A/N: Was supposed to update on Monday but I got writer's block again but here it is! I can't believe I've hit over 300 followers and even after 23 chapters, I still can't believe the amount of support and love for this story! Hope your summer's going well so relax with some Klaine for Ch.23!

Chapter 23:: Candles at Dawn

"Damn it," Kurt cursed as he tried to shut his luggage up, the bag resisting as it contained a few too many cardigans and sweaters inside, Blaine could only snicker from where he was seated on his bed.

"Told you you shouldn't have packed too much," Blaine teased, fiddling playfully with his cane as he heard Kurt continue to zip his luggage up. It was Saturday morning already and with their flight back to New York at 3pm, Blaine had already packed and was dressed, all courtesy of his boyfriend, and as he waited patiently for Kurt to finish his part, he laughed when Kurt continued struggling with his own packing.

"If only you could be a gentleman and help me with this—" He stumbled a little during his climactic battle with his luggage and Blaine sighed.

"Yeah, if only I could see, then I could help you."

Both froze for a moment each as they realized that Blaine's surgery was on Monday already. And after around a month from that—only if the surgery is a success—Blaine would gradually regain his sight back.

And Kurt was worried. About how the surgery will go and if Blaine does regain his sight, how will he react to seeing him for the first time ever?

Fuck my insecurities. Kurt grew frustrated with his luggage and he heaved a sigh of relief when it finally listened and zipped up. Miracles do happen everyday.

"Have you finally tamed the beast?" Blaine chuckled before howling in pain when he received a slap on his arm.

"Thank goodness you're my boyfriend, otherwise I'd beat you up for making fun of me." Kurt deadpanned but squealed when Blaine lunged and pulled him down onto his bed, giggling like a freaking 5 year old when Blaine began tickling his sides, planting a few kisses across his neck, face and lips.

"Stop," Kurt stared into those blue orbs of Blaine's and the author surrendered, moaning in appreciation when he felt Kurt's familiar set of lips crash against his right afterwards. "Alright, so we need to head out soon cuz our flight's at three and we're meeting Rachel at the airport—"

"Oh, how is she? Haven't heard from her since she got off to her family."

"She's fine. Hanging out and catching up with her dads, the usual." Blaine momentarily imagined him and Kurt as fathers, biting his lip in awe. "She did text me about how Finn was doing though."

"Oh, that's right. You once mentioned that Rachel and Finn dated in high school and then they parted ways even though you said they're practically soulmates...?"

"It's because Rachel had always wanted to live in the city but Finn hates the hustle and bustle there so he stayed back here to manage my dad's tire shop. That's why they broke up."

"Pity," Blaine hummed. "Well, I guess that everything's going back to normal once we fly back, huh?"

"Well, you do have your surgery on Monday." He rested his forehead against Blaine's when he noted how he blindly peered down upon hearing that. "And we do have our little date night tomorrow!"

Blaine smiled. Kurt always wanted to make him feel better. "Exactly, and speaking of tomorrow, I was thinking we could have dinner at this Italian restaurant I know down 45th Street—"

"No."

Blaine frowned, pulling back. "No?"

"Nope, you don't get to decide what we're doing Sunday night."

Now Blaine was just plain confused. "What? But I wanted to treat you and—"

"Blaine, your surgery is on Monday. I know you and I can see that you're very nervous about it. That's why you want to cover up your anxiety by treating me."

"Perceptive ass," Blaine mumbled, Kurt cupping his cheeks.

"I'm serious! Blaine, let me take care of Sunday night. Let me plan it. Trust me, all I want is to make you feel comfortable and less nervous about Monday, okay? Let me take care of you."

Blaine was silent for a moment. "Why are you so good to me?"

"Because I love you."

"Hmm, I love you too." He beamed, accepting another kiss. "Fine, I'll let you plan it all. I'm guessing I still have to—"

"Find your Dalton uniform and serenade me? Yup! That's happening for sure."

He sighed heavily, "Okay okay." Kurt lowered his hands from Blaine's cheeks to his shoulders, admiring how broad they felt under his palms. "So uh, you said you wanted to take care of me, right?"

"Yes," Kurt agreed.

"Well, I could think of one way you could do just that Blaine husked lowly, slowly grabbing Kurt's hands and lowering them down to his chest.

Kurt gulped. "Fuck, Blaine, my family's just downstairs making breakfast and you want to—"

"Pin you down and suck you off? Precisely." He began unbuttoning his shirt and Kurt swallowed.

"Th-the door's locked," the secretary breathed, eyes feasting on Blaine's slightly-defined chest and the patch of hair growing over it. He seized his lover by the neck and pulled him in for a passionate kiss, failing to keep the volume down as Blaine rolled them over so that he was now on top, chuckling when Blaine tried to confidently remove Kurt's v-neck sweater over his head. Once Kurt threw it aside—a rare moment of not caring for the well-being of his clothing—everything else was a blur as Blaine bent down to kiss him fiercely again, both feeling their aroused members behind their respective pants.

"Fuck, I can't believe we're doing this now—nnngh, shit." Kurt choked when his boyfriend nipped at his bare neck, his gentle teeth grazing against his body.

"Ugh," the author grunted. "Yo-you're so hot."

Blaine was about release his member by removing his pants when they both heard a loud knock on the door, both pulling back and scrambling to find their clothes again, Kurt giggling as he watched Blaine blindly search for his shirt while he yanked his sweater back on.

"Breakfast's ready, boys!" Carole hollered from behind, the man hearing her footsteps grow softer, meaning that she's left already.

"Shit," Blaine sighed, now frantically searching.

"Left...a little more left...down there...there you go." He assisted while fixing his sweater.

"Thanks," Blaine smiled, blushing that he allowed his hormones to control him earlier, putting his shirt on. "I-I'm sorry I—"

"Hey, don't ever apologize for that. That was hot," Kurt blushed, heading over to catch his waist, kissing him. "Let's just say that that will continue when we go home."

Blaine laughed darkly, "We better."

The countertenor watched gleefully as Blaine returned a farewell hug from Finn, the blind man struggling a little as Finn hugged a little too tightly.

"Okay, I guess we have to head out real soon, our cab should arrive anytime now." He declared, smiling when Carole ran over to hug and kiss his cheek for the thousandth time.

"He's a keeper, Kurt." Carole softly muttered. "He seems like a really great guy."

"That he is," Kurt replied, stepson and stepmother watching Blaine converse with Finn and Burt about some upcoming football game. "Men," he sighed, Carole laughing.

As Finn wandered over to bid his stepbrother farewell, the trio missed how Burt and Blaine were alone back there.

"So, Blaine, you remember what I said to you last night?" Burt questioned, looking down at the blind man who nodded confidently.

"I'll always take good care of your son, he...he means the world to me." He replied, excited that they're headed back to the Big Apple. A bunch of things awaited him there: his Sunday night out with Kurt, his surgery on Monday, meeting with Graham at his office about his book release, Santana and her attitude. Things were finally looking up. "I love your son so very much and I'd never hurt him."

Blaine faltered, nine months ago, he'd laugh everyone off if he was told that he would fall madly in love with someone. That he would let go of the darkness. That he would become a new man.

But now, he has Kurt. And he'd crumble if he ever loses him.

"And I hope your surgery works out for the best," Burt beamed, clapping a hand over Blaine's shoulder like a father. "It truly was a privilege meeting you, Blaine."

"Thank you, sir—I-I mean, Burt." He stumbled with an embarrassed smile when Burt pulled him for a one-arm hug, grateful that Kurt's family accepted him.

Carole sounded upon looking out door and noting a cab parked before their driveway and Kurt scrambled to hug everyone again for the last time before pulling Blaine out with him and into the cab.

"You okay?" Blaine asked once their cab began travelling off, Kurt finally looking straight ahead after waving back at his distant family.

"Yeah," he breathed. "Just miss my family all the time, ya'know?"

I miss my family too.

"I get that feeling too."

"But I'm happy, I guess. Happy my family loves you—"

Blaine froze, his insecurities creeping in. "They love me?"

Kurt turned to him, "Hey, they do love you, okay?" He paused, watching how Blaine gripped his cane more tightly. Actions speak louder than words after all. "You have to accept that not everyone's against you, okay?"

You did make me reconnect with Wes and make me meet your family.

Blaine sighed, realizing how Kurt was unaware that this Thanksgiving trip meant so much to him and how Kurt was opening him up without even knowing it. He truly was an angel. "I love you."

"Well, I love you even more. But you know what I'm not gonna love? Rachel constantly freaking out that she gets to fly First Class again back to New York."

Blaine laughed.

Santana Lopez had to admit that she actually had fun this Thanksgiving. She and Brittany finally reconnected after a long while apart and while she still feels guilty for breaking up with Brittany so abruptly just so she can help take care of Blaine immediately after his accident nine months ago, she was eternally grateful that Brittany let her back in once again.

The truth is: she'd always felt lonely and after being rejected by her grandmother when she came out to her in her senior year, she grew cold, harsh and had walls built around her—walls of which were broken down quickly by Brit. And her heart warmed when she gave Brit a personal tour of Blaine's penthouse on the night of Thanksgiving since both had nothing else better planned.

So this must be how Blaine must feel with Kurt by his side, Santana had thought as she pondered whether to move forward with her relationship with Brit. She worried that Blaine, for some reason, would move back to his Long Island beach house and she would be conflicted between returning there with Blaine, her best friend, or to stay in Manhattan and be with Brit. Love stinks, she cursed before freezing—Am I in love? Oh no, I feel like I'm in one of those sappy 2000s rom-com's now.

It was Sunday evening already and after fetching Lady Hummel and his lover from the airport yesterday, Kurt had instructed her to drive to a place called the Hudson River Park which is a riverside park by the waters and boasts great views of the Statue of Liberty beyond and the city's major bridges. As she parked a couple blocks away—typical Manhattan tradition—Kurt led them down to the park and he beamed when he was welcomed by the bright, vivid sunset across the waters there.

The riverside park was not as crowded as usual and Blaine clutched tightly onto Kurt's hand, breath hitching when he felt Santana and Kurt lead him to what felt like a guard railing before him. The blind man felt the gentle breeze blow through his face and hair and he realized then that he was looking out onto the Hudson River and as he felt the sun's warmth on him, he wished so badly that he could see the sunset now.

"So this is your idea for tonight, huh?" Blaine queried, cherishing the sounds of seagulls, the warmth of the season, the presence of his two closest people beside him.

"I've always loved coming down here to walk through this park and to gaze out to the Hudson," Kurt began. "To clear my head and just get away from everything, ya'know? It's just so peaceful and nice out here."

Both missed the way how Santana was staring at them from where she was, all three leaning against the guard railing, all dressed in casual clothes. She watched as Kurt slipped his hands into Blaine's, she noted how Blaine leaned his head against Kurt's shoulder, she saw how unconditional love and support just radiated from these two. Ever since Blaine returned from Thanksgiving in Ohio, he seemed a lot more confident, happier and optimistic. She wanted that. And she knew just who she wanted to share her desire for love with.

"This is so much better than some fancy restaurant," the author declared, recalling that that was how he wanted to treat Kurt for tonight originally until Kurt decided to treat him instead. "I don't know why I never came down here before."

It was then that Santana realized something. It was time for her to move on from taking care of Blaine. She wanted to move on from the past just like Blaine. She wanted to spend more time with Brit and stay in the Big Apple. And she trusted Kurt to take care of Blaine instead from now on. Perhaps it was time for her to have a serious talk with Blaine about leaving Kurt to care for him nowadays.

"Ready for tomorrow, hobbit?" She questioned softly, still not believing that Blaine could see again.

The author shivered, the night sky was gradually invading the city now. "I just hope it'll all work out. Gosh, if it doesn't work—"

"Don't even go there, mister." Kurt cooed. "Santana and I are going to be with you tomorrow, okay?"

A small smile on his face, a heavy sigh. "I just want to be able to see you, Kurt. That's all I ever wanted. Just to look at you and see how lucky I am. Even if it's for one second, I don't care."

Insecurities washed across Kurt's mind as he wondered how Blaine would react upon seeing him and even how he would react upon seeing all the horrid scars across his bare body because of everything with the bullying and McKinley and Karofsky.

He chuckled though when Santana nudged Blaine in the elbow, "Yes, I would love to see you too, Santana."

"Mmmhmmm," she crossed her arms. "Well, what's a visit to a park without bringing some snacks?" She bent over to retrieve the basket she'd brought from the Towncar and Kurt laughed when he saw Blaine light up at the sound of that.

He swore his boyfriend was like a wounded puppy sometimes.

Saturday, Manhattan, 10pm

The views of the vibrant city from their penthouse never ceased to shock Kurt everytime. As Santana had bid them goodnight earlier, Kurt and Blaine were now left alone in their bedroom and as the countertenor braced himself, the author finally emerged from his walk-in closet with his cane, clad completely in his former Dalton uniform as promised.

"So what do you think?" Blaine smiled as he located the bed before him, and did a little twirl. "I just have some trouble tying the tie..."

Kurt stared at him. Eyes wide like a goldfish.

Holy. .

ASDFGHJKLQWERTYUIOP!

"Honey?" Blaine frowned when no response was given.

He was standing there, looking fit and dapper in his ensemble, and Kurt found himself blinking quickly as if the sight before him would vanish. He looked so fucking hot.

Kurt slowly broke away from staring at Blaine's form, rolling his eyes when Blaine smirked. "You're blushing, Kurt." He deduced, Kurt gasping. "I may be blind but I can so tell."

"I um, I...sorry, I just—holy, I can't even—" He babbled.

"You like a man in uniform," his lover teased. Kurt slowly stood up from bed, clad in pyjamas, and he rested his hands on Blaine's hips, shivering when Blaine took a step closer. "I do wonder how you would look in this."

"No way, Anderson, besides, if this truly is your original uniform, that means you haven't grown an inch since? That's—owww!"

Blaine hit him in the arm, squinting his eyes, inching his face closer against Kurt's in a mockingly-taunting way. "You mocking my height again, Hummel?"

"I love you," Kurt weakly mumbled, turned on suddenly by Blaine's dark tone. "Please don't hurt me."

"Well, you're lucky I love you too." The novelist cupped his cheeks and fiercely kissed him, Kurt caught off guard momentarily before reciprocating, fisting his blazer, moaning and drawn in. Pulling back, Blaine chuckled when Kurt groaned upon losing his touch. "Hey, I was thinking...remember my promise that I would sing Teenage Dream tonight?"

Kurt cautiously nodded, "Yes."

"I don't want to sing tonight—don't get me wrong, I want to!" Blaine quickly added when he felt Kurt gasp. "B-but the thing is...when I sing it, I want to see you."

Kurt looked at him, "So you want me to wait until you get your sight back...?"

"Yes," he breathed. "Just wait for me...just like how I've waited for so long to meet someone like you."

He faltered, Blaine's longing, blue eyes bearing his soul. "Fine, I'll wait for you, okay?"

A comfortable silence descended upon the two, Blaine gratefully smiled, resting a gentle hand over Kurt's cheek while the countertenor leaned in to his warmth. "So since you won't sing, what will you do now to make it up to me?"

The author smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "I can think of a few things."

Kurt squealed when Blaine's lips covered his harshly, the two falling instinctively onto the bed below, Kurt enthralled to feel him pressed against her, running his hands through his curls, tugging tightly.

Sunday, The Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, 3pm

"Goodness, you look like you're flying First Class in Swish Air again," Santana noted as she took in the sight of Blaine all clad in his blue hospital gown, sitting up in his hospital bed, his surgery scheduled to occur anytime now.

"Gee, thanks, Auntie Snix." Blaine deadpanned while Kurt chuckled, seated next to his boyfriend's bed while Santana stood leaning against a wall.

"Oh I've looked at the forms for you and apparently, there have been potential side-effects: further permanent eye damage, heightened sensitivity on the cornea, scarring—"

"Ok, Santana, we don't need to hear that." Kurt held up his hands in fear, heart aching when Blaine shivered at that. When Santana sighed, Kurt crossed his arms. "It's just all of this is getting...too real, ya'know?"

The author quivered in bed, images of that fateful night that left him blind in the first place, the blood, the screaming. He choked when the ever darkness of his sight overwhelmed and he bit his lip when he felt Kurt's gentle hand over his by his side, radiating warmth, love and support. "Oh god."

"Honey, we're right here, okay?" He soothed, standing to get closer, Santana approaching the bed too, a pitiful expression on her face. "It's going to be okay."

"Yeah, but what if—"

"Oh screw that, you've been through hell and back, Anderson. It's time things turned around for a change," she exclaimed. "You've got us here and we're not going anywhere."

Blaine thought about how the two most important people in his life now were right here with him. He knew that they were also nervous but they were hopeful too.

"We love you," Kurt declared. "I love you," pressing his lips to his forehead.

Fuck, Blaine trembled, a tear welling up. He'd also believed that he lost his own family a long time ago but in reality, his real family was here.

And it was these two.

"Mr. Anderson," a foreign voice broke the emotional exchange and Kurt and Santana peered up to see Dr. Marley Rose by the door, Blaine only holding both their hands in anxiety. "We're ready for your surgery now." At that time, two nurses emerged with a stretcher and slowly proceeded to lead Blaine to lie on it.

"We'll be waiting right outside, okay?" Santana announced, still not believing this is actually happening. After seeing Blaine in such a dark place for so long...he deserved this.

"I'm not going anywhere," Kurt reassured though pained when he had to let go of Blaine's hand when they led the stretcher out of the room.

The countertenor grew numb as he watched his boyfriend get wheeled off and away. As Santana proceeded to lead a still-frozen Kurt to the seats for visitors out in the hallway, a thought began to constantly run through his head.

Everything's about to change.

A/N: There you go, Blaine's surgery's finally arrived! I'll be on vacation in Europe through August so I'll try my best to update as soon as I can cuz I'm not done with our Klaine. Up next: Blaine's surgery's results, Kurt returns to work and deals with a certain meerkat, Rachel/Brittana/Niff and more Klaine romance/drama! Let me know what you think!