Chapter 21:

Life Before You

The gates of Westerville's Dalton Academy were open, inviting visitors. Once a year the school would be open with no students or teachers occupying the space since they were all on school trips, competitions or attending lectures at other schools. The only people on the premises were a handful of security guards and wandering parents with their children looking around to decide if they want them to attend Dalton.

Kurt and Blaine entered the campus, their fingers intertwined. Luckily, this year, not many people decided to show up. There were only about four sets of parents. Dalton was a hard school to get into. School tuition is pretty steep and also interested applicants had to take a test to see if their IQ was a match for the school's curriculum. Dalton students were known for being smart and rich. However, Kurt didn't know that.

"I managed to get full marks on my application test." Blaine told Kurt as they were ascending the steps to the main entrance. "First try too. This is the only high school I went to."
"Application test?" Kurt asked, confusion filling his eyes.
"Yeah," Blaine replied, looking down at the steps, "Dalton really wanted the best of the best. It wasn't easy to get into this place."
"Damn. You are smart."
"I am a teacher, what did you expect?" Blaine asked, turning his gaze back to Kurt with a cheeky smile gracing his face.

Kurt blushed in return. "Touche, well played, Mr Anderson."

Blaine chuckled and swooped in to give Kurt a quick, soft kiss on the cheek.

When they entered, they were greeted by a beautifully large, moderately empty room. The floors were pure white marble with black swirls scattered around. The walls were a light beige that were adorned with paintings from famous artists and former students, photos of classes from throughout the years and photos of famous figures in history. Random, long tables were placed up against some of the walls that were home to flowers, vases or busts. A large, wide staircase was to their left. A beautiful black rug followed the steps to the top. Corridors were straight ahead and to the right.

Kurt took in the beautiful sight. The walls seemed to go up forever. He followed the designs as the walls turned from being plain beige to being embellished with floral designs that spiralled and climbed together.

The professor looked at Kurt, admiring the shock on his face. His mouth was agape, his long neck stretched as he followed the patterns on the wall. All Blaine could think about was lunging and marking that beautiful creamy white neck as his own. It would be highly inappropriate though.

The older man took the student's hand and led him to the wall furthest away from them. It was where the previous class photos were. "I graduated early... when I was 17." He said, stopping in front of a photo. He pointed to it. The caption read 'Graduating Class of 2008'. "This is my class picture. When I was your age. I just found out that you were my soul mate." Blaine stated with a smile, then turned to rest his back on the wall. He buried his hands in his trouser pockets as Kurt stepped closer to look.

Kurt could spot Blaine in the photo immediately. His curly hair was loose, he was wearing glasses. He looked really different to how styled himself now. He looked adorable in the photo. And in real life too, of course.

"Oh my god!" Kurt grinned, running his fingertips over the glass covering the photo.
Blaine ducked his head in embarrassment.
"You look so cute!" Kurt's voice raised more than an octave, as if he was looking at a photo of a puppy.
"I looked terrible. I looked like a nerd." Blaine responded, lifting his head again.
"Yes. That's what makes it so cute! Why don't you still wear your hair like that?!"
"Because... I don't know, I just don't. It's all curly and... weird."
"Adorable. It's adorable."
"Noted."

They had explored almost every classroom in the school. Blaine led Kurt to the last room. The music room.

"This was the most important room for me. It was my sanctuary. I felt lost and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I always had a passion for music, but nobody understood. I joined the glee club here, The Warblers. I was known as Blaine Warbler for three years." He chuckled at the memory, walking across the open room.

Sitting down at the piano, he patted the place next to him on the dark red leather seat. Kurt happily obliged.

"I'm so glad I could share all of this with you today." Blaine said lovingly. "I've waited for you for so long... To finally have you here... To finally share who I am with you... It's incredible."

Kurt didn't know how to respond. He was tearing up with joy the whole time his boyfriend was speaking. Boyfriend. He slowly leaned in and joined their lips together.

The kiss was simple and lasted only seconds, but it was one that would leave a lasting effect for their whole lifetime. They were learning about each other, joining themselves. They were on the road to spending the rest of their lives together.

"Sing with me?" Blaine asked as he allowed his fingers to dance across the keys.
"I'd be honoured."

And they spent the next hour gazing into each other's eyes, singing songs and thinking about their futures. They could both picture themselves in their own home, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, singing at the piano.