Title: I see it now
So this is the last part of this story! As we said before, we enjoyed writing and sharing this one so very much! Again, thank you to everyone who was so supportive of this fic. We appreciate all the encouragement and feedback.
We will take some time after posting this and sometime soon we will start posting our next multi chapter fic. We can't wait to share it with you! Much love - A and K
"Once upon a time, there was a wizard."
A room of children, some very young and some a little older, watched as the little wizard puppet pretend-walked across the tiny stage. He was a beautiful puppet with a swirl of chestnut hair, jewels studding his tiny fingers, and sweeping robes trailing behind him. He scowled out at the children when they whispered, causing them to giggle. The puppet master grinned at the adorable sound and continued his story.
"The wizard was a Very Grumpy Wizard, but the secret reason he was so grumpy was because he was so lonely." The puppet's scowl turned to a sad frown causing the children to make sympathetic sounds. "He was all alone in his big, creepy castle…"
The velvet background miraculously changed when the puppeteer shook it to show a shiny black castle. Some of the children clutched each other's hands in fright as the puppeteer made thunder noises with a special noise maker.
"Don't worry," one of the older children whisper shouted, a girl who sat next to her twin brother. "He's actually a nice wizard. Just wait and you'll see in a few minutes."
"The narrator would like to remind the audience members who have seen this before not to spoil the ending for others," the puppeteer warned the children with mock sternness. It was ineffective though because they all knew he was a pushover. The children giggled as the wizard puppet tapped his foot impatiently as if he was waiting for them to get on with the show. "As I was saying… The Very Grumpy Wizard decided one day that since his feelings had been really hurt, he would be mean back. This is why it's important to talk about your feelings with others, kids."
The puppet scowled again and stomped its tiny foot.
"My mama says hurt people hurt people," one of the children said. "That's why my Uncle Joe drinks."
"Moving on!" The puppeteer changed the subject quickly before they could overshare some more. "Anyway, so The Very Grumpy Wizard hatched a very grumpy plan! He would… STEAL ALL THE STRAWBERRY TARTS!" The wizard puppet rubbed its tiny hands like it was plotting.
All of the children gasped.
"No!"
"Not the tarts!"
"You haffa share Mr. gumpy wizurd!"
"Yes, it was a nefarious plan," the puppeteer continued on in a very serious tone. "That's what happens when we never learn to share. It's why kindness is so important. Oh no! Look, there he goes stealing the tarts! But luckily for all the children in the village, a hero was close at hand!"
The wizard puppet ran across the stage holding a tiny tart tray just as another puppet appeared. This one was a little shorter and had dark curly hair. When the puppeteer had made this particular puppet, he and his husband had argued about what sort of clothes it should wear. It was an argument that carried over from their real life since he was always trying to dress the puppeteer up in fancy clothes like he was a doll. He really didn't mind so much since it often led to his taking his clothes off to try on others and thus getting awfully distracted. Five years together and they still couldn't get enough of each other.
What the puppeteer didn't see was the door to the stage open silently and the healer of the village step inside. A few of the children saw him and nearly jumped from their seats, but he shook his head and playfully tapped his lips, silently asking for them to not give him away just yet. A few of the children were wary of him, but most knew him to be kind. He gave them little treats when they came to see him because they were hurt or sick. Sometimes he would even cast spells to cheer them up, like little sparkling dragons and unicorns made of green lightning. A few of the children remembered the old days when he was the most hated man in the village, but between his skill with medicine and the way he protected the village fiercely, things were much different now.
"Now, The Very Grumpy Wizard had taken the tarts to his castle and was about to eat them all by himself!" The puppeteer went on, unaware of the way the healer smiled at him like he was the best thing in the world. He leaned against the wall in the shadows, arms crossed as he watched the puppeteer. "Should he?"
"Noooo!" Most of the children said after their attention went back to the show.
The wizard puppet looked out at the children in confusion.
"Should his friend go and ask him to share?"
"Yeeeesss!" The children squealed. Some clapped in anticipation as they all agreed heartily.
"Okay, here comes The Handsome Bard to ask for the tarts back… Aww he's crying!"
The children cried out in dismay as the wizard puppet buried his face into his hands and his shoulders bounced. The puppeteer sniffed like he was terribly sad. "Oh! He took the tarts because… what was that? Because you were lonely? Oh no!"
In the corner, the healer stifled a laugh at how exaggerated the puppeteer was being for the children's benefit. It was the most heartwarming thing he had ever seen.
"Children! Can we all be his friend? Can we make The Very Grumpy Wizard feel better? What do you say?"
"Yes!" They screamed, some jumping up and down in their enthusiasm. "We'll be your friend!"
"Would you look at that! Friends, he's smiling at us!" The Handsome Bard puppet put his arm around The Very Grumpy Wizard puppet and they hugged. The children cheered as the puppet smiled. "I believe The Very Grumpy Wizard has become The Very Good Friend. Would you all like to be his friend too?"
The children nodded vigorously and said they would which made the two puppets dance.
"Are they going to kiss now?" The boy twin asked with big eyes.
The puppeteer laughed awkwardly. "Now, why would they kiss?"
"Because you and Master Hummel are always kissing! That's 'upposed to be you and him, ain't it?"
The healer decided now might be a good time to step in as his husband gaped like a fish and flushed a violent shade of crimson. Out of thin air, he pulled a paper box full of strawberry tarts similar to the ones in the story. "Do I have any friends here?" he asked the room.
The children squealed as they smelled the sweets and clapped their hands. The puppeteer whirled around and smiled brightly at the healer. He mouthed a thank you to him and the healer winked as he was mobbed by hungry children.
"Make a line," he said sternly as he lifted the box high in the air. "Or else I shall take them off to my castle! Never to be seen from again!"
The children immediately fell into line and waited patiently for their turn.
After they had eaten and their sticky hands and faces were cleaned, the two of them let the children out the door and into the arms of their parents. The puppeteer fell into the arms of his husband and buried his face in his chest.
"Kurt! I'm so tired," he said, his voice muffled by his husband's body.
"Maybe next time there's a village meeting, you won't volunteer to keep all of the children entertained alone," Kurt replied with a chuckle. He wrapped his arms around Blaine and kissed the top of his curls.
"I had to perform five skits! Why did it take so long?" He lifted his head and rested his chin on Kurt's chest.
"I'm sorry, my love. The Town Master and I were discussing renovation plans at length." He said it casually, but Blaine caught the note of excitement in his voice.
He looked up into his husband's eyes. "They approved? So you shall have an office in the village?"
Kurt nodded and gladly accepted the hard kiss Blaine planted on his lips. "My family's old cottage will be repaired and that will be where I work when not at the castle." Blaine twirled him around the room happily. The walls echoed their laughter.
"Of course, she proposed we actually live here too, but I told her we were happy in the castle," Kurt finished breathlessly.
Things had gotten better over the last few years. A lot of that had to do with Town Master Mercedes and her second in command Ryder who worked towards finding peace. Some left, some stayed. But the ones committed to change did their best. They tore down the iron fence and invited Kurt back inside. He had become so famous for healing that people came from faraway to get his potions and remedies he still grew in the castle. Blaine helped him of course when he wasn't putting on shows for the village children or occasionally traveling with his family.
They did it for fun now mostly. When Lady Rachel got back home, her fathers were so overcome with joy that they began sending Blaine gifts immediately. Kurt remembered the day he opened the door and was immediately accosted by twenty minstrels sent by the Lords Berry who followed Blaine around the entire day singing of his brave deeds. Kurt found that gift particularly amusing. Blaine did not. They sent money, jewels, clothes, wine, rare delicacies, and a box of what Blaine had mistaken for medical instruments. Once Kurt explained what they were actually used for (and later that night, showed him), he sent several strongly worded letters asking them to please stop. (He also thanked them for the, er, instruments. Profusely.) Their daughter had married Lord Hudson and was quite happy. She and Blaine exchanged letters frequently even though she still hated Kurt. With every letter, she would send him a dead bird. It was strange, this dynamic they had. But Blaine gave a lot of the gifts away to his family and people of the village in need. He had all he needed.
Giving him his arm, Kurt escorted Blaine out of the stage room he performed in and out into the village. They gave a friendly wave or nod of acknowledgment to the people they walked past. Kurt was still a little uncomfortable in the village and Blaine felt he probably always would be. But over the years had at least stopped scowling at everyone. The gold of the band he wore on his hand glittered in the afternoon sun. It matched the one Kurt wore that belonged to his parents before them. Blaine had cried when he asked his to wear it forever.
"Oh, and thank you for that tapestry," Blaine said as they passed by the butcher shop. Kurt stopped to pet the cats. He always did. "The children loved it and it's perfect for my stories." It was created with magic and changed scenes with just a shake. There was even a scene with fireflies.
Kurt looked up from where he was feeding a little kitten some tuna that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "You're welcome. I do have a suggestion though."
Blaine sighed like he was put out, but the fond look on his face contradicted any annoyance. "And what is your suggestion, dear heart?"
"The Very Grumpy Wizard and The Very Handsome Bard need a new story together." He squinted up at Blaine with a sly grin. Blaine wanted to kiss it from his face.
"Do they? What sort of story would you propose?" He took Kurt's arm again after he stood and dusted off his hands.
"Well… Now I'm not saying tomorrow… Maybe after we return from our trip to see Master Chang at the tower… But I was thinking…"
Blaine found it so cute when Kurt got all nervous and tongue tied. He kissed his warm cheek that was getting pinker by the second. "What is it Kurt?"
"It's just… seeing you with the children…" Kurt twisted his rings nervously and shook his head. "I was going to say this much more eloquently, but words have failed me. I just wondered if you have ever given any thought to becoming a father…"
Blaine tugged him to a stop and cupped his face in his hands. His heart soared at the thought that Kurt had been thinking about this sort of thing. He kissed him, their lips soft and warm against each other. Kurt's hands went to his waist, pulling him even closer. When they finally broke apart, they stayed close to each other's lips.
"Think it's a wonderful idea," Blaine said as he rubbed their noses together. "What did you have in mind? Are we adopting an orphan? Oh! What about a wizard or witch child that's been cast aside? We have to Kurt!" He gasped and rubbed Kurt's abdomen. "Or have you done some sort of spell—"
Kurt shoved his hand away and rolled his eyes. "I don't even think that's possible and even if it is, absolutely not."
Blaine's eyes lit up as he grinned at Kurt. "A child! Can you imagine? It would be perfect. Oh goodness, mother is going to die! And Cooper! And Doug! And Mercedes! And—"
"Yes, yes. Everyone will be so happy for us," Kurt said, not unkindly. He was grinning just as much as Blaine. His face grew more serious. "You really want this? Because it's okay if you have to think mmmph…"
He was kissed into silence as Blaine showed him just how great of an idea he thought it was.
"Blaine?"
They turned to the voice and saw a blond man staring at them curiously. It took Blaine a few moments to realize who it was and it had him rushing to him to give him a hug. "Sam! It's been so long!"
They hugged and Blaine turned to Kurt who was watching them hug with a little hint of jealousy. "My love, this is my old friend Sam Evans! I told you about him. Sam, this is my husband Kurt."
"A pleasure," Kurt said smoothly as he shook Sam's hand.
Blaine noticed how he pulled Blaine back towards himself and wrapped a possessive arm around his waist. He was so ridiculous. Blaine had told him about his childhood crush on the man in front of them, but he knew he was in love with him. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, some trading," he replied with a friendly smile. "It's so good to see you though! What are you up to?"
Kurt suddenly got a wicked grin on his face that Blaine didn't like. "He's a puppeteer. Darling, why don't you tell him about it?"
Blaine gave him a funny look in return. "Yeah, I've been doing it for awhile. I perform for the children mostly."
"No, tell him about that one puppet," Kurt said as he wiggled his eyebrows.
Immediately, Blaine knew what he was talking about and he covertly pinched Kurt's side. "I have a variety," he said, laughing it off.
"We should show him them all!" Kurt moved away from Blaine's hand and batted his his eyes innocently. "I think you'll be very interested in one particular puppet!"
"Kurt!" Blaine forced a smile. "Do not!"
Kurt threw his head back and laughed and although Blaine wanted to choke him a little, he also swooned at how gorgeous Kurt was. He laughed a lot more these days, something Blaine was very happy about. His malicious streak often manifested itself into torturing his husband for enjoyment. Like this very moment. Blaine did not care for that.
Sam looked slightly confused at their bickering. "Um…"
"Oh okay— Well, look at that! Here's the puppet I was referring to!"
Blaine flushed and tried to snatch Sam puppet out of Kurt's hands where he had summoned it. "Kurt!"
"Guess it's name!"
Blaine finally succeeded in grabbing the puppet back with a rueful glare at Kurt who was having the best time. "His name is Sam puppet," Blaine said, resigned. "I made him when I was a child and named him after you."
"Awww!" Sam took the offered puppet and held it to his face for comparison. "That's so sweet! I'm sorry I don't have any puppets that look like you. I do have the flower crown you made me though!"
Kurt stopped laughing. "Flower crown?"
"Yeah." Sam said as he threw an arm over Blaine's shoulders. "Apparently he had a little crush on me, so he made me a flower crown. He said we were married." Sam patted him and they shared a laugh. "I guess that makes me his first husband."
They all laughed, but Blaine saw the murderous look in Kurt's eyes. He couldn't deny it excited him a little when Kurt got possessive. It reminded him of Kurt's harder side. He had a feeling he would get to experience it that evening.
"We should spend some time together while you're here!" Blaine exclaimed as he went and took Kurt's arm again before he started growling at Sam. "Come have dinner with us tonight! My husband is a fantastic cook!"
Kurt preened a little at the praise and the doting kiss Blaine placed on his cheek.
Sam got a dopey little grin on his face and rubbed a forearm. "Well, I would, but the Town Master has asked me to eat with her tonight."
Blaine nodded knowingly. "Very well. But come see us soon! We leave in the next few days. We are traveling with family to see some friends in the Tower of Knowledge."
Sam assured them he would and with one more hug, went about his business.
Once they had arrived back at the castle, Blaine patted Kurt's hand and told him to calm down. It was a trip made quicker since Kurt had moved it the whole thing closer to the village. Magic was wonderful.
"You can relax now. Honestly."
Kurt pouted as they walked through the immaculate gardens that now surrounded the castle. "I don't like anyone laying claim to you, even if you were only children."
"You are the most ridiculous man," Blaine teased. "You saw his face when he spoke of Mercedes. And as you so intelligently pointed out, you silly fool, we were children."
Kurt stopped beside some towering sunflowers and pulled Blaine flush to him. "You're right. Forgive me, love. I'm mad for you."
Blaine cupped Kurt's chin and pulled him down until their lips could meet. "You were already forgiven. Perhaps you can remind me who I belong to tonight in our bed."
Kurt's eyes burned with lust. "Oh, I shall. Repeatedly." He captured Blaine's lips in a searing kiss that he was only too happy to reciprocate.
"Enjoy our next few nights alone," Blaine said breathlessly as he kissed down Kurt's jaw to his neck. "When we meet mother, Doug, and Cooper, we will not have a second to ourselves. Especially once we tell them about the baby." Just to tease Kurt further, he rubbed at his stomach.
Kurt was not amused. He swatted his hand away. "Quit saying that! You're brother is fool enough to believe it! They can stay in their own fucking wagon. I'm too selfish to share you every night."
Blaine laughed at his irritation and dragged him along towards the castle entrance. "You say that now, but the next thing you'll know Cooper will be sleeping in between us. He's a cuddler."
Kurt wrinkled his nose. "He does recall I'm a wizard and can smite him."
"No smiting my brother!" Blaine said sternly as they passed by the graves of Kurt's parents. They had stayed the same except for a beautiful statue of Burt and Elizabeth holding hands. The village had commissioned it to show good faith when they were trying for peace all those years ago. It hadn't happened overnight. There were lots of talks and shouting. Distrust on both sides and occasionally a step or five backwards. But there was a lot of progress made. It was sometimes a slow pace, but change was sometimes a crawl. Mercedes had come into her own and she and Kurt were on much better terms now that some years and space was behind them. Things were good now, and Blaine couldn't be happier he had decided to wander off on a foolish endeavor all those years ago. He thought of their relationship with the village like the pitcher that sat on a shelf in their room. If you looked hard enough, you could see the places it had been broken long ago. But now it had been put back together with love, care, and a little bit of magic.
"All I'm saying is your brother needn't be so insufferable— What?" Kurt had noticed the way Blaine was staring at him.
They were in front of the castle doors now. They never closed these days. Once, the castle that stood proudly behind them had been a symbol of fear and sorrow, but now housed the largest hospital anyone had ever seen. The slick ice had been replaced with actual obsidian. The gruesome carvings had been replaced with peaceful carvings of nature: flowers, fireflies, cats, and birds. It created a beautiful back drop for all the flowers and plants in and around the place. Looking at it now with the love of his life in front of him, Blaine was filled with an over abundance of joy. Home, he thought. The man and the castle. He didn't share any of this nostalgia with Kurt though, since he knew he would be teased. Instead, he held out a hand.
"Dance with me?"
Kurt laughed and looked around a little self-consciously. "Here?"
"Here."
"There's no music."
"I shall sing to you."
"Anyone can see."
"Let them." Blaine bowed slightly at the waist, his hand still outstretched. "If I wish to dance with my beautiful husband at our home, I shall. Now dance with me."
Kurt's smile was full of love and his voice was soft as he took Blaine's hand. "Bossy."
"I learned from you."
They danced and if fireflies appeared like a sea of stars even though it wasn't the season, no one mentioned a thing. To Kurt, Blaine was the brightest light among them and he always would be.
And they lived happily ever after.
The End
The little part with Sam is for you Marcia since you mentioned it before and we adore you! Thank you for the idea! We hope the end was what everyone was wanting! Thanks again to everyone for reading.
music used:
-One Step Ahead: A Great Big World
we do not own music!*
