Epilogue

It was nearing dinnertime and Blaine was idly passing the hours in his and Kurts one room apartment, or that had been the plan. Unfortunately for him, his attempts werent going so well and he was becoming increasingly bored. So much for being able to function when Kurt was off doing his own thing. Though Blaines accusations were a bit harsh because it wasnt like his life had come to a sudden stop or anything that extreme. He just missed his boyfriend, regardless of the fact that hed only been gone for four hours.

The apartment was spotless, so there were no chores for Blaine to preoccupy himself with and he had the day off from work too. Normally Blaine didnt feel this caged in but it was turning out to be an unusual day, or maybe just a horribly monotonous one.

In his attempts to fight boredom, Blaine opened up his laptop to find something on the Internet to amuse himself with. There was always YouTube, though on instinct Blaine first went to his newly made Facebook page just to have a quick look. Nothing going on there and Blaine was about close the tab when he noticed hed gotten a new friend request. His curiosity peeked, Blaine clicked the correct icon on the top of his browser to see who it might be. He thought hed already added practically everyone from work, or had he missed someone by mistake?

The unknown persons icon wasnt any clue to their identity though, which was a lighthouse of all things. Blaine frowned in confusion; why a lighthouse and not a photo of themselves? Then Blaine looked at the name underneath the icon: Eli. C.

“I cant believe it!” Blaine gasped.

It was Eli! Blaine was beside himself with surprise. After all this time, Eli had found him online. At least, Blaine couldnt think of another person with the same initials who would have any interesting in friending him on Facebook. Just to be sure Blaine clicked on his icon to go to his Facebook page, only to discover it was private locked. Blaine himself had done the same thing, but what the one accessible page showed was his date of birth and it matched.

Blaines mind was a whirlwind. He still hadnt been able to look for Eli himself yet, but that was more due to the busy year hed had. Blaine was too stunned to click the grant friend request button just yet and he wanted to run it by Kurt first anyway. He whipped out his cellphone and went to the number one contact in his list and hit the call button.

“Hi, Blaine,” Kurt replied before his boyfriend could get a word in. “Im sorry Im running late, Im heading to the grocery store next, so our romantic dinner at home is still a go.”

“Thats great Kurt, but thats not why Im calling. Youll never guess what just happened to me!” Blaine exclaimed.

“It must be something pretty exciting for youre voice to get this high pitched,” Kurt said teasingly.

“Eli found me on Facebook! He sent me a friend request!”

“Eli as in the same Eli who you were friends with and lost your virginity to?”

Blaine groaned, “Kurt, you know I love our playful banter but Im being serious about this! Its just so out of the blue! I dont know what I should do!”

“You could accept his friend request. I know how youve always wondered what happened to him, so heres your chance to finally.”

Blaine glanced at Elis icon in his friend notification page for a moment. What would he even begin to say to him? Oh hey there Eli, sorry I never tried to contact you. I wanted to but I was too afraid and in denial to at first. So um, guess what, Im out now and living with my boyfriend in New York? How crazy is that? Ugh. Blaine felt embarrassed just imagining it.

“You are going to talk to him right? Dont tell me youre calling to get my permission first. Because while that is sweet of you its completely ridiculous, Blaine. Whom you wish to talk to, whether theyre a past relationship or the closest you ever got to having one, doesnt make a difference. I trust you, so dont hold back on my account,” Kurt said.

Blaine smiled lovingly, even when Kurt wasnt there to see his adoring heart-eyes himself. “Gosh you know me so well Kurt, thank you for saying exactly what I needed to hear. I know I dont need your permission but he just appeared out of nowhere so I panicked. I guess I was using the excuse to check with you first as a way to stall.”

“I get it, a lot has happened to you since you last saw him. But, if hes reaching out to you that probably means theres no hard feelings. If Im wrong and hes out to cyber-bully you Blaine, then while I may not have as much power as I used to, I can still make him live to regret it.”

Blaine laughed since he knew Kurt was just kidding around. “Youre right, I should accept his request and just see what happens from there but what should I say to him?” Blaine asked hopelessly.

“How about hello? Thats always a good place to start.”

“I love you so much, Kurt,” Blaine gushed.

“Love you too. I just made it to the grocery store, are you going to be okay? If you want I can just come home now and we can order take out instead?”

“Ill be fine Kurt, but thank you for offering. Go pick out the food for our meal tonight while I face my fears and click the accept button.”

“Happy chatting Blaine, love you.”

“Likewise, bye,” Blaine said before ending the call.

Thanks to Kurts words of encouragement, Blaine felt more ready to face Eli, though that was putting it a little dramatically. Talking to him didnt need to be so difficult, it wasnt like they were seeing each other face to face or anything so personal. All Blaine had to worry about was context, since the written word could easily become misleading – especially online.

Blaine clicked the accept button on Elis request and let out a sigh of relief. Of course now there was the matter of if he should write something to him right away or wait for Eli to make the first comment. His little moral conundrum was cut short when Blaine heard the familiar chime that meant he had gotten a message on facebook. Blaine looked at the screen of his laptop and hovered his mouse over the message icon and saw that it was from Eli.

Hey there Blaine, thanks for accepting my friend request.

Thank you for messaging me, Eli, its been too long.

Oh good, I was worried I didnt have the right Blaine at first. But then I saw your profile pic and figured it had to be.

Blaine chuckled to himself; his profile pic was a striped bowtie that he hadnt gotten around to changing yet – and hed actually grown rather attached to it (Kurt had taken the photo).

I had no leads to go on when I finally got the nerve to track you down, so it took a while.

Yeah, sorry about that, I kind of went off the digital grid for a while there.

Where are you living? If you dont mind me asking. I swear Im not stalking you or anything.

Would you believe Im in New York? Cause sometimes I still dont.

Thats great to hear Blaine, Im in San Francisco myself.

Blaine wondered if Eli moving to a city that had a large gay community meant what he thought it could. He supposed he could just ask Eli if he was out but considering their past history, the idea made Blaine feel more than a little uncomfortable.

How are you liking it there? Blaine asked instead.

Its very different from Ohio but then that was the point. I really like it here, even with all of the fog.

How long have you been living there?

Almost three years now, how about you? Because last I heard you were in Washington.

I was, up until eleven months ago. I needed a change of a location.

I hear you there.

Without thinking it over, Blaine wrote. – So Im out now. It took me a while to accept it, but coming out was the best thing I ever did. -- and hit the send button. Blaine held his breath as he waited to see how Eli would reply to the news.

So am I. I came out four years ago myself. It was rough at first, but I dont regret it.

What should Blaine say next? Would this be a good time to slip in the fact that he had a boyfriend? It still felt a bit too soon for that and Blaine didnt want to sound like he was boasting. It wasnt like he was intentionally hiding Kurt either, since there were photos of him and them together all over his Facebook page in addition to his status being in a relationship with Kurt Hummel – the Hummel part being Kurts newly chosen surname.

Wanna swap coming out stories?

Sure.

Ill go first then since it was my idea, but I warn you mines a long one.

Blaine glanced at the bottom of his screen to check the time; there was still a couple hours before dinner and Kurt wouldnt be back from shopping for a while yet.

I have time, Eli, so you go right ahead. =)

Blaine read from his spot on the bed as Eli told him the details that had lead to him finally accepting the fact he was gay and how he gathered the courage to come out. While it wasnt remotely similar to Blaines own story, it was still touching and Blaine became quite emotional towards the end of it – especially when Eli admitted that his parents hadnt taken the news very well.

I wish I could say it was better for me but that would be a lie. My mom and dad still wont talk to me.

I think my moms starting to turn around, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part. Sorry, this isnt very cheery subject matter huh?

Nope but it feels go to share it with someone who can relate.

Yeah, it sure does, not that Im without friends or anything. Ive made a good life for myself here, one Im not the least bit ashamed of.

This seemed liked a perfect moment for Blaine to mention Kurt, who should be coming home any minute. Not that anything he had told Eli was something he felt the need to hide, as it was all family friendly stuff despite how well they had once known each other.

As if on cue, Kurt stepped through the front door of their apartment, his arms full of grocery bags. “Phew, that was quite the journey home! Next time Im shopping closer to the apartment because that bus ride was like an adventure on its own. I think I lost an apple along the way somewhere,” Kurt rambled as he hurried over to place his bags on their small kitchen table.

Kurt looked around for signs of his boyfriend, he quickly realized wasnt in the living room so he went to their bedroom next. Sure enough, there was Blaine, sitting cross-legged with his computer on his lap and he instantly lit up at the sight of him.

“Hi!” Blaine said cutely.

“Are you still chatting with Eli?” Kurt asked, though there was no hint of concern in his voice.

“Why dont you come over here and see for yourself,” Blaine flirted.

Kurt smirked at his boyfriends less than subtle hint but he didnt make any move towards him. “I think I will. Right after I put the frozen goods away!” he said, darting out of Blaines vision again.

“So I take it that Eli didnt contact you with plans for ill intent then?” Kurt called from the kitchen.

Again Blaine knew that Kurt wasnt being serious and he loved him for that; how they could tease one another without the fear of misunderstanding. “Its going really well, he just finished telling me his coming out story and I was just about to begin mine,” he explained.

“Is he still in Ohio?”

“No, he moved to San Francisco three years ago.”

Kurt reappeared a few minutes later and flopped down on the bed beside Blaine, who gave him a quick kiss on the lips in greeting. When he noticed Kurt eyes glance towards his laptop Blaine turned his computer so he could get a proper look. He watched Kurts eyes scan the text messages and his cute little grin never faltered for even a second.

“Sounds like hes been through a lot huh?” Kurt said when he was apparently done.

Blaine nodded. “Yeah. Im just glad hes happy now though.”

“Any idea if hes single or not?”

“It hasnt come up. Why do you ask?”

Kurt leaned in close to Blaines face so he could kiss in on the cheek. “No reason. I just get the feeling that his reason for contacting you isnt just to catch up.”

“You think he wants to ask me out? Kurt, he lives half way across the country!” Blaine pointed out.

“Youd be surprise how far the human race is willing to go for the sake of romance.”

During their playful banter, Blaine had completely forgotten about Eli and Blaine was just about to kiss his alluring boyfriend when he heard his laptop make a little bleep sound and both he and Kurt looked at the screen.

Blaine... are you still there?

Blaines hands flew across his keyboard so he could type of a quick reply.

Yes I am! Sorry about that, I got distracted there for a second.

“Should I go excuse myself so I wont be a distraction any longer?” Kurt whispered seductively into Blaines ear.

He didnt want Kurt to leave but at the rate he was going, Blaine knew he wouldnt be able to resist Kurt for much longer. Soon he would have Kurt pinned to the bed, or vice versa, and any thoughts of Eli or getting to share his own coming out story would swiftly be forgotten.

“Youre welcome to stay Kurt, though please forgive me if I cant give you my full attention just yet,” Blaine said playfully.

Back in the digital world, Eli had no idea that Blaine had company who also happened to be his loving boyfriend.

Oh good. Cause I was afraid I might have said something that sent you away.

Guilt brought Blaine back to giving Eli proper attention and Kurt remained quiet at his side so he could do so.

Not at all Eli! You havent done anything like that.

Im so relieved. Cause if I were to be perfectly honest with you Blaine, Ive always regretted that I never admitted my true feelings to you. Back when were still friends but never had the courage to see if we could be anything more.

“And here it is, just like clockwork,” Kurt said. “Although considering its you Blaine, I dont blame Eli one bit.”

Blaine rolled his eyes playfully at Kurt; they both trusted each other by so much that not even a potential rival appearing on the scene (or in this case: screen) could challenge their bond. Besides, as Kurt had basically said, Eli wasnt at fault for admitting his feelings to Blaine, even if that meant Blaine had to turn him down gently now.

“Anyway, Im going to go put a start on dinner because having me hanging over your shoulder wouldnt be very helpful. I trust you to nonchalantly slip in the fact that youre happily taken, Blaine,” Kurt said as he got up off the bed.

Blaine let him go, but not without straightening up so he could give Kurt a kiss goodbye, even if he was just going to the kitchen. “Thanks for the good advice,” he muttered sarcastically.

“Good luck, say hi to Eli for me and Ill call you when dinners ready.”

“Ill miss you,” Blaine chimed and then turned his attention back to his computer and Eli, who was probably worried that he really had crossed a line this time.

Sorry about that. The thing is Eli, Im in a relationship already. I should have mentioned it sooner.

You dont need to apologize Blaine. Im happy for you and I shouldve known better than to check your relationship status first anyway. Is he part of your coming out story then?

Hes a large part of it, yes.

Is it serious? With you and your boyfriend I mean?

Just the thought of how serious his relationship with Kurt had become over the past eleven months made his eyes fall to his the top of his dresser drawer, where hidden inside an inconspicuous looking rolled up sock was a small velvet lined box.

Very. Actually, between you and me... Im going to ask him to marry me soon. I got a ring and everything, which Im amazed he hasnt found yet.

Congrats. Whats his name? Is he cute? I know I could check myself but that seems a bit intrusive.

Blaine smiled as he type an answer to each one of Elis questions about Kurt, who might soon become his fianc�. Oh forget the might part, Blaine knew he was going to say yes, the only thing keeping him from popping the question yet was timing. Well that and how he wanted his proposal to be perfect and considering how amazing Kurt was, that was proving to be a major challenge.

His name is Kurt and he is the cutest. Im seriously the luckiest guy the world.

Blaine managed to follow through with on sharing his own coming out story, going with the altered one he and Kurt had come up with together. It had been surprisingly easy to omit the parts involving angels, demons and Kurts special abilities to come up with something that people would actually believe. In fact a number of his female co-workers of Blaines told him that they thought it was the most romantic story theyd ever heard.

Okay, that settles it. You win, Blaine.

Eli, stop, its not like we were competing against one another.

“Blaine, dinners ready,” Kurt announced.

Thats Kurt now. Dinner is finished, so this is where Ill have to leave you. For now anyway. It was really nice talking to you, Eli.

Same here Blaine, we should try to stay in touch from now on, okay? That is, if youre soon to be fianc� doesnt mind.

I know he wont. As for the fianc� part, well, theres one way to find out, so wish me luck. Gotta go, bye!

But he didnt bother to wait to see Elis reply, as he now was a man on a very important – and equally romantic – mission. His heart started to beat a little faster in anticipation as Blaine got up from the bed to take the ring box from its hiding place. Blaine opened it up so he could admire the silver ring inside for a moment. Could he really do it, just like that? What if he just messed things up? Surely Kurt deserved something better than Blaine just getting down on one knee in their kitchen of all places?

Oh who was he kidding, at the rate he was going it could be years before he managed to create the perfect moment. All that mattered was that he loved Kurt and he already knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him. They were already acting like an old married couple anyway, minus all the sex they were having. After all, like the saying went, theres nothing like the present.

“Blaine?”

Just the sound of Kurts beautiful sounding voice gave Blaine the final push. He snapped the lid closed on the ring box, slipped it into his pants pocket and headed merrily towards the door and his awaiting soulmate.

“Coming,” Blaine said with a giddy lovesick smile on his face.

The End