A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all the alert/favorites! :D I'm glad everyone is enjoying reading this as much as I am.
I apologize profusely for the time between updates, and the shortness of this chapter. It's mostly just a lead-up to the next chapter.
I was looking at my stats and I found out that… THIS STORY HAS BEEN ADDED TO A COMMUNITY! :D and I am beyond honored that someone loves my story enough to do that. So, thank you all for being so amazing and patient. For those who are curious, the community is called: Sweet Sweet Porcelain.
This chapter has basically nothing to do with the plot of the story other than introducing a few characters of my own creation and bringing Kurt back in touch with some of his fellow former Warblers. My excuse for writing these next couple of chapters: Well, we need more than just family at Klaine's upcoming wedding, right? :D
I completely made up my own version of what Dalton looks like and how it's laid out. I've created a adorable Warbler couple I hope you enjoy meeting. And… I think that's about it.
[EDIT: So someone pointed out to me that Wes alr4eady knew about Kurt and Blaine getting engaged in New York from an earlier chapter. And they were absolutely correct. See, I don't really read back over the story as I'm writing new chapters so I kind of forgot that Wes and David already knew... oops. SO what I'm doing to do here is basically throw Thad and David into this chapter since Thad is unaware of the engagement. So instead of Wes freaking out, it will be Thad. Other than that, the chapter shouldn't change too much. So, thank you to AngelofAme for pointing it out to me. In the future, I will be sure to check over past chapters before I update.]
This chapter is filled with fluff. Enjoy! :D
Kurt roamed his gaze over the familiar grandeur of Dalton Academy. The floors gleamed and the walls shone, reflecting the sunlight streaming in through the picture windows at either end of the Main Hall. To his left he could see the bottom of the fated staircase that had brought him and Blaine together. Blaine smiled as he noticed where Kurt's gaze currently lay. Who would have ever guessed that he'd be so grateful to an inanimate object?
"It all looks so familiar," Kurt commented.
"Yet so different at the same time," Blaine agreed.
Kurt walked toward the nearest window and leaned against its sill, looking out at the grounds set before him. To one side stood the large red brick building that housed the student dorms; to the other side stood a majestic stone building where the majority of classes took place. The expanse between the two buildings consisted of a garden, a fountain, and multiple benches all set on a navy blue stone tile pavilion. Kurt knew that on the opposite side of the building in which he now stood lay a wide expanse of green lawn that was used by the students to play sports. Although Dalton was famously known for its academic prestige, its zero-tolerance anti-bullying policy, and the talent of the Warblers, they also had a few sports teams. When Kurt had first transferred Blaine had told him that the teams existed more for show rather than actual talent.
Kurt suddenly felt a hand being laid on his lower back and he sighed contently as Blaine stood close behind and placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. Kurt tangled his fingers with Blaine's and leaned his head onto his fiancé's shoulder. The beauty of Dalton's campus never ceased to amaze him.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he commented idly, smiling slightly as two boys dressed impeccably in their blazers emerged from the dorm building and walked in the direction of the large fountain in the center of the pavilion where three more Dalton boys sat along with two girls dressed in uniforms that seemed vaguely familiar to Kurt.
"Yeah, it is. Not as beautiful as you, but a pleasant sight nonetheless," Blaine replied with a quick peck to the crown of Kurt's head.
Despite the frequency and pleasantness of Blaine's compliments, Kurt found himself blushing.
The couple stood in a serene silence, watching as the two boys who had earlier come into sight from the dorms now joined the others. The seven students exchanged greetings and then talked and laughed together, their conversation often interspersed with dramatic hand gestures. Kurt grinned when the two boys he had so instantly felt a connection to leaned toward each other and shared a quick but affectionate kiss.
"Enjoying your visit?" an amused voice inquired from behind the couple.
Kurt nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden intrusion on his peaceful people watching. In sync, Kurt and Blaine turned to find a smiling Wes standing across the hall from them along with David and Thad. It had been nearly a year since Kurt had had the chance to really talk with them, to actually take the time to look at the men that had become such good friends. The familiar smile and joyful glint in Wes' eyes had Kurt torn between crying with joy and laughing at Wes' immaculate record of ruining sweet moments. While they had kept in touch, Wes seemed so different to Kurt, yet so familiar at the same time. Untangling himself from Blaine's grasp, Kurt threw himself at Wes and enveloped his fellow former Warbler in a tight hug while Blaine launched himself in David's direction.
"Someone's excited to see me," the Asian laughed as he returned Kurt's enthusiastic hug.
"Shut up, Wesley," was the muffled response he received.
The five greeted each other with hugs and the usual pleasantries. Kurt hugged Thad last and the person Kurt knew so well as the most serious of the former council members seemed much more easy-going than Kurt remembered.
Thad chuckled and held Kurt's back at arm's length. He looked Kurt up and down critically. "You're glowing brightly enough to light up all the houses of Ohio," he observed happily. "Did Blainey-boo buy you a new scarf or something?"
Blaine let out an indignant noise from his place behind Kurt at the mention of his hatred nickname. Kurt merely grinned. It seemed in all the hustle and bustle of the past few days neither Kurt nor Blaine had told Thad and the other Warblers the big news.
Kurt lifted his left hand and pointedly wiggled his fingers. Thad stood, silently contemplating the meaning behind Kurt's gesture. His gaze shifted from Kurt's smug grin, to Blaine's amused smile, and back to Kurt's still raised left hand. Eventually his jaw dropped open and a loud, girlish squeal emitted from somewhere deep in his throat, resounding around the otherwise quiet corridor.
In a voice much higher pitched than Kurt would have ever expected Thad shrieked, "Oh my God! Are you serious? You two are finally getting married? Where did this happen? When? How?" Kurt shared a charming smile with his fiancé as Thad jumped up and down excitedly.
"New York. Just a few days ago. Atop the Empire State Building." Kurt casually answered Wes' questions, thoroughly entertained by the Asian's childish antics. Not that he had really expected any less of a reaction.
Thad squealed again. "That sounds so amazing! I bet my Blainey made it nice and romantic for you." He swung as arm up around Blaine's shoulders and squeezed. Blaine swatted at Thad's arm and pushed him away. He then walked toward his fiancé and wrapped both arms securely around Kurt's waist, sticking his tongue out at his best friend from his secure location behind Kurt.
Wes chuckled. "Good to see you haven't changed, Blaine."
"Now that the pleasant introductions are over and out of the way," Kurt quipped, watching amused as the two long-time friends attempted to stare each other down. "What are you doing here at Dalton, Wesley and company?"
"Back to Wesley, are we?" At Kurt's glare, Wes continued. "While I should be asking you the same question, I am here providing some awe-inspiring inspiration for the next generation of Warblers. David and Thad decided to tag along."
"And you didn't think to invite us?" Kurt questioned with a skeptically raised brow.
"We are pretty awesome," Blaine pointed out.
Wes chuckled. "And deny the squirts my pure awesomeness by dimming the limelight with you two? Not likely."
"No offense, Wes, but even Pavarotti was more awesome than you are."
"I'm going to have to side with Kurt on this one."
David tried valiantly not to laugh at his self-proclaimed "heterosexual life partner" while Thad laughed outright unabashedly.
Wes gave an offended shout. "Hey! That is sooo not true. I happen to be more than just plain awesome. I am extremely awesome. Totally awesome, even."
Kurt and Blaine guffawed in unison. "Sure you are, Wes. Sure you are."
"I am! And I'm going to prove it," Wes replied determinedly.
"And just how do you plan on doing that?"
"Both of you will accompany me to the Warblers' practice. Whoever gets the most awed gasps out of the group of munchkins, wins."
"Wins what?" Kurt asked curiously. Who knew where Wes' mind was going with this.
"Losers but the winner some dinner AND have to go to aforementioned dinner wearing an outfit of the winner's choosing." Wes looked beyond satisfied with his idea and Kurt found himself a bit worried. If there was one thing anyone knew about Kurt, it was that he took his fashion style very seriously and winning this bet would be the perfect way for Wes to force Kurt to wear something that could quite possibly be far below his usual standard of fabulousness. Kurt internally flinched at the thought.
What if Blaine won though? Technically that wouldn't be a problem seeing as Kurt knew all of his fiancé's weaknesses. Wes, on the other hand, was immune to the types of techniques Kurt had in mind in case Blaine won. And Kurt knew Wes would show no mercy. So what could he do if Wes actually won by some miracle? Kurt knew that Wes would use the opportunity to test his limits. He could already imagine the horrible polyester shirt and the probability of a pair of basketball shorts, all tied together with a pair of dreadful sneakers. Or even worse: old man loafers.
After a quick glance at his fiancé's expression of deep conflicting thought, Blaine decided to take action. With a wide grin he declared confidently, "Alright, Wesley, you're on." Blaine released one hand from its snug grip on Kurt's waist and extended it in Wes' direction. Wes shook it instantly, wearing a sly smirk as he did so. Kurt immediately felt nervous and the smirk on Wes' face wasn't helping matters any. All he could do now that the deal was final was hope to anyone who would listen that either his or Blaine's reputation as a Warbler had preceded them enough to impress a group of younger Dalton students. Maybe Kurt would be as revered by the newest generation of Warblers as he would always be by the newest members of New Directions as long as Mr. Schue kept teaching.
"So, the deal is now final," Wes stated as he looked meaningfully at Kurt. After Kurt nodded his reluctant acquiescence, Wes looked down at the silver watch resting on his wrist to check the time. "Well we are expected to be in Warbler Hall in just less than fifteen minutes. I'll head over there now to give the happy couple a few minutes alone. Just try to keep the PDA to a minimum," Wes teased, "There could be some students wandering about, after all." With an impish grin and a wink, he left talking vibrantly with David while Thad trailed behind. Blaine chuckled at Wes' retreating back.
"We don't do that much PDA," Kurt complained. After a second he musingly added, "Do we?"
Blaine smiled at his fiancé's adorableness. Kurt's face was the picture of innocence. "Not too much," he assured. "Only just enough."
Kurt grinned and chastely kissed Blaine lips before teasingly pressing himself into his fiancé and then quickly pulling away. "I suppose we should get to the music hall."
Blaine shook his head. "Not yet." At Kurt's stern stare he added a pleading, "Please," combined with his most powerful puppy dog eyed expression.
Kurt sighed resignedly. "Fine, fine. Five more minutes."
Blaine grinned triumphantly, pulling Kurt back into his arms. "Now that's more like it."
A/N: After losing my laptop, I've been writing each chapter out by hand. And I've learned that chapters look ten times longer on paper. This chapter is barely 1700 words, but took up about 8 pages in my notebook. =\ I apologize for the shortness of this, but hopefully that adorableness that is Klaine and Wes somewhat eased the pain. Don't forget to review! :D
Up next: Klaine meets the two boys from the pavilion and we find out who wins Wes' bet.