"Oh god," Blaine says, feeling the unmistakable feeling of a dozen pairs of eyes all on him at once. He doesn't even consider the audience as he corrals his students off the stage and into the wings.

Kurt's eyes are searching his friends' faces for … approval? Reassurance? Blaine can't tell. All he's worried about now is damage control.

Rachel is rubbing Kurt's arm, saying something Blaine can't quite hear. But everyone else looks as if they want him to say something, make a speech.

"Um, congratulations, everyone," Blaine says, trying desperately to break the tension.

"Dude, you just macked on my boy Hummel in front of, like everyone," Puck says. "I have some pretty kinky fantasies, but I know I didn't imagine that. Did everyone else see that?"

Everyone else is just staring at him, and Blaine can't feel his feet. When did it get so hot?

"Mr. Anderson, are you feeling alright?" Tina asks, looking genuinely concerned.

"Whoa, dude," Puck says to Kurt. "I'm impressed. I thought I was the only one banging a teacher."

"Dude, that's my brother," Finn says. "Don't say banging."

"No one say banging," Santana says. "I'm going to have to bleach my brain to erase that disgusting display of homoerotica from my mind."

"This is really none of anyone's business," Rachel says, trying her best to sound authoritative, but mostly sounding like she's talking to a room full of first graders. "This is between Kurt and Mr. Anderson, and I think we should all give them a moment to discuss what just happened." She grabs Quinn's arm and gestures for Finn to follow them, but no one moves.

"Uh uh," Mercedes says. "I need to hear this explanation. Kurt, I thought you had a boyfriend."

"I do."

It's the first time Kurt has spoken since before Blaine had kissed him. Everyone turns to face him.

"Then why did you kiss Mr. A?" she asks.

Blaine takes a deep breath when Kurt doesn't answer. Might as well face the music.

"Because I'm his boyfriend," he says.

Puck catcalls as a murmur runs through the group. Kurt's eyes are wide. Only Santana and Rachel look unfazed.

"Kurt?" Mercedes asks.

Kurt nods, visibly shaking. "It's true."

"Dude," Finn says.

"Please don't tell dad," Kurt says, panic coloring his features. "At least let him hear it from me."

"Your dad?" Blaine asks, eyes going wide.

"Yeah," Kurt replies. "We should probably tell him before he hears about it from someone else."

"Oh…yeah."

Blaine feels like he might throw up. The idea of telling Burt Hummel that he's dating Kurt makes him absolutely sick. What's he going to say? "Hello, sir. I'm Blaine Anderson, I've been fucking your kid." Yeah, that's not going to go over too well.

Perhaps his concern should have been about his job, but he's seen Kurt's dad. He doesn't look like the kind of guy who lets anyone mess with his family, especially Kurt.

The trip from New York back to Lima is tense, to say the least. Kurt avoids everyone as much as he can, sitting far away from the group and ignoring Rachel's offers to talk about it. He just wants to be left alone. He knows everyone is talking about him and Blaine, but he just doesn't want to hear it. Not now.

Blaine keeps his distance too, which doesn't help matters. Kurt would pay good money to know what his boyfriend is thinking. But under the circumstances, he thinks it's probably best if they don't spend too much time together in front of the glee club. When they get back to Ohio, Blaine leaves without saying anything to Kurt, and they don't see each other again until the next day at school. Not surprisingly, Blaine keeps their interactions entirely professional and doesn't try to engage Kurt in conversation.

So Kurt is already on edge when Blaine gets called into Figgins' office during glee that afternoon. The second he's out of room, the entirety of New Directions start in on Kurt. Apparently, they're done being accommodating and want details.

"So how is Captain Tightpants in bed?" Santana asks with a smirk.

"Santana!" Rachel scolds. "That's none of our business."

"Oh, Porcelain made it our business when he shoved his tongue down our teacher's throat in front of us all. Now spill, Hummel."

"Kurt, you don't have to say anything you don't want to," Rachel says, patting his knee.

"Aw, hell no," Artie interjects. "You are giving us all the dirt, and now. Spill, mister."

"I uh…well," Kurt says.

"How long have you been dating?" Tina asks, looking hurt.

"Um…"

"Does he have sex toys?" Puck asks, looking far more serious than Kurt would like.

"Gross, Puckerman!" Quinn says.

"What?" he asks. "I've heard gay guys are really kinky. I bet he even has flavored lube." He waggles his eyebrows at Kurt and grins.

"Oh for the love of god, Puckerman! No, there's no flavored lube!" Kurt shouts finally.

"But you use lube, right? I mean, that's gotta hurt like hell without it."

"Oh my god! Will you all just shut up? It's none of your damned business!"

And with that, Kurt storms out of the room, leaving a wake of murmurs behind him. He takes off in the opposite direction of the auditorium, hoping to throw Rachel off if she decides to follow him. He doesn't realize it's the direction of Figgins' office until he's right outside and can hear raised voices behind the door.

"Blaine, I'm very concerned about what I heard from nationals," Figgins says. "Sue tells me you kissed Kurt Hummel on stage and everyone saw you. This is unacceptable."

"I know, sir," Blaine says. "But I assure you, nothing like that will ever happen again."

"Oh, you better believe it won't," Coach Sylvester says. "I've got your letter of resignation all typed up. All you've got to do is sign."

Kurt imagines her grinning at Blaine, and he wants to storm in the office and punch her in her smug face. He clenches his fists and fights back the urge to act on his impulse.

"It's okay," Blaine says. "I was planning on leaving at the end of the year anyway."

Kurt slumps against the wall, unable to support his own body weight at the revelation. Blaine is leaving, leaving McKinley. Perhaps leaving him. The thought is nearly unbearable. Maybe he was wrong thinking Blaine was just giving him a little space. The reality that their fledgling relationship might be over hits Kurt like a punch to the gut. He charges down the hallway to the nearest boys bathroom, just barely making it into a stall before he empties the contents of his stomach into the toilet.

"Now hold on, Sue," Figgins says, snatching the papers from her hand before she can pass them to Blaine. "You are leaving at the end of the year?" he asks, turning toward Blaine.

"Yes, sir," Blaine replies.

"Well, then I see no reason to ask you to resign," he says, smiling broadly.

"What?" Sue says through gritted teeth. She looks like she's about to spit fire.

"If he's leaving already, there's no need to have him resign so close to the end of the year. We only have a month of school left," Figgins says. "Plus, Kurt Hummel is 18. Blaine hasn't broken any laws."

"Are you insane?!" Sue shouts.

"Now Sue," Figgins says calmly. "You know how hard it is to find a long-term substitute, and this will save me the hassle of finding someone so late in the term. It's a win-win situation."

Sue's face tenses up in a furious grimace. This is not going to end well. Blaine decides to try to diffuse the situation in the only way he knows how: pointing out to Sue that she's won too.

"You're getting your way, Sue," Blaine says. "I'm leaving. I don't understand the problem."

"You are my problem, shortstack." She stands up to loom over him. Blaine rises to his feet to gain what little height he can and glares up at her.

"I think you need to back off, Sue," he says, lowering his voice as he clenches his fists.

"Or what?" she says, leaning in to sneer in his face.

Blaine is fighting every urge he has to pummel Sue into the ground, but he manages to control himself. He's not so sure Sue is going to be able to restrain herself, though.

"That's enough," Figgins says. "We are educators, people. Please try to control yourselves."

"Sorry, sir, I…" Blaine begins, backing away from Sue as he hears a commotion in the hallway.

"I really don't think…" Blaine hears Rachel's voice from the outside as the door opens.

"Out of my way, Thumbelina," an unfamiliar boy says as he shoves his way into the room. "I'm here on official show choir business. This doesn't concern you."

"I tried to tell him everyone already knows about you and Kurt, Mr. Anderson," Rachel says, smiling at Figgins, "But he wouldn't listen." She glares at the boy.

"What's all this about?" Blaine asks.

"Yes, I'd like to know that myself. Who are you?" Figgins asks the tall boy, who Blaine now notices is wearing a familiar striped tie and a Dalton blazer.

"I'm Sebastian Smythe," the boy says, obviously trying to look more grown up than he is. Blaine stifles a laugh. "And I have something to report about that teacher." He points to Blaine.

"If this is about Mr. Anderson and Kurt Hummel, I already know," Figgins says, rolling his eyes. "And it's being taken care of."

"Oh this is ridiculous!" Sue says, shoving Sebastian aside as she storms out of the office.

In the distance Blaine sees her knock books out of students' hands and shove a freshman into a bank of lockers. If Sue hasn't been fired by now, he doesn't know why she thinks he should for dating an 18-year-old student. It's an entirely consensual relationship, in fact. At least he's not terrorizing children on a daily basis.

Blaine looks back at Figgins, who just shrugs. As far as he's concerned, this is just another day with Sue Sylvester. Blaine rolls his eyes and turns back to Rachel.

"Told you they already knew," Rachel says, crossing her arms over her chest and giving Sebastian a look dripping with disdain.

Blaine looks at Sebastian just in time to see his face fall from the smug mask he held since entering the room.

"You know?" he says, his disbelief written clearly on his features.

"Yes, and I'm taking care of it," Figgins replies, giving him a stern look. "Thank you for your concern, but I think you should be going back to your school, young man."

"I uh…" Sebastian stammers.

"I can show you the way out," Rachel says. "So you don't get lost or trip over your chin." She chucks a finger under his jaw and smiles at him. He brushes her off and turns heel to exit the office. Rachel smiles at Blaine before skipping off behind him.

Figgins clears his throat.

"Blaine, I don't think I need to tell you how serious these accusations are," Figgins says. Blaine nods. "I also don't need to tell you, then, that you need to stay away from Kurt Hummel until he graduates next month. This school doesn't need the school board breathing down our necks again after what happened to William Schuester."

"I understand," Blaine says, feeling only partly relieved. How is he going to tell Kurt this? How can he tell him that have to stay away from each other until graduation? They tried that. And failed.

He leaves Figgins' office feeling kind of numb. The school day has ended, so he doesn't return to the choir room, opting instead for heading straight home. He probably should at least text Kurt, but right now all he has the energy for is bed, possibly preceded by a healthy dose of vodka.

From Blaine (10:47 p.m.)
Can we talk?

Kurt doesn't respond to Blaine right away, and by the next morning, he resolves himself that what he overheard outside Figgins' office is true. He skips school the next day, telling his dad he must have caught something in New York. No one questions him.

From Blaine (8:37 a.m.)
You okay? I missed you in class today.

Kurt doesn't respond. He can't. Blaine can't just lie to him and then tell him he misses him. It doesn't make any sense. Kurt spends the day cleaning out his closet. He might as well get a jump on it if he's moving to New York in the fall.

From Blaine (11:28 a.m.)
Can we talk, please?

From Kurt (11:31 a.m.)
There's nothing to talk about. I get it.

From Blaine (11:31 a.m.)
Get what? I'm sorry I've been distant. I just needed some time to think. Figgins wants me to stay away from you.

From Kurt (11:33 a.m.)
Until the end of the year.

From Blaine (11:33 a.m.)
Yeah. How did you know?

From Kurt (11:34 a.m.)
I overheard. It's fine. I'll stay away.

From Blaine (11:35 a.m.)
No, please don't. We should talk about this.

From Kurt (11:37 a.m.)
There's nothing to talk about. I get it.

Kurt switches his phone off and turns his stereo up full blast. He needs something to distract him from the feeling of emptiness that has taken up residence in his gut.

By the time his dad, Carole, and Finn are all home that night, Kurt has managed to get his emotions under control. He's not going to let this thing with Blaine break him. Okay, so maybe he's more upset than he's letting on, but it gets easier to hide his pain when his dad shoves a giant white envelope in his hands that night at dinner.

"It's from NYADA," Kurt says.

"It is," Burt replies.

Kurt stares at the package in his hands, trying to keep them from shaking. It's a large envelope. That's a good sign, right? But he can't bring himself to tear into the creamy, white paper.

"Well, open it," Carole says, beaming.

Kurt nods slowly and flips the envelope over, sliding his finger underneath the flap. It opens easily, too easily. Kurt doesn't want to get to the part where he reads that letter, just in case it's bad news, but he reaches inside anyway, and pulls out a stack of papers. The one on top reads, "Dear Mr. Hummel." He can't look.

"What does it say, dude?" Finn asks.

Kurt glances back down at the page, and sees the first line of the letter. "We are pleased to inform you…" and he stops reading. A smile pulls at the corners of his mouth as he looks up to find his dad beaming.

"I got in," Kurt says. "I did it…I got in!"

"Oh my god, Kurt! I knew you could do it, kid…I knew it!" his dad shouts, jumping out of his chair to throw his arms around Kurt. And for one brief moment, Kurt feels truly happy. His dreams are coming true. He's going to New York to study theatre. It's happening.

So why does it all feel just slightly off?

Kurt trudges to his room after dinner and debates calling Blaine to give him the news. But he can't do it, not yet. He leaves his phone off and goes to bed early, hoping everything will make sense in the morning. Just three days ago, everything had been so perfect, and now it all feels wrong, like the walls of his life had come crashing down around him, and he's lying in the rubble trying to claw his way out. Kurt doesn't understand. Nothing makes sense.

And the strange part is, he just wants to talk to Blaine, feel his strong arms around him and have Blaine tell him it's going to be alright. But maybe Blaine doesn't want him anymore. He's leaving him, and it hurts. He falls into a fitful sleep sometime around midnight, but he wakes up feeling like he went five rounds in a boxing ring. He heads to school feeling heavy and numb.

Kurt makes it until glee the next day before Blaine finally corners him. Kurt is frantically trying to gather his things before it's just him and Blaine, but apparently everyone else is out to get him because they race out of the room faster than he's ever seen before.

"Finn told me you got into NYADA," Blaine says after everyone else has left.

"I did," Kurt replies, not making eye contact.

"Were you going to tell me?" Blaine asks. Kurt doesn't need to see his face to know he's been hurt by Kurt's silence.

"I hadn't decided yet," Kurt replies, glancing up.

Blaine looks even more hurt by that revelation. But Kurt can't apologize for telling him the truth. Blaine squares his shoulders, trying to draw himself up taller.

"So you know I'm leaving McKinley, then?"

"I do."

Kurt knows he's being difficult by answering Blaine's questions so briefly, but he's afraid if he says more, he'll lose his resolve, and right now he needs to be strong.

"Don't you want to know why I'm leaving?" Blaine asks.

"Because of us," Kurt says, looking down at his hands as he picks at his cuticles. It's a bad habit, but sometimes you just need something to do with your hands.

"No, Kurt, I'm leaving because I'm going back to school," Blaine says. "To get my Ph.D. I want to teach music, maybe performance. I didn't realize how much until I took over New Directions."

"That's fine," Kurt says, looking up finally. He feels tears beginning to sting his eyes. "I get it."

"No, listen," Blaine says, eyes shining as well. "I want to be with you."

"Yeah, I know," Kurt says, looking away again. Blaine's gaze is too intense. He knows Blaine wants him, but that doesn't mean he can be. "Look, I've got to go."

Blaine reaches out for Kurt's arm. His hazel eyes are swimming with emotion as he pleads silently with Kurt. He looks pained as he speaks, and so beautiful it makes Kurt's heart ache. It's too much.

"Kurt…wait, please."

He can't do this. Not now. They both have dreams to follow. He won't hold Blaine back from his. He shrugs off Blaine's touch.

"I'll talk to you later, Mr. Anderson. Bye."

And he walks away.

Blaine crumples to his knees right there in the choir room.

Kurt is gone. He wants to run after him, but if Figgins sees him; if anyone sees him, he'll be done. And he can't take another chance, not with his admission to Tisch on the line. He doesn't know if that would prevent him from getting in, but he's not willing to risk it again. Once he's in New York, he can try to win Kurt back.

Or maybe he can do it before.

Later that week, Figgins announces a special assembly the week before graduation to honor New Directions for their nationals win. Blaine helps the glee club pull together a special performance for the occasion, while he secretly plans one of his own.

"Hello McKinley High," Figgins says into the microphone, his monotone voice ringing out through the auditorium. "Welcome to your final assembly of the year. Today we are here to honor our national champion glee club, the New Directions."

The cheering drowns him out for a second before Figgins raises his arms to silence the crowd.

"I'd also like to thank Mr. Blaine Anderson for his leadership this year, and I'm also sorry to say he will be leaving us for greener pastures. Mr. Anderson will be studying for his Ph.D. in New York in the fall. Please join me in congratulating him and wishing him well."

Figgins' smile betrays his dull tone, as he applauds with the rest of the school. Only Sue remains stoic.

Blaine hears Rachel gasp and sees Kurt's jaw fall open at the news. He clears his throat and tries to steady his voice.

"Hello, I'm Blaine Anderson, and yes, it's true. I'm leaving McKinley High after this year," he pauses and looks right at Kurt, who is waiting in the wings with the rest of New Directions to take the stage. "But first I want to sing a song for you, a song that means so much to me. I hope you know how much you mean to me." He turns back to the audience. "I'm going to miss all of you so much."

Kurt's breath catches in his throat. It's obvious Blaine is talking to him, even though he's addressing the school. If Blaine is going to New York, that means he and Kurt will be in the same city. But why didn't he just say so?

And then Blaine is there, in front of him. Kurt can't speak. He moves his mouth, trying to find words, but none will come.

"Okay, guys," Blaine says. "I know you have a song prepared, but first I'm going to do this one myself. If that's okay?"

He looks right at Kurt, who still can't speak.

"Of course it's okay," Rachel says, beaming at him. "Everyone needs a farewell performance."

Blaine smiles at her, dragging his eyes away from Kurt, but the smile looks forced. He grabs some sheet music out of his bag and heads back to the stage. Blaine takes a seat at the piano and cracks his knuckles.

As the first few notes ring out, Kurt feels something clench tightly in his chest. He knows this song. He's dreamed about someone singing this song to him so many times. And now Blaine, his Blaine is singing it in front of the entire school for him.

It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside;
I'm not one of those who can easily hide;
Don't have much money, but boy if I did;
I'd buy a big house where we both could live.

Kurt doesn't even realize he's crying until the first tear rolls off his chin. He reaches up to clear his eyes. He can hardly believe this is real. Rachel reaches for his arm and pats it soothingly.

"He's singing this for you," she says.

"I know…shhh."

I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do.
My gift is my song and this one's for you.

By the time he gets to the chorus, Kurt has already forgiven him. Why had he even worried at all? It all seems so silly now. Blaine loves him; he loves Blaine. It's that simple.

And you can tell everybody this is your song.
It maybe quite simple, but now that it's done;
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't' mind;
That I put down in words;
How wonderful life is while you're in the world.

It's the next verse, though, that makes Kurt's heart soar, the part of the song that's always made him wish upon every wish he's ever had that he'd find someone who would make him feel the way this song does. And he has. It's kind of overwhelming, actually.

So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do;
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue.
Anyway, the thing is what I really mean,
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've seen.

When Blaine finally finishes the song, voice breaking on the last line, Kurt sees the tears shining in his eyes, and he wants nothing more than to run onto stage and kiss him senseless. To wipe away his tears. Instead he settles for infusing as much emotion as he can into his own performance.

Although to be fair, there's not much he can do with one line in "We Are the Champions."

But when Kurt sings "I've taken my bows and my curtain calls. You've brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it. I thank you all," he looks Blaine right in the eyes. Because he can't do anything else until he gets a chance to talk to him.

It's another excruciating hour until they're alone. Kurt finds Blaine alone backstage and approaches him slowly. Still unsure if Blaine wants to hear his apology.

"That was beautiful."

"Thank you," Blaine replies, not turning around in case Kurt has come to say goodbye. "It was for you, you know."

"I know."

Blaine nods, and focuses his attention on his bag, shoving papers inside and pretending to look at a few, just to keep himself occupied.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to New York?" Kurt asks softly.

Blaine stills his movements.

"I tried," he says. He lets the other part go unsaid. You wouldn't let me.

"I know."

Kurt takes a deep breath and places a hand on Blaine's arm.

"Please look at me," he says.

Blaine turns to face him. It hurts to look at Kurt like this, when he feels so scared and lost and stupid.

"I'm sorry," Kurt says. "I should have let you explain."

"I'm sorry too, Kurt. I should have told you a while ago," Blaine says. "I wanted to surprise you. Although, in hindsight, probably not the best option."

"I'd say not," Kurt says smiling as he threads their hands together. "So New York?"

"Yes," Blaine says, looking up into Kurt's eyes. His expression is hesitant, but hopeful.

"Together."

"That's the plan," Blaine says. "If you want."

"I can't imagine it any other way," he says.

"Good," Blaine says. "Because I'm never letting you go again."

He pulls Kurt to him and kisses him softly. They're still on school grounds, and Kurt doesn't technically graduate until Saturday. Still, Blaine can't help but feel like they're in the clear.

"We still have to tell my dad you know," Kurt says.

"Oh god."