Chapter 11

Preparations were strictly underway for sectionals now and the bid for solos and duets as well as planning group numbers was causing the glee club to crack slightly. Just as they thought the line up had been decided, Rachel would come to the next meeting or rehearsal and throw a spanner in the works, suggesting new songs, original songs and driving everyone mad. They finally decided three days before that they would stick to what they did best: mash-ups and duets.

Blaine and Kurt's popular rendition of Pink's Perfect had been determined ages ago and everyone strangely decided that that was sacred and no one could change or improve it so Blaine and Kurt were left to practice and perfect it, everyone having confidence in them that they could deliver.

Since Blaine had whispered to Tina about his preferences, it spread like wildfire around the school and although he was nervous about people's reactions, he was glad it was taken out of his hands. When Kurt had seen him later on that day he was proud of him and assured him he had nothing to worry about. True to his word, Kurt hung around him constantly and once at glee club no one seemed to mention it, although a few of the guys gave him interested stares – only to reassess him, find out more about this guy that they had assumed was straight. The only one to make a comment had been Santana.

"You don't want to get up on this then?" She asked him, as she walked past, her head held high and her hips swinging.

Blaine shook his head and his cheeks flamed.

"Your loss, my gay twinkle," and although her remark seemed cutting, she winked his way as she sat down next to Brittany to show she admired him really.

As sectionals approached, Kurt invited Blaine round to his house more frequently to practice and he felt welcome every time – Burt and Carole making him dinner and asking about his day. He no longer felt nervous round there and it only made his heart sink as he returned home to find his dad busy in his office and his mum cleaning or in bed with a book. She had long learned to keep her own company and not ask for anything but had seemed to forget her son might need her too.

Blaine stood on the wings of the stage, waiting patiently, not visibly nervous but staring at the platform in front of him as Kurt approached him.

"Are you ok?" Kurt asked, as he stood next to Blaine and watched the stage and crowd from their vantage point.

"Yeah," Blaine said as he turned to Kurt, "I mean I've been here before, sang solos and group numbers but I find myself strangely worried, like I could fall off the stage or be hit by a light. Do you ever feel like something big is going to happen and then you're disappointed?"

"Not really," Kurt said shrugging his shoulders and smiling, "Big things seem to happen to me and then I wish for the calm to reign again. We'll be great up there you know."

"Yeah, I know," Blaine said smiling, "Are you nervous?" Kurt wobbled his jaw from side to side as he thought.

"Just a bit. This is my first performance in front of an audience."

"I think you'll be great. In fact I know you'll be great." He smiled widely and Kurt swallowed as he looked into Blaine's warm eyes full of hope.

As they went on stage, their number the first of the three they would sing as part of New Directions, Kurt tugged Blaine back by his hand and squeezed it, imparting luck and good wishes and it was such a nice moment before the nerves took a hold. They sang brilliantly and Kurt could feel his chest rise proudly as he watched Blaine sing to him. His eyes were so expressive as he sung to him and he almost wanted to watch him alone, without the audience.

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like you're nothing

You are perfect to me

As Blaine sung, Kurt remembered that letter, the one he had read several times, the one he knew off by heart now as he sang to Blaine. Those words of Blaine's, so kindly written, so heart-warming in their loneliness and Kurt remembered the expression of something like love, how Blaine would watch and know and understand. Kurt knew then that this guy was worth so much more, was perfect in his eyes and needed to know and he could feel himself come closer, wanting to make Blaine understand too.

Blaine's eyes went wider as they continued to sing and as the song finished and the applause had them rushing together in a hug, Blaine felt like he was home.

xXx

Rachel entered the stage, performed her solo and proudly showed off the New Directions in their group number – assuring their sectionals win and as the crowd whooped and hollered for them all, Blaine hugged Kurt proudly. Kurt felt lighter than air as he looked at the audience, clapping for them, pleased for them and he could only hope for more of it all and that it would never end. He always wanted to sing with Blaine.

Dear Kurt,

I am glad I can see you over the Thanksgiving break and I know you won't get this letter until we get back to school but I feel fuzzy knowing that this letter awaits your return and it will come alive when you open it and become real.

Thanksgivings are always the same at my parent's house – my dad manages to stop working for the actual meal where we have the family round to show everyone how amazing my mother is, how she maintains the household and can still show everyone how to be the perfect wife and hostess. She will stand there proudly, showing off her culinary skills and looking not a day over 40, barely ruffled, with nothing out of place, as my dad walks in with not a minute to spare for real conversation, barely acknowledging my mum's hard work. He will make a few comments to his brothers about sons and achievements, commenting on Cooper's lack of ambition in law but accepting gruffly that the temporary life of an actor is what he wanted, as he looks slightly disappointed. I can't wait to see you on the Friday and I know it will be a relief, especially as Cooper will return to LA the following day and I will have to deal with my mum's post-thanksgiving depression. She will clean and pack away in the morning following thanksgiving and will finally droop, conscious that her job will not be needed or even vaguely appreciated until December and Christmas. I will do my best to cheer her but will fail and then I will be able to escape to yours for Friday night dinner.

I'm a little surprised you'll still do a Friday dinner, as such a big meal will come the day before but I'm not complaining, I know it will be like my real thanksgiving. I am forever thankful that you're in my life.

Singing with you on stage was perfect Kurt and the lyrics highly appropriate. You reminded me of when I first met you and I'm a bit embarrassed to remember that I might have thought you were an angel coming to save me from the slushie monster. A light did seem to pour out of you that day as you approached with kind eyes and helped me get cleaned up. Just ignore this last sentence.

I know Friday night will make up for the awkwardness on thanksgiving with my family and it really makes me think about what makes a family. I think your family are pretty near perfect and what I wish my own would be like.

See you Friday Kurt,

Blaine x

Dear Blaine,

I liked receiving this letter on the first day back so I snuck a piece of paper under my lesson notes in class and wrote this letter in the hope I could finish it before I left for the day. I hope you get it before you leave.

I loved Friday Blaine and I'm really glad you could enjoy it too. Thanksgiving is all a bit of a rush really, extended family comes round and you're forced to answer comments about relationships and futures as well as deciding the weight of the turkey and discussing the weather. I much prefer Friday night dinners.

I loved singing for the first time in front of a show choir audience and for a competition. It was equally special because I sang with you. I never want to sing with anyone else.

I like that you still remember when we first met. I remember everything you wrote in your letters over the last few weeks, Blaine, still have them hidden away as my prized possessions (sorry if this sounds creepy and sad). I wanted you to know that though so you'd understand.

I remember thinking you looked lost that day you got your first slushie and instantly needed to know you and be your friend. I don't know about that angel malarkey but I'm flattered anyway!

I wonder if you know the power your eyes have too Blaine, how they look at someone with such wonder and amazement. I sometimes hope they can always be directed at me that way and that I don't imagine it. I want to always have your eyes near mine, drawing me in with their magic and pulling me close. I always seem to want to be close to you.

Kurt x