Author's Note: Here it is. Ending #1. After reading this chapter, you can probably guess what the alternate ending is...but hopefully both will leave you feeling satisfied in some way!

The song that inspired this story is "Another Life" by Ingrid Michaelson. I like having it on in the background while I read this chapter. ;)

Another Life

Chapter 11

Kurt woke slowly from his dreams. He smiled, still half-asleep, as he realized his arms were around little spoon Blaine. He hadn't woken up in bed with Blaine in so long, and it felt amazing. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was, but for the first time in a long time, he felt right.

His thumb absently reached up to rub at his engagement ring, the smooth metal comforting against his skin.

Wait…

Kurt's eyes flew open. He was in his own bed. In his own apartment. Pictures of him and his partner scattered the room. His scarf rack stood in the corner, boasting dozens of colorful garments.

And Blaine. Blaine. It was his Blaine. Kurt knew it like he knew he had ten fingers and ten toes.

His breathing had become erratic, overwhelmed by feelings of relief. He tightened his arms around Blaine, pulling him closer. He squeezed and squeezed until he was sure he was pushing all of the air out of his fiancé, and then he squeezed some more. He buried his face in the crook of Blaine's neck and breathed him in, soapy and spicy and the lingering trace of hair gel.

Then he dissolved into hysterics, turning over the events of the past few weeks in his mind. He gasped for breath, wrapping his body around Blaine's with no intention of ever letting go.

"Kurt," Blaine's voice was urgent. He struggled to turn around in Kurt's arms. When Kurt realized what he was attempting to do, he loosened his grip just enough for Blaine to turn to face him, then resumed his vice grip. They were now face-to-face, and Kurt could see the concern in Blaine's eyes. The years worth of love that were reserved only for him. This sent him further into his uncontrolled spiral.

"What's going on?" Blaine asked, pulling Kurt to his chest, stroking his back and pressing his lips into Kurt's hair. "Did something happen?"

Kurt fought to even his breaths. The front of Blaine's shirt was damp and cold from Kurt's tears and snot, but there was no way he was going to let go.

Kurt nodded. Blaine's fingers gripped tighter at his back.

"What is it, baby? You can tell me." Kurt could tell Blaine was trying to stay calm, but he could still hear the edge in his voice.

No I can't. Not really.

Kurt took a few more minutes to stabilize. Each time he felt himself getting control over his emotions, he slipped back into hysteria.

"I-I-I'm s-so...so s-s-sorry!" He finally got out.

"Jesus, Kurt. I've never seen you like this. You're scaring me. What happened?" Blaine was trying to exude calm and comfort, though he himself was starting to lose control watching his partner fall to pieces.

Breathe. Relax. Blaine is here. Everything is back to normal. Breathe.

When he could finally speak, Kurt told Blaine as calmly as he could. "It was a nightmare. You were gone and there was a different Blaine, only he didn't know anything about me. I didn't know if I would ever see you again." Tears sprang to his eyes once more. "I just missed you so much!"

He was grateful that Blaine didn't laugh at him. But Kurt should have known that he wouldn't. Blaine always validated Kurt's feelings and never told him that what he was experiencing was ridiculous. Rather, Blaine (relieved that it was nothing more serious) pulled Kurt impossibly closer and made him feel loved and safe.

"It was only a nightmare. It's okay now. You're here with me. I know everything about you. You are Kurt Elizabeth Hummel. Your birthday was yesterday. You're a brilliant singer and designer. You're a daddy's boy. You secretly love my Katy Perry obsession." Kurt gave a snotty snort and Blaine nuzzled his hair with his nose. "You're the most magnificent human being I've ever met, and the love I have for you is infinite and incomparable. Does that convince you?"

Kurt realized it had been weeks since he'd said the words. He was suddenly overcome with the need to get it out of his mouth.

"Blaine I love you. I love you so much. I'm sorry. I never should have wondered who I would be without you. It was stupid and immature. I love who we are together and wouldn't change anything about our relationship. You make me me. I'm so sorry for ever doubting it…"

Blaine just snuggled him in response.

Just then, they heard someone stomping around outside their room.

"It's way too early for this girl to be awake, considering the earsplitting sounds Fuckfest 2.0 that Tweedle Gay and Tweedle Gayer were treating us all to for hours last night!" Santana's voice shouted through their door.

Kurt laughed gleefully. "Santana!" God, had he missed her and her snark. He untangled himself from Blaine and attempted to get up to pull some sweatpants on, but Blaine pulled him back and kissed him hard. Lust clouded his expression.

"Let's give her a little more to complain about, shall we?"

Kurt couldn't remember ever being so loud during sex. This would surely start a competition between them and Santana, and he felt sorry for Rachel, who was caught in the middle of it all.

For Blaine, it had been less than 12 hours since the last time he'd had Kurt. But for Kurt, this was reunion sex. And it was, without a doubt, the best they'd ever had.

"Wow," Blaine lay on his back, panting.

"Yeah. Wow." Kurt matched his posture.

"Yeah, wow," Santana called through the door. "This is game on. Get your little horny asses out here for breakfast!"

"Coming!" Kurt called.

"That's what you said ten minutes ago…" Santana retorted.

The men chuckled.

"Poor Rachel," Blaine said, echoing Kurt's earlier sentiment.

"We will have to give her a really good pair of earplugs for Hanukkah this year. Where are you going?" He asked, watching Blaine head toward the bathroom slowly.

"Well, maybe nowhere. I'm finding it a little difficult to walk, thanks to you." He smirked at Kurt. "Have to fix my hair. Can't be seen by anyone else like this," he motioned to the mess of curls atop his head.

"Hmmm…" Kurt got to his feet. He didn't fail to notice his fiancé's eyes rake up and down his naked body. "Wait right here."

Blaine stood in place obediently as Kurt ran to the bathroom and squeezed a handful of mousse into his palm. He returned seconds later and began running his fingers through Blaine's hair.

When he pulled back, he spun Blaine around to check himself out in the standing mirror.

"What do you think?"

Blaine appraised his new hairstyle. "Not bad. What do you think?"

Kurt threw jeans and a gray v-neck shirt at him, and Blaine pulled them on.

Kurt growled his appreciation. "Perfect."

AU Kurt & Blaine

Sunlight streaming through the slats in the blinds woke Kurt up. He yawned and stretched, and his arm hit something warm and soft.

He retracted his hand quickly, afraid because he didn't remember falling asleep with another human. He opened his eyes to peek at the person next to him, assuming it was Rachel, but he was shocked to see a mop of curly dark hair and the most perfect, chiseled face he had ever seen.

Even through his disorientation and confusion, he somehow felt a sense of ease and comfort looking at the boy.

The other man was waking too, and Kurt tried to decide if he should bolt.

"Kurt," the sweet, clear voice spoke as a hand reached out to his. The man opened his gorgeous hazel eyes and the floodgates broke.

Memories that were his but weren't his paraded across Kurt's mind. Memories of meeting Blaine, knowing they were meant to be, fighting for Blaine, singing with Blaine, sleeping with Blaine. It was like he had been there the whole time, but someone else had been in control of his life. Yet, all of the feelings were his. It was confusing. But for the first time in his life, he felt fulfilled. Completely happy. And…could it be?

Kurt extended his arms back out to Blaine, who was watching him with a careful expression.

"Blaine?" He brushed a hand across the sleepy boy's forehead. Looking into those eyes, he was suddenly sure of it. "I love you."

A smile burst across Blaine's face. "Just when I was starting to think you'd never say that...I love you too, Kurt." They hugged. Kurt tried to brush off the feeling of discomfort at his nude body being pressed up against another man. The feeling of security and rightness that Blaine gave him won out and he sank into the hug, bowing his body to fit Blaine's.

Kurt had never felt so sure of anything in his life than he did at that moment. He knew that from here on out, it would be him and Blaine against the world. And he knew that he wouldn't want it any other way.

A year later, Kurt and Blaine walked arm-in-arm to the premiere of Blaine's movie.

Their lives had changed immensely since the day they met, but their affection for each other only grown, flowing with their changing lives.

"Blaine and Kurt!" A photo photographer called, trying to get a shot for his magazine.

They posed, but unbeknownst to them, the image that would be published the next day was a candid of the couple looking into each other's eyes and laughing. Their fans would go crazy over it.

It was a huge day for Blaine as an actor, but also as a musician. He had written a song for the movie soundtrack that he and Kurt sang together. He had achieved more than he ever dreamed, and he couldn't have been happier that he could share this experience with Kurt.

He remembered back to the early days of their relationship. The emotional rollercoaster, the uncertainty, the fear. But it had all been worth it, because now he was standing here, celebrating the greatest accomplishment of his life with the greatest love of his life.

If Kurt had taught him anything, it was to leap in headfirst when it came to love. He patted the shiny new engagement ring he'd stashed in his breast pocket. Leaping headfirst is exactly what he planned to do.

All evening, Blaine couldn't help smiling as though he was in on a secret that nobody else was privy to. He was. The best secret of all. His heart thumped wildly against his ribcage. His hands were sweaty. He was excited and anxious. But not nervous. No, Kurt was his anchor. The steadiest thing in his world. And he knew Kurt felt the same.

Blaine was giddy as he led Kurt out into the private garden outside of the after party. He pulled his thoughts together as they walked in contented silence. He breathed deeply to prepare himself for the task at hand. He reveled in the shock on Kurt's face as he stopped them and stooped to one knee. He stumbled his way through the words as he laid his heart out for Kurt to see.

And when he said "It would complete me to become your husband. Marry me, Kurt." Time stopped for a moment while Kurt considered. But only for a brief moment. Because Kurt's next words were quick and perfect and meaningful and the sweetest Blaine had ever heard.

"Just when I was starting to think you'd never say that..."