The boutique had been ready for a while, a working space though it was never cluttered, and Kurt looked around, doing a final sweep of his place with his crystal blue eyes. He nodded at Blaine, a nervous smile tentatively appearing on his face, and Blaine switched the sign to read 'open' and stood back.

The displays were ready, just a hint of a collection that promised so much in the future. There was so much space, the shiny floor inviting only to those who could afford to know for definite that they wouldn't soil the veneer with their muddy shoes. There were Belle's baby cupcakes on display as agreed and books of designs that customers could peruse. Kurt had deliberately spoken to contacts, hinting that he was to work independently and those fashion forward people knew when to explore new ventures and budding talent. He already had a few bookings, designs snapped up and dresses and male suits ordered. Blaine beamed as he took in the boutique, something he was able to put the finishing touches to, if only to be of some little use to Kurt who he had never been more proud of.

"This place is fantastic Kurt," Blaine said, looking around, lifting his face so his eyes reflected the light from the gentle LED acrylic rods that dangled from the ceiling like icicles. The light caused Blaine's skin to shimmer and Kurt smiled at the decision to include such lighting that would make Blaine look so beautiful.

"I want to stay here all day and look at these beautiful clothes and order so much," Blaine gushed as he trailed his fingers over the rack that displayed only the best pieces. The floor to ceiling windows let in so much natural light, the chairs so pristine but comfortable, Blaine secretly wondered if people might want to visit just for the ambience and baby cupcakes.

"It's our money," Kurt said laughing, "I wouldn't want you to spend your own investment."

Blaine nodded taking the wise statement seriously but his face soon lit up again as he looked around.

"You've made it Kurt," he said, a sudden catch in his voice and Kurt looked a little concerned until Blaine shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, I won't cry, I just can't help but be so proud of you. You dreamed big Kurt and you did it. You let no one stop you. You did it."

Kurt had begun to worry that the dream might not lift off the ground but hearing those words from the guy that he was slowly falling in love with was everything. He rushed forward.

"I could only do it with you behind me," Kurt said smiling, his lips nearly upon Blaine's. "Having you believe in me is everything."

"And you to me," Blaine said, "I wanted to impress you, needed you to know that I was capable of more; that I could be what you needed me to be."

"You're more," Kurt said, his voice catching slightly, feeling overwhelmed. "We're a team from now on, right?"

"Right," Blaine said, the word 'team' music to his ears. No longer just him, or at best with Quinn. He was part of a team, a perfect ship that he would go down with if necessary.

---

Blaine's mother seemed to flounder without the invisible support of her husband. Blaine was determined to support her, was more visible in her life than before but now she was alone and it was only through tough conversations with Quinn that she realised what needed to be done. Divorce papers were sent and part time jobs applied for. She wanted to be independent, though it was difficult, and she persevered, not seeing Charles until absolutely necessary, in front of lawyers, negotiating money.

"That is just insulting," Clive, Elizabeth's lawyer, said upon hearing the measly amount that had been offered. He sat next to her, his stuffy suit comforting in its straight lines, and although Elizabeth was almost tempted to allow Charles whatever he wanted, she stayed silent. "There was no prenuptial agreement, she is entitled to half of his estate. All the assets shown here do not reflect the lifestyle that Charles has and we will have to prove it in court."

Clive sat still, saying no more, only allowing his words to penetrate Charles' stiff exterior. His eye twitched but then there was a grim smile.

"That is fine," Charles said, standing abruptly in order to give the impression there was nothing further to say. His own lawyer looked surprised.

Clive looked to Elizabeth in question. What shall I do?

Elizabeth had told him everything but had never given him permission to disclose the information or go further with accusations. She looked briefly at Charles but then her gaze fixed on Blaine, who was seated at the head of the table, almost like a go-between though it was clear where his loyalty lay. He was silent, letting his mother take her time and make her own decisions though he had found it difficult. She nodded at Blaine and knew what she had to do.

"I think a police report will be added to that file," she said calmly, addressing Charles' lawyer rather than her husband of thirty years. "I intend to press charges against Charles for physical and emotional abuse spanning the course of our disastrous marriage. I will see you in court too." She stood and left, Clive quickly following her, her heels clacking down the corridor as Charles stood in shocked silence, Blaine smiling broadly. He didn't hide his glee at seeing his mother finally stand up for herself and Charles left too, madly discussing the topic with his lawyer who was following dutifully.

---

"Celebrate?" Blaine asked as he turned the sign round to say 'closed'.

Kurt had his first very successful week. Although the number of customers that had physically walked through the door had been small, Kurt had been constantly busy taking orders on the phone and arranging meetings with prospective clients. A few independent clothing shops wanted to order a few pieces to include in their own boutiques and Kurt had leapt at the chance to support people in similar circumstances to his own. All in all Kurt thought that his first week couldn't have gone any better.

He considered nodding his head in agreement, perhaps an early dinner but then he shook his head. Blaine looked disappointed.

"Can I cook for you?" Kurt asked and Blaine's eyes lit up at the thought of a real home, seeing Kurt's place properly. "Rachel is bound to be out and I wondered if you wanted to stay?"

Kurt blushed, his eyes lowered but Blaine came forward and rescued him.

"I'd love to," he said, a little smile gracing his own lips as he tilted Kurt's chin up so his blue grey eyes were twinkling in his direction. "If you'll have me."

Kurt laughed. "Blaine, there's no one else I'd rather spend time with and it's been kinda driving me crazy all this teasing foreplay. I've missed you."

Blaine nodded slowly in agreement, his mind still playing the image of Kurt naked from a few weeks ago. Why had he waited?

Kurt laughed again and led Blaine by the hand as he packed away his day's belongings so they could go home.

---

Dinner was short and sweet, Kurt cooking a simple meal that was so tasty Blaine was humming in pleasure, making Kurt blush slightly. They chatted about plans for the boutique, how they thought they might be able to expand to a website where ordering was more efficient. They discussed ways of advertising that Blaine knew more about due to his connection to Quinn who specialised in what she called 'free' advertising: allowing minor celebrities to be dressed with your attire in the knowledge that word of mouth and recognition would come later. Blaine promised to spread the word via Quinn and he was sure he would soon have a reliable collection of people that would regularly want his designs. Contacts were everything and Quinn's people were successful, exuding a confidence that Blaine rarely felt. Kurt had a meeting with Isabelle the following day and they thought of ideas to use her expertise and contacts to boost his sales as they ate.

Blaine smiled warmly at the twinkle in Kurt's eyes and Kurt looked suddenly embarrassed.

"What?" Kurt asked, "Do I have something on my face?"

Blaine shook his head, still smiling. "You're just so beautiful when you're enthusiastic and excited."

Kurt's cheeks flushed slightly at the praise but his stomach did a little swoop and he smiled back.

"I'm finally doing what I always wanted," he said simply, a little in awe that he had managed it all before he was thirty. "I still think someday that it'll all just disappear and I'll find myself back at Vogue."

"No, you won't let that happen," Blaine said, "You're a fighter Kurt, no matter if your dream changes you'll always fight for what you want to achieve. You have a goal and you go for it. I love that about you."

Kurt was a little surprised at the mention of the four-lettered word but he tried not to show it. Blaine realised anyway and he started to fiddle with his food on his fork.

He suddenly looked up.

"I love many things about you actually," Blaine said confidently, only a slight blush on his cheeks indicating his fear. "I love your enthusiasm and your dreams. I love that you care so much, that you never let me give up. I love spending time with you Kurt and I can't believe I let even a few weeks go past where you weren't nearby. I love your eyes and your laugh and gosh Kurt your voice is amazing. I just want to touch you all the time, my fingers itch to stroke your skin or hug you or to press my lips against your soft mouth." Kurt's eyes widened at the admission but Blaine was unperturbed.

"Have I said too much?" Blaine asked, "I just need you to realise, I need to say…"

His voice seemed to die a little but Kurt swallowed and asked what he hoped he knew all along.

"What do you need to say?"

Blaine's eyes softened as if he was watching the most beautiful thing emerge from a cocoon.

"I love you," Blaine said simply and his heart beat wildly in his chest. He had done it, he had admitted it and he was free. Nothing bad had happened, no wind had changed but Kurt was suddenly smiling and Blaine knew he would be wonderfully ok.

"You do?"

Blaine nodded. "I've loved you a long time, I was just afraid I wouldn't be enough, that my pathetic life of lies would scare you away. This is me and I can't go back."

"You can't ever go back," Kurt smiling, "I love this Blaine, someone that believes in himself, someone confident but that I can build up too. I need you for that too Blaine, no one can believe in themselves on their own."

"You have built me up Kurt," he smiled, "And I'm determined to be the man you dream of, someone you can respect and come home to. I want a future where I thought I had none before. I have dreams now where I only had a lonely dark path filled with money and success, nothing meaningful and wondrous. I can be the best, knowing that you're waiting for me at home, knowing that it's your face that will light up if something goes well."

"You want me at home?" Kurt asked quietly in awe that someone would want him that much.

"I do," Blaine said smiling, his eyes soft, "I think with all the fake domesticity with Quinn it's only made me want the real thing. Does that scare you? Is it too much?"

"No," Kurt smiled, a hint of pink on his cheeks, flushed with happiness in the candlelight. "I think it sounds glorious."

Blaine blushed slightly in happiness. They found their way to the television with the weak premise of watching a movie but really finding their hands and feet wandering. Fingers itched to touch, feet strove to stroke soft skin along legs and it didn't take long until there wasn't enough space and Kurt stood, slowly bringing his hand out for Blaine to take. He was nervous but Blaine took one look at Kurt, who looked so assured and right where he wanted to be, that he accepted the hand and stood. Kurt led Blaine to his bed and allowed him to sit down on the edge, standing back he started to undress, taking off his tight red shirt with so much detail in the chains and buttons that Blaine was mesmerised. He had seen Kurt in all his naked glory before, but now, right before him was so much milky lightly tanned skin, his chest so perfect that Blaine couldn't help but reach out to brush his fingers along Kurt's sides causing him to shiver.

"Gosh Kurt," he breathed, his lips coming closer, his body hanging off the edge of the bed, desperate to come closer, his hands clawing around Kurt's waist, bringing him flush against him. Blaine's lips brushed against the soft skin of Kurt's stomach and kissed and kissed until his lips brushed the waistband of his pants. Kurt's tremulous breath could be seen in the ripples of his chest as Blaine's wide eyes looked up to ask silent permission to take the next step. Kurt simply nodded.

Blaine returned his gaze to Kurt's jeans and unbuckled slowly, teasingly lowering them until Kurt could hop out of them and leave his legs exposed. Blaine smoothed his hands around Kurt's hips to the roundness of his ass and Kurt's eyes closed against the pleasure tingling down his spine and in his blood. He swallowed, his arousal so obvious to Blaine who didn't think, he just pressed his lips forward against Kurt's boxers causing a sudden inhale of breath.

"Blaine."

He mouthed along the hard shaft and Kurt gasped against the pleasure, his legs starting to feel wobbly, Blaine gaining speed and confidence and loving the moans and gentle sighs escaping Kurt's lips.

"So amazing," Blaine said, "Just so amazing."

Kurt wobbled again, this time Blaine taking a firmer grip on Kurt's ass and bringing him closer. Kurt bucked, pressing himself harder against those glorious lips. Blaine started to peel the boxers away from his hips and Kurt wiggled out, no longer able to keep upright so he wobbled to the bed, pushing Blaine backwards.

"Please undress," Kurt begged, "I've waited so long to see you again, don't make me wait anymore."

The urgency in his voice, the flush to his cheeks and the shine in his eyes made Blaine watch just for a second, taking it all in, basking in the knowledge that he could take and give and it would be glorious. He walked off the bed, leaving Kurt resting on his elbows to watch as Blaine undressed quickly, perfunctory and Blaine only paused as he finished and he watched Kurt lie back on the bed.

"God Blaine, you don't even know," Kurt said, his body spread out for Blaine on the bed, his eyes still roving over the sight above him. Blaine stopped on his way to the bed, inquisitive eyebrow raised. "Just look at you, just let me look at you."

Blaine blushed but took the praise in as Kurt's eyes roved again over his body. "I've missed you so much," Kurt said and because he couldn't wait any longer he reached out, leading Blaine back to the bed where he belonged.

Blaine knelt down beside him on the bed, stroking along Kurt's side, pressing more firmly so as not to tickle. He looked on in awe as Kurt mewled in pleasure at the touch and his back arched as his heart raced. Blaine's heart tried to match it as he watched Kurt come undone, amazed that he could elicit such a feeling from one so amazingly beautiful. Blaine knelt down lower, licking and kissing by Kurt's ear and taking the lobe into his mouth, enticing a deep groan from Kurt's mouth.

"Oh fuck," he growled, "Please, Blaine, please…"

"Anything…" Blaine breathed near his ear, "I'll do anything."

Kurt's eyes opened as he realised what he needed, what he was so desperate to ask.

"Will you make love to me?" Kurt asked, his eyes shining with hope, understanding what he was asking and wondering if it was too much.

Blaine sat back on his knees and surveyed the wondrous, flushed sight next to him. He had done this, he had made Kurt a mewling mess of flushed love and he smiled. There was nothing else he wanted to do and if he was allowed the time, he would spend eternity there, loving and touching and worshipping what he could of Kurt and his body.

Blaine laid his own body so he was pressed against Kurt lightly and he could see directly into his blue grey eyes, so clear and innocently beautiful. Kurt waited.

"I've never done this before," Blaine explained, his eyes never leaving Kurt's.

"I know but I need to feel you," Kurt said, "I love you Blaine." He kissed him sweetly, taking a long time to savour the feel of those soft lips against his. Kurt pressed his fingers into Blaine's waist, bringing him closer so he was flush against him. He rutted and moaned against Blaine's lips, desperate suddenly for more, the pressing need clawing up his chest and coming out in groans. He reached into his side drawer and took out what he needed, pressing the bottle of lube into Blaine's hand.

"Have you ever?" Kurt asked, leaving it unsaid, "To yourself?"

Blaine nodded, looked at the bottle for a long time but then finally opened it, pouring some onto his fingers. Kurt spread his legs a little wider and Blaine thought his jaw might unhinge just at the sight alone, feeling his cock grow impossibly harder.

"Fuck, Kurt…" he breathed as he wove his fingers up Kurt's inner thigh, taking his time, infuriating Kurt who was now biting his lip in desperation. He'd never felt this much, never been driven quite so far and his hips bucked in search of a touch that was so far away. Blaine watched as Kurt came more undone, screwed his eyes in pleasure and moaned, as he felt along Kurt's crack, tentatively pressing against his entrance and entering upon a gasp from Kurt.

Kurt let out a deliciously low groan and Blaine watched in awe, his eyes wide, taking in the glorious sight of Kurt, so broken, so taken. He pressed forward and inched in, then out as Kurt became wider, more stretched and moaned some more.

"Oh fuck, Blaine, Blaine," Kurt panted, "Please…"

"Anything," Blaine whispered, enjoying the sight before him. He came closer, taking the time to kiss where he could along Kurt's face, his lips feeling the murmurings and moans escaping Kurt's mouth.

Kurt begged for more and Blaine tentatively inserted another finger, conscious that he didn't want to hurt him but amazed that such a thing could feel so pleasurable. But he watched and took in Kurt's flushed face, the beads of sweat on his temple and the lovely moans escaping. He became bolder and thrust his fingers in and out and finally inserted a third until Kurt was writhing on the bed.

"Blaine, oh Blaine," Kurt moaned, his words incomprehensible until Blaine could make out mutterings about making love and more and fuck. Blaine found a condom, slicked himself up and waited, just worried he would hurt Kurt, wanting it to be so perfect that it might just not happen. Kurt opened his blue cerulean eyes, concerned but soft until he met Blaine's eyes and smiled.

"I've wanted this for so long, wanted you," Kurt whispered, "I love you Blaine, please make love to me." He could not feel more exposed and Blaine's heart ached that he was there, watching Kurt and taking everything. He lowered his face to kiss Kurt repeatedly along his jaw and cheek, desperate to show just how much he loved the wonderful man beneath him that had given so much and accepted everything he had to offer. Kurt laughed under the ministrations, feeling gloriously loved and stroking Blaine's back to bring him to the here and now. Blaine kneeled between Kurt's legs and pressed himself gently against Kurt's hole, waiting, careful until Kurt lifted his hips slightly and he was in.

Blaine closed his eyes. He had never even dreamed it would feel this good, this tight, but fuck it was the most amazing thing. Just as he thought it would all be too much and over way too soon, he opened his eyes to look upon Kurt underneath him. Kurt's eyes were shining with so much love and adoration that Blaine pressed further, feeling impossibly closer, more connected and Kurt reached to grab his waist, bring him closer. For Kurt to trust him so completely, it made Blaine's chest constrict with unspeakable emotion and he could only thrust deeper and deeper until he reached that spot, driving Kurt wild. Kurt moaned loudly, never closing his eyes, only feeling connected and loved and whole again.

"Oh god Blaine," Kurt moaned loudly, "You feel so good, I can't…"

"You take me over," Blaine panted, "I want you to take me over."

Kurt clung closer, kissing what skin he could find, Blaine's shoulder, his neck, his ear. Blaine thrust deeper, faster, feeling it all and wondering how he could have ever thought he could live without this. This connection, this wholeness, that he had gone without for so long. What a fool he was.

After a few minutes, Blaine was too overwhelmed, the feeling so intense, the love taking over, that he begged. Kurt directed Blaine's hand to his cock and he stroked him gently until he was coming, Blaine stilling inside after a moment. The ecstasy on his face, the pure pleasure so evident, Kurt could only feel as he watched Blaine finally come.

The thought of leaving Kurt, the necessity of cleaning and peeling away sheets made Blaine stay still, basking in the feeling a little longer, until Kurt shifted.

"I'll clean up quickly I promise," Kurt smiled, seeming to know what Blaine was thinking and he was out from under him, quickly running to the bathroom to take care of it. Blaine sank onto the bed, sated to the very bone and feeling weightless. Kurt cleaned him quickly and snuck the covers around them, immediately coming to rest upon Blaine's chest.

"That was perfect," Kurt breathed, his voice sounding so rested and sleepy at the same time, Blaine sighed at the perfection of his voice.

"It was," Blaine whispered, as if the very noise would disturb them, "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Kurt said, smiling as he drifted closer to sleep, tucked away from all the bustle of New York life and feeling perfect.

---

True to her word, Elizabeth filed a police report that detailed the abuse she had suffered for years at the hands of her husband and as expected Charles suddenly offered a settlement that was a true reflection of her entitlement. Blaine was with her throughout but allowed her to make her own decisions, something that had been woefully lacking in her relationship with her husband. Quinn met with her a few times, encouraging in places and helping to cement an unlikely friendship that lasted well beyond her divorce from Blaine.

Quinn and Rupert soon announced an engagement and set about planning for a big day that would coincide with her divorce from Blaine. Although Blaine now had the house to himself, the cold, unfeeling interior only really came alive when Kurt moved in and made it 'their place', something Blaine never thought he would experience.

Kurt's boutique thrived under the guidance of Isabelle and Kurt's warm nature encouraged and complimented those ladies that sought his advice. The rich and slightly famous flocked to him and Kurt suddenly found that he not only had a reputable business selling and designing clothes but also styling those less confident than himself.

Blaine watched Kurt blossom in his dream career and saw Quinn continue to strive for partnership, Rachel took the offered lead in 'Funny Girl' and Blaine sang on. He finally loved what he was doing, though it offered less money than his previous career and that, as well as the love of a good man, finally made him feel whole again. He never saw his father again but that was no big loss and his improved relationship with his mother more than made up for it. He could say he was finally happy with his life and it was all down to Kurt.

Of course marriage and success would be in their future but in the here and now there was love and acceptance and living of dreams and Blaine had finally found his lobster.