Author's Note
Thank you all so much for all the reviews and everything. Over 350, wow!
So…this is the last official chapter! *crying*. There will be a two-part epilogue after this, which I will have up ASAP.
Enjoy this chapter!
It had been almost three months. Blaine and Kurt were still living with Cooper, not that any of them minded. Blaine and Cooper had discovered that they loved having Kurt's superior cooking skills around. Kurt and Blaine had gotten used to Cooper's non-stop, crude remarks about his brother's sex life, even if it still made them uncomfortable.
Kurt and Cooper got along well, bonding over their mutual love for Blaine. Blaine and Cooper's relationship progressed as well. They had had several talks about how grateful they were to be back in each other's lives.
The downside to their lives right now, however, was how completely, ridiculously busy all of them were.
Kurt and Blaine had started at NYADA and Columbia in early September, and between classes and homework, they rarely got time with each other. They went home or met out for lunch when they could, but neither had fully realized how little time they would have to spend together once college had started.
Of course, they made the most of the time they did have, immensely thankful that Cooper worked VERY late some nights.
Their classes had been going fairly well. Blaine had already written several brilliant songs, having plenty of time to work on them in his music classes. Kurt's range had slightly improved since he began taking professional lessons at his school, and he had recently scored a small part in the Wicked play that some NYADA students were putting on.
Currently, it was Sunday afternoon, and Blaine and Kurt were huddled up on the couch together, browsing apartment listings on Blaine's laptop.
"What about this one?" Blaine asked, pointing to a cheap-looking apartment building that he had pulled up on the screen. Kurt looked skeptical.
"Blaine. I know we're going for as least expensive as we can manage, but this?" Kurt sighed when Blaine didn't say anything. "Look, Blaine, I have some savings that I'd like to put toward a better apartment. I know that New York is…more accepting of gay couples, but not everybody is." Kurt paused, watching as Blaine's brows furrowed in slight angst. "I just don't think living in a place like this would be good for us…in the long run." He added.
Blaine took in Kurt's words for a few minutes before replying. "You're right."
Kurt sighed in relief. He had hoped that Blaine wouldn't take offense to his words.
"You're right." Blaine repeated. "I know that not the entire world is…accepting. And I know that we're not going to avoid the slander, or harassment forever. But I agree, it's probably not the best idea to put ourselves in a place that could just provoke that. We need to be safe, no matter what the cost. We'll look for a decent place, I'll—I'll get a job, or something."
Kurt shook his head. "Blaine, let me use my savings to help. I know that we both need to find jobs soon, but we're separated so much already. We have enough to support us for a good month or so, let's make the most of it."
Blaine smiled slightly. "Yeah. I think we both underestimated how hectic college life could be. I want to be able to spend as much time as I can with you."
Kurt grinned. "I honestly can't imagine my life without you here beside me."
Blaine laughed. "Same goes for you. If you hadn't come into my life, I'd probably still be in Lima, stuck with a low-paying job. I wouldn't be reunited with my brother. I wouldn't be going to an amazing college. And…" He trailed off, leaning his forehead in to touch Kurt's. "I wouldn't have someone to kiss whenever I feel like it."
Kurt got the message, making short work of closing the distance between their lips. They kissed softly, savoring every emotion between them. As soon as Blaine tried to deepen the kiss, they were interrupted by a "Woah there!"
They boys sprang back, their backs hitting opposite sides of the couch. Blaine groaned. "Cooper, you could warn us when you're on your way home."
Cooper scoffed. "I have been living here longer than you, Blaine! I think you should warn me before I walk in on you two getting hot and heavy on my leather sofa!"
Kurt sighed and Blaine rolled his eyes.
"I got some groceries. Figured maybe Kurt could do us the honor of cooking dinner again." Cooper said nonchalantly, as if he had walked in on nothing.
Blaine quickly grabbed Kurt's hand and dragged him towards their bedroom, flashing his middle finger at Cooper on the way.
"Or not!" Cooper called as the bedroom door slammed closed. "Use protection!" He yelled, grinning to himself.
When Blaine and Kurt emerged from their bedroom a while later, they found Cooper fast asleep, and snoring quite loudly on the couch, TV remote still clutched in his hand.
"Oh my god!" Blaine exclaimed in a whisper, as to not wake up his brother. "Kurt, look at the TV."
Kurt did so, and his eyes widened. "Is that…"
"Little House on the Prairie." Blaine affirmed, clamping a hand over his mouth to keep in the laughter.
"Oh! This is just too good!" Kurt whispered, grinned. He pulled out his phone and angled it so that the camera could capture the TV screen and a sleeping Cooper at the same time. After capturing a few minutes of what could prove to be very useful blackmail footage, Blaine grabbed his computer, and he and Kurt crept back to the bedroom, still giggling to themselves.
Kurt and Blaine spent the rest of the night continuing their search for apartments. They had found several that appeared to suit their needs, and copied down addresses and phone numbers that they would need. They had planned to pay a visit to several buildings in person throughout the coming week.
It didn't prove to be easy. Blaine and Kurt took whatever spare time they had on weeknights to go looking at apartments, but always came up short. That is, until Friday night two weeks later.
The boys had an appointment that evening to view a certain complex that sat right in between their schools. The location and price had peaked Kurt's interest early on, but Blaine still had his reservations that the apartment couldn't really be as great as it seemed online. Blaine hoped that his doubts were in vain. He loved his brother, there was no doubt about that, but Blaine was definitely ready to have a place that he and Kurt could call their own.
On Friday night, Cooper accompanied Blaine and Kurt to another, and hopefully their final, apartment viewing. They checked in at the front desk, before a young, blonde woman led them up a flight of steps and unlocked a door.
Kurt was immediately taken with the place at first look. The apartment was small, of course, as they couldn't afford anything very large, but it was clean.
The carpet was most definitely newer, and the walls were well painted, even if it was a boring looking cream color. The cabinets in the tiny kitchen were a little rusty, though not falling apart at the hinges as with some of the others they had seen.
The bedroom closet was extremely tiny, much to Kurt's dismay, but Blaine reassured his boyfriend that he would do everything in his power to find room for all of Kurt's clothes.
The place was impressive, especially given the price and location. When they got back down to the front desk, Kurt was sold already. Blaine approved of it, too, but spent several minutes talking to the lady at the desk, making sure that there were no hidden catches or gimmicks within the contract.
When he found everything surprisingly satisfactory, Blaine pulled Kurt aside for a quick chat, while Cooper stayed behind sweet-talking the blonde at the desk.
"This is it, Blaine. I know it." Kurt said in a hushed tone.
"I like it too, Kurt. I think this is the one."
Kurt couldn't help but squeal slightly. They returned to the desk, telling the lady that they felt like this was the place for them. She smiled, obtaining some paperwork before leading them to a nearby table to fill it out.
As soon as Kurt and Blaine co-signed on several dotted lines, they felt like a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
"Hallelujah!" Cooper whooped loudly. "I have my freedom again!"
Blaine and Kurt groaned in embarrassment.
Two weeks later, Kurt and Blaine moved into their new apartment. It also happened to be the day before their one-year anniversary. As a celebration gift, Cooper had bought the boys a brand new set of furniture, which Blaine and Cooper were currently arranging in the living area, as Kurt stocked the few dishes and pieces of silverware that they owned.
Blaine and Kurt had picked out several painting to put up on the bland walls, as well as a few photos of them. They didn't stop working on getting settled in until well after eleven at night.
Cooper announced that it was time for him to go, promising that he would come back whenever they wanted him to. He gave them one last congratulations, before leaving Kurt and Blaine alone together, for the first night in their new apartment.
By the time they curled up together on the new couch, it was ten to midnight.
They sighed happily, holding each other tightly.
"Everything's falling into place." Kurt remarked.
Blaine hummed his agreement.
"I couldn't have asked for a better year. I—you're my everything, Blaine. You make me smile, and laugh. You make me actually like cliché's. You make me feel loved. I love you. I love you so, so much. And I don't know what I would do without you."
Blaine laughed softly. "Good thing you'll never have to know. Because you, Kurt, you make me look forward to the future. You make me want to be romantic and crazy at the same time. You make me feel more wanted than I've ever felt. And I will never, ever stop loving you."
Both boys had happy tears glistening in their eyes as they took in each other's words. They locked eyes as the clock on the wall turned Midnight.
"Happy Anniversary, Kurt."
Kurt smiled. "Happy Anniversary, Blaine." Kurt whispered back.
And they kissed, almost too softly. It was much like their first kiss, reluctant and gentle, but still experimental. No matter how many times they kissed, or touched, there was always something new to discover about one another. It was one of the things that they loved about their relationship.
Kurt angled his head to deepen the kiss, and they spent the early hours of the morning celebrating their first anniversary properly.
Neither Kurt nor Blaine knew what the next day had in store, but they were never more sure about their future. It would be Kurt and Blaine, forever.
A/N
Seriously crying right now. Epilogue Part 1 will be up soon! REVIEW!
