When Blaine returned to his chambers in time for his curfew, Sebastian was waiting for him outside.

"Hey Blaine, how are you?" Sebastian asked.

"Much better, thank you,"Blaine replied.

"I thought I'd give you the day before I pestered you to see how you are."

"Or you didn't want to talk to me while Rachel or Kurt were there?"

"Oh did I miss the fairy on a pogo stick? And the diva husband snatcher?" Sebastian asked sarcastically."That too.But it was for your own benefit. If I can't say anything nice, then say nothing at all. I didn't want to upset you before you were back to full fitness."

Blaine was not amused."You could just try being polite?"

"I will, at your little shindig to celebrate your sham of a marriage to the flat-face Jewish-nose. I need to build up to it."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "If this is you building up to it then you need to work a little harder."

"Hey, you should hear the names that actually went throughmy head. That was tame in comparison-Icallthatprogress." Sebastian smiled, seemingly genuinely pleased with himself.

"Just don't make a scene, please?"

"I won't.I'll be on my best behaviour all night. I'm looking forward to seeing Lady Berry in action-I wouldn't want to miss out on that. But more importantly, I hearyouwill be singing. And nothing is worth missing thatfor."

Blaine smiled despite himself.

"Howare therehearsals been going? Resorted to self harm yet?"

"No, it's been amazing." Blaine said sharply."You should have joined us, maybe you'd have found out you actually could get along with them."

Sebastian snorted. "Your optimismnever fails to amaze me. Go get your beauty sleep before you turn into a pumpkin for being up passedyour curfew."

"Night Sebastian." Blaine refrained from pointing that he was only still up becauseSebastianhad stopped him to talk.

"Night Blaine.Hearing you sing better worth attending this celebration!" Sebastian shouted back at him whilst walking away.

..........................................................................................................................

The celebration was finally here. Blaine hadspentall his waking hours forthe last two daysin the music hall, with either Rachel or Kurt. And he'd never had so much fun. He'd got to spend all day doing something he was passionate about, and sharing it with people who were equally passionate.

Now he stood, staring at himself in the mirror. He felt awkward. Helookedawkward in the bowtie Kurt had insisted he wore, and the shirt and pants Kurt had picked out- he couldn't get any of them to sit right, not without Kurt here.Kurt had picked out Rachel's dress too- everything was done by Kurt. Heand Rachel's relationship would be soulless without Kurt and thatfactwas freaking him out. He looked at himself and thought of Kurt, he looked at Rachel and thought of Kurt, he looked at Sebastian and thought of Kurt. Why did Kurt suddenly seem so imperative to everyaspectof his life? And he wanted to look good, for Kurt.

He was debating tying the bowtie again, for the fifth time thatafternoon, when a knock at the door interrupted him.

He opened the door to find Sam,dressedin his own formal wear, leaning on his doorframe.

"Hey buddy, people are waiting for you." Sam said.

"They are?"

"Yeah, you are one of the guests of honour. It's pretty importantthatyou're there."

"Right, of course." Blaine wasn't used to people noticingif he was somewhere or not. "Are my parents here yet?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Maybe I should see them alone before I go in, I don't get to see them very often." Blaine rubbed his hands together to stop himself from wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers.

"Blaine, you can't leave Racheloutthere on her own, you're going to be married, you come as a pair now. And I'm sure you're parents are just happy to be here." Sam stepped aside and waved his arm. "You need to go now before they send somebody else to fetch you."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Blaine took a deep breath and closed the door behind him before he could lose his nerve. He could do this,after all,he was an entertainer at heart.He'd just spent so long repressing it that the feeling was alien to him, andas a result this wasvery daunting.

Rachel was waiting for him outside theStar room with her hands on her hips and a glare ready for him.

"Sorry,"he said with as much confidence he could muster. "I was overthinking things."

"Well stop it. I know you can be a gracious and charming host. You'll do fine,"she reassured him. "Let's give them an entrance they won't forget! Can I kiss you?"

"Oh." Why hadn't Blaine thought of that? He'd overthought everything about tonight,how had this notoccurred to him? "Yes,"Blaine nodded for longer than necessary.

"Good! It'lljust be a peck, don't worry." She slid her hand into his and gently pulled him towards the doors. Two guards posted outside opened the large entrance doors to reveal a crowd staring in anticipation.

A hushed silence fell on the hall as soon as the couple stepped inside. Rachel waved elegantly using her free hand before reaching over to pull Blaine's face down to hers. The kiss lasted less than a second and Blaine could hardly remember it happening it was over that quickly.Before he knew it, the guests were mingling and chatting once again.

"Our girl is here!" Two men rushed over to them, who Blaine could only assume were Rachel's parents. She let go of Blaine's hand to hug and kiss them on the cheeks.

"Dads, I've missed you so much,"she told them.

"We have missed you too,but this is all worth it,"the shorter of the two men said.

"I take it this handsome creature is your intended?" The other man gestured to Blaine. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, Blaine. You will be a welcome addition to our little family."

"Thankyou,Sir." Blaine said politely. He knew Rachel's fathers were aware this was a marriage of convenience, but they were doing a damn fine job of looking at him like a son in law. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Oh,none of that,"the man smiled at him with fondness.

"Blaine, this is Hiram andLeRoy, my fathers." Rachel introduced.

"Pleased to meet you Blaine. I'll get this out of the way.Ourdaughteris very precious to us,"LeRoysaid, "so we are putting a lot of trust in you to take care of her."

"LeRoy, stop pressuring him." Hiram said.

"I've said it, now we can move on."LeRoyresponded. "Blaine, your parents were looking for you, and if your mother sees us holding you up she may actually kill me with her glare. So go and talk to them while we catch up with Rachel."

"Thank you, Sir." Blaine said again.

"It'sLeRoy!" Hiram sang to him.

Blaine quickly spotted his parents and walked over to them. "Mom!Dad!" He hugged them both.

"Blaine, honey. You look so much happier than the last time we saw you." Gina said,holding on to Blaine's arm.

"I am Mom.I'm ok now,I promise you."

"Good.I don't like seeing you upset even if you have every right to be." She shot another glare at the Berry's.

"Please be nice to Rachel Mom.I have to get along with her." Blaine pleaded.

"I'm yourmother-she's supposed to be scared of me."

"Can you keep her under control, dad?" Blaine couldn'thold back the laugh while he tried toappeal tohis dad.

"I'm right here, young man!" Gina scolded him.

"Your mother will do as she wants, like she always,Blaine." James said.

"I'm also an Anderson, so I'll be polite. You know that." Gina said warmly.

"I know Mom. Thank you." Blaine hugged her again.

"Go mingle, but save a dance for me!" His mom shooed him away.

Blaine was still smiling at his parents antics when he almost ran into Kurtandcouldn't help the smile that spread across his face.

"Hi Blaine." Kurt said with a flush on his cheeks. "This is Mercedes."

Blaine noticed the short, black girl at Kurt's side for the first time. "Hello." He smiled and kissed her hand. "I've heard great things about you."

"There's only great things to be said,"she said with an endearing confidence. "I've heard some great things about you too." She flashed her eyes at Kurt.

"Are you confident for the Game?" Blaine asked.

"Confident I'll blow you all away,yes. Confident I'll beat Berry, hell to the no. I'll always be the best diva in this country, but Rachel is the chink in my armour. It's time I beat her, though, don't you think Kurt?"

"If anyone can do it, it's you Mercedes."

"You know you couldif got off your ass and took her on in an actual competition."

"You've heard him sing?" Blaine asked her.

"Yes, I've heard this angel sing. I've been trying to get him to compete for years but he won't listen to me, maybe he'll listen to you?" She said with a sly smile.

"Kurtmusthavehis reasons, and I won't be able to swayhim."

"Doesn't mean you can't try,"she pointed out.

"I didn't say thatI wouldn't try." Blaine teased.

"As much as I'm enjoying youconspiring aboutme, I think you're wanted for a dance Blaine." Kurt said pointing to Rachel.

"Save me a dance for later." Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear as he walked passed himand Blaine felt the soft touch of Kurt's fingers against his arm.

"Time for a dance, my lady?" Blaine held out his hand for Rachel.

"I thought you'd never ask, my husband to be." Rachel took his hand with a spring in her step.

"Honesty. Respect. Dance. Always dance."LeRoysaid from behind Rachel.

Blainesmiled at him before looking to Rachel for guidance.

"He just wants us to enjoy the dance,"she clarified but Blaine got the feeling there was more to it than that.

The song the small band in the corner were playing was an upbeat one. Blaine could dancewell enough to a song like this,and althoughit wasn't his greatest skill,he was confident he wouldn't make a fool of himself. Slow dancing was another story. He didn't have much experience with it and wasn't sure how comfortable he and Rachel would be with each other.

When they reached the dance floor at the centre of the hallthe crowd parted to create room for them. They fell into step with the beat, still holdingone hand between them. Blaine couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and looking around only confirmedit. His jaw clenched at how uncomfortable it made him. He avoided eye contact although everybody seemed to be trying to catch his attention. After a few minutes he realised he hadn't even looked at Rachel yet.

"Are you laughing at me?" He asked when he saw her giggling.

"Yes, the awkward look doesn't suit you,"she said light-heartedly.

"I can't believe you'relaughing at me." Blaine said although he was laughinghimself now. "I'm not used to people staring at me."

"Really? Looking like you do you nevercatchanybody'slingeringgaze?" She asked, stillwearinga teasing grin.

"Ok, I'm not used to people staring so openly." He conceded.

"Just ignore them, look at me and forgot anybody else is here. It's the only way to deal with it or you end up self conscious of every little movement, which is very unhealthy and wouldn't look good on you at all." Rachel pulled him closer."Let go of all the thinking, Blaine, enjoy yourself."

She lifted their hands in the airandtwisted them so that he had to twirl under her.

"I can't believe you just twirled me!" He laughed.

"And youarestillthe bestlookingguy in here. Now I'm going to twirl you again,so put some ass into it this time."

Blaine followed her instructions and felt amazing, like a fool, but an amazing fool.

"See,you have a booty made for dancing! But I can still put more ass into it than you." Blaine took the lead and twirled Rachel under their hands, and he had to admit she was impressive.

"You win, you win." Blaine graciously admitted.

"No, don't take defeat so easily or I won't tell you when I see Kurt talking to your parents."

Blaine's arm dropped. "He's not?"

"No, he'd not, silly- and he won'twithout you there. He's not stupid. Relax. Dance."

After a few more songsthe King interrupted their fun.

The King's guard called for quiet and the musicians ceased playing while all the guests turned to the raised platform at the front of the room.

"Welcome, my friends,"the King said,almostmaking Blainegag with his fake warmth. "As you all know, we are here to celebrate the betrothal of the beautiful Lady Rachel Berry and Master Blaine Anderson. This union brings great joy to me knowing as I do how much they feel for each other. And to come from parents of such respect and standing will only honour the union of their two families."

Blaine gripped Rachel's hand harder to keep himself from doing something he'd regret.

"I wish to congratulate them, and thank them for the joyous spirit this wonderful announcement has brought to our country. Long may it continue!"

The King finished to a small round of applause.

"I'll be back soon." Rachel said before letting go of his hand.

She made her way to the stage and called for the attention of the guests who were already fixed on her anyway.

"I just wanted to thank everybody for coming. Blaine and I couldn't be happier to share our love with all of you, and to see such happy and friendly facesbrings usjoy wecan't express. I hope you're all as excited as I am for ourwedding because it is going to be theeventof the century!" Thecrowdcheeredather words. "But enough of that, onto the important part of the evening, what you have all been waiting for. Let the Game begin!"

Blaine's heart bubbled with anticipation-he'd never been so excited before a performance. It took him a few moments to realise he needed to move. He made his way to the grand piano that had been moved from the music hallasthe Game'sMaster replaced Rachel on the stage.

The Game'sMaster introduced the two independent judges, one of whichwasthe King, the third votecast by the loudest cheer from the audience. Blaine let his mind zone out while the Game'sMaster detailed the criteriaby whichthe judges would be assessing. It was still the samerulesasover a hundred years ago, when the Game had been created.

"His Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentleman, it is time for battle to commence." The Game'sMaster announced. "Today, competing for your pleasure,are two beautiful ladies. Do not be fooled by their short statureforit is the size of their talent that will astound you tonight. Please cheer for the leading competitor on the Game circuit, the fierce Miss Mercedes Jones! Andher competition,theundefeated,the one and only,Lady Rachel Berry."

The two girls walked onto the stage amidst the cheers of the guests. They shook hands and exchanged kisses before retreating to opposite ends of the stage with the Game's Master in the middle. "Miss Joneshasopted to open the song, leaving the chorus to Lady Berry. On accompaniment tonight is our other guest of honour, Master Anderson, who I have been assured hasoffered no advantage to his beloved. The stage is yours." The Game'sMaster bowed before making his way off stage.

Blaine had taken Kurt's advice and developed the second of hispotentialpiecesof music. It was catchy but gave enoughopportunity for the competitors to show off theirvocalrange. He indicated to Mercedes that there were to be eight bars of introduction for them to get used to the music before her cue to begin.

Silence overtook the hall and all gazes were on him when he played the first few notes. As soon as his fingers hit the keys any nerves were washed away and he playedwith abandon. Mercedes hit her cue perfectly.

"Something has taken hold of me, a passion I did not know.

I can be the wind beneath the roots of my eternity."

"A fire of flashing light, amoment of amazing graze.

A time for me to find myself and see what I can be."

"One heart beating rapidly, one mind spinning in the wind.

One life to lead the world to see that we can all be free."

"I can feel my heart inspiring life in me,

An inner strength I never knew to be,

It's my time to take my chances now,

And fulfil my destiny."

"Holding on to myintegrity, a feeling of intense pride.

My life has taken me down a road that I did not seek."

"A sky full of shooting stars, a moment of clarity.

A time to make my talent into a my life'slegacy."

"One heart beating rapidly, one mind spinning in the wind.

One life to lead the world to see that we can all be free."

"I can feel my heart inspiring life in me,

An inner strength I never knew to be,

It's my time to take my chances now,

And fulfil my destiny."

Blaine rose to his feet to clap with the audience. After Rachel and Mercedes took their bow the Game'sMaster re-took the stage to quieten the audience. "Please take a few moments to consider your vote while the judges assess their scores."

Blaine wasn't sure which way the voting public would go. While Rachel was popular with the public,most of the guests inattendance were guests of the King, and Mercedes was more present on the circuit so might have builta larger fan base. Blaine was a fan himself, Kurt had been right about the power of her voice. But he felt Rachel had the edge in her clarity anddepth of emotion.

The King nodded to the Game'sMaster that thejudges had made their decisions.

"His Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentleman, it is time to make your opinion known. Please cheer for the diva that is, Miss Mercedes Jones!"

A loud cheer went up from the audience, with Blaine politely clapping along. Blaine could see his mother jumping up and down in her enthusiasmand hoped that Rachel didn't notice.

"Now it is time to show your appreciation for Lady Rachel Berry!"

The cheer was louder, Blaine could clearly tell even while shouting himself.

Rachel curtseyed and looked out with pride while mouthing 'thank you'.

"The crowd have made their choice known, Lady Berry takes the first vote, but there are still two votes remaining. Lady July, please hand over your vote."

Lady July passed the Game'sMaster the envelope.

"And Lady July's vote goes to... Miss Jones. One vote remains, and with a power he is well accustomed to,the decision lies withhis Royal Highness. If you would, my King?"

KingSmythehanded over the envelope withoutasmile.

The Game'sMaster took an overly dramatic pause before opening the envelope and studying the contents. "The King hasgiven his vote... to the undefeated champion,LadyRachel Berry!LadyBerry takes the overall win."

Rachel clappedalong with the crowd and did a little spring step. She waved to the audience and blew a kiss, which Blaine belated realised was directed at him. Thankfully he'd been clapping enthusiasticallyanyway so nobody would have noticed that he didn't acknowledge it.

The crowd dispersedas Rachel made her way towards him.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Heaskedas he embraced her.

"I do, but I never tire of hearing it." She leaned into his ear and whispered. "I'm going to kiss you again."

She gave him ashort but firm kiss on the lips, and Blaineappreciatedthat she kept giving him prior warning.

"There she is, a victor once again." Rachel turned around to hug Kurt who had approached behind her. "She ran you close, butyouwere as brilliant as ever."

"She did, I may have to start competingon the circuitmore once allofthis activity blows over. I don't want to loose my competitive edge." Rachel considered.

"Being competitive will never be your problem, Rachel." Kurt said.

"Winningbreedsconfidence, and I don't want my competitors to get over confident just because I'm not there to beat them." Rachel counterpointed.

"You have a unique view of the world Rachel Berry, it's what makes you so special." Kurt told her with a smile.

"Thank you. Now, let's dance!" Shegrabbed their hands andpulled them with heras she backed onto the dance floor.

Blaine shared a look with Kurt before Rachel pulled their hands harder to get them to move faster.

"We're here, we're dancing! Calm down." Kurt said.

"I am calm, I just want to danceand enjoy my victory." She started moving to the beat, conservatively at first but getting more exaggeratedthe longer they were there.

Blaine found himself singing along without even realising it. His voice merged with the medley of others surrounding them and he got lost in the music.

If he had the confidence to stand out in such a large hall with so many people in it,he would have joined in on the great diva-offthat hadbegunbetween Kurt and Rachel. Hands flew, headsswished, fingers snapped and hips jutted, as Kurt proved that men could be diva's too. He laughed along with their antics and pretended to judge them, getting Kurt to break down in tears of laughter at his stern impression of the King.

Blaine tried not to get distracted by the sway of Kurt's hips, but the boy seemed to be doing his best to turn Blaine's brain to jelly. The diva-off was complete - Blaine had declared a tie and got two pouting faces in return for his trouble - and they were now dancing comfortably, enjoying the companionship.

"Dad!" Rachel shouted, which was the only warning she gave before running off and leavingKurt and Blaine on the dance floor.

"I guess it's time for that dance you promised me?" Kurt said.

"I guess it is." Blaine agreedkeepinghis hands at his sides to resistreaching out to Kurt.

"Are you ok?" Kurt asked, still looking as comfortableas ever.

"Yeah, it's just... I feel self conscious again, like people can see through me." Blaine looked around.

"Ignore them. It's just you and me dancing together."

Blaine laughed.If it was just the two of them with nobody looking, they'd be dancing a lot closer together than this.

Kurt pointed at him accusatorily,"I know where your mind went to just then, Anderson."

Blaine lifted his hands inmocksurrender-there was no point in lying. "I blame your hips for corrupting me."

"My hips? My hips were born to dance, I can't help that." He gaveanextra jutto prove his point.

"You're not helping,"Blaine pointed out.

Kurt stepped closer and said in a low voice,"Well we can't have that can we,"before he backed offand jumped. He started dancing like a small child, stillwiththe elegance he naturally possessed.

"Better!" Blaine laughed, exaggerating his own moves to join in with the sillynature of their dancing.

They continued dancing together and laughing at each other. Kurt taught Blaine the finer aspects of the Vogue dance style and Blaine tried to get Kurt to enjoy the spirit of disco.

"Even Finn could dance competently to disco, there's no finesseto it!" Kurtexclaimed.

"That's why it's fun, everybody can join in." Blaine argued.

"Believe me, watching Finn dance is not fun."

"You don't have to watch him, you just have to enjoy looking like a fool alongside him."

"I never look like a fool!" Kurt clutched his chest dramatically.

"Ok, that's true. You can enjoy him looking like a fool alongside you then."

"Okay, okay! I'll agree, disco has it's good points,"Kurtsaid, as herolled his eyes atBlaine. "Youobviouslyhave no competitive streak."

"Inever said I wasn't!I'm competitive, when it's a competition. But not everything in life is." Blaine reasoned.

"That's where you're wrong. Everything is an opportunity for you to bebetter than someone else." Kurt told him directly.

"You and Rachel were made for each other!" Blaine laughed.

"You mean, you were." Kurt said.And Blaine wasn't entirelysureifhe meantBlaineand Rachel,or Blaine and Kurt.

When a slow song began playingBlainerealised he'd stopped noticing those around him a while ago, but now they wouldbepayingattention to him, there was no doubt.

"Wait here." Kurt said with a squeeze to Blaine's armand a regretfulsmile. "I'll go and get Rachel."

Rachel quickly appeared by his side and Blaine did his best to look happy that she'd joined him.

"Hi,"she said asshewrapped herarmaround his neck. He took her by the waist and led her in a soft sway.

"They think we're perfect together- all of them that don't know the truth. We're convincing them that we're happy together, and we can be Blaine. Not in the way they think, but we can still be happy,"she said softly.

"I know,"he agreed. "There are much tougherfights in life than this. Being your husband will be an honour, but being your friend is a gift I will cherish."

"Thank you, Blaine. That means a lot to me. I want you to be happy. I want Kurt to be happy too."

They swayed together as the song continued. Blaine looked over Rachel's shoulder andcaught sight of some of the people staring at them,smiles and adoring looks on their faces. Then he saw Kurt, standing on the edge of the dance floor. He couldn't have looked moredifferenttothose around them. He looked lost and out of place.

Blaine dipped his head and focused on the sway of their bodies. He tried to ignore the weird feeling in his stomach from being apart from Kurt, and knowing that Kurt felt it too.

When the song finished Rachel squeezed him tightly. "It's time for us to sing, I think."

"Ok,"he agreed.

She led him up onto the stage, their hands twinned together.

"I hope you're all still enjoying the evening," she said,capturingthe attention of everybody in the room.

"We have a little treat for you now. I know you're all aware of my talent, but what you don't know about is the voice my handsome fiancé has been keeping hidden from you all. But no longer."

The music started and theybeganto singKiss from a Rosejust how they'd prepared. They held hands throughout, they looked at each other adoringly and they kissed at the end. It was the perfect expression of their love for each other and for everybody looking on they believed it was true. They didn'tneed toknow that they weren't thinking of each other as they sang.

"Thank you." Blaine saidatthe audience's applause.

"Thank you for your love and support, it really does meanthe worldto us both. We're very excited about our wedding andthat we getto share it with you.Now if you don't mind," Rachel saidto the crowd, "we have some more dancing to do."

Blaine guided Rachel down from the stage and kept a hold of her hand. Blaine could hear his mom still cheering. "I think it's time I properly introduced you to my parents." Blaine told her.

"We've met,"she said, not objecting to where he was leading her buttohis choice of words.

"I know, but still,"he shrugged.

"Youwereso wonderful!" Gina said, wrapping him in a hug.

"That was good kid, well done. I've always wanted to see you perform like that." James added with a warm hand on Blaine's shoulder.

"Thanks mom, dad. It would never have happened without Rachel,"hesaid,pullingher closer. "Rachel, this is my mom and dad, Gina and James."

"Rachel, it's been a long time my dear." Gina said with strange guarded tone to her voice that sounder so unlike her. He felt Rachel stiffen beside him and prepared himself for an awkwardexchange.

Gina continued to stare at Rachel,butas it was clear thatshe had not finished talking,they didn't interrupt. "You look even prettier than I remember."

Blaine let out the breath he'd been holding when his mom pulled Rachel into a hug.

"Welcome to the family." James said,alsohugging herwhen his wife had letgo.

"I know this isn't... ideal. But if my sonsays he ok with it, then we're happy. And you clearly care about him. Either that,or that was the best piece of acting I've ever seen." Gina said.

"While I don't usually miss the opportunity to accept a compliment about my acting ability, you're right, it wasn't atall forced." Rachel confirmed.

"Good. Now go enjoy yourselves. Stop hanging out with us old folk."

"You'll never be old mom." Blaine told her.

"And you'll always be a charmer." Gina said, while trying to shoo them away.

Blaine kissed away the tear trailing down her cheek.

Once they were out of earshot, Rachel said; "I think I'll be the first bride in history to like her mother in law."

"That's my mother for you- it's impossible not tolove her."

"Oh,so that's where you get it from,"she said, bumping her shoulder into his.

"I wish."

Their conversation was halted when Sebastian approached them.

"Blaine.Future Mrs Tiny Anderson,"he greeted them.

"Tiny? That's the best you could come up?" Rachel asked.

"I'm trying to be polite, forBlaine'ssake." Sebastian said reluctantly.

"Well I approve, and for the record I don't mind being called tiny. You can stick with that if you like." She said before kissing Blaine on the cheek and walking away.

"You look so happy together, Blaine." Sebastian said. "I never knew you were such a good actor. One tip though, maybe you should givelittleHudsonsome lessons, because there's no denying the look on his face."

Blaine flicked his eyes over to Kurt, who was laughing at somethingone ofRachel's dadshad said.

"And you're... not jealous?" Blaine returned his gaze to Sebastian.

"Of the way he looks at you? Not at all, it just makes me like him even less. Of the way you look at him? Maybe. I can't deny I'd prefer youlook at me like that, but you don't and you never will."

"Sebastian..."

"You can do better than him." Sebastiansaid,cuttinghim off.

"There isn't anyone better to me."Blaine realized now he had been denying the truth when it came to his feelings for Kurt.He had told himself he wasn't sure, but now he realized that he had known from the start.

"If he hurts you again, I'm not picking upthepieces." Sebastian said.

"You will, because you're my friend. And underneath it all, you're a good guy, especially to me." Blaine said sincerely. "Besides, that won't happen."

Blaine should have been scared by the confidence he felt in his own words. He'dbeenpunishinghimself for days for being too trusting and naïve, but he couldn't help what he felt, andmoreoverhe didn't want to.

"Do you want to dance?" Blaine asked, holding his hand out to Sebastian.

Sebastian took it. "Trying to make him jealous?"

"No, I'mdancing withone ofmy friends just like I have been all night."

They reached the dance floor and Blaineaffectionatelypushed Sebastian away when he tried to dance tooclose. Sebastian pouted,but couldn't keep it from changing into a smile.

"Anybody caught your eye tonight?" Blaine asked him.

"I've been a little distracted, Blaine."

"Sebastian, don't let me stand in the way of your life. Your dad wants you to settle down, and you deserve to be happy with someone you find rather than someone he sets you up with."

"You mean like you have?" Sebastian asked with bite, but his face quickly softened."Stop pretending to be wise, Blaine. I can see right through your facade."

"I know you can, maybe that's why you never liked Kurt. You could see before I could."

"No, it was just his face,"Sebastian retorted. "Look, he gets to have you, soyou can't blame me for making things difficult for him."

"Who says he wants me?"

"Blaine, I know you're notthatoblivious."

"No, that's notwhat I mean.I know he likes me, but that doesn't necessarily mean he wants to be with me?"

"Only he can tell you that Blaine. And I'll be here for you whatever the outcome,you goof."

"I know you will. LikeI told you,youare a good guy, remember?"

"I remember, but we can just keep that between us?By the way, you haven't asked me to be your best man yet?"

"That's because I haven't even gotten close to thinking about that yet. And Cooper..." Blaine had always pictured Coop as his best man but Coop wouldn't even be there.

"Sorry, pretend I didn't say anything." Sebastian interrupted Blaine's thoughts."Why don't you go and find your lady...either of them. My back is starting to burn from the glare."

Blaine looked around him to see Kurt staringat them. Blaine waved,butKurt didn'tseem to notice, he was evidentlytrapped in his own thoughts. Kurt finallybecame aware of Blainewhen Blaine was about two feet in front of him.

"Oh,there you are. I was just going to look for you." Kurt said, trying to act natural.

"I was dancing with Sebastian, and he told me to come and find you."

"He did?" Kurt asked, seeminggenuinely taken aback.

"Yes.Because that's the good guy that he is." Oops! He wasn't supposed to share that fact with anyone was he? Oh well...

Kurt snorted. "Do you want to dance with me?"

"Always." Blaine said.

They danced, sometimes with Rachel, sometimes even with Blaine's mom. Which was uncomfortable when she started winking at Blaine and nodding her head at Kurt. Subtlety was not her strong suit.

Soon the night was all but over.Mostof the guestshad left, including the King.

"I want to sing something. Is that ok?" Kurt asked.

"Of course, I always love to hear you sing. I don't think it's up to me, though, is it?" Blaine looked around for someone with more authority than him.

"He can sing!" Rachel shouted from behind them. "Never turn down Kurt offering to singwith an audience, it happens so rarely. Get up there."

Kurt did as he was told.

"Hi." Kurt said with a shy wave when he was on the stage. "I'm Kurt... AndI'll be singing for... you today."

"All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago"

Kurt waslooking around the room but Blaine could feel his eyes lingering on him.

"Isbrowneyes anddimplesin your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel like"

Kurt was singing to him, to Blaine. Blaine could feel it, that warmth in his heart that was coming directly from Kurt's words. Just for him.

"I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now

I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you, know you, know you

'Cause all I know is we said,'Hello.'
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed"

Blaine felt lighter, like he'd found something he'd been searching for his whole life.

"And all my walls stood tall painted blue
And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you

And all I feel in my stomach is butterflies
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time,
Taking flight, making me feel like

I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you, know you, know you

'Cause all I know is we said,'Hello.'
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
And you'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed

Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time, oh, oh, oh.
And meet me there tonight
And let me know that it's not all in my mind.

I justwannaknow you better, know you better, know you better now
I justwannaknow you, know you, know you

All I know is we said,'Hello.'
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed

All I know is we said,'Hello.'
So dust off your highest hopes
All I know is pouring rain and everything has changed
All I know is a new found grace
All my days I'll know your face
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed"

Blaine wiped awayatearfromhis eye. Hewasn't sure how to react, this was new territory for him and nobody was there to tell him how to handle it. He didn't realise he'd frozen and was staring into nothing until Rachel squeezed his hand. "Night Blaine. I'm going back to my room."

"Oh. Right. Yeah... I should..." He began, still not looking at her.

"No, you wait here. For him. Most people have left, they won't notice." She kissed his cheek and left.

"Hi." Kurt said, suddenly in front of him andBlainewondered how long he'd zoned out.

"Hi." Blaine melted in how round and open Kurt's eyes were, focused on nothing but him. "Can I walkyou back to your room?"

TBC...