Day 8 – Grow As We Go by Ben Platt

A/N: Using this prompt to vent one of my "Unpopular Glee Opinions."

"I'm sorry, what?"

Kurt had taken about four steps before he realized Blaine was no longer walking beside him. Turning back, he saw Blaine standing stock still, completely bewildered.

"Silly. I said," he teased, walking back to take Blaine's arm and pulling him forward down the Dalton corridor, "that I can't make Warbler practice this afternoon. I'm leaving early for a meeting at McKinley with my dad, Principal Figgins, Dave Karofsky and his father. It sounds like everything is worked out with Karofsky, and if so, I can return to McKinley for good! Isn't that fabulous?"

Blaine remained silent, causing Kurt to glance over at him. Kurt had imagined Blaine would be sad to see him leave, but he didn't expect the expression that met him. He wasn't sure if it was anger, betrayal, or pain, but whatever it was, it wasn't good.

After a few more steps, Blaine veered them off to the side into one of the empty common rooms, shutting the door behind them.

"Fabulous, Kurt? Fabulous. Have you forgotten exactly what happened at McKinley to make you come to Dalton in the first place?" Blaine asked incredulously.

Kurt felt his hackles go up in defense and he crossed his arms over his chest. "No, Blaine," he snapped. "I haven't forgotten being hate-kissed and having my life threatened."

"And yet you want to go back," Blaine countered flatly.

Kurt sighed in exasperation. "I told you. Dave says he's changed, and he isn't a threat to me anymore. Weren't you listening?"

Blaine huffed out a laugh, pacing across the room to glare out the window over the manicured lawn. "Of course, I was listening."

"Then why can't you see this is a good thing? Look, I know you love it here, but I've never really fit in at Dalton. I want to be with my friends, the people who love me and accept me."

"Oh, I see," Blaine replied, turning away from the window. "And would these be the same friends who let Karofsky toss you around the halls for over two years without saying anything? The ones whose homophobic taunting sent you to Dalton in the first place? The ones who couldn't see the pain you were in – the pain I, a complete stranger, could feel across a crowded room the first day I met you? Those friends? Yes, Kurt. I have been listening. I listened to all the stories you told me about your old glee club. As the saying goes, with friends like that, who needs enemies?"

Kurt's eyes darkened. "Careful, Blaine. I won't have you insult them."

Blaine took a breath and changed tactics. "Okay, fine. Then let's talk about McKinley being safe now that Karofsky's "reformed," shall we? So, he's not a problem anymore. What about the others? Azimio, for example. Has he changed his ways? What about your principal, who never took any of your complaints seriously? Or Scheuster, who ignored the abuse you suffered, except for the one time you dared to stand up to him. None of that has changed, has it? Are you really any safer there because one person won't bully you anymore?"

Kurt thought about storming out, but the truth of Blaine's words seemed to make it impossible to leave. He backed his way to one of the leather couches and plopped down. Was Blaine right? Was going back to McKinley a horrible mistake? Had he built it all up in his mind to be better than it really had been?

Seeing Kurt deflate filled Blaine with remorse. He relented, and tentatively approached the couch. "May I?" he asked, all harshness gone from his voice.

Kurt stared at the carpet and shrugged indifferently in reply. Blaine sat, nearly touching but not quite, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Kurt. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."

"I know, Blaine. I know. Everything you said makes sense. I think I idealized McKinley in my head as home, but Karofsky wasn't the only problem. He wasn't the only reason I was miserable. But some days, I feel so…stifled here. It's like I'm being forced into a mold that just isn't me. At least at McKinley, I could be myself."

"I have to take some responsibility for trying to mold you into a 'Dalton Man,'" Blaine admitted, making air quotes with his fingers. "I should never have given you that speech after your first solo audition. I was an idiot. But," he continued, daring to reach over and lace his fingers with Kurt's, "I think you're already starting to change the Warblers for the better."

Kurt faced Blaine, brow furrowed. "How?"

"Were you not there when we sang a romantic duet in front of a competition audience? That had never, ever happened in Warbler history before."

"That was your doing, not mine," Kurt argued.

"I may have suggested it, but the only reason the Council and the Warblers went for it was because they knew you had the talent to do it. I won't lie – they give me more leeway to make decisions about competitions than they should, but even I don't have enough sway to get sub-par talent a solo. That was all you," he punctuated the last word with a squeeze to Kurt's hand.

"I understand that you want to be yourself and grow and be creative. But you don't have to leave to do that. You can help bring the Warblers forward, make them better, and carve out a new place for yourself in the process. Hey," he whispered, leaning in and glancing around conspiratorially, "two of the three members of the Council graduate at the end of this year. One of those seats could be yours, easily."

"Blaine," Kurt chuckled, swiping at a stray tear that had escaped out of the corner of his eye. He bit his lower lip and regarded Blaine seriously. "Do you really believe the Warblers would ever accept me – the real me?" he asked quietly.

"They already accept you," Blaine answered, hurrying on when Kurt dubiously raised a brow, "No, they do. They like you and appreciate your talent and your wit. They may not know exactly what to do with you yet, but you can teach them. We can teach them together.

"You can grow and blossom here, Kurt. I can, too. I'm far from perfect. I've made lots of mistakes. I let myself get caught up in the Warblers' praise, but you called me out on that one pretty fast." They both laughed at the memory. "I learned from that. It was why I proposed the duet, so you would have a chance to shine and the group could see how amazing you are."

Kurt gazed at their joined hands. "You know, another reason I thought I had to leave was you," he began, lifting his eyes to meet Blaine's. The hurt he saw there made him realize how he'd sounded. "No! Not like that," he corrected, taking Blaine's other hand and pulling them to his chest. "I only mean that I was afraid I'd be staying just for you; that I'd lose myself in your shadow and not be able to find my own way. But now…" he trailed off.

"Now?" Blaine prompted, the word a whisper in the air.

Kurt smiled, "Now I realize that I don't have to do this alone."

Blaine grinned widely. "Does that mean you aren't leaving?"

Kurt took a breath. "I'm still going to go to the meeting to hear them out. I already agreed to do that. But," he paused, choosing his words carefully, "I promise I'll think about everything we discussed before I make a decision."

Blaine nodded quickly, blinking away the stinging behind his eyes. All he could do was wait and hope that whatever choice Kurt made, it would be the one that made him happy.

Blaine paced impatiently outside the front doors of Dalton Academy early the following Monday morning. Kurt had requested no contact over the weekend so he could think things through. Blaine was a nervous wreck, scanning the walkway from the parking lot, eager for a glimpse of perfectly-coiffed hair amid all of the other students.

Finally, Kurt appeared, his usual books in hand and messenger bag over his shoulder, and a small wheeled suitcase rolling behind him. Blaine's heart sunk to the ground. That was it, then. He was leaving, and was only returning to pack up his dorm. Putting on a brave face, he smiled and waved as Kurt approached.

"Hi," Kurt greeted, coming to a halt in front of him.

"Hey," Blaine answered, giving Kurt a swift kiss on the cheek. "So, um," he stumbled, gaze falling to the offending piece of luggage resting at Kurt's side. "Where are my manners? Let me help you with that," he offered. He grabbed the handle and tugged at the suitcase, surprised by its weight. It was heavy. Very, very heavy. His head snapped up to find Kurt wearing a knowing smirk.

"Well, if I'm staying permanently, I had to bring the rest of my skincare products and some of my regular wardrobe for off-hours and weekends. I will not be seen in this uniform 24/7."

Blaine launched into Kurt's arms, both boys laughing and crying at the same time. "It'll be good here, Kurt. I promise. You'll get to be whoever you want to be, and no one will stop you. I'll help you, not that you'll need it."

Kurt held Blaine tightly, certain that he'd chosen well. "We'll grow as we go. Together."

A/N: In my very humble opinion, Kurt was foolish to return to McKinley. Blaine was even more foolish for following him. I understand why it was done for story purposes, but oh, I wish they'd both been able to stay at Dalton and thrive there!