"Mornin" a sleepy Kurt mumbles as he pads into the kitchen, his arms immediately finding Blaine and pulling him close.
"Good morning beautiful. Did you sleep well?"
"Uh-huh. What's this?" Kurt asks as he takes in the sight of the table laid ready for breakfast, and three white envelopes propped up against the milk carton.
"They came the other day."
"Blaine, these are from the colleges." Kurt says as he looks at the postmarks.
"I know."
"So why haven't you opened them?"
"I can't. I want you to."
Kurt looks up at him and nods, gesturing for him to sit at the table.
"Open Julliard last." Blaine says as Kurt sits adjacent to him.
"Okay." He tears open the first letter and studies it, then looks up at Blaine with a slow smile spreading across his face. "You got into NYU."
"I did?" Blaine asks incredulously.
"You did," Kurt says laughing. "Whatever happens, you can go to college in New York."
Blaine grins back at him. "Okay. Columbia."
"Erm...well you know what? Screw them anyway." Kurt says as he crumples the letter into a ball.
"It's a no?"
"It is. But that's okay. It doesn't matter. Lets move on. Julliard."
"Kurt?" Blaine asks in a small voice.
Kurt pauses, his fingers hovering over the opening and looks at him. "I know." Kurt says, clutching his hand reassuringly. "But you need to know that no matter what, we are all so proud of you."
He scans the letter and then re-reads it properly as Blaine fidgets next to him.
"It's a no, isn't it? It's okay Kurt, you can tell me."
"They accepted." Kurt says, and still staring at the letter he holds one finger up to Blaine as he continues. "They offered you a place, with a sixty percent scholarship."
"What?"
"A sixty percent scholarship Blaine. You're going to Julliard!"
Blaine pushes back his chair and punches the air as he hollers loudly. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I got in! Kurt, we're gonna live in New York and I'm gonna study at Julliard!" Yanking Kurt from his chair, he dances them through the apartment as Kurt shrieks and yells before they tumble onto the bed and kiss passionately.
"You need to call your mom." Kurt points out as Blaine attacks his neck.
"I will. But right now I want celebratory sex."
"Oh well if you insist." Kurt huffs in mock annoyance. "I guess you've earned it."
Maria is more than overjoyed at the news, Blaine having to hold the phone well away from his ear as she screams. Cooper congratulates him, and makes Blaine promise he can visit, then tells anyone within earshot about his amazingly smart brother until he's called back to set. Burt clears his throat a few times and then gruffly tells Blaine he's incredibly proud, promising to tell Carole right away before hanging up with decidedly red rimmed eyes.
"See?" Kurt says as they curl up together on the couch, "I told you you could do it."
Blaine just grins bashfully and shakes his head, still in utter disbelief.
"Why don't we go to Breadstix tonight, before Rachel's party?" Kurt asks, as Blaine lies with his head in his lap.
"Are you kidding me?" He replies, opening his eyes to look up at him. "You know why."
"I'm sick of this." Kurt says angrily. "It's two weeks until graduation and I'm fed up of hiding. During school, yes, I get it. But I want to take you out for dinner with our families to celebrate you getting into Julliard, and I want to tell everyone about us tonight."
Blaine thinks. "I guess we could..."
"We could Blaine, we really could." Kurt urges. "It's only New Directions going tonight, and Finn. And it's not like we'll be sat in Breadstix on a cosy date, it will just be a family meal."
"Are you sure you want to tell them tonight?"
"We said after nationals."
"I know, I just want you to be sure."
"I am."
Rachel answers the door, her cheeks flushed and eyes shining brightly, a deliriously happy looking Finn by her side.
"Well I don't need to ask how you spent your afternoon." Kurt says, raising one eyebrow as Rachel blushes.
"I'm sorry we couldn't make dinner," she says as she kisses Blaine's cheek "We uh...had to set things up here. But I'm really, so pleased for you."
"Thanks Rach. And congratulations to you too, NYADA won't know what's hit them."
They follow her down to the basement where everyone is sprawled across various couches and chairs. Saying their hello's they grab drinks and Kurt motions for Blaine to sit in the only available armchair.
"No, you take it." He says politely, suddenly feeling incredibly nervous as he tugs at his bow tie.
"No really, you sit. I'm okay."
"Honestly."
"Oh for the love of God will you both just sit in the chair already!" Quinn says as she rolls her eyes dramatically. "It's big enough to hold the both of you."
They look at each other and sit at the same time. It's a squeeze, and Kurt ends up perched on the very edge of the seat cushion where he clears his throat nervously.
"Um...so I know this is Rachel's party and all, but I just wanted to say a few things before it gets going." He looks around and sees each face turned to him expectantly. 'So now they listen,' he thinks to himself. "Well first of all, I wanted to congratulate you all again on our win yesterday. You really were the best I've ever seen you. All of you. I have felt so honored to be able to share this with you, and I'm really not just saying this- I have come to think of you all as friends, and I hope we can stay in touch when we all go our separate ways."
"Can I visit you in New York?" Puck asks.
"Um...yeah. Sure. Why not?" Kurt says and everyone laughs. "I have something else to say too. And I'm asking you all to please hear me out, don't freak out on me, okay?"
"What's wrong Mr. H, are you sick or something?" Mercedes calls.
"No. There's nothing wrong. Actually quite the opposite. I've um...I've been seeing someone. For quite awhile in fact. Um...so..."
"Oh save it lady lips," Santana drawls as she swings her legs over the end of the couch. "We all know."
"Excuse me?" Kurt asks as he turns paler than ever.
"You and Blaine. We all know. You two have been gettin it on since October. What did you think, we're all blind, deaf and stupid?"
They both stare, slack jawed as Rachel raises her hand "I didn't tell them, I swear."
"No, she didn't." Santana confirms. "In fact it was only last week that she let slip about spending Thanksgiving with you and told us that your parents knew."
"But..." Kurt starts, and then realizes he's completely unable to finish.
"Kurt. Mind if I call you that now? Cause I'm going to." Santana sits upright and looks at them both. "We all saw the heart eyes, the dopey, dewey eyed looks right from the off. Quinn guessed something was up that day in the Lima bean, when Blaine fled. But then we all thought it had died down until the preppy prince had his outburst that day."
"The preppy...is that me?" Blaine asks with a frown.
"You betcha ass it is. So, he storms out and I actually thought you were going to hurl. But you didn't. You ran right after him. Oh, and Kurt? When you're trying to keep shit like that a secret, probably best that you don't scream that you love them that loud. Puck, Quinn and Sam all heard."
"Oh." is all Kurt can manage as he continues to stare.
"Oh, and also, if we're gonna talk about how terrible you are at keeping things secret- Blaine, I run past Kurt's apartment most mornings. Your car is nearly always outside, especially on the weekends." Sam chips in.
"You see? You guys are completely dumb. Loveable, but clueless. Tina caught you in the corridor at sectionals, Quinn caught you making out in the classroom, and everyone knew what you were doing in that car when we went ice skating. The love song, the hickeys, the lingering looks, it's all been beyond obvious. You weren't sick back in February Kurt, you went on a mini vacation with Blaine to New York. Oh! And also, Puck totally caught you two fucking yesterday at nationals."
"We'd finished, actually," is all Blaine can think to say as Kurt nudges him sharply.
"You all knew?" Kurt whispers and they all nod at him. "All the time?" More nods. "But you never said anything, ever." he points out.
"What was there to say?" Quinn asks. "We all met and talked about it and decided that we would just say nothing. We didn't want you to lose your job, or for Blaine to be expelled. You two are totally in love. It's not up to us to ruin that for you."
"But...the police...I never..."
"Kurt. You are one cool dude." Puck states calmly. "You could've gone to prison. None of us were gonna let that happen to you, or my boy Blaine."
"Um...I..."
"Even Brittany knew," Santana says, "Though she is still sure the Iron Man pajamas are yours. The finding of the tape was an accident though."
Kurt and Blaine both blush scarlet at the mere mention of it, and Puck claps them on the shoulders.
"There are photos too, aren't there?" he grins, "That day when Quinn said she'd seen a photo of you Kurt, you about died."
"Which, by the way, is a totally beautiful photo." Quinn butts in, "Although it's a little weird to see your teacher fresh from the tub."
"Didn't you think it strange when no one reacted to Cooper's outburst at your party, Blaine?" Tina asks.
"Uh...a little, I guess. And that day at Kurt's when Britt said we had the same pictures...but I just thought..."
"I don't know whether to feel offended that you thought us all that dumb, or to congratulate us on our ninja prowess." Artie exclaims.
"I'm a ninja too." Blaine says as Kurt turns to him with wide eyes.
"Not now honey. There's a time and a place." he says sweetly, even as he holds his arm in a vice like grip.
"Answer me one question," Santana chimes in, "Do we have to live with Berry because you guys are setting up house in New York?"
They look at each other and grin before Blaine nods at her.
"Then in that case I'll allow it."
"I..uh...we...we're overwhelmed." Kurt says as his eyes swim with tears of gratitude. "That you thought so much of us, that you had enough faith in me and in Blaine to keep all this a secret for seven months is just..."
"Awesome. Yeah. We know." Puck says.
"Yes. Yes it is." Kurt smiles as he settles back in the chair and into the crook of Blaine's arm. "Thank you. It's good to know you've got friends you can rely on."
"We better be invited to the wedding!" Mercedes calls, and Blaine kisses the tip of Kurt's nose sweetly.
"Oh trust me, you will."
"Well if we're finished here, I would like to offer you both the first go on Karaoke. I have the most perfect song." Rachel says, tugging them from the chair and towards the small raised stage.
"Oh Rachel, I don't know. I..." Kurt starts.
"Be quiet. Blaine, you go first."
The music starts and Blaine grins, moving close to Kurt and putting one arm around his waist as he sings into the microphone.
Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you.
Kurt throws his head back and laughs, because really, what could be more applicable to their situation right now? The Glee club whoop and holler as Kurt starts to sing.
'Cause I've had the time of my life
And I owe it all to you
The beat picks up as Blaine twirls Kurt around on the stage, and everyone else starts to dance and join in with their song.
I've been waiting for so long
Now I've finally found someone
To stand by me
We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical
Fantasy
Now with passion in our eyes
There's no way we could disguise it
Secretly
So we take each other's hand
'Cause we seem to understand
The urgency
Just remember
You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
Hey, baby
With my body and soul
I want you more than you'll ever know
So we'll just let it go
Don't be afraid to lose control, no
Yes I know what's on your mind
When you say, "Stay with me tonight"
Just remember
You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
But I've had the time of my life
And I've searched through every open door
Till I found the truth
And I owe it all to you
Blaine literally cannot stop beaming at Kurt, he's never seen him more relaxed as they dance together through the instrumental. As the music builds, Blaine jumps from the stage and beckons to him.
"Blaine Anderson don't you even think about lifting me." Kurt calls, then yelps loudly as Puck and Sam grab him, hauling him up in the air as Blaine's hands find his hips and hold him upright in a sure and steady grip. The girls all shriek with delight, everyone holding phones out to capture the moment before Blaine lowers Kurt with such sweet gentleness that a hush falls as Kurt wraps his arms around his neck. They leave it to the rest to finish the song as Kurt inclines his head a touch and brings his lips to Blaine's.
Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
"I have you know." Kurt whispers into Blaine's neck.
"Hmm?"
"Had the time of my life. But I'm ready for the next chapter."
"Me too. I love you Kurt Hummel, you're my beginning, middle and end."
"I like the sound of that."
"Kiss me again."
And Kurt does, because he can, and because right now there's nowhere else he'd rather be than wrapped in Blaine's arms.