Blaine sat fidgeting in his seat. The ceremony was taking forever, and he had places to be. It was hot in New York this time of year, and his graduation gown was too heavy for this kind of weather. He tugged at his collar, willing the speaker to wrap up so he could get his diploma and go.

            Blaine was happy he was graduating, and he was proud of the diploma he was about to receive—elementary education. Blaine had a job lined up already for the fall: he would be teaching kindergarten at a private school a mere six blocks from his and Kurt’s apartment. He had the summer to prepare and spend time with Kurt, and then the job of his dreams come fall. Kindergarteners don’t have to do homework, so he knew his hours would be mostly consistent. Kurt was a NYADA graduate now, and was slowly working his way around the New York stage. He’d so far had a few small roles here and there, but was gaining attention. His hours were much less predictable than Blaine’s, but they both loved the life they were leading together, and Blaine would get to attend all of his shows with this job. Things couldn’t be better between them, really.

            Blaine tried to listen to the speaker, some big-shot businessman or something, but his mind kept wandering elsewhere. His attention was drawn back when the man started talking about “overcoming obstacles.” Blaine had heard speeches like these a million times in his life—who hadn’t—but for some reason that day it really resonated. Perhaps it was his other plans for the day, perhaps it was the idea of Kurt sitting out in the audience with his family and Blaine’s own mother. Blaine thought, though, that it was the fact that he was actually graduating college. Six years ago the idea had seemed impossible. Blaine Anderson? Achieve something? Never! But here he was in his hot, tacky graduation robe and hat, his diploma, his job, his future waiting for him.

            He’d overcome so many obstacles in the last six years that sometimes even he was amazed at himself. It hadn’t been an easy journey, not even close. First was the depression itself, the endless self-hatred, the cutting. Then telling Kurt and his family and his very first therapy session. After that came the drugs that made him tremble, gave him panic attacks, and at first made things so much worse. Those first few months had been almost worse than the preceeding ones, and many times Blaine had nearly given up, nearly stopped taking his medication and gone back to the razors and the mask. Kurt had always talked him out of it, though. Always.

            Kurt had been there every step of the way, always supporting, always helping, and always answering when Blaine called. It hadn’t been easy on him and the two had gotten in many arguments over the years, but Kurt never left, never gave up. Blaine would never be able to repay him for his support, but Kurt never expected him to.

            Now here they were, both college grads, living together in New York and living out their dreams. Blaine was off his medication and past his demons, and now had his new life to look forward too.

            Blaine blinked back tears and tried to focus on the speaker. He stuck his hand in his pocket and smiled as his fingers brushed leather. He and Kurt were happy and in love, and that’s all Blaine ever wanted. It was all he would ever want for the rest of his life.

            That’s why tonight Blaine was going to propose.