The two days spent at the vineyard were idyllic. The boys explored the vineyard, swam in the sea, and ate like they had never eaten before. On the second day, Blaine surprised Kurt with a trip to Enchanted Adventure Park.

Once inside the park, Kurt looked around with amazement at the colorful trees and flowers. It was beautiful.

“Okay, we can go through the hedge mazes, do the tube slides, or – if youre up to it – we can surf the trees. What sounds good?” Blaine asked Kurt as they entered the park.

“Ah...Surfing trees? Whats that?” Kurt asked.

“There are paths through the upper branches of the trees, of course! We wear safety gear and go up in the trees. They have bridges and tunnels, platforms to climb to and the very best are the zip lines!”

“Whoa, you sound a bit excited, Im not sure I want to do all that...” Kurt said, looking up at the ropes and platforms that ran from tree to tree. It looked daunting.

“Are you afraid of heights?” Blaine asked.

“Not really, but Ive never been three meters from the ground on a swinging rope bridge, either,” he said, watching as a teenage girl swung herself out onto the rope bridge.

“We wont go if youre scared, Kurt. No problem. There are plenty of other things to do. Lets check out the hedge maze,” Blaine said, trying to calm his boyfriend. He was disappointed about not going tree surfing, but hed done it a lot of times when they lived here. The last thing he wanted to do was alienate Kurt.

They walked to the entrance of the maze, Kurt holding Blaines hand tightly. He wanted to have fun, and hed always wanted to try one of these mazes. He walked along the queue, waiting their turn to enter. Blaine looked happy, smiling at Kurt, but Kurt could sense that he had really wanted to go up in the trees.

It was their turn to enter the maze next. A couple behind them were staring and it took Kurt a few moments to realize they were looking at the boys hands as they held each other. A bad feeling went down Kurts back as he felt the animosity in the glare the woman had trained on them. It was a feeling spreading down his spine and turning his stomach.

“Blaine,” Kurt whispered.

Blaine turned to see what was wrong. He heard the fear in Kurts voice.

“I dont want to go in the maze,” Kurt said, pulling Blaine away from the line.

Blaine turned and put his hands on Kurts shoulders.

“Whats wrong?” he asked, seeing Kurts face pale. “Are you sick?”

“No, I just want to go sit for a while, okay?”

Blaine looked around for a bench and saw the woman staring at them. She had a sneer on her face and the man she was with had a matching one. He heard the word faggots as the two spoke to each other in whispers. Blaine felt his stomach twist, but it was anger rather than fear.

“Baby, were just fine. I promise. I wont let those two bother us,” Blaine whispered back to his boyfriend.

“I...I dont want to be trapped in the maze with those people, Blaine. Lets leave. We were having such a good time...” Kurt said with regret.

“Nobody is going to ruin our good time. We can go over to the gift shop and look around, then come back, okay?” Blaine suggested. Kurt nodded and Blaine kissed his cheek, his hand cupping Kurts jaw. His lips continued to leave small kisses until he reached Kurts lips and gave him a deep kiss.

“Can you two take that somewhere else?” said the woman that had been staring at them. “You cant just do that in public you know.”

“What? Give my boyfriend a kiss? I can, too. There is noting wrong with a simple kiss. What is your problem?” Blaine asked, his ire raised at the rudeness of the woman.

“I dont have a problem – other than being disgusted by your display. I think you shouldnt be allowed in the park at all.” Her face was crumpled, as if she were smelling burnt cauliflower. Her companion looked even angrier.

Blaine wanted to punch them both in the face. He glanced at Kurt and saw that his boyfriend wanted to leave. Knowing about some of the bad things that had happened to Kurt, he decided to avoid any conflict. He leaned close to Kurt and spoke quietly in his ear.

“Its okay, baby. We can go. Im sorry our day was ruined...” Blaine whispered, his arm around Kurts shoulders.

“Whats going on here?” a park employee asked, walking up to the entrance of the maze.

“These two faggots were being disgusting,” the woman said, her nose turned up. “I want you to eject them from the park,” she said, hands fisted on her hips.

“Oh?” the park employee asked, looking from one couple to the other.

“They were...kissing. In public!”

“No law against that, Miss. Why dont you just settle down and mind your own business?” he asked.

“What? You have to throw them out!” she screeched. By that time, several other employees had arrived. “I want to speak to the park manager!”

“Im the park manager,” said a man in the park uniform, walking up to see what the curfluffle was about.

The woman repeated her complaint, getting louder with each retelling.

“Lets go over here, we dont want to block the entrance of the maze,” he said, taking the womans elbow and escorting her a distance away. The manager stopped to say something to the employee that came first, then led the irate couple away.

Blaine had had enough. He thought about just leaving and returning to his grandparents house, but the employee stopped him.

“I apologize for any ill treatment you suffered at the hands of those two. We dont tolerate that kind of behavior here and the manager would like to give you a free pass to anything in the park and lunch on him as a way of making it up to you,” the man said, smiling at Blaine and Kurt.

“Oh...that isnt necessary,” Blaine said, surprised. He thought they would be asked to leave. He turned to see what Kurt thought of this and met big blue eyes smiling at him.

“No trouble, we want you to enjoy your time here,” the employee smiled. “Where are you from?” he asked, noting Kurts American accent.

“Ohio, USA. Were here for a singing competition in Melbourne,” Kurt told him.

“Well, we want you to have a wonderful time here. Australia is one of the friendliest places in the world, and I am so sorry you had to endure that uneducated woman. Please, relax and enjoy your time here. My name is Roger, please call on me if you need anything,” the man said, his face a picture of friendliness as he tried to please this tourist.

“Okay, we accept,” Kurt said.

“Good. Here are your tickets and the pass for lunch. I hope the rest of your time here is the best it can be. Please dont hesitate to call on any of the park employees if needed. Were here to make sure you have a good time.”

The boys thanked him and went in the maze. It was early on a weekday, so there werent a lot of people in the park and they seemed to be the only ones in the maze now. Kurt ran ahead a bit, looking around the corners for a clue that would lead them to the end. Blaine had been in this maze many times, but still wasnt sure of the correct path. They ran and played, taking turns being the lead, and sometimes hiding from each other. Kurt ran past Blaine, giggling as he passed. Blaine reached out to catch him and they fell to the ground laughing.

Kurt leaned closer and kissed his boyfriend lightly, but Blaine pulled him onto his lap and deepened the kiss. They finally came up for air and continued their search for the end of the maze.

It was about another half hour before they glimpsed the end and ran towards it, hand in hand.

“That was fun!” Kurt crowed, his face a picture of joy as they walked away from the maze.

“Im glad youre having fun,” Blaine said. “What next?”

“I want to do the tube slide?” Kurt asked.

“Sure, its this way,” Blaine said as he led Kurt to the slides. “Do you want a big twister or a giant straight slide?”

“Oh...the twister of course!”

“We can ride separately or get a double tube to go together,” Blaine told him, smiling at the excited face of his boyfriend.

“A double!”

The two of them got in the queue and slid down the biggest twisting slide, arms entangled as they screeched at every turn. Kurt was in front and twisted himself all the way around by the time they ended, holding Blaine as tightly as he could. Blaine laughed.

“Want to try it again?”

“Maybe later, lets get some lunch then on to the tree surfing,” Kurt suggested, having a marvelous time. They ate lunch, sat under the trees at the crest of one of the hills for a while to rest, and walked over to the tree surfing attraction.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Kurt? You seemed reluctant before....” Blaine asked.

“I know, but I was thinking about it. If I dont go, am I always going to regret it? So, I am taking your word that it will be fun,” Kurt smiled a brave smile and planted a sweet kiss on the corner of his boyfriends mouth.

“Okay, baby, lets go...”

They were outfitted with safety gear and made their way to the Grand Course. In the next two hours, Kurt and Blaine walked, climbed, and surfed through the branches of the trees. There were rope bridges that Kurt was a bit afraid of, clinging to Blaines hand as he tried to balance himself and keep the ropes steady as they walked across. The scenic views were breathtaking as they navigated through the aerial paths with the help of their guide.

“Whats that?” Kurt asked as he neared a place that looked as if it ended the path through the trees.

“Its a zip line,” Blaine told him, smiling. He loved doing this when he was younger and remembered the many times he and Cooper would come and do the zip lines.

Kurt walked up to take his turn as the guide snapped the safety gear in place. He almost chickened out at the last minute, but the look of eager anticipation on Blaines face changed his mind.

“Im gonna be okay, arent I?” Kurt murmured.

Blaine put a reassuring arm around him and kissed his cheek.

“Of course, baby. Do you think Id take you somewhere that wasnt safe?” he asked rhetorically.

“I know you wouldnt – I guess its just nerves,” Kurt said. He tried to smile, but the fear showed through.

“Youre going to love this, just try, okay?” Blaine coaxed him.

“I trust you – here goes!” Kurt shouted as he stepped off into the air. Wind rushed past his ears as he flew down the zip-line, opening his eyes to see the world going by. It was exhilarating and thrilling and he couldnt remember why hed been so hesitant to try it. He stopped at the end, hands reaching out to catch him as he landed on a platform. He turned his head just in time to see Blaine coming towards him and he stepped back as Blaines feet reached the platform. As soon as Blaine was steady on his feet once more, Kurt was in his arms.

“That was the most outstanding, terrific, best....oh, Blaine, thank you for bringing me here. This is the best Christmas present ever!” Kurt gushed, bouncing in place as he looked around to find the other zip lines to try. “It was like flying!”

“Okay, Peter Pan, calm down. We have the rest of the course to go. Dont use up all your energy on the first zip, baby,” he said, but the warmth in his belly from Kurts praise showed on his face as they walked to the next part of the course.

They went the rest of the way through the course, going down zip lines and across rope bridges that swayed in the breeze and scared Kurt half to death. He was brave every time, screwing up his courage so as not to let Blaine down. At last they were at the last event of the course.
“What do we do here?” Kurt asked.

“Jump.”

“What? Theres no line to clip my harness to...?”

“You jump into the cargo net,” Blaine said, indicating the net with his hand.

“Jump....clear over there? With no safety line?” Kurts eyes got wide and his mouth opened as he looked across at the giant net that would catch him like a spiders web. His stomach got that queasy feeling as adrenaline shot into his system.

“Yeppers!” Blaine grinned. This was his favorite part. “Are you scared? You can go down without jumping if it is too much, no shame in that,” Blaine said, but he wasnt convincing. Kurt knew if he chickened out now, this would come back to haunt him.

“Well, in for a penny in for a pound,” he said and jumped off the edge of the platform, landing in the cargo net. He sat up, silently counting his fingers as he tried to let go of the net.

“Bravo!” shouted Blaine from the platform high above Kurts head, clapping for his boyfriend. “Good show, Kurt!” he called down before getting ready and jumping himself.

“Wow, Blaine. That was amazing. I dont think Ive ever had a better time,” Kurt told him, nuzzling down into Blaines chest, his arms tight around his boyfriend.

“Im so glad you liked it. I had such wonderful memories of coming here – but now I have new memories that I like even better,” Blaine said in a soft voice as he looked into Kurts blue eyes.

They drove back to the vineyard, holding hands over the console. By the time Blaine drove up to the house, Kurt was sound asleep, curled up as much as he could be with his seatbelt on. Blaine woke him gently and they walked into the house for supper and a good nights sleep before the competition tomorrow afternoon.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

“How did you like Dromana?” Cooper asked, sitting across from his brother and Kurt.

“It was wonderful!” Kurt answered. He had a good nights sleep in the fresh country air and was well rested. He and Blaine were driven back to Melbourne by Mr Darling, who took his leave with the promise of seeing the boys later at the competition and then for Christmas at the Andersons apartment.

“Blaine took me to the Enchanted Adventure Park as a Christmas present,” Kurt beamed, remembering all the fun they had there.

“Did you do the zip lines? And the twisting tube slides? And did you get lost in the hedge maze? And why didnt you tell me you were going, Squirt?? I would have come with you!” Cooper whined like a child.

“Thats why. You are still four years old and we wanted to do something alone – together. Sorry, Coop. Next time, I promise,” Blaine laughed. He felt a tiny twinge of guilt at not asking Coop to join them, but it had been a private thing he wanted to keep between Kurt and himself.

“Well, youre forgiven, but only because the sparkle in Kurts eyes shows me how much fun the two of you had,” Coop conceded. He was happy his little brother was so happy now. It hadnt always been so.

“Were going to get ready for the competition in a few minutes and then go down to the Royal Exhibition Building to get set up. Go and get changed, the bus will be here any minute,” Cooper instructed them.

~ ~ KB ~ ~

The Royal Exhibition Building was beautiful, sitting at the end of an avenue of trees in the Carlton Gardens. The Warblers exited the bus and walked down the historic arcs of trees, into the huge entrance hall, built in 1880.

“Oh, this is beautiful!” Trent said, turning to Kurt and smiling.

“It is, were going to have a great time tonight,” he agreed.

Many other singing groups were walking along the path, some friendly and waving at all the other competitors, some serious and marching together, heads down, to their place to get ready. Nervous vibes surrounded the singers as they all neared the building.

Each group had a place to gather to make themselves ready. Wes and Coop called the Warblers to their assigned place, gathering them together and asking for quiet.

“I see everyone is dressed and looking their best tonight. I dont have any more words other than to tell all of you how proud I am of each and every one of you,” Wes said, a serious smile on his face. “Just go out there, knock em dead, and have fun!”

The Warblers clapped, each boy grinning at their leader.

An International Show Choir member was assigned to each group in the competition and helped with any last minute emergencies, along with getting the groups on the stage at the correct time. The choirs were limited to two songs in this competition and the Warblers had voted on two. Their assistant tapped her foot on the floor, gathering the group together and heading towards the stage.

The Warblers were the second group to sing tonight. They waited in the wings as a group from Germany sang. Eyes were wide as they listened. This choir was spectacular. Then it was the Warblers turn.

Standing in their places on stage, Blaine walked down to center stage. They would be singing Somewhere Only We Know” and “Whistle” tonight. It had been a close thing, some of the Warblers wanted Blaine to sing Maybe Im Amazed” again, but Blaine asked them not to. He sang that song for Kurt and didnt want to share it again for some reason.

The curtain lifted and the Warblers put on their best show choir smiles. They were introduced and the music started, Blaine taking the lead as they sang their hearts out. Then Nick took center stage and they sang “Whistle” and the applause lasted for quite some time before they were allowed to bow and leave the stage. The Warblers were led to the seating in the back of the audience as each group had their time on stage.

“I dont know how theyre going to choose just one winner,” Jeff whispered to Nick.

“No idea, theyre all good,” David said, overhearing the comment.

“I dont mind – this has been so much fun,” Wes said and the boys close to him blinked and shook their heads in disbelief that their leader would say such a thing.

The groups came on, one by one, until the last group sang.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, that concludes the singing portion of the evening. Next, we will have a few singers to keep you entertained as the votes are cast and tallied. Please feel free to speak to others while we have some soft music.

The judges worked and bickered and finally agreed on the top three groups.

“Please be seated. Thank you. For the awards of the first three places in the International Show Choir Competition, I give you the president of the International Show Choir Association, Dr Roscoe Davidson.”

“Hello and welcome to the final competition of the year, this year being held in the historic and beautiful Royal Exhibition Hall here in Melbourne, Australia. Without further ado, here are your winners. Third place, from the United Kingdom, Euphoria!”

The members of the choir were invited on stage and awarded a huge trophy. The members hugged each other, grinning and laughing until Dr Davidson called them to order.

“Second place, from Westerville, Ohio, USA, The Dalton Academy Warblers!”

The boys threw their arms around each other, smiling and hugging as they, too, went up on the stage.

And the winner of the international trophy this year: Akoo Choir from Ghana, Africa!”

The members came up on stage, everyone hugging and talking, congratulating each other.

“And that concludes this years choir competition. I hope to see you all next year,” Dr Davidson concluded. The auditorium was chaotic as everyone was hugging and meeting the others, all singing praises of the winners. It was quite some time before they Warblers all made it out of the building to the place they had agreed to meet. As Wes and Cooper counted noses, Blaine pulled Kurt close to him.

“Did you have fun?” he breathed, looking into Kurts face.

“The best! But it would have been better if we had won, You sang so beautifully, baby. You should have won,” Kurt said sincerely.

“We did win. Nothing wrong with second in this competition. I think we need to celebrate!” Blaine said as he looked over at his brother and winked. Cooper looked away, trying not to see what Blaine was up to.

He took out a stack of small plastic glasses that hed hidden in his bag and passed them out, then looking in another bag, he found a bottle of sparkling wine and put some in everyones cup.

“To the Warblers, may they always shine as brightly as they have this year! Cheers!”

All of the boys shouted Cheers! and touched glasses before drinking their wine.