“Hi Blaine.” The group replied. He got a few smiles and returned them as best he could before he began.

I’ve been sober for six months, but before that I drank almost every day for years. I think it started when I moved out here as part of some latent teenage rebellion. I was out of my father’s grasp and he couldn’t touch me anymore or control me. But then it just got worse. I didn’t just drink at the club with my friends for fun. I drank so I wouldn’t have to feel. I drank when I felt any sort of sadness or anger or loneliness, and I started to feel that way almost all of the time. New York wasn’t what I had hoped it would be and I was struggling in school, in work, and I had no one to come home to. So I punished myself and everyone around me. Drinking brought down my grades, it lost me several jobs, and it put strains on all of my friendships. It killed my dreams and nearly lost me everything.” Blaine took a shuddering breath. There was more to say, so much more, but this was the first time he’d spoken before the group beyond telling his name. It was somehow nerve wracking and freeing all at once.

“Now my grades are up, I have a steady job at a local theater playing the piano, and next week I have a gig singing. My dreams are bright again and I’m getting to live them every day. Better than all of that though, I have someone special to share it with.” Blaine felt his throat catch over the last sentence so he just smiled awkwardly and sat down.

The leader thanked him and motioned for the next person and the meeting continued on as per usual. Blaine received his six months sobriety token and then he was back out in the city with the winter wind tugging at his coat and scarf. He couldn’t wait to get home. The new year had brought with it so many wonderful things and it was still only January. Blaine woke up each day thankful for where he was and who he was with. It really was going to be a fantastic year.

He walked into the loft, toed off his shoes, hung up his coat and scarf and tossed his keys into the little wooden bowl by the door. The sounds of an old Christina Perri song pulled him forward around the half wall and into the open space. There he found Kurt pulling out cartons of Chinese food and laying them across the coffee table. Blaine smiled and closed the space between them pulling Kurt into a tight hug.

“Sooo?” Kurt grinned down at him and gave him a squeeze.

“So what?” Blaine answered cheekily. He knew exactly what Kurt was asking.

“So, let me see it already.” Kurt said, feigning exasperation, but then he kissed Blaine lightly and the game was over. Blaine could never say no to Kurt’s kisses.

Blaine stepped back and fished the little token out of his pocket. Then he held it out on the palm of his hand to Kurt. Kurt took it and held it up for inspection, his eyebrows drawn together as though in deep concentration. Then he smiled and pulled Blaine back in, this time they kissed long and deep and Blaine was left feeling breathless.

“I’m so proud of you.” Kurt said as he passed the token back to Blaine. Standing there, looking into Kurt’s shining eyes, Blaine knew the time was right. It didn’t matter that they were staying in tonight with homework and Chinese food, this was the moment. He pulled Kurt’s hands until they were both seated on the couch.

Kurt gave him a curious look but Blaine just smiled. “I have one more thing to show you.” He said softly. Then Blaine reached back into his pocket and this time what he held in the palm of his hand was a small silver ring. For just a moment Kurt looked slightly incredulous, but to his credit he didn’t freak out, rather he waited for Blaine to explain himself.

“It’s a promise ring.” Blaine began and Kurt’s smile started to look a lot more natural Good, Blaine thought, he hadn’t misjudged things. Neither of them were ready to walk down the aisle just yet as they were finishing up school and figuring out where they’re careers were headed, but this was right. They had talked enough about a future together that Blaine had known this was the right move; he’d just been waiting for the right time.

“Kurt, you have been my best friend for years. We have loved and laughed and fought and cried together. You have seen me at my very worst and you have supported me as I‘ve tried to be my best. There is no one else I’d rather spend my life with and this ring is a promise that someday I will be ready to ask you for more. For everything.” Blaine took a breath, he was nervous he realized as he waited for Kurt to say something. Kurt didn’t though. His eyes were wide and his lip trembled.

“Will you…will you wear my ring, Kurt?” Blaine was just about to panic when Kurt reached for the ring.

“Yes.” Kurt’s answer was simple but it was everything Blaine had wanted and more. He let out the breath he’d been holding and they both sort of laughed and fumbled as Blaine slid the silver circle onto Kurt’s finger. Then Blaine pulled Kurt into another kiss and neither of them seemed to care that the food was getting cold. Eventually Kurt pulled back, and there was a look on his face that Blaine couldn’t read.

“Kurt…what..” But Blaine didn’t get to finish speaking because Kurt was pulling away and standing up.

“Just a second,” he said, “I’ll be right back.” Then Kurt was hurrying off to the bedroom and Blaine was left on the couch wondering what had suddenly gotten into his boyfriend.

Kurt came back just a moment later and sat back down, his cheeks slightly flushed. He smiled wide and bounced a little on the cushion. “I was so excited I forgot.” He said, and then he was holding out his hand and in his palm was a silver ring with black edges. Blaine didn’t move. It was as if his mind just stopped. Kurt’s smile stayed in place though.

“It’s a promise ring.” He said in an echo of Blaine’s earlier statement. Then Blaine was holding out his hand and Kurt was sliding the band into place.

“When did you…?” Blaine was still looking at his hand held tightly between Kurt’s own.

“I’ve had it for a while; I was just waiting for the right time.” Kurt shrugged lightly but Blaine surged forward and wrapped him tight in his arms.

“I love you, Kurt Hummel.” Blaine whispered as tears stung his eyes.

“I love you too, Blaine Anderson.” Kurt whispered back.

It was a long time before they got around to dinner, and no homework actually got done that night, but a new chapter was beginning for them both; one of promise and hope. The past was gone for good and Blaine knew he would never, ever need a line between himself and the man he loved.