Glee finale day. I'm feeling incredibly emotional. Anyway, just a note to say this fic will now update daily for a week. Chapter 37 will be the final chapter.

The coming months prove to be busy, as Kurt becomes swamped at work, and Blaine by his studying and his new tutoring job. They take the time to tour wedding venues though, and eventually decide on a charming hotel on the Upper East Side, which makes Burt blanch when he hears how much it will cost.

Still, he foots the bill, and then pays a hefty deposit into Blaine and Kurt's account so they can pay caterers, florists, and photographers.

It's hard to find time to just be together, but they manage it when they can, and as Blaine points out, they have an eternity. Kurt finds it harder to remain upbeat and happy though, the stress of planning his wedding is enough, but everything is made worse when it's announced he is getting an intern.

Kurt knows they have their uses, but he also knows he has no time to talk through each step of his job, while some eager college kid sits and takes notes. Blaine points out that he himself is a college kid, and Kurt points out that he's also an over eager puppy. Their argument rages until nearly two in the morning.

He trails into work reluctantly the next day, tired, and not looking forward to his day in the slightest, so Blaine is surprised when he returns singing happily, and with flowers.

"I'm a grumpy ass, and I'm sorry."

"Yeah, you should be," Blaine says, but there's a smile on his face, and he kisses Kurt tenderly. "I love you, tiger. Now what gives? You were simmering with resentment when you left this morning, so what turned your frown upside down?"

"My intern, actually," Kurt says, as he heads to the fridge. "It's that guy who did some modelling for us back in the summer, Solomon."

"The one who asked you out?"

"Yeah." He hands Blaine a beer. "Cheers."

"Uh... isn't he old?"

"Oh Blaine, everyone's old compared to you. He's twenty five."

"Old to be an intern. Anyway, he's a model."

"He wants a change. I don't think he realized how hard it was going to be to make it as a model, but he loves fashion, so he's going to keep modeling while he interns for us, and then decide what he wants to do."

"He asked you out."

"You said that already."

Blaine sighs, and turns back to his sauce on the stove. "Just weird, that's all."

"It is not weird!" Kurt cries in exasperation. "He apologized endlessly when he found out I was engaged, and the first thing he asked me today was how the wedding plans were going."

"Okay, fine, fine."

"Doesn't sound fine to me."

Blaine wants to tell him that no, it's not fine. It's all very far from fine, and he's not happy about it at all, but there's been enough stress and tension recently, so he just says silent. For Kurt though, his silence says enough.

It is an awkward dinner, with Kurt pushing most of his food around his plate with his fork, occasionally taking small mouthfuls, but it all seems to get stuck going down, so he finally pushes his plate to one side.

Blaine looks up with a frown. "Okay, what's up?"

"You know what's up."

"No I don't! You're just being all weird."

"No, you're being weird," Kurt counters. "Getting all jealous about Solomon."

"What? Oh come on, Kurt. The guy likes you enough to ask you out, and now he's going to be working closely with you for the next six months. I'm entitled to be a little pissed off about it."

"But why? How does it affect you? I told you he apologized, he's perfectly accepting and understanding of the fact that I'm engaged."

"I know you say that but..."

"You don't trust me to control myself around a hot guy?"

"You think he's hot?" Blaine cries. "Oh great! Just great!"

Throwing his napkin down, he storms into the bedroom and slams the door, suddenly wishing their apartment were four times the size, so he actually had somewhere to escape to. Of course Kurt follows, never one to let an argument drop.

"Not now, Kurt, please. Just gimme five minutes."

"No. That sounded wrong, and I apologize. He's a model, Blaine. He's not ugly, but he's not you. I love you, I want you, not anyone else. The reason I'm upset is because it feels like you don't trust me."

"I trust you implicitly," Blaine tells him, looking up with tears in his eyes. "I just don't trust him. I don't know him, and all that I do know about him is that he asked you out, and now he's very conveniently interning in your department. You hate interns, and usually make a junior writer train them, so why are you keeping him?"

"Ugh. Blaine! You say you trust me, yet you're questioning why I'm keeping him? He's twenty five. He's not gonna want to intern for some college grad. Just..."

A loud knock comes on the apartment door, making Blaine jump, and Kurt sigh in despair. "Just get the door, please," he snaps, and goes into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

"Wait!"

He rushes out again, stopping Blaine in his tracks. "No! I'm sorry. The door. I shouldn't have asked you to... Oh God, Blaine, I'm sorry. I'll answer, of course I will."

"No, it's fine," Blaine mumbles, swallowing the panic and fear he can feel building. "Gotta grow up sometime, right?"

"Stay there."

It's an order, and he gives in, standing in the middle of the living room while Kurt pulls open the door to find Brian on the other side.

"Hello boys," he says with a smile, and he seems almost nervous when Kurt tells him to come inside. "I won't stay," he says, giving a little wave to Blaine. "I was just wondering if you had any plans for Saturday?"

"Not that I know of," Blaine says, giving a shrug. "But Kurt likes to be in charge, so you'd better ask him."

"What? Blaine! Why is that...?" Kurt trails off, deciding now is not the time. "No, Brian, we don't."

"Oh, well, you see, it's mine and Loic's anniversary. He's um...he's really quite well at the moment." He smiles, as he thinks of his husband waiting for him. "And I wanted to take him out to celebrate. I was wondering if you two would come with me? I mean, I know that sounds strange," he says with a laugh. "Asking for a double date on your anniversary, it's just... sometimes conversation can get difficult, or stilted, when he doesn't remember things and... well, it's fine at the home, you know? Because it's just us in his room, but if we're out... I don't want it to be awkward," he finishes quietly. "I think this is the last anniversary we will have together, and I just want it to be perfect."

"Oh Brian, we will absolutely be there," Kurt says, and he feels like crying when Blaine appears at his side and takes his hand. "Hey, you know what? Why don't you let Blaine and I take you both to afternoon tea at that place I went to for my thirtieth?"

"Yeah, you know, Loic would love it there," Blaine says, "He likes art, right? The owner's son is an artist, and she sells his paintings. They're all on the walls, so there's plenty to look at and talk about, plus the cake is good."

"That would be lovely," Brian agrees. "But I'm taking you two, not the other way around."

"Uh-Uh," Kurt declares, spinning him around and marching him toward the door. "No way. Blaine and I owe you enough already."

"Yeah, let us repay you in cake," Blaine says. "Now go tell your husband he's got a date on Saturday."

Brian laughs and shakes his head. "If you insist. Thank you, both."

"Anytime," Kurt says sincerely, and he gives him a warm hug. "We'll see you Saturday."

He closes the door quietly, turning to look at Blaine, who looks close to tears.

"We're idiots, huh?"

Kurt nods, taking a step toward him. "Yeah."

He is grateful when Blaine holds his arms out, and he goes to him, sinking into his embrace. "I love you."

"I love you too," Blaine murmurs. "And I'm sorry. Please know that I trust you with my whole heart."

"I do. I do know that."

"And we're gonna get married, and have our happy ever after, I promise you."

Kurt nods against him, not ready to let go yet, and they stay there for the longest time, until Blaine pulls back and kisses his lips. "Wanna watch a movie together?"

"Actually, I really want to finish my dinner," Kurt admits, making Blaine laugh. "I've suddenly found my appetite again."

Things are much better. They are loving, kind, and attentive to one another, and by the time Saturday arrives, both feel like they're back on track. Kurt doesn't mention that Solomon starts at the office on Monday, he figures Blaine will ask if he wants any information, and they head over to the tea room, to meet Brian, and for the first time, Loic.

Both can see that Loic was once a very striking man. His hair is mostly silver, but it still holds flecks of jet black too. He has dark eyes and a strong jaw line, and even though he is now stooped and leaning hard on a cane, he is tall.

Brian looks so happy and proud to be with him, that both Kurt and Blaine nearly cry right there and then, as he carefully settles him into a chair, before taking his own seat next to him.

"Loic? Meet Kurt and Blaine, my friends. I've mentioned them a few times. Kurt is a writer and Blaine is an engineering student at NYU."

"Nice to meet you," Blaine says, reaching across to shake hands. "Brian tells us a lot about you."

"Yeah," Kurt says, as he follows suit. "He never shuts up. He's a romantic old sap."

"He is," Loic says, in a thick French accent, then he stares at Kurt and Blaine for a long time. "Kurt and Blaine," he says, trying it out. "Ah! They are ze ones who have sex on ze door, no?"

"What?" Blaine cries, throwing his menu down.

"Oh my goodness, Loic!" Brian cries, completely mortified. "You choose now to remember that?"

"Is it them?" he asks with a frown. "Ze loud ones?"

"Yes," Brian hisses, his face red. "Now please be quiet."

"We have never!" Blaine cries indignantly, but Kurt stops him with a hand on his arm.

"We have," he says quietly. "When I came home from London."

"Oh." Blaine stops. "Well, then we did, yes. Yes."

"I'm so sorry," Brian says earnestly. "I heard you as I was coming down the stairs, and I thought it was funny, so I told Loic, not thinking..."

"Do not be embarrassed," Loic says, patting Blaine's hand. "You are young and in love. Ze boy loves you!" he says, gesturing to Kurt. "Sex on ze door is nothing. Brian and I, we used to..."

"No!" Brian cries, and Kurt finds himself completely enthralled by their dynamic, which seems so similar to his and Blaine's. "Let's just order some tea, shall we? Hopefully it'll be hot enough to burn your tongue, Loic."

The double date is a huge success. Though Loic sometimes sits in silence, locked in his own world, he is happy, holding Brian's hand, and smiling across at Kurt and Blaine. He can also tell them about when he and Brian first met, and he does. Blaine is completely entranced by the romantic tale, and then, when he asks how Blaine "snared ze one with ze hair", they both recount their own tale.

"This is the happiest memory I've made in a long time," Brian tells Kurt. They sit side by side, watching as Blaine carefully leads Loic around the shop to look at the art.

"I'm glad. Loic is a wonderful man."

"Oh he is. I wish you could have known him when... well. It is what it is. I'm thankful for times like this, though. He probably won't remember a thing about it tomorrow, but I know that right now, in this moment, he's happy."

"And you?"

"As happy as I'll ever be with him like this." He sighs, then gives a bright wave to Loic when he turns around. "I love him, but I also love the person he was, and I'm grieving the loss of that person, while trying to come to terms with him being this way now. Did you notice when I poured the tea? He couldn't remember how to hold the cup, so he was watching Blaine. He can't write, can't read. He knows he likes art, and he can tell you he was a painter, but he can't make the connection. He can't tell you what a painter is. He wouldn't recognise his own work. He can tell you we met in Paris, but he doesn't know he grew up in Brittany, in a small rural town. He doesn't remember all the trouble we went through. The family members we had to cut out, because of their hatred toward us, the apartments, jobs, and friends we lost, because we went public as a couple. I have those memories, but no one to share in them with me, and the one person who could, can't."

"Oh Brian."

"But he knows he loves me. Today, at least. That has to mean something, right?"

"I think it means everything," Kurt says, squeezing his hand. "And that's the most important memory of all."

"We've been thinking," Kurt starts the following week, when he, Blaine, Brian and Loic are having coffee at the Met. "About our wedding."

"What wedding?" Loic asks, confused.

"Mine and Blaine's"

"You cannot marry a boy," Loic says, with a shake of his head. "It is not allowed."

"It is now," Blaine says gently. "And Kurt and I are getting married in May."

"Can I come?"

"Yes! Kurt and I would love you to come. You have to wear a suit, though, otherwise Kurt will freak. And it's law that you can't look better than him."

"My hair will never be as magnifique," Loic sighs. "When I was a young man, maybe, but now I am forty one, it is all downhill."

"Forty one?" Brian asks. "Gosh, I wish I lived in your world sometimes."

"Anyway," Kurt says, steering the conversation back around. "Brian. Would you officiate for us?"

"What?" he asks, in total shock. "Me? Why?"

"Well, we had a three hour fight over who got to ask dad to be best man. In the end, we decided both of us, and we want him to walk us down the aisle together. Angie is giving a speech at the reception, so is dad, and...for my sins, Santana is our maid of honor. That leaves you."

"Oh you don't need to worry about me."

"Well actually, we do," Blaine interrupts. "You're a wonderful friend to both of us, and you helped us so much when I was attacked. We want you involved in our wedding, because we love you and we value your friendship. So please do it. Please?" Blaine looks across at Brian, and gives his best pouting face, which makes Loic laugh loudly.

"He looks like...chien, non?" he asks Kurt, momentarily forgetting his English words. "Un petit chien."

"Dog? Yes," Kurt nods. "A little dog. That's what I call him, actually," he confides, while Blaine tries to hide. "My puppy. I'm tiger."

"I can't believe you've just given away our pet names!" Blaine cries. "Kurt!"

"Chien, chien," Loic says, laughing. "I call you that now. I don't know your real name."

"That's not fair, because I don't know if you're lying or being genuine!"

"Blaine?" Loic asks, and Blaine points across at him.

"You do know it."

"Chien."

"Is now a good time to interrupt you two, and say that yes, I'll do it?" Brian asks suddenly.

"You will? Oh thank you, thank you!" Kurt cries, and hugs him tight. "Come on. Let's go see some art."

It quickly becomes habit that the four of them will visit an art gallery or cafe every weekend. Loic likes Kurt and Blaine a lot. He doesn't always know them, but when he's reintroduced, he always remembers them as "the ones who had sex on the door."

Blaine and Kurt love Loic in return, and Brian finds himself living for their weekly double date, because he finally feels as if there are people in the world, other than him, who can see what a brilliant man he once was.

After a Christmas back in Ohio, New Years plans are made for the four of them to have dinner in Brian's apartment. Loic is not good that night, continually panicking about where he is, and why he can't get out the door, which is actually Brian's third floor window. He doesn't know who anyone is and in the end, it is Blaine's quiet, calm manner that convinces Loic to get in a cab with him and he delivers him safely back to the nursing home before the first course has even been served.

Dinner is a sombre affair, with no one feeling much like eating at all.

"You should have had your party," Brian says eventually.

"Oh, no, really."

"Really, Kurt. You two are young. You shouldn't be wasting your time on Loic and I. He's not going to get better, only worse."

"Brian, Kurt and I aren't wasting our time," Blaine says. "We love both of you. Loic is...he's funny, smart, fun to be with. I know tonight was rough, but we're not about to bail out of a friendship because of it."

"You're so sweet," Brian says, with a sad smile. His eyes shimmer with tears, as he gathers their plates, and looks forlornly at the spot set for Loic. "I don't think he'll come here again," he admits. "And that breaks my heart."

"Well this sucks," Kurt declares loudly, following Brian to the kitchen. "And the way I see it, we have three options. We can call it a night at...ooh...nine thirty, or we can all get insanely drunk together, and have Blaine spill all his sex secrets. Or... we can get our coats and boots on and take a cold walk down to the retirement home to see if Loic is settled and to wish him a happy new year. I know which one I'd rather."

"I don't think I can handle hearing any more of what you two get up to," Brian laughs. "I'll get my coat."

Loic is still agitated, but he feels more secure in familiar surroundings, and gradually calms down. He asks over and over who they all are, and though it hurts Brian each and every time, he smiles softly and tells him he's his husband.

Loic listens intently, as Brian reminds him of how they met. He marvels at the fact that he didn't marry a good catholic girl, like his mother had wanted, and he laughs when Blaine reminds him that he calls him 'Chien.'

It seems to be going as okay as it can, until Loic suddenly shakes his head and begins to cry.

"Oh, mon amour, what's wrong?" Brian asks. He wants to hold him in his arms, but with Loic not knowing who he is, he doesn't feel like he can.

"I don't know who this man is, of which you speak," he says sadly. "You tell me it is me, but I do not know. I do not know this life. I am old. I feel so tired, and I do not know the life I have lived to make me old. You," he says, looking at Brian. "You are a kind man. If I fell in love with you, I am glad, because you have a good heart. You say we had a good time, yes? Many years of happiness?"

"We did," Brian nods, desperately trying to keep it all together. "We still have happy times. Mostly when we visit art galleries with these two. And now I see Kurt and Blaine embarking on their journey, and it reminds me of when you and I were first starting out."

"Why is this happening to me?" Loic asks, in a small voice. "Why are you good people all here, telling me things, and I just can't remember? You know that? It is not that I don't want to recall, because I do," he whispers, and Blaine has to turn away as his own tears start. "I wish I could remember any of it."

"So do I," Brian admits. "But you know what? I'm here. Always. I'm right by your side, and I will be forever. I'm always going to love you, Loic, no matter what, and I will share every memory I have with you, if you'd like to hear them."

"Yes," he says, and he reaches out to take his hand. "I rather think I would."

Kurt and Blaine return home, leaving Brian to sit with his husband long into the night, and for them, the New Year rings in with Brian recalling the time they had visited the Sistine Chapel and Loic had loudly proclaimed in front of a group of nuns, that he could paint better frescoes. It's a funny tale, and it makes Loic laugh, but he's forgotten it within the hour, and he will never remember it again.

"Eleven thirty," Kurt says, throwing his keys onto the table. "What a New Year's this is turning out to be."

"Go get ready for bed," Blaine says kindly. "Put pajamas on."

"We're not going to watch the ball drop?"

"Just do as I say," Blaine says, steering him toward the bedroom.

Blaine moves fast. As soon as Kurt is in the bathroom, he gathers everything he needs, and quickly changes into his own pajamas and waits.

And waits.

"Jesus, Kurt, what are you even doing in there?"

"Flossing!"

"You've been twenty minutes!"

"So? Listen, boy, I don't want you to lose interest in me, so I'm gonna keep taking care of myself. Someone who takes pride in their appearance is sexy, right?"

"Definitely, but it's ten minutes until midnight, and I'd like to kiss you whether you've flossed or not."

Kurt gives in and pulls open the door, his eyes going wide. "Blaine!"

"A blanket fort, cheese and crackers, and a bottle of merlot," Blaine says proudly.

"Better than a blanket fort!" Kurt cries happily. "It's a duvet and pillow fort. Oh! I love you for this!"

"Get in then."

Blaine has set it up facing the window, their own duvet and pillows spread on the floor, with the guest room duvet ready to pull over them. Draped over the top of the couch and the armchair is the spare duvet and once Kurt is settled, he feels cocooned and safe.

"This is perfect!"

"Right? I figured we could do to escape for a bit. So," Blaine says, pouring two glasses of wine. "Happy New Year, Mr Hummel. Here's to us becoming husbands."

Kurt grins, clinking their glasses together. "Here's to us having a love like Loic and Brian, and here's to them."

"May we all find peace and happiness," Blaine says, and Kurt agrees before pulling his fiance into a deep kiss.

They watch the fireworks together from the comfort of their fort, making random observations and easy conversation as they eat and drink.

They discuss everything, from how Blaine thinks Amy and Ben are doing under his tutorage, to how Kurt wants to go to Maine on their honeymoon, but Blaine wants to go back to California, and also about his mom's imminent move there, now just two weeks away.

It's nearly one in the morning, when Blaine yawns and settles down on his front, hugging his pillow. "Are we going to sleep here?"

"Yes," Kurt declares. "I'm not wasting the opportunity to sleep in a fort."

"What about making love in the fort, too?"

"Well, it seems rather silly to refuse," Kurt says with a smile, as he settles down on his side next to him. "You did go to all this trouble."

Blaine rolls them over, until he's on top of Kurt, where he kisses him sweetly. "I love you, Kurt. I can't wait to marry you."

"You kinda have to wait," Kurt points out, then he gives a little whimper, when Blaine kisses behind his ear. "Cause the hotel is booked, and we...oh! We have guests coming and... oh, I'm just gonna quit being funny and let you take me."

"Good plan."

Blaine loves to tease, and like this, lying down on the soft duvet, and buzzing from the wine, Kurt is happy to let him. He seeks out every ticklish spot and his tongue maps out the contours of Kurt's muscles as he moves over him.

He opens Kurt with his tongue, while Kurt takes him deep in his throat, and then, finally, he enters him. Kurt wraps his legs tight around Blaine's waist and draws him down, seeking his lips with his own, and needing the closeness of their bodies pressed together.

Blaine is unhurried, taking his time to move slowly inside of Kurt. "Damn, Kurt, I love you. You're incredible, you know that?"

"I love you too, Blaine. I love this. Us. Making love like this. I love that we have this connection."

"I kinda really want to come," Blaine admits with a laugh. "But I also don't want it to end."

Kurt reaches up, his fingers lightly grazing his cheek. "Come. Come with me. We've got the rest of our lives, Blaine."

He prolongs it for as long as he can, until Kurt is there too, and they climax together. Sleepy and sated, they haphazardly clean up, and then Kurt curls himself around Blaine's warm body, pulling the other duvet over them both.

"You are the most beautiful person I know," Kurt whispers, kissing the back of his neck. "Don't ever change, okay?"

"I won't, not while I have you."

"Blaine?"

"Hmm?"

"You know how Brian said we remind him of him and Loic?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I hope we still have a love like theirs when we're old. I noticed, tonight, that even though Loic didn't know who Brian was, he was falling for him all over again. Did you see that? As Brian told him their story, he was totally taken with him, the way he talked. He couldn't stop watching him, and then, even though he was essentially a stranger to him tonight, he reached out, and took his hand. He admitted his fears to him, he wanted him to know that he wished he could remember. I hope that's us. I hope we fall in love over and over again."

"We will," Blaine reassures him, raising his hand to his lips. "I fall for you every day. I look at you from a distance and think, wow, he's all kinds of amazing. I listen to you talk, and nothing else in the world matters. I feel your arms around me, and I know I'm home. Marrying you means I get to fall in love with my best friend over and over again, and that's why I can't wait."

"Blaine?"

Blaine closes his eyes and smiles, ready for Kurt to ramble on until he's asleep. "Hmm?"

"My left hand is squashed under your hip, and it hurts. Could you move?"

Blaine laughs loudly, and lifts his hip, before settling back down again. "Better?"

"Much. And just so you know? All that you said was perfect, and I have nothing more to add."

"Really?" Blaine asks in surprise. "First time for everything."