The hum of the machine filled his ears, his eyes were closed, but he knew the sting of pain that was coming, still he winced when it landed on his finger.

"You can't back out now," Kurt laughed from beside him. "I already got mine, so you have to go through with it, it's only fair,"

"I thought you said that a deal was no reason to get a tattoo," Blaine said giving him his best puppy dog look.

Kurt just shook his head as he continued to work, "This wasn't a deal, this was a sacred vow. There is a difference. Plus it will be over before you know it."

Blaine tried to resist the urge to look at Kurt while he worked, but his eyes were drawn to where Kurt was holding his left hand still. Through Kurt's glove he could almost discern the lines of the tattoo wrapped around his finger. He could also see what he knew were identical lines forming on his own finger accompanying the searing pain there.

He watched as Kurt marked their bond on his body in the most permanent way they could think of. As he watched the lines form he thought back to how he had ended up in this chair in Kurt's studio once again.

It had all began just before they went back to Ohio. They had decided to go just after Kurt's 31st birthday. Kurt wasn't, however, the only one to receive a present that day. After a late-night meal Blaine had cooked at his apartment, Kurt had gotten down on one knee and proposed. To say Blaine was shocked would be an understatement, but he didn't have to think to know his answer.

"Why today?" Blaine asked after Kurt had slipped the simple band on his finger.

Kurt beamed at him and replied, "It was the best present to myself I could think of, getting to spend the rest of my life with you."

Blaine had kissed him again, feeling giddier than he ever had before.

Burt and Carole had been thrilled. Blaine's heart swelled when Burt had pulled him into a bear hug and said, "Welcome to the family."

Blaine called Cooper, who vowed to buy them a tapestry for a wedding gift. He had even made the trip to Westerville to tell his parents. His mother had nervously let them into the house, telling Blaine his father would be home any minute. Tears had filled her eyes when he told her he was getting married, but she quickly made excuses when he asked her to come. They didn't stay to see his father.

Kurt held him as he cried that night, feeling the loss of his parents once more. It was the only dark spot on the trip.

The next six months were filled by so much planning. Neither were worried about the actual ceremony, only knowing they wanted an epic reception. Music, dancing, and food were all that mattered to them. The ceremony was for them, they wanted something intimate, but the reception was for anyone that had ever touched their lives. They only wanted to celebrate their bond.

They also had to find another place to live. Luckily for them, just before the wedding when they were getting desperate to find a place that would be theirs, an apartment opened up on the floor above Kurt's place. It was a roomy two bedroom apartment, with the perfect room for Kurt to paint and Blaine to work.

The tattoo was Blaine's idea. He wanted a permanent reminder of their commitment to each other. At first Kurt was reticent to get not only matching tattoos but wedding ring tattoos at that.

"This is it for me, I wouldn't be marrying you, if I wasn't one hundred percent sure you are the love of my life. I want something that we can't lose, that we can't outgrow to show we are each other's for the rest of our lives," Blaine told him.

Kurt looked overwhelmed as he nodded, before kissing Blaine for all he was worth.

The wedding had been the night before, something Blaine still hadn't completely grasped had actually happened' it still felt like a dream. In a small ceremony witnessed only by Kurt's parents and Cooper they had exchanged vows, rings, and kisses. Afterwards they celebrated into the wee hours of the night with so many faces Blaine couldn't recall who was there.

"All finished," Kurt said, and Blaine heard the pop of him removing his gloves bringing him back to the moment.

He looked down at his hand to see the simple knotwork winding around his finger. Kurt knowing just what he needed, held his own left hand next to Blaine's. Seeing the tattoos together was almost like saying 'I Do' all over again.

"I love you," Blaine whispered, leaning in.

"Love you too, husband," Kurt murmured, kissing him.

A groan interrupted them. When Kurt turned his head glaring, Elliott laughed, "Save it for the honeymoon!"

"Our flight leaves in the morning. I am not going to wait that long to kiss my husband. Why are you still here, anyway?" Kurt snarked.

Elliott held his hands up in defense, "I'm your best friend, it is my right to give you a hard time. Besides I wanted to see how they turned out. Your tattoo is my work remember."

"Only because Blaine refused to do it," Kurt rolled his eyes.

"You should be nicer to me!" Elliott pouted playfully. "Not only did I do your tattoo free of charge, but if it wasn't for me, you two wouldn't even be here."

Kurt scowled at his friend, "What do you mean?"

"Remember, I'm the one who almost forced you to go dance with him," Elliot said with a smirk.

Blaine made a note to send a big thank you to Elliott. No one could have realized that night so long ago, how much a dance could change their lives.

Thank you so much for coming with me on this journey. I promise you won't have to wait 2 years for the next one. I have 2 more I am actively writing and several that have been started that I am excited about again! Thank you for all your reviews and encouragement. They have meant a lot!