Blaine fidgeted with the collar of his shirt, then pushed the curtain aside only an inch to get a peek at the action onstage. The play was only ten minutes in and already a hit, the Jets and the Sharks snapping their fingers, prowling in circles around each other, some of them breaking into leaps, jolts and, shimmies that had the audience in an uproar of both laughter and amazement. Soon enough, the wild dancing came to a finish and the Jets gathered in the middle of the stage while the Sharks darted off, and the audience swiftly hopped onto their toes and applauded heartily for the boys.

Managing to clap his own fingers together for his friends, Blaine watched them glide easily into the next scene, the Jets discussing how badly they wanted to knock the Sharks down a peg, and how they needed Tony to get the job done. Finn put on an excellent façade as Riff, despite how beaten up and out of it hed been ever since he found out that his girlfriend kissed Blaine.

Blaine thought distastefully of Rachel and twisted around to watch her at her dressing table as she threw a fit about how Tina had grabbed the dress in the wrong shade of blue or something of the sorts. He didnt care that much, and he turned back to the stage right as Finn burst into a rendition of Jet Song.

How could he ever compete with their heartfelt performances? He was beginning to long after just being one of the minor Jets or Sharks, not the main role of Tony. Besides killing Bernardo, Tonys plot revolved entirely around Maria, and Blaine barely had one scene without Rachel in it. He doubted hed make much of a Tony since he felt nothing for Rachel, and could hardly glimpse at her without grinding his teeth and peeling his lips back.

A noise distracted him from his terrible thoughts, a pretty sound like a high-pitched bell, the most beautiful sound hed ever heard. He whipped around and saw Kurt padding over to him, his hips swishing from side to side as he tried not to step on any boxes or scattered props. He gave Blaine a sweet smile, and Blaine held his hand out for him.

"Hello, Tony." Kurt chirped, holding up a small flower and waving it at him. "I want to give you a flower."

Blaines eyes were focused on that flower as Kurt approached him, but as Kurt drew near to tuck the flower into Blaines breast pocket, he looked over Kurts shoulder at his round ass, so tight and perfect as it pressed against the fabric of his skirt. He bit his bottom lip because he was usually never so bold, but he found himself helpless to Kurt.

"There," Kurt patted Blaines chest once he had it pinned, and he gave Blaine another grin. "How handsome. Every gentleman should have a boutonniere on his tuxedo," he slid his fingers under Blaines chin and lifted his head so their eyes met, "and no gentleman should stare so boldly in public."

"Blaine, a gentleman?" A nearby voice scoffed, and both of them turned their heads to find Santana strutting up to them, "Tony is a proper man, Blaine, whose eyes never wander. Itd be smart of you to practice getting into character, since you and him have so little in common."

Blaine chuckled at Santanas teasing, relieved that she had shown up. He didnt know how long she would stay, but she was good support for him while she was there. He couldnt find the words to say what he wanted to her, but, luckily, Kurt spoke up for him. Sometimes he was glad Kurt could read his mind. "Hello, Santana. Its so nice to see you. Are Brittany and her baby doing well?"

Santana took a few seconds to reply to him, her lashes lowering and lifting a couple of times before she mumbled, "The doctors are trying everything they can... but they cant run very intrusive tests without hurting the baby. They havent given either of them a very high chance of surviving this." She choked on those last few words, but she quickly cleared her throat. "I can see why you hate him." She said to Blaine, who frowned at the mention of him. Before Kurt, who looked like he was trying to give her a hug, could touch her, she took a step back and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Blaine, I think youre on in a minute."

Kurts mouth instantly fell open, "Oh, dear! I should find a seat!" Before he scampered off, he turned to Blaine and kissed his lips. "Im so proud of you, my love. Youll both be marvelous!"

As soon as Kurt was gone from his view, Blaine glanced at the stage, running through the number for his first scene. But he couldnt focus on that for long, and he flicked his eyes to Santana, who seemed just as uncomfortable. Both of them had a million things to say, and neither knew how to say them. "Have you heard?" Blaine whispered, assuming she would know what he meant.

And she did, her nose scrunching and lips pursing, and she lifted a pair of weary eyes to his face, "Not tonight, Blaine." She refused him, "If it helps you sleep at night, no, I havent heard anything. But thats all Im going to say. Tonight is about this performance and me seeing you and Kurt, and..." she shook her head, "no, its not about him."

Blaine pressed his lips together, then looked away from her when a herd of Jets darted past him, clapping his back and hooting at him that hed be great, that they were counting on him, that hed steal the show. Blaine sighed and stepped into the flashing lights, the spotlight zooming in on him, "Something great is coming..."

Blaine returned backstage with fading applause on his heels, and he smirked as Santana tugged him into her arms, "You were great, Blaine. Have you seen Kurt in the audience? You had him at the edge of his seat for the entire performance."

Chuckling under his breath so he didnt disturb Rachel, Tina, and Mercedes, who were sashaying on stage to the beat of I Feel Pretty, Blaine looked over his shoulder at the rows of seats and instantly zeroed in on Kurt, "As if I took my eyes off of him for one second. Do you really think he looked happy with the performance? This play means so much to him and its a lot of pressure knowing that his mom-"

"Blaine, you sang it like the song was made for you." Santana looped her elbow around his arm and they both watched the three girls on stage, Tina and Mercedes squealing over Rachel as she skipped around and flung hats, scarves, and shoes everywhere. "Oh, this is painful to watch."

Santana grimaced and turned her head, embarrassed for Rachel as she decorated herself in jewelry and wiggled to the music. Blaine kept his eyes glued to the stage, his brows furrowing as he noticed Rachels shrill voice catching on the higher notes. She ignored it, still flaunting herself, but even Tina and Mercedes seemed to be aware of the scratchiness to her usually powerful voice.

Blaine slid his eyes to Kurt, a startled expression on his face, which clued Blaine in that he wasnt just imagining things.

Suddenly, Rachel attempted the highest and longest note in the entire song, as Blaine had seen Kurt sing yesterday like it was his second nature, but the higher she went, the squeakier her voice got. She reached the peak and held onto the note for as long as she could until a noisy croak rumbled from her throat. She stopped singing because a low hissing noise came out of her, her voice a strained wreck most likely because of hers and Blaines ear-splitting fight over who could yell louder.

If Blaine was a good man, like Tony-a gentleman and a gentle man-he would have felt bad for Rachel. He would have offered her a cup of water, asked if she felt alright, walked her to her dads so they could take her home to rest, then called her later that night to make sure she was still okay. But Blaine wasnt a good man, wasnt a gentleman or a gentle man, hadnt even begun to forgive Rachel-he doubted he ever would, so he let her suffer for her own mistakes.

It was all she deserved after slapping Kurt.

He briefly tuned in to what Schuester was nervously rambling, "...we need another Maria. We dont have a back-up prepared."

All of the girls either didnt know Marias lines, or were anxious about facing Blaine so intimately, so none of them spoke up. Blaine broke the silence, "Kurt."

Everyone was puzzled by the random mention of Kurt, not connecting him to the part of Maria in any way. Schuester dragged a hand through his hair and threw him a frustrated glare, "What, Blaine?"

Blaine crossed his arms over his chest, "I want Kurt to play Maria." Even though he was uncomfortable under the stares and sneers, he had to keep going, "Hes beautiful... like Maria. He knows her lines... hes watched this musical hundreds of times. His mom was Maria! Hes the only one I want up there with me."

Schuester opened and closed his mouth several times, the shock on his face obvious. Blaine didnt know if he was more surprised by Blaine speaking up or by his suggestion. Glancing around just one more time as if to search for any girls who suddenly wanted to be Maria, he gave up with a low grunt when he realized his only option. "Fine... but, Blaine, this isnt France. This is Ohio. People might get upset if we have a boy playing a girls part."

Shaking his head, Blaine said lowly, "I know. I know that better than anyone. But I want him up there with me... Ill make sure he doesnt get hurt." Taking a deep breath, Blaine turned back to the stage and stared out at the audience. He found Kurt among them and couldnt pull his eyes away from him, knowing that he was perfect for Maria.

Blaine knelt by Kurts feet and placed one hand on his thigh, the other holding out a fake, diamond ring. "Make of our hands one hand... Make of our hearts one heart..."

Kurt smiled down at the top of his boyfriends head, dangling his hand in front of him as Blaine slid the ring onto his decorated finger from Blaines other jewels, his gum wrapper ring and his promise ring. The ring glinted as light hit it, then it was covered by Blaines warm mouth. He stroked his fingers through Blaines hair, "Make of our vows one last vow..."

Blaine pulled away from Kurts hand, and he lifted his hands to cup Kurts cheeks, "Now we begin, now we start..."

Not ashamed of each other or their relationship-gay or not, the two of them nuzzled their lips, and both smiled at the quiet clapping of hands at the lovely performance. The applause might have been louder, but they were too absorbed in each other to hear much besides the popping of lips, gasping of breaths, and beating of hearts.

Kurt laid his palm over Blaines chest, his lips still on Blaines as he musically purred, "One hand, one heart..."

"Mm..." Kurt tapped his chin, nose scrunched and lips puckered, "my favorite performance was Blaines rendition of Somethings Coming."

Blaines neck turned red with heat, and he helplessly smiled at the encouraging compliment, "Thank you... Kurt." He turned around to twine his fingers with Kurts, the latter curled up against the window and flushed with happiness. "Honey, your songs were absolutely beautiful, but I especially loved One Hand, One Heart."

Santana, who had tagged along for their after-party to Breadstix, kicked the back of Blaines seat. "Youre such a pleaser," she laughed, "but I agree about Kurts vocals. All of your songs were great. I Have a Love stopped the show."

Kurt blushed that time, a giggle slipping from his mouth, "Thank you both. Youre so kind." He glanced at his brother, "And you, Finn? Do you have a favorite?"

Finns jaw clenched, as if he hadnt been expecting the attention and didnt want it, "Uh... yeah, what Santana said."

Blaines brows furrowed at Finns curt answer, while Santana and Kurt went on chattering about weekend plans, oblivious to the tension. Blaine was very aware of it, though, a constant victim of it himself, and he reached over to brush Finns shoulder. He pulled his hand away, though, when his phone buzzed against his thigh. Kurt perked up, interested in who was calling him.

Blaine fished his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the caller name, then held it to his ear. "Hello?"

Kurt scooted as far forward as he could and wrapped his arms around Blaines neck, trying to listen in.

There was a crackling sound, then a very familiar, low voice that brought a smile to Blaines lips. Seeing the smile playing on Blaines face, Kurt relaxed and ducked so close that their cheeks were squished together. Blaine playfully tilted his head to kiss the corner of Kurts mouth, then grinned as a cherry color bloomed on Kurts cheeks.

"Blainey!" Cooper chuckled into the speaker, "I have a surprise for you!"