Blaine stood alone on stage, breathing heavily. He couldn't believe the offer he'd just been given. To play Tony – the lead, no less – while he was still in high school was an incredible opportunity. But his thoughts immediately strayed to Kurt, who had worked so hard and needed this role for his college applications. He couldn't accept without at least first talking to Kurt.

"Can I get back to you on that?" he asked.

"Of course, Blaine," replied Artie. "Just don't take too long."

"I won't," he promised. With that, he dashed off stage, desperate to find Kurt. Knowing his boyfriend, he would have been watching the performance, and thus, would have heard what the three directors had proposed. He didn't want Kurt to get the wrong idea, which was why he was now hurrying to find him.

Blaine found him by his locker, taking books out and shoving them in his bag, or the reverse. Occasionally, he would pause to glance at the picture hanging up, one that Blaine knew was of the two of them together. He could tell that Kurt had been crying, or was close to tears. As much as he didn't want that, it was now or never.

"Hi," he said, cursing his voice for cracking on that one syllable.

"Hi," Kurt replied, rather shortly in Blaine's opinion. Before he had time to form another thought, Kurt was speaking again. "I saw your audition, Blaine. You were wonderful. You should definitely accept the part."

Blaine knew better than to take Kurt at his word, especially considering that his head was currently stuffed in his locker and muffling his voice.

"Hey," said Blaine, gently spinning Kurt around to face him. "I'm not going to take it if you can't even look at me. I want you to want this for me too. Now, if you really mean it, look me in the eye and say that I should accept the role of Tony."

Hesitantly, Kurt met Blaine's fierce-but-loving expression. "I-I …" he began, stuttering slightly. "I think you should take the role of Tony, Blaine. You would have a better time of it than me, since you can actually pass as straight. People want to see a show that's believable, which 'West Side Story' wouldn't be if I were playing Tony. Take it, Blaine, and with my blessing."

"You're sure?" asked Blaine, hands securely fastened around Kurt's slender waist.

"Positive," Kurt nodded emphatically.

"Kurt …" Blaine started to speak, but Kurt held up a finger to his lips, effectively silencing him.

"Hush, now. I mean it – you are going to be amazing as Tony, more so than I would have been. Don't worry about me. Yes, I would love to play Tony, but there'll be other roles. I have to believe that Tony wouldn't make or break my getting into NYADA. I'll be fine, Blaine, really."

"I love you," said Blaine, a smile on his face and in his voice as he brought their lips together for a brief kiss.

"As I love you," Kurt replied, a slightly dazed look in his eyes when they pulled apart. "Now, go. Tell Artie that you accept. I'll be waiting right here."

"Alright, if you're sure …" said Blaine, voice trailing off as he gave Kurt another opportunity to dissuade him.

"Go," said Kurt, laughing as he made a shooing motion with his hands.

Blaine jogged off down the hallway, shooting Kurt an easy grin over his shoulder. Kurt leaned back up against the row of lockers behind him, sliding down to sit on the ground. He remembered being in this position before, after having been shoved into these very lockers. That had been back right when he'd met Blaine. How times had changed. He'd been miserable then and would have fought tooth and nail for the role of Tony. Now, he was practically giving it away. But it was all for a good cause, something more important than his neurotic need to be in the spotlight – Blaine.