"Are you actually kidding me?" Blaine asks when Kurt emerges from their building dragging two suitcases. "We're going away for ten days."

"I know," Kurt says as he helps to load their luggage into the trunk. "But we're meeting Kathy, and I want to make a good impression."

"I think she'll be more concerned with what Wes is wearing than an engaged, gay nineteen year old," Blaine tells him as he holds the passenger door open for him, laughing when Kurt sticks his tongue out.

"So has anyone else met Kathy yet?"

"No," Blaine laughs as he starts to drive. "Wes would have heart failure if she met Sebastian. I think he wants my approval before he dares mention her to anyone else."

"So they're dating now?"

"Don't be silly. I told you, he'll never ask her out in a million years."

"But they do go out, right? Last time I spoke with him they had just been for coffee."

"They go out all the time, but they're both still classing it as friends and not as a date." Blaine explains.

"So their first double non-date is at Breadstix. Great."

"Says the man who seemingly packed an extra suitcase of clothes for the event."

"I like to be prepared," Kurt says as he fiddles with the radio. "And I know breasdstix isn't the height of sophistication, but we usually go out for dinner somewhere fancy in LA."

"Actually, we're not going to Breadstix tonight."

"What? What is this travesty?" Kurt cries in mock outrage. "Where are we going then?"

"I don't know. Somewhere in Columbus. Wes is picking us all up."

"Is that a joke?"

"Huh?"

"Wes can't pick us up, you fool!" Kurt cries exasperatedly. "Wes needs to pick Kathy up, alone, and say something along the lines of 'Kurt and Blaine got held up, they're meeting us there.' That way, he gets to drive her home at the end of the night by himself."

"Why would he do that? It makes no sense," Blaine says as he frowns in confusion. "He has to drive right past my parent's place. Why wouldn't he pick us up?"

"The entire female population is thanking their lucky stars that you're not straight right now. Jeez."

"If I have to drive I can't have a drink."

"Then I'll drive, you moron! Honest to god. Poor Wes. It's no wonder he's hopeless. I mean look who he's got to give him advice."

"I haven't done too badly," Blaine bristles. "I got you."

"Pull over," Kurt suddenly demands.

"What?"

"Pull over."

Blaine signals and pulls into a gas station, turning to look at Kurt with concern. "Are you okay? Are you sick?"

"No. But I can't do this when you're driving," he says before kissing him passionately. "I love you so much."

"You love to tease me," Blaine grumbles affectionately.

"I do. But I like kissing you more."

"Best do it again then," Blaine smiles as he tilts his head.

"Best had."

"Sorry we're late!" Blaine calls as they walk through the Anderson's front door. "We were..."

"Making out," Kurt finishes for him as Sara and Mike appear in the hallway.

"That's nice, darling," Sara smiles as she hugs Kurt tight, giving Blaine a withering look as he tries to kick his fiancé. "Blaine darling, don't be rough. Kurt doesn't like it."

Blaine snorts loudly as Kurt stares at the floor, grateful when Mike distracts him with a hug. "How are my boys?" he smiles. "Ready for vacation tomorrow? Kurt, I've been brushing up on my chess skills."

"Whatever," Kurt says coolly, "I'm still gonna beat you. You'll never win Mike, you should know that by now."

"Kurt will not be beaten," Blaine confirms as he starts up the stairs. "At anything. Ever. It is now his life mission to get Wes and Kathy together."

"Well someone needs to, darling," Sara says as she trails the line of men up the stairs. "She's all Wesley can talk about when he visits."

"She's right," Mike acknowledges as he sets a suitcase down in Blaine's childhood room. "Last time he was here, Burt and I were trying to convince him to ask her on a date, but he was having none of it. Finn even offered to call her on his behalf, but that offer was swiftly declined."

"It's like you all have this life that just carries on without me and Kurt," Blaine moans as he sits on his old bed.

"Well of course we do darling," Sara says as she ruffles his hair. "What do you expect us to do? Sit around not daring to socialize with one another until you pay us a fleeting visit?"

"If you miss us that much you'll have to move back after Kurt graduates," Mike says with a smile.

"We won't be doing that," Blaine says as he smiles broadly. "My fiancé is gonna be a star on Broadway."

"What?" Kurt asks suddenly. "Since when?"

"Since always," Blaine answers in confusion. "You told me that when you were fifteen."

"I know, but that was before..."

"Before what?"

"Um...we're just going to leave you two to um...discuss things," Sara says delicately as she tugs Mike from the room. "See you downstairs."

"Well?" Blaine asks as the door closes.

"I just...kinda figured I wasn't going to go down the Broadway route, that's all."

"But why?" He reaches for Kurt's hands, tugging him onto the bed next to him. "What's changed?"

"You... Us... Marriage, babies..."

"But your dreams? Have they changed?"

"Yes, in the way that they now have you at the center," Kurt replies honestly, "I mean, Broadway would be great but... But I figured I'd try and work in Chicago. It has a great theatre scene."

"It does," Blaine agrees, "but that doesn't mean you should give up on your greatest ambition. Reach for the stars, gorgeous boy. Find an agent in Chicago by all means; base yourself there if you want, but please never stop striving to reach the top. You know, to reach Broadway anyway you're gonna have to perform anywhere and everywhere to get noticed."

"But you want..."

"I want to see you happy. I want to see you up on stage, shining bright like the star that you are."

"Babies," Kurt finishes.

"We've been through this. Yes I do, but there's nothing to stop me staying at home looking after a small person while you're out entertaining the masses."

"And you wouldn't mind? Cause honestly? I would. I'd resent it if you were out doing what you love and I was sitting at home with a baby on my hip." Kurt blushes at his honestly, hoping he hasn't offended, but Blaine leans over and kisses his cheek.

"I know you would. And I know that because I know how much you hate it when I'm the sole earner, and I know how much you've enjoyed having a job this summer because feeling equal is really important to you. But look at it this way, Kurt; this is my time to earn the money, to pay the rent and bills while also saving for our wedding. And while I'm busy doing that, you're busy learning your craft. I had to learn mine too, don't forget. Many years ago, when you were just a little kid, I was working my ass off to learn all the intricacies of music so that I could make a living from it. That's no different to what you're doing now, except we didn't know each other back then.
So you'll study hard so that when we're ready, we can switch roles. You'll be the breadwinner and I'll be at home with a baby on my hip and it won't bother me one bit."

"Ugh," Kurt says as he falls back on the bed with a sigh. "There you go again."

"What did I do?" Blaine asks, worried as he falls down next to him.

"Making me fall in love with you even more. It's quite the gift you have," Kurt smiles.

"Aw, stop," Blaine blushes.

"It's true. And if we didn't have somewhere to be right now I'd be kissing every inch of you, just to prove my point. But we do, so it'll have to wait. Just know that I'm so eternally grateful to have found someone who gets me, and who loves me despite my flaws."

"It's because of your flaws that I love you, dumbass," Blaine says affectionately as he drapes himself over Kurt's chest. "Because that's what makes you perfect to me. But having ambition isn't a flaw. Not wanting to sit idle while the world passes you by is to be admired. People like you... You were made to be seen and heard, you need to make a difference on a grand scale."

"What if I don't?" Kurt asks fearfully.

"You already did," Blaine says, sitting up and offering his hand. "You asked me to marry you."

They arrive at the restaurant to find Wes sitting nervously next to a beautiful, petite redhead in a booth, both shrinking away from each other slightly as if fearful of making any kind of bodily contact. Wes looks up, grinning broadly when he catches sight of the couple and he runs to hug them both tight.

"That's her," he whispers excitedly as he pushes his face between them.

"She's so pretty," Kurt says happily. "You two do your non-gay hugging and kissing thing, I'm gonna go say hi."

He walks toward the table where Kathy is eyeing Wes and Blaine suspiciously as Blaine takes Wes' face in his hands and kisses his forehead firmly.

"Ignore them, they're always like that after they've been separated for any length of time. I'm Kurt," he says, offering his hand with a smile.

"Kathy," she says as she shakes his hand. "Wes is..."

"Wes is straight," he reassures. "And my fiancé is very much mine anyway," he says proudly, "but they're...they're like...beyond best friends. Closer than brothers, even."

"Oh," Kathy says with a nod, though she doesn't really understand in the slightest. "Do you think they're going to come sit down? I think they're in the way of the waiters,"

"Blaine! Put him down," Kurt calls as the pair break their embrace and come to the table.

"Sorry," Wes says shyly. "I just miss Blaine an awful lot. Oh!" he exclaims, suddenly remembering. "This is Blaine. Best friend, brother and life long confidant."

"And Wes is my savior," Blaine says as he reaches across the booth to shake her hand.

"O-Kay?" Kathy says as her eyes dart this way and that. "Well it's nice to finally meet you," she smiles. "After all the emails we've exchanged. Thank you for letting me live in your house."

"No worries," Blaine laughs. "I'm glad you like it there."

"I'd forgotten you're British," Kurt says happily. "Your accent is adorable."

"Isn't it?" Wes gushes, then remembers himself and blushes furiously.

"Blaine honey, why don't you and Wes go and get us some drinks from the bar?" Kurt says sweetly patting his hand.

"We can order them at the table," Blaine replies with a smile.

"Even so, why don't you go to the bar?"

"Why? They'll come take our drinks order from here. I don't..."

"Go to the bar, Blaine," Kurt says with a kick to his shin under the table. "Now."

Blaine sets off with Wes in tow, both grumbling about Kurt and his pedantic ways. Turning to Kathy with a bright smile as soon as they're out of earshot, Kurt says "So. You and Wes."

"Oh, there is no me and Wes," Kathy says quietly as she fiddles with her napkin. "He's uh...he's just a friend."

"Would you like there to be?" Kurt asks boldly.

"What I want doesn't come into it," she says with a small shrug. "He's not interested."

"How do you know that?"

"Well we see each other a lot- we talk most days. We go to the movies, out for dinner, coffee or just take a walk together but...well...he's never even tried...anything."

"Because he's petrified, that's why," Kurt whispers conspiratorially as he leans across the booth. "He likes you. A lot. Trust me."

"But then why doesn't he..."

"I don't know. Maybe he thinks it's too soon after your divorce?"

"It's not though!" Kathy says emphatically. "We spilt six months before we even discussed filing for divorce, and it was all very amicable."

"Does Wes know that?"

"No, I guess not," she says as she stares at the table. "I really like him, Kurt." Kathy looks up, eyes shining.

"Then go for it," Kurt tells her, reaching across to squeeze her hand. "Wes is...amazing. I don't know him as well as Blaine does, but I know him well enough to say that he would be the second most perfect boyfriend ever- obviously since Blaine is the first."

"You don't include yourself in that?"

"Honey, I am in a different league," he says making Kathy laugh out loud. "Has he ever told you how him and Blaine became so close?"

"No," she shakes her head. "He said they were friends from school but became closer after college. I asked how come but he muttered something about needing Blaine's permission for something?"

"Yeah I guess... I guess he wouldn't feel comfortable telling you otherwise. But if you're gonna stick around it's probably something you should know. It helps explain why they tell each other everything- often before they tell their significant others...although what I really mean by that is Blaine tells Wes most things before he tells me."

"Does that bother you?"

"No," Kurt says nonchalantly. "It used to. But ultimately I'm just happy they have each other. And I love Wes dearly."

"They're coming back," Kathy says suddenly as she glances over his shoulder. "Thank you, Kurt."

"Anytime. And you'd better force yourself on him tonight," he smiles as she reddens.

Their dinner passes all too quickly, Blaine and Kurt find Kathy to be invigorating company and Wes' bashfulness completely adorable. They say their goodbyes in the parking lot, with Kurt frantically signalling to Kathy to go for it until he notices Blaine staring at him.

"That was nice," Blaine says that night as they lie in bed together.

"We haven't done anything yet."

"The dinner, fool," Blaine answers with a laugh. "Although..." Rolling on top of Kurt he kisses him deeply, quickly moving his hand to the front of Kurt's pajama pants. "I wouldn't say no to making out before we go to sleep."

"That's more than making out...oh!" Kurt cries as Blaine's fingers suddenly move inside the pants to grasp his half-hard cock.

"I'm sorry, you're right," Blaine says with a grin as he pulls back. "How completely inappropriate of me."

"Get your mouth around me now," Kurt growls, but just as Blaine is headed in that direction his phone buzzes on the nightstand. He rolls over to read it- much to Kurt's frustration- then falls back on the pillows with a laugh, handing the phone to Kurt.

"Fucking finally," he murmurs, tossing the phone back in its place- Wes' text still lighting up the screen.

SHE KISSED ME!

"Hey Uncle Blaine, guess what?" Taylor cries as he hurls himself into his open arms.

"What?" Blaine laughs as he just about manages to catch his nephew, who now nearly matches him in height.

"We're now only a year younger than Uncle Kurt was when you two first met," Maddie finishes for him.

"Okay, I'm gonna need you to stop talking," an embarrassed Blaine laughs as he kisses her.

"Met, not started dating," Kurt points out as he hugs each of them tightly.

"No, cause you were a whole sixteen when that happened," Taylor teases. "Oh my god I remember thinking you were so cool," he says in disbelief.

"That was before you discovered skateboards, and when I still held out some hope for you, fashion wise," Kurt teases back. "What are these?" he asks, tugging on the chains hanging from his jeans. "You look like a prison officer."

"Fashion, Uncle Kurt. Something you know nothing about."

"Ooh!" Cooper laughs as he arrives on the driveway to greet them. "Careful Tay, you'll make an enemy of your favorite person."

"What?" Blaine cries in outrage.

"Don't worry, you're my favorite," Maddie whispers as she takes his arm and leads him inside.

As always with their trips to LA, the time passes too quickly. Blaine and Kurt feel like they barely see each other until they collapse, exhausted, into bed every night. Kurt spends time with Cooper and Mike while Blaine and his mom entertain the twins, then Maddie drags Blaine to a mall with Cooper and his credit card while Kurt takes a very reluctant trip to a skate park to watch Taylor and his friends whizzing along something which is apparently called a half pipe, but which looks to Kurt like a giant waste of time. Still, he smiles and applauds and in the end concedes that Taylor is quite gifted on a skateboard, though he does draw the line at trying it for himself.

Dinners out are punctuated with lazy afternoons around the pool where Claire and Blaine stay in the water while Mike tries desperately to beat Kurt at chess, Sara takes endless photos of all her darlings and Cooper runs in and out fetching drinks and ice creams. As always, their last night ends with a sunset stroll along the beach, and Cooper and Blaine finally have time alone.

"Thanks for coming out again," Cooper says as he kicks at the sand. "I like that it's become an Anderson family tradition."

"Our pleasure," Blaine smiles as he watches his parents strolling ahead of them hand in hand. "A marriage like theirs, that's what I want," he says as he notices Cooper watching too.

"Me too. Claire and I strive to be like that. It's their golden wedding next year."

"I know. Gosh. Fifty years. I wonder if Kurt and I will get that far? I'll be eighty seven."

"Well that puts me at ninety six so I think we will end that conversation right now," Cooper laughs.

"I hate to see them getting older," Blaine admits softly as he watches his parents stop to sit on the low wall. "Dad particularly. Sometimes I look at them and it just hits me that they're not getting any younger. You know, mom takes a little longer to do things, dad forgets stuff..."

"Funny really," Copper muses. "You have kids and spend so many years eagerly watching them grow. I wonder when that changes? When you think 'okay, enough growing now, stay just as you are please.'"

"Well I don't know about kids, but I wouldn't mind keeping Kurt at nineteen forever," Blaine jokes.

"You old dog," Cooper laughs. "You two are ridiculous. You'll still be in the honeymoon phase on your golden wedding, of that I have no doubt."

"Hmm. Yeah," Blaine grins, "it is pretty fantastic. But things do change. It's changed since we started living together. But only for the better."

"You still bang around in that pool house," Cooper says with a nudge. "Literally and figuratively."

Blaine has the decency to blush. "Like I said, I wish I could keep him at nineteen. Though I can barely keep up at nearly thirty five, so he'd probably kill me at fifty."

"I'm glad it all worked out," Cooper says. "When I think back to his graduation..."

"I know. But that's in the past. We're together to stay."

"Oh I know you are. Bless, Kurt was telling me how much he missed you when you went away. He was pleased to have you home... Why are you blushing? What's embarrassing about that?"

"Nothing," Blaine mutters. "I missed him too."

"I can't believe he turned down the chance to study in England because he would miss you too much."

"I'm sorry, what?" Blaine says sharply as he stops dead.

"Oh fuck." Cooper looks horrified as Blaine runs a hand through his hair. "I didn't know that you didn't know. He didn't say it was a secret. Fuck. Shit."

"Um... Okay. Wow. He turned it down?"

"That's what he said," Cooper shrugs, still mortified at his slip up. "That he could have gone to train at some drama school in England for six weeks but he said no because he didn't want to be away from you for that long... I've ruined everything, haven't I? Now there's gonna be a big fight and I'm gonna have to chase after Kurt again."

"No, no," Blaine reassures him quickly. "I am surprised. But I'm not going to fight with him about it. I'll talk to him when we get home."

"Blaine? Are you mad?"

"Not mad just...well...a little mad maybe, because he's always on at me to tell him stuff and then he goes and does exactly what he yells at me for. But more sad than anything, that he felt he couldn't discuss this with me."

"Maybe there wasn't much to discuss," Cooper suggests. "It could be that he just decided instantly that he didn't want to go."

"Hmm, maybe," Blaine plasters a bright smile on his face. "Ah well. I dare say it'll all work itself out. Now, tell me about this film you're doing."

"Are you okay?" Kurt asks later that night. They are lying in bed together, shut away in Cooper's pool house and listening to the soft noises of the night around them. Blaine's head rests on Kurt's chest and he traces an idle finger over his sternum as Kurt smooths a caring hand over his shoulders.

"Yeah," Blaine murmurs quietly. "Just sad to be leaving I guess."

"I know," Kurt says with a little kiss into his hair. "I know it sucks. But it won't be long to thanksgiving."

"I guess." A silence falls- one which Kurt can't help but feel is loaded with something, but Blaine isn't forthcoming. He sighs heavily, about to ask him again what's wrong, but Blaine surprises him.

"Kurt? You'd tell me, right, if something was bothering you?"

"Of course," he exclaims, propping himself on one elbow so Blaine is forced to sit upright. "Why?"

"Because... Nevermind."

"Don't you fucking dare," Kurt suddenly seethes,shaking his head vehemently. "Do not do this again."

"No, no I'm not," Blaine reassures. "We need to talk when we get home, that's all."

"About what?"

"Not here, Kurt. I don't want to do this here and now when we're both tired and it could potentially escalate into an argument. I hate it when we fight over even the tiniest things."

"And you think we're gonna fight over whatever this thing is?" Kurt asks, becoming more and more worried.

"I don't want to," Blaine repeats. "Which is why I'm asking you to wait. Just like that time you spent the night at Joe's and I had to wait for you."

"Okay," he murmurs as he falls back onto the pillow with a sigh, though Blaine can tell he isn't happy.

"Know this, though, Kurt. I still love you, and nothing is wrong in our relationship at all, okay?"

"Sure?"

"I'm sure."

"I don't know if I'll be able to sleep," Kurt says, voice gone suddenly small and Blaine notices that he's crying.

"Oh gorgeous boy," Blaine sighs as he takes him in his arms. "It's nothing bad, I promise. And I'm not going anywhere."

"Please don't. Not ever."

He falls into a restless sleep eventually, but Blaine is woken several times in the night when Kurt shouts out in his sleep, moaning and thrashing around as he cries over and over for Blaine to stay with him. Blaine tries his best to soothe him, stroking back his damp hair from his forehead and holding him close until eventually Kurt wakes at dawn, groggy and disorientated and complaining of a headache. They head into the house to find painkillers, then sit in silence sipping at coffee until gradually the house begins to wake.

Kurt is pale and withdrawn on the flight home, prompting Sara to ask him a million and one times what is wrong, and begging Blaine to let them stay the night in Ohio, but Kurt is insistent that he will feel better in his own bed, and so they say their goodbyes and head home.

"Right." Blaine says as soon as he's wheeled the suitcases into the bedroom. "What is it?"

"Huh?"

Blaine leads Kurt to the couch, where he perches nervously but Blaine tugs him back until he's resting in the corner, and then he takes Kurt's hands in his. "Last night I told you we needed to talk. Up until that moment you were fine. And then you freaked out on me. So what is it? I understand you might be worried, but I did my best to reassure you that we were okay. All night you've been crying out for me not to leave you, you've barely spoken all day and you look sick. I'd like to hear from you now, please. What do you think is wrong?" His direct words, and the firmness with which he delivers them surprises Kurt, who had thought he could get out of this by feigning illness, but it becomes quite apparent that Blaine won't stand for it.

"You know," Kurt whispers shamefully. "I know that you know, and I feel so bad. I should have told you. I did just what I'm always telling you not to do, and then I told Cooper."

"What was it, Kurt?" Blaine urges gently, needing to hear it from him. "What did you tell him?"

"That I've been selected to study in England for six weeks," Kurt says, voice barely above a whisper.

"But you turned it down?"

"Of course I turned it down!" he cries incredulously. "What did you think I was going to do?"

"I don't know, Kurt. Talk to me about it, maybe?"

"What is there to talk about? I'm not going, and that's that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, and I'm sorry you had to find out from your brother, but I promise you, I'm not going anywhere," he smiles, his tone softening as he tries to reassure him.

"Still, I'd like to hear more about it, if that's okay?"

"Why?"

"Because," Blaine answers firmly.

"What'd you wanna know?" Kurt sighs petulantly, reminding Blaine of the fifteen year old he once was.

"Well you say selected. How many were picked?"

"Six," Kurt keeps his eyes downcast, refusing to look up as he speaks.

"Out of?"

"The entire course."

"Wow," Blaine lets out a low whistle. "That's incredible. So what does it entail?"

"Studying at Central School of Speech and Drama. It's like an exchange program- they send six students here and we go there."

"And does it cost, or what?"

"You have to pay for your flights, obviously, and food. Accommodation is provided."

"Are any of your friends going?"

"Joe. He's...well he's just an incredible actor. I know you don't see him on stage but honestly, he's mesmerising to watch. The tutors are pretty sure he's gonna be the next big thing- probably in films. He doesn't do the singing and dancing so much- even though he's studying musical theatre."

"Wow. Good for him," Blaine smiles, happy to hear the pride in Kurt's voice as he talks about his friend. "I think you should go."

"What?" Kurt is on his feet instantly, cheeks flaming as he starts to yell. "Are you out of your mind? Or you just want rid of me for over a month?"

"Can you just listen?" Blaine asks calmy, gesturing for him to sit down.

"No! No I don't want to listen, because I told you, it's not an option!" Kurt is seething as he shouts louder and louder and all the while Blaine sits calmly, hands folded in his lap. "I don't want to go!"

"I think you do."

"You think? You think? Well I think you don't know me at all then. I am not going, I don't want to go and you can't make me go. If you want rid of me just dump me and have done with it, don't put me on a fucking plane to England!"

"Will you just listen to yourself?" Blaine yells, finally losing his cool as he follows Kurt into the bedroom. "You sound like a child! This is why I didn't want to have this discussion back in LA, because I didn't want us to fight over it. I took my time, I processed my thoughts and I tried to have a mature conversation with you about it. But you're not prepared to hear me out! Don't expect me to sit there and listen to you yell at me and let you get away with it Kurt, because I won't. If you're not prepared to be adult about it then I'm not prepared to discuss it, but don't blame me in ten years time when you're sitting there thinking 'I really wish I'd taken all the opportunities afforded to me.' If you think that I won't miss you, you're very, very wrong. And if you think I'm suggesting this as a way to end our relationship, then you need to take a long, hard look at yourself Kurt, cause it's you who doesn't know me, not the other way around. Now I'm gonna leave you to sulk, like the petulant fifteen year old you seem to be intent on channelling at the moment, and when you're ready to talk in an adult manner, please come and find me in the music room."

He slams the bedroom door hard and storms to the music room where he wastes no time in plugging in his headphones and sitting down at the piano, taking his anger and frustration out on Bethoven. He is left alone for a long time before the door creaks open and a timid, red eyed Kurt appears, sagging with relief when Blaine stops playing and pats the bench next to him.

"I'm so sorry," Kurt whispers. "I lost my temper and said some stuff that was inexcusable."

"Forgiven," Blaine says simply as he puts an arm around his shoulders. "But please try and keep that temper in check. It's not..." he sighs, trying to find the right words. "I don't mind you getting worked up about things that are justifiable. But all I was trying to do was talk with you. That's all. No recriminations, no judgement...and you just flew at me."

"I'm sorry. I'm ready to listen, if you still want to talk."

"I do, because I feel this is important. Kurt... We have been together three and a half years. In that time you've done eighteen months of high school, you've graduated and completed your first year of college. We will be together for the rest of our days, there will never be another for either of us. But I don't want to ever be the reason you held back. It's why I would never have suggested you go to college anywhere other than NYADA. It's why I had to make sure about a million times that you were transferring to Chicago for you, and not to appease me. I don't want you, when you're thirty five, to sit there and think 'I wish I had' about anything... Especially if you held back because of me."

Pausing, he formulates his words in his head carefully before continuing. "I did that, you see. I try not to live with regrets because ultimately my path has led me to you, but there is so much I wish I had done that I didn't. When I first met Luke I was asked to go on tour with Aerosmith. Now, I know that's a hilarious concept for you to grasp," he smiles as he notices Kurt's grin. "But they asked and I turned it down. A ten week world tour and I said no. I just wasted those ten weeks sitting in a huge loft apartment surrounded by people I couldn't stand who were getting stoned while I just sat on a couch and waited for my boyfriend to notice me. I wish I had gone. I wish I had tried to become a recording artist in my own right when I graduated, instead of hiding behind other people because I didn't have enough self belief. I wish I had tried to sell some of my songs. I wish I had gone to Luke that day I was told he was in a bad way, instead of waiting forty eight hours. Most of all I wish I hadn't put my parents and Wes through the hell that followed.
Kurt... I don't want that to happen to us. I am more than aware that by living with me you miss out on all the dorm living and the real student lifestyle, but somehow I think you're much more suited to living in a chic apartment with a walk in closet," he teases gently. "But listen. You've been selected for this, that means they thought that you and five others are talented enough to represent your college. This is an amazing opportunity, and a chance to experience life in another country for a short while with your close friend by your side. I'll miss you a huge amount, and it will hurt. I don't know, maybe I could fly out and visit you halfway through?"

"Six weeks though," Kurt says quietly. "Six whole weeks."

"But what's six weeks when we have sixty years?" Blaine takes Kurt's left hand, running his thumb over the engagement ring. "I want you to go," he says, blinking back tears. "And I think that if you're honest with yourself, you want to go too."

"I'd leave in a month. We'd be apart for your birthday."

"Or we could spend it in London, together."

"I feel like a little kid," Kurt whispers.

"Why?" Blaine's voice is gentle, caring as he looks at him in concern.

"Because I just want someone to hold me while I cry and cry."

"I think I can manage that."

"It's not gonna be pretty," Kurt says, tears already starting to fall. "I'm talking full on bawling."

"You'll still be pretty to me."

"Oh Blaine," Kurt's voice cracks as he gives in and lets huge, gulping sobs take over his body. "I'm gonna miss you so much."