Their lives become a cycle of getting up, Kurt taking Blaine to the studio then going to work himself, texting throughout the day and when Blaine was done he’d come to pick Kurt up. They’d go home, talk about their day over dinner, fall into bed, make love until they fall asleep and then it would start over. They lived for it, thrived on it and cherished it. The future that they’d dreamed of, reality and within their grasp, twinkling, sparkling and teasing them into helpless laughter.

Their days off were filled with wedding planning, shopping, exploring and lying in bed doing absolutely nothing other than slow, lazy thrusts that dissolved into desperate kisses, cries of names and, eventually, soft snores. On those days they felt nothing but each other. They revelled in the feeling of closeness that, had things been different, they might have missed. The strength of their bond deepened and they started turning, more so than before, into one of those annoying couples that they said they’d never be; finishing each other’s sentences, speaking before the other knew what he was trying to say and reminding each other of something that neither of them could remember needing or doing before. It was bliss.

Kurt rounded the kitchen island, flipping through their mail, opening anything that looked important and leaving anything that looked like junk on the table to shred later. One envelope addressed to Mr’s K and B Hummel stopped him in his tracks. Only a few people would address a letter to them like that and luckily their postman was smart and over the time they’d lived at the apartment become somewhat of a friend, he’d worked it out pretty quickly. He turned it over, not seeing the usual tape his father liked using on mail or the faded kiss mark Carole left on hers. He flipped the envelope back over and checked the stamp still said Lima, Ohio. Finally, curiosity overwhelming him, Kurt opened the envelope carefully and took out the folded slip of paper, his eyes ghosting over the words as a warm smile pulled across his face. “Hey baby?” He called, walking towards the sound of music that filled their house endlessly. He walked into the music room and smiled, Blaine was strumming his guitar, lost in his own little world. The glasz eyed man walked over and laid a kiss on his fiancé’s neck. Blaine’s head snapped around and his honey eyes focused on Kurt, a happy smile spread across his face.

“Hi love. Sorry, I was trying to figure out this song.”

Kurt nodded and sat down on the seat next to him, his hand running down Blaine’s side as he sank down. “I heard. We’ve got mail, it’s from Lima,” Kurt said and Blaine looked at him, his face open and waiting for him to carry on. Kurt smiled at him and looked down at the letter, reading it aloud for Blaine. “It’s from Mr Schue. Dear Kurt and Blaine, I hope you’re both well. I’m so excited to hear about your contract Blaine; you’re doing exactly what I thought you’d do; becoming a star. Everyone in Glee is jealous and Finn can’t stop telling everyone. Anyway, as you both know graduation is on Sunday June 2nd and we’d all love for you to be there. I know you’re busy but we’d all love to see you, please come. Yours, Will Schuester,” Kurt looked at Blaine who was chewing his lip. Crowds were still a problem for Blaine and an entire auditorium full of cheering people was a daunting thought, even if they had it outside which was unlikely, Blaine would probably vault a fence to get out of there. “We don’t have to go.”

Blaine looked at him, sighing. “I’m trying, I really am. Let me think about it, okay?”

Kurt smiled and kissed him lightly before wrapping his arms around his dark haired love’s waist. “So, what were you playing?”

Blaine smiled and leant his cheek against Kurt’s where his fiancé’s chin was hooked over his shoulder. “It’s a Kelly Clarkson song, I just can’t get some of it right.”

“You’ll do it baby, just keep trying. Sing it for me.” Kurt whispered, his lips ghosting over Blaine’s cheek as the other man’s voice lifted and rang through the room.

The next day Kurt and Cooper were at the living room table, Kurt conferencing with Isabelle who was back in New York for a couple of days and one of the others in their office while Cooper watched. Kurt had already asked Isabelle about possibly having the Monday after their friends’ graduation off just in case Blaine decided he wanted to go so they weren’t too surprised when the shuffle of socks on hardwood floor signalled the black-haired teen’s arrival, the letter clutched in his hand. Kurt looked over and took in the wary stance, the uncertain eyes and the teeth biting the already full red lips raw. “Excuse me guys, are we done?” He asked the two women who both nodded and grinned at him before disconnecting the conference. Kurt turned to look at Blaine and raised his eyebrow. “Hi baby.” He said curiously.

Blaine smiled, his teeth letting go of his bottom lip and shuffled over to them. “I’ve made my decision,” He said, glancing between his fiancé and his brother. “I want to go to the graduation. I want to see them all and cheer them on.”

Kurt and Cooper grinned and rushed over, wrapping Blaine up tight in proud hugs.

Blaine smiled as he and Kurt walked down the hallway, most people were in the auditorium but they had enough time for a trip down memory lane. Kurt could almost see them, years younger; Blaine and Kurt Warbler walking these halls as Kurt gave Blaine a tour. They reached the choir room and Blaine tugged on his hand, almost pulling him through the doorway. Kurt had to laugh. No matter how much time had changed things, Blaine was still the same puppyish, wide-eyed boy he’d fallen for and he hoped he’d always see that way. They looked around the room then their eyes stopped on the board. Up at the top where the dark-haired man had left it months before in Blaine’s curvy scrawl were the words ‘This too shall pass’. The auburn haired man wrapped his arms around the shorter man from behind and rested his chin on his shoulder and they just stared for a few moments.

Finally they stumbled out of the room where a million memories played and back into the hallway. They hadn’t taken more than 5 steps before they heard someone else, and an unmistakeable voice.

“Ah, Klaine.” Principal Figgins intoned behind them.

Kurt watched Blaine stiffen and leaned over to whisper into his ear. “You have as much right to be here as anyone else.”

They turned around and looked at the older man as he carried on. “I, er…A word? In my office,” Principal Figgins motioned in the direction of his office and walked ahead when the two men glanced at each other then nodded. They walked in and stood as the older man walked to his desk but leant against it on their side. He sighed and looked down at his hands before looking back up at them, an inscrutable look on his face. “Mr’s Hummel, I feel the need to apologise for the occurrences of last year. Obviously I have to do as the school board dictates but my treatment of the situation, and of you Blaine, was not correct. I feel that if you’d stayed we could have worked something out to help you and that the New Directions would have won their Nationals trophy again. As it is I’ve heard how you’ve been doing and I must say I’ve never been prouder of any of our students and look forward to the opportunity to say ‘I knew him’ when you are both famous. I must again apologise, the world does not look at things in the same way as certain people in certain places and I am ashamed to say I was one of those people purely to keep this school and our students from being victimized by the people who do feel that way. So, I apologise, I hope you can forgive my actions.”

Kurt looked at Blaine who looked shocked then took an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to the older man across from them. “Take it.” Blaine said softly and watched as the older man looked at them both uncertainly then took the envelope.

Before he could open it Blaine and Kurt turned and walked back through the door, into the hall and down towards the auditorium, the sound of their ex-principal’s surprised and happy voice drifting to them down the hall. “An invitation to your wedding? Score.”

Kurt kissed Blaine’s cheek and looked at him proudly. “I love you so much.”

Blaine looked back at him and laid a soft kiss on his lips, whispering. “I love you too.”

Finn smiled at Blaine as he looked around the auditorium, his wide hazel-honey eyes filled with awe and a little trepidation. Finn leaned over and whispered. “You know where the exits are dude.”

Blaine scoffed as Burt’s hands on his shoulders turned him facing forward when Principal Figgins tapped the microphone. “I’m not looking for the exits.”

“What then?” Finn whispered as Carole tried to shush them.

“Um, I think he was looking for us.” A voice next to them said as Blaine’s face filled with happiness and Finn turned to look. In the aisle next to the four empty seats that Kurt had glared at him when he’d tried to sit in, stood Rachel, Mercedes, Puck and Santana and behind them in the previously empty seats next to Burt and Carole were Mike and Quinn.

Finn looked at Rachel and she blushed a little, ducking her head in nervousness until Puck barrelled over her and sat down next to Finn, leaning over him to pat Kurt on the shoulder and high five Blaine.

The lights went down and the ceremony began, all of them cheering for the Glee members. Kurt and Burt both kept an eye on Blaine but he seemed so wrapped up in watching everything in front of him that he seemed to have forgotten his insecurities. Kurt caught his father’s eye between Marley and Brittney and the two men smiled at each other, breathing a silent sigh of relief, not noticing the hazel eyes that looked at him and the smug smile spreading across the face of the owner of the hazel eyes. He so had this.

“Oh my God, I remember that! We painted houses to raise money for the Glee club. That was so fun.” Tina said, pointing to a picture of herself, Blaine, Finn, Sam, Marley and Brittney, all covered in paint. They were all sat on the floor of Rachel’s dads’ basement, looking at videos and pictures of the last couple of years, the senior year of Kurt, Puck, Finn, Santana, Rachel, Mercedes, Mike and Quinn and the year just gone.

“There’s more paint on you than there is on the wall.” Kurt said, picking the picture up as Rachel looked over his shoulder.

Marley shook her head, laughing and pointed to the almost completely white figure in the middle of the picture. “There’s more paint on Blaine than there is on the wall or anyone else.”

They all laughed and Sam patted Blaine on the back. “You looked good a little whiter dude.”

Blaine pouted and his eyes shimmered with fake tears. “You’re all so mean to me.”

They all laughed again and Kurt opened up his arms, letting out a slight sound of pain as Blaine unceremoniously dumped himself in his lap. “You’re my adorable Casper the friendly ghost, baby.” Kurt cooed into Blaine’s ear.

Blaine looked back at him, eyes narrowed. “Mean.” He whispered and stuck his tongue out at Kurt as his fiancé and friends laughed.

“So how’s the wedding planning going?” Puck asks around a mouthful of hamburger and Kurt makes a face before he even thinks of replying.

“Going well, everything’s pretty much sorted out now. Finn’s coming out next week for his fitting. We scheduled it so it’s the same day as yours and Cooper’s. Actually we had something to ask you guys.” Kurt says.

“We’d like you guys to come to LA for the weekend. We’ve already bought the plane tickets.” Blaine announced happily, his eyes searching his friend’s shocked faces, save for Finn and Puck who already knew.

Quinn looked around confused. “You…you guys can’t put us all up.”

Kurt shook his head. “No, we’re putting Finn and Rachel up, separately of course. Puck’s putting Jake and whomever else he can, up and Cooper can put four or five up now his house is finished.”

“No hotels?” Marley asked.

“No such luck,” Kurt said half-jokingly. “We can put you all up in our various places, even ‘Cedes if she can, right?”

Mercedes nodded from her spot by Wade, digging into the KFC tub. “Definitely. Girls sleepover Wade?”

“Hell to the yes.” Wade said, high fiving the other diva.

Blaine grinned and looked at his friends again. “I love you guys.” He said, his grin splitting his face and his hazel eyes twinkling.

“Awww we love you too.” Tina said and they all clambered over to Blaine and Kurt, dog piling on the couple with various coos of ‘Casper’ and ‘Blainey’.

“What are we doing?” Mercedes asked.

“It’s a surprise! We’re having a New Directions reunion. Be happy ‘Cedes!” Kurt called excitedly, pulling her and Rachel along behind him as they all entered the bar, Finn and Mike sniggering at the sight of the slight Kurt dragging the voluptuous Mercedes and high-heeled Rachel behind him.

He directed them all to the tables set up along the back of the bar against the windows. Drink orders were taken and they were all sat, sipping away when Sugar looked around, confused. “Where’s Blaine?” She asked.

Kurt smirked and suddenly their eyes shot to the little stage where a young man had just walked up to the mic, a guitar cradled in his hands, the strap over his shoulder. His deep, familiar voice rang out across the room and Kurt watched their mouths drop open as he spoke, his honey eyes finding theirs. “Hi guys. This is a song by Kelly Clarkson. It’s dedicated to some amazing people that I love so much. They were there for me for a long time and watched me and stood behind me as I grew from a Warbler to a songbird. Thank you guys.”

I can see the weight there in your eyes 
I can feel the thorn in your side 
Your knuckles are bruised from a losing fight 
One way down a dead end street 
Broken glass underneath your feet 
You think the day won't break a sunless night 

The sun will rise, the sun will rise
When you’ve lost your light
The sun will rise
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright

I’ve been stuck in a storm before
Felt the wind raging at my door
Couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t find a way out
Somehow the clouds disappeared
Somehow I made it here
Maybe just so you could hear me say

The sun will rise, the sun will rise
When you’ve lost your light
The sun will rise
It’ll be alright

It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright

Though you can’t see it
So hard to believe it
Sometimes you just need a little faith 
There’s an answer to your prayer
And I swear that there will come a day

The sun will rise, the sun will rise
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
Oh yeah
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright
The sun will rise

Blaine stepped away from the microphone as the crowd applauded, some standing and whistling. He bowed and said a quiet ‘thank you’ into the microphone then stepped off the stage.

Mercedes gasped and grabbed Rachel’s hand, motioning the girls in to talk then she, Rachel, Santana, Marley and Wade got up and hurried off, passing Blaine as he made his way back to the tables before anyone else could speak.

“Where are they off to?” Artie asked and Blaine shrugged as he sat back down next to Kurt.

“Did they at least like the song?”

Kurt smiled and leaned in for a kiss before he replied. “They loved it baby, we all did. You’re amazing.”

Blaine blushed then turned as their attention was pulled away by the new, but still familiar voice that sounded from the stage.

“Hi everybody.” Rachel spoke before Santana stole her mic.

“Hi, you’re going to listen to us sing now. This for two very awesome guys. Back in high school we were all friends, I was obviously the most awesome of everyone there, fact. We learned a lot but most of all we learned about friendship and love and all those mushy things. Some sucky stuff went down then and a few months ago some even suckier stuff happened and I realised something, we all did. You two are our inspirations, you are amazing. You held on when everyone else was letting go and you helped us all realise what life was really about. We love you, so this is for you, so shut up and listen and stop crying hobbit-boy I can see you back there.”

The music started and Santana reluctantly handed Rachel’s microphone back and took her own as Mercedes started singing the first few lines alone, quickly to be joined by the others.

You're one of God's better people
And you don't know
That's why you're special
And I cry so I can talk like this
From my downbeat existence
And I know that you can make my wish
If my wish is pure

But I don't know
I just don't know 
I don't know
Let me love you so
Now I can't live this without you
I'd die without you
Without you, without you

You're one of God's better people
And you don't know
That's why you're special
It must hurt to see your favourite man
Lose himself again and again
And I know that you're my only friend
From way back when

My wish was pure
It was oh so pure
It was pure
I couldn't love you more
Now I can't live this without you
I'd die without you
Without you
Now I can't live this without you
I'd die without you
Without you, without you

'cos I don't know no more
I just don't know no more
I just don't know
Let me love you so
Now I can't live this without you
I'd die without you
Without you
Now I can't live this without you
I'd die without you
Without you, without you

You're one of God's better people
And you don't know
That's why you're special

The music finished and the others could barely hear Santana as she stepped away from the microphone saying. “Ok get me off this stage before I puke.” Her eyes locked with Blaine’s as the women left the stage, however and both of them realised, whatever they said and whatever the Latina used to and would say in the future; they had each other’s back.Blaine settled into his seat with Kurt's arm warm around his waist and their friends around him and felt like he could just stay here in this moment forever and let the world run it's course.