Authors Note: Thank you all for reading this story. Please let me know what you have thought about it.

Please check out the sequel THUNDER and I hope you enjoy reading.

Disclaimer: I own nothing xx

They say that your High School Graduation is one of the most important events in your life. It recognizes the beginning of your actually life and freedom. But it was also considered to be one of the most stressful times in your life. Forget Finals, the prospect of hosting members of the family that you rarely saw but who all felt that they were important enough that they should be at your graduation, was a way more daunting thought than the actual graduation.

Blaine had met up with Sam, Artie, Tina and Brittany at the Lima Bean to commiserate earlier in the week. They would have gone to The Holiday Club but Blaine wanted to get away from his family for a while. Some members of the family that were visiting Blaine was actually pleased to see but there were even more that he didn't want to see. His paternal grandparents, Alastair and Diana, were incredibly welcome but his maternal grandfather Elias was not. Elias resented to fact that his late wife had left her coffee shop to Blaine. He wasn't exactly supportive of Blaine's sexuality. Thankfully, he would be leaving straight after graduation.

Cooper was also in town with his 6 week old son Kai but Gabrielle had not returned to Ohio. From the overly emotional conversation that Blaine had had with Cooper the previous night he had learnt that Gabrielle and Cooper's marriage had pretty much fallen apart at the seams after not even a year. Apparently, the introduction of Kai into their lives had not made them work through their problems but instead Gabrielle had decided to go off on tour leaving Cooper with a 6 week old baby. Blaine's heart had broken at the sight of his older brother breaking down in tears at the failure of his marriage.

Kai, at just 6 weeks old, was starting to become his own little person. Blaine had loved getting to spend time with his nephew. His relationship with Cooper may not have always been the best but Blaine couldn't help but fall in love with the tiny baby. Blaine had been the one to take Kai to visits the Smythe's as Cooper hadn't wanted to face looking into the eyes of his father-in-law and telling him that Gabrielle didn't want her son. But the fact that Blaine was with Kai and not Cooper told them all they needed to know.

Blaine had especially enjoyed watching Sebastian with his nephew. It was clear that Kai was more Anderson than Smythe but the baby had instantly settled into Sebastian's arms when no one else had been able to calm him. Blaine had laughed and said that he should have been surprised but he knew how safe it felt to be held by Sebastian.

But today, all his family issues would fade away as he graduated from William McKinley High School. Blaine was surprised to feel sad about leaving McKinley. He had spent two years at the school and despite wanting to return to Dalton at times, he was glad that he hadn't. Dalton had been amazing when he needed it but attending McKinley had given him the confidence that he had lost when he attended West Westerville. Dalton had repaired him but it was McKinley which had given him the confidence to live again.

And now, standing in the hallway in the vibrant red graduation cap and gown, it all felt unreal. It seemed strange that he was about to graduate from High School. A year ago he was still sating Kurt and Sebastian was just a friend. Now, everything was different and everything was about to change once again.

"Hey Blainey-Boo..."

Blaine turned slightly so that he was facing Brittany. The pair had grown incredibly close in the past year and Blaine wasn't entirely sure how he was going to get by without her.

"Hey Britt..."

Brittany linked her arm through Blaine's and leaned her head on his shoulder, "We've done a lot this year...me and you..."

Blaine just nodded and smiled as they stared at the trophy cabinet. Neither could believe all that they had achieved and they were both excited to where the future would lead them.

"Blainey..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to New York too?"

Blaine twisted so that he was looking directly into Brittany's eyes, his mouth hanging open in surprise. He closed and opened it a few time before finally managing to stutter out, "W...W...What?"

Brittany smiled, "You helped me improve my SAT's...and I auditioned...I found out that I got into Juilliard..."

Blaine surged forward and pulled Brittany into his arms in a tight hug, "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!"

Brittany giggled as they pulled apart, "Me, you and Artie are going to New York!"

The pair turned as they heard footsteps approaching, the smiles remaining on their faces. They watched as Tina, Sam and Artie all came closer. Blaine cringed internally as he noticed that Tina was already crying. But if he was being honest, Blaine could feel his own eyes welling up.

Sam grinned at Blaine and Brittany. Brittany had told him the night before that she had been accepted into Juilliard and he knew that she hadn't been able to wait to tell Blaine. Sam wrapped and arm around Tina's shoulders and the group began to make their way into the auditorium where the graduation would be taking place. They each took their respective places in line ready to enter the hall and receive their diplomas.

The line of students gradually moved forward and the cheers of the guests inside the auditorium began to echo in the hallway.

"BLAINE ANDERSON..."

Blaine stepped through the curtains and made his way down the aisle towards the stage. He glanced around the room and his heart rate calmed slightly when he spotted Sebastian next to Cooper. Sebastian winked at Blaine when he caught his eye causing a smile to grow on Blaine's face and he strode confidently up onto the stage to collect his diploma.

After that, the ceremony passed in a daze as his classmates collected their diplomas and then they were outside being pulled in various directions as people tried to congratulate everyone they saw. Blaine was pulled into a hug by Quinn who had returned home to attend Thad's graduation the previous day. Then Blaine began the difficult task of trying to find his family.

As Blaine reached them he slowed slightly noting the tense atmosphere that seemed to surround the group. Sebastian was stood to the side with Cooper, while Matthew and Rosalina argued quietly with Elias adding his input when it was clear it wasn't needed.

"Blaine...darling I am so proud of you..."

But then Blaine was swept into the warm comforting arms of Diana Anderson. The socialite smelled of her signature sweet perfume and chocolate chip cookies. But more importantly she smelled like home. Blaine had always loved spending time at his grandparents estate in Colorado and he had been excited to introduce them to Sebastian.

As Diana pulled away, Alastair pulled Blaine into a hug and then placed an envelope in his hands. Blaine looked down at it in surprise and curiosity.

"We have an apartment...on the West Side...it's officially yours when you go 21...but we thought you would prefer to live there than in student halls..."

Blaine looked up and met Alastair's eye, "But...I...it's...it's..."

Alastair smiled and clapped a hand on his shoulder, "It's yours Blaine...we already have a home in the city...this is yours..."

"I...I...thank you..."

"Now...go see that brother and boyfriend of yours while we stop your parents from killing each other..."

Blaine watched his grandparents walk towards his parents still in shock and then he was being pulled into Sebastian's arms. Blaine leaned up and pressed a kiss onto Sebastian's lips. As they pulled apart Blaine rested his head against Sebastian's chest, while Sebastian peppered kisses into his Blaine's hairline.

"Thanks for coming Bas..."

Sebastian smiled, "I wouldn't be anywhere else...now I think Coop wants a hug..."

The couple pulled apart and Blaine was quickly pulled into his brothers warm embrace, "Hey squirt..."

"Don't call me that..."

Cooper laughed and stepped away looking at Blaine, "I'm proud of you...really proud...my baby brother is going to live it up in New York City..."

Blaine and Sebastian laughed at Coopers enthusiasm. Cooper slung an arm around Blaine's shoulders and gestured for Sebastian to join them. It was only then that Blaine noticed that his mother had left the school along with Elias, while Matthew stood taking with Alastair and Diana.

"Hey...don't think about them...you're better than them...and you have me and Seb so who needs the old folks?"

"I'm not sure what Grandma would say to..."

"I am not old Cooper Anderson!"

Cooper chuckled and sent his signature grin across to his grandmother, while leading Blaine and Sebastian towards his car, "So...I'm gonna drop the two of you off at Thad's...you are going to drink and forget about our parents...and then call and I'll come and get you...deal"

"What? No...I just want..."

Sebastian smiled softly, "Killer...the guys want you at Thad's...Quinn, Britt, Artie and Sam are all going...and Charlie...it's already been decided...there's a bag of clothes for you to change into in Coop's car..."

"But won't grandma and grandad...and dad...wonder where I've..."

"Already sorted...you'll be going back to the Smythe's anyway...I have a long talk with Richard and Melissa planned for tonight...so just call when you want me okay?"

"Yeah...thanks Coop..."

"No worries..."

Four hours later, Blaine was sat cuddled on the sofa between Brittany and Quinn, while Thad's Doberman Sylvester laid at his feet. Everyone was else was drinking, dancing and partying but the three of them weren't particularly in the partying mood. They were contemplating how far their lives had come in the past year.

Brittany looked across at Quinn, "You'll visit us in New York right? Even though Thad will be at Yale?"

Quinn nodded, "Yep...try and stop me..."

Blaine chuckled, "If there's one thing that I've learnt about you Miss Fabray...is that no one can stop you doing what you want to do..."

"Well...Mr Anderson...the same can be said for you..."

New York here they come.

Thank you all for reading this fic xx

Please check out the sequel THUNDER!