The uproarious applause and the standing ovation are completely unexpected to Blaine. There is a simple beat of silence, a pause as he finishes before his dad and Kurt stand and clap loudly and he can see them both whooping in glee. Everyone around them stands and claps and Blaine takes a physical step back. He can see the pride and wonder on his dad's face as Kurt beams at him and Blaine smiles slowly, not sure how to take this sudden celebration of his talent. He bows politely then beckons the rest of his glee club who bound on to the stage to take their bows as everyone applauds before they walk back to the wings. Blaine takes a deep breath before it all threatens to overwhelm him and Robyn envelops him in a crushing hug.

"Batman," she squeals, "We did it, you did it!" She finally lets him go and jumps up and down on the spot, Blaine unable to stop the massive grin light up his face. He hugs her again, the first time he has initiated contact with her and she seems to realise and hugs him closer. As they part she has tears in her eyes and Blaine smiles.

"Thanks Robyn," he whispers so only she can hear. The other glee members are milling around, awaiting their time to go on the stage again to hear their results. "I couldn't have done it without you, you believed in me." He looks so gratefully at her, aware that she has done so much to build his confidence up and her friendship is so important to him, he is suddenly worried that she doesn't know, that he hasn't been clear enough.

"You are very welcome, Batman," she said, tears still pooling in her eyes but her smile so wide, Blaine knows she isn't sad. "I'm just so very grateful to see you come alive."

And Blaine looks around at the others, peeks behind the red velvet curtains to see the audience waiting for decisions to be made and he realises he has come alive again. Gone is the feeling of fear that overwhelmed him, gone is the mind-numbing guilt and sadness that life should be something else. He really is alive again and he hopes that if his mum and Cooper are able to watch from somewhere that they know he will always miss them, always feel at a loss without them but that he can come alive again and live for them. He turns to Robyn.

"You need to meet someone," Blaine said quickly, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the other glee members. "Someone so important to me, just like you," he said, his face looking behind at Robyn's surprised expression as he continues to run slightly. He goes into the audience who are still waiting and chatting amongst themselves and he races to Kurt and his dad. They have been deep in conversation but upon seeing Blaine and Robyn they look up at him and stand, preparing to congratulate Blaine on his singing.

"Blaine," his dad said as he stands, "I'm so proud of you..." And it seems he can't finish his thought or sentence, his eyes suddenly full and he beams hoping to get something across, despite his lack of words.

"Thanks dad," Blaine said and he hugs his dad close, something he couldn't remember doing for quite some time. Kurt looks on at the both of them and soon spots Robyn standing quietly behind Blaine.

"You must be Robyn," Kurt said, extending his hand, "I'm Kurt." Robyn quickly looks at the outstretched hand, then upon hearing the name, she throws herself at Kurt who almost stumbles back at being greeted so enthusiastically.

"Kurt!" she squeals, her voice muffled in his shoulder and Kurt giggles. "I've felt like I've known you for ages." She finally lets Kurt go and beams at him. "I helped you two get together, you know," she said, pointing at both Kurt and Blaine and Will laughs.

"So this is Robyn," Will said and Blaine nods his head and chuckles.

"This is Robyn," he said still laughing.

Robyn and Blaine only get to the stage just in time to stand next to their fellow glee members as the results are announced.

They came in first.

There is a whoop from the audience before the rest erupt in applause and Blaine knows that Kurt and his dad are the first to shout and cheer. He is soon hugged by countless glee members and he realises that this is what Kurt was talking about. He is part of the team, he knows what it is like to belong to something and singing has done that. He had never belonged to a team in any of his previous schools, never had many friends that he can remember but now he has friends that count. He can finally look back at his high school experience with fond memories of competitions and friendship and know that he belonged and was part of something special.

They all meet afterwards for dinner – Blaine, his dad, Kurt and Robyn. They had waved goodbye to the glee club and as they sat after they had ordered, they all looked at each and laughed.

"I was wondering who was going to say something first," Will said.

Conversation seemed to flow after that, Robyn discussing all their rehearsals and preparations for nationals. They were to be in Ohio this year which made Robyn chuckle.

"Really?" Kurt asked, "That's awesome, I can see my dad," then he realised he had invited himself along, "If you want me to come that is," he finished.

"Of course I do," Blaine said, laughing, "You're clearly our lucky charm."

"That's ridiculous," Kurt said smiling, "But very sweet. I'm actually going to see my dad in a few days," he said, suddenly quiet, "He has a doctor's appointment." He said no more but Blaine knew it was the final appointment, the results would be in, they would know if the treatment had worked.

Once their food arrived the conversation turned to lighter topics and Robyn, who was sat opposite Kurt had an opportunity to lean closer to him and whisper, while Blaine was talking to his dad about the superhero writing club.

"How are you coping with it all?" she asked and Kurt looked up at her, her eyes twinkling in compassion and he realised what she was referring to. The conversation around them was happy but she had realised his quiet contemplation meant something else.

"I think I'm going a bit mad with all the waiting actually," he said, smiling without humour, "I've developed OCD and I've already started to pack and repack my bag as if I can control the situation with just the little things."

"That's understandable," she said, "The treatment's been going well though?"

"Yeah, it was stage 1 so very treatable and the prognosis looks optimistic but it's just the word 'cancer' isn't it? It has everyone thinking that's the end."

"Not anymore, there's so much good being done, results are so much better than they used to be."

"I know, I just don't know what I'd do without him," he said, "I lost my mum when I was eight, I can't lose him too. Seeing him in a coma a couple of years ago after a heart attack, nearly killed me."

Robyn was quiet a moment and Kurt realised he had been careless with his comments, had forgotten what Blaine had told him about her history.

"Gosh, I'm sorry Robyn," he started and she shook her head and smiled, reaching out for his hand.

"Don't be silly Kurt," she said, stroking his hand in affection, "I know what it's like and although my parents died when I was young, I still remember what it was like to hear my grandparents tell me they wouldn't be able to read me my bedtime story that night. I remember my little brain working its way around the idea that they would never be there again to tuck me in, never there to sing with me as we made pancakes and I cried myself to sleep for many nights."

Kurt didn't know what to say to that. He had been the same, missed his mother terribly when he was young but to know you were completely alone in the world at such a young age must have been terrible. Kurt thought back to how his dad had been the strong one, how they had grown ever closer, relying only on each other.

"It gets easier," she said simply, "You don't forget, but memories get clouded and you realise what you do have. I'm so grateful for my grandparents and that they're still alive and kicking. I know I will have no one when they're gone but I'm so grateful that they're here now."

Kurt didn't understand. Robyn looked so assured, like she knew she would be ok despite having limited family. He knew he would crumble without his dad, without his support network. Robyn seemed to recognise his confusion.

"No one stays alive forever Kurt," she said simply, "It helps to realise that every so often, it can only help to make you appreciate who you do have. I know I'm going to have Blaine in my life forever," she said confidently, chancing a glance his way. "I know he's a friend for life and I know I'll make more," she said, her eyes twinkling at Kurt, as if to suggest that he was surely going to become another one. "People meet for a reason, friendships are made when you need them most and actually when you think about it, no one is alone for real. My family will just be different."

Kurt felt tears pool in his eyes and realised conversation between Will and Blaine had ceased and they were both looking towards Robyn and Kurt. It was clear that deep discussions had been shared and Kurt looked at Blaine and Will and smiled amidst his tears that threatened to spill over. He took his glass and lifted it in celebration.

"To family and friends and good times," Kurt said and the others lifted their drinks, chinked glasses and drank to the most important things in life.

Kurt went home to Ohio a few days later, Blaine seeing him off at the airport, wishing he could skip school and go too. Kurt had assured him he would ring when he could and there he stood with Blaine, their arms linked around each other's waist, their noses only inches apart.

"Will you be ok?" Blaine asked quietly. He had noticed Kurt separating their sugar sachets as they had sat drinking coffee awaiting Kurt's flight and he was worried. He had helped him pack the night before, Kurt having packed, repacked and finally given up, ringing Blaine in desperation. The worry, the panic that the news might not be favourable pushed to the back of his mind. He concentrated on the comforting present time, the need for clothes, the order he had made of everything in his apartment he shared with Rachel. Kurt looked to Blaine's worried eyes now and felt relief that Blaine understood.

"Yeah I'll be ok when it's all over," he said, "Thank you for helping me last night."

"Don't be silly Kurt," he said, "I'll always be here, whenever you need me."

"I know," he said, "But thank you."

They kissed sweetly and Kurt sank into the kiss, wishing he could stay there forever, a place where there was no death, only love.

"Whatever happens I'll be here," Blaine said, "But I just know everything will be ok."

"I believe you," Kurt said, "I think everything will be ok too, I just need to know for definite. When this is all over, you should meet my dad. He'd really like you."

Blaine's eyes widened in surprise. He had never met anyone's dad and he knew this was a big deal for Kurt. Kurt had met Will so easily it didn't really occur to Blaine that his dad was meeting his 'boyfriend'. Kurt smiled slightly at the obvious panic in Blaine's eyes.

"I think we're ready for that, don't you?" he asked Blaine, who could only nod slightly. "He'll love you Blaine, don't worry."

"Ok," Blaine said, "Just like my dad loves you." Kurt smiled. It was soon time for Kurt to board his flight and Blaine walked with him as far as he was allowed.

"Ring me when you get there?" Blaine asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Of course," Kurt said, preparing to let go of Blaine, who was reticent, still trying to keep hold of him. Kurt looked back at Blaine, whose eyes were warm and brown, a little like honey and Kurt sighed. He might be going home to see his dad, to hear hopefully great news but he stopped to look at the beautiful boy behind him who was still holding his hand, not wanting to let go. Maybe this was his new home, wherever this boy was and he couldn't wait to come back to him.

Blaine tried to fill his time as best he could after he had heard that Kurt had arrived safely in Lima. Burt's appointment was the following day and Blaine promised to ring to reassure him that night when he got home. Kurt was currently meeting friends that had returned to Ohio too and Blaine knew he would appear a possessive and annoying boyfriend if he kept ringing. He needed to do something and get out of his apartment.

He went to the superhero store and the alcove at the back, where he saw Steve soon approach him, a surprised look on his face.

"Blaine, I wasn't expecting you here, I know Kurt is away," Steve said.

"Oh yeah, he'll be back next week but I thought I would come to help anyway, I hope you don't mind?" Blaine said, suddenly worried.

"Of course," Steve said happily, "We always love it when you come here. Bobby will be happy that you're here for sure." Steve stepped back slightly so Blaine could see Bobby at his usual table. He was so engrossed in his drawing that he hadn't noticed Blaine come in and Steve looked back at Blaine, his gaze slightly worried.

"He's been very quiet today," Steve said, "I'm never sure what to say to him to help him." Steve looked at Blaine as if he was expecting great things and it made Blaine feel a little panicked that his expectations were too high. He nodded his head at Steve and walked over, determined to do his best.

He signed hello to Bobby as soon as Bobby looked up, noticing his light suddenly changing to a shadow as Blaine approached. Bobby smiled wryly and signed hello in return. Blaine sat next to him, instantly worried that Bobby looked burdened. He signed a general question about how he was and Bobby looked at him for a moment, clearly unsure how to respond. He finally signed that he was ok. Blaine had made an effort to learn more sign language since their last meeting but he didn't know how to tell Bobby that he didn't believe him. He hoped his face said more than his words could. Blaine found a piece of paper near Bobby and started writing.

How are you really?

Bobby looked at him, his eyes wide and he looked down, unable to meet Blaine's piercing gaze and demand for honesty. Blaine nudged him for an answer and Bobby started writing.

A little trouble at school that's all.

What kind of trouble?

A couple of guys threw me in a dumpster.

There was more, Blaine could tell.

And?

They tore some of my drawings.

Bobby couldn't look at him, tears threatening to fall. Blaine just wanted to envelop him in a hug and assure him that not everyone was like that but he couldn't. He did the only thing he knew how to do.

Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching tear drops in my hands
Only silence as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?

Bobby knew he was writing song lyrics as he stretched his head to see what Blaine was writing. He watched as Blaine's pen sped across the page, Bobby's eyes darting from left to right to read at the same speed.

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper

As the smoke clears, I awaken
And untangle you from me
Would it make you feel better
To watch me while I bleed?
All my windows still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet

Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here,
Watch you disappear
Yeah, oh
Go run, run, run
Yeah, it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper

Bobby still read the lyrics as Blaine finished and he could practically hear the music sing to him as he watched. Bobby couldn't write anything that matched what Blaine had written so he didn't. He avoided Blaine's gaze, instead focusing on the words as they blurred in front of him, his watery stare telling Blaine all he needed to know.

Never let those bastards grind you down

And Blaine's new words were written with such venom that his pen threatened to pierce the paper, his letters hard and unforgiving compared to the flowing cursive script of the lyrics. Bobby looked at him in shock as he read the harsh words.

You are worth so much more – just like a skyscraper – you are perfect and you'll rise above it all, I promise.

Blaine and Bobby exchanged no more messages that day but they drew quietly, taking solace in silence and drawing where worlds were perfect and characters beautiful.