AN- So I loved this chapter. Mainly, I loved the ending. I will explain all about it in my bottom AN just so I won't ruin anything.

Thanks for reading!

Sectionals are coming up. And everyone is like, super excited.

Mr. Schue hands out sheet music for 'Defying Gravity' and Blaine knows it's from Wicked even before Kurt says anything.

(what? He likes musicals, okay?)

And when Mr. Schue looks to Rachel and only Rachel to sing it, Blaine notices Kurt's face fall. Blaine doesn't really pay attention to anything else in the meeting. He vaguely notices that Artie needs a bus and they need to sell cookies.

Mmm. Cookies.

When the meeting is over, Blaine catches up to Kurt and Mercedes.

"That sucks about the song, Kurt."

The boy in question shrugs. Mercedes glances over at him. "What sucks?"

"That Mr. Schue automatically gave Rachel the 'Defying Gravity' solo without even giving anyone else a chance. Including Kurt."

"And we won't even let me put my chocolate touch on it!" Mercedes protests.

"I understand why," Kurt says. "I mean, it's a song traditionally sung by a girl and it's not like he's aware of my vocal range."

"I think a boy singing it would make the song that much more moving," Blaine urges. "The song is all about defying the limits and by having a guy sing it, it's defying its own limit."

Kurt's face turns thoughtful. "You do have a point."

"Ask Mr. Schue if you can audition for it tomorrow," Blaine suggests.

So he does.

And Mr. Schue turns him down but then starts preaching about how they're not treating Artie fairly. Uh, really, Mr. Schue? Then he shows them his wheelchairs and tells them that they're doing a wheelchair number and everyone has to spend three hours a day in them.

Kurt leaves practice in a funky mood for the second day in a row. Blaine walks with him, bumps their shoulders together.

"He promised to give you another chance for a solo. That's a good thing."

"Yeah. Yeah, I know. I just…I really wanted this one."

"How about coffee? My treat?"

Kurt gives him a small smile. "Okay."

So, the next day in glee is their first time with the wheelchairs. Blaine nearly mows down at least three students on his way there. When he finally enters the room, he sees Kurt sitting proudly in his, one leg crossed over the other, smiling broadly.

"You know what's not how you're supposed to sit in those, right?"

Kurt rolls his eyes but is still smiling. "Please, even if I didn't have the use of my legs, I would sit like this."

And Blaine sort of nods his head because, yeah, that's probably really true. "So what's got you so happy?"

Mr. Schue walks in and Kurt beams brighter. "You'll see."

So, Mr. Schue announces they're going to have a diva-off. Apparently, he's giving Kurt the opportunity to beat Rachel for the chance to sing 'Defying Gravity'. Rachel isn't happy about it; at all. But Blaine's smile is as big as Kurt's was because this is really awesome.

"So, how did you manage that?" Blaine asks quietly, later when they're all sitting around for the actual lesson.

"I complained to my dad. He came and threw a giant ass bitch fit," Kurt says proudly.

"Really?"

"He threatened to sue the school."

"That is awesome."

Kurt beams. "Yeah. It really is."

In between all this song drama, Kurt decides to audition for Cheerios.

Seriously, he and Blaine are walking down the hallway and Mercedes sidles up to them, grinning at Kurt.

"Are you ready for after school, Kurt?"

"What's going on after school?"

"We're trying out for the Cheerios," Mercedes explains. "Since Quinn was kicked off, there's an open spot and Coach Sylvester opened tryouts for anyone."

"Sounds like fun. Mind if I tag along?"

"And have teasing material for the rest of our high school lives?" Kurt asks. "No."

"Cool. So, I'll see you there."

Kurt grins.

So, Mercedes goes first. And Kurt and Blaine watch from the bleachers as she does a little dance and song. And honestly, Blaine isn't impressed.

He's more impressed by Kurt's tryout outfit and by the fact that Kurt is planning on twirling a baton.

Seriously.

It's Kurt's turn and Mercedes steals his seat as he walks down to the gym. They watch as he starts his complicated routine, then loses control of the baton. And it soars through the air and Blaine watches it, kind of confused and, oh no-

Thunk.

Ow.

"Is he okay?" Kurt asks. "Did I kill him?"

Blaine blinks a couple times as he comes to. He goes to sit up but Mr. Schue has a hand on his shoulder and forces him back down.

"Easy, son, we're making sure you don't have a concussion."

"Oh, God," Kurt whimpers.

And suddenly there's a doctor there, looking over Blaine. He deems him medically fine, no sign of concussion but he's going to have a bump for a couple days. He just needs to go home and take it easy.

Blaine's finally allowed to sit up. Kurt looks absolutely terrified and Mercedes looks like she's trying not to laugh.

"Kurt, calm down. I'm fine."

"Blaine, I am so-"

"If you say sorry, I'll hurt you," Blaine warns

Mr. Schue helps him up and Kurt volunteers to take him to the office. They walk slowly because Kurt is terrified he's going to hurt him again.

"So," Blaine begins cheerily. "Did you make the squad?"

"Shut up, Blaine."

(when Blaine's dad comes to pick him up, Blaine says it was a football injury)

The next day, they practice for their wheelchair number and Blaine gives Artie like a million props because this is really hard and he can't imagine having to do this forever.

Thankfully, Mr. Schue lets them out of the chairs afterwards. Kurt practically dances up to Blaine.

"How's your head?"

"It's fine. I'm fine. So stop worrying so much and start focusing on the task at hand. Namely, the diva-off."

"I'm really nervous for tomorrow," Kurt admits.

"You'll do fine. You're totally going to nail it."

"You've never even heard me sing, Blaine," Kurt points out.

Blaine grins. "We should fix that. Do you want any help practicing?"

Kurt considers this. "It would help to have some music while I practice. Can you play the piano?"

"Don't tell anyone," Blaine says in a mock-whisper. "It's kind of a secret hobby."

"Come on," Kurt says rolling his eyes. "Let's go practice."

So they get to the choir room and Blaine heads over to the piano. He plays a few random keys, then plays a quick 'Twinkle, Twinkle' before turning to Kurt.

"Ready?"

Kurt takes a deep breath. "Just about."

He digs through his bag and hands Blaine the sheet music. Blaine props it onto the piano and cracks his fingers before settling them onto the keys.

"Just start playing," Kurt advises. "I'll jump in when it's time."

So Blaine starts playing focusing on the sheet music because he doesn't want to mess this up at all. He almost does though, when Kurt opens his mouth and begins singing.

Because. Wow. Like. Wow.

Kurt is incredible. His voice is kind of high but it suits him and he sings the words with meaning behind them. Blaine can tell he really cares about this song and oh my god, his voice is just….

Gorgeous.

And Blaine is too lost in the music and in the moment to even yell at himself for thinking that. He's too fixated on Kurt, his fingers moving almost on autopilot.

And then Kurt hits that high F and it's just too perfect for words. Kurt turns around and beams at Blaine. It's the happiest he's ever seen Kurt and Blaine quickly stops playing.

"I did it."

"You did it."

"I did it!"

And Kurt surprises both of them by leaping towards Blaine and the shorter boy stands quickly and manages to catch Kurt as his arms go around him and they're hugging. Like, Kurt is hugging Blaine and Blaine is hugging back because he is so, so proud of this boy.

"Oh my god, I have to go tell my dad. I can't believe I actually did it."

Kurt pulls away and he's still beaming and his face is flushed and he's the most beautiful thing Blaine has ever seen.

Wait. What?

"Yeah. Great job, Kurt!"

Kurt is a fluttering mess, grabbing the sheet music then his bag then he runs back and hugs Blaine again and whispers a 'thank you' and then he's just gone.

Blaine stands in the choir room for some time after.

When Blaine walks into glee the next day, he has no qualms or worries. He knows Kurt is going to kill this thing and he knows Rachel is going to have to suck it up and deal.

He sits down next to Tina and Santana. Who he hasn't spoken to in some time. Since their really awkward break up, actually.

"Hey," he says.

She raises one eyebrow at him. "Can I help you?"

"Just…wanted to see how you were doing."

"Peachy. Your little boyfriend better blow Berry out of the water."

"Oh he- wait. Santana, he's not my boyfriend. I'm not gay."

She pats his shoulder condescendingly. "Sure thing, hun."

Before Blaine can open his mouth to retaliate, Mr. Schue takes the floor and then announces the diva off. Rachel sings first (of course) and it's no surprise that she sounds fantastic. It's just, well, Kurt sounded better. And Rachel gets too many glee solos and Kurt just deserves it more.

Blaine isn't biased, he promises.

When Rachel finishes, everyone applauds politely and she sits down next to Finn, who leans over and says something to her. She beams, Quinn scoffs and Blaine ignores them all as Kurt walks up to the piano.

Blaine catches his eye and shoots Kurt a reassuring smile. Kurt does not look reassured. So, Blaine mouths 'good luck'. Kurt pales and quickly looks away.

He takes a deep breath and begins singing. And he's just as amazing as he was yesterday, Blaine thinks, and he can't stop himself from staring. All too late he realizes Santana is watching him. She doesn't say anything when their eyes meet, just smiles smugly and turns back to Kurt.

Who has almost reached that point, the high F. Blaine is ready to start jumping up and down and screaming because the second he hits that notes, he's totally got this in the bag and-

Ouch. Blaine cringes. Like, literally cringes.

Because Kurt just blew that note. And Blaine knows he blew it because yesterday, he hit that note like no other and today he suddenly can't? Blaine tries to catch his eye as the song ends but Kurt refuses to look at him.

He does a little bow and then sits down next to Mercedes, who pats his hand reassuringly.

Rachel wins.

(by default, Blaine can't help but think).

Of course, he corners Kurt at his locker immediately after glee.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Don't. You hit that note, Kurt. I was there when you hit it. There is no way you lost that ability within a day."

"I think maybe I over stretched my voice or something," Kurt says with a shrug, not meeting his eyes. "I shouldn't have practiced yesterday and-"

"Bullshit," Kurt looks up in surprise because, oh yeah, Blaine doesn't swear that much around him. Or, at all, really. "I know you threw that competition and I want to know why."

And, then suddenly, Kurt's eyes kind of water a little. And Blaine doesn't want him to break down in the middle of the hallway, so he takes Kurt's arm and leads him back to the choir room, now empty.

"My dad got a phone call yesterday," Kurt begins, his voice thick with unshed tears. "The anonymous kind. Someone was telling him he has a fag for a son, which isn't a stretch, really. I mean, I am one."

"Kurt-"

"And that's when it hit me, you know? I-I can't put him through that. Yes, I want to be a star, but not at the expense of my father, who loves me dearly and who would do anything for me. So, I should be able to do the same for him."

"And blow the diva-off? Something you've been so excited for?"

"My dad's more important, Blaine," Kurt says, his voice hard. "Than anything."

Blaine runs a hand through his hair and stares at Kurt, who stares back defiantly.

"You can't tell anyone. Promise me."

Their eyes lock-Kurt's anger makes the blue in his eyes stand out more-and he's begging Blaine in silence.

"Fine. I promise."

Kurt nods. "Thank you."

He stands and heads for the door. Blaine's head falls into his hands.

It just isn't fair.

They do their 'Proud Mary' number the next day and everyone actually pulls it off. Mr. Schue tells them how proud he is of each and every one of them and then tells them they're finally free from their wheelchairs.

There might be some cheering.

As Blaine grabs his bag to leave, Kurt pops up in front of him, smiling sheepishly.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I know last time this happened, things went down. But, I could use another favor."

"Another competition to throw?" Blaine asks, but he smiles because he's kind of kidding.

"Do you have a keyboard?"

Blaine does; hidden under his bed, a fifteenth birthday present to himself.

"Can you bring it over my house after school?"

Blaine says yes.

So, Burt Hummel is kind of really scary.

He answers the door and looks Blaine over, like he's deciding the best way to kill him with his bare hands.

"Er, hi, Mr. Hummel," Blaine holds out his hand like he was taught. "I'm Blaine Anderson, a friend of Kurt's from school. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Burt looks at his hand, then shakes it, his grip kind of painful.

"Come on in. Kurt! Your friend is here!"

A few minutes later, Kurt appears in the living room, smiling widely at Blaine.

"Dad, this is Blaine from glee club. Blaine, this is my dad."

"We've met," Burt says shortly. "Nice jacket."

Blaine glances down and realizes he's wearing his letterman's jacket. Ooh. Probably not a good idea.

"Chill dad," Kurt rolls his eyes a little. "Blaine's not a jerk."

But Burt doesn't look like he quite believes that. Blaine turns to Kurt and asks, almost in a pleading way, where he wants the keyboard set up.

Kurt points to a spot in the corner and Blaine quickly walks over, setting everything up and testing out the keys because it's been a while since he's played.

"Ready?"

Kurt nods. "Okay, dad. I know how much trouble you went through to get me this audition and I feel bad that I basically blew it. So, I wanted to show you how much I appreciate it."

And Blaine begins playing that music and Kurt opens his mouth to sing and his voice is still just absolutely breathtaking.

Blaine watches him, standing there and throwing all of himself into the song.

Kurt is truly, at this moment, defying gravity.

AN- So it always bugged me and my friends that the whole reason they introduced the Defying Gravity plot was because Chris Colfer never got to sing it in high school because of his gender. But, really, he didn't get to sing it on the show. Not the right way, as he had to miss the note as according to plot. And all we ever wanted was a moment for someone to realize that he messed up because it was kind of obvious. So, I knew the second I started writing this chapter, Blaine would hear him sing it all the way through. And, then I wanted to have a really cute sappy ending and I loved the idea of Kurt singing it again, this time to his father.

Sorry that was so long! Thanks for reading!