Author's Note: Alright, everybody, this is it! The final chapter is here! (except for a brief epilogue). I tried to pour as much heart and love into it as possible, so I hope you like it! If you read Express Yourself, then you know that I care a lot about creating a satisfying ending. I was so happy with how I ended that story that I almost didn't want to re-open it to write this follow-up. I'm very glad I did3

I really hope you enjoy it!


Chapter 19: Prom?

"And the nominees for Prom Queen are…"

Kurt almost missed it over the nervous squeals that erupted from every corner of the Chemistry lab.

"…Jessica Chakin, Quinn Fabray, Santana Lopez, and Tarika Pal."

There was a loud cheer as Tarika and several of her friends jumped up and down, clapping with excitement. There was no doubt that Quinn would be nominated but he was pleased to see that Santana had made the list. Everyone is probably too intimidated not to vote for her.

Kurt couldn't help but notice Blaine visibly wince at the mention of Jessica. Apparently he still wasn't over the awkwardness of her strange fixation with him last semester, despite it only having lasted a week. Kurt clapped politely for Tarika and then quieted down to hear the nominees for Prom King.

"And the nominees for Prom King are… Malik Coleman, Finn Hudson, David Karofsky, and Luis Pazos."

Nick sighed melodramatically. "One day I'll be appreciated. One day my time will come."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "You literally ju-ju-just started here."

Kurt laughed. "Our time will come…in college, definitely in college and not before."

Nick smiled. "Yeah, that seems accurate."

Ms. McKenzie clapped her hands a few times to get their attention. "Alright, everyone, that's quite enough socializing for today. I still want stage two of your labs completed before the bell rings."

There was a collective groan followed by the murmur of whispered voices and glassware clinking. The fun was over…for now.

The pieces for Kurt's 'promposal' of epic proportions were slowly falling into place. He ran through his mental checklist as he shuffled books in and out of his school locker. Tomorrow I'll need to go over to Artie's to finalize everything but tonight…should be wide open.

Hands grasped his hip bones and Kurt let out a small shriek. "Blaine!" he scolded.

Kurt stared at his Chemistry textbook, trying to remember if he would need it to finish his lab write-up tonight. The warm weight of Blaine's head settled onto his shoulder. "Sorry," he whispered into Kurt's ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

Having decided that he had better bring the book just in case, he closed the locker and whirled around to face his boyfriend, who was grinning cheekily. He looks ridiculously pleased with himself for sneaking up on me.

"What are you up to after school? You should come over! You can help me finish my lab write-up and then we can make out in my room because Dad's getting back late tonight."

Blaine's grin widened for a moment before it faltered. "Ooh, that sounds —divine…but, I-I-I already pro-pro-promised Nick we could hang out tonight."

"Again?" Kurt's voice came out more annoyed than he meant it too.

"Yes, again. Wh-wh-wh-what's with the attitude?" Blaine's eyebrows pinched together in confusion.

He sighed. "I just…I feel like since Nick came to McKinley, I barely get any time with you."

Confusion turned into concern. "What…what are y-y-you talking about? I st-st-still see you, like, all the t-t-time."

Why isn't he getting this?

"Yes, but Nick's always…around. I never get you to myself anymore." Oh, god, was that a whine in my voice? This is starting to get undignified.

Blaine crossed his arms over his chest, starting to look annoyed. "Seriously, Kurt? Didn't you l-l-l-learn how to share in first grade with the-the-the rest of us?"

Kurt could see the exact moment when Blaine realized he had gone too far. His eyes grew wide and his hand flew to his mouth in horror. Kurt's first instinct was to bite back twice as hard or to storm off. Instead, he took a deep breath to collect himself. Blaine didn't mean that. You know he didn't mean that.

"I-I-I…Kurt, I'm so…I'm so ssssorry I-I-I…"

Kurt took another deep breath. He reached out to take Blaine's hand in his. "Come on, walk me to my car. Tell me when you're ready."

Blaine nodded. They walked in silence down the hallway, hand in hand. We're getting better at this.

The two boys climbed into the backseat of Kurt's Navigator and then Blaine finally began to speak again.

"I'm so s-sorry, Kurt. I don't even—I should n-n-not have reacted like that."

"No, you shouldn't have. It hurt my feelings. But I forgive you."

"Can you…I d-d-don't understand why you're —upset. About Nick, I mean."

"I miss you." Through the lump in his throat, it came out barely above a whisper.

"Well, we c-c-can't have that. I…I'm j-j-just ex-ex-excited to have more of my-my favorite people in one pl-pl-place. I-I-I like hanging out in a-a-a group with-with everyone. I was —going to ask you to-to-to come over tonight too."

"I like hanging out in a group too…and I'll probably take you up on that. But…sometimes I get…I don't know how to explain it, I guess just tired from being around people all day and…like, I need a break or something. I'm an introvert, Blaine."

"But…you s-s-said you wanted to-to-to see me more…that's not—that d-doesn't sound like a-a-a break to me."

Kurt had to stop and think before he was ready to respond. Usually, when he had had a long day he wanted time and space to himself. When they had first started dating, that included even space from Blaine. But now…somehow spending time just the two of them felt like it had melded into the same category as time by himself.

"Being with you isn't like being with other people. Being with you can be my break from the world."

Blaine's face lit up. "Aww, —Kurt that's…that's kind of—that's very sweet."

"So…can we still hang out sometimes just the two of us?"

Blaine squeezed his hand. "Of course! Besides…" a wicked grin spread over his face, "I d-d-don't think Nick would enjoy wwwatching us m-make out, do you?"

"Hah! No, I dare say he wouldn't. Alright, so I'll follow you to your house then? On the plus side, between the three of us we will have that lab homework finished in no time! And we can work on project 'Find Nick a Prom Date.'"

"That's the-the-the official n-n-name we're going with?"

"Uh-huh! And loving it is mandatory because it was my idea and you love me so, by the transitive property, you must love all of my ideas."

"That is a —gross misuse of math, K-Kurt."

"Oh, sue me!" he retorted.

Kurt was starting to get cold feet. As he nervously watched the clock, second hand ticking away, he started to seriously wonder if he should have just let Blaine plan this stupid promposal thing anyways. He's the showboat in the relationship, after all. He wouldn't be nervous at all to pull off something like this.

But then the bell rang and it was officially too late to back out. In a matter of seconds, Artie would be in position to hijack the school PA system just as the hallways filled with students for passing period.

Kurt heard the tone ring out over the speakers that was his final cue. He unholstered the wireless microphone from his back pocket, slapped a big smile on his face, and sauntered into the hallway. Nerves never stopped Kurt Hummel from putting on a performance and they weren't going to start getting in the way now.

For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
Somehow I know I'll be strong

As he strode down the central hallway, Kurt smirked to himself as students looked left and right, trying to find the source of the sound. People began to point at him as they figured it out.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kurt caught Jimmy clapping gleefully to himself. When they made eye contact, Jimmy flashed him a very enthusiastic two-fisted thumbs-up. Just a few friendly faces were enough to bolster his confidence.

He only grew bolder when his swans joined in. Ah, there they are! Brittany, Mercedes, and Tina formed a perfect trio to harmonize behind Kurt's voice. He had asked Rachel, but she had refused as soon as it became clear she wouldn't be given a solo.

For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Oh someone warm like you
Would make my dream come true
Yeah yeah yeah

Kurt rounded the corner and finally, the target audience for his serenade appeared. His smile brightened and his heart beat loudly in his chest. Blaine's hands were clasped over his mouth in delighted surprise. He was clearly torn between wanting to embrace Kurt and not wanting to interrupt his performance. Decorum won out in the end.

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore

For once, I can say, "This is mine, you can't take it"
*CLANG*

A loud screech rang out over the PA system and then silence. Kurt tapped his microphone a few times but was met with only silence. He whirled around, hoping to spot the culprit.

Face full of confusion, Blaine walked over and asked, "What ha-ha-happened?"

"I've no idea. I know I have a flair for the dramatic but I promise this wasn't part of the plan."

Blaine took his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

The speakers crackled back to life and the voice of Principal Figgins came over the PA speakers. "Mr. Kurt Hummel to the principal's office. Mr. Kurt Hummel to the principal's office."

Shit!

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Um…I was trying to make a romantic gesture?"

Principal Figgins looked thoroughly unsatisfied by that answer.

"I am sick and tired of you Glee kids disrupting the learning of others with your unscheduled performances. This is a place of learning!"

"While I see your point…with all due respect, it was passing period so I really don't think that learning was disrupted at that particular time, sir."

"That doesn't mean there are no rules!" His voice grew louder.

Kurt gulped nervously. "I…I'm very sorry. It won't happen again."

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to make an example out of you, Kurt Hummel."

"An example?" he squeaked.

"You are hereby banned from attending this year's prom."

"What?!" he yelped, jumping to his feet. "You can't do that! It's so unfair! I have been dreaming about going to prom since I was five! I actually have a date, which I never thought would happen in a million years. Look, give me detention every day after school for the rest of the year but don't take away prom! I'm a good kid, when have you ever called me in here before?"

Figgins narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "I seem to recall you being in the office a lot this year."

"Because I was being bullied! I was the victim or is that somehow a crime now?" Kurt knew he should be deferential and apologetic if he had any hope of undoing this disaster but he could feel his self-control spinning away from him, as if he was on the outside looking in.

"Still…you've been in here far too many times to claim total innocence."

"I…what? That's insane!"

"Get out of my office unless you want to be suspended as well!"

"Agh!" he cried out in wordless frustration before slinging his book bag over his arm, shooting Principal Figgins his most withering glance, and storming out of the office.

What have I done?

"Kurt! Kurt! I did it! Kurt?" As the voice calling his name grew more insistent, it became harder to ignore. His thoughtful reverie broken, he raised his head to find Nick barreling down the hallway toward him.

"Huh?"

"I did it! I found a prom date! Well…if he says yes, that is. I haven't actually asked him yet."

It was hard to muster up the energy to look excited. "Great," he replied flatly.

Nick rambled on, seemingly oblivious to Kurt's moping. "Now that you've secured your date to prom—not that it was ever really in question, but I know you wanted to make it special, and you did—I'm going to need some help figuring out how to ask him because the situation is going to require a bit more…finesse."

A ball of frustration formed in his stomach. "Nick! I…look, I can't deal with this right now, just stop."

Nick's face crumpled in an instant and Kurt immediately regretted his harsh tone.

"Are you punishing me for spending too much time with Blaine? He told me that you were feeling jealous—which is completely ridiculous by the way—but refusing to help me figure out my prom date out of some misguided desire for revenge is downright petty, Kurt. I thought we were friends…real friends, not just my friend's boyfriend."

His cheeks pinked at the accusation of jealousy. Trying to contain his irritation and embarrassment, Kurt took a deep breath. "I'm not…this has nothing to do with that. I just…I have my own shit going on right now. I can't help you figure out how to ask your date because I need to figure out how to tell mine that I just got banned from the prom, right after a hugely public proposal."

Nick's eyes grew wide. "Oh, shit!"

"Yeah," he sighed. "I'm sorry for being so abrupt. I'm just a bit upset right now. How am I supposed to break this to Blaine?"

Nick pondered his question for a few moments. "Rip the band-aid off, probably. Just get it out. No delicate way to say it. I'm sure he'll be disappointed but I can't imagine he will be angry with you, Kurt."

"Thanks, Nick. You're probably right, I just…this little worried corner of my brain keeps coming up with worst case scenarios and sometimes it's hard to shake."

"Ugh, I hate when that happens."

"Alright, so tell me about this mysterious gay boy you found hiding in a barrel somewhere."

"Blaine…I…I have something I need to tell you."

His boyfriend took a seat on his bed, looking nervous.

"I…I know that I never actually got to ask you to go to the prom with me because I got interrupted but—"

"—but the-the-the answer's yes, K-K-Kurt, obviously!" Blaine reached out to take his hand.

He's getting this all wrong.

Kurt pulled his hand back. Blaine's eyebrows shot up. Great. Now he really looks worried.

"I-I…I was going to ask you to the prom at the end of the song, of course I was, but now…Blaine I can't take you to the prom like I said I would. I'm so sorry!"

"What? Why? Are you m-m-mad at me?" he asked with incredulity.

"What? No! Nothing like that. It's just…Principal Figgins was really upset about how I hijacked the PA system. Way more upset than I ever could have predicted. Like I threatened his only source of power or something. But…he said I'm not allowed to go."

"Oh…Kurt, you —poor thing."

"I hope you're not mad…I had no idea this would happen and I've been fantasizing about going to prom with you since before we even started dating and now…wait, poor me? What about you? Aren't you mad?"

Blaine shrugged. "I know how much you were looking forward to it. You showed me the prom dresses you designed when you were twelve. Right now I'm just thinking about how much this sucks for you."

"I…how did you get to be so goddamn sweet?"

"—Cooper used to bathe me in-in-in-in-in honey. He thought it was—thought he was funny."

Kurt could barely keep himself from spitting he was laughing so hard.

Blaine's magnanimity under the circumstances only served to fuel Kurt's embarrassment over how hard the news about prom was hitting him. Every logical bone in his body knew that it was just his prom—junior prom at that.

It's not that big of a deal.

I'll get to go next year.

Prom is kind of basic anyways.

But some other part of him, some deeper softer place—the marrow inside those logical bones perhaps—felt the bitter sting of missing out on something he had been so looking forward to. The heavy weight of self-judgement only exacerbated the sting.

He went on like this for nearly two weeks before his friends decided they had had quite enough of his pouting.

"Get your head out of your ass and your ass off the couch," Rachel demanded.

"How did you get in my house?" Kurt yelped in surprise.

"Oh, I had a key made ages ago," she said breezily. What in the… "Up! Up! No. More. Sulking. Up!"

"Fine, sheesh," he shoved her poking hands away and pulled himself off of the couch. "And what exactly did you have in mind for my ass now that it's parted with both my head and the couch? Keep in mind…I'm taken," he winked.

"Don't be gross, Kurt."

"Tell me why you're trespassing in my house, then!"

"Oh, hush! It's hardly trespassing if we're friends." That is not how that works. "I have something for you."

She waved a large envelope in front of his face, taunting him. In no mood for games, Kurt simply waited with his hand outstretched.

Tearing through the crisp, white paper, Kurt pulled out a lovingly hand-written invitation.

You are cordially invited to:

The McKinley High School GSA Prom
at 7pm on June 1, 2011
at Breadstix Restaurant

Brought to you by the McKinley High School GSA
Musical entertainment to be provided by the McKinley High School Glee Club

Suggested donation: $15

"Are you serious? You're serious! What? How is this possible?"

Rachel laughed. "It was Nick's idea. Something about, if Kurt can't come to the prom then the prom will have to come to Kurt."

Kurt was touched by this realization that Nick, even after their previous misunderstanding, had cared enough about Kurt to put this together. He's a good friend.

Kurt threw his arms around Rachel's neck and twirled her around in excitement. Prom, here I come!

He only had a few weeks to prepare, but thankfully he had been working on his outfit since long before then so it was nearly finished by the time he was banned.

Kurt twirled in front of the mirror in his bedroom for Blaine and Finn; Finn had been dragged there under duress but now seemed to be enjoying himself. "What do you think?"

"You look like gay Braveheart," Finn praised.

"It's —Kate M-Middleton meets Tom Ford," Blaine added. Kurt bounced on his heels, beaming with pride.

"It's perfect!"

Blaine bought them matching boutonnieres from the local florist and looked quite fine indeed in his tuxedo. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had insisted on coming over to his house to take photos along with Kurt's dad and Carole before they left.

Kurt pretended to be annoyed by the hassle but was secretly pleased to be fawned over the way he had always imagined. Jasmine Anderson was a watery mess by the end and even his dad wiped away a tear when no one was looking.

"Alright, that's enough over-emotional parents for one night I think. You've taken your photos, now release us guards so we can go party!" Kurt declared.

Kurt had nearly made it out the door when a firm hand grabbed his elbow, holding him back. Kurt turned to find himself face-to-face with Patrick Anderson.

"Yes?" he asked, nervously.

"I know you will, but…get him home safe, Kurt. Get my boy home safe."

Blaine hasn't been to a school dance since…

Kurt nodded solemnly. "I will. I promise."

Blaine's father nodded and then shook his hand.

Breadstix was already hopping by the time they arrived. Artie's dinner playlist was going over well. Kurt could tell the crowd would be warmed up by the time they took the stage.

He pulled on Blaine's hand, eager to say hello to their friends before they settled in for dinner. Rachel, Finn, Mercedes, and Tina were already here from The New Directions. Kurt had to rub several lipstick stains off of his cheeks by the time he was done with them.

"Kurt!" shouted Nick from across the restaurant.

Kurt and Blaine waved.

He ran up to them, hand-in-hand with his date.

"Hello, boys."

"Howdy, Trent. Glad you could join us!"

"My first GSA Prom, are you kidding? I'll be telling my children about this one!" It was nice seeing Trent so happy and excited. He seemed much more relaxed than the boy they had met in the hospital and seen in the courtroom.

Blaine leaned over and spoke so only Kurt could hear, "He d-d-does know this is probably the first and-and-and only GSA Prom he's —ever going to attend, right?"

"Don't ruin the magic for him, Blaine. Besides, maybe Nick will make it an annual event?"

"Whose idea was it to make the theme Royal Wedding? Complete genius, if I do say so myself," Trent gushed.

Kurt blushed and raised his hand. "But Nick and Rachel are the ones who actually pulled it off. I was just the idea man."

Trent's face grew serious. "I'm just…I'm so happy to be here right now. I never thought—never in a million years did I think there was a place like this for me, here in Ohio, you know? Ever since I realized I was gay there has been some part of my brain that had to stay vigilant."

Blaine nodded. "It's ex-ex-exhausting, isn't it?"

"Exactly! This might sound crazy but I literally feel smarter right now. It's like someone just cleared all the RAM in my head and now it's ready to do complex calculations at a moment's notice."

"I was with you until the computer metaphor, but I think I get what you're saying. I've never really been able to hide, exactly, although I used to think I could. For me, it was more about keeping a vigilant eye out for bullies," Kurt shared.

"It's like that…with my sp-sp-speech too. Trying to —control it…I can do it but…it takes up a lot of —brain power."

"Quite the double-whammy you got hit with there, Blaine. Gay and stuttering, how do you have room to think about anything else?"

Blaine laughed. "—Because I st-st-stopped trying to hide either. Then…e-e-everything got a-a-a lot easier."

Kurt felt a swell of emotion in his chest. He wanted very much to kiss Blaine, but that felt rude to do in the middle of a conversation with friends. Instead, he settled for wrapping both of his arms around Blaine and pulling him in tight. "You are too beautiful to ever hide who you are."

"Aww," cooed Trent and Nick in unison.

Blaine blushed but he was smiling. Then Kurt got his kiss anyways.

"The two of you are sickening. I've lost my appetite. Want to go dance, Trent?"

"Absolutely!"

The made their way to the dance floor where Nick pulled out a few of his signature moves that Kurt recognized. They look so happy.

"Do you think it's love?" asked a voice from behind them.

"Wes!" Blaine beamed when he saw that Elaine and Wesley had arrived. He glanced at Kurt and they both shrugged. "I'm —pretty sure they're j-j-just going as friends, but…who knows."

"You and I started out as friends, after all," Kurt chimed in.

Elaine and Wesley looked to one another and burst out laughing. "Yeah, us too."

"Right now, I'm just glad that we can give Trent a positive experience of being gay to begin to balance out all the shit he's been through. I think he needs…we all do, really."

Elaine turned to Blaine. "You know...for a while I thought it would be us together at prom, Blaine."

Wesley choked on his punch, coughing a few times before catching his breath. Blaine's eyes were wide with alarm. Oh dear.

Elaine laughed, jumping in to explain herself better. "No, no...sorry I didn't mean it like that. What I was trying to say was...things didn't turn out the way I thought they would, and for a while I was resentful about that. It just goes to show that sometimes the universe has better things in store for you than you ever imagined."

Wesley's expression brightened up immediately. Blaine let out a sigh of relief.

"I could tell the two of you were going to be a thing from the moment I saw you together on Halloween," Kurt commented.

Elaine smirked. "Yeah, same for you boys. I think the only person who didn't know about it was poor, clueless Blaine."

"Hey!" he protested, gently smacking her in the arm.

Kurt laughed, shaking his head slowly. "Oh come on, Blaine. She's not wrong. Although...I less knew that we would be a thing than just really desperately ached for it while despairing that it would never happen. But sure, we can pretend I had Elaine's effortless confidence all along."

"You didn't have the advantage of knowing him since he was five."

"He must have been adorable," Kurt sighed.

"You've never seen photos?" Elaine asked in surprise.

"Um, no. Why?"

Kurt glanced over at Blaine, who was stubbornly refusing to make eye contact. Interesting.

"He looked like a dark-haired Harpo Marx. Acted like it too."

"Like I said, adorable. You'll have to show me photos sometime, Elaine."

"No!" Blaine protested. "I've carefully hidden them...you'll n-n-never find them."

When his back was turned, Elaine mouthed, "I got you." Kurt's belly shook with silent laughter.

Several hours into the party and Kurt finally gave up on his suit jacket. Resigned, he carefully set it over his chair back and tried to ignore Blaine's laughter.

"Oh, there you a-a-are, Kurt. I thought my —date had-had-had-had permanently t-turned into a lobster?"

"Do you want to dance or do you want to make fun of me?"

Blaine pouted. "I c-can't do both?"

Kurt glared back.

"Dance please!"

He grabbed Kurt's hand and dragged him back to the dance floor. They were both sweaty and mussed, Blaine's hair beginning to break free from the hold of his gel and curl in spite of the layers of product. On another day, Kurt might have felt self-conscious and disgusting. Tonight, he just felt free.

Free to move his body to the infectious rhythm of his friends singing. Free to dress however he wanted. Free to dance close with his boyfriend and even sneak the occasional kiss.

This is so much better than the actual prom is going to be.

He hummed to himself, "I feel like I win when I lose…"

" This one is for anyone still in their chair," Mercedes announced over the microphone. Santana joined her up on the stage. Kurt didn't know what they had planned; all he knew was that it would certainly be spectacular.

Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street

They're dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
In New York City

I've danced in two out of the three. Not too shabby.

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the street, oh

It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere, around the world

"Oh shoot, where am I going to find a girl to grab?" Kurt teased.

Blaine grabbed him by the hips possessively. "Uh-uh, d-d-don't even think about it. You're my —date. R-Rachel's g-g-going to have to-to-to get by with-without you."

"Oh well, I suppose she'll survive."

Blaine still hadn't let go of his hips. Kurt swallowed, feeling a strong wave of desire wash over him. He wound his hands around Blaine's neck and pulled him close. Blaine smiled broadly in response and began to move in sync with Kurt.

It wasn't the first time, but dancing together still felt thrilling, especially when Kurt didn't have to think about what other people might be thinking. He was thoroughly enjoying getting lost in Blaine's expressive eyes, staring back into his own with so much love.

Kurt let his hands slide down to Blaine's back, a topography of jutting bones and smooth curves of muscle. Blaine pulled his hips closer in response. They were both sweaty and sticky; Kurt noticed that Blaine's usual scent was stronger. It was intoxicating. He pressed his face into Blaine's neck.

Then Blaine's hands began to wander as well. First they slid to the small of his back and— is he going to? —then down to the curve of his ass. "Blaine," he whispered plaintively. Blaine hummed back in response. His lips found Kurt's ear to whisper, "You are the sexiest human on the —planet."

Kurt felt something crinkle in his back pocket. His blush tripled. I forgot that was in there. Blaine must have noticed because suddenly he was extracting the wrinkled paper and examining it. His eyebrows shot up with surprise when he realized what it was.

"Is there a-a-a reason you br-br-brought this tonight?" he asked with a sparkle in his eyes.

It was a pink slip of paper with the words "See Blaine Anderson naked" written out in Blaine's neat hand. There was no hope at all that he didn't resemble a lobster at this point so he might as well just press on.

"I…may have had a thought about, uh, redeeming that one tonight…if you, um, you know if you were interested."

Blaine's lips curled into a wicked smile. His voice came out low and husky. "I am so …interested. Words —cannot express how in-in-interested I am, Kurt."

Oh, so that is what enthusiastic consent looks like.

Kurt grasped the paper from Blaine and slid it back into his pocket. "Well, then…I guess I'll just hold onto that for later."

"D-d-don't lose it," Blaine said with a wink.

"Hey, you're the one who would have to let someone else see you naked."

Blaine frowned. "I hadn't thought a-a-about that."

"Hello, boys!"

Kurt jumped with surprise when a strong hand clapped him on the shoulder. He looked up and was delighted to find that it was David and Nick, the former Dalton roommates reunited.

"—David!" Blaine pulled him into a hug that both surprised and delighted David.

"I had no idea you were coming to this!"

"I didn't tell anyone because the pass only got approved yesterday. Once I explained to the Headmaster who I was going to see, he signed it immediately."

"Really?" Nick asked in surprise.

"That's why I wanted to come. So I could tell you all about what's been happening since you left. Your departure from Dalton was really a wake-up call to the administration. Well…that and me hounding them day in and day out for two weeks."

"You…you did that?" Nick asked, a slight tremble in his voice.

"Of course, I did," David said fiercely. "A school that supposedly prides themselves on a zero-tolerance bullying policy let a gay student get bullied out of the school right under their noses, all while they stood by wringing their hands and saying there was nothing they could do. The hypocrisy was glaring."

Kurt hadn't spared much thought to what had become of Dalton once Nick had escaped. But surely Nick wouldn't be the last gay student to walk through their hallowed halls, seeking safety from a cruel world.

"What are they doing about it?" he asked.

"Mostly a lot of awareness and education. They hired a diversity consultant to come in and work with the staff. I told the Headmaster about the anti-bullying week McKinley hosted earlier this year so he's organizing something similar, though perhaps on a grander scale. Can't be outdone by the public schools, now can he?" David winked.

"Using his pride against him! I love it!" Kurt praised.

Kurt was surprised to see that Nick—not usually one for big displays of emotion—was wiping away a tear. A moment later, he was tackling David into a hug that nearly knocked them both to the floor.

"You…you so did not have to do that, man. I…"

Smiling, David replied, "I did though. I saw something bad happening, thought I might be able to do something about it, so I did. It's open and shut in my book. That's how my mama raised me."

"Remind me to send that woman flowers, then."

Rachel, Brittany, Santana, and Tina took the stage for the next number. They began to sing a hauntingly beautiful melody. When Kurt began to listen to the words, tears came to his eyes almost immediately.

I knew
When you told me you don't wanna go home tonight
And you tried to just shrug it off when I asked you why
Somebody hurt you
Somebody hurt you
But you're here by my side

And I knew
'Cause I can recall when I was the one in your seat
I still got the scars and they occasionally bleed
Cause somebody hurt me
Somebody hurt me
But I'm staying alive

Kurt felt chills run down his spine. He pulled Blaine close, his heart suddenly feeling too big for his skin. "I know…I know…" Blaine whispered, even though Kurt hadn't said anything.

And I can tell
When you get nervous
You think being yourself
Means being unworthy
And it's hard to love
With a heart that's hurting
But if you want to go out dancing

I know a place
I know a place we can go
Where everyone gonna lay down their weapon
Lay down their weapon
Just give me trust and watch what'll happen

'Cause I know
I know a place we can run
Where everyone gonna lay down their weapon
Lay down their weapon
Don't you be afraid of love and affection
Just lay down your weapon

The music swelled and Blaine jumped up and down, pulling on Kurt's hand to encourage him to join in. What the hell, why not? He was so far past undignified in his appearance that it seemed like an in for a penny, in a for a pound situation.

Just as Kurt was really getting swept up in the music, Blaine suddenly stopped moving. "D-D-David?"

Kurt stopped bouncing for a moment. Why does he sound so surprised? It's just David again.

"I thought I might stop by…see if this party's any good." That definitely wasn't the voice Kurt was expecting to hear. He whirled around to be sure.

Holy shit! He came, he actually came. Be cool, Kurt. Keep it casual.

"And?" Kurt asked.

Karofsky smiled. "I've seen worse."

"Thanks for the boots, by the way."

Karofsky ducked his head, shrugging. "Yeah, well…wear them somewhere fun, okay?" He looked around the room, taking in the clusters of teens jumping or swaying to the music. "I feel like maybe…I dunno, maybe things are actually going to be okay, you know?"

Kurt smiled back. He did know.

Right now
It's like you're carrying all the weight of your past
I see all your bruises, yellow, dark blue, and black
But baby a bruise is, only your body
Tryna keep you intact
So right now
I think we should go get drunk on cheap wine
I think we should hop on the purple line
'Cause maybe our purpose
Is to never give up when we're on the right track

Dave faded into the crowd and then it was just the two of them. Blaine pulled him close until their foreheads touched. "Blaine…I just…" he swallowed, overcome with emotion. "…thank you…for everything. I can't…I don't know how to thank you for just…being you, for finding me when I needed you the most, for showing me what was possible."

Blaine's thumbs brushed over his cheekbones, his hands holding Kurt's face gently but firmly. "Kurt…I…you were the-the-the same for m-me…in s-so many ways. You helped me find…a way to j-j-j-just be okay with me—with myself. I j-just…fuck I love you so much, I…"

They will try to make you unhappy
Don't let them
They will try to tell you you're not free
Don't listen
I, I know a place where you don't need protection
Even if it's only in my imagination
I, I know a place we can go
Where everyone gonna lay down their weapon
Lay down their weapon
Just give me trust and anything can happen

"Me too, I didn't…I didn't know I could care about anyone the way I feel about you, Blaine. I know I'm still figuring things out but…you're the person I want to figure stuff out with, you know?"

Blaine nodded. "They know a-a-a place but for me—for me it's a-a-a p-person and it's you, Kurt. You're m-my safe place, where I d-d-don't need weapons or fear, where I can just…be, whatever or however I am, r-right then and…I-I-I don't care if I'm too young to feel this way. You feel like home."

And I can tell
When you get nervous
You think being yourself
Means being unworthy
And it's hard to love
With a heart that's hurting
But if you want to go out dancing

I know a place
I know a place we can go
Where everyone gonna lay down their weapon
Lay down their weapon
Just give me trust and watch what'll happen

His lips found Blaine's and he let the raw emotion spill over, letting go, just feeling. Blaine must have been feeling the same because he pulled Kurt just as tightly close, kissed him just as hard, just as sweet.

He thought about the last day of school, just two weeks away, and it hit him all at once how much had happened in the past year. If anyone had asked him to predict what his junior year would be like on the first day of school back in September, Kurt never could have imagined this…not in his wildest dreams.

Back then he had been so guarded; it had been him against the world, even around his friends. Blaine had appeared in his life with the brightness and suddenness of a comet, but rather than bright and fleeting, he had stayed. Found a new orbit…with him, of all people. This sweet, kind boy who had been hiding the best parts of himself from the world and somehow he had chosen Kurt to see underneath the mask. He would feel eternally lucky for that.

He hadn't just found love—though if he had, god knows it would have been enough—no he had found a community. They may not be bound by blood, but he knew they would all fight for one another just as fiercely.

This was his place. These were his people. He didn't need protection, he just needed them. This was his path, it was the right one, and he didn't know where it would lead but he was going to follow it somewhere amazing.


Author's Note: Let me know what you thought! I wrote this for myself, but also for all of you so I'd love to know how it landed with my lovely readers.

THANK YOU THANK YOU to BlurglesmurfKlaine for calming my insecurities, pointing out when dialogue got confusing, and making some really good suggestions about where to linger.

Music Notes:
For Once in my Life - Stevie Wonder
Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves and The Vandellas
I Know a Place - MUNA

More on "I Know a Place"
This song came out in 2016, so it breaks the timeline for this story but I just couldn't resist including it after hearing it and reading more about the song. It was originally written by MUNA (a trio of queer ladies) to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Lead singer of MUNA, Katie Gavin, said, "It was meant to be a work song, like Yoko Ono's full-page ad in the New York Times that proclaimed, 'War Is Over!' in December of 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War. We wrote our song to be the voice in your head that tells you to celebrate peace during wartime, because our battle is only just beginning, and one day our war really will be over."

It's also just a really fucking amazing song and I can't recommend enough that you take a listen if you didn't while reading. The craziest thing for me was that it was only after I chose to include it in the chapter that I spotted the "on the right track" in the lyrics. It felt like unbelievable kismet.

Coming Up Next: A short epilogue.