A/N: I'm uploading this a little early. Mainly because I don't want to forget to post after work tomorrow. So here is the official end of Blam's one-year-anniversary saga! It's funny to be posting this now because what I'm drafting for my most recent chapter is much less optimistic, but I hope you enjoy. And also it's a little early for the warning, but just a friendly reminder that I am planning a decidedly happy ending for as many characters involved as possible. That does include Blam obviously. In the meantime, please enjoy this update! And feel free to leave any comments 3
"There you are." Blaine smiled radiantly from behind the piano as Sam raced into the choir room. The dark-haired boy watched as their friends quietly filed in and grabbed seats amongst the ranks of the New Directions. "Thank you all so much for getting him here."
Kurt was last to come through the door, and he pulled it closed with a definitive snap.
"I'm so happy that I get to actually be in the audience this time," he announced while running to sit beside Unique. He pulled out his phone and FaceTimed Rachel who was stuck in New York for Funny Girl rehearsals. Artie called Tina and Mike while Quinn got Mercedes on the line. Finn's plaque hung on the wall. The gang was officially present and accounted for.
"A year ago today, I was on the other side of this door praying these two lovable, oblivious idiots could find a way to make it work. And, oh my Gaga: Look at them now. Somehow they did it."
Blaine blushed hearing his ex's recounting. No questions asked, he owed Kurt a never-ending debt of gratitude for turning down his marriage proposal. Even more, he owed him for somehow seeing what Blaine missed – that Sam loved him. For now, he pushed those thoughts aside and refocused.
Sam stood with an awestruck look on his face, and Blaine took a moment to appreciate it. He could see how hard the boy was breathing after running from the auditorium. There was a glean of sweat on his brow, and his hair was adorably disheveled. His voice shook as he spoke. "Hi, Blaine. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
Seeing him in the choir room brought back countless memories. Blaine's mind flashed through performances they'd shared in this spot as their relationship evolved. They started as enemies of sorts, but that was hardly a blip on the radar now. Because what mattered was that Sam had been a friend when Blaine needed one.
He'd been the best friend Blaine could ever ask for, as far as he was concerned. Then things changed. The boy in his memories was so different from the one that stood in front of him now.
Sam had grown up. There was a certain refinement to his style for starters. He still favored the flannels and basic tees that made up his standard uniform, but the fit and quality had vastly improved. More importantly, Blaine noticed something different in the way he carried himself. He exuded a steady self-assurance that wasn't there before. The blonde didn't spend as much time second-guessing how awesome he was. It was like he finally saw himself the way Blaine did: As someone worth loving simply for being himself. That was all Blaine ever wanted for him.
Now he had to tell him exactly how he felt. No pressure or anything.
"You're here now, and that's all that matters. I'm so happy we're spending our anniversary in Lima this year. We're making a life for ourselves in New York, and I'm damn proud of what we've accomplished. But this is where we started. And being here now makes it clear just how far we've come." Blaine blinked back tears as he spoke, but his voice was steady.
"I used to sit next to you in this room and know I had the best possible friend by my side. You were everything I ever needed. You helped me become a better version of myself. You fixed my broken heart and reminded me that I was more than my mistakes. That I still deserved love. You saved me in so many ways, Sam Evans."
Santana jumped up and pushed a chair underneath Sam who had started shaking a little. He lowered himself into the seat with a look of gratitude. The girl grabbed her friend's shoulder and gave it a squeeze before she ran back to her own seat and cuddled into Brittany's shoulder. She subtly shot Blaine a thumbs up that was offset by her dramatic eyeroll.
"So really, it's not surprising I started to fall in love with you. Then I'd sit in the chair next to you and wonder if you knew how I felt. I'd dream that one day you'd feel the same way. Well, I got really lucky somehow. I'll never forget the look in your eyes when Kurt pushed me through that door last year. You were so surprised. I couldn't figure out why. Then it all made sense."
He played with the keys of the piano as spoke. The instrument's dulcet tones added extra dimension and slowly resolved into the beginnings of a song.
"We're good together. I always thought we would be, but this is better than I imagined. It's special. I asked some of our friends to help me express how much you mean to me. They did an amazing job, but there's one more song I need to sing. You've already sung it, so I recognize that this is cheating in a way. But it describes us perfectly."
As Blaine finished, he directed his attention fully to the piano. That's when the wistful, dreamlike melody of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" emerged from the mix of sounds. He started singing, and everyone held their breath as the lyrics poured out.
"Before you met me I was alright, but things were kind of heavy. You brought me back to life. Now every February, you'll be my Valentine." Blaine put emphasis on the chorus. "You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream the way you turn me on. I can't sleep, let's run away and don't ever look back."
"I'mma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight. I'll let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans. I'll be your teenage dream tonight."
There was a moment of audible silence as the final notes faded out. But it was interrupted as Sam threw himself out of his chair and flew into Blaine's arms. Their friends proceeded to break into applause.
"Yay, Blaine Warbler," Brittany stood to lead the cheer. "This is Unicorn Rights if I've ever seen them."
Sam laughed into a kiss as he listened to other catcalls from the group. "Ok, that was seriously the best gift of all time. I cannot believe you pulled it off." He turned to look at the New Directions. "And thank you to every single one of you who helped make this possible."
"We love you guys," Rachel screamed while frantically waving her arms on the screen of Kurt's phone. "Come back soon because I'm lonely on my own." She waved to everyone else before signing off. Mike, Tina and Mercedes did the same.
Blaine pulled Sam closer for a moment. He basked in the glory of holding his man as their friends cheered them on. Then he looked up as Mr. Schue strode to the front of the room.
"Ok, guys. That was fantastic, but I think we need to turn our attention to regionals prep. Here's what we're going to do…" Blaine and Sam grabbed seats as their old teacher took up his spot at the white board.
"You know I have a present for you, too. Right?" Sam looked concerned as Blaine leaned closer. "I don't think I'll compete with what you pulled off, but I have plans. Can you hang out with Brittany after practice so Santana can help me finish getting everything together?"
Blaine grabbed his boyfriend's hand. "I know I should say something about how the gift of your companionship is enough for me, and it is. Obviously. But I'm also really curious about what you've got planned."
The boys vaguely paid attention as Mr. Schue laid out a plan for practice and began assigning tasks. Two hours later they walked out of the choir room surrounded by friends.
"It's so weird being in there as a supervisor instead of a student," Blaine admitted as they headed toward the parking lot. "But I kind of liked it. There was less pressure for sure."
Sam nodded. "No joke. Marley looked like she was about to scream in there. I can't believe they're doing original songs again. I hope Mr. Schue gives her a break for nationals because it has to be hard to come up with songs at the drop of a hat."
Blaine agreed and looked surprised when Sam handed over his car keys. "I'm heading back to your house with Santana. You still good driving Brittany? You know she's not technically supposed to get behind the wheel unless absolutely necessary."
"That's putting it lightly," Blaine shuddered thinking about the last time he'd driven with Brittany. The former Cheerio mixed up the colors on the traffic light three times and nearly veered off the road when she got distracted by a squirrel. It was horrifying and not something he ever intended to repeat. "But sure. Want to grab a coffee, Britt?"
He couldn't resist grinning as the girl jumped into his front seat. Brittany's energy was seemingly endless and was always contagious. "This is going to be so much fun, Blaine Warbler. Plus, I have a secret I want to tell you. The only other person who knows right now is Lord Tubbington. You have to pinky promise not to tell anyone. Except for Sam, I guess. It's illegal to keep secrets from the person you love. I tell Santana everything."
"Cross my heart," Blaine assured her as he started the car and waved goodbye to his boyfriend.
Of course, the girl was too distracted in the car. She'd apparently set up a cat camera back in the apartment and spent the whole ride filling Blaine in on how her cat had a lady friend over last night. It wasn't until they sat down in a pair of armchairs at the coffee shop that she was ready. Then the secret spilled out in a burst of excitement.
"I'm asking Santana to marry me!" Blaine's mouth dropped open in shock as he searched for something to say. Brittany meanwhile continued speaking into the silence. "That way we can be together forever and share lady kisses until we're old. Then they'll be old lady kisses, which are the same except without real teeth."
The blonde sipped her sugary drink and sighed dreamily. Blaine thought about what that meant for his friends. Sure, they were young – way younger than he wanted to be when he finally married Sam – but he knew it would work out. And he was touched that Brittany chose him to confide in.
"That's such exciting news! I'm happy for you, Brittany. Really happy. Can I ask why you're telling me and not someone else, though?"
"Well, it's customary for a unicorn to bless a perfect union, and I was hoping you'd do that for me, Blaine Warbler. Kurt is the only other unicorn I know, and he's a little scary sometimes. Then there's Sam, but he's only half a unicorn since he's bi like me."
As unconventional as Brittany's thought process was, it always made sense in a strange way. This was no exception.
Time flew by as the pair talked about the best way to ask Santana and began dreaming of the eventual wedding. Brittany looked down at her phone after they'd made plans to go looking for a ring once they got back to the city. "Santana just texted me. She says they're ready."
Blaine was surprised by how dark it had gotten while they'd been inside the coffee shop. The stars were popping up across the dusky sky as they headed to Blaine's. Once they got there, he grabbed Brittany's hand again before she could exit the car.
"I promise your secret is safe, Britt. I can't wait to help you. And thank you again for today." He felt a flush of love as the blonde gently kissed him on the cheek. Next thing he knew she was outside his door and holding his hand to lead him into the house.
Blaine was confused as they walked through the garage door. It was oddly quiet. He jumped in surprise as a pair of hands wrapped around his eyes. "Just keep walking, Blaine Warbler. I know where we're going."
She guided him through the house, and he shivered as he felt a chill that announced they were outside again. The cold disappeared as they walked a little further, and his body was enveloped in a toasty heat.
"You can uncover his eyes, Brittany." Blaine relaxed as he heard his boyfriend's voice. He blinked quickly as the hands disappeared, and his vision came back.
"Oh my god."
Blaine didn't know what else to say. Sam had pulled his parent's patio furniture out of storage. There were plates on the table, which was set with a stark, white tablecloth and Sam's flowers from this morning. Fairy lights twinkled and added a dreamy ambiance to the atmosphere. Sam found the outdoor heaters, which helped keep back the frosty chill in the Ohio air.
Then his eyes settled on his boyfriend who had changed. Sam had been adorably rumpled before. Now he was wearing a crisply pressed suit complete with one of Blaine's favorite bowties. Sam waved with a smile on his face.
"Happy anniversary, baby." Blaine let out a gasp of shock as the boy knelt down on the ground and pulled out a ring box.
"Don't worry," he assured with a conspiratorial grin. "I'm not proposing. I want to make that very clear since I already made that mistake with Quinn and Brittany, too I guess. And you had your moment with Kurt. We're not ready yet, but we will be one day. Think of this as a promise."
"Blaine Anderson, I promise to love you for the rest of our lives. I vow to be by your side whenever you need me. I swear you'll always be on my mind. This is a symbol of how much you mean to me."
Blaine's hands shook as he accepted the plush box and opened it. Inside a roughly hewn silver ring sparkled in the dim light. A pale pink crystal was set between two shining blue stones in the middle.
"I asked Debbie from the salon for advice," Sam explained. "She said rose quartz is the crystal for love. The blue stones are aquamarine, and they're supposed to be good for communication, which is important. She tried to talk me into buying you a 27-pound, heart-shaped crystal. Seriously, that woman knows her way around a gem auction, and she's very convincing. It's kind of scary. But I thought you'd like this more. Try it on. I want to see if it fits. If not they can resize it."
Blaine took the ring out and slipped it onto his finger where it fit perfectly. "It's beautiful," he gasped as he held it out for inspection.
"You two are so cute it is making me sick." Blaine and Sam jumped as Santana spoke behind them. "Britts and I are going to head out, but you two have a gay old time."
With that they left the duo who sat down for dinner in companionable silence.
Later that night Blaine remembered Brittany's good news and that he had permission to tell Sam. "Want to hear a secret? I had to pinky promise Brittany that I wouldn't tell anyone but you because she said it wasn't legal to make me keep secrets from someone I loved. Brittany is going to ask Santana to marry her. Can you believe it?"
Sam let out a sweet laugh as the news settled. "You're kidding?! Santana told me that she was going to ask Brittany. Rachel and I are helping her pick out a ring when we get back."
"Huh? Imagine that. I guess we'll be going to our first gay wedding soon."
"Then one day we'll have ours, too." Blaine nodded with a dreamy look in his eyes. He pulled Sam closer as they sat outside and watched the stars dance in the sky.
"You're right. But right now, this is more than enough for me," he said before kissing his boyfriend sweetly on the lips.