Graduation was a quiet affair.

            Blaine remembered when Cooper graduated. His parents had hosted a huge party with a lavish catered meal and their family members had brought expensive presents for him. Blaine had been young but he remembered how proud Cooper had been in his cap and gown surrounded by family.

            He stood with his fellow seniors knowing that he was getting none of that.

            The extravagant dinner was Chinese take out in Cooper’s living room. The brothers had ordered all their favorites and ate way too many eggrolls. A few minutes into dinner Lisa, who Cooper had been seeing for a few weeks, showed up with a homemade chocolate cake and a shy smile.

            “Just…thought I’d say congratulations,” She shrugged and Blaine had waved her in to join them.

            After having put on the garish red robe and hat Blaine frowned at himself in the mirror. Sam slapped him on the back and laughed.

            “Dude, I can’t believe we’re freaking graduating!”

            “I know,” Blaine gave him a small smile.

            “I mean it’s…” Sam paused, feeling the raised areas from the pins lining the inside of Blaine’s collar. “What’s that?”

            “This?” Blaine flipped his collar up slightly. “They’re my sobriety pins, I’ve got five.”

            “Why are you wearing them?”

            “Well…I figured everyone is wearing pins or sashes or cords showing their accomplishments right? It’s an accomplishment that I’m really proud of,” He felt a little blush stain his cheeks. “It’s silly…and you can’t even really see them but I wanted them for me.”

            “It’s not silly,” Sam gave him a smile. “It’s definitely more impressive than the kids who got those big metals for donating blood once.”

            “Thanks Sam,” He gave his friend a hug.

            “Bro you should be the one to give a speech today. I swear you’re like the most inspiring person I know,” With another squeeze, Sam pulled back.

            “I guess spending three months in rehab is enough to be impeached,” Blaine rolled his eyes. “My speech would have kicked ass.”

            “Hell yeah!”

            The call for all seniors to get in order made them walk to the opening of the auditorium, Blaine near the front and Tina slid in behind him, giving him a quick hug.

            Music started, some upbeat poppy song that Blaine didn’t really pay attention to, and one by one the students were called in.

            “Blaine Devon Anderson,” Principal Figgins called out and Blaine shot a quick grin over his shoulder to his friends before walking in. He found himself smiling widely as he walked down the stairs.

            He could see Cooper grinning brightly, Lisa at his side. Already planning to tease his brother for bringing a date to his graduation, Blaine gave him a smug smile.

            His stride slowed a bit when he saw a beaming Burt and Carole standing next to him. To his surprise, Carole leaned over and pulled him into a tight hug and Burt did the same right after.

            “What are you guys doing here?” He asked in surprise.

            “We’re here to support you sweetheart,” Carole grinned.

            His face split into a wide grin and he took a few steps back, freezing when a bright shock of yellow caught his eye.

            Kurt smiled shyly at him from the other side of Burt. He was wearing a yellow button up, grey blazer, and his hair was up in the most amazing style.

            “Hi,” Blaine breathed.

            “Hey,”

            “You’re holding up the line,” Tina took his hand, waving at Kurt. Blaine took a few steps backwards, smiling slightly at Kurt before turning around and hurrying up the stage to take his diploma and slide the tassel to the other side on his hat.

            Tina walked up after him, linking their arms together and grinned. She leaned into him and they waited until the rest of their class joined them on the stage. Tina was practically bouncing as Figgins finished his speech.

            “And congratulations to the McKinley High School class of 2013!”

            The group exploded in cheers and Tina instantly wrapped her arms around Blaine’s neck, screaming into his ears. He laughed loudly and they hopped in a circle as balloons fell.

            “Well congratulations high school grad!” She planted a big kiss on his cheek.

            “And you as well,” He gave her another tight hug.

            “I need to go take a million pictures with my family,” She sighed and pulled back. “But I’ll see you tomorrow? Love you!”

            “Love you too!” He grinned she bounded off.

            “Hey!” Cooper tackled him and nearly knocked him off his feet. “Happy graduation B!”

            “Thanks!” He laughed, voice somewhat muffled.

            “You did good kiddo,” Burt smiled warmly and Carole nodded frantically, eyes bright with unshed tears.

            Blaine’s eyes slid to where Kurt was standing to the side and with a deep breath, pulled away from his brother. With a quick smile he walked over to Kurt, noticing that the others walked away to give them some privacy.

            “Congratulations,” Kurt gave him a half smile.

            “Thanks,” Blaine tugged the hat off his head. “I’m kind of happy it’s over now.”

            “I know that feeling,” He laughed softly. “But God Blaine, you look so good.”

            They hovered near each other for a moment before Kurt laughed and hugged him tightly. Instantly, Blaine melted slightly into his hold and grinned.

            “Last time I felt like my arms could go around you twice,” He laughed as he pulled away. “You look happy. Healthy.”

            “I am happy,” Blaine said. “So you came all the way back here for graduation?”

            “Um…yeah,” He smiled sheepishly. “I wanted to be here for my friends. You know Tina, Sam…you.”

            “I’m really glad you’re here,” Blaine glanced over to see Cooper staring intently at him, Lisa grinning widely.

            Both boys fell quiet and looked around at the celebrating families for a bit. For a moment Blaine’s chest ached as he watched the proud parents hugging and kissing their children.

            “Cooper told me what happened….with your parents I mean,” Kurt winced a little. “I’m so, so sorry Blaine.”

            “Don’t be sorry. It sucks but I’m better off without them,” Blaine’s lips quirked upwards in an attempt of a smile but it fell short. “Honestly, I’d rather talk about happier things.”

            “Like how you’re now a high school graduate with the world before him?” Kurt laughed before his smile faded slightly. “I really am so proud of you, of how far you’ve come. That last time I saw you…well it scared me.”

            “I scared myself,” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry you had to see me like that.”

            “I just wish I could have helped more.”

            “I don’t really,” Blaine gave a little shrug. “I started off doing this on my own and I’m doing it. There was a point in the beginning when I never thought I would get here but I did. I graduated, I’m going to college and it’s all because of me. That’s what I want, to be proud of myself and I am.”

            Kurt’s face split into a wide grin and he pulled Blaine into another tight hug.

            “I’m so happy that you’re happy,” He whispered into his ear.

            “You know, I’m staying in Hayden Hall my first year so I officially have a New York City address,” A smile lit up his face.

            “Then we officially live in the same city.”

            “I am so expecting a tour,” Blaine laughed.

            “I gave you a tour last time you visited!”

            “Well I want another one since I’m a real New Yorker now,” He nudged Kurt’s shoulder with his own.

            “Prepare yourself for the greatest tour of your life,” Kurt’s eyes sparkled.

            “So, Cooper and Lisa were going to take me out to a fancy dinner at some steakhouse she works at,” He gave him a hesitant smile. “Your family and you are more than welcome to come join us.”

            “I’d love to.”

            After graduation Kurt and Blaine talked all the time. They texted continuously, skyped, and called each other at least once a day. It was a little surprising how easily they slipped back into their friendship.

            By the time Blaine moved into his dorm in August they would both call each other their best friend. Kurt snuck in after a starry eyed freshman into Hayden Hall and climbed up the stairs to room 314, knocking on the door.

            “Kurt! Hey!” Blaine answered the door in a pair of jeans and his NYU sweatshirt. “Come on in, see the wonders of my magnificent dorm room.”

            He waved his hand into the small room motioning to the huge pile of boxes. One bed was set up in a corner and a desk was in the other.

            “Ah, you scored a private room?”

            “Not really,” Blaine shrugged. “My roommate is no longer coming because of something involving him being caught up in some legal stuff…anyway he is no longer enrolled so I get the room to myself.”

            “Fancy,” Kurt looked into the small bathroom.

            “It’s practically a luxury New York flat,” Blaine eyes shone. “But I’m here.”

            “You made it,” Kurt gave him a quick smile.

            “Want to help me unpack?” Blaine motioned to the boxes. “I figured you were the best person to organize my closet. I do have a lot of new clothes.”

            “I saw!” Kurt opened a box to find several layers of shirts. “Henleys, band shirts, cardigans. No bowties?”

            “Naw,” Blaine shrugged a little and went back to tacking pictures on his wall. “I figured…they weren’t really my style.”

            “Well these shirts would look really nice on you,” Kurt ran his fingers over the soft fabric of a Beatles shirt.

            “Thanks,” Blaine gave him a shy little smile.

            “So what classes are you taking this semester?” Kurt started organizing them based on color and style.

            “All pretty basic stuff,” Blaine shrugged. “Intro to composition, intro to voice, piano, English, a math course. That kind of stuff. It’s not that much.”

            “Still,” Kurt grinned as he started hanging up clothes in the tiny closet. “You’re a college man now. It’s very impressive.”

            “Well, I try,” Blaine shot a grin over his shoulder.

            “And if you get sick of frat parties or dorm functions you can always come over to my apartment. Rachel keeps it pretty well stocked with pink moscato and fancy bagels.”

            “How can I resist that?” Blaine chucked. “How about we unpack some of this and then go out for dinner? You take us to your favorite place.”

            Kurt continued to unpack the clothes until they were packed tightly into the tiny closet space. He organized his shoes and stepped back, smiling at his hard work before turning back.

            Blaine had finished covering the wall with pictures and was smoothing out his dark green comforter. The smiling faces of Cooper and the New Directions beamed at him from the photos and the picture of their dance at their first prom caught his eye.

            “You kept this?” He smoothed his fingers over the picture, smiling at the look of clear adoration of each of their faces.

            “I had fun that night,” Blaine shrugged and Kurt saw a faint blush on his cheeks. “I was so scared and I faced my fears. It was kind of a personal victory you know?”  

            “I remember,” Kurt stepped back.

            “And there’s the picture from the other prom,” He grinned and pointed out the picture of them on the prop dinosaur, Kurt laughing at their faces and the wildly frizzy, curly hair.

            “Thank God you figured out how best to style your hair,” Kurt laughed. “I like you hair curly, not chia pet.”

            Blaine ducked his head and laughed loudly.

            “Well, I’ve pretty much learned to accept it now,” He shrugged. “I guess I’ve learned to accept a lot of things.”

            “I’m glad,” Kurt nudged his shoulder with his own. “How does pizza sound?”

            “Pizza? That doesn’t sound like you!”

            “You’re a New Yorker Blaine, you have to eat pizza,” Kurt grinned. “There’s this great little place owned by an Italian family down the street.”

            “Let’s go!”

            When they finally got to the pizza place they found a little corner booth and took a seat. Blaine started talking enthusiastically about an organization he was looking into and Kurt took the time to really look at him.

            Blaine smile was softer around the edges, not as strained. His eyes almost glowed as he talked and his usually impeccable posture was more relaxed. He looked so much happier than he ever had before.

            He wasn’t the same boy he was.

            “So what are you planning on doing with your degree?” Kurt asked as he took a bite of the veggie pizza.

            “I don’t really know yet,” Blaine laughed and shrugged. “I’m not sure if I want to go into performing like Broadway or anything. The thing Cooper’s doing, he’s getting certified by the way, is really cool. I’m kind of wanting to go into music education for an elementary school.”

            “Aw, I can totally see that,” Kurt grinned. “Sing us a song Mr. Anderson!”

            “I’ll have to stock up on vests.”

            “God no, don’t become Mr. Schue,” Kurt shuddered.

            “Well I’m lucky I’m friends with an up and coming designer,” Blaine winked. “You can have a new line of clothing for stylish teachers.”

            “I can see it now!”

            Blaine’s wide grin made his heart jump slightly. He truly was a different person. The confidence and pure happiness that shone in his eyes was infectious and Kurt found himself smiling constantly.

            When Blaine started talking excitedly about one of his classes something flipped in Kurt’s chest.

            This charming, confident, happy boy wasn’t the same Blaine he knew.

            But…maybe this was better.

            Maybe he was crushing on him a little.

            Or a lot.