Two months had passed since David Karofsky was arrested for the rape of Kurt Hummel. The trials hadn't really made Kurt's life much easier but he was back in school and Blaine had even met a few of his friends. When Kurt had been officially introduced to Santana, she cried and hugged him then proceeded to offer him alcohol over Thai take-out.

Kurt had been seeing a professional for help with how he viewed himself in comparison to others and the effects of the rape. Burt was a little shocked how easily he'd agreed to go. Blaine wasn't all that surprised though, after all, he'd ended up as an actual fairy before.

Blaine still lived in Columbus. He was working a few easy jobs out there since he had been fired from his father's law firm. He was looking for loans and a place to rent so he could start his own firm. Every weekend was spent in Lima with the Hummels. He and Kurt had started dating, it was a very slow process, but that is what Kurt needed. Blaine would be lying if said he didn't itch for the brush of fingers against his when he lay alone in his apartment in Columbus. He'd also be lying if he denied having a slight obsession with looking over his closet and dresser in depth before climbing into bed each night.

Blaine and Kurt, Burt and Santana, as well as Kurt's friends were standing in a huddle outside the courtroom doors, in the Lima Courthouse. Frigid February air swept past them on occasion when the front doors opened. The jury had been out for quite some time; everyone was getting anxious.

Blaine was beyond proud of the way Kurt handled the trial. The previous night they'd curled up together, this time in Kurt's room, and held each other. It always felt like you would have the upper hand, that you would win, but there comes a time when you have to face the fact that things just might go the other way. Late into the night the couple talked about nothing and everything. Blaine made promises to pay for Kurt to transfer to Dalton if that was what he still wanted, just in case they lost.

Minutes seemed to take hours as the waited for the jury to return with their verdict. Kurt grasped Blaine's hand tightly, almost to the point where Blaine was loosing feeling in his fingers. Mercedes tried her best to distract him from the empty time, she talked about shopping trips and a new pair of boots she'd seen with more detail than Blaine could have thought possible when talking about shoes.

Finally they got word that the jury had made their decision. Standing back in the courtroom, Blaine wondered just how long it could take to say one word. It seemed to be taking forever. When it was finally spoken, The jury finds the defendant guilty, Blaine wasn't sure he had heard correctly. A strong familiar hand came down on his should from behind him and pulled him out of his sudden haze. He turned to look at Kurt who was seated next to him at the table, he'd never seen so much relief and joy expressed in someone's face. Both boys stood and wrapped their arms around each other, cheers erupting from the supporters around them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Blaine you've got your camera, right?"

"Yea, Burt it's right here."

"How long is this gonna take? Not that I'm not excited, but I can feel myself melting."

The sun was beating down on the open football stadium. It was mid May and the summer heat had already arrived. Santana was fanning herself with the booklet they'd been given at the gate. The stadium below them was set up with hundreds of white chairs, a table holding an equal amount of diplomas and a podium. Blaine's phone buzzed in his pocket and he excused himself from the group.

Kurt was pacing nervously when Blaine found him, hiding out in the bathroom. The younger boy immediately stopped when he saw him. "Do I look okay? God this thing does absolutely nothing for anyone." Kurt muttered, half to himself. Blaine stepped in close to his boyfriend.

"You look amazing, Kurt. I promise." Kurt's blue eyes looked amusingly into Blaine's.

"How would you know? You can't even see all me standing that close." Blaine hummed in agreement.

"Well, you're just going to have to trust me." Kurt's arms came up to rest around Blaine's neck.

"Oh, well in that case," Blaine silenced him by closing the distance between their lips. They kissed chastely but deeply, Blaine's arms winding themselves around. After a minute they pulled apart.

"I love you," Kurt whispered.

"I love you too. Now get out there!" Kurt laughed as Blaine playfully pushed him out of the bathroom and towards the rest of his class.

The speeches were boring. Both Kurt and Blaine had hoped to give the speakers the benefit of the doubt but it was just so hot and gross. Everyone was happy but miserable at the same time. When it finally came time to for the graduates to receive their diplomas the crowd collectively sat up a little straighter, each waiting anxiously to hear the name of their graduate.

"Kurt Elizabeth Hummel"