Blaine was sound asleep, his seatbelt tight around his body, his hand clenching Kurt's. Kurt was amazed that someone could hold so tightly in their sleep, but he should be used to it by now – Blaine just did not like flying.

"Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts as we will be landing in Eugene, Oregon in five minutes. The temperature in Eugene today is 72 degrees under cloudless skies. Thank you for flying United."

Kurt leaned back in his seat – well, as far back as he could anyway, and closed his eyes. It would be so good to be home. He'd spoken to Finn just this morning and his brother had assured him that he'd be there to pick them up at the airport. It was an hours' drive to Corvalis and then just a skip and a jump home to Philomath. Kurt could hardly wait....

~*~

Earlier that day:

"I hate saying goodbye to you and your family, Jose. This has been the trip of a lifetime and your family has made it all that much better. I think this will be our vacation spot from now on," Blaine said, shaking his new friend's hand.

"We were honored to have you visit us and you are welcome in our home always," Jose said as his wife and children came to shake hands, get a hug, and say goodbye.

"Sophia has offered to drive you to the airport in San Juan," Jose told them and with a last wave, the boys got into the car for the last time and Sophia Michelle started the engine. They sang and talked all the way to the airport.

"Oh, Kurt, I almost forgot to tell you! I was confused when you asked me about the star constellations. Yes, you can see Orion's Belt from here. The reason I didn't know that is we call it "The Three Kings" here in Puerto Rico. I asked my neighbor, he was once a university professor, and had a good knowledge of such things. I hope you were able to find it? It seemed important to you," Sophia smiled.

"We did find it, thank you. Do we have time to stop for one more snow cone before we leave?" Kurt asked and Sophia grinned.

"Yes, but only if you call it by it's true name. Have I taught you nothing since you've been here?" she teased.

" Piraguas?" Kurt grinned, remembering the name.

"Very good. Yes, I'll stop by a cart for us to have one more," she agreed, grinning to herself because it was fun to tease these boys.

They stopped and Blaine got out first, waving the others back as he bought three and hurried back to the car.

"What flavors did you get?" Kurt asked and Blaine handed each of them one of the icy treats.

"Sophia told us raspberry was the best, so I got us each one," Blaine smiled, his lips stained bright red from the syrup that flavored the shaved ice. By the time they got to the airport, all of them had pinkish-red lips.

"Oh, Sophia, it's hardest of all to say goodbye to you," Kurt said.

"You are like our little sister, I'm going to miss you, sweetheart," Blaine said, taking her in his arms and kissing her cheek. He picked her up and swung her around, setting her gently back on her feet before Kurt did the same thing.

Sophia wiped a tear from her eye and gave each of her special boys a kiss, right on the lips to their surprise, then turned and ran back out of the airport before they could see her crying.

"Write to me!" they heard her call as she disappeared through the doors.

Kurt and Blaine checked their luggage and boarded the flight to Key West where they would change airlines and board another plane to Eugene.

~*~

Kurt leaned a bit closer to Blaine and kissed his lips ever so gently, than again with a bit more pressure. He buried his fingers in the silky curls that were in a need of a good trimming as soon as they got home. Kurt loved Blaine's hair, but he looked so good with it a bit shorter.

"Are we...?" Blaine said, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, we landed and most people are off the plane. Let's get going," Kurt said, taking Blaine's hand to help him off the plane.

True to his word, Finn was standing there at the gate when the boys had found and retrieved their luggage. He was standing alone, a huge grin on his face as he saw the honeymooners walking down the concourse.

"Hey, let me take some of that luggage for you!" he said.

"I can carry my own suitcase, Finn," Kurt said, hating to be catered to, especially by his brother.

"Oh, you might want to set those heavy suitcases down, I think you might have your hands full of something else in a minute," Finn grinned.

"Oh?" Kurt cocked an eyebrow at him, wondering if he'd brought Puck along. He was scrutinizing Finn's expression when a whirlwind tackle-hugged him from behind, tiny arms surrounding him and a high voice squealing. No, it couldn't be...

"Rachel!" Kurt squealed back, hugging the girl close to his chest and whirling her the way he had done Sophia earlier.

"Kurt! Blaine! I missed you so much. I'm staying with Finn for the rest of the summer. I know we'll all have so much fun. Now, tell me everything you did in Puerto Rico. I want all the details!" Rachel bubbled over. Blaine smiled, knowing he wouldn't get a word in edgewise as he saw the girl hugging Kurt one more time. He fell into step with Finn and they pulled along the luggage as they walked.

Several hours later, Rachel had talked everyone's ear off, had sung duets with Finn, Blaine, and Kurt, and did a solo. They also talked, she caught them up on what was going on in New York, they told her about the trip to Puerto Rico. By the time they got to their front door, everyone was exhausted. Finn helped Blaine and Kurt up the stairs with their luggage and came down to fix some lunch for himself and Rachel. Blaine and Kurt had eaten before they left Key West.

The boys were alone, finally, on their own bed. They had both showered and changed into clean sleeveless T-shirts and boxer briefs before lying down for a nap. Figaro jumped on the bed and made himself at home between the boys as they dozed off in the hot afternoon sun.

"Blaine?"

"Yes, Babe?"

"Thank you. If I don't say it often enough, I want you to know how very much I love you," Kurt said, curled up close to his husband, his face buried in Blaine's neck and breathing his warm, sweet breath down Blaine's shirt.

"Thank me for what? Oh, and you know I love you, too," Blaine returned, cupping Kurt's chin and lifting his head so he could see Kurt's ocean blue eyes. He kissed Kurt, closing his toffee-colored eyes and coaxing Kurt's mouth to open so he could give him a deeper kiss. Kurt sighed into the kiss. His fingers went to his husband's wedding ring and he played with it while they spoke.

"I loved the honeymoon. It was letter perfect, just so spectacular, all the places we went, all the people we met. Puerto Rico really is a paradise, isn't it? And it meant all the more since you were there with me," Kurt said, kissing all through the little exchange, in between bits of conversation.

"I loved it, too. We met so many nice people, saw so many great things. I think PR is the hidden treasure of the Americas, don't you?" Blaine asked rhetorically, but Kurt nodded any way. "And didn't you just want to wrap Sophia up in a little bundle and bring her home with you?" he giggled. Kurt smiled at the memory of their fiery friend.

"It's good to be back here, though, isn't it?" Kurt said. "As much fun as we had, like the old saying goes: 'There's no place like home'."

Blaine just smiled and cuddled closer to Kurt, lying his head down on Kurt's chest to hear his heart beating. It wouldn't be too long until classes started up once more and they had to go back to the routine that education imposed on them.

A few hours later, Blaine woke up to find Figaro the cat still asleep beside him, but no sign of Kurt. He got up, rubbing his face to get rid of the sleep and decided to look downstairs. Kurt was probably looking for something to eat, too.

He entered the kitchen, but all was quiet so he walked through into the living room to find Finn and Rachel tangled together on the sofa in a rather compromising situation. Rachel's eyes got wide as she saw him over Finn's shoulder, but Blaine put a finger to his lips to indicate quiet and backed out of the room, hurrying out the back door to sit on the hammock in the back yard. Wow. That was embarrassing. But he thought about it and maybe it was payback for Finn listening to him and Kurt in the shower the first night he'd moved into the Hummel house in Ohio. Blaine smirked to himself at that.

Kurt must be gone, the Navigator wasn't in the driveway. Kurt had said something about groceries and dinner earlier, so Blaine just thought he was probably there now. But where was Puck? Maybe with Kurt, but that didn't sound likely.

Blaine didn't have long to wonder as Kurt pulled up in his SUV. No Puck.

"Hey, sleepy-head! Want to help with some groceries?" Kurt asked, stepping out to hug Blaine.

"Sure. Ah...maybe you want to sit out here with me for a while?" Blaine asked and Kurt gave him a face like he was smelling burned cauliflower.

"Are Finn and Rachel still going at it on the sofa?" he asked, looking at his watch.

"Ah....yeah. You know you could have warned me," Blaine said in mock outrage, but his smile showed through and Kurt laughed.

"Wow, I left an hour and twenty minutes ago. And I thought we were bad..." Kurt said, shaking his head. "Well, I need to get dinner on if we're going to eat at a decent hour. I'm hungry!"

"I'll help carry the bags in, we'll just make a lot of noise when we go in, okay? They'll get the message," Blaine said.

They coughed a bit, then walked in, banging the grocery bags on the kitchen counters and talking to each other in loud voices. It worked because Rachel showed up at the door, a sheepish look on her face.

"Sorry, guys, we got carried away I think," she said.

Blaine and Kurt just looked at her for a moment, but both smiled after a minute.

"How does fettucine with homemade alfredo sauce sound for dinner? I also got the things for a tossed salad to go with it," Kurt offered. Rachel smiled brighter.

"I'd love that, thank you, Kurt. Tell me what I can do to help?"

"Oh, we need the vegetables prepped, and Blaine if you would grate the Gruyere cheese?" Kurt assigned tasks.

"You won't believe what Finn made for dessert," Rachel bragged, a thin smile on her face as she tried to hide her enthusiasm.

"Finn?" Kurt said.

"Baked?" Blaine added.

"Of course. I taught him. He was great in chemistry in school, so I thought that would translate to cooking, and it did. It's the third one he's made and let me tell you – it is to die for. It's caramel cheesecake with raspberries on top. Mmmm," Rachel made a funny face trying to show how delicious it was.

"Well, that sounds marvelous, I'm looking forward to that," Kurt said. Blaine smiled, knowing that cheesecake was Kurt's weakness.

The three of them worked in the kitchen making dinner when Finn walked in.

"Hey, that smells wonderful! I'm so hungry. I almost ate the dessert I made for you!"

"Oh, no. I heard about it. That's MY cheesecake!" Kurt said, giving everyone a gruff look. Finn laughed.

They sat down to a splendid meal and were halfway through dessert when Kurt looked around.

"Where's Puck?"

"Oh, I forgot....he's staying in Seattle with your dad until next week. He needed a job to pay for school, so your dad hired him to work in the garage. I was there for a while, but when Rachel called to say she needed to get away from New York, I invited her here. She has to be back at NYADA at the same time we go back to classes," Finn explained.

"So, do you think you made the right choice to come here and sing instead of coming to NYADA with me?" Rachel asked because, really, she was still a bit miffed that Kurt had dumped the dream they had together after so many years. She was still trying to get over it, but seeing Kurt with Blaine- well, she could see how much they still meant to each other and it was probably for the best.

"Well, Kurt isn't taking voice any more, Rachel. He switched to architecture last semester," Blaine said, watching for her reaction.

"You...what?" Rachel squealed. "No. Just...no. I cannot accept that, Kurt. Someone with your talent, with your drive, and you gave it all up for...drawing houses? I don't believe it, not for one New York minute, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel."

Kurt got up and walked around the table, sitting close to Rachel and wrapping his arms around her. He had every reason to be angry, to give her the ice-bitch treatment that they all knew he was capable of, but this was his best friend for years and he still loved Rachel very much.

"Hey, Rachel, calm down, sweetheart. I know what you're thinking, but sometimes our dreams change. I loved our time together in high school. I loved singing. But Rachel, I love the challenge of designing, of making a building that can be the dream of someone's life, the challenge of making it environmentally sound. It's amazing in the same way singing used to be for me," Kurt tried to explain to her.

"Oh, Kurt...you're only doing it to be with Blaine. I wasn't born yesterday, I can see how he has changed you. I can see you can't be apart from him. So...why couldn't he come with you to New York? Does he love you enough?" Rachel said, not caring if she hurt Blaine because she believed that it was Blaine that had brainwashed her Kurt.

"For Christ's sake, he's my HUSBAND. Rachel, that isn't true and it isn't fair. Blaine offered to come to New York with me. I am the one that chose Oregon State. I wanted to stay here because when I moved back to Ohio, I was happy to be near family and friends, but it wasn't until I moved here with Blaine that I felt like I came home. I love it here and the bright lights of Broadway might have been enough all those years ago, but I left that behind like a child's dream when I found what my real life was. And that is being here with Blaine and making a difference in the lives of people, making a difference in our earth, making my life count for something." Kurt was almost shouting and Rachel was struggling to get away from him.

"Go to hell, Kurt. Are you saying I'm wasting my life? That making people happy when they go to a Broadway show is somehow an inferior thing to what you have planned? Well, Saint Kurt, I'm sorry you feel that way. But you might want to ask your brother what his big news is now that you've made us feel like we don't matter," Rachel shouted as she stamped on Kurt's instep and got away from his arms as he grabbed for his aching foot.

He turned to Finn, astonishment showing on his face.

"What the hell happened?" Kurt asked, confused.

"I was going to tell you. I had an audition while you were gone. I've been accepted to The Actor's Studio. They accepted me," Finn said, but the joy was gone from his face as he turned to follow Rachel out the back door, calling her name.

"Oh, my stars, Blaine...what have I done?" Kurt gasped, and Blaine moved to take him in his arms. Kurt crumpled and sank into those warm accepting arms of his beloved husband, gasping and sobbing at what he had done.

"Hey, Kurt, it's okay. You know how Rachel is. She'll cry for a while, then probably yell and bitch at you, then it will all be gone by morning. She loves you and as soon as she figures out that you are happier here, she'll be friends with you again," Blaine predicted, having had a year of Rachel's hysterics.

"But what if it's different this time? I should go and apologize maybe. And Finn? Wow, do you know how hard it is to get into The Actor's Studio? Harder than NYADA, let me tell you. Wow. I'm so stoked for Finn!" Kurt said, a grin crossing his face.

"Let's take him out to dinner tomorrow night, okay? Really celebrate. I bet Rach will be over her tantrum by then, don't you think?" Blaine asked.

Kurt stood for a minute, stirring the cheese sauce. He knew Rachel would get over her anger once she thought about it, but she had said some very hurtful things to Blaine and Kurt wasn't sure he was ready to forgive that. He closed his eyes, wondering how to fix this when he felt strong arms glide around his waist. Blaine kissed the nape of his neck softly, humming as he moved around to kiss under his husband's left ear and along his collar. Kurt practically purred with contentment, and his body was waking up and getting ready for action.

"Acht, Blaine, I'll burn the alfredo, sweetheart. Let's save that for later this evening?" Kurt said very reluctantly. It came through in his voice and Blaine kissed his neck a little more, finally brushing his lips across Kurt's and just holding him around the waist.

"You're right. I'm so hungry I could eat a bear. What can I do to get the salad ready?" he asked.

"Oh, I already tore the lettuce...how about cutting the tomatoes and cucumbers?" Kurt suggested.

"Sure thing, my love," Blaine agreed, moving to slip on an apron and get out the correct knife.

Dinner was almost ready when Finn and Rachel came back into the kitchen. Rachel's face was red and a little swollen, evidence of her crying, but she was putting on a brave face for Kurt.

"That smells divine!" she said, trying for a normal voice. She really did love Kurt and was sad to have their dreams dashed.

"Thank you, sweetie. I hope you like it," he said, trying to smile for her. She had been a ray of sunshine when his life was nothing but gray skies for a while. He walked over to her, his arms out. Rachel fell into them, hugging her friend with all her strength. She got up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. Can I be forgiven?" she asked in a small voice, her face showing all the pent-up emotion she was trying to hide.

"Of course. I know it was hard to accept after all of our plans. But living with Mercedes and going to NYADA together? Is that working?" he asked.

"Actually, it is. We were never all that close at McKinley, but she and I are a lot more similar than you might think. We have several of the same classes and it's working out. We might need another roommate to share the cost...." Rachel winked at Finn and he blushed.

"Have you spoken to her about that?" Blaine asked.

"Yes, and we need to talk it all out, but I think it might just work," Rachel said, getting out the plates and flatware to set the table.

"I told Mom and Burt, and they were both excited for me. I'm going to fly out to New York next week with Rachel to get everything set. I'm going to miss you guys. I have my part of the rent if you need it, but maybe you could find...ah...roommates?" Finn said.

"You said Puck is coming back at the end of summer, right?" Blaine asked.

"That's what he said. I sure hope so," Finn said, looking a little worried.

"It's okay. I can cover the rent if need be. Or we can put up an ad at school. I bet there would be lots of people looking for a house this close to campus," Blaine added. He had the money for college from the trust fund Mr. Warner had set up for him when his father died. There was plenty of money in that account to cover the rent and for a lot more if the need arose.

"Dinner is served!" Kurt announced and they all sat down in the dining room and ate the wonderful meal. They talked about all their plans for the future and about where their friends were and what they were up to. Finn and Blaine cleaned up the table and Rachel and Kurt spoke quietly. They had been such close friends and Kurt was sensitive to her feelings of abandonment when Kurt decided to stay in Oregon with Blaine. She was very happy for them and had been at the wedding, but that didn't make her feeling of loss any less painful when it came to going to college at opposite ends of the country.

"Oh, Rachel, I just cannot tell you how much Blaine means to me. I mean...well, I married him, so you must have some idea. He means the whole world to me, and I could never be away from him. I think he would just wilt in a big city and the truth is that I'm not sure New York is a place I could be that happy. I have learned that there are things more important to me than the applause and the life on Broadway. You understand, don't you?" he asked, his eyes begging her to try.

"Yeah. I hate to admit it, Kurt, but I do understand. A person only has to look at you two together for a few minutes to see you would never stand being apart for long. I do think making environmentally friendly buildings is a good thing to do with your life, much as I want to say it isn't. I just miss your voice, I miss the competition...I miss you, Kurt," she finally said, tears falling down her cheeks. Kurt moved over and took the crying girl in his arms.

"I miss you, too, Rachel. But you were born to be on stage, I was just an impostor. I can sing, I know I can, but it was never the paramount part of my life that it is for you, sweetie. I would wish you luck, but honestly you don't need it. Your ambition does push-ups while you sleep. Nobody wants it more than you. Nobody. You have god-given talent and you owe it to yourself to fulfill that destiny," Kurt said to her.

"Kurt, you don't believe in God," Rachel fixed him with her big brown eyes.

"Things change, Rachel, especially when you live in the wilderness for a while. I might have rethought that belief. It isn't firm in my mind yet, but maybe," Kurt said, blushing a little.

Rachel kissed his cheek again before Finn walked in, smiling when he saw the two had made up.

"Who's up for cheesecake?"

~*~

"Bye! Have fun!" Blaine and Kurt were standing at the gate to the concourse at the Eugene, Oregon airport, waving at Rachel and Finn.

"Take care of each other!" Rachel called back. Finn waved, a huge smile on his face, so proud that he would be going to The Actor's Studio. He would have been happy playing ball and getting a degree in something like teaching, but this was closer to his heart – plus he would be living with the love of his life: Rachel Berry. In spite of all the turmoil and heartache they had in high school, Finn had never given up hope that one day they would be together again.

~*~

Kurt got out of the old Navigator and unlocked the side door of the house. It was too quiet, he was used to the noise of Finn and Puck and all their friends. Blaine walked around the back of the vehicle and up the stairs to stand beside Kurt as they walked into the house.

"Hey, we can run naked down the hall now and nobody will complain," Blaine said. Kurt just looked at him.

"And why would we want to run naked down the hall?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"It isn't why we would, Kurt.....it's just that now we can. That's all," Blaine smirked, bumping Kurt's shoulder with his.

"Have you been giving this nude gamboling about a lot of thought, have you?" Kurt said, trying to act serious.

"You have no idea..." Blaine said back.

Kurt giggled. They locked the door and headed up to their bedroom to get ready for bed. It had been a long day, and both boys were beat. Figaro strolled up the stairs behind them.

"Want to watch a movie?" Kurt asked. They hadn't done that in a long time.

"Sure. What did you have in mind?" Blaine asked, happy to be doing something that he knew Kurt loved.

"Oh...maybe an old one. Oh, do you want to watch Disney? I have most of them."

"Little Mermaid?" Blaine asked, knowing Kurt would have that one.

"Of course. It was the first movie we watched together...I remember," Kurt's heart melted thinking of the first night he and Blaine were at the Hummel house in Lima.

"I remember a lot about that day, Kurt. I was so scared: of being in a city, of meeting your family, of somehow not being enough or right for you. I was so head-over-heels in love with you then," Blaine closed his eyes and a smile came across his lips.

"Hey...what? What do you mean you "were" in love with me. You mean you aren't now?" Kurt asked, staring at his husband.

"You know what I mean, silly. You know I'm more in love with you every day," Blaine said, rolling on top of Kurt and pinning his hands to the bed above their heads. "Why, are you doubting me?"

"Never in life, Blaine. I'm in love with you, too. 'You are my sun! My moon! My starlit sky. Without you I dwell in darkness. I love you! Your power has enchanted me, I stand helpless against it. Come to me, now. Tonight, let me worship you in my arms. I love you!'."

Blaine, who was trying to be serious, giggled.

"Okay, Mad Martigan. Really, Kurt...a Willow reference?" Blaine asked.

"Willow is one of my favorite movies. We saw it together at least a dozen times!" Kurt defended himself, grinning up at his captor.

"Well, if we're doing movie quotes, how's this? 'I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you'," Blaine said, smiling down at Kurt.

"Baby, I would never put you in a corner," Kurt said, recognizing the line from Dirty Dancing. 'I want you. I want all of you. Forever. You and me, everyday.'

"I'm not sure if it's fair to use The Notebook, but it's a good one, so....." Blaine kissed Kurt's temple, rubbed his cheek with his own. "Let's see...'You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.'

"Gone With The Wind! Rhett said that to Scarlett. And I agree...I should be kissed, and often, by you because you know exactly how and where I like it," Kurt whispered, pursing his lips in invitation. Blaine took him up on his offer. They kissed for a long while, just kissed because that was all they needed. It was everything at that moment, it was so intimate and they lost track of time for a while. Blaine pulled back to catch his breath and Kurt whispered, " 'I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.' "

Blaine smiled. "You thought you could catch me on that one, but my brother made me watch baseball movies with him. It's from Bull Durham. All I have to say to that is: 'As you wish'."

Kurt giggled. "Leave it to you to bring The Princess Bride into it..."

He didn't get to finish what he was saying because Blaine's mouth had captured his and they were kissing once again.

"Let's get ready for bed...its been a long day," Blaine said a while later, nuzzling his nose into Kurt's neck. They stripped each other of the tight jeans and fashionable shirts, of every last stitch before slipping in between the soft, clean sheets. The sheets were Kurt's favorite: high count Pima cotton in a dove gray that matched the room. He loved the feel of them sliding over his naked body, almost as much as he loved Blaine's warm hands.

Lying beside Kurt, Blaine moved closer so he could continue nuzzling his neck. Kurt smelled so nice, like refreshing rain on a hot summer day and Blaine took a lungful of that scent.

"Mmmmm, you smell delicious, my love. I can smell the vanilla spice from the cheesecake, the flowers from the garden..petunias? And roses. Yeah, that's it. And you smell like rain. I love rain," Blaine went on, using the sheet to pull across Kurt's body because he knew how good it felt to have the cotton slide over bare skin.

"Blaine, oh...I'd ask you to kiss me, but your poor lips are all swollen and red. How long were we kissing? I lost track of time but it's dark out now," Kurt observed through the French doors to the balcony.

"I can still kiss you. Nothing would ever stop me from kissing you, Kurt. It's one of my favorite things on earth to do. Come here," he said, brushing his kiss-swollen lips across Kurt's. In spite of all the time spent with their lips on each other, Kurt's were still as soft as a baby's cheek and Blaine was amazed, even after knowing Kurt for so long, at how soft his skin was.

Kissing led to more cuddling, their hands exploring each other under the soft sheets. Blaine stroked Kurt's cheek, touching his forehead with his nose and then turning his head to rub his cheek against his husband's face. He kissed his ear and down to the jawline, just soft and gentle touching, sharing the same breath, humming softly as the two shared the intimacy of scent and touch and taste.

It was still warm outside, being the last days of their summer, and Blaine got up to open the French doors to the outside. He got them some water with thin slices of lemon floating in the top with the ice and a few shreds of ginger to make it even more refreshing. He knew how much Kurt loved the taste of it.

"Come back to bed, baby," Kurt coaxed. "It's getting lonely here without you."

"I was just looking at the sky. Can you see the stars from the bed?" Blaine asked.

"No, just the edge of it," Kurt said and Blaine ran back to the bed, putting his muscular shoulder to the frame and pushing the oak bed, with Kurt still in it, to the edge of the doorway.

"There, now we can see the whole sky!" Blaine said in triumph. Kurt smiled at the display of strength and patted the bed beside him. Blaine walked over and got back in bed, getting close to his husband and scooping him next to his skin.

"Oh, yes, hold me, Blaine. I just want to have you and me and nothing else but the stars tonight," Kurt whispered as Blaine kissed the sensitive nape of Kurt's neck, stopping to blow gently in his ear just to see the goosebumps on his skin.

Kurt's lips weren't near as swollen as Blaine's, so he took over the kissing – pushing his lover onto his back and holding his wrists over his head. Kurt climbed on top of Blaine, pressing his full length so as much skin as possible was touching. He let go, opting to use his fingers to stroke along Blaine's sides. His soft touches became light scratches as he used his nails and Blaine whimpered, arching his back towards Kurt.

Without any words, the promises were kept: that Kurt would be gentle with Blaine, that Blaine would hold Kurt's precious body in his hands with care. Each of them knew the other so well, it was as if they shared a brain sometimes. However, at the same time there would never be enough days to ever truly know everything they wanted to know or experience of the other.

Kurt laid back against the pillows and Blaine kissed down the outside of his leg, stopping at his ankle and stroking it. He massaged the calf, rubbing his cheek against the skin as he moved up to his husband's hipbone.

Kurt took Blaine's hand and kissed the inside of his wrist, licking around it and kissing up the inside of his arm and across his collarbone. He kissed and touched every wonderful inch of that golden skin, humming his pleasure as Blaine returned each and every touch and kiss.

"It seems like I've known you all of my life, Kurt. And at the same time its as if I just met you this morning. I can't get enough of you and I hope that feeling never dies," Blaine said between kisses.

"I know...I have the same feelings, and even if I just made love with you I want you again as soon as we're done breathing hard," Kurt smiled back.

They cuddled together, nuzzling into necks, touching sensitive places, finally making love into the star-lit night.

~*~

Classes started and Kurt put all of his energy into the drafting of objects, the science of how the things he drew fit into the environment, and how much he loved the mathematic rules that governed it all. He spent many evenings in his studio, drawing paper taped to the table while he measured and drew walls and windows, side views and plots. He found it was a lot like drawing fashion, it went in waves of style, just a slower cycle.

Blaine loved that now when they drove to Washington to visit Burt and Carole, Kurt would chat in delight, pointing out a mansard roof or a Romanesque cupola. He knew the eras of styles: what made the difference between a Queen Anne and a Victorian, a Colonial and a Federal style. His eyes would dance and his voice would creep into that higher register that Blaine recognized as the height of excitement.

Blaine was just as excited about his classes, learning the ways to conserve forests that would allow lumber companies to keep their same profits but work with nature instead of against her. He would share his visions with Kurt, who loved watching Blaine get excited at what he was learning.

Life was so good, the days slipping away as classes filled the hours and time together was spent in happiness. Several times they went back to Warner Logging Camp to visit with Cooper, Shannon, Cookie, Lenore, Auggie, and Mr. Warner. The boys split their summer vacations between staying with Burt and Carol or once flying to New York to spend several weeks with Finn and Rachel, who were now engaged.

It was a long time, but it seemed so much shorter when the time came for graduation. Kurt and Blaine were excited, but scared because this was sort of a jumping off point. They would be done with school and going on to careers in the world past academia.

"Where do you think we should live, Blaine?" Kurt asked one afternoon as they sat at the table eating a salad for lunch.

"I haven't finished applying for jobs yet, but I got a nice offer already from a lumber company up the coast in the mail today. The letter is up on our desk if you want to read it. I want to wait a while before making any kind of decision – what were you thinking?" Blaine asked. He and Kurt had talked about a few of the job offers Blaine had gotten, but none was looking any better than any other yet.

Kurt had spoken with several architects that were looking to take on a younger partner, and Kurt had an interview with one of those.

"I just keep thinking something better is just around the corner," Blaine said, putting his arms around Kurt.

"I know it is," Kurt said, kissing his husband.