There was a moment just before Blaine rang Kurt, who he merely knew as a faceless voice, a desperate way to cling onto life and feel again. He had felt that hope grow like a flicker of a flame as it steadily gets bigger with love and attention. As Blaine walked Kurt home one evening, when he knew Rachel and Santana were staying out at a party until the early hours, (they promised, wink, wink), they held hands and Blaine knew that after all that had happened, this was the happiest he had ever felt.

It wasn't that he hadn't had happy moments recently, far from it really, but in that moment as their hands swung in between them, their hands cosy and warm together, Blaine knew that this was where he belonged and it had never felt more calming and beautiful.

They had had the 'discussion' about their sexual relationship a few weeks ago, much to Kurt's embarrassment but it was only as they walked to Kurt's apartment that Blaine remembered that feeling atop the bridge that windy day. Blaine had never felt so lost and desperate for someone to understand. He had felt the wind in his hair, could smell the faintly lingering salty odour of the river below and hearing Kurt's voice he had felt hope stir up some kind of passion for life again. Kurt had used a simple phrase but one that held so much importance to Blaine, that he knew that Kurt would never understand just how important it was.

Blaine was nervous about what they were going to do but as Kurt closed the apartment door behind both of them Blaine turned and offered the sweetest smile at a timid looking Kurt.

"Hey," Blaine whispered and Kurt looked at the sweet gorgeous guy ahead of him in his apartment and smiled in return.

"Do you remember that song you quoted to me that first night I rang?" Blaine continued.

Kurt looked slightly taken aback at the random question and wracked his brain for any clue as to what he had said. He remembered feeling so very panicked at his first real call. Most of the calls he had dealt with involved questioning youths who were worried about coming out to their family and friends. Blaine had shaken Kurt, threatening to fall and expecting answers. Kurt knew he had none.

"I don't remember what I said...." Kurt began.

"You said: 'don't let go, never give up, it's such a wonderful life'," Blaine whispered and Kurt's eyes widened at the realisation that he had said that and that Blaine might know where it was from.

"You stole it," Blaine said smirking slightly as Kurt continued to rest his back on the door.

"I'm sorry," Kurt said, suddenly coming forward, perhaps to reassure him. "I panicked; it was the only thing I could think of."

"Don't be silly Kurt," Blaine said, gripping Kurt's biceps in order to calm him, Kurt's eyes now wide. "You said the only thing that could possibly have saved me." Kurt looked at Blaine strangely. He had no idea how he could have made that much of a difference with such a simple quote from a song.

"My mum loved that band before she died, it was probably her last obsession," Blaine said, walking slowly to the sofa. Kurt followed silently, knowing that this was important. "She said it reminded her of the 80s and the greatest music." They sat down, Kurt curling his legs underneath so he was facing Blaine and could listen attentively.

"She loved that song that you quoted and it almost made me lose my breath when you quoted it. I couldn't believe you would know that song too."

"I had heard it once or twice so I didn't know it well but that line has always stuck," Kurt said by way of explanation.

"I thought it had to be a sign at the time, you had to be from somewhere else," Blaine said, "I guess I knew you were special to me, if you believe in that kind of thing," he said a little embarrassed.

"Not really," Kurt said smiling, "But I think things happen for a reason. I think I was meant to pick up."

"Do you know the rest of the song?" Blaine asked.

"Only slightly," Kurt admitted.

Blaine closed his eyes and Kurt wondered what he was doing before Blaine opened his mouth and started to sing.

On a bridge across the Severn on a Saturday night
Susie meets the man of her dreams.
He says that he got in trouble and if she doesn't mind
He doesn't want the company

Blaine opens his eyes slowly and looks at Kurt who is still looking at him intently, tears starting to prickle at his eyes as he watches.

But there's something in the air
They share a look in silence and everything is understood
Susie grabs her man and puts a grip on his hand as the rain puts a tear in his eye.

Blaine maintains the look, now tender and searching but he knows he's found it. He goes a little closer to Kurt, still singing and he touches the skin he can see. Kurt starts to close his eyes, the intensity in the brown green eyes looking back at him, something he wants to remember like a print on his memory.

She says:
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful lifeDriving through the city to the Temple Station,
He cries into the leather seat
And Susie knows her baby was a family man,
But the world has got him down on his knees

Blaine starts to whisper the song, merely a ghost of a voice as he allows his lips to trail over the pale skin of Kurt's neck. Kurt can barely hear the song now but he can feel the murmur vibrating along his skin and making it tingle.

So she throws him at the wall, her kisses burn like fire,
And suddenly he starts to believe
He takes her in his arms and he doesn't know why,
But he thinks that he begins to see

And Kurt does start to feel like he's on fire as Blaine finishes the song. He's not nervous, just so in love with the boy doing these amazing things to his neck. His heart beats faster, he feels all the blood rush south as Blaine kisses along his jaw to find his ear, where Blaine finishes perfectly, making the hairs on the back of Kurt's neck stand up.

Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life

It is just one look before Blaine rushes, his lips firmly placed on Kurt's own. Kurt's breath hitches, making him feel like he is finally coming alive despite the sudden lack of air. He is pressed back to fall slightly on the sofa where Blaine peppers his face and lips with kisses which become more impassioned. Kurt feels his hardness and Blaine parts from him slightly as if he is only just aware of what he has been doing. He merely stands and offers his hand confidently, preparing to lead Kurt to his bedroom with the makeshift door.

Blaine undresses Kurt before he moves Kurt slightly to lie on the bed to watch Blaine undress. It is slow and loving and Kurt almost wants to cry at the sight before his eyes. As they lie together, so exposed and close, only warm skin and dustings of hair between them, Kurt just strokes every part that his fingers graze, causing Blaine to shiver slightly. Although they have done many sexual things now, the slow tender touches cause the power to build but the love almost overwhelms them as they lie together, drinking in every touch, every moment.

Blaine strokes Kurt lightly and his eyes close so he can feel the hand that is so much better than his own. He looks at Kurt enquiringly as he prepares him, slowly and carefully which has Kurt bucking up in pleasure and desperation.

"Oh fuck," Kurt breathes, "Blaine, I can't take it.... Please."

Blaine smiles slightly, in awe of the beautiful man coming undone beneath him and prepares himself. Looking down, Kurt's bare body and spread legs, his chest and neck slightly red and his eyes squeezed shut against the intense pleasure, he looks gorgeous.

"Open your eyes," Blaine whispers as he comes closer and Kurt opens them, his blue eyes swirling with tears.

"You're so beautiful Kurt, so beautiful," and Blaine is so sincere that he can only be believed. Kurt smiles.

"I love you," he says simply and Blaine smiles too as he enters him, causing a gasp of slight pain as he is stretched. They find a rhythm, never breaking eye contact despite the gasps of pleasure and Blaine knows he has hit that spot as he shifts slightly and Kurt almost shouts his groan.

"Fuck," Blaine says, looking at his debauched face, "This is so perfect."

"I know," Kurt can only whisper as he feels himself drawn closer and closer to the edge. Blaine gets faster and harder as his confidence grows and Kurt knows he will come soon. Blaine strokes him lightly as he rests between them and he comes, clenching around Blaine who comes shortly after.

They are cleaned, neither really remembering who did it but they find themselves again, together and overlapping as they drift to sleep. Blaine murmurs near Kurt's ear as he prepares to sleep, tucking himself in the space between Kurt's neck and shoulder and Kurt doesn't understand it what is said at first but Blaine repeats it as a sweet mantra.

Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life

Especially with you in it

It is gradual how the confidence grows but Kurt notices and Will has seen and understood the change that has occurred in Blaine's life over the last few months. Nothing is said by either but it is recognised and known. It is Robyn that looks at him carefully as they finish their little set at her grandpa's nursing home and finally says what is on her mind.

"I knew you were always marvellous but now you're just awesome," she said, causing Blaine to pause on the way to the sofa seats where Robyn's grandpa was seated. "I look at you and I know." Blaine looked at her in confusion and she laughed. Blaine always likes her laugh – infectious and bubbly, she shows too many teeth but the twinkle in her eyes and her rosy cheeks show that she loves and is loved in return for all that she is.

"I know that you've made it," she continued as if he is slightly stupid and needs her to clarify. "You are who you are supposed to be. When I think back to how you were when we first sang here, now we sing here every week and you're it. You are Blaine."

They hadn't reached the corner where Reg sat yet but Blaine paused his walking to look carefully at Robyn who merely looked at Blaine as if finally realising she had said something important.

"You really think that?" he asked. She nodded. "Thanks."

"You're welcome Batman," she said as she links her arm through his, walking him to her grandpa who is waiting to critique their performance and ask about glee club and school.

Blaine's letter arrives earlier than expected. Both Rachel and Kurt have been trawling NYADA chatrooms online to see if letters have been arriving and it seems Blaine is one of the first.

"It's obviously a good sign," Rachel said, her face beaming as she waited for Blaine to open it. He had rushed to Kurt's apartment as soon as he had seen it on the table at home, knowing he could only read it there.

"Open it for me," Blaine said, pushing it Kurt's way. Kurt put his own hands behind his back and shook his head.

"Nope," he said, "This is your chance to shine, take it."

Blaine nodded in understanding, feeling a warm glow that Kurt believed in him even when he doubted himself. He opened the letter gingerly and scanned the letter infuriatingly slowly as Rachel and Kurt waited with bated breath.

"Well?" Kurt said, "I'm dying here Blaine."

Blaine's stoic expression revealed nothing but as he looked up at Kurt as if coming out of a daze, his expression changed to one big grin.

"I got in!" he said, "I have been accepted."

A beat of silence. News settling in and then squeals. Jumping and linking arms and happy dances until Blaine stopped and realised what it would mean for his dad.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked.

"My dad," Blaine said, "I never thought to ask if he would want to stay here. Maybe he'll get a job somewhere else."

"You can live here," Rachel said, her eyes wide in excitement.

"No Rachel I couldn't," Blaine said simply, "I hope to one day make Kurt the happiest guy ever and marry him and have all the babies but I don't want to move in because I don't have a home here. I want it to be special." He looked to Kurt in worry but Kurt stroked along his arm and smiled.

"I understand Blaine, I think that too."

"I think you need to speak to your dad then," Rachel said. And he went home to do just that.

His dad was busy marking when he entered, peering over essays with such little light that Blaine immediately switched it on.

"Oh thanks," Will said, peering at the door to smile at Blaine. "I didn't notice I was blinding myself. How you been?"

"Good thanks, dad," Blaine said, taking a seat the other side of the room as Will continued to mark. After a while, the silence now uncomfortable and unusual in the apartment, Will looked up.

"Anything wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong," Blaine said, sitting up, trying to give the impression of correctness.

"That's where you went wrong before," Will said, "You should always tell me."

Blaine's face softened as he realised the truth and he braced himself.

"I got my letter from NYADA today."

"Really?" Will said, instantly excited and Blaine couldn't help but think that Rachel would get on really well with him. "Why didn't you say as you soon as you came in? What did it say?"

"I got in," Blaine said simply.

"You did?" Will got up, forcing Blaine to do the same and gave him the biggest hug. "I can't believe it," he said, parting from him and then laughing. "Well I can believe it actually, you were so fantastic at your audition, I knew you'd do well."

"Thanks, dad."

"Why the sad face?" Will asked, his expression one of confusion. "I'd thought you'd be ecstatic."

"I guess I worried about you and what you'd do here," Blaine said in one breath and Will took one step back.

"Really?" he said, "You worried about my reaction?"

"Well I mean I knew you'd be happy for me I guess," Blaine said, trying to make it better, "But just the thought of you not being here and maybe having to work somewhere else, well...."

"But Blaine I'm not going anywhere," Will said quietly, finally realising how the moves had affected him over the years. "They offered me a permanent position and are waiting for me to accept. I wanted to find out your situation before I told them. I'll do whatever you want me to do Blaine but I think it's important we stick together. You're all I've got and...."

He wasn't allowed to finish. Blaine finally understood and he burst into laughter and gripped his father close, laughing in relief.

"I can't believe we're staying here," Blaine breathed as he finally let go. "We're staying in New York?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we've belonged here ever since we moved when you were little but I guess when your mum died I couldn't bear it." He looked down and Blaine understood and stroked his arm.

"I think it's just full of happy memories now," Will continued, "Full of times with Kurt and Robyn and you becoming the man you were meant to be. I couldn't move you now."

"Thanks Dad," Blaine said, hugging him close once again. "I love you."

"I love you too."

The bridge remained – solid and cold, metal and unfeeling. Sometimes other people went over it in their cars or along the walkway, some even considering suicide but whenever Blaine went near it, especially with Kurt by his side, he knew that it held no real power. The bridge was now just a place where he had met the love of his life, one cold windy day when he had wished to escape.

The real courage was in walking away and he knew now, because he had experienced it. He knew that it really was a wonderful life if you looked and understood and found joy in the small things and the large. Life wasn't always simple or carefree but Blaine found that he could go through most things as long as he had Kurt and he hoped he was the same support in return.

That day he rung Kurt – a day which had started so badly but finished with so much hope – was truly a wonderful day as Blaine looked back but as he sat watching a movie with Kurt he knew that as long as he was in it, it would be a wonderful, wonderful life.