A/N: So this is it, the last chapter. It didn't feel quite right to end it on only one of their perspectives, so the first part of this chapter is from Seb's POV, and the second is Kurt's. I hope you enjoy the last chapter.
"Hi, Seb," his mom says, pushing the door open wide enough to step into his room.
He finishes folding the shirt in his hands and drops it down into the box. "Hi, mom," he says as he grabs for another shirt from his closet.
"How's the packing going?" she asks, making her way further into the room and taking a seat on the edge of his bed.
"Getting there," he says, folding the new shirt he'd just grabbed before dropping it on top of the growing pile in the box beside him.
"Can you take a break for a second?" she asks, watching him.
He grabs another shirt. "I'm kind of on a roll, I'd rather just keep going," he replies.
"Just for a minute," she says, "I want to talk to you."
He drops yet another shirt into the box, but doesn't grab another; instead, he walks to the bed, takes a seat beside her, looks at her expectantly.
"I just wanted to make sure... you're okay, right?" she asks cautiously.
He gives her a funny look. "Yeah, I'm fine. What do you mean?"
"I mean with... everything that happened. With Ezra," she says.
It's been a couple weeks since he told her. They haven't really talked about it since then; he knows she told his dad, knows they talked to some family, knows they're having nothing to do with the man ever again, but... they haven't talked. Not there's really anything to talk about. He doesn't have anything to say. He wanted his parents to know, wanted to not have to see Ezra at every family event for the rest of his life, but... they don't need to know the details. Not for now, anyway. Maybe someday he'll feel like he needs to tell them more, but for now just having them know is enough, is a weight lifted off his shoulders that he never thought he'd be relieved of.
His mother, however, seems to think they need to talk. She brings it up every so often, like this, like she hopes he's suddenly going to decide to bear his soul to her, doesn't seem to understand that that's not what he needs right now. And he knows she's only doing what she thinks is best, but it's hard, having him brought up like this. He has to fight his own thoughts enough, he doesn't need his mother bringing it up all the time, now, too.
"Yeah, it's fine," he says, a little awkwardly, looking away. "Nobody's talking to him anymore, I never have to see him again, it's fine."
"I know," his mother says slowly, nodding. "But you know it's okay if you're not okay, right?"
"I'm fine," he snaps, a little more forcefully than he'd intended, but he can't help himself. Since he told her she's treated him like he's so fragile, like she expects him to break, like he hasn't been holding himself together and trying to be "okay" for the past decade. Like she hasn't spent all those years not realizing anything was wrong.
"Okay," she says. "Okay, that's good. I just wanted you to know that it's okay if you're not. Or if you're okay now but you aren't later. You can always come talk to me and your dad, okay, honey? If there's anything you need. We just want to help you."
"Well, I'm fine," he says, a little softer than before.
It's not her fault. She's trying. She's doing her best, and it's not perfect, but she's trying. And he does recognize how lucky he is for that.
She's quiet for a moment, before finally she takes a breath and says, "Okay. Well, I guess I'll let you get back to packing, then." She stands from the bed. "I love you, Sebby. Don't forget it," she adds with a soft smile before making her way back to the door.
"Mom?" he calls out, just as her hand reaches the handle.
"Yes?" she asks, turning back to look at him questioningly.
"Thanks," he says, giving her a soft smile. As much as he wishes she would leave it alone, it is... kind of nice, in a way. Knowing that she cares. Knowing that she just wants him to be okay and, more importantly, knowing that she thinks it's okay if he's not. Knowing that she doesn't have expectations of him, just wants him to be him, wants him to feel the way he feels, even if that's not good. Even if that's not okay.
"Of course," she says. "Now you better get back to it; those boxes aren't going to pack themselves," she teases, then steps past the threshold and pulls the door closed behind her.
"You ready?" Burt asks, killing the engine and turning to look at Kurt.
"Yeah," Kurt says, trying to sound a little stronger than he's feeling, offering his dad a smile. He's been trying not to think about the fact that this is it. Soon he'll be on a plane, on his way to New York. And it's exciting but it's also hard, because there are so many great things to come but there are also great things that he'll be leaving behind. Like his dad.
"Alright, let's get you inside then. Don't want to miss your flight," Burt says, and then he's climbing out of the car, walking back to the trunk to haul out Kurt's luggage.
"Think you could have packed a little lighter?" Burt huffs as he pulls the first suitcase from the car.
"Dad, you shouldn't be lifting that!" Kurt scolds, rushing to help Burt with the heavy bag.
"I'm fine, bud," Burt grumbles. "That's one thing I'm not going to miss, is you fussin' over me all the time," he teases.
"Just because I won't be here doesn't mean you don't have to be careful," Kurt says with a roll of his eyes. "And Carole told me she'd keep an eye on you, anyway."
He knows he's been a little... much, these past few weeks. But he can't help it. He's moving into this new and exciting part of his life but he also doesn't know what to expect, can't help but feel a little lost in it all. And maybe, lately, this has been less about his father's health and more about feeling like he can control something, but now isn't the time to be thinking about that.
"Yeah, well Carole will at least let me have a burger every now and then."
"Well she shouldn't," Kurt shoots back, and that at least is definitely about his health.
"I've gotta be able to live my life, kid," Burt says as he reaches for the second suitcase.
"Dad, I've got it," Kurt says, reaching in ahead of Burt to grab the next bag, and together they lift it out and set it on the ground. "You can live your life without takeout every day."
"It's once a week at most, Kurt," Burt grumbles.
"Only because I'm around to stop you."
Burt claps a hand down on Kurt's shoulder. "What're you gonna do in New York with all that time you'll be saving not nagging me all the time?" he asks with a laugh.
Kurt rolls his eyes as he grabs the handle of the heavier suitcase and begins rolling it forward, hoping his dad doesn't realize quite how accurate his words may be. "You know I can still call you, right?"
"Yeah, but it's a lot easier to avoid a phone call," Burt chuckles.
"Dad!" Kurt scolds, indignant.
"I'm joking, kid," Burt says with a hearty laugh, bringing a hand to ruffle Kurt's hair.
"Dad!" Kurt yelps, though he can't help but smile just a little.
"Oh calm down, you're just getting on a plane. You'll probably still be the fanciest lookin' person there," Burt brushes him off, smiling fondly.
"Think of all the time I'll save not having to fix my hair after you mess it up," Kurt grumbles under his breath.
"I heard that, you know," Burt says, amused.
"Good, you were supposed to," Kurt replies, giving his dad a look.
They make their way to the airport entrance in comfortable silence, through the doors and to the luggage check-in to wait in line.
"New York," Burt says. "You're really going to New York."
Kurt looks at him, sees the emotion he's clearly trying to hold back. He gets it; he is his father's son, after all, despite all the differences. They're more alike than most people think.
"I won't be that far away, dad. And it's not like I won't be back. Thanksgiving, Christmas. Summer." He says it as much for himself as for his father.
"You think you're coming back here for the summer?" Burt asks, cocking an eyebrow. "When you could spend the summer in New York?"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe," Kurt says, though he knows his dad is right. Holidays, sure, but... he'd always wanted to get out of Lima. He really couldn't see himself coming back here for a whole summer when he'll have a boyfriend and an apartment and a life in New York City. Because, as nervous as he may be, as much as he's going to miss his family... he knows this is for the best. He knows he'll be happy there, once he's settled in, once he has the city figured out.
"I'm happy for you, Kurt. I'm proud of you. I'm just gonna miss ya is all," Burt says, a sad smile on his face.
"I'll miss you, too," Kurt says.
"Maybe I'll just have to come visit you," Burt muses. "Go to a Giants' home game or something."
"You're bringing Finn, I hope?" Kurt asks, raising his eyebrows.
"You're tellin' me if I came all the way to New York, you wouldn't go to a football game with me?" Burt teases.
"Only if you let me give you a tour of the museum at FIT," Kurt shoots back with a smirk.
"I have no idea what that is."
"You'd hate it," Kurt assures him.
"Well, I'd still go," Burt decides.
"I'll hold you to that," Kurt assures him.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Burt says with a fond smile, clapping a hand down on Kurt's shoulder again.
It's not much longer before they're at the front of the line, checking in Kurt's luggage, and then making their way through the airport toward security to find Sebastian and his parents. They find them easily, off to the side of the security entrance.
Sebastian has his back turned, facing his parents, and his mother spots them first, giving a small wave. Kurt waves back, and Sebastian turns then, a soft smile spreading across his face as his eyes land on Kurt. Kurt grins back at him, a little giddy, the excitement of moving to New York with his boyfriend finally starting to set in, his doubts soothed now by the sight of his boyfriend.
"Hey," Sebastian says, wrapping Kurt in a hug as he steps up to the group.
"Hey," Kurt murmurs back, giving him a tight squeeze before releasing him and pulling away.
"Look at you both," Sebastian's mom says fondly, eyes watery; it's clear she's been crying. It's an emotional day for everyone, it seems. "All grown up."
"Mom," Sebastian groans.
Well, for everyone except his boyfriend, at least.
"Oh, hush," she scolds him, "I'm allowed to be emotional today, my baby is moving away."
Sebastian rolls his eyes, but doesn't say anything else. Kurt just smiles; he's always liked Sebastian's family.
"All the way to New York," Sebastian's father chimes in.
"Yes, dad, all the way to New York," Sebastian confirms, as though he's heard it a million times already; and, he probably has.
"You two take good care of each other, okay?" his mother asks, looking between Kurt and Sebastian now.
"We will," Kurt says, at the same time Sebastian groans another, "Mom."
"We should probably go," Kurt says, a little hesitantly, making note of the time.
"Good idea, buddy," Burt agrees, "don't want to miss your flight."
Sebastian's parents wrap him up in a hug, leaving Kurt and his father to their own private moment.
"Come here, kid," Burt says, pulling Kurt into a hug of his own.
Kurt wraps his arms around his father, squeezing tight. It will be a few months before he'll have the chance to do this again, he realizes.
"You be safe up there," Burt says into Kurt's ear, voice gruff.
"We will be, dad," Kurt says, voice a little strained with emotion as he tries to keep a level head, pulls back reluctantly from the hug.
"I mean it, Kurt. It's a big city. Don't go doin' anything stupid, okay?" Burt says, keeping a hand on Kurt's arm.
"Yeah, dad. I won't," Kurt says with a nod, blinks back the tears threatening to fall. "You don't have to worry."
"Yeah, well, I will anyway," Burt says, laughs a little sadly, and Kurt lets out a watery laugh of his own.
"Okay," he says, gives up on fighting the tears, and pulls his dad back into another hug. "I love you, dad."
"I love you too, Kurt," Burt says, voice rough with emotion.
They pull away again, and Sebastian is watching them now, having said his own goodbyes, waiting patiently.
"You ready?" Sebastian asks, taking in Kurt's somewhat frazzled appearance but not commenting.
"Yeah," Kurt says, takes a steadying breath and nods. "Yeah, I'm ready."
Sebastian extends a hand to Kurt in offering, gives him a small smile. Kurt smiles back, takes his boyfriend's hand and gives it a soft squeeze. "Let's go."
"Okay, then," Sebastian agrees.
"Text us when you land," Sebastian's mother says as they start to walk away.
"We will," Kurt answers for them.
They make their way to the security entrance together, hand in hand. Kurt turns back, sees his dad and Sebastian's parents watching them go, gives a small wave. Watches until they turn a corner and their families disappear behind a wall.
They stand in the security line, put their carry-ons on the conveyor belt and drop their phones and belts and shoes into the bins to run through the scanners. Collect their things on the other side, belts and shoes back on, phones back in pockets.
Kurt is just standing from tying his shoes as Sebastian walks over to meet him again.
"Ready?" Kurt asks, pulling his bag onto his shoulder.
"Yeah, just one more thing," Sebastian says.
"What? I have everything," Kurt says, turning to look at the empty bin he'd just pulled his belongings from, then turning back to look at Sebastian.
Sebastian's hand traces along Kurt's cheek, and he leans in to place a soft, sweet kiss to Kurt's lips before pulling back. "There. Now we're ready."
Kurt's cheeks redden just a little at the sweet gesture, even as he rolls his eyes. "Come on, let's go find our gate," he says, offering his hand to Sebastian.
"Okay," Sebastian agrees, taking Kurt's hand as they make their way toward their gate.
Toward New York.
Toward a new start to the rest of their lives.
A/N: The end. Honestly I find it hard to believe this fic is over; there are times where I thought I would never finish it, but here we are. If you've been reading along as I've been updating: thank you so much for your views, reviews, and patience with me. Updates have been slow at times, and there have been parts where I've struggled to know what to write, but I'm so glad I was able to work through those and complete this fic, and I'm so thankful you have stuck with me through it. To anybody who has found this after it's been completed; thank you for giving my fic a chance and reading to the end. I would love to hear your thoughts if you'd like to share them.
I know this ending is a little open ended; that's intentional. Our boys still have a way to go, both with learning to be with each other and with healing from their own pasts. But we're leaving them in a good place, a hopeful place, and that feels right for this story. And besides, this gives me something to work with if I want to write a one-shot or two in this verse, so... you never know. I'm not making any promises, but there are some ideas for their future that I wouldn't mind exploring once I've had a chance to breathe and take a break from this fic.