Hi Everyone!
We've reached the end of this story. I know it's bittersweet but The Manor is just that kind of story.
Thank you for your support, for favouriting and following this story, the dozens of comments and PMs.
Enjoy!
Kurt slammed his arm over his eyes, trying to block out the light, groaning tiredly. He knew that it was time to wake up but he was still so tired... He should have gone to bed earlier the previous night but he had been too excited, he couldn't fall asleep and had spent most of the night watching Blaine.
"Good morning" Blaine said quietly. Kurt could practically hear him smile.
"Five more minutes" Kurt muttered.
Warm arms sneaked around him and he felt Blaine's lips on his forehead.
"Wake up, love. There's so much we have to do today" Blaine said.
"I know" Kurt sighed and finally opened his eyes, looking at Blaine.
Since they had gotten back from the manor, Blaine and Cooper stayed with them because they had had nowhere else to go. Burt hadn't been too happy that Blaine slept in Kurt's bed, especially after his son had gotten back from the manor with a broken arm and the older man had blamed Blaine for everything that had happened to them, but Kurt was stubborn as always and after a while, Burt Hummel started accepting his choice. He and Blaine were mostly fine now and the boys knew that that was the most they could get from Burt.
"Are you excited?" Blaine asked.
"Yes. And terrified" Kurt admitted. "This is a big step."
"It is" Blaine nodded. "Are you sure you still want it?"
"That's the only way" Kurt said and sat up on his bed.
After getting dressed, the boys left Kurt's room and stepped out of the room to greet their family. Cooper and Burt were already awake, sitting outside and arguing about something. Cooper liked staying with the Hudmels. He and Burt had become friends quickly and seemed happy to finally live freely. He had even found a few of his old friends still alive and fitted in relatively easily. People liked him but it was no surprise. Cooper Anderson had been popular before and he hadn't lost his charm during his years in the manor.
"Good morning, boys" Cooper greeted them.
"Good morning" Kurt said as he joined them.
Blaine stayed behind, still uncomfortable around Burt. The man didn't make his days easier in the town, although both of them tried to work on their issues. The fact that Kurt's arm was still in a cast didn't really help and Blaine got nervous every time when Burt looked at Kurt's injured arm and then sent him one of those dangerous looks. It was only a moment but Blaine caught it again before Burt forced out a small smile.
"Are you ready for the trip?" Burt asked, looking at Blaine again.
Oh, yes. If things hadn't been too complicated already, Kurt and Blaine had declared that they would leave town and start a new life somewhere else. It had been entirely Kurt's idea. Blaine had tried to fit in, really, but people couldn't accept him. He had tried to get a job but the only man who had been willing to work with him – probably because of the long talk with his son – was Burt Hummel. Blaine had agreed with it instantly and had spent most of his days in Burt's little shop. Back then, he had believed that things could get better.
But they hadn't.
Once people had found out that the 'monster' was working for Burt, the old customers had started disappearing and Blaine had had to give up his job because it would have destroyed Burt's business completely. Unfortunately, he wasn't as lucky as his brother and although nobody told him anything, he knew that people hated him.
No wonder, though. Only a few people knew what had really happened at the manor on that horrible day and most of the stories the others spread clearly showed Blaine as a monster, someone who had made a deal with a demon and killed people in return of power.
Those who had survived that day didn't really talk. It was hard for all of them and nobody blamed them. Thirteen men had been killed, two had died of their injuries a few days later, and nobody had come back unhurt. There were lucky ones like Finn who had only gotten a scar on his right cheek, but most of them were permanently damaged. The town had been quiet for weeks after that horrible day, those who had been there tried to get over what they had seen and the others had just tried to get used to their new lives without being afraid of the forest anymore but living in the same town as the man who had destroyed so many lives.
Blaine couldn't deal with the guilt. Even if Kurt, Carole, Finn and of course, Cooper were all on his side, trying to help him through the difficulties of his new life, Blaine knew that he didn't belong here. He would never belong. His story would be passed down to the newer generations and he would be an outsider forever. That was why Kurt had come up with his plan, surprising all of them.
"I guess so" Blaine replied quietly, not meeting Burt's eyes. He knew that the man hated him for taking his son away from him. Again.
"You don't have to go, you know" Carole said as she joined them outside. "You can stay here as long as you want."
"Thank you, Carole, but I think it's time for us to leave and start a new life" Blaine said, smiling weakly. "Who knows... maybe we can be happy somewhere else. I want to make up for everything I did in the past and give Kurt and Cooper what they need."
"Blaine, we all know it wasn't your fault" Kurt said and the others, except for Burt, nodded in agreement. Kurt glared at his father who reluctantly nodded.
"Don't blame yourself, kid" Burt said in the end, trying to make his son happy. It wasn't like he could stop Kurt love Blaine and they were going to leave soon... He should at least try to get along with his son's love.
"Uhm... There's something I have to tell you" Cooper said hesitantly. "I'm not going with you."
"What?" Blaine gasped.
"Yes, well... I'm too old for that trip and Burt offered me to stay, so..." Cooper shrugged.
Another thing that made Blaine feel guilty. Back at the manor, Cooper had started getting younger or at least seemed to be younger but the process had stopped with Evelyn's death. With her magic gone, there was nothing that could help Cooper. He didn't have much time left, maybe a few years, when Blaine was still young and had a whole life waiting for him. He felt so bad that he couldn't help his brother. Cooper deserved a better life, too.
"Hey, don't be sad" Cooper laughed, punching his brother's arm lightly. "I will be fine. I have Burt, Carole and Finn watch over me. Besides, I ran into Adalyn S. Pierce the other day."
"Adalyn, huh?" Kurt smiled knowingly, remembering Cooper's story about the woman.
"She might be a little bit older but she's still beautiful" Cooper smiled. "Aaand her husband passed away a few weeks ago, isn't it amazing?"
"No, it's horrible" Blaine said, glaring at Cooper in disbelief.
"Just do me a favour and leave that poor widow alone for a while" Kurt said.
"You're no fun, boys" Cooper said, shaking his head.
"Isn't she too old for you?" Burt wondered.
"I always loved older women" Cooper smiled. "We will be a perfect couple. We were always meant for each other."
"If you say so" Blaine sighed.
After a huge breakfast Carole made for them and going through their belongings, Kurt and Blaine got ready for their journey. They only had two bags with clothes and food Carole packed them, and some money Burt gave them to start a new life. It was enough for their food and accommodation until they found a job.
"Are you sure you want this?" Carole asked in concern as they all stepped out of the house.
"This is the only way, Carole" Kurt smiled sadly.
"I know, but... Just be careful, alright?" Carole asked.
"Of course" Kurt said and hugged her tightly.
"Take care, little brother" Finn said, joining his mother and stepbrother.
"You too. And make sure Dad and Cooper don't do anything stupid" Kurt said.
"Hey!" Burt and Cooper said in unison.
"Sorry" Kurt smiled and stepped away from the others to go to his father. He took a deep breath, blinking rapidly as he felt the familiar burning sensation in his eyes, afraid that he would start crying. From his family, he would miss his father the most. He wished he could stay with him but he knew it was impossible. He belonged to Blaine and couldn't live without him.
"I will miss you" Burt said, fighting back his own tears as he pulled his son into a tight hug. "You can come back whenever you want. Both of you."
He looked at Blaine and after a second of hesitation, he pulled the young man into his arms for a brief hug.
"Thank you, Dad" Kurt said as he pulled away, taking another deep breath.
"Are you ready?" Blaine asked when Kurt took his hand, squeezing it tightly.
"Yes" Kurt nodded.
"You will come to visit, right?" Cooper asked, unusually seriously. He was so used to his brother's presence, it was hard to imagine his days without Blaine.
"Of course" Blaine said. "And we will write as soon as we find a place for ourselves."
They stayed there for a few more minutes, watching their families in silence. It was a huge step to take and both of the boys were scared of the unknown, no matter how confident they tried to look. It was Kurt who finally made the first step forward, pulling Blaine with him. They walked down the street silently, looking back in every few seconds, smiling at their families and trying to shut out all the other faces around them. There were too many people out there, their expressions mostly relieved or even happy. It broke Kurt's heart that the people he had known from his birth were so glad to get rid of him and the man he loved. It felt so wrong. They had saved them after all, none of them deserved this in return.
When they reached the woods, Kurt sighed in relief. They were finally alone, they didn't have to pretend that they were fine and weren't scared of the uncertain future. They didn't have to pretend that they didn't see those idiots counting back the seconds until their leaving. It was just the two of them now and he wasn't afraid of letting Blaine see his tears. As exciting as the idea of a new life seemed, he would miss his family badly. Blaine must have felt the same way because he kept his eyes on the ground and didn't say a word for a long time.
As they walked further into the forest, they found a way too familiar path that made both of them stop. Kurt looked at Blaine in concern and than at the ruins of the house between the trees. They couldn't see too much and maybe it was for the best. It was the place where Blaine had grown up after all, he must have missed it even after everything that had happened here.
"Do you want to go closer? To... to say goodbye?" Kurt asked hesitantly.
Blaine watched the ruins for a while, considering the offer but in the end, he shook his head.
"No" he said quietly. "That place means nothing but pain to me. I want to forget it ever existed."
Kurt nodded sadly. Blaine was right, if he had been in his place, he would have felt the same way.
"Come on, love" Blaine said, taking a deep breath. "Our future's waiting for us."
Kurt chuckled and pulled Blaine closer to kiss him. He should see things from a different perspective. His life wasn't over at all, it was just starting. There was a whole world waiting for them and no matter what would happen, it could just be better than here.
"What was that for?" Blaine asked as he pulled away.
"I thought it would be a good way to start our new life" Kurt smiled.
Blaine thought about it for a moment and then a huge smile spread across his face.
"It definitely is."