"I got it!" Kurt thundered into the apartment as he threw open the door. Sebastian walked into the foyer, curious about the sudden noise, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel and smiling at his roommate.

"I knew they couldn't overlook your talent, Kurt!" Blaine shouted, running in from the dining room to pick Kurt up and twirl him around. He set his boyfriend down carefully and kissed him thoroughly. Pulling back to catch his breath, Kurt grinned as Sebastian took a turn hugging him. Trent had followed Seb in, but he just smiled and put out a tentative hand to pat Kurt's back. Kurt turned to him when Seb let him down and drew the shy man into a gentle hug, too. Trent looked down after Kurt let go with a sweet smile on his face.

"When do rehearsals start?" Blaine asked, anxious to hear all the news.

"Next Thursday. We'll be rehearsing every day from ten to six, Monday through Saturday for the first four weeks, then they might step it up to more if it looks like we need it. It looks like we're going to be seeing less of each other for a while, Blaine," Kurt said, his face taking on a sadness that transferred itself to Blaine.

"Hey, we'll make time. We have the mornings free. I get home around one in the morning, so if I get up at...oh...around nine? Oh. I guess you'll be leaving for the theater by then." Blaine sighed. Kurt frowned. Blaine tried again.

"We'll make it work. I know...I can stay up and we can have from one to five or six in the morning, then I can sleep until its time to leave for my show. I know we'll work it out. We knew this would be hard, Kurt. It won't last forever. When rehearsals are over, we'll both be working nights and have the same schedule again. Okay?" Blaine suggested, watching the smile bloom once again on Kurt's face.

"So, which play is it?" Trent asked. Seb and Blaine looked at each other. Kurt had tried out for several off-Broadway shows. "What part did you get?"

"Let me give you a clue:

Every man has his daydreams
Every man has his goal
People like the way dreams have
Of sticking to the soul
Thunderclouds have their lightning
Nightingales have their song
And don't you see I want my life to be
Something more than long...."

A very jubilant Blaine joined in for the chorus:

"Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky"

Kurt belted out the lyrics as the three men stood there, each with their eyes wide open, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh my glory and stars, Kurt.....you got Pippin!!!!!!!" Blaine rushed forward to pick Kurt up once more, swinging him around while trying to capture his mouth. He finally stopped twirling and just kissed his beautiful boyfriend, whose ecstatic cries between kisses met with a general shouting and clapping of everyone in the room.

Kurt laughed, looking from one shining smile to the next.

"What part did you get?" Seb asked, knowing Kurt had tried for everything from Lead Player, the biggest part in the play, to chorus.

"Actually....I got Pippin," Kurt smiled, still in a state of shock from the news. "I guess its kind of ironic – me, playing somebody who is trying to find their place in the world," Kurt said. Blaine hugged him once again, whispering in his ear.

"Your place is always right beside me, my love."

~*~*~*~*~*~~*

Kurt, Blaine, and Seb had all graduated from their colleges in May of last year. Blaine and Kurt both got work in the theatre: Blaine in an orchestra playing his beloved violin and sometimes piano and Kurt doing costumes in a busy costume shop for Broadway productions. He wasn't designing anything by himself yet, but being an apprentice allowed him to work the hours he needed to be able to go out to the various cattle calls for off-Broadway shows. Neither of them expected to be 'discovered' making malts in the local soda shop, but they were both optimistic that things would progress and they would be able to work their way up.

It happened to Blaine first. He was at a try-out at The New York Theater Workshop down in the Bowery for a general chorus/dancing part and had practiced with Kurt and Rachel for a week to get all the steps right. He was feeling pretty good about his audition when the music director and the play director stopped the line and asked several people to leave the stage. They started again and then several more were dismissed. More discussion by the two men and it was down to maybe a couple dozen singer-dancers left on the stage.

"You - - there with the gray pants, blue shirt, and that mop of curls. Please wait off stage in the wings," the music director said. Blaine left the stage, looking for his bag to change into street clothes when a woman came up to him, taking him by the arm. She was a large woman, but not tall – probably a few inches shorter than Blaine, but as wide as she was tall with kinky, titian red hair that sprung out in various places where her kerchief didn't hold it in. He looked at her beautiful face and decided she must be part African-American and part some sort of European. She was dressed in a brightly flowered dress that looked more like a tent with a paisley shawl wrapped tightly around her waist and hips. Blaine was searching her face, wondering where he was being asked to go when he noticed her nose ring. Her smile was infectious as she looked at him before indicating that he should come with her. He followed along, puzzled by her actions but was willing to follow her direction.

"Sit here," she commanded and left him to watch as the field of applicants were mowed down on the stage. He sat for quite a while, wondering if they had forgotten him. He watched the woman give a packet of papers to the final dozen or so left at the end of the audition, then watched as they all left. He was about ready to leave himself when he heard the Musical director call out.

"Hey, Mopsy, come back out here."

Blaine got to his feet and went back out on the stage. The woman was now sitting at the piano and watching the director.

"Can you sing?" he asked.

"Of course...I passed the singing audition," Blaine said, confused as to why the man would ask that when Blaine had to pass the singing audition before he'd been allowed to try the dancing part.

"Okay, sing.....anything at all. Rinah can play almost anything," he said and the woman nodded her head toward Blaine.

He thought for only a moment and said, "It's Time"?

She looked puzzled and Blaine spoke again.

"I can play it while I sing if you'd like?"

"Fine."

Blaine walked over to the piano and sat down next to Rinah, who refused to give up her seat, but moved over so he could sit beside her. He touched the keyboard and took a settling breath, then launched himself into the song. He sang it just the way he'd sung to Kurt and images of his best friend and love came to his mind, forgetting where he was for a few minutes. He ended the song and looked expectantly at the men sitting in the theatre seats.

"Fine. We'll call if we need you," one of them said. Blaine got up to leave, sad his dancing apparently hadn't been up to par, but he had been to dozens of these cattle calls and he wasn't too disappointed.

As he got his jacket on to brave the New York wind outside, Rinah came up and handed him the same packet of papers the other finalists had gotten, asked his name and made a note on her sheaf of papers attached to a worn clipboard, She smiled once more and turned away, obviously dismissing him. Well, he might get a part in the chorus after all.

It had been two days since that audition when he and Kurt were sitting at a coffee house near their apartment. Blaine's phone rang and he took it out to see who was calling. Kurt was right next to him, so he wasn't too anxious to answer and glanced at the caller ID. It said: NYMETRO.

"Hello?"

.....

"Yes, this is Blaine Anderson."

.....

"Of course I remember you."

.....

His eyes got wide, then wider and his hands started to shake. Kurt was getting very concerned – was it bad news? Had Seb or someone been in an accident?

.....

"Yes, sir. I'll be there. Thank you, Sir."

.....

"Ah, okay, thank you, Jack. Yes, I'll be there with bells on!"

He sat looking at his phone after he'd ended the call until Kurt put a hand on his wrist.

"Is everything okay?" he'd asked and Blaine burst into tears, his arms finding their way around Kurt's neck as his lips found Kurt's mouth. It was a few minutes before Kurt pulled back to look into Blaine's eyes and figure out what was going on.

"Is everything okay? Yeah...Kurt - I just got the part of the Emcee in a off-Broadway production," Blaine said, looking happy and shocked at the same time.

"Emcee?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah...I'm the Emcee...in Cabaret!!!" Blaine practically shouted.

"Oh...Blaine, that is fantastic! Oh!! Oh, let me be the one to tell Rachel, Please, please..pleasepleaseplease!!" Kurt whined, his hands together as if he were praying and Blaine laughed.

"Sure, you can tell her...but it has to be in person while I'm there because I have to see her face!"

On Blaine's opening night, Kurt, Seb, Trent, Rachel, and Finn were in the first row. Blaine had seemed a little nervous right before the show but it never showed on stage. His make-up was stunning with the thick eye-liner and long, lush eye lashes, the crisp white shirt with suspenders. He sang his heart out with the girl who played Sally Bowles and found they had great chemistry together. He was sizzling on stage. At least that was what the New York Times theater critic called his performance, and Kurt agreed whole heartedly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blaine had been in rehearsal for the show for a few weeks of the three month booking when Kurt got his chance to do off-Broadway. He'd been to so many cattle calls he was thinking of changing his name to Elmer. It turned out well though because he'd been able to do a few weeks as a stand-in monkey in Wicked, then played one of the prisoners in Man of La Mancha. He was pleased with what he'd been able to do considering he had just graduated.

When this opportunity to play the second lead in the Pippin revival came along, Kurt was over the moon about it and invited his family to come and see him. Plans were made to have them come the second week when Kurt would be more comfortable in his role in front of so many people, then the next night they were going to see Blaine in Cabaret.

Rachel called him one morning as he sat in his kitchen alone – Seb and Trent were in Ohio visiting Seb's aunt and Blaine was sound asleep in their bedroom, tired from the show the night before.

"So, its only a week before your opening night – are you excited?" Rachel asked.

"Of course. I think I was singing 'With You' in my sleep last night. I thought I'd be sick of the music by now after six weeks of rehearsals, but I love it as much now as I did before I started," Kurt said honestly. He'd found himself whistling 'Magic Shows and Miracles' in the shower this morning – which clashed with Blaine's singing 'I Don't Care Much' in the bedroom. They had both ended up in giggles and stole a few private moments under the covers until Kurt had to go if he was going to get a cup of coffee and scoot off to the subway in time.

Just as he finished his morning coffee, his cell rang and he saw it was his best pal calling.

"Well, I just might be joining you in the footlights, my dear," Rachel said, her voice gaining in pitch through Kurt's cell phone.

"Oh! That's wonderful!" Kurt enthused. Rachel had been getting her share of bit parts since she was a student at NYADA and Kurt had been jealous for a while. He was happy for her, but getting the role of Pippin was so worth it to see her face when he told her. He knew Blaine secretly wanted her to scream with a jealous rage for a minute, but Kurt was so pleasantly surprised when Rachel was overjoyed her two friends were so successful.

"Do tell!" he encouraged her.

"I read for several parts and I just got a call – its way, way off-Broadway, but I got Anna," she squealed.

"Anna? Of Green Gables?" Kurt teased. He knew immediately which Anna Rachel actually meant.

"NO! That is Anne, not Anna....." Rachel whined.

"Oh..Annie Get Your Gun? I always think 'Western' when I see you, Rachel," Kurt teased. Rachel huffed and tried to shout louder so Kurt would stop talking over her good news.

"No, smart ass, I got Anna in 'The King and I'," Rachel crowed and Kurt was pretty sure he could hear her all the way from her loft in Bushwick.

"Oh, Rachel, that is so fantastic. Wow...are you strong enough to wear the costumes? I hear Gertrude Lawrence had to wear a 75 pound dress – and dance in it!" he bated his friend.

"Of course I can wear it! This is not 1952, they make them out of lighter fabrics these days. Honestly, Kurt – you do work in a costume shop, right? Are you and Blaine and the gang coming to see me?" she asked.

"Yes. We'll find a way. Blaine is almost done with Cabaret, and I have Tuesdays off. I bet Trent and Seb can come, too. We'll be your cheering section," Kurt offered, grinning as he thought of how beautiful Rachel would be dancing around the stage and singing 'Getting To Know You'. He knew she would be amazing.

"Do you want me to tell Blaine and the guys?" he teased, knowing full well that Rachel would want to tell each of them in person. He braced for her squeal and was not disappointed. Laughing into his phone, he told her he wouldn't think of letting the cat out of the bag but would make reservations at their favorite vegan restaurant to celebrate – on him.

On Kurt's opening night he walked on stage in his costume – a sleeveless chain-mail shirt and tight black pants, neither of which left much to the imagination. Blaine stared at him and followed only Kurt across the stage with his eyes throughout the entire play, mesmerized by the costume and Kurt's face with all the make-up that brought out his amazing blue eyes. Blaine grinned, thinking that Kurt should wear that costume home one day this week. Seb saw the lust in Blaine's eyes and hit him in the arm.

"Whoa there, tiger, you're drooling," Seb kidded. He had little room to talk, he was watching Kurt's hips as he swayed across the stage belting out his song. Blaine was pretty sure he'd never hear 'Corner of the Sky' again without getting a hard-on.

With all of them acting and singing in various plays, it was an amazing time for Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel. They got together whenever possible and had a great time. As Christmas approached, they made plans to return to Ohio to see their families. They all had the week of Christmas off. Seb and Trent were going to Colorado to ski, then to Aunt Pauline's in Ohio for Christmas Day, so it was just Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel going home for the whole week.

Walking down the airport concourse, Blaine and Kurt were holding hands. Rachel had come home the day before so it was just the two of them and Princess. Because Princess was a service dog, she was allowed on the airplane with Blaine, and she was frisking around a bit beside him, knowing she was close to home. She began wagging her long tail as they got close to the doors and Kurt noticed.

"Dad came to pick us up," he said, watching how excited the little setter was. Blaine laughed, watching her himself.

"Sometimes I think she loves Papa Burt more than me," he teased, dropping down to ruffle through the soft fur on her chest.

Burt walked in the doors just a moment later and the tail was wagging harder than ever. Burt got down on his knees to greet her, hugging the dog and talking to her before searching his pocket for a dog biscuit.

"Dad! You know better than to pet – much less feed – a service dog when she's working," Kurt admonished.

"Kurt, I think Papa Burt just might like Princess more than he likes us!" Blaine said, trying to sound serious.

"Of course I do," Burt said, "I picked her – I just got stuck with you two."

Blaine and Kurt threw their arms around Burt, grinning from ear to ear as he hugged them back.

"Merry Christmas, boys. I'm so happy to see you!" Burt said, his grin never wavering while he took one of the many suitcases and turned to walk back to his truck.

"Carole!" Kurt and Blaine said at once, rushing to hug her while Princess barked and ran around them in circles.

"Oh, its so good to see my boys. Come in, come in. Finn is already here with Rachel and I have dinner ready for us all," she said, taking her crutches and moving inside. Princess walked with Burt, frisking around like a puppy. Burt watched her, thinking her muzzle was getting a few white hairs among the red. He wondered how old a dog could be and still act as a service dog.

Blaine and Kurt came in, placing their suitcases in the basement bedroom and taking time to just look at each other for a moment. They were alone in the room and there were not very many opportunities to be alone when they visited the family.

"I'm kind of tired, are you?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, its been a hard week. I was all ready to do my final show when the director came backstage and told us we were to be back on the 27th for two more weeks. I was surprised as anyone and a few of the actors have parts in other plays, so it looks like I'll be working with a fairly new bunch. The understudy for Sally is also leaving, so it looks like we're getting a new girl. I need to be there for rehearsals because we're in so many scenes together," Blaine said. He'd just heard the news last night and hadn't had much of a chance to tell Kurt.

"Well, we end in two weeks, too, so I guess we'll all be out of work. Time to hit the pavement again," Kurt smiled. After this role, he really didn't mind trying again.

"I can hardly wait for us to be out of work...I'm going to sit in the hot tub with you and spend hours kissing every little part of your skin that I can find. Twice," he smiled, kissing Blaine's neck right on the spot that made him absolutely crazy. Blaine giggled and ducked away, only to dart back and kiss Kurt's lips. He was tender and soft and Kurt hummed his appreciation for the small romantic gesture. He loved it when Blaine kissed him slowly and they took their time to appreciate everything about the other. Kurt took in his breath as Blaine's fingers stroked down his arm and rubbed his wrist, his thumb circling the wrist bone as Kurt shivered.

"I think we need to go eat dinner with the family, then come to bed early, don't you?" Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear. Kurt smiled and nodded his agreement before ghosting his lips over Blaine's cheek and turning to walk up the stairs, their fingers now laced together.

Christmas was a joy for everyone. Blaine's dad flew in on Christmas Eve to join them. Carole, Rachel, and Kurt had been cooking all morning. Rachel's dads were here this year and it was a warm and wonderful time for everyone.

After Christmas dinner, Blaine and Kurt sat in the den with Finn. Everyone else had either gone home or were otherwise occupied and the boys had yet to select a movie to watch.

"Tell me how school is going, Finn," Kurt asked.

"Its fine. I finished my bachelor's degree as you know, and I'm almost finished with my Masters in psychology. I can start practicing by next year. I'll be glad to finish with school and start putting all of that education to work. Puck is keeping up with me and we just might start a practice of our own, either together or perhaps with an established counselor. We're not sure yet."

"What kind of psychology are you thinking of specializing in?" asked Blaine, clearly interested.

"I think it will be children, mostly survivors of abuse, neglect: traumatized children. Blaine, I felt as if had a front row seat in your recovery from what you went through and I really want to work with kids like that. I hope you don't mind me mentioning it to you..." Finn's eyes were caught up looking at Blaine's toffee hazel eyes and Blaine smiled.

"I think that's a wonderful thing to do. Is Puck thinking of doing the same thing?" Blaine asked.

"Yes, but a little different. He is thinking of doing a bit more of helping shy kids with low self-esteem type problems. He wants to use his life experience of being a bully to some use. I know that by the end of high school he wasn't a bully any more, but for a few years there he was pretty lost. I hate to think of what would have become of him if he hadn't found Glee Club. He thinks he can help kids that have been labeled as bullies to see how that can be destructive in their own lives as well as for their victims. I think that together, we can make a good team, don't you?" Finn wondered. Kurt smiled and Blaine nodded.

"I think that's great. Are you and Rachel still thinking about getting married?" Kurt asked. Finn and Rachel were still together and there had been a few hints about them finally deciding to tie the knot.

"We've been talking about it. I don't know yet how we would work it out – with her in New York and Puck and me here in Lima? Obviously we would have to pick one or the other – or perhaps find a compromise in another city. I want her to be able to have her dream of being on Broadway – and she is on the edge of it now. How could I ask her to quit her lifelong dream and move back here to this little po-dunk town just so I can fulfill my own wishes? That would never be fair," Finn said, looking sad.

"Well, Finn, I'd say that she can't say yes or no if you don't ask her the question, can she?" Blaine offered. Kurt and Finn both stared at him for a moment.

"I think maybe you should be the one going to school to be a counselor, Blaine. I have no idea why I never thought of that," Finn grinned. "I will bring it up with her tonight. Its not as if we need to make the decision right away, we can give it some thought over the next year. Thanks, Blaine," Finn said and patted Blaine on the back.

Princess walked into the room, wagging her tail and putting her head in Blaine's lap. His hand went out to rub behind her ears as it had a million times before.

"She has been a big help to you, hasn't she, Blaine?" Finn asked, nodding at the dog.

"Honestly, Finn, she's been everything to me. You know what I was facing, and I got through it with Kurt and Burt supporting and loving me," Blaine said, sounding sad and taking Kurt's hand in his. Kurt put an arm around Blaine's shoulder and pulled him close so Blaine could cuddle into to his side. "There were times, though, when it wasn't possible for one or the other to be there for me – I was pretty needy there for a long time. Princess was the one that helped me through those times. If I was scared at night in my big, lonely house and I didn't want to wake up Cooper or my parents, Princess would be there. She slept in my bed and I could always put my arms around her – and feel safe. When I would start to have an anxiety attack at school, she would know and press against me in class and I knew I was safe with her there. Aside from Kurt and Papa Burt, Princess is the most important thing in my life. I don't think I would have been able to heal if it wasn't for her," Blaine said, the stark honesty of his comments bringing tears to the eyes of Finn and Kurt.

"I want to work with service dogs for little kids, too. I've seen with my own eyes how important they can become in the healing process, thanks to you, Blaine. Its really something to think about. How old is Princess? How long can a dog be a service dog?" Finn asked.

"She's only eight. Irish setters live longer than most dogs, so she might have as much as eight or ten years left. Even when I retire her, its not as if I could ever get rid of her....she'll be my dog the rest of her life – no matter how long that is. She's more like a member of the family than like a working animal in my mind," Blaine said, rubbing her ears.

"I think so, too," Kurt chimed in, leaning forward to stroke the dog's long red fur. "She's my best girl, aren't you, Princess?"

Princess stood, enjoying the attention lavished upon her. When they were done petting her, she jumped up on the sofa at Blaine's invitational pat on the cushion, walked around in three circles and settled down with her head once more on Blaine's lap.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was busy at LaGuardia Airport as Kurt and Blaine walked down the corridor to the street, hailing a cab to take them into Manhattan. They arrived at their apartment and just got their suitcases unpacked when they heard Sebastian come in the front door.

"Hey, Seb, how was your holiday?" Blaine asked.

"Wonderful. Auntie Pauline looks younger every year and we had surprise guests. My parents actually showed up for Christmas dinner," he said, his voice careful not to show any emotion.

"Was it okay?" Kurt asked, picking up the subtle signs of Seb's anxiety. Princess came over and shoved her nose into Seb's hand.

Seb knew he'd never convince his friends that he was okay now. Princess was so sensitive to the moods of the people she loved and although Blaine was her master and she loved him the most, she considered Kurt, Seb, and now Trent to be part of her responsibility. Seb walked over and sat on the sofa, putting his face in his hands.

Kurt sat next to him on one side and Blaine on the other.

"What can we do?" Kurt asked, rubbing Seb's back to try and comfort him.

"Nothing, really. Its over with. They made it clear that now that I am of legal age and that I chose to live with Auntie Pauline that I don't have any claim on them. 'Claim'. That's how mother put it. I didn't think I was burdening them so much by asking how they were, by buying them gifts for Christmas, by wanting to share the good things in my life with them. The whole day was a disaster. Poor Trent just looked lost and finally left to go sit in the library to read for most of the day," Seb related, sighing.

"Where is Trent now?" Blaine asked, looking around the living room.

"I took him to his mother's apartment. He gave up his Christmas with her just to be with me in Ohio – then it was so uncomfortable. I doubt he'll ever want to see me again," Seb told his friends, his face in his hands again.

Kurt got up and walked into his bedroom, taking out his phone. He dialed Trent's number.

"Trent, Kurt here."

"Oh! Merry Christmas, Kurt. Are you still in Ohio? Seb and I came home today, I'm sorry I missed you," he said.

"Actually, we're here in New York. Blaine and I are a bit worried about Seb, though. Did he seem okay when you got home?" Kurt asked.

"To tell you the truth, no. No he didn't. I was worried because his parents....well, they weren't very nice to him. When we landed, he took me here to visit with my mom and he went home. I was just going to call to see if he could come get me, I don't want him to be alone for very long and Mom left for Vermont to see her sister an hour ago," Trent told Kurt.

"What if I brought Seb to you? You'd have the apartment to yourselves and maybe you could console him? I mean – its none of my business what kind of relationship you have, but time with just Seb might get his mind off of his bad feelings towards his parents," Kurt suggested.

"Oh, that is an excellent plan. I can cook him something wonderful and then get him into a hot bath with me...oh...sorry, Kurt. I didn't mean to think out loud there. Sorry."

"No problem, Trent. I was thinking along those lines for Blaine and me later this evening," Kurt laughed to make Trent feel less awkward. Kurt could hear the happiness in Trent's voice and was thinking how far Trent had come since that fateful night so many years ago.

We'll bring him along in about an hour then, give you time to get the dinner ready if you'd like," Kurt offered.

"Thank you, Kurt, that is so kind of you," Trent said sincerely. He was so happy that all the animosity was gone between them.

Later that night, after dropping Seb at Trent's apartment and coming home to a quiet dinner that Kurt had made – pasta primavera with wine and cheesecake for dessert - Blaine was sitting on their bed taking off the clothes he'd been in all day. They had left early for the airport, had a bumpy flight, then the chaos that can only ensue in an airport the day after Christmas. Even Princess, the calmest dog on earth, had seemed agitated at the airport. It had taken a long time to find a taxi and get home followed by getting a depressed Seb over to his boyfriend's apartment. Blaine was exhausted and closed his eyes, sitting on the bed in his underwear, barely registering his boyfriend's progress toward nakedness.

"Blaine? Sweetheart, you're asleep sitting up. Do you want to just lie down and go to sleep?" Kurt asked, sitting next to him and pulling him into a warm hug.

"No, I want to take a long, hot shower. I feel like I've been in these clothes since Moses parted the Red Sea. I need to get clean," Blaine snickered, rubbing his scruffy chin over Kurt's tender neck. Kurt squealed in surprise and stood up. He had already disposed of his clothing and was going to coax Blaine into the tub if he could. The bath was ready and Kurt didn't want it to cool down before they got in.

Stepping into the tub, Blaine sat down gingerly because of the hot water, then held out his hands. Kurt took them to steady himself getting into the luxurious tub that was surrounded by candles with rose petals in the water. It smelled delightful. Kurt was in back, holding Blaine to his chest while he soaped up the sponge and washed his boyfriend's back. Blaine hummed in delight at Kurt's careful strokes as he washed the grime of all their travels and stress from his golden skin.

Blaine moaned in delight at the warm water being poured over his chest to rinse the soap. He moved back a few inches towards Kurt and wiggled his ass just enough to get comfortable between Kurt's legs. He heard a slight intake of breath and smiled to himself because he knew that move would be just right to get Kurt excited. He was right and felt Kurt getting hard, so he wiggled again and leaned his back against Kurt's chest a little harder, turning his head to expose his neck to his boyfriend.

"Kiss me, my love," Blaine whispered and felt Kurt's chest breath on his chest where his wet hair had dribbled water. Blaine rolled in the big tub, splashing water as he turned to trade positions with Kurt, his body slick under the water as he came up behind his boyfriend. He closed his eyes as Kurt nipped at the tender skin, then kissed it and moved his lips to kiss under his ear. Sudden shivers took Kurt as he felt Blaine's lips and tongue caressing the nape of his neck. He knew what Kurt craved the most right now and he twisted once more to circle Kurt's body with his arms.

"I love you, Kurt," Blaine said, tugging Kurt's ass closer.

"I love you, too, Blaine," Kurt replied, meaning every word.

"Kurt, you know that I don't keep saying that I love you just to hear you say it back to me. I mean – I love to hear you tell me, but I say it so often because I don't want you to forget it," Blaine whispered into Kurt's ear and he leaned forward to touch as much of Kurt as he could, spreading his chest over Kurt's back.

"Oh, baby, I know that. I don't know how you could ever think that I would forget it, though. Blaine, you know you are my love, my sunshine...my very life."

"And you are mine. What say we get out of this tub and into bed. I'm getting chilly."

They stepped out of the tub, Kurt drying Blaine off with a thick Turkish towel then wrapping him in it as he dried himself. Back in their bedroom, they climbed into bed and cuddled together to keep warm. Blaine rubbed Kurt's back in small patches, then stroked down the strong muscles. Kurt practically purred in contentment.

They had been awake for almost 24 hours now – waking up to get to the airport early to go through security check on a holiday, then all the trouble of the crowds at La Guardia only to come home and have to take Sebastian to Trent's apartment. Plus, with the limited amount of privacy when they visited the family back in Lima, it was time for some snuggling...and maybe a bit more.

"I love when you kiss my back," Kurt said in a low voice, enjoying the little shivers of delight that ran down his spine when Blaine brushed his lips over his skin, all pink and warm from their bath. Kurt was lying on the thick Turkish towel on the bed. Blaine had started a fire in the fireplace and it was warming the room to the point they no longer needed blankets.

"That's a good thing because it just so happens that I love kissing your back – its like a total erogenous zone from your neck to your knees. I love the noises you make when I run my tongue over your ribs, too," Blaine said, doing just that and laughing when Kurt squealed and giggled.

"Blaine...don't tickle me! You know there's a no-tickle rule in the house," Kurt warned.

"Oh, no..that's a no tickle rule at your dad's house. There is no rule here. I can tickle you all I want," Blaine said, curling his fingers into Kurt's ribs and loving the giggle that ensued.

"Please, don't tickle me, Blaine. I really don't like it. I bet you can find something else to do with your talented tongue, just use your imagination," Kurt sassed his boyfriend.

Blaine didn't say any more, but his chaste kisses developed into wet, open-mouthed kisses as he began at Kurt's neck, rubbing down his spine once again but this time kissing as he went. Reaching the bottom of his spine, Blaine's hands started massaging Kurt's thighs, softly stroking then rubbing and moving them apart. He repositioned himself in between Kurt's knees and rubbed his way up to his cheeks, kissing and now licking his way to the small pink entrance as Kurt moaned so loudly he was vibrating the bed. Blaine smiled to himself. Kurt had been so reluctant to even discuss rimming, and several times Blaine had given up the idea. Once he had talked Kurt into trying it, Blaine could tell how much he loved it and tried to do it when the opportunity arose. It was the noises Kurt made that went straight to Blaine's cock, making him so hard he could barely stand it, and he found himself rutting against the blanket to try and relieve some of the pressure.

When Kurt realized Blaine was doing that, he moved away and rolled onto his back, coaxing Blaine up onto his chest to kiss him some more. Blaine loved kissing Kurt. His mouth was always so sensuous – his lips smooth as satin and warm, his tongue soft and talented as they moved together in a slow rhythmic dance with their hips.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked between kisses.

"MmmmHmmm?" Kurt inquired, not stopping to articulate.

"Kurt....can I...can we..try something new?" Blaine asked. Kurt drew back and looked at him.

"New? What haven't we tried?" he asked, studying his lover's face. They had talked about other things: toys, bondage, spanking, but neither one wanted to delve into anything like that. Just the two of them together was always enough.

Blaine blushed a deep red and closed his eyes for a brief moment. His long eyelashes brushed his rosy cheeks and Kurt fell in love with him just a little bit more.

"Ah...I read something at the library last week," he said, but words failed him. He and Kurt could usually talk about anything, but for some reason this was caught in his throat and he couldn't say it. "Nevermind..."

Kurt rolled Blaine off of him, scooping him up in his arms and pulling the sheet over them. He kissed Blaine on the cheek and then on the forehead.

"Hey, baby, you can tell me. I won't judge you. If you want to try something, I'm up for it. You can just whisper it to me, okay?" Kurt whispered to Blaine, a little worried. Blaine wasn't the kind to be so shy about things in the bedroom with Kurt.

"I looked at a copy of one of those joy of sex books...for gay men. Have you ever seen one?" Blaine asked.

"Yes, when I was in high school. My dad bought me one after he gave me the pamphlets, but I threw it away before I even opened the cover. Later, when we got together, I wished I'd have kept it. Wait..they have that – in the library?"

"You have to ask for it, but yes, the college had a copy. I was just looking at the illustrations. I saw something that looked...I don't know, maybe ...hot?"

"Tell me, sweetheart. We can at least think about it," Kurt encouraged.

"Well, it's called 'docking'. We put the tips of our cocks together and then...you pull your foreskin forward to cover ...ah...me," Blaine whispered. He had always loved Kurt's cock, and it was the only one he'd ever seen that was uncircumcised. Not that he'd seen very many first-hand. It was always intriguing to him, but he was shy about asking Kurt about it. It seemed just too private a matter to even talk about.

Kurt looked at Blaine, amazed that his blush could get even deeper red. His eyes were closed once again, and Kurt kissed his cheek over and over before moving to place tiny kisses on his nose and closed eyes.

"I think that might be a good thing to try," Kurt said, kissing Blaine's temple and waiting for him to open his eyes.

"What does it feel like?" Blaine asked, still not meeting Kurt's eyes.

"I don't know – I've never tried it, but I'm willing to try," Kurt said, smiling at his boyfriend.

"No..not docking. I mean – what does it feel like to not be cut? I guess that might be hard for you to know what I feel like since you've never experienced it.....forget I ever asked," Blaine said, turning his head.

"Blaine...." Kurt said softly, gently turning Blaine's head back to look in his eyes. "I might not know exactly, but I do have feeling in my foreskin. Moving it feels really good, especially when you do anything with your tongue," Kurt whispered. This was such an intimate thing to say, he had trouble getting it out. Blaine seemed to understand that and took a deep breath, kissing Kurt's cheek.

"Your tip...its smooth compared to mine. I wonder if that's because mine was exposed to more texture?" Blaine asked and Kurt shrugged his shoulders. They leaned in to kiss again.

Kurt got up on his knees and helped Blaine until their knees were almost touching. Blaine held his cock still and Kurt touched them together, pulling his foreskin gently until it covered the head of Blaine's cock, then very carefully began stroking himself. Blaine did, too, and the feeling was amazing. It was tight and rubbed in just the right amount of friction and Kurt jerked loose when Blaine unexpectedly moaned. Kurt did it again, this time Blaine kept his fingers around the dock and both stroked the other – so slowly that it might take an hour, but neither of them cared.

"Oh, my glory and stars...this is amazing, Blaine," Kurt cooed, leaning forward to give Blaine a few open-mouth kisses that turned into steaming hot kisses and left both of them dizzy and euphoric. The slick, satiny feel of Kurt on Blaine was making him curl his toes and as much as he tried to be still and quiet, just enjoy the tactile movement, he could also feel the coil of heat that started deep in his belly and gave him warning of his climax to come.

"Kurt...oh..ahhh, that feels so good, baby...." he tried to say, but it was getting harder to concentrate with so much going on in his head. The foreskin was tight on him and gave friction and pressure that Blaine had never felt before and somewhere in his mind he was cursing his parents and the doctors that amputated this vital organ. He tugged Kurt's shoulders closer and licked down Kurt's neck, humming in pure bliss as Kurt gripped him just a bit tighter and a bit faster. The skin covering his cock head was tightest around his ridge and was rubbing in just the right place.

Kurt's eyes were closed, although he had watched for a short while to see how this all worked. It was a funny feeling to have the delicate skin stretched so tight, rubbing over the slightly rougher head of Blaine's cock and where they touched felt like a fire had been lit and the dynamite was going to explode soon. When Kurt quickened his pace, still careful to keep his place, Blaine followed suit and all Kurt's synapses were sparking and he knew it would be a matter of a few moments before....

"Ahhh..Blaineeeee....." Kurt moaned, shivering and trembling as the sparks exploded and his vision got blurry as he came with so much power, slipping off of Blaine's cock in the process. Blaine's eyes shot open as Kurt's hand replaced the missing skin and as his nerves caught up with Kurt's, warm liquid spilled out across Kurt's belly and down the fronts of his thighs.

They fell together, holding each other up as their mouths sought each other out and they kissed for the next few minutes until their hearts were calm and they lay down together on the bed.

"Blaine, I think I'll get you a copy of that book for Christmas. Tell me - what else did you see on those pages.....?" Kurt asked, giggling at the look on Blaine's face.

"I'll show you, Mr. Hummel...just roll over here and..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~