My Reader – Chapter Eleven – June Is Bustin' Out All Over

Blaine hung up the phone, his face a picture of happiness. He had everything all set for Friday, hoping his plans would be a good surprise for Kurt. His friendship with Kurt had turned into something Blaine hadn't experienced before. Sure, he was friends with Jeff, Nick, Wes, and the other Warblers – and then there was Sebastian.

Sebastian had been Blaine's friend since they were toddlers and their mothers had taken them to play dates together. They played in the orchard between their houses, rode horses and bikes together, learned and sang and traveled to France together. Yes, Sebbie was a good friend – but he was always wanting to go too far. He was the first person to kiss Blaine when they were eleven years old and playing hide-and-seek in the orchard. Seb pulled Blaine behind the big oak tree at the edge of the orchard and kissed him on the lips without asking first. It was that incident that made Blaine finally give conscious thought to if he liked boys or not.

The thought of whether or not Sebastian was his boyfriend had bothered Blaine for a long time. He made out with Sebbie a lot back then, but somehow Blaine always knew that nothing would come of it. He just didn't think of Sebastian that way and as his friend got more amorous and finally more demanding, Blaine had to call a halt to it all. He sat Sebastian down and had a long talk with him about being inappropriate and about the fact that Blaine did not love him that way.

It was hard on both of them – Sebastian's feelings were hurt and Blaine just wanted his boyhood pal back – but in the end they made up and were friends now. Sometimes Sebbie would tease Blaine by making suggestive remarks but Blaine laughed and they remained pals.

Blaine didn't think that way about Kurt.

At first, Blaine had resented having someone in to read for him. He was still upset about not being able to stand, move his arm, or see. His vacation in France with his beloved dad had come to an abrupt halt and he was whisked back home to sit in his room in Ohio. Hiring a reader was the last straw on his overwrought pile of anxiety. He was short-tempered and downright rude to Kurt.

Kurt was never anything but kind to Blaine, no matter what the boy threw at him. He showed up day after day in spite of Blaine's rudeness. He read with enthusiasm and he was kind and gentle with Blaine, knowing that the boy's hurt was not his fault. Blaine grew to respect Kurt, appreciating his intelligence and his kindness.

The day Kurt typed for him and helped him into bed was the turning point. When Kurt hugged him and then kissed his forehead – that was the moment. Blaine realized that he was falling in love with Kurt.

When he found out that he would be going to New York for the surgery, and that his mother couldn't come with him, he panicked. He asked his mother to change her mind, but she didn't. She told him that Cooper would be there with him. Blaine loved his brother, but he knew Coop was not exactly the best person to sit still for hours. So he begged his mother to ask Kurt to come. When Kurt disappeared, not coming to read to him as scheduled with no explanation (Blaine had misplaced his phone), he was distraught. He was ready to cancel the whole thing - then Kurt walked through his door. He had never felt such relief.

These weeks in New York had been the best of Blaine's life. Kurt was there for him every day, in every way and when Blaine finally screwed up enough courage to kiss him, Kurt responded. Blaine was definitely in love. He had to do something to show Kurt how much he was appreciated. So he planned a weekend get-away before they went back to Ohio.

Kurt was gonna love this.

"Where are we going? And why did I need to pack?" Kurt asked. Charles, the driver, smirked into his beard. He knew where they were going, Blaine had rented him a room for the weekend, too.

"So many questions! Let's just watch out the window at the scenery," Blaine answered.

Kurt looked out of the window at all the houses going by until they reached the ferry.

"Oh, my stars! I read about ferries, but I never imagined myself on one. This is amazing, Blaine. Thank you," Kurt gushed, so excited at the experience. They parked the car and got out to stand along the railing.

"Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet," Charles laughed as they stood looking out over the water. Kurt looked over at him and Charles winked. Blaine gave him a frown, worried his driver might ruin the surprise but Charles smiled at his boss and walked down the railing to speak with some people he saw.

"I love the ferry – when will we see the Statue of Liberty?" Kurt asked.

Blaine laughed softly and put his hand on Kurt's where he was holding the rail.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't that ferry. This ferry is taking us to Long Island. We can go see the Statue of Liberty later in the week, maybe?" Blaine asked.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I've never seen Long Island, so I know it will be fun," Kurt replied, unable to keep a bit of disappointment from his voice. He hadn't looked up any tourist attractions in Long Island before he came, only ones in Manhattan.

"We need to get back to the car, we're coming up on the landing now," Charles told the boys as he headed back to the towncar.

They disembarked from the ferry and were rolling along the road, Kurt dozing in the back seat. They were driving around a hill when Charles turned slightly to give Blaine a nod.

"What kind of tree is that?" Blaine asked, bumping Kurt's shoulder, as if by accident.

"Oh, what?" Kurt said, waking up and looking out his window – just as a huge castle came into view.

"Oh! Blaine, look at that! They have a castle – on Long Island!" Kurt blurted, craning his neck to see everything he could.

"Oh, that's neat," Blaine said, acting nonchalant. He was really enjoying Kurt's reaction. He hid a smile and then pretended to ignore Kurt's excitement.

Kurt got more astonished as they drove closer.

"Look! We're going to drive right by it. Oh, look at the formal gardens, Blaine. Can you see them clearly?" Kurt asked, worried that Blaine's sight was fading again.

"Yes, it's wonderful," Blaine said, smiling at Kurt.

Charles stopped the towncar just in front of the castle.

"Blaine? Where are we?" Kurt asked, looking at Blaine like he'd just hung the moon.

"This is Oheka Castle. I thought you might like to spend the weekend here as a thank you for all you've done for me," Blaine said, his eyes looking softly at Kurt.

"You...what?" Kurt looked bewildered.

"I got us a room here for the weekend. Are you okay with that?" Blaine was beginning to wonder if he'd done the right thing.

"You know the people who live in a castle?" Kurt gasped.

"No, it's now a hotel. I'll tell you the history later, but basically a millionaire bought this piece of land here on the Gold Coast in the early 1900s and he built this castle. It was bought and sold many times and fell into ruin. About 25 years ago, a man bought it and it has been revitalized. It is now a hotel."

By the time Blaine explained, Charles had parked and several bellboys were there ready to take their luggage.

Kurt put an arm around Blaine's waist to help him walk. He was getting better day by day, but Kurt wasn't taking any chances. They walked down the long path to the door and Kurt gasped once again as he saw the main room – and the double curved grand staircase.

They walked over to the desk.

"Hello, I have a reservation in an Olmstead Suite and my driver has one in a Gatsby Suite, both under the name of Anderson," Blaine said.

"Very good, sir. Would you like to have refreshments in the bar after checking in?" the concierge asked.

"Yes, that would be fine. Thank you," Blaine said, taking Kurt's hand.

"Are you okay?" Blaine asked again, thinking this was the best idea he'd ever had.

"Yeah...I think so," Kurt answered, looking around at the beautiful furnishings.

After iced tea in the bar, they went up to their room.

"I hope you don't mind that I booked us one room, Kurt. I am still feeling a little fragile and I didn't want to be alone in a strange place," Blaine explained.

"Its fine," Kurt nodded and sat down in a chair at the small table near the picture window.

"Look at this view!" he exclaimed, still in awe of the castle.

"The man who commissioned this castle, Otto Kahn, had the contractor build the hill first. It took two years to haul enough dirt to make this the highest point on Long Island. Then he had them plant the forest and gardens. He meant to impress," Blaine said, smiling at Kurt.

"Amazing. It certainly does impress. Oh! Look! Wow, the ocean is so big," Kurt said, looking over the trees at the water far beyond.

Blaine laughed so hard, he had to hold his stomach.

"What's so funny?" Kurt frowned.

"That's not the Atlantic, Kurt. That's Long Island Sound. We're on the north side of the island, you can't see the Atlantic from here."

Kurt's frown deepened. He didn't like to be made the butt of a joke, it was too much like the bullies from his school.

"Oh, Kurt, don't be upset with me. There's no way you would have known that. Here, let me show you the map," Blaine said and pulled up a map of Long Island on his tablet.

"I guess I got turned around," Kurt said.

"I know you're unfamiliar with New York, I shouldn't have laughed. I'm sorry," Blaine apologized. "To make up for it, we can have lunch in the room. I'll call room service. Let's see...ah, here's the menu. Pick whatever you'd like."

"Room service? Yes, this is Mr. Anderson. We'd like lunch in our room, please.

"We'd like a few appetizers: Mussels and clams, beef carpaccio, and crab cakes. Then classic Caesar salad for two. Thank you."

"Wow, this is a lot of food! What's in this?" Kurt asked when the food was delivered to the room.

"Prince Edward Island mussels and littleneck clams in a Thai curry broth. Its a little spicy but good I think," Blaine said, taking a sip of the broth and smiling.

Kurt started on his Caesar salad, wondering if he could make this for his dad.

After lunch, Blaine suggested a walk but Kurt said he was tired.

"Okay, I could use a nap," Blaine agreed and went over to sit on his bed and remove his shoes. Kurt did the same, setting them beside the bed and starting to lie down.

"Hey, Kurt? Maybe you could come over here and we could nap together?" Blaine suggested.

Kurt thought about it for a moment and finally agreed. He walked over, not very comfortable about sharing a bed with Blaine in this lavish palace. He didn't feel as if he belonged here.

Blaine patted the bed and pulled the blanket up to their waists, then laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. He wanted to kiss Kurt, but also didn't want to scare him away. He held himself close, turned away from Kurt and closed his eyes to try and sleep.

Kurt laid on the bed, close to but not touching Blaine. He wondered if Blaine had brought him here just to have a relaxing time before they returned to Ohio – or if he was feeling the same way Kurt did. Kurt wanted to kiss Blaine again, but he was scared to. He and Blaine didn't run in the same circles, didn't belong to the same social class. Kurt was definitely working class, but the Anderson's were different. They had generations of money, they had an apartment at The Dakota for goodness sake. Kurt could never hope to live up to that.

Even if he did date Blaine, he would have to spend a year's savings just to have the right clothes to take him to dinner. It would never work. A tear slid down his cheek, he did want Blaine – so badly. He'd fallen in love with him over the months he read to him and then taking care of him during this month in New York. But he had to face facts. The stable donkey didn't run with the thoroughbreds.

Kurt pulled the blanket up to his shoulder and faced away from Blaine. He let a few more tears slide down his cheek before he fell asleep.

Supper was wonderful. They ate at the hotel restaurant, picking among the glorious food offered there. The sommelier came and refilled their wine glasses. After consulting with Kurt, Blaine ordered from the waiter.

"I think we'll start with Spicy Tuna Tartare for two. My companion will have the Roast Beet Salad and I will have the Arugula and Quinoa Salad. For our entrées, he will have the Porterhouse Lamb Durango and I will have the Pan Roasted Duck. Is it possible that instead of the Brussels sprouts, he can have the sautéed kale?"

"Yes, of course. Will that be all?" the waiter asked.

"Yes. Thank you," Blaine smiled at the man and got a big smile in return.

Kurt knew he was being ridiculous, but he felt a stab of jealousy when the man smiled at Blaine. He just wants a good tip, Kurt told himself and shook his head to clear it of his thoughts.

"That salad you ordered sounds good," Kurt said, trying to start a conversation to get the silly thoughts from returning. "Figs, prosciutto bacon, monchego cheese, pine nuts, and a strawberry vinaigrette. Yummy."

"Oh, you should have ordered it. I'll trade with you if you want," Blaine offered. He really wanted Kurt to have a good time.

"No, mine is roast beets – my favorite vegetable – with bosc pears, pecans, goat cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette. I'm fine, but I wouldn't say no to trading bites?"

"Okay, you can bite me anywhere..." Blaine teased. Kurt had such a shocked look that Blaine immediately apologized. Blaine had been hanging around Sebastian too much.

"It's okay, Blaine. I know you were just kidding," Kurt said, mentally chastising himself for being so sensitive. Obviously Blaine was joking.

The appetizer appeared and Kurt took a bite of the tuna tartare, getting some avocado and crispy noodles along with the sesame-soy-ginger sauce. It was wonderful.

"Good choice, Blaine. This is great," Kurt said.

"Oh, I'm glad. I almost ordered the calamari, but I always order that wherever I eat. I wanted to try something different so I'm glad you are adventurous enough to try raw tuna with me," Blaine smiled at Kurt as he ate another bite.

They ate their salads and drank their wine – a new bottle with each course, of course. Then the waiter brought the entrées in.

"Oh, Blaine, this is amazing. It's the best thing I ever put on a fork, I swear," Kurt enthused. His lamb was perfection and the blackberry cascabella sauce made it even better. He paused after a bite of the sweet potato gratin, smiling at Blaine.

"I think my dad would love this. I'm going to try to make something similar for him. He loves sweet potatoes."

"Invite me over, I love them, too," Blaine grinned.

"It's a date," Kurt countered, smiling at his friend.

After supper, they walked down to the formal gardens. As they walked around the paths, which were in between pools of water and ornately trimmed shrubs, Kurt's arm went around Blaine's waist. It was habit by now and neither boy noticed.

"Look at the stars," Blaine said, gazing up at the twinkling bits of light in the sky.

"You can see them so much better here. I could barely see any in Manhattan," Kurt observed.

They walked around a bit more, finally going up to their room.

"Are you having fun, Kurt?"

"Yes, of course. This is just amazing. I need to get postcards to send to my friends in Lima. Nobody's going to believe I spent a weekend in a castle!" Kurt smiled.

They got their pajamas on and got in bed. As soon as Blaine thought Kurt was asleep, he went around the corner to the desk and sat down with his cell phone.

"Hello, Mother? I'm calling you back."

"Blaine. Why are you in Long Island?"

"Ah...I wanted to have a relaxing weekend before I went back to Ohio?" he said in a guilty voice. "How did you know I was here?"

"The kennel called to ask about Macushla's shot record. Imagine my surprise when they told me his master was on his way to Long Island. Care to explain?"

"I brought Kurt with me, I'm not here alone, Mother."

"Where are you staying?" Dr. Anderson asked, though she had already guessed the answer.

"Oheka."

"Oh. Well, are you staying in our usual suite of rooms?"

"No, I booked an Olmstead room."

"Blaine! That's 1200 dollars a night. Why?"

"Don't worry, Mother. I know it's 1200 dollars a night. I'm paying for it. I'm not using your account."

"Oh, Blaine..."

"I just wanted...I wanted to show Kurt a good time. He's been there for me, above and beyond. He's my best friend."

"Okay, Blaine. I spoke to your doctor and he's given you clearance to fly, so I booked your tickets for next Thursday. Is that okay?"

"Yes, I'll be glad to be home, Mother. I miss you."

"I missed you, too, sweetheart. We're going to have a long talk when you get home."

"Okay, Mother. Love you. G'bye."

"I love you, too, Blaine."

Kurt lay awake in the bed, squirming. He was not comfortable with the conversation that was going on across the room from him. Blaine must think he was asleep, he'd told his mother at dinner that he'd call her back later. Now he knew why. Dr. Anderson wasn't pleased with Blaine taking him to this expensive place. Well, Kurt knew he didn't belong here. He sighed quietly and pretended to be asleep as Blaine got back in bed.

Blaine was doing some thinking himself. He didn't want his mother to be upset with him – and now she knew Kurt was sharing a room with him, he knew he had a lot to answer for when he got home. Whatever made him confess that he'd paid for the extravagance of an Olmstead room? He should have been more on guard. He was pretty sure that she wouldn't forbid Kurt to come over now, but that little bit of unsure thought was disconcerting.

"Kurt?" Blaine whispered.

He must be asleep. I'm glad he didn't hear my phone call, Blaine thought.

He snuggled close to Kurt's back, giving him a soft kiss on the nape of his neck, then closed his eyes. He wasn't scared when he had Kurt to cuddle against since still had nightmares about the accident sometimes. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

An hour later, Kurt was still awake. Blaine turned over and Kurt did, too, snuggling against Blaine's back now.

They woke up early, the sun streaming in the windows. Kurt was feeling good this morning, opening the windows to let in the fresh spring air. It was warm today, a quiet June breeze coming in off the Long Island Sound.

Blaine went to take a shower and Kurt decided to call his father.

"Hello? Kurt?" his dad answered. It was an hour earlier in Ohio, but Kurt knew his dad was up early – even if it was Saturday.

"Hi, Dad. How are you today? Missing me yet?" Kurt laughed.

"Every day. How are you and how is Blaine doing?" Burt asked. He really did miss Kurt, the house was so quiet since he'd been gone. Burt was quite aware that this is what it was going to feel like when Kurt went off to college.

"We're fine. Oh, Dad, you'll never guess where I am!" Kurt crowed, his excitement coming across to Burt in every way.

"Where?"

"Okay, get out the tablet I got you. Is it on?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, I was reading the morning paper."

"Okay, google Oheka Castle on Long Island."

There were a few minutes while Burt typed it in and then:

"Yeah, got it. Wow, that's some fancy castle. Looks like it belongs in Europe somewhere," Burt said.

"I'm staying on the top floor. Blaine wanted to thank me for coming to help him in New York, so we're here for the weekend. Dad, you won't believe this place. When we win the lottery we need to come here," Kurt said, his smile coming through in his voice.

"That's pretty cool, son. I'm glad you're having such a good time there."

"I am, Dad."

"Is that your Dad?" Blaine asked, coming out of the bathroom.

Kurt nodded.

"Let me speak to him?"

"Hold on, Dad. Blaine wants to speak to you," Kurt said, giving Blaine a quizzical look.

"Hello, Mr. Hummel?"

"Blaine."

"My doctor has cleared me medically to fly again, so we will be home on Thursday. I bet you'll be glad to see Kurt," he said, knowing the special bond Kurt had with his father.

"Are you sure you're well enough?" Burt asked.

"Yes, sir. I'm doing fine. I'm even out of the wheelchair," Blaine said.

"That's good to hear. It will be good to have the two of you home again," Burt said.

"Thank you, Mr. Hummel. Here's Kurt."

"I can be at the airport to pick you guys up, just let me know when," Burt offered.

"I will, Dad. I'll see you then," Kurt said. "Love you."

"I love you, too, kid."

"I need to take a shower, then we can go down for breakfast," Kurt told Blaine, then disappeared into the bathroom.

He came out a short time later to find Blaine sitting by the window – looking out at the view of the gardens and Long Island Sound in the distance.

"Whatcha doin'?" Kurt asked, sitting down beside Blaine. The boy reached over to take Kurt's hand in his.

"Looking. I hope I never in my life take seeing for granted again," he said, a tear escaping his eye and rolling down his cheek. Without thinking, Kurt leaned over and caught the tear with his lips, kissing Blaine's cheek. Blaine turned his head slightly, moving so their lips met.

They kissed, Blaine moving his hand to cup Kurt's jaw as he deepened the kiss a tiny bit. It startled Kurt, feeling Blaine's tongue dart across his lower lip and he pressed harder. They kissed for a while, then Kurt pulled back, blushing deep red when he thought of his resolve to move away from Blaine before he discovered all the reasons they were not going to last. One day he was bound to notice that Kurt just didn't measure up to someone of his class.

"What would you like to do today?" Blaine asked as they finished breakfast.

"I have no idea at all," Kurt replied. He didn't know anything about Long Island except that Jerry Seinfeld had lived here as a young boy.

"We can go see Sagamore Hill where Teddy Roosevelt lived, or we can pick fruit – oh, never mind. It's too early for peaches and strawberries. Ah, what about going to a museum? There are lots of those; we can see where Charles Lindbergh took off for his flight to Paris?"

Kurt nodded, not clear yet on which thing he wanted to do.

"Oh! I know! You wanted to see an ocean? We can go to the beach!" Blaine said, grinning.

"But – I don't have a bathing suit, or sun-block, or, or..." Kurt babbled, stunned at the things Blaine could think up.

"No problem. Let me call Charles and we can go. Don't think about it, Kurt. Just say yes and we'll see where it takes us. Quit being so damned uptight," Blaine said.

Kurt stopped. His face turned to a frown and he blushed red with unwanted angst.

"You don't understand, Blaine. You never will," Kurt whispered and got up, running to the bathroom and slamming the door.

Blaine sat, shocked at Kurt's outburst. What did he do? Was Kurt afraid of the water maybe? He sat there, looking out the window to think about what went so wrong when he had thought it was going well.

Kurt had frowned when he mentioned the swim suit, but he got upset when Blaine had told him to stop being to uptight? Yes, that was it. He didn't know Kurt was so sensitive. Blaine hung his head. How could he hurt the one person who had stuck by him through all of this? Even Blaine's family hadn't been there for him – his mom didn't come to New York with him, his brother spent his time chasing girls, and his dad had flown back to Iceland without a decent goodbye.

But Kurt? He'd been by Blaine's side throughout the whole thing. Even when he missed his dad, he'd chosen to stay with Blaine. He was the most steadfast friend he'd ever had.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked, knocking softly on the door. "Kurt? Come out, please. I am so sorry for anything I said. I'm just a clumsy oaf sometimes..."

There was no sound from the bathroom.

"Please, Kurt?"

Blaine stood by the door, waiting for just a noise. No, nothing. He gathered his courage and hoped Kurt wasn't sitting on the toilet or anything, and opened the door.

"Blaine."

"Hey, Kurt. Can you come out and talk to me?" Blaine begged.

Kurt looked up at him from his place on the floor in front of the bathtub - with sad eyes, red from crying. He just sat there, trying to think what to do.

Blaine went to the sink and wet a wash cloth with cool water and sat down on the floor, pressing the cool cloth to Kurt's eyes. Kurt covered Blaine's hands with his own, leaning into the coolness. It felt good on his face.

"Okay, let's get up off this floor and go talk," Blaine asked quietly, almost afraid to say anything to his friend. Kurt gave in. He sighed and stood up, helping Blaine to stand. They went back in the room and Kurt led him to the bed. He lay down and Blaine laid down next to him, cuddling close beside him.

"I don't know what I said to upset you so much, but I can guess. I told you not to be so uptight – but I didn't mean anything bad by it. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Kurt. Please forgive me."

"It wasn't just what you said, Blaine."

"Then what was it? I can't fix it if I don't know what I did," Blaine said, confused.

"I like you Blaine – so much! But I cannot let this continue. I don't know how to explain," Kurt hung his head.

"Just say it. I won't take offense, I'll listen to what you have to say," Blaine offered.

"Its just...well, I don't belong. I feel it every time we go somewhere, or your friends come to visit..."

"I don't know what to say, Kurt. I think you belong. Has anyone said something to make you feel this way?" Blaine asked, "Because that isn't fair. If anyone is bothering you – please let me know. Please?"

"Of course. Oh, Blaine. The world is just not fair. I can't date you! It's like the mutt from the junkyard keeping company with the prize show dog. Don't you see? I just don't belong!"

Blaine sat up and took Kurt's hands in his own.

"Oh, Kurt. That isn't true at all. You fit in perfectly. I love being with you, and we had a good time walking in Central Park, didn't we?" Blaine pleaded.

"We did – I guess I forgot when we had so much fun. But I can't even dress properly to be seen with you, Blaine. It would take me months of wages to be able to buy an outfit worthy of being seen with you. Don't you understand?" Kurt blurted, so upset that he was no longer filtering what he was saying.

"Kurt, Kurt!" Blaine tried to say something but Kurt was on a roll and wasn't able to stop himself.

"No, Blaine, it won't work, no matter how much I wish it could. It isn't fair, but who ever said the world was fair? It isn't. My dad works harder than anyone I have ever known, but we are just barely middle class, we don't have expensive things – hell, we couldn't even afford to buy a dog like yours! I can't compete. I can't take you anywhere fancy like this castle – it is so above my station in life, my dad couldn't afford this on three month's salary, Blaine. I will never be able to have the things to wear to be acceptable in your circles, I am just the hired help. And it's breaking my heart because I am falling in love with you..." Kurt gasped, suddenly realizing what it was that he just admitted. He pulled the bedspread over his face, blushing and then bursting into tears as he realized how vulnerable he just made himself. He had no idea if Blaine liked him like that or if Blaine just liked kissing.

Kurt began to tremble, he was so upset with himself.

Blaine sat stunned. He had no idea Kurt felt that way. He wanted to bring him somewhere nice to reward him for all the amazing things he'd done for Blaine. He meant it as a gift, not to show off his family's fortune. He was so embarrassed that it came off as bragging.

"Oh, Kurt! No, I never meant to rub your nose in how much money you have. That never crossed my mind! It doesn't matter to me about things like that. You always look good to me, it doesn't matter what you wear. I like being with you, no matter the circumstances," Blaine tried to explain, but Kurt wasn't listening. He was hiding under the bedspread, crying.

"Kurt, you are not the hired help. Yes, Mother hired you to read to me. If that's what I thought of you then I'd never have invited you to be with me in New York. No, I asked her to ask you to come because I wanted to be with you. I was so frightened and the only person I wanted to have with me was the one I could lean on, the person I trusted, the person I was falling in love with..." Blaine said, realizing it for the first time. He knew he wanted to be near Kurt, to have him close and be able to kiss him; but it was just at that minute that he realized he was actually falling in love with Kurt, too.

Kurt shook his head no, not daring to believe that Blaine loved him as much as he loved Blaine. It couldn't be, could it? Kurt moved the bedspread off of his face.

"Blaine, it won't work. Your mother will never approve, she is s proper lady and a lower class boy should never be seen with her son!" Kurt said.

"Well, she isn't the one to make this decision. I am and I choose you."

Kurt snapped his mouth shut and just gazed at Blaine. He didn't know what to say. He reached out and touched his fingertips to Blaine's.

"It won't work, Blaine. Think! How many of your friends from school aren't in the social register? They all are, aren't they? Their parents can afford to send them to Dalton. They will probably go to Harvard and Dartmouth and Yale. I'd be lucky to get into a state or community college. Life isn't a fairy tale for me, Blaine, not like it is for you," he said, "I just don't belong."

"Kurt! That is not true. You are fast becoming the most important person in my life. I will not sit here and listen to you tear down what we've built because of some false social convention. It's not fair to us, it's not fair to me! I won't listen to it anymore, Kurt. You are the man I love. Okay?" Blaine said, throwing his arms around Kurt and kissing him on the cheek. "Okay?" he said again, "Please?"

Kurt sat still, looking into Blaine's eyes. He felt his heart beating so fast in his chest that it hurt.

He thought of things to say, protests about why it would never work, reasons why life was unfair and he needed to get home to his dad and not see Blaine again since he could read for himself now. But. But he wanted Blaine. And he couldn't think of anything after that...

"Okay," he whispered.

Blaine gathered him close, kissing Kurt's temple, his hair. Humming quietly as Kurt trembled at the newness of his acceptance of Blaine's viewpoint. Could it really work?

"June Is Bustin' Out All Over" is from the 1945 Broadway play Carousel by Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein II.