Blaine's audition for NYADA came far too early and he didn't feel prepared. Kurt had helped him with his application and had described his own experience of first and second auditions, of Rachel's choke and how the best idea was to defy expectations and wow with emotion. The more they discussed it, the more worried and nervous Blaine became and the knowledge that Kurt and his dad would be there to watch made him feel all the more unprepared and inexperienced.

"You'll be amazing Blaine," Kurt whispered in his ear as they lay together in bed the morning of the audition, "Just keep it simple and sweet. It'll be beautiful, I promise."

Blaine had deliberately kept it a secret from Kurt, had wanted to surprise him so as he waited backstage to be called by the tutor who was to observe his performance, he bit his lip in worry and wrung his hands that it may be too simple and not what NYADA wanted at all. He could see his dad and Kurt waiting in the auditorium near the back so to remain inconspicuous and all of a sudden his name was called and he was invited to the stage.

"Hi, my name is Blaine Anderson and I will be singing Wonderwall," he said as he stood in a simple black outfit with purple bowtie. His hair was slicked back and although he looked sombre, his purple boat shoes without socks made him stand out slightly from the crowd.

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna give it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Backbeat the word is on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

Despite the distance, Kurt could hear the wobble in Blaine's voice as he sang and the twinkle of tears in his eyes but instead of making him appear unprofessional and sloppy, he looked wonderful up there on stage. Kurt knew he was meant to perform and sing as he watched Blaine sing his heart out, like he had only one chance to show Kurt exactly what he meant to him. Kurt sat forward in his seat, oblivious to Will next to him and intent on catching everything.

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all

You're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never give it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you've gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

His voice faltered slightly at the end but Kurt knew everything. Wherever life took them, no matter the path or the walk, they would make it and they would save each other.

You're my wonderwall

Blaine took a simple bow at the end and thanked the man who had come to watch him as he left the stage. He wouldn't find out if he had been accepted for a few weeks but Kurt knew he had won a place with that performance and he had definitely won his heart. Seeing Blaine leave the stage he ran down the auditorium steps and to the wings where he knew Blaine would be hiding and he enveloped him in a hug so tight Blaine thought he might be squashed to death and it would be glorious.

"I love you," Kurt breathed near his ear, "I loved it, I love you." He repeated it as a mantra and Blaine felt a tickle of laughter erupt from his chest as he was contained in the hug, kept so warm and close that it was perfect.

"Thank you," Kurt whispered, "Thank you for being everything and amazing and...." He couldn't finish as he wrapped his arms around Blaine, no more words spoken until they met Blaine's father in the audience seats.

Rehearsals took up a lot of Blaine's time and soon it was time to go to Ohio where nationals were to take place and Blaine would finally meet and spend time with Burt. To say he was nervous was an understatement but Kurt knew just the way to ease any worry.

"I need to show you my bridge," Kurt said as they arrived in Ohio after their flight.

"Your bridge?" Blaine asked, already knowing that he meant so much more than a real bridge. Blaine rarely visited the bridge in Williamsburg now but when he did it was his place to think and feel if ever he needed it. It didn't have the same hold over him now but it was there, a solid reminder of how far he had come and how far he could travel with Kurt by his side.

"The place I go to escape, kinda like your bridge," Kurt said.

"You want to take me there?" Blaine asked, awe in his voice that Kurt wanted to show him somewhere so private.

"Yeah of course," Kurt said smiling, "You're in my town now." And they linked arms as they wove their way through the airport to find Burt.

As soon as Burt's eyes alighted on Kurt, he was enveloped in a hug and all Blaine could see was the top of a hat. Deep chuckles and pats on the back ensued until they were both hugged out and finally parted so Burt could meet Blaine.

"So you're Blaine?" Burt asked as they shook hands. He apprised him quickly, giving Blaine the impression he was being scrutinised and as Burt finally nodded his head, it seemed that Blaine passed an unknown test.

"Nice to meet you sir," Blaine whispered, not able to make eye contact just yet but trying to appear confident and self-assured.

"No need for sir, it makes me feel old," Burt said smiling, "I'm really glad to finally put a face to the name. Kurt here talks only of you and how amazing you are so it'll be nice to finally understand what he's talking about." He winked at Blaine as he led the boys out of the airport, a silent camaraderie already forming at Kurt's expense who looked a little pink at Burt's comment.

The drive to Lima was full of pleasant conversation where Burt got to ask his questions, find out all about Blaine and what made him tick. Blaine was surprised as they left the car, knowing that Burt had somehow managed to wheedle out of him all his dreams and plans for the future with only a few polite questions.

"I'll put your stuff in Kurt's bedroom," Burt was saying as he went upstairs and Blaine only had time to quickly glance in Kurt's direction in surprise before Burt was asking them to follow him with Kurt's stuff.

"We had the talk," Kurt whispered as they entered his bedroom.

"What did you think - I wouldn't let you stay here in this room?" Burt asked laughing, catching the end of the conversation, "You're both adults now and Kurt doesn't live here anymore and I trust you," he said simply and left them alone, saying that Carole would be home soon to make dinner and meet Blaine.

"I can't believe it," Blaine breathed out in relief, "He's letting me stay here."

"I know, my dad's actually pretty cool," Kurt said smiling and rearranging some of his opened suitcase.

"Cool?" Blaine asked incredulous, "He's awesome; I can't believe I was so worried."

"Yeah don't be," Kurt said sitting on the bed lightly, "I mean he may look gruff but he's a sweetie really," Kurt said laughing.

Blaine turned and watched Kurt sitting on the bed and paused taking in the beauty of the man sitting there. Kurt was dressed simply but the outfit was tight in all the right places and at his lowered height from the bed, his blue grey eyes looking up at Blaine with such open honesty and adoration Blaine could only sink against him and capture his lips in a sweet kiss.

"I can't believe I'm here with you," Blaine whispered against his lips and he lowered his body so he was kneeling in front of Kurt between his legs and looking up at him with wide honey coloured eyes.

"I sometimes think I'm dreaming," he continued slowly, his voice quiet and measured. "I think sometimes that I might wake up to find myself still at that bridge and about to jump and that none of this ever happened and you're not there."

"I'll always be here," Kurt promised, "As long as you're there for me."

"I promise," Blaine said, sealing the promise with a kiss.

Kurt took Blaine to his 'bridge' after dinner as promised. He met Carole who pronounced Blaine 'a sweet boy' and hugged him when she found out what had happened to his mum and brother. Kurt held his breath as she had asked about his family and Blaine simply relayed the information that they had died in a car accident. No mention was made of the nature of the accident but Kurt knew Blaine had shown enough courage with that simple statement. They held hands as they walked, a simple silence reigning over them as they took in the summer evening around them.

Kurt took him to a park that opened late and as they walked to the hill that overlooked Lima Kurt pulled him up as if he needed that last tug to help him. They finally sat and watched as the sun set on the horizon, the last of its pink fading ahead. They sat together on the little blanket Kurt had brought along and held hands as they watched, the silence as golden as the colours in the sky. There was such a peace there that neither boy wanted to disturb it until it finally faded and there was only a light grey at the bottom of the darkness.

"Why did you used to come here?" Blaine asked quietly, not looking at Kurt in case he wanted to relay the information.

"When I wanted to escape, a little like your time at the bridge," Kurt began, the first time he had told anyone about the place they sat. "I never wanted to kill myself but when things were tough, when the bullying became overwhelming, when I found out about my dad's cancer and when I thought he might die after that heart attack – I would come here and sit and wonder how life could continue when there's always so much pain and heartbreak everywhere else. This place is detached from all of that isn't it, it goes on regardless and never changes. It's nice to know that there's something more than myself, something bigger and more amazing." Kurt continued to stare at the changing colours of the sunset. He knew there were more spectacular views and whenever he saw the skyline of New York or a trip to a seaside he always felt awe and admiration but here, in Lima, in a simple park on a hill, he knew it was home and he held on a little tighter to Blaine's hand as they watched.

Nationals approached and song choices had been fought over and decided. Robyn and Blaine who had dominated the last competition knew they couldn't fight over any solos this time but it was unanimously decided that they should sing a duet and stand together on stage. It seemed that in their simple singing and unadulterated innocence they captured many an audience and the Melody Makers wanted to capitalise on that feeling. They stood together, holding hands almost against the world in its cruelty and smiled as they waited for the music to start. Robyn started, clutching Blaine's hand tight and winking at him.

I pray for better days to come
I pray that I would see the sun
Cuz life is so burdensome
When everyday's a rainy one

Blaine could just about see Kurt and Burt in the audience, could see the proud smiles and the twinkle in Kurt's eye and he knew that he was everything and this was his time.

But suddenly there's no more clouds
I believe without a doubt
That heaven sent an angel down
And then he turned my life around

You know and I know
Friends come and friends go
Storms rise and winds blow
But one thing I know for sure

Blaine and Robyn parted hands, the rest of their glee club joining in and singing harmonies in the background.

When it's cold outside
There's no need to worry cuz
I'm so warm inside
You give me peace
When the storm's outside
Cuz we're in love I know
It'll be alright
Alright it's alright

Now peace is so hard to find
We're terrorized and victimized
But that's when I close my eyes
And think of you to ease my mind
You take me to another place
There's no more war (no more war)
Just love and grace
Baby you restore my faith
I know the struggle's not in vain
You know and I know
Through all the battles
Baghdad to Israel
There's one thing I know for sure

When it's cold outside
There's no need to worry cuz
I'm so warm inside
You give me peace
When the storm's outside
Cuz we're in love I know
It'll be alright
Alright it's alright

Alright it's alright
Alright it's alright
Alright it's alright

Oh it's gonna be alright

They won and Blaine knew that wherever life took him, whether he was accepted at NYADA or not, there Kurt would be and everything was always going to be alright.