Kurt stood outside Blaine's apartment door, fidgeting with the package in his hands.  The past two days had gone by in a blur of relief and anticipation.  There hadn't been any damage to his place at all – the kitchen fire and resultant soaking had been on the other side of the building, and Kurt had gotten worked up for nothing.  In his excitement, Kurt had gone shopping – a dangerous pastime I know, he imagined Blaine commenting when he found out.  And now he wasn't sure if the gift would be welcome at all, or just another opportunity for him to put his foot in his mouth.  But he couldn't stand here dithering in the hallway any longer.  The NYADA fundraiser was tonight, and if he didn't get there on time, Carmen Tibideaux would have his head.

Kurt knocked on the door and was immediately admitted by Sam, who complimented his aquamarine ascot.  “That's a great color, it really brings out your eyes.”  Kurt felt a surge of affection for Sam, and gave him a warm hug, finding that Sam eagerly squeezed him back in return.

Kurt took a moment to check his hair in the hall mirror – Sam's hugs had a tendency to knock things out of place – but it was still coiffed to perfection, defying the summer heat.  He turned at Sam's wolf whistle to see Blaine coming down the hallway.

“Dude, you look hot!”  Sam exclaimed.  Kurt had to agree.  Blaine was wearing a slim black suit with a deep purple shirt and a long cerulean blue tie.  He had donned proper shoes for the occasion, and Kurt could see a glimpse of purple socks that matched his shirt.  Blaine's hair was gelled back enough to tame but not completely eliminate his curls, resulting in that 1950's Hollywood dreamboat style that Kurt loved.

“I think that's my line.”  Kurt went to Blaine and gave him a quick kiss, letting a hand rest on his narrow waist.  “You look ridiculously handsome,” he whispered in his ear.

Blaine smiled and looked Kurt up and down.  “You don't look so bad yourself.”  Kurt was pleased that he had gone for the vest and suit jacket combination.  They made an awfully good looking couple, if he did say so himself.

“Smile!”  They both looked up as Sam appeared in front of them, holding up his phone.  “What?  You guys look awesome.  And my mom's been dying for pictures, we haven't sent her any in ages.”

“Can you text that to me?”  Kurt asked.  “I'd like to send it to my dad.”

“You told your dad about us?”  Blaine asked. 

Kurt nodded.  “Is that okay?”  The topic of whether to tell their families that they were dating again hadn't come up, and Kurt hoped he hadn't overstepped.  He shouldn't have worried, however, if the grin that spread over Blaine's face was any indication.

“Yeah.  Definitely.  I told my parents too.”  Blaine bounced a little on his toes, beaming.  Kurt smiled back, wondering if maybe Blaine's parents weren't as mad at him as he had assumed they were.

“Man, you two are so freaking cute,” Sam said, snapping another picture.  “It's like I can see the little Disney birds flying all around your heads.”  He squeezed in between Blaine and Kurt and took a selfie of all three of them together, then put his camera in his pocket and picked up his guitar.  “I've got to run.  Open mic.  You guys have fun tonight – but be back before midnight, Blaine, or your cane will turn into a pumpkin.”  Sam gave Blaine a quick slap on the shoulder and headed out of the apartment.

Kurt took a deep breath.  “Speaking of canes… I got you something.”  He picked up the long package he had left by the door and gave it to Blaine, who sat down on the arm of the couch to unwrap it.  “I saw this yesterday and thought you might like it.  You don't have to use it, ever, if you don't want to.”  Kurt watched Blaine's face carefully as he took the silvery paper off the elegant cane.  It was shining ebony wood, dark brown with subtle black streaks.  Its handle was shaped much like the one Blaine already used, but with a small braided pewter collar at the top of the shaft.

“I get that we don't always have the same approach to things.  I'm more likely to flaunt what makes me different.  I know you don't want to draw attention to your leg, but if it were me, I'd take it as an opportunity for a fabulous accessory.  And this one is pretty subdued, as far as my potential accessories go.”  Kurt tried to catch Blaine's eyes, but they were still fixed on the cane.  “I promise you, my feelings won't be hurt if you don't use it – but I wanted to let you know that as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing you need to hide.”

Blaine turned the cane in his hands, feeling the smooth wood and tracing over the braided detail at the top.  When he looked up at Kurt, his eyes were wide.  “It's beautiful, Kurt.  Thank you.”  Blaine stood and tapped the cane down next to him, testing it out.  “And it's perfect for tonight.”

“I thought so too.”  Kurt breathed out a sigh of relief.  He didn't screw up.  Blaine liked it.  “I'm so glad you're not mad.”

“I'm definitely not mad.  I'm touched.”  Blaine gave Kurt a soft kiss, lingering for a moment to press his forehead against Kurt's.  “With a gorgeous cane like this, it's almost worth needing one.”  Blaine grinned, eyes shining. “Now, I understand you have an important performance to get to.  Shall we go?”

They took a cab to the party, Kurt insisting that there was no way he was going to take the subway and show up all sweaty with his outfit ruined.  The evening's festivities were hosted by a wealthy alumnus who had an apartment on the Upper East Side big enough for the hundred or so guests to gather.  The expansive living room had been set up with a grand piano by the long windows, where someone was playing show tunes as waiters circulated with drinks and hors doeuvres. 

A glance at Blaine as they entered the crowded room showed that he had his show face firmly plastered on, but Kurt could tell he was nervous.  “I've got to find Ms. Tibideaux and check in, then we can just hang out for a while.  The performances don't start for about an hour.”

“Good evening, Mr. Hummel, glad you could join us.”  Kurt was spared the effort of having to find his professor when she appeared in front of him, with that look on her face that always seem to imply that she knew something that he didn't.

“Hello, Ms. Tibideaux,” he began, wondering how he could still be intimidated by her after almost three years.  “This is Blaine Anderson-” Before he could finish the introduction, Ms. Tibideaux interrupted him.

“Hello again, Mr. Anderson.  I didn't know you knew Mr. Hummel.”

Blaine smiled shyly.  “For quite a while, actually.”

“Well, it's nice to see you again so soon.  Stop by and talk to me when you have a chance.”  Ms. Tibideaux turned to Kurt.  “Please be in the kitchen at quarter to nine, we'll run through any last minute details then.”  She turned away imperiously, leaving Kurt staring at Blaine.

“Mr. Anderson?” Kurt emphasized the words, drawing them out.  “Do you have something you'd like to tell me?”  Kurt tried to smile as he spoke, but couldn't help feeling a little put out.  How the hell did Carmen Tibideaux know Blaine so well?

Blaine looked down, obviously catching the uncertain tone in Kurt's voice.  “I may have taken a class through the NYADA extension school last semester.” 

“You may have, huh?” Kurt took pity on Blaine, whose nerves were showing now.  He hadn't done anything wrong.  Kurt certainly hadn't told Blaine every little detail of the past few years of his life, so Kurt couldn't expect to know everything about Blaine's, either.  Kurt took Blaine's free hand and led them over to where some chairs and small tables had been set up.  “Was it her vocal techniques class?”  Blaine nodded.  “You know that's one of the few audition-only classes at the extension school.  You must have really impressed her.”

Blaine shrugged.  “I'm sorry I didn't tell you.”

Kurt waved it off.  “It didn't come up.  There's lots of stuff we haven't talked about yet.  But I am curious to hear about it.”

After a few minutes they were joined by Cora and Nate, two of the other NYADA students who were performing that night.  Kurt grimaced as Cora monopolized Blaine, shooting him an apologetic look as she proceeded to tell him a detailed story about how upset she was with her last set of headshots, posing and making faces to demonstrate her point.  He could see Blaine growing uncomfortable, but soon realized it wasn't because of Cora, it was the fact that Nate had shifted so close to Blaine that he was almost in his lap, and had begun to touch his arm for emphasis quite a bit more frequently than was necessary.

“My, look at the time,” Kurt said, speaking over Cora, and moving to stand in between Nate and Blaine.  He placed a possessive a hand on Blaine's shoulder.  “I'm sorry I have to leave you, baby, but we've got to go get ready.”  He leaned in close to whisper in Blaine's ear.  “Mind a little PDA, clear things up?” 

“Not at all,” Blaine said, whispering back.  “Kiss for good luck?”  Blaine said out loud, tilting his head up and puckering his lips adorably. 

Kurt planted a firm kiss on Blaine's lips, his hand going to the back of Blaine's neck, Blaine's hand finding Kurt's waist and pulling him closer.  “Mmm, I think that was a very lucky kiss,” Kurt murmured.

“Not like you need luck,” Blaine said.  “Go on, show ‘em how it's done.”

Kurt leaned in to kiss Blaine again, and Cora grabbed Kurt's arm.  “We get the point, lover boy.”  She turned to Blaine and smiled mischievously.  “I have got to get to you know better.  You deserve some kind of award -  this one's been pining ever since I met him.  Don't know how you got him to forget about his lost love, but kudos to you.”

Kurt looked helplessly over his shoulder as Cora dragged him away, Blaine bursting out into a hearty laugh.  Well, at least if his classmates were going to embarrass him, they were entertaining Blaine in the process.

------

Kurt thought the performances were going well.  He had a good time singing “Agony” from Into the Woods with Nate, and Cora nailed “Ladies Who Lunch” from Company.  A freshman named Luke did an admirable job with “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin, and then it was time for Kurt's solo.  He had agonized a bit over his selection, deciding in the end to go for something with a bit of humor in it. 

Dont throw bouquets at me
Dont please my folks too much
Dont laugh at my jokes too much
People will say were in love.

Dont sigh and gaze at me
Your sighs are so like mine
Your eyes mustnt glow like mine
People will say were in love.

As he finished up, directing the last verse at Blaine, he couldn't help but preen a little.  Blaine was this very minute displaying the patented heart eyes that gave away how much he loved Kurt, just like the song said.  Kurt blew him a little kiss as everyone applauded, not caring a bit if everyone knew who the song was for.  He stood aside for the last song, waiting patiently as Cora and a sophomore girl performed “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent.

As the song neared the end, Carmen Tibideaux materialized behind Kurt.  “We're finishing a little too early.  I don't want the crowds to get restless and leave yet.  Do you mind doing another number?” 

“Of course not,” Kurt said automatically, thinking that Ms. Tibideaux must enjoy doing this to him.  Apparently he gave off some kind of signal that said “please ask me to sing unrehearsed.”  She suggested a song they had worked on towards the end of the semester, however, and Kurt realized it would be perfect.  It was jazzier than their other numbers, but a Broadway favorite nonetheless.

Couldnt sleep and wouldnt sleep
When love came and told me I shouldnt sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I

Kurt caught Blaine's eye but didn't linger.  The song called for a sexy, sultry approach, and he was halfway afraid that if Blaine smirked at him he'd start laughing.  He was no Ella Fitzgerald, but he could do a pretty good job with this song now.  He'd come a long way since his baby penguin days.

Ive sinned a lot; Im mean a lot
But Im like sweet seventeen a lot
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I

Finally he was done, and the crowd was on its feet, including Blaine.  Kurt said a few thank you's and quickly headed back to their table, where Blaine pulled him into a tight hug.

“You are amazing, Kurt,” he said breathlessly, pulling back to look him in the eye.  “You were born for this.  Seriously.”  Blaine kissed him hard and fast, then reached down to grab Kurt's hand and hold it to his own chest, the corners of his mouth twitching up just a little at the familiar gesture.  “I am so proud of you.”

Kurt felt himself blushing as Blaine snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Kurt.  “To you,” Blaine said, clinking his glass with Kurt's.

“To us,” Kurt replied, basking for a moment in Blaine's gaze.  After a moment he quickly drank down the champagne, and Blaine did the same.  Kurt held out his hand.  “Dance with me?”

A nervous look flickered across Blaine's face, but it didn't stop him from accepting Kurt's invitation.  “I'd love to.”

Blaine left his cane propped against the table and they made their way out to the dance floor.  It was fairly crowded with people dancing and enjoying the piano player, who was continuing the Broadway theme of the evening, playing shows tunes old and new.  Blaine pulled Kurt close, and sighed as they came together, slowly swaying to the music.

“I love this song.” Blaine sang softly into Kurt's ear. “Ten minutes ago I saw you, I looked up when you walked through the door.  My head started reeling, you gave me the feeling, the room had no ceiling or floor.”  He nuzzled his head against Kurt's neck, and Kurt shivered. “Too bad I can't waltz with you.”

“I have images right now of you as the King of Siam with your head shaved and me in a billowing satin dress, spinning around to ‘I could have danced all night,'”  Kurt said lightly.  “It's kind of amusing, actually.”

Blaine laughed softly in response.  “That's not what I meant.”  He gave a little sigh.  “I just always wanted to play the prince in that show.  Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, that is, not The King and I.”

“You'll always be a prince to me, waltz or no waltz,” Kurt said, stroking Blaine's chin with his finger and giving him a soft kiss.  “And you're not doing too badly right now.”

They weren't moving very fast, but with Kurt's hands firmly on Blaine's lower back, and Blaine's arms around Kurt's shoulders, they were dancing together quite smoothly. 

“This does feel awfully good,” Blaine said, smiling up at Kurt.  “I haven't danced in years, you know.  Literally, years.”

“Guess it's like riding a bicycle.”

“No, it's definitely a lot nicer than riding a bicycle.”  Blaine laid his head on Kurt's shoulder, then chuckled.  “Your friends are pretty curious about us.”

Kurt turned them so he could see Cora and Nate, busily gossiping with Luke and a taller boy he didn't know.

“Well, I'm not usually the most social person.”

“No duets with hot NYADA boys?”

“Assuming ‘duets' is code for dates, no duets with any boys.”  Kurt hesitated, wondering how much he should say.  “There was one hook up with a guy I met at a bar, and I was so drunk I barely remember it.  And that was it.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Blaine said tentatively.  “I've counted at least four men here at this party that would jump you in an instant.”

“I'm pretty sure you know it wasn't that no one was interested,” Kurt said.  “I just wasn't interested in anyone back.”

“Besides Bruce?”  Blaine was teasing, and Kurt couldn't help but catch the smile on his face.  Blaine certainly didn't mind that he hadn't had another boyfriend.  Kurt couldn't blame him, really.

“It's not nice to make fun of my solo status, Blaine,” Kurt teased back.  “What about you?  How many cute NYU boys have needed some individual tutoring after class?”

“Exactly zero.  And in addition to the fact that I have had way more problems than I could deal with over the past few years, it turns out that Artie might have given us an unrealistic experience of dating while in a wheelchair.  I wasn't exactly turning heads.”

Kurt rubbed Blaine's back comfortingly.  He suspected Blaine was in fact turning heads, wheelchair or no, but he was probably too self-conscious to notice.  And his twenty-four hour a day superhero bodyguard couldn't have helped matters.  “Plus, you had Sam.”

Blaine stiffened a little bit in Kurt's arms.  “What do you mean?” 

Shit, foot in mouth again.  “I'm not saying anything romantic was going on between you.  Just that from the outside, a potential suitor might well assume that you were together, and hold off on approaching you.  Due to the gorgeous, hunky blond firmly attached to your side.”

“Oh, all right, that's fair.”  Blaine relaxed.  “Whatever happened to Adam?”

“Adam?”

“Yeah, you know, the guy you dated your first year at NYADA?  Doctor Who?”

“What, did you get all your intel from Santana?”  Kurt laughed. “I seem to remember telling you once before that that was over.”

“I know.  I just wondered if maybe you might have seen him again, after….”

“I haven't seen Adam since he graduated and went back to England two years ago.”  He pulled Blaine tighter against him and breathed into his hair.  “Honestly, you have nothing to worry about.  Cora was right.  I've been pining after my lost love, and now I've found him again.  End of story.”

“I like this story,” Blaine said, planting a sweet kiss on Kurt's cheek.  “I like it very, very much.  But unfortunately, my leg is killing me and I think I may be about to turn into a pumpkin. Any chance the story can have an epilogue back at my place?”

Kurt laughed, his heart overflowing.  No ceiling or floor, indeed.  “Your wish is my command, my prince.”