blaine's shoulders, staring intently in his eyes.
"You'll be great, Blaine. Everyone is going to love it." Kurt gave him an encouraging look, earning a bright smile in return.
"Thank you, baby."
With one last chaste kiss on his lips, Kurt opened the door for Blaine, for the first time eyeing him up in his grey suit and pants, Blaine looked the right part. Especially with the black shirt and red tie. Just the right amount of seriousness versus colour.
Kurt walked over to a table where Rachel and Finn were already sitting and waiting. Blaine gave both of them a greeting and they sat and talked before Madam Tibideaux got u to announce the beginning of the performances.
The applauded for everyone that sang and performed different pieces, and soon enough Rachel had her turn. Her song was beautiful and her voice was strong and powerful, it sent shivers down Kurt's spine.
He was smiling at her widely, and when he turned to watch Finn's face he found a look of awe and excitement there, he raised an eyebrow and nudged Blaine, pointing at Finn silently.
Blaine shared a smile and shrug with him while they turned back to watch Rachel's last belt out.
They stood on the feet with the entire room to give her applause, she was smiling and gently wiping at her wet eyes while she thanked everyone before taking her seat again.
"You were incredible." Kurt heard Finn tell her, watching her blush and thank him, before taking her hand underneath the table and squeezing.
She turned to him with a smile and he gave her a wink.
Blaine's turn came around soon enough, and the pianist gave up his sot for him as the room quieted. Kurt was proud to call him his boyfriend, Blaine looked right at home and comfortable behind the piano.
As the arrangement started up, Kurt couldn't place the song, until the first words came out of his boyfriend's mouth.
"Oh no, did I get too close Oh did I almost see,
What's really on the inside."
Kurt's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as Blaine's beautiful voice sounded out above his piano arrangement of the song. But all Kurt was focusing on was the lyrics.
"All your insecurities all the dirty laundry,
never made me blink one time."
"Unconditional,
Unconditionally.
I will love you,
Unconditionally."
"There is no fear now, let go and just be free.
I will love you, Unconditionally."
Kurt felt like he was going to cry, like Blaine was singing to his soul.
"So come just as you are to me don't need apologies,
know that you are all worthy."
Okay, now Kurt was crying.
"I'll take your bad days with your good walk through the storm I would,
and do it all because I love you,"
Blaine looked over at him then.
"I love you!"
Kurt felt his entire being warm up and his chest ached while he listened and watched Blaine sing with so much passion and honesty and openness in his performance. There was something magical about the effect Blaine's singing voice had on Kurt, it was amazing. He could literally feel the song washing through him, along with Blaine's warm gaze.
"So open up your heart and just let it begin,
open up your heart and just let it begin,
open up your heart and just let it begin.
Open up your heart!"
He wasn't aware that he had squeezed Rachel's hand so tight until she tried to pry it from him, and he glanced over with an apologetic smile before his focus went back to his love.
"Acceptance is the key to be to be truly free, will you do the same for me?"
Kurt felt his resolve break, and tears came unbidden to slide gently down his cheeks as Blaine continued his song.
"Unconditional,
Unconditionally.
I will love you unconditionally,
and there is no ear now let go and just be free,
coz I will love you Unconditionally."
As the piano arrangement picked up into a faster rhythm, Kurt felt his chest tighten again as Blaine sang "I will love you" over and over. He could literally feel his heart beating in time with the music, and a smile spread across his face even though his cheeks were shining and wet with tears.
As the song came to an end, and Blaine gazed over at Kurt with a look so full of emotion and raw love, the entire room cat called and stood to their feet in a standing ovation, the loudest the room had made so far that night. Blaine bowed at everyone before stepping out from behind the piano.
He didn't make it two steps before Kurt ran over and flung himself into his arms, whispering in his ear that he loved him, over and over again.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Kurt made the decision of staying over at Blaine's apartment that night. He was feeling lighter and more in love than ever after Blaine's performance.
They all walked back to Kurt and Rachel's apartment, Finn and Rachel were talking amongst themselves as they too the lead. Kurt was glancing at Blaine as they walked behind them, holding his hand lightly. Blaine kept giving him broad smiles every time he caught his gaze.
Kurt felt like there were no words needed, everything that they both wanted to say were in the shy looks and smiles. And as they got to their apartment building, Finn said goodnight to them all and went on his way to his hotel, and as Blaine was about to say goodnight, Kurt stopped him.
"Will you wait for me? I just want to go and grab some stuff." he said quietly and Blaine looked at him confused for a moment but nodded anyway.
Rachel accosted him as they began their walk up the stairs to their apartment.
"Are you staying at Blaine's?" She asked a little excitedly and Kurt gave her a little smile.
"I was planning on it," Kurt replied as she opened the door, "do you think it's a good idea?"
"Oh yeah, of course," she said as they moved towards Kurt's bedroom, she followed him inside and watched as he got things together in his bag, "is tonight going to be THE night, do you think?"
Kurt looked over his shoulder a little at her implication and then shrugged.
"I don't know," he answered honestly and she grinned at him, "maybe, we'll see how it goes."
"Kurt, don't push yourself." She told him seriously, "You know Blaine will wait for...that."
"I know," he said with a short nod, zipping up his bag and then moving past her and into the bathroom to grab the rest of his things, "but I just- I feel ready, you know?"
She nodded at him and then pulled him into a hug before he left.
"I love you Kurt, but don't do anything you don't want to." She said as she released him, Kurt gave her a grateful smile.
"I love you too rach, and don't worry, I won't."
"Ok, have fun." She told him with a grin and he gave her a nervous grin back as he reached for the door, "Call me and let me know how it went, yeah?"
"Rach, I'm not giving you details."
She waved him off and he laughed a little as he walked out.
Blaine was still waiting for him outside, and as he spied the bag in Kurt's hand he raised his eyebrows a little.
"What's this?" He asked curiously and Kurt shrugged.
"Thought I would stay," he said as he gave him a small shy look, "that ok?"
"Ok? It's more than ok." Blaine said excitedly, pulling him into a hug, "are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Blaine pulled back and stared into Kurt's eyes for a moment, trying to see if he was really as okay as he said he was before giving a little nod.
"Ok, lets go."